Within Desolation (Locked)

[Red Charge]

"So basically you hate them for what they are, which is no fault of their own, what the ponies and griffons did to them, which is also not their fault, and basically you think you could handle them better than Silverback could. Even he sought power by support, not by force." Mentioned Ice Fang, beckoning both the husky he was looking at and the busty German Shepard that was checking out Baxter over. They whispered to each other and grinned before getting up to join them.

"Now if you're done with the racial slurs, I suggest you take your time to relax and really get to know the denizens of your future great empire, don't you think?" He asked with a wink as he invited the husky to sit on his lap. "Well there," He said, noting her differently colored eyes, "What lovely teeth you have." She laughed slightly. "You're gem tenders right?" He asked.

"Yeah," Answered the German Shepard, "Just sent a supply out to Fillydelphia, she moved close to Baxter, as though hoping he'd invite her to sit on his lap as well.

"Funny to see what kind of junk these ponies keep, seriously ridiculous stuff. Like they have nothing better to do than play with their hobbies." Said the husky, with an arm wrapped possessively around Ice's shoulders now. "Whole books about flowers and cakes. Glad we're finally getting to smash in their stupid ignorant faces."

[Baxter]

Baxter’s grip around his mug tightened when Ice Fang mentioned Baxter thinking he could lead the dogs better than Silverback. The winter wolf bit his tongue, both figuratively and literally, as Ice Fang finished his accusations and the female diamond dogs walked over. While the other wolf was busy flirting, though, Baxter blocked out what was going on, merely trying to come up with a level-headed response. Finally, he looked over at Ice Fang, completely ignoring the two diamond dogs that had joined them.

"I am not Silverback, or his superior in anyway. Nor have I ever claimed to be," he said icily. "Someone needs to lead these dogs, though, and it’s not the dragons. Of course this is of zero concern to those who'd best at it. Instead, they'd rather spend their lives doing contract work." His hand was now wrapped tight around the cider mug, which was being firmly planted to the bar top. "I’m not an egotist. I don’t see myself single-handedly turning a collection of stupid, spineless mutts into powerful nation, but I do seem to be the only one thinking about such things."

It was only after he had finished that Baxter noticed the German shepherd sitting on his other side, expecting the same treatment Ice Fang was giving her friend. "Stay where you’re seated," Baxter growled.

[Red Charge]

Both the German Shepard and the Husky looked at him in mild surprise, not really understanding what Baxter was talking about. Ice Fang chuckled and said, "Acta, non verba. If you're not going to step up and do something about it, stop complaining about it."

The German Shepard huffed at Baxter's refusal to accept her on his lap, and remained sitting next to him. "So what pack are you from?" She asked Baxter conversationally gently stroking his arm, in hopes of getting his attention.

The Husky stifled a grin at her friend's lack of success, and nodded in agreement to what Ice Fang said. "I'm Sammie, by the way and she's Maxime."

"Oh I can definitely see that." Ice Fang said, winking at the German Shepard, causing her to blush slightly. He then gave Baxter a stern look, he shouldn't mess it up with the German Shepard girl, it would be a downright shame if he did.

[Baxter]

Baxter grumbled under his breath as Ice Fang gave his reply, deciding to drop the discussion for the time being. Besides, the other wolf's obsession with Equiterian phrases was starting to get to him. The archer took a small sip of cider, his grip around the mug much looser now. Soon after setting it back down, he was caught surprised by the German shepherd suddenly caressing his arm. His eyes quickly darted in her direction, though he took no other action than to cautiously observe her movements.

Slowly turning back to Ice Fang, Baxter found the wolf staring sternly at him. Baxter returned a glare, reluctantly showing he had gotten the message. "Rex Nocte," Baxter said, curtly answering the German shepherd’s question. "As you can probably guess, it’s from a bit north of here." His eyes remained locked onto Ice Fang as he spoke, telegraphing his discontent with the situation as much as possible.

[Red Charge]

Ice Fang sighed, "Yeah, it's pretty far up north." he added, "But I have to say, I'm starting to get used to the view here." He said, now his claw around the husky's thigh. "Which packs are you from?"

"I'm White Ripper, Maxime is Fire Agate, Gem-Crafter only pack." Sammie explained, gesturing at herself and then at Maxime respectfully. "I just got out of apprenticeship." She continued, "Was more hoping to get under Malachite, but it looks like they've got other plans for me." She shrugged, as though she was just happy to help any way she could. Ice Fang could hear a slight bitterness in her voice however.

"Same here, really. I've been out of apprenticeship early, my master said I was one of the best she's taught. But I guess support roles is all I'm going to get." Maxime huffed discontentedly, doubly so because Baxter was not returning any signs of interest to her. At which point she just gave up and let him go. Hoping he might just notice it and try to get her to start again.

Ice Fang tilted his head at Baxter, as though scolding him, he was definitely messing it up, it was obvious Maxime wasn't happy. Not one bit.

[Baxter]

Baxter listened to both of the dogs' stories, finding himself mostly disinterested. After they were done speaking, he saw Ice Fang tilting his head at him. He responded with a confused look until noticing that the German shepherd, Maxime was it?, had let go of his arm. He glanced back at her before looking back at Ice Fang. What? She was the one who let go. It's not like he had jerked his arm away as soon as she touched it. Well, he had wanted to, but he hadn't.

Baxter gave Ice Fang another long glare of discontent before making a quarter turn in his seat. He examined Maxime for several seconds, but eventually shifted his gaze to the bar-top between them, wrapping both his hands around his cider mug. "One of the best apprentices she’d ever taught, huh?" he said, now finally making half an effort to acknowledge her. "Surely they would move better gem-crafters into better positions, especially if you were good enough to finish apprenticeship early."

[Red Charge]

The German Shepard seemed downright offended at that remark, but Ice Fang's quick wit jumped to the rescue. "I understand Malachite, I'd hate to put such a stunning face in a combat role." He said, winking at the busty diamond dog.

"Tail kisser." The husky on his lap called, smacking him playfully across the chest. He shrugged with a grin.

"Though I'll be honest, Gems are like liquid magic in Malachite's claws. The way she works them, the ease in which she uses their properties, it's like... watching her control a very vibrant river, making it twist, turn and shift directions as she sees fit." The grey winter wolf described with no small measure of awe. "She's calm and collected, nothing makes her flinch, always in focus, always knowing her surroundings. She was born for this sort of thing... Now if only she'd let me get in that robe..." He threw an off-hand comment, catching the two gem-tenders by surprise and eliciting bursts of laughter.

"Did you try?" Maxime asked with interest, now completely disregarding Baxter.

"I don't think there ever was an opportunity to. She doesn't talk unless she needs to, and she doesn't really pay attention to anyone unless she needs to." The Winter Wolf General explained, "It's like her mind is elsewhere whenever she's not doing anything."

Sammie and Maxime nodded to each other, "Probably some sort of meditation, I bet she'd need it if she's juggling so much power. If she loses focus she could have all of her gems blow up in her face." Sammie explained, "Talk about dedicated."

"Yeah." Maxime agreed, now leaning towards Ice Fang. Who was glaring at Baxter as though he wanted to kick him.

[Baxter]

Baxter could only watch as things quickly spiraled in the opposite direction of what he had intended. He had somehow managed to both insult the German shepherd and give Ice Fang the helm of his sinking ship. Sure enough, the other wolf quickly had it sailing smooth as if it were nothing. Baxter could begin to feel his temper flare up. He just wasn't supposed to win at this. He hadn't even wanted to play! It was all Ice Fang’s idea, his insistence. Another scolding look from him was enough to blow the kettle.

“It was a compliment!” Baxter barked at Ice Fang. The silence that emerged made it obvious how awkward the outburst had been, but Baxter quickly decided he was going to finish. “I wasn't saying she was a bad gem-crafter because they hadn't moved her up. I was saying they were stupid to not move such a good gem-crafter into a better position. There, happy?”

He then looked over at Maxime. “And if you want to sit closer to tall and charming, then please, allow me to get out of the way.” With that, Baxter hopped down from his bar stool, relocating to one of the several empty booths along the edge of the make-shift tavern. There he folded his arms and laid his head down between them, focusing intensely on the empty space in front of him as he sulked.

[Red Charge]

Ice Fang was biting his lip, not because he was nervous or angry, but to keep himself from laughing. All considered, Baxter's tantrum was pretty hilarious.

"What's his problem?" Sammie asked, looking wide eyed at the lone Winter Wolf at that table, Maxime looked a bit concerned for a moment, thinking she may have offended him somehow. She turned to look at Ice Fang for an answer.

"Umm, he's... kind of complicated." The dagger totting canine said with a sheepish grin. "I better go talk to him, but how about you two beautifuls go over to my building, it's in that half burnt library, and wait for me there so we could talk some more?" He asked slyly and the two nodded with a giggle. They went back to join their friends at the table as Ice Fang went to join Baxter.

"You alright buddy?" He asked, patting him on the shoulder as he passed him to sit in front of him. "Kind of went off like an impure gem back there."

[Baxter]

“That’s the last time I let you drag me into something like this,” Baxter said plainly, waiting until he had finished before looking up at Ice Fang. “You can flirt with as many dogs as you want. You’re certainly good at it. But as you can see, I’m clearly not meant for that sort of thing. So if that’s your idea of relaxing, I don’t want any part of it.” Baxter let out a sigh, burying his head deeper into his arms. “Stupid dogs.”

[Red Charge]

"C'mon Bax, don't be like that. Just next time, you know, stop thinking of them as stupid dogs and start thinking of them as... you know... sentient beings?" Ice Fang offered humorously, "Now don't get in a jam over some pretty tails there Bax. You're a trained Winter Wolf warrior. We fight, we loot we merrymake, but we don't weep!" He said, giving him a flick to the ear.

"Just be yourself next time." Ice Fang said, signaling the dog at the bar to bring them a couple of more drinks. "At least drink up. We've got a long walk in those stupid tunnels tomorrow. May as well enjoy yourself tonight."

Ice Fang threw his legs on the table roughly and relaxed back in his chair, staying silent to wait for Baxter's reaction.

[Baxter]

Baxter finished listening to Ice Fang, eventually sitting back up, albeit with his head hung low. “You’re right,” he said. “I shouldn’t let it get to me.” He looked over at the diamond dog behind the bar, who was now filling several mugs with cider. “I don’t think there’s gonna be a next time, though. I’m just not good enough for this sort of thing.” Baxter took a glance over at the girls, now sitting back at their table, before looking back at Ice Fang.

“Some of us are better at certain things. And some of us aren’t good at them at all. That’s just the way things are. You could charm a bipolar bear if you wanted. Not me. At the very least, I’m better off with my own kind.” The barkeep was now bringing the drinks, moving them from his tray to the table before returning to the bar. “As you said, though, tomorrow’s a long day. And I don’t want to get in a knot over something like this.”

[Red Charge]

"Great!" Ice Fang said, spying the two ladies leaving after having said their farewells to their friends. "Tell you what Bax. I'm going to go and enjoy my evening." He took the mug from the barkeep and chugged it all down in one gulp, "I won't bother you anymore tonight. But you should definitely do something, go out and find yourself someone to talk to. No need for all the flirting, just talk to some legs, get comfortable so you stop being all uptight around them. Loosen yourself up a bit. Who knows, right? I'll see you tomorrow."He said, patting once on the shoulder and then ruffling the fur on his head before leaving after the girls.

Though Ice Fang was gone, the ruins of Ponyville were full of life and activity. Many Diamond Dogs were still raiding abandoned buildings or sorting through equipment. Others were guarding the perimeter and some were just relaxing in the already cleared out homes, laughing and playing all sorts of stone games after a long day of work. If Baxter wanted to find something to do, he'd have no problem doing so, even on his own. Ice Fang's advice was sound after all.

[Baxter]

Baxter was caught off guard by Ice Fang’s sudden decision to leave, but made no movement to keep him from going. He gave the other wolf a small wave before he left, finding himself alone in the tavern. Well, not alone, but certainly not with anyone he knew, or that he was sure he wanted to get to know. Looking around at the other patrons, he grabbed one of the cider mugs, taking his time in finishing it.


Soon enough he found himself exiting the tavern, looking around at the ruined pony settlement. Not sure what else to do, he huffed off towards the perimeter. Baxter kept his eyes on the ground ahead of him as he walked, avoiding looking at any of the diamond dogs that may have been wandering about or digging through the wrecked buildings. He could tell he was getting closer as the buildings started to become less frequent, and he soon had made his way onto the other side of a small stone bridge. A male diamond dog nearby was standing guard, keeping an eye on the horizon.

Baxter looked around him, finding little else but him and the guard. He let out a sigh, taking a few steps back so he could lean against the edge of one of the bridge’s short walls. This wasn’t his idea of ‘taking it easy’ but it was better than being stared at for being alone in the tavern. “Seen anything lately?” Baxter asked, looking at the nearby guard with his arms folded.

[Red Charge]

"Yeah, I've seen an army of ponies, they asked me which way was Canterlot so I told 'em." The guard said sarcastically. Huffing at Baxter, "You're one of those Winter Wolves aren't you? We don't need your type to win this war. Sharp's making a mistake having you around here." He continued.

The guard was a very fit mastiff, big and strong, typical guard for a Diamond Dog encampment. He continued to look at the horizon. "You think you're all better than us, but we threw off the dragon chains millenia ago. While you're still doing everything they want. They controlled us with force, they control you with trinkets." He spat on the ground, "Everything for a reward." He commented harshly.