Lyra sat in a less-comfortable stool in a circle with all the others. She smiled broadly. "I've gathered you all here today because I thought we, as a family, should celebrate something together."
Sam rolled his eyes but kept his sour words to himself. The others leaned forward to hear better, looking interested in what Lyra had to say.
Lyra raised a hoof. "Some of you have gotten to the point that you simply don't need me anymore. You're well-adjusted, wonderful, productive members of society, and I couldn't be prouder to have met and known you. Now, this isn't a race. Like getting a cutie mark, we should be happy when it happens, and not try to hurry it along. There is no prize in this, except for knowing that you are whole and well. As for the others here, I hope nopony thinks I'm wrong when I say I feel like we've grown together, like a family, and we should be there for one another, for good and bad, and today is good."
Sunny raised a wing. "Is this about me?"
Lyra shook her head. "While you are a perfectly fine pony, we have things to discuss still, and I hope you aren't too eager to escape me yet." Sunny looked relieved and settled back on her stool.
Lyra directed a hoof at Steven. "We'll start here. Steven! You entered Equestria with art in your heart, and it's guided you along a peaceful transition to our ways. You've seen the charms of the pony physique almost as easily as the one you were born with however many years ago. Kind, supporting, and eager to make work that can stir emotions in others, I can confidently say that Equestria is better for you being a part of it, and I'm honored to have been the helpful hoof to help you across the door."
Steven smiled, but there was a hint of sadness in that smile. "I... thank you... I am OK with being a pony. I do miss my old life a little, thinking about the people I left behind, but I'm here now, and I'll make the best of it. This is a good world, and I'm proud to be a part of it."
Hooves came together in applause, clopping supportively.
Lyra waited for things to settle before directing attention towards Thomas. "You are a very special pony. I admit, I knew we were all in for a challenge when you professed to be a carnivorous pony, but here you are! You're loved by the community and your peers, and you seem to take genuine pleasure in your work. Equestria didn't just change you, you've left a mark on it." She giggled a little. "A greasy mark."
Thomas chuckled softly at the joke. "What can I say? Grease is part of the job. I always wanted to be a cook, but mom never wanted to pay for cooking school, so I became a butcher instead, and taught myself what I knew, but who has the time and money to try making a restaurant? I'm... actually glad I opened that box now. It didn't just hide a furry body, it hid my dreams, and now I'm living it. People are eating what I serve up, and they like it. For an hour out of their lives, they..." He stopped, failing to find the right words. "You know?"
The clopping picked up again as the room said that they knew. Lyra looked around the circle. Everypony seemed to be participating, except Sam. She frowned a moment before she controlled herself. She had to focus on the matter at hoof. "Shattered Stone. You are a special pony. When you first came to me, I thought it was a mistake. You were pretty happy being a pony, but there were other issues, issues I'm happy to say you've triumphed over. You've not only gotten your romantic life on track, but you've been supportive and caring to your fellows. You are a good pony, and I think we're all happy to have met you."
Shattered's ears flipped back. "Does this mean I have to go? I don't want to leave everypony... These are my friends..."
His honest fear triggered similar soft murmurs of discontent from the other graduates. Lyra quickly made a placating motion with her hooves. "Calm down. I'm not banishing you away. You can live right here in Ponyville, and we can be friends. Nopony has to move away unless they want to. If you don't have the bits, I'll talk with the mayor and we'll work something out. You're on the weather team, right Shattered?" Shattered quickly nodded. "Good, then you could just live right above us if you wanted. Ask the other pegasi on the team and they'll show you how to do it."
Moving out of the home, but still in the neighborhood, was easier to swallow and hooves were bumped around as they promised to not stop being friends.
Lyra leaned back a little. "And that's everypony for now."
Lucy raised a hoof, waving it. "I don't mean to be rude, but what do I have left? I think I've adjusted quite well, all things considered. I even got my cutie mark along the way." She turned to display her flank. "Aren't I ready to graduate?"
Lyra tilted her head. "Well... sure? I guess, but... You're a foal. We can't have a foal living by herself."
Lucy huffed. "I'm not really a foal and you know it! I can handle myself just fine."
Darrell suddenly spoke up, "We know that, but do they know that?" He pointed to the door leading out. "I don't think Lyra doubts you're ready."
Lucy looked at Lyra pointedly, and Lyra gave a soft nod. "Alright, you have a point. Lucy, with wisdom far beyond your small body, you are proving eager to learn and to teach in equal measure here in Equestria. I look forward to reading of your discoveries in the papers over the upcoming years, but, for now, you will remain in the group housing. You don't have to come to sessions anymore, if you feel ready, but I would urge that you do. Even if you feel ready, you are under a lot of pressure, with everypony looking at you like a foal when you feel like an adult on the inside."
Lucy seemed mollified by this, and the clopping applause made her smile with a child-like pleasure. Perhaps her little body was rubbing off on her just a little.