Milk. Cocoa powder. Butter. Water. Flour. And sugar.
Bon-Bon had been mixing batch after batch of the stuff for at least five hours now. By now, it didn’t even require any thought–once she got on a roll, she just kept going. Besides, with Nightmare Night coming up soon, she couldn’t afford to stop.
To be honest, the holiday wasn’t one of her favorites. To her, as a confectioner, this month meant plenty of orders and often very little sleep. And just when she thought it was over, some other pony would notice her cutie mark and ask for a batch of lemon drops, or caramels, or the ever-popular chocolate…
She tried not to think about how much of it would end up left in the woods for hours in front of that old statue.
No, Bon-Bon had never really been a fan of Nightmare Night. After the month-long preparations were over, doing any kind of dress-up was out of the question. Besides, it was just silly. Bon-Bon didn’t see the appeal.
The same couldn’t be said for Lyra. Every single year she would come up with some new ridiculous outfit and stuff her face with sweets. Nightmare Night was the only time when Lyra could be her usual crazy self and actually blend in.
At the moment, Lyra was out discussing her costume plans with Rarity at the boutique. Bon-Bon couldn’t remember what she said she was planning this year–Lyra had been babbling about all sorts of crazy ideas, and Bon-Bon couldn’t remember any of them. There were more important things to worry about. Some ponies had responsibilities.
Moving automatically, Bon-Bon turned and crossed the kitchen to the cupboard where she kept the sugar. There were dozens of bags still left; she ordered it in bulk. She took the package that she’d opened this morning, which was already halfway empty, and measured out a half cup. Then, taking the handle of the measuring cup carefully in her teeth, she went back to the counter where–
She let out a sigh.
The wooden spoon was now sticking out of the bowl, handle buried in the mix. The other end was dripping sticky batter onto the counter.
Setting the cup down next to the bowl, she called out, “If you wanted a taste, you could have just asked.”
Lyra didn’t even respond. There was only the sound of hooves trotting up the stairs down the hall.
She moved fast, that was for sure. Bon-Bon hadn’t even heard the front door open. And she hadn’t even seen Lyra come into the kitchen. Not so much as an irritatingly chipper “hello.”
As she leaned in to pick up the spoon, she noticed that the end of it was still dripping–Lyra hadn’t even licked it off. Not that the batter would even taste right without the sugar mixed in. Oh well. She took the spoon over to the sink, rinsed it off, and pulled a clean one out of the crock. She had learned to keep spares.
The floorboards upstairs were creaking now. A slow pacing down the upstairs hallway.
Bon-Bon ignored her, and went back to mixing the chocolate. She had perfected the technique over the years, getting just the right texture. It was this kind of attention that made ponies say her candy was the best in all of Equestria.
Then, there was that noise again. Louder this time. It was like Lyra was pacing back and forth. The hoofsteps were slow, measured.
Bon-Bon stared up at the ceiling for a moment, considering it. This wasn’t like Lyra at all. Then again, she did tend to get weird around this time of year. Well, stranger than usual, anyway.
For the moment, Bon-Bon wasn’t going to bother with it. She picked the spoon back up and went back to stirring. She had a production goal for the day to meet and she couldn’t be disturbed right now. Whatever Lyra was up to, it was nothing that concerned–
A loud crash shook the house.
Bon-Bon froze, gritting her teeth. She didn’t want to imagine how many hundreds of bits' worth of damage that had been. It sounded like Lyra had thrown a bookcase against the wall or something. It didn’t make any sense, but what else could have made a noise like that?
She tilted her head up towards the ceiling. “Is… is everything all right?”
Hesitantly, Bon-Bon set the spoon down next to the bowl and trotted over to the stairs. Everypony on the street must have heard that noise. Bon-Bon definitely didn’t want to deal with it right now, but if Lyra was going to destroy the house that they shared…
Bon-Bon took a deep breath. One hoof at a time, she climbed up the stairs.
Everything had gone quiet now. Still, she’d have to be careful. No need to rush in and upset her.
There were a few photographs hung over the stairs. A few shots of Lyra and Bon-Bon together, some of their families who lived out of town. One photo of Bon-Bon taken last Hearth’s Warming Eve, when they’d gone to Canterlot, was hanging slightly crooked, so she gently straightened it. Satisfied, she braced herself and headed upstairs.
The hallway was empty. Sunlight filtered in through the window at the far end. The curtains hung motionless in front of it.
Bon-Bon paused at the top of the stairs. “Lyra? Is something wrong?”
Still no response. She shook her head and trotted down the hall. The doors were all left open.
She peeked her head into the study. Whatever that noise had been, it didn’t seem like it had come from here. The shelves were upright. All the books were still on the shelves where they belonged. Of course. No matter how angry Lyra got, she’d never ruin her collection. She claimed they were rare. And, more importantly, none of Bon-Bon’s own novels or recipe books had been touched.
Bon-Bon turned around to check in her own bedroom on the other side of the hall. Her eyes quickly scanned the familiar setup. Her bed was still made and not a single object on the nightstand had been moved. Everything was neatly put away where it belonged.
The only other rooms up here were the bath and Lyra’s bedroom. Bon-Bon headed further down the hall. The floor creaked slightly under her own hoofsteps now, but nowhere near as loud as it had sounded from downstairs.
“Lyra, if something happened, you can talk to me,” she said.
But the bathroom was empty as well. Bon-Bon stared at it, then looked back out at the hallway. There wasn’t much of a chance Lyra could have gotten past her after she came up here. Then again, Lyra didn’t usually slip through the front door unnoticed, either.
The silence was broken by the clock downstairs striking once for the half hour–three thirty, the middle of the afternoon. The chime seemed to echo through the house. She was wasting time that she should be working.
Only one room left. Bon-Bon went to the end of the hall. She noticed a draft coming from somewhere. She shivered. It was getting chilly. Probably just the fall weather. She’d taken care to close all of the windows this morning to keep the heat inside, though.
She approached the doorway to Lyra’s room. She stopped before walking in.
It looked like a hurricane had gone through. The covers on the bed were thrown aside in a heap on the floor. Sheets of music were scattered all over the place.
In other words, it was exactly as Lyra had left it this morning.
It seemed like the only thing Lyra took care of was her lyre. It rested in its stand on her dresser, lovingly polished to a shine.
“Lyra, are you in here?” Bon-Bon called. She was hardly surprised at the lack of a response.
There were clothes spilling out of the closet. Lyra seemed to own more than most ponies. Bon-Bon carefully stepped over it to search the room. Completely deserted. Just like the others.
All the furniture was all exactly where it was supposed to be. It had been that way in every single room. She was sure of it. So what had the crash been?
And where was Lyra, anyway? Those hoofsteps had stopped, too.
Bon-Bon sighed. She turned around to leave and came face-to-face with a pair of bright yellow eyes.
“Hiya!”
Bon-Bon nearly jumped out of her skin. “Lyra!” She took a moment to catch her breath. “What are you doing?”
“This is my room…” Lyra said, raising an eyebrow. “What were you doing in here? I thought you said you would be working all day.”
“I thought I heard…” Bon-Bon’s voice trailed off. “Where have you been, anyway?”
“I was over at Rarity’s. I thought I told you.”
“The whole time?” Bon-Bon said. “But you left at least two hours ago.”
“Yeah,” Lyra said. “It took a while to explain the costume I wanted to her. She said she’d never even heard of some of the items I was asking for. I told her that maybe Spike would know about–”
Bon-Bon raised a hoof to cut her off. “You just now got here? As in, within the last couple of minutes?”
Lyra nodded slowly. “That’s what I said…” She cocked her head to the side. “Are you feeling alright, Bon-Bon? You don’t look too good.”
Bon-Bon pushed past her. “Then what was that noise?” she muttered. She headed down the hall, checking every room again–the bathroom, the study, her own bedroom. All empty. Was there anything else she had missed?
She stopped for a moment. Of course. She walked inside and headed for her closet.
Lyra followed after her. “See, usually what happens when I do something like this costume and other ponies don’t understand me, that’s when you criticize me and say I’m being too–”
Bon-Bon shushed her. Lyra’s eyes widened as she realized that something was wrong.
“You said you’ve been gone this entire time, but I’ve been hearing hoofsteps. And… other things.”
“You’re sure?” Lyra said.
“And somepony was moving things around in the kitchen. There’s somepony else in the house.”
“Then…” Lyra slowly looked over at the closet.
They approached it together. They exchanged an uneasy glance. Then, taking a deep breath, Bon-Bon reached up and flung the door open.
They both jumped back at the same time.
Everything was silent for a while, then Lyra let out a breath. “Now that’s a letdown.”
There were a few dresses and some old aprons hanging inside. Some cardboard boxes were pushed against the back wall. Other than that, it was completely empty.
Bon-Bon turned around and started pacing back and forth. “I checked the entire second floor. There’s nowhere anypony could hide. But I know I heard somepony up here.”
“Maybe you’ve just been working too hard,” Lyra suggested. “You could be hearing things.”
“Did you look around outside? Did anything, I don’t know… fall?” Bon-Bon said. “The pegasi didn’t have another accident with the mail, did they?”
“Nope. I don’t think so, at least.” Lyra gave a smile. “Maybe you do just need a break. You’ve still got a few days to get your orders filled, right?”
Bon-Bon wasn’t satisfied yet. “I know what I heard. There’s somepony in the house. I know it.”
Lyra was silent for a moment, thinking. “Somepony… or something,” she said in a low voice. Her eyes widened. “Or somebody!”
“This is serious, Lyra. Stop joking around.”
“I’m not! I’m just saying, we haven’t seen anybody, so maybe we’ve got a–”
“And maybe you’re a little bit too much into this Nightmare Night thing and you’ve heard one too many scary stories.”
Lyra frowned. “Hey, you never know. You’re the one who was hearing stuff, not me.”
“And whatever it was, it wasn’t a ghost, or whatever you think it is. You should know better than to believe in things like that.”
Bon-Bon pushed her way past before she could respond. Lyra made a face and followed her into the hallway.
“What if our house is built on one of their ancient burial grounds?” Lyra said suddenly. “I mean, they must’ve had those. Something like it. We should start digging.”
Bon-Bon spun around. “Lyra, for the last time! They're just as made-up as ghosts. And I distinctly heard hooves. You don't actually believe that we'd have not only have a ghost, but the ghost of one of your–”
Lyra's ears perked up. “Wait. Did you hear that?” She glanced behind her into Bon-Bon's room.
“Hear what?” Bon-Bon said.
“Listen.”
They both fell silent. Bon-Bon looked around the hallway. She shook her head. “Lyra, there's nothing–”
The door to Lyra's room slammed closed. Then, one by one, the others followed. Bon-Bon was suddenly hit by a blast of cold air that rushed through her and nearly knocked her off her hooves with sheer force. The wind reached the stairwell, and down the line, the picture frames fell off the wall and shattered on the steps.
She and Lyra stood there for a moment without a word.
Lyra spat her mane out of her mouth. “Then what do you think that was?”
Bon-Bon's mouth opened, but nothing came out. She could still feel the unnatural chill even though everything had gone quiet. Finally, she managed to choke out, “I… I don’t…”
Slowly, a grin spread across Lyra’s face. She began bouncing up and down. “This is going to be the best Nightmare Night ever!”
I was hoping Anthropology sequel.
Inb4 featured.
Holy buck a new story by JasonTheHuman!
*drops everything, reads immediately*
>JasonTheHuman posts a new story.
>Instant Fave after reading.
A new a JasonTheHuman Lyra fic? I'm in!
EDIT: Well, Bon-Bon fic. But still!
Oh, goody! Just in time for
Halloween! Nightmare Night!I love your description
LOL
Looks fun so far!
Lyra's reaction... it is the same as mine to this story! And new episodes of Red Dwarf as well? Could this day get any better!?! No, I think not. It has achieved maximum amounts of awesome possible!
Well Jason, Its pretty good, I like how you still kept lyra's personality from anthropology. Since this is a darkish fic I will be paying close attention. Do not let me down.
1387591 no first?
Whats this?! Something new by JasonTheHuman? With Lyra and Bon Bon?
i39.tinypic.com/15oyu7b.jpg
Instant like and fav!
Oh Lyra
>Haunted by a ghost.
>Best Nightmare Night ever.
LOGIC!!!
One of my hands //dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Lyra.png is covered in butter so I can' accurately praise this, I am sorry. //dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Lyra_cry.png But don't fret for I will follow this! //dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Lyra_dealwithit.png
1387676 I disagree. I just got Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade on DVD. I've surpassed your awesome levels by approximately 41.9347 percent.
1387722
I have no idea what that is, therefore it doesn't count. My point stands. Good day sir!
1387749 Anime. And I think I still win, because I'm currently listening to The Eagles, and nothing is better than them ever.
Suspenseful. I like it
Halloween enters JasonTheHuman makes horror fic with Lyra and Bon bon
(its because of Halloween right?)
THIS HALLOWEEN WILL BE GLORIOUS!
1387682 I'm not that kind of guy.
Looks pretty promising!
I favourited this as soon as I saw the description.
1387591 same here but any story with lyra and bon bon is a good story
Faved and liked before i even read it, because i know that dis gon be gud.
I don't really have much to add here... I mostly just feel compelled to do an 'inb4 featured' comment.
I'll have to give the first chapter another look later, when I've got the time to read it... well, properly, I guess. For now I'll just stick with the standard "I like the story, keep doing what you're doing" thing. Oh, and just pretend that I threw in some generic MOAR picture.
Good work, etc... and this reminds me that I still need to drag myself around to reading the second half of Anthropology.
Anthropology's author puts out a story. Insta-fav without even reading it, like a boss.
Alright! I'm glad to be seeing more of your work Jason, you were inactive for a while and I was getting worried that Anthropology had been your one hit wonder.
So far, this fic is pretty damn good! I like how Bon-Bon is ripped from her comfort zone, and into Lyra's! I've also noticed that you have added a lot more detail in your descriptions of settings and actions than in your previous fics. I hope you can keep this one alive and fed, and a word of advice, don't set chapter dates. Don't rush yourself in getting the chapters out, take your time, and give love to the chapters you do complete.
Try to use some more complex sentence structures, and show us the emotions of the characters when they're talking. I noticed a lit in your
past fics, that a lot of the time, the it would be:
"That would be great!" Lyra said.
Try doing this: "That would be great!" Lyra said, her posture relaxing with relief.
One example from the story is when Lyra says she heard something:
Lyra's ears perked up. "Wait. Did you hear that?" She glanced behind her into Bon-Bon's room.
"Hear what?" Bon-Bon said.
"Listen."
This could be changed by adding details like:
Lyra's ears perked up, and her head cocked slightly. "Wait. Did you hear that?" She glanced behind her into Bon-Bon's room.
"Hear what?" Bon-Bon asked, her annoyance towards her tennant showing.
Lyra put a hoof to her lips. "Listen." She whispered, her head lowering slightly in an effort to hear the unknown sound.
It really fleshes the characters out more, and gives us a clear picture of what the they're doing. I hope this fic turns out as good and as well recieved as Anthropology, I know you got a like and a fave from me!
Oh Lyra... didn't you learn anything from Paranormal Activity?
The one who thinks the haunting is cool and makes light of it *always* gets it in the end.
Great to have you back
The Haunting - Testament
1387964 Well buck, I guess that means I would die then. I can never keep a straight face in serious situations like this.
There's something strange and unnatural living in Bon-Bon's house.
Something other than Lyra.
For that opening alone you get a favorite and a thumbs up. :) The story being good will just be gravy beyond that.
seems kind of like 'a ghost story,' but from Lyra and Bon-Bon's point of view.
1387682
No. No first. "First!" comments are for attention whores.
Anyways, like it so far.
harry.enzoverder.be/cats/proceed.jpg
Separate rooms? Disappointing...
Otherwise, I'm looking forward to more.
This reminds me of A Ghost Story I once read...
But I can't wait to see what happens! *kicks feet in excitement* Jason, it's good to see ya back.
1387964
Should it be ponynormal activity...…
Oh Lyra you silly filly
Im feeling a certain
2.bp.blogspot.com/-vUY6l9Gud_I/UDp52wFxgFI/AAAAAAAAE9g/bR-ltC2wcLM/s1600/the-amityville-horror-wallpapers_5.jpg
vibe from this.
I want some more, so I'll Fav and Watch You
1388237
Damnit, someone beat me to referencing it.
Mine was going to be "Is it Spooky? o.o"
For some reason I was listening to the dead space theme while reading this. Need MOAR.
1388359
Nah, it feels more like the old poltergeist movie, because so far nothing overtly aggressive has happened, just mischievous.
For some reason, I get the feeling that's going to change.
Getting a poltergeist feel just like most everyone here. All that's needed now are chairs stacked on the table and it'll be complete. Only THEN would I want to see their house implore on itself! But I'm getting ahead of myself. It's good to have you writing again Jason. Anthropology was and still is one of my favorite fics. Looking forward to what's in store for this one.
i read this purely based on zee description. i cant say im disappointed.
i.imgur.com/8wIT3.jpg
Intriguing! I like this! More...
A perfect ghost story to get into the Halloween spirit! This is great!
Silver out!
I LOVE Jason the Human's work! Anthropology was excellent, so I have high expectations for this one. no pressure,