We got to the train in time. The passengers were just getting on, so we didn’t miss anything. We got on and the train departed. Hoofington has quickly sunk below the horizon. Lyra was now excited again, mostly about the conference happening next week. Even if it meant the retirement of her idol. But the thrill of the anthro-phantom mystery was still with her.
“We should look for more spooky ghosts to debunk!” She said. “We should become some sort of mystery solver duo. We could call ourselves... The Demystifyers.”
I chuckled lightly. “I think I’ve had just enough spooky mysteries for a lifetime.”
“I bet you’ve had a lot of spooky mysteries in your life.”
“Sshh, not in public!” I whispered.
“Sorry. I guess I’ll just stick to mystery novels.”
“You say that like you read a lot of them.”
“No, but I just have to start now!”
A few seconds of silence came, as we finished that subject. But I had to ask something. “How do you feel about becoming the new face of anthropology?”
Lyra thought for a short moment. “I’m excited! And a bit nervous. Nervousited, if you will. Plus a little bit sad about Franz retiring.”
“He trusts you fully, Lyra, that’s why he chose you to replace him.”
“That’s exactly it. What if I’m not even a fraction of what he was?”
I chuckled. “I can tell you, you will be just as good as him. And just like him you will inspire your successor.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I know I’m right and I know Franz is right too. I bet you’ll barely even notice the difference.”
She smiled and blushed slightly. “Aw, all you ponies believe in me so much.”
“I’ve known you for years. There was not a moment where I didn’t believe in you.”
“Except when I first told you about humans.”
“Yes, except that time.”
We laughed, but there was still one thing that bugged me.
“Say,” I prepared my next question, “what do you think will become of Hazel and Marge?
“I can’t know for sure.” She said. “Hazel used to be the most prolific anthro-skeptic out there, right after Persy. But unlike Persy, ponies actually took her seriously. But after this little stunt of hers, I don’t think she’ll have that kind of reputation again.”
“What about Marge?”
“Eh, she’s still a researcher, I don’t think she’ll stop after this. Still, she’ll have a hard being taken seriously now. If the skeleton does draw in attention like we expected, then I feel somepony will replace her.”
“Doesn’t sound like you’re worried at all.”
“Nah, the field survived much worse and I expect a full recovery after the next conference.”
“Let’s hope you’re right.”
“I know I’m right!” She said and winked. Then after a short pause, she said, “I just wish I had brought a journal or something. This could have made for a good story.”
I chuckled. “Oh, don’t you worry about that!”