Bronze Star was feeling uncomfortable under the weight of responsibility the armor she currently found herself clad in posed. Linked by segmented portions, the forged metal sheets curled tightly around her form, making her perspire. She steeled herself despite the discomforting thought of any offending odor making its way out, forcing her lips not to twist into a grimace of embarrassment.
She couldn't possibly do such a thing with so many eyes watching her. Not on such a moment of celebration like this. From under the brim of her plumed helmet—which was decorated in order to match her rose and light pink mane—Bronze Star skillfully took note of all the ponies gathered on either side of the magnificent red carpet laid down the middle of the grand throne room. While the dresses and finery they took to wrapping themselves in showed their respect in attendance, the bored looks on their faces made it obvious they were only present because of an obligation to be, not a sincere desire to be happy on her behalf.
Despite the call for silence before the ceremony began by way of the Royal Band, the many hushed whispers of the crowd flooded her ears like an unending dull roar. Bronze's right ear twitched ever so slightly, adjusting itself from being brushed against the cold metal edge of the helmet’s cut. She felt her right leg tense and she willed herself not to raise her hoof to tend to the ticklish sensation. The increasingly anxious mare wondered how much longer she’d have to stand at attention like this.
“...I present to you…” a jubilant voice called out, echoing through the hall. “...the next Captain of the Guard…” Bronze focused her attention ahead, witnessing the ever-beautiful princess Celestia turn her own grayish-magenta eyes on her; She shivered for a moment from the happy gleam in the Alicorn’s gaze and the warmth that washed over from the full smile present on her fair face. “…Bronze Star!”
The armored mare felt a smile of her own appear and she stood proudly to show the best of herself to the princess. “...Bronze Star…?” There was a bit of confusion when she heard the princess mention her name again.
“Y-yes?” She whispered in reply, wondering what was wrong. Star knew her armor was impeccable, and that she had actually taken the effort to brush her coat, mane and tail for the occasion. Was it the way she was standing? Or maybe she forgot to bow at some point when her mind wandered during the scripted announcement that preceded the oath? Did she do the oath? She had to have. She remembered repeating her pledge to protect her fellow ponies and ensure their safety; to lead by example, defend the crown.
What was it then?
Celestia chuckled, leaning closer to the mare. “Captain?” She whispered with some amusement lacing her tone. “That’s your cue.”
“Cue?” Bronze repeated, unsure what was meant by that. Seeing the small nod by her Princess, though, sparked an immediate realization. “OH!” The loud clanking of metal following suit, the mare hurriedly spun around to face the waiting crowd that then began cheering from her slightly-delayed reaction.
Swallowed up by the raucous applause of hoof stomps and yells, Captain Bronze Star felt her heart pounding against her chest. The excitement of the moment finally caught up with her and she felt so lightheaded that she thought even an earth pony like her might be able to fly.
The rest of the day’s events went as planned and practiced. Bronze boarded a chariot that paraded her around the city to the sounds of delight from the more common ponies that didn’t receive an invitation to watch inside the palace. Eventually the event was moved to a reception hall where food and drink were being served. After the stiff introductions and staid pleasantries of proper upper class etiquette, the official celebrations were over. Night had since arrived and the more looked-forward to party began in the barracks of the Royal Guard.
Armor and dress uniforms were no longer necessary, as everypony that attended already knew one another. The Guards and soldiers of the Household Cavalry began their usual rivalry of trying to outdrink, outplay and out dance each other, something that Bronze enjoyed watching and participating in ever since she was just a squire and Guard candidate.
Unlike the ostentatious marble and glass and overall fanciness of the palace and reception hall, the barracks were much more intimate and comfortable. More, well, fun to be in and relax. After hours, at least.
Seated at the makeshift dais as was tradition, along with the high ranked sergeants and command staff, Bronze Star was happy to let loose and mingle with her soldiers and friends. She took care not to accidentally bump into anypony around her, of course, but Bronze was quite proud of her surprising natural agility, so it wasn’t hard.
Speaking of surprises, she froze when a certain familiar voice called out from behind her over the jazzy music filling the air. “Congratulations, Captain!” The deep voice cut through the air, making the soldier react by training and instinct. She jumped to attention and faced the blue-maned stallion that approached.
“C-captain!” Bronze Star yelped and reflexively saluted, which earned a guffaw from the stallion.
“What are you doing, Star?” He laughed and shook his head. The former captain reached up to muss the new captain’s mane with his hoof. “You’re wacky as always, huh?”
The mare blushed at the teasing, wanting him to stop, but she continued to be cowed by the pony several inches shorter than her. It took another pony to finally get the stallion to cease, and it was somepony that only brought more anxiety to the situation.
“Dear, stop it already.” The Alicorn Princess of Love sidled up by her husband’s right and ribbed him with her front hoof for good measure.
“S-sorry, Cadance, I couldn’t help it!” Shining Armor laughed out one more time before he finally took a step back. “I’m really happy for you, Star,” he said, looking up at her.
“Th-thanks,” Bronze said in reply, nodding her head. Embarrassment aside, the earth pony was overjoyed by the fact that her mentor was able to come down all the way from the Crystal Empire to attend the ceremonies. She had yet to find a Guard candidate of her own to become her squire, so for the longest time she was worried that the only ponies in attendance would be well-wishers that were caught in the rules of hierarchy.
After a bit of small talk, the three ponies had found themselves separated from the rest of the party at the second floor balcony. An eclectic assortment of topics from fashion to soldiering to a bit of magic was aided by some of the celebratory grog procured when Shining’s gift of Crystal Empire sparkling wine was finished. “All of these Diamond Dog raids are a bother, huh?” Shining asked.
“Definitely,” Bronze said with an affirming nod. Shining’s comment prompted a memory to jump to the forefront of her mind. “I’ve heard that the princess’ student has a plan. Something that’s supposed to prevent further aggravation between ponies and the Diamond Dogs.”.
“Twilight does?” The former captain said with some awe. “That’s news to me. ”
“I definitely have my hopes in her success,” Bronze added. “I would rather avoid any unnecessary conflicts. Not to mention that the Royal Guard simply wasn’t organized to chase Diamond Dogs around.”
“That’s for sure,” Shining said with a laugh. “And it doesn’t help that the Household Cavalry isn’t interested at all, either. If only Pauldron got off his lazy butt and gave you a hoof, I’m pretty sure there’d be no raids to worry about at all.”
Bronze sighed at that. “Understood, sir. If only I was a more capable leader that could deal with these problems…”
“What? No, Star, I didn’t mean it like that…”
Sensing things turning toward a less than desirable mood, the princess decided to chime in. “I’m surprised that I’ve never seen you before, Star,” Cadance remarked, subtly changing the topic back to something she could take part in. “Shining’s always mentioned you when talking about his time in the Guard.”
He took the bait without question and chuckled as his mind swam about in a happy fashion. “Well that’s because Star’s never been that much of a partier. Though she’s never turned down an invitation or order to set up for an event, every chance she gets whether it’s for a formal ball or a get-together for just the guards she’ll find some way to sneak out and disappear,” This was an observation that surprised Bronze Star. She never realized that her captain had noticed that much and never brought it up as an issue.
“S-sir…” Bronze exhaled while a bit fixated on the mug held in her hooves. If there was any more grog left to drink in her mug she’d have taken to downing it all in a single gulp, if only to hide her face behind something besides her hooves or the bangs of her mane.
The conversation had continued on to a finish without her it seemed as Bronze's attention jumped toward the movement of the former captain and his wife standing up. “Sad to say but it’s a bit of a trip back to the Crystal Empire.” Shining Armor craned his neck a bit to stretch out, making light popping sounds from his joints. “Don’t want to keep the conductor up too late waiting for us. Can you believe we have our own private train?” He chuckled and just as she looked toward him he sent a smile her way. “It was great to see you making captain, Star. Knew you had it in you.”
“..thank you, sir,” she said, her chest puffing out with pride at the recognition. Her confidence spurred on by his words, Bronze forgot her embarrassment, if only momentarily.
Without warning the Alicorn embraced her in a familial nuzzle. “Good to meet you, Bronze,” Cadance said. “And congratulations.”
"Thank you, your Highnessh..." she unknowingly slurred out in a happy manner. The Princess found it cute, giving a bit of a giggle when she said,
"Please, call me Cadance."
Bronze was honored and brightened up from the kindness, nodding. When she saw Shining begin to clean up the mugs and bottle of wine. “Oh, lemme,” Bronze began to say in a chipper tone when she was struck with a sudden dizziness upon standing up. It took much more effort than she’d like to admit not to topple over right then and there. A surprised yelp escaped her lips as he felt the alcohol cause mayhem on her sense of balance.
“You ok, Star?” Shining Armor asked with some concern, motioning to walk back over to her.
“Yeah...yeah!” She said to ease his worry. “Just get on out of here...you…” Bronze couldn’t manage anything else other than that along with a deliberate waving motion of her hoof. She managed it until the source of her nerves and Princess Cadance left the room saying their goodbyes.
A tired sigh escaped her lips as she dropped back down to her haunches. Bronze closed her eyes and felt as her face switch between a smirk and pout; felt the strange sensation of forlorn joy. With enough time the anxiety and vacillation settled down like she always did. Despite her calmer breathing, her ears twitched and flickered. From the sounds of it, the party was still going on downstairs. Still unaware that the guest of honor had slipped away hours ago. Amidst a quiet hiccup and the need to sniffle, Bronze preferred it that way. Opening her eyes she reached over to the last remaining cup of grog to finish it off in a single swig. A wave of spicy warmth surge down her throat and into her gut.
Resting against the wall and looking out the window, Bronze recalled how beautiful Princess Cadance was and looked over her uniform. It was a sight to behold of course, meant to strike an image of professionalism and project confidence. It was far from the kind of image that Cadance manage to show; one of a proud, regal confidence that kept a refined delicateness to it.
Deciding to push back those thoughts, Bronze looked up and enjoyed Princess Luna’s wonderful blanket of stars before heading back downstairs to the party
Author's Note
Thanks aplenty to WhiskeyWolf for your help editing this chapter (way back when, heheh)
