Around the Fire (Closed)

[tongs]

Tongs glowered at the nurse as she handed her yet another healing potion. "I'm sorry, dear but the scars will remain." She looked at her hind legs, waves of WhiteFire's rage would forever remain where her gray pelt once covered. A constant reminder of her cowardice and failure on the Strike Team Thunderbird. The unicorn mare gulped down the healing potion taking away the sting and soreness that engulfed her skin then marched out of the medical tent.

Applejack had set out the best spread she could for the returning soldiers. Many ponies milled around the the tables that had be haphazardly set up. A campfire was started in the middle where many ponies sat gulping down their dinner, some laughing and some somberly silent. As her red eyes scanned the crown she had hoped to see Strings somewhere in the throng. It was hard to pick out the pegasus's red pelt through one eye still lingering with damage in the oncoming darkness.

Her horn glowed as she grabbed a tray and found an empty place among the ponies gathered around the eerily cheery fire.

[Red Charge]

Hind Sight was just talking to one of the commanders, apologizing time and again for failing. But after being assured that there wasn't a single casualty inflicted on their forces, he finally took a seat around the fire.

Taking a look at the burnt Tongs, with all the salves that were now covering her he gave a small grimace. "You're Tongs right? From Team Thunderbird? I'm Hind Sight, from Team Phoenix." He introduced himself and sighed, "They said it won't be easy, but I didn't think it would be so horrible..." He admitted, "At least you guys managed to stop the mage battery."

[tongs]

The grey unicorn sat staring at the flames when a larger robust unicorn approached the fireside and took a seat. On a normal circumstance she would ignore the stranger, but when he addressed her she snapped to attention. Yes Sir. Tongs. Pleasure to meet you. She saw dismay on his face and could only imagine hers mirrored his own.

We lost StormShroud. We couldn't even have gone back if we wanted. her hoof raised to her face where WhiteFire's first direct attack had hit. He red eyes narrowed in frustration at her own weakness.Besides *we* didn't do anything to those mages, that was Valkyrie's doing.

[Red Charge]

"We lost Starshade, stupid bugger ran right towards the golem and it just flicked him half way across the country. Retort got the bad side of a Poison Joke reaction too. Though to be fair he did rub it all over his face so I think he had that coming."

The unicorn sighed, "At least there weren't any casualties. It's all up to Moonbird now." He tried to comfort, but could barely even convince himself.

"I just hope this all ends well... and just when I'm on a massive trail..." He lamented.

[tongs]

The grey mare tilted her head"On trail for what?"
"May Celestia and Luna be with Moonbird."Tongs's eye grew wide hearing the recount of the other teams mishaps. She shook her head sending her hair jingling from the metal adornments. She set her tray down near the fire. "Isn't Retort that insane unicorn from Canterlot?" She had heard rumors of the unicorn and penchant for making things explode.

A large amount of laughter broke out over the crackling of the fire. The gray mare swiveled to see what had caused the commotion."Looks like Apple Jack brought some of the famous Cider"

[Red Charge]

"Well I recently uncovered a ruin of the Equiterian Era right here in the bog. My team and I were fortunate to find a map leading us to even more ruins. The closest one in the Griffin Kingdom. A Magistrate's house." Hind Sight explained, "There is so much to find there, to uncover. It may even lead to more ruins. The Equiterians had some very ancient and powerful magic and artifacts. To uncover them would be incredibly beneficial to all of Equestria. Of course, what I really hope to discover is how the empire crumbled overnight." He rambled, "Unfortunately my team is a couple of ponies short now, and I don't even know if I'll make it out of this mess in one piece!"

[tongs]

Tongs eyes widened in amazement. "You sound like a very important pony, to be discovering such things." She scuffed the dirt with her hooves, the bog mud stained against her light gray pelt. She heaved a sigh. "I however will [possibly have to return to Ponyville and possibly face the disgrace of my brothers for becoming such a coward." She dropped her head in disgrace.

[Mortar Retort]

Retort had just returned from the medical tent where he was fortunate enough to have acquiesce to a medical pony just as stubborn as himself. He initially refused the serum for the Poison Joke, protesting the entire time about cheap ingredients and watered down elixirs. Eventually, after a might fit, Retort gave and accepted the serum, though explaining he was doing it only out of the fact he was tired of being unable to resist using any magical means - and that the stomach rumbles were getting quite tiresome.

Once the serum had been administered, he was quite surprised at how quickly the effects reversed. He thanked the medical pony, though with a slight air of indignation and excused himself. Leaving the tent, he happened to see none other then his teammate Hind Sight chatting idly away with a mare. He gleefully trotted over to them, a light bounce in his hooves. He had not realized how much the Poison Joke had taken out of him. With his reserve fez upon his head, he felt he could take on the world once again.

"Hind, there you are! Great news, all better!" Retort joyfully exclaimed as he interrupted the two, "That serum they're handing out is delightful, believe I'll need to swipe one before this is all said and done." He gave a glance to Tong and bowed his head, slightly. "Hind, your friend here, don't be rude. Introduce. Name is Mortar Retort, ma'am. Humbly at your service."

[Red Charge]

Hind Sight rolled his eyes and said, "If I catch you stealing any potion from the army I'll have them lock you up Retort." He said irritably, "You have the moral conscience of a Manticore, I swear." He gave Tongs a questioning look, not sure if he even wanted to introduce that fez wearing menace to her, lest she thinks less of him.

"This is that crazy pony I was talking about."

[tongs]

Tongs smirked tilting her head and sizing up Retort with her good eye, "Hmm... I pictured him more...insane." She stretched one of her scarred legs as it twinged with her movement. "So Hindsight what sort of beneficial discovers would be made in these ruins?" She tried picturing this ice blue pony rummaging around the darkened corners of worn down temples, only to be reminded of Daring Do her old teacher used to read to the class. The thought made her giggle softly. " I mean, um, obviously the old civilization fell what if what they knew is what destroyed them?

[Mortar Retort]

”Well consider I said nothing then.” The stallion insisted, brushing his hoof against his chest. ”And I’ll have you know, that a pony of my pursuit has neither time nor place to consider situational morality in the face of scientific pursuit.” He smugly reassured. ”Or… swiping…”His voice trailed off, only to explode at the next utterance of character faults that slipped from Hind Sight’s lips.

”I see Hind Sight has been spreading vicious lies-“ Retort scolds, looking upon with Hind Sight with disappointed and thoroughly hurt eyes. ”First you denounce my craft, question my lack of morals, then suggest I have some sort of mental deficiency. Does your slander know no end!?” He exuded melodramatics from every ounce of his being, attempting to lay on a guilt trip. Truthfully, he took no personal affront to such petty suggestions from others – he was, after all, quite accustomed to them. ”Please, my new friend-“ Addressing Tongs, ”Pay him no mind, he jests.”

Retorts ears shot up as Tong spoke of ‘discoveries’ and ‘ruins’. His head eagerly switched between Tongs and Hind, giving them both hungry, excited glances. ”Which ruins we speaking of? The Equiterian ones? Ohh, that was thoroughly thrilling, I’d never had a chance to venture that deep into the Bog till then. So many wondrous things I was able to gather.” He reflected fondly on the strange assortment of herbs and other odds and ends he snatched up from that expedition.