“Sorry Captain.” Private Swiftstrike apologised. “We’ve managed to locate the families of all the victims except for the mute pegasus filly.”
Looking past Swiftstrike, Shrouded could see the small filly sitting off to the side playing with the straw doll that Hunter had given her. “Do we know where they are?” Shrouded asked, phrasing the question in a way to get him the information he wanted but without saying the actual words.
“Unfortunately, we do. According to the others they were also victims of the diamond dogs, however before we got there...” Swiftstrike trailed off.
“It’s alright, soldier, I understand.”
“Yes sir. A Miss Redtape from the Equestrian Foal Service Agency will be coming here to arrange foster care for the filly.”
“Very well, once she arrives bring her here immediately.”
“Sir!” Private Swiftstrike saluted and exited the room leaving Shrouded alone with the small filly.
Ignoring the pegasus, Shrouded turned his attention to his paperwork. As he moved on to yet another set of forms when a small hoof appeared in front of him; raising his head Shrouded found himself looking at the filly. Sitting on the desk, the filly performed a series of gestures with her forelegs. Seeing the confused look on Shrouded’s face, the filly performed the actions a second time.
“Umm... you want something... to... rub your belly?” Shrouded guessed.
A look of annoyance came to the filly’s face.
“I’m guessing that wasn’t what you wanted.”
The filly nodded then performed the actions a third time, making sure to perform them slow enough for the unicorn to follow.
“You want... something... to... clean your fur? You want to take a bath!” Shrouded said triumphantly.
The filly shook her head.
“No? I was sure I had it that time.” he said, as the filly performed the actions again.
“You want a teddy bear? You want a new toy? You want to go ballroom dancing? A parasprite has eaten the changeling queen?”
The filly’s eyes went wide in complete astonishment spread across her face. She remained frozen in place for several moments before her stomach emitted a low growl.
“Oh, you’re hungry. Why didn’t you just say so?”
The filly facehoofed as Shrouded turned his attention to his desk’s bottom drawer. “I think I have something in here.”
The sound of the door opening drew the filly’s attention but went unnoticed by Shrouded Armour. “Captain Armour, sir!” Swiftstrike called out as he entered the room. Shrouded’s head jerked upwards when he heard his name called out, still holding a warped chocolate bar in his mouth. The unicorn and the pegasus guard stared at each other blankly while the filly grabbed the bar and scampered of to the far side of the room.
“Captain Armour, Miss Redtape is here.” Swiftstrike said, recovering from the shock.
“Umm... yes, right. Show her in Private.” Shrouded replied.
Moving out of the doorway, Swiftstrike allowed a smartly dressed earth pony mare into the room. “Good afternoon, Captain Armour.” she said with a friendly smile. “I’m here about the young filly that you rescued.”
“Yes, of course. It’s a pleasure to meet you Miss Redtape; please come in.” Shrouded greeted the mare. “Is there anything I can get you; something to drink or some food?”
Making her way across the office, Redtape sat in the chair across from Shrouded Armour. “No thank you Captain, I’m quite alright. As I said before, I am here regarding the filly that you rescued, a...” she trailed off seeing the blank spot on her form. “There seems to be a mistake, the name wasn’t filled in.”
“Oh, yes, that was my fault.” Shrouded explained. “You see, when we found her nopony I talked to knew what her name was, since she cannot tell me herself, I just left the form blank.”
“Why didn’t you just ask the filly?”
“I did but sine she’s mute I didn’t get an answer.”
“According to her file she understands Equestrian Sign.”
“Equestrian Sign?”
“When you asked her a question did she respond with a strange series of gestures?”
“Umm... maybe?”
“That’s Equestrian Sign, it’s a visual language that the mute and deaf use to talk.” Redtape explained before standing and walking over to the filly. “Hello there. I’m Redtape, what’s your name?” she asked.
The filly performed several gestures that Redtape studied intensely. “Your name is... Quiet Breeze?” the mare asked to which the filly nodded before performing another, somewhat rude, gesture directed at the unicorn captain. “Now, now, that is no way for a filly to act.” Redtape scolded Quiet Breeze, who hung her head in shame. “This may seem a little overwhelming, but we are going to have to figure out where you’re going to live.”
Quiet Breeze gave Redtape an odd look paired with a small gesture.
“Wouldn’t she just be placed in a home here in Canterlot?” Shrouded Armour asked.
“Normally, yes but this is anything but a normal situation.” Redtape explained. “Since we haven’t found any of her relatives, and she was found near the Equestrian border and not a city or town gives us more... wiggle room to find the best place for her.”
“I’m assuming that you have a place in mind.”
“I do. Foster homes in Canterlot and the other large cities are all fairly full and given her disability they probably would not be a good match. I’m thinking the best place for her would be Ponyville.”
“Ponyville has a foster home?”
“It does; it’s small and the caretaker is not only dedicated she also understands Equestrian Sign. Ponyville itself is a quiet, friendly town. I think she’ll do well there.”
“It does sound that way.”
Redtape turned her attention towards Quiet Breeze. “Does Ponyville sound nice to you?” she asked.
Taking a moment to think it over, Quiet Breeze smiled and nodded.
“Excellent, now we just need to finish up the paperwork and we’ll be done.” Redtape said with a smile before she pulled out another stack of forms. With a quiet sigh, Shrouded lifted the quill and set about filling in the required forms.
“And... done.” Shrouded Armour announced as he finished signing the last one. “I hope you don’t take this the wrong way Miss Redtape, but you’re not exactly what I thought you would be.”
“I get that a lot.” Redtape chuckled and smiled. “Everypony hears my name and thinks I’m some no-nonsense mare out to cram bureaucracy down everypony’s throat. And I hope that you don’t take this the wrong way, Captain but you’re not exactly what I thought you’d be either.”
“Let me guess; you thought I was going to be a handsome young stallion that had just married an alicorn princess and save the city from a changeling invasion? Yeah, I get that a lot; but thankfully not for much longer.”
“Oh?”
“Well, since the return of the Crystal Kingdom and Princess Cadence being crowned their ruler, Shining Armour has been spending less time here in Canterlot. By the end of this week he should be officially transferred to his new role as Captain of the Crystal Pony Guard.”
“Good for him.”
“It’s not as much as a promotion as it is a lateral shift. At least the two of us won’t be mistaken for each other now.”
“Well that is until one of the princesses finds another pony with the name Armour to promote to Captain.” Redtape teased as she gathered her things then turned towards Quiet Breeze. “Are you ready to go see your new home?”
Tucking the small doll under her wing, Quiet Breeze calmly trotted over to Redtape and gave the mare a friendly smile. “We should be off; it was a pleasure to meet you Captain.” Redtape said, then gave the filly a gentle nudge. “Say goodbye to the Captain.”
Quiet Breeze gave Shrouded Armour a small wave before she followed Redtape out of the office. “From here we will be going through the city and to the train station.” Redtape explained as they walked. “From there it is only a quick ride to Ponyville.”
As they rounded the last corner Quiet Breeze collided with another pony, which knocked the filly prone. Looking up Quiet Breeze found herself in front of Princess Luna. “Oh, we are so sorry!” Luna exclaimed, realizing what she did. “Are you unharmed?”
Quickly getting back on her hooves Quiet Breeze smiled at Luna, showing the princess she was alright.
“Princess Luna!” Redtape gasped. “I’m so sorry! I should have been paying more attention.”
“No, do not trouble yourself, the fault was ours.” Luna said apologetically. “We were lost in our own thoughts and were not paying attention to where we were going.”
Quiet Breeze performed a quick series of signs, causing Luna to sigh. “I’m afraid I still don’t understand.” the alicorn confessed.
“She wants to know if you’re worried about... I’m not sure what the last word is.” Radtape said, translating the filly actions for the princess. “I think it’s... monkey? No, not monkey but something like a monkey?”
Taking a moment to think over how to get her point across, Quiet Breeze retrieved the doll that she had placed under her wing and showed it to Luna. It only took the princess a moment to realize what she was looking at; the worry doll that Hunter had given the filly.
“Yes, I was thinking about Hunter.” Luna confessed.
“Hunter, your majesty?” Redtape asked. “As in the human that was here?”
“Yes, unfortunately during the rescue attempt he... fell.” Luna said, trying to phrase it as to not upset the young pegasus. Quiet Breeze made a small gesture which caused Redtape to raise an eyebrow. “Down a hole?” she asked.
“Down a chasm so deep that you would be unable to see the bottom of.” Luna elaborated.
“I see.” Redtape nodded as she inferred what the princess was trying to tell her.
Taking a small step forwards, Quiet Breeze held out the doll and motioned for Luna to take it.
“Are you sure?” the princess asked.
With a small nod, Quiet Breeze held the doll out once more and allowed Luna to take the doll with her magic. The filly smiled and performed another set of gestures.
“She says that when she was worried it helped her, and now that you’re worried it will help you.” Redtape translated for the princess.
“Thank you.” Luna said as she carefully tucked the doll into her regalia, hiding it from sight.
“It was a pleasure to meet you, Princess Luna; unfortunately we must be on our way or else we will miss our train to Ponyville.”
“Please, do not allow me to delay you.” Luna said, stepping out of the way and letting the two ponies continue on. “Perhaps we shall meet again in the future!” she quickly added, calling after the filly.
“Fire Forged, are you in here?” Shrouded Armour called out as he entered the castle’s forge.
A steel gray earth pony carrying a long package came forwards. “Ah, Captain. I suspect you’re here for the item you had commissioned, correct?” the gray stallion asked.
“I am.” Shrouded Armour replied.
Setting the package on a nearby table, Fire Forged removed the cover, allowing Shrouded Armour to see its contents. “This is beautiful work.” Shrouded commented as he lifted the sword from the case.
“One of my best pieces, even if I do say so myself.” Fire Forged boasted. “Forged in cold fire and made of starstone, there isn’t a blade in all of Equestria that is its equal; save one, that is.”
Shrouded Armour pulled the blade from its sheath and gave it a few practice swings. “It’s surprisingly well balanced, considering its length and weight.”
“All according to the plans you gave me; after all it wasn’t really designed to be wielded by ponies.”
“True, but it looks like now it’s not going to be wielded at all.”