Ryan scooted away from the unicorn for the third time.
And for the third time, Lyra scooted closer to the human.
Ryan took a deep breath before glancing at Lyra then turning it into an aimless wander of eyes around the room. The aquamarine horse seemed quite content just to stare at her with her huge, boundless smile. Really, how can she open her mouth that wide? At least she wasn’t breathing heavily down Ryan’s neck anymore. That was a bit awkward to one of those two parties.
Ryan felt a soft-coated touch on her hand. It was warm and a bit fuzzy and altogether pleasant to feel. Like a blanket.
So she slapped it away.
She didn’t need that horse’s obsessive hooves on her hands again. It had been constantly trying to get a look at them once more and showed no sign of stopping; Ryan wondered if it could even take a hint.
Sighing, Ryan started, “Hey, Ly-”
“Yes?!” she interrupted excitedly.
“… Um … is there something you wanted to …”
Lyra stared at her giddily.
“… I don’t know, talk about? You’ve been -”
“Totally! I want to hear all about you. Who you are, where you’ve been, what you’ve done.” She stared expectantly.
Ryan shot Vinyl a pleading look who just shrugged back.
“Uh … I’m a human, but you know that. I’m from Earth.”
“Where’s that?”
“It’s another planet.”
She gasped loudly. “You’re from another planet?!”
“Probably.”
“How’d you get here?” She widened her eyes. “Are there more of you? Where are they?”
“No, I’m the only one. I don’t know how I got here. I just … sort of woke up here.”
Lyra’s eye twitched. “Cool …”
“ … Yeah.”
Awkward silence. Once again, only awkward for one side.
“Hey,” Vinyl spoke up, trying her distraction again, “You want to help me organize the music, Lyra. I think there’s even a song with a lyre or harp or something.”
“No thanks,” she said without looking.
“You sure? There’s plenty of-”
“Get Octavia to do it. Say, where is she anyways?” she said with sudden interest, this time turning her head.
“In her room. She probably doesn’t realize you’re here, now that I think about it.”
“Could you go get her? More the merrier.”
Vinyl nodded, “Can do.”
The DJ got up from her seat and walked down the hallway to the cracked open door of her roommate. “Octavia? Lyra’s he - Whoa!” she bellowed in surprise as she was suddenly pushed into the room. Powered by a golden glow, the door slammed shut just in time for a huge pair of heavy speakers to plonk down in front.
As Lyra’s horn lost its glow, Ryan looked in concern to the door then to the horse. “What are you doing?” she near-exclaimed.
Lyra’s ear perked in Ryan’s direction. Soon her head followed. She turned around slowly, a mad grin plaguing her face. “Heeeeey,” she drew out, leaning closer.
“Lyra?” she asked nervously as she leaned backward in turn. “What are you …?”
“It’s just us now,” she pointed out.
“Yeah …” she replied, feeling quite uncomfortable to say the least, “Why did you lock Vinyl in the room?”
“So we would be alone, of course.”
“Okay … Why?”
“Because I’ve never met a human before. And I’m not letting this opportunity go to waste.” Lyra scooted closer. “I want to know everything about you.” She licked her lips. “Everything.”
Ryan frowned in nervousness. “Vinyl?!” she yelled.
“Don’t you know the walls are soundproofed? She can’t hear you.”
Dang it! How could she forget? “Uh …”
“So I heard you had a bit of a fear of us,” Lyra passed casually, “Did you know that the best way to get over a fear is to be close to it? See it’s not so bad?”
Ryan widened her eyes.
“In fact,” she said with an unchanged, giddy face, “I think it we would both enjoy it.”
“… what?”
Lyra’s smile would’ve made a cockatrice wither in terror.
Ryan stared at her for a moment. One moment only.
Then she jumped to her feet, making a brisk pace for the door. She reached the door knob before a strange feeling surrounded her, stopping her in her tracks. Her vision became tinted in gold.
“Wait, where you going?” Lyra asked in honest surprise as she released her magical grip.
“You …”Ryan barely managed.
“Me …” Lyra repeated.
“I …”
“You?”
“What are you doing? And what was that gold thing?” Ryan asked breathily.
“The gold was my magic. And right now I’m talking to you.”
“You don’t want to do … something?”
The horse cocked her head. “Something?”
“I don’t know … you just seem …” she trailed off.
Lyra narrowed her eyes, “I just wanted to get to know you. In return I could see if I could help with your fear somehow. You know, you show me yours, I show you mine.” Ryan decided not to comment on the choice of words. “What did you think I meant?”
Ryan glanced at her helplessly, failing to find an answer. She actually had no idea but didn’t feel she needed one. “I … don’t know …” Lyra shot her a suspicious look. “Wait,” Ryan began again, “Why did you lock Vinyl up, then?”
“I already told you. So we would be alone. I’ve always dreamed of meeting a human and I wanted it to be between us. This is a very special moment,” she said, perking up again, “I’m sure she’ll understand the necessity.”
Ryan opened her mouth then closed it. Then she said, “Could you let her out now?” She tried to keep the pleading tone out of her voice while saying it.
“Nope,” she happily denied, shaking her head.
Ryan sighed. Not like she could stop a magical unicorn with a hand fetish anyways. “I don’t know how you could help me, honestly. The only thing going forward is getting used to meeting new people …”
Lyra stared at her.
“… which is what I’m doing right now,” she finished.
Lyra grinned.
“Fine,” Ryan said, “You just want to talk?”
“Yes!”
She took a seat on the couch once more. Instantly, Lyra’s grabby reach snared her into hug as the owner said, “I’ve always wanted my own human! We’re going to be the best of friends!”
Unfortunately, Ryan did not share the sentiments. Reeling from the sudden contact, she lashed out with her palm, forcibly shoving the perpetrator away.
Lyra stared back from her spot with wide, blank eyes before realization took hold. “Hey! What was that for?” Lyra voiced in an agitated reaction.
Ryan cringed. “Sorry! It was an accident. I just reacted to when you grabbed me. I was already feeling anxious so…”
Lyra’s gaze mellowed into a softer light. “Oh,” she said, “I didn’t realize you were feeling that way. You just seemed so fine when we were talking … Sorry, then.”
“No, it’s fine,” Ryan sighed, “Just … please don’t do that again. I’d prefer to just talk.”
“Okay,” Lyra agreed, thankfully calm for the matter, “Are you alright? Need anything?”
She considered for a moment. “Could you let Vinyl out? I’d prefer if she was here.”
Although a bit disappointed, Lyra complied, removing the barricades and opening the door.
Immediately, one DJ bounded out of the room, followed by one unamused cellist. “Unhoof her Lyra! You don’t know what you’re dealing with! She once slapped a Wyvern!” She looked up to see a rather calm scene dotted by two entertained faces. “Everything’s good?”
“Yeah, we’re fine,” Lyra answered.
“Told you,” Octavia commented to Vinyl.
“Okay then … what’s happening?”
“We’re just talking. Or were about to,” Ryan explained.
Vinyl gave a suspicious eye. “That’s all? Lyra’s not being Lyra?”
“Hey!” Lyra jokingly acted.
“Mostly no,” Ryan replied.
Vinyl put them both under scrutiny with an eye but let it pass.
“Well, alright then.”
In one bombardment of friendly questions later, Ryan was wrapping up her visit to her friend’s. Lyra had long-since returned to her overly eager attitude but she certainly seemed a tad more hesitant, no doubt for Ryan’s sake.
“Hey, Wolfe?” Vinyl started, gaining her attention, “Just wanted to say thanks for all the music. Is there anything you wanted me to do with them?”
“You’re welcome. But what do you mean by that?”
“You know, put them on records or something.” She waved a hoof in a dismissive gesture.
“Feel free to do that, if you want. Heck, you could even release them. I’m sure the public would be interested.”
“Uh, you know I don’t own these. Or even wrote them.”
Ryan shrugged. “Not like anyone will really care. Those are completely new around here.”
Vinyl still looked unsure but Lyra spoke up first. “I’ll see you later alright? Oh, what am I saying? Of course you will. I’ll see ya soon!”
“See you later. Nice meeting you. And you too, Octavia.” The cellist nodded in her direction in a warm manner.
“I’ll see you later, Ryan,” Vinyl bid, “You sure you don’t need any help getting back?”
“Thanks, but I think I’ll be fine. It’s a pretty straight path down there. Bye, everyone.” She waved and the others returned their own unrecognizable gesture. The message was carried nonetheless.
Ryan closed the door behind her as she stepped into the sunlight. “Thank God, it’s over,” she exhaled, her words riding the breath. Taking a few controlled breaths, she set off down the path before anyone could take proper notice of her.
And just unlike one similar instance only over a week ago, she did escape completely unnoticed.
As she approached her temporary home, she couldn’t help but wonder about her actual home. Earth. Heh, she would never get used to referring to it by the planet name. It was just plain odd.
Twilight had gone rather silent the few times they’d seen each other the past week, usually only helping with spells (such as a transformation spell she swore wouldn’t wear off. Sadly, it wasn’t needed by the time she came up with it.) and one instance of helping Ryan with her makeshift therapy. When questioned, she dismissively assured Ryan she was looking into it. Not much else.
But Ryan didn’t let that worry her. She was confident in her case. She had a literal princess of magic on her side after all. No news must be good news, she figured.
She opened the door to the quiet, lonely home to hear the quick growth of the sound of a conversation in progres. It was notoriously one-sided, Ryan noted, not unlikely due to Fluttershy being involved. At the dining table sat the two mares, Fluttershy and none other than Twilight, as if by a joke by fate. At seeing the newcomer, both quieted, allowing silence its solo. However, it was short-lived as Fluttershy said, “Hello, Ryan.”
Or maybe some news is good news?
“Hey you two,” came the response, though the responder was focused more on the alicorn member of the party.
“How was Vinyl’s home? You were out for a bit.”
“It was fine. We recorded my music and then her friend came over. She was … odd. But nice.”
“That’s good to hear.”
Ryan nodded. “So … Twilight? Not to be rude, but what are you doing here?”
Twilight paused but then jumped to the point. “I was waiting for you to get back. I’ve been looking into how you got here and I thought I’d tell you what I’ve found. I’ve already told Fluttershy.”
Ryan felt a spontaneous combustion of nervousness emerge, though it wasn’t the irrational one she’d had so frequently. This was real, however unwarranted it may seem. Just something about this whole ordeal was too … off kilter to be a simple progress report. “Yeah?” she started, “What is it?”
Twilight put on an addled expression as she drew in a breath to then say, “I started my research the same day you and Fluttershy had that incident with the transformation spell. I went through the library in search of anything that I could relate to your situation. Teleportation, gateways, even time travel in one moment of desperation. You can probably guess where this is going.”
“… Nothing?”
“Nothing,” she confirmed, “Figures there wouldn’t be anything if you were our first source of alien contact. But I wasn’t about to let that stop me. First I sent a letter to Princess Celestia about the situation. She wrote back saying she wants to meet you in person. Now, would you be able to do that? I know you’ve been getting better the past week, but the Princess is rather … tall.”
Ryan perked an eyebrow. “I think I’ll be fine. I doubt anything could surprise me by this point. When will we meet?”
“In a few hours, when her Day Court has concluded for the day, assuming you agreed. Is that alright?”
She blinked. “Yeah, that’s fine.”
“Great, we’re on schedule then. Anyways, that’s not all I did …
“I went to Applejack, the orange-coated pony you met on your first day here, in case you didn’t know, and asked her to take me where you first showed up. She didn’t know the exact spot, but it was close enough. I could sense the residue magic just being close to it.”
“Residue?” she prompted, her lack of magical knowledge succeeding in causing her to stop following.
“Magic left lingering in the air. Usually after a powerful burst of magical energy,” she recited like a dictionary. “I recognized the kind of magic all too well. It was chaos magic.”
Twilight frowned as Fluttershy looked mildly distressed. Ryan just looked between them.
“I don’t know what that’s supposed to mean,” she commented.
Twilight nodded in understanding. “Chaos magic is one of the more erratic forms of magic. It’s too wild and uncontrollable for use by most beings, and it’s unpredictable above all else. If you were brought here by that kind of magic, as I believe, then it could have a whole range of implications, none of them too appealing.”
Ryan stared as a frown crossed her face, not liking where this was going. “Like what?”
“Well for one, your being here could be a completely random incident.”
God plays dice with the universe; Ryan remembered a quote similar to that. How fitting that her excursion across the universe could be by sheer chance.
“Is that a bad thing?” she asked.
Twilight shook her head. “Maybe, maybe not.”
Ryan frowned. “So what, then? Where do we go from here?”
“Well, we do have one good thing about this mess,” she answered, “We have our own expert in chaos magic.”
“Who?”
“Discord.”
“… Great.”
“Now,” Twilight began, “I know you two haven’t seen eye to eye, but he’s our best chance of making any progress in this lead. He’s not that bad once you get past everything about him. Right, Fluttershy?”
“Um … yes?”
“I know,” Ryan said, “So I have two appointments with ultra-powerful beings?”
“I haven’t gotten in contact with Discord yet,” the alicorn admitted, “He’s usually off in Whereverland without a reliable way to contact him. He occasionally comes around Fluttershy’s place so I was hoping she might have some way-”
“Excuse me?” Ryan interrupted, “Sorry to cut you off, but could I try something?”
“Uh, sure.”
Ryan took a breath then yelled, “Discord!” to no direction in particular.
Instantly the draconequus teleported into being wearing a shower cap and a towel wrapped around his waist. “What? What is it?” he said, panicky, “Is there a fire? I have a bath sponge!” He held up a soapy sponge menacingly, waving it around in his claw.
“Discord?” said Fluttershy.
He looked up to all eyes staring at him. Then with a shriek he exclaimed, “Don’t look at me! I’m not decent!”
“Discord …” Fluttershy said again.
“Oh, alright.” With a snap he was back to his usual self, the cap and towel whisked away.
“How did you know that would work, Ryan?” Twilight inquired.
“Just a feeling.”
“What is it you all wanted? I was in the middle of very pleasant bath.” the draconequus asked, miffed.
Ryan and Fluttershy looked to Twilight, who spoke, “I’ve been looking into whatever brought Ryan here. Around the spot she arrived here was a lot of magic residue. Chaos magic.”
“So you want me to look into it?” he concluded.
“Yes, if you would.”
“Very well. I’ll get started on that eventually. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have my pleasant bath to get back to that was so rudely interrupted.”
“Wait! I still need to talk to you.”
Discord slowly turned to her. “Yes, my dear Twilight?” he asked politely.
“I have a few questions I need you to answer.”
“Which are?”
“First, do you know of any chaos magic that could do something like this? Actually send someone to another planet?”
He smiled, “I do actually. All of it.”
“What?”
“There are no set spells in chaos, unlike your cheap brand. Just a bit of disorderly fun here and there. Concentrate enough of it and you could do anything.” He summoned a glass of chocolate milk just to prove his point. “Though, I will admit it would take a lot to repeat what happened to her.”
“Well, that raises a million more questions on the sciences of chaos magic…” Twilight said under her breath. “Okay, you said it would take a lot to repeat. Then that means it’s actually possible.”
“Yes … However, I assume you want to know if it could send her back, yes?”
Twilight nodded.
“I would need to see this residue you mentioned. I wouldn’t count on it, though.”
“Why not?” Ryan suddenly interjected, a bit too loudly.
“Because, Ryan, chaos is random. Simple as that. I would bet my tail your being here is by chance, as I’m sure Twilight has told you by now.”
She nodded grimly.
“Exactly. If we were to copy what sent you here, who knows where you would end up. Celly certainly doesn’t.” Twilight glared at him.
“But what about you?” Ryan retorted, “You seem to be controlling all of it perfectly. And you’re the embodiment of chaos. Couldn’t you do it?”
“I appreciate the praise,” he said nonchalantly, “But I’m not a miracle worker. I have no idea where you came from. It would be like taking a shot in the dark while hanging from the ceiling. Trust me, it’s even worse than it sounds.”
“So … you can’t send me back?” Ryan asked hesitantly.
“No, I cannot.”
She only stared blankly.
“Oh, don’t look at me like that. I’m sure Miss Problem-Solver Twilight over here will find a way. Now then,” he went back to the others, “I there anything else you needed?”
“Wait, I have another question,” Ryan suddenly stated, her voice gaining a new strength.
“Oh? What would that be?”
Ryan scowled at him. “Did you bring me here?”
Two pairs of eyes widened at the question as Discord straightened up, looking down at her.
“I seemed to have been brought here by some chaos magic and you’re the only one I’ve heard of with any power over it,” she went onward.
“Why, Ryan,” the draconequus exclaimed, “I am offended! You would acc-”
“Cut it, Discord,” she snapped, “I want a serious answer from you for once. No jokes or teasing or vague double-meanings. Did you or didn’t you?”
Discord’s face drew a frown as regarded her. Then he bent down to meet her eye level. “Fine,” he said, his tone straight and unwavering, “I am quite offended that you would accuse me of tearing someone away from their home and loved ones. I may have a mischievous sense of humor but I am most certainly not heartless. Even when I corrupted Twilight’s friends, the only ones that could defeat me, I was nice enough to leave them be instead of throwing them into a hungry dragon’s den. Does that answer your question?”
Ryan glared at him for a moment longer. “Yes.”
Discord stood tall again as he returned to a casual personality. “You should be grateful I’m giving you my time to look into what brought you here. Now, I believe we are done here.” He looked at the silent faces of the two at the table, who said nothing.
“Discord,” Ryan then spoke, “… Sorry. For accusing you.”
He returned her stare. “Are you?” Then he was gone in a snap and a flash.
She looked through the spot he was as the house grew into its natural, quiet and serene state.
“Ryan?” Fluttershy said, her soft voice audible in the tranquil home.
Ryan slumped onto her seat, her arms dangling loosely over the sides. “Yeah?”
“You didn’t have snap at him. He’s just a bit too carefree for his own good. He doesn’t mean to be rude.”
“Yeah.”
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t suspect he was behind this,” Twilight admitted, “But I agree with Fluttershy. What made you act like that?”
“He’s just so frustrating,” she let out, “And all he’s done is laugh at me when I mess up or get scared.”
“Trust me, I’ve been there. We both have,” Twilight said, “I think you two just need to have a talk.”
“He doesn’t seem to be the talking-it-out type.”
Twilight put on a helpless expression.
“I’m sure he’ll listen if you really want to sit down and have a talk,” Fluttershy commented, “He’s actually quite smart.”
Ryan shrugged.
“Well, Princess Celestia should be here soon. I think I’ll just stick around until then.”
“I’ll do the same,” Ryan said, “Not like I have anywhere to go.” She turned in her chair glumly, not letting the others see her expression.
She thought, as she often did, in her lonesome time.
What if I can’t go home?
What if this Celestia is a bust and she’s as helpless as Twilight?
Then I’d be stuck here forever in a world filled with horses. I’ll admit the horse part isn’t as hellish anymore, but I still have everything back home. My life, my family. I can’t leave them.
She sighed.
How are they anywhere? I’ve probably been declared missing and they’re all worrying over me. Great. Just great. I bet they’re all thinking of Dad now because of it too. They’ll go and deny it, but they’ll start jumping to conclusions. Then as time passes they’ll accept it, as they did with him. Mostly. I know my brother won’t. He’ll always wonder where his big sister went. He won’t ever give up hope.
A false hope.
She shut her eyes.
No, I won’t believe that. There will be a way back, I’m sure of it. I don’t know how I got here. Quite frankly, I don’t care how I got here unless it can help me get back. I will go home. I won’t stop hoping.
And I don’t care if it’s a false hope. If there’s one thing my brother and I have in common, it’s that we don’t give up.
She didn’t smile, but she didn’t frown either.