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// Dinner & Results 
// Story: My name is Anna Maus 
// by Gallants 
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I looked up at the imposing restaurant, "Your cousin is buying right?" I nervously asked fixing the knot on my tie.

"Yeah, he's the rich one," she scoffed, "and a pompous one at that, but he treats family well, and best part doesn't care what you are as long as you are honorable." she told me holding the door open.

"Thank you, Snow," I stated, "and, at least he treats you better than my brother did me." I told her holding it for her with my cane. Chuckling she walked past me and to the podium.

"Hi, we're with the Blueblood party," she told the mare who nodded and led us to a table towards the back, a white stallion in one of those ponies' partial suits sat there, slicked-back blond mane, and laughing with another stallion before he noticed us.

"Redheart, you and you're..." he paused as he looked at me, "friend are early, I hope your exam went well." he said to me as we took our seats.

"When I served I was always told showing up when you're 30 minutes early you're on time and on time means you're late." I told him an inquisitive look came over his face.

"Oh where did you serve?" he asked leaning forward in his chair hooves on the table.

"I served in the U.S navy as a SARC," I told him; a quizzical look came over his face, "A SARC is a special forces field medic, I was also trained in veterinary medicine, family medicine, swim and diving medicine, and then subspecialized in pediatrics and pathology," I told him with a smile, "Of course, I didn't serve as long as I'd have liked shrapnel and shearing of the femur can get you discharged, especially since my contract was coming to an end anyway, at least I kept my benefits." I explained with a chuckle.

"Wonderful and I understand the feeling of being not serving as long as you'd like," he said a hoof reaching his head a slight grimace shooting across his face, "I was in the expeditionary corps and during a cross-training exercise a branch hit me fractured the base of my horn-" I flinched when he said that, I remember reading about the issues involved in that, "-and a little brain bleeding, got me discharged, and left me with social issues and impulse control, thankfully nothing dangerous, but I fail to think at times," he said with a sigh, "It has caused problems." he was forlorn.

"I understand that, I've seen it happen with a few marines, mostly retired ones not usually head injuries though," I said, "it's usually PTSS, which is post-traumatic stress syndrome, it can get nasty, usually doesn't, but it can," my breathing came out rough as I took a drink, "sometimes I'm scared I have it, nightmares are a symptom and I have those, lot's of em," I gave out a sigh looking up I saw a waiter approach as he quickly asked me for my order, "I'd like the mushroom risotto, and maybe a bottle of the house wine for the table?" I asked getting a resounding yes from the two ponies at the table. The others made their orders and the waiter walked off, as an awkward silence came over the table.

"So I tried to suggest a place that would allow you to get some meat in your diet, having seen your teeth and all." Redheart said trying to break the silence.

"Oh don't you worry about me I can last a little longer before the b12 deficiency kicks in, and if I need to I'll hunt or fish for it," I told her, trying to gauge Blueblood's reaction to me being omnivorous. As the wine was served, I could tell he didn't seem to mind, "Me being omnivorous isn't an offense to pony culture or high culture is it?" I asked making sure I wouldn't have to hide stuff between friendly visits.

"Not usually especially for me," he told me, "I served with a few omnivores and they were normally nice," he said while raising his glass, "well I didn't appreciate the jokes that I was the emergency rations when we got stuck in a blizzard." he chuckled out. The rest of dinner went smoothly, I could certainly see the issues Blueblood was talking about.

The next few weeks were nerve-wracking as I waited for my letter from the academy. When my door knocked I went as fast as I could and opened the door, "Good morning Ditzy, anything for me from Canterlot?" I cheerily asked and she gave me a nod pulling out the letter and handing it to me, taking a deep breath I gave her a wave as she left and made my way to the hospital. Seeing Redheart at the front desk I walked over, "It came in, I haven't opened it yet," I told her giddily.

"Quik Wrap mind covering for me for a few minutes?" she asked a nurse walking by, he gave a nod and she led me to a break room, "Well don't keep me in suspense open it," she commanded, calming my shaking I broke the wax seal and I couldn't read the contents, I handed it over to Redheart. Taking it in her hooves she scanned the paper as I sat there starting to breathe harder, "You passed, nearly aced it!" she announced giggling handing over the paper and pointing at my results.