21st Hematite, 222The day after Kiume’s resignation, Isolde takes it upon herself to quickly get this lapse in leadership resolved. There weren’t exactly a lot of choices to be had so she pretty much already knew what she wanted to happen, but it wouldn’t do to make a decision about this without consulting the other guards first.
It was still early afternoon when she sets out toward the training grounds past the foundation of the guardhouse, hoping to find everyone present. Hopefully this distraction from their schedule wouldn’t disrupt things too badly.
Fargo would be sitting at the training ground, sharpening his weapon as the rest trained. He really didn’t care much for this part of the job and much rather be out on patrol actually keeping people safe and doing his job. He’d then get up once he saw Isolde walking towards the grounds, wondering what she had to talk about.
Shooting Star was on the look-out, as always. And spotted the Lady coming over and thought that maybe she wanted to talk. So she brought her cloud down low , almost landing it next to Fargo before hopping off of her impromptu watchtower to face the Griffoness. “My lady.” She greets with a friendly pony smile.
Oh, good, the two Isolde was hoping to speak with were there and it seemed that Kiume and Lucky were nowhere to be seen. Out on patrol maybe. She waves to them and stops just short. “Good afternoon you two. I hope I’m not interrupting, but there’s something I needed to speak with you about.”
“Trust me, it is of no concern. Neither of us were busy.” He was curious as to why she chose to come out here though. This wasn’t normal. “Regardless, is something the matter? Are we needed for something?”
“Nobody’s in trouble, I hope?” Shooting Star added her concern as well.
Isolde waves off Shooting Star’s concerns. “No, no, nothing to worry about. It just seems that we might need to have a bit of a restructuring of the guard here due to… unforeseen circumstances.” She chances a glance back to the shelter, pondering if this should be more private. “Have either of you spoken to Kiume recently about any concerns he’s had about being in charge?”
“‘I’m afraid I’ve not spoken to him about such things.” He raised an eyebrow as he tried to make sense of the situation. “Why is that of importance though?” If it was because of what he thought it was then Fargo would be particularly interested.
“I don’t think Kiume have talked to us much. If at all. I thought he’s just being quiet? did he have a problem?” Shooting Star asked with even more concern.
Isolde sighs. “Yes and no.” She points back toward the shelter. “We should probably continue this in a slightly more private location, if you don’t mind?”
“I don’t mind at all.” He said, before waiting for Shooting to reply.
“Not a problem.” Shooting Star replied afterwards.
“Thanks, come with me then.” Isolde leads the two back toward the shelter, whereupon she goes to verify that it was empty so they could have this discussion in private.
As the door opens, it reveals a certain unicorn that had been late to the meeting. She doesn’t seem to immediately recognize the group, backing up. “Uh… Sorry…” Lucky mumbles.
Fargo was rather surprised to run into her here, but decided not to get at her for being at the shelter instead of patrolling or something. “Good that you're here, we’re about to talk about something regarding the way we’re running the guard.”
Lucky suddenly jerks to full awareness at hearing Fargo. “Damnit…” She mumbles to herself. “Uh… Yeah!” She quickly springs to attention. “Apologies for the uh… Wait. I thought I uh… Heard something here and went to look.”
Lucky’s diligence wasn’t at question here, so Isolde decides that whoever got the position after this discussion could deal with that. “Don’t worry about it. This does concern you too, so come join us, please.” She motions to the seats across from her usual seat at the table that she’d been using as a temporary office.
Shooting Star trots over to one of the empty seats and climbs onto it, settling down and getting ready to hear what’s up.
Fargo took a seat as well, and rested his halberd on the ground next to the table. He’d then wait for Isolde to inform them about what’s going on.
Lucky trots over to the area, however she chooses to stand, choosing to stand a bit to the side, facing Isolde. “I assume something is wrong?”
“It’s nothing urgent or vital at the moment, but in a sense, yes.” Isolde sits back and crosses her hindlegs. “Yesterday, Kiume approached me and expressed his desire to resign as captain of the guard.”
Shooting Star tilted her head, confused. “Did he say why?” she asked.
Lucky quickly nods, staying silent.
Fargo got a big smile on his face before he realized it. He’d then go back to a more stoic look. “Oh... so I take it you’re needing someone to fill his place, eh?” He liked where this conversation was going.
The griffoness nods back to Fargo. “He’ll need a replacement as soon as possible, yes. I’d hoped to get some guidance on that now.” To Shooting Star she says, “He was a bit vague about it, but the impression I got is that he simply no longer felt comfortable trying to be a leader. He wants to remain in the guard, but not in a position of authority. In truth, I believe he’s felt uncomfortable about it the entire time he has been here, so I don’t think it’s anything that happened recently that brought this on.”
Lucky nods again. “I’ve heard of his resignation from leading. I suppose you’ll be needing someone with… Experience?”
“There are a few factors I’m going to consider, and that’s one of them, yes,” Isolde confirms.
Shooting Star adjusts her seatings, perking up at the thought, having caught on the conversation already. “What’s the other factors?” she asked.
“I’m not going to rule anyone out completely, but… ‘existing loyalties’ might be a problem,” Isolde says, hoping Lucky would get the hint. “I’d also rather not have a repeat of this problem if I can help it, so if any of you
aren’t interested in it then please say so now.” She’d be fairly surprised if any flat out rejected the position since in her experience almost everyone was ready to grasp at power if given a chance.
Fargo didn’t say a word. He was indeed still planning on leaving as far as Isolde knew, so that might be surprise.
Lucky chuckles, ignoring any implications from Isolde’s speech. “I’d be
happy to take over.” She pauses for a moment before continuing. “That was a joke. Whatever you decide to do.”
“Well, I’d be
happy if the ladyship would entrust the responsibility and duty to me. And that’s not a joke.” Lucky built that up so well Shooting Star simply had to pounce it.
“I’ve eight years as a soldier and eight as a guard my profession.” He said plainly. Regardless of what he said though, it’s not like he had any proof to back up his claim even if it was true.
Isolde nods. That was two possible takers then, which had reasonable credentials. “Naturally, since Shooting Star has been here for the longest and because we’ve already verified her history I’m keen to favor her here.” She turns her attention to the mare in question. “Although… I don’t think you have as much experience. Do either of you have leadership experience?”
“I’ve limited experience as a leader, but I do think I could make a decent one.” Fargo then looked over to Lucky, and forced himself to speak a little more. “You could ask Lucky to be honest about if I’m competent as a leader from our time on the road with the migrants.” He was going to regret this, but in the end it’s not like this could do much harm. best case scenario she doesn't screw him over.
Lucky chuckled. “The big bad griffon’s trusting me to be honest?” She paused for a moment before continuing. “On a more serious note, it’s debateable. Seeing as, in my knowledge, he put a military logistics officer in a full time guard position without prior knowledge of her skills while
also neglecting to speak with his guardsmen, I’d say it’d be
my recommendation to consider him only if there are no other options.” She explained, being as honest as she could, smirking slightly as she finishes up.
“She was hired separately by the migrants and I had no say in her appointment. I had to hold her hand like a father does a toddler through the bad side of town.” He tried not to snap at her, but muttered “Her with a sword is like a two year old running with scissors.”
“I just would like to bring up that I had
no idea their alcohol in the pub was that strong.” Lucky replied, almost trying to one up Fargo. “Apologies for the interruption, Miss Isolde.”
Shooting Star watches the exchange between the two who she assumed to be lovers, does a little shrug, turns back to Isolde and says “I’ve been a corporal and was assigned to lead the recon squad in our platoon.”
The passive-aggressive arguing between the two was definitely cementing Isolde’s decision here. Already she could tell that giving the position to Fargo would result in endless complaints from Lucky and she might even be openly defiant of his authority. As if she held any loyalty to them anyway. Isolde holds a talon to her temple and frowns. “No experience in a commissioned officer’s position, but it’s better than nothing.” She rubs her temple a bit. “In that case, I think that barring new information, I’d like for Shooting Star to take over. At least on a trial basis.”
The griffoness looks back up to them. “If it turns out you don’t want to command after all, or if it’s not working out for some reason or another, then Fargo can take over. He’ll be second in command for now.”
Lucky simply sighs, staying quiet to avoid anymore arguments with Fargo.
Fargo frowned for a moment. “Very well. This is for the best. I’d just like to let you know that if I were to be given captain, by first recommendation would be to take away Lucky’s position before she gets another pony killed.” He said, before standing up from the table with a fake smile on his face and picking up his weapon. “Eh, again it is for the best I didn’t get the rank though. This way when one of your ponies is bleeding out, it won’t be my fault. It never is.” He said, before turning around and starting to walk off. “I’m sure you can handle the rest with the new captain.”
Isolde taps a talon on the desk, considering whether she should try to say anything to put some sugar on Fargo’s sour grapes, but decides that it’s likely to be something he was going to have to work out on his own. Instead, she says to the ponies and griffon gathered, “Remember, I may not strictly be in the chain of command here, but I do expect you all to remain professional and obey your superiors.” Her eyes flick to Lucky again in particular for a moment.
Lucky sighs, nodding. “I understand Miss Isolde, however some ponies and or griffons here are… Less than tolerable. ‘Twould be a shame to not be able to respond to their oh so
clever comments. I leave my comments in this professional setting at that.”
He stopped for a moment, and banged the end of his halberd on the ground. “If you have anything else to say, we can bring this outside my dear and we can settle this like adults.” He turned around for a moment and looked Isolde in the eye. “This is of course if duels are legal here, eh?” It wasn’t clear if he serious or not, but regardless he started to walk out again before Isolde replied.
“They’re
not,” Isolde insists, loud enough that he could hear her no matter how far he might have walked. More and more she’s sure she made the right choice here. “I do recommend you all behave like adults though.”
Lucky chuckled nervously, nodding. “Hehe… Ah… Yes. Boys… Acting all tough, ‘Rawr I’m strong, mate with me’.” She said, obviously frightened by Fargo’s display.
“Well.. I was going to say that as long as everybody does as their responsibilities requires of them, then nopony should be bleeding out any time soon. But now I really can’t help but suggest that you two get a room already.” Shooting Star said, unable to help joining in on the foalishness fun and failed to stifle a little giggle.
Fargo kept walking out, and right as he reached the door he heard lucky make the comment. That damned mare knew exactly how to hit his buttons and get the right reaction out of him. He even knew she was doing it at this point. He took a deep breath, and slowly opened the door. He’d then hold there for the next couple of moments. “I’m too old for this.” He muttered under his breath, “She says this stuff to me, and cuts like a knife.” He said, this time louder, enough for them to hear. before stepping outside and taking another deep breath and closing the door behind him.
The old bird knew he made the right choice to take the loss walk out of the building. He’d made a fool out of himself, and everything he did made it worse. He’d tried not to explode at the mare for months and here he did at the worst possible moment. Even worse he let her have the last word, and it was the one thing that made him more angry than any other. He’d been played, insulted, and couldn’t do a thing now.
No, Isolde was going to have the last word here. “Lucky, I’m very serious about everyone acting like adults here. I’m willing to accept you in this town and even trust you to work with the guards, but
only if you
can work with them. I expect this won’t become a recurring issue.”
Lucky nods, still a bit shaken however. “Yes ma’am. I apologize for my personal matters getting in the way of this… My associate is grating on the nerves.” The unicorn explains, returning to a professional tone after her outburst. “I may not have had the best judgement there and I apologize.”
The griffon nods. “Thank you. I hope the two of you can learn to get along a bit better in the future.” A brief silence falls, which she breaks with, “If there are no other concerns, then you can get back to what you were doing. Kiume is still in charge for today, but I’ll follow up with him on when to transfer command to Shooting Star.”
“I hope that he’ll rest easier tonight. I’ve always wondered why the poor Zebra always looked so tense..” Shooting Star said sympathetically.
“So do I,” Isolde agrees. “Remember, if you feel like you can’t handle it either then I can find someone else. I know it’s not what you signed up for.”
“I’ll try my best until then!” Shooting Star beamed brightly and salutes.
Isolde uncrosses her legs and picks up a quill. “Thank you. You can all get back to work then, and I’ll let you know if anything changes.”