A Reckless Mare

by TangyTango

Rating: teen
Tags: Human, Anon, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Comedy, Adventure, Profanity
Length: 5034

Turns out the EUP isn't all it's cracked up to be. Reckless isn't satisfied

When Reckless joined the Earth Pony Unicorn Pegasus Corps she was expecting a professional fighting force. Turns out it’s more akin to a band of poorly equipped hooligans. Relegated to the rank of Station troop with her pal, she now has to carve out a new legacy on Eqqus. Not much action is to be had though…

This is my first production in prose format. All critiques please send my way yada yada.

Read about the story of Reckless. Yes. She was a real warhorse and badass
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergeant_Reckless

Featured on some day in October 2022

Published 2022-10-17 07:50:00 UTC
Last updated 2023-03-08 22:57:06 UTC

Crybaby

The air is thick with tension and anticipation. Anon’s hands firmly wrapped around the table, nearly snapping a corner off. Reckless scratches her head. Then simply leans forward, hoof holding a dominating presence over the table

“Think can win Anon? No.”

Before Anon could even get out a groan, Reckless utterly demolishes his advance.

“Checkmated, I win!”

“That’s bullshit! It hasn’t even been ten moves, then you go and pull something like that?”

“No no, it been twelve moves, Anon.”

“What does that possibly change!?” Anon’s face is beet-red. If somepony were to pull on his ear; smoke and steam would begin to billow.

“Oh, calm yourself, big baby. Just game, game that happen to not be good at.” Reckless has a shit-eating smirk firmly planted on her face, sticking her tongue out toward Anon.

Anonymous knew this game too well, and there was no winning it. “It’s been a horrible game, Reckless, as always. I’m gonna grab some lunch. See you later Reckless” Anon extends his hand toward the not-so-small Reckless. Reckless, in turn, moves her hoof into a han– hoofshake? Either way, Anon was now out of the room.

Reckless now had another problem; the existential dread of boredom. She’s been experiencing two years of it on Equus. The twenty-four karat cogs of the Equestrian Unicorn Pegasus Defensive group had stubborn rocks clogging the machinery. The EUP couldn’t protect a chicken coop; it is a laughingstock of the populace. Even the Royal Guard was seen as an escort in only the euphemistic sense.

This was far from the glory that Reckless expected, and further yet from the prestige of the Marine Corps she once had the honor of serving in. Her arrival was met with quite a bit of intrigue by the Royal Sisters, at first. A mysterious warhorse? Right around the same time as a human? The entirety of Equus was following the story with bated breath. Just as with any thrilling new media, it was moved to the back burner. Reckless is now stuck in a practically useless enlisted rank. Her stories are constantly called out as bullshit by anybody other than Anonymous.

Not quite the same shape as a regular Equestrian, not quite the same height, and with a horrible grasp on ‘Ponish’. It was a paradise for many and a hell for Reckless. Even Anon was lucky enough for his English to line up perfectly with their language.

Today is the day though. The day to request a transfer into an actual post. NCOs were non-existent in the EUP; just about every order went through the Captain of the Guard, then flew out through the Royal Sisters. The process was slow, infuriating, and led to hilarious mix-ups when it came to postings across Equestria. In fact, parchment got so smudged in the transfer across levels of command that the required number of officials needed in a location was often off by an entire factor.

Reckless mouths out a few words in Korean, she takes a moment to collect her composure, before exiting the room.

Author's Note

I always like making a short intro in everything I make. Gives people an out if the content isn't going to line up with expectation. Here's to hoping you stay

P Plan

“Anon!”

Anonymous turns his head back, somewhat startled by the sudden lunch-break intrusion.

“Almost had me going there, Reckless, what’s up?”

“It is time for the plan!”

“The… uh,” Anon pauses, scratching his head “Plan…”

“Anon, the plan.” Reckless is visibly peeved, leaning forward slightly. “Know plan?”

“Err, no”

The only response from Reckless is a long groan, then a firm, prodding hoof to urge Anon from his chair. “Ow!” was the only sound from Anon’s mouth for the entirety of Reckless’ silent march to the Royal Court.

“No clue how you do things here, forget all, lazy, and horrible at fight.” Reckless’ voice begins to rise “This is big thing, but simple for you, yet still forget?”

“Okay! I get it, no need for a tongue lashing. This is the Ponyville transfer, right? Why do we gotta try and leave? It’s comfy up here.”

“Maybe for indolent. Need doing something, and you are getting rounder with each passing moment” Reckless’ deep frown speaks volumes to Anon. He wasn’t going to make her budge- it was time to approach the matriarch monarch and get approval for the transfer.

“Well, ladies first,” Reckless rolls her eyes as Anon gestures to the door. The royal guard slowly opens the immaculate door. It had to be twenty feet tall, probably worth more than entire towns. The door was woodchips compared to the court itself though. Marble shined deeply with the richest and most elaborate linings possible; there were golden inlays on anything that could support inlays. It was nothing new to the duo, yet it was hard to not be struck by the grandeur each time.

Raiser of the sun, destroyer of blah blah blah. Only sad chumps read her whole title. Surprisingly lax for a ruler, her humility, and rationality overpowered the cruelty of others tenfold. Her legs were tucked, peacefully lying upon the throne.

Celestia only just now noticed the duo entering the hall, lowering her parchment. Reckless immediately snaps to attention and bumps Anon with her flank to ensure he assumes the same position.

Celestia only giggles into her wing at the sight, “There’s no need for that. The most I’ll ever ask of you is a bow.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Reckless, somewhat dejected from the lack of formality, put her hoof on the marble floor.

“What was the subject you wished to discuss?”

Silence falls upon the court, Reckless nudges Anon, he was always the better speaker and…

“N-Nice weather we’re having Princess!” Anon rubs the back of his neck, his eyes darting around the room.

Reckless forces out a laugh, moving in front of Anon to hide his catastrophic spaghetti spillage. “Anon is comical. We wish to be relocated from Canterlot for another post.”

Anon now has sweat streaming from his face, Reckless has begun forcing a horrifically bad smile. The heat from the sun has already melted them, and Celestia hasn’t even begun properly speaking.

Celestia opens her mouth about to speak, but stops herself, instead summoning a quill and parchment from thin air. She jotted down a few words before teleporting them away.

“Well. I can’t say I’m not disappointed in this sudden turn of attitude,” Celestia pauses, summoning another piece of parchment and quill. “Was anything causing you distress here in Canterlot? I assure you that any transgressions against you will be dealt with swiftly.”

“No. We been fine here. It is just bit…” Reckless pauses, trying to find the right word

“Monotonous,” Anon finishes, finally collecting his composure. “We’ve had nothing to do, and to be frank with you princess. The glamor of Canterlot isn’t doing wonders for Reckless and me.”

Reckless rapidly nods her head at this assessment. Celestia’s permanent smile falters a bit, floating the parchment and quill down into Anon’s hand.

“You’ll find all the pertinent details for a transfer on that form,” Anon rapidly signs and passes the parchment to Reckless “You’ll be departing at sunrise tomorrow; I’ll also send a letter to the Mayor of Ponyville to allocate space for your arrival. I’m very sure she’ll appreciate the assistance.”

“We won’t let you down, Princess,” Anon takes a deep bow, and Reckless still snaps a salute, eliciting a giggle out of Celestia.

“There is no time like the present to get prepared for your departure. I’ll be expecting correspondence” Celestia ruffles her wings, silently shooing them out the door. A restored smile upon the ruler's face.

Reckless and Anon take their leave of the chamber, holding their breath on the way out. Only exhaling once past the gargantuan doors. A mere five-minute meeting felt as if they ran a whole marathon.

“Hey, Reckless.”

“Yes, Anon?”

“I’m never entering a room with Celestia in it again.”

Reckless pauses, looking up toward Anon. “That is good idea. Go get packed. Long day tomorrow.”

Anon gives his silent affirmation; departing from Reckless and heading toward his sanctum to pack. Reckless simply looks down at her hoof, taking a moment to admire their withered nature. Maybe this world isn’t going to be absolute tedium after all.

Author's Note

The ESL powers of Reckless!

Escape From Canterlot

Half-eaten poker chips? No.
Bottle caps? No.
Anon’s Crayola drawing of the American flag? N– yes.

Packing and racking, Reckless has zero tough decisions to make. A majority of it is necessary or deeply sentimental; however, mocking momentos of her past given by Anon remains strewn about. The poker chips in particular, sarcastic prick… she takes a nibble out of them.

—

An old can of hairspray? Good for memories.
Rusted spear bit? Callback!
Spider-Mare plate set? Classy.

Stumbling and fumbling, Anon is a complete and utter mess. Half of his ‘prized possessions’ are either completely useless or literal articles of trash. It is something to witness for the laypony, but Anon thrives in the mire.

—
The platform is absolutely barren, only Reckless and Anon stand upon it, bags at their side, the wind blowing in an out-of-season chill.

For as much grandeur as Canterlot offers, departing parties are not something commonly hosted. Garrisons come and go across Equestria, with Canterlot as an obvious focal point. Though, typically a few ponies rally around for a sendoff.

While Anon chose to slouch around during his stay in Canterlot, Reckless urgently tried to form people into cohesive groups. Be it through coaching, inspirational talks in horribly broken Ponish, and at one point attempting to host a fitness competition, Reckless labored hard. Her reward for this hard work is absolutely zero ponies giving Reckless a sendoff, apparently she was ‘mean’ to everypony, not that she cares.

“Quiet day, and leave silly castle on golden carriage, what not to like, Anon?” Reckless has a suitcase firmly attached to her flank, a smile on her face, none the wiser to Anon’s despair.

“It’s nicer here, Reck. We got accommodations, bits, all these kind faces. My room was kick-ass!” Anon looks like he just crawled out of a hole, his suitcase has a peculiar smell to it, and his eyes are glossy.

“Your room, not clean, not ‘kick-ass’.” Gesturing down the platform to the small town, Reckless simply speaks. “Ponyville will be good, hardworker ponies there I hear, you enjoy that company, yes? Then you enjoy town, going to be develop like next Fillydelphia I hear.”

“You haven’t even been to Fillydelphia or Ponyville.”

“My point stand, big future in Ponyville.”

Anon doesn’t reply, crossing his arms, one hand pointing towards the carriage flying into the platform, two pegasi at the helm, coming in fast. Very, very fas–

“Duck!” The carriage doesn’t stop, screaming in at an incredible speed. Reckless instantly hits the deck, Anon nearly flings himself off the platform in a panic.

The carriage skids to a stop on the very edge of the platform, the team of pegasi pant heavily as they narrowly avoid disaster.

“What was that!?” Reckless approaches the carriage, and gives it the up and down. The pegasus duo is uninjured, which prompts her to continue. “What kind of flying school you have? Late is fine, nearly kill us is not. What if Princess here?” Tears begin to form in one of the pegasus’ eyes, her hooves tremble.

“W-We’re sorry miss!” The mare pegasus begins to sniffle, and nearly breaking down as her wingstallion hugs her.

“Jeez, Reckless, you’re such a heartbreaker.” Anon has already clambered into the carriage, and leans off the side.

“I didn’t even push hard, we were at risk of fall!” Reckless sets her bag down, she westles into the lofty seat.

“Were at risk? They’re still the ones flying us to Ponyville.”

The mare pegasus is no longer at risk of a sobbing fit, her comrade frowns at Anon’s statement. “I’ll have you know I graduated top of my class at flight school.” A proud wingtip points to a medallion on his chest.

“Must’ve been a pretty shit flight school.” Anon leans forward, a smirk on his face. “Dude.” Reckless holds back a giggle.

Instead of responding with words like a gentlecolt, Anon and Reckless are given a sudden lurch forward. Without any runway, the carriage is on a direct collision course with the ground below as the pegasi attempt a sudden takeoff.

“IT WAS JUST A PRANK BRO!” Anon screams as the carriage hurtles toward the ground. Reckless can only grab onto the ledge, pinned to the seat by the incredible acceleration.

The carriage begins to curve upwards, and then it slowly levels out. The pegasus duo bank constantly to weave between the many towers. A pulchritudinous and expansive city below them, ponies from the city are no doubt impressed by the acrobatics and somewhat perplexed by the human’s head leaning off the side.

“Oh sweet Celestia…” Anon dry heaves over the railing, trying to stop himself from delivering an aerial bombardment on the ponies below.

“Don’t like height, Anon? Truly are scaredy-cat” Reckless leans over with Anon, and stares down at the waving ponies.

Anon’s heaving ceased, and he slinks back into the plush seat cradling his stomach. “Just make it end…”

Author's Note

My pace is horrible

Expect more same time next week, or earlier. Who knows?

Arrival

“I fly, you cry!” Reckless is leaning over the side, shouting down at the ground. Her first time in the air is good, only confounded by Anon’s misery.

Anon has already emptied his stomach, and the turbulence isn’t helping. A silent croak leaves his mouth every minute- probably a prayer.

“No god help you, Anon!” Reckless continues to taunt the crippled human. She bounds across the small carriage, rocking it with little regard for the pegasi.

The hour-long flight is coming to a close, and the small city on the horizon is just starting to cast its familiar silhouette as the afternoon sun gives off a great glow. Reckless leans off the front, her body threatening to tip the entire contraption. If it weren’t for her lack of trepidation in the face of such a bizarre sensation, she’d be balled up on the ground with Anon.

“You know, Anon.” Reckless looks down on Anon, her exhilaration subsiding. “You think this feel natural?” Licking her lips, she has a stern look of concentration. “Ever been on boat?”

Anon shakes his head. “Never.”

“I first horse to naval land.” Reckless proudly puts a hoof to her chest. “I not make easy.” She chuckles lightly. “Spit up food like you. Navy Captain not happy. This flying contraption no different, just let happen, any stress you become accustomed to. Gentle rocking, let it feel like…”

“A rollercoaster.” One of the pegasi abetted.

“I hate rollercoasters.” Anon slowly exhales, and cups his face into his hands.

Reckless snorts. “Maybe you hate fun, sad life.” She peers over the side, a frown is on her face.

“Almost at town, fun over.” Reckless places rump in the cushion, and the pegasi begin their final descent. Considering the weight of the craft, and the fairly short landing space, Anon expects a terrifyingly sudden and sharp stop. Instead, the carriage slowly circles around the landing area, much like a marble would on a chute.

Anon grips the side of the carriage, peering over it after hours of staunchly refusing to. Anon murmurs a soft “wow” at the sight. Ponyville is now directly ahead, the vast thatch roofs in stark contrast with the boujee adornments of Canterlot. The pastel residents of Ponyville come into view, who are visibly waving at the craft.

Reckless waves back at the townsfolk. The craft slowly descends, and skims over the thatch rooftops, causing little bits of hay to get caught in its skids. Eventually, the pegasi duo spots a sufficient landing spot, and banks rather suddenly, tossing Anon around the craft while Reckless slides on floor.

“Oh God, Reckless. We’re gonna die, aren’t we? This is how the pegasi get you, they can never land!”

“What you know about flying, Anon?” Reckless wraps her tail around a rail, peering down at the rapidly approaching ground. “Grab rail and prepare for bounce.”

Anon’s eyes go wide, bewildered. “B-Bounce?”

Reckless smirks.

The craft hits the ground with incredible force, knocking Reckless to her flank. Anon, on the other hand, bounces like a ball on the golden tile, his body rag-dolling. The motion after impact sent his body over the rail of the craft, tumbling insipidly on the grassy hill.

The craft quickly decelerates as the skids drag along the ground, with the Pegasi pilots none the wiser to the man overboard.

Reckless wordlessly leaps from the craft, rushing to where Anon tumbled. Her breathing is heavy.

“Anon!?” She shouts, waiting for a reply.

Continuing her search, she peers down the hill, only to be greeted by Anon’s rather comical predicament. Coated in mud from head to toe, he lies in a gulley, sputtering out mud as he tries to speak.

“H–” He hacks out a small piece of grass. “Help!”

Reckless carefully shimmies her way down the hill, careful not to slip like Anon.

—
“So, uh, they just gonna leave us here?” The pegasus leans over her shoulder, glancing back.

“Screw 'em!” Clasping into the carriage’s connectors, the pegasus stretches his wings. “Let’s just go, I got a new edition of Power Ponies waiting.”

His companion perks up at the proposal, a grin on her face.

—

“Alright, Anon? Quite fall, mistake I make not to warn, sorry. ” Reckless sheepishly rubs her knee, leaning over Anon.

“Y–” Coughing up more grass, he slowly leans up. “You could’ve killed me!”

“But aren’t dead, good news.” Reckless grins, extending her hoof to Anon.

Anon pulls himself up, but before he can start ridding himself of the mud, the sound of pegasi taking flight draws their attention. They look towards the sky. The golden carriage glowing a brilliant yellow in the afternoon sun, a carriage with all their luggage, is unmissable.

Anon quickly scrambles to chase the carriage from below, and hollers toward the heavens. “Get back here, you little shits!” He raises his fist into the air, shaking it angrily towards the pegasi.

Reckless shrugs, flicking some mud off of her hoof. “All you carry is garbage anyway.”

Anon stops, the now-dry mud on his face flaking off as he sits in the grass, defeated. “I had the full Spider-Mare plate set, for God’s sake, Reckless, it was a collector’s edition.” He stops to catch his breath, disappointed by Reckless’ lack of care. “Collector’s edition, Reckless! Does that mean nothing to you?”

“Yes.” Reckless deadpans.

Tears welling up in his eyes, fully defeated and covered in mud, Anon slumps his shoulders and marches toward the town. “L-Let's just get to town.”

Author's Note

Being 'stable' when it comes to putting out content?

Poor Reception

Anon collapses to the ground, clutching his chest, gasping for air.

Reckless sighs at the sight. “It been only few hill.” Reckless nudges Anon with her hoof, pointing to the town limits a mere 100 yards away. “No be baby, almost arrive.”

The “100 yards” quickly turns into a complete nightmare. Anon’s histrionics causes Reckless great grief as she had to repeatedly yell at him to get a move on. Anon eventually falls to his knees, struggling to breathe.

“Reckless… you’ve got to le–” Anon begins, pointing at her back, but Reckless immediately cuts him off.

“No. You not doing that.”

“But Reck, I can’t take it. Just this once.”

Reckless frowns, looking down at Anon as he pouts.

“Please?”

Reckless feigns consideration, before beginning to kick at Anon’s kneecap, forcing him to his feet.

“Long as live, you never ride!” Reckless continues her assault until he’s back to walking. “Never!”

Anon hangs his arms down, with an exaggerated limp in his “injured” leg. Reckless regains her smile as the duo marches back toward the city.

It’s only a few minutes more at the improved pace, and they eventually reach the outermost home in the town. Anon leans up against a wall, heaving for air.

“No worry Anon, maybe town hall made out of chocolate!”

Anon gives Reckless a very, very disgruntled expression, which she laughs at.

“Is only joke. We here anyway, so just bit more and you rest.”

Anon nods solemnly, continuing forward into the town.

Anon the lardass collapses in front of the town hall.

Reckless isn’t shocked, she attempts to force his body up the town hall’s steps and move his body inside, which causes quite a stir among the Ponyville populace when his body continues to roll back down.

A particular tan mare takes notice of the commotion, her eyes wide with shock at the horrendous display in front of her. “What is the meaning of this!?”

Reckless looks up the staircase briefly, a sheen of sweat forming from the incredible exertion Anon’s heft provides.

She returns to her task of rolling Anon up the stairs, choosing to speak while moving. “New assignments, glory to Celestia, yada yada.”

“New assignments? As in guards?” The duo’s appearance still dumbfounds the mare, their grody mud-covered appearance isn’t the most reassuring sight.

Reckless glances up once more to the mare. “Assignments to city, yes we are guards. Where is city leader? Do they have hoist maybe?” The momentary discussion causes her to lose leverage on Anon. He tumbles down the staircase once more. Reckless settles on a less conventional way to get him up the stairs.

The mare’s expression only grows more horrified, her voice now a shrill panic. “J–Just… I’m the major, and you need to unho– Unbite that poor ape before you kill him!”

Reckless looks up once more, pausing in her attempt to simply drag Anon up the stairs by the collar.

“Why not say that earlier ma’am? Very sorry about comrade, no PT for months, highly unhealthy.” Reckless pokes at Anon’s face.

“No poking him either. I’m Mayor Mare. I’ve read about you in the papers, Reckless, and whom I presume is Anon.” She points to his limp body on the staircase.

Reckless eagerly nods.

Mayor Mare glances around the duo, clearly searching for something. “Celestia told me two pegasus guards would be accompanying your visit.” She pauses, looking down at Anon once more. “The mud isn’t a good indicator of your safe arrival here.”

“Pegasus leave in hurry, Anon dumped in mud.” Reckless states bluntly, completely disillusioned by the day's events.

Mayor Mare peaks her eyebrow, inhaling sharply as she calls out to the crowd that has formed around the town hall. “I’d like two able-bodied ponies to assist Reckless here with carrying Anon up the stairs!”

A stallion from the crowd shouts back. “The who and the what!?”

Mayor Mare sighs, looking the duo up and down for an apt description. “The green ape goes up the stairs, load the ape onto that tall chestnut mare.”

Two ponies present themselves from the crowd, helping to place Anon on Reckless’ back as he is hauled up the stairs.

Upon reaching the deck, the duo is ushered inside the town hall, the doors are shut behind them by Mayor Mare.

Mayor Mare looks down at her floor, abhorred by the trail of mud. “I don’t even know where to begin, and frankly; your little stunt caused quite a commotion.”

Reckless almost retorts, biting her tongue as the Mayor continues. “Your room and board is in the basement, it says barracks, nopony could miss it. I believe some bedding has been put out. Lie your friend down there. We can discuss this in the evening. I have some cleanup to do.”

Before Reckless can even respond, Mayor Mare has left the building in quite a hurry, addressing the crowd that has now formed around the building. Their shouts of confusion penetrate the walls.

Reckless doesn’t pay it any attention, moving towards the barracks laid out in the basement. The bedding is an utterly pathetic cot, the town clearly isn’t used to a garrison. The barracks itself is a relic of a long-gone era.

Lying her comrade out on the cot, she drapes a blanket over him. Three hours of rest will go a long way for him. Reckless awkwardly sits on her cot, it’s a tight fit, but she recognizes its embrace well enough. Sleep isn’t too hard to find.

First impressions are a tiring labor.

Author's Note

Whew! Sorry for the horrific delay. When life happens, you gotta deal with it. I hope you guys enjoy.

Barracks

A horrible thud reverberates around the room, accompanied by a loud groan.

Reckless’ eyes shoot open, a pathetic display before her. Anon is splayed out on the stone ground, looking up at the ceiling, his teeth chattering from the horrible chill inside the barracks.

“Anon?” Reckless leans over her cot, looking down at Anon as he shivers on the ground.

“Y-Yeah?”

“What in hell you doing on floor?”

“You know, Reckless… I should be asking you the q-questions!” Anon points an accusatory finger at Reckless. “We’re in the slammer, aren’t we? This is some kind of prison. N-Now I can’t even feel my legs...” Anon’s teeth chatter, his eyes darting around the room. His breathing steadily grows more frantic.

Reckless wordlessly climbs out of her cot, careful not to step on Anon. She sticks her hoof out for Anon to grab on to. Hoisting Anon onto the cot, where Reckless drapes both blankets around his back.

“Breathe.” Reckless waits for Anon to cool his nerves before she continues.

“We not in slammer, jail, holding, nothing like. This barracks. We made to assignment. Met Mayor, got time for rest.” Reckless points to the open door, and various worn EUP tapestries around the room.

“What about my legs though? I can’t even stand up.” Anon is rubbing his calves at this point.

“Do you not…” Reckless bites her tongue, desperate to avoid mocking Anon while he’s in such a distressed state. “Just sore, will be fine, keep rubbing muscle.”

Anon exhales, his face losing its strained expression as he examines the dark room.

“So… how did you get me in here? I don’t remember falling asleep in here.” Anon scratches his chin, his eyes now focused on Reckless.

“Nothing.” Reckless’ eye twitches, her voice at an odd pitch.

“Lying isn’t your strong suit, Reckless.”

“Not telling, will do later, promise that. Do more stretching.”

“I’ll hold you to that.” Anon pauses. “Thank you, for making sure we got here alright.”

Reckless nods, gesturing for Anon to lay back down as she moves toward a hooflocker at the end of her cot. She carefully opens it to reveal an oil lantern, a tin of viscous oil next to it, and an inscription she can’t quite make out, but it seems to refer to Celestia’s eternal glory. Not an out-of-place inscription for old surplus items.

Lighting the lantern, she grabs the handle with her mouth and moves around the room, carefully igniting the remaining torches on the stone walls. Clearly, the lighting material was magically infused, a bright blue flame spits out upon first ignition, soon changing into a perfectly bright orange.

With each torch ablaze, Reckless could finally make out the complete layout of the room. The cots were rather haphazardly placed, directly adjacent to the door. The cots and blankets seemed to be the only modern items in the room. Every other object was caked in a thick layer of dust.

In the opposite corner, a massive cabinet stood, flanked by two stripped armor racks. A singular forearm brace is still strapped onto the wooden frame. There was no possible doubt that the cabinet was some kind of weapons cabinet.

Anon finally seems to have warmed up, slowly standing from the cot as he begins to stretch.

“Anon, might want to see this!” Reckless yells out eagerly, her voice reverberating against the wall.

Anon waddles over, standing beside Reckless as he looks at the cabinet, a bit perplexed.

“It’s a, uh… cabinet, Reckie.”

“Not just cabinet, this is weapon cabinet!” Reckless is grinning from ear to ear at this point, her hoof pawing at the ground.

Anon doesn’t skip a beat, pushing up the latch that held the cabinet doors locked, revealing a great horde.

A great horde of empty cans and broken arrows.

Anon sighs, but Reckless doesn’t give up, throwing cans out of the way as she desperately searches for something, anything of use.

“Sorry Reckless. I don’t think they kept much of their old equipment in here.” Anon leans on the wall, watching Reckless search the cabinet.

“They always leave something…” Reckless furrows her brow, tapping at the sides of the cabinet, listening for a metallic reverberation.

“You know, sometimes you have to jus–” Anon begins.

“Shush. Need to listen.” Reckless immediately cuts him off, continuing to rap at the cabinet walls. A soft tang is heard, and she begins to move up the cabinet wall until she locates a source.

A small dagger held within a scabbard, made to be fastened around the shoulder. Reckless’ smile returns as she throws the holster around her neck, securely fasting it in place.

Anon lets out a soft “huh”, now copying her same actions in search of his own weapon. He only manages to scrounge an intact arrow.

“You going to poke with that, Anon?” Reckless chuckles.

“Fair Reckless, it isn’t the weapon, it’s what you do with it.” Anon sheaths the arrow through his belt loop.

Reckless shakes her head, stifling her laugh, just noticing a presence at the door.

A Mayor Mare enters the room, carefully avoiding the cans strewn about. “Are you two ready for a walk about town? I believe most matters have been squared away for the afternoon.”

Anon looks at Reckless, puzzled by this mare’s presence. Reckless doesn’t notice his confusion and quickly snaps a salute, a firm “Yes Ma’am” being said. Anon copies the action and statement, following Reckless out of the room.