"Hello, hello, ..... I don't suppose I've met you before have I?"
"Yes, yes,... You are quite new to me, are you not?"
>The iron-clad knight sat amongst the ravages of thick forests
>plant life at every turn, choking out any sign of light
"And yet, I feel as though I know you.... Like a long lost friend..."
"Or perhaps, you know me? Heheheh.......
"Whatever the case, I'm happy to have met someone besides myself in this dreary place"
>His helm covering his face, only a slit into the metal mask, where his eyes could be seen
>they were dark eyes, not of evil, but sorrow
"Ahh, I see you peeking at my face? Aren't you the curious sort."
"But ... I'm afraid I can't allow you to see me... Not as I am at least"
>The small brown bear cub he'd been chatting with, looked deep into the man's helmet
"I'm sorry little one, but I'm afraid my current state may, ... displease you."
"You see, I had always followed the sun, it's golden light showering upon myself"
"But ... I had wanted more.... I wanted, my own sun."
>the bear cub curled up in the man's lap, drowzy
 
 
"Yes, my own sun. The glory of that great father, just for me"
"And in my quest for my sun, I even found a friend."
"Much like myself, he too was ... less than lively."
>the cub was near sleep, not hearing the man's words
"And after so much searching, I found it. My own sun"
"But I was blinded, it was no sun ... it was, a lie."
"I was overtaken by my sun, unable to control my own actions. I struck against my friend, and he did what had to be done"
"And so, I was laid to rest, at the hand of my friend, a fellow follower of the sun."
>the man tilted his head, looking at the cub asleep, resting his hand upon the cub's stomach
"But I suppose that's not of your interest. hmmm.... hmmmmmmm ..."
>the man stroked the cubs fur, it stretching
>A moment passed, then two, the man found himself riddled with fatigue
>*KRSSHK
>A noise from the tangled bushes off to the side startled the cub awake
"there, there, it's alright, no harm to be done."
>the man softly broached the cubs' fur, attempting to ease it
>from the bushes stepped a much larger bear, an angered look in it's eyes
"Oh my, perhaps I was wrong"
 
 
>The larger bear slowly approached the man, baring it's teeth.
"Well, we may be in a bit of trouble, eh? hehehe .... oh?"
>The man looked at the cub, now making it's way towards the larger bear
"ahh, I see, your kin I suppose?"
>the man held a hand up, open, gesturing towards the parent
"Well glorious, I am happy to know this little one is not alone."
"Being so young, and alone, it would be just tragic"
>the mother bear made it's way to the strange metal man, her anger not wavering
"Oh, you see me as a threat? I understand, it is your child, afterall. ... And I, I am not of the greatest valor"
"Please, do as you see fit, I will not resist"
>the metal man sat against the tree, arms out, almost as if welcoming the bear
>the bear reached the man, who remained motionless, arms out, head down
>snffing the helm, the bear drew back, a rancid smell filling it's nostrils, and stepped away
"oh? Do I displease you as well? I'm sorry, I must smell as I look."
>the metal man looked over his hand, his arm, his torso and legs,
"I'm sorry for the unpleasant odor, But I myself have not been able to smell in quite some time."
"these things, these .... pleasures, elude me.
 
 
>The bear looked at the man, a sort of curiosity
>Carefully walking back, the bear took her cub by the scruff, and carried it away
>The man remaining to observe his own body, his wretched dead body
"As all at peace it would seem, perhaps this is where I would make my stay"
>The man crossed his legs, laying his arms to rest in his lap, his head slack
"Perhaps this is my punishment? .... Oh glorious sun, is this what I deserve?"
"Is this the fate I have led myself to? All for my greed, .... my despare"
"Pitiful"
>"oh, I'm so glad you found your cub, where was he?"
>the man slowly raised his head, an unfamiliar voice catching his attention
>there stood a small yellowish creature, and, pink?
>It stood aside the bear and her cub, the bear looking towards the man
>"Oh?"
>the yellow creature looked to the man, bewilderment settling into it's face
>"Oh, I've never seen this thing before, what is it?"
>the creature carefully approached the strange object
>looking over the shape, the torn cloth, a sun like emblem upon the center
>a slight silver shine over the thing, stained green from moss, and red?
 
 
>The yellow creature crept closer, studying the strange thing before it
>"I don't think I've seen something like this before."
>the creature tapped the mans leg with her own. *TNNG!*
"Oh, hello there"
>as the man spoke, lifting his head, the yellow creature jerked back
>"AAAHHH! OH! It can talk!"
>It jumped in the air, but didn't land. Wings, upon it's back, flapped quickly, the creature aloft
>"Oh, oh my. Um, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to touch you! Please don't-"
"Curious, it can fly. How magnificent!"
>"Um, what?"
>the man looked at the flying thing, his head bobbing as he followed it's movements
>a silence between them, the yellow thing, slowed it's wings, landing farther away from where it jumped
>the man lowered his head slightly, arms to his sides
"Oh, My apologies. I did not mean to startle you, I was .... surprised."
>the yellow creature stayed silent, barely keeping eye contact
"Ahh, I see, you too must feel unpleasant with my presence. My apolo-"
>"No, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to bother ... you...."
>she trailed off, turning away from him
"Please, do not go. I ... I feel, ........ lonely..."
>the yellow creatured turned, facing him, cautiously stepping forward
"My name, is Solaire of Astora, adherent of the Lord of Sunlight"
>he placed his hand on chest, conically
"Oh, .... I .... I'm ... Flutter ...... shy....."
>the creature responded weakly
 
 
>Solaire looked in awe at the creature, this winged beast
"Ahh, miss Sly, was it? My apologies, I must be out of ear's throw."
>"N-no, Flutter .. shy ..."
"Ah, I see, Miss Shy, I adore your acquaintance"
>Another silence
>Tilting his head, he held a hand up, offering
.Fluttershy looked nervously at him
"Is this not common practice? A hand shake to show peace and trust?"
"Perhaps customs are far more different than I would have expected."
"What a strange world this is."
>Fluttershy looked up, confused
>"strange world, well then .... where ARE you from?"
>the man laid his arm down, resting on his knee
"I hail from no one land, my travels took me to many places, but one place....."
"It was my favourite really, Known as the undead burg above the undead parish, a land to the far north."
>"Un .... un ... dead ...?!"
>the creature cowered, lrgs together, leaning back
"Why yes, It was said that the dead were pushed to the north,just like my friend....."
"Do you, not have any undead in your world? They were quite common ... back there"
>the creature shuddered, fear emulsing her entire body, shaking
 
 
>"W-we don't ... have ... those ....."
"Oh? What a marvelous place this must be then. hmmmm, I think I may enjoy this little spot for a century or two then"
>the creatures eyes went wide at the word "century"
>"Wait, what do you mean century?"
"hmm? I simply expect I will be here a while, until my eventual time ends"
"Does this surprise you?"
>the man looked questioningly at her
>"I.... I don't know, we ponies, don't normally live that long."
"Ponies? Is that what you are?"
>Solaire studied her intently
>Fluttershy looked down at herself, blushing
>"Well, yes..."
"And there are others like you? Other, ponies?"
>"Um, yes.... OH! Maybe my friends can help you!"
"Help me? Am I in need of service?"
>"Oh, well, ... I thought ... Maybe, you want to ... go back home..?"
>The man looked at his hands, pondering
"In all my searching, I've never been any closer to my sun than another time,"
"if I am in this land, I would like to believe it is for a purpose. Perhaps,..."
"This," he raised his hands, "is where I am to find my sun. Or,... even perhaps were I am to finally die."
"No matter the reason for my being, I do not wish to return to Lordran."
"Though, if it requested I not stay here, I will humbly oblige."
>Fluttershy's mouth parted slowly
>"Your, son?"
>> the man looked at her, with admiration
"Why yes, as an adherent of the Lord of Sunlight, I serve myself to the great sun's plight."
"Though, over time, I found myself seeking something more. I wanted my own sun"
"My personal sun."
>"Oh, ok, I think, I understand?"
"Does this appear farfetched to you? Well it should. It is, after all, a dream."
"A dream, that drove me to my destruction"
>"Wh-what?"
>Flutter shy's eyes widened, concerned
"During my search for my sun, I met another man, like myself, undead-"
>Fluttershy stepped back
"Oh no, do not worry, I am undead, but I have not lost myself, I am no hollow"
>"O-kay..." She remained listening, cautious, afraid
"You see, Lordran, the land of the gods, was plagued by fearsome beings,"
"I do not know how it all goes, but legend tells flames given to the creatures of the world,"
"One to Nito, the original undead, one to the witch of Izalith and her daughters, one to Lord Gwyn, his knights, and the scaleless dragon who served him, Seath"
"...and the last to a forgotten creature."
>Fluttershy listened, slightly shaking
"They had gained the power of these flames, and battled the dragons who ruled the lands, until they were ultimately, defeated."
"After which, they resided in their respective lands, as the world fell to chaos."
>"Oh, ... I'm ... so sorry..."
"No, it's alright, it was a terrible place to start. But here," he looked about him, "this is quite a pleasent forest"
>"Oh, but it's dangerous in here," she cowered a bit, "we should really go, it's getting dark"
"We?"
>"Oh, I'm sorry, you can stay if you want, but it's scary here."
>she turned a bit, making a motion to leave
"My apologies, I just can't imagine I would be wanted in such a pleasent place"
>Fluttershy turned back around
>"Oh my, no, I'm sure my friends would love to meet you. Just, follow me"
>Fluttershy turned again, walking ahead as the man rose to his feet, his sword clanking against his armor, his dented sheild to his side
"I do not wish to be of trouble, I would hate to have-"
>"Really, it's fine. Twilight especially would love to meet you"
 
 
>He followed the yellow horse down a winding path, through thick shrubberies. thralls of vines catching foot
>it was an almost sickly silence, only to be altered by the occasional crunch of leaves and twigs under foot
>his armor swayed, with each step, softly clinking against the chainmail underneath
>Looking ahead, this horse, this, Fluttershy, looked onward, happily walking down the given path
>How very trusting of her, how .... foolish
>Solaire looked at his gloved hands, the green hue from the moss, the tan of dirt, and the faded red ....
>Was it his own blood upon his hands? Surely, when he was struck down, he stood no chance to his attacker, his friend
>with sullen eyes, he stared himself down, raising the torn patches of the clothe upon his chest
>The sun, this symol that embodied his reason to be, the purity he abstained to withhold, his honor to the fair Gwyndolin
>He has forsaken it all through his greed.
>He could not think of another way, he wanted his own sun, he yearned for it, ... he needed it, at all costs
>And he found it, his sun, his own little light, in the depths of the demon ruins
>His sun, his honor, his lie
>"Here we are, this is ... my ...."
>Fluttershy trailed off, the man not noticing the pony made her way far in front
>He continued to view his hands, standing at the edge of the forest, softly muttering to himself
>"Um, ... excuse me" Fluttershy quietly approached him
"Oh? Oh, yes, my apologies. I was merely lost in thought."
>"Oh, ok, well, we're here"
>Solaire looked up upon the house that stood before him
"Uncanny, and you say there are others like you? How very, ... cramped, this must be."
>"Wha-what? Oh no, this is just my house, the rest of Ponyville is farther down the road"
>She raised a hoof, pointing down the road, sure enough, there were other building off in the distance
"Ahh, I see, a township, how quaint"
>"Yes, it's really quite peaceful most of the time"
"Wonderful! And where is it we are to go?"
>"Oh, to Twilights', but it's late, we should wait until tomorrow, everypony will be asleep right now."
"Ahh, I understand, wait we shall"
>Solaire sat in front of the house, his back against a post of a miniature bridge.
>Fluttershy cocked her head to the side
>"You're welcome to come in, if you want."
"Oh no, I'm sorry, but you've done so much for me already, I musn't intrude."
>"No really, it's ok," she said her door open, a hoof extended out motioning inside, "It woud be better than-"
"Please, I can't. I do not wish for my ... stature, to cause you discern. I will stay here, and wait for morning."
>"oh .... okay ...." Fluttershy quietly said, almost whispering, "goodnight mister Solaire"
"Goodnight miss Shy"
>Fluttershy slowly walked into her house, the door creaking shut behind her
>Solaire looked over himself once more, gripping his blood stained hands
"Perhaps, this is sorrow...."
---
>Celestia stood upon a great wall of glass, designs etched throughout the silver haze
>almost shimmering, the glass hummed a soft dulldrum tone,
>Celestia looked over the wall, intent, restless, in the dead of night
>"Where are you...?"