“Lyra, please talk to me. This isn’t like you.“
Despite the princess’s plea, Lyra’s eyes remained fixed on the floor.
“Are you afraid? I promise, we can protect you. You can stay here!“
When Princess Celestia lifted her hoof to raise Lyra’s head, Lyra jerked away.
“Are they holding something over you? Are you protecting somepony? Please talk to me, Lyra.“
___
“Lyra, please. Silence is not the answer. Aren’t pony’s lives at stake? This can’t get any better if you don’t say something.“
___
“Lyra, I know you’ve been angry with me. But if you can just put that aside…“
___
“Lyra, please say something! Anything!“
___
“Lyra! Lyra!“
___
Lyra
could feel the princess’s tears on her shoulder and she clutched at her
bedsheet. Though her mouth moved, she couldn’t speak a reply to the
nightmares. In the morning, she would find the tears had been her own.
“Lyra, I know you’re being forced into this.” Princess Celestia walked
toward Lyra and placed a wing around her, “Tell me who. Tell me how
they’re getting to you. Are there others? I promise we will find a way
to put a stop to this once and for-.“
Lyra took a step back and pushed the alicorn’s wing away, “Just send me away again. Like you did last time.“
“W-what?“
Princess Celestia, stunned, looked between the guards, searching for an
answer, “Lyra, that was over a year ago. Sunset Shimmer… I had
apologized for-… I’m sorry, Lyra. Please forgive me. But you must-“
Lyra shook her head, “I have nothing to say…“ She never even looked up.
“Lyra, what have you done?“ There was a hint of anger in the princess’s tone as she spoke, back turned.
“What
difference does it make?” Lyra pushed herself up and wiped some dirt
off her coat, “All those selfish ponies do is waste it anyway. You know
that money could actually mean something to-“
In a flash, Lyra’s gaze
was met with bright, glowing eyes and a thunderous shout, “TO WHOM DO
YOU SPEAK?!“ Lyra crumpled to the floor in a low bow and shivered. But
before she could reply, Princess Celestia turned her back to the filly,
“Take her. I haven’t the time or the patience.“
Lyra jumped to her
feet as fast as she could, but was already held by two soldiers, “No!
Please your highness!” She struggled against their grip, but was slowly
dragged away. “I’m sorry! Please! Just let me explain! Please!“
“Lyra…“ Princess Celestia stood at a distance in profile from Lyra.
Her eyes were closed and her head was lowered. Her shoulders sagged in
disappointment, “There were many witnesses… They… they said you
stole food. Why? Have you not been provided with enough to eat?“
Lyra
stood up and fought back tears, “There were others your highness!
Living on the streets! I was trying to help them! But I only took a
little! Nopony would miss it!“
The princess grit her teeth, “We are
responsible for our own actions.“ Lyra’s head fell and she too closed
her eyes. “If there are ponies going hungry, then we will do what we
can. But the law is the law. You must not…“
“A-gh! Let go of me! Let gooo!“
Lyra flailed against the
armored ponies dragging her down the massive hallway, but to no avail.
If she had the strength to fight back before, it had long since waned.
Two doors, easily ten times Lyra’s size, parted before them and the
light inside blinded her. She felt herself finally released onto the
carpet beneath her. And as her vision returned, a towering figure came
into view.
“Lyra? Are you alright?“ The pearl-white princess
of the sun knelt down to level herself with Lyra. “Please tell me what
happened. I know that what I heard cannot be true.“
Lyra’s forced
herself to her haunches and her eyes darted around the throne room. She
struggled against exhaustion to explain herself, “It… it wasn’t me! I
saw him steal it! I tried to stop him!“
“You tried?“ Princess Celestia drew back to give the filly space.
Lyra’s eyes widen, “I-I did! I did stop
him! I got the pouch back! I was going to return it! But then they
started yelling at me! I got scared and I ran! They were yelling at me!“
The
alicorn princess wrapped her long arm around Lyra and drew her in
close, “Shh… It’s alright, child. If you can tell us what he looked like…“
[Long pause]
Lyra: Why don’t you just say it?
B: Because I don’t have to. I already know the answer. You’re the one still struggling with the question.
Lyra: But I’m not!
B: And I’m not a trained psychologist. Which is something you happen to see on a regular basis. Maybe you should talk about this with her.
Lyra: I don’t want to talk about this at all!
B: Then why did you bring it up? I certainly don’t care. I’m concerned with your life, not your denial.
Lyra: I’m not-!
B: Stop. Instead of refuting every single thing you hear that you disagree with, why don’t you try turning it around into something that might have some real impact? Not “Am I jealous?” But “Why am I jealous?“ What is it about Twilight that makes her worth comparing yourself to? There are a hundred or more mares that have had an easier life than you that are better off to boot. Why Twilight? Has it always been Twilight?
Lyra: I… I don’t know…
B: And I’m not a trained psychologist.
Lyra: I can’t believe we’re even having this conversation.
Twilight: I just… never quite put two and two together, I guess.
Lyra: More than that, I can’t believe you didn’t get me! You came back to Ponyville for Pinkie Pie but you didn’t get me?!
Twilight: Well, I couldn’t carry Pinkie Pie and you at once.
Lyra: Alright, fine.
Twilight: I’m really sorry for how I treated you, Lyra.
Lyra: Yeah, well it’s not alright. I was never as smart, or as quick, or as clever, so I couldn’t even keep up with you and Moondancer. Quite clearly, I might as well have not even existed to you.
Twilight: I know! And I’m sorry! If I can just-
Lyra: But you know what really gets to me? All the help you’ve given me. I figured it was because we went way back. But not even knowing who I was? How could anypony have really changed that much? How could a pony that only had friends by association become this selfless… thing? … But I guess that’s why you became the princess. And me…?
Twilight: Lyra… I-
Lyra: I don’t really want to talk right now, Twilight. I just want to think to myself.
