The Former Captain and the Soldier

WindSprint finished gathering up his dirty dishes and set them in the sink, looking around Prima's apartment, it was small but big enough for his sister and that was all that mattered. He made quick work of washing the dishes and then went to his only suitcase that laid open on the sofa. He took out a fresh bandana and tied it around his neck before closing and storing the case in the hall's closet.

With the living room tidy and in order, he walked out, making sure the door behind him was locked. A quick walk down the stairs and he was right on Market street, watching the bustle of the local ponies in the early morning. Oh he was certain his son would enjoy living here, but he still had some research to do and he also had to find a place where they could live besides Prima's pull-out sofa bed. So until Sprint was settled, his son would continue spending the summer with his mother and stepfather. Sprint looked around and then started off towards a listing in the more residential part of Ponyville

Burning Heart stood guard on Market Street today. It was tough to keep eyes on every pony that came by, but that's where a criminal can strike hardest. She kept very close attention to as many ponies as she could in the swarm.

Her attention kept being ruined from a memory she had lingering in her mind. A long time ago, with Shy Smiles, in the Tavern, with the other mare. It wasn't fun for Heart. It even started to make her a little distrusting to other ponies in the love game.

She took off her helmet and put it to the side. She always hated that thing. It messed up her mane and squeezed on her head like an angry anaconda. She let her mane flow free as she watched over everypony.

Sprint stopped in front of the listing and turned straight back around, it was too bright and busy for his taste. He liked simple and tidy, not a mess of colors thrown onto a home. Sprint snorted and stopped at a bench, sitting and trying to plan his next move. Maybe he should look at more of the houses farther out of the immediate town, closer to the outskirts but then his son would have much farther to walk to school and Sprint was already uncomfortable with even allowing his son to walk on his own so long as he was with a group of others and not by himself.

He sighed and trotted to the closest cafe, getting himself a coffee. Though coffee wasn't the right word for it, it was actually mostly flavored creamer since he couldn't stand the bitter taste. Once he had his sugary drink, he sat back on his bench and pony watched. He saw mostly ponies performing mundane errands but occasionally something interesting would come along, one pony had even tripped, quickly getting up and walking off with a red face. But what really caught his attention was the pretty mare nearby in her guard uniform.

He smirked as she took her helmet off, back before his son was born, he would often tease and give the guards and soldiers that were under him. Maybe he could get a rise out of her but he decided against marching up and using his 'captain' voice. Sprint did stand and walk over though, leaning his massive frame against the building. "Now I think we both know you're generally suppose to keep that on," He said, voice smooth and deep.

Burning Heart looked around the find the smooth voice that told her about not having her helmet on, and it led to a fairly handsome pegasus leaning on a building. She caught herself looking dead into his gorgeous light blue eyes and blushed. She tried to hide it by putting her helmet back on. This stranger seemed charming already. But Heart remembered how nights with strangers turned out, so she went back into her non-blushy soldier mode and marched up to him.

"And how is that any business of yours sir?"

Sprint gave her a friendly smile as she blushed and put her helmet back on. She certainly was a pretty mare, but he knew better than to just flat out flirt and put the moves on a mare in the REG, one was certain to end up face down in the dirt and if they were lucky, nothing would be broken. He wasn't trying to be mean, all he really wanted to do was talk to someone that wasn't his sister and it was pure luck that this mare just happened to be a soldier. He pushed off of the building and stood to his full height, looking down to her.

"It's not, but I miss giving my regiment a hard time over this sort of thing. I'm WindSprint, a former Captain of the REG," He said, giving her a salute.

Burning Heart looked up at the stallion. Sweet Celestia he was a giant! Well, at the very least exceptionally tall. Hearing he used to be a member of the guard, she gave the stallion a salute. She wasn't sure whether or not to address him in proper guard manner, or as just another pony. She went with the former.

"Hello, Captain Sprint. What brings you over to the Town Square?"

WindSprint waited until she had finished her salute then went back to his spot leaning against the wall, he was feeling rather lazy about standing today. He let out a chuckle as she addressed him formally, giving the title a dismissive wave. While it was correct to address him as such, it wasn't required of her to do so.

"I was looking at a home listing nearby, but it didn't meet my standards. By the way, you never did give me your name," He said.

Burning Heart quickly felt extremely embarrassed. She had a feeling she wasn't supposed to do the salute, she spoke in authority to a former captain, and she was negligent enough to not mention her own name.

"Burning Heart, sir. And I'm sorry you couldn't find a suitable home here."

To Heart, this old captain was really handsome. She didn't want to flirt for various reasons though. One being her fear of the rejection and betrayal. Another it would be awkward to make moves with someone she just met. Even more awkward that it is a captain of the guard. He's almost like her boss. Well, former boss.

"Have you found anything to occupy your time here?"