Steel's Charge II (RGM)

>The dawn's sunlight pours through your small yet cozy room.
>Easing your tired eyes open you lay and stare at the wall.
>This will be your post until you retire, guardian to an alien being that to be honest isn't nearly as bad as you thought.
>No slavery, no harsh words to you yet, no weird sexual advances.
>He even thought you being a War Horse was an impressive thing, rather than something to be feared or shut out on.
>Maybe things will turn around.
>Slowly getting to your hooves you stumble a bit walking to the door.
>Spotting your glass of whiskey from last night you put the glass to your lips and down the rest in one gulp.
>Can't be having that go to waste now.
>You barely drank anything last night but it seems you slept well enough.
>Nudging the door open you find Anonymous is still asleep, if the rumbling snore coming from his room could be any more of a giveaway.
>Now that you're unarmored you can walk around the room and not wake up half this wing of the palace.
>Anonymous' suite is both large and small at the same time, seems everything has been made to fit him.
>Doors are tall, but still the same width of normal pony doors.
>All of the furniture is right at eye level for you, you can see over the top of this table for instance.
>You wonder if this was all made for him or if this is just the "tall bipedal creature" wing of the palace.
>As you round the corner into the hallway where Anonymous' room is you spot the bathroom.
>Nudging the door open you walk into what can only be described as a pool.
>It's enough to fit at the least ten ponies.
>There's a standup shower in the corner, the toilet area in the opposite corner.
>You could use a shower, you didn't get to take one yesterday.
>Making your way to the shower you get up on your hind legs against the wall so you can reach the knob for the water.
>Flicking the knob down with your hooves the water begins to spray out of the showerhead.
>It's nearly ice cold.
>Buck! The knobs are reversed on this one.
>Powering through the freezing cold water you knock the other knob down.
>Which just sprays more cold water all over you.
>"Buck, buck, buck, buck, buck."
>Before you can move out of the way the water picks up heat, quickly getting to a comfortable spot.
>With a grumble you get under the water, letting it flow down your back and on to your flanks.
>You could get used to this.
>That's if Anonymous doesn't fire you.
-----

>The dawn's sunlight pours through your large yet empty room.
>Easing your tired eyes open you lay and stare at the wall.
>You can hear the shower running, letting you know Steel is already up and about.
>With a grumble you move out of bed, staring at your dresser.
>You'll have to wait for the shower.
>Well shit.
>Stumbling to your door and opening it you meander your way to the small kitchen area in the corner of the suite.
>In your zombie-like state you still manage to make 2 plates of toast, pour two cups of coffee, and grab two apples from the fruit bowl on the counter.
>As you shuffle to the table in the living room you hear the shower stop.
>Perfect timing Anon, good job.
>Your mental back pat is interrupted by the bathroom door opening.
>Steel walks out, her unarmored gives you more to see.
>The two scars on her muzzle aren't the only ones she has, she's sporting two rows of talon marks going over the top of her back, running left to right.
>Like a gryphon tried to pick her up.
>Jesus fuck.
>She's quite muscular, especially for a mare.
>She's packing a bit more in the back than some others too.
>You thought that was just her armor doing that.
>Her cutie mark has what looks like a shield with a halberd coming from the right of it, like in a charging stance.
>Fits her name.
>Her mane is scraggly, like it's kept at the bare minimum for appearances sake.
>You imagine she'd be a wonderful looking pony if she grew her hair out a bit more, took care of it.
>And she's staring at you.
>"Good morning sir, something wrong?"
>Snapping back to reality and mentally stumbling from the gravity of you getting caught staring you stutter out words.
"Y-Yeah Steel I'm good, just woke up."
>She nods and makes her way to the table.
>She spots the food you set out.
>"Quite a lot of breakfast you have sir."
"Well, half of it is yours. Sit down."
>You motion to the chair across from you.
>She climbs up into it and sits, you push a plate and a cup of coffee to her.
"I don't know how you take your coffee so I left it black."
>"I drink it black, thank you sir."
>Taking the cup in her left hoof she downs the coffee nearly in one gulp.
>You're mucnhing on your toast, getting your brain to full boot up.
"So Steel, I'd like to know more about you."
>"Oh? Really?"
>She sounds more confused than weirded out or anything, so that's good.
"Yeah, I only got to hear a little about you last night over drinks."
>"Well sir with all due respect I never heard anything about you last night."
>She's got you there.
"Okay well, my name is Anonymous but you know that. The place I come from is called Earth, and im what is called a 'human'. We're the only intelligent species on our planet."
>Steel cocks an eyebrow, "Everything else there is stupid?"
"No no no, I mean like written and spoken language, free will, that sort of thing. Like what ponies are in this world."
>Steel does her slow nod, finishing off a slice of toast.
"There's nearly eight billion humans on Earth, all different sizes and colors, cultures and all that."
>Steel's eyes widen at the number, "Eight billion? Buck me that's a lot. Did you all live flank to flank?"
"No not really, Earth is a huge planet. We had land to spare in fact."
>"Eight billion...how many of them could use magic?"
>You shake your head.
"None, magic does not exist in my homeworld. We had very, very advanced technology to make up for it though."
>"No magic...buck that."
"Aren't you an earth pony? You can't use magic but you get by right?"
>"Yes I do sir, but I still enjoy the convenience of magic."
>You guess she's right.
"Well, we had to make up for it in a lot of other ways. We had huge carriages with engines on them to take us places, we had ways to communicate without being near each other, we had so many other things on top of that, it was quite nice."
>Steel takes a bite of her second piece of toast.
>"Do you miss it sir?"
-----

>You are Steel Charge, guard to Anonymous.
>You asked him if he had missed his homeworld, and judging by the thousand hoof stare he does.
>Immensely.
>"I...".
>Another few second drag by, his speech hanging in the air.
"Sir you don't have to answer that, sorry for bringing up unwanted memories."
>He waves a...hoof aside.
>"No no, it's alright. I do miss it despite its many flaws and despite how wonderful Equestria has been, I miss my home."
"It's only natural to do so sir."
>"That it is Steel, don't worry though. I've come to accept my situation, and already start to see Equestria as my home in a lot of ways."
>He sets his coffee cup on the table, "Now, I believe it is my turn."
>He leans back, links his...claws? No...buck it hooves together, and looks to you.
>You don't know if he's trying to look intimidating.
>But it's not working.
>"Why are you called Steel Charge?"
>You shrug.
"Name I was given, I do have a talent for shield and polearm combat."
>A quick nod from him, "Okay, next question."
>He resorts to crossing his arms, "Why is it that everyone I've spoken to urged me to drop you as a guard?"
>Buck.
>You know the answer, but you know if you tell him he WILL drop you.
>You don't want to risk losing a cushy post the last years of your service.
"I...don't really know sir."
>When was his eyes always that piercing?
>You feel like a blade is slowly being pushed into you.
"I, I guess it's because I'm not the best at holding my tongue or following the more ridiculous rules that dictate some things."
>"I see."
>He leans forward, his eyes adopt a softer, more concerned gaze.
>"Why do you do those things?"
>You don't want to tell him.
>But you don't want to lie.
>You're stuck between lying, going against your very character.
>Or telling him the truth, almost certainly resulting in you being fired from your post.
>For the first time in years your heart is jumping, prickles of nervousness coursing through your blood veins, as Anonymous patiently waits for your answer.
>Buck are you sweating?
"I uhhh...Well..."
>Buck it Steel you might as well get fired now before you get used to this place.
"I sort of-"
>A loud, curt knock rings through the room, snapping both you and Anonymous' attention to the door.
>Oh thank Celestia.
--------

>You go to get off the chair and answer the door but Steel holds up a hoof.
>"Allow me sir."
>She seems relieved that something interrupted your conversation.
>With one swift motion she's off the chair and halfway to the door.
>You see her eye her halberd before she turns the knob on the door.
>She cracks it just enough to see through.
>"What buisness do you have wi-"
>She opens the door the rest of the way, and immediately bows.
>This time no clunk of a halberd.
>She slowly steps aside to let Celestia in to the room.
>After the princess' ever flowing tail passes the doorway, Steel immediately shuts the door behind her.
>"Why hello Anonymous."
>Her warm, motherly voice is back.
"Good morning princess, care to sit? We have some coffee on the pot."
>Celestia regards Steel with a minimum amount of courtesy, before flowing over to Steel's chair and sitting down.
>You rise, bow, and move to pour a cup for the goddess of the sun.
>You take your time with this, as you don't want to mess the coffee up.
>This is for a literal god after all.
>As you come back to the table you spot Steel armored and armed, standing at attention next to the door.
>When did she get armored up so fast? Holy hell.
>Placing the coffee cup on the table in front of Celestia you pick up the sugar bowl.
>"Two please, thank you Anonymous."
>Picking up two cubes of sugar with your tongs you drop them into the cup.
>"I don't take it with creamer Anonymous thank you."
>She's good.
>Sitting back down you take a sip of your slightly warm coffee.
"So princess, what brings you here?"
>Celestia wordlessly sets her cup down, her face revealing nothing.
>"I'm here to ask if you're happy with sergeant Steel Charge being your guard."
>At those words you see Steel tense up, but keeps her eyes forward.
>Her armor gave it away to Celestia, who seems to pay it no mind.
>"Her record isn't stellar, she has a history of disobediance, and she's been put to the court on no less than five separate occasions."
>Holy shit.
>Five times? How can a pony go to court five times and still be in the guard?
"Five?"
>You look to Steel, her gaze is unwavering still as she focuses on the window across from her.
>But her eyes themselves betray her, they're screaming.
>"Yes Anonymous, five times. All for generally the same reason, lashing out and attacking a fellow guardspony, and on one instance a civilian."
>It's hard to see how the bored looking, unexpressive Steel can be capable of that.
>But remembering her sudden outburst last night about being called a War Horse it seems it *can* happen.
>Seems she's like some humans back home, docile until the correct buttons are pressed at the correct times.
>"She has trouble dealing with past trauma, and when confronted with that trauma she loses all sense of self."
>A slight metallic rattling noise lets you know Steel isn't taking this well.
>Celestia looks to the window, admiring the light that shines through it.
>Taking this time you motion with you hand to Steel, who looks to you.
>Her shaking is constant, and her eyes are almost ablaze with fury.
>You mouth to her to try and calm down, with the best face of reassurance you can muster.
>Steel looks away again, the rattling starts to subside but slowly.
>Celestia's gaze returns to you, forcing you to meet hers.
>"I don't want another incident where it will happen, it's why I've been personally seeing to it that she has no other posts other than quick low inolvement work."
>"It's also the reason why I am against her being your guard, if she loses herself again near you she will most likely attack you Anonymous. And I'm sorry to say but I don't think you can take on a heavily armored, halberd wielding earth pony. Especially one that is enraged."
>Out of the corner of your eye you see Steel's head sagging, staring directly at the floor.
>To say things like this about a pony that's in the room, and pretend like they're not even here.
>An almost visible aura of despair is around Steel, small drops fall to the floor from her eyes.
>The sight tugs at something in your heart you can't very well explain.
"Princess, at the risk of sounding rude I will decline every other guard you give me if that means losing Steel here."
>"Oh?"
"Yes, we've only been around each other since yesterday evening, but I think she is an interesting and fun mare to talk to."
>Steel's head rises a bit, she's still looking at the floor but if that left ear is any giveaway she's listening intently.
"I believe her when she had told me that she would protect me with her life, and I still stand by me saying that I hope that doesn't have to happen because I would not want to lose her as a friend."
>Steel finally breaks her staring contest with the floor, instead jerking her head to look you in the eyes.
>Her mane poking out from under her helmet is wet from tears, her eyes red and bloodshot even more so than they were this morning, her coat under her eyes are sporting streams of damp hair down to the bottom of her mouth.
>The sight almost breaks you.
"I think she would be an excellent guard, and I would like to do what I can to keep her here."
>Celestia looks to you for a short moment, but it feels like forever.
>Her face is a combination of worry and trepidation.
>"Okay Anonymous, she can stay at your request. I will say to be cautious around her when she's agitated, the last stallion that she got a hold of is still bedridden."
>In one motion she sets her cup on the table and rises from her chair.
>"I have some matters to attend to Anonymous, thank you for the coffee, and good day."
>Standing up you take a slight bow.
"Good day Princess."
>Celestia all but floats to the door, which Steel opens without a word.
>As the Princess turns the corner Steel shuts the door, and immediately drops to the floor in a din of metal clanks and thuds.
"Steel!"
>Rushing over and kneeling beside her you hear her sniffles, along with an occasional shake.
>"She's right, that bucking mare is right."
>Not knowing what to do or say you resort to just listening.
>"I'm a War Horse Anonymous, I kill for a talent. I've been through so much bucking shit that I can barely hold on when something hits me the wrong way. I'm a worthless screw up of a guard."
>Her crying continues, she refuses to look at you though.
>"I knew it was a mistake that I got that reassignment, she doesn't think I knew she was keeping me out of any posts? She wanted me locked up any way she could get her hooves on."
>"Last stallion that I got into a fight with punched me when I was off duty at a bar. Before I knew what happened all four of his legs were broken and his wings snapped, I broke his jaw, I broke one of his eye sockets, I knocked out half his teeth."
>Jesus fuck.
>"I don't even remember doing it, but I know it was me."
>She slowly gets to her hooves, you go to help her but she pushes your hand away with a hoof.
>She's still refusing to make eye contact with you.
>"It's why I'm always so disconnected, it's why I'm always drinking so much. I live with a fear of that happening again."
>She absentmindedly scratches at a hoof.
>"If I stay away from everyone I won't hurt them, if I spend my days drunk or drinking I won't be emotionally unstable enough to snap."
>You're at a loss.
>How can these things happen like this? You've seen nothing but literal sunshine and rainbows since you've arrived.
>Yet here is a mare that's desperately in need of help, and it seems like they've all turned tail.
"They...".
>She cocks her head towards you, still looking to the floor.
"They may have abandoned you Steel, but I still don't think you're a bad mare. I think you can be a great friend, and a great guard."
>She inhales sharply at your words.
"Steel look at me."
>She slowly turns her head to you, metting your eyes.
>The sight nearly makes you weep yourself.
"Get cleaned up, we're going out. I'm going to spend the day in town and you're coming with me, I'm going to treat you to some stuff and we're going to bring this day up okay?"
>She simply nods as an answer, before getting her footing and slowly walking to her room.

>You think she's done this before, as she's good as new when she came back out of her room.
>Her speech still has some shake to it, but she looks almost like nothing ever happened.
>Fully armored and halberd mounted she follows you closely out of the door and into the rest of the castle.
>You're amazed, the guards usually take the oppritunity to oggle at you.
>But they're all staring blatantly at Steel.
>And they're not good stares.
>Is it like this for her everywhere she goes?
>They stare daggers at her as the two of you pass.
>She says nothing, but keeps her distance behind you.
>The only noises that accompany your walk is the heavy metal clunks of her...boots? And the miscellaneous noise of her armor and halberd.
>One guard even sucks his teeth as she passes him, you could've swore you heard him whisper 'filthy War Horse'.
>Yet she keeps walking.
>Either the talk you've had has improved her at the moment or she needs more than some ugly stares and a one liner to get burned up.
>Though Celestia herself didn't say much and Steel almost lost it at the room.
>Thinking back to what she said, she must be blitzed out right now from the drink.
>You arrive at the main doors to the palace, the rest of Canterlot is spread out before you in its divine beauty.
>"Where shall we go first sir".
>This is the first time she's spoken since Celestia left, and you think you caught a whiff of whiskey as she said that.
>Kneeling down and facing her you get about five or six inches from her muzzle.
>Slowly closing the gap between the two of you, you reach a hand around her head and hold her.
>Her face reveals nothing, but her eyes have a hint of uneasiness.
>"I...Is something wrong sir?"
>Yep.
>That's an absolute shit ton of whiskey that's on her breath.
>Explains her lack of reaction to the others.
"Nope, there isn't."
>You get back to your feet and slowly walk down the marble steps away from the main doors.
"We need to work on your drinking Steel, a drunk guard isn't very useful you know."
>Let's see if your attempt at pandering to her character will work.
>"I'm not drunk sir, I am still in fighting shape."
"Is that so?"
>As quick as you can you spin around and raise your right fist.
>Throwing a punch at her it connects with the side of her helmet, barely moving her head.
>Bad idea Anon.
>You pull your hand back, wiggling it and muttering curses to yourself.
>Like punching...well a steel wall.
>Steel only reacts with a guffaw.
>"Maybe you should invest in some training Anonymous, I've been smacked by fillies with more bite behind it than that."
>She continues to walk down the steps, not waiting for you to catch up.
>Oh this mare.
>With your long strides you quickly catch up to her, she slows and starts to follow at your immediate right side.
"You know drinking on guard is against your rules right Steel?"
>"I do sir."
"Then why do you do it? I thought you loved being in the guard."
>"I did love it sir, at one point."
>Nice going Anon.
>"I'd rather break rules than lose myself again, alcohol is the only thing that's kept me somewhat stable."
>You notice as the two of you walk through the streets of Canterlot, that Steel doesn't get those nasty looks anymore.
>Seems that no one sees her as her compatriots do.
>That is unless a guard passes.
"Here we are".
>The two of you arrive at Butter Cream's Parlor and Desserts.
>Stepping through the door you find the two of you are the only patrons at this time.
>It is still a little before noon after all.
>"Come in come in! What can I get for you."
>The older unicorn stallion at the counter is all smiles as he waits for your order.
"Hmmm, let me get a strawberry creme milkshake please."
>You turn around to face Steel.
"What do you want from here?"
>"Oh uhh...just a vanilla milkshake then please sir."
>The stallion takes your bits and motions for the two of you to sit down.
>Steel takes the seat of the nearest table, back against the wall and facing the door and front windows of the shop.
>You were about to sit opposite her but she stops you can motions to the spot on the bench next to her.
>"You won't be a blindspot for me if you sit here sir."
>You oblige, sitting next to her at your table.
>The stench of whiskey still very strong on her breath, she takes to watching the ponies pass by outside.
>"I don't go out here without my armor on you know, scars and my cutie mark makes other ponies uncomfortbale to be around me."
"I can understand why, there aren't a lot of ponies like you."
>You don't know whether that went over well with her or not, as she's back to have no real expression.
>"I also, want to apologize".
>Apologize?
"What for?"
>"For losing my cool earlier, it was completely inappropriate of me as a guard."
"Apology is accepted Steel, don't think you have to be a stone wall around me you know. I don't just want to be your post but your friend."
>She hitches up a bit at the word "friend".
>The stallion arrives with the milkshakes and sets them both on the table.
>After a quick bow he's back out of sight.
>You pick up the shake and take a small sip.
>The explosion of flavor almost take you by surprise.
"God damn that's a pretty fucking good milkshake".
>"You mean bucking?"
"Yeah whatever, it's 'fucking' from my world."
>Quick as a whip steel draws a metal flask from the collar of her armor and pours the contents down her vanilla milkshake.
>More whiskey.
"Christ Steel I think there's more booze than whiksey in you right now."
>She wordlessly takes a long sip of her milkshake and puts it down.
>"Damn that's a pretty bucking good milkshake."
>You're amused at the near copy cat nature of what she said.
>Her eyes flick to a stallion rushing by the window.
"Someone you know?"
>She shakes her head, "He forgot his bitbag at that floral stand we passed a few blocks back."
"Oh? And how do you know that?"
>"Just wait and see sir."
>The both of you resort to just waiting silently.
>Sure enough a few minutes pass and the same earthy brown stallion comes walking the other way, smile on his face and a bitbag hanging from his neck.
"How the hell did you figure that out?"
>"He had it on him when we passed him earlier."
"Ah, you've got great observation."
>Steel simply shrugs at the compliment, and takes another long draw from her milkshake.
>You've accidentally drank all of yours without noticing, a bad habit that's stuck from your time on Earth.
"How do you know it was at the floral place though?"
>"I didn't".
>She's gotten quite short with you all of the sudden.
>You get up and start walking towards the bathroom.
>Steel wordlessly follows, her metal steps echoing off the walls of the parlor.
>She waits by the door as you finish your business, and before long the two of you are back on the street.
>After a trip to the grocery store for food, and multiple shops and such for other doodads the two of you arrive at the tailors.
>A brass bell rings as you enter the store, and a posh sounding mare answers from behind a curtain.
>"Coming! Coming! What can I do for you toda-"
>She regains her composure after seeing you.
>"Anonymous! Welcome back, seems the suit fits well. Are you in need of more clothing?"
>You answer with a nod.
"Need some baggier clothes for more casual occasions, don't want to scuff up my good suit now."
>The mare gives a lighthearted chuckle as she flips through a large book.
>"Now I know we took your measurements somewhere here...oh dear."
>A look of apologetic sheepishness washes over her.
>"It seems we've misplaced your measurement sheet Anonymous, are you okay with getting measured again? It's on the house for our error."
>Sure why not.
"Sure why not."
>A relieved smile come from the tailor, "Fantastic! Right his way please."
>You follow the mare and Steel follows you, her hooves making odd clunking noises on the wooden floor of the shop.
>Steel moves through the racks of clothes with agility, making sure her halberd doesn't slice any of the clothes.
>The three of you arrive at the measurement room, knowing the drill already you remove your jacket and place it on a chair.
>In a few more moments you are stripped bare, aside from your underwear.
>The tailor paid no mind to your naked form, but Steel...
>Well she's taken an interest.
>She starts to circle you, but not in the conventional sense.
>She would stand at attention, like she should be, but sidestep to the right every so often.
>She also wouldn't take her eyes of you, filling you with a slight embarrassed feeling.
>The tailor caught on.
>"Something wrong ma'am?"
>Steel shakes her head.
>"Just finding a good angle on the door."
>Somehow you doubt that.
>The measurements go by with little eventfulness.
>After the tailor was satisfied you redress yourself and meet at the counter.
>"Okay Anonymous, measurement was free so your total for 4 separate outfits comes to 450 bits."
>Steel manages to hold back a scoff behind you, but you caught her at it.
>Leaving the store the two of you head back to the castle, the streets are noticably darker now, causing Steel to be more alert to the cross streets and alleyways.
>You can't imagine much crime to take place here, it being what it is.
>When you arrive at your door it has already turned nine.
>Placing your things in your room Steel helps with the groceries, saying that she lives here as well she should help.
>Before long the two of you are on the balcony, laying in wooden lawn chairs.
>A glass of whiskey for the two of you and a bottle in the middle.
>Steel has a cigarette in her mouth as you two look through the night sky.
>She seems to only be unarmored inside of this room, as she stripped herself of it almost immediately upon entering the suite.
>She decides to break the silence after a while.
>"Today was a good day Anonymous, thank you."
>Taking a sip of whiskey you place your glass back on the table.
"You're very welcome Steel, glad you had a good day."
>"Yeah, despite this morning and the visit from the princess I had a good day. Normally when I'm in town I'm so nervous about others that I never enjoy myself, but I actually enjoyed myself today."
>You're glad she felt that way, that's what you were aiming for.
>"I'm tired sir, are you okay with being out here?"
"Sure Steel go to bed, I won't stop you. See you in the morning."
>Steel rises from her lawn chair, downing her glass and putting her cigarette in the ashtray she walks to the door.
>"Goodnight Sir."
"Goodnight Steel."
>She walks through the doors and to her room, leaving you alone on the balcony.
>You wonder if she can ever recover, from whatever happened.
>Don't want to pry into it, but that doesn't help your curiousity.
>Well, tomorrow is a new day.
>You spot Steel's cigarette in the ashtray, still burning and giving off a slim trail of smoke.
>Picking up the cigarette you inspect it.
>Exactly the same as human ones.
>Mareboro.
>Okay now that's just a joke.
>Putting the cigaretteto your lips you take a sizeable drag.
>The immediate burning and smokiness of everything makes you cough like crazy, it tastes awful.
>Not trying that again, that's for sure.