Silent Fractures

Heart looks like she's about to respond when the Changeling arrives. She silently jumps at the sudden appearance, instinctively backing behind Wormwood. But when she hears what it says- and more importantly, the minotaur is ready to handle it if it's hostile- she relaxes a bit, letting out her breath in a huff. "Well... that's great for you I guess. Must be nice."

"Indeed...": He said. He wasn't quite sure how to respond with a changeling and a possible fight looming.

"Wait!" He called out, trotting up to the minotaur. "Didn't the briefing say something about changelings?" In truth, he wasn't a violent pony, and didn't like to get into fights if he could avoid it.

"Please calm down, I'm sure you were informed of our role in this mission. There is no need to fight amongst each other." 72 appeared next to Cold Iron, the sword held in his telekinesis.

How he did it:

"Must say... Disarming a ninja... Not the smart way to prove you aren't a threat." Cold Iron mutters then said a bit louder. "But... I'll admit I'm not the most perfect in recalling what I read an junk on that note, outside of that Discord was involved. So odds are likely that you are telling the truth. Give me back my sword and I'll gladly put it away for you. I'm better at recalling formal briefings then written memos..."

"I think I remember reading about the changelings. I was hoping they'd be a little more 'off stage', though." Heart retains her same disinterested look, hiding her revulsion at the talking insect. The idea of one of them turning into her made her want to vomit.

72 calmly places the sword hilt in Cold Iron's outstretched hand. "Well I suppose we should get moving."
He looks over at the two still on the platform. "Oi, you two. Flirt later, we have places to be and I have to check in with the queen. Now if you all follow me, I'll take you to the camp."
Turning to leave he notices the sign. "Well that's bucking cute." He mutters with a grin.

Cold Iron clearly didn't trust the changeling but felt that he was the only one who didn't seem to trust him so far so he asked. "Hey... What's your thoughts on this Ms Sci-Fi? Sorry about the nickname if you dislike it, just never had gotten a name form you yet, so it's the best I can think of to call yea is all... Either Sci-Fi or High-Tech... For some reason those nicknames strike me as fitting you very well."

"No, I didn't tell you my name, did I?"

The pony smiled slowly, something that looked strangely 'off' with her expression. "If you have to have a title, call me the Reini. A tad more dignified than 'sci-if'."

She chuckled slightly when the Minotaur was disarmed. "Changelings are such a fascinating species, aren't they? Records from Discord may not be particularly useful, but if makes you feel any better, Guard 72 isn't lying. Trust me."

The last part was said with that same, smug tone, and uncomfortable smile, as she turns to follow the Changeling

Spoiler:

(They're not on the platform, they've been walking too... right?)

Wormwood nodded and followed along, increasing his pace to a trot to catch up to Cold Iron and the Reini. His eyes were fixated on 72. He'd never seen a changeling before. Well, at least he thought he'd never seen one before, he couldn't say for certain. This was the first time he'd seen an undisguised changeling before, and its aesthetic fascinated him.

Flirt? Now heart didn't know which was more nauseating. Seeing she was being left alone on the platform, she sighed and followed at a slow walk... until it became clear she wouldn't keep up, then she began to trot. She still stayed a bit behind the rest of the group though.

---

Yes, we were on the train platform, and are walking off of it into the woods.

Cold Iron puts on a that came form his Left Sleeve... This mask was a very simple with a blank and emotionless expression on it. "Always prefer to trust the word of a untrustworthy yet well known ally... Then a trustful sounding, yet possible enemy..." Cold Iron comments without any emotion in his voice but with total cold hard logic. Clearly this Minotaur was the type to always trust the word of his allies over anyone else no matter how they truly are worthy of that trust. Also this logical tone seemed to imply oddly that he didn't think this was how things were at this point of time, but more the reality that he would deter to if need be. "So I thank you greatly for giving your word that the changelings are not a threat at this point of time... Reini... Er... By the way, does this title mean anything else beside being a title for which to call you by?"

The Reini stopped to cock her head at the change in the minotaurs voice. For a second, her lips pursed together in curiosity... the next, that flat, almost mocking expression had returned.

"The Reini," she corrected. "It's a custom to take a title upon graduation. As for what it means... R-e-i-n-i. Drop the 'I'. Where did you think the word 'reins' came from?"

Honestly, she was probably overstepping her mark slightly. She ignored that, straightening herself a little while trying to look down at the taller-than-her Minotaur.
"The Reini. Someone who guides and directs."

"Graduation from what, Alpha Nerd academy?" As stupid as the joke was, there wasn't any mirth, joy, or even sarcastic delight in it. This mare was already so pretentious and full of herself. "Ok, 'The', if you're the guide, where in the Blackness are we even going? I'm already sick of walking."

"Someone who guides and directs, great elements to have in a our small group's leader..." The Minotaur said honestly still with no tone of emotion at all in his voice. "I'll be sure to make strives in recalling to call you The Reini, to be making with as much respect as can be given."

The difference between her 'teammates' attitudes was stark, almost as much as the Reini's reaction.

"Not that sort of guidance. Language," she murmured distaste fully. [color=#ff6633]"Such an unclear construct, particularly with subtlety is involved... And you," she added, louder, looking at Cold Iron.

"I'd call that sycophancy, coming from anyone else. How true it is is irrelevant."
She frowned a little. Yes, anyone else and she'd think they were kissing her horseshoes- after his words on the train, maybe Cold Iron was doing that. But the flat inflection in his voice said something otherwise.

"Please do NOT insult me like that... I'm wearing my Logic-Mask. Therefore all emotions of mine are dulled." Cold Iron states as if that explained everything. "Besides, flank-kissing is a pointless gesture, in my opinion. And only works to harm the team in the long run. I only view you, The Reini, as a pony that is smarter than I, and I feel you are better suited for leadership then I could be... In spite of my experience... I have good reasons to avoid such a role for myself, The Reini, I swear this. But these reasons are privet, so I do not wish to share them. That is all I will say on the subject."

Wormwood looked back and forth between his companions, the difference in attitudes not lost on him. He didn't like where this conversation was going... as if that was new. Alas, he didn't have the social skills to steer it elsewhere. "I'm... uh... neutral?"

Unknown to the four walking through the woods the black cloud hovered next to a group of tents on the edge of the gorge.

72 paused for a moment with a blank stare, then continued walking. Over his shoulder he said ,"the hive has arrived at camp. We should pick up the pace."

"How does this Hive arriving at camp be a thing of note? What dangers does this imply are at work?" Cold Iron asked.

Heart's attention is torn away from the other mare. "Hive? Like the whole hive?" Heart's stomach knotted up again. "I thought there'd only be like... one of you."

Wormwood frowned slightly. It was one thing to encounter a single changeling, another to encounter an entire hive. It made him a tad... nervous. "Will your queen be there?" He hoped his royal etiquette was up to scratch...

"Yes my Queen well be there. She has to meet with the Princesses, Discord, and you of course." 72 chuckled. Suddenly he stopes dead. "Be quiet all of you, something is here. Get behind those bushes. I'll go see what it is".then he mumbled to himself, "can't let the heroes get hurt before they even start."

Cold Iron sighs and gets to hinding.

skill checks:

Wormwood's ears pricked up, trying to pay attention and find out whatever it was that had the changeling so concerned. He meanwhile darted towards a nearby bush indicated by the changeling, trying his best to remain unnoticeable.

Spoiler: