//------------------------------// // Chapter Four // Story: Song of Thunder // by Zodiacspear //------------------------------// Her head hung low as she trudged along the street to visit with her friend, Bon Bon. A dark cloud seemed to follow Blossomforth around, seeping out of her from every pore. Ponies nervously avoided her as she made her way through the early morning.  Blossomforth needed to talk to somepony who was not Lyra or Thunderlane.  The thought of those two sent another wave of grief, followed quickly by a rush of anger, coursing through her mind.  She growled softly, grinding her teeth, before forcing the memories from last night from her mind.  She was not about to let herself break down, not again. She caught sight of her friend’s candy store and a weak, relieved smile crossed her face. ‘Maybe a good talk, a cup of tea, and some sweets might help,’ she thought to herself. The entry bell chimed as she pushed the door open, and Blossomforth caught sight of her friend as she looked up from a book she was reading. Bon Bon’s eyes lit up. “Blossomforth!  I didn’t know you had the day off.”  The earth pony set her book on the countertop of her store.  “What’s the occasion…” She trailed off as she got a better look at Blossomforth’s face. “Whoa, you look awful.  What happened?” ‘She doesn’t pull punches,’ she thought, wincing, before shaking it off and replying. “I’ve… just had a rough night. I didn’t sleep a wink.” “You poor thing.  Get over here and take a seat.”  Bon Bon tilted her head. “Don’t you have work today? I thought you said you had cloud duty.” Blossomforth settled her forelegs on the counter, resting her head on them. “I did, but I asked Rainbow for a personal day.  She was nice enough to let me have it.” Bon Bon’s mane swished as she nodded.  “Good!  That means you have all the time in the world to sit down and tell me all about it.”  She stepped away from the counter and brought a stool around for Blossomforth to sit on.  “Would you like some tea?” Blossomforth felt a warm smile starting to sprout on her face.  “That would be nice, please.” “You just sit and relax while I get it.” Bon Bon gave her a pointed glare. “Don’t move an inch until I get back.” She lifted a hoof at her in a weak wave. “I won’t.  I’m not like… Lyra, I won’t run off.” Bon Bon chuckled and shook her head, walking into the kitchen to make the tea. She didn’t see the scowl that spread across Blossomforth’s face.  Just mentioning her friend sent a wave of bile coursing through her.  She saw again the imagine of Lyra and Thunderlane sharing that passionate kiss.  The kiss that should have been hers! She stared down at the countertop, her gaze going distant.  The questions and frustrations came again to her mind, and she didn’t have any more answers for them now than she did earlier.  She closed her eyes, trying to keep them from tearing up.  Of all the stallions in Ponyville, why Thunderlane? The clatter of plates and cups broke her from her thoughts and she looked up to find Bon Bon sliding a small platter on the counter.  The smell of warm herbal tea caused Blossomforth to shudder in delight. Bon Bon pushed a small plate of celery sticks to go with the tea and sat down on her chair again.  “All right, Blossomforth.  What happened?  What upset you?”  She scowled.  “Was it the stallion you’re trying to hook up with?  Give me his name, and I’ll set him straight.” ‘It’s not him...’ she thought to herself.  She took in a breath and took a sip of the warm tea.  How could she explain what her problem was?  That she had missed out on the stallion of her dreams to their clumsy friend Lyra of all ponies?  Admit that she didn’t have what it took to catch his eye and that she was hopeless? Bon Bon studied her friends face as she sat quietly with her thoughts.  “Wait…” Blossomforth looked up from her musing.   “Did you go spying on Lyra?”  The earth pony leaned forward, an eager gleam in her eyes.  “Did you see who she’s dating?  Tell me who.” ‘Thunderlane.  The stallion she stole from me!’ She wanted to shout the thought out, but hesitance kept her from speaking.  “I didn’t see who, but I know she saw him last night.” Bon Bon leaned forward even more, the counter groaning as she put her weight on it. “Come on, Blossomforth!  Who is it? I have to know!” She looked up to her friends frantic stare and opened her mouth to speak. “It’s—” “Bon Bon!” They both turned as the door to the shop burst open and in ran a widely smiling Lyra.  “Bon Bon!  Where are you?”  The unicorn’s eyes fell on the two at the counter and her smile grew even more.  “There you are!” ‘You...’ It took all of Blossomforth’s effort to keep the anger from her face at the sight of the unicorn.  First she steals her stallion, now she barges in when she’s trying to have a private talk with a friend? Bon Bon settled back on her chair. “Hello, Lyra.  We were just talking about you.” The unicorn tilted her head curiously as she trotted up. “Me? What for?  What did I do this time?” ‘You know exactly what you did!’ “We were discussing who your special somepony is.” Blossomforth said aloud and took a sip of her tea to hide the frown that was growing. Bon Bon looked at her with a furrowed brow.  “Didn’t you say you—” Blossomforth’s eyes widened and she slapped a hoof over Bon Bon’s muzzle. “—had no idea who it was.  That’s all.” Lyra looked at her strangely for a second before she shrugged; her smile returning to her face.  “Well, I wanted to let you both know that you won’t have to wait for much longer.” Bon Bon leaned forward again, the counter once again groaning in protest. “Who?  Who is it!” ‘Thunderlane…’ Lyra gave her a playful wink.  “You’ll find out this Wednesday at the talent show.  He’s going to be there and I’ll introduce you.” She shook with excitement.  “Ooh, I can’t wait.” “Can’t wait? How do you think we feel?” Bon Bon glared at the unicorn. “We’ve been waiting all this time to know and you still won’t tell us?” She leveled her gaze, but a sly smirk crossed her face. “You’re having way too much fun with this, aren’t you, Lyra?” “Yep,” she chirped, but she then lowered her voice.  “But that’s, not all I’m—” the smile faltered for just a second. “—going to compete in the talent show.” Where Bon Bon grew a happy smile at the news, Blossomforth could only blink. When did Lyra ever have the confidence to speak to a stallion, let alone perform on stage? It was like she was meeting a whole new Lyra Heartstrings. “Lyra, are you really going to compete?” Bon Bon asked.  “When did you decide this?” “Last night,” she said, levitating another stool for her to sit on.  “My coltfriend convinced me that I have nothing to worry about.” ‘Coltfriend?’ Lyra rubbed at the back of her head.  “Though… I am a bit nervous.” “What are you going to do at the talent show?” Blossomforth asked. “I didn’t even knew you had a talent for stage.” The two looked at her in some surprise. “Didn’t I tell you?” Lyra asked. Blossomforth looked between them. “No.” “Lyra’s really good at her lyre,” Bon Bon said after taking a bite of a celery stick. “She played for me once, and she’s really good.” She gulped her food down and shot a glare at her. “I tried telling her she should play for others, but apparently it had to come from a hot stallion to sink into her thick head.” “That’s not true! I—” She trailed off at Bon Bon’s smug expression.  She shook her head and looked at Blossomforth.  “I know I told you before, Blossomforth.  Don’t you remember?” The pegasus shook her head. “No.” “Huh…” Lyra looked to the countertop for a moment, frowning with a vapid expression in her eyes. “I was almost certain I did.” ‘No you didn’t! What other things have you not told me?  I thought you were my friend, Lyra!’ Blossomforth took another sip of her tea, trying, but failing, to hold back a sniffle. Bon Bon looked over at her curiously.  “Are you alright, Blossomforth?” She nodded quickly and set her tea down, standing up. “Just the air.” She stretched her wings as she stood.  “I’m… going to go for a walk.  I’ll see you girls later?” Bon Bon stared at her for a moment before nodding. “Later it is.” “Will I see you at the talent show?” Lyra asked her as she headed for the door. “I wouldn’t miss it,” she said through false teeth. Lyra’s happy smile spread quickly. “I can’t wait for you to meet my coltfriend. I know you’ll like him.” “I know I will.” She stepped out of the candy store before a nasty retort could escape her.  ‘I can’t wait for the talent show either, Lyra. I can’t wait...’ A slow, cruel grin slowly crossed her muzzle as a thought occurred to her. “Yes. I can’t wait.” -0- Lyra paced anxiously, biting her lower lip as she frequently scanned the crowd for a certain pegasus. The talent show wasn’t supposed to start for a while yet, but she was already feeling that knot of dread in her gut.  Between the nervousness she felt about introducing Thunderlane to her friends, and the thought of going up on stage… in front of a crowd… all of those eyes on her… caused her to shudder violently.  She wanted nothing more than to run home where no one could stare at her, but she promised she would do this.  Thunderlane had promised he would be there to support her, and that nopony would laugh at her. “So where is he?” she said aloud, scanning the crowd for the uptenth time. “Did he get cold hooves?  Maybe I should—” She felt a tapping on her back. With a high pitched scream, she leapt into the air, her legs scrambling. She crashed to the ground with an undignified grunt  and looked up to see an amused Thunderlane looking down at her. “Kinda jumpy, ain’t we?” She flailed around in her frustration. “Why do you guys keep doing that to me?!” “We don’t do it on purpose.” he smirked playfully at her. “Though it is kinda funny.” She snorted at him and dusted herself off. “It’s not funny!” His face scrunched up, trying to keep from outright laughing at her.  “Anyone ever tell you how cute you are when you’re frustrated?” She blushed furiously. “Oh, stop it.” He chuckled warmly and nuzzled at her, taking in a discrete sniff.  “You smell nice.” Her blush rivaled that of Big Mac’s fur in its redness. “T-Thank you.”  She looked him over a moment, and saw that he had cleaned himself up nicely.  This brought a smile to her face, knowing that he took great strides to look presentable for her friends and see her perform caused a wave of warmth to rise up from her body. “I’m glad you came,” she finally said. He ran a hoof through his mohawk before smirking at her.  “Told you I wouldn’t miss it, and I keep my promises.”  He looked around for a moment before he gulped nervously.  “So… where’re your friends?” Her smile turned from one of warmth to one of barely contained excitement. “They’re already here, and they’re dying to meet you.  I haven’t even told them who you are yet.” He tilted his head at her. “Why not? You’re not embarrassed, are you?” The color drained from her face, and she shook her head quickly. “N-No, I just… I—” She took in a calming breath. “I’m not embarrassed, it’s just that…” She trailed off and looked away for a moment, chewing her bottom lip. “Buuuut…” He prompted her with a wave of his hoof. She took a moment to collect her thoughts. “It’s just that Bon Bon and Blossomforth have always talked about any coltfriends they’ve had when I didn’t have one—” “Can’t see why not,” he gave her a mischievous smile. Her face turned red again. “Stop it.”  She huffed before continuing.  “They’ve always talked about having coltfriends, but I’ve never had the chance.  But now that I do, I wanted to get back at them for all the teasing they’ve done.”  She grinned, a bit more maliciously than she intended. “Teasing them by keeping your name a secret has been too much fun to pass up.” He laughed and she quickly joined in.  “Remind me not to get on your bad side,” he said as he brushed away a tear of mirth. She pulled on his foreleg.  “Come on.  I want you to meet them.” He put up a faint resistance, but allowed her to drag him through the crowded park.  She looked around as many ponies were talking excitedly with each other, and a few of them held musical instruments or wore costumes.  These ponies must have been her competition for the night, she reasoned.  The thought of going up on stage caused the knot in her stomach to clench again.  She looked at Thunderlane for support but frowned as she noticed a faint frown on his face. “What’s wrong, Thunderlane?  Why are you frowning?” He looked at her quickly. “I was just thinking, what if your friends don’t like me?” She blinked in confusion before she gave him a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, they’ll love you.  Bon Bon will likely swarm you with questions… embarrassing questions,” she muttered, her ears pinning back before standing straight again. “And you already know Blossomforth, right? So there’s nothing to worry about.” A faint smile played on his face.  “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”  He scanned the crowd, hoping to find a familiar face.  “So where are they?” She looked around as well.  “I don’t know they said they would—” “Lyra!” The sudden shout caused her to jump again, but instead of another undignified fall to the ground, Thunderlane reacted and caught her. Her cheeks turned a bright scarlet hue from the stares as he cradled her in his forelegs. “Uhmm, t-thank you.” His smirk was tinted with a blush of his own. “Anytime.” Bon Bon whistled as she and Caramel approached.  “Wow, Lyra, you have to teach me that?” She look at her friend curiously. “Teach you what?” “How to get your colt friend tied around your hoof so easily.  Caramel never carries me around.” The stallion in question rubbed at the back of his head.  “Well, you never asked.” Bon Bon was about to say something when her eyes widened and a snicker escaped her. “I’ll give you that.” Lyra turned her gaze to Thunderlane. “You can put me down now.” He blinked before he set her down. She did give him a quick peck on the cheek as he did. “Thanks,” she whispered. He gave her a wink before he looked at Bon Bon.  “So you’re… Bon Bon?  I’m Thunderlane, it’s nice to meet you.  Lyra’s told me about you.” The mare snorted. “Well, at least she’s something about me, but she hasn’t said a thing about you.”  Lyra felt the glare figuratively burn her away. “She thought it was funny not to share anything about who you were or what you looked like with her friends.”   He stiffened up as the mare walked around him, scrutinizing him like he was merchandise on display. “Though, I can’t for the life of me think why she wouldn’t want to share you.” Lyra once again felt the heat rising to her face. “BON BON!” Her friend gave her a sly smile. “What? I was talking about who he was and what he looked like.”  She raised an eyebrow at the sputtering unicorn.  “Just what were you thinking about, Lyra?” It wasn’t that much of an exaggeration to say that Lyra’s bright blush dimmed the lights of the surrounding street lamps. Thunderlane, for his own part, stared down at the earth mare with a mix of fear and embarrassment.   He glanced at Caramel who stood by, watching it all with an amused grin. “Is she always like this?” Caramel’s grin grew a bit more. “Always.  It’s one of the things I love about her.” Bon Bon wrapped Caramel in a tight hug.  “You always say the sweetest things!” “Can’t believe that line worked…” Thunderlane muttered as Lyra finally came out from hiding behind her hooves.  “You alright?” he asked. Lyra huffed, glaring daggers at her friend’s back. “I knew she was going to do something like that and I still fell for it.” She couldn’t help but smile as he chuckled.   The sound of a few instruments being tuned caused her ears to flicker, some of them sounding like they really needed it.  “So where is Blossomforth, Bon Bon?” she asked as she turned back to her friends,  “She said she was going to be here.” Bon Bon looked around with a faint frown.  “I don’t know.  Last I talked with her, she said she was going to meet us.”  She shrugged faintly.  “Maybe she’s trying to find her own date to bring.” Thunderlane tilted his head curiously.  “I didn’t know Blossomforth was single.  I thought for sure she’d have a coltfriend somewhere.” Bon Bon shrugged.  “She said she’s had eyes on a stallion for a while, just hadn’t worked up the nerve to ask him out.”  She gave Lyra a sly smile.  “Now that she’s the only single one of the three of us, maybe she’s finally going to ask.” Lyra grinned as well. “I hope so, I’d still like to meet who ever she’s been trying to date.” Before any of them could continue, Bon Bon held up a hoof firmly.  “Alright, that’s enough chit chat.  Come on! We should get something to eat before the show starts.  I don’t want to get up to get something to eat while a certain someone is performing.” Lyra looked down at her hooves again as Bon Bon brought her out of the bliss of just being there with her friends and coltfriend, and back into reality. A reality that included a stage performance. She shivered before she felt a hoof placed on her shoulder. “Hey, don’t worry,” Thunderlane said.  “I told you they’ll love you, and I’ll be front and center to cheer you on.” A soft sigh escaped through her nose,  “I-I’m just so nervous.  I’ve never played for an audience before.”  She looked at him, a pleading look in her eyes.  “What if they laugh at me?” She looked down, shame brimming in her eyes.  “They’ve always laughed at me.” He shook his head decisively, pulling her chin up with his hoof.  “They won’t.  I promise.” Bon Bon nodded firmly. “And I’ll sock the first one that does.” Lyra sputtered again, pulling away from her coltfriend. “Bon Bon, you wouldn’t do that!” “Actually I might hold them for her,” Thunderlane said with a grin. She looked at him with shocked eyes. “Y-You would?” He grinned confidently at her.  “But it won’t come to that, because I know you’ll do great.  Pretend you’re sitting at your favorite spot again, and just play.  Trust me.” She lowered her gaze to her hooves again.  Is it really that simple?  Just pretend she was by her watering hole, ignoring all the thousands of eyes watching her, judging her?  Could she do it? She felt herself pulled closer to him.  “Just trust me, you will be fine.” The warmth of his hug and the softness of his fur seemed to wash away all of her fears.  She looked up to him with a warm, grateful smile. “Thank you, Thunderlane.” He gave her a playful wink.  “Anytime.” Bon Bon started pushing Lyra towards the concession stand, nearly bowling over anyone else who was in their way.  “Come on now, we’ve got to get something to eat before the show starts.  Except for you, Lyra, you shouldn’t have anything in your stomach before you get on stage.” “Bon Bon! Quit pushing me! I can walk on my own! Hey!” Thunderlane watched them go with an amused smirk.  He looked to the side as Caramel stood beside him. “Teach me how you did that?” the earth pony stallion asked. Thunderlane looked at him curiously. “To do what?” “To get a mare to eat our of your hoof like that.  What’s the secret?” Thunderlane laughed, already liking how the evening was going. -0- It really wasn’t possible for Lyra to more freaked out than she was now.  She bit at her lower lip, drawing blood, and her front hoof would not stop tapping—the repeated thumps on the wood had earned her a shush from the stage manager, but she just couldn’t help it. As her slot approached,  her panic was spiralling out of control.  The usually comforting presence of her lyre floated by her in her aura, but even it appeared shaky. ‘Ooohh, how could I have ever agreed to do this?  This is going to end badly, I just know it…’ she thought to herself.  She grabbed at her mane nervously, and dared a peek past the curtains.  She watched as Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, put on a staged magic show.  While it was cute that they were trying slight of hoof tricks, Lyra giggled when a whole deck of cards showered over the audience. Giggling even harder as she saw one card stick to Thunderlane’s nose. He had tried shaking it free, but it has stubbornly clung until a sheepish Sweetie Belle removed it. Even with her giggle, her worry came back as soon as she let the curtain drop.  “Ooh, what am I going to do? I can’t do this. I can’t do this.” “Lyra?” she heard a voice call out to her. She turned curiously until she saw Blossomforth make her way back stage, the pegasus looking around.  “Blossomforth! You made it.” She received a harsh shush from the stage manager and Lyra lowered her head sheepishly.  “Sorry,” she whispered and dashed over to her friend, giving her a warm hug. “I didn’t think you’d make it.” Blossomforth gave her a warm, yet restrained smile. “You know I wouldn’t miss you getting on stage.” She pushed her friend from the hug.  “Is your… coltfriend here?” Lyra bobbed her head quickly. “He is, he’s out in the crowd watching.” She tilted her head curiously at the pegasus. “You already know Thunderlane, don’t you?” Blossomforth nodded after a moment. “Yeah, I know him.  We work together.” Lyra’s smile spread across her face. “Oh, good. I won’t have to introduce you then.” “Yeah… you won’t.” Lyra looked past her friend curiously.  “Didn’t you bring a date with you?” She looked back at her friend.  “What about that stallion you were trying to date, did you ask him to come with you?” “He’s… here, Lyra,” Blossomforth said, with only the faintest of downward turns at her mouth. Lyra grinned broadly, oblivious to her friend’s expression.  “Oh, thank Celestia.  You have to introduce me to him after I’m done.  I want to see who you’ve had your eyes on this whole time.” Blossomforth smiled just faintly. “You will, trust me.” They both turned at the sounds of applause and laughter and saw the Cutie Mark Crusaders make their way back stage—somehow covered in tree sap. “How—” Lyra began. “You’re up next, Miss Heartstrings.  After the stage has been cleared,” the stage manager said as she directed a janitor towards the stage. Her mouth dried, and she felt herself beginning to shake.  She was next! She was about to get on stage and perform… in front of all those ponies.  The thought of all those eyes staring at her, caused her to shake, small whimpers escaping her. She started as she felt a hoof rest on her shoulder, she turned to find Blossomforth staring at her intently.  “Lyra, calm down.” “B-B-B-ut—” An annoyed sigh escaped through the pegasus’s nose. “Just stay calm, do as you always do, and you’ll be fine.” Lyra lowered her gaze. “I’m not sure if I can do it, Blossomforth.  I’m so scared.” “Which is why you need to do it.  Don’t you see?  If you go out there and show everypony just what you can do, you won’t have to be afraid anymore.” She gave her an encouraging smile.  “We all know you can do it.  Don’t forget… Thunderlane is watching.” The thought of Thunderlane being right there for her, and knowing she had his and her friends support, caused her shivers to lessen.  Her friends would be there, cheering her on.  Thunderlane was there, just like he promised. “Y-Yeah… I can do this. I can do this.” She took in a few calming breaths before she gave her friend a smile. “Thanks, Blossomforth.” The pegasus gave her a nod. “Now get out there and show everypony just what you can do.  We’re counting on you.” Lyra puffed out her chest and her lyre floated up next to her.  “I can do this.” She waiting only a moment more before the janitor returned and the stage manager pulled the curtain for her. “Wish me luck,” she said quickly to her friend, and stepped past the curtain. She didn’t hear the pegasus mumble darkly to herself.  “Yes, get out there and do what you always do, Lyra.  I’m counting on it.” -0- All that confidence she felt, that swelling of pride she worked up, deflated faster than one of Pinkie Pie’s balloons as the spotlights settled on her.  Her eyes shrunk to prin picks and her legs suddenly felt as heavy as lead. All those stares that bore into her, she wanted nothing more than to run away screaming, but her legs refused to move. From the front and center of the crowd a round of applause started.  Thunderlane started stamping his hooves to the ground, cheering her on.  It was quickly joined in by Bon Bon and Caramel, and soon proved to be infectious as other ponies started applauding her. A flush crept up on her face and she hesitantly stepped towards the stool that was waiting for her.  She stood before the stool and dipped a somewhat less than graceful bow to the crowd. “G-Good evening, everypony. I’m Lyra Heartstrings, and I’ll be… playing my lyre for everypony.” A small cheer went up from the center of the crowd.  She saw Thunderlane give the cheer despite the odd looks he got.  His warm, eager smile sent a warmth through her body. “Thank you.” She took a seat on the provided stool and looked to the crowd again.  “This is a song I call, ‘On Wings of a Sparrow.’” She settled comfortably, and gave a testing tune of her lyre.  The small note seeming to sound louder in her ears than she had ever heard before.  A rosy blush crept on her face and she set her hoof against the higher string.  Her eyes fell over the crowd, feeling once again the weight of all those stares as they looked to her with anticipation.  The panic reared up in her again, threatening to strip away what little resolve she had welled up. Her eyes then fell upon the stallion in the front row.  Thunderlane watched her, his yellow eyes wide in anticipation.  When their eyes met, he gave her a slight nod of encouragement. A warm smile crossed her face and she felt her fear vanish knowing that he was there for her. Her hoof set to the string again, and with a final look his way, she began her song. -0- Blossomforth watched from her seat at the side of the crowd as Lyra began playing.  She had been impressed that the unicorn hadn’t run away crying like she expected when she got on stage—her friend had never been one to be the center of attention.  If Lyra had run off screaming like she always did, she’d be there to witness Thunderlane finally seeing that Lyra wasn’t the mare for him and then she herself would swoop in ask him out. ‘Not bad, Lyra, but let’s see how long you can last under the pressure.  You’ll crack eventually.’ Blossomforth’s ears perked up as Lyra began her song.  The song was a slow, haunting piece—a song she had heard other ponies play on the rare times she visited a cafe in Canterlot.  A sneer crossed her face, playing a slow, sad song was no way to impress a crowd.  She waited patiently for murmurs of discontent or even the outright booing. It was then that Blossomforth let the music sink in. Her eyes widened as the music seemed to tear at her very being.  On Wings of a Sparrow was a song she remembered from her fillyhood.  She remembered her mother telling her the story of a young sparrow who had just gained his ability to fly, only to have a wing broken and be forced to walk the ground for the rest of its life—forever lamenting its loss. She brought up a hoof to her eye and pulled it away to find that it was moist with her tears. “H-How…”  Her eyes swept the crowd and found that many other ponies were in a similar straight.  Some openly shedding tears as the song drifted around them.  Not one looked like they would even begin to start booing. Her gaze turned to Thunderlane, as he watched the oblivious Lyra play her song.  His own eyes had tears around them, but the proud smile told Blossomforth that it wasn’t tears of a heart tugging. ‘No! I’m losing him!’ She looked around quickly for something, anything to break the hold the unicorn had on him.  Lyra had her eyes closed, focusing on her music alone—she would not see anything coming at her. Blossomforth dismissed that idea, she wanted her friend humiliated, not harmed.  Throwing something at her wouldn’t work, not where everypony could see her do it. Her gaze then fell on the drape over the stage’s edge, and an idea clicked.  She quickly darted underneath before anypony noticed her, and crawled through the grass towards where Lyra sat.  A small bore in the planking let her see that the unicorn was just above her, oblivious to the pegasus below her.  Seeing Lyra play her song, capturing the heart of her stallion, drove her budding rage to a seething level. “You will not take him. Do you hear me?” She growled, though not loud enough to be heard. Blossomforth turned around and positioned herself to buck.  A small voice pleaded for her to stop, not to do this, but it went unheeded as she brought her legs back. -0- Her hooves played over the strings of her trusted lyre. She didn’t have to remember the parts of the song, having long since memorized it, she played purely by ear. This allowed her to put her thoughts and emotions into her playing. This was how she had always expressed her feelings—her lyre was her outlet for all of those pent up— Her concentration was broken as she suddenly blasted from her stool. With a startled scream she flew forward and landed on her front, sending her lyre out towards the crowd. A groan of pain later she sat up to see what had happened and found Caramel rubbing at his head. ‘Oh no!’ “Ha! There’s the old Lyra we all know!” she heard one voice say from the crowd. “An accident waiting to happen.” A few guffaws went up at that and another voice spoke up. “Went from a musical number to slap stick humor just like that. She really is talented.” The laughter rang up and her eyes widened. She saw the ponies laughing and pointing at her. It was happening, all those fears, they were coming true. She pressed her hooves over her ears, but that did nothing to drown out the sound. She was the laughing stock of the whole town, just like she knew would happen. The laughs and insulting points where all the proof she needed to know that she had been made a fool of. How could she have been so dense to believe that should would do anything else? She put herself out there and once again she was the butt of some cruel joke! The tears starting running down her face, there was no trying to stop them. ‘Why? Why does this happen to me?’ “Lyra!” She looked up to see Thunderlane crawling onto the stage and running to her aid. “Lyra, are you okay? Are you hur—” “Get away from me!” His head snapped back in surprise as she glared fiercely at him, tears falling down her face. It was his idea for her to get up on stage. He said that they would love her performance, that they wouldn’t laugh at her. He had promised! “Lyra, please. Don’t let—” She backed away from him. “How could you?! You promised me they wouldn’t laugh! You lied to me!” His eyes widened and he darted a quick look at the crowd who had gone dead silent by the outburst. “It isn’t like that! Lyra, please calm down.” “Calm down?! How can I be calm when you made me the laughing stock of the entire town! Is that what you had in mind the whole time? All that being nice to me… our kiss… was it all to make me look like an idiot in front of your friends?!” He looked at her in shock, completely unable to fathom her rage. She tore her gaze away from, unable to look at him further. “Stay away from me, Thunderlane,” she said past a choked sob. “I don’t ever want to see you again, ever!” Her heart broken, she ignored his pleading cry and ran from the stage as fast as her hooves would carry her—her sobs echoing as she fled. Sobs that echoed the hollowness of her heart. The same empty feeling that strangled the heart of the stallion she left behind. He slumped to his haunches, staring after her. Ignoring the disquieted and ashamed murmurs from the crowd, he felt as if someone had reached inside and tore something from within. “It… it wasn’t my fault… Lyra…” He lowered his face, not caring if anyone else saw the tears that fell.