I sat in my room, watching as the sun set. I had finally grabbed all my stuff from the lockup, and I could finally move freely. I looked at my backpack, sitting beside me on the bed. I grabbed it and flipped it open. I only needed two things, two things to save myself from the swirling rumble in my gut.

I grabbed my mask and a set of tough gloves. A few other bits found themselves dumped into my pockets. I had to hurry, I only had a few hours before the sun would rise and I would have to sit down and keep my mouth shut. I stood up and pulled my mask down. A blue glow overtook my eyes as the mask started up. The room I was in lit up as bright blue outlined every corner and edge in the dark room. I couldn't see out of the actual eyepieces, shattered by a shotgun butt, but the camera was still feeding into the hud.

I scratched my head and looked down at my body. I looked over at my patch and watched as the mask listed all the info it had on me. "...Well, this feels fucking out of place." I looked down at my hands. "Not that anything else has felt inplace."

I shook my arms out and hopped in place. I needed to get going. I'd asked Celestia where the mare was staying, all that was left was to get there without anyone noticing. I looked to the window and reached back into my bag. "This should hold me, right?" I grabbed the bed post and shook it. "Right?" I pulled a rope from my bag and tucked it under my arm. "I mean--" I pulled the post, a loud crack rang out. "Nope." I let it go and backed up.

I looked around the room for somewhere to anchor my rope. I hurried around, checking everything with a hook or a post. I found a heavy stone statue and hooked the rope around a few times. I carried the rest over to the window and got ready. I took a deep breath. A loud mechanical whirl came from my mask as I straddled the railing and got ready to drop. "I'm gonna fucking die." I took another breath. "Fuck it." I slipped off the railing and zipped slowly down the rope.

The air was chilled, my coat thick, my ride to the next roof quick. I watched as the mask lined up the ground. I looked out over the city, the mountain town was massive, and now clad in blue lines detailing every building for a half mile. It was beautiful, not particularly helpful, but beautiful. I carried on, walked over to the end of the small overhang and back down towards the ground. The massive white spire overhead was a sight, but it did leave me wondering how far I'd get before I had to climb.

I kept on scaling the side of the castle, occasional roofs or ledges broke up my ride. Then, about five meters off the training yard, I met a problem. "Well..." I looked at the tiny nub of rope left around my boots. "Shit." I looked up, my rope was stretched from the edge of the guard quarters to the base of the spire, with the whole network of other buildings and halls in between. "Fuck it." I slipped off and held my arms out. I'd dropped from father and lived.

I waved my arms in the air a bit. I slammed into the earth with a heavy thud. I fell forward and did a quick roll, eventually landing on my back in the middle of the snowy grass field. I looked around and felt my legs. Nothing felt broken and there was no blood. "Nailed it." I sat upright and got settled. I brushed myself off and looked around.

I went to rub my face and met my mask. "Forward Recon Finds A Way.... Mostly." I pulled my hood up and started off over to the wall that separated the castle barracks from the main street. I stared up at the tall wall, trying to figure a way over.

A loud metal creek came from my right. A tired looking bat pony stuck his head in and looked around. He spotted me and we ended up locked. I turned to face him, then looked over to the rope. It would be obvious to anyone who could see in the dark. I walked slowly over to the gate and leaned to the side. "Hey...."

The bat pony looked up at me. "Hi there...."

I lifted my mask up and clapped my hands together. "So...running track?"

The bat laughed and looked over to the rope hanging off the side of the castle. "You trying to go for a walk?"

I coughed into my hand. "Yep." I looked at the gate to the outside world. "So, we never talked, neither of us left our homes, okay?"

The bat pony nodded and walked in. "Sure, stealthy."

I looked back over to the rope and put my mask back down. "Yeah, sure." I stared at the glowing blue rope. "Super stealthy." I shook my head and walked past the metal gate towards the street. I caught a brief flash of horror as I looked down the long empty street.

Able run!

I dug my hand against my ear and shook my head. The long road was too bare, too quiet, and the curl of my breath trough the mask's filters pulled me back home for just a moment. I crossed the street and hurried towards an alley. Each step was quiet, everything was quiet. I peeked into the next street. The same as the last, lined with homes and businesses. I peeked into the next, the same as the last.

Each street felt identical. It was a grid, and urban sprawl of decadent paint and glass, all splashed in white and gold, only broken by the pastel. I scanned each window I could find, looking for the last thing I needed for my plan. I kept on, street back darkened street, step by step.

Each building looked the same, each one a husk. They might have been filled with splendor and a wide unique world on the inside, but as is, it was simply a shell. I had no idea where I was, but I didn't really need to. The building the white mare was staying in was on the castle grounds, all I had to do was keep the spire in sight and I would be fine.

I hurried down each street, trying to hurry and find the right place. I regretted not asking for directions, but this wasn't supposed to be a big deal. I hurried down towards a place that looked right. A tall window showed me all I needed. I hurried up to the door and pulled my gloves off.

I dug into my pocket until my tapgun and key was jammed into the door's keyhole. "Bam." I pulled the trigger, causing the lock to jostle. I gave it another jolt and tried the lock. "Come on...don't make me break it." I tried again, nothing. "Testing my patience here." Again, finally a loud click and a turn of the false key. "There ya go, smart door." I unlocked it and pulled my tools away.

The inside of the shop was warm and damp. The smell of plant life was heavy, but a nice change from the usual scentless chill. I pulled my mask up and looked through the flowers and pots that lined the storefront window. Red and white, I grabbed bundles of each and found some tape behind the counter. My mission was half way done, flowers obtained.

I looked out the window with my gifts in hand. I just stared out into the night. I looked down at my hands and sat on the floor. "What the fuck am I doing?"

I set the flowers down and grabbed my mask. I pulled it off and looked at it dead on. It looked like a heater shield with two perfectly round eyes. The solid painted white was speckled with dried blood, mud, and ash. I was born of war, to war, for war. Yet here I was, letting my friends, my family, my cause sit in the wayside while I got flowers for an apology note.

My eyes blurred as I sat there. I took a deep breath and wiped my eyes on my coat sleeve. I needed to get home, I was growing soft and complacent. I was growing human, and soon enough if I ever stepped back to war, I would meet my death in seconds. I would run for a wounded man, I would throw someone out of harms way, I would do a humanist act and die in consequence.

"What the fuck!?" I hopped up and screamed. "Why!?" I kicked the counter, leaving a large dent in the soft wood panel. "I don't belong here god damn it! Stop changing me!" I couldn't let this place dig its claws into me, I had to keep strong, if it was at the cost of my mind, my body, whatever, I needed to be strong.

I stood there, waiting. I lowered my head and picked up the flowers. I took a deep breath and pulled my mask back on. "You're a monster, Able. Never forget that." I tapped the metal with my knuckle and started off towards the castle again.

The walk was quiet. There was nothing here for me. Just peacful alleys devoid of danger or life. Simple, calm lives lead day to day, chugging on towards oblivion. I stepped back onto the road towards the guard barracks and slipped into the yard. My body just moved on its own, I was about ready to shut down and die, but I kept moving.

The bat pony was running along the track still, panting and sweaty, but still moving. I waved at him as he passed. He kept charging on.

I walked out into the massive main yard. The cold was finally starting to sink into my skin. The building the white mare was staying in wasn't far though. It was a large white tower, stout as it was it was still a tower. "God damn chode."

I hurried to the base and looked towards a staircase that ran around the outside. The white mare was on the third floor. The stairs didn't groan or creak, they just sat there blatantly adding to the painful quiet. The third floor was quiet, the door spitting out a bit of light. I walked over and turned the knob. It swung open to the sound of a feminine moan. "Oooh--Oh! Oh!"

The white mare was on her back in her bed, a glowing dildo sitting against her stomach. She was bright red. I walked over and tossed the white flowers down next to her. "You should lock your door."

The white mare coughed and crossed her legs, her tail stayed plastered against her groin. "You should knock--"

"Anyways, sorry." I pointed to the flowers. "I don't know what you people do with them, but I figured it would be a simple enough gesture." I sighed and flipped my mask up. The room smelled like horse pussy. "Rough day?"

The mare tossed a sheet over herself. "That could be said.... Can you leave?"

I stared at her. "Yes. But seriously, lock your door." I walked over and made sure it was locked. "And you probably shouldn't moan while there's lizards around...They'll bite you." I walked out and closed the door. "Where the fuck is that thing?" I looked up the steps, then down. "Mother fuckin' god I fucking hate--fucking lizard." I hurried down the steps towards bed.

I didn't really feel as good as I thought I would, but it did help settle my stomach knowing I did my best to apologize. All that was left was to go to bed, and get ready for a rather tough decision in the morning. Next Chapter: Shave Estimated time remaining: 30 Minutes