The smell of mint and other scents invaded Lyra's nostrils. No matter how much she tossed and turned, she couldn't escape the sharp smell that persistently hung in the air. Abandoning any hopes of sleep, Lyra finally rose to her hooves. All these varieties of scents could only mean one thing.
Bon Bon was in the kitchen.
Lyra's assumption rung true as she spotted Bon Bon diligently observing her creations. "Good morning, Bon Bon." The mint colored mare's greeting was returned with a soft hum. "Watcha making there?" Lyra made her way past Bon Bon, looking at the deep blue colored candies before her. Her mouth began to water at the sight of them. "They look really good!"
"I'm sure they are," Bon Bon spoke nonchalantly, pulling out a red satchel from one of the cabinets.
"Oh, no." Lyra's ears fell flat upon seeing it. "Not the Anti-Lyra bag."
The cream colored mare gave a soft giggle at her marefriend's reaction. "Yes, these are for a customer, Lyra."
Bon Bon let Lyra wallow in her disappointment a little longer before setting down a separate satchel. This one embroidered with Lyra's cutie mark. "I didn't forget about your big day though." Stifling another giggle at Lyra's foal-like reaction, She watched as the minty mare opened her bag.
Lyra's eyes began to shine with hope. "Is this cosmos candy?"
"Mhm, I know it's your favorite. And since today is the day you get to do your interview again, I wanted to give you something special." Bon Bon's voice grew a little weaker at the thought. "Do you think you'll be alright this time?"
Lyra, who was already muzzle deep into her candy bag, looked up at Bon Bon. "Of Course," Lyra struck a silly pose, "This candy gives me strength!" She popped one more confection into her mouth, "I'm going to go practice for a little while at the park. Will you tune in to the radio station tonight?"
Bon Bon gave a nod, then went over to give her marefriend a soft nuzzle. "Of course. I've got to deliver these candies to Pinkie Pie. Then I'll be sure to listen to your interview tonight." She smiled when Lyra returned her affection. With one last wave, Lyra made her way out the door.
Of course Bon Bon had no intention of selling her candies to Pinkie Pie. She felt herself shudder with what the pink mare would do with these candies at her disposal. Her creation was, after all, no ordinary candy. Once she found that the poison joke was edible, she let her curiosity get the best of her and decided to create a candy out of the plant.Taking one of the candies out of her bag, the candy maker examined her creation. It had a shiny allure that was common with most candies, but had the unique effect of the poison joke. It smelled like mint, but sometimes smell and taste can be very different things. Nervously, Bon Bon took the small treat and tossed it into her mouth. "Blegh!" In this case, smell and taste were very different things.
"The things I do for you, Lyra." Bon Bon didn't like hiding things from Lyra, but the anonymity she gained from the poison joke proved to be a valuable asset in helping Lyra with her nervousness. The bitterness of the poison joke would hopefully be worth it in the end.
She'd tell her everything when this was all over. But first, a walk was in order.
~~~***~~~
The busy streets of Ponyville would serve to pass the time. Bon Bon loved all the colorful life that flowed through Ponyville. Derpy Hooves was off delivering mail. Roseluck's flowers seemed to be growing nicely. Even Carrot Top's carrots were looking extra delicious today. Carrots would be a nice change from all the apples she'd been having since the fiasco with Applejack.
"One carrot, please." Bon Bon eyed the carrots hungrily. Working with candy all day without a single bite did not help her stomach's pleading.
"Two bits," The curly maned mare replied with a smile
After the exchange, Bon Bon quickly devoured the carrot, hardly taking time to savor the taste. From Roseluck's roses to Carrot Top's carrots, Ponyville flourished with the effort its ponies put into their passion.
"I'd recommend oranges really," the orange mare spoke to her customer. "By the sound of your voice, I'd say you were catching a cold." The comment forced Bon Bon to gulp down what was left of her meal. Had the poison joke started to take effect in such a short time?
"I'll be sure to keep that in mind." The creamy mare squeaked at the sound of her own voice before hastily making her exit from Carrot Top. Making her way to the main road, she decided it might be best to enjoy the view of busy ponies in silence. She found a place to sit and watch the activity around her. She giggled as she watched Thunderlane nervously ask Flitter on a date. Time Turner's nervous pace indicated he was late to his destination. A slightly disheveled Twilight was heading in the direction of the park. Bon Bon had to do a double take at that last observation. She could vaguely hear the lavender unicorn something about being "tardy."
The park. Right now, Lyra was probably serenading the entire park with her music. It would be a risk to try and meet with Lyra with her voice already acting up. Still, she couldn't resist a walk in the park. She would just have to keep just earshot of Lyra's playing. She fixed herself up and headed towards her destination.
~~~***~~~
Celestia's sun was something to admire as it shined beautifully for its beloved ponies. There was a little time left before the sky would become a soft hue of violet. The sound of cheerful fillies and playful colts resonated throughout the entire area. Thunderlane's attempt at courtship seemed to have succeeded. He was looking rather bashful walking beside an equally diffident Flitter. Even Big Mac was out on this beautiful evening. He seemed to be caught in the middle of a squabble between three little fillies who were fighting over... 'something'.
The only thing that was missing was Lyra's music. She thought for sure she would be able to hear it by now. Bon Bon mentally kicked herself for using the poison joke so early. She could have brought some food for a picnic. The only sound she could hear now was the aforementioned squabble growing louder. She turned her head to see a whole mess of ponies arguing over 'something'. Big Mac, the bright red stallion that helped run Sweet Apple Acres was ahead of the pack. The 'something' was in his mouth. The burly stallion seemed to want to keep it that way.
Then Bon Bon got a closer look at the 'something.'
It was a seemingly worn-out doll with scruffy hair, button eyes, and blue polka dot pants. Its decrepit appearance left Bon Bon to wonder what the hype was about. It was certainly nothing she would give to a foal. Yet, for some reason, she was unable to look away from it, as if an unseen presence bound her to it. It was as if the more she stared at it, the more she could feel her thoughts and emotions boil down to the most basic of instincts and desires. Bon Bon's eyes felt like they were being pushed to the back of her skull. With each passing moment, the doll was becoming everything.
She wanted it. She needed it.
The new found desire for the doll left the creamy mare oblivious to the oncoming ponies that shared her need for the battered doll. She didn't even feel the impact of those ponies slamming into her for possession of their prize. Seeing Lyra among the group of rampaging equines did nothing to quell her desire for the hoof-stitched toy. She kicked, bit, smashed, and tumbled against the onslaught.
Despite her efforts, the doll was still clutched tightly in Big Mac's muzzle. It burned Bon Bon to see the doll in somepony else's possession. "That incredible, amazing, doll!" She unconsciously cried after the decaying plaything, unaware even to her sudden nasally voice. The chase after Big Mac had turned into a pony pile. The blue-eyed mare watched Big Mac surface to the top of the pile and began her own ascent to the top. Each hoof step over a frenzied pony brought her closer to her goal.
The doll was only a few inches away. She was so close. She was close enough to witness the Mayor of Ponyville snatch away the doll like a pleasant but fading dream one tries to cling to. It was enough to bring the burning sensation back. It was back to a full-on chase for the treasure. Mayor Mare's lead was cut short by a Pegasus that swiftly swiped the doll away, only to have another Pegasus try to make it hers.
The doll was smacked around from one pony to the other, causing an all-out brawl in the process. The park filled with sounds of frantic shouts and rumbling ponies. All was in riot, save for a few ponies plagued by confusion of the situation and a manic-looking Twilight Sparkle sporting an unkempt mane and tail. The lavender pony had her head to the ground. She looked to be hiding from the dwindling sun that was making room for Luna's moon.
"Twilight Sparkle," came a commanding voice.
The owner of the voice was none other than Princess Celestia. She was in flight, surveying everything that was occurring. Seeing all she needed to see, she began to cast a blinding light which washed over all of the ponies. As the light touched each pony, their forced influence for the doll started to dissipate as quickly as it had come. Soon, all that remained was group of confused ponies all toppled on one another. They all came to gather around the object they all fought for. Some cocked their head in confusion. Others came to find humor in the situation. Bon Bon gave an apologetic smile to the pony beside her, which she had been pummeling moments ago. Fortunately, the smile was understood and returned.
The group silently made a unanimous decision to forget it all and go about their ways. All that remained in the park was the doll, which was snatched up by Big Mac for unknown reasons, Celestia, and a few other ponies. The sun goddess stayed with Twilight and her friends. Bon Bon didn't stay long enough to hear what words were said. She just wanted to go home.
"Bon Bon, wait up!" A voice shouted from behind her. She turned her head to see Lyra coming her way. Bon Bon opened her mouth to speak, but quickly clamped it shut when her current condition came to mind. "Were you in that crazy mess too?" Lyra spoke, her focus returning to where they had been moments ago. "I swear this town has become a lot more lively since Twilight showed up. Don't ya think?" The candy-flanked mare gave a weak smile and nod.
"You okay, bons?" The mint colored mare asked, confusion lining her features.
"Mhm," was Bon Bon's meek reply. Even that carried with odd squeak.
Lyra's eyes seemed to widen. Bon Bon took a step back, holding her breath in fear of the worst. "Late!" Lyra's sudden exclamation broke any silence that lingered between them. "I'm going to be late for the interview if I don't hurry." She cantered over to Bon Bon, giving her a peck on the cheek. "Sorry, I've got to get going. Be sure to listen in tonight." With that, Lyra made her way to her destination. Bon Bon watched her form shrink to nothingness before finally allowing herself to let the air return to her lungs. After letting her breath steady, she made her towards home.
~~*** ~~
Bon Bon scrambled into the house, nearly forgetting to close the door behind her. She quickly flicked on the radio; a sigh escaped her as she heard "heartstrings" nearing the halfway point. She found solace in the melody that filled the room before eventually reaching its end.
"That was Heartstrings; a solo harp piece by Lyra Heartstrings," The radio DJ spoke. "Good evening, everypony. You're listening to Colt Classic Radio. Today, we have Lyra Heartstrings with us again. Hopefully tonight we can hear more about her song and her inspiration for making it."
The DJ began to ask Lyra questions. Trepidation crept into Bon Bon's mind as she waited for Lyra to say something... anything. After a few moments of silence, Lyra's voice could finally be heard sputtering out broken words. "C-cosmos candy." Lyra's disconnected statement hung in the radio waves. Well, maybe not anything.
"I'm sorry, I don't quite understand." The DJ's confusion was more than evident.
Bon Bon let out a sigh and reached for the phone.She just hoped another silly-voiced savior would be what Lyra needed.
~~***~~
"I'm sorry, I don't quite understand." The DJ's words were understood. The problem was Lyra's inability to form a sentence. She knew she brought up cosmos candy for a reason, but that reason was simply lost to her. She thought that she would be better this time. Yet, here she is, mumbling like a foal at show and tell. Who was she kidding? She couldn't do this on her own. She needed something or somepony to get her mind together.
"Oh, we have a caller."
Thank Celestia!
"Hello caller," the DJ greeted with his usual calm demeanor. "You're on the air."
"I thought it was an incredible, amazing, song!." A familiar giggle followed with the click that indicated the caller was no longer there. Silence was all that remained for the next few moments. The tan colored DJ had a hoof pressed to his face. Any atmosphere he tried to paint for his radio show was surely crumbling with the last few callers he had received. Lyra, however, was seemingly lost in thought. Those words sounded as familiar as the giggle that followed them.
"Seems we have another caller." Lyra could hear the DJ muttering something under his breath.
"I agree with the previous caller. That was quite the delightful piece." The voice carried with with an accent commonly found in the brighter parts of Canterlot.
"I'd recognize that voice anywhere." The radio host spoke with seemingly renewed faith. "It's good to hear from you again, Octavia."
Lyra snapped to attention. "Octavia? Octavia of the Canterlot Orchestra?"
"That would be correct. I am quite curious as to how you came to make this piece as well," Octavia spoke. "I think I've been around music enough to know when a song is more than something you just come up with."
The mint colored mare looked down at her lyre. She could still feel the nervousness that plagued her. "Heartstrings was the first piece I worked on that felt like it was mine. It was the first piece that felt real." Lyra was tired of it. Looking up, her features held a look of determination. She was going to be heard.
"I worked until I was satisfied with each note. The tempo needed to suit the passion. And the progression had to reflect how determined I was to show what I cared about. Finally, after months of toiling, I felt that what I created was ready. So I named it something that felt appropriate. I gave it my signature."
A light chuckle carried through the other side. "That is truly something to be admired. Don't ever abandon that resolve." Lyra struggled to suppress a squeal at Octavia's praise. "I look forward to what you come up with next."
After hearing the 'click' that indicated Octavia's leave, The tan stallion switched off the power to the phone. "I think that will be enough callers for the night, lest we have to bring you back in for a third interview." He flashed Lyra a smile. "Before we come to a close, would you like to share with us you have planned for the future?"
"Cosmos Candy."
"There is that peculiar name again."
Chuckling at the response, Lyra brought out the bag that Bon Bon had given her earlier. She offered one of the remaining treats to the stallion. "It's a name I gave to the candies somepony very special to me gave me. Try one."
The DJ obligingly popped the candy into his mouth. "Oh, wow. That is-"
"Out of this world?" Lyra finished his sentence with a sly grin.
A slight nod of his head told her all she needed to know. "She puts as much passion into her confections as I put into my music." The mare looked down at her lyre once more. "She is the most important pony in my life. I've wanted to make a song as cheerful and upbeat as her personality. Something as unique as the candy she makes. When it is finished, I'll name it Cosmos Candy."
The radio host turned away, looking as if he had something in his eye. "I'm sure it will be a great one, Miss Heartstrings." He composed himself, "That was Lyra Heartstrings on Colt Classic Radio. Have a safe night and tune in with me tomorrow." He switched off microphone, leaving his listeners with commercials.
"Do you, um, have any more of those candies?"
~~***~~
The static lingered throughout the house before Bon Bon decided to silence the radio. She tried to fix the sudden moisture in her eyes. Lyra had a way with words when she put her heart to it. She would definitely be getting a refill of her favorite candy.
Sometime later, Bon Bon let her voice recover in the steamy bubble bath she had prepared for herself. She held her breath and submerged herself into the soothingly warm water. Surfacing, she let out a small giggle as a few bubbles clung to her snout.
"Having fun, cutie?"
Bon Bon shifted her gaze to see Lyra standing in the doorway. "Lyra, you startled me. Sounded like things went great at the interview!" Bon Bon made her way to the edge of the bathtub.
The mint colored pony walked towards the tub. "It went great! I can't believe Octavia of the Canterlot Orchestra complemented my work!" She leaned in close to the other mares face. "Though," she pensively tapped a hoof against her snout, "I do wonder about those other ponies that called into the show. I'd like thank them if I could." She was now a mere inch away from her lover's face. She brushed some of Bon Bon's damp mane out of her face with her hoof. "Oh, wait. I think I can."
Lyra could feel the heat radiate from her special somepony as she pulled her into a kiss. Not a sound was heard, save for the occasional shift of the tub water. The two mares finally parted after a few more seconds. "How- how did you know it was me."
"I'm not sure how you were able to disguise your voice the way you did." She popped a lingering bubble on Bon Bon's nose that caused her to let out a chuckle. "You can't hide that laugh of yours though."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I thought if you heard cheer from different ponies, it would help you with your nervousness." Bon Bon stared down at the water as it rippled from the water droplets that fell from her mane.
Lyra put a hoof to her lover's chin, lifting her head to meet her gaze. "I would love to hear different ponies, though none of them would compare to my number one fan." They shared another kiss. "Now move over. A bath sound amazing."
Under Luna's moon, a stallion had gained a prized doll. A talented lavender unicorn learned a new lesson from her teacher, and a few ponies felt relief in knowing they wouldn't lose their friend. None of that mattered to the two mares who splashed around in their tub. The musician and the candy maker were at play. There only importance being each other.