Lyra sat in her chair comfortably, sipping from her tea lightly. "I'm very glad you rejoined us. I mean, you didn't have to, and I know that, but I want to help you, as a friend."
Sam shrugged softly. "Yeah, yeah... so... You heard what happened?"
Lyra smiled at Sam. "Only that the bubbles, or worlds, or what not are more stable now, but I'd like to hear from your own mouth. You've looked... troubled. You can tell me anything. I'm not here to judge."
Sam grabbed a candy from a bowl nearby and stuffed it in his snout. "I saw my girl, locking lips with another guy, in my house."
Lyra cringed in sympathy. "Oh no..." she slipped from her chair and approached Sam quickly. Before Sam could ward her away, she hugged him tightly. "Nopony should have to face that!"
Sam grunted, becoming irritated and squirming. "You don't know what it's like. You and your girl have been a solid item since, what, forever?"
Lyra sat down in front of Sam, nodding. "Well, yes, we've been an item for a while, but not forever. I've been involved with other ponies, and it didn't always end as cleanly as I'd have liked." She smiled gently. "How about I tell you about it? Misery loves company, right?" She returned to her chair, plopping into it in her human-like way and reaching for her cup.
Sam shook his head. "Uh, thanks, but naw. I'll take your word for it. But... you can't even imagine. It was like seeing everything I ever loved, held right in front of me, and knowing I couldn't ever have it back. Even if I wasn't dead there, I'd march through and up to that house that wasn't... wasn't mine anymore. I'd be the intruder, the bad guy. She'd... probably yell at me for running off on her, if she even believed it was really me and not some creep, then they'd call the cops." He sank into his own couch, burying his face under his forelegs, going quiet.
Lyra moved up to him and took him in a second embrace, squeezing gently. "It's alright to be sad about something like that. Go ahead."
Sam thumped the couch. "You think I'm not?!" he barked, sitting up. "Of course I'm sad, and angry, and... pissed off as all hell! I was so close, like running straight into a window an inch before I got where I wanted. So here I am, a horse, or I could live in the world where people look like people, but act like horses."
Lyra nodded slowly. "And you didn't go back through the portal why? Not that I mind you being here." She smiled. "But I was told you were getting along, so why did you come back?"
Sam sank back onto the couch and mumbled something.
Lyra reached out, softly rubbing his side with a hoof. "What was that? Go on."
Sam grunted, gritting his teeth. "I was lonely... I missed your stupid face."
Lyra giggled softly. "I can understand that. My stupid face cheers a lot of ponies up. What about the others?"
Sam rolled onto his back. "I... thought I could have Lucy, but she doesn't--"
Lyra held up a hoof. "Woah, hold up there. I meant what I said about not judging, so I'll just ask. How was that supposed to work?"
Sam flushed through his fur. "I just... I wanted someone to hold and love, not... that. I could wait until she got bigger."
Lyra shook her head. "Physically, she's too young, mentally, she might be too old. Your only link is that you're both once-humans, and I would bet a lifetime supply of chocolates that'll get you into her friendship circle, but I don't think she's looking for a mate right now." She leaned in. "But I understand. You're lonely. You shouldn't hunt down mares in that state. You're too... too desperate, you know? Make some friends, and get comfortable, then you can reach out for a heart."
Sam bopped Lyra on the nose. "You sure do sound judgy today."
Lyra rubbed her snout lightly. "It's the truth, Sam. You have a lot of folks ready to be your friend, me included, but not just me."
Sam huffed. "Like who?" He sat up to his haunches.
Lyra counted on her hooves, which mostly involved clopping them together as she went. "Well I bet Steven, Lucy, Sunny, Darrell, Shattered, or any of the other once-humans would be delighted to be your friend if you'll give them a chance to be that."
Sam squirmed in place. "Didn't you just warn me to stay away from Lucy?"
Lyra inclined an ear at Sam. "For love, that kind of love. I trust her to decide who she wants to be friends with, and I think you could be a fine friend once you let yourself be." She spread her hooves wide. "I'll be the first, if you'll have me."
Sam slipped from the couch and looked at Lyra with obvious hesitation before he advanced on her and stood uncomfortably close, but didn't hug her. Lyra took the initiative and carefully wrapped her forelegs around his neck, and they remained like that in the unreturned hug. "Thank you," she said, "for trusting me."
Sam gave a little snort and pulled from her, but he looked just a little less down than he had before. "Yeah yeah... Do you think Thomas has space at his place?"
Lyra lifted her hooves in a shrug. "I couldn't say that, go ask him. I'm sure he'll be happy to see you."
"Yeah... I guess I'll do that. Thanks." Sam moved to depart quietly