Bon Bon should have been anxious. She should have felt the butterflies soaring around in her stomach and the familiar, light-headed feeling that came with talking to a stranger. But for some reason, she didn’t.
Instead, she was lost in Lyra’s conversation, nodding and laughing along as the mare recounted a story from her past. The streets were still covered in snow from last night’s snowfall, although the clouds above were beginning to clear.
Bon Bon tightened her scarf, chuckling as Lyra finished her tale. “So yeah, that’s why I’m not allowed to go back to Baltimare,” she said.
“Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever met a mare who pissed off an entire city,” Bon Bon remarked dryly.
“Well, now you have,” chirped Lyra, reaching out and tapping her on the nose.
Bon Bon laughed, swatting at Lyra’s foreleg playfully. As they walked, they passed Roseluck, who was headed back towards their apartment building. She eyed them curiously, but when she caught Bon Bon’s eye, she gave her a massive grin.
“Hey, I never asked you, what do you want to do in the future?” Lyra said.
Bon Bon shrugged. “Well, I’ve always wanted to open a candy store. Never had the bits though, or the time.”
Lyra nodded sagely. “Yeah, trust me, I know the feeling. But I don’t think it’s great to waste your dream on a paycheck, you know?”
“Maybe, but at the moment what choice do I have?” Bon Bon sighed, kicking at a pile of snow below her.
“Hey, chin up! Things’ll get better soon. I’m sure of it,” Lyra said. She caught Bon Bon’s gaze, and once again her eyes shone with that strange determination Bon Bon only wished she had herself.
“Oh, we’re here,” Bon Bon said in surprise. Sure enough, the Ponyville train station sat in front of them.
“So we are,” Lyra replied, trotting up the stairs and through the station. Bon Bon hesitated before following. After a brief stop at the lockers, where Lyra fetched her suitcase and instrument, they found themselves standing on the station platform.
The platform was mostly empty, as there weren’t many ponies travelling on Hearth’s Warming Day. The train itself sat waiting by the tracks. Stewards moved about the cars while the engine idled patiently.
“So… I guess this is it,” Bon Bon said, scuffing her hoof on the platform.
Lyra blinked, then looked at Bon Bon. She turned from the train back to Bon Bon, repeating the motion a few times.
“... What is it?” asked Bon Bon nervously.
Whatever Lyra said was drowned out by the shrill whistle of the train engine. “All aboard, all aboard!” called the conductor. “Last call to Dodge Junction! Last call to Dodge Junction!”
The engine hissed and creaked in anticipation, as a few passengers trotted past Lyra and onto the train.
“Lyra, you’re going to miss it,” Bon Bon said, half-shoving the unicorn towards the train.
“I…” Lyra hesitated, planting her hooves on the platform. “Bon Bon, wait.”
Bon Bon stopped pushing and let Lyra regain her footing. The unicorn took a deep breath and smiled. “I’m not going.”
“Wha… you’re not? But… but why?” Bon Bon stammered, perplexed.
“Because I want to stay here,” Lyra decided. The train whistled again, and the doors began to slide shut. “There… there’ll be another Burning Mare next year. But I don’t know if I’ll ever see you again.”
Bon Bon blinked a few times, trying to process this. “I… wow, that’s… are you sure?”
“Well, no turning back now,” Lyra replied, as the train pulled away from the station. “So yeah. I’m pretty sure.”
They watched as the train left them far behind, picking up its speed towards some distant horizon. “... Guess we better find a place for you to stay,” Bon Bon said with a smirk.
“How about yours?” retorted Lyra as they trotted off the platform. “Mind showing me some of that Ponyville hospitality you were telling me about?”
“Depends, are you gonna pay rent?” teased Bon Bon, jabbing at Lyra playfully.
Before they could continue, they were interrupted by a burst of pink and confetti. “Oh my gosh! So you decided to stay?!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed.
Lyra nodded. “Yeah, what can I say?” She nudged Bon Bon. “Bon Bon persuaded me.”
Pinkie squealed. “I’ll get started on your Lyra-Decided-To-Stay-In-Ponyville-After-All party right now!” she declared. As she was about to bounce away she paused, then hesitantly turned to Bon Bon. “... Did you decide when you want your party yet?”
Before she could reply, Lyra cut in again. “Hey, I have an idea. How about you throw our parties together?”
“Together?” echoed Pinkie.
“Yeah, like a joint Welcome to Ponyville party or something.”
Bon Bon watched in amusement as the gears began to turn in Pinkie’s mind. Then she sprang up into the air with another squeal. “Yes! Why didn’t I think of this before?!” With that, she bounced away, listing off colors and foodstuffs and decorations as she went.
Lyra turned to Bon Bon, a smirk on her face and a spark in her eye. “You are okay with that, right?”
Bon Bon took a deep breath and smiled. “Yeah. I guess I am.”