I had enjoyed a good breakfast at the Sugar-Cube Corner. Pinkie Pie had been there, serving me. I guess she did work there fairly often, in part, due to seeing so many Ponies, smiling at her there.
There is a running joke about her and Cup-Cakes, not that I take stock in it. I just enjoy her company when ever I have the opportunity. She is after all the element of Laughter. If you think she isn’t very good at personifying it, that isn’t the idea, as good as she is at making all of us Ponies smile and laugh, always giving us a good time. It is all about spreading the joy, which she does expertly.
After a Muffin and juice, I was in the mood for a good book. Maybe Twilight Sparkle had a book she could recommend, so I went there and knocked at the door.
“Just a moment, I’ll be with you!” she responded from the other side of the door, apparently rushing around in her library.
True to her word, it did not take her all that long to get to the door.
“Oh, but hello, Lyra. Welcome in, into my library!” she greeted me as she stepped out of the way, pulling me inside.
“Hiya, Princess Twilight Sparkle. Thanks. I was just hoping you had an interesting book lying around, just waiting for a Pony, just like myself to come by!” I responded.”You know, I thought Celestia was generous, sending me all these many books, before I got my new library, now the books she is sending me feel a bit on the cheap end in comparison with the other books I get here every now and then. Not that she sends me less or cheaper books than she sent me before. Rather on the contrary, actually!” she responded.
“You are more than a mere Princess and Alicorn now. This is the price of being a celebrity, you know, as convenient as it may be in your case. By the looks of it, you are recreating the library of Alexandria, right here, any and every book seems to find their way into your still small collection. It is a treasure trove of unmeasurable value to the entire nation of Equestria!” I pondered as I followed her along the aisles, as she scanned the shelves for books.
“These shelves still are gaping empty. Alexandria, I never heard of that name, what kind of a place is, or was that?” she responded as she continues, moving ever forwards into the room.
“I came across the reference in one of my books, while studying Anthropology. They were quite astonishing. They once had this library, where they gathered every book ever to be scripted, back in the day. Your library seems to have the same feel to it!” I responded.
“Oh yeah, I do remember you were studying the subject. I have some experience on the subject, even if I never dedicated myself to the study. If others think my love fr books is warranting them to send a copy of their books, who am I to complain?” she responded.
“Most Ponies can’t even spell the word, let alone pronounce it properly. Guess you do come into contact with a few things as a Princess. Did you by chance have any books on the subject available?” I pointed out.
“As a matter of fact, I think I have a book you just may find interesting!” she responded, then her horn lit up and sent a bubble off into the library.
“Spike, could you fetch the book; The Marked Girl, for me?” the bubble told him.
“Sure thing, Twilight. any time!” he responded and the bubble floated back.
“You do? I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised. With your love for books in mind!” I responded with a bemused smile on my muzzle.
“Yes, I did. There was an incident, but I handled it. The matter is moot now. Yet, I did come into contact with these Humans you are so fascinated of. I even managed to make a few friends along the way. I am still happy I got back to myself afterwards. I have seen a few things most Ponies are happily ignorant of. Maybe the Library of Ponyvile could be a similar expression in Equestria?” she put forth.
“You have seen real, living Humens? Was it easy to make friends with them?” I had to ask, but was interrupted before I had the chance to ask anything more.
“I found the book, Twilight. I hope this will be as good a read, as our adventure suggested!” Spike interjected as he presented the book and rushed off to his duties, once more.
“Here’s the book!” she pointed out, holding it up in her magic.
“Thanks, Twilight Sparkle. It looks interesting, from I can see!” I responded, accepting it.
For a long moment I just hold on to the book, levitating it with my magic in the classic manner of a Unicorn as I look at the book.
“Maybe you should just hit the nearest reading room and enjoy the book?” Twilight pointed out.
“Yeah!” I nodded.
A real Human. Although she does have an Equine mark, just like we have!” I responded, deep in thought, pondering what the story could be.
“I noticed that too. None of the Humans at Canterlot High had them. I guess she is supposed to be special in some way. Hope you enjoy it, since I haven’t had the time to read it yet. So many books coming in!” she pointed out.
“Owlowiscious!” she exclaimed, the next moment the Owl was right there.
“Take Lyra to a private reading room!” Twilight then instructed her per Owl.
“Who who!” the owl responded, before she flew off.
“Thanks!” I responded as I followed her owl.
“Who who!” the owl exclaimed as she stopped, just outside the room.
“Private reading room!” I read on the door, just as the owl flew off on some new task.
That was the last I saw of her pet bird as I opened the door to the room and entered before I closed the door behind me. Sitting down and looking at the book before I cracked it open, feeling privileged since she had entrusted me to be the first to read it. This is after all a new book, a book none had been reading, for all we knew
I had entered the private reading room. Now I am sitting at the small table for a single Pony, looking at the book Twilight had presented. What was I to expect from the title? I had no idea.
Apparently there is an engraving on the front. I could clearly see that it is depicting a girl, a Human girl. This did go well with my Anthropologic fantasies and ideas. What had caught me off guard, is the mark on her flank, as if she had been a regular fillie next door over. As if she had been my next door neighbour Pony.
Something more hit me as I looked closer at the image, it isn’t just a mark, any mark, this is a musical instrument. She had a passion for music and play an instrument. There was a sweet pang in the back of my head, right there. It is more than my Anthropolocical fantasies here. She had apparently struck another note with me.
Looking closer, I could clearly feel the scent of the fresh ink, this book truly is fresh from the printer. Something that goes well with things.
Looking at the image itself, I noticed that the engraving is of a style you don’t see in Ponyville or Equestria in general. If the cover is anything to go by, this story is from outside of Equestria.
Feeling the book and the engravings, there is a clear and distinct structure and profile to it. Something that got to me in a different way. I had the impression this is an exclusive and expensive edition, not the mere two bit store front edition. I guess you do send an expensive edition, if you wanted to make a good impression, badly. Yet, who am I to say?
Of course, this had been the cover of the book, I had swallowed it whole. What I found next, is a new rendition of the image of the girl. This isn’t just another copy of the same image, she is standing in a slightly different pose, inside of a store that sells instrument, possibly looking at a particular flute.
I could see the title; The Marked Girl, giving me a strange image, as if girls her age did not have a mark, since she is just a human girl, after all. Then they named an unknown author. I have no idea as to who it is, guess it made no difference to me. Not unless there is a sequel to the book, or the same author had written another book, in case I did enjoy reading this book in the first place, that is.
I flip the page to the first chapter, awaiting what had been promised. What was this story about? A girl, clearly, a Human, definitely. But what kind of a girl is she and what made her so special? It isn’t as if she had been required to be special for a book to be written about her, but still.
If I did not know better, I would have claimed that this is how they are printing books, where this book had been written. They use the same type face and ink. It isn’t as if they tried to make it look exclusive, this was how they printed books, where this book came from.
Should I be impressed or dissapointed? For now, I choose to wait. Looking at the page, starting from the top, reading the story instead of just judging it for what it looks like, I don’t know enough to say, so I start reading instead.
I am an ordinary girl, just like everyone else, or it is what I had thought. My complexion is fair, just like most other girls, where I live. Nothing strange there. Now, is there?
I allow my hair to grow long, I never bother dying it, which just left it black, glistering lively. I guess none of that make me all that different, or strange, either? I have my bangs curl in under themselves, thus keeping them out of my eyes. Most of my hair is hanging in a thick bride along the length of my spine, which may be the first thing sticking out, as less than the common norm? I have gathered the rest of the hair in twin tails, in part hiding my ears. The hair never quite was content in staying with my bangs, and wasn't growing long enough to stay with the braid.
I have been pretty happy with myself and the way I look, and why not? Wide hips, narrow waist. The girlish face, smiling invitingly. My eyes are the green of emeralds.
The few times my anger had been provoked, I had been accused of having dragon green eyes. I guess I found it amusing? My features in general, hardly support such claims, and I'm content with the fact.
I commonly paint my lips red. The shadow of choice, silver metallic, with a faintly pinkish tint above the globes. I think it goes well with my looks, but who am I to say, I'm not into fashion, and I'm not paying attention to such Nonsense, why bother? Just the same, I keep my nails about an inch long, and semi square, polish them to a high gloss, it is about as much as I do with it.
If you look into my face, my nose is minimal, girlishly round, pointing upwards. Though I guess I had been accused of having elvish ears, as small as they are. I just giggle, when they do. I guess it is part of who I am. I love a good laugh, and giggle more often then not, even if some may find it less than appropriate? Why bother caring, it's who I am.
I seem to have a love for music. Not that I'm singing, particularly not in public. Listening to music is what I go with. Even though, there is the flute. Just not any flute. It's the 'Transverse Flute'. Maybe the love started, as I hear the music, where this one girl is playing it.
I had been to this store, where they sell instruments, and the flute is there, among all the other flutes. I had just lifted it up, holding it, then the urge came over me, I couldn't resist it, but moved the instrument to my lips. Maybe I had been alone, or the store had been packed? Either way, I had just given it that one tentative try, and the music came forth, as I just knew how to play it. Only I never noticed it right away, I couldn't see it, since I had been fully dressed at the time, even if there was the shadow of a hint, I may have felt.
That one moment, the instant, filled me up with joy, but I had left the store, empty-handed. I did not have enough, to pay for the instrument, and I knew it. Thus just quietly slipped out. Yet, something had changed. Only as I came home, or rather, by the bed, that's when I finally realised, just what the change was. I had a mark, on my flank, it is the two flutes, crossed, like the bones of the 'Jolly Roger', but with the one note, in place of the skull? It made for a rather curious image?