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The Line
Jul 13, 2013 14:46:55 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2013 14:46:55 GMT -5
Phalanx grumbled to herself, kicking a loose stone with a foreleg. No matter how many times she got stuck on guard duty or ordered to run patrols, she knew she would not only never get used to it but she was also highly aware that she would never come to enjoy it. What possible sense of usefulness could she gain from peering through ice shield looking for invaders? She adjusted her longspear, the tall weapon having been sliding slowly down her shoulder. Convinced that the now nearly-vertically standing spear wasn't ready to slip again, she turned her attention back through the shield.
Absently she wondered what Hoplite was busy doing in the village. She snickered to herself, visualizing the burly pony standing stock still at attention in the streets of Hoofington, waiting patiently for an official to bark a command in his direction. She had to admit, Hoplite was better at this 'guarding' thing than she was. The stallion had to be as patient as a hill for the sheer amounts of time that pony had to stand still as part of his occupation.
In stark contrast she only idly thought of her other brother, Long Haul. The poor guy was probably freaking out about the invasion, running to and fro and screaming his lungs out like when he was little. At least, that's the worst she wished on her little brother, hoping that he hadn't been caught moving between the cities when the invasion occured. As her thoughts shifted from her family back to her post, the crushing boring air about her once again took hold.
How desperately she wanted to move freely, how desperately she wanted to be up and about doing the things she felt were necessary, yet she knew her reprieve of the torture of monotony she was in was far from over. She wouldn't get an opportunity to do any of that until the next shifts started, an event which was hours away. It might as well be a few months to the pegasus. She would never admit it, least of all to any of the officials, but she hoped to herself that something, anything to break her from the monotony would happen soon.
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Post by Red Charge on Jul 16, 2013 7:55:34 GMT -5
"Top of the morning!" Called out a piece of the ice wall, waving an icy hoof at Phalanx before emerging right out as an ice-made pony. "Any enemies prowling about?" The ice pony mimed prowling as best it could.
By now, Phalanx was used to Watermark's goofiness, of course the first time around it scared her witless when an icy hand tapped her on the back when she thought she was all alone. Now the icy pony stood expectantly waiting to hear if she saw anything. The whole exercise was pointless anyway, Watermark could observe any part of the wall he wished with his magic anyway. He just preferred the company, probably, not that he didn't have enough company, since he was in the center of the village in person.
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The Line
Jul 16, 2013 15:46:16 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2013 15:46:16 GMT -5
Just as her awareness began to fade out of boredom, she was snapped right back to attention after hearing a familiar voice. "Top of the morning!" it called, and even caused her to jump a bit in surprise. Albeit, that surprise soon turned into mild annoyance, the sort she would often get when her brothers had pranked her in her younger years. She chuckled softly, watching an icy figure step out of the shield, happy that at least her shift wouldn't be *entirely* boring. She absently remembered the awe she held for this figure when she had first encountered it, surprised such a thing was even possible, now it was just about as normal to her as the shield it sprang from. It mimicked a prowling motion, "Any enemies prowling about?" it asked, and she was almost certain it knew her answer.
"Not unless you count wind and waving grass as 'enemies', then no," she replied, adjusting her longspear again, having only just now noticed it had slipped a bit when she had jumped. "As boring as the thought is, there's not a soul on the other side...none that I can see, anyway. I'm starting to wonder if you scared them off after their last prod at the shield."
Despite her bias against magic, even she had to admit this massive ice shield around the village was proving invaluable, so invaluable she wondered why the militia was still on active alert. She waited absent-mindedly for Watermark's conjuration to respond, her thoughts ridden with her analysis of potential fault in the shield, an act she would often do if thinking about a structure for too long.
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Post by Red Charge on Jul 19, 2013 9:11:07 GMT -5
The ice figure stopped and split into three ponies, who then conversed between them in whispers. After a short while of this, the one who had been speaking to her earlier pulled out an ice monocle and a sheet of ice paper and began to read, "It has been determined by this council that Phalanx, hereby and further known as 'you' must calm yourself, loosen your nerves hereby and further known as 'chillax'. This is to be done immediately and without delay." At that the other ice ponies nodded and the monocle pony folded the ice sheet and and ate it.
"Seriously, you need to relax! All of Equestria is suffering from blistering heat and you get to relax here in the snow! Tell you what, I'll make you a Super Special Secret Watermark Snow Cone." The ice pony announced and before long, a snowcone appeared in his hooves. Watermark's special teleporting technique, which he called Aquaporting was sometimes fascinating to behold as it allowed him to transfer any pony or any object through any amount of water to any other amount of water. Basically he could stick his hoof in a puddle and have it come out of the ice dome ceiling, which he did once, scaring the bejeepers out of a random passerby pony, to his delight.
He handed Phalanx the cone, who seemed sweet and very appealing to the eye, but even more surprising, judging by the coloring, it looked like Phalanx's favorite flavor. How would he know?
"Ah, you're wondering how I knew your favorite flavor, well it wasn't in your bio so I asked around." The ice pony nodded sagely, "Ponies should really start putting favorite snow cone flavors up there." He said bemusingly.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2013 12:19:21 GMT -5
Phalanx listened to the "council's" decision with a groan, she had heard this statement multiple times from Hoplite, and they both knew that such a discussion held next to no point. "Calm", at least how everypony else interpreted the word, was just something she wasn't known for.
All of Equestria is suffering from blistering heat and you get to relax here in the snow! she heard the primary ice figure comment. Admittedly, she had every reason to feel grateful for the shield, the cool air, even a bit of an appreciation for the snow. Ever since hearing about the all-too-brief previous attack, she had been consistently on edge, waiting for the oncoming storm that had never arrived. While Hoplite played in the snow with the other members of the militia, she had been reluctantly taking patrol duties at the edge of the shield expecting an attack at every waking hour.
She was called out of her introspection when the ice figure handed her an ice cone. She blinked confusedly for a moment before letting the thought pass through her mind with an ending thought of It's just magic, roll with it. She took the snow cone, looking it over idly and once again questioning whether she should, or even could, loosen up a bit. She tentatively took a small nibble of the snow cone, recognizing the flavour instantly and letting a slight grin finally grace her muzzle. "Raspberry..." she mouthed silently, the grin turning into a full smile as she took yet another bite.
She propped her spear up in a way to allow her to take up a less-demanding position, 'at ease' as it were, looking to the ice conjuration. Figuring small talk would nullify any further tension she was having at the moment, she wiped a bit of the snow cone's residue from her lips and spoke up, "Mmmkay, you win Watermark, 'Chillax' is mellowing out," she can't say she much enjoyed that nickname, but this wasn't one of those cases where she would let a nickname get the better of her temper, "So, as a pegasus with no earthly clue as to what magic is and what it takes to do, I'm mildly curious as to how a single unicorn could conjure *all* of this," she gestured to the area around her, "An ice shield, conjurations, snow, flavoured snow cones, all this and you don't even come across as strained. How exactly are you managing this, and if this isn't your peak, then just exactly what *is*?"
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Post by Red Charge on Jul 19, 2013 16:21:52 GMT -5
"No, no, no, no, no... that simply won't do!" The ice figure called out dramatically, "Are you seriously asking a magician for his secrets? Tcha!" He clicked his icy tongue, "Bad form indeed. If you want to know you'll have to see for yourself, when? Where? I don't know, I don't plan my shows, you should ask my manager." At that another ice pony joined in, one with a bowler hat and an over sized mustache, "Such a rapscallion he is, I am the manager, if you have any questions, speak to... oh I'm afraid we're out of time, ta-ta!" And he left.
"He says that a lot." The ice pony commented, "So how are you liking your snow cone? If you've noticed, it's not just regular raspberry it's Watermark's Super Special Secret Raspberry Rocket. Give it a moment and it'll kick in... literally..."
And not a moment too soon, Phalanx felt the kick of flavor on her tongue, it was as though her mind was melting from an explosion of flavor. Of course, she knew Watermark was a master potion-maker, but who knew that skill translated into super snow-cone maker?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2013 4:05:00 GMT -5
Oh sweet Celestia, Phalanx thought to herself as Watermark went to great, theatrical lengths to demonstrate that he wasn't quite inclined to share his magical ability, He's *really* got a penchant for coming across as a comedian...
If you've noticed, it's not just regular raspberry it's Watermark's Super Special Secret Raspberry Rocket... she heard the conjuration continue. She looked to the snow cone with an air of distaste despite it being her favourite flavour, wondering just exactly what Watermark had meant. Give it a moment and it'll kick in... literally... Sure enough, the flavour jumped in intensity, causing ripples of bliss to rack her mind and digestive tract. Yet, no matter how much her taste buds enjoyed the kick of flavour, she couldn't accept it.
In her mind, this Raspberry Rocket snow cone had turned from a nice treat conjured by a friendly ice-pony-form-thing to a wicked magicky concoction with a mind-melting effect that she had never asked for. Her patience had waned thin, being talked down to by ice sculptures - no matter how 'nice' it came across - dealing with the 'pony in charge' telling her to relax despite the danger, now enchanting a snow cone to try and make her relax?! No, she was not about to let this pony win! She spat out what of the snow cone was in her muzzle, and dropped the snow cone onto the snowy ground. She looked the pony sculpture in the eye, snarled, and prepared a long line of aggressive insults and quips in her mind. She opened her mouth and...nothing, she couldn't say any of it. Watermark was a decent enough unicorn, even if he got annoying at times, now wasn't the time to undermine this situation. She sighed, returning to a more attentive stance and let her face turn neutral.
She cleared her throat before speaking, "Si-...err, Watermark," she had the feeling he would prefer being referred to by name, "I'm at least fairly certain I have made it a point to notify officials that I...well, prefer not to associate with unicorns and magic - be it elemental spells, alchemy, or even healing - and I realize that refusing your gift is entirely too rude. Yet all the same, if you knew me at all like our captain did, you'd know that magic and I don't see eye-to-eye. So in the future, I would ask you to, well, *not* hoof me stuff like that." She mentally braced herself for either more of Watermark's usual demeanour as well as any potential backlash he might've been keeping back. In other words: she prepared for the worst on all accounts.
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Post by Red Charge on Jul 25, 2013 11:06:19 GMT -5
The icy figure turned its gaze to the snow cone in surprise and then sadness. He didn't look back at Phalanx when he talked. "That... wasn't magical at all... I actually spent all morning working on it." He explained, watching his flavorful creation dissolve into the rest of the snow.
"And how can you have a problem with magic? You're a pegasus, you're just as magical as any unicorn, or is creating great gales and thunderstorms with wings not magic?" He asked, not angrily but curiously, finally looking up at her. "There's also no room for racism in Equestria's militia forces." He said more seriously, "I don't know if Kuruka was lenient towards this, but I will not have you stereotype a third of Equestria's population, which is your job to protect, especially when everyone in my unit are unicorns."
"For that reason you are suspended from active duty until I am no longer in command of Hoofington or until you get your story together. I won't have you choosing one pony over the other because of your species preference."
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The Line
Jul 25, 2013 14:46:58 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2013 14:46:58 GMT -5
Boom. Like a kick to the gut, Watermark's words cascaded into her one after the other. That supposedly-malicious concoction was no more than a kind gift after all, and she had just tossed it to the side. The thought of that cruel act caused her to cringe. Her ears drooped and she found herself rubbing her foreleg shamefully.
"And how can you have a problem with magic? You're a pegasus, you're just as magical as any unicorn, or is creating great gales and thunderstorms with wings not magic?" Well it isn't quite magic if I can't do that myself, is it? she thought to herself. Beyond simple cloud manipulation, this "gales and thunderstorms" spiel was more than beyond her. She had heard old mare's tales of pegasi capable of that, but wasn't that just 'cause that was their special talent?
"There's also no room for racism in Equestria's militia forces," Did that come across as 'racist'? She only meant that she wasn't fond, or even comfortable, of the magic unicorns were capable of, so she tended to keep away as best she cou-...okay yeah, that did sound stupidly discriminatory in her head, now that she thought of it. The shame kept building, and Phalanx continued to shrink into herself. "I will not have you stereotype a third of Equestria's population, which is your job to protect, especially when everyone in my unit are unicorns." Yet another kick to the gut, now Phalanx dared not look at Watermark's conjuration. She didn't want to be here...
"For that reason you are suspended from active duty until I am no longer in command of Hoofington or until you get your story together. I won't have you choosing one pony over the other because of your species preference," and there it was, the final kick that caused something to snap in her mind. Every ounce of pride, happiness, and honour she had held not half an hour ago were gone, replaced with pure guilt, sadness, and shame. She stood up shakily, her eyes leaking despite her best efforts to keep her tears at bay, and gave the conjuration a tearful salute before turning about and walking back into town.
What kind of monster had Watermark shown her to be? Was she really as bad as he made her out to be? Of course you're a freak, otherwise he wouldn't have had reason to point it out! she thought angrily to herself, mentally beating herself up in shame. How could she be so wrong as to type all unicorns that wa-"Oof!" she stumbled sideways after being hit by something cold and soft.
She turned to the source of the attack, seeing Hoplite cheerfully waving towards her. She snarled, how could he be happy at a time like this? She sighed, turning back towards home and resuming her dreadful walk. "Not now, Hoplite..." she commented before letting him fade from her active consciousness.
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The Line
Jul 25, 2013 14:57:58 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2013 14:57:58 GMT -5
Hoplite ducked behind the snowy wall, a small snowball whisking over him where his head had been moments ago. He chuckled softly, rolling up a ball with renewed vigour. Whoever threw that must be unarmed now, so now was his chance. He jumped over the wall, hurling his own snowball at a stallion ahead of him. It smacked him dead in the muzzle, causing him to wipe the snow off with a foreleg, laughing along with several others around him.
Many of the members of the militia had figured that considering the Red Mages had taken over their duties that they would spend their free time conducting snowball fights, with their own set of rules to make things more entertaining. Hoplite figured this would be good for practicing tactics as well, considering how each team would always set up a game plan at the start of each round.
This round had just ended with Hoplite's toss, so the two teams went back to strategizing. Out of the corner of his eye, Hoplite saw Phalanx walking by with her head hung low. He tilted his head curiously, it was normal by now for her to be tired or angry at the end of her shift, but something was off this time. Figuring he could cheer her up, he packed a quick snowball and tossed it lightly at her.
The ball smacked her in the side of the muzzle, causing her to turn and snarl at Hoplite. Hoplite smiled and waved hopefully, being sure to take a few careful steps back, just in case. Then, contrast to what he thought would happen, she turned and walked away with a simple "Not now, Hoplite."
Hoplite blinked confusedly, "What just happened?" he muttered to himself.
* * *
A few hours later a positively snow-covered Hoplite stepped into his home, grabbing a nearby towel he had hung earlier that morning and drying himself off. "Fal?!" he called out to his sister, "Fal?! You still about?!" Sure enough, while Phalanx didn't respond to him he could still faintly hear her upstairs. He groaned lightly, setting the towel back onto the hanger and trotting up the stairs.
As his sister's room grew ever closer, he could faintly hear what sounded like her sobbing. He blinked in confusion, Fal, *crying*? he thought, That neverhappens... He tapped the door lightly, hearing the sobbing coming to a sudden halt. "What do you want?!" he heard her call to him.
"I'm just checking on you, of course, you kinda ran off in a huff," Hoplite responded, hearing no response from his sister. "Just to double-check, your shift wasn't over, was it?"
"No..." Phalanx replied quietly.
Hoplite breathed an exasperated sigh, "Right, fine...are one of the Red Mages tending the post?"
"Not sure, but I'll bet they have by now..."
Hoplite sighed audibly, his sister was clearly not even close to being in the state she used to be in, and he knew better than to stay around her for too long if this ever happened. He learned that the hard way when he was younger. "Alright, you just stay here and we can talk when I get back, I'll head out and let you cool off," Hoplite finally commented. When he heard no response from his sister, he took that as his excuse to leave her be and turned about towards his own room.
* * *
After closing the door behind him, he took one careful look about before heading towards her post to check if one of the Red Mages had indeed taken the post. Sure enough, after arriving he could clearly see a unicorn wearing that easily-recognizable uniform. Well, I suppose it isn't *too* unreasonable for that post to be filled by now...it *has* been an hour since Fal left... he thought to himself. Problem being that left what he was left to do now up in the air. He turned about and headed back towards the center of town, still trying to figure what he should be doing. Phalanx was no doubt still in a fit, so going home wasn't an option; He wasn't about to fool around for another few hours, lest this get back to his sister and just keep her in her fit...
Then it hit him. Watermark! he chuckled softly, turning towards the militia headquarters and picking up his pace. I should just report in with him, maybe discuss Phalanx's state and ask him if he had received any word about her. Surely by now word of her leaving her post early would have reached him...
After a bit of a trek, Hoplite stepped through the doorway into the headquarters, remembering to kick off some of the excess snow that clung to his hooves on his way in. After a rather brief trot through the building, he finally found Kuruka's office. He had heard from the other members of the militia that Watermark was often in that room around this hour. He tapped on the door a few times before stepping in, having heard Watermark was very lax about formalities.
Hoplite saluted Watermark briefly before approaching Watermark. "To make a long story short, Watermark, something went wrong during my sister's shift. She's not in a state to tell me what went wrong, but I figured maybe you had received word by now as to why. As we both know, Fal doesn't often leave her post early if she volunteers for it." Hoplite breathed a silent prayer that he knew, not looking forward to having to talk things over with Phalanx later if he couldn't find out by nightfall.
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Post by Red Charge on Jul 26, 2013 8:51:45 GMT -5
The militia headquarters building only had one story and a belltower, but a very large courtyard. If there was one thing Hoofington excelled at, it was open space. Being a mostly farming community meant the town center was open and spacious rather than dense and packed with buildings, which left room for many open spaces when designing buildings. Of course, in the case of the militia headquarters it was no surprise - the courtyard served as a drill yard, training grounds as well as emergency gathering spot. The entire area, from front courtyard to back was surrounded by high wooden walls.
Training dummies and a drill square were scattered on the left side of the front courtyard, while the on the right side targets were lined up on the grass, at pony height so no arrow strays above it's intended target or to the sides. The walls themselves were built around the courtyard and the building to serve as an improvised fort in the case of an attack. On the building itself was a position for a militia watchman to stand guard in the belltower and the windows were thin slits fit for archers to fire from while protected. Hoplite could see many Red Mages about, training, talking or discussing the situation. To think the guys so avidly protecting them now were once considered enemies of the kingdom...
The inside of the main building consisted of a small armory, a large logistics storehouse and several other rooms which were used for briefings, long range communications and small-scale storage. Kuruka's office was immediately in front of the main doors to the far side of the entrance hall. From both sides of it were doors leading to choke point corridors that led outside to the rear courtyard, which was recreational, filled with benches and a cafeteria.
As Hoplite entered Watermark saluted him back, even though he found the practice dull. He listened closely as Hoplite talked, wondering if Phalanx had spoken to him about what happened or not.
The half zebra, half unicorn pony, leaned forwards, front hooves on Kuruka's desk, "I don't understand, are you here to rat her out or to ask why she's not in place?" Asked Watermark, not accusingly, but rather politely.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2013 9:04:45 GMT -5
Hoplite blinked confusedly, not quite expecting that sort of question from Watermark. Then again, thinking on it he didn't quite know *what* he expected the half zebra, half unicorn to say. Come to think of it, he didn't much think about this at all. After a bit of a delay, he finally responded "Ehm, the latter one. I figured you might at least be aware that she left her post anyway, considering a Red Mage took up the post not long after she left, and after figuring that I thought you might know *why* she left..."
"Whatever it is, it must've been serious," he continued, "When I got home, she was in tears, so this obviously is cause for concern. This almost never happens with her, yet I know from experience not to talk to her too much when it does occur. So, again, hoping you might be able to enlighten me, or at least share a rumour or two that might be going around by now." Come to think of it, Hoplite started wondering if maybe what happened might have to do with the Red Mages. Phalanx hadn't exactly been comfortable about the legion taking over all duties for the militia and essentially causing them to all go on leave. Nevermind Phalanx's distaste for spellcasters, now they were taking over her job? The more the thought about it and pieced together a story in his head, the more he considered that would be the case. He continued to ponder over this subject whilst listening intently to Watermark's response.
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Post by Red Charge on Jul 26, 2013 9:51:07 GMT -5
Watermark sighed and sat back, more relaxed. "So Kuruka told me she's been training you in the same techniques as were passed down in her tribe. Effective for Phalanx' spear, effective for your shield." The hydromancer said, "I realize that there has been certain discontent in the militia regarding us. I know Hoofington likes to rely on itself most of the time. The incident with the spider monster may have helped contribute into somewhat of a distaste towards unicorns in this area, perhaps... but I cannot have a militia on duty speak of distaste to a third of Equestria's population." Watermark explained, "So when earlier today your sister did just that I had no choice but to relieve her of active duty until she gets her story straight or until command of Hoofington is no longer mine."
"You militia ponies are great, you have a terrific leader as well. But you are not war ponies, you are not trained or qualified to fight Diamond Dogs. Bloodbearers, Gemtenders, warhounds... these are not mere nuisances. They have swarmed our countryside and took all of the roads. It is only by the wise leadership of our princess that they have not yet taken any major city besides Fillydelphia. Everything they have done so far and I still daresay we've seen nothing yet. That's why we, the Red Mages, are here." Watermark was rarely serious, but this moment for him was a very serious one. He knew there was discontent in the self reliant militia about his mages, he knew how narrow minded small town ponies could get. "Were we not here when Princess Celestia attacked, you and your sister would be dead or worse. I would like you both to consider that, not because it is something to tower over you, but because we have a reason to be here. Your job is to keep order within the city until we are certain they will not attack again. The first place to start is within the ranks of this militia itself." Now he looked straight into Hoplite's eyes.
"But I cannot have a representative of Equestrian armed force speaking in distaste of other ponies, be them unicorns, pegasi or earth ponies." He approached the blue colt, going around his desk and putting his hooves on Hoplite's shoulders, "You are both good militia ponies. But you must understand Equestria as a whole is in incredible danger and even my ice shield is not impenetrable. It is easier for me to form because it is made of substance and not energy, but it is taxing. But while I am here, I do need someone from the militia to step up as a lieutenant. I know Kuruka never bothered with organization or ranks... to her you were all warriors and I understand that, I grew up the same way. The question is, is there someone in the militia who trusts me enough to take up such a position?"
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2013 10:26:00 GMT -5
"So Kuruka told me she's been training you in the same techniques as were passed down in her tribe..." Hoplite nodded once in response. As part of training drills, Kuruka had been conducting particular lessons and techniques with the militia of Hoofington. As part of this training, Kuruka had helped Phalanx and Hoplite learned a few techniques that he had learned from his tribe. While the two were grateful for the training, Hoplite had begun to notice that Phalanx hardly ever used those techniques. For whatever reason, he was never able to figure out why, though he assumed that since he watched her learning these techniques he would be better suited to guarding against them.
"I realize that there has been certain discontent in the militia regarding us..." As far as Hoplite was concerned, that discontent was really only prominent with his sister but, to be fair, it wasn't impossible that a few of the other members of the militia weren't fond of them either. Tradition was a tenet held in high regard in the small farming village, and maybe a few others were just as resistant to the change as Phalanx was...
"So when earlier today your sister did just that I had no choice but to relieve her of active duty until she gets her story straight or until command of Hoofington is no longer mine..." Hoplite's jaw went slack, his muzzle hanging open before he could catch it. Never thought she'd do it, but there it goes, he thought to himself, She's gone and openly admitted it...to a unicorn... Hoplite thought back to their youth when Long Haul was still a blank-flank, Phalanx had always heard from Sawmill that they were falling onto rough times. Most of Sawmill's creations and traditional machines were being outshined and outdone by a unicorn craftspony who could infuse gear and machines with such magic as to completely eclipse Phalanx's father's work. Due to this, their mother had to start working the farms to earn a decent enough income all the while Sawmill tried in vain to create some form of machine that the craftspony could not. Sawmill, sadly, never succeeded and retired his craft, opting instead to join his wife in tending the fields of the village. Ever since, Phalanx was never quite comfortable with magic, nevermind the times she would be bullied by a few ponies who knew how to cast a tiny bolt of stinging lightning at her. As much as Hoplite wanted to explain Phalanx's viewpoint, the zebracorn continued, thus he stayed silent and let him continue.
"...you are not war ponies, you are not trained or qualified to fight Diamond Dogs... As much as Phalanx would never admit it, Watermark was right. They weren't soldiers, they were just the offspring of a craftspony who volunteered to defend the town from minor threat. They weren't ready for an invasion in the slightest, and here Watermark and the Red Mages were protecting *them* when it was obvious a simple militia was about as good at protecting the town as a sheet of tissue paper was at stopping a forest fire.
"Were we not here when Princess Celestia attacked, you and your sister would be dead or worse..." Yet again, Hoplite knew Watermark was right. It's not everyday a pony can hold back the wielder of the power of the sun *and* a legion of dogs all in one sitting, and there wasn't even a glimmer of hope that the militia could've done that alone.
Hoplite listened to Watermark intently, trying not to turn his head around when the zebracorn placed his hooves on the earth pony's shoulders, "...while I am here, I do need someone from the militia to step up as a lieutenant... And there was the kicker. Phalanx would've jumped *instantly* at that opportunity, but if she really did what Watermark had said she did, there wasn't a chance she was going to be permitted. Come to think of it, neither was Hoplite. He wasn't leadership material in the slightest, and the only one in his family that might've been good for a high-ranking role had essentially just been dishonourably discharged.
"The question is, is there someone in the militia who trusts me enough to take up such a position?" Hoplite sighed, he couldn't stand here in front of this zebracorn and say 'Yes, my sister and I are good for that position!' to him. After a brief point of thought, he responded, "I'm sure there are a few who can take that position honourably, Watermark. From what I've heard there's quite a few aspiring leaders in the militia, a few of which are actually rather loyal to you and the Red Mages. Whenever someone speaks against the Red Mages idly, I've always heard Bodkin and Lightning Blitz speak up in their defense. Bodkin has that sense of leadership about him, and Lightning Blitz has that talent of magic to take up a more prominent role," he continued, searching his mind for suggestions as to who might be good for the lieutenant role Watermark had mentioned, "And hey, if that fails you can always station one of your Red Mages here."
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Post by Red Charge on Jul 26, 2013 10:44:48 GMT -5
"Well, you seem to know the militia very well, you obviously care about them, everyone else is out playing snowball and you came here to see what you could do to help and to check on your sister. If all of that is not enough you're humble as well. That's all the traits a good lieutenants need, all rolled into one." He gave him a fatherly slap on the cheek before releasing him.
"Which is why, as of this moment you are lieutenant of the Hoofington Militia until Hoofington is no longer in my hands and that's an order." The zebracorn added, grinning at the pony warmly. "Now, new lieutenant... would you like a snowcone?" He asked, spooning some into a cup and hoofing it over.
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