A gentle breeze danced through Bon Bon’s pink and blue mane as she trotted down a quiet Ponyville street. I haven’t talked to Lyra in a while, Bon Bon thought to herself as she continued on her way. She wasn’t kidding when she said she was going to focus on the Academy. Bon Bon looked up as she arrived at a door with a harp emblem set on it. She knocked on the door, and stood watching the birds fly by until the door opened.
“Oh, hello Bonnie. How are you?” asked Lutea, a sprightly mint green mare with a big smile. Bon Bon returned the smile before answering.
“I’m great, Mrs. Heartstrings. Is Lyra around?” Lutea brought a hoof up to her chin.
“She told me she wanted to get some fresh air. I think it’s because of how hard she’s been working at the Unicorn Academy.” Bon Bon nodded and turned around.
“Well, I’m gonna go see if I can find her. Later, Mrs. Heartstrings.”
“Bye, dear.” she called out before she closed the door.
Okay, whenever Lyra goes to ‘get fresh air’ she’s always under that willow near the edge of the Everfree Forest, Bon Bon contemplated. She turned in the direction of the Everfree Forest and took off at a light gallop.
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Sure enough, as soon as the willow came to view, so did the mint green unicorn near the base of it. Bon Bon slowed to a trot to continue toward her friend. She saw Lyra curled up with a harp near her hooves.
“Hey Lyra, what’s up?” Bon Bon asked with a cheery grin. Lyra looked at her with a weak smile and tear stained cheeks. “What’s the matter, Ly?” she asked much more softly.
“I’m just not cut out for it, Bon.” Lyra sighed painfully. Bon Bon took a seat near her friend and draped a hoof over her shoulder like she always did. Lyra buried her head into Bon Bon’s cream coat and sobbed lightly.
“Not cut out for what?”
“I’m not cut out for the Unicorn Academy. I-I thought I could handle it, but I was wrong. I’m not a talented unicorn.” cried Lyra, her voice muffled but clear. Bon Bon gently stroked a hoof through her white and green mane letting her cry to her heart’s content.
“What makes you think you aren’t cut out for the Unicorn Academy? You were practically bouncing with excitement when you got your acceptance letter.”
“That was before I actually entered. It’s so hard to learn magic. I try and try, but no matter how hard I do try, I can’t get it. I’m probably just stupid. I’m such a lame excuse for a unicorn.” Bon Bon put a hoof under Lyra’s chin and brought her eyes up to her stern gaze.
“That’s not true, Lyra. You’re not stupid. Don’t you ever say that.”
“Then why can’t I learn my magic?”
“Maybe you just aren’t doing it right, let me help you.” Lyra pushed away slightly.
“What would you know about magic? You’re just an Earth Pony.” she spat, jabbing at Bon Bon’s chest with some pent up frustration. Bon Bon withdrew her hoof and held it close to her chest, visibly hurt by what Lyra had just said. Lyra looked down at her own hoof before letting out a strained cry. “I’m sorry, Bon. I didn’t mean it.”
“But you’re right. I’m an Earth Pony. I may not know a lot about magic, but I do know a lot about helping friends. You aren’t my only unicorn friend, you know.” Bon Bon huffed indignantly.
“Oh yeah? Well, name one.” Lyra demanded with her face buried in her own hooves.
“Twinkleshine.”
“I-I meant three.”
“Colgate, Sea Swirl, and Noteworthy.” Lyra looked up at Bon Bon seeing the caring face she always gave her. “Just let me help you, Ly.”
“How in Equestria are you gonna help me?” Bon Bon shifted to where she was sitting in front of Lyra with the harp in her hooves.
“Let’s talk about it.” She pried Lyra’s head away from her hooves. “What exactly are you trying to do?”
“My teacher says that musical magic is something that just comes out of you. You don’t study notes like a regular musician. You feel the music in you. But I just can’t find the music.”
“Okay, good that’s a start. When you look for your… ‘music,’ what do you do?” Lyra sat quietly in thought before answering.
“I try think of the music I’m looking for, but that doesn’t work.”
“How about trying a different approach. Twinkle and Sea Swirl always tell me that they get their best magic from thinking happy thoughts. Why don’t you think of that instead of searching for the music?” Lyra chuckled dryly.
“That sounds dumb.” Bon Bon smirked at Lyra’s opposition.
“Give it a try, at least. Think. Look deep down. What makes you happy?” Again Lyra sat quietly.
“I guess when I think of hap—” Bon Bon stopped Lyra with a hoof. Lyra gave her a confused look, but she just shook her head and raised the harp. Lyra took the harp in her magic, understanding what Bon Bon meant. Don’t speak, play my happiness.
The both closed their eyes as Lyra began a to pluck at the harp strings with her magic. At first, the notes were hesitant and more than a little unorganized, but soon the music carried through beautifully. Each note that Lyra played sailed by Bon Bon like a sweet summer breeze. It wasn’t just music that came out of the notes that Lyra played. It was her emotions. Lyra’s happiness came to life and marched out of her music. The notes picked up in pace and changed from a summer breeze to a free flowing river of emotion. Bon Bon didn’t know music could be this… perfect.
Bon Bon was lost to the music, listening to the unadulterated beauty that was Lyra’s feelings hidden deep within her heart and soul. And Lyra was focusing on her thoughts. She was the happiest when she was with Bon Bon. Her cream colored friend had always been there for her when she needed her, even when she didn’t. She felt as if Bon Bon understood her like no one else could. It wasn’t just a sisterly connection she felt with Bon Bon. It was something more. Unbeknownst to both, they started leaning forward as the music picked up even more speed. Contact came unexpectedly as their lips came together. Bon Bon went completely rigid, but Lyra melted into the simple kiss. The music took off like a brilliant display of fireworks, and Bon Bon began to understand.
The feelings she felt through the notes that poured out of Lyra’s soul were those of love. Love for her. And when she realized that she fell into the kiss just as Lyra did. The music finally died down and they opened their eyes, parting from their kiss. Their faces both sported a crimson tint as they sat quietly enjoying the moment. Lyra had a goofy grin plastered on her face and she brought Bon Bon into a tight embrace. Bon Bon took advantage of the situation and planted a quick, but passionate kiss on the mint unicorn’s lips, making her own face burn even brighter with the blush that already stained her cream coat.
“Thanks, Bonnie.” Lyra sighed happily. They both stood up and made their way to back to Ponyville as the sun dipped below the horizon.