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Post by StormShroud on Jan 11, 2012 9:27:18 GMT -5
Another morning in Ponyville. The chilly, distinctly late-winter air clung to the fair-sized town, dew kissing the plant life, shimmering like diamonds in the rising sun. Yet as the sun rose to wake the denizens, a fair layer of fog rest over the town, thick on the outskirts, and thinner toward the center of the town.
"It's a good way to transfer you, Shroud." Picket Pete had told Storm Shroud, who -- at the time he was being spoken to -- was busy rolling back and forth over a blanket of clouds just outside Cloudsdale, with good old Picket Pete arranging his next petitioning ceremony for the unethical labor agreement of carrier pigeons.
"But there's nothing there, Pete." Shroud had grumbled, lips pursing as he stared at the bespectacled pony from an upside-down point of view, wings flapping awkwardly against the fluffy cloud cover, "At least not what I need. What am I going to do, pick up a pitch fork, and trot around the village?"
"You make it sound like a hick town, Shroud." Picket Pete had scoffed as he slapped a tiny rain cloud with his hoof, wetting and activating the glue for his picket signs, "It's a start. And a start is what you need. You can't expect to just shoot right up to the top! That's simply not how politics work."
Long story short, Picket Pete was a political pony, always protesting or picketing something or other -- And in the end, he got his point across. Storm Shroud never would have thought he'd end up in Ponyville, he always thought he'd catch the eye of some passing regiment through Cloudsdale, or perhaps be recognized for his storm-managing skills, and be swept away to Canterlot to catch the eye of a Princess!
Oh, how he would adore that.. His dreams, come true, in the blink of an eye! He was certain he had the skills for it - He'd trained all his life, and that had to amount to something, didn't it?
Yet still, here he was. Picket Pete had managed to pull some strings, and had given the usual cold-weather pony a day off in order to allow Storm Shroud to sub in this morning. The harshest of winter was gone, Winter Wrap Up had come and gone, and now lingering chills in the mornings were beginning to fade. It was Storm Shroud's job, this morning, to bring a nice blanket of fog in to ensure the plant life had plenty to drink, and that local puddles and small dips in the grass might be topped off for animals to drink from, just to name a few things the early morning fog did.
By now, he had covered the entire outskirts of Ponyville, having been working several hours through the early, early morning to get it finished. He figured the more area he covered and the more 'gradient' he had accomplished with the fog, the more impressed the denizens might be!
Coming in for a landing near the Militia Headquarters of ponyville, he huffed his poofy mane out of his eyes and allowed his stuffed saddlebags to rest over his hind-quarters nicely, giving his wings a chance to rest after all of the flying he'd done. A quick glance about, and a smile crawled onto his face - This just might have been the most perfect fog blanket he'd done yet! As a personal record, at least.
Wings folded at his sides, he lifted his head high into the air, trotting his way up to the Militia Headquarters with a definite sense of self-worth, and an air of superiority about him. If he had to start from the bottom rung, he would at least make sure it was known he was middle-rung quality. Who knows? Perhaps he could do some good for Ponyville after all!
Clackity Clop Clop, a distinct knock at the door came, a mid-pitched STallion's voice calling soon after, "Knock-Knock, rise and shine! Fresh Fog Delivery, and a champion find, at that!"
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Post by Red Charge on Jan 11, 2012 10:34:04 GMT -5
"And just WHY is there a fog out in the middle of the spring?" An angry call came came from inside, as the door opened with a swing, and an earth pony came out, arguing with a pegasus, "If this is another of Rainbow Dash's tricks, this isn't funny, you go right over there and tell her to clear up this mess right now!"
"Look, I'm telling you, I have no idea what this is, lay off will you?" The pegasus replied, but under the stern glare of the earth pony he gave in, "Fine, I'll go get some ponies and clean this up right away. But you better know I want Mayor Mare to find out who did this!"
After the two arguing ponies departed came out another pony, this one much more obvious than the other two, mostly because he was wearing a woodland camoflauge cloak and a wooden mask on his face. "What in Equestria? Fog, now? Those weather ponies sure are going downhill." He yawned loudly, then suddenly noticing the pegasus, he quickly straightened up.
"Oh hello there, new to Ponyville?" He asked. From the part visible under his cloak it was obvious this pony was somewhat battle-learned, as his fore-hooves were covered in recent scabs and scars, nothing that wouldn't heal up with some daily lotion care, but still impressive to look at.
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Post by StormShroud on Jan 11, 2012 17:23:37 GMT -5
That head held high? Tail perked up, wings fluttering at his sides, chin upturned proudly? Yeah, the look of self confidence and self worth which Storm Shroud had so boldly approached the Town Hall, or so called "Militia HQ" with?
Poof. Bam. Zip, gone!
Ears perking at the sound of arguing, Storm Shroud listened on as they ranted, seemingly enraged with the foggy weather. Slowly, his ears twisted about and pinned to his head, eyes shrinking as his wings sagged at his sides, hooves tapping himself backward nervously away from the door.
'N.. No.. This can't be right! Picket Pete -- He told me they had planned for fog this morning--' Storm Shroud thought, frantic as fears of his chances slipping away swelled in his belly, a cold, empty feeling that caused a lump to rise in his throat.
'I'll just go. I'll come back tomorrow, aaaand.. nobody will be the wiser! Yes. Haha.. Yes. Okay. Turning arounnnnd.. Now!'
"Oh hello there, new to ponyville?"
The masked stallion's words were like quicksand to Shroud's hooves, rooting him in place as his wings snapped to his sides, instinct taking hold as he whipped about, a hoof raising in a prompt salute as his body fell rigid, in a near perfect military stance he'd trained to perfect over the years.
"Weather Controller Storm Shroud, future soldier of the Stars squadron, Sir! Reporting for duty, Sir!" He blurted out, eyes shrinking just a bit further in panic as he realized he couldn't stop his gums from flapping out a spoken routine he had only ever practiced with Picket Pete. And now, hearing it fall from his mouth? He felt...!
..Well. He felt rather proud, actually -- That wasn't too bad, if he did say so himself! But alas, he fell silent after that, eye twitching as he restrained himself, frozen in the thick, awkward grasp of the situation.
Day One. Miserable first impression.
Chances of gaining entry into Princess Luna's private ranks?
Steadily dwindling.
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Post by Red Charge on Jan 11, 2012 17:49:29 GMT -5
Ranger looked at the new pony incredulously, unsure if this was some sort of jest, or if the pony was some kind of loon. He was told someone was supposed to be coming into the militia to replace some of the ponies who finished their rotation, but it can't possibly be this one can it? He looked a bit of a pretty boy to Ranger. Then again one couldn't judge based on that, he figured. He tapped his mask with a hoof in thought.
"You're Storm Shroud?" He asked again, as though to make sure, his deep green eyes not relenting from studying the pony from hoof to ear. "I'm Ranger, head of the Ponyville Militia, which for now is pretty much you and me." He explained, now walking a circle around the pegasus to examine him, tapping his legs, his sides as though looking for weaknesses. Both Ruby and Corsair had already fallen under his watch, he was not about to let it happen to anyone else.
By the time he swung around full circle he grabbed a hold of the pony's head with his hooves and pulled it closer so his nose was touching the Earth Pony's mask, young eyes, this guy was completely inexperienced. Probably hasn't seen a single death or monster in his lifetime. Let's hope they could keep it that way. Still holding the pony's head, Ranger pondered to himself how he might best use this pony.
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Post by StormShroud on Jan 11, 2012 18:12:37 GMT -5
"Sir, Yes Sir!" Storm Shroud had replied, keeping his legs straight as boards, tail lifted, ears perked, and chest puffed out as his hoof lowered from the salute, standing stark still as he allowed Ranger to examine him. Yes, he was a rather androgynous pony -- If not for the squared snout and jaw, and uh.. Endowment, he could most certainly be mistaken for a Mare, especially from a distance. But this hadn't bothered him during training, nor did it bother him now.
"If I can ask, Sir, what happened to the rest of the Militia?" Shroud's brow perked, head turning slightly to watch Ranger circle.
And then, as his head was grasped and pressed nose to nose with the mask, his eyes shrunk somewhat once again, wings snapping outward before fluttering back to his sides again.
"S--Sir?" Shroud stammered, unsure of Ranger's reasoning behind getting this uh.. Close.
And then -- Bamph! Storm Shroud was rammed from behind, promptly smashing him face-first, quite literally, into Ranger as a perky mare squeaked behind Shroud, rushing to pick up pears and peaches which had tumbled out of her baskets.
"R-Ranger!" The autumn-colored pony whined, "What's with this fog? I was supposed to fix up my roof early this morning, and I couldn't see what I was doing, and now the hole is bigger than ever! A large bird dropped right in on us during breakfast, I'll have you know!"
Saved by the bell! Or.. Ranting woman! Even if his face did hurt, and he was rather awkwardly strewn.
"Ahem." Shroud cleared his throat, wiggling himself off of Ranger, and to the side, wondering if this instance had perhaps spared him from another awkward moment of nose-pressing. Granted.. She did call to attention the fog incident, and Shroud had introduced himself as--...
...
Oh dear.
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Post by Red Charge on Jan 11, 2012 18:22:04 GMT -5
"I don't know, I'm sorry, that's something to bring up with the weather ponies though. Probably Rainbow Dash pranking someone and going overboard. You know how she is. If you need help I could swing by later to help with your roof." He offered kindly, giving her a warm smile hidden behind his mask.
"This here is Storm Shroud, by the way. He came to be in the militia, so tell everyone to give him a hearty Ponyville welcome." He poked the pegasus pony as he talked. "So I'll have to excuse myself now, I still need to go over a few things with him first."
What a discomfort this fog turned out to be, Ranger hoped no more ponies would come to him for it. He assumed the weather ponies could take care of it in a jiffy. He did need to show Storm Shroud around and explain everything to him. After all, being in the Militia on the border of Everfree wasn't all sunshine and snapdragons.
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Post by StormShroud on Jan 11, 2012 18:47:39 GMT -5
"Oh, please do!" The autumn-colored turned, waving farewell to the pair, "Please do, if it's foggy, there's no telling if it'll rain or not!" She called to them, before hurriedly trotting through the fading fog back to her home.
Now standing upright once more, Storm Shroud stepped out onto the street, a guilty looking pout snagging his expression as he stared down the road to the thick blanket on the outskirts of town. His wings unfurled, and with a few simple flaps, he managed to clear out a sizeable section of fog before the Town Hall with little effort.
"I suppose I could clear it out.." he murmured to himself, before glancing over to Ranger, "I was told Ponyville had been expecting Fog, and so that's what I brought! Picket Pete told me the local fog-herder needed a day off, but it was scheduled-- Is it really that much of a mess?" Storm Shroud had asked, head canting to the side as his wings continued to generally flap, bundling the fog up and sending it further into the outskirts.
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Post by Red Charge on Jan 11, 2012 19:14:46 GMT -5
"Hah, looks like we found out who the victim of the prank was." Ranger chuckled, "Come on, let's go, I still need to show you around. Rainbow Dash can take care of this mess herself." Ranger said, gesturing for Shroud to follow.
"The most important thing you should know about Ponyville, is that it's on the border of Everfree. It's usually not so bad, but lately, the monsters have been getting more and more aggressive and keep trying to get out here and prey on the village. So we must constantly be on alert."
The other militia members have already rotated or left, so it's just you and me here for now. I've set traps along the border of Everfree, so don't wander off near there unless you go on the path, you'll get hurt." Ranger explained, "Now I live right on the edge of Everfree, so if there's ever trouble you can find me there mostly. I don't know where you'll be staying, honestly, we don't really have any barracks." The earth pony wondered, humming and tapping his mask again.
"Oh well, I'm sure you can make yourself one of those little cloud homes you pegasi love so much. Do you have any military training? Combat experience? Anything?"
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Post by StormShroud on Jan 11, 2012 19:25:13 GMT -5
"Of course I do!" Storm Shroud stomped his hoof in retaliation, seeming mildly offended that he'd even suggest he didn't have military OR fighting experience! What did he look like, a civilian?
..Don't answer that.
"I fought Timber Wolves when I was just a Colt! And just a few years back, I had a run-in with a pack of bandit-Pegasi while escorting a member of the Wonderbolts to Cloudsdale arena for a flight show. Both situations handled." He nodded firmly, tail once more raising proudly as he walked along beside Ranger, trying to make himself seem as big and imposing as he could, next to the admittedly larger and more built Stallion.
"That's worrysome, about the monsters, however." Storm Shroud perked a brow at Ranger, head canting to the side a bit as they trot along the street, "And it's just you and I to combat them? Even more worrysome. But not a problem nevertheless!"
A pause lingered, as one of Storm Shroud's ears flopped down, seeming to ponder on something..
"As far as housing arrangements go, building a cloud-home isn't as easy as it seems. I'm sure I can find a tree top to sleep in, surely.." Shroud murmured, steel-y blue eyes blinking as he glanced about curiously.
"In fact," He added on, a somewhat mischevious smile crawling onto his face as he turned to look at Ranger, "I'm sure I could manage something right next to your home. The closer to the danger we both are, the more chance we have of catching and disrupting it. Am I wrong?""
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Post by Red Charge on Jan 11, 2012 19:38:43 GMT -5
"If you want," The pony responded neutrally, "However if I catch you peeking at me while I'm in the shower, I'm tossing you right in the forest, eh?" He continued, keeping his monotone voice so that it was impossible to tell, especially with his mask, whether or not he was joking.
"Might as well bring you over there then." He said, and began the grand tour of Ponyville, showing him the market area, the windmill, the library, Rarity's design shop, pointing over to Sweet Apple Acres, and finally reaching his home, which was surprisingly well concealed, seeming like a hill at first, with a hidden door in it. He noticed the edge of Everfree completely dotted with "DANGER DO NOT ENTER" "TRAPS AHEAD" signs, and he noticed there was another house nearby. "That's Fluttershy's house, she's afraid of strangers though so I wouldn't go bother her." He mentioned.
At that he suddenly gave the pegasus a very strong shove to tip him over.
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Post by StormShroud on Jan 11, 2012 19:58:45 GMT -5
"Noted." Storm Shroud replied, with a brow perked quite high at Ranger for the added comment. Was that really a concern? Storm Shroud had no interests in picking up any love interests in this town, and so he figured Ranger needn't worry in that regard.
As Ranger mentioned Fluttershy's home, Shroud turned his head to gaze in the direction of the willow-y tree. A smile appeared, as the Pegasus recalled the name mentioned hither and thither in Cloudsdale, namely due to her reputation with animals and relation with the Elements of Harmony.
"Why, yes-- Of course. I've heard she's a bit of a shy thiIII--!"
Cut mid-sentance, Storm Shroud was suddenly smacked off balance. He'd have fallen face first in the dirt, if his wings hadn't snapped as quickly into action as they did, lifting him off of the ground in one fell swoop, trade of his cutie mark showing through as a cloud of thick fog was centered where he had lifted off from.
"What was that?!" Shroud snapped down at Ranger, hooves poised in.. what could only be described as a mock-up of some sort of kung-hoof move.
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Post by Red Charge on Jan 11, 2012 20:07:39 GMT -5
"Combat experience my butt, you've got the reflexes of a dung beetle!" He called out, "If we were out in the forest you'd be monster-chow by now." The pony said with a frown, "We're going to need to work on those skills if you're gonna be here in the militia. That just won't do.
He sat down in front of the pony and stared at him for a moment, "And what's that supposed to be?" He asked, nodding towards Storm Shroud and his strange positioning. Well, another one to add to the list. Maybe he shouldn't even take this pony out to the forest? Maybe after a little training. Maybe if he worked with him a bit. He did have a stealth pegasus in his militia before, that one ended up being a criminal and was tossed away into jail in Canterlot though.
He wondered what he could even teach a Pegasus. Probably best to teach him survival skills, rather than combat. Yes he could do that. He could train him to recognize tracks and live in the wild. Maybe teach him about dangers, monsters and traps, make a woodspony out of him. That is what Ranger was best at after all - besides making delicious tea that is.
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Post by StormShroud on Jan 13, 2012 12:44:28 GMT -5
A frown promptly crawled onto Shroud's face, ears flattening as his hooves lowered from their.. 'special' positioning.
"You just hold on a minute, there!" He snapped back, offended that this pony didn't put Shroud's name to a grain of salt. Based on a simple trick? Bah!
Gliding back to the ground, Shroud flapped away the cloud of fog he'd left behind as a defensive measure, before turning to frown at Ranger, clearly serious in his words.
"You can't judge my skills based on that. That's like.. Judging a baker on his roof-thatching skills, it's not conclusive!" Shroud explained, motioning to the forest, "I know how to take care of myself just fine, and I can take care of others too. You put me out in that forest, and I'll come back intact!" He stomped his hoof back on the ground, wings snapping promptly at his sides, ears perking, though his brows remained furrowed.
"All I'm saying is you shouldn't make judgements based on a petty trick. You should give a pony a real chance before you decide to deem them useless or not."
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Post by Red Charge on Jan 13, 2012 12:55:56 GMT -5
"You think a monster hiding in the bushes is going to give you a real chance?" The masked pony asked dully, "You think you'll be able to predict the actions of a monster before it strikes? You call it a petty trick, I call it checking your reflexes. From now on, I'm going to start punching you whenever you don't anticipate it. You're either going to block it, dodge it, or take it if you can't do any of the other two." Ranger pointed at Storm Shroud's chest, "Now get back down here."
"I saw a lieutenant in the army, a Razorwing no less, get ambushed and torn apart in Everfree, and if a Razorwing can fall like that, I don't think I have any reason to believe any other pegasi won't. I'm not losing another pony to this wood, you hear me? So we're going to be practicing survival skills together. Starting with climbing, now get on the ground and climb that tree, no wings."
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Post by StormShroud on Jan 13, 2012 13:20:14 GMT -5
Storm Shroud scowled once again. Trotting his way down the hill he'd landed on, he spoke once again.
"I'm not saying I'm invulnerable," Shroud explained in a bit of a calmer tone now, "I'm just saying I'm not inept, either. I'm able to defend myself and I'm aware of the risks."
That said, Storm Shroud turned, and walked to the tree Ranger had mentioned. Craning his head up to peer up the trunk, he circled it once, to spy where the hoof-holds were. Once he had determined where they were, of course, he positioned himself to about the side of the tree, rearing up to place his hooves on the tree.
"To the very top? Or just a portion of the way up?" Shroud asked, craning his head toward Ranger.
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