Well here we are ladies and gentleman Chapter 8, easily my longest and possibly my most interesting and painful chapter so far. Hope you enjoy it, please all Constructive criticism is wanted and welcome. well all real comments about what you like, don't like and where you think it is going really
Fluttershy awoke just as the other three were finishing their lunch. The first thing she saw was Artemis’ neck, which she appeared to have gripped between her two forelegs and had been nuzzling in her sleep. She gave a small blush, she never normally did such a thing, but she realised that being next to Artemis, in his arms, nuzzling him like that, she felt safer than she ever usually did. It was so warm there that as she started to wake up, she shifted her wings to cool down, one of her wings coming to brush gracefully against Artemis’ cheek.
Artemis blushed, the wing was the softest thing he had ever felt in his life, and having Fluttershy in his arms like that, her nuzzling him, it felt so natural and peaceful, looking down he wished this moment never had to end.
“Looks like she’s starting to stir.” Said Twilight, noticing Fluttershy beginning to move, oh how cute they looked, and for the second time that day she ended up silently wishing it was her nuzzling against Artemis, safe in his arms.
“You ok sleepy head?” Artemis asked Fluttershy.
“oh, yes” she smiled up at him, “I’m fine thanks.” She looked at the time, “uh oh, I mean if it’s ok, I need to go, my Animals need some care. Thanks for the nap though.”
“It’s ok.” Said Artemis, releasing his grip. As Fluttershy got up, he couldn’t help notice that her wing rested against his cheek longer than was needed. Artemis returned the favour by watching Fluttershy a little longer than was seemly as she left.
“So Artie you ready for your tour?” bubbled Pinkie Pie, her face covered in the remains of a cupcake that had appeared from nowhere.
“As ready as I’ll ever be for a Pinkie Pie adventure.”Artemis chuckled. Pinkie didn’t get it, but always ready for a laugh she joined in. Not long after Twilight joined in as well, soon the laughter was so loud that a little purple and green dragon peered over the balcony leading to his and Twilight’s bedroom.
“Would somepony please keep the noise down? There’s a dragon trying to sleep.”
“Oh spike, It’s time you were getting up anyway, we have a lot of library work to catch up on after yesterday.” Then turning to Artemis Twilight continued, “Not that it’s your fault, it was lovely to help you, see you this evening after the tour.”
“So Artie where should I take you first, ooh ooh Carousel boutique, Oh but you were there yesterday. Ooh Ooh, what about Sweet Apple Acres, nope that won’t do silly filly, he saw Applejack this morning.”
While Pinkie Pie was busy mumbling some more stuff to herself, Artemis put his hand to her mouth, her mumbling continuing despite her mouth being held shut.
“How about, Sugar Cube Corner? after all you owe me a cake.”
“Ooh yay, sugar cube corner, with all the eclairs, strudels, cupcakes, muffins.”
Artemis noticed Pinkie’s eyes glaze over, her mouth drooling at the prospect of seeing all those sweets. Then she sneezed, a little confetti coming out and came back to her senses.
“oh and I can show you where I work, good Idea Artie.” She beamed a massive smile and gave him a huge hug burying Artemis in her mane. He noticed it smelt strongly of bubblegum.
The walk to sugarcube corner took a lot longer than Artemis expected, despite it being fairly near to the Library, due to the amount of stops they had to make.
Every time a pony came by, Pinkie Pie stopped them and introduced them to Artemis.
Before long Artemis got lost in a sea of names of ponies he had never heard of, even when watching the show. Eventually they ended up meeting two ponies who were the focus of many a Fanfic back in Artemis’ world.
“Excuse me Lyra, Bonbon.”
“Heya Pinkie Pie, how are you?” said Lyra.
“To what do we owe the pleasure?” asked Bonbon.
“Oh, I’m just showing somepony new around.” responded Pinkie Pie.
“Girls this is Artemis,” she said with a flourish pushing Artemis into the conversation, figuratively and quite literally, Artemis nearly falling over, causing the three fillies to giggle.
“Oh heya Artemis, I’m Bonbon, and this is lyra.” Bobon explained, both ponies offering their hooves to shake.
It was as they shook that Artemis noticed that Lyra had changed, no longer smiling and listening to the conversation taking around, rather just standing staring at Artemis’ hands.
“Nice to meet you,” Artemis said. “So what do you two fillies do?”
“Well I make various kinds of confectionery; chocolate; lollipops; and my piece de resistance, Bonbons. The best in equestria I’ve been told.” said Bonbon.
“And your mute friend here?” Artemis asked, then noticing the vacant expression on Lyra’s face, “is she ok?”
“Oh lyra? shes just fascinated by hands, you see she plays the lyre, and well even with her magic she wishes she had hands to play it all the better.”
“Oh ok,” said Artemis, “Lets see if this helps.”
Artemis snapped his fingers in front of Lyra’s face.
“Hands!” lyra yelled. Everypony giggled as she came back to reality.
“Um did I really say that?” Lyra asked, blushing slightly.
“Oh Lyra,” Bonbon sounded Exasperated as she covered her face with her hoof.
“So anyway” said Artemis trying to break the tension, “How do you two know each other?”
“Oh we’re school friends turned flatmates.” Answered Lyra now out of her stupor.
“Why do you ask?” Questioned Lyra, now speaking with a strange grin.
“Now reason really,” Artemis responded, “Just wanting to get to know everypony, I mean if we are going to be friends might as well get to know you.”
“Artie, we going to sugarcube corner or not?” interrupted pinkie Pie, the party pony obviously hated standing still, especially when it delayed cupcakes.
“Well I guess I have to be going, not wise to make Pinkie mad,” at this lyra and bonbon glanced strangely at each other, “So as I’ve been told.” Artemis quickly continued before they got any wrong ideas.
“Was Nice to see you two.” Turning to Bonbon, “Hope I get to try some of your confectionary when I have earnt some bits,” then turning to Lyra, “And hope to listen to you play sometime soon as well.”
“Well...” Lyra started glancing down as if shy and digging at the ground lightly with her hoof. “you could always come round tonight, after all your tour I mean, I’m sure pinkie would show you the way.” Pinkie nodded.
“Well sure, I'll be around right after dinner.”
“That’s settled then.” Lyra said as she and bonbon turned to continue with their day, as she left, lyra turned around however and waved “Bye Artie,” and giggled.
As the giggling Lyra and Bonbon walked on, Artemis turned to Pinkie, “So is lyra always that strange?”
“Oh no she just likes you silly billy.”
“Likes me?”
“Yes Likes, you know likes likes.”
“But why?”
“‘cus of your hands.”
“Really? she likes me just because I have hands?”
“Well duh, she even flirted with spike once until she realised he was just a baby.”
“Right... so should I still go to listen to her play?”
“of course you should, she’s a friend as you said, and you should never disappoint friends, that might make them cry!” Pinkie shouted the last part and a frown appeared on her face.
As ponies all around started to look, Artemis started to feel self conscious and quickly put a hand to pinkies mouth to make sure she didn’t keep shouting.
Pinkie looked down at Artemis’ hand, it felt weird against her lips. She was used to having ponies shutting her up in a similar fashion but a hoof is a lot harder and colder than a hand, nor were they as smooth as a hand.
Artemis noticed how pinkie had fallen so still as was looking at his hand, blushing he quickly withdrew his hand and gave pinkie a hug, “Don’t worry Pinkie, I promise to do my best not to upset Lyra or anypony.”
“Pinkie promise?”
“Ahh come on Pinkie do I have to?”
“Artie...”
“Fine... Cross my heart and hope to fly stick a cupcake in my eye.”
At that pinkie smiled and returned Artemis’ hug.
“Speaking of cupcakes you owe me a cake, lets go.”
Artemis and Pinkie Pie set off down the street together, saying hello to some of the ponies they passed they soon reached a large building which reminded Artemis of Hansel and Gretle.
“Home sweet home,” Pinkie Pie said.
“You know Pinkie for most ponies that would be an expression, but I guess for you its quite literal.” Artemis chuckled.
Pinkie Pie chuckled along, however, quickly said “I don’t get it.”
Seeing Pinkies blank face Artemis chuckled all the harder but shook his head, he realised that trying to explain it to the pink pony would probably end up driving him mad, and Artemis valued his sanity, what was left in a world surrounded by talking ponies anyway.
As they entered Artemis noticed the female earth pony behind the counter freeze on seeing them.
“P-P-Pinkie, I thought we gave you the day off.” she said.
“Yes indeedy, I’m just showing my new friend around,” Pinkie waved her arm indicating at Artemis.
“Artemis, Mrs cake. Mrs cake, Artemis.” Pinkie said introducing them to each other.
Artemis nodded at Mrs cake “Nice to meet you.”
“You to.” mrs cake returned.
“Now mrs cake, can i get a cupcake please?” asked Pinkie then turning to Artemis, “what would you like?”
Artemis walked up to the counter and stared at all the various treats on offer.
“These all look delicious.”
“Well thank you very much,” came a male voice as Mr cake came out of the back room. As he came in he noticed Pinkie and froze for a second, until Mrs cake gave him a look to tell him everything was alright. “We take great pride in our cakes.”
Then noticing who he was talking to Mr cake said, “Oh hi there, you must be new around here, I’m Mr cake, co-owner of this fine establishment, I see you’ve already met my wife and our crazy assistant Pinkie.”
“So what will it be?”
“I don’t know really, they all look so nice, what would you recommend?”
Mr cake opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Pinkie Pie interrupted. “Well duh cupcakes, you silly filly”
Mr cake sat silent for a second watching pinkie pie jumping around hoping she wouldn’t break anything, then he heard a bing and a bright smile came to his face.
“Actually Pinkie, I would recommend to your friend here something thats just finished cooking, it's a new recipe.” With that Mr cake went out back and quickly returned with a tray in his mouth.
On the tray were 2 dozen weird multicoloured cakes, and seeing both Artemis and Pinkie’s jaws fall open in unison mr cake smiled.
“W-W-What are they?” Pinkie stuttered.
“Why these are our latest creation, meet the MMMMM.”
“MMMMM?” Artemis asked.
“Marzipan Mascarpone Meringue Madness Muffins” replied mr cake.
“We’ve been trying for months to get them right, but it seems this last batch is finally perfect, so anyway Sir would you like to have one?”
“Well Pinkies paying, so if its ok with her then sure.”
“Is it ok if I have one of those?” Artemis asked Pinkie, Pinkie didn’t respond.
Artemis turned around and saw Pinkie just standing there mouth open and drooling. Artemis went over and closed her mouth and she came to her senses. Artemis asked again, “Can I have one of those Pinkie?”
“Sure you can Artie,” Pinkie smiled, “I said I would get you a cake, and a cake you should have, and you're lucky, if these are anything like the MMMM then you’re in for a treat.”
Then pinkie scratched her chin with her hoof, “Actually Mrs cake can I change my order to a MMMMM?”
“Sure Pinkie,” With that Mrs cake took two muffins from the tray and handed them over to Artemis and Pinkie, while pinkie took a bag out of nowhere and paid for the cakes.
With a quick warning from Mrs cake about the MMMMM’s being hot they bounded out of the bakery, Pinkie devouring her cake in seconds.
Artemis stood there cake in hand for a few seconds, looking over the muffins multiple colours and several delicious layers of cakey goodness. He looked up at pinkie, noticing her drool while looking at his cake, but what he saw behind her drooling face made him pause.
He saw Ditzy Doo, walking down the street, clearly downtrodden, her wings still somewhat unkempt from that morning's accident.
Walking past pinkie, who now had a confused expression on her face, and hiding the MMMMM behind his back he went over to ditzy.
Ditzy looked almost as confused as Pinkie did when Artemis approached her, she regularly had small accidents and everyone had seen it happen so much they didn’t really notice any more when events didn’t go very well for her. Still Ditzy assumed he must be walking to meet somepony behind her, so she was even more surprised when he stopped in front of her and talked.
“Heya your Ditzy doo right, the mail pony who crashed into the library this morning, you alright?”
Ditzy didn’t really know how to respond, she knew her friends cared about her, but knew by now that she was often ok, but she was surprised to see this strange creature who was staying with Twilight wonder how she was.
“Gee mister, I guess I’m ok,” Ditzy eventually responded, “I mean I guess its been a long day and all that, and my wings could use a rest, but other than that i’m fine, thanks for asking though.”
“Well i’m glad you’re ok, but anyway I just wondered if you would like this, Artemis drew his one hand from behind his back and offered the MMMMM to Ditzy. Ditzy in response stood wide eyed as she was presented with what could only be described as the most beautiful cake she had ever seen.
“Is that a muffin?” She quietly asked.
“It sure is ditzy, Pinkie bought it for me, and while i’m sure it would be delicious and I would enjoy it, I think you could use the pick me up.”
Ditzy teared up, here she was after a long work day, ruffled but otherwise ok, and this strange pink creature who somehow knew her name was offering her one of her favourite treats, a rather special one at that it seemed.
Ditzy carefully picked the cake from Artemis’ hands and looked it over and gently inhaled the freshly baked aroma. She started to say “Thanks mister,” but her words started to fail her and just embraced Artemis in a hug.
Artemis stood their uncomfortably, but decided to return the hug. After a minute or so Ditzy let go, “Thanks again mister...?”
“Artemis,” he responded.
“Well thanks mister Artemis, i’ll definitely enjoy this, But I got to get going, I will see you around.”
As Ditzy left Artemis felt pleased that he was able to help cheer up a pony in need, he stood there for a second enjoying the warmth inside him when he was tackled to the ground from behind. The next thing he knew he was being hugged by all 4 of pinkies legs as he lay pinned to the ground.
“Ohh Artie that was so kind, and you managed to make her smile.” Pinkie said, her smile bigger than Artemis had ever seen it. “I’m sure Derpy will enjoy that muffin.”
After much squirming Artemis was eventually able to get Pinkie off him and stand up, he brushed himself off and looked over at the town clock.
“Thanks for the tour pinkie, it was a lot of fun.” He gave pinkie a small ruffle of her mane.
“but i’ve got to get going, need to have dinner, can’t wait to see what Twilights cooked, and I need to get ready to listen to lyra this evening.”
“Oki Doki Loki Artie, see you tomorrow I hope.”
“Maybe,” artemis responded and started to head back to the library, bruised from his tackle from Pinkie but otherwise happy about how his first full day in Ponyville had gone so far.
It was 8 o’clock in the evening and Artemis was standing outside Lyra and Bonbon’s shared flat in another of Rarities designs, apparently word really did travel fast and while she had been doing the clothes anyway she had heard what Artemis had done for Ditzy and decided to give them to him for free, a favour for which Artemis was really grateful. This particular set of clothing was similar to the first but instead of red, was a nice dark blue colour.
As Artemis rang the bell and waited for either of the mares to answer the door he could smell the various treats that bonbon cooked for her livelihood, the scent was intoxicating if only he hadn’t already had dinner, and actually had bits to his name.
Not that dinner was in any way bad, its just that well despite being great at magic, it seemed Twilights spell repertoire didn’t include any cooking spells at least not for humans. The dinner was a simple fair, consisting of carrots and mashed potatoes, along with Apple Pie for dessert, simple but filling, and because of this he didn’t think he would be up to eating any of Bonbon’s treats even if he had the money to buy them.
Artemis stopped his pondering as he heard the patter of hooves against wood and the door was gently opened by bonbon who stood in an apron obviously still cooking. She looked worn out from a busy afternoons work, however she smiled as she looked at artemis.
“Come in, Come in, no need to stand in the cold like that.” she said, “Sorry about the mess” bonbon indicated to all the boxes that littered the hall. “I have been finishing up a very large order for a party up in Canterlot which needs to be sent off in the morning, otherwise I wouldn’t be working this late.”
“Its ok bonbon, my room back home was much worse anyway, besides its important so who am I to judge.”
Bonbon smiled again, “Lyra’s in the living room, first door on the right. Sorry I can’t join you but I still have much work to do if I want to be ready.”
“Thats ok, we will try not to disturb you, or at least I will.” and with that Artemis headed towards the living room.
As he entered two things caught his eye, firstly was the heat, a large fire was lit in a hearth at the back of the room and the second was Lyra sitting on a chair lyre at her side and her eyes closed. Artemis couldn’t tell if Lyra was asleep or merely meditation or something else similar so he went up and gently tapped her on the shoulder.
Lyras eyes jumped open shock, that was until she noticed Artemis standing there and then she seemed to calm down. “Oh you’re here, was beginning to think you wouldn’t show up.”
“Oh I would never stand a friend up.” Artemis said but Lyra looked at him quizzically.
“It’s an expression where I come from, means I wouldn’t not turn up, if that makes sense.”
“Oh right, that's an interesting expression, anyway, is there anything I can get you? Some tea or something to eat?”
“I’m ok” Artemis replied, “Just had dinner with twilight.”
Lyra looked downcast when she heard about twilight, “Oh yes, that’s right.” then perking up, “well is there anything you want to hear?” Lyra asked.
“Well as you could probably guess i’m not really from around here, so I guess you can play whatever you want.”
Mentioning free rein of music seemed to really perk lyra right up and she sat that thinking with a large grin on her face, “I think i’ve got just the right piece to play you for your first ever piece of music of Equestria.” With that Lyra bathed her lyre in light green light, picked it up and started to play.
The music was to say the least something which Artemis wouldn’t normally choose to listen to, however Remembering how Pinkie stalked Twilight after she made a Pinkie promise he decided to give it a chance, for the sake of peace at least.
Lyra’s music started it rather soft and slow, the strings producing a melody similar to a gentle breeze blowing through a set of windchimes. After a while, the music started to pick up pace, the sound changing as if the gentle breeze was now a torrent of wind. As the sound continued it seemed to start echoing around the room, and Artemis noticed how Lyra changed now she was playing, no longer staring at Artemis’ hands or even tired or timid, she looked lively and in her stride. He could see clearly that this was indeed her special talent and was amazed, after all everything back on earth suggested that because of her hooves she wouldn't be able to play very well, that clearly was not the case.
As Artemis sat there dumbstruck, he soon realised that the music had finished and Lyra was looking at him expectantly. “So how was that?” she asked.
“I can honestly say that wasn’t what I expected, and I have never heard anything like it before.” he replied.
“Is that good?”
“Lyra that was amazing, that really is a special talent.”
“Really Artemis? Thanks,” Lyra was beaming as it seemed Artemis really enjoyed her music.
“you want to hear another.”
“sure, the night's still young and besides Twilight gave me a key to the library to get in without waking her.”
“Awesome!” Lyra nearly shouted, and plunged into the next song.
Her second song was completely different than her first, it seemed to be playing two very different parts of the lyra at once, the effect was a very strong urgent tune that reminded Artemis of Ride of the Valkyries from back on earth. This song was loud and enough to overcome a slight sense of tiredness that had come over Artemis during the first song.
The second song soon came to an end, but instead of halting or waiting for Artemis’ opinion, Lyra carried on into a third song, again different in tune and tone. This third song was slower than the second but a quiet windy song like the first, it was more of a romantic tune, similar to the Disney songs that Artemis listened to occasionally, as ways of remembering his childhood.
As the song carried on, Artemis noticed Lyra indicating with her head for Artemis to look at the fire, and he did as she bid. The fire was wrapped in a green glow, a tell tale sign that Lyra’s magic was at work.
As the music played and Artemis stared at the fire a scene began to take shape, a scene of mare and a stallion, first they met, entering from opposite sides of the scene, then they embraced as old friends, and soon they danced in time to the beat of the song, swaying to and fro in the heart of the fireplace.
Artemis couldn’t believe his eyes, this scene was magical and seemed like something that could only happen in the Lion witch and the wardrobe.
Soon the scene changed all the more suddenly and to Artemis’ surprise the stallion suddenly stood up tall on his hind legs and the form shifted away from equine to a form similar to a human.
Artemis was shocked, I mean Pinkie had warned him about her fascination with hands but this? Still he had to admit it was a bit flattering.
Lyra noticed Artemis losing himself in the fire, she grinned, her plan coming together rather perfectly.
The music continued with the human form dancing with the mare. Slowly the scene zoomed out, the pair no longer dancing alone in the fire but at the centre of a fantastic ballroom. Artemis couldn’t believe his eyes, I mean it seemed Lyra’s magic was just as impressive as Twilights, though I guess in a very different way.
Soon the song was reaching its climax, the ballroom started spinning and lyra got out of her chair, luckily for her plan, Artemis was too engrossed in the fire to notice.
Suddenly the image in the fire stopped spinning and zoomed back into the two figures in the middle of the floor, the mare and the human shape coming closer and closer as the music reached a higher and higher pitch and Lyra got closer and closer to Artemis.
Then as the mare and humanish stallion’s lips touched the song ended and Lyra lifted Artemis’ face to meet hers and gently planted her lips on his.
‘Crash’, the silence of the songs end was broken by a sound in the doorway. Lyra turned her head and her eyes opened in shock, there was Bonbon standing open mouthed in the doorway, her eyes lit with anger. As Bonbon started to stride purposefully towards Lyra and Artemis, Lyra tried to explain what was happening, however her voice came out of mumbling as her lips were still placed against those of Artemis who was sitting there dumbstruck to surprised to even do anything.
Lyra could only stand and watch with shock as Bonbon turned around bent her legs and bucked Artemis out of an open window.
Lyra her lips now free from Artemis and able to speak screamed at Bonbon.
“What the Cud?!”
“He was kissing you Lyra, how dare you let this strange creature come into our lives and take advantage of your fascination with hands?” she snorted angrily.
“Bonbon,” Lyra sighed, “He was sitting down, I was standing up, think, I was kissing him. He wasn't involved at all, heck he wasn’t even kissing back.”
Bonbon stood there dumbstruck as she replayed the scene in her head and put all the facts together.
“But then....” her eyes opened in horror, “Oh cud.” she muttered and sprinted out of the room, out of the flat and into the night.
Lyra followed quickly to see if Artemis was alright, what she saw wasn’t pretty.
Bonbon was standing over the still body of Artemis, his legs bent at a strange angle and blood trickling from a gash in his head. Bonbon turned around and screamed at Lyra.
“Go and get Twilight, NOW!”
Lyra didn’t think twice and bolted off to the library.