Ribbon: I don’t… I mean I never…
Lyra: If you don’t know, I
can tell you. It’s because I’m an orphan. Because I’m poor. I have no
past and I might as well have no future.
Ribbon: That is not-!
Lyra:
I don’t belong in your life unless I’m one of those poor ponies begging
for your help: “They have to find me innocent, right?! I was never
there! I don’t even know them!“ You can’t stand that you have no power over me!
Ribbon: Bonnie shouldn’t have to-!
Lyra: You act like it’s about her, but it’s all about you, isn’t it?! I’m not what you want! I’m just a street urchin, or a drifter, or some Romarei slur I know better than to repeat under such context!
Ribbon: Romarei?
Lyra:
And if it’s not that then it’s just me! You despise everything I am!
Nothing would please you more than to have me locked up or banished for
the rest of my days! Anything to get me out of the way! You’d rather
Bon-Bon spend time with anypony else in Equestria! Anypony but me!
Ribbon: YOU DON’T DESERVE HER! You’re a filthy, foul-mouthed, wretched creature! And the very arrogance!
You think it’s you? You think you’re anything special?! Ha! I’d have a
line- A LINE- running out that door and around this little shack
seven-times over on rich ponies alone! The Bohun family matched wits with the princesses and, even in defeat, still came out on top! We’re practically nobility! Ponies would kill to marry into our family! And if that were all… If you knew what she’s done for us all…
Bon-Bon: She knows, Rebecca.
Ribbon: She… does? Even the name?
Bon-Bon: Even the name.
Ribbon:
And still? And still you swear in her presence!? Treat her like a commoner?!
Equestria- the princesses- neigh, the entire world owes itself to Samantha,
and that was before she joined the agency! Risked her life everyday!
Saved thousands of lives a hundred times over! My sister deserves the
hoof of a prince! Or a princess. Royalty and any rate! That’s why I only
ever brought her the best! Dignitaries! CEOs! Diplomats! The Captain of
the Wonderbolts-!
Lyra: Wait! Wait a minute! Spitfire? Spitfire was interested in Bon-Bon? You had a chance with Spitfire and turned it down?
Bon-Bon: She’s really not that great-
Lyra: Who else? Name names.
Ribbon: I- Uh… Emerald Beacon?
Lyra: Keep going.
Ribbon:
Professor Hayton? Filthy Rich before he got back together with his
wife, though even I’ll admit that was a poor judgement call on my part.
Then Marigold Riverside, Spitfire, Fleur Dis Lee-
Lyra: The famous model?! She donates, like, thousands of bits a year!
Bon-Bon: And she’ll continue to do so with or without me- I think we’re losing focus here.
Ribbon: Thank you for inviting me over, Bonnie. I appreciate the opportunity to… to… You’re blocking the doorway.
Bon-Bon: You did not ask for permission to enter.
Ribbon: I see… May I come inside, sister?
Bon-Bon: You may. And you may have a seat.
Ribbon: Ah. I… did not realize Lyra would be here.
Lyra: Looks like you don’t quite know everything then, huh?
Ribbon: This suddenly feels like a bad time-
Bon-Bon: Sit. Down. This? This is ending now. No backward comments, no whispering under your breath. I’m tried of this between you two.
Lyra: I didn’t do any-!
Bon-Bon: Shut. Up. You might paint yourself as a saint on your blog, but I know better. Rebecca, say your piece.
Ribbon: Lyra, I’m sorry for-
Bon-Bon: Stop. If I was born yesterday, that would make you even younger than me. I don’t want to hear a bunch of fake apologies as you both go back to plotting behind each others’ back.
Lyra: I never-!
Bon-Bon: Shut! UP! … Rebecca, look at me. I am not sorry for what I said and what I did. I haven’t forgiven you and, even if Lyra does, I probably never will. Flaunting your money I didn’t mind. The suitors? I could deal with. But you attacked my friend and I want to know why. What possible reason could you have to go out of your way to try and ruin somepony’s life?
MAMA !
—
Scooc! Hey! How’s it going!?
Ugh… It’s been 5 days…
I’m sick. Will return to updating soon. I hope.
1) Bon-Bon: They fired Lyra because of the content of her blog. Acting as a representative of the Equestrian Government means you can’t have publicly accessible information that they feel could create a negative image.
Bon-Bon: If they were emails or recorded conversations, then we’d have a clear case. Otherwise we’d have to prove that there’s nothing on Lyra’s blog that’s bad. And we all know that, if nothing else, there’s discussion of alcohol and links to songs with swears.
2) W…
…
What?
I feel like maybe there’s some information missing here.
Bon-Bon: So? How was it?
Lyra: A lot of the kids I used to work with have either moved or graduated.
Bon-Bon: Oh… I’m so sorry.
Lyra: The staff is mostly the same, but some familiar faces are gone.
Bon-Bon: Well, at least most of them are still there.
Lyra: It’s a lot of work. I don’t think I was physically prepared.
Bon-Bon: I understand.
Lyra: I missed it so much, Bon-Bon. It’s not easy, and a lot has changed, but I never realized how much I missed being there! Why in Equestria did I ever leave?
Bon-Bon: I’m so relieved to hear you say that.
Lyra: I just feel so much more accomplished! And lighter! That job at the train station was so stressful!
Bon-Bon: I’m glad you feel that way.
Lyra: Are… you alright? I kinda thought you’d be more excited for me.
[Pause]
Lyra: What are you going to do about Ribbon?
Bon-Bon: I… I don’t know yet. Every time I forgive her she does this to me all over again. She just… I don’t know yet. I don’t.
Lyra: Hello?
Ribbon: I know I’m probably the last pony in Equestria you want to see right now, but if you can just give me a minute to talk to you… Please?
Lyra: … What do I care?
Ribbon: I know we don’t get along. And I’m beginning to understand that I’m the one largely to blame. I’m still not convinced what I did was wrong, yet… I love my husband, contrary to what you might believe. But Bonnie… My sister means everything to me. If I were forced to choose between them… It would not even be a decision. [Sniff] I cannot bare the thought of living without her…
Ribbon: I tried. I talked and persuaded, civilly, financially, and legally, but they would not even consider reversing your dismissal. I… cannot undo what I did to you… No matter how much I wish I could. But… I remember how you used to talk about the fillies and colts, at the school? You would sound pleased with yourself. Not always, but-
Lyra: You…?
Ribbon: It’s not permanent. It will only last until the end of the school year, but it was all that I could manage at that particular location. I held the position for you. You’re free to start back tomorrow, if you’d like.
Lyra: … Thank you.
Ribbon: That’s more than I deserve. I wouldn’t dare ask for your forgiveness. I… If you mean that much to her, I don’t want either of you to ever feel the regret I do now. Especially not because of something I did…
[Pause]
Ribbon: Tootsie… Liza misses both of you dearly.
1) It was my fault… I brought this upon myself. I don’t deserve help…
2) Bon-Bon: Truffles.
Lyra: Pasta with cheese.
Bon-Bon: I think Liza likes that too…
Bon-Bon: How could you?!
Ribbon: I don’t see what she’s so broken up about. I did her a favor. She loathed that job. I half expected her to laugh in my face when I told her!
Bon-Bon: No… You knew. You knew how hard it is for her to get a job. And now you’ve not only hurt her, you’ve hurt me! Do you know how much debt we have right now? I’ve been depending on her paycheck!
Ribbon: Then I’ll give you the money you need. Let her have a vacation for all I care. It’s a non-issue. Or would that hurt your pride?
Bon-Bon: How… dare you! You take away our financial independence… and then have the nerve to insult me?!
Ribbon: I-
Bon-Bon: NO! Not another word! You crossed the line last time and I forgave you too soon! But this?! Y-You’re a traitor and a coward! You can tell Liza I’m sorry, but it would feel wrong for her to stay here where you’re no longer welcome.
Ribbon: What-?
Bon-Bon: Get out of my house! And don’t come back!
Ribbon: But-! Sister-!
Bon-Bon: I HAVE NO SISTER!
[Slam!]
Ribbon: Bonnie! … Bonnie…? What have I done…?
Ribbon: Hello, Lyra. How’s it going, Lyra?
Lyra: Ribbon? B-
Ribbon: I know Bon-Bon isn’t here. My revenge is against you, not her.
Lyra: W-what?
Ribbon: It’s a funny little thing you run. Your blog. You don’t always say the nicest things on there, do you? Hmm? But maybe that was just me. So I got to thinking, ‘Gee, perhaps I’m being unfair. Maybe I should ask for a second opinion…‘ Don’t quite follow yet? Some ponies who might feel like your image reflects their own?
Lyra: No…
Ribbon: No?
Lyra: Please.
Ribbon: Please?
Lyra: I’m begging you!
Ribbon: It’s too late for begging.
Lyra: [Gasp]
Ribbon: You’ll go into work tomorrow to a pink slip! I only came over see the look on your face! That’s what you get for crossing-…
Lyra: [Sob]
Ribbon: That’s… not quite…
Lyra: [Crying, fading into the distance]
Ribbon: I don’t… You were supposed to be angry… It’s just some lousy job you hated… Isn’t it?
no shut up
Lyra: Ugh… I’m home…
Bon-Bon: Hi, Lyra!
Lyra: Hey, Bon-Bon…
Jacques: Bonsoir, Lyra.
Lyra: Hey, Ja-oh what the [omitted]…
Bon-Bon: Sit down and eat this.
Lyra: What is it?
Bon-Bon: It’s food. You put it in your mouth? I’m told sometimes you use a utensil to do this. … Well?
Lyra: I mean, it’s pretty good.
Bon-Bon: How good is pretty good?
Lyra: Not as good as last night.
Jacques: But of course.
Bon-Bon: But better than what you usually eat, right?
Lyra: Yeah, sure.
Bon-Bon: Jacques, tell the mare how much that cost to make.
Jacques: Three bits; as much as one of your microwavable freezer-burns.
Lyra: This? This only cost three bits?
Bon-Bon: Scaled down per portion, yes. We made more than just that. And in only twenty minutes.
Lyra: That’s… incredible.
Bon-Bon: That’s the mark of a real chef. When you have only the best ingredients, the food speaks for itself. It takes skill and experience to make do with less.
Jacques: Education and connections to cultivate as well.
Bon-Bon: This is what I wanted to show you. Economics. Not the best food, but for the cost? Well, you said it yourself: pretty good! This is my goal for you. I want you to be able to do this.
Lyra: I have just one question.
Bon-Bon: Yes?
Lyra: Who is this colt?!
Jacques: I am… Jacques.
And then you can’t get back to sleep until you remember what it was that you forgot.
Lyra: I don’t understand.
Bon-Bon: Why that was so much better than anything I’ve ever made? Because good food doesn’t just happen. It can’t be replicated, imitated, or mass-produced. Good food comes from good ingredients, and good ingredients require the best, natural environments to grow. That means they have to ship those ingredients from those environments all over the world.
Bon-Bon: But those good ingredients can still be divided into grades, and then the best quality within those grades. When you order an expensive pasta, you might be getting that year’s best tomatoes, but only some of that year’s best grains. Without grading? Can you imagine a subpar ingredient in an otherwise exquisite dish?
Bon-Bon: And as if that wasn’t complicated enough, it’s all on a timetable. “The longer it takes to reach your plate the more it loses its luster.” That best tomato will probably not be in its best condition by the time you order it. That’s why good food isn’t… you can’t just hold it in your hooves. It’s chance. A series of conditions. A circumstance. An experience.
Bon-Bon: That’s why it’s such a big industry. Why so much money is spent to harvest, test, grade, purchase- sometimes auction. Ship as quickly as possible, store and prepare as quickly as possible. Of course there’s a profit to be made, but it’s as much a service to the world as any other art. It can change you. And just like the first time you ever hear a song, it will never be the same.
Lyra: Ah… Actually I meant I don’t understand why Jacques came home with us.
Jacques: I will be your waiter for this evening.
Lyra: That’s alright. You can go home, Jacques.
Jacques: Oh, of course! After such a fine meal you wish to be alone together!
Lyra: You know what? Nevermind. Please stay Jacques. I don’t want you to go anywhere.
Jacques: Mé… ménage à trois?
Lyra: Okay now you can leave for real.
???: Ah! Bonnie! So good of you to finally grace us with your presence!
Tootsie: Hi, Jacques!
Jacques: Salut, Lady Liza!
Bon-Bon: It’s a pleasure to be served by you, Jacques. This is Lyra.
Jacques: The maiden of honor herself-!
Lyra: And while I hate to start us off on the wrong hoof, your face is entirely too close to my face.
Jacques: Je vous prie d'accepter mes excuses. I am Jacques and I will be your waiter for this evening.
Lyra: Nice to meet you Jacques.
Jacques: How may I begin your dining experience tonight?
Bon-Bon: Well Lyra, if you’re done gawking at the menu, I’ll be ordering for the both of us.
Lyra: I can order for myself!
Bon-Bon: Sure you can. Soon as I can trust you to not order something cheap.
Tootsie: What about me?
Bon-Bon: Just don’t make yourself sick.
Tootsie: Suh-wee~t!
Lyra: Wait a minute! That’s not fair! She can order for herself but I can’t?!
Bon-Bon: She knows what food tastes like.
Tootsie: Heehee!