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Post by Red Charge on Dec 11, 2013 17:46:28 GMT -5
Fillydelphia was silent as Phalanx went on. "There's nothing you can say that can hurt me, so there's no reason to apologize. If you regret it, just don't do it again, with anyone." She said coldly after Phalanx finished. Not much more-so than her usual cool demeanor.
"You just have to hang in there Phalanx, I know there's probably all sorts of crazy stirring up in you, but you should talk about it instead of just lashing out. I'm sure everyone in this house, even silverlocks over here, cares about you. If there's something you need to get off your chest, instead of being confrontational, maybe you just need to talk about it."
Watermark sighed, "I'm trying to be patient with her, she's not making it any easier. I think Whitefire was at least partly right, she's jealous I took an interest in you and not her. I do stand by my judgement however, I do still think you are more fit to lead than she is. I think if she doesn't change the way she acts with or around you, she might end up, not purposely of course, dragging you down. That being said, I'm not saying you two need to separate, oh no that would be a bad idea after last time. But I do think you both need to realize that pair bond or no, you're unique individuals and not qualified to do the same things. She may be used to bossing you around, but that doesn't make her the better soldier. Honestly? I just wish she'd fall in line so I could actually like her, it's hard to like someone who spends every moment with you either arguing, complaining or just being a jerk."
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2013 17:49:51 GMT -5
Hoplite nodded as Watermark continued with his thoughts, "Yeah, I know. Now I don't really see what you see in me in terms of leadership stuff - I'm far from a good tactician - but I do get that Phalanx is far from friendly-looking. Tell you what, put down a few opportunities for her if you can. I know you've already done that before, but methinks after today she might start to wise up. I'll talk with her tomorrow just to be safe with that."
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2013 17:53:46 GMT -5
Phalanx rolled her eyes, "Never said I was trying to hurt you with those words there, Fillydelphia. I was apologizing for lashing out, but whatever."
She sighed to herself as Sapphire went on, "Yeah, problem being that's just how I respond to things. Snark, sarcasm, lashing out, all that jazz. My problem isn't so much how I do that as it is that nopony is exactly fond of somepony voicing their negativity so...strongly. Chances are I'd be better off trying to find a way to get my snark and sarcasm to work in my favour, rather than against me. And maybe if I could just calm down for a day or two," she chuckled softly, "Haven't exactly had too much time to myself as of late."
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Post by Red Charge on Dec 16, 2013 16:39:17 GMT -5
"Well the first and most important thing is that you're reliable, that's a quality not found in many ponies. I know few ponies who would stand their ground against a Terragon with nothing but a shield and some courage. You might not be the best at everything but you always work on improving, you always set the bar higher, there's always a 'next level' for you. You're also humble and attentive, you are able to listen to other people and accept their views and advice even when it does not fit with your own mindset. All of these are qualities that are very important in a good leader. That and that you've got a positive regard that seems pretty hard to shake. Admirable qualities to the last. Whereas your sister... lacks horribly in all of these fields." The zebracorn explained slowly, trying to get his point across to the earth pony. "Your only weakness is and I attribute this also to your sister - the fact that you constantly underestimate yourself and compare yourself to her. Once you finally take in your qualities and try to reach self actualization, I think you'll go as high as one can get."
"Wallowing in your thoughts is a type of anti-social behavior that usually does not end up solving your problems." Fillydelphia stated, "Expressing yourself in a positive matter is something you should learn to do. It seems once you do you'll find yourself with ponies defending you rather than turning against you. Had you been more liked in the militia, I doubt the rumors of you being a 'horn hater' would have spread as far and instead of ponies condemning you you would have ponies defending you."
"I agree with that," Sapphire nodded, "Surprised me to hear no one stood up for you other than your brother, ever considered it might have been the way you treated other ponies in the militia that made it so easy for them to turn on you?"
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2013 16:43:37 GMT -5
Phalanx rolled her eyes, these two were starting to sound like her mother. She wanted to make that known for but a moment, catching herself and deliberately trying to change up her tone. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. I think that's enough feeling sorry for myself for one night, girls," she started, adjusting her position to a more comfortable one, "I'm just gonna nod off for the night. See you in the morning."
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2013 16:49:50 GMT -5
Hoplite shifted uncomfortably on what little room he gave himself on the bed. Watermark had just finished his long lecture on why he thought the earth pony was a leader and how his sister had next to no hopes of becoming one. It didn't help that Watermark seemed to be insinuating that he should stop thinking as much about his sister and what the two thought of him. Chances were he was taking it in the wrong way, but he didn't much question that.
"Look, I get it Watermark, you think I'd be a great leader on my own and Phalanx isn't going anywhere with her typical attitude. We've gone over this before, I am not going to go out of my way to leap ahead of my sister without at least waiting for her to catch up. So rather than build me up, how about we at least *try* to help Phalanx by doing the same with her? You already know that I'd be perfectly willing to hold myself back for her sake, so if you're *really* intent on making me a leader...well, it should be obvious, shouldn't it?" Hoplite mentally cringed. His tone wasn't exactly perfectly friendly in those last few words. Hopefully that wouldn't be a huge problem.
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Post by Red Charge on Dec 16, 2013 16:56:10 GMT -5
"I want to." Watermark replied, "I really do. I think if she gets her act together Phalanx would do a great job. But in that regard she is just as much held up by you as you are by her. You keep insisting on staying below her, not giving her anything to aspire to. I haven't known her for long, but should you truly surpass her, she wouldn't let you stay at the top for long. Maybe it's time one of you broke this ridiculous stalemate and since you're the only one of the two of you I can actually talk to and encourage without receiving vicious backlash, I think it's up to you to raise the bar here." Watermark replied evenly.
Sapphire and Fillydelphia nodded and each went about to try and sleep, Sapphire wrapping herself around Phalanx as she used to do in the Everfree, though it was significantly more comfortable on a bed than on a forest floor with needles getting up her... well, it was certainly more comfortable.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2013 17:03:56 GMT -5
Hoplite chuckled at the thought of Phalanx viciously trying to overtake him if he ever got too far. A 'stalemate' was far more comfortable a situation to be in than causing a divide between the two siblings. He held up a hoof and shook his head, "No, no, I think I'd rather just do what I can to help her move forward, thanks," he began...and immediately stopped. He couldn't quite think of anything else to add to the conversation at this point.
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Post by Red Charge on Dec 16, 2013 17:08:00 GMT -5
Watermark clonked him on the head, "How about no. How about for once you stop being selfish and pretending to be stupid." The zebracorn asked, "What you're afraid of a little competition with your sister? You really think that by doing the same thing you have been doing for years, which hasn't worked until today, you're helping her? Because if you do, she'll be far better off without you. She's your sister and she's going to love you no matter where you are in life in comparison to her. If not then I guess your 'pair bond' is not all that is it? So stop being a selfish, lazy dolt. I'll have no more of it."
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2013 17:13:55 GMT -5
Hoplite absently rubbed the top of his head. He couldn't quite say that Watermark's 'attack' hurt, but it certainly did feel a little sore. Watermark had started getting all confrontational, and this wasn't exactly putting the earth pony in a good mood. "You don't have to start throwing insults at me, Watermark. I get that you don't approve of it, but bashing your 'friend' over the head isn't going to get the results you want," Hoplite retorted. "If you really have such a problem with it, why do you keep us around?"
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Post by Red Charge on Dec 16, 2013 17:16:18 GMT -5
"You really want to get in a verbal debate with me? You know you'll lose and you know I'm right. Don't switch the topic and don't try to turn this on me. Get a hold of yourself and do the right thing for Harmony's sake." Watermark continued, crossing his hooves on his chest.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2013 17:21:26 GMT -5
Hoplite grumbled, "I've *been* trying to do the right thing for the longest time, Watermark. It's why I don't outwardly complain about, well, this," he gestured to Watermark and the bed, "I'm just trying to keep everypony as happy as I can make them without going too far out of my way. Sadly, at least with me, 'doing the right thing' means helping my sister move forward rather than letting me get propelled ahead of her."
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Post by Red Charge on Dec 16, 2013 17:24:22 GMT -5
"How is it the right thing when it's probably the only thing holding her back? Don't you think that if not on a conscious level, at least on an unconscious one, she doesn't want to get too far ahead of you for the same reason? Going all la-di-da and trying to please everypony is not the way to go about here. Trust me once you pull her to the top with you she'll be thanking you. Because I don't see being a pair of mediocre town ponies working out for you, do you?" Watermark asked.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2013 17:30:25 GMT -5
Hoplite frowned, "Excuse me, but didn't you *just* go over how 'going all la-di-da' was doing me favours by making me seem more pleasant? And how not being nice to ponies was keeping *her* back? Now you're saying that me being nice is keeping the two of us back? Y'know, maybe it's just because I'm tired, but I actually don't mind the thought of being just 'a pair of mediocre town ponies'. Phalanx obviously wouldn't, that's just her thing, but I think we'd have been much better off just staying in the militia where we were comfortable." Hoplite turned about on the bed, stepping off and heading out of the room, "I'm going to go sleep on the sofa, Watermark. I'll see you in the morning and hope I have a clear head by then."
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Post by Red Charge on Dec 16, 2013 17:37:36 GMT -5
Watermark's horn took on a blue glow and the door closed in Hoplite's face. "You're not running away on this one." Watermark said, sitting on the bed, "I don't know how clear your head usually is, but it's obviously not clear enough. You say you two were comfortable in the militia, well it hardly seems like the militia had a lot of complaints about you two leaving. Being better than someone else is not the same as lashing out at somepony whenever you're near them and it is NOT bad behavior. Being the best you can be, if not for yourself then for Equestria, which includes yourself your sister and the rest of your family, is something that should be on top of your priorities, as a former member of the militia that is. Refusing any opportunity to be just that, well, that's just being afraid of what you can be. Doing the same thing you've done for the past years won't make your life better, only worse. When there's someone genuinely out there to help you and your sister and you deny them, you'll just bury yourself and I promise you that after me there will be no one else, you will just live your life out as farmers with nothing to do but raise crops. You said that's not what Phalanx wants, well, if you really care about what she wants so much, do the math and figure it out."
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