Brunch in the park (Patreon)

It was the morning of the Service to the Crown Day parade in my Equestria Dreamscape, and all of us had risen early so we could attend the VIP Brunch being held in the Central Park near the review grounds. After much fussing about manes, tails and coats and getting into our garments we went down to the lobby of the hotel and hailed a cab. I had thought Canterlot had been crowded for the music festival last year but it streets seemed even more crowded than they had been last fall. From every window, balcony, awning, and lamppost there was some type of bright decorative banner, sash, flag, or pennant. Ponies were calling out to one another and wish each other wonderful day. Foals laughed and set off dragon snappers, small firecracker-like objects, with great enthusiasm. After about a twenty-minute cab ride we arrived at park, an usher checked our invitations then admit us into the brunch. It was rumored that Royal Sisters might even make an appearance at it.

    The Mane Six, along with Zecora and the rest of the Apple family were already there and all of them except Rainbow Dash were apparently making a second pass by the buffet tables. They had reserved a table large to accommodate all of them plus about a dozen or more ponies. Seated at the table were a couple ponies I recognized and few I didn't.

    Captain Firewing was out of his armor but was wearing his service tunic. He was having an animated discussion about some complicated flight maneuver with Rainbow Dash. Like fighter pilots in our world Firewing was using his front hoofs to illustrate some esoteric facet of the maneuver. RD was seated on Firewing's right side and apparently was uncertain of the maneuver and was providing her own hoof counterpoint to his solution. RD noticed me but then quickly turned her attention back Firewing’s lecture. Apparently she was still trying to decide what last night had meant for her and I. On Firewing's left was a young, white pegasus stallion with a violet, mane and tail in a short military cut. He was fascinated with the discussion going on. I thought I knew him but couldn't remember his name.

    Directly across the table from Firewing and RD were seated three other ponies. Once again I felt certain I’d met them before. A chestnut middle age unicorn stallion was intently watching the two pegasi contorted their hooves in a dogfight over a battlefield of scones, croissants, and pastries. To his right was a young, athletic, attractive, lilac unicorn mare also seemed to find the two pegasi discussion equally fascinating. To his left was a large, burly grey unicorn stallion. He appeared to be utterly bored with the ongoing lecture and was entertaining himself by magically rolling a couple of plums around the table in some odd fruit derivative of a chariot race. When he turned his head toward me I noticed he had a large scar on the left side of his muzzle from a recent injury. Although they were all wearing appropriate civilian clothing for the event they all had the aura of military personnel. I knew I'd met them all recently but couldn't place faces with names at the moment. We gave them all a quick nod and continued on to the buffet tables before Pinkie Pie ate everything.

    Fortunately there were still plenty of choices for latecomers spread out over multiple tables and cooking stations. Even better you did not have to carry your food back to your table. One received two small numbered flags and a pasteboard card with small boxes printed in neat rows when one got into line. Then one would wander the tables and cooking stations where ponies in brilliant white jackets were stationed. If something caught your fancy they'd punch a box on your card. When you had ordered everything you wanted you turned in the punched card to the steward then returned to one's table with one of the numbered flags. In a few minutes a young unicorn foal from Celestia's own school for gifted unicorns would bring over a platter with your order on it and then take your flag. If you desired seconds then you just repeated the process until you were full.

    Soon a young colt brought my platter bearing my morning nourishment. A two-egg omelet filled with sautéed white and Morel mushrooms, shredded Gruyere-style cheese and a delicious vermouth and herb sauce drizzled over it. Accompanying it was an apple salad with candied walnuts, raisins tossed with a tangy sweet dressing. I also had a couple freshly made and toasted English muffins covered with melted butter. Fresh squeezed orange juice and steaming mug of coffee with just enough cream and sugar rounded out my breakfast. Soon after Petina's and Carousel's orders arrived in a similar fashion. Eventually the other remainder of the Mane Six and the Apple family returned having placed their orders.

    RD and Firewing had apparently resolved the breakfast battle by the time I returned and had moved on to arguing about whom they thought would win the local hoofball season. As I sat down the chestnut unicorn stallion looked up at me and spoke.

    "Ah, Sky Brush! Good morning hope things have gone well for and your friends since we last met?

    I immediately recognized the voice as that of one Captain Sharp Horn of the Royal Guard. Suddenly I realized who the other members at table were. They were some of the ponies that had been injured in the battle with the Deception at Sweet Apple Acres. The unicorn mare was Sergeant Wind Whisper, the pegasus stallion was Private Blue Cloud and silent looming unicorn stallion must have been none other than Corporal Stone. I just hadn't recognized them in civilian clothing. Captain Sharp Horn was wearing a dove grey jacket with a brilliant white silk shirt. A tie deep violet with gold thread intertwined to it complimented his outfit. Resting on the table beside him was a wide brimmed fedora-style hat of matching dove grey with black hatband.

    Wind Whisper was wearing a rather snappy jacket of deep navy blue over a blouse white silk. A cravat of pale yellow silk was tied around her neck. A small black pillbox curiosity with two peacock plumes on her head rounded out her ensemble. Corporal Stone was wearing a rather crumpled looking jacket of dark grey wool. His white shirt didn't look much better. At least the knot on his deep red bow tie was nice and square. A somewhat scuffed up black derby was planted on his head. Both his hat and Sharp Horn's had holes in the brims to allow for their horns. Blue Cloud had only a white linen collar that upon closer examination bore enameled gold pins with his regiment’s insignia. Complimenting this was a black cravat. That along with a pair tinted flight glasses and small satchel rounded out his wardrobe for the morning.

    Apparently it was obvious that I was putting names to faces because the ever charming Captain Firewing took one look at me and with a sly smile on face and delivered one of his signature sarcastic comments.

    "Morning Brick. Need your coffee to get your brain and wings moving?" He then glanced over at Petina and Carousel who had just trotted up and nodded. "And good morning to you two, I see you've kept Brick here in one piece." Petina just smiled and patted me on the back.

    "Oh Brick is doing much better Captain Firewing! He hasn't flown into a tree, crashed into a barn, or plowed into the ground in at least four weeks now!" Proclaimed Petina with chirper enthusiasm. Carousel covered her muzzle with a front hoof and giggled softly. Thanks Petina.

     I glanced over at Applebloom who was secretively staring at Sharp Horn and the other members of the assault team that had gone out to Sweet Apple Acres that morning just a few months ago. These ponies had been injured in that battle. Did they feel she had been an accomplice to the attacks that had nearly killed several of them? Still they now were all sitting with her at a table enjoying a beautiful morning. She apparently did not know what to say so she remained silent.

    "I'm happy to see you're all doing better." Looking around the table. "Although I'm surprised to see you all here at the brunch. I thought all of you would be preparing for the parade?" Captain Sharp Horn nodded.

    "Usually that would be the case but all of us here with the exception of Captain Firewing we are all still on the medical disable list so we will not participating in the parade. Corporal Steel Mane could not join us today since he still recovery from another round of surgery." The Captain sighed, and then continued. "For the first time since I was young stallion I'll be watching it from stands. We all have seats in the veterans section of the grandstands." Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Applebloom wince at Sharp Horn's comment. As I digested this information something still did not seem right.

    "Um, I'm still confused. I know that Sergeant Wind Whisper was badly injured in the battle, and may I say I'm happy to see you making such a good recovery." The lilac mare smiled and nodded.

    "Thank you Sky Brush." She said.

    "Your welcome." I replied removing my hat. "And I'm glad it appears your wing is on the mend Private Blue Cloud." He nodded and gave his wings a little happy flap.

    "Yep!" Replied the private. "I got cleared for flight status three weeks ago, and it couldn't have come too soon! I was going crazy not being able to fly!"

    As a pegasus pony I understood exactly what he was get at. Just being grounded for a few days during the worst of the winter weather had driven me up the wall. Once you could fly there was no substitute. I looked over at the mountain that was Corporal Stone he had remained silent through all of this.

    "And I glad am to see you Corporal. I hope your recovery in progressing well?" He looked over at me and silently nodded. Wind Whisper looked crossly at him and levitated a crumpled linen napkin and bounced it off his head.

    "Stone! Where are your manners? Just don't sit there like a rock and play with your food. Say something!" The unicorn stallion breathed a heavy sigh, and with a squeaky high-pitched nasal voice replied.

    "Thank you Sky Brush for your concern, but you need not worry. The doctors were able save my eye and I will be able to return to active duty soon." Then he went back to being silent as his name. Coming from such a large stallion it sounded almost comical.

    Petina who was in the middle of chewing on a black currant scone made a slight choking sound as though she was resisting the sudden urge to bust up laughing. Wind Whisper seemed to know the question that was on Petina's, Carousel's, and my own mind and answered it without us asking.

    "You have to forgive our dear Corporal here." Said the mare with a wicked grin. "He has developed quite a reputation as a crushing force in combat, and has gone to some lengths to cultivate that image. However for a stallion of his size he has this adorable, sweet, little voice." Stone visibly winced when WInd Whisper said this. "And he feels if he speaks around other ponies it'll diminish his fearsome reputation."

    Corporal Stone placed his head on the table and covered it with his front hoofs.

    "Whisper! Shut up, shut up, shut up! " He repeated over and over again in a plaintive tone. This resulted in a round of laughter from the other veterans at the table. It was the kind of good nature teasing that close friends and veterans who have served through hard times can do to each other.

    Feeling somewhat sorry for the poor Corporal I decided to switch topics. "Okay that explains the three of you, but Captain why are you not in parade?" The Captain rolled his eyes but decided to answer me before his cheeky Sergeant volunteered further information.

    "I'm not marching today because I have a broken leg." He shifted in his chair slightly and revealed a complicated splint and brace arrangement encompassing part of his lower left hind leg. "I still have three weeks in this torture devices." He grumbled.

   "Odd." I said. "I don't remember you being injured in the battle."

    With a huge Cheshire-Cat smile on her face Wind Whisper launched into further commentary before the Captain could stuff a breakfast roll in her mouth to shut her up.

   "Oh Captain Sharp Horn was not injured in that battle! No, he sustained his wound in a far more fearsome conflict!" Noticing the confusion on my face she continued.

   "Our dear Captain here broke his leg as he was leaving the press conference with the Royal Sisters!" Wind Whisper let out a hearty laugh at this point. Sharp Horn for his part stoically stirred his coffee and tried to pretend that his best Sergeant was not there right now.

   "The conference had conclude and he'd just stepped off the stage and as he went behind the curtain he slipped and down he went! Fortunately with all the noise of everyone else leaving the conference nopony in the press noticed the sound. The two Princesses heard him fall but in the interest of national security and to save the poor Captain's reputation they had the whole event quietly dealt with!" She looked at all of us gathered around the table with an impish twinkle in her eyes.

   "You realize this is a crown secret so I'm going have to make everypony here swear to an oath of secrecy. Speak not word of this to any other pony or you may get sent to the moon." At this point the lilac mare started laughing uncontrollably.

   "I think that is enough narrative from you Sergeant." Said the Captain with an even tone as he levitated a plain gold pocket watch out of his jacket pocket. "Besides If I'm going to get to the VIP grandstands in time we're going to have to leave right now."

   Something still didn’t add up in my mind. “But that was a couple months ago and it still hasn’t healed yet. I thought that medical spells would’ve gotten you going sooner than this?”

   Captain Sharp Horn sighed. “Oh they got me up and going within a couple weeks, but I didn’t follow my doctors advice and pushed myself too hard and broke it again. Bad this time, now I have much tougher recovery in front of me.”

   He then slowly rose from his seat and levitated his wide brim, pale gray hat on his head. Neatly it slid down his horn in one smooth motion. Wind Whisper, Stone, Blue Cloud and Firewing rose with him and made their farewells to us. Then they headed off at a slow pace as the Captain gingerly walked in his brace. He got a few strides away, and then he stopped and turned looked back at us one last time.

   "I recommend you all get to the stands soon to. You won't want to miss the start of this parade. Rumor has it that something amazing is going happen this year. Something that has not happened in a long, long time." Then he continued on his way.

To be continued.