Shining’s Log-Entry: School
The Royal Guard Academy is alternately easier and harder than I thought it would be. On one hoof, the physical exercises are a synch compared to what Uncle Jewel put me through. On the second hoof, their far more academics involved than I would have thought. On the third hoof, I’m sorta surprised that there isn’t that much instruction on magic, although I guess that might be because the classes are mixed between Unicorns, Pegasi and Earth ponies fairly equally. On the final hoof, weapon training (in this case, mostly spear work), using hooves only, is extremely hard when your used to gripping everything with magic.On another note, my classmates are a rather interesting bunch. Roll, Rough and Rock Boulder are triplet ponies, although weirdly enough each of them are different types of pony. All three of them are quite possibly the largest and strongest ponies of their types I’ve ever met. Rock, the Earth Pony is red, Roll, the Unicorn, is white and Rough, the Pegasus, is blue, and aside from their coloration (and/or extra appendages), all three are identical, muscular behemoths, they even have the same mane and tail (tricolor red, white and blue). According to Rock (who I’ve managed to befriend), they grew up on a rock farm, and have a number of cousins of similar… girth, and spread of species. Personality wise, the three are actually very different, Rough is proud, and seemed to almost go out of his way to prove his strength, Roll is quieter, I don't think I've even heard him speak yet, and Rock is a very friendly, if stubborn pony. If it weren't for their personalities, they'd be even harder to tell apart when they've got their armor on.
A different classmate of note is Fiery Hammer. He is another unicorn and he's also white, but has a red-orange mane and tail. He's extremely good at remembering small details, and is extremely good with our spears. He’s from Fillydelphia, where his father is a blacksmith. Apparently, his father's taught him a lot about making and using tools, including some basic weapons. If I keep on having trouble with gripping my spear properly, I'll probably ask him for some tips.
As for my teachers, two of them stand out. Thunder Flare, the pegasus in charge of teaching us logistics and tactics, let me just say, she really, really knows her stuff. I never really knew there was so much involved in maintaining the various guard outposts on the edges of Equestria. Nor that there were literally hundreds of ponies involved in moving, inventorying and guarding the various shipments to those outposts.
Then there’s Brawn Charger, the drill master, and I think his default voice may actually be louder than Princess Luna’s Canterlot Speaking Voice, from that Nightmare Night episode, and that’s when he’s not teaching. He's really good at ensuring everypony gives him their undivided attention. And I do not want to think about what he would do if any one of us didn't listen to every word he said, not that that's possible given his teaching voice. He can be an extremely tough taskmaster, but I guess I expected that, although his training itself isn't any harder than most of the stuff that Uncle Jewel was having me do.
My family is doing quite well. The letters from Mom and Dad say their doing fine, and Twily is all excited about her own schooling. Not that I was expecting anything else. Twilight wrote a letter almost fifteen pages long. At first, I thought it might have been one of the lists that Cadence taught her to make, so she's be more organized, but it turned out to be a very, very detailed accounting of everything that's happened to her since I left. That's almost worse than sending a letter every day. I think I'm going to have to explain to her that sometimes a summary of the high points is all that I really need to know. But I don't really want to disappoint her, maybe I should write Mom or Dad, and get them to talk to her instead.
The only unexpected thing from the homefront was that Cadence decided to write me a letter. it’s rather short, but I think I’ll include the letter in this log, if only because it made me laugh.
Dear
Shining ArmorBlue Puffball,
So how have things been going for you? I’m sure you’ve already managed to get covered in mud, and dirt, and managed to completely ruin your mane. And I’ve no doubt you’ve managed to trip all over yourself like that time when you crashed into me while carrying a pitcher of lemonade and spilled it all over your mother’s special shoes. Your coat may be white, but I think that’s more a warning to others to watch out.I suppose you’re wondering why I decided to write you. Well, I’m bored. Without having to babysit Twilight as often as I used to, I no longer have a decent conversation partner. And her annoying older brother too, I suppose. Although I guess you’re more my argument partner, although, that does make your better than cousin Blueblood.
You had better do well there, or little Twilight and I will be very disappointed. And you should never disappoint a loved one. Or me.
From,
CadenceYou know, I’m not really sure how to take the letter. We’re friends, I guess. We haven't really talked that much outside of when she was foalsitting Twily. Although, I guess there was that one time in the park. I found her mopping around and we had a nice chat, that for once didn't include any insults, and instead talked about our families and how we feel about them. I told her I love my parents, and Twily, and I would do anything, anything at all if I thought it would protect them. She told me how she loves her Aunt Celly, but feels they have a such a distant relationship because of various court duties. I tried to cheer her up a bit, I told a couple of jokes, even managed to make her laugh. But afterwards, I think I might have said something wrong, because she left with a disappointed look on her face.
Regardless of that incident, I wasn’t really expecting a princess to try and keep in contact with a lowly student guard. And sending a letter, where the entire first paragraph is full of insults at the recipient... There is only one conclusion I can draw. She must be bored.
Shining Armor, Signing Off