The war hero's shadow

The train rolled into the station as wind and rain pounded against the buildings and cars. A thunderstorm had been raging with no sign of stopping for the last twenty minutes. Cecil stepped off the car with one hand on his suitcase and one on his hat to keep it from blowing away. The duster was the only hope Cecil had at this point to stay dry until he could reach the school. He started his walk in the storm trying his best to keep dry. The duster was doing a good job but it couldn't stop everything as water drenched his neck and face. His reliable hat was another Rarity special that proved her talent in fashion. Other than the hair that dropped past the hat his head was dry, but that was the last thing on his mind as he pushed through the storm.

Lightning flashed across the sky illuminating the tall crystal castle like a villain's evil lair. Wind howled in his ears as it carried the stinging cold rain on his hands and face. Gritting his teeth he found a small breath of shelter in between two buildings. The heavy rain poured on him like a shower but at least the wind was calmer in the small ally. Getting his bearings back and adjusting his duffel bag he braved the elements once again. Cecil hugged the sidewalk and buildings to try and cut the effects of the wind down. His effort was rewarded slightly. It took almost two hours of searching and the storm breaking into heavy rain to finally see a path.

The school was nothing like the books had described, it was more. The multi-colored gems that made up the towering structure of the School, reaching up into the sky gave a warm glow in Cecil's eyes while the obtuse architect on the ground level ran his imagination wild as he tried to think of how engineers made this come true. Walking through the glass doors he met another marvel of wonder. Twin staircases seemingly floated and cured their way down to the floor in white marble. Above and behind them stood the magnificent bright blue crystal heart except in the center. The center had the Schools logo, a unraveling scroll with a feather pen writing on it. The design was simple yet it represented the school perfectly.

Once over his shock and awe, he noticed a group of ponies muttering amongst themselves. There were at least thirty all with various bags and suitcases. Cecil figured these must be the students that were accepted outside of the Empire's borders like him and he would be correct. Walking up one of them noticed him and soon they all stared at him in wonder and a hint of fear. Curious Cecil stopped after seeing the looks and gave a weak smile. He knew the duster and military luggage must have seemed out of place but dear old dad had proved the canvas bags were better suited for long distance carrying. Before any pony could say something a throat cleared the room and all eyes went to the source.

Standing proudly with a soft smile and stern eyes was a blue earth mare with yellow eyes. Her mane was sea green and sparkled like it flakes of glitter in it, her tail mirroring the effect. She walked past the group eyeing each one and nodding to satisfaction that is until she reached Cecil. She looked the soaking man up and down biting her cheek a little before spinning around and taking her place atop the first few steps of the left staircase.

“Attention, attention my little ponies. This is the Crystal Empire's prestigious university. Sapphire University! We welcome you all to our university and I, Miss Emerald, will be your guide on today's orientation. Firstly we must take care of your paperwork, so if you please, follow me to the counseling offices.”

The mare stepped off her perch as the ponies gathered their bags and followed. Cecil tossed his luggage over his shoulder stepping along from the rear. While he could feel the glances from the other students, he honestly didn't care, it would have been weird if they didn't look at him. The counseling office was like any other with a few extra bits thrown in for luxury and finer decorum. Cecil went through the normal processing like the others and to his surprise, he didn't receive any hassle or arguing that he didn't belong there. After getting secured on his classes, he had the option to stay at campus but that would cost out of pocket. He decided to find a apartment as an alternative. Once the logistics were settled they were off to be fitted for uniforms, something Cecil had been dreading, but understood as part of the posh atmosphere. Getting fitted was rather unique considering the tailor had to make his uniform from scratch. He was no rarity but over all Cecil thought he did well if a bit tight in the shoulders and chest.

Finally the tour of the school. It took nearly the whole time up just to explore and for once Cecil was grateful for his father's advice as the duffle bag had straps. As they walked he memorized what landmarks he could. The tour went so fast Cecil barely had time to register the statues or other fine works of art inside the halls. Once the tour ended he had to speak with Miss Emerald about staying the night. Of course they had planned for such problems seeing as eight other students planned on joining Cecil in apartment life. They were crammed into a empty dorm two at a time. The night was uncomfortable considering The beds were made for ponies and not humans, leaving Cecil to curl in a ball all night or have his feet hang over.

In the morning the students still had a week before they were to begin classes since some needed to find a residence. The school had several options of trusted apartments within walking distance of the school with prices listed. They were only slightly better then the dorms so Cecil went out. During the day he packed the coat in his bag seeing that it was summer and he would be seen as weirder. After all day searching around and exploring the city, he found a suitable apartment. It was going to be a thirty minute walk but a lot cheaper. He had bits saved up from work in Ponyville but the down payment and next month's rent would eat through it leaving him with barely enough to pay for all his books. Cecil would have to find a job and fast if he wanted to stay above red.

In his week of job searching, he spared what he could when it came to eating and drinking. His father had taught him how to make quick and easy meals that would last for months on end. They weren't the tastiest but they were packed with calories. Thankfully Cecil didn't have to dally for long when he found work in a warehouse in the commercial district. Of course, the walk was exponentially longer then to school but the pay would be greater than a simple part time job like the other students would likely get. Cecil had to haggle with HR and the manager to let him have the days for school off. They were hesitant but let him have it under the condition he didn't acquire PTO, and was paid lower then regular employees. While that irked Cecil, the pay would still be greater then a part time job.

After securing the job Cecil went to spend the rest of his money on books. He nearly paled when he looked at his wallet. Two measly bits were left but in time he would be getting paid again. With all his bills caught up and his school taken care of Cecil could finally relax for a day before he had work. Relaxing on the floor he sighed. Sleeping would be a pain for a minute until he could afford a bed, hell he would take a cot at this point. With nothing else to do he broke out his pen and paper and started writing to his father about his time there and getting started. When he was done Cecil used the last two bits he had for the stamp and letter holder. He knew being an adult would be hard but he never could have expected the bits to vanish this fast. He knew his father would be laughing at him and bringing up the times when he tried to warn Cecil about saving. All he could do was shrug and smile thinking about how those wasted bits were used to make fun memories with his friends.

Cecil came into work wearing his duster. The morning had been frigid cold and while the locals only saw the cold as a bit nippy they had fur, Cecil did not, therefore laughing and teasing was instigated.

“All right all right, enough teasing the new guy.” The supervisor stated as he walked in and leaned against the break room sink. The room got quiet but everypony had a snickering smile.

“Now then, We got a train coming in two days for that shipment to Manehatten. Ivory and Ocher your gonna be in c building hunting down the bulk of it. Geo, Broc, lilac, and Anarofite your gonna be in the load docs. We still got last weeks product sittin' there and the brass wants it gone two weeks ago. Hering your with the new guy. Show him the ropes and new guy.”

Cecil sat a little straighter when the supervisor, named Graphite, called on him. “Yeah?”

Graphite smiled “Dont forget your blankey. Thats all.”

Cecil rolled his eyes as he watched the supervisor leave and the other stallions snicker under their breath. He knew it was going to be a long day for him, but Cecil had grown up in a bar where working Stallions and mares showed up. He knew the banter and if they didnt like him they wouldn't tease him. As the ponies walked out of the break room Hering went through a side door in the break room calling for Cecil to follow.

“So where you from popsicle?”

Cecil smirked “A oven in Ponyville.”

“That so, well you moved into an icebox. Anyway, we’ll talk more about your crazy decisions later, for now I have to suit you up so the hat has to go.” He said before pulling out a white hard hat and safety glasses.

Cecil put the hard hat on and already he could see the difficulty. The pony heads while round still had different anatomy to his human head thus the hard hat hit the floor the second Cecil let go. A couple of tries later and some heating with Hering’s lighter. The black plastic band modeled to Cecil's head. It wasn't comfortable at all but it was on. After the trouble with the hard hat Hering tossed the glasses to Cecil.

“Just put ‘em around your neck with a string. If the boss says anything show him the hard hat and tell him I said so.”

Cecil nodded and the two walked out onto the floor. The high ceilings that seemed to attract dirt and spider webs never ceased to amaze Cecil.

“Now then, im going to show you around then put you on a basic job popsicle.” Cecil nodded and Hering continued “So i take it coming from Ponyville of all places, you worked on Sweet Apple Acres?”

Cecil smirked “Was it the tan lines, the hat, or the accent?”

Hering chuckled a little “Without wheat in your mouth and pitchfork in your hand my options were limited. So listen the gang and I heard about your special deal with the brass. Gotta say I would have told them to take me to dinner before screwing me like that. I don't care if you are a part timer we all get paid the same around here and taking your PTO. There would have been a riot before I let that happen, cause what if you got a test you gotta study for, or you got a nice date with a mare you want to go to or, you just need a day off?”

Cecil had never stopped to think about those predicaments. Sure he was smart but did he let his confidence just write a check his skills couldn't cover? In his mind he thought he was going to be all right but Hering was making a lot of sense.

“Im sure it will be fine, only have to suffer till the winter break.”

Hering scoffed “Didn't your old man teach you to space things out and plan ahead? I know mine would have put his hoof in my backside for jumping into something as stupid as that.”

“Well can't change it now. I signed the papers and bought the books on top of an apartment.”

“Wait you have an apartment? I thought that fancy school would have dorms?” Hering asked in astonishment.

Cecil shook his head “They wanted 3,000 for a month in the dorms and the apartments would cost 2,200 a month for the ones they recommended. I got lucky and found one for 1,000 a month.”

Hering let a long whistle out before he shook his head “To much for my taste but thats the elite for you. Have to flaunt those bits somehow. Regardless, popsicle its time you learn how the warehouse works.”

For the first three hours Hering walked Cecil through the place showing him the different jobs and a quick rundown on what they do. Finally, at the end of the tour, Cecil was stationed in the raw materials area. His job was to simply find large white bags and use a hoof truck to carry them to the loading dock. His time on the farm proved useful as his endurance and strength shined through. For the rest of the five hours, Cecil moved the bags of varying weight until the final whistle blew and he watched as the second of three crews walked in. The warehouse ran twenty four hours except on weekends and thankfully for the sake of Cecil's schedule, no crew was on swings.

Getting home Cecil crashed on the floor. He pulled his duffle bag up as a pillow and tossed his duster over his body for a blanket. Like his father had said, in a pinch it could be used as a sleeping bag and he might add it would make for a comfortable night's sleep or in this case a small nap but, unfortunately, his body was used to long days and sleep evaded him. Instead of sleeping Cecil decided to open his books to try and skim over some of the more interesting facts. Reading a university book wasn't the most exciting but it was all he had to kill time.

The days and nights passed in a blink for Cecil and finally, it was time for the university to open. Walking through the glass doors in his uniform gave Cecil a sense of pride and place. He felt like he belonged here and new vigorous excitement seemed to fill him as he walked through the halls with bated breath for the unknown. His classes were of course core classes he needed to progress. Most of them felt like refresher courses with a little extra challenge. It was nothing he couldn't handle.