Lily Glamerspear

---

It was four o'clock in the afternoon, and Specialist Glamerspear was lookin' good. She'd deliberately taken the long route from her shared quarters to get downstairs, the better to show off.

‘That's right, everypony! Take a good look, because this is no ordinary guardsmare!’

If the special Telekinetic Specialist helmet, or the lightweight, high-mobility banded armor instead of heavy, solid plate, or the absence of a physical spear (`as if I'd need one`!), or the elegant skirt for cushioning her when she had to sit or lie down to hit targets way up there didn't make it clear enough, she'd made sure that her tail was impeccably groomed. Her mane peeked just down low enough under her helmet to tease the fantastic hair underneath.

And, of course, one must show off the proper gait. There'd be no slow, shambling walk, or "I'm late for duty" gallop for her. Only the most prim and proper trot would do for showing off. And just in case that didn't seal the deal, she'd even kept her magical 'umbrella' shield up at maintenance-level power for the whole trip to her post. Just as if she'd been there on alert.

‘That's right, colts. This unicorn isn't just gorgeous and well-heeled, she knows exactly how to use every part of her body.’

But she didn't let her satisfaction show. She wouldn't even let it show that she’d noticed anypony at all on her way there. Especially not that stud-muffin Captain Mailedhoof, with the handsome silver hair. He was married, but that hadn't stopped him from checking Glamerspear out, from mane to hooves. Yeah, a few more trots by his post like that and he'd be extending an invitation to the Officers' Club. Just as a friendly way of getting to know a fresh face in the palace, of course.

That's what he'd tell everypony, anyway. And maybe she wouldn't even do anything with him... After all, once she'd gotten into the Officers' Club, why settle for a Captain when she could find a salt-daddy Major or General with the means to really treat a mare right?

Ah, the challenging life of an aggressive saltine. So many colts with sacks of bits burning holes in their pockets, looking for some fun to have on the side. So hard to choose which one to make her new salt-lick. With thoughts of Captain Mailedhoof in her mind (Lily figured that even if he's not too rich, at least he looked like he could buck real good; he could be worth a few trips around the quarter-mile, at least), specialist Glamerspear knocked on the Royal Engineer's door.

It was time for work.

"Who goes there?"

"Specialist Glamerspear, reporting for guard duty."

Sparkshower opened the door for her, both of the mares saluting before exchanging the ritual greeting.

"By the glory of the Morning Dawn, I hereby relieve you at this post."

"By the peace of the Evening Dusk, I stand relieved."

Artemis started to leave, but Lily quickly leaned over and whispered in her ear. "Anything interesting happen?"

"Oh, no. The Royal Engineer is busy with paperwork today," came Sparkshower's quiet response.

Over on Glamerspear's left, Anonymous hadn't so much as looked up from his desk as Artemis shut the door behind the unicorn specialist. Oh, well. More time to plan her 'infiltration' of the Royal Guard Officers' Club. Heh. Soon, that wouldn't be the only 'O Club' she'd be visiting.

---

It was almost eight o'clock in the evening, with four hours until her shift ended. Outside, it was drizzling rain. The Royal Engineer had been working at his desk the entire time, like some kind of machine. Well from what she'd heard, wasn't that the idea? He was supposed to know all about machines and such, right? It would be interesting if it weren't so desperately boring. To her left, Anonymous leaned back in his chair stretching his arms above his head in an extended yawn.

It seemed that he was putting away his quill for tonight. Part of her hoped that he'd had dinner plans with someone important, but from the looks of things, that was not likely. He'd already removed his jacket, and had started to undo his tie. Turning towards the window, Anonymous scowled.

"Damn, when did it start to rain?"

Lily wasn't sure if that was directed at her, but then again, there was nobody else in the room. "It started about an hour ago, Sir."

"Oh, did it? Drat. I was hoping to take a constitutional outside."

‘So? Get an umbrella? It's only drizzling. Some Royal Engineer he is, if he can't handle some water.’

"Well, I suppose a little rain won't hurt." Anonymous started to unbutton his shirt, and walked over to the zig-zag hairpin-joint in the partition wall, leading into the bedroom area. "You won't mind getting wet, will you, Specialist Glamerspear?"

‘Heh. As if you would allow yourself to get wet in rain.’

Magical anti-missile shields were necessary when angry griffons were hurling spears down like rain, but they're also useful against the regular, watery kind.

"I don't get wet in the rain, Sir."

Anonymous reappeared from his room, but he was dressed in just... his white undershirt and undershorts? His arms and legs had been left completely exposed, revealing that they were bare and furless in nature, just like his face. Freaky! He was sporting some fancy sneakers, though. Still, Glamerspear could not be seen walking through Canterlot Palace with someone dressed like that, no matter who appointed them to what.

The Royal Engineer regarded the mare with a quizzical look. "Would you care to explain that, Specialist? I'm not sure I understand."

As though it were the most trivial thing in Equestria (‘newsflash: it was, because I'm the best at this’), she instantly conjured up her anti-missile shield, in the form of a translucent, magenta hemisphere that stretched from her horn to just an inch above the ground.

"Ah, yes, of course. Unicorn magic." He walked over, picking up a glass of water along the way, and with a swift jerk of his hand, sent its contents flying at her. Of course, it splashed harmlessly against Glamerspear's shield. "I don't suppose you can make that large enough for two, can you?"

‘Hah. That sounded like a cheesy come-on line I’ve heard before.’ "Sir, this soldier can indefinitely maintain an impenetrable shield over an area twenty-five meters in diameter."

The Royal Engineer looked impressed. As well he should be! Most of the unicorns the air-defense company could only manage half that.

"Impressive. If you'll oblige me, I think that'll be more than enough. Let's head out through the balcony, into the gardens."

Glamerspear heaved an internal sigh of relief. ‘Oh, thank Celestia I don’t have to escort him through the palace halls dressed like that.’ If Captain Mailedhoof was still on duty (unlikely, admittedly), being seen with a gangly, bipedal monkey-creature wearing silly white undergarments would have completely scuttled her "O Club" operation. Nopony else was likely to be out in the gardens by this time of evening, especially in this weather. Her VIP could get his little walk in, and she wouldn't even have to be seen with him. Still, if this was going to be a regular occurrence, maybe she should see about trading shifts with Sparkshower.

After all, why take chances?

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