1: Cold tired wet? Welcome to Hoofal.
The secretary state of war has received the following dispatch from Prince Shining Armour, Commander in chief of our princesses forces in the Hoofal colony in the Zebrican lands...It reads.
"I regret to inform you of a very disastrous engagement that took place on the morning of the twenty second day of spring between the armies of the Zebrican king and our own number 3 column consisting of five company's of the first battalion of the 24th regiment of hoof and one company of the 22nd battalion a total of nearly one thousand five hundred pony's, officers and other ranks. The zebras in overwhelming numbers launched a highly disciplined attack on the slopes of the mountain of Bloedhellingheuwel and in spite of gallant resistance the company was utterly annihilated, Barr a few survivors....."
Hoofal, Port of Lunaban - 4 weeks before
The air was thick with salt from the waves that battered the wooden bow of the Frigate as she sailed unaffected by the barrage into port. Above, on deck was a scurry of activity as pony's from all stretches of the empire manned the rigging's or shouted commands -and or- demands at eachother, fighting to keep there voices heard over the roar of the sea. And holding onto anything that was nailed down as large waves scaled the side of the vessel, assaulting the ponies on deck. Still; the ship made her way into port, sailing into the protection of the harbour walls and the Princesses latest addition to the Empire.
The dock was filled with activity, workers flurried around carrying large crates of exotic goods, ready to be shipped out and back to the upper class stallions and mares of Equestria. Who would in great numbers spend thousands of bits on spices and other tropical goods. Workers began throwing ropes to and from the ship and gripping and hauling them around. tying them off on the edge of the battered dock to hold the mighty warship in place. With a large crunch the flank of the ship impacted into the wall. although softly, it was loud enough to echo around the ship and carry on out into the dock
From below the somewhat dated ship's deck came an orange stallion. Crisp and clean in his red infantry uniform he trotted with a slow and lazy pace along the deck to the edge of a gap in the vessel. designed as such, as this was where the gangway was currently being dragged over by some native zebras, slaves to there knew colonial masters. Looking down onto the port he watched the workers scuttle around loading cargo and supply's from other ships around him. to the left of his vision marched four pony's dressed in sharp uniform, much like him. They trotted in two lines and on there belts clipped a large lever action rifle. Bayonet's slipped on the muzzle, turning them into crude spear, they soon left his sight however. As the ponies marched around a warehouse before moving out of sight. He leaned over to see in large bold letter the words HMS Celestial Rays painted onto the ship. A hats tip to one of the two ruling sisters, although it was somewhat worn by the test of time and mother nature it stood as an example of the power of the Alicorns. And there influences in places such as here.
"Bloody hell Lieutenant, Celestia' not half testing us today with the weather eh?" Came a call from behind him. As he turned right to meet the voice he found himself face to face with nothing, in confusing he turned his entire body around again knowing he was making a good job of looking like an idiot...Not that being an idiot was hard. "I'm beside you sir" feeling the presence to the side of him and snapping his head left he came to face a brown coated unicorn with a sly smirk glued across his face. giving a brief nod before returning his view to the port and the activity on it "Or you could...just, ya know. Continue ignoring me Sharpy" The orange Lieutenant let out a short sigh before turning to face away "Did i not tell you to stop calling me by "cute" nicknames?, or does you repetitively small mind fail to comprehend such requests private Black?".Although Sharp was a rather small pony, he certainly tried to make his presence felt. His favourite weapon was use of large words and put downs.
"I believe so, but the Macintosh Rifles tend to dim the ears..." Black let out a small chuckle before attempting to figure out what Sharp was looking at to no avail. he turned to the middle of the deck. Glancing at the flank of his superior officer. And his Spyglass Cutie mark. "So... what's the plan for today?" he asked resting a hoof in his pithed helmet to cover his face from the powerful sun. "Ohhh. i do hope alcohol and mare knickers are involved. because no offence but a couple of weeks on a ship full of stallions aint exactly help me below, if you know what i me-" "Celestia Black!" Snapped sharp bringing his full body to the younger soldier "Cant you act decent for once rather then show your damned horny side?" he let out a huff, sorting his orange mane. "Private Black Soot you are a respected soldier in the Princesses colonial troops now show some bloody decency or you can expect as much press up as I'd feel possible for you to achieve....and frankly i doubt that would have to be much"
Black nodded letting our a sharp "Sir" before taking his hoofs and himself away from the ships side. He gave a brief pause, looking back at Sharp before smiling "Shall i bring the stallions on deck sir?"
Sharp nodded bringing himself back around to face the jumpy Private. "Please do Black, and tell them to clip there pith helmets onto there uniform. its far to hot for them to be any use rather then extra weight on the head" he explained letting out a rather hot and bothered sigh himself. Black let out another quick "sir" before heading below deck. Pausing to take his ranking officers advice and removing his own helmet, he clipped it onto his belt before continuing down into the belly of the ship to share the ranking officers orders with the rest of the stallions. It didn't take long before the rumble of hooves floated up from below. And within a few minutes of his order came a rush of dirty stallions racing around the mid section of the vessel for there tunics and other uniform needed to look presentable. On the port side came a moderate bang as a large dust covered plank that was the gangway was finally dropped on the small opening. With a smile Sharp proceeded to trot down the board coughing occasionally due to the rising dust that had collected over time in storage. he was followed close behind by Black and the rest of the regiment.
As his hooves touched the ground he was surprised by the heat emitted by the concrete, although nothing "painful" it was certainly a bother. Distracted by the hot ground he failed to notice the approaching stallion, and it was only when a shadow loomed over he turned up to face the new pony. Green in colour and a rather comical mutton chop that formed a crisp and well trimmed moustache he sat dressed in full kit he gave a salute with his hoof before talking "Sir welcome to Hoofal. I'll be acting under you command" he then held out his hoof towards Sharp with a warm smile "Colour Sergeant Cobalt Dusk acting commander for the towns garrison. If you want to form you Lads up sir they can give a bonny wee trot up tae the barracks n settle in" Sharp gave a small pause tilting his head and nodding "understood Colour Sergeant" He paused again. The accent that greeted him was intriguing and sound much much to familiar. Although not Trottingham he had heard the dialect before. "Tell me, where are you from, your accent is to rough for a Trottingham stallion although i swear by celestia I've heard it before"
Cobalt nodded before twisting his neck spitting off and into the water. Much to the disgust of the new ranking officer "Aye. The Highlanders, 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Trotland sir." With that sharp laughed placing a hoof on the Sergeants side "Oh dear boy you don't say? Ha I have a cousin in Edinbuck. A doctor in Equine history my friend!" They both shared a laugh as the Highland Stallion replied.
"Ah ya dont say mate? i was born an raised there myself sir i have to say it was a bonnie place. Cold but none the less bonnie, you aint seen hills until you see the highlands of Trotland." With that Cobalt peered behind Sharp noticing that the Stallions behind him had formed a double row and were looking at the two, clearly waiting for a command of sort. "Well sir, looks like your lads be waiting fir there Lieutenant like a changeling waits for there Queen. If you would kindly form them into a column and follow me i'll show you to the barracks Sir."
"Understood colour Sergeant lead the way" Sharp replied with a nod turning to face his own pony's
"Company of hoof you will march by two ranks, present!" He took a sharp intake of air "...Company by your left, Quick march!" the sound of left hooves hitting the ground echoed as slowly the Column of marching ponies made there way up the main street and into town.
Four Hours Later
With a slam Sharp closed his suitcase, bending down he pushed it under his wooden barrack bed with a slide and a thud. Sluggishly pulling himself back on all fours he immediately set himself down on his the bed with a sigh of relief. Happy to be off that rocking, wet and quite frankly crowded ship. He looked around to find himself rather welcomed and content to the surroundings. Four moderate sized wood walls. a small bedside table and a wardrobe and a half used candil, wax still dripping down the sides of it. He was lucky though, although he was indeed still a soldier his rank allowed him access to more "privileged" lodgings.
Placing his hooves across his stomach he looked out of the window, the sun still hung firmly over them and outside he could see many of the young garrison ponies struggle to stand up to the onslaught of celestias powerful rays. One pony he noticed. A young stallion with bright blue eyes. swaying slowly back and forth, his friend however only noticed him as his face impacted onto the dirt floor and took to carrying him off to the medical ward with a sluggish trot. Turning his gaze from the poor "sod" his eyes landed upon the thatched roof and how small rays of light broke thought its defences, it was hot in here to; but he was spared the brutality of Celestias sun outside.
As sharp turned his head upwards he could feel his eyes slowly grow heavy from the weeks activities and work. Yes, indeed it had been a rather long day and after spending a few weeks on a heavy shaken boat that had its fare share of his vomit -on the account that he was not exactly a seapony and could be a good reason why he never fancied the royal navy- a well deserved rest was in mind. Goodbye outside world hello sweet. sweet slee-
"Sir sir are you awake?!" Came a screeching voice of Black. His hoofs slammed across the wooden floor of the barrack room abruptly shaking Sharp awake. His eyes shot open and he let out a pained groan as he covered them with his hooves.
"Depends do i want to be?" he asked with obvious sarcasm stitched though every word.
"Wellllll" started Black, putting emphasis and a high pitched sequel onto the word. "Were all settled down and unpacked our kit and a few of us were planning on going drinking. So i decided to come ask if y-"
Sharp cut him off, glancing over with a serious look across his face. He turned his body to face him slightly. "You came to me just as i was about to doze of to ask if i wanted to brake the military rule of alcohol and go drinking with you?" He suddenly paused, closing his eyes again with a heavy sigh. In all honestly it was a tempting argument. a good cold frothy beer or cider sounded perfect. Surrounded by laughter and music. Rather skimpy dressed mares and to top it of a chance to actually socialise. rather then look like an another hot headed authority figure.
Well he was certainly won very quickly...
He let out a small smile backed with a chuckle "Ok you've won me over" he paused for a moment to think "actually grab the Sergeant and tell him its urgent, lets see if he wont join us eh?". With a quick laugh he saluted again "sir!" Black then left as fast as he entered. Allowing Sharp time to stand up, complain, complain again, and finally dress down into something more formal. Perhaps his blackened under-tunic with bare hooves?. And he didn't really need his rump to be covered by his black trousers so off they could come to. With a swift change and several painful slams of his hind legs onto the bed, something he totally never felt thing from, he headed out into the plaza that sat in the middle of the military structures. where several soldiers sat drinking, socialising and gambling.
Looking up he let out a sigh of relief. The heat of the day had drastically cooled as the sun had began to fall. At this rate it was becoming rather cold, with his head still up he began to notice the princess of the night at work. As stars began to be seen though the orange sky. He took pleasure in seeing them, stars were something rare in heavily polluted towns such as Trottingham. Were most of her majestic work was blotted out by the hoof made factory's and smoke churned from the high red bricked towers and funnels that ironically represented the power of the princesses and there economical power housed empire.
As he lowered his head he noticed from across the plaza Private Black. He was accompanied by Sergeant Cobalt much like a small yappy poodle was always paired with the large noble great Dane. On Cobalt face was a sly grin. Somewhat hard to see though his thick moustache. Never the less he continued moving across the dusted plaza towards the orange stallion, he let out a rather loud yawn rubbing his eye and finally looked down onto him "So.." he began. slightly worrying Sharp due to his flat tone "Let me get this straight, your taking the entire regiment out for drinks?" There was a tone of hesitation in his voice now. Although sharp expected to be scolded for stepping out of rank. Cobat expected some sort of heavy handed hoof and a denial of anything followed by being ordered to clean the toilets with his tongue.
After giving Black a rather annoyed glance he sighed "Apparently so Sergeant." he replied not quite sure when he signed up for this military campaign to the nearest pub or bar...he expected a few friends not the entire regiment. But he was cold tired and frankly he wanted to get as pissed as possible, either way he was going along with it none the less. He was also not quite sure when the heavy hoof wrapped around him and he was forced into a rather manly hug with cobalt, that he was hoping was platonic and "friendly". "Yer going tae be my favourite ranking officer here mate if ya keep this up" with that Cobalt raised said hoof into the air "Now. lets go out and get our muzzles salted!".
And with that the group slowly made there way out the palisaded defences of the military barracks and towards the bustling town followed closely by other separate groups of the red clad colonial ponies. Singing jaunty show tunes and laughing as they made there way to the nearest pub or themed bar that filled the sides of the dust tracks that were the streets of Lunaban.
"On the rocky road tae dub-lin, one tae three fir five!"
2: First impressions, and a bloody sore head.
2: First impressions, and a bloody sore head.
The "pub" that the three stallions decided to take shelter in was filled with the stamping of hooves and singing of drunken ponies in the dim candle light of the wood built tavern. Inside of its small compact rooms lay the chairs and tables that the occupants...well, occupied, crammed into any space possible. Leaving only a tiny space for the rather "skimpy" dressed barmares to shuffle past and hand out drinks, or yelp as they were groped by the drunkards, normally ending in a hoof to the face of the drunken stallions.
In the top right near a staircase stood a small wooden stage. Flimsy in construction it surprisingly held up three stallions and a mare, playing several instruments and singing Equestrian, -but more importantly for many- Trottingham folk songs both in a rather tarnished pitch making any respectable dead Equestrian singer roll in there grave, although most ponies were blinded by enough gin and scotch to see them as the next "big idol" back in there homeland of Equestria.
Sharp sat in the middle of the Tavern. Black on his left, already filled with enough drink to put a well balanced mare in a furious rage, or humorous sleepy stumble, and Cobalt on his right; Sitting content sipping on his next drink.
For Black though, drink seemed to touch him on both ends of the spectrum; suddenly and aggressively snapping out at ponies who tried to shuffle past. Only to suddenly brake into tears about how the two stallions in front of him were the "best friends a stallion could ever have" and how he "wished he had friends back in Trottingham like them". Honestly it kind of humbled Sharp, Black was not exactly a bad character, just....Young? Immature? Hyper? In the month's he had known him he was never quite sure were to place Black...but a friend was good enough for him decided, after all he never really had friends to be frank.
Cobalt on the other had....well, he was a fucking mystery. He had seen this stallion go though more vodka, scotch, gin, Martini's and every drink on the planet then he had seen mares rears with all on show, and frankly that was none. And yet Cobalt still help is composure. It was either that or he died and his muscles froze him in place. A humorous idea was rudely thrown out the window when he chuckled slightly, bringing Sharp back into the world of reality.
"Oh hum? Did you fellows say something?" He asked, trying to catch up on what he had missed during his mind becoming the Equestian Apollo mission as he came back from "spacing out".
"Aye. Black cracked a good joke. Nothing to important..." was Cobalt's reply as Black nudged him, irritated at his apparent jokes "worth" and let out an audible "Hey!", before downing another shot of gin, and surprisingly asking for another one politely, His drunken state again changing from his aggressive state to one of calm.
"So Black...how was life back in Trottingham?" Sharp asked. Determined to at least learn a story behind each face he would come to know, and since apparently these two were to become his friends then might as well get there's first he supposed.
"Shite" was the harsh reply. Taking sharp back slightly by the “ colourful” word choice Black decided to use.
"Ma filled her grave after I was born.” Black began, looking down with a obvious depressed sigh.
“Left me to an alcoholic father who then pissed off the wrong guard, Ended up with a bayonet in his gut and an arrest warrant for murdering a pony when he was drunk...”
A mare leaned over, placing his next drink on the table, allowing Black to eye her up as she giggled at him, blowing him a kiss while she trotted away while Sharp took in the surprisingly grim story.
"Yes, anyway....yea.” He continued taking a swig of his new beverage
“So he gets hanged, Guess where I’m left?"
The older stallions shrugged, although the two ranking Guards probably guessed where they decided it would be better for him to say...to avoid confrontation while the young stallion was in his drunken stupor.
"Fuck'n poorhouse that's where, bloody owner run us ragged...it was like a dam factory line, one dropped dead? dragg'em out and replaced them with another poor sod..”
Slowly they both watches as Black descended into a fit of sniffing, trying to hold back tears as he recalled the brutality of the poorhouses he worked in. The lack of food, starvation, abuse and other horrible events, he persevered though and continued
“Didn’t care if the wee colts and fillies lost there hooves running under the factory machines to clean them.....just told them to either work with less limbs or starve in the streets..."
He shivered slightly, "Horrible place....Down right horrible" He then paused and looked down, taking a mouthful of his drink; keeping it in his mouth to allow the flavor to make an impact before swallowing.
"So, second I got the chance I left and joined our princesses lovely forces...” He said swirling his hoof emphasizing the obvious sarcasm present in his sentence.
“almost failed the test due to health reasons, but bless Luna above I recovered and here I am, in some foreign patch of piss poor land covered in those striped buggers in there tribes"
Sharp tried to talk, but found he found himself saying nothing. He was surprised that this normally bouncy young stallion had such a grim past so instead Cobalt drew a sharp breath and took the task unto him.
"Ah, well....aye...shame for you..." Even this normally sound stallion struggled to produce something that would not sound sympathetic, in belief that the young stallion would get angry...And it was hard balancing Sympathy with uncaring while rather drunk. With that he simply placed a hoof on the young stallion, patting him hoping that this move would get the point across.
"That's the past laddy, and now is now...Be thankful you never ended up like most of the ponies of your class." Cobalt eventually remarked. Trying to console the young stallion.
"My...Class?" Black spat back, looking over with anger in his eyes. pushing the table forward and glaring at the older stallion ready to throw himself at the sergeant.
"My class!. Has nothing to do with it...look at our "Empire" sir. We’ve gone from perfect ideals...to grabbing others lands so we can built those Celesta forsaken brickwork factory's...you lucky stallions got born into rich families. That’s the deal here!...." He roared at them in his drunken state before placing his face onto the table, finishing another glass, and returned to slumping on the table.
Sharp decided now would be a rather good time to change the subject. "So...Cobalt, how’s the activity been here in Hoofal as of recently?"
Cobalt twisted his head over letting out an "Hmm?"
"Hoofal. news, status, what's going on" Said Sharp blandly, using the key words so the stallion could understand without himself having to repeat the sentence again while slightly tipsy.
He went silent, looking down and was clearly struck with a face of confusion before the information was processed in his highland head "Oh! Right," he coughed perking himself up.
“Well.” He started sitting himself up and placing his hooves on the table and pushing the many empty glasses to his left.
“Right now we've still got our colony defense force of about...a thousand ponies" he flicked his hoof to emphasis the point or frankly to keep himself from being distracted by the drinks that he had around him "Lately the Stripes. Those being the bloody Zebras have been moving towards the colony towns and Shining amours’ sent general Stardust to take charge; supposedly he's bringing another thousand of our lads to support up.”
He caressed his moustache with his hoof, downing a glass of clear liquid most likely vodka. and sighed.
"And from that the mayor of Hoofal is delighted and blah de blah...I mean in the end its just a quick vacation for your lads" He started again chuckling as he leaned back slightly taking in the air of the crowded tavern relaxing.
"I see.....and do they expect a fight?" Sharp asked slightly concerned. The zebra numbers were always large. Tens of thousands on a good day.
"Well unless you call rifles and machine guns versus spears and shields a fight. I doubt it...trot in, gun them down, burn the village. Save the princesses, home by Christmas for tea and crumpets...up the rifles and all that" He brought his hoof up spinning it around to support his sarcasm.
For the rest of the evening the three stallions drunk and talked about the week ahead, while the "band" on stage played folk tunes constantly, getting worse and worse as they drank themselves.
"S...So" Black started standing up "Then, I...I was like! Ha, ye call that a swing. Ma Granny can sw...erm...Can Swing b-better then that!" He hiccupped while taking another drink from the uncountable number of drinks now on the table they had all enjoyed during the hours they had now spend in the dark dim dungeon like place.
"A...And ma Granny's dead!" All three stallions laughed, although they probably had no idea what for, or why.
Just as Black reached for another glass he was shoved over on to the table, with an audible "Watch it!". Sharp turned his head up to see three dirty looking stallions walking by, Looking at there regiment collar he notice the numbers Two and Two. Before he could say anything about it however, Black had begun to let his mouth go
"Oh...L-Look. Its the...Pansy brigade here to raid us of our frolicsome pants." Spat black turning around to the three stallions he glanced over at sharp, with a concerned look before continuing.
"I feel sorry for the Twenty second, mind you. Everypony does" a small chuckle emerged throughout the tavern as ponies began to look over, most hoping for a fight.
The stallion shoved Black back, as the crowd let out a "Ohhh" and slowly stamped there hooves on the floor chanting "Fight" over and over. Cobalt stopped the young private from falling back and then got up himself, watching as Black trot back over and straight up to the pony's face. As Cobalt sighed and placed a hoof over his head shaking it.
"What you going to do, Two five lad." the stallion spat "Cry to your mother?" He turned around to his friends laughing "whaa, look at me. I'm just a small little fill-"
Bad move.
The stallion never managed to finish his sentence, as Black sprung on to him Enraged and shouting dogs abuse at the “lead” pony. Slamming his hooves repeatedly into his face as the other two backed off and watched the fight unfold while the tavern erupted in shouting and laugher. Cobalt sighed trotting over trying to pull Black off.
"Common lads, how about we stop acting immature and talk this out like grown stallions"
His response was one of the other stallions smashing a glass of his head. And his response was just as unexpected to them. He paused, turned his head to the offender, grabbed his hoof and proceeded to smash his hoof several times into the face of the attacker. while the last stallion jumped onto his back to help his friend. Indeed cobalt was not only a "Fucking mystery" He was also apparently built like a brick house.
"S-Sharp!" One of them cried out, although it was hard to figure out if it was Cobalt or Black due to all the commotion "Don't just sit there help!"
Sharp chuckled, taking a sip of his drink. Chuckling as he shacked his head
” Rule: 23 "Never get involved in a bar fight in a foreign location"
Suddenly Black was thrown across slamming into the table, with an audible crack. while cobalt turned and kicked the stallion who did it. knocking them into the tavern wall and out of the fight. The table flipped sending Black and most of the of the drink to the floor, covering the poor private in glass shards and alcohol, not exactly a winning combination.
Sharp sighed. still sat, he looked down at where his drink would have been before standing up calmly. and trotting over to the two stallions and cobalt
"Rule 89 "Thou shall never Spill'ith another Stallions drink. or shall thou suffer".
And with that he grabbed one of them. Cracked his forehead on top of the other stallions, as an echo of skull and skull filled the room. The stallion brought his fore hooves to his head stumbling Sharp brought a hoof under the stallion, Striking him in his moderate sized balls and causing him to let out a loud yet high pitched scream, and move his hooves from his head to his now painful "little stallions".
While the stallion was again distracted by his future generations pain, he spun and bucked his rear hooves into the crippled stallions chest. the opposing stallion flew back and impacted on a wall opposite them. Whimpering as Sharp slowly trotted forward smirking as his shadow slowly engulfed the terrified pony.
"L-Look buddy, s-sorry about your friend and all that...w-we...were just messing huh? common were all friends" He said stammering, not expecting the turn of events. The young stallion began to plead, offering money, his rations hell he even offered to "suck off" the aggravated Officer...Sompony was indeed desperate he guessed.
"To late chap. should have thought about all this bef-"
Suddenly there was a crunch, and splinters of wood seemed to surround Sharp. He felt weak and suddenly dizzy, slowly he felt the world shift direction and rotate right, he also seemed to notice the floor getting closer and closer, and then proceed to cuddle his face. He close his eyes and drifted of into a pained sleep.
17 Hours later.
The first thing Sharp felt was the unbearable pain his head was putting him though, like sompony had forced his head though a mailbox, while they stood slamming sticks on it he struggled to think never mind wake up.
Slowly but painfully he brought a hoof up pressing it on the base of his skull while letting out a low hiss. Slowly he cracked an eye open only to feel his socket bombarded by the rays of sun that now pierced what he assumed to only be a window. However, he persevered and slowly opened the other one and subjected it to the same torture as "Lefty". Slowly his vision adjusted though and he was met with the eyes of another staring at him from across the room, covered head to toe in white bandages and the only thing visible were said eyes that were staring at him. Rather creepily might he add.
He nervously waved at the pony before looking around. Firstly he realized he had moved from the tavern floor to a somewhat comfy bed, and that the room he occupied had around twenty beds. with curtains, And the smell of mint and other herbs. Ok so he was in a hospital, that was...good?. Well it had to be, at least he didn't die from whatever decided to say hello to the top of his skull. He then noticed the other occupants of beds. some were burned and a few others were simply in the beds with cuts or something that was probably internal. The only thing common about them all was that the all had hung up beside them the red tunics of the colonial Royal guard.
Great. It was a military hospital he thought as his mind tried to piece together the events of the night previous. His pondering was cut short though as he head a cough from beside him and turned. He was faced with Black, well...the side of Black, he lay with cuts and bruises, and it seemed like the table did more damage then he original thought.
"Oi..Black....You awake?" No reply...he looked around, noticing a fruit bowl on table.
A barrage of fruit later he asked again and again was greeted with the sound of silence...and groans from other patients. Either way that stallion was out for the count.
Just as he went to throw the entire bowl at the sleeping stallion a soft, silky and almost enchanting voice spoke from behind him; female in origin and immediately caught his attention. Sharp recognised the accent, it was familiar and caught his attention as he tried to recall the town it was mainly heard in. However one thing was clear it had a certain elegance to it that only a mare of moderate class would achieve.
"Sir, if it pleases you might you be so kind as to put that bowl down?"
Slowly, still facing the young private Black, his hooves lowered. Placing the bowl back onto the table minus the already thrown fruit that was supposed to occupy it. He sighed painfully rolling himself back over onto the bed before bringing himself to face the mares voice.
The first thing that greeted him was radiating smile that seemed to calm him slightly, followed by a pair of emerald eyes and finally the blue coat they had found refuge in.
"Thank you" She finally said, with a certain soothing tone, still keeping her pleasant smile.
Sharp nodded wincing as his head touched the backboard of the hospital bed.
"Not a problem miss?...." He asked, hoping to gain a name to her face.
"Miss Haymarket." She said turning to face the bottom of his bed and slowly using her magic to bring a small clipboard to her front. She glanced over it before bringing her eyes up to the lieutenant and putting the clipboard down again. Content with his medical report and status.
"Miss, Rosethorn Haymarket sir" She finished.
Sharp grinned "So your father matched a lovely flower to a equally elegant face?"
Rosethorn was taking aback as a slight heat rush to her cheeks turning her face and allowed herself the pleasure of a brief giggle before returning to her own task.
"No sir" She began bringing up a glass of water with a small tablet dissolving in the liquid before bringing it to the Colonial Royal Guard.
"I do belief its because I’m attentive." She turned around using her horn again, this time picking up fruit that Sharp had assaulted Black with in an attempt to wake him up.
"Witty," she continued.
"and I like to think intelligent also sir" She said finished with opening a curtain to allow some more light in to the discomfort of Sharp.
"I see miss Haymarket." Sharp began sitting himself up and using his pillows to stop him from sliding on the almost plastic like sheets. He grunted before pulling his sheet up, lest his company be met with the sight of his privates
"So what do I owe the pleasure of being in your company?"
She smiled greeting another, much older nurse as she entered before flicking her head to face him "Mild concussion and moderate lacerations." she said slightly agitated, she didn't exactly enjoy the bar life so after finding that her recent patient was in bar, she was none to pleased.
"Hence why I do not tend to visit such places like the bars of Hoofal Mister Sharp."
"Oh, does one enjoy drinking at home?" Sharp asked
"No. I prefer the drink of knowledge over the drink of sin sir." she finished sorting his bed sheets.
Sharp sighed "Understood miss, I assure you though I was not drunk, unlike my comrades in arms."
"Either way Mister Sharp, you should rest your head, you will probably be discharged by supper time." She looked up with a slightly worried look, unsure if she was willing to let him leave with the injury's... never mind back to military duty...and for a slightly closer to home reason she was not yet willing to admit to herself.
"But as a nurse, I ask that you try and stay away from large heavy objects flying towards you."
"Hey. I cant help if I was hurt in the valiant defence of the local bar" He tilted his head and brought up a hoof to make some attempt of a heroic pose, much to the entertainment of Rosethorn.
With a sigh she trotted to the front of the bed before looking around, her pleasant smile taking hold again.
"I see. Well again, I should assume you will be discharged and returned to duty by tomorrow?" She asked still slightly concerned about her recent patient.
"Indeed I will be." He said nodding, there was a small space of silence as the two both ran out of subjects to talk about.
Sharp financial broke the silence "Thank you all the same though miss rose"
She tilted her head slightly bringing a hoof up to the bed "For what?"
"For the pleasure of a good conversation miss" He looked over with a small but warm smile.
Rosethorn curtseyed and smiled back before leaving the ward leaving him alone to his thoughts, well. Alone apart from the older mare who sat writing on a small table at the far end of the room seemingly oblivious to her surroundings and the moans of the patients.
Slowly Sharp pulled himself around, and slid coarsely of the sheets of the bed. He stretched, his hooves creaking after a lack of use. He trotted around the bed, close enough so that if his hooves gave way he could at least grasp the bed if he felt the need. Slowly but surely however the orange stallion felt the sensations of moving his hooves and chuckled to himself letting out a course cough.
"Celestia, I'm getting to old for this crap" he said grumbling, and pulling himself across the ward to a window. Looking out he saw the now sleepy town that was the centrepiece of Hoofal. Her busy streets were now quiet and filled with only the laughter of fillies and colts or the wheels of the stagecoaches. In the distance he noticed the raising of a wall section of the new "Two sister" church. Built to bring the teachings of friendship and kindness to the barbaric land.
But in reality was built to oppress what was the old voodoo traditions that ruled here before the Equestrians arrived.
"I see you've meet Nurse Rosethorn?" came a worn voice from behind. He turned to face the old mare who had surprisingly made her way from one side of the room to his relatively fast and quietly, her Gray coat and silver mane reflecting off the midday sun as she looked up at the much younger stallion.
"Oh, right. Yes yes I have" Sharp replied unsure what to make of the grayish mare standing in front of him who had all of a sudden appeared with such speed behind him.
Was she a ninja?
She let out a rasped cough before smiling "Mmhm, first daughter of the Haymarket family. Very much loved here in the ward." She said looking out the window beside him with an equally withered but radient smile.
"I could see why ma'am" He said smiling as he turned his attention back to the outside world with her.
"Many a stallion has offered there hooves in marriage." She added quickly her smile forming a sly smirk as she looked over.
"Are you trying to state something?" he answered back rolling his eyes, whilst shaking his head in a comical fashion.
"Only that she's seen as a prized possession by many"
Sharp chuckled continuing to shake his head "Well. I do not see her as a prize, but a pony miss...As should all i suppose"
The old mare nodded, remaining silent. her raspy breath being the only sound he could hear, she took a sharp intake of air before sliding a piece of paper on to the window ledge before turning to leave.
"Good day Mister Sharp" She added just as she left
"Good day ma'am" He quickly remarked his attention now turned to the paper. It simply had an address clearly ripped from some form of medical sheet, and he was sure he had a good idea who lived there.
Hearing the old mares hoofs down the hall, he decided he would have to return to thank her at some point. But for now he trotted over to his bed, to find his uniform, slightly stained with cider and what would probably be blood. He slowly slid it on making sure not to bang his already pained head, and placed the note into a pocket, placing his extra sheets on Black and slowly left the ward and the hospital. Making his way up the dusted road towards the barracks. the heat of the day causing him extra suffering as he lacked his pithed helmet to protect him.
