The PPP Club - Lyra, Day 1+2 [macro, amazon]

'Aight, the members of the PPP club have been chosen:
Mayor Mare, Lyra Heartstrings, Carrot Top, Symphony and Comet Tail, as well as Roseluck and Blossomforth.

Size-difference between ponies and Anon in this setting:
The size of these ponies are roughly similar to that of real-life horses in terms of leg length and total height.
Anon standing up will reach a grown pony to about the middle of its neck.
The withers of an average mature pony passing by reaches Anon up to between his nipples and shoulders.

(More details will be introduced throughout this particular chapter.)


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>
>You blink a few times, pursing your lips in a thoughtful manner.
>So.. Lyra Heartstrings first, eh?
"So.. Lyra Heartstrings first?"
>Mayor Mare nods and glances at the flustered Lyra.
>"Yes, Anonymous~!  Isn't this super? Oh, I think it will be most cozy."
>You sigh, and wiggle your head in something vaguely resembling a nod.
"Yes, yes, I'm sure it will fix everything."
>You pop the biscuit you're holding into your mouth and put the pillow you've been using as a seat next to the wall.
>(A small gesture considered good manners.)
>Roseluck, her voice shaky as usual, pipes in..
>(shaky unless she was reciting something, anyway.. Strange.. but then again, training verbal confidence might be the reason she became a member in the first place)
>"A-Anon, are you leaving already? But-! But we're not finished for today yet!"
>Comet Tail stands up just as Carrot Top does, the latter joining in with her chipper voice:
>"Oh, you're going home to pack your things already? Gosh, Lyra, lucky mare huh?"
>You shake your head as you swallow the last of the biscuit
"I'd just like some time to myself first. Afraid today's session is over for me, anyway. See you all."
>With that, you walk towards the entrance foyer of Mayor Mare's mansion to put on your shoes and jacket.
>The voice of Blossomforth breaks the silence behind you as she asks
>"Well then, I was supposed to recite my choice parts of the Ponyad, right-"
>Lyra's voice stopped her short
>"Anonymous, wait!"
>You turned back to the others.
>"You-.. We can wait until tomorrow if you like.. Anonymous."
>..
>Well, that is kind of neat.
>That way you could really bachelorize the hell out of your last evening alone
>..
>Wait "bachelorize"? Bachelor? wut, nothing bachelor-jeopardizing would be happening with these ponies anyway.
>OR WOULD IT
"Thanks, miss Heartstrings, I much appreciate it. I'll see you some time tomorrow, then?"
>She averts her eyes again and nods.
>You exit the mansion in stride, hearing the telltale poetry tattle start up just as you close the front door behind you.
>Well Anonymous, this wasn't exactly called for now was it.
>So.. behind your back, not only had the club--well Mayor Mare, really--come up with something like this,
>they had--no, SHE had, god damnit--actually made the princess of magic herself mandate you to go through with it.
>Well.
>Alright.
>You'd just have to show them in the end that their "help" wasn't needed.
>God damn social creatures probably did it just to have more company.
>You walk along the streets of Ponyville, the sun low in the sky.
>It'll probably go down in an hour or so.
>Being autumn, the temperature was definitely dropping.
>In fact, some of the few ponies out and about their business is seen wearing scarves, saddles, large knitted leg-warmers, shoes, etc.
>During some of the colder nights you could just see the vapour of your own breath.
>At the very least this night would be spectacular in its hedonistic glory.
>You had great plans, but those would require beer and pizza.
>As you trudged along, waving to a few familiar ponies, you started coming to terms with your situation.
>How bad could this vacation be, anyway?
>Even if you might have to come along with your hosts to their workplaces now and then.
>It would be better than just stooging around at their respective homes, right?
>You'd manage, as you always had!
>Besides, the ponies in Ponyville were almost kind to a fault, excepting a few rougher personalities here and there.
>Oh. That's the sound of somepony galloping, isn't it?
>You realize the sound is getting louder, and turn your head just to see a huge Sweetie Belle coming at you
>"ANON! HEeElp!"
>You don't get to appreciate the adorable way her voice cracks before she bowls into you.
>Even though a filly, the tip of Sweetie Belle's horn was easily at the same height as your chin when you both were standing.
>Which means she weighed about as much as you did.
>Luckily, she manages to slow her speed a bit before crashing into you, possibly preventing broken bones.
>You lie on your back, trying to get your lungs working.
>Sweetie Belle's adorable face appears above you, tears streaming down her face and dripping onto yours.
>"Mister Anonymous, you need to come quick!"
>A heartbreaking sob causes more tears to cascade onto you.
>and filly snot.
>Yeah these ponies didn't worry so much about these things.
>You sit up and push her back, groaning
"Alright alright.. Ouch. Calm down already. What's the matter now?"
>"It's Applebloom, she's swallowed something!"
>You hurriedly try to stand up.
>Sweetie Belle hops around your back and uses her head to help you to your feet.
>"This way, hurry!"
>Her voice dissolves into another sob as she starts to run.
>Jesus Christ, these crusaders and their insane antics.
>You run after her as she leads you through an alley.
>Some of their "projects" were fucking dangerous, yet there was no stopping them.
>You dodge and weave through a backyard full of turnip plants, following Sweetie Belle's purple-pinkish tail.
>Damnit. You never could dislike those fillies no matter what, though.
>If Applebloom was choking, every second counted.
>You cross a smaller street and dash into another alley, seeing the remaining crusaders next to a few wooden crates.
>Applebloom is standing. That's good.
>Running right over to the Apple family filly, you immediately straddle her back, clasping your hands below her chest.
"Alright 'Bloom, this is going to feel a bit nasty!"
>You hear all three of them sob quietly as you prepare to s-
>..wait, all three?
>Blinking, you listen closely to ascertain that yes, Applebloom is in fact breathing.
>She's actually speaking, now, too, her teary-eyed head turning to look back at you.
>"Ano-*hic*-on.. *sob*   Am ah gonna die?"
>Scootaloo looks at you pleadingly as you step off Applebloom's back.
"What the hell have you girls been doing? I-.. Applebloom, what have you swallowed? Did you choke on something?"
>The fillies' sobbing subside as Applebloom explains
>"It was one of those.."
>She motions with her hoof towards a tiny bag on the ground.
>A few smooth glass marbles are arrayed in small piles next to it.
>"Ah-.. Ah had it in my mouth to show Scootaloo a magic trick and it just.. it just went down."
>You sigh.
>..and lean on your knees, hanging your head.
>Scootaloo's raspy voice, hoarse from the crying, asks you:
>"What are we going to do, Anon? We have to get it out, right?"
>You pick up one of the marbles. A glass sphere with a tiny decorative slip of foil in its core.
>It's about the size of a small grape.
"She swallowed one of these?"
>Scootaloo nods.
>You sigh.
"Listen, you guys are a bit bigger than me, right?"
>They solemnly nod.
"Look, your throat, it's big enough that it won't hurt you. Your belly and intestines and your-.. well, your-.. your everything, is big enough for it to pass through without harm."
>Applebloom sniffles and looks at you.
>"Ya sure, Anon? Maybe ah should throw it back up.."
>Sweetie Belle joined the conversation, voice still shaky
>"But you aren't a pegasus, Applebloom, you can't just throw up on command!"
>"Maybe ah can git somethin' from Zecora.."
>Applebloom sniffled, clearly not too enthralled with the prospect of throwing up.
>You reach out and pet the yellow filly's ear.
"Now now, there's no need to be so down. It'll just pass right through all on its own."
>"B-but what if it doesn't?"
>She starts to tear up again.
>"Oh Anon ah'm gonna dieee!"
>well shit
"Alright alright, calm down, look at this."
>You plop the marble you're holding into your own mouth, its smooth glass weight clinking gently against your teeth.
>You push the marble as far back in your mouth as you can, and barely manage to trigger a swallow.
>The feeling of the unyielding marble's journey down your esophagus isn't too pleasurable.
"Ow, ow ow ow.  Ow. Ugh"
>As the sensation subsides, you awkwardly open your mouth at the fillies.
"See? Nothing in my mouth, and I'm all fine. Not even scared."
>The crusaders all stare at you wide-eyed.
>Scootaloo comes right up to you, seemingly trying to examine your throat from up close.
>"Wow. So-.. you really just.. just pass it?"
"Yep, just give it a day or so and you'll sh-..poop it out."
>"Eeeww!"
"Aw for christ's sake!"
>You manage to calm down the crusaders with some smalltalk, and give them a few warnings as well.
>They thank you profusely (and now you have filly snot and tears on your shirt) before gathering their marbles and scampering off.
>As you start walking towards your next destination, you mentally remind yourself to regurgitate the marble when you get home.
>After visiting Frothy Mug's brewery/store right before he closed, as well as Pepper Crust's Pizzeria (that loud, phlegmatic stallion was always open),
>you were now proudly--and somewhat awkwardly--carrying a small keg of Frothy's Finest mead and a cardboard pizza box.
>this gonna be gewd
>Gewd as in president gewd
>You eventually open the door to your small house and step inside.
>After a few minutes, the crystals on your tv are tuned and you're on your couch, the pizza and mead well in the process of being devoured.
>..bachelor-level gewd
>..
>You wake up some time later, your near-empty mead mug hanging from your fingertips.
"WHy'd I wek up? OHsshit Appleblom! Appendicitis!"
>You look around you hazily, feeling worry crawling up your spine.
>(The fact that your keg of mead is still one third full doesn't allay your sudden fears.)
"That shit gonna poop up her tube man"
>You sob.
>No wait.
>You then realize equines don't have appendices.
>With a great sigh, you empty your mug and lie back down.
>..
>In your drunken stupor, you fail gloriously to consider the fact that humans do.
>
>.
>..
>There seems to be knocking on your door, Anon.
"'Mmmhurrica?"
>You fumble about as you get up from your couch
>"Hello? Anonymous, are you home?"
>Oh, great. It's miss Heartstrings.
"Mmfyeah! Yeah. I'll be there in a second."
>You stumble over to the huge door and open it, looking at a plushy green-furred chest.
>Lyra Heartstring's golden eyes seem to sparkle in the sunlight.
>"Good mo-oorning~! I-.. oh."
>Her ears flatten a bit.
>"Sorry, I thought you were already up. I-uh.. came to see if you needed any help packing your things."
>You walk back into your apartment, yawning as you wave her in behind you.
>Slow heavy clopping sounds signal the unicorn's slightly hesitant steps into your living room.
>You glance back at Lyra, seeing her look around curiously.
>Meh, your place wasn't particularly messy, so you didn't care.
>Not to mention the ponies had an odd lack of aversion to things like that..
>Even if your place had been bombed and rancid, the vast majority would be more likely to pity you and/or offer help in cleaning than start to dislike you.
>..Yeah, this world had been unsettling at first.. and the differences hadn't always made you feel more welcome.
>You idly start putting things away, preparing the place for your upcoming absence.
>You hear the thrum of Lyra's magic behind you as she lifts a wool blanket from the floor
>She folds the blanket elegantly, and neatly places it back on your couch.
>You head for the bathroom to collect your toiletries.
>You contemplate taking a shower, but realize you're still squeaky clean after showering the previous evening.
>Brushing your teeth'll do for now.
>(You only got your custom-made human-sized toothbrush a month ago, having to use oversized pony-brushies before then.)
>"It's no biggie if you forget something. You can borrow from me or Bon Bon next door, or we can come back here for it."
>You make a vague noncommital sound from the bathroom.
>As she said, no biggie. You didn't live *that* far apart anyway.
>You gather up your vital supplies in a handy cloth bag:
>A luridly violet toiletry bag made from the finest materials.
>On one side was embroidered, with a beautiful golden curling script: "Anonymus"
>You smirk to yourself.
>..did every time you saw that, actually.
>Simply because how flustered Rarity always became when reminded of her spelling error.
>Nah, Rarity was lovely to be around and had given you almost all of your clothes to boot.
>(Besides, the bag was so neat one wouldn't notice the error unless studying it closely anyway.)
>"Anonymus" just made it sound more Latin or somesuch
>As you reenter the living room, the large green pony was humming to herself and studying an array of drawings that Cheerilee's students had made for you (and of you).
>(Some of them were pretty good, too.. considering they mostly drew using their mouths.)
>Her striped tail flicked from side to side every second or so.
"Well aren't you giddy."
>She looks back at you.
>"Wha-?  Oh.."
>You walk over to the part of your living room that also serves as your kitchen, and start to slice bread.
>"Well.. it's a fine day! Of course I'm in a good mood."
>You raise your eyebrows whilst continuing to assemble a quick sandwich.
"You were just so silent yesterday at the poetry club, though."
>"Ahh.. Well..  Well, I guess I was just-.. antsy, really. It's not every day you do something like this. I mean, having a pony-.. a PERSON.. over for a full week."
>Yeah.. Damn, it probably wasn't the most fun prospect for the others either.
>Culture in this place was built more on altruistic gestures and genuine caring than earth..
>Even so-.. or more correctly, because of this, you'd probably be a bother to some of them, at least occasionally.
>You finish making the sandwich, and sigh.
"Sorry about this, Lyra. I had no clue at all that Mayor Mare would do something like that."
>Looking at her promptly, you try to gauge her reaction and at the same time convey your genuine feelings on the matter.
>She blushes and looks at you over her withers, tail still swishing about.
>"W-well, it's no big deal. We were all in on it anyway, so.. consider yourself a welcome guest!"
>With an incredulous 'hmf', you eat your breakfast sandwich.
>..
>You finish eating quickly, and put some last things in order, all your necessary belongings in a handy bag.
>You write a quick note to put on your door, saying that you won't be staying at home for the next seven weeks, and thus won't be available for work.
>After a moment's consideration you jot down that emergencies are still 'aight.
>Meh, they could find your location on their own if they really really needed it.
>When Lyra notices you putting on your coat, she trots giddily towards the door.
>She walks past you..
>Lyra Heartstrings was slenderly built for a pony, but you could still see her supple and graceful muscles under her smooth coat.
>A fully grown pony here was about the size of a horse back on Earth, only differently proportioned.
>The ponies were more slender, built more lightly.. Their legs and hooves were slightly larger and thicker than horses back home, and more rounded..
>and of course their heads were different.. The muzzle shorter and flatter, with strong pearly-white teeth.
>and their eyes.. Hell, even the stallions had pretty eyes;
>Big soulful orbs with large irises and pupils, as well long dark eyelashes to protect them.
>A fully grown earth pony stallion weighed about 900 pounds on average, mares a bit less.
>Unicorns were about 750 pounds on average, while mature pegasi could weigh as little as two hundred and fifty pounds due to their hollow bones and different body structure.
>You had no idea how pegasus flight worked or if it would have worked back on Earth, but their huge, beautiful wings made you think it actually might.
>You knew from experience that Rainbow Dash could carry you (although you had clearly seen that it tired her out quickly).
>This, along with other pegasus-related things you had seen here made you start to acknowledge the ubiquitous nature of magic in this world.
>It took a long time for you to get used to having large creatures like this frolicking around you like it was nothing.
>Naturally, the initial fear subsided almost immediately as you realized no one wanted to hurt you.
>Not to mention you're a human: Fairly reasonable and adaptable and all that.
>..but the thought that even one of their foals could seriously maim or even kill you if they wanted made you stay wary for quite some time.
>..
>Of course, you were constantly reminded of another strange, big, ever-present difference between Earth and this place..
>Namely, that this world seemed to function on a different place on an ethical spectrum than Earth..
>To these ponies a horrible murder would be an accident until proven otherwise, the insane perpetrator someone to be pitied and isolated.
>Even the most shrewd business schemes you'd picked up on when familiarizing yourself with pony culture from your brief stay in Canterlot;
>They were opportunistic, at times impressively clever, but never cold-blooded, cruel or spiteful.
>
>You close your door after Lyra's swishing tail passes by your chin.
>You start your trek through Ponyville's streets.
>
>Utter selfishness was here regarded the same way sadism was back ho-.. back on Earth.
>And something as unthinkable as pure sadism was here either an accident, an illness, or something too wretched for the masses to know about.
>That was your theory, at least.
>"Back home".. Yeah, about that..
>As for going back "home" to earth..... Yeah.. Twilight had received a letter from the royal palace not two months ago.
>Nopony knew anything, and no books in any of the libraries checked so far held any information.
>At least Celestia and her sister had looked into it.
>
>In the streets of Ponyville, the early almost-noon sun warmed myriads of bustling ponies.
"So..  Lyra Heartstrings.."
>The green equine looks at you curiously.
"I hope you're okay with me taking on emergency repair jobs or such if somepony should need it..?"
>"Oh, of course!"
>You casually wave to the town's resident mailmare, Derpy, perched atop a nearby roof and rearranging something in her mailbag.
>Just as you wonder for the fifth time whether or not the upcoming weeks would be deathly boring, Lyra speaks again in a softer tone
>"To be honest.. I haven't planned out anything fancy.. I got today off, and work the rest of the week from tomorrow."
>You nod thoughtfully.
"Well, I'm looking forward to it. I'm not a foal either, you know, so there's no need for you to keep me entertained or anything."
>After a second of silence, Lyra smiles at you and nods.
>"I know.. I'm still feeling like I'm on some kind of trial, though. Heh."
>You look back at her, not saying anything or making any particular expression.
>..Until her ears slowly flatten against her head, and you can clearly see her growing uncomfortable.
"Minus two points for insecurity!"
>At the sudden sound of your voice, she startles, her ears straight up and her eyes large as she looks at you.
>You just keep on walking, smirking to yourself.
>"Oh.. Ha ha.. Hahh."
>
>You and Lyra cross the marketplace without incident.
>A few ponies you've helped before say hi and try to engage in smalltalk.
>By now you effortlessly slide into the smiling, polite and caring Anonymous that fits in optimally.
>..You don't even flinch any more when some of the more outgoing ponies walk right up to you and promptly nuzzle at your chest, shoulder or even neck.
>It was interesting how 'getting up in someone's face' was considered threatening on Earth, while here it was a sign of trust and affection.
>The ponies had other postural cues for signalling anger or being threatening. (Distance from the other party was a factor in nearly all of them.)
>You had even absent-mindedly begun to quickly pet their manes, cheeks or ears as a response while they did it.
>Although the first time you'd done so it was awkward in every sense of the word, they had reacted as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
>Huh. They now probably thought humans did that sort of thing to each other all the time. Nice work, Anon.
>Lyra motions for you to head over to the apple cart.
>You glance over at the cart, seeing Applejack laughing at something Applebloom just said.
>Looks like Big Mac isn't with them today.
>Applejack is still smiling when she sets her eyes on you.
>With the force of a hundred hurricanes, you command your knees not to buckle.
>..She keeps on smiling and looking at you until you reach the cart.
>"Will ya be getting something more than the usual today, Lyra? Seein' as ya have a houseguest an all?"
>Applejack's silky voice was a demure counterpoint to her f-
>HELLO ANON THEY'RE SPEAKING ABOUT YOU
>You only catch a part of what Lyra's saying.
>"-so I'll be ok. If not we'll just have to come back tomorrow. Are you getting anything, Anonymous?"
>Uh. No.
>..
"I mean, no."
>The two mares blink at you in confusion (Applejack still smirking)
>Applebloom trots around the cart, noticing you.
>"Oh, hello Anon! Ah-"
>She abruptly interrupts herself, blushes and glances at Applejack and Lyra.
>"Uhh.. Well, nothing more to it, ah guess! See you later!"
>She trots back behind the cart, humming distinctly.
>Three awkward seconds go by.
"Uh, well then.. yeah, no. I don't need anything. ..Unless you need me to get anything, Lyra?"
>She picks up a pair of saddlebags from beside the cart, levitating them across her withers.
>"Oh no~! That's fine.. I have plenty of food. And-.. well, you couldn't possibly eat more than my neighbour, and she's over all the time."
"Oh? Well, I'm looking forward to probably meeting her then. ..Wait a minute. Applejack?"
>Applejack stops looking at you casually
>and starts looking at you seductively.
>"Yes, sugarcube?"
"How did you know about the houseguest thing?"
>You glance over at Lyra.
"Does all of Ponyville know? I'm not a community project, you know."
>Lyra is about to say something, but Applejack beats her to it.
>"Twilight told me. Ya have a lot of friends here, Anon.. and we all only wants what's best for ya."
>You nod back to the orange earth pony mare, slightly flustered.
"Well.. Be seeing you, Applejack."
>"Likewise, Anon. Don't be a stranger!"
>You and Lyra continue on your way.
>
>Lyra lives on a cozy street on the outskirts of central Ponyville, not too far from the Carouselle Boutique.
>Other apartments line the entire street, and only slight differences in porch decor and apartment numbers set them apart.
>Lyra hums quietly to herself as she trots up the few steps to her door, and opens it.
>"Welcome to my home, Anonymous!"
>The doors in Ponyville were despite the ponies' size only slightly larger than human ones, owing to the ponies' quadrupedal nature.
>She enters and proceeds to quickly brush off her hooves with a set of brushes set into a wooden frame on the floor. (They called it a narrel.)
>You follow the large green mare into her apartment.
>The entrance leads directly into a mdoerately-sized living room, and you note a fresh pine scent in the air.
>You notice a lot of various string instruments: one lying on a desk, some hanging on the walls, etc.
>All of them different from human string instruments, and nearly all of them larger and with more spacing between the strings.
>You put down your bag next to Lyra's couch and ponder the string instruments.
>"I'll be just a second, Anon! Just putting away the food."
>As you look around, you notice a large golden plaque on the wall above a particularly well decorated table.
>At a glance, it looks like a commemorative prize of sorts. Lyra probably knows her stuff.
>You walk closer to the desk to study the big instrument on top of it (it looks like a weird, lopsided, oversized lute of sorts) lying there.
>It seems to be in a state of repair; two strings not yet fitted and a thin board of wood dislodged from the bowl casing.
>Lyra trots into the living room behind you.
>"Oh! Heh, yeah I don't have enough space for a workroom downstairs, so I tend to tinker around in here."
>Hm. Due to Lyra's recent membership in the PPP, you hadn't had any significant chances to smalltalk with her.
>Thus, you knew rather little about her. You made a mental note to ask her about her work later, considering you'd probably join her for a few days.
"So this is your hobby? Fixing instruments?"
>"Heh, well.. No, not really, but sometimes I do enjoy taking work home with me."
>Oh.
"Oh. So your job is fixing instruments?"
>"Yep! I work at Sombre Note's workshop, on the corner of Craftponies' Lane and Saddlerack Avenue. I only fix the string instruments, though."
"Wow. I guess you play some of them as well?"
>She glances up at the living room ceiling, her green striped tail swishing to one side.
>"Hmm.. A lot of them, yes. ..At least passably."
>She looks down at you again, the huge mare standing close enough to certainly make you feel the difference in size.
>"At least I hope so. I'm best with the lyre though, but you probably guessed that.. Heh."
>You nod. You DID guess that. Still, you had encountered far too many cutiemarks with obtuse meanings/implications to jump to any assumptions.
>Reaching a hand over to the instrument, you gently pluck a string. The string is rather hefty, and it makes a sharp, deep tone which resonates a bit oddly.
"I can see the strings here are spaced normally. An earth pony or pegasus could play this. Wouldn't a lyre be difficult for them due to the strings being closer together?"
>She takes a step closer, her head looming over yours.
>Her mane tickles one of your ears.
>Goddamn her hair smells wonderful. Like-.. aloe vera? Something fruity and herbal?
>A gentle, slightly hissing thrum accompanies her magic aura lifting the instrument.
>"Eh, weell.. It's actually kind of interesting."
>You take a small step to the side, allowing her better access to the worktable.
>"This is a court perriner, a kind of archaic instrument commonly used by those working as entertainers for noble families. That's pretty much all I know about its history.."
>She sets the instrument down again.
>"The lyre is different, though.. It's a very old instrument from the pre-classical era, when instrumental music still was a predominantly unicorn thing."
>She absent-mindedly starts affixing one of the strings using her magic.
>You inadvertently touch her shoulder with your forearm, and immediately feel her start to gently lean against you.
>(This happened more times and with more ponies than you could count.)
>"After the Council of Neighcaea--you know, when pretty much everything unicorn-specific was frowned upon and kept discreet--the lyre was one of the instruments most harshly stigmatized."
>You look up at her, noting her graceful and feminine jawline..
>..Wow dude. Been mirin a lot lately, eh? ..No humans around to slobber over, so-
>Shut up, brain.
>Lyra *is* cute, though.. Her golden eyes sparkle as she fixes the instrument while talking.
>"Sadly, the stigma remained--especially in noble circles--even for some time after the Reclamation treaties."
>"Of course, today only the most awkwardly old-fashined of pony nobility would have any diminished respect for the instrument or its player."
>She frowns slightly in concentration, and the string starts to vibrate constantly. A handy trick pertaining to her magic, no doubt.
>A knob at the instrument's top turns, and the pitch shifts. Quickly at first, and then more slowly, before you hardly hear any change at all, then it goes silent.
>She smiles sweetly, and looks back at you.
>"Lyre is a simple instrument, though. Heh.. You can't really do much impressive stuff with it. Still, it fits me perfectly.-"
>She turns around and starts trotting towards a large set of stairs leading from the living room.
>"- I was never any good at advanced harmonies and such anyway. I like playing and inventing simple melodies more."
>You follow her.
"I think it's a lovely instrument, and versatile."
>She beams, cranes her neck, and flicks her tail, looking happy as sunshine.
>"Thanks! Follow me and I'll show you where you'll be sleeping."
>You grab your stuff from the living room and follow Lyra up the stairs.
>The second floor seems to be as expansive as the first, naturally enough.
>Lyra shows you the huge bathroom, a tiny storage room (filled with a large dresser, a chest, and what looks like winter clothing), and then leads you to her own bedroom.
>"Well.. This is where I sleep. Heh."
>You follow her rounded rump into a large room with a large bed, a window and a huge dresser and wardrobe.
>The curtain-drapes are a light refreshing minty green. Heh.
>There's also a nightstand and a wooden chest, but all in all the room is sparsely decorated and serene.
>On the nightstand next to Lyra's bed is a large, heavy-looking brass lyre on a stand.
>You smile to yourself.
"There she is."
>Lyra turns her head to look at you, before glancing over at the lyre.
>"Oh, heheh.."
>She flicks her mane away from her eyes.
>"I've always liked sleeping next to it, even though I rarely play in here."
"Is it always this tidy?"
>You smirk at the green mare as you bump her flanks lightly with your shoulder.
>She grins at you and takes a few sassy steps further into the room, flicking her long tail as she does so.
>"Well of course! The mess is naturally in the room where you'll be sleeping~!"
>You fold your arms jokingly, glancing over the room once more and pursing your lips.
"Hm. Maybe I should sleep here then?"
>Lyra, mid-step, freezes.
>A slight blush forms on her cheeks as she slowly raises her head and turns it back forward, looking away from you.
>Her mouth opens and closes a few times, although she says nothing.
>Oh dear. You've-uh.. done goofed maybe there, sir
"Hey-uh, heh, just joking. Don't worry, you won't even know I'm sleeping with you. -I mean sleeping in your house. So-uh.. where's my room?"
>Lyra slowly closes her mouth, still staring blankly forward, before a tiny smile blossoms on her lips.
>She turns around and walk past you.
>You open your mouth to say something casual, but a playful flick of Lyra's tail envelops your head and face in striped sweet-smelling velvet hair.
"Mmf-! Ppth-"
>She smells divine; a fruity, herbal aloe-vera-like scent.
>Before you have time to react, the great mare exits the room, her silky tail freeing your bewildered senses.
>"Come on, let me show you where you're staying."
>
>"Here's your room for the week, Anon."
>Lyra leads you into a nicely decorated and also fair-sized room. In the room is a tidy workbench and a couch filled with colourful pillows.
>A moderately sized window leads to the back yard, several potted plants decorating the wide inside windowsill.
>There's also a pony chair/stool--rather similar to a human chair, only larger, bulkier and without armrests--in one of the room's corners next to a small table with a large crystallophone.
>Hm, that's pretty sweet.
>There are paintings on every wall, and an unlit candle is on the workbench.
>The warm glow of a simple chandelier's alchemical lamps gives the room a cozy feel.
>All in all, the room's colours and decor give you a feeling of creativity and art.
>"I guess it's my 'music room' or something.. I usually play here, or convert it into a workroom of sorts when I have lots to do or enough guests over that I have to move things up from downstairs."
>The couch is--like most other pony couches--enormous; low to the ground, long, and wide as fuck.
>"I'll go get you some bedsheets and a blanket."
>She trots back out into the hallway.
>Well, this could be nice. The room was big enough, and the couch would be like a king-size bed for a human.
>Besides, you could stay out of Lyra's hair. Keep to yourself a bit.
>You put your bag down next to the couch and sit down on it.
>It was a rather dandy dark blue couch with ochre embellishments along the back cushions and armrests.
>Wide enough for you to lie down straight backwards from sitting and still not touch the backrest with your head. You do just that.
>Dayum.. this would make a fine bed. The colourful pretty pillows wouldn't hurt either.
>You get up and walk over to the workbench with the candle.
>You turn the tiny ignition crystal in the candlestick, and the candle lights.
>As you run your hand over the workbench, you realize you could use it for projects, should the need to fix somepony's small yet complex (most often mechanical) problem suddenly arise.
>That way you wouldn't have to head home or find some other place to do emergency work, anyway.
>You walk over to the table with the crystallophone and sit down on the slightly oversized chair.
>You'd seen quite a few models around.. Whilst simple in design and operation, the audio quality sadly left much to be desired.
>(Then again, pony music wasn't really that sophisticated either. ..that, or maybe the harmonies and progressions were simply lost somewhat on your alien nature.)
>You reach over and adjust the primary attenuation crystal, before clicking a dark grey purplish-iridescent disc into place.
>(They called them "vinyls" yet you were fairly certain that the material wasn't what you were used to, even though the properties seemed similar.)
>Glancing at the crystalline-yet-slightly-flexible disc, you see a small label with "Heartstrings" scribbled on it stuck to its middle.
>Just as you're about to push the reader-ring into position, Lyra enters the room bearing a stack of assorted textiles.
>The gentle smile on her muzzle disappears when she sees you about to turn on the machine.
>"O-oh! Please don't-.. I mean-.."
>You withdraw your hand, raising an eyebrow at the green mare.
>She visibly swallows, blinks a few times, and slowly levitates the stack of bedding down on the couch.
>"It's just that-.. Well, I don't think it's time for that now. Let me find you something worthwhile to listen to."
>You nod, looking at her closely, and stand up.
"Yeah no worries, I was just checking out the room. Just being curious."
>She smiles, although you think there might not be as much joy in it as you're used to seeing.
>The telltale sound of her magic intensifies as she starts fixing up the couch.
>Pillows, pillow covers, the blanket and sheets whirl about in a veritable textile whirlwind as she prepares your bed.
>You start unpacking your things as well, insofar as moving your toiletry bag and bag could be called unpacking anyway.
>Mama didn' raise no foo' tho
>You're now thoroughly curious as to what's on that vinyl plate.
>Poor Lyra seemed awfully flustered, so you guess asking--even indirectly--will have to wait.
>Smiling to yourself, you assume you'd probably be embarrassed as well over someone else hearing your own voice or playing.
>You finish up the room quickly enough, leaving you to marvel and look forward to your own king-sized bed.
>
>Eventually, the both of you head downstairs to the living room again.
>You sit down in a large comfy chair meant for a single pony as Lyra goes to the kitchen.
>"Would you like some tea, Anonymous?"
"Yeah, sure!"
>"What kind?"
>..
"Uh..The same as you."
>What are you, British?
>(.. Well, you don't really know now, do you?)
>Besides, instead of Earl Grey it would probably be Lady Lovelace or Duke Dogood or somesuch here.
>After a little while Lyra comes back to the living room bearing two cups.
>..You estimate the amount of tea in your cup (or mug, rather) to be about a quart. Welp.
>Lyra herself places her cup on the table and lies down on the massive couch.
>Even with the huge mare, there's still room for half-a-pony more.
"So Lyra, why did you join the poetry club?"
>She smiles and flicks an ear.
>"Well, a friend of mine--she's a cellist for the Ponyville Philharmonic--knows a lot about musical history. Not as much as Symphony, I think, but then again.."
>She blinks.
>"..I don't really know Symphony that well. Anyway, Octavia--my friend--was telling me about how in ancient Equestrian music, the libretto was way more important than today."
>As you sip your tea, you realize it's actually not bad. Could be a tad sweeter, but at the same time its pepperminty freshness is great on its own.
>Huh. How about that.
>"So, in a rush of inspiration towards finding out more about classical and pre-classical Equestrian lyricism, I thought poetry would be a great place to start."
"And how do you find it?"
>"Well.. They're a great bunch, that's for sure. All in all, I like it. Some of the poetry can be really boring, of course.. You should've heard Symphony before you joined us."
>She tilts her head back in thought.
>"Back then she actually recited from time to time.. Celestia.. I don't know whether it was boring or disturbing.. Anyway-"
>Lyra smiles at you again.
>"What about you? Why did you join?"
>You sigh, setting your large tea-mug back on the table.
"I was-... coerced."
>"Wh-.. By whom?"
"Princess Twilight.. Thanks to a wayward suggestion from Mayor Mare who overheard Twilight giving me a speech on fitting in and integrating more."
>A few seconds pass, before Lyra hesitantly glances at you
>"Wow. They were-uh.. on you from the start, huh?"
>You grimace and take a swig of tea again.
"God damnit, yes. First 'politely coerced' recruitment, then mandated social experiment."
>You sigh again, staring down into the slightly tinted liquid in your cup.
>Eventually, Lyra speaks up, softly
>"W-well.. I think it's lovely that I have the chance to get to know you better."
>Glancing at the green mare, you see she's also studying the bottom of her teacup.
>She's also blushing slightly.
>Heh, aww. Such a kindhearted gi- mare.. She probably has few friends around, and so feels lonely.
>Well, you can relate.
>..
>Wait what?! No way, son. You sayin' you needin' help now?
>N-no. B-baka.
"I think getting to know you will be awesome too, Lyra."
>She looks back at you, her large golden eyes sparkling with a question.
>A few seconds go by.
"So, did you grow up in Ponyville?"
>She startles slightly, blinking, before replying
>"Huh? Wha-.. Oh, no. No, I grew up in Detrot, but moved to Ponyville because of the demand for string instrument repairmares."
>Well alright then.. that doesn't really tell you anything, though.
"I see. But why did you m-"
>"Enough about me already, you simply HAVE to tell me more about the world you're from!"
>She grins excitedly.
>"Is it really true that you're from another world?! I know it said so in the Celestial Times and stuff, but you never know, right?"
>You scratch your head, somewhat dreading the impending relapse into trying to figure out your past..
"Hmm.. Well, you see-.."
>For a few seconds you ponder the possibilities of being in the same universe, based on what you can recall about modern Earth physics and cosmology..
>Supposing it COULD even be possible that you're in the same universe, it would be highly unlikely.. but you guess the term "other world" could apply in either case.
>"Yes, I'm from another world. I remember it clearly and vividly, it's just-.. there's one thing missing."
>"What's that?"
"Me."
>Lyra frowns in confusion.
"I can't-.. for the life of me remember anything about myself or my own life.. Who my parents were, family, anything like that.. I-.. I don't even remember which country I used to live in."
>Might as well tell her the truth. No use in lying about things like these, and over the last four months you'd come to terms with it anyway.
>..Sort of.
"It's like all the info is there: concepts, history, known figures.. but myself, I-.. Everything concerning myself just-.. isn't."
>You take another sip of tea, before shaking your head slowly.
"I can't explain it. At the same time I feel as if I should be feeling more uncomfortable concerning this, but I just don't. I still feel that I'm-.. 'me' somehow."
>Sighing, you put your cup back on the table.
"I suppose it'll come back in time. Or at least I hope so."
>..
>..Do you now?   ..Sure about that, Anonymous?
>..
>You swallow, and shake your head.
>Glancing up at Lyra again, you see she's absolutely enthralled with everything you're saying; her lips slightly parted and her ears pointing straight up.
>And-.. there's that sparkle in her eyes again. Huh.
>"I didn't know that.."
"Yeah, heh.. Well, as I said, it's not soul-wrenchingly discomforting.  ..oddly enough. I'm fine."
>She nods slowly, repositioning herself slightly on the couch.
>"And what's your world like? In the news articles about you there was-... almost nothing. Are you really the only sentient species?"
>You nod.
"Yep. I guess you could see us humans as-.. the caretakers of our planet. Granted, there's been some ecological trouble because of us in the past, but we've always had enough concerned majorities to not let it go too far."
>You think back to the calm, gentle tone in which Celestia, Luna, Cadance and Twilight had inquired about your world..
>About how you gave them the bare minimum; enough to pique their curiosity, enough superficial stuff to sufficiently sate it.
>You knew from the look Celestia gave you that at least she knew there had to be more to it, though.
>But she didn't judge you.
>..The wisest, most respected princess of a nation of kind-hearted giant equines..
>Never once had she looked at you in distrust.
>Her soulful eyes might just pull confessions about every sin in existence out of you.
>(..that is, had you remembered committing any)
>Damn. ..and if you had, she'd probably still forgive everything, and console you wholeheartedly throughout.
>"How is it like? Pretty much everything the newspapers said was that it was very technologically advanced..?"
"Well, yes."
>That was pretty much the extent of the specificity you had shown the princesses too.
>You didn't even want to hint at something that could introduce human technology in Equestria.
>..at least not yet.
>Their medicine, for instance, was rather lacking in scope (whilst the art of medicinal and healing magic was a science all on its own--and a huge one at that)
>..They would certainly benefit from human "physical" medicine, all potential differences in physiology and biochemistry aside.
>So.. You guess you could drop some clues here and there about germ theory or something.. how vaccination worked..
>Doing such a thing would most likely change their world, however. ..and knowing whether such a change is for better or worse..
>.. Shit. You guess you'll wait for now. Besides, you're fairly certain you don't have in-depth knowledge of any particular science at all.
>Oh well, you could just chalk THAT up to being mysteriously vague. Heh.
"It IS a marvellous place.. Let me tell you about some of our cities..-"
>
>You sit for a while, telling Lyra about Earth and its wonders. She stares at you wide-eyed all throughout, asking questions now and then.
>You tell her approximately as much as you told Twilight about Earth; Hinting at humanity's wars in the past, and the socio-political stability amongst the developed countries in recent times..
>Being deliberately vague here and there, you can see she's wholeheartedly intrigued, leaning towards you so as to not miss a word.
>You tell her about the lunar landings long ago, the Mars colonies and the space elevator on Borneo.
>When Lyra asks about human sociality and culture, you explain to the best of your ability that it's hideously complex, yet surprisingly uniform in its conventions due to over a century of near-worldwide internet access.
>As the hours go by, you start getting more and more enthusiastic.
>Consequently, it takes more and more willpower to.. well, regulate what to tell her or not.
>Eventually though, as Lyra laughs at your telling of some weird fact concerning Earth cartoons, you notice you're getting hungry.
"Say.. What do you say we get something to eat?"
>She jerks her head around toward the kitchen.
>"Oh, damn! I forgot all about that.."
>She sighs wistfully, flicking her long tail about as she smiles at you.
>"I'd love to hear more later, though.."
"Sure thing, Lyra."
>She gets up just as you do and trots toward the kitchen, levitating your tea mugs along.
>"I'll get started on dinner, you just make yourself at home."
"Well, in that case I'll definitely help you out."
>"Oh, there's no need. You're a guest, Anonymous!"
>You cringe as you briefly consider the concept of having guests...
>That is, there are two kinds of guests: Firstly and--by far--mostly, those that you constantly feel you have to "entertain" or wait upon.
>Good fun if they're good friends or people of course, but in the long run they'll wear you out.
>Then there's the other kind: Those so close to you, whether due to family, good old friendship or interpersonal chemistry, that they take care of themselves.
>Helping you out around the house, fixing food for themselves (and you, from time to time!)..
>Damn, guests like that could stay nearly forever, lessening your burden as a host instead of increasing it.
"Nah, I'm not going to be that kind of guest."
>You smile at her.
>She grins back at you as you follow her into the kitchen.
>..You swallow hard as you suppress the odd sensation of not remembering whether or not you've ever had any guests before..
>So how the fuck do you-?
>God damnit.
>Welp, no use in thinking about that when you're about to cook with a beaut-..uh.. nice young mare.
>Shaking your head to clear away the heretical thoughts, you start following Lyra's instructions.
>She instructs you in making an eggplant gratin with cheese and a proper salad.
>When the time comes to consume your mutual culinary masterpiece, you sit on one of Lyra's pony-chairs around her kitchen table.
>The ponies were fond of using chairs that actually resembled human-sized ones in height, at least when not sitting on pillows or the floor.
>Their tables were also at a not too far-off height for human use.
>All in all, the meal is a pleasant one, interspersed with casual conversation and light joking.
>..
>Afterwards, you help your green-furred host clean up.
>She hums adorably to herself nearly all the while you do so.
>When cleaning the dishes, you eventually notice her humming has stopped.
>Glancing at her, you see she's watching your work.
"What is it?"
>She leans closer towards you, seemingly inspecting your hands.
>"Oh, it's just-.. those hands of yours sure are useful."
>She steps closer to you and the sink.
>"For earth ponies and pegasi, doing the dishes or other things like that are lengthy rituals that often the whole family joins in on, unless one of them is a unicorn."
>She smiles lightly.
>"I tried learning a cleaning spell for dishes once, but it was too hard. It's still fairly quick using simple telekinesis, though."
>You nod at the green mare as you finish up.
>Together you head back into the living-room, content to sit as you did earlier and talk about more small things.
>Lyra asks you about your initial settling in Equestria; about how you were treated and how you felt.
>You can feel her dying to know more about Earth, but she probably believes touching the subject too much in one day will be bad for your emotional health.
>After some time has passed she starts yawning, hiding each adorable yawn behind a hoof.
"You should probably get to bed, huh? Work tomorrow, right?"
>She nods, eyes half closed in an adorable tired manner.
>"Yeah. ..and then for the rest of the week as usual, until the weekend."
>She lays her head down on her forelegs, smiling and looking at you dreamily.
>"Any plans for tomorrow? I asked Mr. Note if it was alright for you to join me at work, and he said he would be thrilled to have you there. It's up to you though, of course."
>Well, you could just laze around all day, but you were far too restless for that.
>Also, you really weren't-..adjusted enough that simply strolling about Ponyville and doing nothing would relax you.
>Staying at Lyra's place and hoping for some of your own work to find you was a possibility. That, or you could visit your regulars, see if they needed anything dexterously handled or fixed.
>After a moment's thought, you decide that coming with Lyra to work would be the best option, if not just to try it out.
"Alright, I'll come with you tomorrow, then. I hope it's okay with you, and not just your boss..?"
>The large green mare smiles tiredly as she gets up from the couch.
>"Of course it is, Anon~"
>She stretches languidly and starts heading up the stairs.
>"Well, I'm off to bed. Want me to wake you, or..?"
>You're about to reply that you have your own crystal timekeeper that Twilight got you
>..except you left it at your own place.
"Yeah, that would be great. Thanks."
>You follow her up the stairs.
>Before parting ways to prepare yourselves for bed, you stop the mint green mare.
"Lyra?"
>She turns towards you and looks down at you questioningly.
>You step toward her until you're right in front of her plushy chest.
>She lifts a foreleg slightly, unsure of what you're doing.
>Embracing her and resting your arms on her back, you gently press your cheek against the side of her warm, velvety neck.
"Thank you, Lyra. I feel much better about this whole thing already, all thanks to the hospitality you've shown me today."
>She shifts slightly, and then sighs softly. You feel her body relaxing.
>"Uh-... I-.. I didn't really-.."
>She bends her neck down to reciprocate the hug, and a few bangs of her mane cascade down around your head.
>You feel her foreleg curl behind you, pressing you against her ever so slightly.
>"Y-you're-..y-you're welcome.. Anonymous."
>You stroke her mane a few times and give the mare a final gentle squeeze.
>As you start to let go, you feel a slight reluctance on her part.
"I'll see you tomorrow then. Good night!"
>"Yeah... Tomorrow. Anonymous."
>Smiling at the huge pony mare, you start walking towards your room to get your toothbrush.
>Hearing no sounds of movement behind you, you glance over your shoulder, only to see a flustered and blushing Lyra still standing where you left her.
>When she sees you glancing at her, she startles and glances feverishly at everything but you.
>"Good night to you too!"
>Huh, such an odd mare.
>Smiling and waving at her, you head off into your room.
>
>A short while later, you're lying on the large couch-turned-guest bed in Lyra's 'music room'.
>The thought of being a guest of someon- somepony this kind makes you smile to yourself.
>You think back to the conversations you had, the dinner, and not to mention the cozy hug.
>This really wasn't that bad. Maybe this really was what you needed after all? Hm.
>As your eyelids grow heavy and your mind starts wandering off to wherever it strays right before sleep, you're reminded of something:
>A deep lustrous sparkle from a pair of gorgeous golden eyes.
>This really wasn't bad at all.
>..