The Convoluted Life of Gleaming Shield

The break room was thankfully empty when Gleaming arrived. Taking advantage of the peace and quiet, she perused the announcement board while sipping at her coffee. There wasn’t anything too exciting: a reminder to officers to fill out their paperwork, several ponies requesting time off, and a hoofful of various notifications (like Corporal Door Mat asking ponies to stop taking his lunch from the fridge, come on guys, it’s not funny anymore!).

The most interesting thing was a blue piece of paper informing the reader about an upcoming cookout for anypony who was interested. It was ‘bring your own drink’ and a dish to pass, but hayburgers would be provided free of charge.

Gleaming didn’t even give it a second glance.

Satisfied that there weren’t any shifts to pick up at the moment, Gleaming took another sip from her coffee as she turned around, only to choke upon seeing another pony standing right behind her. ByCelestia’sglowingtits—I didn’t even hear her come in!

She sputtered and coughed, trying to clear her airway. As she did so, the mare gave her a concerned look.

“Are you okay, dear?” she asked, her voice silken and soft, barely more than a whisper.

Gleaming just wheezed.

Frowning, the mare’s horn started to glow a soft blue. A moment later, a cool, soothing sensation washed through Gleaming’s throat. With a gasp, she finally got her coughing fit under control.

“S-sorry, ma’am!” she choked out, throwing a half-assed salute.

“At ease, Private,” the mare said.

Gleaming lowered her hoof, only to wince as it splashed in something warm. At some point during her fit, she had dropped her coffee. She stared down at the brown puddle sadly, her ears pressing against her helmet. M-my baby… she lamented.

The sound of a throat being cleared softly caused her to look up again, and she finally got a good look at the mare standing before her.

She was small, the top of her muzzle barely reaching the bottom of Gleaming’s chin. Her legs were lanky and awkward, her lithe frame more skeletal than healthy. She looked even more twig-like beneath the heavy plating of her sapphire-blue armor. The only part of her that wasn’t minuscule in some way was the long, immaculately cared-for horn that jutted out of the slot in her helmet. That, combined with the light-gray coat, the icy blue mane, and the pure silver eyes meant she could only be one pony.

Second-in-Command, Lieutenant White Out.

Snapping to attention, Gleaming saluted again, properly this time. “Lieutenant, ma’am!”

“I already said at ease, Private,” White Out said, not unkindly. She smiled softly and shook her head, but the smile quickly left, replaced with a look of concern as her eyes drifted over Gleaming’s face. “Are you okay, Private? You don’t look well, if you don’t mind me saying,” she added quickly. “You look…”

“I’m fine, ma’am,” Gleaming answered quickly. She lowered her hoof again, only for it to splash in her coffee. Again.

White Out peered at her over her muzzle. “Forgive me if I don’t believe you, Private. You don’t exactly appear one-hundred percent here.” Her eyes flicked down to the coffee puddle for a moment before returning to Gleaming’s face.

“I’m… I’m fine, ma’am,” Gleaming insisted. “Just a little tired. That’s all. I didn’t get much sleep last night.” Try no sleep at all, again, sweet Celestia. Giving the Lieutenant her best smile, she tried to look a little less tired than she actually felt.

White Out wasn’t buying it.

“Private. Answer truthfully. Are you sure that you are mentally able to do your job?” There was more worry than anything else in her tone. If Firestorm was the hardcore, abusive father figure of the Guard then White Out was definitely the caring, nurturing mother figure. If you needed help, or something special taken care of, the Lieutenant was always your best bet. She somehow always managed to find coverage for missed shifts, fix mix-ups with the schedule, and correct missing pay with virtually little difficulty. It was said she could move the heavens themselves for her guards; they only needed to ask.

Gleaming was reminded of all this as White Out placed a hoof against her forehead. “If you need to take a few days off to relax, I can get your shifts covered. Lilyhammer has been asking for some extra hours.”

“Ma’am! No thank you, ma’am!” Gleaming said, shaking her head. “I am more than able to do my job, ma’am!”

“Hmmm.” White Out eyed her closely before sighing. “If you are sure, Private, I’ll believe you. But please, consider taking some time off. This job isn’t worth your health, both physical and mental.”

“Thank you, ma’am, but I’ll be fine,” Gleaming said, only for a yawn to escape her unexpectedly. Her eyes widened and she quickly stifled it. “Sorry! Sorry, I’m fine! I swear! Nothing I haven’t dealt with before. Won’t happen again.”

Scrunching up her face, White Out opened her mouth, only to suddenly close it again. She peered at Gleaming as though seeing her for the first time. There was a calculating look in her silver eyes. Her horn glowed and a clipboard floated in front of her. “It would appear,” she said slowly as she looked down the list, “ that the Captain has you slotted for throne room duty tonight.”

Gleaming had to bite her lip to stop herself swearing out loud. That motherbucker! Two nights in a row? That never happens! And with no sleep in between, I’m literally not going to make it! Buuuck!

“However,” White Out continued, looking up at her over the top of the clipboard. “I highly doubt you’ll be able to stay awake and alert at that particular post. Am I correct?”

Although she said nothing, the look on Gleaming’s face was all the answer the Lieutenant needed.

“I thought as much,” White Out hummed. “Normally, I’d have to send you home with a demerit, something that, unfortunately, you’ve been getting quite a lot of lately.” Gleaming’s ears splayed back and she opened her mouth to protest. “But,” White Out continued, interrupting her, “fortunately for you, I find myself with another shift I need to get covered. One that might be a little more… mentally engaging for you.”

Gleaming stared at her for a moment before her eyes narrowed. “What shift exactly, ma’am?”