Lady Inkwell slowly lifted a carved opal teacup to her lips, taking a sip of her favorite herbal tea. Savoring the subtly sweet floral taste of the aromatic liquid, she opened her bond with Dylis, allowing him to vicariously enjoy the beverage through her. A small feeling of gratitude drifted back through their bond as he settled in on his perch near their desk. Placing the cup down on its saucer, Lady Inkwell leaned back in her chair, and, lacing her fingers together, rested them on the surface of the table, her attention entirely on the one other person in the room.
Across from her was Sapphire Prism, her face downcast and her hands clenched in her lap, her body trembling in barely contained terror. Like Lady Inkwell, there was a cup of tea before the young marchioness, but unlike the phoenix-born, she hadn’t touched it. In fact, she’d barely moved since Lady Inkwell brought her to the table.
Lady Inkwell regarded the girl before her. Gone was the brashness, self-assurance and swagger. Instead, in its place, there was a frightened little girl that for all the world looked like she might die of fear at any moment. Raven knew that had she unleashed her full presence on the child, she very well might have.
“Sapphire,” Lady Inkwell said evenly, her voice commanding yet non-threatening. No need to spook the girl any more than she already was.
At the sound of Lady Inkwell’s voice, Sapphire jumped in her seat and scooted back in her chair, before frantically looking at the royal seneschal with wide, terror filled eyes.
“Y-y-yes, yo-your g-g-g-grace?” Sapphire stammered.
“Young one, I’m not going to hurt you,” Lady Inkwell said with a calming tone. “We’re just here to talk. You and I. One on one.”
“A-a-a-about what, your grace?” Sapphire stammered, her trembling body still looking fragile and terrified.
“There are a great many things we could discuss,” Lady Inkwell said. “But, I think that first and foremost, I’m curious what you think of your tea?”
“M-m-my tea?” Sapphire said as she flinched back a little.
“Yes, your tea. It’s one of my special blends, and I’m curious what you think,” Lady Inkwell said as she gestured to the cup before Sapphire. “Please, drink.”
Looking down at the teacup before her, Sapphire stared at it for several seconds, as if not sure what to do. Then, with slow, trembling fingers, she reached forward and lifted the cup. Shakily, she lifted the vessel to her lips, and, after bringing up a second hand to steady it, took a small sip. The instant the hot liquid passed her lips, her eyes went wide as she slowly brought the cup away and looked at the emerald green drink, her expression shifting away from terror to shocked awe.
“Well?” Raven said, taking another sip of her own tea.
“I-i-i-it’s delicious, your grace,” Sapphire said as she stared at the tea with wonder. “It’s the most delicious tea I’ve ever tasted.”
“I’m glad you like it,” Lady Inkwell said, setting her cup down and folding her hands again. “The leaves and blossoms come from my private garden.”
“Th-thank you for sharing such a thing with me, your grace,” Sapphire said as she took another sip, her tremors starting to settle down as she focused her attention on her tea. “I know I don’t deserve such a gift.”
“You are quite welcome, young one,” Lady Inkwell said evenly.
A few moments of silence passed as the two sun-gazers sat at the table drinking their tea. Watching Sapphire closely, Lady Inkwell saw the girl’s tremors slow and her breathing become more relaxed.
“Well, now that we’ve had our tea, I think it’s time that we have a little discussion,” Lady Inkwell said evenly as she regarded Sapphire.
All at once, Sapphire froze up and looked at Lady Inkwell, the terror coming back full force.
“About?” Sapphire asked slowly, the fear starting to seep back into her eyes.
“Well, to begin, I want to ask you a question: what does it mean to be worthy?” Lady Inkwell asked as her eyes met Sapphire’s.
Sapphire could only stare into Lady Inkwell’s eyes, as if she were trying to comprehend what the words she’d been asked meant. For what felt like an eternity, youthful turquoise staring into ancient, ageless orange-brown.
“What?” Was the only answer Sapphire could muster.
“I’m asking you, what does it mean to be worthy?” Lady Inkwell repeated without any recrimination. “What, in your eyes, makes a person worthy?”
“I… I’m not sure,” Sapphire said as she continued to stare at Lady Inkwell. “I guess being born to a noble family in Heliopolis, and having a title.”
“That’s not quite what I meant, young one,” Lady Inkwell said evenly. “That’s, in a sense, what it means to be a noble. But that’s not what I’m asking. I’m asking what makes one a worthy person, not what makes a person a noble.”
Sapphire could only stare mutely at Lady Inkwell, a dumbfounded look on her face.
“Come now Sapphire, you must have some idea,” Lady Inkwell said warmly.
“I… guess someone who is worthy is someone who is just. Somebody who is honorable and righteous,” Sapphire said uncertainly, looking to Lady Inkwell for confirmation.
“Go on,” Lady Inkwell said encouragingly.
“Well, someone worthy is both moral in mind and deed, and strives to live up to the highest ideals of Solaria by living by the values Queen Celestia has laid down for us at the birth of the nation. They strive for excellence, and to prove their devotion to their nation through their actions,” Sapphire said with a little more confidence.
Lady Inkwell nodded once as Sapphire finished, folding her arms over her breast.
“That is an acceptable answer,” she said, before looking back at Sapphire. “And, what are the four core ideals that Celestia asked us to live by?”
“Um?” Sapphire said, unsure of herself, before bowing her head in thought. “Obey your betters? Family is the most important thing in one’s life… I think. I’m sorry, your grace, I don’t know the others.”
“I see,” Lady Inkwell said, her voice carrying no judgment. “Then allow me to enlighten you. The four principles that Celestia asked all Solarians to live by are: Honor and cherish one’s family and friends, no matter the form they take. Show kindness to those around you, even when it may not benefit you. Be generous to those you meet, especially those who are in need. And, know your place in the order of things by following those who have earned the right to lead.”
“Oh,” Sapphire said softly. “I’m sorry, your grace.”
“Apology accepted, young one,” Lady Inkwell said. “So, we’ve defined how someone who is worthy acts. Now, perhaps we can address another question: is anyone inherently worthy?”
“Well, yes, the nobility is inherently worthy,” Sapphire said almost mechanically.
“So one automatically is worthy without deed or virtue?” Lady Inkwell asked, before picking up her cup and taking a sip of tea.
“Um… yes… the nobility are by definition more worthy than others. Right?” Sapphire said, her voice now unsure.
“I see. So, one can be worthy by nature,” Lady Inkwell said as she crossed her leg, before lacing her fingers together and resting them on her calf. “But, if we’ve said that someone is worthy by the quality of their actions, and by living up to the Queen’s ideals, does that mean that someone lives up to those ideals simply by being born? Or does one need to act in a way that is worthy?”
Sapphire opened her mouth to speak, only to close it and re-open it several times, before bowing her head in defeat.
“Well… I… uh… I don’t know…” Sapphire admitted under her breath.
“I’m glad you were willing to admit that, young one,” Lady Inkwell said. “Let’s try something else. Tell me, are you familiar with the term noblesse oblige?”
“I’ve… heard it, but I’m afraid I don’t know what it means. I’m sorry, your grace,” Sapphire said.
“It’s a phrase that signifies what it means to be a noble,” Lady Inkwell said, before taking another sip of her tea. “Noblesse oblige is the principle that if one is a noble, they must be held to a higher standard of conduct. And that those of higher rank in the nobility are held to a higher standard of nobility than those of lower rank. It also means that as a noble, one is responsible for those under their care. It means that if one is a noble, they must be sure to live up to the ideals of Solaria. In other words, they are expected to maintain a level of worthiness that acts as an example to others because of the position of power they occupy.”
Lady Inkwell carefully watched Sapphire’s expression. After a few moments, there appeared to be a click of understanding.
“I… think I understand, your grace. To be a noble means that you are not inherently worthy, but rather, that you are held to a higher standard of behavior, because your position means you must show you are worthy of holding it.” Sapphire said, her expression brightening. “Is that right?”
“Good. Well done,” Lady Inkwell said with a slight smile, before her expression returned to its unreadable resting neutral. “Now, have you lived up to that?”
Sapphire’s face suddenly fell as her elation was replaced by confusion.
“I… I’m sorry, I don’t understand,” Sapphire said.
“For the last month, have you acted in a way that was worthy?” Lady Inkwell repeated levely and calmly, as if she were asking about what the weather was like outside. “Have you lived up to the ideals of kindness, generosity, friendship and deference that Celestia asks of her children? Have you proven your worthiness?”
Sapphire could only stair dumbly at Lady Inkwell, the question slamming into her like the corrosive, hurricane force breath of a crag linnorm.
“Um…” Sapphire said, before closing her mouth and curling up.
“Because from where I’m sitting, you did not. Do I need to explain why?” Lady Inkwell asked in the same level way as before.
“I… have some idea, your grace,” Sapphire mumbled.
“Go on,” Lady Inkwell said with a wave of her hand.
“It was made very clear to me when you gave me my assignment. I disobeyed you, and took for granted that I should have been given a high-ranking assignment,” Sapphire said. “But, there’s something I don’t understand, your grace.”
“Which is?” Lady Inkwell asked.
“Why did you bring that di… that outsider here. She’s an orphan, and she’s not from Heliopolis,” Sapphire said desperately. “Why would you want someone like that here? She has no family, which is an affront to the very idea of one of the core tenants you told me about. And she’s not from Heliopolis. There’s no way that someone not born in Celestia’s light can be worthy, right?”
“Sapphire,” Lady Inkwell said in a gentle voice, “I brought her because I wanted her here. Just as I wanted all of you here.”
“But then why did you keep her around after she struck me,” Sapphire protested. “She’s a commoner. I’m a marchioness. She should have been exiled or imprisoned for laying a hand on me.”
“Do you remember what I said the first day?” Lady Inkwell asked. “I said that while you were here, everyone was an equal. It did not matter your title, or where you came from. When you were here, you were Solarians, and nothing more.”
Sapphire could only stare numbly at Lady Inkwell.
“Furthermore, you started it when you attacked her. You did not follow my decree of treating her as an equal. And, you destroyed a gift from her family,” Lady Inkwell continued. “And encouraged others to try to do the same.”
“But… she has no family. She’s a foundling.” Sapphire meekly protested.
“Sapphire, have you heard of the sister or brotherhood oath?” Lady Inkwell asked.
“I… no, I haven’t.” Sapphire said, looking confused.
“I suppose that’s not surprising. Then allow me to enlighten you. It’s a practice in the Western territory. When you're close to someone who is not of your blood, and you love them like a sister or brother, there is a ceremony where you swear an oath of family with one another,” Lady Inkwell said, before adjusting her glasses. “To a Westerner, that oath is as strong and binding as blood. And Sunset has three such oath-sisters. Oath-sisters that gave her the very book you destroyed out of petty spite.”
A look of shock settled onto Sapphire’s face.
“But… family doesn’t work like that. Family is blood and lineage,” Sapphire protested.
“In Heliopolis,” Lady Inkwell corrected. “But in the West, things work differently.”
Taking another sip of her tea, Lady Inkwell reached out and picked up the teapot and refilled her cup.
“So, you see, she does have a family. And one she’s very close to,” Lady Inkwell continued. “Do you understand why she attacked you so violently when you destroyed her book? She did it because it was a gift from her oath-sisters. A gift from her family. If she had vindictively destroyed something your parents gave to you out of love, how would you respond?”
Sapphire sighed and looked down at her hands in shame.
“I would probably have done the same thing…” Sapphire said. “But she’s still an outsider. Outsiders aren’t welcome in Heliopolis. Only Celestia’s chosen are.”
“Sapphire, the Queen does not believe that,” Lady Inkwell said.
“But, my parents, uncle and General Steel Sentry say that it's true,” Sapphire meekly protested.
“Sapphire, please look at me,” Lady Inkwell said. Slowly, Sapphire lifted her head and met Lady Inkwell’s eyes once more. “Steel Sentry does not speak for the queen. I do. And I’m telling you that Queen Celestia loves all of her sun-gazers, both that live within her city, and those who do not.”
“I…” Sapphire stammered.
“And if I personally invited her, then how can she not be welcome?” Lady Inkwell asked.
Once again, Sapphire could provide no response.
“It seems like you’re finally starting to understand why your behavior has been unacceptable, if not downright deplorable,” Lady Inkwell said.
“I… I think so, your grace,” Sapphire said. “Am I going to be exiled for this.”
Lady Inkwell shook her head.
“No. The consequences of your actions are your assignment for the rite,” Lady Inkwell said. “But, consider it motivation to be better.”
“Be better?” Sapphire asked.
“Yes. Be better,” Lady Inkwell said. “When the rite has ended, remember what I’ve told you. Use the consequences of your actions as a motivator to live up to the Queen’s expectations for you as a member of the nobility.”
“I… I’ll try, your grace.” Sapphire said.
“Then there’s hope that you will be the kind of noble that Celestia and I wish that you could be,” Lady Inkwell said warmly. “Now, finish your tea, and then you’re free to go.”
*****
Early evening had finally fully settled in as Raven sat at her desk, Dylis resting on her shoulder as she finished her paperwork for the day. Logistics needed to be finalized for the rite, from security, to ensuring that all of the food was prepared properly, to a million other things that had to be done. There was always so much to do, and always so little time to do it.
Unlike most sun-gazers, who saw the dusk as a fading of the Queen’s light and the rise of the Traitor’s darkness, neither Raven or Dylis dreaded the fading of the sun. Instead, it brought a sort of melanchole combined with a sense of longing older than the nation they administered.
Truthfully, in an age long ago, this time of day was one of their favorites. Though not because it marked the end of their duties to the sisters. No, she once loved it because it had been one of the rare opportunities they had to see their former friends among the Traitor’s star-singers. Including, in the century leading up to the Splintering, someone that Raven had loved like a little sister.
A wistful sigh escaped Raven’s throat as she stamped the last form for the day, and leaned forward in her chair. Placing her elbows on the edge of the desk, she laced her fingers together and rested her forehead on their back, her thumbs pressed into the bridge of her nose.
Most days, she could keep the memories from surfacing. But in the days leading up to a new ascension, they always found a way to force themselves to the surface. Sometimes, they were welcome. Most times, they were not. But, they always found a way to float up from the deepest part of her mind and make themselves known.
Closing her eyes, if she allowed herself to drift to an age long gone. Into a shining city of marble and onyx. To a grand amphitheater meant for only two beings: the Sisters. The memories continued, and she found herself lost in the beautiful, otherworldly sound of the star-singers’ voices joining together into the Chorus of Stars as she and the other Flame Weaver’s danced together in the dusk. She could still remember the feeling of the Chorus’s songs flowing through her, kindling her flame as she wove it into the spells she would cast for the entertainment and glory of her Queen and the Traitor.
With a tired sigh, she forced the memory out of her mind. That wasn’t her world anymore. It had been gone and dead for over fifteen hundred years. After the Splintering.
After the Traitor turned on the Queen, and their people went to war.
Fifteen hundred years since she’d been forced to fight, and kill, night-weavers she’d once considered family in the name of ending the Traitor’s rebellion. In the name of her Queen. And forced to watch as her fellow sun-gazers were likewise slaughtered by the Traitor’s followers.
Watch as her fellow phoenix-born were slain.
Before the Splintering, there had been eight others among her kind. Yet, by the time that the Empress returned to end the fighting, and exiled the Queen and the Traitor to the far ends of Impracordia, she was the last.
All of the other phoenix-born had fallen in the war.
Yet she remained.
Alone except for Dylis and the Queen.
Now, even after all these years, even the good memories the early evening brought were tainted by the bitter taste of loss and lingering sorrow. Those happy times were like a faded dream, long lost in an age that only existed in memory.
Even her dreams had faded and vanished with the Splintering and the sun-gazers’ exile from the dreamscape, leaving only a dark, empty oblivion when sleep claimed her.
A warm body pressed itself against the right side of her head as Dylis cuddled up to her. Closing her eyes, she reached up and placed a hand on his right wing, leaning her head against his breast as he rubbed his head gently against hers and wrapped his free wing around the back of her head.
Thank you, Raven sent to Dylis.
Of course, Dylis sent back.
Raven could feel Dylis’s concern through their bond, and she held him a little closer.
You’re remembering them again, Dylis sent through their bond. Sapphire Shores and Isis.
Yes. It’s hard not to when someone with such a similar name’s around, Raven sent back before sighing wistfully.
I know. I miss them too, Dylis sent back.
Some days, I wonder if she survived the war, Raven sent as she petted Dylis’s wing, savoring the warmth and softness of his feathers against her hand. Did she make it, and is still out there, somewhere, still serving the Traitor?
It's a question that I doubt we’ll ever know the answer to, Dylis sent and he rubbed the side of his face on Raven’s forehead, slow, soft trills escaping his throat. No matter how much we wish we could.
I know, Raven sent. Thank you.
Always, Dylis sent with a feeling of deep and warm affection.
As Dylis withdrew his wing, Raven removed her hand and opened her eyes. The moment passed, and Raven set about collecting the final stack of papers on her desk. Once gathered, she tapped their edges on the surface of her desk, forming them into a neat bundle, before wrapping them with a thin ribbon and storing them in one of the drawers.
As she finished her final task for the day, her eyes wandered over to her tea-table, the teapot and two empty teacups on its surface.
The setting for her meeting with the girl she’d been forced to nearly break earlier.
After Raven had dismissed Sapphire, she’d watched as the girl slowly made her way out of the room, her posture drooped and tired. Were Raven weaker, she might have felt a pang of remorse; much of the young woman’s spirit had been snuffed by being directly in the line of her displeasure.
But, it had to be done.
The child could not be allowed to get away with such open insubordination. And, there was too much at stake to risk everything being derailed by her misguided attempts at subverting her authority in favor of Steel’s twisted ideology.
Raven hoped that Sapphire truly understood and internalized why her actions were unacceptable and became the kind of Solarian that Raven wished she would be. But there was always the possibility that this whole thing would strengthen Steel’s hold on her once she got back home and was near his influence again. No doubt Amethyst Mirage would complain to Steel over the whole event, and how Raven had ‘broken’ or ‘tainted’ his daughter.
She’d have to start watching the girl and her family a little more closely from now on.
But, such was the game she was playing against the General for the heart of the nation.
Lifting her arm to her shoulder, Raven offered it to Dylis. As soon as the limb was close enough, he climbed onto her forearm, then turned to face her as she rose and walked to the window. In the early evening light, the heart of Heliopolis was still breathtaking, the fading sun adding contrast to the vast, divine landscape and the blessed edifice at its heart.
I know that look, Dylis sent to Raven as she stared out the window. Need I remind you that the child earned what she got, and gave us what we need to undercut Steel and Highblood.
I know, Raven sent back as she brought her left hand up to scratch the back of Dylis’s head, savoring the pleasurable sensation that her partner was sending to her. I just can’t stand to see the state that things have reached.
That is not your fault, Dylis sent back as he rubbed his head affectionately on Raven’s hand. You help the Queen administer the entire nation. You can’t do that, and babysit Heliopolis too. We just need to put our hope into the girl.
It’s going to be a delicate game, no doubt about it, Raven sent, before her brows furrowed with frustration. The girl has so much potential. I just worry what Steel and his allies will attempt once they realize that their plans have been thwarted.
That is assuming that they are thwarted, Dylis sent in a serious tone. I would not put it past Steel to have caught wind of what’s going on, and moved to stop it.
True, Raven sent with a tired sigh. But, it’s not as though we haven’t been playing this game with him for centuries now, is it, my other soul?
Don't remind me, Dylis sent back, before his feathers bristled slightly as he sensed a new presence in the room. A familiar presence that would inevitably twist his feathers in a knot. Speaking of painful annoyances, we have a guest.
Taking in the sensation that Dylis shared with her, Raven’s mouth turned up into a slight smirk as she recognized the source of her partner’s irritation.
“I know you’re there,” Raven said without turning around, addressing the air of her otherwise unoccupied office. “You can come out now.”
In response to Raven’s call, there was a slight ripple in the air near the door, and a form materialized as though revealed through the heat shimmer of a mirage.
“Evening boss,” The brick-red skinned, black haired sky-runner said as she leaned against the wall adjacent to the door, her arms crossed over her chest and a relaxed, cocky smirk on her face. Unlike her usual unassuming and banal attire, she was now wearing a smart, dark red pair of slacks, wide blue, red and violet striped scarf-belt and white blouse with a golden bolo tie. “One of these days, I swear I’m going to finally get the drop on you.”
Not while I’m here, you wacko, Dylis thought as he fluffed up his feathers irritably, narrowed his eyes and hissed loudly at the woman.
Be nice, Raven gently chided.
“Nice to see you too, Mr. Grumpus,” the woman said to Dylis as her cocky smile shifted into an irritating smirk, before pushing herself off the wall and approaching the window. Upon reaching Raven and Dylis, she bowed slightly and took up a position next to the royal seneschal.
“You know the bow’s unnecessary, old friend,” Raven said with a chuckle as she brought Dylis up to her right shoulder, which he climbed onto. “We’ve known each other far too long.”
“Oh, let me have my fun, Raven,” the woman said cockily.
Raven chuckled warmly and rolled her eyes.
“Dawn Wings, your idea of fun is giving other people splitting headaches or driving them to drink, so you’ll understand if I don’t want to indulge you in your hobbies,” Raven said as she gave her friend a sidelong glance.
I just wish she’d stop doing it to us, Dylis sent with an irritated huff.
At least she’s not boring to have around,, Raven sent as she looked at Dawn Wings. “Now, I take it that this isn’t a social visit. What do you have to report, spymaster?”
“Nothing good, I’m afraid,” Dawn Wings said as she crossed her arms, her brows furrowing in irritation. “You were right. The results were tampered with. It’s taken my Eyes this long to track everything down, and even then, nothing has led directly back to you-know-who.”
“That’s not surprising,” Raven said with a huff. “He’s a cagey bastard. But since his great-grandson is part of the ‘chosen few’, he’s obviously involved. Even if the boy does have a powerful flame.”
“But not compared to the kid?” Dawn Wings asked.
“No. But, the girl’s flame is one of the purest and strongest we’ve seen in centuries. I doubt we’ll get another like her for generations,” Raven admitted, before her expression turned serious. “What about the others?”
“Nothing too incriminating, but here’s what I’ve got,” Dawn Wings said as she passed a medium sized envelope to Raven, who took it and, weaving her free hand through the air, shrunk the folder and stuck it in the pocket of her vest.
“Thank you,” Lady Inkwell said, her voice losing a bit of its warmth. “Dawn Wings, I know it’s only recently come to our attention, but have you got anything on the threats made to the girl’s home in Golden Tree?”
“Oh, sun’s light, that’s a giant bucket of fang worms, let me tell you,” Dawn Wings said with an annoyed groan. “From what little I could gather on such short notice, Ruby and Amethyst were making inquiries into purchasing the land the orphanage is on. From what the Eyes found, they were planning to push the town hard if Sapphire gave them the word.”
“That is very disappointing to hear,” Raven said, her brows furrowing. “Do you know who currently owns the land?”
“It belongs to the town of Golden Tree,” Dawn Wings reported. “The land and building have been rented by Tender Heart’s family for at least three generations, so the town was not inclined to sell, especially to Heliopolans. That said, I don’t think either of those shade-lovers are going to let this go.”
“Keep me apprised of the situation, and move to intervene if need be,” Raven said coldly. “I’ll personally contact the town clerk if I have to. If everything goes right, we don’t want the girl actively seeking retribution against Heliopolis.”
“So, I take it that she’s what you’re looking for?” Dawn Wings asked as she turned to face Raven more fully.
“She’s rough, but I think that we can use that to our advantage,” Raven said, narrowing her eyes. “And, she’s got the kind of fire that’s going to let her hold her own against them when the time comes.”
“I still don’t like what she’s had to go through,” Dawn Wings said, her tone losing most of its geniality. “Was all this really necessary? I mean, prodigy or not, she's still a little girl.”
“Dawn Wings…” Raven began.
“I know, I know! But, it still doesn’t feel right,” Dawn Wings said quickly. “You’re always telling me I can speak my mind, so I’m speaking my mind.”
Raven closed her eyes and allowed herself to sigh. Dawn Wings was one of her only true friends she had aside from Dylis, Roseluck, Amara and the Queen. And that friendship meant the spymaster was annoyingly comfortable with questioning her. Something Raven had to admit, she both honestly enjoyed and found very irritating.
“Right now, the girl’s like a rough cut fire ruby,” Raven said as she opened her eyes and turned to face her friend. “Had your investigations not made me suspect that something was awry with the tests, we would probably have never found her. Yet, if she’s going to be the beautiful gem that both the Western Territory and Solaria needs, she has to be cut in just the right ways. I know it has not been easy on her, and that the days ahead will be as painful, if not more so, but it needed to happen this way. We can’t afford another Spitfire.”
Dawn Wings’ face darkened at the sound of the youngest phoenix-born's name.
“True. Steel doesn't need another puppet dancing on his strings,” Dawn Wings said tersely. “So, do you think the kid’s got what it takes?”
“She has to,” Raven said as she reached up with her right hand and stroked Dylis’s head, earning a happy trill from the phoenix, before transferring him to her shoulder. “I can count on you to do your part, right?”
“Of course,” Dawn Wings said with a smile. “You know I’d follow you into the Chaos and back.”
“Thank you Dawn W…” Raven began, only to be cut off by Dawn Wings.
“I mean, who wouldn’t want to follow you. Have you seen your butt?” Dawn Wings said as she leaned to the side to admire Raven’s backside, earning another angry hiss from Dylis. “I mean just over two thousand years old, and doesn’t look a day over twenty five. My dear hubby’s got a nice ass, but it ain’t can’t hold a candle to yours Raven. Chaos, I’m not even into women like that, and I think it's impressive.”
Can I please set her on fire now? Dylis sent to Raven as he glared at Dawn Wings.
No, Raven sent back as she brought her left hand up to her forehead, closed her eyes and began to rub her temples with her thumb and index finger. As she did, a thin tendril of living flame unwound itself from her bun and lashed out at Dawn Wings, who ducked it effortlessly with a laugh. I’m reserving that pleasure for myself.
“Dawn Wings, you’re lucky you’re too useful to banish,” Raven said with an exasperated groan, one that all three of the room’s occupants knew was mostly for show.
“Darn right I’m lucky. If I wasn’t useful, I wouldn’t get to look at the nicest buns in all of Solaria whenever I came to make a report,” Dawn Wings said as she evaded another lash of Raven’s hair.
Seriously, just the primaries on her left wing. She can survive without flying for a couple weeks! Dylis protested with an irritated mental laugh.
Not going to happen. Raven sent back.
“Please leave before I decide to have you exiled from Heliopolis,” Raven said with a laugh as she looked at her friend with an irritated smile.
“At least the last memory I’ll have is of the finest bread loaves in the city,” Dawn Wings laughed as she twisted away from another swipe.
Just one bite then. I’m sure if we worked together, I could get the tip of one of her ears, Dylis sent with a mental smirk as he watched Dawn Wings duck and weave around Raven’s halfhearted attempts to smack her.
Nope, Raven sent.
“You are a degenerate, you know that, right?” Raven said with a groan as she crossed her arms and shook her head with a laugh, the tendril of flame retracting back into the fiery corona on her head.
“I wouldn’t be me if I wasn’t,” Dawn Wings said with a smile. “So, since you’re done for the evening, how about the three of us go and get a drink. I’ve got a bottle of fifty-year old sparkberry cognac that’s been looking for some company, and it’d be such a shame to disappoint it.”
As long as it doesn't involve rats this time, Dylis sent with a grumble.
“Amber Leaf’s label?” Raven said with a raised eyebrow and a smile.
“Vineyard 12. Nothing but the best for you and Dylis,” Dawn Wings said with a matching smile.
“Well, okay, you’ve convinced me not to have you exiled,” Raven said with a smirk, before gesturing to the door. “Shall we?”
“After you,” Dawn Wings said as she walked to the door and opened it for Raven and Dylis.
“Thank you. Oh, and Dawn Wings?” Raven said as she walked to the door. Right as she passed Dawn Wings, her hair tendril suddenly emerged again and, swift as a striking snake, cuffed Dawn Wings across the forehead, earning a pained yelp from her friend. Stopping in her tracks, Raven gave her a sidelong glance. “That was for the comment about my butt, you pervert.”
“Worth it,” Dawn Wings said with a laugh as she rubbed her forehead where Raven had smacked her. "Besides, you know you love me."
“Yet I have no idea why,” Raven said with a smirk.
Because you enjoy the irritation? Dylis sent sarcastically.
Probably, Raven sent back.
“One of the greatest mysteries of all time,” Dawn Wings said as the three of them headed towards the south exit.
Nice to have a chapter from Raven's perspective.
A neat detail given their different palates. It allows both to experience taste in a new way. Well, it was new for the first century or so.
Very interesting to see values Celestia espouses. Generosity, Kindness, and Magic-as-Friendship... but also Deference. Not only does this underline Rarity, Fluttershy, and Twilight's absence from Solaria, but it also raises the question of what corresponding governing principle Luna may hold dear. Ambition, perhaps? And then there's Sombra...
Review the definition of worthiness you just established, Sapphire, then tell me how being born outside of Heliopolis contradicts in any way.
Ah well, dismantling her biases is still a work in progress.
And there's the key. Millennia old or not, Raven's still just one woman. She only do so much.
Brilliant interlude, both in breaking down Sapphire's worldview and the peek into the machinations at work among the phoenix-born. And it's good to know that Dawn's husband made it into this worldline. Looking forward to more.
Ending was so beautiful and gay. I love it please say that Sunset in this universe is Bi.
A very nice peek behind the curtain, as it were.
Looks like you have a partially re-written sentence that never got cleaned up
10266082
Dismantling bias is always a work in progress, especially when others are reinforcing them at the same time.
*dramatic music*
The plot thickens.
Ah, the centuries long back and forth of competing immortals. *inhales deeply* reminds me of my days playing Vampire: the Masquerade.
Though i suspect neither side is truly prepared for Sunset Shimmer.
10266057
I've been waiting to do this for a while, TBH.
10266082
It is one of the under appreciated benifits of being psychically linked with a different organism.
Its a call back to which Elements Celestia used in cannon, and her role among the three. Recall that according to the Solarian legends, she was the leader among the three, Luna was the advisor, and Umbra was the sword and shield. And if Luna turned on her because she wanted to lead, how might that have affected Celestia, given that she was named by her mother Harmony as the one to lead?
Thank you. I've been itching to write it for a while. Also, consider the difference in perspective that Raven and Steel have: Raven remembers and lived through the time before the Splintering. Steel, being only ca. 800 years old, has only ever known Solaria.
Cloud Chaser and Dawn Wings are quite happily together. After what I put the poor woman through in Wings of Dawn, I'm not about to rob her of that.
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Well, by Dawn's own admission, she not entirely interested in Raven sexually or romantically, but she is close enough with her that she's more than willing to tease the heck out of her friend, especially when she knows Raven is getting serious and broody. Dawn knows Raven's moods, and knows when she needs to cheer her up. Which usually involves aggravating her a bit to take her mind off things. And, even if she's not entirely into her, she can still admire the perfect curves of Raven's backside. After all, works of art are works of art.
In regards to Sunny, she is bisexual, homo-greyromantic. Meaning that while she finds men and women sexually attractive, she only ever develops romantic feelings towards other women that she has a strong emotional bond with.
10266131
Thanks for the spot. (I swear, its a law of the universe that I miss things when reading through for errors)
That it is.
10266164
Yup. Both sides are ill prepared for what Sunset will potentially bring to the table. But, only one side might actually be happy about that.
Ah, a fellow V:tM alum? Fun fact, Dawn is based off an old Werewolf: the Apocalypse corax character of mine.
This story has had some excellent world building.
Whelp if spitfire is in steels camp their goes rainbows chances of joining. Im hoping luna manages her nobles better. Id like to see a bunch of competent non bigot nobles for a change. Like in some books where noble children are required to live and work as commoners for a time to learn humility.
Well, there goes my theory that the testing equipment was set up to directly report the results to Raven and/or Celestia to prevent tampering. Considering what else Raven's capable of, I'm genuinely surprised she either didn't think of that or couldn't do it.
Finally got a name for the mysterious messenger. Guess she wasn't an incognito Celestia, after all. Darn, that's two theories trashed in a single chapter.
Not sure where Sapphire's character is going to go from here. She could easily become an ally to Sunset or her bitterest enemy. I have the feeling her journey is far from done and there's going to be quite a bit of backsliding between the Rite and when next they meet. But Raven's got a hook in her now, only time will tell if that's enough to reel her out of the tar pit that is Steel's indoctrinating influence.
In a follow up, it's really telling how much it affected her, that even in her repressed wistful memories from before the Splintering, Luna is still "the Traitor" in Raven's thoughts.
Oh I like her.
10266241
Thank you. If I'm being honest, world building has always been something I'm good at. Telling stories within that world? That's something that hasn't come easily.
10266280
I'd say it was less that she can't do it, and more that she never thought she'd have too. The problem was that when she got the results of the tests, she noticed that there were some very odd discrepancies in the data. So, she had Dawn Wings send the Eyes to surreptitiously inspect the test equipment, and discovered a few unreported potential candidates recorded in the device's memories, including one very potent one. They then had to work backwards and determined that the potential was somewhere in the west. They then investigated the towns, and heard stories about Sunset and what her test was like.
Sapphire's a bit of a conundrum, because she was just meant to be an antagonist for the first arc. But, I think she has a lot of potential to end up as either friend or foe, or both, depending on how things go once she gets home, and how Sunset reacts to her the next time they meet.
10266290
Yup. After all, because of Luna, she had to kill some of her closest friends. While she has forgiven most of the night-weavers, she holds Luna responsible for the entire mess in the first place. Though, her loyalty to Celestia may have skewed her perception of all the events that led up to the Splintering.
10266299
Mission accomplished.
Interesting, I wonder when Spitfire gets here wake-up slap in that she's being used as a puppet, and I hope the general's corruption is exposed eventually.
10266325
Yeah, that makes sense. It's been shown several times that Raven's not as on top of things as she'd like to be, having been repeatedly blindsided by just how deep the rot runs in Heliopolis. Presumably, these devices are several centuries if not several millennia old and it's never occurred to her that they might need to be updated. Even the sharpest minds are vulnerable to oversight.
Tangentially related, I'm curious to see how Spitfire shapes up. I liked her character from the show so I have a hard time seeing her as being just Steel's puppet. It'll be interesting to see if she has her own agenda and just how closely that runs to her elders'. Given her personality and Sunset's the two could easily wind up being fast friends. . . assuming they don't strangle each other first.
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Well, here's kinda a breakdown of Spitfire's situation:
The practical upshot of all that is that Spitfire's perfectly willing to follow Steel's lead, because they share ideals, he outranks her, and she's idolized him most of her life. Even if she's her own person, there's also a lot of stuff ingrained into her perception.
10266369
Oh, still hoping she gets the proverbial wake-up slap in that Steel isn't what he seems and that his corruption is exposed.
10266371
No shame in that.
A most excellent chapter
10266385
Is it wrong that I'm imagining him being handed over to five-faced mechanical aliens to be put on "trial"?
That was a very... Equestrian way of dealing with Sapphire. Well done.
The whole discussion brings to mind certain other groups that have a lot of power and influence that should be behaving better and holding themselves to a far higher standard... but that could just be because I can't get away from that discussion this week; not even by turning off the damn news.
Looks like Steel might have to be removed one day, if his ideals aren't going to skew everything Raven and Celestia are working towards... Hopefully Spitfire doesn't get caught up in the crossfire, but if she's as taken with Steel as Raven thinks she is, then Celestia help her...
OMG Voldemort is involved!
10266425
Thank you.
10266447
Thank you. That's what I'm going for. I mean, even with the very different coat of paint, I'm still trying to keep true to the soul of FiM.
Yea. Truth be told, I had written the first half before I learned about what happened.
10266467
Its a conundrum. Steel is much beloved within the Rays of Heliopolis, and is a highly decorated military officer. If he's going to be de-fanged, it has to be done carefully.
10266519
Shhh, you'll spoil the surprise.
10266270
Well, Selenia's system is pretty close to purely meritocratic, so its a little more like the Roman system than the Medieval one. In fact, inheritance is illegal in Selenia, and all of the children go through the same public education system regardless of what their parents have achieved. Essentially, everyone starts from zero, and then through the strength of their aptitude, works hard to achieve the most that they can.
But, Selenia's system does have its own problems.
10266619
Hmmm ... well the bribery corruption and assassinations were the main problem with roman rule. But since lunas the only thing keeping the ...evil sun queen.. from claiming total dominion... i dont forsee anyone pulling a ceaser moment. If it wasnt for the infighting weakening rome to the point of destruction their is no telling how the world would be today ... hmmm ... probably more polygamy,orgies, and lion feeding ...lol. Oh and no europe since itd be one land instead of many countries.
do the family of a pheonixborn if they dont already have such gain anything in the way of tittles
Once again another great chapter and nice change seeing it from Raven perspective. Also, this really dose bring me hope that Sapphire becomes an ally, or even a friend, to Sunset.
I don’t know what it is, but I just feel that seeing Sapphire slowly becoming another ally or friend to Sunset then enemy more interesting.
10266427
No, no it is not, love this film.
Also, I think Steel would react in a similar way.
10266639
Indeed. Though, the other issue that Rome saw was that they got too big to properly support themselves, because the cost of garrisoning the areas they controlled far exceeded the amount of resources they brought in. But, if they gave up those lands, they'd give up the things they needed to keep everything working.
Selenia's biggest cultural "issue" is that everyone tends to be very cutthroat. After all, if one's status is based on their personal achievements, what motivation is there to cooperate and collaborate with those who are in the same guild/field as you?
10266641
I honestly haven't worked all that out, since phoenix-born are typically sterile. My guess is that Celestia's law is that for phoenix-born, their status cannot be passed on, meaning any children born to a male phoenix-born while their partner is regenerating inherit their mother's title.
10266666
It's always possible that she might make a heel-face turn. And, it's not like cannon Sunset hasn't forgiven some pretty awful things (Wallflower mind-raping her friends and then her comes to mind).
10266427 10266666
Regarding Steel vs. Quints, he'd probably react more like Hot Rod did when they threw him into the pit. The thing is, while Steel does have some not so admirable qualities, he's also a very capable and professional soldier with ca. 800 years of combat experience. The man may be many things, but a quitter isn't one of them. If anything, the Quints would probably just kill him as soon as they captured him, because he'd be far too dangerous to hold. And that would be after he tore through dozens of skarkticons and allicons.
If you've ever played the Killzone games, Steel takes a lot of inspiration from Colonel Radec.
Really been enjoying this ever since I read the much shorter version that was written for a contest. My only complaint is how long it's taken to get here. Nearly a 100k words and we're only just now getting to the ceremony. It feels like it's been really dragged out. It makes me a little worried for the future of the story, since if things speed up it'll be at odds with the rest of the story. On the other hand, if things continue at this pace then each arc will also take another 100k words.
Out of curiosity, will this story be ending after the choosing ceremony and a sequel made for whatever happens next or will it be kept as one story?
Also, hearing about "The Traitor" makes me wonder, is it Luna or Nightmare Moon that rules wherever she was sent? Does that nation have its own Phoenix-born equivalent?
10266735
I meant existing family, at time of asension, mother father brother sister....or oath sister....or perhaps is that something that the pheonix born themself would decide?
10266750
Glad you're enjoying it. I'll admit that The Choosing arc did end up taking a bit longer than I initially planned (it was originally supposed to be 7 chapters).
I'm planning to keep it as a single story, but post ascension, the style's going to shift a bit to a series of short adventures through Sunset's time learning under Celestia/Raven/Roseluck, and her time as Archduchess of the Western Territories.
As for "the Traitor" that would be Luna. Her nation's known as Selenia, and it does have an equivalent to the phoenix-born: the star-singers. If you're interested in the three ascendant races, I made a blog describing them. I've made sure to spoiler tag all ascendants that haven't been revealed in either the original or expanded story yet, so if you don't want to know who the Selenian or shadow-stalker ascendants are, you can avoid spoilers.
10266735
Never played them, it's nice to know I'm not the only one whose watch the first transformers movie, I wonder what the relationship between the day and the night walkers are currently.
10266771
Ah. That I do have nailed down: a phoenix-born cannot elevate or share status with any family they have. If someone, say a relative, were not part of the nobility and petitioned for entry, the phoenix-born would not be allowed to participate in the council to grant them that status. In the case of very distantly related family member (like a 10x grand niece), there's a little more leeway, but not much. And, because of the way population genetics works, that means that phoenix-born rarely, if ever, directly participate in status granting councils.
10266788
Regarding the sun-gazers and the night-weavers, they hate each other. However, their nations are located on opposite ends of Impracordia, Nitor's main continent, so they haven't had contact since the Splintering.
As for Col. Radec, well, here's a few of his major appearances in Killzone.
Mind, Steel and Radec are not 1:1 equivalents, but he does have a lot of things in common with him.
Whelp, so much for my theory of the red sky runner being Dylis in disguise. Thought I was on to something with how they never appeared together and she was always cagey about her name.
10266791
Hey, wasn't a bad theory. Dawn's cagey about her name because she's infamous in Heliopolis, but few sun-gazers actually know what she looks like. All that people know is that she answers only to Lady Inkwell and Queen Celestia, and if she's on your tail, you better hope you haven't done anything illegal.
I like the way Raven dealt with Sapphire. Trying to talk out prejudices is difficult.
In the real world monarchs will often have multiple palaces in different locations. I feel like Celestia could effectively address the xenophobia by building palaces in different places and spending time in different areas, since the Heliopolans seem to base a lot of their supposed superiority in their proximity to her.
10267089
Thank you. Raven's philosophy of honey or dagger isn't just for show. She means it. And after what she went through during the Splintering, she really prefers the former.
That's a good point. Honestly, I never thought of having multiple holy-cities, mostly because they're enormous. What I do know is that Celestia rarely, if ever, leaves the core of Heliopolis, and if she does, she's not in her true form.
10267101
Was that her at the Phoenix rite in the stand alone? The description sounds like one of Celestia's aliases.
10267504
That was indeed Celestia.
Ah, the difference between what the Nobility was supposed to be compared to what it inevitably becomes. The first set of nobles was probably started out as what people think of as "being noble". Unfortunately everything that passes through generational lines always becomes more corrupted the further down the line it goes.
Still seeing the a peek at the games that are going on behind the scenes was interesting. Honestly given how Raven said that it was her and not Sentry that can speak for Celestia really makes me wonder more about how the interworkings and how the hierarchy of the Phoenix-born group works. Can't wait to see more about them later.
10268863
There are nobles that are more in Raven's camp. But, because we've been mostly dealing with Sunset's perspective, the one's in Steel's camp are far more prominent. Mind, Steel's camp is a larger, but there are a fair number of 'good' nobles.
One of Raven's major roles is that of 'interpereter' for Celestia. Because Celestia's mind works on a scale that doesn't really mesh too well with mortal lives, Raven often has to 'translate' or 'speak for' her when declaring edicts and keeping Solaria running. It's one of the reasons that Raven's job is dealing with national level things, because that's the scale her goddess works on.
very good fic so far finally got around to reading it
thoe i think you dragged the training on a bit to long
still over all loving it please update very soon
10277707
Thanks. TBH, the length got a bit away from me when I was writing (getting to this point was only supposed to take 7 chapters).
10277845
fair enough i can under stand that so when is next chapter
10278372
I'm outlining the ascension rite between working on stuff for my lab. I won't put an exact timeline on it, but I'll be trying to get it out asap.
10278384
ok but if you dont hurry ill force you to look at both fluttershys crying
10266325
So Raven doesn’t hate the night-weavers but really blames Luna is that right?
10266735
How’s that possible when there hasn’t been any wars and no I don’t count training as it’s not the same as real warfare.
10279482
Pretty much. Or, at the very least, she doesn't blame all of them. Her and a few of the other ascendants tried to head of the conflict, and only fought because their goddess told them to.
10279488
Ah, but there have been both large and small scale wars. Not against Luna and her night-weavers, but against other groups of sentients, either Harmony created or Chaos-corrupted. The former usually happens on the border over resources, while the latter have been known to siege Heliopolis on occasion with the goal of killing Celestia.
Steel also keeps his and his men's combat skills sharp by periodically capturing dangerous monsters and fighting them to the death.
10279641
Huh okay then.