(( Late Moonstone 260 ))
(( I'm rather fuzzy on the date. It could be something else, but this is soon after Indigo and Amor talked about him wearing armour to work, and Fauchard has been for over a year in the fort, so it works. I also don't think, this date would invalidate any other scenes. ))
After work, Indigo goes to see one pony, who might be able to offer him some advice. He knocks on his door. "Fauchard, can I come in?"
Fauchard opens the door. The old stallion is currently home alone. His axe is laying on the table. It appears that he was in the middle of polishing her. "Certainly Indigo. Come inside." he says, with a welcoming tone, it wasn't that unusual for the unicorn to pay him a visit. Fauchard simply assumed that Indigo wanted to return the last book he borrowed and maybe take a new one with him.
Indigo comes in and closes the door. "I want to ask you for advice. You may know a solution to a problem I have. But first, I want this conversation to stay between us, alright?"
Fauchard, retaking his seat at his table, returns to the work he has been interrupted from. "Certainly Indigo. I told Lady Virtue that my mind and knowledge, such as it is, was at the disposal of her and all of Dawnpick. But that doesn't mean I can't keep a few secrets. Now tell me what problem do you need help with?"
Indigo comes closer and says in hushed voice. "I want to quit the military, but I want to minimize any bad fallout from that."
Fauchard puts his axe back down on the table, ignoring her for now. "And why would you want to quit the military now? You've led the reserves since before I even arrived here."
"Firstly I'm fed up with it and have been for quite a while."
Since the beginning of my squad. "Secondly... a mare wants me to quit."
Fauchard, clearly unhappy with Indigo's reason, begins "A mare wanting you to quit is not a good enough reason Indigo. Do you think my wife liked that I was a soldier? Of course she didn't, but I did my duty for the gods and for my country all the same. But if you really want to quit. Just quit."
"I thought about it, but soldiers are needed now. If I just quit, I'll be called a coward and my reputation will plummet. Well, I could do something stupid, be disciplinary removed from the military and forbidden from carrying weapons, but that's even worse. So, is there a third option?"
Fauchard shakes his head, "Well lets be clear here Indigo. Is it leading the reserves you are tired of, or the whole package?"
Indigo sighs. "Everything. Training and paperwork aren't bad, but... some other things are."
Fauchard sighs, "The only way to get out of this, with your perceived honour intact, would be an injury that makes you unqualified to fight. You would still be a coward in the eyes of the gods...but the other ponies of the town would not know the truth. So either admit to cowardice or be a liar and 'accidentally' crush a hoof at your masonry job. Your call."
Indigo winces. "I'm not that desperate. I just know, you somehow quit and still seem to be in high regard, or may know some loopholes from years of service, so I asked."
Fachard sighs. "I quit the military because my daughter was murdered, my son imprisoned, and my wife committed suicide within a short few days. I was in no fit mental state fit to be in command of anypony, so I requested to be honourably discharged and my superiors did so."
Indigo is quite taken aback by that. "Oh... I had no idea."
Fauchard sighs, "And now I suppose you do. But do not worry, that was a long, long time ago."
Indigo sighs "Well then, I guess, I'm stuck up with being in the military for now and should just learn whatever I can to maximize my chances. Maybe I won't die or get wounded anytime soon and won't have to kill a pony. You have quite a lower opinion of me now, don't you?"
Fauchard refocuses on his weapon, again working to polish her until she shines, "Not all stallions are cut out to be soldiers, Indigo." is the only answer he will offer to Indigo's question.
"That's a good thing, really. I'm much better suited to making things than to killing and I prefer it that way." says Indigo, sighs and gives a small smile. The two briefly talk of other things, before Indigo bids Fauchard farewell and takes his leave.
Author
Topic: Dawnpick (My Little Fortress) (Read 235904 times)