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>>154164"That is good. We need more ponies like you out here, not in work camps in far remote reaches."
He motions to his companions.
"By way, this is my friend Mala, and over here is White Orchid."
>>154165"Far too many have not come home." He says, solemnly
But he places a smile back on his face as he looks over. That smile goes away when he sees Mala, whom he is not sure how to react to, and White Orchid, whom he smiles at.
"Is he your grandchild?" He says, asking about White Orchid
>>154166"He could have been, and it would be honor if he was, but no, just orphan colt rescued by party I was in for mission. Taking him out for burger, fries, and milkshake."
>>154167"Well that's really sweet of you. Mission?"
>>154168"Since getting here I have been taking jobs to make money. Last job I did was from local government to destroy group of traffickers in city, and before that was job from development company to clear abandoned quarry of ancient undead."
>>154169"Oh wow. Can't get enough of the War, huh?"
>>154170"I would not say that, but one of few things I am good at is fighting bad people to protect good people. If it is something you are good at, it makes sense to make living from it."
>>154171He nods
"Yeah. I see. What you taught me... what you taught us... helped keep us from routing after they pushed us out of Wald. It kept us disciplined. I knew I wanted to run instead of staying low to the ground. And if I had stood up and run, well, that shell may have taken more than my leg. I would say you're good at protecting ponies. Even when you're not there."
>>154172Silver smiles wholeheartedly.
"I am very glad to hear that. Thank you."
>>154173He smiles back
"And thank you, Sergeant Sword."
>>154174"I assume you live here in city? It would be good to keep in touch. Not many veterans I know of here."
>>154175"There are some. All over these lands. Yeah, I'm living here in a small rented apartment, in the north of the city. I would like to keep in touch. To have a beer, maybe."
>>154176"Absolutely. When we do, I am buying."
>>154177He smiles, and
almost seems to wag his tail. He's missing a tooth, and a couple are discolored.
>>154178Silver finally takes a bite out of his hayburger, and speaks to Frizzle after finishing with it quickly.
"Are they treating you well here?"
>>154180"Just this business in general."
>>154181"Ah. It's alright. Not great, but it pays the bills."
>>154182"That is good. Ever think about doing what I do, going back to fighting life?"
>>154185"Heh, I didn't want to go into the fighting life the first time, to be honest." He says
>>154186"Heh, I kind of figured. Nopony really does, for good reason."
Silver takes another bite of his burger.
>>154189Silver pauses, and looks up at Frizzle.
"Not exactly. I wanted to become adventurer when I grew up, fighting just came along with that."
>>154191“Heheh. What makes it worth it?”
>>154194Silver answers without hesitation.
"Saving people."
>>154195He nods
“I should have figured. Good job, and keep it up. You’ve lasted so far. You’ve clearly got luck on your side.”
>>154196He crosses his forelegs in faux offense
"It is not all because of luck."
>>154197“No… I’m sure it’s not. But I feel lucky just to have come away from my few months of it.”
I don't suppose you remember where I was last?
>>154200>>151708 →The drone continues in a dry, two toned voice
"And what did the assailant look like?"
>>154201"I don't know. The whole thing happened in the blink of an eye. Why don't you do a check of who is missing from the train?"
>>154202“
We are doing that now.” He retorts
“And where did they come from?” He asks
>>154203"I saw something swoop by, so I assume it is a pegasus or something of the sort. As to where, I can only assume he kept quiet, and flew right past me out the window."
>>154206>>154204He nods
“Thank you for your cooperation. You and your traveling companions, however, will not be allowed to proceed through the border crossing without proper state issued identification. You must either return to Whinnyapolis, or get off at another stop.”
>>154207"Well, thanks for looking into it. I hope you find that low life."
>>154208He nods curtly, maintaining eye contact with Spark with those wall-blue eyes. He turns, abs walks away slowly without a word, until he says something to another drone in a language that cannot be understood.
>>154209Spark looks towards his friends.
>>154210The doctor asks “what was that all about?”
Wellspring remains silent, lowering her head into her long coat so as to hide her eyes and face. Waabishki seems slightly annoyed, but strangely is handling it better.
Makade says sharply
“Our stop is coming up. Stay calm, stay quiet.”
>>154212Spark takes his seat once more.
>>154213There is more talking, and more movement amongst the drones, the guards, and the passangers. Spark and party are not affected, however. It’s perhaps 25 minutes later that the train arrives in Blackwood, slowly coming to a stop at that short, wooden platform.
>>154214Spark motions to the rest to head on to the platform.
>>154215The doctor takes a moment, but comes along. Makade is the first to move out, though he looks back to make sure he is followed, and directs the others to move quickly. Makade carries his own suspicious looking tube of the type used to hold rolled up maps and posters, while Wellspring drapes herself in her winter clothing. Waabishki follows.
>>154216We head back to the wolf village.
>>154218Perhaps Spark choses to walk through the town of Blackwood, and by the doctor's office. Or perhaps he side steps it all together, walking directly north, and then to the east. Spark inches his way along the forest.
>>154219Spark turns to Wellspring along the way.
"So, know where we need to head next?"