Lyra: What just happened?
This couldn't be happening. Lyra refused to believe that it had been happening. Never before had she regretted letting anything about her feelings being known, yet Berry's actions the last three days had her doing just that.
She constantly wondered why she had even let it be known to the bartender that there were feelings inside of her for Blacklin? The only thing it had done to date was cause her nothing but headaches and sleepless nights full of worry.
She sighs softly as she rolls out of bed and lands on her hooves, giving a yawn as she does. If she thought that she would be able to get away with it, the unicorn would have stayed in bed all day. That wasn't an option, however.
A wry smile came to her lips and a dry laugh escaped her mouth as she uses her magic to collect some makeup from the dresser. She was never a vain pony before, never fully caring about her looks. Yet here she was, applying make up to hide away blemishes for the sake of one silly male. How things can change as you meet others.
For all the hassle that she had been having with Berry, Lyra was grateful for at least one thing: For all the bartender's plans, she had been very quiet about why she was doing what she was doing. Berry never said anything about Lyra's feelings for Blacklin and for that the unicorn was eternally grateful. If word had gotten out, she felt that death would be the preferable option over the embarrassment that would come from it.
She shakes her head and smiles a bit. Times have changed indeed. Two years ago she had been (ironically) teasing Blacklin about how much time he spent with Roseluck. Now? Now she was enduring playful teasing herself from one source about her and Blacklin.
A small sigh of exasperation comes from her as she finishes applying her makeup. The unicorn mare looks herself over in the mirror, the scar now hidden and the bags no where near as bad looking as they had been.
Her eyes fall upon a small necklace that rested on the corner of her mirror. It wasn't anything special to look at, a simple yellow tinted rock that had been smoothed down and carved into the shape of a lyre before it was attached to a silver chain. It meant a lot to her though.
It had been a gift from Blacklin, something he had picked up in Shetlearn. A trinket among many that he'd gotten for his friends as attempt to apologize for his behavior and running away. Incentive too, so she personally believed, to come back home.
When he had given it to her, Lyra's heart skipped a few beats and those first few days she wore it constantly. She had been ecstatic about being remembered and having some sort of proof that she hadn't messed up with her attempts to cheer him up.
Why had she stopped wearing it? A small frown comes her as she realizes that she that she can't answer that question. The most she could say is that maybe the novelty of the necklace started to wear off. Though, perhaps it was more that seeing Roseluck wearing the rock pearl rose necklace Blacklin had gotten the earth mare turned her off from wearing.
Once more she shakes her head. Stupid and petty jealousy had kept her from wearing something she genuinely liked. How idiotic had she been? Did others see her like that as well?
No, they probably didn't. They didn't know her thoughts. At most, others would have thought that she just began to forget to wear it or that she got too busy to put it on.
Well that's something she changes right then. Gingerly, she removes the necklace from it's place on the mirror and slips it on. Giving her reflection one more quick once over, she smiles and nods.
As she starts to the door, an all too familiar voice cuts through the silence.
"Up and at 'em, Lyra!" Berry calls out. "This is your wake up call for the day! Get that sexy flank out here so we can see it!"
Lyra finds herself only able to stare at her bedroom door as a low groan comes from her throat. There was the reason why staying in bed was not an option. Even if she were to try, Berry would come and drag her out. Undoubtedly by the tail at that!
She mentally rubs her temples before opening the door and padding into her living room.
Berry Punch stood at the front door, a cheerful grin on her face as greets the unicorn mare.
"Ha! Knew that'd get you out!" she says. "And I was doubted."
The earth pony gives a sniff of indignation and shakes her head, expression turning from jovial to hurt in almost an instant. Hoof went to face as if wiping a tear away.
"And Bon thought that I couldn't do it," Berry goes on. "Can you believe that? Such doubt!" She shrugs and tilts her head to the side. "But that is in the past. Now! We have things to do! Flowers! Gems! Dance lessons! All must be gotten!"
Lyra stops in her tracks and looks at Berry in confusion and disbelief. Flowers and gems she could understand, but dance lessons? What in the blazes did she need dance lessons for? She already knew how to. It wasn't exactly like she was going to go in and just waltz the gryphon off his feet or anything. Or that she would take him to some fancy ballroom party either. Far as she knew, Blacklin didn't even know how to dance himself.
She felt the color drain from her face and took a few steps back. Oh, no. No. No. No. No. That crazy earth mare was not thinking what she thought she was thinking. No way.
"No dance lessons!" she says, perhaps a bit more forcefully than intended. "He doesn't dance! He doesn't need to learn! Leave him out of all this!"
Berry blinks a few times and then grins. "Gotcha!" she exclaims. "Good to know you were actually listening." The grin goes more sly. "Though learning to properly shake your tail for him. . ."
Lyra's cheek heated up at the implications of Berry's words. She shook her head violently before pushing Berry out the now open door.
"Enough you tipsy maniac!" She shouts. "Just leave me be for the day!"
The earth mare laughs before shrugging. "Just something to keep in mind," she teases. "But all right. Already dropped off the flowers today anyways. Remember, you said you'd leave him another gem today!"
"I know!" Lyra states firmly. "And I will. Just give me some peace. Please!"
Berry stops and looks at Lyra, magenta eyes looking abnormally clear and all traces of her normal flirtatious and tipsiness seemed to melt away. She's quiet for a few moments, eyes glancing to her the unicorn's neck and the rock lyre that rested there.
"If you don't do anything, those feelings are going to just swirl inside of you," she says. "All that will happen is you'll feel anxious and empty inside. I don't want to see you go through that, all right? You're a friend and loyal patron. I wanna see you happy, not regretful. Court the featherhead, at least then you'll know."
She didn't wait for Lyra to respond. Giving the unicorn a small smile, she turned around and flicked her tail playfully at Lyra before heading off with normal swaying trot. All Lyra could do is sit on her haunches in confusion, wondering what had just happened.