Second Wind

You removed your greaves in the bedroom, placing them with the rest of your armor, and went into the bathroom. You walked inside, and went over to the mirror. You removed your bandages. Your wounds looked more like what you'd imagine bullet wounds would look like, small holes in your body. It's a a lot better than looking like two baseballs flew through your body.

Damn Aaden. You're a mess.

You take off your pants and underwear, and fold them, placing them on the counter. You slide the shower door open, and get inside of it. You press the silver button with red lining. Hot water begins to shoot out of walls and the roof. You grab the neon blue shampoo bottle, and lather your hair up. the shampoo itself smells intoxicating. You can't name the scent, but you enjoy it quite a bit. You move your head under the streams of water to rinse your hair. The moment you close your eyes, to avoid getting water and soap in them, you hear the shower door slide open. Your eyes shoot open with a yelp, a mixture of said soap and water getting in them.

"Ah, dammit...Who's there?" You said while you rubbed at your eyes. You hear a sultry voice, one filled with dramatics and love.

"I DO hope this spot isn't taken, darling." You breathe a sigh of relief.

"No, of course not. Damn..." Rarity giggles while you rub soap from your eyes.

"I'm sorry darling. Here, I know JUST how to fix that." She jumps up on her hind legs, placing her forelegs above your shoulders, kissing your neck. Her tongue is just slightly cooler than the shower water. Your toes start to curl up against the wet shower tile in pleasure. She starts to work her way down, and she makes it to your chest, when you a hear a loud knocking at the door to the room.

"Aaden? Aaden, are you there brother?" Rarity stops her kissing, and hops down, frowning.

"I swear, the one time I have you right where I want you..." Rarity hops out of the shower, and calls back to the voice.

"He's in the shower, but I'm coming, just a second!" She floats a towel over, and wraps it around herself. You let out a sigh of disappointment, and finish your shower. You get out, dry off, comb your hair, but decide to leave your beard stubble. Rarity might like it. You walk over to one of the suitcases you had brought here by the concierge services, and pull out a clean pair of underwear and a pair of black pants. After getting half-dressed, you walk out into the living room, and see Oliver out on the balcony. You walk out next to him, patting him on his shoulder.

"Oliver, it's good to see you!" You looked over your shoulder, and saw Rarity was starting to put on her makeup in front of a mirror she had set up in the living room.

"And it's good to see you, brother. As were the requirements, I could not participate in your training today, but I will be joining you for the next two weeks. I heard you showed some serious combat prowess today."

"Well, I just did what I thought would end the fight the quickest."

"That's the mentality that could save your life one day, brother. You're the talk of the Honor Guards. Very rarely does a new recruit run the 5-miles without stopping, lift all of the boulders, and then beat another Honor Guard Veteran in a spar. It hasn't happened since I did it. So many years ago..." Oliver's gaze drifts off into the rolling hills and forest in the distance behind the training grounds.

"I didn't pick you to take over at Ponyville because you were becoming my friend. I didn't pick you because I'm extremely desperate to return to my family." He then looks over to you.

"Aaden, I picked you, because although you are of a completely different species, although our lives are very different, I see a lot of myself in you. I picked you, because out of all of the creatures I have ever met, you were the only one I saw fit to take over. I made that decision on the train, on your trip to Canterlot with me. That's how much I believe in you." Oliver then smiled a shy smile.

"Now, don't get me wrong. Being with my family in Cloudsdale after training will be what I have long yearned for, I still have a duty to uphold. I just wanted to drop by, and extend my pride and faith in you as an Honor Guard. I know I picked the right man for the job." Oliver extended his wings, and prepared to take off from your balcony.

"Safe travels. Brother." He then rocketed away into the sky.

He stole my line.

You walked back into the living room.

"Was everything okay, darling?" Rarity asked, not diverting her attention away from the mirror.

"Yeah, that was just Oliver, telling me how proud he was. Apparently I did good today." You saw Rarity's hoof start to shake slightly while she was trying to put makeup on.

"Well, yes, darling, I uh, I saw you, um-" Her voice cracked, and she cleared her throat.

"I saw you perform. I must say, it was quite...seductive." She was now blushing as she was trying to put her makeup on.

"Well, alright." You laugh. You walk into the bathroom, and take out your nice white dress shirt, and your blazer. You get yourself all dressed up in front of the bathroom mirror. You decide to wear a bow tie tonight. You slide it on, and knot it. You examine yourself in front of your mirror.

I look like the next James Bond. Awesome.

You walk out of the bathroom slowly, and quickly throw up your coat tails, pretending to hold a gun in your right hand, just as you remember from the old James Bond movies. Surprisingly, Rarity was already done with her makeup, and was wearing a slim fitting white dress. She saw your little James Bond imitation, but had no idea what you were doing.

"Darling? Are you okay?" You smile.

"Locke. Aaden Locke. Shaken, not stirred." She really seems confused now.

"Darling, are you sure you're feeling well?" You laugh.

"I'm sorry honey, I look like an action star from back home." Rarity hops up, and leans against you again, standing on her hind legs.

"Well, you certainly look...rugged." She rubs her hoof across your stubble.

"You like?"

"Mm-hmm. And is that a bow tie? My my darling. What's the occasion?"

"I'm taking a beautiful lady to dinner." Rarity begins to blush. She gives you a quick kiss, and hops down.

"Well darling. Let's not waste another second. Maybe we can continue what we started when we get home." There's that seductive smile again.

I sure hope so.

Truth be told, you were ready for the intimacy with her. It no longer felt rushed or forced when things got hot and heavy. It felt like you two were completing each other, and truly bonding. You wanted it. You needed it. You now looked forward to spending the evening with Rarity at home, rather than a fancy dinner. Which blew your mind, because you really liked food.

Rarity apparently knew of a very nice restaurant near the castle itself. It was called "Nourriture".

Classy.

As both of you leave the room, you have a memory come back to you, like pieces of a puzzle. All of the chunks and pieces were there. You just had to put them together. You slowly connect the pieces as you carry on small talk with Rarity on your stroll through Canterlot.

Nourriture. French word for food. French. You took french in high school. High School. Friends. Your best friend was named Evan. You had known Evan since you could pee standing up. You were inseparable. You shared an apartment with Evan. Evan was your roommate. While you can't recall Evan's Girlfriend's name, you remember Evan. You wonder where Evan was right now. What he was doing. Hopefully, he was doing alright.

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You were constantly thinking about suicide. Not out of the need for attention, but because you legitimately felt trapped. You knew you weren't actually going to go through with it, but the thought always lingered in your mind.

Well. At least I have a backup plan.

Ever since Aaden died, things got very hard. You and your girlfriend both had to pick up another job so that you could stay afloat. The only reason you both lived with Aaden to begin with, was because you were down in hard times, and he refused to let you both suffer. You hate to admit it, but Aaden really provided for the both of you. He could have very well lived on his own successfully. In fact, his job as an architect was going to take him places. High places. Places you could have never reached.

You sit down on the couch next to Pepper, and he curls up on top of you. You flick on the TV, and flip over to the news. Apparently, New York City was using Aaden's murder as a way to try to make gun control laws more strict. They kept calling him a "martyr". It pissed you off. You turned the TV off, and ran your fingers through Pepper's black coat.

How the fuck can you be a martyr for a cause you don't care about?

You always knew the media and politics were awful things, seeking only ratings and votes, but this still was very offensive to you. Taking advantage of the cold blooded murder of your best friend. Pepper began to fall asleep, his breathing becoming slightly more heavy. You didn't know if you believed much in an afterlife, a Heaven or Hell, but, if Aaden was still out there, in some way, shape, or form, you were curios what he was doing. If he could see you. Sadly, in your current state, you hoped he couldn't. You never liked him seeing you sad. Seeing you cry.

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Aaden slid your chair out for you, and you promptly sat in it. He scooted you back up to the table, and, adjusting his bow tie, sat down across from you. A waiter, an Earth pony with a white coat, black mane, approached your table. He had a thick french accent. Aaden must have noticed his difficulty with speaking to us, so he immediately spoke back to him in fluent french.

"Garçon, une bouteille de vin, s'il vous plaît." The waiter smiled.

"Oui monsieur."  Aaden never stopped surprising you.

"Darling, I didn't know you could speak french!" Aaden smiled, his eyes half lidded. He reached under the table, and put a hand on your thigh. You immediately got goosebumps.

"Rarity. There's A LOT you don't know about me, that I'd just absolutely LOVE to show you." You blush. You assume all of the testosterone from his training was giving him this new found bravery.

"Well darling, lets enjoy dinner here. And then will have dessert in our room. Minus one Oliver." The Waiter returned, and once again, Aaden spoke french, placing both his and your order in the native language of the waiter. The waiter sat 2 glasses and a bucket of salted ice with a bottle of wine in it on the table. Aaden removed the bottle of wine, and poured two glasses halfway full, one for the both of you.

"Darling, don't drink too much. Remember, you must get up in the morning." He smiled. His white teeth sparkled, even in the dim lighting of the restaurant.

"Yeah, I'll probably need to able to stand up tomorrow, huh?" He sipped at his glass of wine.

"So. Rarity. I have a question."

"Yes darling?" He took another sip of wine.

"I've noticed that every pony I've encountered, has some kind of marking on their flank. Is that a tattoo, or?" You laugh. Out of all of the things you had explained to Aaden, Cutie Marks never came up.

"Well, my love, those are called Cutie Marks. You see, all ponies are born without them. When a pony discovers an attribute, the one that makes it unique from all others, the mark appears. You remember mine, the three diamonds?" Your dress concealed the back of your flanks, and you decided it best not to hike up your dress in front of everypony.

"Yeah?"

"I received it when I was but a foal. You see, I am capable of 'sniffing' out caches of gems just beneath the surface of Equestria. I then use those gems to snaz up outfits and jewelry!" Aaden nodded his head in acknowledgement, sipping at his wine again.

"Mmm." He hummed while tilting the glass.

"I'm assuming you don't have anything like that back home?" He put the glass down.

"Not really. I mean, we have tattoos, but they aren't usually so deep in meaning." You decided it was your turn to sip at your wine, while he talked.

"I don't have any. I mean, my stepfather had a tattoo, it said "Forgotten" in Japanese. He had a rough relationship with his father, and it ended with his father abandoning him at a young age. He got that tattoo later in life. When he passed away, I thought about getting a tattoo right where he had his," Aaden slid his right sleeve down, and showed you his wrist.

"Except it would say "Remembered" in Japanese. I never went through with it, partially because I'm coward, but that's the closest I've ever been to anything like that." You feel a wave of sympathy for him.

"Aaden, you said that was your stepfather. Do you mind if I ask what happened to your biological father?" Aaden looked at the tablecloth.

"He passed away, as well. Before my stepfather."

Good going, Rarity.

"Aaden, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to bring up anything too-" Aaden waved his hand, smiling.

"It's alright honey. I've explained it so much to so many people, I'm kind of numb to it now. And it was bound to come up anyways, sooner or later." You feel a little relieved that he didn't take any offense. You decide quickly to try and change the subject.

"So, my love, you never told me much about your career. Architecture, correct?" Aaden was sipping at his glass again.

"Mmm, yeah. We mainly dealt with skyscrapers and other large buildings. We even did a stadium once. I was one of the lead designers. I would think up and draw the pictures, and the contractors would build them. I can't remember too many names or actual buildings, but we did build a bank." Aaden put his hand on his head.

"Now that I think about it, it was a big bank. They wanted a vault underground and everything." You smile.

"You sound quite ambitious, darling. Any new ambitions for Equestria?"

"Well, I would like to reach the top ranks of the Honor Guard. I want to help expand your business. I also want to pursue a life with you." You smile, but it quickly settles. You thought of a new question.

"Darling. If you were offered a way to get back home, would you go?" Aaden obviously went into deep thought, his eyes widening slightly,

"I don't think so. What I can remember of Earth is very bleak. You see, here in Equestria, being different, being unique, is accepted. Hell, it's encouraged. Back on Earth, it's kind of the opposite. If you're different, you're usually ridiculed and ignored. In fact, the only reason I made it so high in architecture, was because of how I easily I assimilated among the others. I like the idea of being Aaden, Honor Guard of Ponyville, rather than Aaden, one other replaceable gear in the machine of the company." You put a hoof on his knee under the table.

"It means a lot to hear you say that, darling." The waiter finally came with the food, a slice of flat bread with melted mozzarella and a medley of vegetables on top, along with some fancy looking french fries for Aaden, a bowl of potato and leek stew for you. The waiter said something in french, and Aaden replied the same way.

"That guy is going to get a good tip. I like his attitude." Aaden ripped a chunk of the bread, and placed it gently in his mouth. He swallowed, and laughed in surprise.

"Oh wow. I still have trouble getting used to the fact that you ponies can really cook." You blew on a hot spoonful of stew, refusing to let it enter your mouth in its current state.

"I'm glad you enjoy it darling."

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The flat bread really was good. As you were eating, you kept conversation with Rarity. It all felt really calm, very laid back and relaxed. As you ate, you heard your name get called.

"Aaden?" You turned around, wine glass in hand. It was Rainbow Dash, one of Rarity's friends. She came over to the table.

"Didn't picture this being your scene, Dash." You said. She laughed.

"You're one to talk, Locke. I heard about how brutal you were training today."

How does word spread this quickly around here?

"Someone told me you'd be here. I was curios if I could come up to your room tomorrow, watch you train. You sound pretty awesome." You looked over at Rarity, who shrugged. Rainbow Dash seemed to kick her hooves at the floor. You didn't know she could be shy.

"Well, the other girls would also like to watch. They probably don't think you're as awesome as I do, but they'd like to see." You look back at Rarity again, who shrugs once more.

"Sure Dash. Training starts at 10, ends at 2. You're more than welcome to come and watch." Rainbow Dash blushed, seemingly extremely excited.

"Awesome! I'll see you tomorrow!" She darted off back through the restaurant. You turn back around in your chair, and notice Rarity chewing something. You look down at your flat bread, a fresh chunk missing. She giggles, and swallows.

"What? It looked delicious. And it was." You laugh.

"Well, Rarity, you have as much as you like. I can order another one." The rest of dinner passed without incident. You hadn't even become buzzed on the wine, but you were feeling light in spirits. Rarity suggested going to a local nightclub called "Purgatory". Vinyl was the DJ tonight, coincidentally. The night hadn't even begun, the sun was in the final stages of setting, so you decided to go to the nightclub, kill a few hours. As you began your walk towards Purgatory with Rarity, you felt funny. It wasn't the wine. That's when the memories came flooding back.

"Damn Evan!" You laughed.

"We've been here less than 5 minutes, and you've already broke something!" You were laughing so hard, tears were coming to your eyes. Evan pouted across the booth.

"Do they make sippy cups for beer?" He mused. The shattered glass lay on the floor. The waiter that was serving you was in charge of cleaning it up. You felt really bad. You reached into your wallet, and pulled out a 50 dollar bill.

"Here pal. Excuse my friend." The waiter smiles in disbelief.

"Sir, are you sure?" You wave your hand at him.

"I used to do what you're doing now. I know it sucks. Take it. Buy someone special something shiny. Or some candy or something." You smiled. The waiter took the bill, and insisted on shaking your hand. Evan decided to make fun you.

"Well God damn J.P. Morgan, remind me to break a glass every time we go out to eat." The food came out, and was amazing in appearance. Evan ordered a burger in a whiskey barbecue sauce, and you had chicken fingers. Evan wouldn't relent.

"Unbelievable. 26 Years old, and still ordering chicken fingers." You shrug your shoulders, shoving chicken fingers coated with barbecue sauce into your mouth. Evan twiddled his fingers, and seemingly got serious in disposition.

"So. Aaden." You looked up at him.

"You're serious about letting Sarah and I move in with you? I mean, we're definitely going to work. We'll make nowhere near as much money as you, but we'll be happy to help." You laughed.

"Evan, you're a brother to me. I will NOT have you out on the street. While I would prefer you to work, I could care less. I've known you since I was 4 years old. I couldn't turn my back on you if I wanted to." Evan was visibly swayed by your kindness.

"Aaden, my entire life, I've always been able to depend on you. You're always there for anyone who needs you. This means an incredible amount to me, to Sarah and I." You smile.

"It's what friends are for."

You hear a distant voice calling your name.

"den...aaden...AADEN..." You shake your head, and blink. Rarity is shaking you with her hooves. You snap back into reality, and give her a hug. She yelps with surprise, but hugs back.

"Sorry about that honey. I had a flashback, I think." You look up at the sign above a purple building. It read: "PURGATORY". Rarity grabbed your hand by her hoof, and led you to the door.

"It's okay darling. Now, we're here. In the mood to dance?" You nod your head.

"Oh yeah. Get a little energy out before dessert." Rarity gives you the same seductive look she did earlier.

"Don't use too much, darling. I won't have you tired too soon."