Several days past before Lily could work up the strength to admit what she just saw, even to herself. For days she refused to even leave the house and, when her friends and coworkers called upon her, she could not bring herself to speak to them. Needless to say, she was distraught. What had she seen? Her friend had been completely covered in rose vines and she had been…speaking with them, even singing to them! What kind of relationship did she have with those plants? Lily took the flower, her white lily, out of her mane and gazed upon it. Her golden eyes studied it for any traces of life and, upon finding none, abandoned the search completely, flinging the flower from her sight.

Finally, after two weeks past, Lily left her house. She looked a sight; her mane was a wreck and her eyes glanced to and fro, as if she were desperately searching for something that could not be found. In her heart she knew that this danger had to be faced and the problem confronted. Though she was normally of creature of peace and love, one who did not like conflict whatsoever, she realized that she could not have peace in her life until it was resolved. So, going through town at a glacial pace, Lily attempted to mentally prepare herself.

One thought rang through her mind with complete clarity: Lingual Rose, her best friend, was under the influence of those roses. That she understood well enough. In a way, to her, it seemed that the roses were alive. Not only that, but her friend could actually speak to them! Lily finished her thoughts and looked up. The door of Lingual Rose's house was in front of her so, without any further delay, she knocked upon the door.

Within moments, the knock was responded to with a green face at the door. Lingual Rose, opening the door slowly, also looked ragged. Her mane, normally a sight anyways, was sticking out in all directions. Lily invited herself in instead of waiting for Lingual Rose to tell her so for, it seemed obvious, but she could not do so. The pink earthpony pushed past her friend and stood firmly in the center of the living room. Without mincing her words, she stomped her hoof upon the ground and screamed:

"What happened?!"

Lingual Rose, too stunned to respond, stood near the door and began to shrink back against it. Her wings began to shuffle about and, as she did so, Lily noticed that her wings looked beaten as well. She knew that the thorns had done it. When the green pegasus did not respond, Lily tried once more and repeated her question, this time in a soft voice. Upon hearing this, the pegasus sighed and approached Lily with quiet hoofsteps. With her maroon eyes, soft and deep, she gazed into Lily's eyes and brushed her hoof against her face. The pink one didn't react immediately, but nor did she let the contact linger. The earthpony, heart shattering within her, withdrew and stood back with her eyes watering.

"No, Lingual Rose, I…I can't. Tell me, what were you doing in the garden?"

The other now, too, drew away and hung her head. Could it be true? Did Lily really see what happened in the garden? If so, how could she possibly explain, without using any sort of words, what had happened? Her heart felt as though it would explode at any moment. Now somepony knew of her secret, what could she possibly do? The roses certainly would not stand for this. With languid eyes, Lingual Rose gazed back at her cutiemark. Yes, indeed neither the roses nor her destiny (which had long ago been emblazoned upon her flank) would allow the secret to become known. Still, she wanted to tell Lily everything, to explain what had happened. Though, even if she could speak she was not entirely sure how she would explain such a thing. So, with a weary expression, she simply shook her head.

Lily fumed and stamped her hooves, surprising even herself at this display of fury. Her tail twitched behind her, demonstrating even more her discomfort at this situation. Then, inexplicably, she began to weep. Lingual Rose, genuinely concerned, once more tried to reach out to her. Lily, in a fury once more, slapped away her hoof. In a strained voice, she screamed:

"Lingual Rose you know as well as I do that this isn't healthy! You must leave those roses!"

Upon this, the other was truly started and she could only blink in response. After a few moments, she slowly shook her head once more. No, she could not possibly leave her destiny. After all, without that how could she possibly live on? It was impossible and, for this, she shook her head once more, though her heart was screaming in agony. Though she could not leave her destiny she surely wanted to…for the pony she wanted to be with. Tears split from her eyes. She shook her head for a third time, whimpering.

Lily did not understand.

"How could you? Lingual Rose, you fool! I…I was your friend and you…would throw me away for your roses? How could you! They will only torture you forever, whereas I lo—no! No more!"

Lily, crying loudly, shoved her way once more past her old friend and fled from the room, however she stopped at the doorway saying:

"You know, we could have had something wonderful together. Instead, you chose the twisted love of your bitter flowers. I hope your happy."

The door slammed and Lily seemed to have fled. The other, feeling completely desolate, fell upon the floor of her cold house and wept bitterly for hours on end. It was too late now, completely too late. Never more would that lovely pony call upon her again…and it was really all her fault after all. Lingual Rose heaved a large and labored sigh. Lily…oh Lily! In her mind she cried out for her return.

As always, her silent calls when unheeded.