History is an interesting thing. Everything we are and were, found between the pages of some ancient tome. It is the memoirs of a great noble pony, or the dusty photo album of a simple farm pony. Everything good and evil, and everything in between. The dark days of King Sombra ruling the Crystal Empire with an iron fist, to the coronation of our benevolent Princess Celestia. But I am rambling. What is most interesting is the history that makes us unsure. Time is fickle no? With each passing moment, history is made. But for every memorable moment in time, thousands more are swept away by the vast ocean of unrecorded history. I'm sure everypony was taught the legend of Equestrian's origin. How we migrated here from another land, a land that fell under Wendigo attack resulting from the contempt that the tribes of Pegasus, Unicorn, and Earth Pony held for each other. Every Hearths Warming Eve, this legend is recited. Why, it is one of the staples of Equestrian culture. Many historians believe this to be more than legend, and have dedicated their entire existence to searching for the land our pony ancestors once inhabited. Many look to the frigid north, even beyond the recently reawakened Crystal Empire, believing that some shred of evidence from our ancestors still remain. Bright eye'd young researchers believing that our former home is more than just a legend. "Maybe the Wendigo's left it completely frozen" one might say. Another would claim "Perhaps it was magically concealed like the Crystal Empire" as a popular theory "Perhaps But alas, nothing... Decades of scholars chipping through ice, treading through snow have revealed no signs of our ancestry. But just imagine... Imagine if we could find a ruin, maybe a book, or even a painting! Oh the truths we could uncover. Though evidence suggests the north is simply just a frozen wasteland, the dream is very much alive. To this end, there are still many who believe that there are secrets hidden in the ice. __________________________________________________________________ Location: Canterlot, Destrier Company Headquarters, Just Outside Castle Grounds The Captain shut the history book and laid it on his desk. With a gentle nudge from his hoof, he nudged it to the pony sitting across from him. "You'll need it Lieutenant" the Captain said curtly. The confused Lieutenant Loyal Blade raised a brow at the book, and than looked up to his superior. "Captain Stalwart sir...? Permission to speak?" he said, though anypony could have discerned that Loyal was quite perplexed. The Captain gave a hearty rasping chuckle, amused more or less by the look of confusion in the Lieutenants pale grey eyes. "Don't worry mister Blade, I didn't call you in here to recite history with you. I have some business I need taken care of Lieutenant. Royal business, straight down from the castle itself" he said with a kind grin. "I swear lad, your sense of professionalism makes you seem daft at times" Loyal Blade tried to stifle a blush, but his dark blue cheeks showed some red anyway. Captain Stalwart didn't notice and continued to speak. "The Princess has been detecting some strange activity far up north. Farther than any sane pony wants to go anyway. To see what was what, her highness sent word to the Crystal Empire to contact some of the research teams from the University. You know, the eggheads up there trying to find some evidence about the Hearth's Warming Eve legend..." Loyal sighed, having had enough conversations like this to know the ending. "How long have they been missing?" he asked glumly. The Captain frowned and stroked his graying mustache before saying "Three months it seems like. That's not even the best part. It seems the clopping teams they sent to search for them vanished too." "Sir? I'll do as asked, but is this really a matter for the Knighthood? I feel that with the heightened security because of the Changeling threat a year ago, even if it was a matter for the Knighthood, we can't even spare colt enough to accomplish this mission" The Captain guffawed, being the hardy colt that he is. "Our matters are whatever her highness decides mister Blade. But you are right about one thing. It isn't a matter for the Knighthood. Simply... A Knight. Namely you Lieutenant. The Knight-Commander said he wanted a capable experienced officer on the job. Look at it as an esteemed honor to be entrusted with a royal mission... Or look at it as drawing the shortest straw. Either way, its been decided. I'll have one of the Knight-Sergeants perform your company duties while your away." Loyal was hardly surprised, though that didn't eliminate some nagging concerns he had. "Sir. I am truly flattered that the Knight-Commander and yourself consider me capable of carrying out the Crown's business... But while I am confident with my abilities, if there is some inherent danger up north, will one pony alone suffice?" "Your preaching to the choir son. The Knight-Commander expressed the same concern. That being said, the Commander granted me well enough bits to hire a third party. Well... Maybe. First we're gonna see if this Pony considers doing a public service to Equestria reward enough. If not... Well, I'll pay whatever bits it takes to get em on board" Loyal Blade gave a good grin. He admired his Captain, though he was known for being quite frugal. If he could get some good charity work out of anypony, well... Lets just say he wouldn't look that gift pony in the mouth. The Captain's face light on up. "OH! That reminds me, the third party in question should be waiting outside. Almost forgot about the poor bugger!" As the Captain Spoke his horn light up, and the door whooshed open via telekinesis, revealing a figure standing in the doorway. "Lieutenant Blade, meet your travel buddy!" he exclaimed pleasantly. (OOC: Alright Eluuna. I set it up so you could hop on in here. You can be a canon character, an OC, etc. The RP is based within' the Canon universe. )
Ria sat, her powerful wings trembling. "Hello!" she said, smiling. "I suppose I'm going with one of you, then?"
Blade looked to the doorway, taking in the appearance of his counterpart. Though his face didn't show it, as not to be rude, he was quite perplexed. Her wings tremble, but she doesn't seem nervous he pondered. Blade opened his mouth to introduce himself, but per usual the Captain cut him off. "Welcome my dear!" The hardy Captain bellowed cheerfully. "Unfortunately I'm afraid this old knight's adventuring days are done. I get to sit behind a bloody desk these days. So you get to share the road with the Lieutenant here. He has all the mission details, and we'll discuss your compensation when you folks get back" he exclaimed as he stepped out from behind his desk. With a grin he nudged Blade forward, almost sending the young Lieutenant crashing into Ria. "You won't find a finer warrior than Mister Blade here. You can compliment each other! He'll keep you safe, and you can make sure he doesn't look so clopping grim half the time!" He hooted with a laugh. Those words made Royal flush with embaressment, as the Captain was often fond of doing. Loyal cleared his throat and looked to Ria saying "Hello Miss. My name is Loyal Blade... And you are?" with a facial expression that implied sternness. Not a bitter Pony, but the Lieutenant often gave the impression he was too serious for his own good. Though that often proved to be more than just an impression. Most found that assessment to be true.
"Ria." she said, her lips almost suppressing a grin. It took a moment for one to realize that all of her feathers were moving, this way and that, twisting in the nonexistent breeze.
"A pleasure miss. Have you been briefed on the details?" he asked. Though as he asked, he couldn't help but be distracted by her wings. There was a simple beauty in watching her wings move as such, implying a certain serenity and peace. I never payed much mind to the wings of a Pegasus... I wonder if they all do that? He pondered in an absent-minded fashion.
"I know we are going to inspect the north. There's a legend, normally told on Heart's Warming Eve, about a land before all of Equestria. We're going to check it out, right?" she said.
"Mmm. Part right. The safety of the researchers, assuming we find their hides in one piece, is our focus. Any archaeological discovery is a secondary objective, if anything" Blade responded. Why did the Captain bring her on board? Blade thought to himself. He didn't think so in a condescending way, but he knew the Captain wouldn't hire someone who wouldn't prove useful. Well, I'll find out in time he concluded to himself. "... Was there anything else you need miss? If not, your free to go about your day until we depart tomorrow morning" He said plainly.
"I've packed." she said simply. Nodding respectfully, she turned and walked out, her wings giving a flick, and suddenly, with no magic, the doors creaked, and closed.
Blade blinked and tilted his head. Did that door just...? he pondered as he stared at the closed door in a puzzled fashion. The Captain hadn't really noticed gave Blade another one of his patented slaps on the back. "Well! Your dismissed for the rest of the day Lieutenant. Enjoy the rest of your day and good luck!" Blade jolted a little, having been so lost in the peculiar door situation, completely forgot about the Captain's presence. He turned to the Captain, and raised his right hoof to his right brow in a salute, which the Captain dutifully returned. Blade than turned, his tail flicking as he spun. His horn resonated and the door gently opened. As he left the office he thought The door was just my imagination... And nothing more. ___________________________________ Aboard the Canterlot Express, 10 AM Blade sat in his seat, adorning his formal wear. Though not the most comfortable outfit, it was certainly the most regal. Truthfully he couldn't imagine he knew any Knight that enjoyed wearing it beyond the fact it looked very stylish. But because he had to stop at the Crystal Empire, and he was on the Crown's business he was expected to wear it. Being a Lieutenant, following regulations and setting the example came with the job. He sighed as he looked out the window, looking out across the cliff that Canterlot sat on. He admired the bright blue morning sky, and he could even faintly here the birds chirping although he was in the train car. His traveling companion wasn't here yet, though he wasn't worried. He had gotten up early to say goodbye to his Father, before he went to work at the university. So she still had plenty of time to get here. His father almost seemed more enthusiastic about Blade's mission than he was. Blade grinned at the though, the only way the Knighthood had gotten his father to take his armor off, was to make him. In some ways he truly was Valiant Shield's son.. Blade felt a sense of purpose about his work, he really did. But he never showed the same kind of outward enthusiasm that his father did, or the Captain did. No... The deadly serious nature Loyal had obtained came from his mothers genes. Though he sometimes wondered if he should take a page from his Father's book, he often forgot about it. His mind drifted into a distracted state, and he just stared out the window, over the cliffs. The sky is beautiful today he thought as he continued to gaze.
Outside the window, Ria floated down, her wings flicking this way and that. One of the saddlebags spilled open. In mid air, the objects floated back into the saddlebag. Again, no magic was used. Ria landed softly, and boarded the train.
Blade witnessing exactly what just happened just blinked at the empty spot where that just happened. Than he blinked again. Than again. WHAT THE CL... Well, I suppose yesterdays oddities weren't just me going crazy. He straightened himself out on his chair, to see over some slightly taller ponies in front of him. He looked up and down the car, waiting for his companion to appear. He didn't know much about this Ria pony, but now he was more than curious about her. Rightfully so, I mean... Its not exactly everyday I see anypony short of a Unicorn of Alicorn use magic.
Ria boarded the train, and she smiled compatibly. She joined Blade. "Hi!" she said. "Mind if I sit here?" A grin stretched over her face.
Blade couldn't help but smile. A rather dry joke on Ria's behalf, but amusing nevertheless. "Good morning to you too Miss Ria" he greeted her politely, looking her up and down. He just wanted to be sure the curious pony wasn't an Alicorn and he merely didn't notice. Definitely no horn for magic... And if she was a Princess, I would've seen her near the castle grounds by now. He cleared his throat, and began to speak, almost with an awkward tone of voice. "So... I couldn't help but notice you drop your belongings outside.."
Ria nodded. "True." she said. Her feathers twitched again like the previous day. Ria didn't even seem to notice. She looked expectantly at Blade. "And..?" she prompted him gently.
"Well. Its not very often I see things move via telekinesis... Without magic" He inquired. After Blade asked, you could hear the train conductor bellow "ALL ABOARD". A few seconds later, a screech could be heard, and the train car slowly began to gain momentum.
As good an explanation as any Blade thought immediately. He glanced out the window, seeing all the pristine features of the morning sky become a blue blur as the train gained momentum. The Captain sure as hay knows how to pick them..Blade concluded in his mind. Though he should be more than grateful found a companion with such useful talents. He looked around the train car, looking at the many tired faces. Some ponies were asleep, others looked like they were about to do the same. Only a few odd fillies, probably on their first train ride ever were wide awake, much to the agitation of their parents. Blade smiled at the cheerful display of innocence, and passively wondered if he would ever have kids one day. Nobody ever pegged the "loving father" motif upon him. But that was not important now, so he looked back to Ria. I suppose I should become better acquainted with my new friend... "Hmm. I have many colleagues in the Royal Equestrian Air Force. Perhaps I should have payed more mind in Anthropology class... At least to the sections on Pegasi anyway... Is that ability common?" He inquired, genuinely interested. Its not that he considered her boring before, but "Being able to manipulate air" apparently makes you a much larger topic of interest.
"Nope. That's my cutie mark. You see, all pegasi have a certain ability over air. Mine is just more increased than others. I can use it as a weapon, movement, or otherwise." she said. She must have known it sounded weak, because she continued. "Even I haven't really figured it all out. See, look over there." she said, inclining her head to a nearby very young filly. Her toy had just fell out of her hooves, and her face puckered. The whole train was about to be treated to some fine wailing. Ria flicked the tip of her wing, and the toy rose up, and landed back in the filly's lap. The filly gurgled in surprise.
Despite himself, Blade chuckled at the young filly's surprised reaction. A more... Organic form of Telekinesis Blade thought. Well, he knew it was more complex than just that one statement, he just couldn't be bothered to extrapolate beyond that oversimplification. The slight confusion that Ria had caused to the young Filly had spread to the parent, as the mother was trying to figure out what had alerted its child. "That's... Impressive miss Ria" Blade said sheepishly. He genuinely meant it, which is why he sounded so awkward. Being surrounded by upstart young Knights always trying to prove themselves to him, Blade had learned not to be easily impressed. He didn't want a feeling a favoritism to creep its way into the rank and file. Because as he always told his companies Knight-Officers: Attitudes are contagious. He realized that his sudden silence might have been making things awkward. All you could really hear was the "Chug-Chug-Chug" of the train as it hustled quickly along the tracks. Blade cleared his throat and asked "So how Captain Stalwart rope you into this assignment? I can't imagine leading a search into a desolate frozen wasteland is many people's idea of a good time" He asked curiously. How Ria's talents would be useful is more than obvious, he had no doubts she would pull more than her weight. So the why he chose her was abundantly clear. The How not so much.
Ria thought for a moment. Then she grinned. "My mother is a bit overprotective. It's forced me to become a tad rebellious. Whenever I can find quests, I take them. I've done a few, and that's how I imagine your Captain Stalwart found me." she thought for a moment. "Also, it sounded like an adventure. The possibility to discover a new land.... It's almost irresistible."
