//------------------------------// // Dinner with the Parents // Story: Bon-Bon Meets Lyra's Parents // by Duke of Canterlot //------------------------------// Bon-Bon anxiously made her way to the dining room. As was the case with the rest of the house, the dining room was unbelievably gorgeous. Lyra made sure to get next to Bon-Bon. "My family has hired the best chefs in Canterlot", said Lyra proudly to Bon-Bon. Bon-Bon saw that there were four plates, each with a perfectly-designed assortment of food. She saw the courgette blossom and tomato frittatas along with fig tarte tatin with shaved manchego cheese. There were also carrot and coriander fritters with haloumi and sweet lemon dressing. Bon-Bon was surprised that she actually knew what all of that food was. None of this food made for a typical dinner at the Drops residence. "Mmmm, fritters", said Lyra. Bon-Bon ate a frittata. It certainly was good but Bon-Bon considered her mother to be the more skilled chef. "I missed Garcon's cooking so much", said Lyra, "it certainly makes me feel glad to be at home." "Good thing too that we have Garcon", said Mr. Heartstrings, "I don't think anyone in our family can cook to save our lives." Mrs. Heartstrings shrugged and said, "We do not need to cook for that we have Garcon. Bon-Bon, are your taste buds able to process the sophistication of this meal?" "Yes, Mrs. Heartstrings. It isn't a problem at all." "Splendid, when I was your age and met Emerald, I had the utmost love for this sort of meal too. Well, there was that poor Sparkle. After she won the coveted role of Celestia's protégé, we invited her to our house for dinner. The poor plebian, she never had a fancy meal such as we provided her in her life and she wasn't a fan of the taste. Princess Celestia always had a soft spot for the downtrodden." "Well, kids don't have quite as developed taste buds as adults, so perhaps that played a bigger role." Lyra grinned and Mr. Heartstrings laughed out loud. "We just need to find a good protégé for our little princess here", said Mr. Heartstrings. "I thought that was already me", responded Bon-Bon. "Nope", said Lyra, "I want a protégé I can feel smart around." "I can play the fool if you wish me to do so", said Bon-Bon. "More like a smartass", muttered Mrs. Heartstrings. Bon-Bon didn't think she would understand why every pony would call her that. "I guess I would rather be a smartass than a dumb not-ass", said Lyra while giggling. "You're not very good at this, are you", said Bon-Bon. "No way, I am awesome. Right, daddy?" "Lyra is the most clever pony I know", responded Mr. Heartstrings. Lyra did have the daddy card. Bon-Bon's dad would have told her to go study if she pulled something like that and say, "Even though your name starts with B, you must get all As!". "Of course, she is", said Bon-Bon sheepishly. "Good. For a second there, I thought you were doubting that in me", said Lyra sticking out her tongue. This elicited chuckles from both of Lyra's parents. "Daddy, would you like for me to play my lyre for the house after dinner?" "Of course", said Mr. Heartstrings, "your music always brightens up every pony's day. Bon-Bon, do you play an instrument?" "I used to play the violin but it just wasn't my special talent, I guess." "We should jam sometime", said Lyra. "Define jam", responded Bon-Bon. Bon-Bon could tell that the double entendre wasn't lost on Lyra's parents, jeez.. she needed to stop making comments like that in front of them. Lyra giggled and whispered in Bon-Bon's ear, "Maybe later tonight." "Mmmmm", said Bon-Bon trying to break the awkward silence, "these are the best fritters I have ever eaten." "You're too kind, we hope we have provided you with a good sense of the Heartstrings lifestyle thus far", said Mr. Heartstrings. "Certainly. You are both lucky to have a daughter like Lyra and vice versa." "Certainly, our family is perhaps the closest thing to perfection in all of Equestria", said Mrs. Heartstrings. "Besides the princesses, my dear", added Mr. Heartstrings. "I suppose then we are the best of the simple folk." "I don't know", said Lyra, "there are millions of families in Equestria. The odds of us having that title are slim." "That's very true, my princess. Bon-Bon, where are you from again", asked Mr. Heartstrings. "Belmont Stakes." "I have heard of that place before. It's over by Manehattan, correct?" "Yes it is. A suburb of Manehattan. It isn't quite as fancy as Canterlot but it's a nice place to live." "No place is as good as Canterlot", interjected Mrs. Heartstrings. Bon-Bon was getting used to these off-color comments from Mrs. Heartstrings by now. "Rich ponies do live in Belmont Stakes", said Bon-Bon, "you got a lot of high-level Manehattanties moving there since they want more land and to live in real houses." "Oh wow", said Mrs. Heartstrings, "my dear, we must move out of our house right now and go to Belmont Stakes. Bon-Bon says it is fantastic! The land and house we have certainly do not compare." "I wouldn't mind", said Lyra. "Sounds like a good place to visit, but when you are a Heartstrings, you live in Canterlot", said Mr. Heartstrings. "Not really an exciting place to visit. That's what Manehattan is for", said Bon-Bon. "Oh yes. I did study Manehattan greatly in my college years", said Mr. Heartstrings, "in fact, you could say that was basically my major. What is your major?" "I'm planning to be a Math major." "Math? I always disliked that subject but more power to you for majoring in it." "Daddy, what would you say if I became an Anthropology major?" "Anthro..what?", asked Mr. Heartstrings. Oh boy. Bon-Bon's sweetheart had a hell of an obsession. It was part of what made Lyra so attractive though. She didn't care what other ponies thought of her. "Lyra is talking about human studies", said Bon-Bon. "Dear, so impractical. I don't even think you can get a job studying such obscure creatures", responded Mrs. Heartstrings. "Does that major even exist", asked Mr. Heartstrings. "I thought you grew out of that silly habit", added Mrs. Heartstrings. "No, but consider it an independent study", responded Lyra, "I know they exist. There is nothing any pony can say that would disprove the existence of humans to me." Bon-Bon couldn't resist. She considered her timing impeccable. "MONKEYS", shouted Bon-Bon. Lyra and her family looked at her in shock. Bon-Bon thought to herself, "What the hell did I just do?"