Tootsie: I don’t think this is helping… Lyra: It’s not a switch, Liza. It’s gonna take a while. Tootsie: I guess…
[Pause]
Lyra: How long had you been sneaking out? [Pause] What? You think you’re gonna get in more trouble? Tootsie: A few months… Lyra: So those students you were with, they weren’t just random ponies. They were your friends? [Pause] Liza. Tootsie: Yes. Alright? And now I can’t see them anymore because they’re in class all day and I’m in Manehattan on the weekends.
[Pause]
Lyra: You know… If you were to do something undeniably benevolent that left you tired in the evenings, you could go to bed earlier without any question. I mean, Bon-Bon? Ninty-nine times out of one hundred she’s so tired at the end of the day she can’t even think. Her head hits the pillow and she’s out. And… if you still woke up at night, regardless of why… Well, the only reason we knew you were sneaking out at all was because Princess Luna told us.
[Long Pause]
Tootsie: Nurse Redheart? How would I go about volunteering to help out here at the hospital?
Tootsie: It was fine. I’m just tired. Lyra: In a mad bid for filly-of-the-year, Liza has decided to volunteer at the hospital. Bon-Bon: Really? Are you sure about that, Liza? Tootsie: Yeah. But I’m going to go to sleep. Good night. Bon-Bon: Oh? But it’s still a little… early…
Lyra: She’s exhausted. Heck, I’m pretty tired. We must have crossed that hospital nine-times-over. Bon-Bon: How’d she do? Lyra: Well, she never passed out. [Pause] It’s a process. One trip was never going to cure anything.
Bon-Bon: What about you? Lyra: What about me? Bon-Bon: For somepony that jumped at the opportunity to help Liza, you sure have neglected to help yourself.
Lyra: Blood is unavoidable. The things I’ve seen no pony should ever experience again. So it doesn’t matter. Bon-Bon: Is that what Doctor
Reification
said? [Pause] No comment then? [Pause] Well Lyra, you can ignore me until I walk away. But your own problems? They’ll outlast you.
Lyra: Hey, Liza. Tootsie: Go away… [Sniff] Lyra: I know you’re upset, but I need to talk to you about something. It’s not related to the whole sneaking-out thing. Tootsie: What do you want?
Lyra: Bon-Bon told me about the blood dream. We spoke to Princess Luna about it. Tootsie: Princess Luna? Great. Now you can’t even stay out of my mind. Lyra: She said you’re subconsciously fixating on it when you sleep. Is that translating into daydreams? Tootsie: What do you care? Lyra: I’ve had similar problems in the past. I’ve seen faces twisted in agony, or heard tormented screams. It’s called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It’s pretty serious stuff. Do you ever feel afraid, but you’re not sure why? [Pause] How about guilty, but you did nothing wrong? [Pause] Was sneaking out at night affecting your sleep, or did you start sneaking out because you couldn’t sleep?
Tootsie: Sometimes, when I close my eyes, I can see it… dripping. I don’t know where it’s coming from… but it’s pooling. Sometimes there’s other pools. Sometimes it’s on shapes. Sometimes it’s on me… Why is this happening? Lyra: PTSD comes from some kind of stimulant or event. Video games? Tootsie: That doesn’t sound right… Lyra: Movies? Books? Tootsie: It can come from books? Lyra: Anything that affects you deeply enough. It might not even start right away. It can fester inside you for a long time.
Tootsie: Is there a way to make it stop? Lyra: Maybe. There’s this thing called Exposure Therapy. We could visit a hospital. Reinforce in your mind that blood is just a thing. [Pause] Unless you- Tootsie: Anything to make it stop… Lyra: Come on, then. The sooner we start the sooner it might end.
Tootsie: You guys save me a drink? ??? 2: You got the chips? Tootsie: Yee-ah! ??? 2: Yee-!
??? 3: Pass me some-ah dat dried carrot goodness! ??? 2: Blam! ??? 3: Ah! Mah brand! You really do care.
Tootsie: Neh. So what’d I miss?
??? 1: Misty Rose was just starting to tell us about that one time with her sister and Golden Harvest’s farm.
??? 2: No I wasn’t…? Oh! Well, the first thing you need to know about my sister is that she is deathly afraid of… snakes. Like, end of the world, salvation lies across this bridge, but there’s a snake in the way? “Eh. I’m good.“
[Laughter]
??? 2: “It was- It was getting too hot here anyway. Just… bring on that heat-death of the universe!”
[Laughter]
Lyra: Yee! For Nightmare Night, I’m going as Lori from Night in the Woods!
Bon-Bon: I’m going as a Will-o-Wisp. Which basically just means I’m going to be wearing a plain, white dress wrapped in blue Hearth’s Warming lights on a pulse timer.
Tootsie: I’m going as a Maredragora!
Lyra: And it’s a pretty elaborate costume, too!
Tootsie: Thanks!
Lyra: Alright, you ready?
Bon-Bon: Not… really. How are you supposed to hold this thing? Lyra: Like this!
Bon-Bon: Oh, okay.
Lyra: Alright, so these two are your attack buttons.
Bon-Bon: What’s the difference?
Lyra: This is for your basic attacks and this is for your specials. You press this one a bunch to do your basic combo, but you can press this one in the middle of a combo to do a special move. You can also just press it whenever, usually to activate some character-specific gimmick. Oh! But sometimes you have to press it a bunch too. Both by itself and in the middle of a combo. And other times you’ll press it once, and then mash the basic one. Then you press this button to dodge, but hold it to dodge and then go into a sprint. Then you have this button that activates your super special move, if you have a full meter. I usually use it to counter an enemy if- Bon-Bon: W-which meter?
Lyra: This one! But each notch represents a separate charge for use. Then you just have your secondary weapons, your spirit focus, your lock-on, and your block button, and that’s-… Where you goin’? Bon-Bon! It’s a simple button-masher, I swear! [Pause] Ugh. Alright, Liza.
Tootsie: You know my conditions.
Lyra: Bu… but I want to play as Sheik for once!
Tootsie: You can be Toon Link.
Lyra: Blugh!
Bon-Bon: Did you see the cover of VAIN this month?
Lyra: Oh yeah! I remember when Rarity had her mane like this for a bit. Sometime around May I think? I really dug the punk rocker look. Though the faux-leather was kind of weird.
Bon-Bon: Yes, I think maybe Fluttershy or Applejack pulled her aside and explained the implications, especially with Ponyville’s cattle residents. I noticed she didn’t wear the vest very long.
Lyra: I liked the denim jacket better anyway. More rebel.
Bon-Bon: Then I remember she switched to that canvas dress and hat that she let foals draw on.
Tootsie: I drew a flower!
Lyra: That was pretty cool too. When did all of that start anyway?
Bon-Bon: I think it was around Mare’s Day.
Lyra: Oh yeah! How did your mother like the flowers?
Bon-Bon: She said they were nice and thanked me. Basic stock response.
Bon-Bon: They said they’d already been informed by Applejack and were prepared, but I didn’t see 40 ponies on duty. They’ll be the first to fall.
Lyra: Wow! That’s… dark. Coming from you.
Tootsie: Do we really have to sit here with all the lights off?
Bon-Bon: Sorry Liza, flyders are attracted to light. It leads them to prey.
Lyra: Everypony else has their lights on.
Bon-Bon: Get away from the window! Lyra: Geez! Bon-Bon: If they see us it’ll already be too late!
Tootsie: Aunt Bon-Bon, you’re kinda acting more like I’d expect Lyra to be acting.
Lyra: Hmm… I’d take offense to that but I can see where you’re coming from.
Bon-Bon: You two have never even seen flyders before!
Lyra: Wait a minute, are you… afraid?
Bon-Bon: Are you… insane?
Lyra: I mean, I’ve seen you upset, confused, angry, worried, but afraid? I didn’t think you were afraid of anything.
[Pause]
Bon-Bon: Is this going somewhere-?! Lyra: Do you have a phobia?
Bon-Bon: H-… How can you have a phobia about something that will actively try to kill you?!
Tootsie: The CMC said they went camping over the weekend.
Bon-Bon: Well that’s nice and wholesome.
Tootsie: Yeah, except they said they were attacked by a swarm of Flyders? Bon-Bon: [Coughing][Sputtering] FLYDERS?!
Tootsie: Ye- Bon-Bon: Where were they?!
Tootsie: I-Iuh… W-Winsome Falls?
Bon-Bon: That’s not far from here… Close all the windows! Call Lyra and tell her to get back here ASAP! I’ve got to contact the town exterminator! They have to prepare for this!
Tootsie: Bon-Bon! Wait! What’s a-…! What’s a Flyder?
Lyra: No doubt about it, Lisa, you were right! Applejack is the best!
Tootsie: Thanks!
Bon-Bon: I’ve always felt welcome on Sweet Apple Acres, but I’ve never just… you know, relaxed before!
Tootsie: You should relax more often!
Bon-Bon: Maybe I should!
Applejack: [Pant] Sorry the… the plate’s empty… All the other guests already… Do you fillies need anything?
Lyra: We’re fine over here, Applejack!
Bon-Bon: Thanks a bunch, Applejack!
Tootsie: We love you, Applejack!
Dinky: And how! Yee~haw~!
Applejack: [Dejected Sigh]
Lyra: Did that sigh sound, I don’t know, dejected to anypony else?
Bon-Bon: Those don’t sound like relaxing thoughts.
Tootsie: Hey everypony! I’m- Lyra: Say what again, filly! SAY WHAT AGAIN!
Bon-Bon: Rarity is a selfish, self-centered, manipulating- Tootsie: totally not surprised… Bon-Bon: -with an ego only rivaling Rainbow Dash!
Lyra: Oh yeah?! Well guess who’s an eccentric, hyperactive, stalker; and at least three times more controlling than even Twilight Sparkle?! Knock knock, it’s Pinkie Pie!
Bon-Bon: [Gasp] How dare you take the Ponk’s name in vain?!
Lyra: You’re just a-! Bon-Bon: I’ll have you know-!
[Unintelligible Yelling]
Tootsie: “Say, Lisa, who gave your favorite friendship lessons?” Oh, I really liked Fluttershy’s because I know what it’s like to feel small and anxious about speaking out. I found her lessons to be the most relatable. “Gee, Lisa, that’s so mature and adult of you!“ Thanks, but my favorite lessons were Applejack’s. You know why? Because she actually CARES ABOUT FAMILY!
[Door Slam; Pause]
Lyra: Um… Lisa’s home.
Bon-Bon: You don’t say?
Bon-Bon: Did… Did you have a strange dream with Princess Celestia in it?
Lyra: … Not really… Why?
Bon-Bon: I was baking and suddenly Princess Celestia shows up looking really haggard. And she was like, “Don’t be afraid, everything’s going to be okay.“ In this completely drained voice and I’m just like, “So should I use less cinnamon? More?“
Tootsie: I had a dream I was running in a race and Princess Celestia showed up and said “You don’t have to run.“ I and said “But I want to win.“ And she said “It’s okay to lose. Failure is a natural part of life.“ And I was just… it’s a game?
Lyra: Weird.
Bon-Bon: What did you dream about?
Lyra: Falling into the sun. And don’t worry, the metaphor isn’t lost on me. But it’s been reoccurring again lately so I don’t think it’s related.
Bon-Bon: Do you ever have a good night sleep?
Lyra: Sometimes. [Pause] Once in a while.
Hey Mod Dog! You obviously like dog (because Winona is dog). But what other animals do you like?
Lyra: I’ve never heard of coatis before, they’re cute!
Bon-Bon:You like timber wolves? My, that’s… interesting…
Tootsie: Rats?! E~w!
Bon-Bon: Liza, that’s not a very adult response.
Tootsie: Sorry Ms. Mod Dog…
Simple: Borf.
Tootsie: What’s Sweetie Belle’s problem?
Aura: Huh? Oh. Iunno.
Ruby: Cats in the cradle.
Aura: Oh yeah! … Big sister syndrome.
Tootsie: Wha?
Aura: Oh that’s right, you don’t have a big sister.
Ruby: When you’re younger you want to spend time with your big sister, but she doesn’t have time for you. Then, when you get older, your big sister wants to spend time with you. But now you’re the one that’s busy, so she gets on your nerves.
Tootsie: Oh… That sounds sad… Wait, what if she just doesn’t want to watch puppets?
Aura: Tch-eah right! Who wouldn’t want to watch puppets?
That phrase right there is one of the reasons I started this whole blog. A friend of mine whom I still have the pleasure of knowing today told me something very similar a long time ago when it came to drawing and art. And here we are, nearly five years later. I started this blog as a means of practice, because I had never really even drawn before. And if anything, it helps show that practice will help your skills. And that with a bit of effort, anything is possible. Comparing the first post to this one, it’s easy to see how well that works.
I want to thank everyone for reading! From anyone who has followed me recently, to the ones who have been there from the very beginning. For showing me support, even if it was a little push of the like button. Or something more! I greatly appreciate that you enjoyed my work on here. I hope it has been a pleasure to read about greybutt here as much as it has been a pleasure to create it.
Where do I go from here though? This story is all wrapped up, and that means I think it’s time I give myself a bit of a break. And to put this page to rest in an archive mode. That doesn’t mean this dork won’t be around though, and I always have lots of other things on my project list if you like the work I do.
There will be a text post coming after this one that will have some information about what’s going to happen involving me and my other blogs. Stay tuned if you want to know what’s gonna happen. Gotta make a few changes.
Also please note that the ask and submit boxes are now closed.
Again, thanks to everyone who’s been here to read this. I made a whopping 190 of update posts throughout this thing! And I hope you enjoyed it!
Until next time, folks. Adios!
The ponies above were a callback to the previous story arcs or otherwise important faces. I couldn’t include everyone but there’s some characters in there that had a huge impact on the story or on me personally. Some of which are no longer active but still just as respected for what they’ve done for me. Their blogs in no particular order:
