Earth Pony Argenta

[Xiee]

(Thanks to GingerMint for the amazing picture. I can't thank you enough for doing this.)

Name: Argenta

Sex: Female

Age: Mare

Species: Earth Pony

Pelt Color: Silver/Pale White (#D6D5D5)

Mane/Tail/Markings Color & Style: Long black wavy mane and tail.

Eye Color: Yellow/Gold

Cutie Mark: A single snow crystal within a shield.

Physique: Tall, average build.

Origin: Stalliongrad

Roleplay: Stalliongrad / Mane RP

Occupation: Cataphract, part of the VSS (Vorozhenniye sily Stalliongrad) Armed Forces of Stalliongrad, 9th Battalion "Cossack" under a reserve platoon. She's a NCO (non-comissioned officer), working with various civil service duties and patrolling the streets of Stalliongrad.

Motivation: Her drive to help anyone in need, and to help the orphanage that she grew up in.

Likes: Helping other Ponies in need, standing in the snow while thinking.

Dislikes: Other Ponies (and/or races) who take advantage and oppress the weak.

Character Background:

Growing up in the backstreets of Kuznitza, Argenta led the life of a vagabond. Orphaned at a very young age, she has known poverty all her life. She had been taking "odd jobs" in order survive, which often got her into trouble. Due to her persistence, stubborness and will to survive, she always managed to weather through every trial. However, they did leave dire consequences at times. Which lead her to this one faithful day when she got caught stealing some apples from one of the pony merchants on the street. Even though at a young age, the Stallian Guard patrols did not take to thieves lightly. She was about to reprimanded and sent to "The Stable" for solitary confinement when an old kind stallion moved forward and offered to pay for the stolen apples. The Stallian Guard patrol agreed, however they could not let such an act as thievery go unnoticed. The old stallion then proposed to look after her and took responsibility for any act she would do from then on. The Stallian Guard reluctantly agrees and frees her.

Moved by the kind heart of the old stallion, Argenta decides to repay him as long as she lives. This old stallion happens to run an orphanage. His ancestors have been doing so ever since the start of Stalliongrad. However he was getting old and weak and had no one else to help him take to care of the young mislead fillies and foals. Argenta became the big sister for most of the orphans. Tucking the young ones to bed, looking out for trouble and protecting them from street bullies.

They lived happily for a while until hard times fell. Argenta once again found herself doing these "odd jobs". This time it wasn't just for her sake, but for the sake of everyone at the orphanage. And every time she did one of these jobs, Argenta would stand stand alone in the open while it snowed. It brought her peace and comfort and wished that she could be like the snow. Subtle, gentle and calm. She usually did this to reprimand herself when she came back from an odd jobs. She could be seen for hours on the small hill near the orphanage, staring up into falling snow.

It wasn't long until debt collectors started to appear at the orphanage. Apparently, the old stallion borrowed money from some lenders in an effort to keep the orphanage up and running. Without money to pay them back, the orphanage was about to be seized. Argenta would not have any of this so she took matters into her own hooves. She stood her ground in front of the orphanage preventing the debt collectors from going in. She mustered up her courage and her will. WIth wit and persistence she kept the debt collectors at bay. The old stallion didn't like what was happening but Argenta was stubborn and said that this was the only thing she could do to repay the old stallion's kindness. She also didn't liked the fact that all these orphans would be left roaming the streets again.

A few days have pass and the collectors could still not manage to get past her. Eventually, the VSS intervenes. Seeing this new challenge, Argenta bravely stands her ground despite the Guards' warning. Two of the guards try to arrest her but she resists by bucking them away and running around them in circles. The VSS officer who was present, didn't want to hurt the little filly. Knowing how determined she was, he orders the guards to stop and tries to talk some sense into Argenta. Stubborn as she is, she shakes her head in disagreement and stands her ground. Seeing that the little filly would not listen. He decides to play the waiting game. The scene becomes into a pseudo-staring contest as the two gaze upon each other's eyes waiting for the other to give up and quit. A little over 2 hours by and it was beginning to get dark. Snow began to fall and it became colder. The officer started to show concern over Argenta. He was wearing the standard VSS uniform with a warm overcoat, but Argenta only wore a simple tattered scarf. Yet she did not shiver and just stood there stood there, not even showing any signs of giving up. Moved by her conviction and somewhat stuborness, the sfficer decides to call it quits. He offers to pay the debt of the old stallion instead and sends the collectors away. Startled by the turn of events, the other guards start to question and complain. The officer silences their doubts by commending the little filly for "being a good example of what a VSS officer should be". He decides to adopt her and teach her the ways of honor and brotherhood in the VSS. The old stallion is happy for her and gives his blessing. Argenta doesn't know what to make of this sudden development. The officer asures her and asks for nothing in return other than to be his successor. Due to his career the officer never had time to raise a family. It was something that he had deeply regretted. He went on saying that he would pay for her schooling, and lodging. She would also get a regular stipend for her personal needs. Still speechless, she prepares her things. She then says goodbye to the other orphans who looked up to her. It was especially difficult for her to say goodbye to the old stallion. The old stallion smiles and gives her a hug as he tells her that she already has repaid him tenfold. That same moment, her cutie mark appears. The officer brings it to her attention. A snow crystal within a shield. It suited her resilient, stubborn , strong-willed determination. All the while remaining calm and gentle.

She grows into an exceptional VSS recruit and manages to pass all the exams and training, with flying colors, at the Military Academy. She now lives with the officer that adopted her. Recognized for her efforts and exceptional service, she is promoted to the rank of Corporal. She reports to the "Cossack", the 9th Battalion, a reserve unit of the VSS responsible mainly for civil service. She is involved in various building/re-building efforts for the homeless. She is also frequently seen assisting the sick in public hospitals.

From time to time, she visits the the old stallion who once took her in from the streets. She devotes much of her time helping and doing what she could for the orphans. Never forgetting her roots, she continues to be an example for all the orphans. And from time to time, she could still be seen frequenting the hill during snowy days. Just standing there, staring at the falling snow, thinking and contemplating all the good and bad, and how blessed and fortunate she is.

And another image set done by the fantastic GingerMint. This was an earlier version wherein Argenta was wearing a Beret instead of the Ushanka as seen on the main image above:

Minor Edits: Changed SGU to VSS. Reference here. The more common name of the VSS is the Stallian Guard to avoid confusion. Added the new amazing picture done by GingerMint.

[Xiee]

Updated. Feedback much appreciated. ^^

[brianblackberry]

Greetings! Well after reading this application I feel we have a very solid base here but I would love to hear a little more about her personality, desires, hopes, and dreams. You mention that she is a solider, fully dedicated to that job, but does she have any particular ambitions or goals past simply being in the army? I ask this especially in light of her cutie mark she seems to lean towards stoic defense, or defense of the homeland (and the helpless based on her cutie mark story). Is there a particular area of the military she wants to focus on, such as been an NCO (as she is a corporal, the lowest NCO rank) or a specialist in some area? She could also be interested in the local shelters and community service to the poor (especially foals) given her past, if so an elaboration on that would be great as it would open story possibilities. It also mentioned that she enjoys snow and flowers, how do they play into her persona or desires?

She appears that she can be very stubborn and rigid at times, has these traits ever been a burden or caused her any problems? It could be that they do but she is also aware of this fact and tries to work towards changing them or at least controlling their potential negative aspects. Basically I am looking for plot hooks that will give the character various RP opportunities, and offer more story options for her as I feel they would greatly enhance what is already a good basic character.

[Xiee]

Thanks Brian, I'll definitely get her sharpened out. Thanks for pointing out about the flowers I forgot to edit that in. Yes, I was thinking along the lines of an NCO (non-commissioned officer) but I just couldn't come up with the term. Her main concern is community service, not just to the poor but those who also need it and her secondary task is doing regular patrol duty in her district in Kuznitza Will be adding that in. I'll try to delve more into her stubborn side as well. I did think I was lacking in that aspect since it sounded a bit broad.

Thanks for the pointers! I'll be editing this within today or until tomorrow to get a fresh start.

Minor edit: Decided to call her Argenta instead of Argentia. I think it sounds better. Will be editing the rest of this later after work!

[Xiee]

There edited. I re-wrote the whole thing. It was longer when I first came up with the re-write so I had to sort of shortcut a few things. I didn't want my app to look like a novel. I apologize for the grammar gaps. Please let me know if there is still anything else unclear.

[brianblackberry]

For Great Justice!

[Skye]

[Xiee]

Thank you!