Harmonic Blue Skies

When Sky woke up the next morning, he was still feeling frustrated and disappointed. The weather outside was dull and overcast, which fit his mood perfectly. He poured himself a small bowl of cereal for breakfast, and flopped down on his couch. He considered just spending the day alone indoors, but then realized that brooding by himself was only going to make him feel worse. So after brushing his teeth and combing his mane, he decided to visit Emerald.

Sky figured that since Emerald had a marefriend, maybe he could offer some romantic advice. It took Sky about half an hour to fly across Ponyville, and he eventually landed on the bridge leading into the Everfree forest. It then struck him that although he knew Emerald and Tree Hugger lived in the forest, he didn’t know exactly where in the forest their cottage was located, or how far back the forest actually went.

“Well, this will be difficult.” he said to himself. “I’m not scared, though. I’ll just stick to the main path until I see a cottage. How many cottages could be in here, anyway?” He walked slowly across the bridge and into the dark forest.

Although the big trees blocked out most of the light from above, Sky could still see the main dirt path that winded through the forest. As he walked along, he thought he saw several pairs of spooky yellow eyes in the undergrowth. He sighed heavily, extended his right wing and flipped them his middle feather. The eyes immediately disappeared.

After following the path for about three miles, Sky spotted a small stone cottage between two tall trees. He looked closely at it and saw that a green leaf and a red heart-shaped tree were painted on the door. Sky recognized those symbols as Emerald and Tree Hugger’s cutie marks, and figured this must be their place. He walked up to the cottage and knocked on the door.

Emerald answered the door, and was pleasantly surprised to see Sky. “Hi, Sky!” he said. “Good to see you! What’s up?”

“I’m not doing so well right now.” Sky admitted. “I had a pretty rough day yesterday, and I could use some romantic advice.”

Emerald nodded sympathetically. “I’m sorry to hear that. Come on in. I’m sure Tree Hugger and I can help you feel better.”

Sky followed Emerald into the cottage and sat down next to him on the couch. “Your cottage is nice and cozy.” Sky remarked. “I like it here.”

“Thank you! I’m glad you like it.” said Emerald. “Tree Hugger and I were lucky to find it. Not too many other ponies live out here.”

Tree Hugger came into the living room, holding a long black millipede in her hoof. “Is that Sebastian?” Sky asked.

“It sure is!” Tree Hugger replied. She held Sebastian in front of Sky.

“He’s the biggest millipede I’ve ever seen.” Sky remarked. “How long is he?”

“Nine inches from head to tail.” said Tree Hugger. “He’s a big boy, but he’s totally chill! Do you want to hold him?”

Sky smiled. “Sure!” He extended his hoof, and Tree Hugger gently placed Sebastian on it. Soon, Sebastian was crawling all over Sky’s leg. Sky laughed as Sebastian’s many small legs tickled his fur. He was beginning to feel a bit better.

“So, what happened yesterday?” Emerald asked.

Sky sighed. “It started when I ran into Noteworthy on the train. You know, the saxophone player from the music show?”

“Yeah, I remember him.” said Emerald. “I only saw him on the stage, though. I never talked to him. What did he do?”

“He sat down next to me and acted friendly at first, but then he told me he was interested in Lyra too.” Sky explained. “He said that Lyra wasn’t truly interested in being my friend, and that a loner like me had nothing to offer her. I’m worried that he might be right. I mean, an architect and a musician don’t really have that much in common. Maybe Lyra isn’t such a good match for me after all.”

“Noteworthy sounds like a real jerk.” Emerald said firmly. “And he hardly even knows you. You shouldn’t let somepony like that get into your head and ruin something you enjoy.”

“Surround yourself with nice ponies who give you positive energy, not toxic ponies who bum you out.” added Tree Hugger.

“Besides, if Noteworthy really thought you had no chance with Lyra, he wouldn’t have bothered putting you down in the first place.” Emerald continued.

Sky shrugged. “I guess so, but it didn’t end there. Noteworthy got into my head, and ruined the rest of my day too. I was so awkward when I met Lyra’s sister for the first time, and then I just left as soon as Lyra’s parents started arguing. Now I’ve left a bad impression on her entire family, and probably ruined her opinion of me too.”

“I think the problem is that you’re too hard on yourself.” said Emerald. “What Noteworthy said about you isn’t true, and one bad day isn’t going to destroy your friendship with Lyra. You and her get along really well, so maybe it’s time for you to take the next step.”

Sky was surprised. “You mean… ask her out?”

Emerald smiled and nodded. “Of course! As I said before, I think you’ve got a good chance. If Lyra wrote to you as soon as her parents needed an architect, and invited you backstage at her music show, then she definitely likes spending time with you!”

“But I’ve only known her for a month.” Sky said doubtfully. “This might be too soon to ask her out. What if I end up scaring her away?”

“Chill, dude!” Tree Hugger chimed in, sensing that Sky was stressing himself out. “Breathe deep. Seek peace.”

Sky took a deep breath, then giggled as he felt Sebastian’s legs on his chest. He looked down and saw the giant millipede moving across his chest to his other leg. “Almost forgot about you there, buddy.” he chuckled.

Emerald grinned. “I’m glad you and Sebas are getting along so well. But anyway, a month is not too soon to ask somepony out. Tree Hugger asked me out just two weeks after I met her.”

“Really?” Sky asked. “Wow!”

Tree Hugger nodded. “As soon as Emerald and I met, I could tell he really dug my vibes, but I don’t think he knew that I dug his just as much.”

“I was very shy and insecure back then.” Emerald recalled. “Tree Hugger was the most beautiful and understanding mare I’d ever met, but I thought there was no chance that she would like me back.”

“So on our last day in the White Tail Woods together, I surprised him by inviting him out to dinner at a nice outdoor cafe.” Tree Hugger said with a wink.

“It was the best surprise I ever got!” said Emerald. “There I was, worrying that she would reject me if I asked her, but instead she asked me first! We spent a warm spring night together at the cafe, and we just progressed from there.”

“So if Lyra digs your aura as much as Emerald says she does, then I’m sure you’ll do just fine.” Tree Hugger said to Sky. “And who knows, maybe she’ll surprise you just like I surprised Emerald. Either way, you have my blessings.”

“And mine too, of course!” Emerald added.

Sky was now feeling better. He glanced up at the old wooden clock on the wall and saw that it was a quarter to noon. “I’d love to stick around, but I’m meeting Sugarcoat for lunch again at noon.” Sky explained. “Thanks for helping me feel better, and for letting me hang out with Sebastian.” He smiled as he picked up Sebastian and gently handed him back to Tree Hugger.

“No problem!” said Emerald. “We’re always willing to help a friend in need.” Tree Hugger nodded in agreement.

Sky waved goodbye to Emerald and Tree Hugger, and headed out of the cottage feeling much better than when he walked in. He looked forward to lunch with Sugarcoat, and knew that spending time with her would make him feel even better.

Since Sky moved to Ponyville, he and Sugarcoat had lunch together once or twice each week. Today, instead of Sky going to Canterlot, Sugarcoat came to Ponyville, and they met up at the Ponyville Cafe.

“My week was pretty boring.” Sugarcoat remarked. “Too much paperwork, not enough actual deliveries. I hope your week was more interesting than mine.”

“Well, I guess you could say it was.” Sky said thoughtfully. “A few days ago, I went to this music show that Lyra and the other Ponyville musicians were doing, and it was amazing. Lyra’s music was my favorite, of course. She also gave me a backstage tour before the show started.”

“That sounds pretty nice!” said Sugarcoat. “I’m glad to hear you’ve become good friends with Lyra.”

Sky nodded. “Me too, she’s a really fun pony to hang out with! Things hit a rough patch yesterday, though.”

Sugarcoat raised an eyebrow. “What happened? Was it you or her?”

“It was me.” Sky conceded. He told Sugarcoat about his encounter with Noteworthy, and how it ruined his visit with Lyra’s parents. “I’m feeling better after I talked to Emerald and his marefriend about it, but I’m still worried that I made a bad impression on Lyra’s family.” he finished.

Sugarcoat rolled her eyes. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – you’re way too hard on yourself, Sky. Every time you make one little mistake, you carry it with you for the whole day and make yourself miserable. One bad day isn’t going to ruin Lyra’s opinion of you. As for her family, so what? You’ll have more chances to make a better impression, and besides, it’s not like you’re trying to be super close friends with them anyway. If I were you, I’d just go for it. Ask Lyra out.”

Sky nodded. “I guess you’re right. I’ll just need to work up enough confidence to ask her.”

“What do you mean, work up the confidence?” Sugarcoat asked rhetorically. “If Lyra enjoys your company as much as she seems to, she’ll most likely say yes. From what you’ve told me, I’d say you have nothing to be worried about. Mares aren’t as difficult to reach as you might think.”

“That’s a good point.” said Sky. “In any case, I’d better ask her before Noteworthy tries anything.”

“Noteworthy is irrelevant.” Sugarcoat said firmly. “He’s a useless blowhard who doesn’t even know you. Stallions who talk trash like that only make fools of themselves.”

“What’s that about me?” snapped a familiar voice. Noteworthy happened to have entered the cafe just then, and sauntered over to Sugarcoat. “I don’t like ponies who badmouth others behind their backs. So what’s going on here?”

Sugarcoat was completely unfazed. “I said you’re a useless blowhard who doesn’t even know Sky. You talk a lot of trash, but you only make a fool of yourself.”

Noteworthy snickered, then turned his attention to Sky. “Oh, hello again, Sky.” he sneered. “You’re so mediocre that I didn’t even notice you there. Anyway, it looks like you’re already with another mare, and not a very pleasant one at that. Looks like I’ll have Lyra all to myself!”

“I’m his cousin, you idiot.” Sugarcoat retorted. “Not his marefriend.”

Noteworthy turned back to Sky. “Seriously? Wow, you really are pathetic! You can’t even get a mare that isn’t related to you!”

“And remind me again, how many mares are you with?” Sugarcoat asked knowingly. “If you’re pursuing Lyra, then you’re either single or a cheater. And if you’re the latter, then you’re a useless piece of trash that no decent mare will ever want to have.”

Noteworthy laughed again and pointed to Sky. “Your cousin can stroke your ego as much as she wants, but you watch this space. Soon Lyra and I will be spending all our time together, while you’ll be lonely, miserable and out of a job.”

“You know, if you’ve been interested in Lyra for years, and you still haven’t made a move on her, then that’s just sad.” said Sugarcoat. “Sky just met Lyra last month, and she already likes him better than you. Therefore, all of your arguments are completely invalid.”

Noteworthy tried to think of a comeback, but he had nothing. “Silence?” Sugarcoat asked. “Good. Your overinflated ego is no match for my logic.”

“Well… this isn’t over!” Noteworthy spluttered. He turned and stormed out of the cafe.

Sky grinned and gave Sugarcoat a big hug. “Thank you so much, Sugar!” he exclaimed. “You sure shut him up!”

“No problem, Sky.” Sugarcoat said warmly. “I’d do anything for my favorite cousin. You definitely don’t have to worry about that loser now!”

When they’d finished their lunch, Sky and Sugarcoat walked out of the cafe together and saw that the gray clouds from earlier in the day were now dissipating. “Looks like the weather’s clearing up!” Sky remarked.

“It sure is!” Sugarcoat agreed. “Since the weather’s nicer now, could you take me to the lake near your house? I’ve wanted to see it ever since you moved here.”

“Of course I can!” Sky said with a smile. “I’m sure you’ll love it. It’s really big and there’s basically no pollution.”

“Great!” said Sugarcoat. “Lead the way!”

So the two pegasi spread their wings, and Sky led Sugarcoat to the north end of Ponyville. It wasn’t long before they arrived at the lake. The water was calm, and Sky and Sugarcoat could see their reflections shimmering on the clear blue surface.

Sugarcoat was most impressed. “This is amazing!” she said. “And to think this is the view you get every day… you sure picked the right place to buy a house!”

“I’m glad you like it!” said Sky. “I remember the first time I saw it. I couldn’t believe how lucky I’d gotten, and I couldn’t believe that my house’s previous owner would want to move away from it!”

“Well, their loss was your gain!” Sugarcoat chuckled. “Speaking of which, I’ll race you. One lap around the lake. Let’s go!” And Sugarcoat suddenly took off like a rocket.

“Hey!” Sky laughed. “Come back here!” He flapped his wings rapidly and raced after his cousin.

Sugarcoat was flying around the lake at quite some speed. She didn’t look like an athletic pony, but she had always been a very fast flier. So was Sky. About halfway around the lake, Sky drew alongside. “Look out, Sugar!” he chortled. “Here I come!”

“Oh no, you don’t!” Sugarcoat tittered. She increased her speed and pulled ahead again. Sky followed suit, and the pair of them were neck-and-neck as they raced around the east side of the lake. They eventually made it back to their starting point and landed on the ground at the exact same moment, breathing heavily.

“Tie?” Sky panted.

Sugarcoat nodded wearily. “I think so, yeah. Good race.”

Sky and Sugarcoat exchanged a gentle hoofbump, and then laid down in the grass together. “I could fall asleep here.” Sugarcoat sighed.

“Me too.” Sky agreed. “You and me together, just like old times.”