//------------------------------// // -34- Saturday Part: Five // Story: The Anthropologist // by Weavers of Dreams //------------------------------// Why did Noteworthy have to be such a good kisser? Sure, she enjoyed it. But, having to explain that it was all to make good on a deal with Rarity did not make Bon Bon happy. Never mess with a stallion's more romantic feelings, especially in front of his loyal wife. It was very cruel and selfish. And that made Lyra feel like a horrible tramp. Ever the good friends, Bon Bon and Noteworthy had seen fit to forgive her this trespass. So long as she agreed to a date. Which was fair. Lyra shuffled nervously as the waiter placed a bowl of salad down before her. Directly across from her, with a plate of spaghetti, sat Noteworthy, looking equally as nervous. To the stallion's right was Bon Bon, looking nonplussed as she slowly ate through a large bowl of strawberry ice cream. A sure sign she was still in the process of calming down. "Thank you," Lyra said as the waiter left. She cast a glance at Bon Bon. It was standard practice in Equestria for the wife/wives of a stallion to join him on dates with a possible new herd member, so that they could interview and observe their interaction with each other. It was a good way of finding out whether or not the new prospect was really good for the family. But, that was not why the candy maker was there. Bon Bon had already decided long ago that Lyra could join the herd at any time. She was really just there because there was no ice cream at home, due to Twist taking it with her for a sleepover at the new Crusader Clubhouse. "So, Noteworthy," she began, trying to come up with some sort of conversation topic, "how was your meeting with the local music guild?" Quickly swallowing, Noteworthy gave a stuttered reply. "I-it w-went well. V-very well. We're p-planning on holding a small concert in town square n-next Wednesday. I w-was about to tell Bon bon... b-before..." "Again," Lyra said, "I am so sorry. I panicked. I was going to talk to Bonny, see how we could work out my deal with Rarity, then I spilled my swimsuits and lingerie out into plain sight." "Lingerie?" Noteworthy found himself blushing. Lyra's eyes went wide. Bon Bon just facehoofed and sighed. "Y-you didn't see my unmentionables?" Lyra asked, her face losing a bit of color. "I was a little out of it for a bit," the blue stallion coughed politely. "You were staring off into space for about twenty minutes," Bon Bon quipped, before shoving another spoonful of the cold dessert into her mouth. She noticed her husband looking abashed, and leaned over to give him a sugar-coated kiss. "Oh, don't be like that. It simply means you're healthy." Lyra giggled as the mare then proceeded to wipe the ice cream off the stallion's cheek with a napkin. Adding to Noteworthy's humiliation. That mare's mom-mode had no off-switch. "Yes, Lyra was apparently quite flustered at having been caught with a rather nice set of intimates," Bon Bon said once she was done cleaning the poor stallion's face. "Milky and I were caught by surprise. Our silence wasn't very helpful. Honestly, I always figured she had a drawer full of the stuff like every other mare in town. Turns out she's of shyer persuasion." "You're talking like I'm not here on purpose, aren't you, Bonny?" Lyra was unamused. The mare quickly apologized. "Oh, no-no. I'm sorry if I made you feel that way." The mint mare waved her off. "Nah, it's okay. I'm just nervous is all. Though... until just now, I didn't know I was the odd one out in the clothing department." The husband wife duo looked at her with raised eyebrows. "What?" Lyra asked, bewildered. "You own a lot of human garments," Noteworthy said flatly. "I've seen Bon Bon clean your laundry." "What? They're cool," Lyra's face scrunched up and she looked at an interesting crack on the ceiling. "On a human, yes," Bon Bon said in an even flatter tone. "On a pony, they should be banned. That's including Nightmare Night." Lyra snorted and crossed her forelegs in front of her chest. "It was only one time." The stallion nodded. "Yes. One time for each of the twenty-something you own." "I'm not getting rid of them," Lyra sulked. The other mare sighed. "Never said you had to, Lyra. Just... don't wear them anymore. Please." "I think we've had this conversation before." "Yes. Over twenty times." "I stopped after the last time." Bon Bon's eyes tabled. "You stopped 'after the last time' over twenty times." "I'm a curious filly," the mint mare responded with an indignant huff. Bon Bon sighed wearily. It was apparent this line of conversation wasn't destined to go anywhere. Thankfully, Noteworthy proved himself the levelheaded one of the group. "How's your salad, Lyra?" Conversation change. Plain and simple. Both mares kind of narrowed their eyes at each other, but let the blue stallion have his way. "Very good," Lyra nodded with a small smile. She levitated her fork and pierced a large mushroom. "A little heavy on the dressing. But that's my fault." She indicated a turntable of various spices and dressings she had been using during their discussion. "What's best about it though is that they went light on the leafy stuff. Ick. It's always so bland when ponies think lettuce is anything more than a background flavor. Check that. Texture." Bon Bon nodded in agreement. She understood Lyra's concern. Noteworthy just shrugged. "And how's your spaghetti?" "Fine," noteworthy said plainly, before taking another bite. He became confused when the two mares giggled. "Was it something I said?" Neither of the giggling mare answered him. "And how's your ice cream, Bonny?" Lyra asked, contemplating a dessert for afterwards. "Exceptional," was the confectioner's reply. "Nice and soft, yet not melted in the least. The strawberry chunks aren't hard or crunchy like they would be with our freezer. Not to mention it's made with goat milk. Gives it a smooth flavor." "I might have a small bowl of pistachio afterwards," mused the anthropologist with a thoughtful expression. "Don't worry, I'll pay for it." "This is our treat, Lyra. You can order whatever you want. It's not like a bowl of ice cream is going to break the bank," Bon Bon chided her softly. Noteworthy nodded in agreement. "Besides, that would ruin the purpose of a date. Wouldn't it?" Lyra sighed as she put aside her fork. "I know what you're going to say, Bonny, you too Noteworthy. But... I-I'm just not ready for..." "No pony's ever really ready, Lyra," Bon Bon cut her off. A blush came to her face. "Maybe someday I'll give you a brief synopsis about Note's and my first night together. It was... rather awkward." "To say the least," Noteworthy added, blushing as well. To their dismay, Lyra didn't laugh, or even crack a smile. In fact, she looked downright depressed. "Lyra?" "I'm sorry," the mint mare replied softly. "But, I just can't. Not now." "What is it?" Bon Bon pressed. "Lyra. You've lived with us for years. We care about you. Twist adores you. We all want you to be happy, Lyra." "I know," Lyra sniffed, looking longingly at Noteworthy. "Then, please, tell us what's wrong, Lyra. We'll help you. We want to help you. You're family to us." "You're like family to me too," Lyra responded. She looked at Bon Bon, her lip quivering. "Y-you're like a big sister to me, Bonny. Little Twister is truly a joy in my life." Then she turned to look at the stallion, tears starting to form in her eyes. "And you, Noteworthy. You're everything I could want in a stallion. You're strong, clever, talented, caring, and, even with my magic skillset, you make me feel more secure than a thousand fire spells." "Then what's the problem?" Bon Bon asked, taking hold of Noteworthy's hoof and stretching her other out towards Lyra. Noteworthy did the same. "Let's be a family. Let us help you." Tears were really starting to flow this time. Lyra looked at their outstretched hooves. They were so inviting, like a brand new Daring Do novel just waiting to be read. Almost without thinking she found herself beginning to reach out for them. When her hooves were just fractions away. She cried out and yanked them back with a sob. "I'm sorry. I-I just can't." With that, she rushed from the restaurant, with the voices of her friends calling out her name behind her. Calling for her to come back. But she didn't stop. She kept going until their voices faded into the distance. Soon enough, she was on the outskirts of ponyville, dragging her hooves up a hill. From there she could see the whole town. Atop the hill she looked towards the cloudy sky and took a deep breath as if she were about to scream. Instead, there was a whisper. "Why?" she demanded. "Oh, Maker, why am I such a coward? I'm nothing more than scared little filly with too many troubles to count. I just want to be happy. Everyone in this wonderful town wants me to be happy. But, I'm too stupid to take it when it's offered freely." She lowered her head and sat down, placing a gentle hoof upon her belly with a sniff. "Even if I did take it. I can't give them what they want. What I want. If they knew, could I stay? If I stayed, would it be the same?" She lifted her head again and cried out loudly. "I need to know. I'm so tired of this. Please... if I cannot find the courage, then, at least, give me a chance." Then she fell silent remained there for a long time.