It was a nice morning in Ponyville, still in the middle of Spring. Lyra, a unicorn with a soft mint green coat, had only just recently moved in with her friend Bon-Bon, and she was still as of yet unfamiliar with her new residence. However, starting today she has been given the opportunity to rectify that.

“Whilst I'm away to settle an order in Canterlot, why don't you go ahead and familiarize yourself with Ponyville, and perhaps make some new friends, Lyra?” Bon-Bon had told the young mare the day before. Surely it couldn't hurt Lyra figured, and so she decided to head to the outskirts of town, but wanted to avoid meeting any other ponies, at least for today.

She stored her lyre in its case and placed it on her back, along with a simple lunch, enthused at the prospect of practicing in such pleasurable conditions. She left immediately, but she wasn't in any real rush, and very casually strolled through the town. She saw very many interesting ponies along the way, however she didn't bother to greet any of them and likewise no pony minded her.

Ponyville, being a rather small and quaint little town, did not take too long to cross by hoof even at such a leisurely pace. Lyra was admiring the serene meadows that laid just outside the perimeter of Ponyville, and decided to walk around and bask in the fresh spring air.

She soon found an isolated tree and Lyra thought it a suitable place to rest and practice on her lyre. She sat, with her back to the tree in her unique manner, and brought her instrument in between her front hooves. She found it easy to calm her mind in this setting, and promptly began playing some simple songs.

Meanwhile, a dainty looking pegasus was also enjoying the great day. Her name was Fluttershy, who despite being one of the six mares who have time and time again resolved Ponyville's, and even all of Equestria's, greatest crises, goes by relatively unnoticed and prefers a more simple, hermit-like life.

She was playing with and caring for some of the local fauna, as she likes to do everyday. However, today was particularly nice and thus Fluttershy was in a particularly great mood. She often had the habit of hymning along with the sounds of nature in such peaceful times.

In the air there was a very faint tune, which would be hardly audible to the ears of most ponies. However, it rang perfectly clear to Fluttershy.

“My, what a beautiful melody, but from where is it coming from?”

Suddenly, Fluttershy's bunny companion Angel excitedly went hopping towards the sound, though Fluttershy was content to stay where they where.

“Hold on Angel, I said, wait up. . . please,” and thus she went after her bunny friend.

Angel led her to a bush, where she could see the pony playing the music. It was a pony Fluttershy was not familiar with, though she honestly isn't very familiar with many. It was a mint green unicorn, and she was playing a hoof-held stringed instrument.

Fluttershy was too timid to approach the mare, however Angel certainly wasn't, and he quickly went to the unicorn.

“Oh, why hello there little bunny, I didn't see you coming, did you enjoy my playing?”

The headstrong Angel quickly nodded his approval, but then turned his head toward the bush he had come from. He began tapping his foot, rather impatiently.

“Huh? Is a friend of yours in the bushes?”

After being acknowledged like that, Fluttershy felt compelled to show herself. The two ponies both sheepishly looked away when she came out. Neither had the nerve to greet the other, and as such there was an extended, awkward moment of silence between the two.

Fluttershy started to paw at the ground, unsure of how to act. She started to talk, but the words simply fumbled, and it was far too quite for Lyra to hear anyway. Angel was disappointed in how she was acting, so he gave Fluttershy a somewhat forceful nudge.

“That was a very pretty song. . .” she managed to mumble.

“Excuse me, what did you just say?”

“That. . . that was very pretty tune you were playing.” Fluttershy meekly smiled, embarrassed by her own foibles in interacting with other ponies.

“Oh, uh, um, thanks. . . heh, heh ,” Lyra wasn't too used to getting complimented, she only ever played in solitude or with her friend Bon-Bon. She was always a humble pony, and she never really felt that she was particularly musically talented, despite her cutie mark.

The awkward silence crept back, the only sounds to be heard were from the skittering of the wildlife and the wind whistling through the flora. After an extended period, Lyra brought her lyre back to a ready position.

“Do you mind if I continue?”

“Oh, please do!”

And so Lyra began playing again, the combination of her telekinetic magic and her extraordinary hoof dexterity let her effortlessly play note after note, all pitch perfect. Fluttershy stood amazed at such prowess. The tune she played seemed to match perfectly with the natural sound of the meadow.

The soothing melody put Fluttershy and Lyra at ease, and Fluttershy was no longer hesitant to come closer. Lyra was no longer bothered by Fluttershy's presence, and in fact welcomed the
kindhearted pegasus' company.

It wasn't long until Fluttershy, quietly at first, hymned along with Lyra's melody. As their song began to escalate, so too did Fluttershy's animal friends join along in the merry making.

How fun this is, Lyra thought to herself. She had never had an experience such as this, such a free-form, relaxing evening spent simply sharing music with another, no distractions or worries. She greatly enjoyed her companionship with Bon-Bon, but always she was a spectator, not a duet partner.

The evening passed by leisurely, the two mares enjoying simply the music they made together, no need to interrupt it for idle chatter. They didn't even know each others' name, but that hardly seemed to matter.

The sun had set before they decided to cease for that day. The warm spring day led into a barely chilly night, and the two figured they should each head back to there homes.

“My name's Lyra, Lyra Heartstrings, in case you wanted to know.”

“Oh, I'm Fluttershy, it was nice meeting you today.”

“Yeah, and, um, if you have some spare time tomorrow, how bout we do this again, huh?”

“Oh, yes, that sounds wonderful.”

“Well then, I am looking forward to it!”

And so they parted, both satisfied with how they spent the day and the new friendship they have formed.

Back in her home, Lyra reflects upon the day she just had. When the day began she figured she would just spend it entirely alone, not that she would've mind it if she did. The coincidental meeting she had with Fluttershy however proved to be quite fortuitous. It was so satisfying for not just another to enjoy her music, but to co-operate
in a unifying melody.

This joyous day lead her to a new conclusion. Perhaps she should attempt to interact with others more often. Maybe others might actually enjoy what talent she has.

Yes, she thought, the ponies here are really quite neighborly. No harm in being more outgoing. Thus she resolved to be, and she was sure Bon-Bon would approve upon her return. After all, she always had encouraged Lyra to do so. Yet only her absence motivated Lyra enough. How quaint, how quaint indeed.