//------------------------------// // Chapter 6: Shipping out // Story: Equestria Divided: Faceless Legion // by ArthurGabriel //------------------------------// The next day, Arthur went to get fitted for a uniform. Lucky his size was pretty average. He was fitted out with leather chaps and duds. The outfit had been recycled and reused time and time again. He could even feel the different textures of each fabric. Arthur was finally fitted for a saddle bag. Once fitted, he struggled keeping balance. "I'm sure you'll figure it out by then," the seamstress said. She handed him a receipt and sent him on his merry way. Arthur quietly walked out, he caught some of the wandering eyes staring at them. They lightly smiled back and even saluted him. He lightly chuckled and saluted back. He even saw some foal playing nearby, they stopped and saluted to him, once again, Arthur replied to them. Arthur slowly made his way back to the house. Some ponies actually started treating him differently. When he went home to fetch his daughter, they didn't say a thing. There wasn't any real sense of danger or being threatened. They were as the council said, untouchable. Arthur tried spending most of the time he had with his daughter. He knew she wouldn't understand why he was leaving. He just hoped that she was there when he returned. Morning came. He quickly got dressed and tried waking Tin up. "Hey. We need to get going," Arthur nudged Tin. "What are you talking about?" "We gotta leave for the train." Tin looked at the clock. "That's in the evening. Not in the morning ya foal head. Now go back to sleep. Were gonna need it." Arthur, felt a bit dumb afterwords. He quietly trotted back downstairs, undressed and crawled back into bed. He quickly fell asleep. Aurora felt a bit saddened, and crawled into bed with him. Tin was already up and about with Ebony. Arthur had slept a bit in, passed breakfast time. Ebony went to check on them. She happily sighed at the sight. She grabbed a camera and took a few photos, knowing that it was gonna help him out. Arthur slowly woke up at his daughters rustling. He lightly chuckled at seeing her messy mane. She eagerly galloped to the kitchen, eager as ever to start breakfast. Arthur was still trying to wake up, slipping on his uniform. "You know you don't have to wear that thing, right?" Tin suggested as he got himself some coffee. "I know," Arthur said, "but I like it." Tin merely rolled his eyes, "your remind me of my days in basic." "Your not that old, are you?" "I'd, like to think so," Tin lightly chuckled as he showed a few grey hairs in his mane. Aurora told Arthur what she wanted to do today. She wanted to go to the park, see the small show, and various other activities. Arthur chuckled lightly and calmed her down. He assured her that they were going out today, but they couldn't do it all. She seemed, rather gloomy. Arthur lightly kissed her and promised her, that they would do everything together. "Can we do everything else tomorrow daddy?" Aurora asked her dad. Arthur, seemed a bit nervous, "well…daddy, found a job." "Can we go after work dad?" "Its…not that kind of work," Arthur was having a hard time explaining the situation to Aurora. Ebony stepped in, "your daddy's going out to protect you." Arthur looked at her and Ebony nodded. "Yeah…he's, going out with Tin to make the world a better place for you." Aurora, appeared to not, completely understand it. Arthur continued her statement, "daddy's gonna make the world a better place for you, and your little friends to play in…alright?" Aurora got the hint and smiled. Arthur wanted to curse Ebony outright for lying to her, but, it was the lesser of two evils. He didn't know what was gonna happen to her, but Aurora was happy and gonna have a new life in New Ponyville. The sun was setting, and both Arthur and his daughter returned to the Castel residence. Aurora had her face painted and Arthur was carrying a stuffie she won at the small fair today. She was, exhausted. She was dozing off at the dinner table even before dinner was even started. Arthur chuckled lightly and took her off to bed. He sighed happily seeing her sound asleep, but was worried when morning came. He lightly kissed her and covered her up. Ebony could see a rather disappointed look on his face. She quietly called him over. "Here, take these." She handed him a stuffed envelope. Arthur was a bit confused, "trust me. It'll help." Arthur slowly opened it and looked at them, "they're photos of you and Aurora. It helped Tin during his rough time in basic. I figure you could use them as well." Arthur, couldn't express himself. He was on the verge of tears and hugged her tightly. He muttered, "than...thank you, Ebony. I...I don't know, what I would've done without you or your husband. " "He's a good colt," Ebony continued as she refilled his drink, " he's a good friend to. As long as you look out for his back, we'll look out for yours too, alright." Arthur wiped the tears away as he got himself ready for his last home cooked meal. Arthur finished his meal and some pony knocked on the door. Ebony answered it and it was Tin, "time to ship off" he said. Arthur, wasn't excited for all this. It was happening ever so fast, one minute he was gonna be laughing mare cannon fodder, the next, a complete stranger took him in and gave both him and his daughter food and board. Arthur grabbed his hat and looked at the back room one last time, hearing the light snores from Aurora. Ebony hid the photo's in his saddle bag, "no pony will find them. Trust me...and don't worry, she's in good hoofs." She helped him and waved them off. Tin continued his way to the train station. Arthur, was lagging behind a bit. He hid his face from those at night, and cried. Tears rolled down his face. His hoofs dragged on the cobblestone. Tin urged him to hurry up. As he was about to turn and yell, he stopped and could tell Arthur was stressed out. "Its alright mate...she's in good hands. Don't worry though, my wife wouldn't even let the council touch her till her last breath..." Arthur was still silent, "you still have the photo's right?" Arthur lightly nodded. Tin smiled and tried cheering him up, "then don't worry. You still have a face of hers to see. Even those happy faces she makes. She has a large smile, like you." Arthur, lightly chuckled. "There now. That's the Arthur I got to know. Now let's hustle, we wouldn't wanna miss our ride now do we?" Arthur smiled and wiped the tears away, "yeah...I'd like to make at least one good impression." Tin lightly nudged him. Arthur and Tin then went from a light trot into a gallop, racing each other to the train station.