(FR) Lylie

prose: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/245069/7/the-lyler-archive/lylie-filly-lyler

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>Sleep is one of the few reprieves we get as humans.
>When we sleep, we get to turn off our minds to the outside world and finally relax.
>Except, in the case of nightmares.
>In a nightmare, the world that we desperately try to escape comes creeping in to eat at us.
>Whether it's running, falling, crying, or whatever we fear most, nightmares leave us feeling unrested, wary, or even more exhausted than before.
>It's the one way our sub-conscious can really kick us in the dick, then force us to deal with the exact same problem in the real world with a high-pitched voice and guarded waddle.
>You used to wake up in the morning with a smile.
>You used to wake up feeling rested.
>You used to wake up feeling optimistic and happy.

[hr]

>You wake up to the sound of screaming.
>Not the "Oh my god, I'm in pain" screaming, but rather the same scream that happens every morning.
>The muscles in your body burn as you command yourself to roll out of bed at six in the morning.
>If you get up, then the screaming will stop.
>If the screaming stops, the apartment neighbors won't complain.
>If the neighbors don't complain, maybe your rent will go down this month.
>You were already behind four checks as it was.
>Rubbing your dark, crusted eyes, you push out of your bedroom and into your daughter's room.
>She screamed at the top of her lunges as you made your way to her kitty-cat alarm clock.
>Lyler loved kitty-cats.
>As she said, 'THEY LOOK TASTY.'
>No, what terrified her, was their meows.
>You bought this alarm-clock for her in hopes that it would eliminate her fear of the cuddly kitten's meow.
>The neighbor's cat still hasn't fully recovered.
>Which... was partially why the landlord was trying to evict you from your apartment slowly and surely.
"It's quiet, Lyler."
>The little filly stared at the alarm-clock with timid curiosity, as if the item she had woken up to every day for the last four months was suddenly a new, wondrous object of her fascination.
>"DADDY! KITTEH."
"Yes, Lyler. It is a kitty. It's your kitty. We called him-"
>"BUBBLES."
"Okay, his name is now Bubbles."
>Which was different from Mufasa the day before, and Muffins the day before, and so on and so on.
>You took a deep breath and scratched the back of your head.
"I'll make breakfast as soon as I'm out of the shower."
>"OOOKAAAYYY!" Lyler screams.
>You rise to your feet and head to the bathroom.
>The two of you did your best to keep the apartment clean, but there was only so much you could do.
>The tiles were beginning to come off the walls and fall onto the yellowing linoleum.
>You would close the door behind you, if there was a door to the bathroom.
>The landlord truly began to stop giving a shit about the apartments.
>His hope was that eventually everypony in the building would move out so he didn't have to evict them.
>Probably to sell the building off to some entrepreneur pony who will make a parking lot or something.
>You turn on the cold shower water, the warm water having been gone for over a month, and take a look into the mirror.
>The dark circles under your eyes were really beginning to take a permanent residence in your reflection, but it was far from saying that you looked shabby.
>You regularly brushed your teeth, washed your face, shaved, and generally took care of yourself.
>However, you found yourself nodding off during your day job and unable to sleep during the nights.
>It was the curse of being a single father.
>A single father that couldn't do enough.
>Hopping in and out of the shower, you threw on your uniform to the Hayburger.
>As much as you were dreading your third double shift of the week, you were even more nervous about the sitter you called.
>Her rates were going up, and she was getting later and later.
>It was like she wanted you to fire her.
>You took a deep breath, then steeled yourself to be positive.
"Alright, Lyler! Pancakes or Waffles?" you called.
>She was already sitting at the kitchen table with a wide smile, holding a butcher knife and a teaspoon.
>"WAFFO!" she says happily.
"Alright. Waffles it is."
>Getting out the waffle maker, you grab the combination pancake/waffle mix from the fridge.
>After this, it'll be cereal the rest of the week.
>Putting it into the machine, you turn to your daughter with a smile and sit at the table across from her.
"So! What's on the list for things to do today?" you ask.
>"WAIT FOR DADDY TO GET HOOOME!"
>You bite your lower lip as you hear the normal phrase.
>It wasn't news that you didn't get to spend as much time at home as you wanted, but it was just the way things worked out.
"Oh? No fantastic adventures with Mr. Boom Boom?"
>Lyler cast a glance to her cactus friend that was sitting on the kitchen table.
>Despite Boom Boom's prickly exterior, the plant ended up being one of her closest friends and companions.
>"WE GO ON ADVENTURE! WE PLAY ROCKET SHIP!"
"The vast reaches of space today? Sounds dangerous. Be sure to take your phasers."
>A buzzing sound catches your attention.
>Turning your head, you spot your cell phone buzzing away on the kitchen counter.
>With a smile, you turn back to Lyler, who's ears have turned down.
"I'll be right back..."
>Rising from your seat, you grab the phone and answer the call.
"Hello?"
>"Uhmmm. Hi, Is this Andrew?" says a familiar teenage voice.
"Uh. No. This is Anonymous."
>"Same difference. So, hey, like, I can't come babysit today."
"Wait, what?"
>"Yeaahh."
"Why? Is everything okay? I need to head into work in half an hour."
>"Yeeah. I'm just... not really feelin it? I think I'm just gonna get a hooficure and watch movies."
"But wait. We have an agreement that you'd come and watch Lyler at least five times a week. That's what we worked out in-"
>A click comes from the other side of the line and the call is disconnected.
>You look at the blank home screen of your phone with a bitter anger boiling in your throat.
>Trying to hold yourself together, you look to your daughter and give her a smile.
"I'm going to need just a second, Lylie."
>Fishing through your contacts, you do your best to find a coworker that's off today.
>There's not many in your list that are really reliable contacts... since most of the ponies that work at your job are teenagers trying to just get a few extra bits.
>Which leaves... calling your boss.
>Who has very, very firm stances about a monkey working on the food line.
>You dial the number quickly as the waffle machine lets out a light -ding- of warm breakfast.
>The phone rings as you dig the waffle out of the pan and place it on a plate.
>"Hello?" a gruff male voice answers.
"Hi, Maple. It's Anonymous."
>"Anonymous? Aren't you supposed to be at work in the next 30 minutes?" he immediately assaults.
"Uh, yeah. About that. My sitter just called in and I don't have anyone to watch my daughter."
>"Well that's tough. I need you in 30 minutes."
"Listen, I know. But do you mind if I just take some time to get a replacement sitter here? I'll make it up at the end, I promise. I just don't want to leave her here alone."
>"Now you listen to me, monkey. You can either be here at work in 30 minutes, or you can stop coming in entirely."
>Your voice catches in your throat as you look over to Lyler, who is gently talking to her cactus friend on the table.
"Sir?"
>"What? I don't have all day."
"Fuck off."
>You hang up your phone and set it on the counter.
"Guess what, Lylie! We get to play all day today!" you say in a particularly proud voice.
>Her ears perk and turn to you with a wide smile.
>"ALL DAY WITH DADDY?"
"That's right!" you say, grabbing some butter and maple syrup. "Plus, it's all your choice. What do you want to do today?"
>The filly's mind goes on overdrive as she's too excited for words.
>Instead, she tries to let out this excitement through rocking back and forth in her chair.
>Bringing the food to her seat, the aggressive rocking proves to be too much for the four wooden legs and the chair falls over.
"Okay, okay!" you try to calm her, picking the little filly up into your arms and setting the chair back up. "We can't do any playing if you don't eat your breakfast."
>You give her a tight squeeze as she nuzzles your chest.
>"OKAY! I EAT BREAKFAST SUPER FAST!"
"Not -too- fast, or you'll choke again."
>Low and behold, as soon as you get to the waffle maker to pour your own, she starts choking.
>Having this been the third time this week, you sort of expected it.
>After giving her the Heimlich maneuver, making yourself a waffle and pouring some coffee, you sat on the couch as she sat on the floor eagerly wagging her tail.
"So, Lylie, did you have any ideas for what we should do today?"
>"ROCKET SHIIIIIPPPPPPP!" she exclaims.
"Haha! Alright. Alright. Rocket ship. How do we play?" you reply, crawling down on the floor to get on her level.
>"IMMA CAPTAIN, AND DADDY'S FIRST MATE. BOOMBOOM IS COMPUTER."
"Okay! How do we begin."

[hr]

>Starlog: 8679-4 aboard the Starship Cactusjuice.
>Things have been stressful on my crew, but we're doing the very best we can.
>First Mate Anonymous has been over stressed and over worried, so I've done my best to ensure he gets proper space and I do not provide him too many tasks.
>The last thing we need is for another member of our crew to go AWOL.
>Our previous mission, to find the source of the chocolate milk fountain was ended in failure, when we had our wires crossed.
>Instead, we discovered the Orange Juice Geysers.
>Needless to say, all involved were quite disappointed.
>However, we're still trudging on in the search.
>I refuse to be a disgrace to the uniform I wear.
>"Lylie, you don't have a uniform."
"DADDDDD PLEASE. IM MONOLOGUING."
>Ahem.
>After re-analyzing the data and enhancing the satellite images, we believe we've discovered a new location for the ever elusive chocolate milk fountain.
>Will this result in a chocolate, creamy treat? Or will it lead to a most gruesome bath-time?
>I'm not sure.
>But, I want to give my crew the morale boost it needs to carry on.
>So, here's hoping for the best.
>Captain Lyler, out.

[hr]

>"We've arrived on Planet Living Room, Captain," First Mate Anonymous announces.
"THANK YOU ANON. YOU GOOD TEAMMATE. COMPUTER. WHERE IS CHOCOLATE MILK?"
>Mr. Boomboom gently whispers into your ear the secrets of the universe, however none of this brings you any closer to the drink of the heavens.
"CURSES. WE MUST TRAVEL ON FOOT. ANONYMOUS. CARRY ME."
>You leap onto Anon's back.
>"Where to, Captain Lyler?"
"SOMEWHERE!"
>Somewhere was the goal. Anywhere was right out.
>Anywhere would infer that any place in the world would have chocolate milk. But anywhere included here. There was no Chocolate Milk here. Thus, if somewhere isn't anywhere, it must be somewhere that is not here.
"TAKE US OUT, MR ANONYMOUS!"
>Anonymous begins his crawl at a steady pace as you scan the surroundings of the living room for the coveted prize.
>Me made his way down the Pathway of Halls and the surroundings suddenly darken.
"SLOW PACE!"
>Anonymous's crawl slows to ... well certainly not a crawl.
"THE ENEMY LIES AHEAD!"
>Anonymous quakes in fear at the sheer mention of the beast.
>Or chuckles.
>One of the two.
>If it's the latter, you're proud of your father.
>The only human you know that could laugh in the face of sheer evil.
"TURN! WE MUST FACE OUR ENEMY HEAD ON!"
>Surely they must have taken what must rightfully be yours.
>The Bubbling, Abnormal, Terrifying Horror.
>It may seem like a simple beast, but deep beneath it's marble exterior was murderous intent.
>Anonymous leads you into the dark room and you clutch Boomboom close.
"BE STRONG BOOMBOOM. WE WILL PREVAIL."
>You watch the corners of the room for any sign of danger.
>Then, the door slams, surrounding you in darkness.
"ITS A TRAP!"
>A high pitch squeak.
>The sound of running water.
>Anonymous falls beneath you.
"ANONYMOUS!"
>You feel yourself pulled from the ground which you stand on.
"UNHAND ME YOU VILE CREATURE! I WILL NOT SUCCUMB TO YOUR GAME.
>Then, warm water graces your hooves.
"NO! NOOOOOO!!!!!"
>The liquid surrounds you, then the lights come on.
>Anonymous stands over you as you pull your head out of the bath.
"ANONYMOUS! YOU BETRAY ME?"
>He laughs to himself as he grabs the bottle of soap.
>"You have no idea how bad you were beginning to smell. Don't worry, I'll be quick and painless!"
"BOOMBOOM! TRAITOR IN OUR MIDST!"
>You turn to look for your companion, but he sits on the bathroom counter, watching.
"ET TU, BOOMBOOM?"
>Anon draws in close.
>On this day, the battle for the Chocolate Milk was a failure.
>Anonymous shampoos your mane as you glare angrily in the distance.
>However, the war is far from over.