The Sweetest Music

Chapter Twenty-Three

Milestones

***

The sex had been desperate.

It had been fast, fervent, and angry. It hadn't been bad, Bon-Bon mused. It was nice, for a change. She had been somewhat pleasantly surprised by her mare's fervour. But, if anything, it was a show of deep inner turmoil Lyra was going through.

The packing had been fast and efficient.

There was nopony to say goodbye to, no debts to pay. They'd arrived in Ponyville in the morning, packing up everything they possibly could, their tickets being first class. I might get used to such comfortable compartments, Bon-Bon thought, watching her mare stare out of the window, lost in thought. She had been pretty quiet all day, and the confectioner knew that they needed to talk. But only after they'd settled down a little, in Los Pegasus. Otherwise, the talk might as well be pointless or do Lyra bad. And Bon-Bon didn't want to do anything bad to her mare.

They were on their way to Chicoltgo. Again.

Just passing through, Lyra reminded herself as the train danced on the trail. Just stopping by to get the papers and the deed to the flat and tell Alexandro that everything's ready. Was it, though? Tomorrow, Discreet Heart would meet his fate, his judgement, no matter how severe it might be - for crimes unknown to her. With her help. She didn't feel guilty in the slightest, though. For some reason, she knew he deserved what he would get. But would he? What if he found out it was all a trap? What if he would escape? What if-

"Chicoltgo!"

The announcement brought Lyra out of her reverie. Chicoltgo. Another milestone on their way to Los Pegasus, which, itself, was another milestone. Life itself seemed like a sequence of milestones, not important or unimportant, but just... points. Occasions. Events. Milestones.

Bon-Bon stood up, placing their bags under the seats. It was a two hour stop. They'd just drop by Alexandro's mansion and be back on their way to Los Pegasus. No need to take their possessions with them.

It was strange and surprising not to be woken up by the announcer's voice, for a change, compared to the last few rides. More like 'latest'. I just bet I'll have to take the train many more times.

With a sigh, Lyra followed her mare outside.

***

"Lyra! Bon-Bon! I'm so happy to see you both!"

Of course they would be greeted by Tom. Of course they would be greeted in the garden. The chilly, frosty wind assaulted Lyra's skin and penetrated her lungs deeply with each shallow - and not shallow - breath; but she knew better than to ask to come inside the mansion without permission. Not that she wanted to, really. Really.

Besides, the papers were right there. "Here's the deed to the house, here's the license - you will want to take a look at the attachment, Bon-Bon: I've attached a map with the shops you can start with, of course, there'll be enough staring money - no loans, just a pure gift, in the best Scoltcilian tradition, and here are the inheritance papers, but you know all about papers, Lyra, why am I even telling you all of this?" The stallion passed the papers to the mares. Bon-Bon began to read through her papers. Lyra just signed those after a passing glance. The papers were valid: she could see it at the first glance. The papers were all right.

Tom, however, didn't seem all right. Maybe he was. He seemed terribly excited, more than he'd been the last time Lyra had seen him: his calm, reserved facial features were now shining with vigour, his speech quick and streaming, his actions swift and edgy, even his breath strangely abrupt. He was obviously excited.

But was this vigour in his eyes passionate, youthful vigour? He was only slightly older than her, Lyra realised. A young stallion on his way to the middle-aged milestone. Or maybe he was younger. Lyra wasn't that good with deciphering age. She only knew that Bon-Bon was older than her: just a little - but old enough to be the responsible one in their relationship. At least so it seemed to Lyra.

Bon-Bon couldn't help a smile as she'd read the papers. Her own chain of sweets stores. All around Equestria. Operated from Los Pegaus - a new city with great perspective, great prospects and opportunities, where she would live with her mare. She wanted to slap herself for not mourning with Lyra - but she just couldn't bring herself to mourn. She made a mental note to mention it in her upcoming talk with Lyra. They really did have to talk it all out: not only for their relationship's sake (I'm in a relationship! With a cute sexy minty mare! Bon-Bon squeed mentally), but also for Lyra's sake.

Lyra sighed. "Tom, we did our..." She paused, searching for the right word. "Part of the deal. I made an appointment with Discreet Heart at the time and place Alexandro wants it." There. I said it. Tom nodded. So... Now they could just go? Go away, no strings attached - Of course there are always strings attached - aren't there? - and begin... to begin their new life. At least, that was what she called the milestone they were about to reach in her mind.

The mares turned round, papers packed, still much time till the train left. Lyra took Tom's nod as a farewell. Bon-Bon just followed her mare. Tom cleared his throat with a rusty cough.

"Oh, I almost forgot - I think you would want to know that." Lyra turned round again, Tom's look just a perfect amount of sombre, with wild excitement still alive in his eyes. Usually, the mare would apply such look to ponies who were about to boast something. But... Tom didn't seem the kind of stallion - the kind of pony - to boast. "First of all, let me say that all is valid, our deal is in power, and Alexandro sends you his best wishes and hopes that you settle down easily in Los Pegasus." Lyra grew suspicious. She didn't show it. "He was so upset about the outcome, though... Not that it was your fault in any slightest. Again, a deal is a deal and honouring the deal is the Philarmonico way, so you shouldn't be worried..."

Spit it out, Lyra wanted to tell the stallion. Instead, she just kept looking at him dispassionately.

"Unfortunately, Father won't be able to talk to Discreet Heart." Tom made a grimace. "Your lawyer died of pneumonia a few hours ago. I have just been informed, and told Father about it." Tom paused. "He was rather accepting, even though he would have wanted to talk to him in private... You can always turn to me, of course, for any legal matters."

Lyra stared at the stallion. Bon-Bon gasped, "Pneumonia?"

Tom nodded. "Yes, pneumonia. Natural causes. So sudden, and so... almost incurable. He couldn't be helped. I don't think his death should trouble you: he would have probably died of pneumonia anyway - in prison. Or..." Tom let out a dark chuckle. "Say, food poisoning. I hear that Archie's doesn't have particularly high standards."

Lyra stared at the stallion. He shifted closer. "What's the matter, Lyra? Don't be shocked. You and your friend Bon-Bon will both be all right, and that's all that matters. Don't you trust me?" Lyra failed to gulp at the well-concealed, warning menace in Tom's tone - or his voice, in general. At least so it seemed to her. "Do you trust me, Lyra?"

Lyra stared. No. "Yes."

"Good." Tom nodded approvingly. "Your train is waiting for you."

Lyra turned, and walked away, followed by her mare.