???: 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!

Lyra: Bon-Bon. Psst. Bon-Bon!
Bon-Bon: I’m only sitting across from you, Lyra.
Lyra: We have to get out of here! This place is even more expensive than I thought!

Bon-Bon: I told you not to worry about it.

Lyra: Why are we even here? Most of crap on this menu is more expensive than a week’s groceries!

Bon-Bon: Because you will learn what good food tastes like if I literally have to shove it down your throat.

Lyra: I know what good food tastes like!

Bon-Bon: No. You know what passable food tastes like. You probably know what okay food tastes like. And you might’ve even had overpriced food. But there is no mistaking good food. And if you’d had it before you wouldn’t eat half of the slop you do with a grin.
Lyra: Bet me…
Bon-Bon: And unfortunately the only place in Ponyville that serves good food is on the pricier side. I consider it an investment in your culinary education.

Tootsie: Do I order from the cheap menu or the expensive menu?

Bon-Bon: Your mother will be covering you.

Tootsie: Sweet!

Did you see?! What an amazing effect on top of an amazing performance! How did they do that?!

Bon-Bon: It was nice of your bosses to finally give you a Saturday off.

Lyra: You’d think it was the least they could do after forcing me to work on Nightmare Night, sick and throwing up. Last real day off I had was to visit the fillies and colts at the end of the school year in June. I practically had to chop off my hooves this time. The new company is pretty cruel.

Bon-Bon: Well, I’m just glad you’ll be here. And to see Countess Coloratura no less!

Lyra: Me too! I’m looking forward to tonight! She might not be my favorite, but she can sing really well under all that drama! Seems kinda silly to open with your headline act, though. But I guess she probably wouldn’t agree to less.

Lyra: Okay. That’s all she wrote.

Bon-Bon: I’m excited!

Lyra: Really? I’m embarrassed.

Bon-Bon: Stop stalling and serve the thing!

Lyra: Here. Go nuts.
Bon-Bon: Hmm…
Lyra: It’s awful, isn’t it?
Bon-Bon: Of course not! It’s great! You did a great job.

Lyra: I’m delighted. I feel like a yearling.

Bon-Bon: Lyra, you have to start somewhere.

Lyra: This feels more like the starting point for somepony who’s a fire hazard.

Bon-Bon: It’s about following directions and not looking for a shortcut. When you’ve had experience, then you can start trying new things and going by taste. Real taste. Not lots-of-salt taste. But this was a good step! We’ll build from here!

Ribbon: It looks just like the pictures. Absolutely amazing, Tootsie!

Tootsie: Liza.

Ribbon: Liza. Yes. I’m just so proud of you!

Tootsie: Thanks!

Ribbon: I mean, you display such proficiency and skill-
Tootsie: Mom.
Ribbon: I can’t imagine you doing anything else!
Tootsie: Mom.
Ribbon: If you’re this good now, just think of what you’ll be capable of in the-
Tootsie: Mom!

Ribbon: Alright, alright. Go grab your things. I’ll carry your horticulture marvel. I’m sure your father will be delighted to see your work! Look Bonnie!

Bon-Bon: I’ve been watching her take care of that flower for the last few months, Ribbon.

Ribbon: But just look here! Where the leaves change color? The book says that’s very hard to do!

Bon-Bon: And that’s wonderful, Ribbon! I’m happy for Liza.

Ribbon: Oh you shush. I’m a mother and I’m proud of my daughter’s work. Nothing more.

Bon-Bon: Right… Can you hurry up and get that thing out of here? Lyra’s been sneezing like mad ever since it bloomed.

Ribbon: Really? Almost a shame to take it then.

Bon-Bon: I don’t know what got between you two, but I don’t like it.

Ribbon: She won’t like it either…

Bon-Bon: I didn’t catch that?

Ribbon: Oh-uh, our maid, dear. She has allergies too. I’m sure she won’t like the flower either. But nothing for you to be concerned with!

Lyra: I’m happy for them. Ecstatic even! Sweetie Belle and her friends worked really hard and they deserve their cutie marks.

B: Sure.

Lyra: It’s just… No. I’m happy for them. Nothing else. That’s it.

[Pause]

B: This has never happened before.

Lyra: No it hasn’t… In all of recorded pony history there has never been such a thing as a shared cutie mark.

B: Unique cutie marks are rare as is. Even a pony like Twilight doesn’t have one.

Lyra: I know. Rainbow Dash’s tri-colored lighting cloud is unusual enough. But three unique cutie marks, all bearing an obvious connection?

B: More than strange. But compared to the last thousand years there’s been more reality shaping events than ever before. The Nightmare, Discord, Tirek. Magic and Cutie Marks being stripped away and restored. Dimensions crossing. Harmony being disrupted. The unseen forces that guide us may be reacting to it all.

Lyra: But why this? What does it all mean?

B: Our world is in flux. Magic is changing.

Sorry I haven’t wrote anything in you in like… 2 years. Lyra says that days turn to weeks and weeks turn to months and before you know it years have past and you don’t know what you’re doing with your life anymore. That might be an exaggeration. I’m honestly not sure.

I just wanted to write down my feelings before all of this just becomes normal. I spent more time than I would have liked with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. Silver Spoon seemed kind of stuck up and proud, but Diamond Tiara was just this mean, controlling thing. I haven’t forgotten the ring of secrets she held over us, but it seems like such a long time ago.

After we came back from… our trip… They were a little nicer to me, but it was still all about being the best to them. Diamond Tiara, more than Silver Spoon, would do anything in her power to manipulate and blackmail others into getting what she wanted. Then this election thing happened. And suddenly everypony was ready to finally stand up as one against them. Against her.

Pipsqueak was the start, but it was the Cutie Mark Crusaders that rallied everypony together. Despite her threats and taunts, or maybe even in spite of them, Diamond Tiara lost. And not just a small contest, but something big. She lost her control. And she lost her friend. Perhaps it was wrong of me, but I immediately took the opportunity to hang out with Silver Spoon in her place. She was always so much more approachable when Diamond Tiara wasn’t around. We had fun. We played. I thought this was some huge change.

But then, Diamond Tiara. She told off her mother. Told her off in front of everypony. Just like I did… In that moment I felt like maybe she and I weren’t so different. As I watched it all unfold I felt like the entire world must have been changing. Diamond Tiara and the CMC as friends? They were the two biggest causes for conflict in the school! If they weren’t at each others’ throats anymore… Nothing would be the same! No more fighting! No more picking sides!

Maybe it won’t last. Maybe this is just a phase and everything will go back to how it was. But I hope it doesn’t. I feel… free. Like I can breathe again. Like I’m allowed to be a kid again.

~ Liza “Tootsie Flute“ Doolots

P.S.: The new playground is really cool! And so are the CMC’s cutie marks! I wish I had a shared cutie mark.

Wooooow, @askheartandviolet. There has most certainly been a misunderstanding, though. I was joking about the weapon thing. I didn’t think anypony claiming to be a warrior would be foalish enough to bring a weapon in a one-on-one against a unicorn. Even in a spar, where I’m supposed to go easy on you, that’d be far too unrealistic. But I guess that’s what happens when you remain close-minded to other fighting styles in your own blind overconfidence. Pardon the crude visual aids.

And this is just me and my limited magic. A more gifted unicorn would probably magnetize your claws to your armor so you couldn’t even stand up!

This is the entire reason why no division of the Equestrian Guard employs armed patrols! The use of weaponry in civilized combat is as archaic and backwards as your notions of training! The whole reason we’d spar hoof-to-hoof would be to give you the advantage! You’re faster, probably have more experience, and I hope would be in better shape.

And you can have the advantage because I don’t mind losing! Winning only reinforces what you already know. Losing is how you learn what to do different next time. I would have thought that to be a millennia old concept. But hey, you grew up sheltered and unexposed, and that’s not your fault. But remaining that way is.

Oh, and you can forget about the spar. You’re clearly beneath me. Even holding back I’d probably hurt you.

Lyra: I don’t know. I didn’t like the first episode since the hiatus ended. I just really liked the second one.

Blossomforth: Well, what about the song?

Lyra: Ugh. It was like they were trying to channel Art In Distress and wound up with Raze This Barn.

Blossomforth: I liked Raze this Barn!

Lyra: What? Is there a single song you don’t like?

Blossomforth: I didn’t like In This Town.

Lyra: Are you kidding me? You didn’t like the one song that’s intentionally unnerving, but you liked Raze This Barn?

Blossomforth: There’s nothing creepy about Raze This Barn! It’s about how we shouldn’t fear natural destructive forces!

Lyra: You read an analysis online, didn’t you?

Blossomforth: N-No?

Lyra: Anyway. I did really like Rafferty and Rainart in the newest episode.

Blossomforth: So did I! It was great! Couldn’t you just scream when Raff booped Rain’s nose?

Lyra: Oh Cels… You’re Rainerty shipping trash aren’t you?

Blossomforth: But they’re so good together!

Lyra: Everypony knows Jakerty is the one true ship.

Blossomforth: Is not!

Lyra: I don’t even know who lives here. I’d feel bad about peeking into an open window, but you did sneak into a castle. I mean, technically so did I, but only once. Twice. A smaller number than you.

[Rustle]

Lyra: Wait.. Is that…? Raindrops?!
Raindrops: [Gasp] … Uh… Hi.

Lyra: What are you doing? Oof. Have you lost your mind?

Raindrops: I… don’t know… what your…?
Lyra: Have you been stealing things from the human world?

Raindrops: No! Of course not…! I-… Yes! I mean no!

Lyra: Do you know how much trouble you could get in?! Do you?! Because I sure don’t! I can’t even comprehend how much trouble that is right now!

Raindrops: I know! I know! But-… Just look at this! These aren’t like the cheap, knockoff phones we have here! The charge on these things can last for days! And-and they don’t have to use texts to communicate. They can make phone calls! Real ones! Not like a crappy two-way radio! They connect to these towers that carry signals. Hundreds of signals! Thousand even! All at once! And these satellites! Floating around in space! Their connection is super fast! That’s why their internet is so powerful!

Lyra: Did you draw that chart?

Raindrops: And this paper! It’s so light and easy to carry! No more being weighted down by a hundred bits or less or carrying around fragile gemstones. And-and this stuff! It’s some kind of chemical. You spray it in somepony’s eyes when they try to attack you! Think about what this could have meant for us! Think about what it could mean for the future!

Lyra: Raindrops, stop!

Raindrops: And this thing! It shoots water out and spreads it all over the place! All that time spent scheduling rainfall and storms and supplying water to Cloudsdale when we could just let it go! Let the rain fall! Live like the Everfree! All that time wasted when we could be using our resources to better ourselves!

Lyra: But it’s not sustainable! All the resources spent on-!
Raindrops: Look at this bottle! Look how simple and elegant it is! And cheap! These things are mass-produced and sent all over their world! They’re battling thirst and hunger! Expanding their borders into territories we’d think were uninhabitable!

Lyra: Those things are non-biodegradable! They don’t decompose!
Raindrops: But what if they did? We have magic and they don’t!

Lyra: This has to stop! You can’t keep doing this!
Raindrops: I know! But… it means something, doesn’t it? There’s a bunch of alternate dimensions similar to ours, aren’t there? Why did the portal lead there? Why are we linked to their world? I know it’s a secret, but it doesn’t have to be a secret! It doesn’t have to be a hazard! We can help each other! We can change everything! [Heavy breathing]

Lyra: I… I’m not telling Twilight about this. But, Raindrops, you can’t go back there. Ever. I don’t know what all this means. And I certainly don’t know what all those charts mean. But you’re breaking the law. We can’t do that anymore.

Raindrops: I know… I never meant… I was just curious the first time.

Lyra: How did you even find out about it?

Raindrops: I saw all of you leaving the castle.
Lyra: [Omitted]. It was my fault.
Raindrops: Sorry!

Lyra: I have to go. I was never here. And you were never there! And this stuff… I don’t know how but it doesn’t exist. Not in this dimension. Do you understand?

Raindrops: Yes! I’m sorry! Thank you!

Lyra: Don’t mention it. Oof. Literally. Never mention any of this. Ever.

Stupid Ribbon… Stupid Bon-Bon… Stupid castle. Stupid pega-…!

Well well. And here I was thinking that whole thing had blown over. Finished with your light breaking-n-entering for the evening? Alright my little home invading friend, where are you headed tonight? Home maybe? Expect some company…

Ribbon: Lyra! What in Tartarus did you do?!

Lyra: Oh Cels… Can I go one shift without somepony yelling at me?

Ribbon: All those horseapples about “being on the same side” and you go on a date with her?!

Lyra: I had to! She made me!
Ribbon: Did she put a knife to your throat?! Because you just buried one in my back!

Lyra: It wasn’t that big of a deal!

Ribbon: Oh no? She must have talked for two hours about it! Going on and on about how much fun she had and how much she just loooved spending time with you!  You’d have thought you two were there all night!

Lyra: We didn’t even do anything!

Ribbon: You did enough! I-It’s like you rekindled a dying flame! How am I supposed to find somepony to compete against you for her affections now?! You have a neigh-insurmountable lead!

Lyra: I’m sorry!

Ribbon: Oooh, you’re not sorry yet. But you will be. You’ve made a powerful enemy this day- I’ll tell you that much! But you know what really burns my flank? Lyra? You know what really gets under my coat? How she said that it wasn’t special. That it felt so normal. Like it was just some ordinary night and that’s how things are supposed to be! It’s like you don’t even have to do anything!

[Pause]

Lyra: Ugh… I’m just going to stop getting out of bed.

Bon-Bon: You’re awful quiet since we left.

Lyra: I… don’t really know what to say.

Bon-Bon: Did you at least enjoy yourself?

Lyra: Of course! Yes! Absolutely! I’m just… you sang so well.

Bon-Bon: I should hope so. I’d been practicing that song for the last two months. Surprised I didn’t spoil things by humming it around the house or something.

Lyra: No, I was… completely…

Bon-Bon: I know… you don’t feel the same way about me that I do for you. You probably never will. But I want you to at least know how much you mean to me. How much having you here means to me. And one day when you leave-
Lyra: Bon-Bon I’m not-
Bon-Bon: I’m not naive, Lyra. I know you’re not going to stay here forever. Ponyville is like a vacation to you. A hideaway. It’s a nice place to get away from it all. You get to ignore things a bit. But one day you’re going to get restless and… you’re going to go back. Back to Canterlot or back to the bustle of some other city-I don’t know which. When that happens, I want you to know that I’ll still be here. No matter how long you’re gone. No matter what happens.

Lyra: I… don’t…

Bon-Bon: There’s nothing for you to say. I just want you to be happy.

Lyra: I just want you to be happy.

Bon-Bon: Then maybe one day we’ll both be happy.

Bon-Bon went up there to sing a song. Which honestly surprised me. I didn’t think she would. But she said this was the whole reason why she brought me here. With her taste in music I have no idea what she’s going to sing. She is very into pony and very not into human.

Weirder part is that things seem to be winding down, like this is the last song of the night. Did she set this up special or something? They’re messing with the lighting. I mean, of course she’s an incredible singer, but I never saw her as a closing act.

Alright, I need to shut up. It’s starting.

Oh [omitted]. I recognize this…