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Dear Cocoa,
So, here’s my first letter from Dodge City. Glad you thought of this method to keep in touch while I was away. Turns out the postal service in Dodge City runs 24/7 which makes it super easy to send my letters to you. I have to wonder what pegasus would deliver letters at 2 am. Seems kind of impractical really.
Anyways, Steel Bastion and I - see I can write it properly - arrived in the city early this morning. I don’t know why we’re here this early but I’m fairly certain it's because your dad got vindictive pleasure from waking us both up before dawn with that air horn.
By the way, I never got a chance to say so but that kick you landed on him was beautiful.
The train ride was fun. Nothing of interest happened; I just threw on my headphones and napped through the entire journey.
On a completely unrelated note, if your dad says that he spent the entire train ride keeping me from opening the car windows and attempting to jump out of them off while screaming about how we were all going to die, he’s lying.
When we got to Dodge City, it was just after sunrise so I was super excited to see the city in all its sparkling glory.
I was not disappointed! Really. I wasn’t. I loved it. It was great. Great. I mean who wouldn’t enjoy a horizon obscured by thick black smog shot out by like a bajillion factories. I certainly do. Enjoy it, I mean, not not enjoy it because this is your hometown and I will definitely enjoy living in your hometown.
And besides, the smog is such a nice feature. Not to be confused with smoke of course because I have never met any smoke that felt like the abyss of tartarus and stared at me with such malice. Er, rather, what I mean is that it's not like after swallowing some of the black smog I ended up choking so hard that I could feel my inside organs leaving en masse, or that I have a genuine concern that would actually happen. Wait, no that’s worse. The smog is actually fine though. I mean, the ten different ponies I asked about whether the smog was safe to breathe all said it was completely safe to inhale. One of them was even an environmentalist.
They also said not to fly higher than ten feet which makes me feel a little suspicious but I’m sure it's fine.
We got to the barracks and, I gotta say, it’s a real nice place. All the beds are stacked on top of each other and smaller than the ones in Canterlot. And that’s a positive, really!
There’s a small kitchenette, with no food in it for some reason, and a rec room with a card table. A card table! I have no idea how to play cards, but I'm sure I’ll be able to learn. I always wanted to in the past as well but never had the chance, so this will a great opportunity.
The only problem I have is that I don’t know where I’ll put my guitar. We don’t have any storage here and I’ll be living on the base for the duration of my stay. I guess I’ll keep it under the bed? I can’t really think of anywhere else to put it.
Oh, and my new guard buddies are super great! Almost forgot to mention them. They were super nice and ecstatic to meet me. They were a little less enthusiastic when they asked me about hoofball and I replied that I didn’t know anything about the sport. I mean, I played it in high school, but I never followed the league. Always preferred just playing the game instead of watching. I’m sure I’ll get to know all about it though from the other guards. Looking forward to it.
Also, I’m the youngest one here. That’s not to say there’s anything wrong with that, it’s just weird how the next youngest in the barracks is your dad. Guess I was kind of hoping for somepony to make friends with that was closer to my age.
Well anyways, that’s enough for today. Had a super great time, hope to hear from you soon!
Miss you,
Flash Sentry
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Dear Cocoa,
I would like to start by saying thank you for telling me that it’s okay to complain about Dodge City because, and I cannot stress this enough, I bucking hate it here.
First of all, the smog is so thick you can’t see the sun and moon. You might then be asking: how do you tell what time of day it is? Well, if the smog is orange that means its daytime; if the smog is pitch black then it’s night.
Also, I found out the reason you can’t fly more than ten feet here. I got a personal demonstration on one of my patrols today, when a pegasus got brave and decided to fly up into the smog. I then had to run at a full gallop to catch him when, shortly after, he started plummeting to the ground. Turns out, the smog is so hot during the day that it burns off feathers. Burns. Off. Feathers. The poor guy had a bald wing and one that was still smoking when I caught him.
I don’t even want to know what flying in the smog is like at night.
Oh, and I am calling bullshit on the smog being ‘perfectly safe’. Did you know it stains the buildings? The entire city is regularly washed down with hoses to stop the continuous build up of this black slimy stuff left by the smog. I had asked one of the other guards why since I thought that was a lot of work just for making sure all the buildings look pretty.
Nope, I was wrong. They are not hosed down just to look pretty. Apparently, if the black icky stuff is left to build up, the building will collapse.
And nopony is alarmed by this.
Also, I may have been lying about not freaking out on the train ride. I have a minor case of claustrophobia. Okay, a fairly bad case. Okay, a crippling case of claustrophobia. I just really don’t like tight and enclosed spaces or being pinned in by a tons of ponies. It just makes me feel super uncomfortable.
Which is why I am getting my own apartment off base as soon as physically possible. I now know why Steel Bastion got his own apartment right away.
Everything in this stupid barracks is cramped and small and uncomfortable and dirty and did I mention small yet? I don’t know if I mentioned how small it is inside. Or how small the beds are. Oh sweet Celestia, the beds. Shining's couch looks like a luxury suite next to that tiny little mattress they call a bunk bed.
Look, I know I’m a fair bit bigger than the average pegasus, which I know you love, but I’m pretty sure a foal would have space problems sleeping on those mattresses. I go to sleep with half my body hanging over the edge and I’m constantly afraid I’ll roll over and end up on the floor.
This is not helping me get over small spaces. I can practically feel myself wanting to gallop screaming in the other direction if I just so much as get a glimpse of this place.
I checked to see if I could get a place to live off base, but apparently you need to stay a minimum of a month on base before given permission to leave.
I am very impatiently counting the seconds until I can do so.
Oh, have I mentioned my fellow guards yet? Yeah, I’m fairly certain the only guard I’m ever going to like is Steel Bastion because the others are so boring. All they talk about is hoofball. Every conversation is always about who’s winning, who’s doing great, who’s doing bad, and who’s going to definitely win this year despite having never won a single game in ten years, Candlewick.
On a side note, how do they still have jobs as guards? The youngest of the whole lot of them is only 40, but they can barely walk 5 feet before cramping up or rolling over their pot bellies. For Celestia’s sake, they all have trouble lifting something that weighs more than a plate. How are they supposed to be able to do anything?
That’s not even the worst part. Remember that pegasus I mentioned from earlier? Not a single one of the other three guards that had been on patrol with me had so much as blinked when it happened. They actually had the nerve to lecture me on how I shouldn’t break from the group without asking permission from a superior officer.
Seriously? That pegasus was dropping from a hundred feet. At most he’s dead, at a minimum he’s crippled for life, and these assholes are lecturing me about not asking permission to save his life?
Tartarus no.
They also snore. Loudly. Not even cutely like you say how I snore when I flip myself upside down. They all sound like air horns going off in sync. Just for fun, I closed off their mouths and released them at different times to see if I could get them to snore a song.
I succeeded in getting them to snore Reinbits.
How does that even work?
Anyways, I’m sure next week will be better. It just has to be.
Miss you,
Flash Sentry
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Dear Cocoa,
Okay, I thought the other guards were just kind of getting up in years and were a bit out of shape which was why they were not really top tier guard quality, but I was wrong. So so so wrong. There are very good reasons why they are all so useless.
First of all, I had been wondering about meals. All we had to eat is take out from the nearest Hay Burger. I figured they just hadn’t got a chance to run groceries, or that they were celebrating having two new guards on base. For two weeks.
Nope, they ate out everyday. Every. Day. How can they stand that? I’ve been trying anything that didn’t remotely taste like the underside of a tar pit, from experience (don’t ask) off the menu and I’m already sick of it. I tried making something healthier for myself, but the others ripped at me for apparently acting like I’m better than them.
I just wanted to eat a mango, dammit!
I’ve started throwing away any of the food they get me when they aren’t looking and making myself salads on the side. I’d feel worse, but the first time your dad notice me do it, he joined in. We’ve gotten really good at hiding that gross food.
Really wish we didn’t have too, though.
Oh, and I had been wondering why they weren’t in shape. I mean, even if they were eating that garbage from Hay Burger everyday, you’d think they’d burn it off in the gym later, right? Nope because there’s no gym.
No, seriously.
I had wanted to start getting back into regular workouts now that I’ve settled in, but when I had asked one of the other guards, he had laughed in my face.
He actually ruffled my mane and said how I’m so cute with my ‘go getter attitude’ and that I should stop trying so hard. I’d told him that it stated in the guard handbook that we had to stay in shape since we were doing work that required that and I didn’t want a reprimand on my first posting.
I knew of that rule because of Shining Armor as he tended to get on a lot of the lazier guards’ cases during training.
The guard had laughed me off!
Turns out, the rec room used to be a small workout area but they replaced it with the card table because it was annoying having to keep in shape all the time. Not like being physically able was part of our damn jobs or anything.
Well, since I enjoy the way you look at me when I took off my armour and I really really didn’t want a reprimand for gaining too much weight in my first month, I started working out in a corner of the rec room.
It was not a minute into my first set that the other guards got at me for acting like I was some prideful jerk. Again!
So I’m now eating my own meals, and working out, while making sure that the other guards don’t notice me. It’s really frustrating. This place is way too small to be doing stuff like that and it’s just making my claustrophobia worse because I can’t get away from it.
Oh, did I also mention that I have to wait a month before I can go out and do things on my own? Like going to bars and stuff?
Yeah, really not liking these rules.
The only silver lining is that I’ll be able to move out and live on my own in a week.
Miss you,
Flash Sentry
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Dear Cocoa,
I finally moved out of the base. Honestly, I’m just so happy to not be living anywhere near those jerks at the guard or in that small cramped building anymore. Now, I only have to deal with them and that tiny Tartarus hole while on patrol. Thank, Celestia.
So, I’m sure you want to know where I moved in. Well, I ended up moving into a loft apartment in the bar district. It’s a small single bedroom just above the Golden Whisker, which is just a fancy pub that specializes in cider.
I even got the place at a discount with furniture included since the previous tenant had got chased off for selling contraband sugar. I’m kind of confused about why that would be a bad thing. It’s only sugar; can’t be that bad. Maybe it’s just a Dodge City thing?
Anyways, despite it being a loft apartment it’s actually really spacious. The vaulted ceiling definitely helps and I’ve taken to just flying about among the rafters every so often. Not like I can fly outside with all that smog.
I’ve actually been trying to figure out if I can get my bed suspended in the air using the rafters and some rope. Probably not a good idea since you’ve told me before that I weigh more like an earth pony than a pegasus. I’d probably just end up crashing onto the floor in the middle of the night.
Also, by far my favourite part of my new apartment is this big glass window that looks over the main street. It’s fun seeing all the ponies walking by and taking in the sights. Just the other day I watched a comedy skit outside the bar across the street.
Though at the end of his performance he got arrested so maybe he was just really drunk. Still funny, though!
I think I might be feeling a little lonely, but I’ll get to see you for Hearth’s Warming so I can just wait until then. I’ll try and make some friends in the meantime; more the merrier I always say! Well, not really. I only say that when I’m trying to make a point, but you get the idea.
I think the only downside is that my landlord is insistent about me not playing guitar in the apartment. Apparently, it would disrupt the patrons below. Kind of weird since they always have a band playing at the highest possible decibel so I don’t see how they would ever be able to tell.
I’ll probably just play guitar when the band is playing, so then I won’t disturb anypony.
Also, your dad said he had a surprise for me next week. I’m a bit worried because he had this wide creepy grin on his face when he told me. Guess I’ll find out soon enough.
Miss you,
Flash Sentry
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Dear Cocoa,
Your dad is a monster.
Did you know there’s a place called the Hayseed Swamps just outside of Dodge City?
Did you know its a major breeding ground for monsters?
Well, I know that now!
So, story time. First thing in the morning a few days ago, your dad gallops in before dawn and screams in my ear, ‘Wake up MAGGOT.’
I had been at the bar trying to make new friends the night before. I had screwed that up when I’d accidentally come across as hitting on some mare and got a buck to the face from her colt friend. Not my best moment.
Needless to say I was in a bad mood and told your dad to go buck himself because I was sleeping in. That didn’t work out very well for me.
I got maybe a moment’s more sleep before he grabbed me by my ear with his teeth and dragged me out to the stupid swamp on the outskirts of town. My poor ear still hasn’t recovered.
After taking a moment to wake up, I asked what we were doing in the swamp.
Steel told me we were doing the workout he did when he was younger.
I am surprised Steel survived past foalhood.
Apparently, Steel Bastion’s Super Duper Fun Intense Training Workout starts with running through a swamp. Have you run through a swamp? Wait, yes you have. Steel told me you did this workout when you were younger. I am genuinely sorry that you had to do this.
Also, can you tell me why he decided that bench pressing trees was a good idea? I was picking out so many splinters out of my hooves later that evening, I could have remade the tree I was lifting.
And seriously, what did I ever do to your dad to deserve this? I know I’m dating you, so I guess there’s the whole ‘dad’ angle. There was also all the times on the base when I would taunt him from high up at the Canterlot Barracks saying he couldn’t get me because he was a silly earth pony. I did once draw a whole lot of inappropriate stuff on his face when he had been taking a nap that one time too.
Okay, never mind. I know why he’s making me do this.
Despite that, it was a good workout. I actually felt tired for once and got a good pump from the intense training. I was feeling pretty good being able to get through that. Dare I say, I was even looking forward to doing it again.
Then the timber wolves showed up.
This was apparently part of the training. Steel hadn’t told me that combat training was required or I would have brought my standard issue guard weapon with me. You know the generic guard spear all guards seem to have? However, according to Steel, there was a more important lesson to be learned here.
Hoof wrestling.
He had me hoof wrestling with BUCKING TIMBER WOLVES.
I fear that I may have developed a nervous tick in my left eye and no amount of rest is going to make the bite mark on my flank from the that adorably vicious timber wolf pup go away any faster.
I don't normally like asking you to reign in your father, but, for the sake of my continued not eaten self, please, please, please tell your dad to stop making me hoof wrestle with Timber Wolves.
And not to have me hoof wrestle with manticores.
Or hydras.
I never thought I would ever have to ask for something like this.
Still technically in one piece,
Flash Sentry
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Dear Steel Bastion,
I got an interesting letter from Flash yesterday. He said he was dragged off to train in the Hayseed Swamps and then, for some strange reason, had to hoof wrestle with timber wolves.
That would be very silly, especially considering that I had told you NEVER TO DO THAT AGAIN.
Seriously, father, you are quickly reaching middle age. For Celestia’s sake, you cannot be fighting off monsters by yourself everyday and dragging my colt friend into it.
He is a newly graduated guard in a brand new city with no real combat experience. What the buck were you thinking?
If you do not knock it off, I will personally come to Dodge City and read you your favourite novel: Flopsy Wopsy Flip Flop Hops to Town. You know, the two thousand paged foal’s book universally banned in all of Equestria’s educational institutions by Princess Celestia herself for being terrible?
I’m curious how long you’ll last this time before you’re vomiting uncontrollably in the nearest toilet again. I’m sure you can do better than page 87.
Sincerely,
Cocoa Print
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Dear Cocoa,
Your dad apologized. He looked terrified and was begging for my forgiveness with a large amount of bowing. What did you say to him? Actually, you know what, I’ll probably be happier not knowing.
After he was done grovelling, we talked it out and he said that he just wanted to make sure I was strong enough to not get hurt and, by extension, hurt you.
I could understand where he was coming from so I agreed to continue training with him.
With limitations.
Firstly, I told him no more monsters. My flank still hurts form that bite a few days ago and I don’t really want to press my luck against hordes of vicious beasts. That’s just asking for something to go horribly wrong.
Secondly, I told him not to use his drill sergeant voice anymore. We’re both part of the guard so he should wake me up like an equal and I have concerns that I’ll start having hearing loss.
Apparently, ‘being equal’ means getting a bucket of ice cold water thrown at me every morning. At least I’ll be able to hear him do it.
I’m officially getting combat training from your dad starting next week. Of the sparring variety not the fighting woodland monsters variety. I’m also continuing the weird woodlands workout that makes me want to buy red flannel and carry around an axe like some lumberjack from Hollow Shades.
I had said to your dad that maybe I should grow out a big beard to look the part, but Steel had laughed so hard at the idea of me even trying that I gave up on the thought.
Also, unrelated note, are you aware about how much your dad knows about you? Like ‘I know what magazines you look at’ knows about you? You might want to discuss with your dad about how you should probably try not to overlap too much in your interests.
I will keep my armour super polished for you though.
And I bought a pair of calf high polka dot stockings.
You know, just in case.
Miss you,
Flash Sentry
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Dear Cocoa,
So, Steel and I had combat training today. Since, I’d said that I hadn’t found a weapon I particularly liked, we tried out a bunch of different weapon types to see if something would catch my interest.
Turns out, I like halberds.
Go figure.
Honestly, I just find it so satisfying sweeping it through the air in a clean arc. It’s just such a rush when you can swing it just right to get that perfect zing sound, or when you perfectly cut something in two and both parts just fall to the ground with a thump.
Steel also told me to stop smiling while I do it. The effect is apparently disturbing and makes him think about arresting me. The giggles probably weren’t helping.
I can’t help it though! I never found a weapon I really liked back in guard training and they never offered halberds as a choice. Doesn’t help that the weapon is only native to Dodge City. It’s fine though since I can now register this beautiful piece of craft ponyship as my partner. I mean weapon. No wait, I meant partner. I was right the first time.
Also, I hate the other guards now. We were on patrol last night and we saw a pickpocket steal some poor stallion’s bag. I had galloped after the thief and took the him down with a swift tackle.
After being thanked profusely by the stallion, apparently there was an irreplaceable photograph of his deceased wife in the bag, I had returned back to the patrol with the thief in my hooves.
The guard then let him go.
Apparently, I hadn’t followed the rule of asking permission from a senior officer whether I could chase after him or not. This, for some stupid reason, meant that the pickpocket was free to go.
I would rather not voice my thoughts at the time.
Guess I’ll just get through the patrols for the rest of my year while trying to be on my best behaviour. At least I can enjoy my time training intensely and sweating up a storm in the swamp with your dad.
That doesn’t sound right.
Probably shouldn’t tell other ponies that. Though, I think it could be fun training with you in the swamp. We could do your dad’s weird lumberjack workout and then fight off a bunch of timber wolves. We would look so cool doing that. Then we’d be really sweaty, so you’d strip off my armour ever so slowly and
Sorry, got a little carried away there. Totally not helping right now. I’m going to go, uh, cool off.
Miss you,
Flash Sentry
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Dear Cocoa,
Okay, I’ll give Dodge City this: it has a pretty rockin’ nightlife. Literally, the lights go off and the party starts. All the bars swing their doors right open and ponies pile through pub after pub. All of them are always dancing and drinking and having a good time.
I’m kind of jealous since I still haven’t made any friends.
Not that it matters because the thing I really love about walking down the main street is the lights. All the lights glowing from the different bars and pubs bathe the street is this warm inviting yellow glow that just gives me such a warm feeling inside. Especially with the winter season coming soon.
The very best thing about the main street is how every bar and pub has live music playing. You can walk by the open doors and be bombarded by every music genre all at once.
I’ve tried playing with a few bands that I’ve gotten friendly with, but it always ends up not working out. All of them always say that ‘it’s not working out’ or that I ‘don’t have the right sound’. I wish they would be a little more upfront with me and tell me what I did wrong.
Maybe it’s because I get flirted with a lot? I don’t know what it is, but I guess if ponies see a single stallion out at the bars by himself; they all assume I’m looking. Well, I’m not. I just wish everypony wasn’t so pushy.
It just sucks because it makes me miss you more having nopony else around. It’s fine though, I’m a good colt. I’ve lived without you before, I can do it now. Celestia, that sounded pathetic.
Also, you had mentioned in your last letter if there was anything you could do to help, so if you wanted to you could always send pictures of yourself. Joking of course, you would never do that. You’re too classy.
Miss you,
Flash Sentry
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Dear Cocoa,
You. Are. A. Bastard. Your my lovable bastard, but seriously, if you’re actually going to send me photos like what you just sent me, please give me some advance warning considering YOUR DAD IS ALWAYS HANGING AROUND.
Like seriously, Cocoa. We only just started getting along with us bonding over working out together, and you want to ruin that by having him see that you sent me nudes of yourself through the mail?
Also, is it like a thing to bond with other stallions through sweating together? It just seems to be a really common thing between guy friends. Maybe I should try that when I do round twenty-four of operation ‘Flash makes super cool friends.’
In all seriousness though, I don’t think I could handle the ‘dad look’ from Steel Bastion. The drill sergeant look is scary enough, thank you.
On the topic of those pictures though…
Damn, Cocoa. You’ve been holding out on me. I didn’t even know you could bend like that. Like… just… damn that’s fine. And I kind of forgot how big you are. And that picture of your flanks was the perfect angle. Did you get these professionally done? That face shot with your mane swept back and staring back with those big brown eyes...
Actually, I’ll write you back next week. I, uh, have stuff to do. Super important guard stuff. Yep, really important and I just super need to do that right now. I am totally not going to my room and staring at your pictures a whole bunch. By myself. That would definitely not be what I’m doing.
Nope, definitely not.
Not missing you as much,
Flash Sentry
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Dear Cocoa,
Am I not scary?
The landlord had asked me to volunteer for the haunted house they had set up in the Golden Whisker. I decided to do my wolf pony costume again, as that worked out so well at your haunted house, but instead of scaring everypony, they hugged me!
In their own words, I am the ‘fluffiest, most cutest, adorablest pup’ they had ever seen. I even tried to Pout, and wag my tail to see if that worked. It was worse! They actually just went ‘awe’ and screamed out of pity.
I don’t want pity screams! I want real screams! I want to be scary, dammit!
You’ll have to help me next Nightmare Night, so I can be scariest most devilish pony around.
Miss you,
Flash Sentry
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Dear Cocoa,
Dodge City is really beautiful in the winter. With the snow falling all around, it makes the town look almost like a gingerbread village because of the rust coloured buildings. The windows getting frosted over look so pretty and delicious. Seriously, my window looked like a sugar crystal so I licked it and then got my tongue stuck.
Thankfully, the heating kicked in and I was able to get unstuck by myself without anypony seeing.
Oh, and it's not even cold on the main thoroughfare. All the doors are still opened during the night, so it ends up heating the surrounding area and making it just the right cozy temperature. With the holiday season, live music is always playing from every bar and street corner. It’s amazing hearing all the carols sung perfectly in harmony together.
Everypony is out on the streets singing and dancing and laughing and enjoying their time with their loved ones. It’s… really heart warming.
They didn’t approve my application to return home for Hearth’s Warming.
Steel Bastion was originally going to cover so you and I could spend the holiday together, but he got called back to the capital for urgent business. Something about a monster attack at the south border.
Apparently, because of my poor work the last few months and with me having lowest seniority, I was decided to be the on duty guard for the holiday. Makes sense though, they need at least one guard on duty in case of emergency. Just wish it wasn’t me.
What’s worse is that when I said I was going home to visit you and the Sparkles, and asked if I could switch with somepony, they all said they had family to visit on Hearth’s Warming. That’s bullshit. I saw every single one of them drinking in the Golden Whisker when I went to the barracks this morning. Unless they’re family happens to be enough beer to drown a large manticore, they lied to me.
I hate this. I was so looking forward to seeing you and visiting the Sparkles this year and not being in this stupid city for once, but I can’t.
And I hate it.
I can’t make any friends. I can’t enjoy myself without getting swarmed by a bunch of ponies only looking for some quick fun. I’m starting to hate being a guard because if I end up like those other losers then I don’t think I could live with myself. I hate the smog that’s still just as thick as ever. I hate that I can’t fly anywhere because of that same Celestia accursed smog.
I hate this bucking city.
Sorry, I know you’re probably not happy about me staying here either. I’m not really helping anything by whining about it. Good luck with your special holiday orders at the store.
Happy Hearth’s Warming, Cocoa.
Miss you,
Flash Sentry
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Dear Flash,
I’ll see you this afternoon.
On my way,
Cocoa
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Dear Cocoa,
Thanks for coming down for Hearth’s Warming, I’m super sorry for being such a mess when you got here. Probably shouldn’t have cried that much.
I really enjoyed laying down with you and talking for most of the evening. Sorry, it wasn’t more exciting, but I had to stay on duty for the entire holiday. Also, the hot chocolate you made was, hooves down, the best I’ve ever had.
I’m also super sorry about bringing you with me on my patrols. I know you’re really uncomfortable in the cold, and I wish I could have got you warmer things to wear then just my winter coat. Oh, but feel free to ask me to be your personal heater anytime. I’ll be more than happy to do it. Especially since it means I get a few extra cuddles.
I could go on and apologize for how I wish I could have made your holiday better, but I won’t anymore. I know you get annoyed when I do that. So instead, I’ll just say that I was really glad you came to visit.
Thanks, Cocoa.
Love you,
Flash Sentry
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Dear Cocoa,
Going off what you told me at Hearth’s Warming, I have decided to try making friends again. I know with how my personality is it might be hard, but it will be worth it. Also, though I appreciate his company, it’s pretty sad that my only friend in Dodge City is your dad. I really need to fix that.
Doesn’t help that I can’t stand my fellow guards. They aren't even trying anymore! They actually stopped in the middle of our patrol yesterday to take an hour long ‘break’. I had decided to follow protocol, for once, and asked if I could instead just continue the patrol by myself.
They told me my suck up attitude was starting to get grating with how much I did it.
I really don’t like them.
Anyways, I’m going to get started tonight, and hopefully by next week I’ll be hanging out with some new friends.
Love you,
Flash Sentry
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Dear Cocoa,
I finally made a friend this week! Her name is Rosemary and she’s a green earth pony with a bright red curling mane. We chatted earlier in the week and have been hanging out everyday since.
Turns out she’s really into cooking and I've gotten the chance to try it out. It’s really good! A little too spicy for my tastes, but it’s not bad enough that I can’t at least fake liking it.
I really like having a friend to talk to now. She always has interesting things to say, not as good as you of course, and she doesn’t mind my weird quirks.
I’m super glad you convinced me to try again.
Love you,
Flash Sentry
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Dear Cocoa,
Rosemary and I have been hanging out again this week. She introduced me to a bunch of her friends. They’re really fun to hang out with, though I kinda wish they didn’t drink so much. I’ve gotten turned off of drinking excessively because of the other guards since I’ve now made it my goal not to be anything like them.
Also, I never realized how annoying drunk ponies are. All of Rosemary’s friends always drink until they pass out or get really obnoxious. It’s not really fun to be the only sober pony in the room, especially when they start getting touchy.
I was mostly okay with them hugging me or holding my hoof. It made me a bit uncomfortable, but I do the exact same thing when I get really drunk so I didn’t mind. It went too far when one of Rosemary’s friends hit the cider too hard and then grabbed me from below.
That was really not okay. I had to restrain myself from just knocking the pony out because I was twice their size and I could have hurt them real bad. I did make it very clear though what would happen if they did it again. Nopony touched me after that.
After the bar, I invited Rosemary to hang out in my apartment for a while. She hadn’t been drinking much and had wanted to rest for a moment before heading home. We ended up talking for a really long time and I super enjoyed it.
She had asked me about the pile of papers in the corner of the room. I had told her that it was where I wrote letters to you. When she asked what kind of relationship I had with you, I told her that we were dating.
I didn’t like the look she gave me after saying that.
She had left shortly after and I wrote out this letter to you. I really hope I didn’t make her mad or anything. I wouldn’t want to make my new friend angry with me.
Love you,
Flash Sentry
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Dear Cocoa,
Steel Bastion told me that you had asked him to watch out for me when I was around Rosemary. I’m mad that you didn’t tell me directly, but… thank you. I’m really glad that Steel had arrived when he had or…
I don’t really know what would have happened. I don't think I ever want to.
So, um, I guess you want to know what happened from me and instead of just second hoof from your dad. Well, turns out Rosemary wanted to date me! I feel kind of stupid for not figuring it out, especially last week when she had looked at me so strangely when I’d said I was dating you. But, you know, hindsight is 50/50. Or at least that’s what Steel Bastion says. Not really sure what that saying means.
I should probably stop rambling.
I had found out earlier this week when Rosemary had come over to visit. We had hanged out and chatted for a while when she had suddenly asked me why I was dating you.
That wasn't exactly what she said, but I don’t really want to repeat what she had said about you.
I had thought it was really mean for her to say that without even knowing you, and had said as much. I then followed that up by saying I was dating you because I really liked you.
She replied by saying that I should dump you and date her.
Apparently, we would have looked so cute together and much better than me and some random stallion from Canterlot. Paraphrasing again. Since I wasn’t going to lose you over some mare I had only known for two weeks, I told her I wasn’t interested.
Then she kissed me.
And not like the cute little peck on the snout I give you all the time.
I still kind of hurt from how hard I had fallen off the couch and backpedalled into the wall. It was just so surprising because I hadn’t even kissed you like that yet.
Rosemary then trotted over to me and just said that it was okay, she would make everything feel better. She started grabbing at me and I was just scared. I know I could have knocked her off of me, I’m not exactly tiny, but I was just so confused and terrified. I didn’t understand what was happening.
It was at this time, Steel Bastion came into the apartment. I had given him a spare key so he could come in anytime even if I wasn’t here since he liked to keep food here for his meals at the base. Of course now I know that he had been checking up on me when he had seen Rosemary enter my apartment, but when he entered he had loudly exclaimed that we should go drinking that night.
Then Steel saw me backed into a corner with Rosemary on top of me and a terrified look in my eyes.
You know, I had thought that I had already seen Steel Bastion angry. With him having been my drill sergeant before this, he had always yelled at us, so I’d presumed that’s what he was like when he got mad.
I was wrong. I was very wrong.
The look Steel had given to Rosemary in that moment will probably stick with me for a long time. Furious I think is the bare minimum needed to even cover how angry he had looked. It does not help that his rage made him seem bigger than he was, which is intimidating considering he’s a sizable earth pony.
Steel had very quickly hoisted Rosemary up onto his back and then threw her out onto the streets. I didn’t see what exactly had happened, but I had noticed through the window that Rosemary had gone running very fast away from the bar.
Afterwards, Steel came back up to the loft and we spent our time having drinks and chatting in my apartment. Steel had asked a few times during the night if I was feeling okay and I had replied with ‘yes.’
That’s not entirely true but, at the very least, it’s better than what could have happened.
Love you,
Flash Sentry
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Dear Cocoa,
So I tried making friends again. I went down to the Golden Whisker after my shift ended and had a few drinks. I tried talking to other ponies, but they all seemed to look at me with a lot of hate. I didn’t understand what was going on until I finally asked my landlord.
Apparently, Rosemary decided to tell a very different story of what happened last night.
I don’t even feel mad anymore. Not really. Even when the landlord looked at me with such a huge amount of disgust. I’m just done. Everytime I try to do something in this tartarus hole of a city, it comes back to bite me in the flank.
Dodge City wins. I give up.
I have maybe a few more months before I can finally leave and I if I ever come back to this stupid city it will be too soon. The only good thing that ever came out of this was my time spent with Steel Bastion, and that’s it.
I was really hoping I could make it work. I tried and tried and tried and now all I’ve gotten out of this stupid trip is feeling ashamed in public for something I didn’t even do and a jaded outlook on my own profession.
An entire year wasted over nothing.
Love you,
Flash Sentry
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Dear Cocoa,
It’s over. I’m done. I’m finally coming home.
See you soon,
Flash Sentry
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Flash took a deep breath, then proceeded to hack up a lung. If there was one thing he’ll miss the least about Dodge City, it will be that black smog.
He stood on the hill just outside the train station. The train to Canterlot would be arriving soon and then he would be home with Cocoa. Where he belonged. He wasn’t liable to leave again anytime soon.
Flash took in the deep orange of the black smog that continued to blot out the horizon. He was sure it would have been pretty, but, like the rest of Dodge City, it was just plain ugly. He had been hopeful, he had given the city so many chances, and all it had done was leave him bitter about the whole experience.
Well, that’s not entirely true. One of those good experiences was trotting up the hill towards him.
Steel Bastion settled next to Flash and grinned, “Hey, bucko, how ya feelin’?”
“‘Bucko?’” Flash snorted, “You should be careful throwing around nicknames like that. Ponies might start thinking you actually like me or something.”
Steel Bastion laughed heartily, “No worries there. I plan to keep on glaring at you from across the room whenever Cocoa’s around.”
“Oh, good. I was worried for a moment we would lose that source of tension. Would be too boring if you started liking me now.”
“Nope, I’ll make sure to be clear on how much of a disappointment you are to me.”
Flash laughed this time. It felt good to laugh, especially with a friend.
Flash frowned, “You sure you don’t want to come back with me to Canterlot?”
“And spend the entire time trying to keep you from jumping off a moving train? Tartarus no,” Steel sighed, “Honestly, I would love to, but I have to clear some things up here in Dodge.”
“Like?” Flash inquired.
“Well for starters, the current guard needs to be replaced,” Steel scowled, “I didn’t believe the Princess’s concerns when she told me about the condition of this place, but the lot of them really are just a bunch of useless layabouts.”
“Didn’t know you were here on the Princess’s orders.”
“She was worried about the sudden spike in crime, so she sent me to check up on the place,” Steel growled, “Good thing I did too because the way they handle this place is disgusting.”
“You’d think they wouldn’t be dumb enough to not think you were watching them.”
“You’d think so, but their type tends to be unable to keep up the facade for more than a month.”
Flash nodded and both fell into silence. It was a comfortable moment of quiet, and Flash felt a sense of companionship with Steel. They had really gotten close over the last year.
“There are two things I don’t like about you,” Steel stated as he looked into the distance.
Flash snorted, “Way to kill the warm and fuzzies Steel. Also, only two? Definitely would have thought there were more than that.”
Ignoring Flash, Steel continued, “I don’t like that you joined the guard.”
Flash blinked in confusion, “Really? You’re a guard yourself. I would have thought that would be a plus with you.”
“Normally it would, but because I am a guard, I know how hard it is on others,” Steel said sadly, “You get called away - no helping it really. You’re bound by the crown to defend the country whether you want to or not. From experience, it’s never the guard that suffers the most, it’s the family you leave behind. They have to stay alone in their homes and wonder if you’re okay, or if you’ll never return.”
Steel hung his head, “I was hoping Cocoa wouldn’t have to go through that.”
Flash stayed quiet. He waited for Steel to continue.
“The other thing problem I have with you is that you remind me too much of my husband, Floral Print,” Flash heard a hitch in Steel’s voice, “You are so much like him. A goofy, lovable idiot that couldn’t keep his head on straight if you didn’t follow around behind him picking it up. Always trying to see the best of a situation. Always trying to keep positive even when everything sucks.”
Flash waited a moment before asking quietly, “How did he die?”
“Disease,” Steel stated flatly, probably the only way he could, “It was incurable. On good days he was just as lively and energetic as the next, but on the bad days...”
Steel took a deep breath. Flash heard the choked sob, and didn’t hesitate to wrap a wing companionably around Steel.
They stood on the hill overlooking Dodge City in silence with Steel leaning against Flash. It wasn’t long before the whistle blew signifying the arrival of the train. Flash gave one more quick squeeze and Steel gave a quiet nod in thanks. Flash grabbed his luggage and galloped to catch the train heading home.
Steel stayed on the hill long after Flash had left and gazed into the smog remembering a time when he hadn’t been sitting alone.
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Flash quietly opened the front door of Cocoa’s, his, house and stepped inside. The train ride had gone by fast and he had kept himself behaved despite his claustrophobia.
He had only tried to jump off the train twice this time.
It was well into the night. Flash listened for his colt friend trotting about, but couldn’t hear anything. Not really that surprising. At this hour, Cocoa definitely would have already gone to bed.
With as much silence as Flash could muster, he trotted up the steps towards the third floor. As he continued his climb, Flash noticed the photo of what he now knew to be a family portrait. Flash smiled sadly at the mint green pegasus, Floral Print. He promised to take care of Cocoa for him.
Flash opened the bedroom door as quietly as he could. He saw Cocoa fast asleep on the bed, laying on his side with the blankets tossed to the side. As per usual. Cocoa’s soft snoring reached Flash from the entrance, and he smiled softly.
Carefully, Flash trotted to the bed and inched himself in between Cocoa’s hooves. As Flash wrapped his wings around his colt friend, Cocoa drew him in closer until they were pressed together.
Flash closed his eyes and breathed in the familiar scent of chocolate.
“I’m glad you’re back,” Cocoa whispered into Flash’s ears.
Flash giggled, “You’re supposed to be sleeping.”
“I was, but somepony snuck into my bedroom and put themselves in between my hooves.”
“How inconsiderate of them.”
“Indeed,” Cocoa nuzzled Flash on the top of his head, “Welcome home.”
Flash smiled, “It’s good to be back.”