My Little Fortress: Dawnpick

by Paaaad

34: Flux's Crucible and Stiletto's Beginings.

Late at night, a figure can occasionally be seen sneaking into the main stockpile. Most ponies would be asleep, but any near the pile close to midnight would hear gentle music, perhaps from a small woodwind instrument. The source is never revealed, the music quickly ceasing if anypony gets too close. Some few rumors may try to explain the music, but none seem to really satisfy the conditions surrounding the music.

Flux carefully lowers the piccolo crafted from the strange mood and replaces it in it's box. Once it's put away, He smiles a small smile and whisper to himself.
"Almost ready..."

---

Close to a week later, Flux is finally healed enough to return to his duties of smelting. He hums a little tune as he smelts, getting back into the groove of efficiency after his time off.

A figure ambles slowly towards the smelter, moving unusually cautiously. Falcata doesn't know much about the timid orange pony, but he'd been cowering under Stiletto's wing the last time she'd tried to talk to him, so she figures she'll try to look as un-threatening as possible. Not something she was usually inclined to do; most of the time she finds better use in making threatening faces at things that want to kill her, but she tries her best. With that in mind, she coughs gently as she stands behind the hardworking rust-coloured stallion, hoping to gently attract his attention. Falcata hopes fervently that she's not about to cause a smelter explosion as she opens her mouth:
"Uh, excuse me, Flux? Do you have a moment?"

He jumps a bit as Falcata speaks, but her soft tone keeps him from doing much more than that. Flux turns to give her a shy smile and talk with her.
"Um, Falcata, right? Um, sure. I have, uh, time to talk. What did you need?"

In answer, she raps a forehoof sharply against her armour, along the point where the monster from the caverns below had slightly buckled the metal. While subsequently repaired, there was still a noticeable indentation.
"I wanted to thank you. For the armour."
Anticipating his reaction, which he'd no doubt had to say countless times, she pre-empts him. "And I know you don't actually hammer it into shape, but that couldn't even happen without your skill at refining metal. I'll be sure to thank Corkscrew as well, don't you worry. I know you wouldn't want to take all the credit."

He smiles a bit more genuinely as she finishes, glad she understands he don't deserve all the credit.
"Um, you're welcome, Falcata. I... I never expected anypony to thank me for the metal, but you and Glaive both have. It, uh, means a lot to me, to know I might have helped. Thank you for risking everything to defend Dawnpick."

"Do not forget how good of a job your traps do helping us with that Flux."
Stiletto came from around the far side of the smelter pulling a bin of iron ore.

"Glaive thanked you as well, did he? Why am I not surprised; I bet your armour and its, ah, usefulness to, um, me in particular means even more to him than, ah, myself." Falcata's gaze goes a little vacant for a moment before she catches herself on.
"Um, so, anyway, what exactly do you do here? Or rather, how? The stuff that miners bash out of solid rock doesn't look much like gleaming metal to me. How d'you make it all...metallic?"
Falcata drifts closer to the furnace, shying away slightly from the intense heat. That pony was made of tougher stuff than he looked, evidently, if he could stick it down here for hours on end.
Suddenly Stiletto glides into view, startling her slightly. For somepony of such great stature, she could fairly move quietly when she wanted to. Still, she remembers her manners and greets her fellow warrior.
"Hello, Stiletto. Keeping your coltfriend busy during your time off, I see," she teases gently.

Flux blushs a bit at Falcata's teasing, but trys to answer her question about smelting anyway.
"Well, the short answer is a lot of heat and scooping out the slag. The marble helps to make the rust in the ore useable. It's... not that complicated, but you do need to make sure to keep the temperature right for whatever you're trying to smelt."

"I still don't know what that word means. Flux is meine freundlichsten Liebe, but yes I have been all over him since the incident in the caves."
Stiletto stick out her tongue and winks
"It is so vulgar but, I am already a warrior pony."

"Uh, I think "coltfriend" is just Midpony for "friend-liching Leeb", or something. You'd have to ask somepony more qualified." Falcata skirts the obvious "but why do you have -two- coltfriends" question, instead trying to process Flux's reply.
"Right, uh, I understood about half of that. Mostly the heat bit; how can you stand it? It's absolutely boiling near this thing, and I've only been here five minutes!"

He looks at her for a moment, confused, then realize what she means.
"Oh, the heat! I guess I'm just used to it is all. I started learning when I was young, so the heat doesn't even register anymore, I guess."

"Hm." Falcata casts an eye over the russet pony, remarking at how extraordinarily unruffled he looked. The heat truly seems not to faze him at all, in contrast to her own discomfort with it. She retreats a bit from the ferocious blaze, flapping her wings in an attempt to stimulate some airflow. "That's some acclimatisation you have there, Flux; how long exactly have you been melting rocks to get that kind of stamina for it?"

Flux smiles and point at the crucible on his flanks.
"Heh, for a long time, Falcata. I, um, left my family's business to learn at a young age."

"Smelting doesn't run in the family? So what made you want to forge metal all your life? I mean, uh, not a lot of young colts or fillies dream of being metalmakers when they grow up. Warriors, sure, but not furnace operators. I know I didn't."

Flux looks wistful before returning his focus to Falcata and Stiletto, and the present. He resumes working as he tells his tale.
"Um, no, it doesn't. My family are all entertainers. They travel around, telling tales, singing songs, putting on plays and generally making ponies happy. Um, I... don't handle crowds too well, so I never really performed. I learned to sing and play some instruments, but... anyway, one day I wandered away from the troupe during a performance and found my way to the local foundry. Something about the forgework just... captivated me. Seeing ore come in and shining ingots go out, it just... felt like something I could do.
"Eventually, one of the forgeworkers noticed me, and asked me what I was doing there. I asked if he could teach me, and he said he'd have to ask my parents. They were surprised, but supportive of my choice. I stayed there to learn, and my family visited me at Inkheart as often as they could. I, um, have a lyre they made for me from the first bronze ingot I ever made."
Satisfied that the iron is pure now, he places a few pig iron ingots into the crucible to start making steel.
"That's... when I got my mark, actually. When they gave me that lyre, I mean. I... I was thinking about how I had seen this lyre when it was still two different ores, and I had... had made them better, together. And then my family turned it into a beautiful instrument. It... It meant a lot to me..."

Falcata's eyes widen at the tale. "Well, uh, wow. That's quite the story. Do you play the lyre, then, or just keep it as a reminder of how you found your calling? I know that I -" She breaks off abruptly before finishing lamely: " - that I, uh, would have kept my d- lyre, if I, ah, had one. I don't, though. Um." The pegasus trails off awkwardly, not meeting anypony's gaze.
"Yeah. Uh, I should go. I'm meant to be on duty, anyway, and I'm sure you two can keep each other occupied. It was a pleasure meeting you, Flux. And yourself as always, Stiletto. All the best, now." She forces a smile before turning to leave.
The diminutive cream pegasus hurries away, a pensive expression on her face, her armour clinking in the breeze.

"Oh my, she was quite nervous." *Stilettos' eyes light up* "Do you think maybe she was... interested, yes, that is the word... in you Flux?"

Flux watchs Falcata as she hurriedly leaves, concerned that he may have said something he shouldn't have.
'Maybe she'd like to borrow my lyre?'
"Maybe, it sure looks like she could use another friend."

"I think maybe she wants you as wenig Liebe. I told you your skill would impress others."
Stiletto smiles and nuzzles Fluxs' mane.

'Something Love? Wait, Love?!'
"Wait, what?!"

Glyph walks into the forge, looking to visit Flux. He manages to walk up just in time to hear him shout. "Flux? What what? Is something up?"

Stiletto looked up at Glyph and smiled
"Hello mein kleiner Lehrling. I was just telling Flux here that I think Falcata was interested in being his wenig Liebe, but I think he miss heard me."

"Those words again... umm... little... something and something love? Wait... you think Falcata would want to be his love?"

"This is much like how I feel ponies say Coltfriend or other Coltfriend. the closest midpony words are 'my little apprentice' and 'little young small love'... they are oaths of love and relationship."

"Apprentance? So... I'm just a student to you?" Anger begins to creep into Glyph's mind, and voice. 'Student? I can keep up with her fine! I... I... I thought she...'

"Um, apprentices are not just students, Glyph. I had to apprentice to learn smelting. It's... like a close friendship, and the master passes on their unique knowledge of the subject being learned."

"Wait, what did I say? Just... no, your words are so, gah! I'm going to get my book! I will back in a little bit."
Stiletto trots off the her apartment grumbling about this impolite inaccurate language she had to learn

Glyph snort a bit, scuffing the ground with his hoof, mumbling to himself. "Student... friend... buck that... there has to be something..."

"Um... you alright, Glyph?"

"Alright..." Glyph's voice drops to a low growl, "Alright... you want to know if I'm alright? Let me show you." He advances on Flux, anger in his eyes.

'Not good!'
Flux backs up close to the furnace, then opens it to wash Glyph in the intense heat, hoping to either keep him back or bring him to his senses.
"Um... take it easy, uh, Glyph... please?"

Stiletto returns to the foundry with a bin held by her magic. She looks at Glyph, she looks at Flux
"STOP RIGHT NOW!"

Glyph flinchs back a bit at the heat, then looks back as Stiletto comes in. "Stop what? We were just... talking. What's in the bin?"

Flux keeps his eyes locked on Glyph as he closes the furnace, shaking slightly.

"Control over your temper is most important on the field of battle, remember that!"
The bin lifted off her back and magically placed itself on the ground
"These are things to help me explain my oaths to you both. Now come here."

Flux continues watching Glyph as he talks to Stiletto, sticking close to the furnace.
"Um, m-maybe we should do this on my break? I, uh, don't want to get any scorch marks on your, er, stuff?"

Glyph snorts slightly, walking over to Stiletto. "No, we should do this now. Your work can wait for a bit."

"I know how tough you are Glyph, lose the attitude. Flux, please, can you take you break soon, we need to talk."
Stiletto moves the box just outside the smelter.

Glyph sighs, shaking his head. "Fine. Then we can wait for you to finish that batch. But we need to talk about this. What do you mean attitude Stiletto?"

"I MEAN..." *hangs her head* "... I mean I do not know your words very well. When I hear you talk, the way you say things, it sounds rude, everypony sounds rude to me when they speak midpony."

Flux carefully and quietly continues his work, hoping that Glyph will either calm down or forget about him being there.

"Oh... It's alright." Glyph nuzzles Stiletto. "You didn't know, it is your second language. I do want to sort this out though."

Stiletto returns Glyphs' nuzzles "I just feel some time I will never be-able to explain what I mean to you."

Glyph walks over and stands next to Stilettos wing, nuzzling her leg. "It's okay... I'll be sure to listen close, and ask if I don't understand..."

Flux works slower than absolutely necessary to finish the last batch of steel, trying to think about the situation with Glyph and Stiletto.
'Sweet Celestia, I thought he was going to kill me! And what is it that Stiletto's trying to tell us? Why is he so upset about being an apprentice? He's still learning, and she's got to be the best martial master in Dawnpick.'
He sighs as he pour the fresh steel into the molds for ingots, still not looking forward to meeting them outside.
"Well, no matter what I want, I'm off shift now. And I can't just sleep in here..."
Dreading what lays beyond the door to the smelter, he exit to what may well be his doom.

"meine freundlichsten Liebe."

Stiletto wraps her wings around both Flux and Glyph. The bin move towards them under the power of her magic and book is retrieve by the same method.
"This is my picture book from my science academy days. It has many words and notes from that time, I wrote them down to understand and I was thinking they could help you understand."

Flux flinchs as Stiletto's wing wraps him, and trys to inch slightly away from Glyph, though he's on the other side of her. Her picture book, though, captures his attention, as does the potential to learn more about her.

"Really?" Asked Glyph "You think so? I would love to learn more about you, and where you're from."

The book flips the first page, there is a picture of a very young Stiletto dressed in well designed gray schoolfilly outfit, standing next to her is Brook, she was about a quarter Stilettos' size even back then. There is a drawing of a water lily under the picture.
"This was our first day, I found out what Brooks' favorite flower was that day, I drew this so I could remember it. Even then we knew, she was going to be my ganz besondere Liebe. Those where happy times."
Stiletto flips the page over. There is a picture Brook, Stiletto and a blue Alicorn with a blond mane, Stiletto is next to a river, Brook and the blue Alicorn are swiming.
"That is my brother Icberg, he was from my mother but not my father. He has always been a vulgar pony, showing his cutie mark to everyone. I love him, but well, I'll get to that latter. I really couldn't swim at all back then. So she grew closer to him."

Flux feels a small bit of guilt when he see Brook in the book, still feeling a bit like he stole her kiss.
"Wait... showing your mark is vulgar?"

"Why yes, in my home land, you do not show your cutie mark. You are excel in the ways you show, and you are wearing clothing in public. It is rude, unless the area you excel in is, well vulgar, and Iceberg was one of the worst."
Stiletto turns the page to reveal a picture of Iceberg kissing Brook.
"I was too slow again."

"Brook and...? Oh, Stiletto..."
Flux gently nuzzles Stiletto's neck, hoping to help her through what must be a painful memory for her.

"Wait, Brook? You knew Brook Stiletto?"

Stiletto nuzzles Flux back, then she nuzzles Glyph and hugs the two of them with her wings

"I knew her, I will try to say it in midpony, she was my most special love. Now, I thought I had lost here, Iceberg was quite frankly a better lover then me, nothing I could do to change that so..."
The next picture shows a much larger Stiletto standing on a pedestal with two other ponies bellow her. Stiletto is surrounded by trophies, the other ponies hold their heads high, they appear to be very proud just to be in the picture.
"I used my frustration, I made myself excel. I was die perfekte Vision von Krieg, as my uncle called me."
Stiletto flips through the book a few pages, mostly more pictures of her receiving awards, but she is alone in every picture
"I was alone though, nopony loves a monster like me."
She turns the next page and there is a picture of a very surprised Stiletto being kissed by Brook. Stiletto is completely red, even visible under her amethyst fur.
"Or at least that's what I thought." *Stiletto has a smile on her face and tears in her eyes.*

"I... I see. I'm sorry if I... brought up any bad memories... but..." Glyph nuzzles Stiletto gently, trying to be some comfort. "I... I love you, no matter what..."

'Perfect Vision of War?'
Flux can't help but tear up as she shows the pictures of her achievements, but with nopony to share in them with her. When she calls herself a monster, he stretchs up to whisper to her.
"You are no monster, Stiletto."

---

To think I had almost forgotten...
Finally having reached her quarters, Falcata closes the door firmly behind her. Crossing the room, she makes her way over to the oak chest in the corner, methodically searching for one thing in particular. She finds it right at the bottom, right down where she'd buried it; when she takes it out, it appears to be a small object wrapped in cloth. Gripping it in her teeth, she deposits it on a small wooden table with a dull thud. She makes no move to unwrap the bundle, however; instead choosing to stare at it instead.
Burdens of the past...my hooves are stained.
The pegasus sits like this for a while, still making no move to unwrap the object. If anything, she appears lost in thought, tinged with a bit of sadness. Finally, after a good while, she sighs and lifts the offending article again, making certain to place it at the bottom of the casket as before. She turns to leave, but pauses in the doorway, glancing once more at the box. Quoting a scrap of poetry under her breath, she at last departs the building, locking her door as she leaves.
"There is a place between mercy and murder...in which doubt and fear make their homes."

---

"I thank you both for those kind words." *Stiletto kisses Glyph* "Mein kleiner Lehrling." *Stiletto kisses Flux* "meine freundlichsten Liebe. Memories can be good though."
She turns the page and there is a picture of Stiletto, Brook and Iceberg, and another Purple Alicorn with very long green mane. Iceberg is nuzzling the purple Alicorn. Brook stands under Stilettos' wing, they are all smiling
"This was from my second year at the academy. Brook was Mein ganz besonderer Liebe. Iceberg was her den erfahrensten Liebe. The one on the end is Flair, he was Icebergs' kleiner Lehrling, and eventually mein wenig Liebe."

"That's... a lot of loves." Said Flux "Um, so you can have... multiple loves?"

"Yes? Wait, does that mean... are you trying to tell me, that you do not?"

"I... I don't really know..." Glyph stuttered "but... it seems like most of the ponies here only have one..."

"Um... no? Only, um, one..."

"What? But how do you do that? I mean how do you um.. understand, yes that is the word.. love at all if you only have one?"

"Um, how do you keep up with several?" Asked Flux

"Umm... I... I don't r-really... I don't think... But... but I have been trying... umm... Have I been doing it right?" Stammered Glyph

"Keep up?" *Stiletto rubs her face into Fluxs' mane* "Silly Stallion, love is bond that more than one pony can make strong."
She wing cuddles Glyph
"You are doing very well Mein kleiner Lehrling, our love grows stronger all the time."

Glyph smiles, then frown. "That means Little Apprentice right? But... Flux said an apprentice was like a close friend... and a teacher... not a lover."

"Um... an apprentice is hard to explain. My master never... did anything like that, but, um, a lot of love is involved."

"This is what I mean, your words are sloppy and hurt ponies with out even trying. The title is an oath that is spoken over and over again. You declare your love and exonerate it's strength every time you speak it. It is saying I love for all of these reasons."

"...A title? How many are there?" Flux wondered

"What..." Glyph thinks for a bit, pondering his questions. "What should I call you then? And... and does that mean... I should h-have another?"

"There are many titles, you earn more the more you excel and achieve." *Stiletto turns to Glyph.* "You should call me 'meine Liebe zur Heldentat'." *She turns back to Flux*"You should call me 'meine Liebe schönsten'."

"What's... schonsten?"

"Meine Liebe z-zur Helden... Heldentat? What... what does t-that mean?"

"Beauty Flux, it means you love everything that makes me beautiful." *Flutters her eyes* "And it means you love me for my heroic deeds, my fighting ability, so you can learn to excel as such."

Flux chuckles at her as she flutters her eyes.
"You are Beautiful, in mind, body and soul."

"Your fighting ability? But... I mean... I respect your power... and I... I like sparring with you... but... I love you for how compassionate you can be afterwords... you can be harsh as a Lord-whipmaster, but then, when the fight is over you're as compassionate as a Pen-mother."

For the first time in a long time Stiletto blushes enough to show though her fur
"You say things that raise up my heart. I had no idea if had read your signs right."
She kisses them both many times
"Now, I am not quite sure what a Pen-mother is. Can you explain that Glyph? I am sure it is wonderful."

"You don't know what a Pen-mother is? They are the ones who run the stables. Where all the foals who weren't sanctioned grow up." Glyph cocks his head, thinking. "I suppose I haven't seen one here... this place is different from my old village."

"Oh, oooooh, that is how you see me? Does that mean, you want me to teach you about life and not battle?"

"Umm... not really... I'm bad with words... I just see the same compassion in you... I like learning about fighting with you, but I love being with you, having you be... umm... Gentle, compassionate... does that help?"

"So you want me to be your erfahrene Liebe? I can do that for you. If you do not mind being my wenig Liebe."

"erfa... erfahrene Liebe? What does that mean? And wenig Liebe?"

"Erfahrene Liebe means you will love all of the experiences I can give to you. Wenig Liebe means I shall teach you about all of the good things I have experienced."

"Oh..." Glyph closes his eyes and think about that. "Does... does that mean we wouldn't be able to spar anymore?"

"Well yes, but no more, battle field love, that would be inappropriate, our love would no longer be attached to war."

"Um, but why is love so... regimented?" Flux piped up

Glyph nods, satisfied. "That's good. It's fun sparring with you. But, I like the idea of being your Wenig Liebe."

"Well how does one earn Liebe otherwise? Every title I can give I earned. I have six."
Stiletto Nuzzles Glyph
"If that is what you want meine Wenig Liebe."

"...Love has to be earned?"

"Six?" Exclaimed Glyph, "Wow... I probably haven't even earned one... but I have you so... maybe."

"So you do not earn love here? That seems odd, people just love without reason, all the time? that must get confusing. Especially if you can only have one at time. And you have at least two Glyph, perhaps more now."

"Really? What ones? How did I earn them?"

"Well, all ponies should have one, then you get another for serving as a warrior. If you excel you earn more."

"Be adventurous Glyph, you can find them if you try."

Stiletto holds both her Wenig Liebe and her freundlichsten Liebe in her wings. More pictures are shown and she translates more highpony words into midpony words until they all have to sleep.

Author's Note:

Yes, that is all one scene...

Comments

[BestinDworld]

Stiletto seems.....asgardian