Honeydew · 11:45pm Jun 17th, 2014
“I would’ve died if it hadn’t been for Lero. You wanna talk about scared, you try being under water, not sure where the surface is, without any time to take a breath before you wind up down there.”
"What, calling the monkey by name now?” Honeydew sneered. “C’mon, ‘Bee. Why the heck are you treating this monkey like a pony, Honeybee?”
There was another pause, and Honeybee’s voice was quiet. “Is my life really worth that little to you, sis?”
“...What?” Honeydew sounded just as startled.
“I asked if you really feel like my life’s that cheap.” Rainbow could hear Honeybee swallow, hard. “I think you’re missing part of this. The important part. The part where, if he hadn’t done anything, I would have died.” The pegasus spaced her words out for emphasis. “No more Honeybee. I wouldn’t be standing here talking to you right now. You really don’t think that’s worth at least a thank-you gift?”
Honeydew snorted. “It was kinda stupid for you to be in the water, anyway. You know you can’t swim. What is with this, ‘Bee? You suddenly think it’s okay for ponies to hump monsters? You turning into Mom or something? I mean, you got her wings, maybe you got some more, too...”
“Don’t you say that!” Honeybee’s voice was a snarl. “Don’t you dare, sis. This has nothing to do with Mom, I’m not abandoning you two, I’m saying I can think they’re pervs and still think they’re, you know, real thinking folks, which has nothing to do with the... argh, whatever Lero is. Especially when he saved my freaking life. What the heck has gotten into you, Honeydew?”
“What’s gotten into me is my sister betraying her family!” The big earth pony snarled back.
Honeysuckle interrupted. “It’s not fun being mean, Honeydew.” She sounded a little sad. “I’ve lost some customers since we started. Some of my favorites. Bon-bon never comes to see me anymore.”
“So it’s both of you, then?” Honeydew growled, trying to hide a hurt undertone to her voice. “Fine. I’ll handle this on my own. Maybe Glitter will help, since you guys won’t.” Rainbow heard the big earth pony mare stomping off.
---- Abridged excerpt from AnonAuthor's Fish Out Of Water.
Um...what?
If I remember correctly, this was what caused Honeydew to second guess her bigotry and become a nicer pony towards Lero and his mares.
But if this conversation never happened in the Swapverse... well we've all seen what Honeydew has become now.
My guess is that even the smallest things can have the biggest impacts.
2215341
Erm... no. No, I'm afraid you are quite incorrect.
This scene was what caused Honeysuckle and Honeybee to second-guess their bigotry and become nicer ponies towards Lero and his mares.
Honeydew, on the other hand, became even further, deeper, entrenched in her hatred of Lero.
Reread the chapter if you don't believe me.
In fact... funny story: the very last words that AnonAuthor wrote for the Xenoverse... was to have Herd Bellerophon affirm that they'll be on their guard against Honeydew.
Curious, is it not?
2215341
It's from when Lero saved Honeybee from drowning. This passage shows how Honeydew is still adamant in her bigotry even as it drives her sisters away from her. Nearly all of the Xenoverse stories are based on the original two stories so I am fairly sure it is canon. Honeybee also talks about almost drowning in the latest chapter of 'ask the swapped'.
This bit from Dew to Bee also probably shows the basis of that bigotry. Maybe their mom cheated on their sire with a griffon or something and that is why she is so resentful of pony/non-pony relationships.
2215394
2215398
Well now I feel dumb. It's been ages since I read a Xenoverse fic (Aside from Divided Rainbow) Perhaps a re-read is in order.
Making sure we didn't think recent developments were an ass-pull?
Oh, remind me to post a comment about the ethical implications of Tia's part in the Swap based on what we've learned lately. Tia may be acting in good faith, but she's painted herself into quite the corner. I'm interested to see how she (and you!) resolve things.
2215511
It WAS a bit of a swerve, wasn't it?
Let's just say that there's a reason Honeydew's gone off the story's radar for as long as she was. She's been busy.
As always, be my guest! I genuinely do love reading your responses, Zontargs; they're very spirited and thought-provoking!
Or better STILL... how's about this for an offer? You remember Steakeos?
Zontargs, if you'd be willing to frame your ethical examination of Celestia's actions in Divided Rainbow in the format of a short story, (and it can indeed be short!) I'll gladly post it up as a third chapter of Steakeos!
Both of the other Steakeos chapters were penned by other authors! (Southpaw and Super Big Mac.) Why not yours?
2215745 Honestly it didn't really surprise me too much. Aside from Honey Bee coming across as hesitant to bee (sorry) involved in the first place, further on in the quoted scene she makes it sound like she's been pretty much forced into it to begin with... If I'm remembering correctly.
Now do a swap chapter where Lyra swaps with Honeydew... I dare you.
2216160
I think we have seen this swap somewhere. Lyra was a grumpy pony that offered lessons to fight while Honeydew was very, very loving...and the best oral he had ever had.
If I recall the reason Lero was scared of her was because of Honeydew's unreasonable amount of hate. Who would want to be around that? Honeydew goes out of her way to antagonize him. At this point in your story she is stronger than him, but with his knowledge of the equine anatomy and Lyra's defensive training he could put her down if he wanted to.
2215745
Oh, sure, set me a challenge. I think I have a workable framing device, let me see what I can do...
Honeydew would love the Internet. It's so easy to wrap yourself in views that agree with yours and disregard any others. Instead, she had to work to build her echo chamber. Somewhat literally at that. And I'm still wondering where she found the gorilla statue.
In any case, continuity!
2216320
Really? Excellent! When you have it written, Zontargs, just mail it to my fimfiction.net account. I sincerely look forward to seeing it!
2216330
Yes, indeed. For all her other glaring faults, there's a 'devil's advocate' part of me that can't help but respect Honeydew for how invested she is her beliefs, and for not being at all wishy-washy or cowed by peer pressure.
Ask the skewbald unicorn. She's the one that got it for her, along with the great birdcage Rarity was shut inside.
Yep! Fun!
2216339
Honeydew reminds me of the Westboro Baptist Church. As repulsive as their views are, you have to admit, they've actually read the Bible, and they're trying to follow the whole thing (as much as legally possible, anyway), rather than just the parts that are acceptable in modern society. You have to give them a sort of grudging respect for carrying through, rather than giving up or moving out to the middle of nowhere or something.
2216320
A suggestion: if you want to involve Celestia directly in your idea, There's three beings immediately on hand who can discuss the situation, each with their own very different perspective on both her and the swap itself: Luna, Discord, and Star Sparkle.
2218141
Nah, I've got a way that this can happen "in-universe" without having any ripple-effects.
On a completely unrelated note, it's perfectly normal to start waving your hands around and yelling at your screen while writing, right?
2219133
Depends if the characters start pulling shit without your permission.