AN: Ah shit, here we go again.
A Ground View
The Blazing-Burning-Life-Stone-Sun was raised high in the clear, noon sky as the Kin moved through the crowd towards his destination. The crowd rippled and swarmed around him heading in both directions,talking and chattering and buzzing with life and humor, seemingly oblivious to his bulk and size, plus the sack that he carried over his scarred shoulder.
He wasn't surprised, they probably had seen dozens, if not hundreds of his kind over the decades. A Kin wasn't a strange sight anymore, even one as large as himself. Stone, a Hippogryph wasn't a strange sight anymore! Sure enough, he could see more than a dozen other Kin scattered throughout the crowd, talking and chatting or carrying boxes and crates towards the market. No, the lack of stares didn't give him pause.
What did give him pause was the looks he did get. They weren't angry or hostile, though some voices were raised in annoyance when the bumped into him, (he made sure apologize when it happened, just like his Mother-Sire has taught him). Nor were they of disgust or revulsion, which he would have understood, having seen the scars and damage done to his frame. No, these stares were odd in a different way.
Sun-Blessed-Spark-Stone had been young when his Pack had moved from their ancestral tunnels to this city on the Empires west coast. Barely 12 cycles old, he had been awed by the sheer scope and size of the place, having been so used to the small and enclosed tunnels of his home. The walls and building looked like they had been crafted by giants of Stone and Air, and the sheer amount of Tall-Winged-Bird-Lions and later Ponies that inhabited and moved in the streets had overwhelmed him. Then, when he was 15 cycles, he had seen the Emperor and his wife in person. He remembered them looking big, so alive and regal. So wonderful. Back then, he had promised that he would do what he could to be apart of it all,
Now, 40 cycles old, Sun-Spark still felt dwarfed by the scope of it all, and tried to uphold his promise. It hadn't been easy.
He had joined up in the Empires armies as soon as he had been able when war had broken with Sombra, and had fought on the front line. There, on the field of the battle with the tyrant, he had taken a spiked flail to the right shoulder that had punctured his armor, and a troll had raked down his back with its clawed fists. In another fight, he had his cheek pierced by a arrow and had to be held down by six Griffons when they later removed it. Later, in the taking of the Crystal city, he had served with Captain Kaboom, and had his nose broken four times by a enemy soldier. He still couldn't explain that one out of embarrassment.
After that, he had served for several cycles more, then was discharged. He returned home and, not sure what to do with himself, had started doing odd jobs around the city. Some days he worked at the city docks hauling cargo, other days he worked at the bakery and smithys around the city to earn his daily bread.
That's when the looks started.
Every once in a while, he'd catch little glances and looks from Griffons and Ponies. A smile here, a wink there. When he worked in the smithy some days, he'd catch mares and Griffons looking at him, giggling and whispering to each other. When he tried to smile and give a wave, they would squeak and giggle and run away. He'd had children come up to him and give him flowers, or tell him that their mothers thought he was weird. He always said thank you, or your welcome, not sure how to take it, and the children would be bustled away by their embarrassed mothers.
He wasn't sure what to make of it. When he had asked his ancient Grand-Sire-Elder what it meant and she had merely laughed, shaking her head at his apparent foolishness. She hadn't been much help after that, just laughing at his inquiries.
Now, 40 cycles old and he still wasn't sure what to make of it. Stones, he wasn't sure about many things these Moons. It seemed like the world was going mad some moons, and others like it was business as usual.
Sun broke from his reverie as he noticed the street widening before him. He hurried his pace, and soon entered into the city square. Here, the main centers of businesses and biggest taverns were located, as was most of the market stalls in the city. A smile broke onto Suns scarred face as he looked. Here, Sun thought as he moved through crowds towards, was the true promise of the Empire. Not it's law or it's armies, but this.
Hundreds of Kin, Griffons and Ponies moved about their business, shopping, selling, chatting and courting. All living together. Little groups of foals and pups played in the street, games of tag and dolls and play. Kin haggled with Ponies. Ponies argued with Griffons. Griffon joked with Kin and Ponies.
This is what the Empire promised.
Sun-Spark moved through the crowds towards his destination, a large inn on the other side of the plaza. It's stone and light wood frame with its peculiar shape always reminded Sun of a large tan frog. It's sign read The Crooked Wing. He looked at the picture of a crooked wing hanging from the bottom of the sign, snorted, and then headed inside.
He entered the Inn and looked around. It would be turning into evening soon, and a few patrons were already here, drinking and chatting at the tables. The Inn doubled as a tavern, so could always expect a crowd. Sun spotted a familiar brown mane and head at the bar, and grinned. He had arrived just in time before the rush. Securing the sack to his scarred shoulder, he moved towards the bar, taking care to not disturb any one.
The brown Griffon turned to face him, and a grin broke out on his face. " Well," said Lucius, setting the dirty linen down as the Kin arrived at the bar and settled the bag on the inn floor. " Took you long enough. What, did you get lost on your way here, or did some strumpets hero your attention?"
Sun snorted, and looked the Griffon in the eye, scarred face deadpan. " Please. Only your mother would like this Kins face. She's probably used to it everynight, since she had to stare at something similar when you were born."
Lucius barked out a harsh laugh, the scar on his feathered throat bulging a little in the dim light. Several patrons looked up from their conversations at outburst of noise, then looked back down.
Lucius wiped a tear from his eyes and looked at Sun, the mirth fading from his expression to business. " Well, do you have my delivery from the docks?" Sun nodded, and lifting up the bag, showed the contents to the Griffon, who whistled softly. "Well alright then, looks about right. Go head and put that in the back, then take a seat in the corner. I'll bring out what I owe you in a bit." Sun nodded, and hefting the sack once more, carried it into the back.
Several hours later, the tavern was in full swing. Patrons and customers drank and laughed, chatting and drinking away the days work. Servers moved from table to table with ale and food, Kin, Griffons and Ponies Alike.
Sun sat down in the corner of the inn, nursing a mug of ale in his massive paws as he looked over the parchment before him. Such a small, fragile thing. But so much weight in its contents. News from Maretonia, from the Republics across the sea, and much more. As he looked over the report, his hearing caught snippets of gossip and conversation throughout the room.
"-Ear about Gloria? Ran away at the ceremony, and eloped with a Diamond Dog!! Oh the scand-"
"- has decreed and started the construction of a new set of defense along the Southern Border. The Perg-"
"-line is being expanded. The Emperor is calling for more workers to bring it to all the cities of the Empi-"
"- news from Maretonia. The houses are locked in a stalemate, no one has a advantage apparently. Poor slaves, caught in the midd-"
" - nly the Light of the true god, Emperor Garrick, Blessed Be His Divine Majesty, can save our mortal souls from the Darkne-"
His Sire-Parents and Pack had named him
Sun-Blessed when he had been a pup. He never understood why, but they said that he had shined like the sun amongst his siblings-litter-Kin. When pressed, they said that he had always been, different. Quieter. Brighter. Blessed.
He disagreed, of course, saying he was no better than anybody else or wanted to be. They had laughed, and said that he would understand what he meant one day.
A movement at the Inn entrance caught his attention, and Sun looked up to see the flash of a green cloak in the light. Right on schedule.
It had been four moons since the Emperors spymaster Ravensburg had contacted him. He didn't know why or how he had been contacted, but he had asked and Sun had agreed. It was a simple task, he said, one suited for your talents. A job that, if done correctly, will benefit the whole of the Empire. They need a ground view, as he put it.
Sun was happy to oblige.
Ravensburg never sent the same agent twice. He was too smart for that. Agents can be recognized, followed. He always chose his people with care. This one was good. The Pony was cream colored, brown-maned and seemingly dull brown eyes. Even their cloak was dull, lifeless. Someone who, despite all odds, the eye would slip over, who could slip in and out of the crowds with ease.
The pony moved through the room, seemingly weaving through the tables,and went to the bar, and spoke to Lucius. The Griffon nodded, and reaching under the bar, poured the pony a drink. The pony nodded in thanks, and holding the cup in his mouth, trotted over to the corner near Sun.
As the pony moved closer, it happened. He seemingly tripped on nothing, hooves flailing and dull eyes wide with shock. Moving fast, Sun reached out a paw and caught the pony, catching him before he fell to the ground.
The other patrons didn't even notice, too busy watching a waitress pony sock a Griffon in the beak with a buck, knocking the drunk off his stool to his friends delight.
"Careful there friend." Said Sun as he set down the Pony, and smoothing out his cloak, put the folded parchment in a small pocket on the cloak. " Don't want you to spill your drink."
The pony righted himself, and looking at Sun, nodded in thanks. Turning away, he glanced at Sun, and said in a flat voice, " The Emperor Protects," and moved towards a different table. Sun watched him go, and felt himself smiling softly.
" The Emperor Protects."
AN: aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh.
@Questor, I give this trash to you. Merry Christmas you beautiful soul.
