Welcome to LP..... again. (STAR: Icy. Others by invite)

[KaityKat]

 

Z paced the train station, the train she'd taken to get here was the one before the one that'd get her there on time, and she was starting to get nervous again. This new job opportunity was big. Really big. Her dad wasn't happy about losing such a capable farmhoof, but nonetheless, still supportive of her pursuing her dream. Her brother, on the other hoof was excited for her. He stood over by a bench watching her, his front hooves crossed resting on the back of the bench.

 

"Zeph, calm down! You'll do great!" Cornsilk encouraged.

Z frowned "She's still not here. The on-time train has left and she's still not here."

Cornsilk laughed "It only just left. It was your idea to take the early train, Zeph." he put his front hooves back on the ground and wheeled himself over to Z to pat her on her shoulder "Relax. She'll be here any minute. Come on, sit on the beech for a bit, rest your hooves."

Z have him a look "No. If I'm slacking when she sees me, that can only give a bad impression. I'll just stand here."

Cornsilk frowned "Well at least stop pacing. You're giving me anxiety."

Z sighed "you're right. You're right." she stood in place and looked up and down the platform again.

Cornsilk smiled "I'm just excited to check out a big city, for once. Been cooped up on the farm for way too long. Who knows maybe I can make some connections, this time, eh?" he nudged his sister and winked.

[IceStorm]

~~~Ice Storm~~~

 

 

 

It wasn't every day that the ranks of STAR had gotten a new recruit that she herself had extended an offer to, but after going to Ponyville to spend some time there for Nightmare Night and seeing how dedicated this mare was to being a part of the Royal Guard. She was going for one for the occasion, and this mare had everything right with the exception of her tail being a couple inches short. A small bit that she didn't mind herself as Zephyr was a pretty pony to look at. Nopony could deny that Icy was a playmare and she was always looking to add to her herd. Only time would tell if this mare would be among those or not. One thing that Ice Storm was certain about. Zephyr Amethyst would be a great guard. She could already tell from the brief period that she acted like one that she had all the right makings for it. She couldn't not give her a chance. 

 

Because of what she was doing today, she was in her full dress. Her armor clanked as she walked through the streets and she did get some occasional looks from some of the tourists in the city, but most of the residents knew what she was. Her organization wasn't secret anymore, and that was expected. Once the Shadow of Ice was launched for it's testing missions there was no hiding what it was. In fact, it should be returning from those soon. As it was, her armor glimmered in the Las Pegasus sun as she started to step up onto the platform to spot the mare in question pacing. "Private Amethyst," Ice spoke with authority. "Cornsilk," she added, smirking a bit. "Welcome to the first day of your new lives. Welcome, to Las Pegasus," she said approaching Zephyr. She extended a hoof out to shake hers. "I'm looking forward to see what you can do here. Your brief display in Ponyville left me impressed. I have no doubt you'll be moving through my ranks with ease. If you both will follow me, we'll get you set up with your quarters within the casino," she concluded. 

[KaityKat]

Z suddenly stood at attention and saluted toward the other end of the platform over Cornsilk's shoulder getting him to look. "Zephyr Amethyst, reporting as instructed, Commander." she said in her most official-sounding guard-worthy voice. Cornsilk smiled at the unicorn "Oh my. going all out? I see you've dropped the changling look." he winked. He'd be lying if he said she didn't catch his eye out of her Nightmare Night costume. But out of respect for his sister's reputation with her boss, he refrained from the urge to flirt and just said "A very respectable uniform, Commander." he bowed "But it'll only be my sister who's staying. I'm just checking out the city before I'm needed back home at the farm." he turned to Z "You know how dad gets when he's short a hoof or two." to which Z suppressed a smile.

Z put the hoof she was salting down enough to shake the Commander's but it back up as she said "Yes, ma'am Thank you ma'am. It was an honor to show you my dedication, ma'am. And it's an honor to be here, now."

Cornsilk laughed "She really means it. You should've seen her face when we got your letter. Priceless." Z couldn't hide the blush that showed through.

[IceStorm]

~~~Ice Storm~~~

 

 

 

"Indeed! The changling look was a one night thing, but I have a few other tricks up my armor otherwise," Ice Storm said with a wink. She turned to Zephyr. "At ease. I knew that you wouldn't be late. I can only apologize of for my own delay. Between running a base and a casino, sometimes there are unexpected events that occur," she said, turning back to Corn. "I'm aware, but I doubt you're only staying here for the day, and I'm not about to have one of my own have to worry about whether her brother can find refuge or not. So you can share her room. They are plenty big enough and have multiple rooms specifically for guests," she stated. 

 

When Zephyr mentioned her honors, Ice held up a hoof. "No Zephyr. The honor is mine. If there is one thing that I've learned through all of this, and being the places that I've been, is that it doesn't matter how good a leader is, if they're followers don't want to be there. Without the loyalty and dedication of those willing to follow them, a leader has nothing to lead. Your loyalty brings be honor, and I will do everything in my power to live up to the expectations that have not only been placed upon me by others, but by myself as well. For the soldiers of STAR don't serve under me, but at my side," Ice said with a firm smile. "Now, let us walk. There is much to show."

[KaityKat]

When the Commander told her to be at ease, she put her hoof down and allowed her stance to relax a little but remained vigilant and attentive. All those mock drill sessions she made her brother practice with her were paying off. She felt like she was showing her new Commander exactly what she thought she would want to see.

"I suppose I could stay a night." Cornsilk smiled "If you insist." he bowed slightly.

It was at this point the Commander said something that neither of them expected. At the end of her speech, Cornsilk looked at Z, smiling wide. He knew that, tho she was hiding it quite well, she had to be thinking that all of her admiration of Equestria's military was being proven to be earned. These were all things that Z herself had said on many occasions. There was no question about it. If this Commander hadn't, yet, she'd just won Z's respect.

"That's very good, ma'am. I'm happy to hear that." Z finally said aloud, after she'd gotten to where she was sure her emotions wouldn't show through her voice. She bowed slightly when Icy said they should get going "Yes, ma'am!" with a snap back to attention, she showed she was ready to follow.

Cornsilk smiled "Lead the way, Commander." he nodded. 

[IceStorm]

~~~Ice Storm~~~

 

 

 

Ice Storm would smile and nod to the reactions that she got from the two ponies, but also the other ponies from the station. Such words weren't a surprise to them and the ponies around them knew that if her casino and the way she treated her employees and her guests, the words she spoke were anything but empty. She's gathered a reputation of being one of the premiere attractions in Las Pegasus, even getting glamor and praise from her neighboring casinos. Golden Bit sang praise about her all the time. That want what was important now though.

 

She heard the two of the ponies following her call her ma'am or commander, and she smiled. "Please, while we're in Las Pegasus, just call me Icy. I've never been overly large on titles. The more titles a pony has, the more they fell they become entitled. That's not what we're about here. We're about protecting our home from threats both foreign and domestic, and doing vital research to make it a better place for everypony to live. Even ones with life altering disabilities. You'll learn more about that once we get you into the base and sworn into the ranks. That being said, your comfort is equally as important as your training. We'll go into that more as well," she smiled. 

[KaityKat]

Z followed the blue unicorn while he brother walked beside her. Cornsilk noticed she still seemed a bit on edge, but figured it was just the nerves from the new important job. He nuzzled his head into her and gave her a wink which she smiled to a little, but went right back to looking focused and stern. Not unlike a Royal Guard doing their job, Cornsilk noted to himself, smiling.

"Y-yes ma'a— I mean Ice... Storm" she finished reluctantly unable to bring herself to use such a casual name for her commanding officer. She sighed "My apologies." she bowed slightly while she walked.

Cornsilk laughed "Give it time. She'll lighten up." he nudged her, which got a slight glare from her. While they walked Z seemed to be focused on more than where they were going. Still listening to what was being said, but a little bit focused on something else. Her face stern. 

Cornsilk tried to start a conversation that would lighten her mood a bit, or at least get her mind off nerves "So.... that pegasus friend of yours we met back in Ponyville. She lives here in Las Pegasus?" he asked which got the reaction he expected. He braced for the slug that came from his sister. "Just being friendly, that's all." he said defensively. To which Z rolled her eyes, but a small smile escaped her muzzle.

[IceStorm]

~~~Ice Storm~~~

 

 

 

Ice Storm could only smile as she heard Zephyr struggle with the informal name that she chose to go by most often. In a way it was cute to see her struggle with it. It wasn't hard for that to be the case though. Zephyr was a cute mare. She heard her brother reply in kind to say give her time and that the would lighten up a bit. The glare that Zephyr gave him made her smile. That was just how she was with those closest to her. The four that were important to her. In fact, she could see myth making that exact face. Raven to honestly when they started teasing before cuddle time. "I'm sure she will. Las Pegasus is the perfect place to help anypony relax," she smiled.

 

When she heard Cornsilk ask about her friend that she was with before, she smiled again. "Windy? Yeah, in fact she's about to return to performing this week. She's been out of the show for the better part of half the year while she was on maternity leave. Tomorrow is supposed to be one of the longer shows that she's done and a tribute to her return. Oh and wait until you see her little one! Oh she's so precious! I can't imagine Windy being any happier," she said with a bright smile as they started approaching her casino. "In fact, she'll be performing right over there in front of the volcano at the Mareage!"

[KaityKat]

Cornsilk sighed quietly to himself. It was just his luck she was taken. He remembered that herds were a thing, but honestly even if she were one for that, Cornsilk wasn't sure about it, himself. He smiled "Then I suppose I'll have to check it out!"

Z definitely caught her brother's disappointment, but she was a little preoccupied with something else at the moment. She stopped just before the entrance and did an about face. "Show yourself!" she called suddenly. Cornsilk looked but frowned "Zeph calm down, it's a crowd there's—" Z ignored him "Commander, somepony's been following us since the train station. I haven't seen them, maybe they're invisible. But I can hear their hoofsteps. Moving different from everypony else. The same hoofsteps, all the way here." Cornsilk blinked "Was that what you were so uptight about?" 

Z remained stalk still. Focused on the street.

 

===============

 

Myth had been following the group waiting for the right moment to play some kind of joke on the newcomers. But that earth pony was just too attentive. She'd hear her approach. She had to stay back a ways just to avoid being detected...... or so she thought. When they'd arrived at the casino, the mare did something Myth didn't expect. She turned on her heels and called out for her.

Honestly Myth was mostly just surprised. She took a moment before she dropped her invisibility. "Impressive!" she congratulated, walking over to Icy and giving her a kiss "Well she sure passes my test. Can we keep her? Please?" she gave Icy puppy dog eyes and posed with her hooves up like a begging dog. It was true that she wasn't trying to disguise her hoofsteps but she honestly didn't think she'd need to. Mostly she liked that she could potentially mess with her if she's this serious. Which could be fun.

[IceStorm]

~~~Ice Storm~~~

 

 

 

Ice Storm could see the look of disappointment on Cornsilk's face when she mentioned that Windy already had a family. She wasn't surprised in the slightest that ponies would fall for her friend though. Wind Dancer was one of the most selfless ponies that she knew. Whenever she performed at The Fire and Ice, she always donated her entire proceeds to the LPMC. She couldn't deny either that Windy was incredibly sexy herself and that alone gave her a lot of draw. Combine that with the personality, and she's the perfect spouse and mother that anypony could hope for. Sky Sailing was a very lucky stallion. "I guarantee that you won't be disappointed. Though if you're going, make sure to sit in the front row. You won't regret it," Ice smirked.

 

That being said, she noticed that Zephyr seemed to be distracted while they were walking. It was almost like she was trying to watch something. That alone made Ice Storm smile. AS soon as they stopped at the doors she turned around and called out to the pony that was supposedly following them, and sure enough Myth dropped her invisibility illusion and came over to Ice and gave her a kiss. One that Ice returned. Seeing Myth begging like a puppy she couldn't help but give her a pat on her head. "Oh don't work Myth. She'll be around for a while. Zephyr Amethyst, this is Assistant Commander Mythic Vision, giving you a test of her own. A test that you passed with blind colors. Your alertness to your surroundings will undoubtedly prove vital on some of our missions," Ice stated before the doors opened and she gestured inside.

[KaityKat]

Cornsilk smiled to Icy's suggestion, about to say something before Z's outburst.

 

Z recognized the other unicorn from Nightmare Night in Ponyvile. The one with the..... interesting costume. It seemed Cornsilk remembered, too, as the smile ran away from his face, for a moment, remembering how he'd almost lost his lunch when he saw..... he'd rather not recall.

 

Z nodded and bowed to Myth "It's a pleasure to meet you, professionally, ma'am. I look forward to working under your command." she saluted, this time putting her hoof down soon after.

 

===============

 

Myth smiled at the reaction Cornsilk gave. it was evident he remembered her Nightmare Night costume. She always enjoyed getting a reaction to her pranks. Even if sometimes, they were a little too..... realistic. It was her second turn to be surprised when Icy introduced her "C-commander‽" she blinked "Since when‽"

She smiled and kissed her wife-to-be again. "You and your surprises." she turned to Z and shook her head "Please, Zeph, I'm less comfortable with that than Icy is." she laughed. She noticed the slight change in the magicks of Cornsilk and Z when she used the nickname, and made mental note to tease her with it more often. Then she turned back to Icy "Was that why they wouldn't let me in? I got my rank wrong?" she laughed some more.

[IceStorm]

~~~Ice Storm~~~

 

 

 

 

Ice smiled as tensions seemed to drop around them after Myth revealed herself and then kissed her. She could tell that they remembered her from Nightmare night as well. Specifically, they remembered the costume that she had. She could see the look returning to Cornsilk's face and she brought her hoof up to her mouth to suppress a giggle, but failing to do so. She listened as Zephyr said that it was nice to meet her on a professional sense, but Myth was quick to tell Zephyr that she disliked the formality stuff just as much as Icy did. 

 

Myth was also surprised when she heard her say assistant commander. Ice couldn't help but giggle even more and nodded. "Yeah, I had everything pushed through the other day and... yeah... today should have been the day that it went through. I could have sworn I mentioned something about you, Ravy, Feather and Nira all getting moved up the ranks," she said. "That was my bad. Though we still have a bit we need to get done before we go downstairs," Ice said