INTRO:  http://pastebin.com/6ETeJZdT
PART 1: http://pastebin.com/ACSQ11iw
PART 2: http://pastebin.com/vuDWd0gN
PART 3: http://pastebin.com/FHsBM3FS
PART 4: http://pastebin.com/JQQyvrGT
PART 5: http://pastebin.com/qA7iNnNK

Your first Hearth's Warming in Equestria was enjoyable, to say the least. While you are far and away from your old friends and family back home, observing the winter festivities among ponykind fills your head with inspiring thoughts of friendship. Between that and the eggnog, you woke up the next morning feeling rather good, if a little cold. Lyra spent the night at Bonbon's while you slept off your drinks from the afterparty. You've had breakfast and starting to pack your things when you hear Lyra suddenly stumble through the front door. You look outside your room to see her rushing to you.

"Quick, help me lie!"

After getting her to calm down (and say "good morning") it turns out Lyra blabbed about her going to Canterlot with you, but barely avoided giving a reason. Bonbon started to get excited and even suggested she come along, too—she has a great rapport with Lyra's parents and would love to spend the New Year among "family".

Any clever ideas?
[START]

...

>>2286205
>>2285969
Your cover story for going is that you needed to handle some residency paperwork for yourself. However, Lyra is the one who needs to see the AEIOU, and she doesn't have a cover story.

You need to come up with an excuse for Lyra to go to Canterlot. Or, if not, you'll have to come up with an excuse to disappear by herself once she is there.

Or tell the truth. I mean, you're free to choose your actions.

...

>>2286301
"Maybe you wanted to meet up with some old friends?"
"I don't think you understand what I'm getting into here. Canterlot is my hometown, practically everyp[spoiler][/spoiler]ony I could go visit there would alert the others! All my classmates, my friends, my parents..."
"Alright, then visit your parents." You shrug. "I mean, you don't want the next time you talk to them being 'Hi, Mom and Dad, I'm pregnant!' do you?"
"You have a point."
"Look, I know this is stressing you out, but seeing your family and friends could help you get through this."
"I bet you wish you could run back to yours." She sounds a little bitter.
"Lyra. Your family is my family, too now. Possibly in a very loose sense of the word, but I'm not about to give us up." You gesture to her and her belly. It might just be paranoia, but she looks the least bit rounder in the midsection.

"You know, I'm kinda warm to the idea of meeting your parents. I mean, if you're so sexy, your mom must be smoking!"
"Ewww!" Lyra punches you in the shoulder, and the two of you get to packing your suitcases for the trip.

[cont'd]

>>2286773
You're taking a late train out of Ponyville to Canterlot, traveling as a party of three. This particular train is actually quite large even for a human like you, and posh with amenities one might usually find on a pleasure cruise. For one, the three of you share a private room, and a few cars over is a bar with live music.

"Bunkbeds!" Lyra is a little too enthused to see the two stacked bunks set into the wall. The only other furnishings in your room are a closet, restroom, and a low coffee table booth with curved lounge seating. "I call top bunk!"
Lyra slips on the stepladder, and you catch her, being taller than Bonbon.

"Maybe not such a good idea," you muse. "Can't have you falling."
"How SHOULD we split the beds?"

...

>>2287026 >>2287043
Is it really just us three? Man, I fucked up somewhere. Or maybe I can just blame D3. Yeah, we'll do that.
Onward!

"Look, I'll take the top bunk. You two can share, right?" In the back of your head is an unspoken fear that Lyra getting hurt could harm the baby. As you turn to put the suitcases away, you scan for any other possible threats in the room, but don't find any.
"Hey, why the stern face? We're going to have fun." Bonbon brushes past you and takes a seat on the chaise. "You'll love Lyra's folks."
"Speaking of fun, did you see the bar a couple cars over? Live music! I'm going over there right now." Lyra double-times it out of the room, leaving you with Bonbon.

You could go join her, or stay here with Bonbon. She's looking at you with some sort of intent in her eyes.

...

>>2287347
"You're not going?" You turn to Bonbon. When she shrugs, you just smirk. "You two are practically inseperable. If you want something from me, just say it."
"Well, I was just thinking... You should travel a lot more."
"How do you mean?"
"You told me you wanted to explore Equestria, so I was thinking you should really pursue that dream," she muses as she gets up again to exit the room. She beckons you to follow with a flick of her tail and a nod of her head. "Maybe you could find someone in Canterlot to go with you. I know what it's like to be alone on the road, it's fun at first but not all the time."

What say to this?

...

>>2287705 >>2287735
"You don't seem the wanderlust type. What were your vagabond years like?"
"Ah, I could tell you all kinds of stories, but to put it simply: you see how Lyra's so carefree? She reminds me of when I was younger. It's weird, because we're almost the same age." The two of you pass by other ponies in a seated dining car, dodging glances and overhearing murmurs directed at the odd human on board. "You know, I was thinking if I ever expand my business outside of Ponyville, I could have you as my agent abroad."
"That's awfully flattering, but you said I should have a partner. Wouldn't you make the best candidate, being so well-traveled? That and you're the face of the business."
"It makes sense, but I can't pull Lyra away from her teaching job, and I'm not leaving her behind to go on business trips. The house would be a disaster when I get back—if it were standing!"
You recall the absolute mess of clothes and sundry objects in Lyra's room from when you helped her pack. "She does cook a good breakfast, though."
"Another reason for me to stay in Ponyville..." As the two of you make it through the entertainment car, Lyra is already just about sitting on the stage as she listens to the band.

[cont'd]

Bonbon stops dead cold when she enters the car, almost failing to notice Lyra wave the two of you over. You easily join her, but Bonbon is a little slow in following. Lyra tells you, "I don't know this band, they said they're from Trottingham! It's a great sound, though!"
It's somewhat low-key music, twinged with a moody, plodding rhythm and vocals not so much sung as coming of a tired throat like cigarette smoke.

"I'll go find a table." Bonbon quickly excuses herself. Lyra is swaying in time with the music.
"I saw you and Bonbon talking. I realize you two haven't gotten a lot of time to know each other, apart from a few days. Hope you're getting along?"

...

>>2288261 >>2288270
You tell Lyra things are going great, and that she should come over to the table when the band is finished with this song. You quietly skulk around the edge of the floor, though you still getting odd looks from less discreet passengers up til you rejoin Bonbon at her table, nice and far away from the stage.

>>2288303
"Bonbon, something's troubling you. It's the band onstage, isn't it?"
"Do I have to talk about it?"
"You mentioned something about a colt in Trottingham. This band is from the same town. Is that...?" You gesture to the singer at the mic, a scruffy-looking stallion, a bit skinnier than most.
"You remembered? Let's just say I'd like to leave my past in the past."

"This next number was written for a very special girl. It's one of my oldest, most cherished pieces, and I hope you all enjoy it, especially you sitting in the waaay back there." The singer flares out his wings, gesturing with his feathers towards your table. Bonbon's eye twitches.
Lyra soon returns, extremely giddy. "Oh my gosh, did you know he asked me what your name was? And then he said he wanted to join us at our table after their set's over! This is amazing! I get to sit down with fellow musicians and—I need my lyre. Order for me?"

Lyra dashes back to your room, leaving you and Bonbon with the menus.

"I'm going to need a hard drink." Bonbon slaps her hoof on the table. "And a salad."
Your order for Lyra and yourself?

...

The server takes your orders, but also makes a snide comment about available omnivorous options. You shake your head and resign yourself to your leafy fate as a resident of Equestria, making a mental note to take up fishing. You order salads for the three of you, and some sarsaparilla for yourself.

The song dedicated to Bonbon is actually a little catchy, filled with a strolling beat and dirty electronic filters. Lyra returns with her lyre in tow, almost tripping over herself.

"Actually, Lyra, I think I'm going to head back to our room and lay down a bit. Motion sickness."
"What? The song's not even over!"
"No, please, I can't stay here."
"You just got here. What's wrong?"
"Nothing! I just... I really gotta go." Bonbon is shifting uncomfortably, and Lyra is looking pretty confused.
"What, like the restroom? There's one at the end of this car."

Do you intervene, and how?

...

>>2288890 >>2288909 >>2288952
"Here, I'll walk you over to the restroom if you're not feeling 100%." You gently tap Bonbon on the whithers and try to innuendo her along with a nod towards the stage. She gets the message, and takes her time walking to the restroom. "Not looking forward to dealing with him?"
"No, he's a total slimeball. I need to get out of here."
"Don't let one pegasus ruin your day. I thought we were off to a good start for the trip!" You stop her just before she enters. "What did he do to you, Bonbon?"
"I was a silly filly back then. I had just left home, became a roadie, and..." She turns around, every muscle in her face tense with anger and regret. "I didn't give him my virginity. He [spoiler][/spoiler]>took[spoiler][/spoiler] it."
With that, she locks herself into the stall. You suspect it'll be for quite a while. At least salads don't get cold.

You return to the table to sit with Lyra, who's still entranced by the music. "Wow, it's almost like this song was written for her. You hear the Fancy lyrics? C'est bonne~"

You should probably snap Lyra out of her reverie now that you have a moment alone with her.

...

>>2289430
"Hey, Lyra?" She isn't listening. You gently stroke her spine with your fingertips, and she lets out a very excited gasp, whipping around to face you.
"Not in public!"
"Sorry, I just... needed you to stop geeking out for a second. Look, that singer, when he comes over, just give him the cold shoulder til Bonbon gets back."
"You guys are acting weird, what's this all about?"
"You'll just have to find out from Bonbon. You trust her, right?"
"Of course I do, this is just so sudden." Lyra rests her hooves on the table and goes back to enjoying the music, but in a far more reserved manner.

Listening a little closer to the lyrics now, you can hear so much of the singer/songwriter's ego dripping off of it, lamenting a "good filly" who got scared and ran off because she couldn't handle the full glory of his love. Bonbon said she was a roadie, but this story paints her as a groupie.

The host wraps up the set, naming the band and eliciting a round of gentle applause from the crowd. The pegasus lets his bandmates and roadies take care of packing away their equipment; he flies right over the tables and lands quite deftly opposite you and Lyra.

"You two enjoy that? I know I did." The winged singer takes a look around. "Where'd your girlfriend run off to?"
"Mmnmn." Lyra shrugs and sips on her drink.
"I don't think I caught your names." He looks at you and Lyra, and you try not to give him the evil eye as you think of your next move.

...

>>2289867 >>2289854 >>2289852
"This is Lyra. But if you want to know what to scream later, I'm Anon."
"Hahaha, oh wow." The singer looks genuinely put off by this, but starts laughing out loud, yelling to everyone else in the car. "HEY, EVERYPO[spoiler][/spoiler]NY GET A LOAD OF THIS HORSEFUCKER!"
At this, the crowd looks clearly upset. Some curious glances turn into venomous glares, all directed at you. Yeah, about that taboo.
"HORSEFUCKER HORSEFUCKER HORSEFUCKER HORSEFUCKER" He jumps up onto the table, pointing at you and making obscene gestures with his wings.
"Hey, featherbrain."
"What?"

"Get off the table." You stand and flip the table up from under him, and he falls backwards onto the floor.
"Are you crazy? I'm not drunk enough for this!" Lyra pulls her instrument away before it gets damaged amidst the upheaved furniture.
"Dude, what has gotten into you?" The singer looks up as you sit on his chest, feet planted squarely on his splayed wings.
"How do you know Bonbon?" Your hands grab him by the fashionable leather collar around his neck. "What did you do to her?"

[cont'd]

>>2290205
"Were you even listening to the song?" He chuckles.
"You said some very disrespectul things about her."
"Well, she wasn't a very respectful filly, was she?"
"That song really was about Bonbon?! Oh, sun, it's you. You're the..." Lyra cuts in just as a pair of security ponies converge on the floor. You look up to see an ominous glow coming off her horn, anger lighting up her golden irises. "You're knackered."
You snatch her lyre away from her. "Allow me." You clonk him aside the head with the gilded edge of the thing. Hopefully you didn't dent it, but that was enough to put him out for a little bit.

For your valor, a unicorn security guard pulls you back to your room with restraining bands of magic. As you leave, you see Lyra rush to the restroom, from where Bonbon is surveying the scene. You try to wink your eye at her when she sees you being dragged off.

A magic rune has been cast over your head, preventing you from passing through a ward on your room door, effective until you reach Canterlot tomorrow morning. Before you can brood for long, Bonbon and Lyra come rushing in to thank you (and deliver your salad).

"I'm sorry, this has probably ruined the whole ride."
"No, it's fine, really. I mean, I wasn't even sure I'd be comfortable being on the same train as him. I was ready to just crawl into bed and not come out til we got to Canterlot." Bonbon flops onto her bunk, letting out a sigh of relief. "Although, by the looks of it, you could use the company."
"Eh, seen one train, seen 'em all." Lyra waves her hoof and joins Bonbon on the bunk. "Musicians are a fickle lot, anyways. I should know, I'm one of them."
"So, what are we gonna do now that we can't show our faces in public?" Bonbon laughs.

...

>>2290555
Three of a kind!

After Lyra retrieves a deck of cards from the gift shop, the three of you sit down for a friendly game of Texas hold 'em.

Strip poker, or wager something else?

...

Preferring to unwind, you settle on a friendly no-wager game to pass the time, sharing conversation while you play. You and Lyra get the full story from Bonbon about how she had fallen in with the traveling band. Being young and impressionable, she was easily taken advantage of, and she always blamed herself for what happened. The two of you comfort her as best you can, and Lyra jokingly makes you promise not to break any hearts yourself, under pain of trampling.

"Actually, if I figured out how to undo the ward, you could go give that guy another whooping." Lyra gets a devious smile.
"I'd like to not have to walk to Canterlot, thanks." You laugh.
Bonbon still looks shaken up, but is far more comfortable being around two individuals who clearly care for her. As the three of you exchange embarrassing stories and poker hands into the night (and order room service for dinner), you get a clearer sense of Lyra and Bonbon's relationship with each other: they're both free spirits in their own way, but Bonbon endured hardships for her hedonism, and now she feels responsible for preserving Lyra's spirit and keeping her from making any terrible mistakes. You wonder what kind of life Lyra led that has left her less scarred.

[cont'd]

Later, after cleaning up for bed, you see the two of them in their bunk: Bonbon has her reading glasses on to enjoy a novel, Lyra beside her with a portable gaming device. Occasionally one will look in on what the other is doing.

Do you open your mouth to say/ask anything other than "Good night"?

...

"Bonbon, " you say as you take a step on the ladder, "I'm here if you need to talk about anything, alright?"
She takes the time to take her frames off and fold them up before looking up at you to smile and say, "Thanks."
"That's what friends are for. Good night."
It's really a striking sight, seeing her so unguarded. Tonight you discovered that her mane isn't normally so curly; in its natural state, it's actually wavy and unruly.

You settle in for sleep, and before long you're having an odd dream. What's it about?

...

>>2291422
I'd like a prompt in this case. If you choose to dream about something relevant to the story, I can bury some hint or clue pertaining to that thing.

...

>>2291580
>Let's dream about us and Lyra revealing our secret to Bonbon.

In the shifting images of your subconscious, you can pick out a million different faces for Bonbon arranged on several axes measuring her emotions. Whichever direction you go, there is only an uneasy gravity pulling you ever downward, clenching itself around your soul. You have hurt her.

You are falling through the void, holding on to Lyra and Bonbon by their hooves. Their lack of fingers betrays them, and Bonbon slips away easily. You desperately grab for Lyra, but she is distracted by a fiery comet that erupts from her chest. It falls downward, and she swims after it, leaving you behind.

As you dive, the astral sea around you parts, opposing currents pulling you further and further away from Lyra and the light. Surrounding her and the formless baby is a torrent of galloping silhouettes, whereas there are millions of shadowy hands grabbing at you. Your ribcage comes apart as you feel your heart leave you, tethered to Lyra and your unborn child. An entire life unlived goes by without you as you return to drifting.

You find yourself back on Earth, in a Chinese restaurant. The patrons around you, both human and pony, look at you with disgust. You are holding a fortune cookie and crack it open:
>Where you belong is where you shouldn't be

When you wake up, it is some sun-forsaken wee hour of the morning, long before the dawn is to come (and it being winter, that's still a while yet). To help get back to sleep, you listen to Lyra snoring.

[END]