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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2013 15:22:52 GMT -5
No matter how many times this same scene occurred, Phalanx was sure she would never get used to it.
As always, she woke up entirely too sore from Flamberge's drills the previous night and painfully forced herself out of bed. After her morning ritual, just as always Hoplite was there trying to talk to her while she ate her breakfast. Just as before, she would simply shoot him a snarl and an aggressive stare, and that easily shut up her traitorous brother. She still hadn't forgiven him about what he had done, she had no reason to change that opinion now. While she didn't quite regret not going joining Firefly, she still had a seething hatred for her brother. That dopey earth pony broke their vow, and nothing was going to change that. Even now he looked like he was trying to work up the courage to explain, but merely squirmed nervously if Phalanx ever shot him a glance. Give the pony some credit, he at least knew when talking was going to get him in trouble. She absently wondered if that had only come up recently when the drill instructors had gone out of the way to try and make him mute.
"Hey, Fal?" the colt finally spoke up. By Celestia, he's going to try again, she thought to herself.
After an audible groan, she replied, still maintaining her glare, "What?"
"You know, you never did let me explain myself properly that night..."
Phalanx stood up from the table, "You can explain a punch to the face all you want, you can justify a kick to the gut until you're out of breath, that still doesn't change what you did. I don't care why you did what you did, but I *do* care that you did it in the first place. Orders or not," she added in the last bit before he could speak up again. "I told you before that I needed at least two weeks before I even want to think about this again, but off you go again ruining things. Tell you what, leave me alone for another week or so, and maybe...just *maybe*, I'll consider forgiving you." Judging from Hoplite's expression, that rant seemed to be enough to not only shut him up, but give him more reason to leave her alone.
* * *
Despite Phalanx's distaste and hatred of her brother at this time, they both still walked to the headquarters together. She would always tell Hoplite that it was out of habit, but beneath the surface she just wanted company in case Bodkin decided to hurl insults - or anything else - at her on the way there.
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Post by Red Charge on Aug 8, 2013 15:32:35 GMT -5
As they arrived, they indeed see Bodkin, however not exactly the way they had anticipated. The poor pony was standing on one leg on the top of the belltower, trying his best not to fall down from it, while from his neck was hanging a large (and very heavy looking sign) "I will not be late for punishment ever again!"
The three drill instructors knew how to be merciless, sometimes it was downright horrible to drill with them, but both Phalanx and Hoplite found as they trained harder that it was getting easier for them. Hoplite had found he was far better at this 'army' thing than he thought, the tough drilling must have unlocked something in his potential he wasn't aware of, especially now that he couldn't talk, he had more time to focus on himself and did not have to try and divide his attention. His own drill instructor seemed very pleased with his progress and often used him as an example to how things should be done right.
As for Phalanx, she found out her armor was not exactly standard issue, it was far lighter than other pegasi's and once she was used to it, it didn't burden her at all as much as it should have. Apparently it was made by a very durable but very light meteorite metal. She only had to wonder if it was Watermark's hoof, or perhaps even Flamebarge's, maybe both, that was involved in her getting that particular armor. Nevertheless it made her training far easier than it was. Watermark had been watching them and assisting with the drilling as it went along, creating whole platoons of icy diamond dogs for them to practice on as they finally started working as a group in simulated battles. To both of them he seemed to be getting more and more tired. Holding up that shield, managing all of his water golems and helping the militia, as well as whatever it was he did at nights (he was never at home during the night, that much the other militia members could tell them) must have been very draining. With every passing day the bags under Watermark's eyes swelled, and though he kept his perpetual grin, it did seem to fumble on occasion, often due to yawn. One could only wonder what information he got from Canterlot which did not allow him any shut-eye.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2013 15:48:51 GMT -5
Just like before, Hoplite and Phalanx had been early to drilling. Hoplite had figured that having a bit more time to spend next to his sister would either help him work up the courage to explain himself, or at least take some comfort in the company. As for what his sister thought of being early, he hadn't a clue, he just knew she had been sore from the last night's drilling, as per usual. Strangely, despite being a weak flier, she didn't seem nearly as sore or tired as some of the other, more adept pegasi. That didn't quite add up in the stallion's head, confounded at the thought of Phalanx being in better shape than the more adept fliers. He severely doubted it, but maybe Flamberge was going easy on her? Nah, of course not. No matter who the pony was, it was guaranteed the drill instructors would give them the worst time imaginable, all for the sake of training and drilling. Even Slate-Head had been making an example out of Hoplite these days, putting up in front of the rest of the earth ponies like a teacher's pet. While it may have helped Hoplite be comfortable in the thought that he was indeed getting better at this, it certainly wasn't helping his reputation amongst his companions much.
As they approached the headquarters, Hoplite looked up to the belltower in shock and curiosity. The large tower had a decoration tonight that it had *never* worn before, and it was moving! Hoplite squinted his eyes, trying to figure out exactly what was up on the belltower.
"Hey, isn't that Bodkin?" Phalanx asked flatly. Hoplite let a slight grin show through, Bodkin had been pestering Phalanx consistently these past few days, and there he was atop the belltower. Judging from the sign around his neck, he had been late for some means of punishment, and here he was standing on one hoof precariously balanced over a potentially lethal fall. Good to know that potential major injury and death awaited any who went behind the instructors' backs.
A few more minutes passed as the two waited for training to begin, Hoplite had long since taken up his usual seat not far from the front door. Curiously, Phalanx seemed rather interested in watching Bodkin trying desperately to balance on a single hoof, as she hadn't much moved from her earlier position, watching the pegasus colt above intently. Maybe she's waiting to see if he'll fall... Hoplite thought. As morbid a thought as that was to him it wasn't impossible, this was Phalanx after all.
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Post by Red Charge on Aug 8, 2013 16:07:58 GMT -5
Bodkin stayed there until the militia was gathered again and then Flamebarge flew up to him, whispered something in his ear before he gave a loud rooster call, after which Flamebarge lowered him down to the ground to the combined laughter of the rest of the militia.
"Alright lads and ladies, today won't be a normal day as you might think. It's been a full week of nonstop training. It's time you all took a breather. Instead, today you will all meet with your drill instructors and get evaluated on your performances. Your drill instructors are going to give you the best tips they can to help you better your performances and yourselves, so take what they say to heart. Our dear Watermark has set up a free buffet in the back, so wait until you're called and take a breather for now.
At that he dispersed the groups and the drill instructors went inside the building, leaving the group outside to talk and eat as they called them in one by one. Neither Hoplite nor Phalanx were sure when, but it appeared Watermark had been standing next to them for some time, it was almost as though he was able to dim himself that he was able to stand for so long without being detected.
"It's been a rough week on us all. How have you two been?" He asked. The mage had been showing interest in most of the militia, Hoplite and Phalanx both caught him talking to other members rather consistently, which was admirable, not a lot of temporary captains took the time to know their underlings. Watermark has indeed done much more than most regular captains would do for their militia and something told Hoplite that it took a lot more than pulling some strings to get them that.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2013 16:22:28 GMT -5
Hoplite blinked in confusion, A breather? Since when did these instructors give 'breathers'? he thought to himself. Admittedly, he had taken to the non-stop drilling a bit better than some of his companions, including his sister, but the instructors had long-since built up a reputation of ruthlessness, yet now they were being generous with a break, an evaluation, *and* a buffet? Hoplite lightly bit his arm to double-check that he wasn't dreaming.
Ow...guess I'm not dreaming, then. Hoplite noticed movement nearby, looking quickly to the source. Phalanx had finally stopped staring up at the belltower, and now stood at his side. "Well, at least we won't have any more bruises to add to our grand total, she remarked, a hint of jest and cheer in her voice, likely hiding the fact that she was glad not to be drilled again today.
Hoplite chuckled, "And at least I can start talking again."
"Don't push your luck, Hoppy," she retorted, equal parts jest and anger coursing through her voice.
"It's been a rough week on us all. How have you two been?" they both heard a voice speak up nearby. When they turned to look, sure enough Watermark himself was standing in front of them. Hoplite couldn't help but notice the zebracorn was looking more and more strained by the day, the bags beneath his eyes seeming to grow each time they saw him. Hoplite absently wondered whether it was maintaining the shield that was wearing him down, or if it was simply because he hadn't slept a wink since the invasion, or both. Even a pebble will feel like a mountain if carried long enough, he thought to himself.
Hoplite stepped up, still certain Phalanx wasn't intent on speaking with the zebracorn, "Well, it's been a week of seemingly endless drills, hard work, and marginal success," he started.
"Not to mention a week of incessant scolding, being pelted by stones, life-threatening punishment, being burned by the sun, punches to the gut, being run ragged from drills, hatred amongst friends, and the looming threat of both the invasion and the instructors, Phalanx spoke up. Hoplite groaned, she always found a way to be miserable, even when she should reasonably be happy.
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Post by Red Charge on Aug 8, 2013 16:30:46 GMT -5
"And that's what you'll answer when your foals one day ask you how you became Equestrian heroes." The mage replied with a smile. "Can't say I don't know what you're going through. Battlemage training is much harder than this, especially with a teacher like Red Charge. If there's anything you think is too much, please tell me. I don't want you ponies to end up quitting because it gets too hard on you." The Hydromancer's attention seemed to phase out for a moment, as his eyes began twitching as though he was looking at something else. Something which likely meant he saw something in one of his golems. He seemed to mumble something inaudibly, probably talking to someone over a water connection, before phasing back towards them. "Sorry about that, needed to check on something. So, anything you want to change?"
White Fire passed in the distance, she too seemed tired for some reason, not nearly as much as Watermark, but she did have to stifle a yawn. Was something going on outside the nearly opaque shield that they didn't want the militia to know about?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2013 16:38:05 GMT -5
Phalanx stepped forward, "Come to think of it, yeah, there's plenty I would want to change as of right now. By Celestia, if I knew I could, I'd have tried to get this stuff changed earlier in the week."
Hoplite held out a hoof to stop her, which Phalanx slapped down with her own. Obviously the colt could've held against her, but she knew he knew better than to truly get in her way. "All this flying stuff Flamberge is sending most of us through is absolutely tiresome, disgusting, and *not* how I'd rather be training here. Not all pegasi are effective fliers, or even *want* to be effective fliers, something Flamberge doesn't seem to understand. All we've done from the start is flying drills in heavy armour around the dome in the searing heat, then come back for being punched in the gut from time to time. If I could put my own input into this, more combat or sparring training, less formations and flight stuff. It's all well and good if you can fly for hours, or run in formation, but at the end of the day for me at least, it should come down to how good you are at fighting."
Phalanx immediately wanted to scold Hoplite in that moment, considering she could see him in the corner of her eye, groaning and holding a hoof to his face.
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Post by Red Charge on Aug 8, 2013 16:44:16 GMT -5
"Very well, if you'll be more comfortable you can train with the Earth Pony group. The reason we practice formations is because we are facing far superior numbers. In such a case, getting separated from your group means getting surrounded and dying at best, getting captured at worst." The zebracorn explained, "And the fighting part will come, the first week focuses on formations, but now that you mostly have it right, you'll see a lot more actual combat. As for flying, being off the ground is one of our only advantages against Diamond Dogs, as such we need to keep our fliers in the air as long as possible to maximize that advantage. But like I said earlier," He stifled a yawn before it could start, "If you're more comfortable on the ground, you can train with the Earth Pony group."
"How about you Hoplite? Don't be shy now." He demanded, "It'll be a shame if there's nothing you, as a lieutenant had to say when your sister had much to offer the discussion."
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2013 16:51:15 GMT -5
Hoplite looked idly to the passing White Fire. Curiously, she seemed tired as well. More suspicions and curiosities formed in the stallion's head, trying to come up with some explanation as to why the officials were so tired lately. Are they keeping us in the dark on something?
"How about you Hoplite? Don't be shy now," he heard the zebracorn say, pulling him out of his thoughts. Hoplite shrugged in response. Truth be told, he didn't have nearly as many issues with the training as Phalanx did. Come to think of it, he had been taking to it rather well these past few days. "Not a whole lot, sir. If I had any comments to make at all, it's mostly along the lines of what Phalanx is saying: Keep ponies where they're comfortable, and just lead in to the combat or sparring bits soon. Besides that, maybe just keep me in the loop on what the scouts are finding beyond the shield. Between drilling and keeping an eye on her," he jokingly pointed to Phalanx, which she didn't seem to take kindly to, "I haven't been able to keep as up-to-date as I might like."
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Post by Red Charge on Aug 8, 2013 16:55:16 GMT -5
"I see. Come with me please, Hoplite. Phalanx, I'll take care of what you asked for you. If you think of anything else, come talk to me." He said, leading the shield bearer inside the headquarters and to his office.
"Do you think I'm hiding something from you Hoplite?" He asked, sitting down on his side of his desk and idicating Hoplite should do the same. He pulled out a morning sandwich for himself and gave on to Hoplite as well. "How is your sister doing? I've noticed she's the victim of some unkindness, but I figured interfering would only make it worse. Flamebarge though has been making Bodkin's life hard every time he picks on her though, as you saw. He believes in 'team spirit'."
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2013 17:05:32 GMT -5
Hoplite nodded to the zebracorn, stepping inside the headquarters and looking back just in time to watch Phalanx turn about and walk away, likely to meet up with Flamberge for her 'evaluation'. The walk to Watermark's office was short and quiet, the silence only being broken when they arrived.
"Do you think I'm hiding something from you Hoplite?" the zebracorn asked. Hoplite blinked, Well, that was rather blunt, he thought to himself, trying to compose a sentence in response. Before he could respond, though, Watermark had offered him a sandwich and continued, "How is your sister doing? I've noticed she's the victim of some unkindness, but I figured interfering would only make it worse. Flamebarge though has been making Bodkin's life hard every time he picks on her though, as you saw. He believes in 'team spirit'."
Hoplite had been chewing away lightly at the sandwich while Watermark had been speaking, still composing a response in the meantime. When Watermark finally slowed, Hoplite cleared his throat and spoke up. "Well, to start: Phalanx is just about the same as when you last saw her. I'm honestly worried she'll never quite look at me the same way anymore, plus the brutality of the training sessions as of late probably haven't done much to lift her mood," he took another bite of the sandwich, pausing to compose his next sentence, "Bodkin's always found a way to tease her, this latest escapade hasn't been any different. He'll claim he's just teasing, and Lightning Blitz would back that up, but I'm not sure whether he means any of it yet. As for the punishments he's been getting, well, I'm wondering if maybe a line has been crossed somewhere. Having him up on the belltower was a really risky bit of business, and I can't help but wonder what might've happened if he fell," Hoplite continued. Seems that about a week's worth of talking was coming right back to the stallion, happy he was actually permitted to do so after so long of being mute, "As for whether I think you're hiding something...well, the short answer is: maybe. I'm not entirely sure yet, but you and White Fire look like you haven't gotten a wink of sleep lately, plus that point where you spaced out a few minutes ago has me a bit worried. If nothing's amiss, just say so, but if something *is* wrong...well, I wouldn't argue with knowing about it."
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Post by Red Charge on Aug 8, 2013 17:15:58 GMT -5
Watermark smiled warmly at him, "Thank you for your concern." He started. "Heh, you shouldn't worry about Bodkin's punishment, he was stuck in that position and unable to fall. A little spell the unicorn instructor used on occasion. Aside from forcing him to deal with his fear of heights and making him crow like a rooster, he was in no danger. Do you really think three such dedicated drill instructors would let their trainees get hurt? They know all your names and care a great deal about you. That's one of the reasons they've been so harsh with you. As for the situation outside, well, every time we think we deflected a Diamond Dog attack, they cook up something else. All of this and we've yet to encounter their main army. If they decided to siege Hoofington now, even with their smallest battalion, we'd be fighting about twelve to one in the BEST case. That's also why they've been so strict on formation."
Watermark sighed, "Again, thanks for your concern about me and White Fire. We've been working hard to continue fortifying the area, don't think we stopped working on stockpiling for a siege or working on your equipment. Its important for us that you ponies focus on your training, so we've been working on everything else." At that he leaned forwards, his snout pressed against Hoplite's, staring him directly in the eyes with a very mystifying gaze. "You're a good pony, Hoplite. You're proving to me every day that you deserved that promotion you got. But you are hesitant, what are you worried about?" Watermark's face was uncomfortably close, so much so that Hoplite could taste his breath as he spoke (to his credit, it wasn't bad at all), but something told Hoplite that breaking this... whatever it was, was extremely dangerous and he found himself unable to make himself do so.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2013 17:30:08 GMT -5
Hoplite breathed a sigh of relief after hearing that Bodkin was indeed in no danger of falling. Punishment or not, the chance of him falling off the belltower wasn't something he could've sat idly on.
Sure enough, Watermark continued on, and Hoplite found himself listening intently as he found out that Hoofington was hopelessly outnumbered and outdone by the Diamond Dogs. Perhaps the training was a very vain attempt to try and even the playing field, which would make sense considering that it was probably highly likely that the Diamond Dogs' numbers far outdid the current defence of Hoofington, nevermind their strategies tended to prod against the weakest links. Reinforcements were far out of the question, every corner of Equestria needed at least a semblance of a defence in order to survive, as outnumbered as each corner would inevitably be.
Soon enough, however, Hoplite found himself snout-to-snout with Watermark, the visibly tired Zebracorn glaring into - seemingly through - his eyes. As uncomfortable as this was, he dared not back away, feeling as if should he dare to break this...he still searched for a word to describe this, but he figured if he should dare to break this it would end *very* poorly for him. "What are you worried about?" Watermark asked, his breath wafting up the earth pony's nostrils. How could he come up with a proper response with Watermark seeming to gaze into his very being with that stare?
He gulped audibly, "Well, to be honest: far too many things to count. Equestria's at war, and I'm a lieutenant of the Hoofington militia. As you said, we're hopelessly outnumbered by the Diamond Dogs, Celestia's become a turncoat, we could be invaded at any second, my sister probably wants my head on a pike, and *you* look like you haven't slept in weeks. Isn't it only right that I worry, sir?"
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Post by Red Charge on Aug 8, 2013 17:48:49 GMT -5
"It's always right, but it is your role as a lieutenant I'm asking about, not everything else that has been going on. Why are you insecure about that?" The zebracorn asked, though it felt like a demand. He still didn't break their connection, when either of them talked, the other's snout would imitate the motion, pressed against each other. It was almost like looking into a mirror, a mirror that could see into his soul. "Do you have any reservations about me? Do you not trust me? You seem to think I would put the militia at risk... Do you believe that?"
Watermark's eyes were still drilling into his own with their strange look. It was almost as though his pupil was covering his cornea now. It was extremely odd, but Hoplite felt his guard drop. He wasn't sure what Watermark was doing, as it seemed he was doing nothing. It was certainly not magic, even Hoplite knew that magic against the mind was something very visible. However Watermark seemed to be doing something that broke his aversions to him, almost as though he was an old friend.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2013 17:53:40 GMT -5
Hoplite gulped, every instinct he had told him to at least back away to get a bit of breathing room, yet his body dared not comply. Watermark continued to drill into his very being with those eyes, and even still Hoplite dared not disappoint the zebracorn.
After a rather uncomfortable pause, Hoplite replied, "Well, honestly sir I do indeed trust you. I'm just worried you're thinking more about Hooftington and the ponies within than yourself, you haven't slept for ages from the look of things, and I'm wondering if worst comes to worst that your fatigue might get the better of you. You seem the sort to know that we need to be in the best shape possible to deal with the Diamond Dogs, so maybe as...uhh...friendly advice, I might suggest you take a nap or something. The militia has a day off, maybe you should take one...too?" Hoplite started to stutter and slow near the end, wondering if his words at all offended the zebracorn.
Much to Hoplite's dismay, Watermark stayed quiet. Perhaps he wanted Hoplite to continue? Wait, he had asked something earlier about him being insecure as a lieutenant. To be honest, Hoplite wasn't quite sure how to answer that. There were almost too many reasons to list as to why he wasn't quite comfortable in his new role, not the least of which was the vow he had inadvertently broken between him and his sister. "Uhh, Watermark, I'm pretty sure I've told you why I'm not quite comfortable being a lieutenant yet...that hasn't changed since the last time we discussed it..." he absently hoped that would be enough for Watermark.
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