The Castle of Frienship – Bottom Floor – A Very Special Place
"So...?" Twilight Sparkle coiled her wings tightly and smiled across the chamber. "What do you think?"
Lyra's petite green figure trotted across the glossy crystal floor of an immense room—the largest she had seen since arriving at the Princess' palace. It stretched lengthily, forming a rectangle that was just shy of a hoofball field. The ceiling was arched, forming an immaculate shine overhead. The opposite corners housed eight separate doorframes leading to adjacent corridors that connected with the rest of the building.
"I think..." Lyra's voice echoed. "This place really truly is bigger on the inside than on the outside." She blinked. "And I really dig the acoustics."
"Heeheehee..." The length and shape of the chamber carried Twilight's giggle far and back again. "It might seem strange—at least compared to the other wings of the Castle—but it's been put to more than its fair share of good use." She waved her hoof around. "The welcome ceremony for the Prince of Yakyakistan... last December's Hearth Warming party..."
"Nice that the Tree of Harmony had community gatherings in mind when it rainbow-zapped the ground, huh?" Lyra smirked. "So... when do you plan to do some Jai-lai in here?"
"Well... actually..." Twilight cleared her throat, trotting the long distance between them. "...I have different plans in mind for this room. Something far more... fitting for a castle that will likely host many a gala event."
"Oh?" Lyra turned around to face her old friend. "What's that?"
"I'll give you one hint," Twilight said. "You complimented the acoustics just a moment ago."
"Yeah, so?"
Twilight merely smiled at her.
Lyra blinked... then brightened. "A concert hall!"
"Heehee... mmmmhmmmm." Twilight smiled. "Seems a shame to fill this place up with so many servants and guards for no reason." She shook her head. "No... the excuse for this Castle to be standing here—I'm convinced—is to facilitate a way to bring ponies together... all ponies." She gulped. "And mules and yaks and buffalo and griffons and zebras and—"
Lyra stretched a hoof out. "Hey... I get it." She cocked her head to the side. "So... what do you have in mind? Friendship Fall Formals? Platonic Pageants?"
"Well—"
"Wait, I'm not finished yet." Lyra giggled and winked. "Companion Conventions? Brohoof Balls? Suckup Soirees?"
"I'm... waiting until I have a good long day to sit down with Pinkie Pie and Rarity and plan all the details out. But... to put it mildly... I want this palace to become the next social hub for Equestria and all our allies. Imagine... a neutral station where you can come, share feelings, and get to know your neighbors both near and far!"
"Whew..." Lyra exhaled. "Sounds like quite the job you have ahead of you."
"I know." Twilight nodded. "It means hiring caterers... waiters... conductors... an entire royal orchestra." She brushed her bangs aside with a breath. "I... can't even pretend to reach the level of amazing spectacle that you might find in Canterlot or Manehattan. Certainly not overnight, at least... but I would very much like to get started."
"I hear you."
"And... y'know... it's best to start simple," Twilight said. "It's smart to work on the practical things first."
"Like what?"
"Like..." Twilight hummed slightly, leaning left and right with a coy smile. "...hiring a minstrel. Y'know... a single pony who can perform musical instrumentals for when solitary delegates visit. So that they'd feel comfortable... at ease... and welcomed to Ponyville, the capital of Equestrian Friendship."
"Uh huh..." Lyra said, nodding towards the far corners of the room. Seconds passed, and she realized Twilight had been completely silent. Curious, she turned to stare at the alicorn.
Twilight stared back at her. She chewed on her bottom lip, attempting to hide back a rosy smile—and failing.
"... ... ..." Lyra blinked. When she finally blurted, her voice cracked several breathy octaves. "M-me?"
"Why not?" Twilight giggled. "I'm very passionate about friendship. You're obviously very passionate about your music. Putting our talents together could only be a good thing, don't you think?"
"Yeah... but... b-but..." Lyra gulped. "P-performing for visiting d-delegates...?"
"You'd be in the company of me and my friends the entire time!" Twilight said. "We'd have your back, and you'd be filling out a very important, developing role!" She gestured aside. "And when it comes time for me to plan out our Galas, I'll invite you into the planning group so we could lean on your musical advice!"
"Musical... advice...?"
"I promise that you'll be invited to the Galas as well." Twilight giggled. "Maybe even perform there too! Sky's the limit, all things considered."
"Twilight..." Lyra gulped dryly. "Your Highness—"
"Oh please. It's okay. Just relax—"
"How c-can I?!" Lyra grimaced. "What you're asking is... is..."
"Something that... you've been seeking for a while now?" Twilight innocently tilted her head aside. "I can't exactly promise a queen's fortune, Lyra, but I assure you..." She winked. "Celestia's donating me a budget to pay our servants."
"Uhhhhhh..."
"But you'll be more than one, of course. Just imagine!" She waved. "You'll have a job to carry yourself over, and I'll have plenty of opportunities to reconnect with my old, cherished friend!"
"This... it... that..." Lyra shuddered, still breathless. "You planned this from the start, didn't you?"
"Actually..." Twilight blushed slightly. "I-I just thought of it a few minutes ago." She gulped, ears drooping slightly. "I mean... it works out for the both of us... d-don't you think?"
Lyra's muzzle hung agape. "Look at you... being a spontaneous little princess." She chortled. "All you need is a tiara made out of moon cheese!"
"Moon... ch-cheese?"
"I dunno! I suck at improvising! Good thing you don't!" Lyra spun around once. "Wooo! Twilight Sparkle! Holy smokes! I mean... if you had different plumbing, I'd kiss you right here and now!"
Twilight giggled. "So you accept my invitation?"
"Do I?!" Lyra leaned forward, beaming. "Just one question! When do I begin?"
"Uhhhh... good question! Well..." Twilight cleared her throat. "It's only... y'know... fair that my friends and I hear a recital of yours."
"Oh! Totally!" Lyra bounced from side to side, struggling to contain her enthusiasm.
"I suppose we could schedule a meeting for... mmmmmmmmmm... next Tuesday?"
"It's a deal!" Lyra gasped—then suddenly winced. "Oh. Poop. Wait."
"Hmmm?" Twilight tilted her head aside. "What's the matter?"
Lyra blinked... then rolled her eyes. "Heh... forget about it. It's nothing."
"No, what?" Twilight leaned forward. "Tell me."
"Heh... it's... it's silly..." Lyra shook her head. "I was going to be out of town the week after this one."
"Oh?" Twilight blinked. "Business or pleasure?"
"A... vacation thingy..." Lyra shook a hoof. "A... lame 'get well' camp that Lemon Hearts wanted me to check in at... along with Minuette and Twinkleshine. Pffft. Forget it, though. It's nothing. I can totally schedule myself for a musical performance at—"
Twilight had spent the last five seconds gasping breathily... jubilantly... eyes wide. "You're going on a friendship vacation with Minuette, Lemon Hearts, and Twinkleshine?!?"
Lyra lingered in place, her muzzle stuck open. "... ... ...uhhhhh... maybe?"
"Oh wow!" Twilight's eyes sparkled. "That... that sounds absolutely wonderful!" She stood up straight, smiling proudly. "Don't you fret one bit, Lyra! I just couldn't live with myself if I threw a wrench in something so healthy and wholesome and... and... friendly!"
"It's... uh... it's okay. I can totally—"
"We'll just reschedule your recital for the first week after you come back!"
"Re... sch-schedule...?"
"Yes! Which is perfect! You can tell my friends all about the lessons you learned while at the camp—along with how Minuette and Twinkleshine and Lemon Hearts are faring—" Twilight's lavender hooves did several microscopic jigs in a blurring second. "Eeeeeeee! I can't wait to hear all about it! Thank you, Lyra! This just keeps getting better and better!"
"... ... ..."
Twilight blinked. "...Lyra? You... you're okay with that, right?"
"Who, m-me?" Lyra gulped a lump down her throat and smiled. "Absolutely! I'll be at that friendship camp with b-bells on!" Her lips twitched, but she maintained the grin. "You c-can count on that! Your new minstrel sure as heck won't let you d-down! Heheheh..."