//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 [Epilogue] // Story: Tugging at Her Heartstrings // by neutralmilk //------------------------------// And there she is. The most beautiful mare you’ve ever seen, right before you. Her eyes meet yours and she smiles widely. Her pastel coat shimmers in the moonlight coming through a nearby window as she slowly trots closer to you, her eyes fixated on your own. You can see that she is deliberately swinging her flank with each step. She stops and quickly brushes her mane out of her beautiful golden eyes. Your heart begins to race. “Hey, howbout you stop gaping at me and help me with these lights?” She asks unexpectedly. You suddenly snap back to reality. “Wait what?” You notice Lyra holding a strand of multicolored lights before you in her magical aura. You snatch them from mid-air and walk to a bare window. “You’re a real mood killer, you know that?” “Yeah, yeah, so I’ve been told. Now hang those lights and we’ll start decorating the tree. This place has gotta be perfect for the Hearth’s Warming Eve party tomorrow.” Your face drops as you remember one crucial thing: you forgot to buy Lyra a gift. “Oh, y-yeah when’s that party again?” Lyra looks over at you, puzzled. “It’s at 5:30. Didn’t you write out the invitations…?” You freeze again. Oh shit. “Um yeah! Of course I did! What kind of boyfriend wouldn’t?” You let out a nervous chuckle as you remember the unsent invitations sitting in a desk by your and Lyra’s bed. “Y’know what?” you begin, starting to your bedroom. You quickly toss on your coat and tuck the invitations into your pants pocket. “I gotta go see a man about a horse.” You run to the door. “I mean, somepony about a… a… never mind! I forgot that I had a dentist appointment! Yeah, this filling is killing me, owwww.” You cup your jaw with your hand and overdramatically wince. Lyra looks at you, a smug smile on her face. “I’ll be sure to call Colgate and let her know that you’re coming by then.” “What? No, don’t bother. She’s probably busy! Yeah, see you later!” You slam the door behind you and sprint into Ponyville. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~` *The Next Night* ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~` You slump into onto the couch and watch Lyra and Bon-Bon escort the final party-goer to the door. The three mares speak almost incessantly about everything from their manes to plans for the next day, but you barely pay any mind. The smile on your face says it all; you successfully managed to invite everypony and pick up Lyra’s gift all without any actual trouble. Even better, the party was a massive success! You look into a far corner of the living room and notice Lyra’s lyre sitting on a stool where she had left it. You remember the amazing melodies she played throughout the evening, so soothing and yet, entirely captivating. “Well anyway, I think I’m gonna get going.” Bon-Bon announces to you and Lyra, the latter trotting into the kitchen, more than likely to snack off the remaining appetizers. “What? Where to?” you ask, confusion tinting your voice. “I got a hot date tonight with Doctor Whooves.” Bon-Bon replies, smiling and winking. “Besides, I think you two deserve to spend your first Hearths Warming Eve together. Consider it my gift to both of you.” “Are you sure?” Lyra calls from the kitchen. “We won’t mi-“ “Really, it’s ok. We’ve had enough Hearth’s Warming Eve’s together. I’m sure we’ll live being separated.” With that, she opened the door and stepped out, leaving you alone with the mare of your dreams. Almost as if on cue, Lyra gallops into the living room and dives onto your lap, gracelessly. You laugh and catch her, pulling her close. You look into her golden eyes and feel your heart flutter. Before you know it, Lyra wraps her hooves around your neck and pulls you forward, lovingly. “I got you something…” she whispers into your ear, her breath hot against your face. Your heart skips a beat. “But first!” Lyra shoves herself off of you. “You give me my gift.” “W-what? Are you kidding?!” you cry, your hopes and dreams of a romantic moment fleeting before your eyes with each passing second. “Hey, I got all night. Maybe I can catch up with Bon-Bon. I’m sure Doctor Whooves has a single friend…” “Fine, fine. I get it.” You reply coolly, reaching under the sofa for Lyra’s well-hidden gift. “But if you’re looking to date me for my money, then you’ll be severely disappointed when you find out that I’m flat broke.” Lyra chuckles and moves closer to you. “Well, I guess I can stay with you at least a little after I bleed your wallet dry.” You hand the gift to Lyra who takes it eagerly in her golden aura. “Now, I know this definitely isn’t what you want to hear, but I didn’t really know what to get you. Shopping for ponies is a lot harder than it looks…” Lyra dives into the hastily wrapped present and smiles at the large book of sheet music sitting on her lap. “All of Buch’s symphonies for the lyre? How did you even find this?! This is- this is awesome!” she says excitedly. “I mean, I love it, thanks.” She leans over and kisses you on the cheek. “Yeah, I guess I did pretty good.” You lean back and put your arms behind your head. “I mean I also got you this necklace, but whatever, man.” Smiling, you nonchalantly drop a jewelry box onto her lap. She opens it and squeals excitedly. “It’s beautiful! This… this is amazing! Oh thank you so much!” “I knew you’d love it.” You say, pulling Lyra toward you. “So, was this a perfect Hearth’s Warming Eve, then?” you ask, happy with yourself. “Well… I guess…” “W-what? What do you mean?! The party and the presents and, well, everything!” “Well yeah, they are all great, but there’s one thing …” “What is it?!” “Nah, it’s nothing. You can get it for me next year.” Lyra waves a hoof and turns to walk away. You reach an arm out and pull her back toward you. She tries not to smile but fails miserably. “What is it? You name it and I’ll get it for you.” “You’re too sweet, you know that?” Lyra leans in and nuzzles your neck, unexpectedly. “So what do you want?” Lyra leans in once more and kisses you. “Kids!” THE END