Many ponies in the past know that when a warrior sets his mind to something, nothing shall deter him or her from achieving what they are setting out to do. This can come in a variety of ways, but in the case of a certain time displaced pony, it came in a strict regime. A week ago Baen had met the one known as Kriger Kongen and was soundly defeated by the opponent. Since then, the young barbarian had been training non-stop. Normally the friends and ponies that knew him wouldn’t be worried…except there was one issue.
“A WEEK!?!”
Applejack nodded as the girls plus Vinyl and Cheerilee watched Baen hack relentlessly at a dead tree, “He’s been comin here every morning. Barely eats or sleeps, he just trains and exerts himself.”
Rarity tutted as she shook her head, “The dear will work himself into the ground.”
Vinyl nodded in agreement, “I gotta say, even around the house he’s tense. Whoever this Kongen guy is, he’s got Baen wired.”
Baen took a hearty swing at the tree and took a good chunk from the tree trunk. Panting he collapsed on the ground and stared wordlessly at the trunk, sweat dripping from his mane and face. Rolling onto his back he could only stare at the sky and sigh in both tiredness and agitation at the feeling of non-accomplishment. The mares looking at each other decided on their next course of action. Trotting over to Baen, they all laid on their back in a circle and gazed up at the clear afternoon sky. The warmth of the sun and coolness of the shade was the perfect mixture. The crisp air was like heaven as they all breathed collectively.
Baen blinked, “I’m going to fight him today.”
Twilight looked at Baen whose head was adjacent to hers with worry, “I don’t think that would be a wise course of action Baen. I understand you might feel slightly wounded, pride wise. But think this through, you’re in no condition to fight right now and should just take it easy.”
Rainbow nodded as she placed her front legs behind her head, “Yeah, take it from me,” she shut her eyes in relaxation, “straining yourself is a big problem. One day you could be at the top of your game then boom, you fall flat on your face.”
Baen remained stoic but rolled his eyes, “Thank you for your infinite wisdom.”
Applejack sighed, “There’s that attitude of yers again.”
Vinyl sighed in bliss as she went limp, “Man this is good, just chilling on a nice day with friends. What you think so to Cheers?”
Cheerilee followed suit, “I agree, this is a nice change of pace.”
Baen glanced at Twilight, “Then what do you purpose I do, hm?”
Twilight smiled, “Well, as it just so happens, I received an invitation from the princesses for a dinner tomorrow evening. We’ve all been invited as well as a plus one.”
Rarity sprung up on all fours, “A DINNER INVITATION!? WHEN!”
Twilight pulled her head back slightly since Rarity was almost nose to nose with her, “Um…I got it this morning?”
Rarity was pacing frantically, “Oh this won’t do. I’ll have to lay out an evening wardrobe, think of conversation topics,” she hopped in place nervously, “do you think they’ll want to talk about begonias? Oh I don’t even know!”
Baen stood up and wobbled slightly, “Well that’s just grand I suppose.”
Twilight and the rest of the mares stood, “So Baen, would you care to accompany us?”
Baen mulled it over for an instant, “Well….I suppose. I could use a day off, plus I’m not one to turn down free food.”
Rarity nodded, “Alright then, Baen,” the barbarian glanced at the mare, “Report to my boutique tomorrow afternoon and I’ll fit you for a suit.”
Baen was about to say something, but Rarity was already a dot on the horizon.
Applejack approached him, “Just a word to the wise, you better do what she says.”
Rainbow nodded, “Yeah, if you don’t. She will look for you, she will find you.”
Twilight finished for them, “And she will clothe you.”
A chill ran up the barbarian’s spine.
*
The next afternoon, Baen was standing outside of Rarity’s shop. Though it was just for a suit fitting, he didn’t know why he felt a sense of dread hang over him. Shrugging, he pushed the door open and walked inside to behold the mare in question. She was facing away from him and well…he stared. It was only common for a stallion such as he, though Rarity at times could be annoying, she was like Tieg himself made her in the image of beauty. Her mane and tail, her pristine coat, those shining eyes those…legs and flank.
Baen nodded and muttered, “Baby birthing…..”
Rarity glanced behind her and smiled, “Oh Baen I didn’t hear you come in,” she titled her head slightly when she noticed his face was slightly red, “Is something wrong?”
Baen shook his head, “No I was just thinking.”
Rarity smiled and trotted over to her work station, “Don’t do that to hard darling, your brain might overheat.”
Baen deadpanned as Rarity waved a hoof, “I’m just teasing dear. Now, come over to the platform so I can take your measurements for your suit.”
Baen stopped on the platform, “Um…how are we to do that?”
“Simple,” she checked from some measuring tap, “All you must do is remove your armor and I’ll get the accurate numbers-“
“I’d rather not.”
Rarity gazed at the now slightly nervous stallion, “Pardon?”
Baen shook his head, “Can’t you just…measure me with my armor on?”
“Heavens no,” Rarity shook her head, “The proportions would be incorrect and it would look dreadful.”
“The armor stays on,” Baen stated flatly.
Rarity sighed, “I was afraid of this. Can’t say I didn’t try,” she perked up, “luckily I anticipated this. Due to your bashfulness last time when you were unarmoured, I thought that one day an event or something similar as this would come up,” she then wheeled out a draped ponyquin, “so I took the initiative and measured your armor when I fixed it for you.”
Baen blinked, “Wait…you were the one who fixed it? Twilight said she was going to take it to an expert.”
Rarity checked her hoof, “Well I have made some attire for some of the Canterlot guards, so I picked up a few things in terms of metal craft.”
Rarity then levitated the sheet from the ponyquin and Baen’s jaw dropped. The armor on the artificial model was a dark crimson in color and much more smooth and elegant looking compared to his current suit. Engraved on the trim of the shoulder plates were intricate lines that interlocked seamlessly. Unlike his current suit, underneath the armor was chainmail that would cover his body but not the neck. The mail was a much darker red and complemented the color perfectly.
Rarity smiled, “I got the inspiration from your jewel and mane. It will compliment both quite nicely.”
Baen could only gaze at the shining surface, “This is mine?”
She nodded with a happy hum.
“Rarity,” Baen for once was speechless, “I…I don’t know what to say.”
Rarity raised her hoof, “There’s no need to say anymore, it’s no trouble.”
Baen gave a small smile as he ran a hoof along the suit of formal armor.
Rarity clicked her tongue, “So now I must ask. Whom among us are you going to escort to the dinner?”
Baen stopped, “What?”
Rarity trotted to him, “Well think about it darling, a stallion among six mares of which he’s escorting neither of them? Ponies might get the wrong idea about you.”
Baen raised an eyebrow, “Really now?”
“Of course,” she approached him, “one must always have a decent appearance to royalty and upper-class. You’d best get to asking the girls then because let us be realistic,” she pointed to the roof with her hoof, “a mare isn’t just going to drop out of the sky for you to escort.”
Immedialty a massive bang was heard followed by a crash as a shape smashed through Rarity’s roof.
Rarity glanced at her hoof and spoke in a dramatic tone, “I must use this power for GOOD!”
The smoke settled as Rainbow Dash coughed out some grit, “Wow.”
The mare stuck her head out the door, “TOO MUCH OOMPH PINKS! Dial it back a tad next time!”
“ROGER THAT DASHIE!”
Rarity regained her senses and looked to her friend, “Rainbow! What in Celestia’s spectral mane were you doing!?”
Rainbow shrugged, “I was trying a cannon propelled take off. But…I kinda overshot the landing zone.”
Baen glanced at the hole, “Clearly.”
Rainbow chuckled nervously as Rarity’s face started to redden and steam started to burst forth from her nostrils. Baen taking notice of this grabbed both Dash and the armor.
“Well Rarity I see you are clearly busy,” he quickly spouted, “I’ll see you tonight.”
After getting clear of the blast zone, Baen quickly turned to Dash, “Do you wish to accompany me to the dinner.”
Dash thought for a second, “I don’t know. Are you awesome enough to handle me?”
Baen pointed to the broken statue that had been replaced in the town square.
Rainbow nodded as magical fire started to billow forth from the clothes shop, “Fair point. Sure why not. But no mushy stuff, no touching, and NO kissing got it?”
Baen nodded quickly, “Noted.”
Both ponies then surged away from the clothing shop as a massive scream of rage and fury erupted forth.
*
That following night Baen, after paying a visit to the local and quite attractive spa ponies was ready for the evening. He decided on the spa ponies at Twilight’s suggestion. His once wild mane was much more tame and manageable looking. That coupled with his armor made him look like a warrior of the upper-class and from a kingdom that has the highest esteem. Currently Baen was sitting in the train with the girls, whom after Rarity restored their old gala dresses and made some minor adjustments, were ideally chatting. The dresses had been modified to be more like night dresses, the kind one would have for a fancy restaurant. Baen raised an eyebrow when he noticed two ponies waiting for them at the Canterlot train station. Princess Cadance and Shining smiled at their approach and waited patiently.
Upon disembarking, Twilight approached Cadance and did a very odd greeting. Baen hoof bumped Shining who took note of his armor.
“Hm,” Shining nodded, “So that’s what you’d look like in uniform.”
Baen smirked, “That’s right, be jealous of me.”
Shining smirked back, “Please, you know full well you can’t compete with me,” he mock whipped his mane.
Cadance hip bumped her husband, “Come on Shiny stop messing around we’ll be late.”
Baen nodded at Cadance, “Princess.”
Cadance returned the nod with one of her own and a small smile.
As the group approached, Rainbow stuck close to Baen to keep up appearances. However when they reached the main doors, they all froze. Waiting for them was a white unicorn stallion who was ideally checking his pocket watch.
Shining groaned, “Why is he here?”
Cadance placed a hoof on Shining, “It’s a family and friends dinner honey. Whether you like it or not he’s family.”
“I still think he’s adopted,” whispered Shining.
Blueblood turned his head and noted the arrivals, “Oh good you’re here. I was beginning to think that you wouldn’t show up cousin in law.”
Shining looked to the side, “If I knew you were here,” Cadance nudged him, “I mean yeah, we were waiting for my sister and her friends to arrive.”
Twilight stared evenly at her unfortunate family relation before her, Blueblood did the same. The stallion then noticed Baen among them and raised an eyebrow.
“And just who,” he pointed, “is that?”
Twilight smiled, “Oh, this is Baen. An…acquaintance of mine.”
Blueblood looked down his nose at Baen, “Ah yes, the barbarian pet project. I thought you were a rumour.”
Baen narrowed his eyes and growled.
Blueblood smirked, “Heh, well he even sounds like what he appears to be.”
Rainbow raised an eyebrow, “And what’s that?”
Blueblood turned and started walking away, “A mongrel all dressed up.”
Baen reached for his axe and stepped forward after Blueblood only for everypony to restrain him.
After having his weapon confiscated from him, Baen and the others were escorted into the dining hall. Princess Luna, Celestia and Blueblood awaited them. Taking their seats, introductions were had and soon the meal commenced. As it reached its close and desert would be served, the small talk began. Some were questions; others were on past or current events. But soon a question was directed at Baen.
Princess Celestia raised her hoof to get his attention, “Baen if you don’t mind my curiosity, I’ve been meaning to ask. Where’s your cutiemark?”
Baen froze.
All eyes were on him.
“Well,” he began, “from what I’ve heard in this age, cutie marks seem to work differently than they did in my time.”
Luna leaned forward, “Do tell.”
Baen shrugged, “Perhaps the magic of the world changed with times, but a cutiemark in my period would only appear on a pony whenever they would accomplish something…,” he looked to the side, “great. The mark, like the ones I’ve seen, are vague yet describe one perfectly.”
Cadance nodded in understanding, “So what you’re saying is….oh. I’m sorry.”
The ponies looked at the now slightly crestfallen stallion who slumped in his seat.
Some laughter across the table caused everypony to turn their attention to Blueblood.
“How unfortunate, the warrior of supposed great skill and bravery,” he couldn’t contain himself, “doesn’t even have a cutie mark! That must mean several things!”
Baen didn’t pay him any heed as Blueblood got dirty looks but continued his tirade of insults, “He’s either incompetent, a simpleton, or a mere braggart who can’t follow through with his claims.”
Baen glanced up at Blueblood who looked quite full of himself, “Wait…are you insulting me?”
Blueblood rolled his eyes with a snort of agitation, “Yes!”
Baen nodded for a few moments, “Ooooh.”
*
A resounding crash was heard as the dining hall doors were burst open and a unicorn stallion was sent hurling through them and down each step of the stairs outside of them.
Baen glanced down the stairs as everypony just gawked at him.
Baen clapped his hooves together, “Well that was fun, what’s for desert!”