Dusty

Tempest watched Bloom with an unflinching face. No smiles, no frowning. She did not react at all as the young mare looked over the map and started to piece together a game plan. She didn't want Bloom to have something to judge actions on, no hints to how she felt on what the mare was saying or offering up. And piece by piece Bloom did pull something together, backed it up with reasonably well-informed info and why it may be good too act on it. All in all Tempest was impressed by the young mares' tack for this. She’d go with the proper training and encouragement… And some part of her hoped her own two foals will have the same skill.

“You did well Bloom but don’t go tooting your horn so soon. That will get you killed and fast out here.. Or at the very least hated by crew mates. But you made good points, with luck we can loot something of worth from that crash not too tainted by the sea.” She says back looking down at Bloom, she did give the young mare a small smile. “Now take a seat, I'm going too show you how to chart this ship. See the tools over there?” She aimed a hoof at the side of the table and the contents on it. Sextant, astrolabe, compass and more on top of tools to draw out the plotted path on the map were laid down. “I’m going too do the charting for now, but I want you to follow along ok? So first we need to work out where we are on this map…”

It took a few hours for the course to be fully plotted as Tempest walked Bloom along how to do so. The young mare was smart, very smart. She picked up on things fast and it made learning how to use all the tools needed for navagent much easier. At least somewhat, it will still be some time before Tempest trusts Bloom to do something like this alone. But for now… Tempest did enjoy teaching the younger mare. It felt… rewarding.

She was glad to see his expression lighten as the tone of things shifted, that was a good sign most of the time. “Heroism and duty go hoof to hoof, to forget or forfeit one's duty is to toss away their honor as well. When I give my vows to uphold such things I can never forget them.” She says looking down at Feng with a small fanged smile. It was the truth, more so than he’d know. If she gave some vows to keep the empress safe then… Well, she needed to be careful in her words. She had no plans to be bound forever as guardian of the Empress. She’d give it a dozen years and see if this was the stepping stone she needed to take and if not…

Looking at her sword as Feng talked about it she nodded her head. “It won the name Bullbraker by the troops I was honored to lead. I’d be happy to show you how it won that name… I hope you are ok losing some target dummies. They don’t last more than one swing most of the time.” She says with a bigger fanged smile, easy to see why some gave her the nickname ‘Viper’ with a grin like that. “You will start believing soon as I start swinging.” She lifts a leg and brushes the long sheath of her blade as she speaks. It was for a time nothing more than a burden on her. But now she loved it, it was her mark in this world and when name was spoken far and wide this blade will be spoken with it. Her brothers did not lie about that, with it by her side nothing can claim it was not her.

Tempest took the time for Bloom to her way up to look over the maps, she had no real aim for this trip. It was a shakedown after all. Head someware then head back, see how the ship does and test the crew. So… Her ears flicked at the door opened, she did not even look up as she heard the mare walking over to the table. She just aimed a hoof at the path showing three landed masses down south. “Maretonia, Saddle Arabia and Unyasi. We can easily make the trip to one of them before swinging back north for this shake down, a good long stretch of the wings to test this vessel and her crew.” She says before looking up at Bloom. 

The young mare was looking much older already, for all her youth she carried herself as well as any mare on this ship. She had the making of something, what that something is… Well, it is up to Bloom. But Tempest knew she’d make a name for herself. More than some farmer, that was for sure. “I want you to pick where to sail. And I want you to tell me why you think it's the best place to go. Can be honest as you want, even if it just sounds cool to go there.”

Róngyù stayed put as stands by the door, pondering if she needed to knock on it… But lucky for her it seems she did ponder long about where the meeting was supposed to be or if she missed it. Her ears aimed at Feng as he took wing and glided down to meet her. Turning about to face him as he landed she stood tall and raised a hoof up before pounding it onto her chest in greeting. She looked every part a soldier as looked down at him. But inside her head… Feng was a lot smaller than she was thinking he was going to be. By a lot. He looked like a colt next to her! But on the other side golden scale buddies! So maybe that will even things out, matching scale buddies was the best after all and, oh, he was talking!

“Greetings Feng Yinhaitao, thank you for meeting this day and offering this chance no matter how uncertain it may be.” She says with a bowing, a trate she’s still yet to shake off from her homeland. She took a moment to think about what he asked her. Why was she here at all? It gave her a moment of pause. “Glory and honor sir, for nothing may hold more than serving the Empress and defending Her. Not as some shadow striking in the dark unknown, but seen by all uncompromising in my duty to Her. I can not dismiss some of my desires as selfish, I spoke of them first and will not hide them or dismiss them. Yet I feel they can be found here and tempered as well. A true hero lives not for thareself, but for the better of others. And so I came before you ready to give all I have to earn the glory and honor I crave and most of all… Learn to look past it for something more.”

She pulled up from her bow and looked down at Feng, she already felt worried about her words. She was a brave mare and countless times rushed ahead of her troops in to the thick of combat. Bandits, raiders, worse. But so much was resting on this moment. In her words. No training can make this less taxing. Yet she kept eyes focused and body firm. She’d give this all she had, that she knew.

The hum of the airships engines vibrated the ship as she cruised along at a respectful clip. Still slower than the old flagship but nothing some more tuning up can’t fix. She was about the same size overall and had plenty of room for upgrades, armaments and such things. All in all… It felt like far too much. What did she do to earn this? She still did not understand why Twilight did it, the mare asked for nothing. Wanted nothing. It was… Well, something Tempest just can’t understand. But the joy she felt being in the sky again and hearing the endless beat of props in the air was something she did understand deeply. Some part of herself was… alive again. She had no master. No boss… Just herself and her crew. She was free. Truly free. And that was something that can never have a piercing put on it. 

Looking down at the passing landscape as she leaned on the railing she let her mind wonder. So much has happened in her life. Even in the past few years… Now here she was back in the sky. This is where she belonged and she knew it. But what of… others? She was not a lone mare now. She had friends, some very close… And two more on the way. Growing inside her. It was weird to think. Scary was putting it gently. Yet she did not stop, she never can stop. She’d not abandoned them… She can’t. She knew what that was like, never again. For now she had time, months… that were passing far too fast. 

With A deep breath she pushed off the railing and walked down the deck. Thunderhead was a ship of respectful size and had a crew to match. She’d have no way to even dream of paying for a crew like that if Twilight did not slip her a jaw dropping amount of bits like it was nothing. She had about a year's worth of pay for them, ship costs and other things. She’d have to make the most of this time and make a solid base of income. How she’d do that was… unknown for now. Merc work? Traders? She had no damn clue. 

Pushing open a door she walked in to her cabin and moved to a desk full of maps. They were plotting a path south, yet she didn't know which way south yet. Leaning over to a brass pipe she taps it a few times. “BLOOM! MY ROOM!” She yelled at it. The young mare was doing well, farm work raised her well for this hard life. Yet Tempest did treat her differently. Never more easy, but more like… family. She had to look after the mare like one after all. AJ will hunt her down too the end of the world if that mare got hurt too bad. And… Well, she was a good test bed to learn more… motherly things. Not that Temy felt like calling it that. But soon she’d have two calves on her hooves to look after. She needed too learn all she could. And so did Bloom. 

Nilaavin claps his paws together with a big smile as the mare agrees to play his game. This will make things oh so much more fun! Sitting outside by the door got boring after all, not that he was banned from going inside it's just… Well, he did not wish too get stuck in the doorway again. Most of all at this event. It's all about Blue and his mates after all! Not some cat stuck in a doorway. So he focused on the mare, ears picking up the sounds of some speech inside. Things must be on the way, good for them. 

“The game is easy, I tell riddles and you must answer them as best you can. Fear not if you get them wrong or don’t know! No harm will come to you on this day.” He says laying down in front of the yellow and pink pony. “If you win you may ask something of me.” He added with a small nod. “Let’s start shall we? Something easy…” He taps a claw on the ground a few times. “What can you break, even if you never pick it up or touch it?”

~~~~~~~~~~

Blech. Tempest can’t help but look at everything other than the ceremony. It was just so… bleh! She was not jealous or something. Never. This was nasty filly noneses, she just wanted to get the free food, drink and toss down with Star later in some mud. That was real fun. Not some gooshy kissing and love. Love was lame… She wished Glitter was here. Not that she loved her! She just liked her. A lot. And the snuggles. Glitters was warm. Whatever, this was boring. And lame. Needs more cannons. Airships… The herd was Star Crusader’s? What? That made her look at them, ears flicking as her head leaned to one side. Can a mare lead a herd? Can… Can she lead a herd? That was… interesting. She’d do a good job of it, how can she not? She was more of a stallion than most stallions can hope to be! She’d easily lead a herd. Looking down at her belly she frowned, gears spinning in her head about such things.

It was raining like a monsoon… Too the shock of nothing, it was that time of year after all. Yet ‘Róngyù’ was still outside training. Every day for weeks she’s pushing herself to the breaking point and then past it. She had to give everything she had as so much was at stake. The fact she’d even be let in past the gates… the fact they’d even humor with an audition for Royal Guard status made every passing day feel like a week. All her paperwork looked over a dozen times, every soldier and fellow captain she named in her papers were spoken with again and again. Nothing can be left to risk, nothing overlooked. This moment was years in the making and even if a Yokai lives for a very, very long time… she truly did not want to waste so much time. This grand game and bet was far from over after all. And laziness on her part will not see her lose it so soon. 

The other soldiers at the base watched with slack jaws as her blade slammed in to the next dummy. Steel caved in, wood splitters as it was not cut in half but more blown apart from the impact. Her muscles hurt, hell all her body hurt. For all the years she’s used Bullbraker it was still a huge hunk of iron to swing about. And she’s never pushed herself this hard with it before as well. In a way she was thankful for the rain dumping on her head, otherwise she’d be overheating even worse. At least she can rest easy knowing her troops had a good show to watch…. She had one more week. She’d train for six more days, rest on the last and go over there papers again. Then early in the morning depart for Huangjing.

----

‘Never stop until you pierce the stars!’ That was one line repeated over and over in Honor Quest. No matter what came, how low she was laid, the mare in that comic never gave in. never gave up. And looking up from the warn pages of the comic Róngyù watched the walls of Huangjing come in to view. She’d never stop, she came close one time. Never gain. Not until she pierced the stars. Putting away the comic she pulled out her papers, thick as a hoof and detailing everything she can think of to prove her merit. A few more hours…

---

She took a deep breath. Everything was in order. Washed up, trimed, captain's armor polished waxed and detailed. She was rested and looked alert and ready. Another deep breath, if only she can look relaxed. Glancing at the monster of a balde strapped to her side she looked it over. Clean, polished and sharp as the thick beast can be… Well, this was it. She moved her cloven hooves and looked up at the towering gates of the Royal Palace. She’d not meet the empress, odds are she’d not even see inside the building. But she did get to go into the Courtyard to meet the one that will do her audition. She did wonder what he’d be like. He’d have to be a real hero, a true champion of this land! Oh she was so close!

Stopping at the gates she looked up at them and wondered what she was supposed to do now. Nock? Stay put? She’s never even been this close to the palace's walls before and felt worried she’d do something out of line. They’d know she was coming, she was on time after all and some guards must have seen her walking up. So… “Hello? Captain Róngyù Rènwù, I’m here as requested for a meeting with Feng Yinhaitao for an audition.” She spoke up some, but did not try knocking on the wooden gates for the moment. She did her best to look relaxed, at peace, but stress was eating away at her every passing moment.

Roleplay Type: WoE

Real Name: Shiratsuyu, 白露, ”White Dew”

Glamour Name: Róngyù Rènwù, 荣誉任务, Honor Quest

Sex: female

Age: Adult

Species: Yokai Hebi

Glamour Species: Qilin

Residence: Huangjing

Occupation: Soldier of the Imperial army of Long Guo.

Real Physique: Shiratsuyu’s real body is that of a large Hebi. With a head almost as large as a pony's entire body her true form is large and intimidating to be around. With the overall body shape of a snake her head is distinctly pony in shape and even has pony-like ears and muzzle. Yet her eyes are serpent like and her pony muzzle is full of sharp teeth and two large fangs. 

Eye colour: Blue.

Scales: Her underbelly is a creamy white while the rest of her body is gray in color with darker spots spread over it in a random pattern. The end of her tail is yellow along with patches around her eyes the same color.

Mane: She sports a long black colored mane on her head that is messy and unbrushed, sometimes bound up in a bun with the help of rowboat oars.

Glamour Physique: Based on the hero of a comic book ‘Róngyù Rènwù’ is very tall, standing a full two heads over most other qilin with little trouble. She has a fit and athletic looking physique overall and looks the part of a soldier or epic hero. 

Eye colour: Blue.

Coat/Scales: Her fur is a dark green with scales and hooves that look almost golden in color. 

Mane/Tail: Her mane and tail are black, she keeps her mane done up in a bun, but when let down it reaches her hooves. The fur on the end of her tail is kept short. 

Cutie Mark: A sword piercing a star.

History: Shiratsuyu was born the youngest of a dozen siblings and was stuck in their shadows for most of her life. Viewed as the weakest in both magic and strength she seemed to be overlooked every time and pushed aside for her own safety. This lasted for many years as Shiratsuyu grew ever more annoyed with her lot in life. She wanted more… Everything! She wanted to see more of the world and prove to her family and herself she had what it takes to be so much more. She wanted to be a hero, famous and well known! Her brothers mocked and joked about such a thing, saying she’d perish if she tried to go at it alone. Yet she saw that as a bet she was willing to make, she’d come back a hero famed and known for her strength, bravery and magic! Taking the bet her brothers armed her with a huge and unwieldy sword, claiming it’s how they will know she did the acts to become a champion well she was disguised. 

Accepting the challenge and dragging the huge sword behind her, Shiratsuyu left her safe and secluded home behind. Traveling Poninawa her brothers followed along, tricking and hampering her journey in the hopes of winning the bet and getting their sister back home soon. Yet this backfired as Shiratsuyu grew tired of their games and tricks and fired back with a trick of her own. All it took was them losing her for one day, by the time they learned she tricked them it was too late. Shiratsuyu was watching her homeland disappear into the horizon. She used up what few coins she had for a one way trip to lands unknown. She had no clue where she was even going. But it didn't matter to her. She was going to show her brothers she can do this, she will be a hero…

Things didn't go well at first. Learning how to keep up a good glamour was a steep learning curve, most of all when you work hard! More than a few times she had to run out of town after mucking it up or forgetting about it altogether. Then came work, she was a no pony. Just a passing face trying to do something but no clue how. Odd jobs came and passed as she tried to piece together how to become a hero. Farming rice, chopping wood and pulling carts was not going to make it happen. Yet she found her inspiration from a comic stand, a story called Honor Quest followed a mare seaking the same thing she was. So inspired from this story Shiratsuyu changed her glamour to look just like that of the comics hero and took on the fake name Róngyù Rènwù to match. And just like that comic’s hero she’d start her journey by beating some bandits! 

Once again her hopes did not match up with the outcome. Sitting in a small wooden cage she had to face a glaring fact… she sucked at combat. Most of her magic was used up on the glamour and she had no skill with that huge hunk of iron called a sword she was stuck using. The bandits wiped the floor with her. And so she was stuck in a fog of self-doubt and depression. Getting away from the bandits was foal's play, she could easily just walk out of the cage when she wanted to. Yet she didn't. Why? Time and time again she failed to do something even vaguely hero-like. She truly did wonder if she needed to just give in and admit defeat to her brothers back home. And just when she felt she had nothing left the soldiers came. 

She watched in awe as they swept the bandits aside and set her free. They did it so easily, so swiftly she couldn't believe her eyes. And her shock only grew when they told her they were no champions of the land, just soldiers doing their job keeping her safe. She begged them to train her and was crushed to hear they couldn't do that. But her hope rushed back when they told her to head to Huangjing and look for the Imperial army’s recruiter. They are always happy to take in new recruits and train them. And so she did just that, traveling to Huangjing and joining the army. It took some talking to keep her sword, but they relented when she told them she must use it as some family honor demands so. And so she began her training… 

And all of this was several years ago. The training was hard at first she found her place in it. Piece by piece the soft mare learned how to hold her own, be stronger and swifter! And most of all learn how to use the monster of a blade she was stuck with. Nicknamed Bullbreaker by her army friends, she gained a reputation for being eager, hot headed and too barve for her own good. Yet she stuck to it and started to climb the ranks, no matter what it took or what was asked of her Róngyù Rènwù did her duty with pride. From patrolling roads and coastlines she moved up from being part of the patrols to leading them. Then being tasked with looking after several such units, year by year she moved up the chain of command. 

Now she rests as a captain in charge of keeping several smaller towns around Huangjing safe and overseeing the forces in the region. Yet her goal still feels out of reach. She’s well known but no hero yet. Something she now feels fit to fix as her eyes locked on to her next target. She needed to be more than just some soldier guarding roads and towns. No, her eyes fixed back on Huangjing itself and what lies within. For so long it felt so out of reach but now she sat with the skills, credibility and references from other captains and commanders to make a real shot at it. And like everything else in her life she was ready to battle for that shot with hoof, fang and grit to reach new heights. 

Character Personality: Shiratsuyu lived much of her life in the shadow of older brothers and was seen as someone that needed to be kept safe. This made her despirt to prove herself no matter the cost and has grown into a pathologic desire to be seen as heroic, powerful and most of all the one others look up to. She almost never accepts help and will rush headlong into the maw of danger with little regard for her own safety. In her eyes all of this has been one big game, she’s never worried much on the ramifications if her real self was uncovered. 

Unique Traits: A yokai in hiding, Shiratsuyu is a hebi yokai disguised as a qilin. As such she has all the traits that come with being one, but her lackluster magic is almost fully used up keeping her glamour up. If she’s worn out bad enough she has a real risk of it failing. 

Bullbreaker, her sword was never made to be used by ponies or most mortal races. Forged in an age long forgotten by other yokai, it's a monster of a weapon at six and a half fleet in length and weighing over 200 pounds. Even Shiratsuyu struggles using it and her only saving grace is the blade's magic that helps her swing it. For all non Yokai using this blade is almost impossible. 

Character Summary: Shiratsuyu wants to be a hero and is willing to give everything she has to prove her brothers wrong about her. Nothing seems to come easy for her yet she has pulled herself up words and overcome many hardships and obstacles. Yet she still feels far from her dream, for all she’s done she’s no hero yet. And so she pushes on relentlessly in her quest to stand atop the peaks of fame and glory as a true hero of the land. 

Nilaavin leaned his head down low as he looked deep in to the shy mare's eyes with strong focus. The things she asked... not long ago he’d feel insulted with such foolish things. Yet… It just marked yet again the unshaking fact his race was forgotten and dying away in to old mythology half remembered. He was the outliner of a cruel fate and it was in his paws to shape the last chapter. With a deep breath he leans his head to one side. “Sphinx is a name given to us by horse and pony, a name we embraced. It is fine to call us such as I know no other name for us.” pulling his head back up he smiled softly at the mare as he spoke more. “As for my size, I'm young and small. My mother was much larger than I am now, my father is larger yet.” He explained before holding a paw out to tap the mare on the nose. “As for food, yes… Do you wish to play a game?”

****Skiping Tempest this post****

Nilaavin felt the bump and looked down at the pony. Yellow, pink and looked spooked out of her mind? Ah yes, flutter something. One of the heroes of this land or some such thing. Hard to not learn about them in passing, most of all living in the town they call home. Why the heroes of this land lived in this poor town he had no clue. But then he lived here as well now… Smiling at the ‘hero’ of this land he spoke a few short words in his native tongue, a small greeting in words older than every town in this land. Soon followed with words she can understand. “Do not whimper in fear, do not hide like the foal so scorned. I mean you no harm and sit here as guardian of this event so wonderful.” He says in a soft tone, not wishing to spook her more. In truth he did not care if she was scared of him. But for the sake of PR he can’t go about spooking the heroes of this land. He’d never hear the end of it from Blue. “Take ease, champion of harmony, I am Nilaavin. You are… Shy…” He trails off, oh what WAS her name? Shy something? Butter Shy? Stutter Shy? Why did they all have such insane names? 

~~~~~~~~~~

Tempest nodded her head and gave the brick wall for a mare a playful jab to the shoulder. “Very well, best make ready. Even with the added condition I will not go easy on you.” With that she took her seat and smiled, much more happy with events. A good spare was just what she needed as of late.

“Beef?” Draco raised an eyebrow at such a thing. “Well, be careful speaking of such things on my ship. We have six bovines on the crew and none of them take well too such things even in joking.” He says with a stern look of a warning but leaves the topic on that note. He leans back in his seat, looking at his claws and taping them together. “And not all with the blood of leaders are bad. Look at me, born from nobles and raised with the best schooling they can. I think I’m making good use of it.” He chuckled. “Maybe I can be the king of the seas some day. If I’m really lucky I will live longer than a few weeks as well!” He chuckled deeper and grins like a wolf. “I heard far overseas is a kingdom of the free, like this town but bigger. Richer. Led by seven sea kings. May just be a heap of dung but fun dreams all the same.”

Tempest did not seem shaken or all too moved by the power of Star's shake, in fact he shaked back pushing in to the hoof with some force of her own. “I was rather upset I did not have a go at you, my mood was rather spoiled after my last target got away and a tussle with you may have been a wonderful event to relax me. But it is what it is. I’d love to toss you down in some mud, so long as I offer to take it gently on my belly. Got hurt, not going to lit it slow me down but don’t want you having some easy win with a blow to my gutt. Will do the same with you to keep it fair.” She offered with a happy grin, more than willing to have a go with this mare in the mud. It sounded fun! Shame Glitter was not here, she may enjoy watching two big strong mare rolling about in the muck. She then looked over at Sky Crack with a bigger grin. “You got to join. Three is more fun than two after all. Put on a real show for this wedding.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Nil held a paw to his chest in shock as he smiled. “Oh, you charm me so! Thank you Mis Spoiled. You have lit my heart with new found hope for this town. May this wedding treat you well and if you do see rising troubles just call for me. I shall see it fixed.” With that he bowed to meet her own, not something he did often but for her… He will bow to a pony with the fire he saw in her eyes. She was a sphinx at heart, he can feel it. And something like that was worth tossing some more kindling on. As she departed he followed to the door and took a seat next to it, eyeing up every pony passing him to join the wedding.

Nilaavin’s eyes were almost a glitter with joy as the mare spoke. She reminded him of his mother, of a sphinxess! The fire and focus of her eyes and the strength of her words. If only she was born with paws and wings. Regardless of her lesser birth she had more than the spark, she had the fire most ponies did not. And that did put a smile on his lips. 

“Oh do not start me on that dreadful plot of land. To be so close to this land's capital, to have it in view!” He waved a paw up in the air, aimed at the far off Canterlot resting far up on mountain peaks. “Four packs of… ‘timber wolves’ I believe is the word. Two manticores. One hydra. That is what I have battled in my time here.” He moved his paw to his chest. “I feel as if a spoon has been given to me and my liege requested I stop the flooding of the rivers with it. And the locals of this town? They scoff at me. My wishes for order and safety are greeted with rolling eyes and remakes on how things are just this way. But they are not ‘just this way’ and never can be. When we first took seeds to the earth, plowed the fields and cut the channels for water we took this land from chaos to order. Yet they all seem overjoyed to give it back! They even let that… Sky worm make home here. I know he’s here at this event, things are already chaotic… And I can feel it. Anathema.” He lowered his paw down and looked over at the castle.

“We must speak more, I feel we shall get along very well. But we both have matters to see too. After this do you have pressing matters? I’d enjoy it if we had a few moments to rest to speak without rush or worry.” He asked looking down at her. “You are the most charming mare Ms' Spoiled Rich.”

~~~~~~~~~~

“Being disappointed at the customs of this land is pretty normal.” Tempest says rolling her eyes. “Why I live the way I do. Far north, mostly alone save for the one mare that understands me. Yet I shall be traveling soon. I have come in to ownership of an airship and will see much with it. Almost all my life was spent moving… Staying put is just not in my blood it feels like. I will see to it I visit Acroneighos. When I do you best be ready to meet me hoof to hoof, loser pays the bar tab.” She says with a smug grin before she looked over at the approaching giant of a mare. She arched an eyebrow, thinking. Where has she…

“Oh. You were the one that beat my honor guard. The Yetis with manes dyed like my fur, each one was hoof picked. Yet you managed to get past them. Hard much about you from the reports they gave me. Did not think you were really so large.” With that she stands up, meeting Star Crusader eye to eye. Tempest was no small mare. Yet she still felt small looking at this mare even if did meet her eye to eye. She then holds a hoof out in greeting. “They nicknamed you Shildbraker. Nice too meet this Shieldbreaker.”

“I shall keep this swift as it seems you are already aware of the problem plaguing this town.” Nilaavin says back as he leads her away from the rest of the gusts too the trees. He was impressed by his first meeting with her. A strong force of will but respectful when speaking to him… And the look in her eyes! They had a spark that made him remember his mother in a way. “I fear much the shame and even with my eyes on them I have had one mare completely disregard the ‘No gusts past this point’ posting, a drunk griffon and my fellow guard flirting more than doing his blasted job. Oh, and some pony skydived on to the roof and then talked to me in a language he admitted to not really knowing how too speak in. Then consider me disrespectful for asking him to not speak in it when talking to me, I speak this just fine.” He sits down by the tree and rolls his eyes before looking down at Spoiled Rich. “All of this before the wedding has even started. I just can’t wrap my paws around this town and it's complete disregard of order of even the smallest amount.” He waved a paw in the air, shaking his head. “I was going to fuss at you but I can see that it is unnecessary. You have a look in your eyes, it's much like mine. We are both unhappy with the state of things.” He added with a frown, even if he did feel a small hit of hope in this pony. 

~~~~~~~~~~

[Tempest has been skipped for this post!]

Nilaavin arched an eyebrow Swift talked. What a prideful pony that one was without a hint of fear as well. But it was well founded, he can’t hurt them. Not even a little bit! Unless some pony made a move to hurt Blue or his wives they can walk all over him in safety. It was a shameful fact and one he did his best to play down so they did not work out how declawed this cat was. “What is dead may best be left dead, no point in digging up a corpse laid to rest.” He remarked back on his language. Some day he hoped to pull it back from nothingness but today was not that day. “Thank you Sir.” He added with a wave of his paw as Swift jumped off the roof. Peeking over the top he watched the pony float down softly. He hoped for a splat. Oh well. 

Looking over at the ongoing… mess up here he just rolled his eyes. “You act before you think Mis, some day that will see you die on a blade you very well may have seen coming if you looked before you lept.” He then gets up, stretching his legs as he looks down at the masses coming in to the building. “And no need to help me track her down. I see the Mayer. Tiger, do keep the roof safe and do be careful, I think we have a tick up here.” He added glancing at the mare one more time before stepping off the rooftop.

Falling down he landed on his four paws with a heavy thump, making several ponies fall over in shock from his landing. Without missing a beat he walked down the line eyes fixed on Spoiled Rich. “You, Mis Spoiled Rich is it? You are the Mayor of this town if I’m not mistaken. I wish to speak with you for just a moment, you will not miss the wedding you have my word on that.” He says looking down at her then nodding his head to some nearby trees before he walked that way. No need to shame her in front of everypony with what he wanted to say. 

~~~~~~~~~~

Tempest sinkers as the mare talks. “Oh. You have no clue how boring this is going to be.” She says with a shake of her head. “Preparer to sit on that flank and do nothing and try not too die from boredom. The fun comes in the after party where we all get drunk on free drinks and too much cake… At least others can, I can’t drink.” She says looking down at the last part, glancing at her down belly. But she snapped her head back up and looked over at the mare. “What you want to do sounds way more fun than this. Weddings are oh so very boring here… if I ever have one I think I need too hire a few Acroneighos mares to spice it up, most of all if they are look good as you do.” 

Times like this Nilaavin truly hated the fact he can’t ever hurt some pony… Without Blues blessing. Oh how he wanted to smite them for acting like such foolish foals in front of him! He was a Sphinx! Not some petty house cat! But this was his life for now, his judgement will come in time. But he can keep some order at least in his follow ‘guards’. “Tiger, your task is to keep order and safety for Blue and their wedding not flirt with every female you see.” He says, looking down at the pony, glaring with his cat-like eyes. “Focus with the spear at your side, not the one underrneth or you will end this shift a gelding.” With his warning done he shifted his focus on the bothersome mare and was about to warn her again but was stopped do to well…

Looking up as his ears flicked about he blinked, looked again and squinted as some pony skydives down on to the kep, sliding to a stop next to him. He was so taken back and dumbfounded it left him speechless. What was up with this town? Why was it like this? Was all of this kingdom this… disorderly? It made him want to cry honestly. And then the pony talked. Never in his life has he heard his native language so thoroughly butchered, abused and mangeld. He had to hold a paw up and pushed it against the muzzle of this pony to make them stop. “Never speak are language again pony, I have seen beaten slaves speak with more clarity than the mangled mess of sounds you have just uttered forth at me.” Done with that he looked at the tiny paper floating in the air. Well looked good to him. “You need to go in from the front door. Best of luck getting down, I will not help in the matter.” Well with that done he pulled his paw away and looked back at the mare. Now where was… Then a drunk bride passed by. Hardly staying in the air on haphazard wing beats Seeing this Nilaavin just took in a deep breath. “Do one of you know where the Mayor of this town is? I wish to speak to her in detail on why she let's this town be like this. And more so, how everything that will go wrong at this event is her fault and her fault alone.” 

~~~~~~~~~~

“I have my regrets.” Tempest says with a shrug, not going in to detail on what they were. “And my relation is limited in the extreme. We hardly know each other but Blue has offered to help me far more than needed given that with no wish of repayment. As such when asked to be here, I did come. I may not know them well, but they have treated me with kindness and a helping hoof. Showing up too watch this is the just thing to do.” She says looking back at the mare. “What of you? Why are you so far from home to see it?”

Ah Tiger, such a new face still. And yet Nilaavin knew him well. He was like so many other guards. Felt more big than he was, thinked far too much with the spear underneath than the one slung overtop. They were a dime a dozen amongst the armies and guards of the past and present it seems. But he did his job and that is all that matters. Speaking of that job…

A mare felt like teleporting up here. She was not a watch mare or a guard for Blue. “Ma’am, you may not be here or distract us. I will remove you by force if you do not remove yourself.” The large sphinx says with a thick accent no pony can place. For how can one place an accent born from a dead language mixing with modern ponish? Yet he had no time for this mare. His orders were to be on guard duty and even without the spell bounding him, he’d follow them out of respect for Blue. And he needed this mare away so Tiger can do his job and stop drooling over every mare he sees. 

~~~~~~~~~~

Tempest arched an eyebrow at an unknown mare sitting down next to her. She was not too happy to put up with some unknown pony being next to her but hoped Blue planned the seating well. But she did not ask for a name or even remark on her. The mare spoke up without being invited in to it, something Tempest hated but as the mare spoke it sparked some interest. She was an Acroneighos mare and one of some worth at that. “A Maretonia mare. Far from home and far from the legions.” She says back, looking to her side at the mare and eyed her up. Fit body, strong pose. She held herself tall and presented a pose of dominance. Tempest liked what she saw in truth. “Honored to meet a mare of your caliber Sky Crack, no wonder you know me well, given your duty you’d been foolish to not take note of what I did in my years leading the armada.” She says rolling her shoulders. “Such times are long behind me now and I made my pace.” She added looking back ahead,watching more flood in. Bleh. Was like watching hens all cram up on a coop. Far too much, her wedding… if she has one. Will be nothing like this.

Having Apple Bloom stumbling into her, she snapped Tempest out of her thinking. Looking down at the filly she can’t help but work a small smile on her muzzle. No, she wasn't doing good. She hasn't been for sometime. But she was doing better. “I already told you, I’m fine. Now get that butt in that room and greet your sisss… Uh, cousin.” She really needed to work on that, not her fault AJ came off as blooms mother half the time. But she leans down and using her muzzle helped push Apple Bloom back up on her hooves and nudged to the open door. “Go on, she needs all her family there. Both of ‘em.” She added before backing away from the door. 

She can’t go in. It felt… wrong. This moment was far too private a matter for her to be part of more than this. She’d meet the foal later, she knew that much. No way AJ was going too let her get away without having the foal held up to her face three or four times. But for now it was the family's moment and she, sadly, was not part of this one.

Sitting like a large watchguard a sphinx lays on top of the Castle watching the growing numbers of visitors. Nilaavin found all of this just very amusing in truth, his kind had nothing like this. No big show of love for a sphinxess and in a way he felt this was more charming. It was a show of love and tied them together… He'd adopted some of this in to his own pride some day. But today his focuses needed to be on his job, keeping this wedding safe and free of all wedding crashers. 

~~~~

Tempest honestly can’t understand why she was invited for this. So she talked like… one time to Blue. He… they? They did seem nice and offered a helping hoof. Going so far as to even try and track down one of the few ponies in her life to mean much to her. Other than Glitter of course. So in a way she felt like she had to come to this to show her thankfulness even if she can’t see why it matters. For a pony like Blue having her here just seems… Well, odd. She was nothing. A low life. So she had a noble's blood in her veins but that was meaningless. Bleh. 

Whatever it was she was here and did her best to keep on the farthest fringes of the gathering for the reception. When it was time for all of them to gather inside she was pleased to see her designated seat was far to the back pushed as far to the side as they can have it. For some it may feel like they were shunned but for Tempest she knew this was an act of kindness. She can’t ask for a better seat. So she sat her flank down on the pillow and passed time daydreaming… of battle! And… uh, war! Nothing about… other things.

Was it bad she can’t feel her legs? Probably. But she didn't have the time for that. A funny thing with being tired is if you keep going, keep pushing you stop feeling tired. Just num. She felt so very num now. The world was passing by like a dream. No focuses, nothing staying. Shapes passed and she forgot them. She did not have much to say nore did Glitter it seems. Maybe for the best. 

And so she keeps walking. Tall legs plowing a path in the snow as ice built up around her nose, clinging her fut and eyelashes. What was it like to just lay down in it? She came close a few times as a filly. Covered in snow and ice all alone. But she was not alone now. Far from it. Even in the cold she felt a beacon of warmth resting on her back, hugging her neck and resting on her head. It was not just the warmth of another body. No this was a deeper warmth that gently blew life in to soldering embers that were so close to fading away in to nothing. A warmth that made her remember there was more to life than her suffering. She remembered playing, laughing, rolling about and smiling in a way only a filly can. The thing about happiness is that you only know you had it when it's gone. At the time she never did think about it. Ya, she ‘felt’ happy but never really believed it. That filly felt she’d be more happy with other things. When she was the captain of the guard. When she was on top. When she is doing her own thing as an adult mare. She was so focused on the petty bullcrap, school, or whatever that she never knew she was happy. It's only looking back, by comparison with what comes after, that she really understands. That's what happiness felt like. Real happiness free from all the burdens strapped to every inch of her body. Can she ever feel it again? Was it even possible? She didn't really know. Not yet. But it made her wish she was Koda. Or just some other dog at all. Playing, running without a care in the world as every pony loves them. What she’d give to live that life for a day. They knew real happiness and unlike her never toss it away for stupid petty horse crap. If only.

"I know this trail. We're nearly there!" 

Flicking an ear she was snapped out of her own mind space and back to reality. They were on a trail, one Glitter knew. “About time.” She remarked, pushing herself down the path. “When I drop you off I will head out for a doctor, where’s the closest one?” She asked. She wanted to speed up, move faster but her legs were unwilling. Looking up at the setting sun she knew darkness will be here soon and the cold will be even worse. Will she even make it too a doctor if she did this?

She ‘spoke’ her plan with hoof movements, pushing figures in to place for some mock battle. Deception was a word for her movements. Using small forces too draw in bigger ones to bottle necks they’d never see coming. Only to have forces move in from the back and trap them. Brutal efficiency with no love or care put in for things other than winning. Every soldier was a pawn to be moved however needed. In her eyes this is how war is waged. You win or lose. There is no room for feelings in the mix. Yet she was feeling a lot of things in the moment. Fear. Worry. And most of all excitement. 

And that excitement grew as he moved closer. She tried to push it off but the need to feel useful, wanted, was powerful. She got stiff as stone when he pulled himself up over her back. What was he doing? Was he going to just take her on this table like some romance book? No. As he spoke all the lust and wanted pride was washed out in fear. Feeling a hoof pushing her down made her push back, hooves pushing on the table as all his mass pushed down on her back. Yet she did hold herself up off the table. But even if she was holding herself up mostly, he was heavy. If she moved a hoof at all she’d fall down. It was an act of defiance but one she can’t act on. The worst outcome did happen and she was at his mercy at this moment. 

She looked down for a time, thinking. “[I… I am not. Normel. Yes.]” Her speech was slow and broken. “[Touched… of the magics of sky thunder. But I not use it, not one. I kill as asked. Do as asked. Wish no harm on you. No. I see… power in you. Read of you, seen of you. Wanted more. Got more. You are strong and honorbound. Keep words. Keep promises. I been betrayed so much. Wish I followed you first. Other life. Other times maybe.]” She grunted, it was hard to speak and focused on holding herself up with him on her back. If this was less… threatening she’d call this the hottest dam moment of her life. But it was hard to feel too worked up when she may be killed soon. Maybe he’d let her die with some honor? She’d not fuss too much at such a death.

With everything set up, music playing and fire going Tempest smiled. Where she was now. What she has done. All of this was just so… Insane. Yet it felt good. Like she was breaking off chains of her own making and learning how to live and just enjoy herself. It felt like the first steps of a foal in some ways but she knew it must happen. She will fall. She will trip. But she must do it and she’d not be alone. And that alone changed the world for her. 

"Happy birthday, Tempest!"

The voice made her jump in the air, so lost in her own thinking she did not hear him approaching. Did not help that she had no clue as to whom that voice belonged to! Spinning about to face the pony she even more god smacked seeing him. Shining Armor was here? The old captain of the Guard that got hooked up with the Empress? “Uh, hi?” She asked, taking a step back. “Um, hope you are not here to arrest me or something. Whatever it is I swear I didn't do it.” She added with a weak smile. She honestly had no clue why he was here and wishing her a happy birthday. This had to be some joke. 

And then her Boss arrived. Well, Ex-boss. She put in the paperwork to leave for good some time ago and Ice has been nothing but extremely helpful and nice about it. She did invite her to the party so seeing her was not much of a shock. Mare did say she’d come no matter what. “H-hay boss! Good. I think. I don’t know, maybe going to jail again so maybe I can have some bail cash as a gift? … Again?” She asked with an even more weak smile. At least Glitter was not he-

And there was Glitter. Trotting up without a care in the world and flirting like it was nothing. She didn't even know how to respond to that comment! And then Glitter just leaned up and smooched her on the nose.

….

…..

“Uhyahahuh” Tempest mumbles, blushing so hard her fur was going to turn red at this rate as she just spaced out and looked completely lost as what to do. Her social skills were still… Well, it was unclear if she even had one pont at all in it.

Tempest sat alone looking down at the frozen river. The sun was long gone all ready, touching away behind the hills of trees so soon this far north. Yet she did not mind. The stars were beautiful up here. Yet they were not her focus at the moment. That was fixed on a bag in her hooves full of litters. She felt uneasy, nerves. Scared even. How long ago was the last time she had a birthday party? Two decades? And yet Glitter remembered it and was the one to nudge her along to ask others to come. It felt weird to do it. Yet she knew she needed to do it. This was important for her to do. She had to flip this last page and start the next chapter. After a few more moments looking at the frozen river she looked down the path and the city down the road. Somehow this one trip felt more terrifying then marching in to war. She has seen cities in flames. Masses marching in chains to work until they drop. And yet that one road and the letters in this bag made her hooves feel like stone. What was she after all? She didn't know. But she knew what she wasn't. And so she forced herself to move down the road. She had to drop the letters off before the mail offices closed. 

----

Four weeks later. 

----

Tempest waved as the old mare walked away. Everything was done. She’d have free run on this land for the rest of the day to host her party. Even if that word was something of overkill for what she wanted. More like ‘peaceful gathering of maybe friends’ but whatever. The land was a good sized plot of unused farmland in the farming district of the imperial city and inside of its shield. So even in the dead of winter the air was… Well, not cold as it can be. But what matters was the lack of snow and lack of freezing to death. They’d both be a bummer on a hang out. 

She had set up everything she hoped she’d need. Some benches to eat at, nice big firepit to stay warm and had some cake and food in order to show up later today. It was nothing fancy but that is way she wanted this. She did not want some big party. She just wanted something more basic and slow going… Mostly so she felt safe. Last thing she needed was a panic attack on her birthday. Now all she needed was for every pony to show up! And for Glitter to get her cute flank down to the city. She had some ‘last moment things’ to do back home, whatever that was. But she’d be here soon hopefully. 

With everything set and ready she hoped over to the record player and with a zap of magic powered it up. It may not be ‘birthday’ music, but buck it. She loved this band! This music just clicked with her. 

Tempest flicked her ears when she felt Glitter nuzzling in to her mane as a resting place for the mare's head. It made her chuckle some but she did not stop it. Glitter needed the rest, she can live with her mane messed up. “Good.” She remarked, pushing on ahead in the deep snow. She wanted to lay down by a fireplace. Nap. Rest. Take a warm bath. Yet so much had too be done. Soon as she got Glitter home they’d need too get help. A doctor to look her over. Get her set up. Safe. Then rest. The day was long from over even if the sun sets fast this far north. 

Soon they were at a steam. It was small but too wide to leap over. Too deep to trust the ice. No way they can drown but getting wet at all in this cold was deadly. Tempest looked it over, then eyed up some trees. “Close your eyes.” She says as her horn sparked to life with magic as she aimed at a tree. With the roar of thunder an arch of magic ripped in to the base, wood shattered and exploded as the tree groaned and fell before slowing as magic flowed over it. Tempest gritted her teeth, horn showering her in sparks as the tree moved over to the steam and fell down over it making a path. Next her magic moved to the branches, ripping and blasting them off with the smell of ash and smoke. It was not the first time she’s done this. “You can open them now.”

With that she leaps up on the tree and walks to the other side, calling Koda to follow them over.

"Y'all right there, Tempest?"

Tempest looked over and down at Apple Bloom, the young mare's words made her much more aware how uneasy she looked. Distressed even. She took in a deep breath, forcing herself to relax some. “Ya. Fine. Need too smoke. Or drink... or both” She says back to Apple Bloom with a shake of her head, looking back at Rainbow. She was a good mare, strong willed… some times. But one of the few can keep up with her morning runs. But what she liked most about her was loyalty. A small word that means everything for Tempest.

Her ears flicked as AJ made that awful sound again. It made her flinch, but she held her ground. “Good. Your Welcome…” She wanted to say more, but did not know what. After a moment she pieced it together. “Sorry I look such a mess. Did not think… You know, I'd be here for this. Just came here to help when AJ told me she’d need an extra pair of hooves. Heh. Did not even lie did she?” She says looking away at all the others in the hallway. Seems like she had plenty, but then again when is it too much in a time like this? But it seems things were heating up. “Get back to AJ.” She says backing off from the door.

She kept her ears up, following the sounds on the other side of the wall. It still felt so… AJ was a good mare. Deep breaths. Easy. Relaxe.  Deep breaths. Easy. Relaxe. She felt her body loosen up, heart slowing too a more steady beat. Everything was ok. Then she heard the filly cry out. It felt like a rock slamming in to her face, trying to force open a locked door. Her ears folded back close to her skull as stomped a hoof but held her ground. No. Not today. She was stronger than this. Deep breaths. Relaxe. Everything was ok. 

Opening the eyes she unknowing held shut she looked back at the doorway and the sounds within. The filly was in good hooves. Loving hooves. Hooves that can look after it. Know how to look after it. And maybe someday she’d believe in herself in that way. Maybe one day she’d fix the past. But today she was a friend and one that will flinch away from this happy moment. She did not know the name of the filly yet, but whatever he or she may be… they are blessed to rest in the hooves of AJ and... And she wanted to see it.