Equidae

by Lucefudu

Author's Notes

Inspired by:

Voltaire - Feathery Wings

You, there on the bridge, where have you been? What’s your name?
And you, there on the wall, where will you go to once you fall?
You, lost at sea, do you need me? Do you need directions?
Hey, put down the gun! What are you thinking?
You were someone's son

The taste of tears
The sting of pain
The smell of fear
The sounds of crying

A long, long time ago I fell to this place
From another dimension
And thrust amongst the beasts
And they way they behave,
The borders on dementia
Now through all these years
I can barely take it
I don't think I can make it
Take me away from here
I want to go home

I’m so sick and tired of the
The taste of tears
The sting of pain
The smell of fear
The sounds of crying
As you standing at the edge of your life
What do you remember?
Was it all you wanted?

I'm trying to earn a set of feathery wings
I wish I could protect you here
Oh, please don't cry
Now smile as you're standing
At the edge of your life
Your troubles are over
Mine are just beginning
I'm trying to earn a set of feathery wings
To take me away from here
It’s me you leave behind

Ah... if only I could have been there
I’d be a hand for the sinking
If only I could have been there
I’d be a prayer for the dying
See the pain etched in my face

Oh, I’m so sick and tired of
The taste of tears
The sting of pain
The smell of fear
The sounds of crying
As you're standing at the edge of your life
What do you remember?
Was it all you wanted?

I'm trying to earn a set of feathery wings
I wish I could protect you here
Oh, please don't cry
Now smile as you're standing
At the edge of your life
Your troubles are over
Mine are just beginning

I'm trying to earn a set of feathery wings
To take me away from here
It’s me you leave
You're gone from here
Don't leave from here
Don't leave me here
I hate it here
You're gone from here
Don't leave me here
I need you here
I need to see you smile

'Earth' qualify as alternate universe? Oh well...
Lyra, you silly filly. If you would just go back to sleep in the darkness, you would end up in Equestria again.

Are humans the only ones entitled to wake up on a different universe after some life-altering event? Nope.

If you’ve read my first chapter about Bon Bon, you will note a few similarities. If you try to unite both stories on one timeline, some questions might surface.
Were she and Bon Bon really together as a couple?
Or was Bon Bon’s mind completely shattered after the accident?

Is Equestria really real?
Or just a refuge for Lyra’s mind?

Are there two different Lyras?
Or did she block out all memories from the human world?

FAQ:
Q: Wasn’t Lyra under-reacting?
A: The drug she takes gives her a mental blockage. I tried my best to insert a few emotions here and there nonetheless.

Q: ‘Mental blockage’? Seriously!?
A: It’s not just mental, the blockage is physical too. The users of such drugs often say that they actually feel something actively stopping them from thinking further into anything. Such effect is more pronounced when using some kind of antipsychotic drug (mainly the classical ones, such as Haloperidol and Chlorpromazine).

Q: Why don’t you stop referring to her parents as ‘the male/female human’?
A: Because I wanted her to have a distance from both. A feeling of ‘strangeness’ that never ceased. Besides, are they really her parents?

Q: Weren’t Barbiturates replaced with Benzodiazepines as anxiolytic drugs?
A: Yes, indeed they were! For the sole purpose of making this medically (to some extent) correct, I’ve replaced Lyra’s medication from a Benzodiazepine to a Barbiturate.

Q: But why?
A: Because Benzodiazepines cannot make a person die from an overdose (from its consumption alone). But Barbiturates can! Simple as that. If you would like to learn more, read on.

First, let’s get you accustomed to the term GABA (Gamma-AminoButyric Acid). GABA is a neurotransmitter that hold the function of inhibiting the neural conductions by hyperpolarizing the neurons.
The hyperpolarization can be achieved by either by negative ions influx (GABAa receptor) or positive ions efflux (GABAb receptor).

Benzodiazepines are GABA modulators (they turn inactive GABA receptors into closed GABA receptors, making it easier for these closed receptors to open themselves). And opened GABA receptors are more likely to work when binding to GABA.
If you overdose on Benzodiazepines: There will be more GABA receptors closed than inactive. The closed receptors can (and will) open themselves to allow more GABA to bind with them.
Meaning?: You’ll sleep for a very long time and wake up.

Barbiturates are GABA agonists (they mimic GABA when binding to its receptors).
If you overdose on Barbiturares: They will start binding themselves to GABA receptors right away, causing a massive inhibition.
Meaning?: You’ll die from inhibition to the Bulbus (Medulla Oblongata). You won’t be able to properly regulate your heart rate and respiratory frequency (along with other parameters).

Q: I’m still confused! If GABA effects will be present on both instances, why a person dies only with Barbiturares?
A: Because Barbiturates will act as GABA. Benzodiazepines will modulate the receptors only, not causing a GABA stimulation per se. Benzodiazepines still need GABA to be secreted for them to work properly. Our body acknowledges that GABA inhibition is great and forces GABA receptors to close. But Barbiturates act as GABA themselves, acting more quickly than Benzodiazepines, not giving enough time for our body to acknowledge the GABA inhibition in order to force the receptors shut.

Q: Is there any way to die from Benzodiazepine overdose?
A: Yes, there is. If you use a substance that releases GABA (like Alcohol) or one that mimics GABA (like a Barbiturate), the GABA inhibition will be too great.