The Barracks, my home for the next few years, the place of respite against the harsh treatment of door guarding and hallway patrols. The day guards would occasionally give their own harsh glare.

That was if I did not encounter my mother on my patrols despite what many would expect, she would often seek me out to try and get me to crack during my stations and times. It had been years since I went through the training that I would need for Captain armor to even accept me into the night guard’s ranks.

I sighed as I looked to my new bed, it was an uncomfortable bunk underneath a thestral mare recruit who had signed up around the same time as me.

“Aw is Austere upset at the bedding? How does it feel to be a rank lower than me?” her voice teased before she landed beside me on the ground, she was just barely taller than me, her eyes focused on my own before she leaned in giving me a slight nudge with her hoof.

“Not upset, merely reflecting. Speaking of which, did you want the top bunk or the lower bunk?” I ask with a gentle tone, her grin seeming to soften as her cheeks gained a gentle pink hue.

“I will have you know, that I am perfectly fine with being on the top bunk, What of you? Too low to the ground for you?” I shook my head in response to the question. Her eyebrow seemed to raise before she snickered.

Who was this mare? Introducing Nin. A thestral mare from cloudsdale. Also subtitled as the biggest pain in my flank since Nightmare night all of those years ago, although she seems to hold the title in high regard.

Even though all of what has been said and done, we both know that I appreciate her company, much to my dismay.

“Look I don’t need to know what position you like to go in so I am not obligated to answer that question.” I had a shit-eating grin on my lips when the words left my mouth, her face lighting up like an apple even though the dark coat that covered all thestrals.

I removed my helmet allowing my true coat color to be revealed, and my odd eyes with a gentle cyan instead of the vamp-pony like yellow. I placed it on the bed before allowing myself to slump down to remain seated.

She was sputtering as she tried to look for an answer before puffing her cheeks out in defeat, the red seeming to leave her face. It took only a moment for her to slip down beside me causing me to raise my eyebrow.

Months before. Location: Training grounds

The first time I met Nin was during my second and final month in basic training under the solar guard and Captain Shining armor. Something that all night guards needed to do in order to pass the basic requirements of basic.

It was a hot day like any other, each of us had been given a suit of armor to grow into. The silver and dark blues really ended up making every day of basic training hell. But as I was saying.

Here we were, standing in formation under the sun. My spear resting in my hoof as I focused on the target we were expected to watch for the whole time, It was how the princess kept her guards in a constant state of silence. Fail to stay silent on shift. And you would join the recruits in the yard watching the target.

“That is enough recruits, you may relax if only for a moment. Private Muse, Private Nin. Will you two come forward?” The voice of the captain emerged from beyond the crowds of Night guard and spears.

It was not too difficult to slip through while keeping a professional look on my face, I sure as tartarus was not going to wait any longer with the blistering heat of the summer sun heating up the metal plates of my armor.

From the other side of the group came a thestral mare, a smile on her face as she kept her spear in hoof as all guards should. I stood in front of the captain allowing room for the somewhat taller mare to stand beside me.

“You both have displayed great discipline in your endurance training, while your fellow guards were melting on the spot allowing themselves to become tired. You both stood unwavering. You two get acquainted, you will be watching each other’s backs for quite a while.” the captain seemed rather excited to be announcing this. “You will both be partners from now on.”

I turned to the female thestral with a cocked eyebrow, she had a smug grin on her face before she spoke up “Great to meet you shortie. Let’s get along” Her words seemed to elicit a chuckle from the group.

It was at that moment, she had officially gone on to my shit list.

Present day

Although my time with her so far was not that bad throughout the five months that I had made it into the guards, her humor had often kept a dull guard duty rather unique in its way each time. I often looked forward to seeing her arrive for her shift.

Although, When Shining Armor had discovered that I was able to enjoy the sun much like the rest of the guards, that was when he would often send me as a personal escort for the princess. He did love dressing me up in the solar guard armor. Much to my dismay. Ever seen a white coated thestral? You don’t want to.

“Just because I go easy on you does not mean I cannot enjoy a nice joke. So keep that wit on the inside, or I will subject you to the worst torment of all time.” She spoke with a sense of seriousness.

The tension that filled the air as everypony stared at her was so thick that someone may have choked on it.

“And what exactly would that torment be exactly?” I ask, my eyebrow raising even more before I cross my arms. My eyes watching her own before she spoke up once again.

“Twilight sparkle” It was at that moment that many guards would quiver in fear, thestrals were not as well known as any of the other three tribes, but it often meant that when one who was studious among the ponies became a nightmare.

I smirked as I spoke up “And how would you do that, partner? Why would she ask me any questions when she would have a beautiful thestral mare to ask? Well what is your master plan?”

She sputtered as she looked away, she had lost this round. She lost many rounds, especially if I were to pull out some of the key compliments that a mare often looked from a stallion.

‘Thank Celestia for dad’s awkward lessons, who knew that he would actually be great at picking up mares. No wonder why he scored mom.’ I thought while Nin calmed herself enough to take off her own helmet not really changing much apart from her general coat color.

She didn’t look too bad for a mare, It was a shame that her wit came along with her as a package deal...Not that I would be one to complain if she actually grew the fangs to try and bite on one of my ‘shameless flirts’ as she dubbed them.

Will this peace never end?

Author's Note

Boom, Two chapters in one day, nice right? Well i hope you all enjoy this one too.

We have a new character to add to this rather small cast. Say hello to 'Nin' Or Nightly Winters

Now Austere has someone to keep him on his toes in the guard. Shining just absolutely loves to torment him now doesn't he?

Comment and tell me what you all think. I love waiting on feedback from you all!