[Barn] Breaking Through the Ice (EPIC, Whitescar team)

[RarityDash]

To join EPIC sounded like a path which lead to challenges and to glory should they be overcome--for Randgrid of Heil-Barn there was no greater thing.

 

In the wake of what had happened in the Crystal Empire, the strong truly did need to rise up now. If left unchallenged, WRAITH in their wicked ambitions would just continue to coil its way around them all until the damage had been done and they were suffocated. The wizard who had stolen Randgrid from her own mind, the resurrected tyrant, that loathsome dog the Red Jarl--for this enemy to set them all upon innocents of the empire at the same time was the truest act of black-hearted villainy.

 

Randgrid had decided to make it her personal mission to stomp them out and make it so that they paid for the damage done. EPIC was a means for that. She would use all of her strength and resolve to fight for what was right and true and unleash her fury upon the enemy, fighting alongside valiant, like-minded allies. Where once her sole drive was to act as an enforcer for her father's will, stomping out and bringing to justice vikings who refused to comply with the new laws of Whitescar, now her mission was a bigger one. It could not be solely about Whitescar for her any longer, not when a greater evil was out there, worming its way into affairs all over the world.

 

And yet, for her first mission with EPIC, Randgrid was set to lead a team to Whitescar all the same. As a royal princess of the caribou nation she was of use to them for getting into Whitescar and moving around safely there. Whitescar was one of their only leads due to the fact that WRAITH had had dealings with the Jarl and that Randgrid herself had, before being knocked unconscious and put under the sorcerer’s spell, seen one of the Jarl's men meeting with an envoy from WRAITH. They did not have much to go on, but the hope was that perhaps they would find someone who knew or had seen something about the highly secretive organization which they could go on.

 

There were five others who had joined Randgrid for this mission, two of whom she had met during the Crystal Empire event. One was Ryx, a large and capable griffoness whom Randgrid had helped to train to fight and whom she knew had business in Whitescar she would want to see taken care of once they reached Saar. The other was Naj, a changeling most often disguised as a pegasus, who during the heat of the battle had inadvertently given an order which had lead Randgrid, under the wicked spell of the enemy, to take the life of a caribou. Randgrid could understand what had happened, and that in the heat of the moment there had likely been little choice but to try whatever they could, but she could also recall that in the wake of it all Ryx had had rather harsh words for the choice the changeling had made. She wondered if perhaps a friction would remain from the ordeal.

 

Because of that, and because she did not yet know the other three in her team--Arete, another changeling, Fire Walker, a pegasus and soldier with the REA, and a heroic seeming pegasus called Solace--upon reaching the port city of Barn, the gateway to all of Whitescar, Randgrid made the call to head directly for the Seawall Tavern, a favorite haunt for sailors, travellers and for those of all walks of life in Whitescar. She found them a large table and then called out to the old barman, loudly ordering a mug of ale for herself and each of her new companion.

 

"Come, friends! If we are to succeed upon this critical endeavor, first we must drink and come to know one another!" the caribou cow observed boisterously, grabbing her mug of ale promptly upon its delivery and taking a hearty swig. "Whitescar is cruel and unforgiving. We need more than just a shared goal if we are to survive it and find the information we seek. We need to find a trust for one another. There is no power in this world of ours which can call itself equal to the bonds of camaraderie!"

​

[Elderflower]

 

For the first time in her life, Ryx felt far from home. The massive gryphoness had spent most of her adult life traveling the world, and this certainly wasn’t her first time straying far from Clopton Shores, but there was something very different about this particular trip that set it apart from the others. The blackbird took a deep breath of misty sea air and pressed her huge wings against her sides tightly. It was bloody cold on these waters -  cold enough that even with all her fur and feathers she could feel herself shivering. Adjusting to these temperatures was not something the warm-weather birdlion was looking forward to. Pulling her new, red scarf a little further up her thick neck, Ryx let the rocking of the boat that was carrying her soothe her worried thoughts.

Whitescar was not far, now. She could see faint sketches of it on the horizon, and she could only wonder what this cold, treacherous land had in store for her. The gryphoness had recently decided to join EPIC, a force made of citizens eager to see good done in this world. Their purpose was to sniff out WRAITH, uncover their schemes, and grind their efforts into the dust. Ryx was eager to lend whatever strength she had to that purpose. After everything that had happened in the Crystal Empire, the peaceloving beast could not simply continue her comfortable life. WRAITH’s actions were unforgivable and she would be glad to put them to an end.

The gryphoness reached a claw to her side, where she had a warhammer strapped to her pack, and touched the worn leather grip. Frjáls, the blackbird thought, her expression dark. The old caribou’s face was constantly lurking in her thoughts, the goodness and the uncertainty in his expression constantly driving her forwards. WRAITH and their bloody Red Jarl had taken advantage of good folk, using their loyalty to get them to carry out vile deeds that went against their nature. If they were lucky.

Ryx began to pace, her claws clicking against the slick wood of the ship’s deck. Randgrid had been one of the unlucky few whose mind had been ensnared by black magic, forcing her to act totally against her will. Thankfully she was freed from that devilry; the cow’s jovial nature had made an immediate good impression upon the scholar, who valued her as a friend. She had even helped Ryx learn how to use Frjáls’ hammer! ...Er, somewhat. She remained more a scholar than anything, but at least she wasn’t totally useless in battle now. She hoped.

When they finally docked in Barn, Randgrid’s cheerful nature broke through the cloud of darkness that had been hovering over her as the cow  led EPIC’s ragtag band of aspiring heroes into a tavern. Seawall Tavern, it was called. Once she had stepped upon the land here, Ryx was on full alert. She was aching to get her ink and paper out and start sketching: she was always eager to document new lands! Perhaps when they got into the tavern...Until then, she drank in her surroundings, taking care not to gawk; hard to get along with the locals when you make a show of being a tourist, after all.

True to her nature, the moment the crew had settled themselves into their table at the tavern Ryx had a journal and a pot of ink out. She sat with one ink-stained hand wrapped around a mug of dark ale, the other scratching pen nibs (which she had placed on her talons) over paper. Her eyes flitted from her paper to the crew around her while Randgrid spoke, pausing only to drink deep from her own mug once the cow had finished her little introduction. The blackbird did not hesitate to speak next.

“Randgrid is right,” she said in her satin-and-chocolate voice, her eyes taking in the sight of pony, changeling, and caribou as she cast her golden gaze around the table, “I look forward to getting to know you all. But first…”

She turned her gaze onto Naj, the changeling who had issued the command for Randgrid to kill one of the Red Jarl’s vikings. The gryphoness still did not agree with the changeling’s actions: even in the heat of battle, there were many commands other than murder that she could have given the bewitched cow. Like taking out Cyprianus, who was the real threat. The ease with which this stranger had leapt to violence unsettled Ryx, but she also knew that all folk had their own lives and their own reasons for what they did...judging her prematurely would be wrong.

“Naj,” she said softly, “I hope we can put our differences aside. Joining this cause tells me you are a worthy comrade to have at my side.”

Ryx dipped her large, feathered head respectfully and then offered her team a beaky grin, swigging her ale once more.

“So! How about an icebreaker, then? I know next to nothing about most of you. Firewalker! You first. Where’s home?”

She gave a friendly wink to the red mare, adding an apologetic smile in there just for good measure. Nobody liked being put on the spot, but she felt foolish just unleashing tales of home on these folks uninvited. Reaching out to a new comrade and asking about her home was a much better icebreaker! And if she had some choice words for Ryx instead, well, the gryphoness would roll with the punches.

[tacobob]

 

First Lieutenant Fire Walker sighed to herself as she watched the stars slowly appear and reappear between the clouds. So much of her world had changed during the last few years. Equestria had gone from a mostly peaceful and slow paced society to a whirlwind of activity, mostly of the unpleasant variety. Ever since Princess Luna had been freed from her prison, things all seemed to have started to go south. There was the surprise attack during the whole Royal Wedding. There was also a second surprise attack, by the same dark forces, this time centered on the little town of Ponyville. Shortly after that, there was another attack, also a surprise, by the formally imprisoned centaur, Lord Tirek that devastated Ponyville once again. And what seemed like only moments after that, there was a surprise attack on the Crystal Kingdom led by the disposed and very dead King Sombra, who had an army of caribou rebels to back him up. To say it lightly, this was starting to become a bore.

 

The red mare had to face up to the facts. The modern R.E.A were hardly warriors, but more suited to be keepers of the peace. They were trained to stop crime with words, not weapons. And while they did march around in armor and keep pole-arms at their side, it was all mostly for show and tradition. She had to look rather far into her family's history to read about members of the Royal Equestrian Army who were actually trained to fight foes of equal or greater skills. Back in the old days during the war between the two sisters, or even going further back with dragons once posed a major threat to their lands. Since she was on business not officially for the R.E.A, the mare did not wear her officer armor, but instead wore what she considered her 'traveling armor'. This was light plate made with enchanted griffon steel, and an blue hood, that kept her relativity warm even through the harshest of winters.Her disarming pop-out blades were hidden secure in her horseshoes. Would she be better suited with a weapon that did actual harm in this new world?

And here she was on a boat full of strangers going to a land she had never been before. She was heading to Whitescar with a small team of interesting individuals to help put a stop to the evil origination known as WRAITH. This was all well and good, but she couldn't help but wonder if this was a good idea? To leave her beloved homeland and her stallion, Sir Swift Squall, not to mention her family for so long? The mare shook off such thoughts, and instead let her eyes fall back upon the motion of the sea, which promptly sent her into Luna's realms of sleep and dreams.

 

When Fire Walker had awoken, the ship had just been finished docking, and its passengers were already in the process of disembarking from the ship. After stretching her legs and wings, the mare gathered up her belongs and followed her small group to their next designation. And this was a well worn bar called the 'Seawall Tavern', which reminded of her old friend Muggo' and his family run pub. She silently followed an pretty Caribou with an rather ugly name to a seat, where they waited to be served. The mare smiled as drinks were ordered and she realized she had not visited a tavern since her last stay in Ponyville where she enjoyed rather famous company in a cute little hole-in-the-wall type pub. It was a good night, good, cheap drinks and even better company!

 

She kept her smile as the Caribou snatched up a mug, only to be distracted by the next, an over sized black griffon. She never knew they could get that big! Her old friend Zelda back in Canterlot was considered a big gal for a griffon, but she looked like a child compared to Ryx. She must have been the size of poor Razor the day she was born. Maybe she had dragonblood in her? As attention was turned to the red mare, she could only snatch up her mug and down a heaping portion of the liquid goodness before quickly setting the mug down and wiping the foam from her mouth.

 

"I am Fire Walker from Canterlot.", while she had been in the process of moving to Fillydelphia before all the madness started once more, the mare still considered herself a resident of Canterlot. "I'm an officer, R.E.A." It took her moment before her drink smacked her back. This was by far stronger than the stuff she would get back home. Only Muggo's family recipe could compare, but it had been awhile since she got to taste Fillydelphia's finest brew.

 

She wanted to speak a little more, but something had caught her eye. Was that an actual Changeling in her group?

[Dio]

A raucous fit of boisterous laughter sounded from the stairs to the Seawall’s upper level.  Half sauntering, half tumbling, a bumbling mass of conversing caribou worked its way down the stairs, finally decompressing into a more intelligible group on the tavern floor proper.  The crowd parted as if on command and a rough-cut bull in full warrior’s regalia and presumably his cow stepped out.  Or perhaps it was the other way around?

 

The pure white cow was an anomaly.  Even amongst the varied colors present at the Seawall, she stood out.  The sauntering gait she adopted turned heads and drew looks ranging from disgust to awe.  With a wink and flick of her tail, she dropped a bag of bits on the counter.

 

“The entire party is on me, barkeep!” she said in passable native caribou, though a more seasoned speaker might be able to pick out the hint of an Equestrian accent.

 

“You must stay longer, Inga!  We have not yet gotten to the good parts!”

 

“Tsch,” the cow chided the warrior.  “I have very important business to attend to, Bjorn.  You already know that!  Now be a good little boy and go back to your room!”

 

The warrior appeared crestfallen and slowly slunk back, much to the amusement of his comrades.  The white cow smiled and dismissed them all with a wave of her hoof before sauntering back over to the table where the team had assembled.  Without a word, the barmaid brought her a drink, this one not in traditional caribou stein, but in a much more Equestrian-looking liquor glass.  With drink in hoof, she slid over next to Fire Walker just in time to participate in conversation.

 

“Such an honor to finally meet the Princess of Whitescar and her merry band!” she said in common, a sly smile still pasted upon her face.  “And those from Equestria as well!  Miss Fire Walker, I simply adore your hood-scarf.  Could I perhaps get the name of your tailor?”

 

“Oh silly me,” she suddenly said.  “I forgot to introduce myself!  The gentlebull in the back called me Inga, but you all…”

 

Her eyes flashed green for a moment as she spoke, “... may call me Arete.”

 

[DerpRavener]

Well, this was off to a curious start.  Never as a guard had Naj found herself starting with a drink.  It seemed the opposite of what you'd want upon beginning a dangerous or important task, although she had to concede she'd never done anything quite like this.  Maybe how this was how all such things started.  She'd read a few books which implied as much.  Still, she couldn't held feeling odd about this whole experience, and pensively stared at the mug placed before her.

 

She was in a pegasus disguise today, though a 'disguise' only in a broader sense this time around.  Since the audience she'd been trying to be more open about her nature, however she found it difficult to be completely open with ponies who might hate her for it, and this was doubly so when travelling to a place she was unfamiliar with.  She doubted changelings had any better reputation in Whitescar than they did in Equestria.  As such, she'd found a compromise: her current disguise was a black coated pegasus, which cyan eyes and a pale blue mane, and she went by her natural name.  It was a close approximate of a changeling's appearance, without actually forcing anyone to look at a bug-pony.

 

“Naj, I hope we can put our differences aside. Joining this cause tells me you are a worthy comrade to have at my side.”

Ryx's comment caught Naj by surprise, and brought her back to the present.  This had been something on her mind, since she'd learned who her companions were.  They'd had a disagreement of sorts the only time they'd spoken to each other, and though nothing had come of it at the time Naj would have felt better not pushing her luck.  As such, it caught her off guard that the griffon was so forgiving, and it took her a moment to respond.

“Uh...sure,” she began awkwardly.  Naj didn't feel she really had any grievances with Ryx.  Maybe they didn't see eye to eye on how they approached things, but that wasn't something damning.  Her concern had been entirely how the large griffon would respond to her.  “I'm sure we'll get along fine,” she added more confidently and with what she hoped was a disarming smile.  It was quickly lost in the general atmosphere of the place, as well as the conversation turning to introductions.  

 

Fire Walker was called on first.  The pegasus starting with something simple, her name, rank and place of residence, but before she could say more they were joined by another caribou.  Or at least, she'd looked like a caribou.  It wasn't long however before she'd revealed herself as not the species she appeared, and introduced herself as Arete.

Truth be told, Naj was feeling a little out of her depth.  First caribou royalty, then a guard captain, and now an expert infiltrator.  This was shaping up to be a very capable group, and Naj was starting to wonder if her signing up with EPIC was just her getting caught up in emotion after the Crystal Empire.  She might just hold them back...

Naj shook her head, chastising herself.  That kind of thinking would only cause her problems.  For now she should just focus on the task at hoof, and see what she could do.  If by the end of this she hadn't been able to contribute anything, then she could always go back and ask to be placed in reserve or try to leave gracefully, but if she got too caught up in it now she wouldn't be help to anybody.

Looking around the group again she saw what she thought was an expectant look from Fire Walker.  Apparently she was 'up next', but she was still a little confused about the whole situation.  So, she gave the first response that came to mind, her own answer to Ryx's question.

“...I'm Naj, and home is-” She stopped mid-sentence, realizing the answer wasn't as straightforward as maybe it should have been.  She'd been a few places lately, and it was hard to say if she'd really settled down anywhere enough to call it home.  It took her a few minutes to add, “...complicated.  Though, most recently it would probably be Stalliongrad.”

Still hesitant to drink on the job, but thinking she'd need something before the day was over, she finally took a drink of the mug in front of her.

[Solaria]

Solace had always known the time would come when her duties would take her beyond Equestria's shores. While her heart and home lay under the watchful gaze of Celestia, protecting the interests of her princess extended responsibilities well past the familiar paths. Loathe as the captain was to leave when Princess Luna still stood at her majesty's side, the pegasus had to admit that the recent string of disaster hadn't been related to the princess of the night or her darkness... thus far. And her faith in her fellow Sunsworn was great. They would continue on whilst Solace assisted in the move against WRAITH and their evil ways.

 

A cold whisper of wind caressed the imposing alabaster pony's cheek, only for the twinge to be quickly snuffed under the radiating warmth of the Sunsworn's hardlight diadem. Though the gleaming accessories often called much undue attention to the mare, their durability and usefulness could not be denied. After all, it's not as though she was frightened of the fools who attempted to relieve her of the armor. Regardless, the breeze had broken her reverie and she now gazed quietly about the deck.

 

They were fast approaching Whitescar, she knew, but she did not find herself fatigued. Instead, Solace focused on the task at hand. She and her new compatriots would ferret out the corruption of WRAITH from this bleak and rugged land, shearing away the cold white to expose the tainted ebony beneath. Thus she stood stoically until their craft made port.

 

Once the crew was swept into the din of the Seawall Tavern, the pegasus sat with her back to the wall. It was a common practice that allowed her to view such places in their entirety without the worry of a blind spot behind her. Although, looking at the size of some of the resident caribou, there was every possibility that one could plow through said wall behind her if it so desired. Such thoughts were quickly shelved as a mug of what could only be described as liquid tar was placed before her. Mead perhaps? Who knew with these antlered behemoths?

 

Not that Solace had never imbibed, but her rigid self-control rarely faltered enough for her to partake in something that weakened sound judgment. Very subtly, she exchanged her mead for a nearby tumbler of starberry juice and took a hearty swig so as not to offend present native company. The typical introductions were being sounded, and after a rather showy entrance by a white "caribou" calling herself Arete the Sunsworn now knew a little more about those with whom she would be traveling. Knowing that she might as well take her turn sooner rather than later, she filled the gap following Naj's hesitant words.

 

"I am Solace," the captain intoned in her calm firm voice, knowing it would carry to her fellows despite a seeming lack of volume.

 

Her hardlight diadem and armor sparked faintly in recognition of their wielder's name.

 

"I am the leader of the Sunsworn based in the Forest of Leota. It is a distinct pleasure to make your acquaintances."

 

Her bit done, the mare took another slow sip of starberry juice and resumed her silent vigil. You know, the drink really wasn't bad...

[RarityDash]

Randgrid didn't put down her mug of mead the entire time the team went about giving their introductions. She drank mightily and all of her drink was gone in moments. Though she didn't speak, she did in fact listen. She heard Ryx attempting to bridge over the differences she had had with Naj. She heard the awkward hesitance in Naj's own voice when she responded to the words, but something earnest there in them as well. The one called Fire Walker meanwhile seemed terse and ill at ease. The shifting affectations of the duplicitous Arete/Inga proved to be a momentary diversion. Then there was Solace, who seemed afraid to speak at full volume and from who's mug Randgrid could detect the scent of strawberries. It was an interesting party for sure.

 

"Bring me another!" the princess demanded as she slammed her empty mug onto the table. She laughed heartily and then nodded firmly to the others. "Well met all of you, my new friends. I myself am called Randgrid of Heil-Barn, daughter of Havardr, Dragonsong the slayer, reigning High-King of Whitescar. It is I who have been placed in charge of this quest of ours," she explained. She was sure many of them knew already her identity, but openness was key here.

 

"It is often said in Whitescar that it is foolish to sail before the ice is fully broke," she said as the barmaid delivered her new drink. "You are all here because you wish to stand for what is right against what does threaten it, but to survive Whitescar, we will need to be bound by more than just ideals."

 

"Good Fire Walker, you cut your words short. Is there doubt in your heart? Secrets should not be kept amongst friends," she said, looking to the guardsmare.

 

She smiled then toward the changeling in caribou shape. "Which is a something you should take to heart as well, Friend Inga," she said with a boisterous laugh. "it is a fine and strong caribou name, that."

 

She slapped Solace on the back then. "And you, my friend, do not fear to come alive! Speak fully, we are friends here! That in your cup there will not add courage to your heart as good caribou mead or ale might!"

​

[Elderflower]

Well, it seemed as though Ryx’s attempts at getting a conversation rolling fell flat. The introductions were all formal, rigid, and cut pretty short. Perhaps that was to be expected when in a group with strangers, but it was disappointing all the same. Perhaps their drinks would warm them up as the night wore on! At the very least, the changeling named Arete seemed like fun and Naj had said they would get along, the latter of which eased quite a bit of stress from the gryphoness’ shoulders.

 

She was about to speak once more when Rangrid cut in, voicing very much the same thoughts the blackbird was about to. The gryphoness smiled and took a large swig of ale, not terribly concerned with pacing herself. After all, with a body as large as Ryx possessed, it took a little longer to feel the effects of a heavy drink. The caribou brew had more bite than anything she’d had in a while, and when she put her mug back on the table she couldn’t help but smile.

Randgrid was right - a mission in a land as brutal and dangerous as Whitescar was dead on its feet if they couldn’t all trust each other fully. But perhaps trying to pry pearls of conversation from these folks would take another approach. Something simpler. The gryphoness ran a claw along the hilt of Frjáls' hammer thoughtfully, the way one might stroke their chin when lost in thought.

A second swig of her drink and she was decided.

“I still feel like I know next to nothing about most of you,” the blackbird said cheerfully in a loud, warm voice, “But perhaps I shouldn’t try to squeeze it out, hm?”

Ryx draped a large, muscular arm over Randgrid’s shoulder chummily and raised her mug of ale.

“I propose a drinking game!” she announced, her eyes twinkling mischievously, producing a bit to bounce it off of the wooden table and into Randgrid’s empty mug, “Bit-toss! Going clockwise for order, you bounce the bit off the table into the empty mug. If you miss, whoever went before you gets to dare you to do anything they so desire. If you refuse, you finish your drink. If your drink is about empty anyhow, you buy a new drink...and finish it.”

Perhaps it wasn’t fair to pick a game that her deft, ink-stained hands were quite good at. But it was a good game, and hopefully it would get some of these tightly-wound ponies to relax and open up!

[tacobob]

 

 

“This?”, the weary eyed mare glanced down at the blue hood that rested upon her shoulders, almost as if she had forgotten that she had brought it with her. “Was made by an mare named Lady Mimsy, who I also called ‘Granny’. She used to design some of the military dress back in Canterlot. Also created company flags, and even the Hoofball uniform for my team back in the day.”, she let out a sigh before turning her attention away from the garment to study her new companion, “Didn’t even realize I had this on until you pointed it out. Weird. I must have just put this on. Maybe I felt like I needed this to be at my side during this. Remind me of what I had lost these last two years.”

 

Ho-Boy! Talk about a downer! This was hardly the party girl Fire Walker was known for being. Just the thought of free drinks always used to brighten up the young mare’s night, however all of the booze in Equestria could not have erased all the drama she had faced during the last few months. The horrors that had happened in the Crystal Kingdom, the loss of her colt-friend, and the pity parade that had followed, lead by her friends and family. She had to get away from Equestria, and this mission, or quest, or whatever she would call it, would the cure for what ailed her.

 

“I thank you for the drink, Miss Arete, I do enjoy what they serve here, and I'll probably enjoy a few more before the night ends."

 

While she was not sure what to make of the blacked coated Pegasus, there was no need for the red mare to be rude, "Our differences are what makes us stronger, Miss Naj." Talk about cliché-city! Sometimes silly, but positive sayings just rolled out of the mare's mouth, even if she did not want to say them. Fire Walker generally enjoyed hanging around her old friends, many of them she knew since her foalhood. From the brave black griffon Zelda, to the feisty, and clever Presteza. She had many friends, but sometimes one should move away from the old circle and discover new companions, with different skills, hobbies and loves.And these people were as different as they come. Different faces. Different races and they probably came from lands she had yet to step hoof in. This was terribly awkward, but she knew things would get a little better the more she learned about her new 'squad-mates'.

 

She nodded politely as her fellow Pegasus pony spoke. The mare was unsure if she had heard of such a place as the 'Forest of Leota' Or maybe that was the woods that surrounded the dreaded prison known to all as Tartarus. One would have to be very brave to walk those woods, knowing that given the chance, evil monsters such as Tirek could be lurking about.

 

Fire Walker glanced up towards their gregarious leader, the fiery caribou known as Randgrid of Heil-Barn. "Doubt, maybe a little.", the mare grimly added, "But it's a sense of loss that fills my heart at the moment, and I hope this....what we're doing.", she tried to find the right words, "Will give my life meaning once more, if you're willing to let me stand at your sides. I do hope to prove myself worthy."

 

A drinking game did sound like fun, but her current mug was woefully empty and looking even sadder than she was. "Barkeep....", her eyes glazed over the menu, "I do like the triple stout...Nice and dark...", a small, but welcoming smile formed under he snout. An stout made of oatmeal, chocolate and coffee! This gots to be good. And the game itself was something she had played back home. With a tip of her wing, she was had little trouble sending one of her bits sailing into the empty cup provided for them after a short, but perfectly timed bounce. The first bounce was always the easiest.

 

 

Fire Walker just wished she had ordered a lighter drink before starting the game.................

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dio]

“A tailor by trade then!  Most excellent,” she chittered merrily.  “I’ll be sure to ask for her next time I’m in Canterlot!”

 

A fine infiltrator was nothing without her clothes, be they the form of her mark or the accessories associated with it.  She had just the right dress saddle for that scarf, an ornate bit of formalwear inspired by Saddle Arabian traditional dress.  Simply divine.

 

But what was this?  Fire Walker seemed to fall into a slump.  A tiny spark of recognition sprang to life in Arete’s head.  There had been news a few weeks ago, news of the death of her beau, the late Swift Squall.  The papers all covered it; there was even a memorial held in the old Squallcoast Manor.

 

Of course, none of it was true.  The back channels were abuzz with dark money, undercover transactions, and secret shipments that left the Squallcoast estate only after apparent demise of Squall.  The timings coincided perfectly.  Arete didn’t believe in coincidences.

 

Someone was preparing… and a thorough review of the shipping manifests revealed exactly who it was.  Still, it wouldn’t do to spoil the surprise, nor tease poor Fire Walker with any news of such things.  Besides, there honestly wasn’t anypony easier to manipulate than a grief-stricken one.  Arete carefully tucked that bit of timed information away in her head.

 

“Oh you poor dear!  I hardly recognized you at first, but now I remember you from the papers!” Inga said, draping one hoof over Firewalker and rubbing her muzzle into her cheek.  “Let me help you forget!  Barkeep!  The Red one’s drinks are on me!”

 

This new form was, dare she say it, fun.  But having been in it for less than a day, she didn’t know its true limits.  As much as Arete turned her muzzle at standard caribou drink, it would be impolite to decline, and she needed the trust of her companions.  So drink it was.  A wave of her hoof and the barkeep brought her a frothy full stein and recovered her glass for later.  There was no time to test the limits of this new body's functions than the present!

 

With a predatory grin, “Inga” raised her stein in salute.  “Let us begin!”

[DerpRavener]

Naj had already seen Randgrid one before, at the event that in some ways kicked off the whole adventure, in fact.  The changeling felt that that had given her a good understanding of the caribou already, at least for the purposes of them working together.  The latter was boistrous, unafraid of danger, and could be monstrously dangerous if she chose.  Then again, given the circumstances of their last encounter, maybe a second introduction was the right idea.

Naj stared at Randgrid for the moment, remembering.  Come to think of it, just how much did that caribou princess know about what happened that day?  Naj would have to discuss it sooner or later, she was sure.  Not now though, she decided, that was something better left for a private conversation.  Away from the crowds of the tavern at least, if not the rest of the team.  Naj looked away, and brought her focus back to the conversation.

 

Ryx proposed a drinking game, which caused Naj to grimace for a moment, although she hid it quickly.  A drinking game was the last thing she'd want to do at the moment, given her present doubts.  Neither drinking nor games would make her more comfortable.  She couldn't think of any way to argue it though.  Randgrid had brought them here to get to know one another, not to pursue the Red Jarl just yet, and this probably wouldn't hurt that goal.  Probably.  Naj told herself this was all a part of the operation, and nodded her acknowledgement.

 

"Our differences are what makes us stronger, Miss Naj."

The words were comforting, if a little cryptic.  Naj hadn't mentioned any of her unease, not wanting to bring down anyone else, but Fire Walker had picked up on it all the same.  Though the words didn't cure Naj's unease, they did help and the changeling felt a little more relaxed.  “...I'll keep that in mind, thanks.”

 

Moments later the game began.  Fire Walker, up first, landed her coin in with an expertly placed bounce, making it look easy.

Naj was to her left, and although it took the changeling a moment to remember which way clocks went, that meant she was up next.  She balanced a coin on her hoof, lined up the toss and...

...Watched as it ricocheted off to the side and missed the mug completely.  She'd forgotten to account for the coin's shape.

 

*Whump*

Naj's head thumped the table, as she sat there ashamed for a moment, before looking at Fire Walker.  According to the rules of the game, the pegasus was about to offer a choice.

[tacobob]

 

Fire Walker cringed slightly as Arete laid out her condolences in her own special way. One of the main reasons she had left her homeland was to escape the never-ending army of pity-party-ponies. They knew the R.E.A officer had been through some drama before the invasion of the Crystal Kingdom, and faced even more during and after the battle. And if it wasn't the looks, it was the nerve of some of her friends who already were starting to set her up with other stallions. Even her former colt-friend Dunder tried hitting hitting on her during the funeral itself! Ofcourse, the stallion had a few drinks, and considering he was such a lightweight when it came to alcohol, she wasn't terribly surprised.

 

And now this girl, this stranger was showing sympathy,by nuzzling her like so? Was this common for her kind to do this to strangers? It would take a good deal of booze to make her forget about her beloved, more so than the tavern held in all of its barrels, but this was a good start. "Thank you Miss Arete.", she respectfully whispered back. "I do miss my Swift, but...", she stopped when the black coated Pegasus missed her very first toss! Oh-oh! And since Randgrid's rules stated if one was to miss a shot, they would either take a dare, or finish her drink. So what sort of dares could she offer?

 

Considering this was a public tavern, and not a friend's basement or locked dorm-room, this needed to be a dare that did not get them tossed from the and even possibly arrested. So there would be no dares that require a pony to lift and carry objects with parts of their bodies that were not made for lifting. This did not necessary have to be family-friendly, but it had to be an actual dare! These things were generally more amusing when done with someponies that she knew, and generally well into a few rounds, when there were at least a few ponies that were starting to feel the effects of the drink. Being the type of mare that she was, Fire also did not want to 'dare' the mare to do anything that would completely embarrass her.  "Erm.", she groaned, "Since this we're still very early with this, I say you go ahead and drink!"

[Solaria]

Solace sat stoically as the caribou princess thumped her genially on the back, though a mare of lesser stature may have been sent sprawling halfway across the tavern. As it was, she accepted that this was part of the ongoing attempt to cajole the group into familiarity.

 

"I assure you, my will not find my courage lacking," the pegasus responded evenly, straightening herself. "Do not worry yourself Highness, I have no intent of being so removed from the group so as to undermine unity."

 

She glanced about the table, taking in the statuesque Arete murmuring away with Fire Walker while Ryx had started a drinking game. A scene not unlike something a pony might find in any pub in Equestria, aside from the fact that they were obviously very foreign and stood out in caribou lands.

 

"Should you wish that I speak freely, I will say only this: I trust each of you implicitly and hold your judgment in high regard, but I have few friends by my own choice. I will wholeheartedly stand between you and danger, though as it stands I can offer little in the way of frivolity and merry-making." The captain gave a small shrug, barely more than a roll of a shoulder. "It simply is so far-removed from my day to day life that you might find it at best a mockery of what you're trying to achieve with these icebreakers."

 

There Solace sat, perfectly at ease with the relative quiet she'd created by speaking.

 

"That said," she added, balancing a coin on a pinion of her right wing then expertly flicking it so that the bit bounced and twirled perfectly through the air to land in the cup along with Ryx's.

 

The resulting rattling thump was rather satisfying.

 

"I am quite familiar with target practice."

 

The faintest hint of a smile flitted across one corner of Solace's mouth.