//------------------------------// // 7: The Errors of His Way // Story: Under the Sun's Wings // by Foxy Kimchi //------------------------------// Sit up straight. Hold head up high. Eyes to the ground. Don’t speak unless spoken to. Wait for orders. Deliver a message. Wait again. Try to sleep. Such was Honeycomb’s first week since she started working. Everyday was just the same as the last. She would arrive early in the morning then sit down in Solaris’ room and wait for orders. That was the worst part of it all, the waiting. Solaris rarely gave her work. Out of the entire week, all that she did was send a message a grand total of five times. Most days, she would just sit there, doing nothing but wait in fear. She did not dare move nor even look at Solaris. Honeycomb was afraid the moment she slipped, the moment she was not following the rules, she would be harshly punished or worse. The constant fear ate away at her, invading her dreams and making it nigh impossible to sleep. Even though the nightmares were different, they all ended the same way: She would make a mistake, provoking Solaris' wrath. To make matters worse, she had trouble eating. From sharp fangs to blunt molars, she was not used to eating with a completely different set of teeth. Eating hard foods caused both her teeth and jaw to be sore. Honeycomb tried to change her diet to softer foods, but her anxiety simply killed her appetite anyways. The lack of food was beginning to show, her coat was ragged and her ribs were starting to show. She secluded herself away from others when she was not working. If she was not in Solaris’ room, she would purposely avoid all contact with anypony and rush straight to her room. Even the few times she delivered something for Solaris, she simply did not enter a conversation or excused herself when one started. All the stress and obstacles she was burdened with were becoming more and more noticeable as Honeycomb once again found herself jerking her head up, almost dozing off while on duty. She quickly shook her head, trying to shake the persistent exhaustion away. Her eyes widened as she instantly sat up again, Solaris in front of her and writing at his desk. Honeycomb gulped, trying to wet her parched throat and hoping Solaris had not noticed that she almost fell asleep. She was dehydrated, but she had to be. The first day she drank something before she started to work, she spent the rest of the day trying to hold it in. So she purposely dehydrated herself before work so she didn’t have to use the restroom and disturb Solaris. The anxiety came back as she became more aware of her surroundings. It felt like a knife was constantly being pressed against her throat. One simple mistake and she would be dead. She tried to focus, but exhaustion was once again creeping in, causing her breath to become ragged and short and her eyelids to droop. Just as Honeycomb was about to nod off, a knock on the door snapped her out of it. Honeycomb yanked her head back up, sitting at attention. “Honeycomb,” Solaris said as he continued to write, “see who it is.” “Y-yes, Lord Solaris,” Honeycomb replied weakly as she made her way to the door. Honeycomb gulped as she leaned her head near the door. “Who… who is it?” “Kitchen staff,” a voice from behind the door announced. “Lord Solaris requested refreshments to be delivered to him later in the morning.” “Retrieve it for me, Honeycomb,” Solaris commanded, again not bothering to look away from his paperwork as he continued to write. Honeycomb quickly obeyed as she opened the door slightly. Standing outside was a copper-colored unicorn wearing a white chef’s outfit. He gave a quick bow before turning around and walking away. She looked to the space next to where he was standing, seeing a small trolley with a coffee pot on it. She quickly grabbed the trolley and pushed it inside, making sure to close the door gently. Carefully, she pushed it to the middle of the room, her hooves shaking. Honeycomb sat back down, her eyes darting back and forth from the trolley and Solaris. She sniffed, her eyes combing the trolley. On top was just a large glass pot of black coffee, and beside it was a small plate with two biscuits and a napkin. “Here,” Solaris said as he placed a mug beside him on his desk, “pour me a cup.” Honeycomb tried to calm her racing heart. “Y-yes, Lord Solaris.” Still unaccustomed to not being able to grip things without magic, she awkwardly twisted her head to place the handle in her mouth, wincing as she bit down. Ignoring the pain, she carried it to Solaris, giving a quiet sigh of relief when she successfully placed it down on the desk. Rarely this close to Solaris, Honeycomb trembled as she anxiously looked up at him, but he continued to stare at the paper in front of him, his quill dancing around on the parchment. Honeycomb blinked, remembering her job. She gulped, slowly picking up the pot in her trembling hooves. The pot started to shake in her hooves as she lifted it above Solaris’ cup. Honeycomb tried to concentrate and calm her hooves, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. Her eyes widened in horror when the pot started to slip out of her hooves. She tried to readjust her grip, but her frayed nerves only allowed her to clumsily fumble it. Getting desperate, she grabbed it with her forehooves as hard as she can. There was a loud noise as the glass pot shattered on her hooves. Honeycomb sat there, her mane in her eyes. The immaculate white carpet was covered in broken glass and coffee—covered in the evidence of her failure. Slowly, Honeycomb drifted her gaze upwards, taking in a large black stain on Solaris' pristine white coat and his stone-faced expression. Cowering, she turned her head to the floor. Solaris lifted his now wet foreleg. Honeycomb closed her eyes, bracing herself. Solaris shook his leg free of excess coffee. “P-please, Lord Solaris,” Honeycomb weakly stuttered, struggling to pronounce every word. “I swear it won’t happen again. Just give me one more chance.” “Honeycomb,” Solaris said softly. “P-please don’t kill me.” “Honeycomb, look at me.” Honeycomb looked up, her eyes were wide with dark circles around them while her pupils were the size of pinpricks. Bags had formed under her eyes, and tears flowed down her cheeks. Solaris reeled back slightly, his own eyes widening, as he stared at her. Regaining his composure, Solaris closed his eyes. After what seemed like an eternity, Solaris’ eyes opened, staring right into Honeycomb's, before drifting down. “Honeycomb, your hoof,” he said, worry in his voice. Honeycomb blinked, her eyes following Solaris’. She saw the stain on the floor, a hint of crimson-red mixing in. Honeycomb lifted her hoof, a large shard of glass protruding from it. “You’re hurt,” Solaris said with concern. Honeycomb stared at her hoof, trembling, as blood dripped out of the wound. Honeycomb sniffed loudly with a small hiccup, tears welling in her eyes. Don’t be scared. A tear hit the ground. Why am I scared? No, don’t cry, not in front of him, not again. At least act brave. It started slowly but quickly escalated. Honeycomb cried loudly, her chest heaving, as the stress from the week’s events were simply too much for her to bear any longer. “Honeycomb, there is no need to cry.” Honeycomb jumped back slightly when she felt something on her face. Opening her eyes, she saw a soft cloth dabbing her cheeks. “Shh, shh. It’s alright, Honeycomb, just breathe,” Solaris said as he levitated the cloth, drying her face. Her trembling died down. Slowly, she raised her head. Solaris' expression was... unreadable, as always. But the eyes behind this inscrutable mask suggested something different, something she had thought impossible coming from him: kindness. “Here,” Solaris said as he held out his hoof, “let me see.” Honeycomb sniffed, slowly placing her injured, trembling hoof on top of Solaris’ hoof. It was warm to the touch. “Just relax,” Solaris spoke. Honeycomb sniffed again, her heart calming down. She looked back up at Solaris. His face was different again. A warm smile donned his face, his expression soft. It reminded her of Dr. Flask. It was comforting. “Okay…” she said quietly. Solaris’ horn glowed a soft yellow while Honeycomb winced as the glass shard slowly slid out from her flesh. Solaris tilted his head, inspecting the wound. “It is deep, but it is nothing serious,” Solaris stated as he floated over a white cover from the large bed and tore off a large strip, carefully wrapping it around Honeycomb’s injured hoof. “This will hold the bleeding for now.” “But isn’t this from your bed?” Honeycomb asked, stunned as she felt the pressure around her leg from the makeshift bandage. “It is,” Solaris replied as he tied the final knot, nodding at his work. “But it is nothing more than a sheet, Honeycomb. That can be replaced.” Honeycomb flexed her hoof, a small red dot forming on her bandage. “Um, thank you?” she said, stealing a glance at Solaris. A small frown and a look of worry formed on the ruler’s face. “Is something wrong?” Honeycomb asked nervously. “Don’t move.” Honeycomb gasped slightly as she felt Solaris’ hoof under her chin, slowly lifting her head. She stared into the diarch’s crimson eyes, gulping. Solaris moved his head closer. “Honeycomb… have you been getting enough sleep?” “What?” Honeycomb asked in surprise. “You don’t look well at all.” Honeycomb trembled. “I-I have been having some issues sleeping lately.” “But why?” “I rather not say…” “Honeycomb,” Solaris said as he removed his hoof, “please tell me.” “I’m afraid…” Honeycomb answered as she lowered her head. “Of?” “Of you…” Honeycomb confessed, her ears flattening. “Honeycomb,” Solaris replied, his eyes drifting down. “Wait…” “What?” Honeycomb watched Solaris lean his head slightly past her, inspecting her body. “When was the last time you ate?” “Three days ago…” Solaris blinked, his eyes wider than normal. He quickly turned his head, levitating a small plate to him. “Here,” he offered as he held out his hoof, a small biscuit on it, “eat this.” “I’m not that hungry to be honest, Lord Solaris,” Honeycomb replied, staring at the offered treat. “It doesn’t matter if you're hungry or not, you need to eat something. Here, take it.” Honeycomb picked it up in her hooves, inspecting it. After a few seconds, she finally said, “I can’t eat this…” “What do you mean? You told us you can eat normal food.” “It is not that I can’t eat food… it is because this is just too hard for me to eat.” “Too hard to eat, what do you mean by that?” “It is hard to explain.” Honeycomb looked back down at the ground. “Ever since I changed forms, I haven’t gotten used to using a different set of teeth. All my teeth are blunt compared to what I had before. I tried eating solids, but that would make my jaw and teeth sore. “So I tried eating softer foods, but there were not that many options. Then I lost my appetite along the way and just kinda stopped eating a couple of days ago. I was just too stressed, and I felt nauseous most of the time and well…” “Honeycomb, I…” Solaris replied softly, crestfallen. His head snapped back up. “Hold on,” he said as he grabbed a parchment and quill from his desk. Honeycomb watched Solaris quickly write on the parchment, blinking in confusion. She squeaked slightly as he stood up, folding the parchment. “Honeycomb, stay here, I will be right back,” Solaris said as he made his way to the door. “Okay?” Honeycomb said in confusion as she watched Solaris leave the room. Honeycomb sat there, alone in Lord Solaris’ personal chambers. What, she thought as she stared at the door, just happened? Her eyes drifted down to the mess again, causing her to frown at how big the stain was. Black mixed with red on the once immaculate carpet. She scooted away from it, trying to distance herself. Her attention drew towards Solaris’ desk, rather what was on it. Staring at the various letters, Honeycomb marveled at the exquisite cursive writing. It was nothing like her scratchy writing. “Wow, that’s pretty,” she murmured. “I didn’t know he could write like that.” She stopped herself. What did she think of Solaris? When she first met him, and for the past week, all she could think of was that he was strict and terrifying. But was that all he was? She caught a glimpse of a gentler side. It was still stern but also warm. Something that she never really saw before. She didn't think she would trust any pony as much as Dr. Flask. A stray thought entered her mind. It was terrifying yet exciting, offering a possible glimpse of hope. What if she could warm up to Lord Solaris, just like Dr. Flask? Her train of thought was interrupted when the door opened again as Solaris strode back in, a large suitcase with a red cross on it levitating by his side. Honeycomb sat back up in attention. Her eyes widened as Solaris didn’t sit but lay in front of her. Even though he was still taller than her, it was strange to almost be at eye level with him. “What is that?” Honeycomb asked as she looked at the strange box Solaris was carrying. “First-aid kit, it is used to help treat injuries.” Solaris laid it down next to him. Gently, he pulled her foreleg towards him. “While your wound is not bad, it is still deep. Deep enough to require stitches.” “Stitches?” Honeycomb blinked in confusion. “Yes,” Solaris replied as he unwrapped the makeshift bandage. Honeycomb shook her head. “You mean like sewing?” Solaris raised an eyebrow before chuckling slightly. “Yes, it is like sewing.” “But wouldn’t that hurt?” she asked nervously. “If done properly, you shouldn’t feel more than a slight pinch. It is nothing to worry about, that I can assure you.” Honeycomb watched as Solaris opened the kit. First, he rubbed a wet cloth over her cut. It stung at first, but Solaris told her it was to supposedly ‘clean’ the wound. Honeycomb’s ears flattened when she noticed Solaris had pulled out a small needle. “Just close your eyes,” he said softly. “It will be over in a few seconds.” Honeycomb shut her eyes tightly, her outstretched hoof trembling. “Ready?” She nodded, bracing herself. One, two, three, four, and five slight pinches. “Done.” “What?” Honeycomb asked in disbelief. She looked down at her hoof, a neat cross-stitch replacing her gash. “That’s it?” “Yes,” Solaris replied as he floated over a roll of gauze. “I told you it was not as bad as it sounds,” he continued as he began wrapping Honeycomb’s hoof. Honeycomb gasped as a gentle yellow light surrounded her hoof. It was warm… and pleasant. “What?” “And that is to help it heal much quicker,” Solaris answered as he cleaned up, closing the kit. “I may not be an expert healer, but I have been around long enough to know a thing or two.” “Thanks,” Honeycomb replied softly as she moved her hoof. A silence hung between the ruler and the changeling. Honeycomb looked around, every now and then lifting her head and catch a glimpse of Solaris’ face. It was different, stern but with a soft, gentle undertone. She never stared for too long, but her curiosity made her constantly check his face for any changes. “I think I've been unfair to you, Honeycomb,” Solaris admitted softly, breaking the silence. “What?” Honeycomb gasped in surprise. “I did not know you were under this much stress, nor did I think you would physically run into any issues changing forms like that. For that, I apologize. Other than having problems eating, what caused you to be so stressed the past couple of days?” Solaris asked. “I… I don’t know if I should say,” Honeycomb muttered. “Honeycomb, there is no reason to be afraid right now. Nothing will happen if you are honest. You told me you were scared of me, why is that?” “I… that day when Mrs. Feather Duster showed me around the palace. When I met you… you said that if I tried anything, you wouldn’t hesitate to act. So I thought if I messed up in any way, I would be punished.” Solaris sat there, his face slightly scrunched in concentration. Honeycomb started to become nervous, wondering if she said something she shouldn’t have. She was about to open her mouth to apologize when Solaris spoke. “Honeycomb, I want you to understand my view on this. Your role in the attack of Canterlot, although small, caused my subjects to get hurt. Yes, I know it was not your intention to do so, but that does not change the fact that you did it. “In war, there is no honor, no pride, no glory, just suffering. I don’t say that because I feel that way, Honeycomb. I say that because I have witnessed too many of them in my lifetime. The ending is always the same. “With that said, Honeycomb, your arrangement was not designed to torment you. Yes, you need to repay the debt you owe Equestria, but that does not mean you have to be miserable. It is simply a job. This is my fault for not making my message clear. What I meant was I would take action if you deliberately tried to hurt someone innocent. “Honeycomb, if you make a simple mistake, that is fine. We all make mistakes, even me. Do you understand what I mean, Honeycomb?” Honeycomb stopped trembling, lifting her head back up. “I-I do.” “Do you feel better now?” Honeycomb nodded. “Good, there is no need to be afraid of me or anypony else hurting you.” “Thanks—” Honeycomb was interrupted by a knock on the door. “Perfect, it is here,” Solaris stated as he stood up and made his way to the door. Turning to see who it was, Honeycomb saw Solaris talking to a pony wearing a white outfit, just like the one she saw earlier. Her eyes widened as Solaris placed a tray, a large bowl of what appeared to be some sort of stew on it, before her. “Eat,” Solaris said as he sat back down in front of Honeycomb. “I…” “It’s fine. There is nothing hard in it. You need to eat something, Honeycomb, or else you are going to get sick.” Still unsure what was going on, Honeycomb slowly picked up the spoon that was next to the bowl. Opening her mouth awkwardly wide, she took her first spoonful. Her eyes lit up in surprise. “Wow—it’s good.” “Eat as much you can, alright?” Honeycomb nodded. It took her a while, but she finally managed to finish it. She looked back up at Solaris. “How do you feel?” he asked, his face having the softer look to it again. “Better… but tired.” “Then go rest.” “What?” “I want you to take the remainder of today and tomorrow off. Go rest and eat, alright? We will start again the day after tomorrow.” “Really?” “Yes.” Honeycomb slowly got up. She tested her right, injured foreleg, wincing slightly at the pain, but it was manageable. She opened the door, looking back at Solaris, a slight but gentle smile on his face. Maybe… maybe I can make it through this. “Tell me, oh great king, why is your city burning?” Solaris shouted as he threw the griffon across the blazing room. “Where is your great army? The army that can conquer both the Sun and the Moon?” The griffon skidded across the room, his lavish clothes charred or burnt away, his crown long gone. The once proud king of the griffons was reduced to a quivering mess covered in blood and scorch marks, the charred remains of his fallen guards surrounding him. He let out a loud squawk as a yellow aura formed around his neck. “Tell me, Alexander,” Solaris roared as he lifted the griffon king into the air, holding him right in front of his face. His own blood-red serpentine eyes reflecting in the griffon’s. “What did you think would happen? What did you think would happen when YOU ATTACKED MY KINGDOM!” “I will call off my army. We will concede lan—” Alexander gasped, his talons failing to grasp the tightening aura his neck. “Call them off?” Solaris growled, his voice low and guttural, “Why should you? Let them come. Let there be a pyre on our borders. Let them come, and they will be cast upon the pyre like so many of their brethren.” Alexander struggled in Solaris’ grasp, his wings flapping uselessly behind him. His beak opened as he tried to choke out a response. “A king should be there, shouldn’t he?” Solaris growled, exposing vicious fangs. “A king should offer them a warrior’s funeral. After all, you ordered them to their grave.” “Please spare me!” Alexander cried, his cheek feathers damp with tears of desperation and eyes wide with fear. “I swear on my life that I will never attack Equestria again!” “How can you swear on something when you don’t own it?” Solaris asked, his eyes squinting. “I grow tired of you, oh Great Alexander. I never did like you… I think it is time we bid our farewells.” Alexander let out a gurgle, the aura tightening around his neck. “Brother!” Luna cried out as she jumped from the flames of the room. “Luna,” Solaris replied as he turned his head. Luna reeled back slightly as she gazed upon her brother. “You're just in time,” Solaris continued, giving a cruel smirk filled with fangs. “I was about to bid farewell to the great griffon king.” Luna looked at the struggling griffon, his terrified face quickly turning blue. “Enough, brother, you have won.” “Almost,” Solaris said as he turned his head back to the griffon. “Just one more thing…” Luna’s eyes widened in horror. Gently, she wrapped her forehooves around Solaris’ chest as she tried to pull him back. “Come, brother, don’t do something you will regret,” she said softly. “No,” Solaris snarled as he stood firm. “He must pay.” “Brother, enough,” Luna continued as she tried to pull Solaris away, “it is time to go home.” Solaris took a step forward, clenching his teeth. “Brother, enough!” Luna cried out as she tightened her grip. “They have learned their lesson, he has learned his lesson. Let him be, let him live in his shame knowing how easily you have beaten him. Let him be a message for his people, a message to never trifle with us again.” “No, he must die!” “Brother, please,” Luna begged. She raised her forehoof, gently turning Solaris’ head to face her own, soft teal eyes staring at him. “Do it for me, your sister. Please?” Solaris blinked as his breathing slowed. “Fine,” he relented as the griffon king fell to the ground with a hard thump. “Thank you, brother,” Luna said as she pulled Solaris away from the fallen king. “Perhaps he should be let to live in shame…” Solaris said grimly as he walked away with Luna. He stopped as his hoof hit the hilt of a sword of a fallen guard. “But…” His aura grabbed the hilt as he turned around, lifting it above the defeated king. Luna gasped in horror. The sword swung down with vicious strength, blood splattering the floor. Alexander cried out, clutching his side as he writhed in agony. “M-my wing, my wing! “Let that be a constant reminder, King Alexander,” Solaris remarked grimly as he kicked the missing wing into a nearby fire, “to never trifle with me or my allies ever again.” Solaris turned away from the fallen king. “Farewell…” Solaris quickly sat upright with a gasp, his body shivering and covered in sweat. He sat there, panting loudly. He shook his head violently, the cries of the fallen and the smell of burning feathers still invading his senses. What do you do when someone looks at you as if you were a monster? Solaris leaned forward, burying his face in his hooves. “I don’t know,” he said softly. “I really don’t know…”