“Thanks for letting me stay a few days Mac.” Lyra smiled pleasantly at Big Mac as he nodded and waved her and Flash Fire goodbye, as they left Sweet Apple Acres. It was a good idea going to Bic Mac, he had let her stay without a second thought. It had been uncomfortable in the barn, but it was better than sleeping out in the open.
Walking toward the new house, Lyra pulled out her new keys and opened the door, smelling the musty smell of the house. Her insurance had been just enough to cover the cost of the house and new furniture, and Lyra was glad to see it was a similar build to her old house. Upstairs had two bedrooms and a bathroom like before, however instead of the kitchen being attached the lounge-room, you entered it from a door at the end of the hall, giving her a much bigger lounge-room.
“I’m really sorry the battle with Tirek got your house caught in the mess.” Turning to see Twilight at the entrance, Lyra smiled warmly and walked over, giving a hug.
“It wasn’t your fault Twilight, and your tree got caught too. How’s living in the palace going?” Lyra laughed as Twilight cringed in response, and glanced toward the looming structure.
“Not very good. It looks quite large but there isn’t any room for anything I want, like bookshelves for instance. Not to mention most of the rooms are locked with powerful magic that I can’t break. I’m sure I’ll find out what’s in there in due time.” Twilight leaned into Lyra as the hug deepend, before both turned and Lyra began to give a quick tour of the house.
“So how’s Bon Bon?” Twilight looked knowingly at Lyra, who turned away and chuckled once, scratching the back of her head. In recent years, she had begun to do it more often, as if in memory of someone who was no longer around.
“I went to see her, and her face was...terrifying. Flash Fire made a chasm between us that isn’t going to mend back together without a lot of work. It’s been tough going…” Lyra sighed and poured two cups of water for her and Twilight. Lyra hasn’t had time to get groceries yet, and there was also the problem of finding a new job. Her job had been caught up in the fight too.
“I wish I could offer you some concrete advice, but the situation could go either way. Having friends is important but...maybe some ponies aren’t meant to be friends. I really don’t know what advice I can give that will work for every situation.” Twilight sighed and took a seat, looking down to her drink as she racked her brains for a solution. Lyra sat down and put her drink on the table in front of them.
“Don’t worry Twilight, Bon Bon has come through for me before. I trust she’ll come around and we can start being friends again. I managed to make her smile the other day when we passed, if only for a moment.” Lyra sighed and used her magic to pick up her drink, before chugging it down and placing the cup on the table. Twilight raised her head, and noticed a small desk to the side of the living room.
“You still have it?” Twilight pointed to the shattered remains of a spherical device. It was obvious most of the pieces were missing, and it was obviously unrepairable.
“Yeah, but I lost most of the pieces in the explosion.” Lyra stood up as Twilight finished her drink and put it on the table. Heading toward the door, both thought solemnly on the events that had transpired in a single week, give or take a few days.
“See you Twilight.” Lyra waved her friend out, and closed the door. After a moment, she let her smile fall and headed up the stairs to her bedroom and found Flash Fire sleeping in his bed. Walking over, Lyra curled up beside him, and heaved a single sigh.
Finally, it was the day, he would be coming. Everyone was here, even Bon Bon! Lyra was almost jumping for joy at that fact. It had taken some mighty convincing to get Bon Bon here, especially since they were still on thin ice, but she had agreed. Twilight and the others stood close to where the portal was expected to emerge, and Lyra stood a little farther back so she could talk to Bon Bon.
“It’s going well with him, we’re going on our second date in two days.” Bon Bon smiled as she described her date with a colt, going into great detail about the expensive meal he had prepared for her. Lyra nodded and listened in enthusiastically, allowing her friend to one-on-one time she knew Bon Bon wanted. This was how she had been repairing the friendship. It was slow going, and it was hard not to bring up her interests, but Lyra had learned a lot in trying to repair her friendship with Bon Bon. They were at ‘acquaintance’ level from her view. It was better than the open hate at least.
Lyra heard Twilight call it was time, and quickly joined her, leaving Bon Bon to stay at the corner of the area. To get Bon Bon here was hard enough, she wasn’t going to push it. As they waited Lyra asked Twilight if Celestia was aware of his return, and she nodded. Lyra felt her stomach flip and remembered how they had left it, and suddenly she was transported back to that moment. Blue turning and leaving her there, a vague promise of a meeting in 4 years.
Would he have changed? Had she changed? Lyra tried to look at herself, but found it difficult to see how she had changed. If she had to guess, she was slightly more wise about how her world worked when confronted with something new. Flash Fire stood beside her as testament to that.
“Lyra, shouldn’t the portal have opened by now? It’s nearly nighttime.” Twilight's words shook her out of her daze, and she realised Twilight was right. Where were they?
“They probably have to sort some things out, they can’t leave right away after all.” Lyra nodded to herself as her mind plucked the most viable solution from the straws she was grasping onto. Twilight nodded, but the worry didn’t leave her face. Lyra sat down and waited expectantly. Bon Bon walked over not long after and said she had to go. Lyra smiled appreciatively and watched her leave. Turning back to look where the portal should appear, Lyra waited.
It was five days before she realised he wasn’t coming.