//------------------------------// // Rendezvous // Story: Duty and Consequences // by Snap Shot //------------------------------// We stepped out into the train station and found two mares waiting for us. Famosity reared up in excitement, whinnying like a foal presented with a sugar cube. I looked over at Quill, who stood dignified on the platform but I saw tears welling in his eyes. “Marshmallow!” He exclaimed in surprise, finally losing his composure and running over to where the unicorn was waiting. His mare was wearing an elegant sky blue ball gown and a slim silver tiara to accent her purple mane. She returned his greeting with a quiet smile. I didn’t recognize the other mare, a pink earth pony with a maroon, boyish mane. She was dressed in formal military attire with the rank of Lieutenant on her shoulders. I thought she might have been another escort but to my surprise she charged Famosity; throwing her forehooves around the captain’s neck. “Maquillage! You made it!” Fam cried out. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” the mare replied. Famosity gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and flashed a broad smile. Maquillage noticed us staring at her and quickly shied away. Her ears turned almost the same color of her mane with embarrassment. “Oh!” Fam exclaimed. “Maquillage, these are my friends; Lieutentant Quill Weave, First Sergeants Show Off and Snap Shot and Quill’s marefriend Rarity. Everyone this is Maquillage.” I stepped forward and acted as spokespony for the group. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant.” I snapped my hoof to my brow in formal recognition of her rank. The crimson mare didn’t return my salute; she simply pawed the ground nervously with a hoof. “A pleasure…” she said to the gilded slats of the platform. “She can be a little shy,” Fam explained the obvious as she nestled up close to her friend. “But she’s pretty fun once you get to know her.” I looked out to where the sun was beginning to sink below the horizon. The time of day began to weigh heavy on my shoulders. “Well, we’ll get to know her on the way to the palace. The Wonderbolts will be performing soon.” Famosity glared at me and I realized that my statement was devoid of any tact at all. “What Snap is trying to say is he is currently dating one of them and doesn’t want to miss her performance,” She translated. “Um, yes…sorry for being rude. I’m just a little anxious.” Maquillage’s ears perked up at that statement, but she didn’t raise her eyes to me. “I’d like to see the Wonderbolts too,” she said quietly. “I wanted to be one as a foal but…no wings.” Rarity stepped away from Quill for a moment. “Wings are overrated, darling, believe me. I’d rather walk than fly.” “I wouldn’t mind them,” the other mare said softly. Show broke his silence to cock his head at the white unicorn. “Speaking of flying, how did you get here?” “Well, Show Off,” she said disdainfully. “When your friend is a general and owes you a favor you can get some time off. It also helps that my friend happens to be a unicorn and can zap us to places we need to be so we can surprise a certain colt.” She batted her eyelashes seductively at Quill. I saw the feathers on Show’s wing bristle, obviously annoyed by her response. Thankfully, Famosity decided to intervene before things got out of hand. “Well, we had better get a move on, or we’ll miss the show.” The mint green unicorn headed off the platform and her friend quickly joined her; the rest of us hurried to catch them. I couldn’t help but smile at the captain, not only did she stop the argument but she had us walking at a quick pace so that it couldn’t start up again. As they walked in front of us, Maquillage began to talk with Fam. As quiet as she had been when we were introduced, the earth pony talked non-stop with her companion. I had never seen Famosity so quiet, the captain simply listened; hanging on to every word. She didn’t say anything, but I could tell by the way her tail was swishing about behind her that Fam was truly happy. I looked over at Show, who had a grim expression on his face. “You okay?” I asked concerned. He looked back at me and blew out a sigh. “Yeah, I told you that we had grown apart...and I was pretty sure she was seeing someone. I’m just surprised…” “Heh, yeah. Who thought she’d be here? And who thought that Captain Famostiy had a thing for pink?” The mint green mare stopped abruptly and turned so that we were nose to nose. “She’s not pink,” she said glaring into my eyes. “She’s lightish red.” I looked around Fam to where Maquillage was standing in the street, her ears once again bright red with embarrassment. While it was true that she was definitely a darker shade than what I would normally consider “pink”, to me there was red and there was pink and the earth pony was definitely on the pink side of the spectrum. But since Famosity was an artist in her civilian life she probably knew better than I did. “Okay, okay. She’s red, not pink,” I said quickly, hoping not to incur her wrath. “Especially now that she’s blushing.” Fam smiled mischievously and turned back to the earth pony. Walking over she nuzzled the other mare gently and Maquillage turned an even deeper hue. “Isn’t she adorable when she does that?” Before any of us could respond, a series of fireworks erupted above the palace and three trails of smoke cut across the sky. The Wonderbolts had started their performance. “Buck it all,” I mumbled. Rarity trotted to the curb. “Yoohoo! Taxi!” she shouted, waving a hoof at a passing carriage. The cab pulled over and we all piled in as the driver opened the door. “To the castle and hurry!” It was a little cramped inside with six of us but we would manage. “Not nearly as bad as those three months we had to share that tent,” I joked. Famosity and Rarity glared as me but Show Off laughed. “Yeah, that was an interesting experience. You mares will try to behave yourselves for the ride out there won’t you?” We received more piercing stares, before both of the fillies broke into giggling fits. The taxi pulled up to the castle grounds just as the Wonderbolts were entering the final stage of their routine. Like all great performers, they saved the most exciting and daring stunts for the very end. This was also the part of the show that concerned me the most. I was a combat flyer; I was trained to avoid the type of situation that these flyers put themselves in willingly. While close passes looked flashy and created intricate smoke shapes in the sky, anytime you have pegasi passing in close proximity, at high speed, it could be disastrous. As close to the ground that they were performing, the slightest miscalculation or hesitation at the wrong moment could result in a one way trip in a pine box. I frantically searched the sky for a blue streaked mane and tail, catching a glimpse as she flew over the crowd. It was difficult to follow Misty as she weaved around the other flyers with her wingman. Not being able to keep an eye on her made me even more nervous. Show must have seen how worried I looked, because he tapped me with his wing. “Hey, relax a little. She’s been doing this long enough to know how to stay safe.” He was, of course, right. I needed to have more faith in her, I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself. It was difficult, but I did manage to pull in the reigns a little. Though I did feel my heart skip a beat as I watched her dart through the center of a slow flying formation. Thankfully the performance ended without incident and the Wonderbolts set down on lawn to the cheers of the audience. Ponies, mostly foals, crowded the barrier separating the spectators from the garden grounds, hoping to get a glimpse of the talented flyers. The performers didn’t disappoint, greeting the gatherers at the fence. I could see Misty standing next to her teammates, putting a hoof print on any photo or scrap of paper thrust in front of her. She saw me and gave me a brief wave before a young filly diverted her attention with a magazine cover to autograph. “Are you Sergeant Snap Shot?” I looked around to see tan Pegasus regarding me with one eyebrow raised. “Yes…?” “My name is Crescent; I’m the manager of the Wonderbolts. Misty sent me to tell you that she will meet you at the banquet. Things get a little chaotic after the show, as you can see, so she felt it would be better that way…” The tan pony shifted from hoof to hoof slightly before continuing. “She also wanted me to pass on more personal messages…but I’m not really comfortable with that.” His embarrassment brought a smile to my face. I was pretty sure that Misty was just messing with Crescent with how forward she was supposedly being. I hadn’t gotten to know her too well, but from what I knew of her so far, she had a great sense of humor and loved to have fun; sometimes that fun came at the expense of others but it was never anything so cruel as to instill harsh feelings toward her. “That’s okay, Crescent. Please let her know that I’ll meet her in the main dining room.” I looked back at the garden; the crowd gathered at the fence seemed to have tripled in the brief time that we had been talking. “Assuming that she can ever escape that mess,” I added. “I’ll let her know Sergeant.” “Thank you Crescent.” He trotted off to convey my message. Show Off was watching the other patrons begin to file into the palace. “I take it you want to head to the banquet.” My wingman looked at the mass of ponies heading to the castle. “Yeah, that would probably get a good idea…I’m getting a little hungry too. That salad didn’t really stick with me.” “That’s because you barely ate any of it.” He looked up as if trying to recall a distant memory. “Oh yeah…” We trotted over to where the mares were gathered chatting excitedly. Rarity seemed to be handling the bulk of the conversation. “Oh my dear,” she commented to Maquillage. “You’ll have to tell me the salon that does your makeovers. They did an excellent job with your mane and makeup.” “Actually,” the mare replied. “I did it myself; I can show you some…” She trailed off as we approached. I don’t know what she found so intimidating about us, but she didn’t seem to be quite so willing to talk while Show and I were around. “Hey girls, we are about to head up to the banquet,” I said with a smile. All three fillies returned my smile. “That sounds like a great idea!” Famosity said. “You all go to the banquet and we’ll head to the sculpture garden.” “Um, can we go to the banquet too?” Maquillage asked quietly. “Aww…” “Well, it will only be to get a bite to eat. Then we can head to your statue.” The mint green unicorn flashed a look that could melt even a Windigo’s heart but the earth pony didn’t bite. “The pouty puppy face didn’t work to get me into a fancy ball gown; it won’t work to get you to skip dinner.” Famosity turned to us. “She never wears what I want her too,” she grumbled playfully. I waited for some sort of snide comment from Quill concerning proper military dress, but it never came. The lieutenant wasn’t with them. “Where’s Quill?” I asked, Fam. “Oh, Rarity fluttered her eyelashes at him and said she was feeling a little hungry. So he rushed off to secure our table at the celebration.” She turned to the pristine white unicorn. “You really got him on a set of short reins.” The other mare feigned ignorance. “Whatever do you mean, dear?” Famostity was obviously annoyed by the unicorn’s response but she didn’t say anything. “Well,” Show Off said taking charge. “Let’s not keep him waiting.” The five of us joined the procession into the palace, as expected security was tight on the grounds. Armored ponies guarded the gates but they were supported by much larger creatures. They were equine, but they were roughly twice the size of a normal pony but slightly smaller than Celestia. “Who are these guys?” I asked. “Mercenaries,” Maquillage replied, a hint of disgust in her voice. “From Saddle Arabia. They were brought in to reinforce the guard…a lot of the home guard has been deployed because of the war.” That didn’t make a lot of sense to me until I realized that when the fighting broke out, Equestria hadn’t been to war in over a century. The only trained soldiers available, aside from the small militia groups, would have been the Royal Guard. Those who knew how to fight would have been called to train those who did not. So when my “friend” in the CIA said she was going to double the guard around the princess it meant that she was going to hire outside help. Mercs made me uneasy, as they would any soldier; we were bound by honor and loyalty, they were only bound by a contract. I tried to push the thought out of my mind, if the war had taught me anything it was you had to sometimes take less than desirable options in order to obtain your objectives. One of the royal guards saluted us as we passed; we returned his gesture briefly as not to hold up the line. When we made our way into the entrance hall, I noticed that we were not the only members of the military invited. The crowd of ponies in tuxedoes and ball gowns was speckled with the pristine snow white dress uniform of military officers and enlisted. “Is that Snap Shot?” I groaned inwardly at the sound of that voice, I knew who it was even before I turned to see him. Big Scoop was the head editor at the Trottingham Times; the paper I served as a photographer before the draft. “It is!” he gasped coming over to our group, his own entourage in tow. “Give me minute,” I told Show and met the oncoming unicorn halfway; not wanting to turn this into a spectacle in front of my friends. I braced myself for what was to come. Scoop looked down on everpony, regardless of their status. He always seemed to take pride in demeaning others, and since he was the editor in chief, you just had to take it. Those who took a stand against him were fired and those who refused to join him as he insulted others were given the worst available assignments. I was usually on the receiving end of the latter, as I was unwilling to participate in his various tirades on how those under him were not worthy to work at the paper. Over time, I had learned to just avoid his office whenever possible. Unfortunately, that wasn’t an option at this party. “Well, look at you,” he sneered, his bushy grey moustache bristling. “Looks like you actually made Sergeant, who’d have thought it? I guess no pony can be completely useless.” His little group of “Yes-Ponies” sniggered at his remarks. Anger nagged at the back of my mind but I bit my tongue. I didn’t want to make a scene. My lack of reaction seemed to spur him on further. “Well, I’m sure you miss chasing movie stars. I just might have to give you your old job back once you get out.” He was full of it, I knew the law; those drafted in the REA were guaranteed to retain their employment after their service was complete. “Although,” he continued. “I’m not sure if I’d like having a laggard ex-squaddie taking photos for me.” He managed to find the one insult that I would not stand for. I had sacrificed so much for Equstria; my wing, my career and the last days with my love. I was not going to allow him to mock that. I strode up to him, seeing a small spark of fear in his eyes as I did. When we were nose to nose I spoke, and to my surprise my voice came out calm and level. “Scoop, I have heard every lame insult and sorry put down you’ve got, but you just crossed a line that you shouldn’t have crossed. I didn’t buy my way out of service like you; I have been to the front line, I have fought and bled for my country, and I have been personally thanked by Celestia herself for what I have done. Do not ever question a soldier’s service. As for my ‘old job’, you can shove it up your ass, I quit.” I turned on my hoof and headed back to where my wingman was waiting. Show must have watched the whole exchange but I doubted he had heard what was said over the crowd. “What was that all about?” He asked, glaring daggers at my old boss. I had to smile; my wingman was still covering me. “Nothing,” I dismissed his question. “Though I think that I’m now unemployed.” The statement caused a pit in my stomach, I wasn’t sure if I was making the right decision. Show Off was much less concerned. “Eh,” he replied. “You hated that job anyway.” My wingman was right; it wasn’t much of a career. I spent most of my time chasing celebrities and ducking security, it wasn’t what I had dreamed of when I decided I was going to be a photojournalist as a foal. It also wasn’t the end of the world either, if the ceasefire proved to be permanent, I still had my press pass and could make ends meet freelancing until I found another paper. A sense of freedom washed over me, it was like a weight was lifted off my shoulder. It might be short lived when I was looking for work after I got home, but for the moment I was free. “Hey,” Show told me with a quick bump of a wing. “We have to get to our table before Quill gets overrun.” He followed the mares into the grand ballroom; the fillies were prancing with excitement at the sight of all of the tables and ponies milling about. A group of blue and yellow clad ponies caught my attention. I scanned the Wonderbolt group searching for Misty. “Looking for someone, Flyboy?” a voice whispered in my ear. I jumped at the sudden intrusion into my personal space, but was rendered speechless upon casting my eyes on the speaker. Misty was standing there, wearing a simple yet elegant blue ball gown. Her normally windswept mane had been braided and trailed back behind her. She stared at me with her icy blue eyes and wore a broad smile on her face. “Glad to see I still have that effect on stallions,” she teased. “I’ve missed you.” She came up and nuzzled me gently. I finally found my voice as I returned her affection. “I’ve missed you too, that was quite the performance this afternoon.” “Well, it was a special routine for the gala…” She noticed my wingman standing next to me. “And you must be Show Off. I’ve heard a lot about you from Fleetfoot. ” Show gave her an overly exuberant salute. “All good I hope.” His display brought a laugh from Misty. “She said you had a flair for the dramatic, but you were also a good stallion.” Show simply responded with a shrug. “Fleetfoot was right about the flair, I just do my best on the second part.” “Well, I think she was right on about both, and I do need to thank you.” My wingman cocked his head at her statement; it obviously wasn’t what he was expecting to hear. “Why is that?” “You’re the pony who got us together,” she stated nodding at me. Show shook his head. “That was all Snap; I just wrote the letter to Fleetfoot.” Misty’s ears perked up at the name, and she immediately waved at the gathered Wonderbolt group. “Fleety! Come over here for a minute!” She cried out. Fleetfoot, still in her Wonderbolt uniform, meandered over to our little group; wearing a slightly annoyed expression on her face. “Misty,” she addressed the mare as though she were talking to a young foal who was misbehaving. “This is a formal event; you should maintain your composure.” Choosing to ignore her friend’s statement, Misty pushed Show Off toward the other flyer. “Look who I found!” she sang. A quiet smile graced Fleetfoot’s muzzle. “Show, it’s been a long time.” My wingman returned her smile, though his seemed more nervous than hers. “It has, how have you been?” “Good, we’ve been doing a morale tour. I’m sorry you had to put your acting career on hold,” She nodded at the uniform that uniform that he was clad in. Misty took the opportunity to step in. “Well, I think you two have some catching up to do. Snap and I will grab some drinks at the bar, would you like anything?” “Just a cider,” Show replied. “Make that two,” Fleetfoot added. Misty pulled gently on my sleeve and I followed her over to where a line of ponies was waiting for their drinks to be poured. She was acting strangely, it wasn’t like her to simply call someone over and then blow them off. “What was that all about?” I asked her. “I was that obvious, huh?” “Pretty much.” She looked down and pawed at the exquisite royal carpeting with a hoof. “I’m worried about Fleety. I don’t think she’s quite moved on from Show Off.” “What makes you say that?” She looked back over her should at the two pegasi who were now talking like a couple of old friends. “She still has a picture of the two of them in her locker back at the academy. How can you move on from someone if you have something that will always remind you of them?” I felt a pang in the pit of my stomach and instinctively my hoof went to the dragon scale under my uniform. Misty still didn’t know about my past or the memento that hung around my neck. It didn’t come up on our last date, and I didn’t want to tell her in a letter. Still, her words hurt, even if she hadn’t intended them to. “It is possible,” I said more harshly than I had wanted. Misty’s ears suddenly drooped, she knew that she had said something wrong but she couldn’t figure out what it was. “Snap, what’s the matter? I didn’t mean anything by it. Really, I didn’t,” she apologized. This was not how I wanted to tell her, but it was going to have to come up eventually. “Misty look, I…” A mare’s scream pierced though the crowded banquet hall, after it ceased there was nothing but silence. The royal guard who was by the door staggered out into the middle of the floor before collapsing in a heap, blood began to pool under him from a gash in his throat. “Nobody move!” an authoritative voice shouted at the entrance.