//------------------------------//
// 5:  Hope 
// Story: Under the Sun's Wings 
// by Foxy Kimchi 
//------------------------------//

	Solaris sat in the dining room as he flipped through the morning newspaper.  His ears flicked at the sound of silverware gently hitting a plate.

“What is bothering you, Luna?” Solaris asked as his eyes skimmed the newspaper.

“What?  What ever makes you say that?” Luna replied, holding her fork and knife in midair.

“Because.”

“Because what?”

“You are actually making sounds when you eat.  So what is bothering you, Luna?”

Luna stared back, her eyebrows knit together. “I do not make noises when I eat.”

“Exactly, you never do.  But you are now, so something must be wrong,” Solaris casually replied.

Luna grunted as she threw her silverware down upon the table. “Fine.  I am extremely displeased at how you managed this situation.  A year of being a servant, no, your servant.  Are you mad, brother?”

Solaris frowned as he put down his paper.  “What did you think I was going to do, sister?”

“Something less… less crazy than this,” Luna replied as she waved a hoof.  “Maybe slap her hoof, scare her a little, then send her back to intimidate the rest of her kind.”

“She is going to work off the debt that she owes to Equestria.”

“You’re punishing her by keeping her as a servant…”

“She’s an enemy of the state,” Solaris retorted with steel eyes.

“She was only following the orders of her superiors...”

“Orders of war!” Solaris barked as he stood up. “I could argue that all the changelings are guilty of war crimes… preying on civilians…”

“She is nothing more than a messenger.”

“For the enemy.”

“That does not change the fact she is a child!”  Luna stated harshly as she stood up in anger like her brother.

“I am treating her like a child, Luna!  She is not being left to rot in prison, not facing a public trial, nor put in stockades in Canterlot Square.  I am allowing her to work, here, in Canterlot.  She is being paid a salary, just as much as any other pony would have if they were working for the palace.  Not only that, she gets a roof over her head, a warm bed, as much food as she wants, and yet you say I am being too hard on her?”

“Are you not taking out your anger on the only changeling you can get ahold of?”

Solaris clenched his teeth, his mane and tail swaying a little more rapidly.  His eyes, just for a moment, became a darker shade of crimson.  “If I were to take out my anger on the changelings, there’d be nothing left but ashes.”

“Brother!” Luna rebuked sternly as she stomped her hoof.  “Calm yourself.  Is that what you want?  A massive pyre in the wastelands so the whole world will know your rage?”

Solaris blinked as he sat down and brought a forehoof up to his temple.

“Remember where you are, brother, and what you worked for.  I do not need to remind you what happens when you give in to your wrath.  What will our subjects think of you then, what of your student, Twilight Sparkle?” Luna sat back down on her seat, keeping her eyes on Solaris.

Solaris exhaled loudly, sitting upright again.  “Luna, if you are having a problem with this, why did you not voice your opinion when we were down there?”

“Brother, I am not that foolish,” Luna replied.

“What?”

“Solaris, I know never to question you in public.  I know how much that upsets you.”

Solaris gasped.  “Luna!  You know you are the exception.  You are just as much a ruler as I.  How could you say such a thing?”

“Because I would be just as upset if you did the same thing.  We are both prideful in that regard.  When a decision is made, we both agree to it.  It does not look like a co-rulership to our ponies when we question each other in public.  We do that behind closed doors.”

“Luna—”

“Brother,” Luna interrupted.  “There is no more need to talk on that particular subject.  This does not change the fact that I am extremely uncomfortable about this ruling of yours.”

“The plan has already been set, Luna.”

“This I know, but I will warn you, brother.  If this matter gets out of hoof, I will intervene.  Is that understood?”

“Yes, Luna.”

“Good,” Luna replied as she got up.  She walked to her brother, nuzzling his cheek which Solaris returned in kind.  “Just remember most of all, Solaris, she is a child, so treat her as such.”

“I will.”

“That’s good to know.  I am off for the day.  I will see you at sunset.”

Solaris watched as his sister left.  He let out a large sigh when he was alone.  “This is going to be a long year…”





Crimson stood there, his eyes wide and mouth agape.  Working here… For a year?  Crimson blinked as heard sniffling.  Instantly, he looked back down at Honeycomb.  Oh dear… 

Instead of a changeling, he saw a small pony about to cry her eyes out.  Slowly, he placed a hoof on her back.  He gave a slight gasp when he felt real fur instead of a hard carapace.  It was warm, just like any other regular pony.

Honeycomb looked up at Crimson, her blue eyes were red and puffy.  “A-a whole year?”

Crimson bit his lip.  “Look, I know that it sounds hard.  B-but look on the bright side, it could be much worse.”

She sniffed louder as she wiped her face with a hoof.  “I guess…”

Crimson forced a smile.  “It’ll be alright.”

Honeycomb sniffed louder as tears streamed down her face again.  All of a sudden, she flopped down on the floor and started to wail, the whole situation finally sinking in.

Crimson quickly picked her up and embraced her in a hug, trying to soothe her.

“I-I just want go home!” Honeycomb cried out.

“I know…”

Crimson sat there, comforting Honeycomb as she let it all out on his shoulder.  It took nearly half an hour until Honeycomb finally calmed down.  Crimson’s horn glowed as he levitated a handkerchief in front of the poor changeling.

Honeycomb sniffed, looking at the floating piece of cloth.  She closed her eyes in concentration.

“What’s the matter?”

Honeycomb opened her eyes, blinking a couple of times.  “O-oh yeah… I forgot, no magic,” she replied as she reached out with her hooves.

“Feeling better?”

“Y-yeah,” Honeycomb said after wiping her face.

“Come on now,” Crimson replied as she rubbed her back, “let’s get up. We don’t want to keep Feather Duster waiting.”

After Crimson helped her up, he couldn’t bear to see Honeycomb looking down at the floor silently. He raised her chin with a hoof and looked into her eyes.

With a reassuring smile, he said, “Be strong, Honeycomb.  Everything’s going to be just fine.”





Honeycomb looked up in amazement at the grandeur of the Canterlot Palace.  Tall ivory walls and pillars, numerous paintings adorning the walls, immaculate tile floor that shone with her reflection, massive stained glass windows… it was all a testament to the wealth and excess the ponies possessed.  Honeycomb was dumbfounded.  Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine such extravagance existed.  Yet even all the luxury in the world could not make the poor changeling in disguise ultimately forget where she was.

Honeycomb blinked, her eyes focusing on the brown pony in front of her.  “Umm, Dr. Flask, where are we?”

“We’re almost to the staff housing.” Crimson looked back at the disguised changeling with a somewhat reassuring smile.

“B-but what if someone finds out who I am?” Honeycomb asked, her eyes darting around.  She gave a small squeak and ducked behind Crimson when she noticed a guard on the other side of the room.

“Well,” Crimson replied as he rubbed the back of his neck.  “I don’t think that is likely.  That um… band… Lord Solaris gave you is pretty powerful.  I suspect no one aside from Lady Luna or Twilight Sparkle could break past it.

"I also think one of the reasons why Lord Solaris wants you to work under him is because I doubt no one will question you while working for him.  He will be able to watch over you and make sure you remain disguised."

“Oh… I guess that makes sense.”

“Now come, Honeycomb,” Crimson replied as he started walking.  “The staff housing should be right around this corner—ooof!”

Honeycomb gasped as Crimson walked into a large, brown, burly unicorn.  She was about to help Crimson up but froze in place when she noticed the other pony was wearing a set of royal guard armor.

“Oh, sorry!” the stallion apologized as he picked up Crimson.  “Didn’t see ya there.  Are you okay there, mate?”

“Y-yeah.” Crimson winced as he rubbed his head.  “I’ll be fine.”

“Dr. Flask!” the pony cried out.  “It’s you!  How have you been, my friend?  I haven’t seen you as much since the changeling invasion.  Was wondering where you went off to.”

Honeycomb gulped, her heart pounding in her chest.

Crimson blinked as he shook his head.  He looked up at the other pony, rubbing his head.  “Oh, good afternoon, Iron Shield.  I should have figured it was you, felt like I walked into a brick wall.”

Iron Shield gave out a hearty laugh, roughly patting Crimson on the back.  Crimson, on the other hoof, winced as his legs buckled slightly.

“Oh, you’re always a funny one, Dr. Flask.  What can I say, the guard makes me work out a lot.” Iron Shield chuckled.  “So where have you been for the past month?  The rest of the guard and I were wondering where you went.  The replacement they hired, boy are his hooves freezing.  It is like he puts them on ice first before he sees us.”

Crimson gulped slightly as he adjusted his glasses with a hoof.  “W-well you know, been very busy since the invasion.  Had a lot of extra work heh heh…”

Honeycomb bit her lip, shivering slightly.

“You and me both, my friend,” Iron Shield replied.  “Everypony has been busy.  The guard has been on increased alert and has all of us doing extra patrol duty.  Yeah, it is extra work, but it is needed.  Got to be alert for another a—” Iron Shield stopped, his eyes drifting from Crimson to the small pony behind him.  “Hello, and who do we have here?”

Honeycomb’s body stiffened as both ponies looked down at her.  Crimson was biting his lower lip while the other pony was staring at her with a raised eyebrow.  Iron Shield bent down and brought his face right in front of hers, his eyes staring directly into hers.  Honeycomb gulped, beads of sweat starting to form on her forehead.

“Dr. Flask,” Iron Shield said, his voice low.  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Um,” Crimson said, his eyes darting back and forth as he adjusted his glasses.  “Tell you what?”

Iron Shield spun around to face Crimson, a large grin on his face.  “That you had a daughter!” Iron Shield exclaimed.

“What?”

“What?”

Iron Shield laughed as he placed a large hoof across Crimson.  “How could you not tell me you had a little one of your own?  I mean, I knew you were pretty young, but you could have told me you had a daughter at least.  She is a spitting image of you!”

“B-but!”

“How sweet of you to bring her to work!  Wait…” Iron Shield gasped as he let go of Crimson.  “Don’t tell me it is bring your daughter to work day.  My little one has been waiting for this for a long time now!  I can’t make her wait for another year—”

“Iron Shield,” Crimson interrupted.  He gave a slight cough as he adjusted his glasses again.  “She is not my daughter.”

“What?” Iron Shield said as he blinked his eyes.  “Not your daughter?”

“Yes, er, no.”

Iron Shield gave a slight gasp before quickly bowing in front of Honeycomb.  “My apologies, young miss!  I am sorry for the confusion.  You just look like a winged version of my friend here.”

“Oh,” Honeycomb squeaked, looking at the two other ponies in confusion.

Crimson gave a slight cough.

“Well,” Iron Shield said as he rubbed his chin.  “I guess that makes sense.  The math doesn't add up once I think about it.  I know you are young, Dr. Flask, too young to be a father of a pony her age.  Well, unless you were a stud when you were really young.” Iron Shield chuckled as he nudged Crimson’s side with an elbow.

“No, no.  I can assure you that I have not fathered any foals yet myself,” Crimson replied.  “Iron Shield, this is Honeycomb.  I was just taking her to meet Feather Duster.  She will be working for Lord Solaris temporarily.”

Iron Shield gasped.  “You mean she is going to be Lord Solaris’ personal assistant?” 

Both Honeycomb and Crimson gave a slight nod.

“Well, well, well!” Iron Shield exclaimed as he looked down at Honeycomb.  “You are one very lucky pony, Honeycomb!  To be Lord Solaris’ personal assistant.  Heck, the guard fight each other just to have shifts around Lord Solaris or Lady Luna.  But to be his personal assistant, what a honor!”

“Thanks?” Honeycomb mumbled as she fidgeted with her forehooves.

“You know, I never heard of Lord Solaris ever having a personal assistant.  He tends to be a secluded pony himself.  Aye, the only thing I can think of that is similar to this would be when he took Twilight Sparkle as his personal protegé.”

Honeycomb blinked in confusion.  “Who?”

“Oh yes, Honeycomb, you weren’t here when Twilight Sparkle was growing up,”  Crimson chimed in.  “Twilight Sparkle was picked as Lord Solaris’ personal protegé at a very young age.  He raised her as if she was his own daughter and taught her about magic.  She was a very intelligent filly who always wanted to impress Lord Solaris and learn new things.  Unfortunately, that meant trying new spells.  And well, there have been a few incidents…”

“Incidents?” Iron Shield chuckled.  “Imagine a small filly not even to my chest blowing out an entire wall that was made of stone and twelve inches thick!  I was there!  Oh, you should have seen it!  I swear I have not seen Lord Solaris more proud or happy!”

“Yep, I remember that day.”

“Or the day she turned half the guard’s coat pink.  Oh boy, that was an awkward week.  Hard to be taken seriously if you’re bright pink and in armor.”

“I heard Lord Solaris did find that quite funny.”

“Did he?  I knew he could reverse Twilight’s mishap, but he just let it run its course.  Bet he found it amusing during his court.”

“I must admit, I would have love to seen that.”

“Ahh, those were good and chaotic times.  Hard to imagine our bookish filly saved Equestria, how many times has it been, I think three.”

“Really?” Honeycomb asked.

“Indeed,” Iron Shield replied with nostalgia.  He looked up at the ceiling, “good times indeed.”

“I just remembered!” Iron Shield blurted out.  “I am going to be late to my shift!  Sorry, you two, I would love to stay and chat, but I have to go!”

Honeycomb watched as the guard ran past them and down the hall.  She gave a large sigh when she saw him disappear, her racing heart starting to calm down.

“See,” Crimson said as he wiped his forehead.  “They couldn’t see past it.”

“I guess,” Honeycomb replied, her legs still wobbling nervously.

“Come now.”

Honeycomb followed Crimson again, this time stopping in front of a wooden door.  She looked at it, noticing a sign that read ‘Head of Staff:  Feather Duster.’  Honeycomb stiffened when Crimson knocked on the door.

“Feather Duster, it’s me, Crimson.”

“One second!” a voice called, followed by sounds of paper ruffling.

Honeycomb gulped again, anxious that another pony was going to see her up close.

The door opened, revealing a middle-aged earth mare with a grey coat and brown mane and tail.

“Oh, hello there, Crimson,” Feather Duster greeted as she hugged the unicorn.  “Where have you been?  I haven’t seen you in ages.”

“Yeah.” Crimson chuckled as he adjusted his glasses.  “Been a bit busy with other things.”

“Haven’t we all?” Feather Duster giggled.  “Oh, hello there, young miss!”

“Feather Duster, this is Honeycomb.  I am sure Lord Solaris informed you she would be coming today.”

Feather Duster gasped.  “This is her?  But she is so young, I mean she is still just a filly.”

Honeycomb shivered slightly as she was once again in the spotlight.

Feather Duster offered a soft smile.  “There, there.  No need to be worried.  You are one lucky pony!  To be Lord Solaris’ personal assistant, that is a huge honor!”

“T-thanks…”

“Now, Feather, can I leave this to you?”

“You bet, Crimson.”

“Wait,” Honeycomb cried out as she held out a hoof.  “You’re leaving?”

“Sorry, Honeycomb, but I have other work to take care of at the moment.”

“But…”

“Honeycomb,” Crimson said as he sat down in front of Honeycomb.  “I have to leave.  You will be just fine.  Just be strong, okay?  I’ll see you soon.”

“Okay…”

Crimson smiled as he stood up.  He brought his head next to Feather’s ear and whispered, “Hey, Feather, Honeycomb is really shy.  Don’t ask her too many questions, especially personal ones.  She is really nervous about this job.”

Feather Duster smiled and nodded.

Honeycomb watched as the only pony who she was comfortable with walk away, leaving her alone in a new place with strangers.  You can do this Honeycomb, no one figured out who you are.

“This way, Honeycomb,” Feather said in a singsong voice.  “First, I will show you where you’ll be staying.”

“Staying?”

“Yep.  Lord Solaris told me you will be living in the palace for a while, so we have an open room for you.”

“A room?”

“Of course!  Where else do you think you will staying?”

The dungeons?

“Now come, it is close by.”

Honeycomb got up as she followed the older mare.  She kept her distance away from her as she nervously looked around.  Again, they stopped at another door.

“Here it is,” Feather announced as she opened the door, motioning Honeycomb in with a hoof.

Honeycomb gasped as she stepped in.  A single bed, white walls, a few pieces of furniture, and even a carpet could be seen. To any other pony, it would seem to be like a normal room.  But to Honeycomb, this was much different.  This was luxury compared to what she lived in back in her barren homeland or to a dungeon beneath the castle.

“Well, I know it’s not much,” Feather said as she walked in.  “But it should have everything you need.  We got a bed, a dresser, and a night stand.  Also, behind that door is a small bathroom with a shower.  Now, I forgot to ask, but where are your belongings?”

Honeycomb shook her head out of her daze.  “My belongings?”

“Yes, dear, do you have a suitcase or something?”

Honeycomb bit her lip.  But I don’t have anything except my diary.  “Oh, well I was planning on getting it later,” Honeycomb lied.

“Well we have a long day ahead of us.  Come, I’ll show you around the palace.”





Luna let out a large yawn as she bent down and stretched her back, letting out a small moan as she felt a slight pop in her back.  She stood up and adjusted the silken robe that hung around her frame.  She moved towards her balcony, ready to close the curtains and call it a day.

Luna’s ears flicked as a knock came through her door.  “Visitors?  I was not expecting any visitors…” Luna said to herself.  “Yes, who is it?” she called out.

“It’s me, Crimson,” came a muffled voice from the other side of the door.

Dr. Flask?  What is he doing here at this hour?  “Come in, Dr. Flask,” Luna replied as she lay down in the center of the room, crossing her forehooves.

Luna watched as the door slowly opened, followed by a brown unicorn.  She gave a small smile as she watched the unicorn try to enter her room as quietly as possible.

“My apologies, Lady Luna, I was wondering if I could talk to you for a min—” Crimson froze as he laid eyes on the lunar alicorn.  Here she was, without her regalia and wearing a robe.

“A thousand apologies!” Crimson blurted out as the color of his face matched his name.  “I d-didn’t know you were about to head for bed.  I’ll leave you alone right—”

“Dr. Flask.” Luna giggled as she held a hoof in front of her muzzle.  She couldn’t help but find the bumbling unicorn funny.  “Relax, it is quite alright.  Come sit,” she said as she motioned with a hoof.

Crimson did what he was told, fidgeting with his hooves.

“Lady—”

“Just Luna is fine.”

Crimson bit his lip, averting his eyes.

“Crimson,” Luna said softly.  “What’s wrong?”

“I…”

“Crimson, there is no need to be afraid.  Please, speak your mind.”

Crimson worked his jaw.  “I am having issues regarding Honeycomb.”

“What about her?”

“I am… with all due respect to you and your brother, I am having issues regarding her punishment,” Crimson confessed.

“Well that makes two of us it seems.”

“Wait, what?” Crimson looked up at Luna with astonishment.

“I also have serious issues regarding Honeycomb’s so called punishment.  I think it is way out of line and much too harsh,” Luna continued.

“Really?”

“Indeed, Crimson.”

“So you didn’t agree to her punishment?”

“That is correct.  I did not.”

“But, if you do not agree with this, then how did this ever get enacted in the first place?”

Luna scrunched up her face, her cheeks puffing out slightly.  Yes, brother, how ever did you enact this without telling me?  “My brother… failed to mention this to me.”

“Well,” Crimson began as he adjusted his glasses, “then you can stop it, right?”

Luna sat there as she rested her head on a hoof.  “Unfortunately, I cannot do so at this moment.”

“B-but why not?”

Luna sighed loudly.  “It is… complicated, Crimson.  In short, my brother made this decision behind my back.”

“What?”

“My brother never told me what he was going to do with Honeycomb.  All he told me this past month was that he was going to make Honeycomb ‘pay off her debt to Equestria’, so to speak.  In all honesty, I did not think my brother would take it this far.  I imagined that he was going to scare Honeycomb, slap her on the wrist, maybe keep her in a cell for a week or two, then send her off, so she can send a message to the rest of her kind.

“But I did not think he was going to go this far.  I only learned of what he was planning the same time as you did.  If I were to have my way, Honeycomb would have already been sent home.”

Crimson sat there, his eyes wide and mouth agape in awe.  After a few seconds of silence, he shook his head.  “Luna, apologies for speaking out, but aren’t you upset at what he did?”

Luna sighed again.  “I would be more upset if it wasn’t for the fact that I did the same thing to him too.”

“What?”

Luna looked up at the ceiling.  “It was right after the changeling invasion.  My brother, who I love dearly, is a very prideful pony.  He was furious at what transpired and wanted to mount a counterattack, but that would have been a terrible idea.  Not because we would lose, Crimson, but for other reasons I do not want to talk about…

“I wanted to focus on rebuilding instead.  There was too much damage done to Canterlot.  Ponies needed help with rebuilding, not more fighting.  There had been enough loss already.  After they failed invading, I knew that the changelings, as a whole, would not be a threat.  They burned all their resources for the invasion.  It would take them a long time to recover from their loss, and by then, we, as a nation, would be more than prepared to deal with them.  

“So I made the proclamation without consulting my brother, knowing that he would not overrule me.  If I did consult him, he would not agree.  He was upset that I did not talk to him, but I made my argument, and he finally agreed.  I still know that my brother wants to send a message to the rest of the changelings, but that opportunity is in the past, and my brother knows that.

“In reality, my brother is using the same tactic I did.  I don’t blame him really.  Please understand, Crimson, my brother is truly a good pony who has the best intentions; I know that in the bottom of my heart.  We both share the ideas and vision, but we have different methods on how to approach them.  My brother is much more direct and would rather go in a straight line, regardless of how much resistance he will face.  I, on the other hoof, would rather take the path of least resistance.

“Understand that this is how my brother views the situation.  Honeycomb willingly took part in the attack.  Yes, she is young and does not fully understand the situation, but that does not change the fact she took part in it.  To my brother, it is not fair to the ponies who lost their homes, livelihoods, and their loved ones.  How would they feel if they saw the enemy simply walk away without any punishment?”

“I… I would imagine they would be upset,” Crimson confessed weakly.

“I bet they would.  Look, I think Honeycomb’s role was so insignificant that we can turn a blind eye to it.  But not to my brother.  She still played a role and therefore, has to repay her debt, but at least my brother truly is taking her age and role in consideration.  That is why he is spending his own time to oversee this entire thing.  Does this help to make the whole situation more clear?”

“I guess it does,” Crimson said weakly.

“Crimson, I know that this will not remove all the doubt you still have.  But I will promise this.  I will be watching this situation personally.  If this thing gets out of hoof, I will challenge my brother, even in public if I have to, to remedy this situation.”

“You will?”

“Indeed, Crimson.  Does that make you feel better?”

“Yes.” Crimson sighed with relief.  “Yes, I do feel better.”

“Crimson, my friend, can you do me a favor?”

“Of course, Luna.”

“Please, do not think less of my brother after this.  He means well, he truly does.  He highly values your opinion and character, and it would truly hurt him if he lost you as a friend.”

“He does?” Crimson asked, his eyes wide in amazement

“Indeed.”

“I will, Luna.  I respect him greatly as both a lord and a friend."

Luna smiled. "I am glad to hear that."

“Well, I thank you for your time.  But I do not want to keep you busy, and I have other things I need to do, so I would like to excuse myself.” Crimson got up, a small smile now on his face.

“No worries.  Oh and, Crimson,” Luna said.

“Yes?”

“Please keep this conversation we had just between us.  I would very much appreciate if you did.”

“Of course, Luna,” Crimson replied with a slight bow.

“Thank you, Crimson.”





Honeycomb panted slightly as she kept up with Feather Duster.  Even though she regained some of the strength she lost from being in a coma, her legs were getting sore from all the walking.  She had spent the entire day being escorted around the palace as Feather Duster showed her the various places that she may need to know.  She was led to the various departmental offices, the throne room, and even the cafeteria.  Honeycomb still did not believe Feather Duster that she could eat all the food she want.  Feather Duster seemed to be a nice pony, and nopony had even a hint that she was a changeling in disguise.  Honeycomb was feeling slightly better.  Maybe this would not be as bad after all.

“To be honest, Honey,” Feather Duster said as she walked down the halls.  It was just her and the disguised changeling.  “I am slightly envious of your position.”

“Why, Mrs. Duster?” Honeycomb asked.

“Oh please, just call me Feather.  I don’t need to feel any older.” Feather giggled.

“I’m sorry. Why, Feather?”

“Oh, it is terrible for me even to think,” Feather replied, a slight blush on her face.  “But you get to be next to Lord Solaris all day long, the most powerful pony in all of Equestria!  His personal assistant, no less.  Oh, I am a horrible pony, here I have one of the highest ranking jobs in the palace staff, and I’m jealous of the young mare that Solaris probably picked just because… I’m sorry, I’m just jumping to conclusions here.  Don’t pay any of what I said any mind, Honey.  It’s just an old mare ranting.”

“Uh, what?” Honeycomb said flatly as she blinked once in confusion.

“Though I imagine I’m not the only one who’ll be jealous.  It is considered one of the highest honors to work for either Lord Solaris or Lady Luna.  It is quite competitive among both the guard and the staff here at the palace to get shifts near or around our rulers.  As far as I know, I never heard of Lord Solaris taking a personal assistant.  He tends to be pretty private pony himself.”

“Oh… ok…” Honeycomb replied, a little confused.

Everypony is going to be jealous of me? she finally thought to herself.

“Don’t worry, Honey, I’m sure you’ll be just fine,” Feather said with a smile.

So everyone keeps telling me… I sure hope so…