//------------------------------// // Rude Awakenings // Story: Cold Confrontations // by Dapper Guy //------------------------------// “Mmmmmm…” A slight sigh escaped from a rather large pile of blankets on top of a wooden bunk, sided up against the wooden wall of the house. The snow outside lazily blew by the window above the bed as another content sigh of peaceful slumber escaped. Everything was so quiet, warm, it- “Cold Hart! Will you get out of your bunk already?” shouted somedeer downstairs. -all came to a grinding halt like a freight train slamming into a mountainside in a second. “Ummmmm… No…Not anytime soon,” Cold responded in a slightly slurred speech, his mind still heavily fogged from his interrupted sleep. “I’ve already let you sleep in an extra hour already,Cold. If you don’t get up now I’m sending her up to get you up.” No. Oh no. She would not do that. Oh spirits, she would not send her up to get me. Oh please dear aunt tell me you’re not that cruel of a doe, oh sweet aunt of mine tell me you wouldn’t- Rawr! Rawr Rawr Rawr! The destroyer of naps, the interrupter of rest, and overall archenemy of getting extra sleep had awoken and barked a war cry. It cannoned through hallway like a beast from Tartarus itself and straight to the poor, unsuspecting buck’s sacred bunk. It leapt onto the top of the covers. With a howl of triumph it seized its prey and commenced to destroy any hope of further sleep. “Augh, come on, down, no, no, no, NO! Get down already!” Cold said as he tried to bat away the unwelcome intruder in his room. A Buckish Lapphund sat on the floor next to the bunk, its eyes boring into his own marble-green ones. It front paws slightly edged forward, eagerly ready to pounce on him again if he decided to retreat back into his bunk. It's dark chocolate coat clashed spledindely with its caramel under coat. It sat there, panting with its tongue hanging out, waiting for him eagerly to get up. “Casey, I gotta break you of that habit one of these day." as he dropped his hooves to the floor. "Don't always listen to my aunt when she tells ya to get me out of bed like that, okay?” The dog only whimpered in response, its nose now nudging against his front hooves. “Alright, alright,I’m up now. Let’s go see what Auntie wants then.” Stepping down onto the cold, wooden floors, Cold made his way through the hallway and down the stairs to the first floor of the house. His nose caught the enticing aroma of coffee wafting up as he descended down towards the kitchen. Casey followed close behind, hoof, never straying too far from his side. As he walked closer to the kitchen, he could feel the heat beginning to rise as the oven’s fire flared out from beneath the grille. Two slender antlers were visible over the rim of the counter-top as he passed through the doorway of the kitchen. “Finally up then,” came a motherly voice from somewhere in the back. “Yeah, well, when you send up the scourge of sweet dreams after me, what am I supposed to do? She pretty much licked me into submission, Aunt Sweet." Whrrrt. Casey looked up guiltily towards Hart, her muzzle pointing down towards the floor, her eyes looking up at Cold’s face with deep remorse. “Oh, come here you. I can’t ever stand to be mad at you for too long, girl," as he playfully ran his hoof down the back of her neck. “The coffees has been ready for a while now, creamers on the counter next to you,” Sweet said. Cold grabbed the coffee pot and poured it's contents into a small porcelain cup on the counter. As the coffee’s aroma wafted up to meet his nose, he felt slightly shiver of unease. Taking a sip, he recognized the bittersweet taste nipping at his tongue as a chill ran down hooves. “So then, what’s the oh-so-special reason I gotta wake up on a Saturday with no one in the shop?” he said in his unusually deep voice. “I know I gotta deliver the goods to the old buck but that’s not till, what, half-hour or so? What’s the deal Aunt Hart?” “That old buck, is letting you live here. You best remember that if you want to keep living here," as Sweet's deep purple eyes scrutinized him. "I won’t think twice to have your sorry flank thrown out.” “Come on, if you wanted me gone you would’ve thrown me outta here head over flank a long time ago." Cold threw his hooves up in a playful manner. “Besides, I’m the one who can make all of those deliveries on time. So is this as big a deal from what I’ve been hearing or is this regular manure from the press? So much from everydeer but you, you know so much more then you let on.” Resting a hoof on his chin, he watched as Sweet's demeanor abruptly shifted. Sweet Hart bit into her lower lip in frustration as she looked at her nephew. It would be better if Vanhi would tell him face to face. as she pawed at her light blue nose. Cold's eyes narrowed at Sweet, her usual nervous tick of touching her face sending off alarm bells in his head. Well then, time to do what I do best, as she dusted off flour from hoof. “Well, that all depends, what have you heard?” her usual chipper tone now replaced with a more serious one. “Nothing solid, only thing I’ve heard is that we’ve expanded the railroad,” shifting his cup slightly with hooves. “Thing is, it’s towards the south but nothing's down there but the Crystal Spire Mountains. Seems a little odd since since we’ve got no real reason to expand in that direction. No one we are in contact with has any settlements up there.” Taking another sip, Cold stared down at the dark brew. “Pretty sure it’s something important, why else would you make this coffee?” he replied. “Hmm?” What do you mean? I always make coffee in the morning, sweet hart,” as Sweet straightening out her apron. Of all the things Sweet Hart was, she wasn’t dumb, sometimes gullible, but never dumb. She had it all set up, probably before even this morning. Whatever she wanted, it had to be a big deal, probably one of those long distance deliveries. “Yeah, but this is my favorite blend and it’s a bit pricier than the regular market brand. You never make this blend on any regular day,” Cold retorted with a cynical grin. “Oh, why are you being so mean? Can’t an aunt do something nice for her nephew?” Her trademark smile was greeted by Cold’s deadpan stare as her only response. I wish you were younger, I could’ve gotten you to do anything with a few gingerbread cookies, as the older reindeer sighed in defeat. Sweet Hart looked up at her nephew now sporting a frown as he sat on his pillow slowly nursing his coffee. Maybe I should just tell him and let it be done with? she thought while she straightened out a few crinkles from her apron. “Auntie, you don’t need to butter me up. Just be more direct with me when you need me for a job for me, okay?” A small wave of embarrassment warmed up his cheeks, Guess I was a little over the top there with ya, auntie. “Yes well, from what I have heard Princess Celestia was planning on visiting our kingdom with some kind of proposal. What it was, or even what it’s about I don’t even know entirely. Due to recent events, the princess will be sending her own hoof picked emissaries in her steed. Beyond that I’m not too sure myself,” she finished in a nonchalant tone, as she scratched the underside of her antler. “But that’s all I’ve been hearing lately.” Cold Hart’s eyes nearly shot out of his skull, How could he not know about this? How did his aunt even get gossip like this? Questions flooded his mind, as Aunt Sweet Hart just stood there with a small grin on her face. “Alright, so what’s this got to do with me?” as he tried to not strain his voice. “Oh nothing, really sweetie just something I picked up on my casual stroll through town.” “Sure, like I haven’t heard that one before,” as an underlying suspicion scratched at the back of Cold's head. It was obvious Sweet was hinting at something bigger, she rarely bragged. No this is only the calm before the storm. “Well now, I think that’s enough chit-chat for now, you better be on your way. Don’t want to keep your uncle waiting do you?” as she walked behind the counter to grab a white, string tied package next to the stove. Cold stood up and walked out of the room, returning with a cloak in his mouth. “I’m sure you know how he gets when this isn’t delivered on time." Cold threw his purple and green cloak over his back, grasping the package in his hooves, he tethered the excess string into the stings of his cloak. “Oh and take Casey with you, that fluff ball needs to get some more exercise.” You’re not gonna tell me the whole story and that’s what scaring me. No 'Hey go do this' or 'Run this over the hills to the south'. Why are you deliberately dancing around the whole subject? I can't wait to find out, tightening the draw strings around his neck. I’m not the brightest lantern hanging up but I can smell deceit like a diamond dog in the midst of winter. Do you honestly not know or you just leading me on? “Well then I guess I’ll be taking off. Let me know when the other old buck gets back in,” Cold shouted out a parting shot as he walked out of the kitchen to the front door. “Bet he’s-“ Thwack! “Oww! Come on, was that really necessary?! Thwack! Thwack! “How many of those hoof shoes do you own?!?” Cold form darted out the door, Casey following not too far behind like a fuzzy bolt of lightning. Sweet Hart collapsed onto the counter top, letting out a held breath. That boy can be such hoof-full, my how the time just flies by a doe my age. “Finally got the lazy bum out did ya?” Sweet Hart turned around to see a grinning face in front of her eyes, his muzzle rubbing up against hers as the two met. She could smell the pinewood clinging to him as they rubbed noses. The coarse hair of his muzzle scratching against her carefully groomed muzzle. “Nice to see you too, Dark,” Sweet Hart said as they parted. You sly buck. “Finally got the boy up but I don’t think he’ll be ready for what comes next,” with a tone of hidden fear in her words. “Why would he lay this kind of responsibility on him, he’s not exactly,well…you know?” Dark looked at her, half-smiling. “Yes well we can’t blame his uncle’s decisions; he usually has a good idea of what he’s doing.” “Usually doesn’t mean all the time, Dark," while she shuffled over to the sink. Splashing water on her face, she could swear she could feel steam coming off her face. Why am I getting so worked up over this? “No deer is perfect, Sweets, so let’s let him do what he thinks is best,” Dark placed a hoof on her shoulder. “You need to put faith in him. This will be a good thing for him to experience,” reassuring his wife. “But what if he’s not ready?” “But what if he is? This will be his time to show everydeer what he’s worth. Beneath all that fur is somedeer worth knowing. Let him fall once in a while, he'll pick himself back up and learn. You keep doting on this you’re gonna be an old d-“ Thwack! Thwack! “I mean-“ Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! “Where do you keep all those hoof-shoes at doe? The cupboards?” Dark Hart said running from the kitchen from his enraged wife. Sweet Hart stared at the doorway til she heard the door upstairs close shut, letting out a huff as she sat back down on her pillow and closed the cupboard. “Not old, just very well aged,” she said to herself. -Jingle Road- “Well girl, I’m glad we got out of there when we did, I don’ know how but Aunt Sweet can chuck a shoe like Ernie Rudolph from the Buckland Dodgers.” As soon as he left the house, Cold felt the sting of the wind on his hide. Casey following close by his side as the pair trudged through the hoof deep snow. Arf. “Yeah, well, I’m hoping that I’ll get an answer out of the old buck, not like my aunt who just loves leading me on.” Woof. “I don’t know, probably just wants to say hi or something. Last time I saw him was 2 months ago and we haven’t talked since then.” Whrt? “Well then you tell me what he wants, I can’t read the future. Wait, unless you can?” Arf. “Yeah, I thought not. So then let’s just get there and find out.” On a normal day, the streets were filled with reindeer walking up and down the snow covered roads but an uncomfortable silence covered the district. It was the weekend and most stores tended to be closed or open later but as he pressed on, Cold felt as if everydeer had just decided to remain shut in. Snow was nothing new to the north, but only the worst blizzards halted reindeer from wandering outside of their dwellings. Even the few reindeer he crossed on the street just walked past without so much as nod in his direction. -Union Park- As Cold finally arrived at the park he noticed the fountain in the middle was still flowing, the water jetting up from the center spout. In the center were two sculptures both carved from pure gray stone. One was a reindeer, standing tall and proud, its face point upwards towards the sky. It wore a bell collar wrapped around its neck, each one of the bells were carved with such fine details, Cold was expecting them to chime as the wind blew around the statue. A fine cloak covered its back, with a tree emblazed in the center. Various leaves encircled around the tree in a wild fashion yet still still retained a noticeable pattern as he looked on. The second sculpture however was drastically different from the first.It was a pony, wearing foreign garbs and standing noticeably shorter than the reindeer. A small crooked, steepled hat covered its ears and some of its long mane. It wore a cloak as well but there were no distinguishable emblems or marks to be seen. It stood by the reindeer, perfectly in harmony at the center of a fountain. Odd this park was the place Uncle wanted to meet at. Especially after hearing that little tid-bit about Celestia from Aunt Sweet. The young reindeer's eyes rested on the pony sculpture. It muzzle was stretched into a grin just like the reindeer. The two looked nearly alive, ready to leap off of the foundation and onto the streets. “Now then where is." “Ahem…” came a raspy old voice. An elderly reindeer laid on the bench covered in a purple and green cloak with blue embroidery. A cold scowl hung on his grizzly face as he got up and began walking up the younger reindeer. Bending his neck down to look Cold in the eyes, the taller reindeer's face broke out into a smile. “Well, young buck, what took ya?” coughed the old reindeer. “Been waiting for a while now, and I gotta get that package without you-know-who finding out,” making hoof quotes in the air. “I’ll never hear the end of it.” “Don’t worry, no one will say anything. Isn’t that the reason you come down to these parts, to get away from all of that?” as he cast his eyes up to the upper district. “True, but do I need an excuse to see my wonderful, little nephew,” sweeping up Hart into a caring embrace. Standing four hooves taller than Cold, Vahni still held his vigor from his spring years. Ugh. Good old Uncle Vanhi. Cold smiled as he let the elderly reindeer hold him, the scent of paper and old spices clinging to his graying coat like always. “Well I heard you wanted something delivered, good to know that I didn’t need to make the usual trek.” Cold put the box on the ground and untied the strings. Casey immediately started to sniff and paw at the box, eagerly trying to get whatever it was inside. “Easy girl, you can’t have any of this.” Casey sat lying on the cold stone, her eyes looking up pleadingly towards Hart. This trick usually worked on her master, but not today. “Sorry girl, not today but maybe I’ll pick something up on the way home for ya.” Opening the box, Hart pulled out several gingerbread cookies, their toothsome scent was carried off into the air, teasing the two reindeer’s noses. The entire box began to bend at the sides as its lid popped open. Each one was smothered with frosting and obviously baked with more cinnamon than necessary. The mere sight of them already made Vanhi's mouth water. “So,” *munch* “I’m pretty sure,” *munch* “that Sweet Hart,-“ “Uncle, how bout you finish up eating, then we can talk?” interrupted Cold. The two reindeer sat on the bench, eating away at the sweets. Casey sat in-front of them with her rump on the ground, looking up at the two with pleading eyes, small whimpers eliciting from her lips. As the last of cookies were finished Cold looked up at Vanhi. “So, now that that’s out of the way, was their anything you needed to tell me?” Might as well get this over with and stop sniffing for answers. “Yes, now then I’m sure you already heard something from your aunt,” started Vanhi, making Cold smile sheepishly. “Certain circumstances have arisen, nothing that affects us as of right now but it could grow into a real problem if we don’t do something about it. Now then, do you know anything about the current standing between us and Equestria, the domain of Princess Celestia? How far her rule extends and how much influence she holds over the southern lands?” “Ermm…” A blank slate was the only thing that Cold could muster, trying to route around in his head for any information on Equestria. “Take your time, this isn’t a test or anything. Rack that brain of yours, young buck, I’m sure you have an inkling of an idea.” Politics, what did I do to deserve this? “Well, I know that we move everything we export out from Buckland to our neighboring countries. From there, those countries will move out supplies by train, ship or even some by airship. However, since we own most of the railway the northern countries, we’re one of the biggest trade hubs since our trains are the most commonly used.” “Right so far, we are one of leading importers and exporters,” nodding his head like a school teacher. “Our hooves touch nearly everything that is shipped in the entire North,” emphasizing the last word of his statement. “Gonna go out on a limb, we do everything with the north but we hardly have anything to do with the south?” “And why is that?” Vanhi pressed Cold on his shoulder with a hoof. “We’re not on the best of terms?” “Sorry, close but no dice,” Vanhi said with a cheesy smirk. “Want another go?” “I’m drawing a blank here," thumping the side of his. He could feel the information but for some reason his mind couldn't focus. "We’re literally right next to each other and yet we don’t engage one another at all? I’m pretty sure that we would have covered this subject in school. It’d be at least common knowledge for spirit's sake." “Cold your over thinking it now, the truth is so much simpler than that." Alright, he’s not going to just give me the answer. I’m going to have to really think about this. Maybe there's an alternative method? Equestria is to the south but they can’t use ships to reach us obviously since we’re nowhere close to bodies large enough to use them. No airships can get over the mountain tops on our southern borders due to the extreme altitude and winds. We have the means to access anyone using our railways except those who use a separate company. So maybe it’s not they we don’t trade directly with them because of our railway maybe it’s… “We’re not connected at all?” Cold could tell the volume of his voice was becoming lower, betraying his feeling of uncertainty. “You’re so close you could reach out and touch it with your hooves Cold,” laughed the elderly reindeer. “We’re connected but only recently, you have the problem figured out but there is one more piece to this puzzle you’re over-looking.” So I’m only half-right but what could the other half be then? Uncle said that the rails were only recently connected. So we can trade with them, so why don’t we already? Cold Hart racked his brain for some kind of reason. What had he heard recently about Equestria? A dim memory began to surface in his mind. Yes well, from what I have heard Princess Celestia was planning on visiting our kingdom with some kind of proposal. Right, Aunt Hart said that Princess Celestia was going to visit our country with some kind of proposal. She’s sending emissaries in her place to this so then what does she want to propose to us? If we’re connected physically, we can trade but we wouldn’t be able on legal terms if we haven’t already haven’t… “We don’t have an established system set-up to move goods between our neighboring nations.” The sound of a small clap from Vanhi was his response. The lines in Vanhi’s face began to stretch as his smile grew wider. “I knew you would figure out, smart little buck,” getting up to stretch his legs. Small pops escaped as he bent his knees. “Princess Celestia of Equestria, has graciously decided to welcome us into her kingdom’s expanding market. We’re already drafted several contracts with the Crystal Empire already.” Cold sat back on the bench, soaking in his uncle’s words. Getting to his hooves, he picked up the box and threw it in a trash bin. Walking back, Casey was laying on her back as Vanhi playfully rubbed her belly. “So we’re already contracted with Equestria?” “Yes and no nephew,” Vanhi replied as he continued to rub Casey’s belly. “It’s one or the other uncle,” Cold's voice was rife with restrained annoyance. “Can anyone answer with an actual response?” After having to figure out the whole situation, his head felt like a solid lead weight, the continuous mind games were starting to take their toll on him. Vanhi looked up with smug smile on his muzzle. “Maybe you should be asking the right questions first?” “Okay, how about why aren’t we connected to Equestria still?” “See, was that so hard?” teased Vanhi. “For months, the nation of Buckland has been working to connect with the Crystal Empire. Rebuilding the old railways was taxing but now we can run through the mountains. It’s taken a serious effort but the fruits of our labor finally bloomed. The railways were finished two months ago.” “Hold on a second, months ago? Why haven’t I heard about this, or better yet why hasn’t it been printed?” inquired the young reindeer. “Well news about this isn’t that wide spread. It wasn’t announced publicly because no one can legally enter Equestria. Not yet at least," as he stroked his white beard. “The ministries have been working overtime stopping anydeer from border hopping to the south. We've had to uproot several attempts of illicit activities. Don’t want to start off on the wrong hoof with illegal trafficking, do we now?” “So it’s pretty much anydeer who’s anydeer know this stuff then,” Cold said with steel in voice. “Typical. Wait, what about the growing relations with the Crystal Empire?” “Well first, the trade ministry sat down and discussed long term plans with the Crystal Empress. Laying most of the ground work was simple enough. I won't bore you with the minor details but it was a phenomenal success from what I read. Every deer and pony was in agreement. Notaries from both sides checked and confirmed the hoof stamps after the ink dried on set-up business proposals. That's when we hit a snag in the trail.” “Snag? From what you’re saying it sounds like some deer or pony didn’t have any complaints,” Cold interjected. “Let me finish. Before the Crystal Empress would affix her royal seal on any paperwork, an unexpected party decided to show up.” “Who?” “Princess Celestia of Equestria,” a defeated sigh escaped his cracking, old lips. “She sent an urgent message to freeze all further proceedings immediately. Apparently when the Crystal Empress took the thrown, its territory came under the sovereignty of Celestia.” “So before the Crystal Empress can sign anything, Celestia has to review it first?” Cold pondered the thought, Well she's in charge of the country but shouldn't we start off this whole thing slow with just the Crystal Empire? “In a sense, yes. She has to go over with her advisers before she will sanction any future contracts." Vanhi pulled on the hairs of his long beard, twilring them in his hooves as Casey laid at his side. “Wait, how did she know about the deals in the first place?” tilting his head with a bemused expression. “Princess Celestia, Ruler of Equestria. Know what that means?" Vanhi could swear that if his nephew clenched his jaw any harder his teeth would shatter. "It’s her business to know what’s going on in her country.” “So then, what’s going to happen now?" “Well now, I’m glad you asked,” putting a hoof on Cold’s cloak covered shoulder. “The ministry is selecting anydeer brave enough to represent us and escort the emissaries to our borders. The majority ruled that a neutral party, one outside of it all, would be best to go. Tomorrow will be the last day and we need somedeer found now." “Translation: one deer couldn’t stand to see the other get the upper hoof over the other,” rolling his eyes. “Crude but an accurate way to look at this current development.” Are you always going to be a pessimist, nephew? “So then, who’s getting the oh-so special privilege of playing royal baby-sitter?” Cold felt a painful squeeze from Vanhi, a small sign to let him know he was getting a tad too mouthy. “Well that’s what the reason I called to meet with you. You see, not just anydeer will be able to complete this role but I think I have one in mind that the ministry wouldn’t oppose outright.” “Huh?” “Anydeer can petition but they must be approved unanimously by each minister of their respective branch. Think of it as a political screening, no subterfuge,” displaying a painful grin. “Sure. I wonder who came up with that idea,” Cold interjected sarcastically, raising his eyebrows. “Well, it doesn’t seem they’ll come to a conclusion anytime soon. If things don’t move along soon, the deals we’ve already set-up with the Crystal Empire will become stagnant," rubbing a hoof across his bony chest. “If we wait too long to establish any kinds of relations, it’ll make us look like we can’t keep up our side of the bargain." “Wait, you just said that Celestia herself put a hold on all deals." “Correct, but we need to solve that problem immediately. We need to honor our current contracts," the old reindeer reached into the hem of his cloak to pull out a small pocket watch. Flicking it open, a small look of surprise flickered over his face before he put it back in back in the cloak pocket. "Hesitation will look like weakness. We need to show the other side we’re capable of being flexible, to work out this problem.” “So, that's what this whole thing was about?" incredulity clearly painted onto his face. Cold's hair seemed to stand on end as he felt something coming, a flurry of fear as he felt Vanhi was about to drop a mountain of snow on him. "So what is it that you drag me all the way down here? To talk about the rich and their problems?” Alright, time to play my hoof. “Nephew, I want you to petition for this position.” No “I’m fully assured that you are capable of handling this. You're a reindeer that won’t pursue their own agenda I know you're one to be trusted with this task," his voice thrumming with energy. Nay-Nay “Besides, I’ve already drafted up the papers for ya.” Silence. It seemed that time stood still, even the snow seemed to hang in place in the wind. Vanhi felt his hooves quiver. Cold remained still, face forward at his uncle. Completely frozen in place until destroying the tranquility with one word. “WHAT?!?”