//------------------------------// // Shake it Off // Story: Shake it Off // by Michael Hudson //------------------------------// Lyra lazily plucked at her strings as she tried to come up with a new song. ‘Maybe if you took a break from humans you’ll feel better.’ She lamented at the words as she lifted a quill to her music sheet. However, nothing came except the flak she’d been given back in the donut shop. Just because I decided to walk instead of trot over with our coffees. ‘It’s something for the home, not outside.’ Lyra poked another string, the hard string pushing back. “Just like the other ponies.” She bent her head down and let out a small sniffle. She levitated one of Vinyl’s old records that she had been given and put it on her music player. Maybe some music will help. The fast beat immediately filled the room. Lyra pursed her lips and started poking the chords, never actually making noise, but simply keeping time. She nodded her head back and forth as she lost herself in the melody. She slammed the music player off, picked up her quill and… Nothing. Lyra slammed her head into the ground with a groan. She turned back on the song and started nodding her head to the drums. Slowly her hoof started tapping the hard floor as she attempted to let go of her worries. Lyra smirked as she sipped her coffee. She abruptly stood on her hind legs and a wide grin broke out on her face. ======+++++====== Bonbon glanced up as the floor started shaking beneath her. Lyra was supposed to be making her own music and getting past the incident from this morning. She looked down at her leg and the light burn that had occurred due to a stallion forcing Lyra down. As long as she doesn’t do anything drastic, we should be fine. Lyra burst out of the basement with the music player blaring a pop song at full blast. Bonbon covered her ears as Lyra walked past her. Bonbon immediately threw her ears’ safety out the window when she realized where Lyra was walking to. “Lyra, you can’t walk outside, remember?” “I’m not walking, I’m dancing.” Lyra shuffled out of the front door and threw her forehooves in the air before jumping down the few steps in front of the house. Bonbon winced as she landed, but the green mare halted only for a moment before continuing to slowly strut and sway through the streets. She ignored the quiet pleas of her best friend as she continued almost gliding down the street. “What is that mare doing?” “Doesn’t she know how ridiculous she looks?” “Look, it’s the human wannabe!” Bonbon tried getting into Lyra’s way. “You need to stop. You won’t be able to sell anymore music in Ponyville if they think you are actually crazy!” Lyra booped her on the nose before spinning on her back-left hoof and started almost skipping down the street. More ponies came out as the music blared down the main street. Some moved their head in time with the music and moves, but most simply looked upon with disapproval. “Stop it freak!” “How is she doing that?” “Leave her be!” Bonbon slammed her hooves down as Lyra entered the middle of town square. “What are you doing? Aren’t you afraid you might hurt yourself like this?” Lyra leaned down, staying in a straight bodily position before looking Bonbon in the eyes. She was almost gasping for air and had tears in her eyes, but the smile never faded. “I can’t take the worry anymore. So I’m just shaking it off.” Lyra stood back up tall and put her hind hooves together before bringing her front hooves up to her head, just in front of the ears. The record switched over to a quick techno beat and she took one more deep breath. Bonbon watched as her friend shook her hips and bent her wrists to the beat. She was pushing herself so hard, but the grin never faded. This was Lyra, pure and simple. And I had told her it was bad. The crowd grew louder, with some cheering for the cute dance while others called her out. Lyra tried ignoring them, but it was getting harder and harder as the pain in her hind legs grew. However, then a tuft of pink hair hit her ear. She glanced over and saw Bonbon wobbling as she tried to copy the movements. “It… it’s kinda fun. Can’t deny that.” Lyra almost caused Bonbon collapse as she gave her a quick hug. She whispered, “Thank you.” The two continued the odd dance while the gathered ponies stood in shocked silence. Bonbon had always been a sensible pony, but now she had joined the possible lunatic. The older ponies in the crowd started shouting in anger as the younger ones started to leave to avoid their elders’ anger. However, two younger mares came up next to them. Octavia used Bonbon for a moment, envisioning her cello in her arms to help her find her balance. Bonbon thanked her small amount of practice while indulging Lyra, or else she would have fallen. The grey mare smiled at her two friends and almost swung herself to the ground as she started. Vinyl took a few deep breaths before swinging herself up. She promptly found herself far off balance and slammed into Lyra who consequently slammed into both Bonbon and Octavia. The four shakily looked up and all smiled when Vinyl blushed a little. “Sorry girls.” Lyra let out a long breath. “Not a problem. I don’t know if I was gonna make it much longer.” Octavia put a hoof gently on Lyra's hoof and said, “Well, if your legs hurt that much, you could come back to our place to rest. However Bonbon, you’re paying me in sweets for having embarrassed myself like this.” Bonbon rolled her eyes. “Fine. Lyra, you game?” Lyra looked at each of them. She felt refreshed and new, but more importantly, she found herself happy with herself. “Nah. I think I got a new song idea, and I wanna get started immediately.” “Maybe you can show me that sick dance-walk you did sometime then?” Lyra smiled. “Why wouldn’t I?”