Therapeutic Wandering

You should really get out and meet some ponies.

He sighed as he attempted to sort his mane out, giving up when the long but unkempt locks wouldn't look less so. He knew she was right, he'd shut himself in for so long, he needed to make new friends. But doubt and unease wormed its way through his mind like a leech sucking all of his resolve away. Making friends meant that there was a chance he could lose them.

He couldn't handle more loss.

The haggard stallion pulled on a somewhat tatty old vest, calling out a farewell to his father as he stepped outside. The light was momentarily blinding, the only relief came from his hoof shielding his face. All-in-all it was a very nice day outside, and the fresh air did lift his spirits somewhat, affording a tiny upturned smile, it wasn't much. But it was something.

Taking a deep breath to steel his nerves, he set off down the sidewalk. Though his spirits were slightly better than they'd usually been, his head still hung slightly, it was hard to believe that he'd ever been a royal guard. He missed those days though, and despaired in the thought that he'd been forced to retire so early. There was a chance he could enlist again, but would he ever have the strength to?

His aimless wandering brought him to the Main Streets of Canterlot, he knew this city like the back of his hoof, so it was no wonder he never got lost when wandering. His head lifted slightly as he looked around, wondering if he would see any familiar faces, or perhaps new ones. Though he was nervous, he couldn't help the tiny glimmer of sunlight at the prospect of interacting with other ponies.

And if he happened to come across trouble, his protective instincts remained tightly coiled to strike, even after so long.

Switchblade walked along in the opposite direction to Cross, although he was smiling casually, he knew that he was hopelessly lost and hoped to run into a pony who knew their way around, at that point he spotted Cross. He approached Cross and bowed "Greetings, sir. I'm afraid I'm a tad lost, could you tell me where I am?"

Cross had been lost in his thoughts, his mind wandering nearly as much as his hooves seemed to be. He didn't notice the other stallion until he spoke to him, lifting his head and ears as if he was momentarily stunned that he'd been addressing him, "Huh?" He lifted his head further and snapped to attention, flicking his tail and giving him his best attempt at a smile, "I bet I could, I've lived here my whole life." He gestured to the area with his hoof, smiling, "This is main street, basically the heart of Canterlot, well, the civilian side of it anyway! You can get anywhere from here." He looked around, feeling a slight flare of life inside, she was right, talking to another pony did feel good, "I can be a guide if you like, where are you headed?"

Switchblade shrugged casually "I'm really just looking for a place to relax. Don't get much free time due to cogsmithing and freelancing, so I decided to take a day off."

Cross gave a soft chuckle and then looked thoughtful, trying to recall all the good places for relaxing, "Along the main street there tends to be a healthy selection of small cafes, those are always nice when you just want to relax." He looked pensive as he looked around, "lots of shops along this strip." He looked curious when something the stallion said piqued his interest, "Freelancing? You have me curious now!"

Switchblade shrugged "Not much to tell about it; started freelancing after an unforgettably bad military incident that claimed the lives of a town including my lover, left me hospitalised for a while and broke me down mentally. After I recovered I still wanted to help ponies and use my memories to make a real difference, so I set up my freelancing business."

Cross' ears flicked attentively as the stallion spoke, he nodded and turned to look away, a little distant, "We're more alike than I would have guessed," he chuckled sadly, "I used to be a royal guard here, but I lost my wife, and I just couldn't keep going." He shook his head, as if clearing the sad cobwebs clinging to his psyche, "I'm getting better, I think, and being out and talking to other ponies helps." He gave him a small smile, "Anyway, I can take you wherever you might want to go, cafes, shops, you name it."

Switchblade nodded sadly "Dogs of war often howl at the same pitch. But just remember this; the river is at its deepest here and although it is tempting to swim no further, do not give up, as you are already halfway there and the worst is soon to pass. That's what kept me going." he looked around "You choose; you've lived here longer."

Cross looked at the stallion for a moment, taking in what he said, he gave an earnest chuckle and smiled, "You know, that's probably the best advice anyone has given me. Thanks." His eyes widened and he shook his head, "I don't even know your name, sorry about that, my name is Cross, or that's what everyone calls me." He gestured with a hoof and started down the sidewalk, "I know a pretty nice cafe' not to far, it's more of a hole-in-the-wall family run place, but it's warm and inviting because of that."

Switchblade smiled politely "Nice to meet you Cross, my name is Switchblade." he studied the path they were taking for future notice "Sounds like a good place."