Broken Heartstrings, Part One
The car pulled up in front of the house in Leesburg, Virginia. A flagpole in the yard flew the flag of the Principality of Equestria, and the as the car stopped in the driveway, the driver, a human, got out of the car and opened the back door. “Ambassdor, we’re here.”
Lyra blearily opened her eyes. “Huh…wha?” She looked – but they just left the embassy just a few seconds ago! She was going to do some paperwork on the way and…Oh, who am I kidding? She hadn’t been sleeping well in the past few weeks. She hadn’t been doing much of anything the past few weeks.
She grabbed her briefcase, fished keys out of her pocket and got out of the car. “Thanks for the ride, Terry. Got plans?”
He smiled. “Oh, absolutely. Wife took the kids to see her parents in Chicago, so it’s just me and the Nats. They’re playing the Cards this weekend, and I can’t wait to see St. Louis get stomped – they don’t deserve to win the World Series again this year.”
“Go Nats,” she said dully. “Hope Alonzo hits one out of the park.”
“So do I, so do I.” As Lyra made her way to the door and Terry went back to the car, he stopped. “Ambassador?”
She looked up. “Hrm?”
“I know it’s not my place to say this, but…cheer up. She’ll be back. I’m sure of it.”
Lyra gave her chauffeur a smile, the kind of smile that said she appreciated the little lie. “You have a good weekend, ‘kay?”
Not wanting to deal with the lies any longer, she went into the house, shut it, locked the doors and just fell apart.
The house still smelled of sugar and vanilla, of lavender and roses – of her. Lyra slumped to the floor, not sure whether she wanted to laugh or cry. Everything lost, everything gone. Her love, her life, her Bon-Bon…gone. Getting back to her feet, Lyra made her way to the kitchen, where the phone was. There was a message, and Lyra clicked it.
“YOU HAVE TWO MESSAGES. FIRST MESSAGE:”
“Bon-Bon? Hi, I’m Susan Chapelle, the wife of the New Zealand Ambassador. Just took over the presidency of the Wives’ Club, so I’m looking forward to meeting you. We’re having our monthly get-together at Wildfire in Tysons Corner next Thursday; so I’m sure you’ll have a great time. Please give me a call back at 240-555-5494 when you can. Talk to you later.”
“NEXT MESSAGE.”
“Hey, Lyra? Just arrived in Nashville, and it’s just like you described. Really going to enjoy living here, the people are great and very accepting of a pony – it helps that I’m a studio musician. As soon as I get my phone hooked up, I’ll pass you the number. I’m really, really proud of you, little sister. Give my regards to Bonnie, and I’ll catch ya later. Bye!”
“END OF MESSAGES.”
She put down the phone and restrained herself from throwing it against the wall. The house felt so cold now, so empty – no longer a home, but now merely just a house, another house in the Embassy Row district in small town 25 miles west of DC. Technically, she didn’t even own the place; it actually belonged to the embassy, for use by the ambassador and his (or her, in this case) family. She and several other diplomatic families lived together on the cul-de-sac at the end of Meadowside Way; her home was situated in between the Italian and Swiss ambassadors’ homes.
She trudged upstairs to remove her business suit and slip into something more suitable, like jeans and a t-shirt. It always drove Bon-Bon up the wall that Lyra dressed so casually when not on the clock; but then again, it really bothered Bon-Bon to be dressed outside of formalwear, period.
Bonnie…. Lyra just wanted to throw herself on the bed and collapse into a heap, but it still smelled of her. But that was the problem. Everything smelled of her. Pulling off her suit and just slipping into a pair of jeans and a DC United t-shirt, Lyra threw herself on the bed anyway, just falling into a slumber filled with deep dreams and sorrowful memories.
“Lyra, I can’t take this anymore!” Bon-Bon said, looking at her with wild eyes. “First it was agreeing to this post far away from our kind. Then you turned on Rarity – she’s been a friend of mine forever!”
“Sweetheart, leaving that filly with her human parents was the right thing to do.” Lyra couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Even you said they looked like they belonged together.”
“But you didn’t have to tell Rarity she was wrong! Couldn’t there have been a better way?” Before Lyra could continue, Bon-Bon continued her accusations. “But after that it was all these other things. You don’t walk like a pony anymore. You wear clothing all the time, like you’re ashamed to be one of us!”
“Bonnie, there are nudity taboos on this planet, just like holding your tail up all the time is one on ours.”
“STOP CALLING ME THAT!” she snapped. “Bonnie’s a human name, my name is Bon-Bon.”
“You’ve never let it bother you before. Why now?”
She continued her litany. “You’re always riding in a car, or that motorcycle you bought. Worse, you’re trying to make me learn how!”
“Hey, I like the motorcycle! It’s cool, and you’ve never complained about riding with me before!”
“I don’t have friends here! I have to hang out with humans!”
“But I thought you and whatshername…Sharon…were getting along great! And what’s wrong with hanging out with humans?” A thought crossed her mind. “Bonni…Bon-Bon, I’ve never known you to be speciesist.”
“I’m not! But…I miss just having pony things! I miss walks to the market, lunch at Sugarcube Corner, that stuff! But here I am, human supermarkets are cold and devoid of life, all the restaurants here feature meat, and I just can’t take it anymore. And then there’s you! It’s like…it’s like I don’t know you anymore.”
“Huh?”
“Lyra…you’ve changed since you were vindicated. You were always so determined to prove humans were nice, despite all the nasty comments and looks ponies gave you, despite losing your job at the Canterlot Orchestra and having to move to Ponyville just to be a music teacher at the school. But look at you now! You’re always so busy. You’re never home at a decent hour anymore and half the time you leave even before I wake up!”
“Bon-Bon, that’s because the Washington embassy is one of only two embassies our country has on this planet right now! You think AC’s having any easier of a time at the UN? Add to that the fact that we’re having to speak for the gryphons, the zebras and the rest because they haven’t even started up their diplomatic corps, and—”
Bon-Bon covered Lyra’s mouth with her own, but there was no warmth in that kiss…no love. “Lyra, I love you, I love you more than anything, but…I can’t take this anymore.”
And then she said the words Lyra never thought she’d hear. “I need…I need some space to myself to think things out. Some time alone to just try to comprehend.” She then looked up at Lyra, and there were tears in her eyes.
“I’m leaving.”
At first, Lyra thought she was just overreacting, but then when she got home from work the next day…and no one was there. Lyra raced upstairs to find all of Bon-Bon’s clothing gone, trinkets and personal items disappeared from the home. Lyra raced down to the kitchen, and that’s when she found the note on the table.
Ly,
Bon-Bon asked Twilight to bring her home. Since Twilight was busy, she opened a gate so me and Tavi could come get her. She’s currently staying with Tavi and her husband in Canterlot. I recommend you stay away right now and not make things worse.
Tavi and Ivory will try to straighten things out between you two. It’s probably just a misunderstanding. What you’re doing there is important, and you gave up your music career for that. As your oldest friends, Tavi and I are just amazed and proud that you found that courage. Bon-Bon will see that in time, I promise.
I’ve got a gig next month at the 9:30 Club in DC. If things don’t straighten out by then, I’ll stay the weekend and we can talk.
Your bud in bass,
- Vi
That had been three weeks ago. Since then, Octavia had sent a note to let her know that Bon-Bon had moved back into their old place in Ponyville…and that she was considering divorce.
Lyra,
I’m sorry. Ivory and I tried, we really did. But she’s scared and despondent. She’s thinking about filing for divorce. Ivory says he’s got a friend that’s a marriage counselor that he can get her to talk to hopefully, but that’s only if she will. Since she’s moving back to your old place, Vinyl says she’ll keep an eye out.
I don’t know what else we can do.
I’m so sorry.
- Octavia
Lyra needed to get out of the house, go somewhere. Looking at the clock by the bed, she noticed it was nearly ten in the evening; she’d apparently fallen asleep. She needed to get something to eat and most of the restaurants in the area were closed. Fortunately, there was one the German ambassador and his wife showed them that would still be open by the time she got there and was just perfect for the moment.
Twenty minutes later, she was at Döner Bistro. A place that Dieter and Caroline said reminded them of the “bad old days” in West Berlin in the 70s (Lyra would have to ask about what that meant someday), the restaurant was good food, good music (they played a lot of German pop music) and something that Lyra had grown to enjoy since her arrival on human Earth: good beer.
“Hey, Nathan, pour me another Köstrizer!” Lyra shouted to the bartender on the other side of the tiny, cozy restaurant, while she drained her stein. Setting it down she took another bite of her falafel sandwich while she was watching the mesmerizing game on the screen: soccer (or football, as they called in Europe, an entirely different game from the football they played here in North America.) Right now she was watching FC Augsburg tear apart Hanover 96. To say it was an evenly matched game would be an understatement.
An idea came to her head: what if she had the game introduced into Equestria? The rules were simple, it was played in much the same way as hoofball, and it’d be a great way to foster relations between Equestria and Germany. She’d have to talk to Dieter and see if he could get some German teams to do some exhibition games and teach a couple of camps.
The bartender set the beer by Lyra, then picked up the empty stein. “Hey, so where’s Bon-Bon? Haven’t seen her around lately.”
The good mood she was slipping into just got kicked away as quickly as the striker slapped that ball towards the goalpost. “Uh, she had to go back to Equestria for personal reasons,” Lyra lied, hoping Nathan couldn’t read her face. “She’ll be back soon.”
“Cool – those chocolates she made for me? A couple of friends had some and were wondering if she could whip up another batch. She could make a killing off that stuff, you know.”
“Yeah, it’s what she does for a living. Confectioner.”
“Wow, that’s seriously cool. Hey, I gotta get back to the tap. Let her know I said hi, okay?”
“Yeah,” Lyra muttered under her breath, “will do.”
She continued to nurse her beer and watch the game, when someone sat down on the seat next to her. “If Augsburg gets to the top of the Bundesliga, they’re gonna have a hard time against Bayern Munich.”
“Naaah, near as I can tell, no one can touch Oehrl. Well, maybe Russ over in Wolfsburg, but they’re already out of the counting.”
“Wow, you sure know a lot about German soccer for an alien.”
She looked at him sadly. “I dislike that term – it’s too dividing. You can call me a pony, which is what I am; or a unicorn, which is the kind of pony I am; but I’d much prefer it if you called me by name.”
The guy grinned. “And that is?”
“Lyra. Lyra Heartstrings.” She offered a hoof.
He shook it. “Paul Phillips.”
“So, what brings you to a tiny German dönerhaus in Leesburg, Paul?”
“I could say the same about you,” he laughed. “As for me, I just graduated with my law degree from George Mason today.”
“Congratulations!” She toasted him and their beer steins clinked. “Well, in my case, that’s easy: what does just about any foreigner do here in DC?”
“Kinda figured that.” Paul finished off his stein and then held it up to signal for a refill. He set it down and said, “Man, Hanover’s weak sauce today.”
“Eyup. Wouldn’t be surprised if they get bucked down to the 2nd Bundesliga after the season’s over.”
“Think Augsburg will get to the Champions?”
She grinned. “Yeah, they’ll get there – and then they’ll get destroyed by some serious competition, like Real Madrid or Milan, maybe Liverpool.”
He looked at her appreciatively. “You know entirely too much about European soccer for a…foreigner. Ever watch any local sports?”
“Yeah. The ‘Skins are okay, not really into the Caps, I’ll watch the Wizards and the Nats occasionally, but my real passion is United.” The pointed to her shirt. “Red-and-Black all the way!”
“You really are a soccer fan. Interesting, you don’t see many in this country. It’s growing, but it’s not as big as the Big Three.”
“Yeah. I’d like to see it established in my home country. I think it’s something the colts and fillies will like.” Lyra drained her stein and ordered another, as she and Paul continued to watch the game, downing beer after beer, eventually singing along with the crowd on television as the soccer games continued.
The next morning, Lyra awoke with a headache. She’d had way, way, way too much to drink, probably to drown out the pain she was feeling an—
Waitaminit…this isn’t my house. The room was smaller than her bedroom and…decidedly male in décor. She looked down, she was wearing nothing as usual; she was still a pony after all and ponies lived their lives without clothing, so sleeping sans attire was normal for her. But the sheets…. And the bed was smaller…. And….
Oh, sweet Celestia, what have I done?
A soft snore beside her confirmed her worst fears. There he was, sleeping soundly in his bed shirt off. She looked under the sheets….
Close Encounter of the Seventh Kind.
Lyra half-leapt out of the bed, slamming against the wall. She was shivering, shaking. Oh, Bonnie, what have I done what have I done? She looked at herself, then at the still human on the bed – in his home. She’d always liked humans, always found them charming…but not like this. Never like this! She had a mate – they were married, for Celestia’s sake! But Bon-Bon had left because she accused Lyra of destroying their marriage. And now Lyra had proved it.
“Lyra? What are you…oh, fuck!” Paul was awake now, the realization just hitting him. “Did I? Did you? Did we?” He looked under the sheets, and then akin to her with something of utter…she couldn’t tell whether it was fear or despair.
Wordlessly, she nodded.
“I mean, I was drunk last night and you were and….oh crap oh crap Lyra I’m sorry I….shit….” The look on his face was utterly apologetic. A sudden look of panic settled on his face and he blurted, “Did we use protection? Do we even need protection? I mean, I’m human, and you’re an alien…I mean, pony. Unicorn? Uh….crap. I give up.” He flopped back on the bed, but reached down over the side to grab his boxers, slipping them on underneath the sheets.
“I….” A pause. “I’m…I’m not going to get pregnant, if that’s what you’re worried about. We’re two different species, and it just doesn’t work that way. Humans have 46 chromosomes, and ponies have 62 chromosomes, so….”
“Oh, God, Lyra, I…I didn’t mean for this to happen! You were drunk and I was drunk, but I just figured I’d let you crash on the couch, and….” He shrugged his head. “Shit.” The two sat there in silence, not knowing what to say next.
Finally, he spoke. “Are…you hungry?”
“Famished,” she admitted.
“Lyra, look, I—”
“No, it’s my fault,” she said. “It takes two to dressage. You didn’t do anything to me that apparently my beer-soaked mind didn’t want. I’m just…I’m just surprised that I apparently wanted it, is all.”
“Why? Don’t take this the wrong way, but I’m sure you’re a beautiful young…uh, woman? for your species.”
She chuckled, but it was a self-depreciating one. “No, you don’t understand. I’m a filly-cuddler.”
“A what?”
“Mare-lover.”
“Sorry, not familiar with the term.”
“Hold on, trying to remember the human term—ah, that’s it.” She paused for a second and added, “I’m a lesbian.”
“Oh.” He was quiet for a second, before realization kicked in. “Oh. Shit, now I’m really sorry. I know it’s an old joke for guys to bag the carpet munchers, but really, I’m not like that.”
“No, you didn’t do anything wrong. I was clearly looking for comfort and didn’t know it.” She shook her head. “I’m married, but my mate left me three weeks ago. I….” Lyra trailed off, not knowing what to say. She picked herself off the floor, going to sit on the bed again. “I…I was just so lonely, and….”
“Listen…you’re not the only one. I graduated yesterday, but I went to Döner to drown my sorrows. You see, I had a fiancée once, a beautiful woman named Kendra. Kendra was the only girl for me, and I loved her very, very much. And then six months ago, I lost her.” He looked out the window, watching a bird dance in the sky. “Were you here for the big accident on Route 15 down by Aldie back in October?”
“Yeah. Truck jackknifed, caused a multicar pileup that pretty much clogged the only way out of that village. Someone I know that works at State lives just outside of Middleburg. He was caught in the accident and hospitalized for months.”
“Kendra was in the forwardmost car when the truck jackknifed. She drove this antique 1983 Datsun 280ZX that she used to tinker with in her spare time. But that antiquated piece of shit wasn’t strong enough to block all that metal coming her way from both directions. The coroner told us she never felt a thing. But I did. I felt my heart ripped out of me forever that day.” His eyes started to water. “Today was supposed to be our wedding day.”
“Oh, Paul, I’m so sorry to hear that. Marriage is something so special and precious that—” She stopped, laughing bitterly. “Like I’m some sort of expert on marriage. I just flushed mine down the toilet, and I just don’t know what went wrong. Bonnie…Bon-Bon and I have been together for nearly twenty years. She’s my life, and now, now I….” She just fell back on the bed. “I just don’t want to feel anymore.”
“I’ve been feeling that way for months now. All I lived for was that diploma. Now, what have I got left?” He flopped down on the bed as well then turned to look at her. “I’m just a shell now.”
Lyra looked up. “I…I feel like your ceiling. Blank, empty.” She turned to look at him. “Just like you.”
Lyra wasn’t sure who started it, but suddenly they were kissing, holding each other. He was kissing her, caressing her, not caring that she was an “alien” anymore. She was kissing back, her preferences forgotten. Somewhere in the back of her mind she knew it was wrong; that she was a married mare; that she still loved Bon-Bon and this was so damn wrong. But another part of her was lonely and that part just. Didn’t. Care.
She craved this. She needed this. She wanted this. And despite it was so wrong, so much a betrayal, she kept going.
She gave a soft whinny of pleasure, even as she whispered, “Bon-Bon, forgive me.”
Hunger of one kind quickly gave into another.
Lyra? Bon-Bon swore for a moment she heard her lover’s tender sighs. But that was impossible – Lyra was a reality away, back in the house in Leesburg. Or probably in her office, Bon-Bon sighed. That’s how things were now between the two, and that’s probably the way things would always be now.
But it wasn’t as though she didn’t love Lyra. They’d been together for seventeen years, married for most of that. There was no one else Bon-Bon would ever want in her life. But they’d become two very different ponies now, and sometimes that ended marriages. Here, back in Ponyville, she could start over, restart her business. She’d never look for a relationship again; she didn’t think she could ever love somepony like she did Lyra, but leaving, starting the process to file for divorce and starting a new life here was the answer. It was definitely the answer to her needs. No more worrying about if they had anything at Bloomingdale’s that came in her size…or clothing at all, for that matter. No worrying about driving, because a year after first contact there were only a hoofful of cars in Equestria. No more worrying about having to make friends with humans; all her friends here in Ponyville were normal, well-adjusted ponies. Or as normal as one could get for Ponyville, in any case.
So if this was perfect…why did she feel as though she was about to make the biggest mistake of her life?
She didn’t have time to answer that as her door was suddenly kicked in. Before she could even react a hoof slammed hard across her face, as a familiar voice screamed, “You NAG!” A gray blur leapt in towards her, ramming her and slamming her into the nearby wall, knocking the wind out of Bon-Bon. She felt bruises come, tasted the sudden splash of blood as she bit her lip.
Bon-Bon turned to see who was hitting her, and when she saw, she gasped. That gasp didn’t last for long, though, as she took another hit to the stomach and crumpled to the ground.
Trying to make sense of what was happening, Bon-Bon blinked away the pain, not believing who her attacker was. She was suddenly being beaten up by, of all ponies….
…Octavia.
“TAVI, THAT’S ENOUGH!” Bon-Bon suddenly heard Vinyl’s voice as she felt a protective spell wrap around her. “How is this going to help Ly?” Bon-Bon didn’t have time to figure out why Octavia was out of control and Vinyl was being the calm one, but it didn’t matter.
“But she…!” Octavia wheeled to face her old friend.
“I know. But you didn’t answer my question: how is this going to help Ly?”
Octavia slumped on the floor, defeated by mere words. “She needs some sense bucked into her, Vinyl.”
“Tavi, get out of here before you embarrass yourself further – that’s my job, remember?” she said with a grin that held no humor.
Octavia looked at her with frustration, then huffed a noise of displeasure. She then walked out, head held high, pride on her face as if she’d just performed a solo concerto in front of thousands.
Vinyl offered Bon-Bon a hoof up. “Here.”
“Thanks.”
“Don’t thank me, Bon-Bon. Don’t let how calm I’m feeling right now make you think that I’m any less disgusted with you.”
“I didn’t think so. What I’m thankful for is that you weren’t the one that went nuts.” Bon-Bon crawled over to the couch and just dropped on it. “I don’t think Octavia could have stopped you.”
“She could have stopped me, just as Ly could have if the situation were different. You see, that’s what comes from the three of us having grown up together – we’re kinda like sisters, in that way. Which is why both Tavi and I really hate you right now.”
Bon-Bon gasped as her eyes grew wide. “You…hate me?”
“Okay, hate is probably a strong word,” Vinyl said as she removed her shades. As Bon-Bon looked in them, she could see rage, hurt and sorrow. “But you hurt Ly. Do you really think Tavi and I were going to be all sunshine and daffodils?”
“I guess not.”
“I want to know why,” Vinyl demanded. “I won’t tell Ly, but if you’re not in love with her anymore, the—”
“No, you’re wrong. I do love her,” Bon-Bon responded. “But I can’t…I can’t be her who she wants me to be. Because it scares me.”
“Huh?” Vinyl went to get something to drink; Bon-Bon probably needed something as well. “Mind dumbing that down so I can understand?”
Bon-Bon’s eyes started to tear. “Because I’m afraid of becoming like them.”
“Humans?”
“Sort of – like some of the idiots in the Wives’ Club. You see, the wives of all the ambassadors get together and talk about our husbands – I’m the only one who’s married to someone of the same sex – and while I haven’t attended any of the formal meetings yet, I’ve attended enough of the informal gatherings to know that some of them disgust me. For example, Maxima Laurent, the wife of the ambassador to Belgium? She’s bored and sleeps around with anyone she can find – she even hit on me once, just because she could. And then there’s Maria Ramos, the wife of the Honduran ambassador. She deliberately tries to get in legal trouble, just so she can waive diplomatic immunity. Oh, and let’s not forget Fortuna Calibrisi, the wife of the Italian ambassador – she’s a drunken fool who makes Berry Punch look good.”
“Um…Berry doesn’t really drink. I mean, she’s a winemaker, but she got really drunk once, just once, and got pegged with ‘town drunk’ ever since. That’s not fair to her.”
“Nevermind,” Bon-Bon growled. “Anyway, the only friends I have are Sharon – Sharon Guilder, she’s the wife of the Canadian Ambassador, and Lin Li-Hui, the wife of the Chinese ambassador. But Sharon’s always flying back between Ottawa and DC, so I almost never see her; and Li speaks very little Equestriani…I mean, English to understand what she’s saying. And…I just can’t take the loneliness anymore.”
“So abandoning Lyra was the answer? Despite the fact that Lyra needs you right now, you just up and left? She’s got one of the toughest problems a pony could ever have, and you just bailed on her?”
“Lyra doesn’t need me. She’s always been so strong.”
“You bucking idiot.” Vinyl sat in the chair across from Bon-Bon, but the gap between them seemed like a chasm. “How could you be with Ly for as long as you have and not know that she tends to hide her problems? How could you not know that? It’s when she acts like she doesn’t need anypony that she needs somepony the most!” Vinyl rubbed her forehead; she was trying to be the rational one right now and for her, it wasn’t very easy. “So let me see if I get this straight: you’ve been a taker in the relationship this whole time, and when Ly needs you, you up and bail?”
“I never…that’s not fair to me, Vinyl!”
“Maybe not, but from where I’m standing…well, sitting…it’s the truth. Look, I’m the one who’s single, and even I know that spouses are supposed to support each other. Tavi and Ivory have been through thick and thin. I’ve never married because, well…I’d like to say that I’m just too much of a wildmare to settle down, but the truth is that I just don’t have the courage that Tavi and Ly do to be married. And I thought that you did when you and Ly got together. But you’re nothing but a fair-weather filly.”
Vinyl got up from her chair. “If you really do love her, then make a choice: do you love her enough to stay and change? Or do you love her enough to let her go? Don’t even ask me for what you should do – that’s up to you. I’ll still be your friend no matter what your choice is. But if you don’t make a choice and let Ly suffer? I will never forgive you.” She walked to the door. “I’ve got a rave I’m performing at in Fillydelphia, so I’ve gotta get going if I’m going to make it there by tomorrow. But I hope you choose the right thing – for both you and her.”
As Vinyl left, Bon-Bon cried in silence. She loved Lyra, but she didn’t have the strength to continue this. She looked at the kitchen counter, where the divorce papers were, then to the wall nearby, where there was a picture of Lyra and Bon-Bon on their wedding day. She looked so beautiful to Bon-Bon then, and years later, nothing that changed about that – nothing would ever change about that.
In the end, Lyra had changed – and Bon-Bon hadn’t, which, she now realized meant that despite Lyra’s foolish attitude at times, it had been Lyra that had grown up – and Bon-Bon hadn’t.
Lyra, I love you. I need you. But I can’t take things as they are. What should I do?
Dinner that night had been a pizza. Fortunately, as Paul mentioned, Kendra had been a strict vegan, so he was used to dealing without meat. And as he looked at the unicorn sitting at the kitchen table, eating a slice, he wondered how he’d gotten himself in this mess – and dragged someone else into it, no less.
As for Lyra, somehow she instinctively did what every woman seemed to have ever done to a guy she was staying with: slid on her panties, then dived in his closet for a long-sleeved something or other. In Lyra’s case, it had been one of his dress shirts. Strangely enough, she looked good in it.
“So, what happens now?” he asked her, pouring himself a glass of Dr. Pepper. He could’ve used a beer at the moment, but that was how he got into this mess in the first place.
“I don’t know,” she admitted, drinking from her glass as well – water, in her case, as she was taking the same precaution. “Well, I’ve gotta go back to work Monday, or else the world goes to pot.”
“Yeah. As for me, I’ve got an appointment with your ambassador on Monday. I work for Lincoln & Lincoln – the criminal law firm – and now that I’ve got my diploma, Abe Lincoln – my boss – wants me to start working more on that case until I pass the bar. Once that’s done, I’ll be taking it over full-time – it’s a headache, from what I understand, and Abe’s told me that if he knew it was going to be this involved, he and his wife would’ve steered clear of it. But yeah, Abe and I will be meeting with him at 8:30. Do you know anything about it?”
“Well, I know for starters that the Equestriani ambassador’s not a he,” she snickered.
“Really?”
“Yeah.” For some reason she laughed. “You’ve been in bed with her for the past few hours.”
The look on his face was priceless. “Fuck, I just get into all the stupid situations, don’t I?”
“Well, let’s just meet now over this, shall we? It’ll get our minds off of…what’s been happening the past few hours. March last year, a bunch of our guardsponies went rogue and tried to foalnap – and rape – DJ Martinez, the pony that’s been living here for all her life.”
“Yeah, read about her case in law school. Fascinating stuff.”
“She’s a sweet kid. Just turned sixteen, as I understand; and now has a car, so she’s probably responsible for all the speeding tickets over in Winchester. Hopefully, she’s forgotten all the garbage she went through in the custody case last year.”
“Saw that on the news. It was enough of an issue over here that it dominated the news cycle all over the world for months. But seriously, I got the impression that it was causing Equestria to go to the brink of civil war. A civil war, just over a kid?”
“A lot of people honestly think so. DJ’s special – she’s lived over here most of her life, but she’s also the daughter of a duchess and potentially a future Knight Elemental.”
“A what?”
“A Knight Elemental – that’s the official title. More often than not, we just call them Bearers of the Elements. It’s a long explanation, but the short of it is the whole situation is like if King William and Queen Catherine of the UK’s oldest child was whisked off to Equestria and raised as a pony – and wanted to stay there. And the some members of the Royal Marines supposedly went on their own to rescue the kid, and—”
“Okay, I get it. So this is some serious world-class Watergate stuff for your government.”
“Well, I don’t know what Watergate is, but from your tone, yeah, it’s that bad. Anyway, the ponies that did the deed claim over and over again that they had no intention to rape her and that they thought clothing was some sort of mystic bondage. But then they pled guilty and refused to say anything else. They’re hiding something, and we’re afraid they’re covering up a conspiracy of some kind in our government. They refuse to say anything more than – and I quote – Human Nature.”
“So it’s a Voodoo Shark, then.”
“A what?”
“A Voodoo Shark. One of my law professors, Dr. Fossile, explained it: it’s a hole in an explanation that leaves a bigger hole in the original issue. Usually it’s a sign that they’re desperately covering for someone but not smart enough to cover their tracks entirely – it’s like flashing a giant neon sign that says ‘Don’t Look at Me, I’m Invisible.’ As for the term, I’m not sure where it comes from, but Dr. Fossile’s a huge movie buff and quotes from old films all the time, so it’s probably something like that.”
“I was afraid of that – the covering, I mean. Archmagus Sparkle – she’s the head of the advance team, went to a lot of effort to ensure no one would do something like this, and for someone to steal the intel from her, well…. Twilight – that’s her first name – suspects that it’s someone from the guard who got it, and the only ones who could potentially have access to that information are both high-level government ponies…and in many cases, are personal friends of hers.” Lyra looked at Paul, a sad look in her eyes. “If somepony, say like Sky Hunter, Blossomforth or Scootaloo did it? There’d be hell to pay.”
“So if someone, say, like this Scootaloo did it, it could cause a serious issue in your government?”
“Honestly, I was just throwing Scoot’s name out there as an example. No way in hell would she ever be involved – she and Twilight are very close, and to do that – it’d be utter betrayal. I may as well say Rainbow Dash planned the whole thing, while I’m reaching for things that just wouldn’t happen.” A part of her winced as she said that – she was here, now, betraying Bon-Bon…so nothing was sacrosanct any longer.
“Well, thanks. I’ll look for it.” A pause. “Should I meet with you Monday?”
“Yeah. I’ve got some extra paperwork back in my office you’ll probably want to look at. But I’ll probably have you meet with Wing Wishes – she’s my Deputy – because I’ll have to recuse myself from this.”
“Yeah, sleeping with your attorney tends to do that,” he chuckled, but remembering their situation, immediately shut up. “But that opens the question again: what about us?”
“I don’t know, Paul. I don’t know.” She yawned. “I seriously need some sleep. I haven’t been sleeping very well as of late.”
“I see.” He was quiet for a long time, then said, “Um, I can’t believe I’m asking this, but…would you care to stay here?”
“I…why?”
“I don’t know. I have no idea why I’m asking,” he said. “Honestly, you’re married and a lesbian to boot, and I’m still in mourning. And yet…well, I just don’t know.”
Lyra thought about it and had every reason to walk over to the room, grab her clothes and leave, so it surprised her as she said, “Yeah. I’ll stay. Where are we, anyway?”
“We’re in my apartment, unless you mean the town, in which case we’re in Vienna. I didn’t know where you lived, so I figured I’d just let you crash here on my couch.”
“All the way over in Vienna? She laughed as she shook her head. “I live within walking distance of Döner, over on Embassy Row.”
“Well, Ambassador, I didn’t exactly know that at the time.”
“We might have to remedy that later.”
“What was that?”
“…nothing.”
Monday morning came, and as Lyra walked into the embassy, she had a smile on her face to beat the band. It was enough that everyone, both human and pony, stopped what they were doing to look at the happy, nearly-skipping ambassador as she walked in. But she didn’t get far before she ran into her Deputy. Wing Wishes stood there, a serious look on her face. “Morning, Lyra. How much salt have you been licking this weekend? It’s the only reason to explain why you’re…well, you’re looking better than you have the past few weeks.” She stepped in close and whispered, “Look, I know Bon-Bon’s leaving hit you hard, but…hey, I’m a friend and if you need to talk, I’d rather that than you hitting the bottle.”
“I’m fine, Wing,” Lyra assured the pegasus. “So what’s on the agenda?”
“Well, I was going to take your 8:30 with Mr. Lincoln. He’s bringing over the new lawyer that’s going to be handling the case from now on. After that, well, your whole schedule’s clear – I took all your appointments today.”
“Yeah, about that, I was going to ask you to take the 8:30—wait, what do you mean you’re taking all my appointments?”
The look on the other mare was crestfallen. “You…have some paperwork to fill out. They just arrived this morning. Lyra…I’m sorry.”
The celeste unicorn immediately rushed to the stairs; waiting for the elevator was going to take too long. Racing to the fourth floor, she went towards her office, blew past her secretary without saying hello and dived at her desk.
There, sitting on a stack of papers, was a single letter.
Lyra,
I love you. I love everything about you. You are the only one I could ever love. But I can’t be the mare you want me to be.
I’m sorry.
- Bon-Bon
Underneath that was the first page of the divorce documents.
Lyra just sank at her desk and watched her life fade to nothingness.
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Another great chapter! However, as St. Louisan, I'm afraid I disagree with Lyra's driver.
I've said my piece on SB already but since this is the second time I've read this I just gotta say again that this was pretty damn good. Really like the world building you're doing.
Wow ponies are xenophobic they need to grow up especially BonBon
620229
Well, in fairness, some in the Wives' Club weren't exactly sterling examples of humanity.
620274 yeah but what do you expect its politics and stuff never understood that really
619083
I second that.
That was really sad.
What a horrible way to wake up and realized you got it on with an alien. Time for a cold shower.
620769
Could be worse; he could have woken up next to Screwloose.
620966
And she could woken up next to Fat Bastard. There is no cold shower in existence that will clean you from him.
Interesting in how one of the big issues with DJ is that Equestrians think she might be part of the next generation of Element Bearers. I don't think that was ever mentioned to DJ outright, which means that could be a shocker to her if what I suspect happens to Rarity ends up being true.
623490
I hope you aren't talking about me.
623951
I don't think she'd listen even if they were to tell her.
623961
True enough, plus I don't really see DJ as embodying any of the elements as strong as the mane six do. Especially Generosity, since DJ wants nothing to do with Rarity.
624007
Someone on another forum said that she might qualify, based on the fact that she tends to be more generous than the average American. While that might be so, I'm going to guess that the Elements aren't basing things off of American standards.
So I'm in agreement that everyone is probably very mistaken about her getting any use out of any six of those gems.
624033
I dunno, the element of Magic looks pointy and large enough that DJ could probably beat somebody to death with it. Nothing says you can't use the elements in a physical manner.
624048
Twilight: "Here's my Element of Magic. Use it wisely, DJ."
DJ: "Sooooo...pointy end goes in that-a-way?"
624069
I like you.
623951
Austin Powers reference. Nothing against you.
Once she finds out what it means to be a bearer she would probably refuse it outright. If there's a problem give me Mr. Shotty.
Way better than the last couple of chapters. Honestly I'm hoping that DJ doesn't come up much in these side stories, she's not nearly as interesting as everyone else set in the human world and she gets so much political talk in her chapters that it's hard not to skim.
Besides Lyra deserves to be happy damnit /fanboy mod off
I've recently read a comic about Bon-Bon leaving Lyra because of Lyra's habit of brushing Bon-Bon's problems off like it wasn't a big deal when they actually were and the comic ended it with the implication that Bon-Bon is leaving her because of this. I've read in the TV Tropes page and your main story that Bon-Bon and Lyra broke up earlier, but after reading that comic, I want to know how this version of the break up happens here. The two things that this part of the side story and comic have in common is that it's Lyra's fault for noticing Bon-Bon's problems too late. But while the comic is implied that there's a small chance that they could make up, this side story is pretty much definite.
I just wonder things could have been resolved or a compromise could be made if Bon-Bon could at least try to yell at Lyra sooner about her feelings on their current situation rather than letting it be her breaking point.
1350835
do you have a link to the comic? Curious about it.
kinda late to the party but this chapter reminds me of this song
see that's why it's better to be alone better to be numb then to feel the pain of lose.
One of the differences between ponies and humans. From a human perspective, she doesn't have any real problems and we can't really see what her issue is even combing through what we know of the situation.