#Berry_Punch

[askblacklin]

Lyra: Explanations

   Lyra sighed softly, slumping down and resting her head on the bar top. The realization of her feelings suddenly weighing heavily on her mind. It was a strange feeling, to be honest. One that made her question each of her actions in the past.

   She began to wonder where it was they all started. Certainly not from their first meeting. That would be absurd beyond belief. He was nothing but a silly gryphon who enjoyed her music at that time to her.

   Was it between the time they met and when he first became friends with Roseluck? If that was the case, it would explain the pain that had started in her chest then. Before that point, she had been the one he hung out with the most along with her sister, but after gryphon and earth pony had met, it changed.

   No longer was she the one he turned to with questions about the town. No longer was she the one he visited with after his deliveries were done. No, after they had met, Roseluck was the one he went to. Well, no, that was unfair to say. To put it like that would be saying that they had become fast friends right from the start. That hadn't been the case though.

   No, Roseluck and Blacklin hadn't become fast friends. In truth, she believed that Roseluck was more of a bother to the gryphon than anything else. Yet was that really how it was or was it now how she had wanted it to be? What was true was that Blacklin mentioned her off hand to Lyra the day they met. He had wondered if Roseluck had a habit of bumping into every new person in town. What was true was that it was a good month before they did start hanging around together.

   It was silly, she knew that, especially given how Equestrian relationships went. They were polygamous by nature, often a stallion would have three or four partners. This wasn't unusual. Still, gryphons were different. At least, she had thought so from her talks with Blacklin. After he came back from Shetlearn (she thought that was where he'd gone to) she was no longer sure.

   "Hold up," came Berry's voice, snapping Lyra from her thoughts. The earth mare sat a glass down in front of Lyra and from the smell she could tell that it was a sour apple and grape mixture.

   "Who was right about what?" Berry asked. She crossed her forehooves and looked at Lyra, a worried expression on her face. "And why are you looking like someone just stole your favorite toy?"

   As if in response to Berry's question, a small orb that glowed pink materialized between them. It hovers for a few seconds, as if making sure that it wasn't interrupting anything, before opening up into a window. The figure that can be seen causes Lyra's cheeks to flush and eyes narrow slightly.

   Viola was not the pony she had wished to see at that moment. She was not in the mood for gloating.

   "Congratulations, Lyra, for figuring out how you feel about him," Vi stated, leaning back her chair as she regarded the other unicorn. "I won't say I told you so, just will say that I'm happy you'll stop beating around the bush and enjoy more of your life really being with him." She paused for a moment before giving an apologetic smile. "I do apologize for bantering too personally with you before."

   Berry blinked at that response before giving Lyra a quizzical look. The aquamarine unicorn stayed silent for a moment. Anger had begun to well up inside her and she did not trust herself to speak.

   How dare Viola come out and say that. Not say 'I told you so'? She went and did just that in the most backhanded way possible!

   "Okay, wait, who's this 'he' she's talking about, Ly?" Berry asks. "Never figured you to be one to fancy anyone either so share the gossip."

   The unicorn took a moment to collect herself. A deep breath was taken before looking at Viola’s image.

   "You," Lyra stated, her voice low as she pointed a hoof at Viola's image, "do not get to say anything! You're the cause of all this! You may be right but you do not get to be smug about it at all."

   She huffed before swatting at the image, causing it to shimmer and then shift back into the orb it started out as.

   "Still waiting on some kind of an explanation here," Berry said, voice starting to show hints of impatience. "Take a sip of that first though. Calm you right down. I don't need you trying to bite my head off when I just wanna know what's wrong with one of my friends."

   Lyra blinked and looked down at the cup she'd been given. Berry was right, she did need to calm down.  She nodded and smiled a bit before taking a sip of her drink. She had been expecting a bitter sourness from the drink, but was surprised by sweetness. Though the smell of sour apple was there, none of the sourness was. A warmth flowed through her body it felt as if it pooled where the heaviness had been, lifting the weight up.

   "How?" She started to ask and then stopped, noting the grin on Berry's face and glint in her eyes. An explanation to her secrets would not be coming, that much was certain from the earth mare's expression.

   Lyra smiled and shakes her head, feeling much better thanks to the drink and deep breaths. She took another breath, releasing it slowly before explaining to Berry about what had happened between herself and Viola earlier in the day.

   When she had finished, Berry leaned back and blinked a few times before breaking out into loud laughter.

   "And you just up and slapped him with your magic?" She claimed. "Just like that? His expression must have been priceless!"

   She laughed more as Lyra blushed and rubbed the back of her head with a hoof. Hearing someone else say made her realize just how dumb her actions had been. It was uncalled for, no matter how justified she might have felt at the time.

   "Ah, that was a good laugh," Berry said, calming down. "Thanks for that." She leaned on the counter top and gives Lyra a sly grin. "So, when are you going to confess to the gryphon, hmm?"

   The question caught Lyra by surprise. Confess? The thought hadn't crossed her mind. No, it was best not to say anything to him. He had his hands full with Roseluck and Pinkie as it was. Not only that, but with his sister still in town and the stress from that, he certainly didn't need another surprise dropped on his head.

   Berry seemed to sense this hesitation and snorted softly. "You can't just realize this and not do something about it," she stated. "Court the goof or something at the very least. Let him know that you like him!"

   "Court?" The question came out of her mouth before she realized it.

   "Yeah," Berry said, "you know, try to win his affection and all that. Not like it'd be hard."

   Lyra blushed again. Courting? She wasn't even sure where to begin with something like that. Sure, there were customs for such things. Each pony race had their own. Unicorns, for instance, would solidify or liquefy the aether of their magic and present it to the one they were courting in a vial or gem. Common among all the races were giving flowers of their coat color or similar things.

    She blinked and shook her head. Why was she even considering this? Had she just not confirmed to herself that she wasn't going to place extra stress on Blacklin? This was stupid and silly. There was no need to continue that line of thought.

   She downed the rest of her drink in a single gulp and slammed the cup down on the counter before shaking her head.

   "No, I don't think so," she started. "He has enough going on right now. That gryphon doesn't need some idiot who doesn't know her own feelings pestering him."

    The grin Berry gave her after saying that caused a shiver to run down her spine.

   "I am not letting this one go, Miss Heartstrings," Berry stated, her grin becoming larger. "We have planning to do."

[berrysbarn]

Some concepts for an oriental or Japanese Berry Punch AU, process on the first three and a rough idea for the last one. I'd imagine she would brew and deliver sake between towns, maybe having some less-than-friendly run-ins with ronin or bandits on the routes

[askblacklin]

Lyra: Realizations

   Anger continued to flow through Lyra’s body as she marches away towards Ponyville proper. Her cheeks felt like they were on fire from the embarrassment she’d just endured. The indignity of it all! How dare that mare say things like that. What did she know anyways? Nothing, that’s what! If that mare was around, she’d be shown exactly what Lyra thought of her!

   She continues on her way, only stopping when she spots two figures also coming down the path. Her eyes narrow and the rage that had been building up boiled over. Blacklin. That gryphon was the cause of all this. Him and his flapping beak. Never knowing when to shut up. Well, it was time to do something about that!

    She was met with looks of confusion by Blacklin and Scootaloo. The gryphon opening his mouth to speak. What, she wasn’t going to find out. No, it was only going to be inane excuses or blathering. No, there would be no speaking. Not now.

    It happened fast. Her subconscious taking over and causing her magic to well up, though only her horn lit up as she summoned up the aether around them and formed it into a solid plank. This created plank slammed itself alongside the gryphon’s face with enough force to nearly knock him over.

   The sight causes her to give a snort of satisfaction. That would show him. Her tail flicked in agitation as she started to continue on her way. The satisfaction of smacking the insufferable birdbrain doing wonders to release all that pent up rage she’d been building up.

   By the time she reaches Ponyville proper, however, her frustration and anger had subsided. The realization of what she had done dawns on her and her cheeks warm and flush.

   “Oh ponyfeathers,” she mutters to herself. “I walked in it this time.”

   “Walked in what, Lyra?”

   The aquamarine unicorn looks up and blinks, surprised to find herself facing Berry Punch. The earth mare’s cheek seemingly flushed and small grin on her face.

   “Good thing I had the door opened or you would have smacked your face into it,” Berry adds. “Don’t need anymore holes in it. Carrot’d have my hide if that happens.”

   “I wha-?” She looks up and blinks, realizing that Berry had stopped her right in front of The Carrot’s Top, the bar the earth mare ran with her sister and best friend. Berry hadn’t been kidding either, Lyra realized that if she’d taken one more step that’d she’d have ended up with her horn embedded in the bar’s door had the earth pony hadn’t opened it.

   “Sorry,” she says, “just a bit distracted.”

   “You don’t say? I hadn’t noticed.” Berry’s voice dripped with sarcasm as she turned around and padded back into the bar, hips swaying slightly as she walked. “Well, get your rump in here and lay it out. What has you nearly walking into doors, Lyra.”

   The unicorn mare hesitates. How would Berry react to what happened? Lyra knew that the she was on good terms with Blacklin and to hear what happened, well it might not do good for herself. On the other hoof, if she didn’t spill the beans, there was no telling what Berry might do to get the info.

   Feeling out of options, Lyra gives a soft sigh and follows in after Berry. Unsurprisingly, the Top was near barren of patrons. It wasn’t unusual for early and mid afternoon. Business never really picked up until early evening.

   Besides Berry, the only other ponies inside were the local DJ, Vinyl, and Derpy. The sight of the mailmare left Lyra feeling slightly confused. It was the afternoon, Derpy should have been out delivering mail.

   “So spill it, Lyra,” Berry says, settling behind the bar and placing her forelegs on the countertop. A small, almost smug, smirk crosses her lips as she looked at Lyra with half-lidded eyes. “What’s got you looking like you kicked a puppy and are hating yourself for it?”

   Lyra bites her lower lip, still unsure of telling Berry about what happened. No, not of what happened, but the reason behind why it happened. In the end, telling was better than keeping inside or being prodded about it.

   She takes a breath and begins to relay the earlier conversation.

    Even as she does so, Lyra’s mind replays the back and forth she had with Viola. It was admittedly strange that she had gotten so flustered so easily. How long had she been friends with Blacklin now? The gryphon had been living in Ponyville for nearly three years and she’d known him for all that time.

   Has it really been that short of time? It felt like he’d been there forever. Still, she never really considered him more than a friend. At least, that’s what she thought. Now? Well now she didn’t know.

   Her mind delves back farther, looking over all the interactions she’s had with the gryphon. From the first meeting in the town square and Pinkie’s welcome party for him that same day to her failed attempts to cheer him up after the incident with Fleetfoot.

   She winced inwardly as that incident crossed her mind and subconsciously she brought a hoof to her left eye. A few days later, when Blacklin had questioned her about how she was when her lyre had snapped, she’d told him that she was fine. The yelp had simply been of surprise.  That hadn’t been the full truth.

   Yes, she did give a yelp of surprise, but it was also of pain. The string had come up and slashed her near her eye. She’d been lucky that hadn’t lost it then. It hadn’t been a deep cut, thankfully, but it left a scar. A scar she hadn’t wanted Blacklin to see.

   At the time, he was already going through grief and she didn’t want to add on to it. Even now she didn’t want to add to any problems he might have been facing.  Rarity had been kind enough to help her cover the scar and Lyra continued to do so even now.

   Without realizing it, the unicorn mare trailed off, becoming silent. Her mind now drifting off as she looks down at the bar top but not really seeing it.

   She didn’t want to hurt Blacklin, yet that’s exactly what she had done. Why? What was it about Viola’s words that cut so deeply?

   Her mind drifted back to after Blacklin had run off to Shetlearn. She’d been so frustrated with him. Hadn’t he cared about how his friends felt? How Rose felt? How she­­ felt? How she felt. How did she feel?

   His running away had been an emotional blow to her. In her heart, she felt as if she’d pushed him to that end. It was silly, she knew that, but she couldn’t deny her part in it all. Not only had she paid physically for her botched attempt, but she’d paid emotionally as well.

   She recalled how Rose nearly gave up on looking for him. It was baffling how the earth mare who cared so deeply for him could do that. For the first time, Lyra questioned if Rose truly did love Blacklin. Did she really want to be his alpha? Truly? Was there a chance that she’d lose resolve fully and leave an opening?

   An opening that someone, someone like Lyra, could take?

   That thought finally occurs to her. She realizes just how buried it must have been and she remembered what she had told Roseluck then.

   “If you’re going to give up, fine. I’m not going to give up on him.”

   When she had told her that, she consciously had meant it as being she wasn’t going to be the friend that just left him behind. Was that really what she had meant? Was that truly in her heart?

   No, it wasn’t and she realized that now.

   “Ah fudgecicles. She was right.”

[askblacklin]

Lyra: Explanations

    Lyra sighs softly, slumping down and resting her head on the bar top. The realization of her feelings suddenly weighing heavily on her mind. It was a strange feeling, to be honest. One that now made her question each of her actions in the past.

    She begins to wonder where it was they started. Certainly not from their first meeting. That would be absurd beyond belief. He was nothing but a silly gryphon who enjoyed her music at that time to her.

    Was between the time they met and when he first became friends with Roseluck? If that was the case, it would explain the pain that had started in her chest then. Before that point, she had been the one he hung out with the most, but after gryphon and earth pony had met, it changed.

    No longer was she the one he turned to with questions about the town. No longer was she the one he visited with after his deliveries were done. No, after they had met, Roseluck was the one he went to. Well, no, that was unfair to say. To put it like that would be saying that they had become fast friends right from the start. That hadn't been the case though.

    No, Roseluck and Blacklin hadn't become fast friends. In truth, she believed that Roseluck was more of a bother to the gryphon than anything else. Yet was that really how it was or was it now how she had wanted it to be? What was true was that Blacklin mentioned her off hand to Lyra the day they met. He had wondered if Roseluck had a habit of bumping into every new person in town. What was true was that it was a good month before they did start hanging around together.

    It was silly, she knew that, especially given how Equestrian relationships went. They were polygamous by nature, often a stallion would have three or four partners. This wasn't unusual. Still, gryphons were different. At least, she had thought so from her talks with Blacklin. After he came back from Shetlearn (she thought was were it was he'd gone to) she was no longer sure.

    "Hold up," came Berry's voice, snapping Lyra from her thoughts. The earth mare sat a glass down in front of Lyra and from the smell she could tell that it was a sour apple and grape mixture.

    "Who was right about what?" Berry asked. She crossed her forehooves and looked at Lyra, a worried expression on her face. "And why are you looking like someone just stole your favorite toy?"

    As if in response to Berry's question, a small orb that glowed pink materialized between them. It hovers for a few seconds, as if making sure that it wasn't interrupting anything, before opening up into a window. The figure that can be seen causes Lyra's cheeks to flush and eyes narrow slightly.

    Viola was not the pony she had wished to see at that moment. She was not in the mood for gloating.

    "Congratulations, Lyra, for figuring out how you feel about him," Vi says, leaning back her chair as she regards the other unicorn. "I won't say I told you so, just will say that I'm happy you'll stop beating around the bush and enjoy more of your life really being with him." She pauses for a moment before giving an apologetic smile. "I do apologize for bantering too personally with you before."

    Berry blinks at that response before giving Lyra a quizzical look. The aquamarine unicorn stayed silent for a moment. Anger had begun to well up inside her and she did not trust herself to speak.

    How dare Viola come out and say that. Not say 'I told you so'? She went and did just that in the most backhanded way possible!

    "Okay, wait, who's this 'he' she's talking about, Ly?" Berry asks. "Never figured you to be one to fancy anyone either so share the gossip."

    "You," Lyra states, her voice low as she points a hoof at Viola's image, "do not get to say anything! You're the cause of all this! You may be right but you do not get to be smug about it at all."

    She huffs before swatting at the image, causing it to shimmer and then shift back into the orb it started out as.

    "Still waiting on some kind of an explanation here," Berry states, voice starting to show hints of impatience. "Take a sip of that first though. Calm you right down. I don't need you trying to bite my head off when I just wanna know what's wrong with one of my friends."

    Lyra blinks and looks down at the cup she'd been given. Berry was right, she did need to calm down.  She nods and smiles a bit before taking a sip of her drink. She had been expecting a bitter sourness from the drink, but was surprised by sweetness. Though the smell of sour apple was there, none of the sourness was. A warmth flowed through her body it felt as if it pooled where the heaviness had been, lifting the weight up.

    "How?" She asks and then stops, noting the grin on Berry's face and glint in her eyes. An explanation to her secrets would not be coming, that much was certain from the earth mare's expression.

    Lyra smiles and shakes her head, feeling much better thanks to the drink. She takes a breath and explains to Berry about what had happened between herself and Viola earlier in the day.

    When she finished, Berry leans back and blinks a few times before breaking out into loud laughter.

    "And you just up and slapped him with your magic?" She says. "Just like that? His expression must have been priceless!"

    She laughs more as Lyra blushes and rubs the back of her head with a hoof. Hearing someone else say made her realize just how dumb her actions had been. It was uncalled for, no matter how justified she might have felt at the time.

    "Ah, that was a good laugh," Berry says, calming down. "Thanks for that." She leans on the counter top and gives Lyra a sly grin. "So, when are you going to confess to the gryphon, hmm?"

    The question caught Lyra by surprise. Confess? The though hadn't crossed her mind. No, it was best not to say anything to him. He had his hands full with Roseluck and Pinkie as it was. Not only that, but with his sister still in town and the stress from that, he certainly didn't need another surprise dropped on his head.

    Berry seemed to sense this hesitation and snorted softly. "You can't just realize this and not do something about it," she states. "Court the goof or something at the very least. Let him know that you like him!"

    "Court?" The question came out of her mouth before she realizes it.

    "Yeah," Berry says, "you know, try to win his affection and all that. Not like it'd be hard."

    Lyra blushes again. Courting? She wasn't even sure where to begin with something like that. Sure, there were customs for such things. Each pony race had their own. Unicorns, for instance, would solidify or liquefy the aether of their magic and present it to the one they were courting in a vial or gem. Common among all the races were giving flowers of their coat color or similar things.

     She blinks and shakes her head. Why was she even considering this? Had she just not confirmed to herself that she wasn't going to place extra stress on Blacklin? This was stupid and silly. There was no need to continue that line of thought.

    She downs the rest of her drink in a single gulp and slams the cup down on the counter before shaking her head.

    "No, I don't think so," she says. "He has enough going on right now. Blacklin doesn't need some idiot who doesn't know her own feelings pestering him."

     The grin Berry gives her after saying that causes a shiver to run down her spine.

    "I am not letting this one go, Miss Heartstrings," Berry says, grin becoming larger. "We have planning to do."

[askblacklin]

Lyra: Realizations

    Anger continued to flow through Lyra's body as she marches away towards Ponyville proper. Her cheeks felt like they were on fire from the embarrassment she'd just endured. The indignity of it all! How dare that mare say things like that. What did she know anyways? Nothing, that's what! If that mare was around, she'd be shown exactly what Lyra thought of her!

    She continues on her way, only stopping when she spots two figures also coming down the path. Her eyes narrow and the rage that had been building up boiled over. Blacklin. That gryphon was the cause of all this. Him and his flapping beak. Never knowing when to shut up. Well, it was time to do something about that!

     She was met with looks of confusion by Blacklin and Scootaloo. The gryphon opening his mouth to speak. What, she wasn't going to find out. No, it was only going to be inane excuses or blathering. No, there would be no speaking. Not now.

     It happened fast. Her subconscious taking over and causing her magic to well up, though only her horn lit up as she summoned up the aether around them and formed it into a solid plank. This plank of aether slammed itself alongside the gryphon's face with enough force to nearly knock him over.

    By the time she reaches Ponyville, however, her frustration and anger had started to subside. The realization of what she had done dawns on her and her cheeks warm and flush.

    "Oh ponyfeathers," she mutters to herself. "I walked in it this time."

    "Walked in what, Lyra?"

    The aquamarine unicorn looks up and blinks, surprised to find herself facing Berry Punch. The earth mare's cheek flushed and small grin on her face.

    "Good thing I had the door opened or you would have smacked your face into it," Berry adds. "Don't need anymore holes in it. Carrot'd have my hide if that happens."

    "I wha-?" She looks up and blinks, realizing that Berry had stopped her right in front of The Carrot's Top, the bar the earth mare ran with her sister and best friend. Berry hadn't been kidding either, Lyra realized that if she'd taken one more step that'd she'd have ended up with her horn embedded in the bar's door.

    "Sorry," she says, "just a bit distracted."

    "You don't say? I hadn't noticed." Berry's voice dripped with sarcasm as she turned around and padded back into the bar, hips swaying slightly as she walked. "Well, get your rump in here and lay it out. What has you nearly walking into doors, Lyra."

    The unicorn mare hesitates. How would Berry react to what happened? Lyra knew that the she was on good terms with Blacklin and to hear what happened, well it might not do good for herself. On the other hoof, if she didn't spill the beans, there was no telling what Berry might do to get the info.

    Feeling out of options, Lyra gives a soft sigh and follows in after Berry. Unsurprisingly, the Top was near barren of patrons. It wasn't unusual for early and mid afternoon. Business never really picked up until early evening.

    Besides Berry, the only other ponies inside were the local DJ, Vinyl, and Derpy. The sight of the mailmare left Lyra feeling slightly confused. It was the afternoon, Derpy should have been out delivering mail.

    "So spill it, Lyra," Berry says, settling behind the bar and placing her forelegs on the countertop. A small, almost smug, smirk crosses her lips as she looked at Lyra with half-lidded eyes. "What's got you looking like you kicked a puppy and are hating yourself for it?"

    Lyra bites her lower lip, still unsure of telling Berry about what happened. No, not of what happened, but the reason behind why it happened. In the end, telling was better than keeping inside or being prodded about it.

    She takes a breath and begins to relay the earlier conversation.

     Even as she does so, Lyra's mind replays the back and forth she had with Viola. It was admittedly strange that she had gotten so flustered so easily. How long had she been friends with Blacklin now? The gryphon had been living in Ponyville for nearly three years and she'd known him for all that time.

    Has it really been that short of time? It felt like he'd been there forever. Still, she never really considered him more than a friend. At least, that's what she thought. Now? Well now she didn't know.

    Her mind delves back farther, looking over all the interactions she's had with the gryphon. From the first meeting in the town square and Pinkie's welcome party for him that same day to her failed attempts to cheer him up after the incident with Fleetfoot.

    She winced inwardly as that incident crossed her mind and subconsciously she brought a hoof to her left eye. A few days later, when Blacklin had questioned her about how she was when her lyre had snapped, she'd told him that she was fine. The yelp had simply been of surprise.  That hadn't been the full truth.

    Yes, she did give a yelp of surprise, but it was also of pain. The string had come up and slashed her near her eye. She'd been lucky that hadn't lost it then. It hadn't been a deep cut, thankfully, but it left a scar. A scar she hadn't wanted Blacklin to see.

    At the time, he was already going through grief and she didn't want to add on to it. Even now she didn't want to add to any problems he might have been facing.  Rarity had been kind enough to help her cover the scar and Lyra continued to do so even now.

    Without realizing it, the unicorn mare trailed off, becoming silent. Her mind now drifting off as she looks down at the bar top but not really seeing it.

    She didn't want to hurt Blacklin, yet that's exactly what she had done. Why? What was it about Viola's words that cut so deeply?

    Her mind drifted back to after Blacklin had run off to Shetlearn. She'd been so frustrated with him. Hadn't he cared about how his friends felt? How Rose felt? How she­­ felt? How she felt. How did she feel?

    His running away had been an emotional blow to her. In her heart, she felt as if she'd pushed him to that end. It was silly, she knew that, but she couldn't deny her part in it all. Not only had she paid physically for her botched attempt, but she'd paid emotionally as well.

    She recalled how Rose nearly gave up on looking for him. It was baffling how the earth mare who cared so deeply for him could do that. For the first time, Lyra questioned if Rose truly did love Blacklin. Did she want to be his alpha? Truly? Was there a chance that she'd lose resolve fully and leave an opening?

    An opening that someone, someone like Lyra, could take?

    That thought finally occurs to her. She realizes just how buried it must have been and she remembered what she had told Roseluck then.

    "If you're going to give up, fine. I'm not going to give up on him."

    When she had told her that, she consciously had meant it as being she wasn't going to be the friend that just left him behind. Was that really what she had meant? Was that truly in her heart?

    No, it wasn't and she realized that now.

    "Ah fudgecicles. She was right."

[berrycherrypitstop]

One night. Just one simple night for them both. Well, maybe not so simple in Berry's case. There's a reason she honestly doesn't drink to excess. The one time she did, she ended up getting pregnant. She doesn't remember who and doesn't remember what lead up to it. Please don't ask her about it either. 

Carrot, well, she and her boyfriend at the time were pretty close. Turns out he wasn't one to try and raise a kid. Once he found out she was pregnant, he dumped her.

~Cherry