//------------------------------// // Aurahole // Story: Shellstrings // by shortskirtsandexplosions //------------------------------// Outskirts of Appleloosa – Retreat "Howdy there, Miss Treehugger!" Braeburn called out while unhitching himself from the wagon. Lyra Heartstrings and the other mares hopped out as he trotted happily towards the mare performing stretches in the middle of the field. "Lookie here who I brought to see ya! Right on time, too! Heheh!" "Ohmmmmmmmmmmm..." The redheaded equine bent backwards with the grace of a cat, somehow balanced on one hoof. She bore a permanent grin on her face—a difficult task considering the copious amount of chanting noises vibrating forth from her muzzle. "Ohmmmmmmmmmmm..." Lyra grimaced visibly. Lemon Hearts, Minuette, and Twinkleshine exchanged curious glances. "Ahem..." Braeburn threw the vacationers a quick smile. "She's so concentrated on her work... eheh..." "What's she working on?" Lyra droned. "A migraine?" "Uhhhhhhh..." Braeburn took his hat off and leaned towards the crooning mare once again. "Psssttt... howdy... Miss Treehugger!" His teeth showed as he sweated slightly. "You've got guests! Y'know?! From Canterlot Central!" "Hmmmmm..." One lid after the other, the mare's eyes opened. Redness traced the cornea. She tilted her head down until she was staring at the group... past them. She smiled. "Oh... Bray Burns..." She smiled some more. "Have you come to bask in the bliss? The waters of the sky are truly placid and reflective today." Her body pivoted forty-five degrees as she stretched her limbs in the other direction. "You can really see yourself if you hover just above the surface." "Eheh... well ain't that... uhm... poetic..." "Hmmmmmmmmm... Bray Burns..." She smiled upside down, dreadlocks dangling. "Your shimmering aura is extra pink today. Have you finally decided to take my advice? We can wrap you up in that mauve blanket together with only a few introspective exercises—" "Hahah!" Braeburn coughed nervously and gestured at the mares. "Look at who I brought!" "Hmmm?" With the grace of a tortoise, Treehugger looked up. Her eyes made contact with Lyra. "Whoahhhh..." The mare's head stayed in place. Meanwhile, the rest of her body pivoted until she was standing upright on all four hooves. "...you've arrived a great deal earlier than I expected, Green Buds." "Huh?" Lyra blinked. "Sheriff Silver Star is in town, so I'm afraid the grazing will have to wait." Treehugger smiled at herself. She waved a hoof in slow motion. "But don't worry. He will come around. All things come around." "I... don't think we've met, lady," Lyra said. "The name's Lyra. Lyra Heartstrings." "Hmmmm?" Treehugger's nose slowly scrunched. "You mean you don't come bearing good giggle gifts?" She sniffed, blinked, then beamed. "Ohhhhhhhhh... ponies from the big city! But of course..." She waved yet again in slow motion. "Your chakras are arranged so... geometrically." A hum. "Hmmmmmmmmmm... must loosen them... by tearing apart the smog and soot that hold the urban artifice in plaaaaaaaaaaaaaaace mats..." A side-giggle. "Huh?" Lyra blinked. "...I will set you a place at the karmic dinner table," Treehugger purred, stretching again. "And let you sample the four food groups of spiritual enlightenment. Ohmmmmmm..." "Huh..." Twinkleshine blinked. "...nifty." "Oooh! Ooooh!" Minuette leaned in, grinning. "Do we get to munch on spirit doughnuts?" "Heheh..." Treehugger smiled again. "We'd have to wait for the real Green Buds, first." "Miss Treehugger, you did get the memo from Dr. Shrinkenfurter, yes?" Lemon Hearts asked. "Mmmmmmm... Shrinkenfurter?" Treehugger frowned. "Harsh buzz, dude. That stallion has an aura shaped like a battleship and every cannon loaded with pig fat." "Uhhhhhhhhh..." "He should really make peace with the stars," Treehugger said, smiling again. "The worst kind of Cancer is a pony who doesn't know he's a Cancer. Ohmmmmmmmm..." "But that's just it... Shrinkenfurter sent us," Lemon Hearts said. Treehugger bent back, blinking. "Oh! Righteous!" She plopped onto all four hooves. "The mares who have a bone to pick with a bug! This is just wonderful. After all..." She brushed a few dreadlocks back—only for them to dangle once again. "...the beetle exists within us all... waiting to ascend the chakras and evolve." "There's..." Minuette's teeth chattered. "...a bug inside of me?" Lyra cleared her throat. "M-maybe we should just get situated?" "Yes." Treehugger pivoted around and sashayed towards the biggest house of the compound. "Let me show you the meditation pad, and then we can begin the path towards tranquility and enlightenment." She stumbled a bit. "Bray Burns, I say this with love, but will you fold your aura for the time being? It's like tripping over a pink blanket. Most unmellow..." "Oh... uh... s-sorry?"