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Post by calico on Mar 15, 2012 18:07:03 GMT -5
Cali wasn’t sure whether to be excited or nervous about this assignment. On the one hoof, she was to escort Field Marshal Starling, one of the most recognized military heroes of Equestria, to Canterlot, and the opportunity to meet a hero was an exciting one.
On the other hoof, this was Cali’s first assignment, and she had little experience with the military and its operations – not to mention, she has hardly even ever left Canterlot in her entire life. Though she was a very excellent marksmare and was confident that she could hold her own in a fight, she hasn’t had any real combat experience, so she hoped that nothing would go awry on their way to Canterlot. But regardless, she wasn’t the type to cop out – and anyway, her superiors wouldn’t have given her this assignment if they weren’t confident she could do it, right? With her bow and a bag of supplies strapped to her back and a quiver full of lightly enchanted arrows strapped to her hind right leg, Cali felt prepared and was determined to see this through.
The unicorn stepped into Ponyville’s town square, full of unicorns, pegasi, and earth ponies alike, all bustling with activity. Immediately Cali began to feel slightly uncomfortable; she was used to the company of other unicorns, and, before signing up with the military, she hardly even ever met an earth pony or pegasus in her life. She recalled that the Field Marshal was an earth pony, a stallion, and hoped that she wasn’t going to feel this way the entire way back to Canterlot.
Cali was supposed to meet the Field Marshal on the outskirts of the square, and to make sure she wasn’t going to miss the appointed time, she ensured that she arrived ten minutes ahead of time. Hopefully, Starling would show up soon, and the feeling of discomfort would pass.
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Post by Red Charge on Mar 26, 2012 15:42:47 GMT -5
And there he was, his armor fixed and polished, and the air around him radiating authority. The armored pony was a formidable sight indeed even for an army pony. Especially since it seemed every bit of the metal casing was a weapon of some sort. The tail a morning star, spring blade devices on all the legs and hydraulics all over. It even boasted a deadly looking bladed battle horn. Clearly any part of his body he decided to throw was deadly.
"Ah, you must be Calico? I was sent a notice that you were coming to pick me up. Thank you for your time." He said kindly, approaching the new pony. He was in Ponyville for a short time indeed, but even so he could tell Calico stuck out like a sore thumb. "I guess we'll be off then?" He smiled at her from behind his visor.
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Post by calico on Mar 27, 2012 16:51:00 GMT -5
Cali wasn’t sure what the Field Marshal would look like, but she certainly wasn’t expecting this. With all that weaponized armor, the Field Marshal looked like he was more than capable of taking care of himself in a fight. Again Cali wondered about why she was given this assignment. An escort hardly seemed necessary at all.
“Yes, sir. Private Calico Quiver,” Cali said with a salute. The Field Marshal seemed friendly but she wasn’t going to run the risk of sounding unprofessional.
”Are we expecting trouble on the way to Canterlot, sir?” she asked, looking over the stallion’s armor. It seemed like a lot for the trip, but then again, with the recent rise of monsters and cultists, maybe it was better to err on the side of caution.
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Post by Red Charge on Apr 4, 2012 14:55:38 GMT -5
"Not really, but it's best if I'm not left to my own at this time. I'm still pretty weak. And with all the monster activity of late, it would be a shame if my report was swallowed up by a manticore." Starling explained with a chuckle. True, he was still in the between stage, but he was much better than before. His mission was a one time thing, he knew that. But hopefully he set the ground for something even bigger.
He gave her a short bow before beginning to take the lead, "When'd you sign up for the army?" He asked conversationally as they walked.
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Post by calico on Apr 4, 2012 15:12:48 GMT -5
Cali let a smile spread across her face when the Field Marshal bowed. He seemed comfortable with being a bit more informal.
"Not long ago, sir," she said, walking by his side. "Actually, this is my first assignment. I was a bit surprised it was given to me - I think a lot of other ponies would have been more qualified to-" Cali paused for a brief moment to collect her thoughts, still not feeling entirely comfortable with the situation, but she certainly didn't want to sound like she was complaining. "What I mean to say is - it's an honor to be on this assignment and to escort you, Field Marshal."
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Post by Red Charge on Apr 4, 2012 15:16:32 GMT -5
Starling snorted, "Sure, a half rotting old soldier like me. Such a fun assignment isn't it?" He said ironically, grinning behind his metal visor. "Hopefully it just goes quietly and then you can go to the better things." He took a quick glance to survey her, "Archer eh? I knew an archer in the army. She was young like you. Sadly I heard she was recently dragged away by a salamander." He shook his head, "Terrible death, they like to keep you alive until they finish eating you. Be careful will you?"
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Post by calico on Apr 4, 2012 15:31:05 GMT -5
"Sorry, sir, I didn't mean to imply it was a bad assignment - it's not, I just meant that I didn't think they'd trust a new recruit to escort a Field Marshal by herself." It wasn't that Calico didn't want the assignment - she did actually feel it was an honor to meet a Field Marshal. But to protect someone so important by herself? "Oh - but, not that I'm not fit for the job, but-"
Well, she was certainly making a fool of herself. She was never all that great at talking with other ponies, especially not in this kind of situation, but that's what happens when someone spends most of her time alone reading or at the archery range.
Cali couldn't help but chuckle a bit at how awkward she was being. "Um, sorry, sir. And don't worry, I'll be careful. I'm much better at shooting than I am at conversing."
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Post by Red Charge on Apr 4, 2012 16:00:21 GMT -5
"Good. Equestria needs good archers." Starling said, "Why join the military?" Starling asked, as they crossed the threshold into the Whitetail Wood. He paused to tinker with the retractable blades on his front hooves before continuing on. He kept alert, and he walked slowly. He didn't want to draw too much attention by moving quickly.
The woods were quiet this time of day, there wasn't any pony walking the path at the moment, and the woods seemed very peaceful. Starling knew better than to trust such deceptions and kept his guard up. In his condition getting caught off guard would mean certain death.
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Post by calico on Apr 4, 2012 16:20:07 GMT -5
Calico noted the transition to the woods and made sure to make little noise, in case there were monsters around. She mentally prepared to be ready to draw her bow and shoot in case one decided to show up. She looked over to the Field Marshal, noticing him checking some sort of hidden weapons, and made sure she stayed close to protect him. Despite calm appearances, it was better to be safe than sorry.
"It's to help round me out, I suppose," she spoke softly, trying to make little noise. "I spent nearly all my life living in the lap of luxury in Canterlot, studying, reading, working... but I never felt like I was really doing anything, if that makes any sense. And besides, I feel like I could put my talents to good use here."
Calico looked at the Field Marshal, noting the special armor he wore and the aura of authority he seemed to have. It made sense - he was an experienced hero, after all, who fought in places as far as the Northern Barrens and along the southern border. But she had to wonder... "If you don't mind me asking, sir, why did you enlist?"
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Post by Red Charge on Apr 4, 2012 16:26:55 GMT -5
Starling closed his eyes tightly, it was hard to remember things, it was like a movie in his head, like someone else had experienced it. He wasn't completely back yet, he hoped this would change when he did. He didn't want to live with such detachment from his past.
"In the Northern Barrens everyone pulls their weight. We all join the militia at some point. If you don't learn to fight there, you die. While I was in the militia, the Ice Queen decided to invade. We managed to drive her forces back, but she killed my best friend." He said, more like reading a line. It didn't even hurt. "They called me a hero for my part in that. So I figured I might as well step into the shoes they gave me, I spent the rest of the year helping out in the Northern Barrens, and then enlisted in the Equestrian Military."
Other images swam to his memory, "Unfortunately, I was also there when the Ice Queen came back. This time I knew what I was up against, and I managed to drive her back with no loss of life. Or severe property damage." The Marshal continued, his voice now very bitter. He remembered what happened. "I guess I just wanted to prove I was worthy of being a hero."
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Post by calico on Apr 4, 2012 16:47:47 GMT -5
Calico listened intently, but some of it was hard to wrap her head around. The Field Marshal's life seemed to be as opposite to hers as possible. Where she lived in the safety of a Canterlot mansion, he lived in the danger of the Northern Barrens. Where she shot dummy targets for sport, he fought against the Ice Queen's forces to protect the people he cared about. Calico was glad she signed up as well - after all, how could she justify her life of wealth and luxury when so many others have to fight or die? Calico admired his dedication - not to mention his perseverance.
"I'm sorry about your friend, sir," Cali said consolingly, noting how the Field Marshal's tone suddenly became bitter when he mentioned proving himself. "I heard about what you did during the Ice Queen invasion five years ago. And again during the Blood Fang uprising along the border. I don't know if this means anything to you, but, you are a hero, to me. You fought so others - like me - could live without worry."
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Post by Red Charge on May 14, 2012 1:34:26 GMT -5
Starling was quiet for a while. There was so much other ponies didn't know about all that went down. They thought he was a great hero and warrior. He could see it, he was an exceptional fighter and had a very keen mind for warfare. He did manage to stop an Ice Queen invasion and the Blood Fang uprising. But if these ponies knew the all of the truth about these incidents, would he still be such a hero? They put him right up there with the first Field Marshal Hightower.
"Wonder if Canterlot's changed at all. I heard so much stuff happened since I left. Changeling invasion, Discord, Captain of the Royal Guard marrying Princess Cadence. Things sure have been busy. Though from what I hear the Royal Guard was rubbish in dealing with these things. Couldn't even stop a changeling invasion in full force." He chuckled, "That's why the army is so much better. The Royal Guard and the Wonderbolts with all their glamour... yet they never seem to do anything."
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Post by calico on May 17, 2012 23:00:50 GMT -5
Calico felt awkward during the silence, but soon she began to feel much more at ease. It was reminiscent of all the countless hours she spent alone, but not lonely, shooting at the archery range and staying up late reading in the library. It was relaxing.
When Starling spoke again, Cali nodded. His words made a lot of sense to her - it was nearly what she was talking about before. "I know what you mean. I think most folks from Canterlot, including the guard, are too... used to comfort," Calico replied softly and in a neutral tone, but her words were deliberate, as if she thought about the topic for years. "The royal guard, the citizens, my parents... they're all too comfortable. There's nothing wrong with being comfortable - everyone deserves to be - but too much comfort can blind them from seeing the world as it truly is. If everyone kept themselves more well-rounded instead of insulating themselves into their own lives and culture, they would see all the things they could be doing instead. It would be a much better world than it is now."
Then, noticing how off-topic she had gotten, she turned to Starling and said, ”Oh, I’m sorry, sir. I was rambling.” The topic was of particular interest to her after studying such things in university, but it was probably of little interest to Starling.
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