A City's Understanding

"Sweetie, where are you? Don't tell me you've wandered off again!"

I searched the house with zealousness. There was no sign of her. I did not want her to play outside due to the riots. None were in the Delta District, but that did not quiet down my worries. My eyes darted to any hiding places in the house. They darted around the kitchen, the workroom, the waiting room, the dining room, and even my own room. It was clear that she was outside.

After yesterday, I hesitated to open the door before me. What if the riots and demonstrations had spread through the night? What if the gangsters had decided to move beyond their territory in the city? What if the Royal Guards were negligent of their daily jobs and were ignoring the insurgents? What if Sweetie had been caught in this and swept away like river overflowing its banks? What if Father was assaulted while he was operating the banks? All these questions filled my worried mind as soon as I took hold of the doorknob.

"No, Rarity, you must be brave. A woman of your stature should not simply coward away. You must do this for your sister." After telling myself this, I opened the door and there she was. No more than across the street at a neighbor's general store. My worries did not vanish though, as she was with a girl about her young age. I knew the neighbors' children that she was acquainted and friends with, and this purple haired girl was not one of them. To tell you the truth, this girl did not even appear to be native to this city. Her dark orange clothes were not exactly rags, but awfully close. Her hair was wild and unkempt, probably due to her constant wearing of the lowered hood attached to her clothes in the back. It reminded me of Octavia's hood. This did not stop me from approaching them. Whoever my sister ever played with, I had met. Now, I had to meet this young girl. When I was in the middle of the street, my eyes caught an onlooker. I must tell you, there were several people in the street at that time. Many of them wore dull colours and top hats, black or red day dresses and the occasional aeneous accessories. But, this one onlooker, had none of those. I tilted my head to look at this peculiar individual. The individual was watching my sister and her little friend closely. As you would probably expect, this did not sit well with me. So, I changed my course from the girls to this short woman. If I could call her that.

This woman was hooded with a cyan silk hood. She was wearing clothes that made her stand out. She had, first of all, a long light blue jacket that reached to her thighs. The jacket would have fit any woman of better height. Two oriental swords were on sheathed on her back. Their long handles reached above her head. Her wrists seemed to have devices on them, as what appeared to be metal hooks slightly jutted out of the jacket's sleeves. Her hands were gloved with black leather until the halfway point on her fingers. Her nails were all misshapen and filthy. Underneath the jacket was only a tight Eastern red garment. She wore nothing underneath the garment, and most of her bosom was bare. She had a kind of tight silk skirt that went only down to her lower thighs. They were a simple blackish colour with floral designs. This "skirt" or more like robes  were held up by brightly coloured sashes and belts. There were about seven belts, each a colour of the spectrum. One single buckle possessed the same symbol that Octavia had on hers. She had a type of thin black stocking that ended where the "skirt" did. She wore brown leather boots on her small feet. They were not heeled like most women's shoes and had clearly been wore out. As I approached, the woman took notice of me and smiled. It was a sincere smile, one I had rarely seen before.

"Are you a foreigner in this District, miss?" I politely asked her.

She chuckled through her nose and nodded her head. I could only see below her nose. She was of an dark olive skin tone and her chin was sharp. Her cheeks were high and pointed. "Yes, I am. Actually, I'm foreign to Equestria. Let me guess, you're that girl's mother? Sister? Distant cousin?" As she spoke, her hands moved quickly through the air. I could tell she had trouble standing still. At any point in time, some part of her was moving, be it her twitchy feet or her snapping fingers. Her voice was a bit gruff and had an accent of an Eastern Imperial. She retained her bright smile with her red lips. She did not have lipstick on, as they were red like this naturally. I doubted she had any makeup on at all. However, I'm not sure she needed makeup in the first place.

Now, despite her repulsive attire, I remained pleasant and answered her. "Indeed. She is my younger sister. Now, I assume you are the other's sister?"

She shrugged. The oriental blades on her back rattled with the movement. "In every way but blood. Her name's Scootaloo."

I was taken aback by such a name, so much so that I almost laughed. "Heh, Scootaloo? What kind of name is that?"

The woman's smile vanished and she took a step to me. She had to look up at me as she only reached my bosom. I was in stilettos, so this increased our height difference. She was so close to me that I had to take a step back. "You got a problem with her name?" The voice was hostile and clearly offended. Her magenta eyes contrasted with the shadows on her face.

I put my hands up in defense. "Of course not! It simply rolls off the tongue so well. That's all." I had to change the subject quickly. "My sister's name is Sweetalia, but everyone calls her Sweetie." This answer satisfied the woman and she drew back. She inspected me for some seconds and then extended out a hand. The other hand removed her hood, revealing rainbow-coloured hair. Yes, rainbow-coloured. Her hair cut was just as bold as well, having it short and wild. I had never seen a cut like that, but it matched the rest of the magenta-eyed woman. Talking about her eyes, it was what made her nationality clear, she was of far East Imperial descent. The thin, angled shaped eyes and the skin gave it away. However, her Equestrian pronunciation was almost spot on, except when she was lazy enough to speak like a sailor.

"That's a'ight. Name's Reina, yours?"

I decided to joke with her. "Reina? I would assume you would be called Rainbow."

She smiled at this. "They actually do. People jus' call me Rainbow sometimes." We shook hands. Her grip was tight and lacked etiquette. I heard my fingers pop in her grip. It was like she thought we were arm wrestling.

"Pleasure. I am Lady Rarity Belle." Like everyone else who had heard my name before then, her expression changed. Her face did not become angry like Octavia, but instead more of a mischievous grin.

"Belle? Should've known. Luckily for you, I'm from Cloudsdalio." When I didn't respond her grin faltered.  "I can tell from your face that you didn't get that joke. This is going to be interesting." She withdrew her hand and rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly.

I rolled my eyes. "Hmph, everyone seems to puke at my father's name. What is with you people?"

Reina drew back in mock surprise. "Really? Geez, I wonder why that is?" She dismissed her words with a wave of her hand.  "Eh, don't worry about it. No harms done right? Right? C'mon, you shouldn't let any of that stop our conversation. Let's talk about our sisters over there. How is Sweetie?" Her tone was mocking, but her last words seemed sincere and honest. I could not tell if it was merely the gruffness in her accent, or that she actually meant it. But, I appreciated that she was not rude like the other hooded woman. She actually was quite polite, even for her roguish looks.

"Sweetie is a brilliant young child. Though she can be cynical and is a realist, she is a great sister to compliment me."

Reina nodded in understanding. "Well, Scoots ain't my real sister, but we're tighter together than a couple of hydra necks. She's a tough one, and canny too. One of the few gals who can keep up with me."

Her last sentence intrigued me. "Keep up with you? What do you do for a living?"

At this, her face knotted and she groaned. The grimace she made lasted quite a time, along with the grunts and little mumblings. She never made eye contact with me. "Yeah.........I........Messed up there. Uhh....I do stuff. Awesome stuff. I run, I climb, I do stuff. Yeah." I only blinked at her suspicious response. She gave me a sheepish smile and rubbed the back of her neck again.

I wanted to question her further, but decided not to. Especially after seeing the holsters underneath her jacket. Both holsters held revolvers and were clearly loaded. It was illegal to carry weapons like that. Especially hidden.  She must have somehow smuggled these pistols or stole them off of a Royal soldier. I knew instantly why she did not tell me her profession, as she was obviously a gang member or insurgent or even some Imperial assassin from the East. Maybe she was a Nationalist like Octavia. I could not risk getting on her 'bad side' as they say. The wisest choice of action would be to call an Officer on her. Not only for her weapons, but also her heinous and improper fashion. This also made me want to alienate my sister from Scootaloo. A girl being with one like Reina could be only trouble for dear Sweetalia. I started to backpedal from the short woman. I kept my hands up in a defensive posture and kept a fake smile on my lips. Sweetie took notice of my presence and began to walk over to me, along with Scootaloo. I did not know they were approaching me as I kept my eyes on Reina.

My Sister tugged at my dress. "Rarity, you're here, finally! I want to formally introduce you to my friend, Scootaloo." Sweetie took hold of my hand excitedly and pointed at the young girl. Scootaloo gave me a broad smile and jumped in joyfulness. Scootaloo had large dark purple eyes that matched her hair. She was taller and thinner than my sister, though clearly not as properly raised. The girl appeared more like a gremlin than a proper human being. One could tell just by inspecting them both that their beginnings were quite different. However, the girl was Equestrian by birth and not an Easterner like her "sister." I guessed that was of some worth.

I smiled my best innocent smile. "That's wonderful and all, Sweetie, but lunch is upon us. We should go inside and find out whatever Mother is cooking."

Sweetie raised a brow and looked at the sun. "Really? By the position of the sun, it is still 45 minutes until noon." Her quick wit in everything but the plain obvious made me growl. Sweetie had a brain like no other in the family, but she lacked the discernment to take a subtle hint. However, Scootaloo was the opposite. Upon my words, her smile vanished, much like Reina's did moments ago.

"What ya tryin' ta say?" she asked me with a slight impediment in her speech. Being caught in such a situation made me uneasy. The girl's bigger sister was only a metre away. I silently prayed to Celestia for escaping and I took Sweetie's hand.

"Hey! Lunch is not in 45 minutes!"

I shushed her. "Sweetie, listen to your elder sister. There is wisdom in this decision beyond your years." My sister struggled, but in vain. I successfully dragged her away from the two. Behind me, Reina chuckled loudly. She was making sure I heard what she said.

"Ya see Scoots? The rumours about Canterlotian women are true. Always snobby and arrogant in some way. C'mon, we still need to get directions, remember?" The sting of her mockery was painful, but my decision to be so snobby was necessary. I had to defend my sister from such crooks, no matter their company. Sweetie would not forgive me the rest of the day for that, but I did not care. I was glad she was safe. It was a decision I cherished. It seemed such ghastly people were spawning out of Erebus.

Tick Tock

Tick Tock

Tick Tock

This was the sound of the area that surrounded me. Were there clocks? No. There was nothing really at all. Just space and ticking. Where was the ticking coming from? I did not know, probably somewhere beyond my sight. The sound was just there. I looked about without a drop of worry. Nothing but loose sand was around me. Kilometres of it. Was that all that was there? Well, no. There were two large insignias above my head, in the white sky. So similar, yet so different. They were by far the only items of interest. One symbol was my father's red cross. It was lined with gold edgings. The other was Octavia's and Reina's metal buckles. Shiny and seemingly omnipotent. Tick Tock, Tick Tock. The ticking was always present. My ears grew so accustomed to it that they were soon blocked. I simply stared at the images above me. The cross, the woman's decal, the cross, the metal triangle, the red cross and the silver symbol. What were they doing up there? Were they staring back at me? I had only now begun to question where I was. Though without much care. Suddenly, the sounds of war erupted in the far distance. I could only see smoke rising from the sandy horizon. I looked back at the symbols. Only the cross remained. Though it was burning and aflame. It then disappeared in smoke. In its stead was the sun. The sounds of war drew nearer. Shouts and the sounds of breaking glass filled my ears.

"You used to be honourable! What happened?"

"Ha! It doesn't matter how honourable this is! It's plain, bloody JUSTICE!"

I awoke from my slumber with a start. A cold sweat was on my back. The dream of the sand was no more. I was in my bed and the night covered it in darkness. The sounds though, they remained. They were not loud in any way, but they drew my attention. Something was wrong, very wrong, and it was downstairs. I pulled the covers off and rushed to my door.

"C'mon old man, put up a fight." The voice was masculine and deep. I heard a loud thud and my heart raced with fear. Fear, and yet I was running to the sounds of chaos. I rushed down the stairs, only in my silk nightgown. Someone was inside the house. An intruder that was reeking havoc across the place. The house was dark as ever and I had to make sure not to trip. When I reached the bottom, the floors were covered in overturned furniture and broken vases. Another thud reached my ears from the kitchen. I made haste towards it.

"You're nothing like they say, Hondo!"

Father! I ran down the hallway with all my might. My father was being attacked. This thought alone brought fearful tears to my eyes. I entered the kitchen. There my father and this man in black fought. The man had a hood over his head and long trench coat. My father was in his nightgown. I could see blood running down from his temples and he had a black eye. In my adrenaline rush, I opened a drawer and withdrew a steak knife. I gripped the wooden handle tightly and I ran at the intruder. He was on top of my father, trying to get some upper hand. I charged at him and stabbed him deeply in the back. The attacker let out a howl fit for Tartarus.

"Foolish girl!" He shouted and in one quick motion, slapped me firmly across the face. In the dark, it was like a sudden flash and I found myself on the cold floor. I had never in my life been hit so hard and the pain numbed my cheek and eye.

"How dare you lay a hand on my daughter!" Father seized the man's neck. The attacker lifted a hand in the air. In the faint light, I saw the glimmer of metal coming out of his sleeve. It was blade of some sort. In a desperate attempt, I grabbed his arm and pulled it back.

"You're next!" The man shouted with a fury like no other. Then, the sound of bones snapping  was heard loudly as my father twisted the attacker's neck. The arm I held became limp instantly. Father threw the corpse off him and crawled to me.

"Rarity! Rarity! Are you alright?" I could not see his face, but the worry in his voice told me that he was fine. I did not find a way to speak and I only nodded. In fact, I was crying and only sobs were heard from my throat. Father sat up and embraced me. He started to kiss my forehead lovingly. "It's alright my dear. My dear Rarity." His large hand stroked my hair. My heart had not calmed down at all. My eyes were fixed on the attacker's body. Blood oozed slowly from the wound I inflicted upon him.

I finally conjured the bravery to utter again. "Father....Daddy, who is that man? Is he a man or a demon sent for us?" Father gave a long sigh. A sigh that I never forgot. The sigh was full of regret and sorrow.

"No, Rarity, it is unfortunate that he is... or was human. I was....I was going to tell you when you were older, but they, him, the Assassins, have made their move on me and my family. It cannot stand. To come into my house and threaten my family! The audacity!" Father's voice raised in sheer anger. "How could they? The Brotherhood had been somewhat respectable in the years past. But now? No! No! Rarity, I told you I had enemies, well, he was one. There are more and more like him. They seek death and destruction, all in the name of a hopeless freedom. They kill anyone who possesses the bravery to disagree with them. I so happen to be one of them. the Belles, your heritage, has also opposed them. You see my ring? It is not our family symbol, but the symbol of those who seek order and justice. I am Templar. The fourth Templar of your family. I was not going to let you become one. I am the first to not have a male heir for the Order. I was hoping you would have a normal and pleasant life, but that is out of the window. The Assassins have made it clear that it does not matter if you wear this ring or not. They will kill you. You have to follow my footsteps. You have to become a Templar like me. Do it not for the nation, or the Royalty, but for me and your sister and mother. Rarity, do not say a word of this to Sweetie. She still has a chance to make it in this world without this secret war. Neither to your mother, she has enough worries as is."

I hesitated. This was my phantasma becoming reality. The cross and that symbol, what I knew now was the Assassin insignia was all clear now. I still rested my head on my father's chest while he talked. I listened heavily to every word and every syllable. Father's voice had become weak as he spilled out his speech. It was clear that he wished and yearned for all this to be undone. The corpse was still there, on the kitchen floor that I laid on. Father looked down at me dotingly. My eyes soon became fixed on his bloodied ring. The Templar ring that symbolised his allegiance.

"Daddy....I accept this. I do not know how much good I'll be to this Order, but I know that men like this cannot roam about and slaughter. What will I do for you?"

Father nodded. He had a sincere frown upon his countenance. "My dear, I will train you the way your grandfather trained me. You must be skilled to survive against the Assassins. We shall commence tomorrow. I will make you into a warrior of a woman. Do not be afraid, all will be alright. Now, quiet your tears. We must dispose of this corpse before your mother or Sweetie come down here." He lifted me off his chest and stood up. Without any hesitation, he grabbed the corpse by the armpits and began to slowly drag him out of the house. Father did not even remove the steak knife from the man's back. I could now see the Assassin's face. He was handsome young man with a thin black beard. If he was not in such apparel, I would have judged him as a noble young man. Though, that was the last time I saw him as Father dragged him out of the door and into the streets. I did not know where he disposed of the corpse, but neither did I care. In my traumatized state, I began to place the knocked over furniture upright.

"Rarity, what are you doing?" Father asked me when he returned.

I kept silent and continued to fix the house. Father hugged me tightly since I did not respond. "These next days could bring anything to us. You must be ready to survive." Father's words were barely heard. Survival? Fighting? War? I knew nothing of this. What was I to do? I could barely think as I rested in my father's arms. Was this a new life for me? I gave one last look at his ring. That cross. The cross that was now embedded in my mind for countless reasons. What did it truly represent? I no longer knew. It was now something bigger than both Father and me. Something that had a history and a story. A story that I did not look forward to enduring.