I stretched and sighed looking towards the girls regaining my composure.
"Well, it can't be all that bad. I mean, odds are no-one’s going to trust some human that really just came back infected with vampirism to just be let loose around town. Seems kind of like a long shot, but if you want, I can see if I can escort you both home." I say with a slight smile.
Twilight and Rarity look to each other and nod. "That would be nice, why don't we wait in front of your room while you go ask. We don't mind waiting since I run the library in town and have an assistant, he could hold it down for a while."
"Yes, Almasy. It's the middle of the season and I won't have but one or two orders a week in these times, so I have plenty of time as well. Go on, we won't be wandering too far, dear." She finished with a warm smile and I nodded.
I started walking down the halls searching for anyone I could recognize. Finding no-one in sight, I started to the throne room. It seemed rather quiet for them to be holding a court session so I looked towards the two guards at the door and they stood to the side. As I opened the door slowly, Celestia looked my way and waved me in.
"Almasy, good to see you up and about, how are you feeling?" She looked to the small gathering, what I suspected to be the small hearing, only about twenty ponies in all. "This should only take a moment, everypony, please be patient." They nodded and she smiled at me.
"What is it young, Almasy, does something trouble you?" I shook my head.
"I was just wondering if-" I started
"If you could escort the girls home, am I right?" She finished my question.
"Errrr, well…yes, Princess. If it won't cause too much trouble to you that is, I would understand if you wanted to keep me under some sort of watch." I scratched the back of my head and chuckled half-heartedly.
"That would be fine Almasy. You were going to have a few days off to recover, but if you feel as though you are comfortable, I see no harm in it." She smiled and I bowed to her voicing a small thank you.
She caught me before I left. "Oh, and Almasy?" I looked back. "Please do relax around me; the tension is still choking me dear." She finished with a hearty laugh and I scratched my head.
"I'll be sure to work that out sometime, Princess, and thank you." I nodded and started to head to the door being stopped by one of the guards, with a spear to my chest. "I'm watching you, human, you may have gotten her and Storm Blade’s trust, slight as it may be, but I won't be swayed by a monster." He growled.
"Iron Accord! That is ENOUGH!" Storm bellowed out to the offending guards pony.
"You will NOT continue this behavior, do I make myself clear!?' Iron simply growled and nodded walking away.
"I'm sorry about that, Almasy, I guess there are always going to be those who don't trust you, but hopefully that can change in due time. What are your plans for today?"
I shrugged. "Don't worry about it Storm, no harm done. I mean, what could he have done to me? I'd just heal immediately." I smiled and continued.
"And I just got permission from Princess Celestia to escort the girls back to their home. So other than that not too much, what about you?"
Storm shrugged. "Oh you know, guard duty and all that fun stuff. You know you didn't have to work today, right Almasy?" I shrugged.
"I guess that settles that, eh? Anyway, your payment for everything should be on your desk, we usually get paid 250 bits a week, not too shabby if I have a say so." He finished with a smirk.
"Well, in all honesty, I don't know how much things cost around here. Different economy systems than where I'm from." He nodded. "But I guess I'll learn in time, I hate learning, it's such a drag sometimes."
"Oh don't I know it, kiddo." He laughs heartily and wiped his eyes of mirth.
"But don't you worry, if you stick around you're sure to go far, Almasy, of that I have no doubts."
I shrugged. "Well, this is where my loyalty lies now. I don't think I'll be leaving anytime soon." I face-palmed
"Wait, yes I will; I've gotta go escort the girls home. I'll see you around Storm!" I started walking down the hall at a brisk pace, laughing lightly to myself.
He nodded and laughed. "I'll see you Almasy, good to know you're still with us!"
"Not getting rid of me anytime soon, bud, count on it!" I shouted as I made my way down the hall.
I took a look around and sighed. 'Why does everything have to look the same, c'mon!'
I backtracked mentally to the throne room...I made a wrong turn, great! Wait...calm down...Hah! I ran down the hall and took a left, back on track, alright.
After a few minutes of walking I saw the girls still in the hall on the benches talking among themselves.
"Well, dear, what did the Princess say, are you able to come with us?" Rarity looked towards me smiling. I nodded and gave a thumbs-up.
"Marvelous, did you hear that Twilight?"
Twilight smiled and nodded. "I don't think we've ever gotten this kind of service before, I mean, armed guard escort home? It makes me feel like we're a bit like royalty now!" She beamed and giggled as did Rarity.
"Indeed, well shall we be off?"
"Sure girls, just let me grab a few things from my room before we head off." They nodded and I slipped into my room grabbing two pouches of blood sliding them into the coats inner pocket.
"Alright then, shall we, ladies?" I said with a slight smirk and bow.
We made our way to the gate which was guarded by two guards, I nodded to them and they opened it immediately.
"Wow Almasy, we usually have to wait for one of the higher ups to come down to give us permission to leave, I must say that was pretty cool." Twilight smiled at me sheepishly.
"Hmm, well dear, he IS in the Royal Guard, I would imagine him being able to go where he pleases, whether or not he does, well, that's your business Almasy, I shall not pry."
I shook my head. "Well, to be honest, I never really left the castle much, nor did I do much exploring, I can take you to the main parts and the armory, but that's about it."
"This would be maybe my...fourth time out of the castle. Pathetic, right?"
Twilight spoke up. "No, no, Almasy, don't think of it like that, just think about going everywhere to be a whole new adventure, the girls and I go out and do lots of things together. Maybe we can see you if you get time off to come do something with us, it'll be fun!"
Rarity nodded and continued. "Why yes, and in case something does happen we'll have a gallant knight there to protect us. Oh my, I sound like such a dreamer right now!" She giggled and we walked through the gate, it closing slowly behind us.
I took a look around Canterlot to see all the ponies bustling around, looking busy as ever and laughed. 'Man, this place is busy, reminds me of the city...minus all the horrible smells.' I chuckled to myself and the girls looked at me.
"Ah-hah, don't worry about me girls, just thinking to myself. Let's see, which way are we going, Twilight?"
"If we head this way you'll see a sign and a path that will lead us straight to Ponyville, it's not that far either so we should make it there in an hour or two, does that sound good to you?" I nodded and smiled.
"Of course Twilight, a little walking would be nice since I've been cooped up so long, you know?" I stretched and laughed.
As we walked through Canterlot, most of the ponies still did their best to avoid me, subtly or not. Even a few times we'd pass and I'd pick up a few whispers mentioning 'Freak' and such. Damn, I don't think I've ever felt more out of place.
"Are you alright dear, you look a little rough around the edges?" chimed in Rarity.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm okay, just thinking you know." I did my best to play off a fake smile but they both saw through it.
Twilight tried to start. "Almasy, plea-" I waved my hand at her.
"No, no, it's fine, I'd probably be the same way. How would you have reacted if you had no knowledge of me in the forest?"
She looked away and frowned. "But.." I laughed.
"Take it easy, it's fine." I smiled warmly and she sighed.
We kept walking through the city, still the same shuffling and some whispers but I ignored them.
The sign came up and Twilight pointed me in the direction of Ponyville.
"All you have to do is follow this path and we'll be there in no time at all!"
I smiled and nodded. "Sounds easy enough, I can't wait to see where you guys live, must be a nice place to have such wonderful…ponies like you living there." I smiled and we started walking down the path.
"Hey, Twilight?" I glanced over to her.
"Yes? Is there something wrong, Almasy?"
I shook my head. "You girls alright? You look a little winded, you wanna take a break for a bit?"
Rarity chimed in. "Thank you darling, I'd love to take you up on that offer, Twilight?"
Twilight nodded. "As long as we're not being a bother to you Almasy, a break does sound nice." She finished with a nod and smile.
"Well that settles it, we'll go for that shady spot over there, that sound good to you?"
"But Darling...that's the Everfree Forest, you know that right?" Rarity looked slightly panicked.
I nodded and smiled warmly, she flinched slightly...forgot...damn it.
"Err, well, It's just for a little while, and you have me around, I'm sure I can handle anything that the forest can throw at me, I'm pretty durable, or so it seems." I nodded to myself.
"Well, if you think it wise, I trust you." Twilight nodded, as did Rarity.
We walked over to the shade and the girls leaned against the tree to get off their hooves, -even if it was for a small reprieve.
As they both talked and laughed to each other I took a walk around and pulled out the first pouch of blood and took off the cover to the tube.
Took a glance around, coast is clear... I pressed it to my lips and took a few mouthfulls quickly sealing it back up and sliding it in my pocket, better safe than sorry, right?
"Almasy, darling, are you here?" I heard Rarity say around the tree.
I appeared from around the tree "Yes, is anything the matter?" They both jumped and I sighed. "I know this place is usually bad news, but we're not…that far in." They both giggled and shook their head.
"No, no it's not that, it's just you're so quiet when you walk, you simply startled us!" Twilight giggled and Rarity blushed. "I feel like such a filly now…"
I shook my head and chuckled, "About ready to go girls?"
"Well, I think we've rested enough for now, right Rarity?" Twilight glanced to her, Rarity nodded. "I suppose, but all this walking is dreadful on my pony-pedi, and I just had it done too..." I laughed and grinned. What happened next she didn't expect.
I scooped her up in my arms and cradled her laughing. "Little better for you there?"
Twilight hopped up to my shoulder and giggled, Rarity only nodded.
"Well, if I knew we'd be getting this kind of service we'll be requesting you for everything, Almasy." Twilight said with a grin.
"Happy to be of service, comfortable?" They both laughed and nodded.
We were travelling down the path at a pretty nice speed, guess I was a bit faster now.
"We should see it coming up from this next hill Almasy, and I think we got here in record time for land travel." She grinned and laughed, Rarity joined in.
We approached the top of the hill and the girls had me put them down, guess we were close enough now.
Twilight beamed at the top of the hill and called me over. "Well, Almasy, welcome to Ponyville."
I looked down over the entire town, it looked so peaceful and brought a smile to my face.
"Something's not right..." Twilight said in a low voice, but I caught it.
I looked in the direction she was to see some guards surrounding a few ponies.
We approached slowly and Rarity gasped, the guards were harassing a pony, I couldn't get a good look from how they were situated, so I snuck up on them with a sinister idea...
"Twilight?" She peeled her eyes from the scene and looked up at me. I tossed her my coat and stripped off my breastplate sliding my coat back on. "Watch that for me...I might have some fun with these guys..." She bit her lip and looked apprehensive, but nodded.
I casually walked over behind the guards, they didn't hear me or didn't care. I saw Rainbow on the ground and she looked like she was banged up. I was pissed now, but kept an outward calm.
I smelled the air dramatically and grinned as evilly as I could with a snarl.
"I smell...dead meat..." The first guard looked toward me arrogantly...then he looked up to see my face, he yelped in horror, the rest of the guards followed suit.
"Stay away from us you vile creature, we are the Royal Guards of Cele-" I cut them off.
"I don't care..." I looked the leader in the eye and kept the grin I had.
"If you don't leave...well, let's just say it won't be pretty..."
The leader gained some nerve and replied. "What can you do, if you harm us Celestia will put out a hunt for such a beast as yourself." He finished with an arrogant smile and I snatched him up by the neck.
"Something tells me she wouldn't care about some slime like you." I twisted his mane and he yelped, one of the guards drew his weapon and I kicked him into the side of the building, he fell, down and out.
Twilight and Rarity ran up to us and gasped when they saw Rainbow Dash who just replied with a half-hearted smile.
"What do you think you Guards are doing!?"
I glanced towards Twilight showing her the guard in my hand and she recoiled.
I gave her a wink and she nodded in response.
"Now you have two choices..." He looked to me and nodded.
"Actually...just one choice." I opened my mouth and lead to his neck, then I shot to his ear.
"You will leave...now...and you will tell Celestia what you've done...or you'll never see another sunrise, another sunset, another night, or another day. Do I make myself clear?"
He hit me with his hoof and I dropped him on the ground, pinning him with my foot.
"And what makes you think we'll do such a thing? You hold no power here, monster!"
I grinned. "You're making this easier...for me." He simply laughed and I pressed down harder with my foot silencing him immediately.
"I'm sorry...what was that?" I pressed down slightly harder then kicked him to his side.
He ran and tried to get away. I caught him easily and dragged him back.
Just then I heard a familiar voice. "Almasy, is that you?" Damn. It was Storm.
I looked back to see Twilight stop him and explain the situation, he grew a wry smile and nodded to me with a glint in his eyes. This motivated me farther.
The guard looked over my shoulder and smiled. "Hah! You can't do anything to escape now, that's our squads’ captain! He won't let you do this to us!"
I grinned and slung him by his mane, making him shriek in pain.
Storm approached us and winked to me. "Stop right there creature!" He half-heartedly charged me and I feigned a kick, Twilight levitated him away a few feet and he slid across the ground faking being unconscious.
"What was that?" He looked at me with pure terror and I know my grin grew more malicious.
I threw him down the trail and he ran, followed by the rest of his squad, while I laughed.
The last guard began to stir and caught the last thing that happened with Storm and the other guard and followed their lead, running away.
I shouted to the main offender.
"Don't forget what we talked about!" He ran faster and I laughed.
Storm got up and stepped to my side after they had left.
"Don't worry...I'll make sure they're well taken care of for this."
I nodded. "Oh, I'm sure I left a good impression on them."
We both laughed hardily.
Twilight approached Rainbow who slipped unconscious and gasped.
"We need to get her to the hospital..wait, Almasy?" She glanced over to me.
"Yes? Do you need me to carry her, Twilight?" She shook her head.
"No...but maybe we can test something...Almasy, give her a drop of your blood, put it in her mouth." I looked at her confused. "Just do it!"
"Alright, alright..." I got down on my knees in front of Rainbow Dash and pulled her in my lap and faced her up. I looked to Twilight with an impatient look on her face and sighed.
I brought my index finger to one of my fangs and bit down, the taste of blood hit my mouth.
Rainbow had opened her mouth slightly to groan and I angled my finger over her and a single drop of blood fell into her mouth.
Just then she swallowed and began stirring, but what was amazing was seeing her scrapes and bruised healing, slowly, very slowly but healing.
Twilight nodded and chimed in. "I read that vampony blood has a healing property, but you can only administer a drop per day, or the one it's used on could become addicted to it."
Rainbow Dash began to stand. She was shaky at first but good after a minute or two.
"Thanks you guys, I don't know why they did that; I wasn't even practicing any tricks this time." She began to hover. She probably didn't know what I did, I hoped not.
Rarity walked closer. "Oh no dear, don't thank us, it was Almasy who came to your aid.
Although I do not completely agree with how he did things...he still proved to be the gallant knight we’ve all come to know." I chuckled slightly and Storm approached Rainbow.
"Please don't worry Ms. Dash, the offenders will be taken into custody and they will pay for what they did." Rainbow nodded to him and took off into the sky, she never seems to let things keep her down for long, I respect that.
I looked towards Storm. "So what're you doing here, Storm? Thought you had guard duty for the week." He nodded to me.
"Well this is my guard duty, I'm here for the week, but it looks like now I'm on my own since I learned the squad I had were a bunch of miscreants. I still have a job to do, you on the other hand have the week off you know." I shook my head and laughed, he looked at me like I was some sort of crazy.
"If you're going to be short-handed, I can stick around if that's alright with you, I don't have to get paid, we can keep this off of the record right?" He shook his head and I sighed.
Storm patted me on the back. "We could put you on the roster for the week, but we'd have to inform Princess Celestia, but that would require us going all the way back to the castle and-"
Twilight chimed in with a smile. "Or I could just write her a letter explaining everything, I am her prized student after all, we're always in touch." I looked towards Storm hopefully and he just nodded and laughed.
"Well, since you put it that way, I'm sure that will work just fine. Looks like you're going to be here for the week Almasy." I laughed and nodded.
Just then my throat started to burn horribly and I clutched it tight. The rest looked at me shocked at the outburst.
"I'm sorry...Maybe it'll go away in a second..." Then I felt my exposed skin starting to burn and reeled back, my eyes darted looking for any shade, none, the building wasn't casting a shadow on the side we were on and I was starting to panic.
"Almasy! We have to get you out of the sun, now!" Rarity screamed and pushed me through the alley-way with her magic to the other side of the building, I leapt towards the shade and clutched myself tightly in pain.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out the blood pack but it had burst sometime along the way.
I panicked harder and retreated into the shadows as much as I could.
"No..blood.." I managed to croak out and Twilight darted off.
Rarity dashed to my side and nuzzled my chest, I looked towards her and shook my head.
"Don't be so stubborn, you need this now!" She pressed harder into me and I gave in.
I sat up and held her close and she nodded, I pressed my mouth to her neck and as gently as I could, sank my fangs into her neck. I started to drink slowly before I realized something; I could feel her blood inside of her. I drank slowly and she began to buckle. I held her up gingerly as I drank, I felt her blood level drop very slowly and stopped after a few seconds so I didn't take too much.
As I stopped she went back to the same state she was when she first was bitten and lulled back down to the ground, I got to my knees and pulled her to my lap. I saw her blushing and wiped my mouth.
"Almasy...did you just...bite, Rarity?" Storm asked horrified. I could only nod and he choked and ran to the alley.
I saw Twilight running back to us in the distance and she soon galloped back to where we are.
She threw a blood pack on the ground and looked towards Rarity and I.
I started to apologize but Rarity began stirring and looked up to me, but instead of getting up she simply settled into my lap and smiled.
"Well, I see you're alright now...I ran to the hospital and explained the situation and got you a pouch of donor blood that they had plenty of in stock. I guess I was a little too slow." She looked down and I sighed.
"I'm sorry Twilight, but she forced it on me...and I gave in." I sighed heavily and Storm came back from the alley.
"Almasy...what you did is unforgivable, you may have very well turned Rarity into a-"
Twilight cut him off. "No, Storm Blade, his bite doesn't turn them...it just knocks them out for a few minutes, although it didn't last this long last time...I hope she's alright.
Rarity chimed in with a smile on her face. "Oh, dear, I'm fine...I'm just simply comfortable at the moment, I didn't mean to worry you." I picked her up and put her on her hooves, she looked at me with a frown.
I picked up the blood pack and slid it into my pocket. "Thank you Twilight. I'll use this for later when I need it." She smiled and nodded.
Storm sat down and began talking. "Well, if that's all it does...I'm sorry for my outburst Almasy, I should have trusted that you wouldn't hurt anypony, you did swear it on your honor after all..." I raised a hand.
"No, it's fine, you didn't know, that's all." He looked down but nodded.
"Well, another point is, where are you going to stay, Almasy? I have family here that I can stay with, but we don't have enough room, I'm sorry." I shrugged.
"I'll just see if I can grab a room at an inn, shouldn't be too much trouble, right?"
I looked over to Twilight. "Do you still have my armor?" She nodded and levitated it over towards me. I grabbed it out of the air and shook my coat off sliding back into the armor and draping back into my coat with a smile. "Thanks." She smiled and nodded.
Rarity came up to me. "Well, Almasy, if you don't have anywhere to stay, I have a spare room since my sister is going to be gone with my parents for the rest of the year, you're more than welcome to stay there if you'd like." I nodded and smiled.
"Thank you Rarity, I'd love to. But I won't be a bother to you, will I?" I finished tucking my coat over my armor and smiled.
"You're one to talk. You let us stay in your room while you just walked about that night. I'm quite sure, in fact I encourage it. You may not sleep Almasy, but my home is your home."
I nodded and hugged her gently. "I'd love to in that case."
She nodded then gasped. "Twilight, darling, would you mind showing Almasy to my boutique when it starts to get late? I simply must clean the guest bedroom and get everything ready." Twilight smiled and nodded.
"Of course Rarity, I'll show him around the town until then, you've got nothing to worry about."
"Thank you, darling, I shouldn't be long." Rarity began walking away after that humming.
I chuckled. "Why is she so nice?" Twilight laughed.
"She's the Element of Generosity, she's always there to lend a helping hoof.
She's generous, but please don't take advantage of it, she's always pushing herself."
I shook my head. "Wouldn't dream of it Twilight." She smiled.
Storm patted my side. "Today there shouldn't be much happening, it's usually peaceful here.
I'll meet you in the town square tomorrow morning. You're free until then, Almasy."
I nodded and he walked into town.
Twilight tugged at my coat. "Well, what would you like to do first Almasy? There's not much here but we still have our fun." I chuckled.
"How about a tour, maybe get me introduced to the locals...hopefully without scaring them too much." She giggled.
"Don't worry, Almasy, Celestia made a news report about you, everyone here should know that you're in her Royal Guard." I folded my arms.
"Well, those guards didn't..."
"They probably don't keep up with it, that's why I love to learn." She ended with a proud smile.
Twilight began showing me around, her library and...home, where all of her friends lived, and the edge of the Everfree.
"And this is the town market, you can get anything you need from here." She smiled and I laughed crossing my arms. "Oh right...sorry." I was about to protest.
"Runaway cart! Get outta the way!" I heard Applejack.
I glanced over to see what I guess her card plowing down the incline and jumped in front of it.
"Almasy!" I heard Twilight yell but I ignored her. I stood in the path of the cart and crouched opening my hands and trying to get a footing.
The cart plowed into my hands and started sliding me back, but I kept my footing and it slowed down to a crawl, then to a stop.
I looked down to see that it had pushed me a good ten feet and laughed.
"Is everypony alright 'round here? How did the cart stop?" AJ looked around and I peeked out from behind it laughing and started pushing it back up the hill.
"Well shoot, yer a lifesaver, Almasy! It's a good thing ya'll were here!" She sighed relieved and I chuckled again.
"It's no problem Applejack, where do you need it?"
She pointed to an open spot near the beginning of the market and I pushed it there and engaged the break giving it a gentle test shake to check if it would stay. Solid.
"And please call me, AJ partner, all mah friends do." She finished and slapped her hoof in my hand, I shook it and she smiled.
"And ya got a good grip, I respect that." I nodded and smiled.
Applejack tossed me an apple and I slid it in my pocket. "Thanks AJ."
She shook her head and smiled. "Naw, thank you Almasy, I don't know what would happened if the cart got away and hurt somepony."
"Hey, it's my job to protect, right? Think nothing of it, just glad I could be of service." I ended with a warm smile.
"Well, I best tend to mah stall, come up an' see us sometime on our family farm, Almasy, it'd be a pleasure to have ya." I nodded and waved.
Twilight giggled. "Well, this has been an eventful day. I'm glad you decided to come, you've been a huge help around town."
I shrugged and she stopped me. "No, really Almasy. Thank you." I patted her on the shoulder.
"Hey, it's what I do, don't worry about it, alright?" She nodded.
We walked through town and the ponies all smiled or waved, gave a few nods, they seemed rather welcoming, I felt a little more comfortable that how they seemed to act opposed to the ponies in Canterlot.
It was around two or so in the afternoon by what I could judge from the position of the sun, I looked over to Twilight. "Hey, it's past lunchtime, you hungry?" She nodded sheepishly.
"Why don't we go pick up Rarity and I'll treat you both to lunch, what do you say?"
She nodded. "Sounds like a nice idea, Almasy, but it'll be hard for Rarity to accept you paying for another meal." I chuckled.
"Well, I have a plan if she doesn’t want me to, no worries." I smiled warmly and we began walking towards Rarity's boutique.
Twilight knocked on the door and Rarity popped her head out.
"Oh hello dears, I'm sorry but I have yet to finish cleaning yet, is there anything you both might need?"
I smiled. "How about you take a break, Twilight and I are going to lunch and you should come with. You look like you need a break." She nodded and walked out of the door.
"Where to, Twilight? I don't know where to go, you both decide on something."
They looked at each other and nodded with a giggle.
"That...doesn't make me feel too safe." I said with a sigh and they both laughed.
I followed them through town to what looked like a small outside diner and they smiled.
"Well, this is it, one of our favorite spots to go to lunch." I nodded.
"Alrighty then, let’s go grab a table."
We sat at a table near the edge, sort of out of the way, I think I preferred it.
After a short while a waiter came to the table and dropped off three menus, the girls picked theirs up and ordered their drinks.
After a few minutes of waiting they decided to order, both had a daisy sandwich and a glass of water, the waiter looked towards me and I just shook my head.
"I'm sorry darling, it must seem awful that you have to sit there and watch us eat, I do apologize." Twilight only nodded slowly.
I laughed a bit and shook my head. "No, girls, not at all, please enjoy your meals, alright? It's nothing to be upset about, just think of it like I've already eaten or something."
They smiled slightly and the waiter returned with their food.
They ate rather quickly, must've been hungry. I chuckled to myself and they blushed.
"No, no, don't feel bad, it was getting pretty late, you must have been pretty hungry by now. It's nothing to be ashamed of, I'm just glad you enjoyed it." I pulled the apple out of my coat pocket and cut it in half laying a half on each of their plates, they smiled and ate them quickly.
The waiter came and dropped two bills on the table, I grabbed both of them, much to Raritys displeasure. "Oh no dear, you couldn't pay for our meals again, it just wouldn't feel right."
I smiled. "Don't worry about it, it's not like I eat anymore, plus I got the pleasure of your company. Not to mention I interrupted your work, it's the least I can do."
She shook her head but I had already gotten up to go pay for their meals.
I walked to the register and handed the mare there the bills.
"That will be 45 bits, sir." She said with a smile, so I slid my hand into the satchel and placed them on the counter.
"Thank you sir, I hope you have a wonderful day." I nodded and returned the gesture.
The girls walked next to me as we left and Rarity tugged at my coat.
"Almasy, how much was it all, I'd prefer not to take advantage dear, please understand."
I shook my head. "Don't worry about it, Rarity, you're not taking advantage of anyone, never think that."
Rarity sighed and nodded. "If you insist, Almasy, but now I am repairing your coat for free."
"Nope. I'm still paying for that too." I chuckled and she groaned.
"You're spoiling me with this treatment Almasy." She chided.
Twilight giggled. "Yes, and thank you for lunch Almasy, it was wonderful."
"Indeed, and that apple at the end was one of the sweetest I've had, did you get it from Applejack, dear?" I nodded and Rarity smiled.
"So, what's next for us on the list Twilight?" She shook her head and giggled.
"Well, that was pretty much it Almasy." I chuckled.
"Well, alright then, Rarity, would you like some help with the cleaning?"
Rarity shook her head and giggled. "No, dear, I already had a few of our friends helping out with that, it should be done by now, shall we get going?"
We walked back to Rarity's Boutique making small talk to pass the short time it takes to get there,there wasn't anything unusual, or what I would call unusual anyway.
Rarity opened the door and invited us in.
All of a sudden:
"SURPRISE!" ...I don't know what happened, but I looked down from the roof to see everyone laughing, I sighed.
"That...was so...not funny." I jumped down and landed on my feet.
"It TOTALLY was! First you were there, then up there, it was hilarious, did we surprise you!?"
Pinkie being Pinkie, still has all that energy...sheesh.
"Yeah, you got me good, I admit. I'm realllllyyy not used to surprises...or parties."
Pinkie beamed up at me and shoved me in through the door.
As I looked around the room it was brightly decorated with anything party related you could think of, cake, games, and lots and lots of ponies.
I backed into a corner like I usually did at a party, no one messed with me besides a word of welcome or two. At least they were respectful of my nature of avoidance.
The hours passed and most of the other ponies left home sober or…not so much. It was amusing since I couldn't drink anymore and just watched what being drunk looked like from the sidelines for once, hah!
Storm trotted over to me and punched my shoulder.
"You used to be a soldier, why not give us a war story? it could be useful to know how your kind goes through war."
I shook my head. "I don't think you'd really like our kind of war, it's...brutal, to say the least.”
Twilight chimed in. "It couldn't be too bad, besides it's just the girls and I, also Storm and yourself, if you want we can promise to keep it a secret."
I shrugged. "If you really wanna know...I'll give you my one condition; Just don't interrupt and listen through. I know it'll be hard but you got to trust me on it, alright?"
All of them nodded, so I began.
-----------------------Afghanistan, 20110812, 1308 hours----------------------------------------------
I kicked my feet up on the radio rack of the humvee after finishing my MRE.
"Cross, why does our food have to suck so bad?" I looked over to my buddy who had his leg hanging out of the door finishing up his; he got a brownie, lucky bastard.
"I dunno, maybe you should pick something different for once, Almasy. All you ever get is the Cheese Tortollini. And when will you stop smoking, you know the commander always bitches about you smoking in his up-armored." He shot back laughing.
I grinned and took another drag. "I'll stop when I feel like it, and right now, I realllllly don't feel like it." I hopped out of the humvee and adjusted my armor and tossed off my helmet.
"This is so boring, I hate going on patrols... When do we get to do anything?" I flicked the cigarette butt over to the corner of the road and shoved my M-4 in the compartment in the cab.
Cross looked at me shaking his head. "You're awfully gung-ho for this being your first deployment, how you're a Corporal I'll never know, it took me five years to make Sergeant, and you pretty much came in as a Specialist only to be switched. You lucky asshole. I even heard them talking about making you a Sergeant after this deployment." He punched the steering-wheel and kicked his door open.
I laughed and climbed up the hood and lit another cig.
"It's not my fault you're not as high-speed as me there, bud."
"I'm a sergeant, not your buddy, Almasy." he snapped.
"Well fine, fuck you...Serrgeeannntt." I grinned and took a drag of my cigarette grinning until the radio picked up. Cross ran over to the comms and I just tuned it out, probably more stupid crap the LT. thought of us to do, I half expect it to be grabbing milk from the nearest store.
"Almasy! We've got hostiles incoming! Get your rattle on and get ready, I'll take the humvee to the side; they'll be here in five mikes!" He rushed to the driver door and hopped in, I grabbed my rifle and smokes and began to prep our area.
"They'll be coming from that road over there, around a dozen in number, but that's all I could make out from what Foxtrot company sent over, stay frosty, guy."
"Yeah, I get to be used as fodder while you run off with our ride. Sounds like a plan."
He just waved and sped off. 'Damn, forgot my helmet, oh well, probably won't need it since they don't stop anything anyway'.
I checked my watch, two minutes. I slapped a magazine into my M-4 and pulled back the charging handle and locked the bolt. 'No debris in the chamber, good'. I slapped the bolt release and heard the chambered round sing into place.
One minute. I started to breathe deeply feeling a bit jittery.' I'm not completely new to combat, been in a few firefights...but I also had a few buds to help me out. Damn.'
I ran my hand through my LBV and checked where everything was, just to be sure, plenty of extra mags, a flash-bang and a frag, I'm all set.
I couldn't help but lighting up another cigarette, then I heard yelling and stray rounds sink into the other side of the road.
I ran off to the side of a wall and propped my rifle along the side glancing through my scope to where Cross said they'd be coming from,' Speaking of him where the fuck is that guy!?
"Damn, doesn't matter, incoming."
I peered down the road and saw a few armed hostiles; I put a bead on one and pulled my trigger, nothing. "God-damnit..." I flipped the selector switch from "Safe" to "Semi" and got my bead back.
I whispered to myself and spat the cigarette from my mouth.
"Just a bit closer...let me see who's in the back..." I peered farther down to see the end of their chalk and scanned over them checking their weapons.
"All of them have an AK... Two have RPG's, and one is...unarmed? Hello promotion..."
"You best be someone important..." I brought the scope to my eye and took my first shot at one of the RPG carriers, the shot rang out and caught him in the head; he dropped promptly.
"One down." They yelled and I saw rounds fly at me.
"Shit!" I ducked around the corner and flung a flashbang around the wall and covered my ears. I felt the vibration and peeked out to check.
"Gotcha..." I raised my weapon and sent five rounds into the other RPG carrier, dropped.
The disorientation started wearing off of them because I heard a round whiz past my head and I ducked back again.
I leaned over and out of the other side of the wall and sent eight rounds towards the group, no hits. I felt something slap on my shoulder and I slung my elbow around to meet Cross who looked at me with a smug smile.
"Don't think I'd leave you hanging, Almasy, we're battle buddies after all. What's goin on, SitRep." I told him about my confirmed kills and that there were 11 remaining; all armed with AK's but one who is unarmed. He nodded and a round slammed into the wall next to me.
We took positions on either side of the wall and sent rounds down-range taking down four of the militia and wounding another two.
"Five to go, Almasy! Don't start getting comfortable!" I nodded and turned from the wall and sent a round screaming into the head of another.
"And that's why we're SF." I said smugly under my breath.
I felt extreme pressure and even more pain hit me in the chest knocking the breath out of me. I looked down to see a round embedded into my armor and gasped for air.
"You good Corp?!" Cross yelled towards me, I climbed back to my feet and stuck back into the wall.
"Good, we've still got a job to do, and there you were bitching about not having anything to do!" He took down one more.
I grimaced and planted my rifle on the side of the wall and peeked out to see the remaining four , one had a jam, easy target, I raised my weapon once more and send three rounds towards him, he fell over dead.
"Three hostiles remaining, Sergeant!" I looked over to see Cross on the ground bleeding out and turning pale, he took a round to the neck.
"Shit,shit,shit!" I rushed over to him but he was faded, I grabbed his tags and he pointed behind us and to the left, probably the location of the humvee, his hand hit the ground with a thud and I knew he was gone.
"Damn...Cross." I heard yelling and felt another round hit near my foot, I snatched a frag out of Cross's LBV and hurled it into the group and sprayed rounds into two of them before I heard a click, without missing a beat the mag was dropped and I slammed another one in slapping the bolt release to chamber the round.
"Two more; one armed, one unarmed... I got this. I got this, c'mon, stop shaking." I leveled my weapon towards the enemy and cracked off more rounds, three misses two hits, only clipping his shoulder and one to the leg.
He stumbled and grebbed his leg, I charged and fired round after round into him until my next mag went empty and changed it out.
The remaining unarmed hostile raised his hands in defeat and I approached him catiously.
He reached for his robe to reveal a bomb and started to detonate himself, I popped off rounds towards him but he still reached it before the rounds put him down, I turned to run but it was too late, I felt the heat of the explosion and the force knocked me over and threw me back.
I must've blacked out for a second, I came to looking up at the sky, I picked up my hand and rubbed over my face once and started to stand, all I did was wobble and fall back down, I checked myself over, no real damage that I can see... I guess I'm still a bit shocked.
I reached into my cargo pocket and plucked out my pack of cigaretted, they were crushed but only a few were broken. "Good.." I lifted one to my lips and lit it, I took a deep slow drag and exhaled.
A few moments later I heard a vehicle coming down the road, pretty large by what I could tell. I rolled over and caught sight of another up-armored humvee coming down the road so I climbed back to my feet slowly and picked up my M-4 from the dirt.
"You'll be needing a cleaning tonight...there goes my personal time..."
The humvee stopped a few feet from me, it was driven by an E-6 Staff Sergeant, Never saw him before.
"Status report, soldier."
I retold him everything that had just happened, down from the call to Cross going down to the final shot and the suicide bomber. He simply nodded.
"Go recover his weapon and grab the vehicle, we'll send in a recovery squad to claim his remains, for now RTB, Almasy." he slammed his window closed and sped off. I went and grabbed Cross' M-4 and his personal effects. "Later buddy, I'll buy you a drink when we get to hang out again."
I jogged to the humvee and cracked open the door. I hopped in and flipped the initiation switch, the diesel beast roared to life and idled for a second.
I sighed and lit up my remaining un-damaged cigarette.
"Well…I guess I got that action I wanted. Damn, I'm so stupid." I took a drag and disengaged the hand break and shifted into first. "To hell with speed limits..." I mashed the gas and accelerated going 80mph. 'Armored turtles can still sprint when needed... It works for me'.
I saw the gates of the base and blazed through and took my spot in the motor pool, parking and making sure I was lined up, I hopped out and went straight to my room in the barracks to go to sleep after pushing my rifle into the corner I hopped in the bed and went promptly to sleep.
---------------------------End Flashback--------------------------------------------------------
They all stared at me with their mouths hanging open except for Storm who just closed his eyes and nodded.
"Sounds like you've seen some horrible sights in your short life time, Almasy. I'm sure any one of us would have cracked under that sort of pressure. But what are these 'guns' you talked about?" He tilted his head.
I sighed and stood back up straight after leaning against the wall for the story.
"It's...hard to explain…but imagine a tube with a mechanism that when you pull it, it sends a large piece of metal out of the tube and into what you were pointing at." I nodded.
"That...still doesn't help." He chuckled. 'Oh well...guess it's better that they don't understand the concept.' Just then the door opened slowly to reveal Princess Celestia.
"So that is why you didn't wish to tell me about what 'war' was like from your world. I can see why now, Almasy; it seems traumatic." She trailed off at the end.
I nodded. "It's not that bad, I was trained to handle it. I was trained to do nearly anything in combat." She nodded and approached me slowly.
"Almasy, there's something I would like to request." I nodded for her to continue.
She cleared her throat and continued. "I would like to read that entire memory, and display it for the others so they could see what it's like, not just hear the words."
"If there was a way to do that, Princess, Sure, but I don't think-" I was cut off by her horn touching my forehead and seeing that memory flashing before my eyes, every detail, I heard gasps coming from everyone in the room. I tried to move but was locked in place until Celestia removed her horn and shook her head.
"I didn't think it would be so bad hearing the story. I suppose I was wrong. Are you alright, Almasy?" I nodded.
"Girls?" Celestia said slowly and quietly attracting their attention immediately.
Their eyes shifted from me, back to her a few times in silence before Twilight spoke up.
"I didn't know that you had been through so much. How could you stand to do that for any amount of time, Almasy? It seems so frightening." She sniffled and I sighed.
"It's not easy, but it was all I had at the time. I'm not a bad person...at least I hope you don't see me as that, but I was just following orders." She nodded.
"I have to say, you've gained more respect from me kid, I don't think I'd be able to go through that kind of stress, and how old are you?" He finished shaking his head.
I shrugged, "I'm about 20, nearly 21. It's not something totally uncommon for everyone in my age range to join the military, in fact it's quite a big deal."
Everyone looked at me shocked. "But... you're far too young, even by means of the Royal Guard, yet you did all of that?" Celestia stated bewildered.
She trailed off once again. "To be so young..."
"Hey, I'm a full adult, and I made my decisions. Why do you keep calling me young..."
I shook my head and sighed. "I'm not a child anymore..."
"Well, Almasy... everyone in this room is at least 24, and they're still too young to go into the services of the Guard, I was just stating-" I cut off Celestia.
"What, wait...I'm the youngest one here?" They nodded and I face-palmed.
"Great... why am I always the young one..."
Everyone started to laugh, good, the mood was starting to get depressing.
"In fact... you should still be in school, Almasy." stated Twilight.
"You would be in your next to last year here. And I don't see why you shouldn't attend."
I shook my head and laughed. "Not gonna happen."
"Why not?! Learning is a joy!" Twi shouted and shook her head.
"Because I already know everything I need to, the most I'd have to do is snag a book or two on your history and some about your common knowledge." She smiled and nodded.
"Well, if you feel like it you can come to my library tomorrow, I'll pull the books out for you."
She finished beaming.
I nodded and turned to Celestia. "So...what is usually the age to join the Royal Guard, Princess? Just throwing out there that the minimum for ours is 18."
She perked up. "We usually don't let anyone join until they're around 40."
My jaw dropped.
"But...our age to stop recruiting is 35, and even that's pushing it." I chimed in.
She nodded. "Well ponies here live to be almost 350 years old. So even that age is rather young."
I face-palmed. "That might be a problem..." Celestia looked towards me questioningly.
"Humans are lucky to make it past 60 years. If you're really lucky you could make it to 80." I finished solemnly.
"Almasy dear...does that mean?" Rarity looked towards me and trailed off at the end.
I nodded, "Yep, I have another 40 years if I'm lucky, haha!"
"This is no laughing matter, Almasy!" Rarity snapped.
I shrugged. "I don't really see why not, death is all a part of life. Everyone has to go sometime."
Celestia nudged against me. "How do you speak of death so lightly, Almasy, someone your age should never have to think of such things. I'm so sorry that you'd have to deal with such things." I shrugged.
"You have such a strong constitution..."
"Nahhh, I just roll with whatever happens. Make's life a little more easy to deal with."
Before I knew it everyone had started to embrace me in a group hug.
"Hey now, c'mon. It's fine, really." They let go of me a few moments later sniffling here and there.
"But...that means we'll only see you for such a short time... I can't stand losing a friend." I knelt down and patted Twilight on the shoulder.
"I know, but don't worry about it. Just think of it as me going on a trip." I nodded and chuckled, the rest of the girls shook their heads.
"I don't think it's that easy, Almasy." Rarity started. "You see dear, friends are so close to each-other, we'd know the truth, and it would hurt us all, you understand do you not?"
She finished with a shaking breath.
I groaned. "C'mon, stop it. This is something not even I like talking about." I shook my head and brushed the hair out of my face.
"Besides. It’s not like you've known me for very long. I don't see wh-"
"Stop that! You're a friend of ours none-the-less. We'd all be devastated if anything were to happen to you..." Rarity cut me off and shouted.
"She's right ya know." Applejack said right after getting nods from everyone else.
I sighed in defeat.
Celestia spoke up. "Do you really not care for your own death, Almasy? What did they teach you in your world, that's just...horrible."
I shrugged. "How could you even..." Twilight trailed off and I set my hands on my hips.
"Because I've dealt with it through my whole life, now stop with this conversation."
I snapped back coldly. She flinched away.
"Sorry...just, don't worry about it, alright?"
"I'm sorry, it's just it was a shock to us dear... we had no idea." Rarity stopped for a moment and then continued.
"But yes let us change from such a dreadful subject, it's still early and I don't want to ruin the mood, it may only be us, but it's still a party."
I laughed and nodded.
"Now was that so hard?" They laughed weakly, I face-palmed.
"If you're all going to go mopey on me I'm just going to go for a walk in the forest."
That got their attention.
"Don't even think about it!" Yikes...didn't expect that from Pinkie Pie....
"There's too many spooky things in that forest, and we won't let you go alone anyway, I Pinkie Promise." She finished with the motions and beamed up at me.
Storm came and knocked me in the chest. "That's right, just let us worry, you're not alone kid."
"Stop calling me a ‘kid’ when I'm not. I've probably seen more action than you in my life."
He looked at me with a quick glare then began to laugh.
"I guess you're right, but when I've got nearly a hundred year difference between us, I think I get to call you a kid. But you're gonna croak before I do, so remember to leave me something nice, alright?" He finished and punched me in the shoulder.
I started laughing "Hah, well, I guess that lightens the mood, yeah buddy, you got it."
I cracked my knuckles and neck and stretched.
The rest of the room sighed and Storm and I started to crack up again.
"How do you find this funny!?" Twilight snapped at us.
"Uhhh, because it's hilarious!" I shook my head still laughing.
Rarity came towards me and slapped me. "This is NOT a laughing matter, Almasy!"
I knelt down and put my hands on her cheeks, she quivered a bit before I stretched her cheeks to make her smile.
"See that? Keep doing that. It's all I can ask for." She shook her head and I stretched further until she was grinning.
I got up and turned to the rest of the room. "That goes to the rest of you too! Got it?"
They nodded slowly except for Storm and Celestia who had a small smile on their faces.
"You humans sure are resilient, as I have said." Celestia spoke up getting a nod from Storm.
I tapped Celestia on the shoulder and whispered in her ear. "Actually Princess…I'm scared to death of it; I just never let it show. It wouldn't help anyone if they worried, right?" She nodded.
"Good, now that's a secret, tell no-one of it. Ever."
Celestia nodded and smiled warmly. "Well, Everypony, I think I'm going to take my leave now, it's getting late and I believe you all would need your rest. Goodnight."
All the girls and Storm bowed and said their pleasantries. I simply nodded and got one in return.
The girls yawned and Storm perked up. "Well, well, looks like it's time for all the kiddos to go to bed." They groaned in protest and I laughed.
"I dunno, I think he's right." I peeked outside and looked towards the moon.
"It's past midnight."
"Well dears, I suppose we can all have one big sleepover here, I have plenty of room." Rarity chimed in and they nodded.
"Well, I'm getting out of here before they break out the party games and makeup, good luck Almasy." Storm extended his hoof and I bumped it with my knuckle.
"Thanks for that, Storm..." He grinned and walked out of the door without another word.
I looked over to the girls who were in a huddle and glanced to me with a smirk and nodded to each other.
"No..." I glared over at them.
"You're a part of this slumber party, so you have to play the games tooooooo!" Pinkie chimed in with a huge grin.
"Indeed, darling, don't worry. A little game of truth or dare won't hurt you..." Rarity trailed off at the end, I all of a sudden have a bad feeling...
They gathered in a circle leaving a spot open for me, I sighed in defeat and plopped down between them getting a snicker and smile from them all.
Rainbow Dash grabbed a bottle and gave it a spin. "Since I'm the most awesome one here, I go first!" The bottle spun for a good thirty seconds before it finally landed on...me.
Dash gave a hoof-pump "Alriiiight! Now then Almasy...Truth..or dare?" She looked at me wickedly.
"Dare." I said with a grin. She recalled for a moment then smiled.
"Alright, I DARE you...to take off your shirt!" She finished smugly.
I shrugged and took off my coat and shirt with a smile.
"Alright... that was easy enough." They all stared.
"What, is there something on me?" I checked myself and there was nothing out of the ordinary.
"Almasy, why are your cutie marks different colors?" Twilight tilted her head in confusion.
"My what?" She walked over and tapped the tattoos I had on either upper arm.
I laughed, "Those are just tattoo's Twilight. They're made with a needle poking you repeatedly when they're dipped in ink." She shuddered.
"No, no, it's not bad. But I take it you like them?"
"Well, I think they're quite amazing Almasy, is there anything about them that reflects you?"
Rarity chimed in with a smile.
"Uhh, not really. One is a phoenix of ice, the other one of fire. To me it represents life and rebirth, hence the phoenix of the elements of fire and ice. The elements are creation, fire, and destruction, ice. It's just something I thought would be significant." I ended with a nod.
"I didn't think you were so philosophical about these things." Twilight smiled.
I turned around revealing my back, a union of the two, a phoenix of frosted fire.
"And this would be the centerpiece, a union on life, rebirth, destruction and creation. What do you think?"
"Whoooaa, that is SOOOOO AWESOME!" Rainbow Dash yelled and ran a hoof over it.
The rest of them just gawked.
"Alright, whose turn is it now?" Rainbow Dash pointed to me and I sat back down and gave the bottle a spin. Landing on...Twilight.
"Alright Twi, truth or dare?" I said with a friendly smile.
"Truth! I'm not one for dares, sorry Almasy." She replied with a sheepish smile.
I nodded. "Alright..So Twilight, do you have a crush you're trying to work on?"
She shook her head. "Not one that I would know about. But good try. My turn!"
Twi spun the bottle and it landed on Rarity, before Twi could even ask.. "Truth, Twilight, don't hold back now."
Twilight nodded. "Alright then, same question as I had, do YOU have a crush on anypony, Rarity?"
Rarity browsed over everyone’s face and ended with a smile. "As a matter-of-fact, I currently do have my eye on somepony special, but I'm going to wait before I tell them." She ended with a nod.
"Well, who is it, Rarity?" Twilight presses.
"Ah-ah, I only have to say one truth, you asked if I had a crush, not who it was, Twilight. Perhaps next time dear." Rarity ended with a smug smile.
Rarity grabbed the bottle and gave it a spin, and then the lights went out.
"Who turned out the lights?" Twi asked obliviously.
Rarity looked over to me and eeped. "Almasy... I think we found out that your eyes do...in fact...glow." I patted her and she jumped.
"Hey now, relax. It’s just me." She nodded and sat back down.
"Either way, I think this is a sign of you all to go to bed, I'd say it's around two in the morning now." I heard everyone yawn and smirked. "See?"
"I suppose he's right. Come on now everypony, I made us all pallets in the other room."
Rarity spoke up and that got a few appreciative yawns from the other girls.
"Well, you go on to sleep, if you need me I'm going to be on the roof." I made my way over to the door and opened it slowly.
"Umm, why are you going to the roof,Almasy? I know you may not sleep but you know..." Twilight asked me without missing a beat.
I looked at them all through the soft moonlight and smiled. "You never know when something could happen, Twilight, It just makes me feel better knowing someone's watching the town just in case something does happen." She nodded and walked into the other room.
"That's very noble of you darling. I think we'll sleep a little more soundly knowing we're being watched over by a member of the Royal Guard tonight." Rarity said with a smile and yawn.
I nodded and went outside closing the door quietly as possible. I looked to the roof and gave a jump a try, I landed silently on the top of the roof and it gave me a clear view over the town.
I saw a bright flash from beneath me to see a pony with a camera. I looked towards them quizzically and they motioned for me to come down.
I hopped off of the roof and landed in front of the pony, who just smiled and took another picture.
I blinked. "Can I help you?" I rubbed my eyes and stretched before crossing my arms.
"You're the new member of the Royal Guard that's not a pony, right?" I nodded.
"Would you mind if I ask you a few questions, I'm with the press and I think an article on you would help everypony understand you more." He said with no loss of confidence.
I nodded. "Sure, I can answer a few questions for you, what do you want to know?"
"Oh no, it's not what I want to know." He stated. "It's what everypony in Equestria wants to know."
"Alright, first question: What's your name?" I told him my name and he scribbled it down.
"Second question: What do you do in the Royal Guard?"
I shrugged. "I do whatever needs doing, I help everyone I can. Just like all the other members of the Royal Guard." He nodded and wrote down the answer.
"Third and final question, well for now Mr. Almasy..." He grinned and I shrugged.
"Well, out with it." I said cooly.
"So, do you; newest and very well talked about, not to mention non-pony member of the Royal Guard, have a special somepony?" He asked in a sing-song voice.
"Uhhh, no." I said as I crossed my arms, he wrote it down hungrily.
"That's...not a serious question...is it?"
He nodded. "It's what everypony wants to know, that and now we have pictures to put with your name. Stick around there will be plenty more questions for you the next time we cross paths, Almasy. But for now, I must bid you farewell." I shrugged.
"Good luck with that..." I mumbled under my breath.
"I heard that, and I accept the challenge my friend!" He said with a smirk as he left.
"Damnit…" I sighed and jumped back to the top of the building losing my footing for a second but caught myself with my hand keeping as silent as possible.
I kept watch through the night as the town slept peacefully until dawn began to break.
"Another day down, wonder how long this will last..."