Leaning back in my chair, I dabbed at my mouth with a napkin before putting it into the rubbish bin along with the rest of my lunchtime mess. Glancing at the clock, I saw that I still had thirty minutes left in my break, so I opened my desk drawer and took out the one thing guaranteed to keep me busy: a Rubik's cube.
After a few minutes of swearing, and still no closer to getting a complete side of one colour, there was a knock at my door. I put the Rubik's cube back in the drawer and cleared my throat.
"Come in."
The door opened to reveal an Earth pony stallion, one of my friends. He removed his guard helmet and stepped into my office, closing the door gently behind him.
"Good afternoon, Dusk Wind," I said jovially. "What can I do for you?" I noticed the solemn expression on his face. "It's... it's nothing serious, is it? Is Fluttershy okay? What's going on?"
"Sorry, Haywick," Dusk replied. "It's nothing serious. I just came by to tell you something that I feel you need to know."
I looked at him blankly. "Oh?" I asked. "And what would that be?"
"Are you familiar with a pegasus named Silver Stomp?"
My eyes widened at the mention of the name. Silver Stomp and I had gone to school together — where he took great pleasure in making my life a living hell. Not a day went by where he didn't beat me up, and now unpleasant memories of time spent hiding in classrooms during lunch came to mind.
"I am indeed familiar with him." I nodded. "The last time I saw him, I was treating him for a stab wound he sustained during one of his concerts. He's a singer, you see, and he was attacked by a fan."
"I was at that concert," Dusk said. "He was stabbed by a drunken mare, who was yelling about him being her foal's father or something." He shook his head. "Getting back on topic... I need to tell you what I heard him saying last night."
A concerned expression crossed my face. "And what was he saying, exactly?" Dusk didn't reply. "Come on, Dusk, you can tell—"
"He was saying that he hates you."
My pupils shrunk to pinpricks as soon as these words had left Dusk's mouth. My mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out. It felt as though Dusk had punched me in the gut, knocking the wind out of me and rendering me incapable of talking.
Dusk began pacing around the room, taking advantage of my silence to continue speaking. "He's in Ponyville just now, on his way to Canterlot as part of his world tour, and he paid for some Royal and Lunar guards to be a part of his security detail." he shrugged. "I guess being stabbed makes you a little bit more security conscious. Anyway, last night, he and a few of his friends were enjoying some drinks. They invited me to join them, since I was off-duty at that point, and we got talking."
"Cut the crap, Dusk." I spat these words with a little more venom than was necessary. "What was he saying about me?"
"Well..." Dusk stopped pacing and started tapping his forehooves together nervously. "For a start, he said that you are 'always bragging about how many patients you have helped.'"
I sighed. "I'll admit, I did do that a lot at the start of my career as a doctor," I said. "I was really happy to have found my calling, and I was equally happy about helping so many ponies. When I helped my hundredth patient, I was ecstatic and when I helped my two hundredth, even more so. When my colleagues and I were comparing notes at the end of the day, I was quick to say things like 'Well, I helped fifty patients. What did you all do?'"
"Nurse Redheart was quick to point out that such an attitude didn't belong in the medical profession, and I was quick to agree with her. So, I apologised for my bragging and stopped doing it. Silver Stomp is therefore only half right, because I am not 'always' doing it. I did it for a few months and then stopped."
Dusk nodded. "I've never known you to be the bragging type." he chuckled. "I guess there's a side to you that I never knew existed."
"Indeed there is." I nodded back. "Would I be right in assuming that this isn't all he said about me?"
"You assume correctly," Dusk said solemnly. "He went on to refer to you as – and I apologise for the language – 'an arrogant cunt,' because there was that time when you kept a record of the number of times you were told by your younger patients that you had inspired them to take up a career in medicine."
"I kept that information because it serves to remind me that I was once like those foals: unsure of where I was heading in life. I highly doubt that any of them will actually follow through on what they said – given that they will almost certainly meet ponies who will amaze them far more than I ever could – but the mere fact that they said I inspired them makes me swell with pride. So if being filled with pride because I feel as though I have helped those foals makes me an 'arrogant cunt,' then I guess I'm an arrogant cunt."
"He also went on to say that you used to be his friend, but then you started 'treating him like trash,'" Dusk continued.
"So he's a liar as well as a hypocrite," I growled. "We were never friends to begin with because he made my life hell when we were at school. He beat the crap out of me every chance he got — and the only reason he apologised is because I saved his life that night he was attacked. I guess he only pretended to apologise to me..."
"I'm sorry to have to dump all of this on you, Haywick, I really am." Dusk laid a forehoof on my shoulder. "But, if it's any consolation, I told him that I would have no further part in the conversation if he was going to continue bad-mouthing my friend."
"And how did he react to that?" I asked.
"First of all, he told me to fuck off." Dusk laughed. "And then he told me I was no longer part of his security team, not that I care. The guy is just a complete and total prat."
"Thank you, Dusk," I said. "You have done me a great favour by coming to me with this information. I've got to get back on shift now — but I will be paying a visit to a certain pegasus after work."
Dusk looked concerned. "Are you sure?"
"I most certainly am," I snarled. "I want to know who in Tartarus he thinks he is, saying these things about me. I thought that we had parted on good terms, but he is clearly adamant about holding on to the past... or, at least, his warped version of it."
"Well, if you're sure." Dusk walked back to the door. "I'll let you get back to work. Oh, and Haywick... be careful."
"I'll be fine," I said, also walking to the door. "I know how to deal with Silver Stomp. You go and do what you need to do, Lieutenant, and I'll meet up with you later."
With that, we both went our separate ways. I then spent the rest of my shift wondering how I was going to approach Silver Stomp, so that I could get answers to the many questions I had.
***
That night, I went to the Ponyville Inn. As the only hotel in town, logic dictated that this is where Silver would be staying. I made my way to the reception desk, catching the attention of the unicorn mare – whose name badge said 'Diary Date' – behind the counter.
"Good evening, sir, and welcome to the Ponyville Inn," she said sweetly. "How may I help you?"
"Good evening," I replied. "I was hoping to speak with one of your guests, a pegasus by the name of Silver Stomp. Is there any chance that you could arrange this for me?"
Diary Date thought for a moment. "Silver Stomp has made it clear that he is not to be disturbed by any of his fans," she said apologetically. "I'm afraid you'll have to—"
"Sorry to interrupt, but I'm not a fan." I shook my head. "I'm an old friend of his, and I heard he was in town." I chuckled. "And, with all due respect, do I look like a giddy teenage mare to you?"
Diary giggled. "Good point," she said. "I'll let him know that you're here. Do you want me to give him a name?"
"My name is Haywick, but I'd rather you kept it as a surprise." I smiled. "Because, trust me, he will be surprised to see me."
Diary Date nodded once and then picked up her intercom. She pressed a button, and a small buzzing noise was soon followed by the sound of Silver's grumpy voice.
"What is it?" he demanded. "I asked not to be disturbed."
"I'm sorry to bother you, Mr. Stomp," Diary said. "It's just that I have somepony here who claims to be an old friend of yours, and that he would like to speak with you."
"An old friend?" Silver sighed. "Fine, I'll humour them. I'll be down in a minute." He moved away from the microphone and spoke again. "Come on, boys, it's another crazy fan for you to deal with."
Diary released the button and the intercom went silent. We both made idle conversation for a few minutes until we heard the lift descending, a small ding announcing its arrival at the ground floor.
The doors creaked open and three security ponies stepped out. They looked at me warily, but soon one of them beckoned with his hoof — and then Silver stepped out of the lift.
As soon as he saw me, he visibly paled.
"It's lovely to see you again, Silver," I said sarcastically. "I was hoping for a few minutes of your time..." I suddenly raised my voice, which startled the unsuspecting Diary Date. "So that I can ask you exactly what in the hell you are playing at!"
"Get rid of him." Silver quickly retreated into the lift and began pressing buttons frantically.
"So you're a coward as well as a liar and a hypocrite, are you?" I shouted, walking towards him. "I knew you'd be all talk behind my back, but as soon as it came to dealing with me you would run away with your tail between your legs!"
The lift doors began to close. "Don't just stand there, you idiots!" he screamed. "GET RID OF HIM!" The doors closed and the lift began its ascent back to the penthouse he was no doubt staying in.
His guards quickly moved towards me. Two of them grabbed one of my forelegs each, while the third levitated me a few inches off the ground. I was then escorted from the premises like a common criminal, and tossed unceremoniously into the street.
I landed painfully in the dirt, sitting upright as the security guards turned and went back into the lift. I heard quickening hoofsteps come up to me, and then felt a strong pair of legs helping me up. I turned my head to find myself looking at Dusk.
"Are you all right, Haywick?" he asked, to which I nodded. "I'm guessing it didn't go so well, then?"
"He didn't even speak to me." I sighed. "The only words he spoke were directed at the three goons you just saw throwing me out."
"I'm sorry." Dusk patted me on the back. "So, if you don't mind me asking, what are you going to do now?"
"Nothing," I replied. "I came here to try and get some answers, but Silver's actions were all the answers I needed." I turned away from the hotel and began walking down the street, Dusk following me. "He proved that he hasn't changed at all, that he is still a two-faced liar with a victim complex. When I saw him that night in the hospital, he told me that he only bullied me because he was jealous of my ability to learn. I genuinely felt sorry for him, hence why I offered to put the past behind us and become friends." I kicked at a loose stone in the road, sending it sailing into some bushes. "He made me feel bad so that I would befriend him — and then he's talking about me behind my back the first chance he gets." I thought for a moment. "You know, I cannot help but wonder how many lies he has told about me to other ponies."
"Don't let him get to you, bud," Dusk said. "You came here today as the bigger stallion, wanting to get some answers and talk things through, while Silver Stomp is the little foal who ended up throwing his toys out of the pram. At least now you have your answers, and can take solace in the fact that you are the better stallion."
I laughed. "That's a good way of putting it." I held up a forehoof, which Dusk bumped with his. "Thanks for being there for me, Dusk. I'm so glad to have friends like you."
Dusk glanced up the road. "That's not the only thing you've got."
I followed his gaze to find Fluttershy waiting for me. She smiled sweetly as I came over and nuzzled her.
"Hey, Fluttershy." Dusk continued walking. "I'll catch up with you later, Haywick. Remember what I said!"
"I will, Dusk," I replied. "Thanks again!"
Fluttershy watched as Dusk turned a corner and vanished from sight, then put a wing over my back.
"What did he say?" she asked. "If, um, you don't mind me asking."
I leaned in closer to her. "He just gave me some good advice about not letting the events of the past getting to me."
"Oh," Fluttershy said. "Is everything okay?"
"It is now, my dear." I gave her a brief kiss on the lips. "It is now."
With those words, I started walking Fluttershy back to her house. Along the way, I thought about the day's events and what I had learned. I did manage to get some answers, even if they weren't the ones I was hoping for.
But as the old saying goes, 'actions speak louder than words.'
And Silver Stomp did enough speaking to last me a lifetime.