Discordian Healthcare

Discordian Healthcare
Date of Scene:	22 July 2014
Location:	Post-Discord Equestria
Synopsis:	Looking into a troubled community, Celestia finds a strange nurse helping them after a timberwolf attack. The being she finds is nothing like what she expected.
Cast of Characters:	230, 514

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Celestia (230) has posed:
    Everfree Forest. This is where the sisters have set up a new central government, where they are building a place to live for all kinds of ponies! Fantastic, isn't it? But that isn't where this is. Here, on the edge of the forest, things are still settling after the chaotic rule of Discord. It's not like all the ponies are in one place, and several communities have started!

    Into one of these, Celestia herself trots. It's not that often that she visits other villages and towns sprouting up, but neither is it unheard of, and it takes her mind off of other problems. "Hmn, the sun will be setting soon," she murmurs as she walks through... though that means something a bit different when she says it, huh?

Calumnia (514) has posed:
    This particualr community seems to have had a rather rough time of it. They possess a low wall of hewn logs with ponies in dirty, somewhat worn armor patrolling it. One of the notable town features include a functional barracks, and a semi-permenant shelter with a caduceus planted in the ground before it like a sign post. At least the snakes appear to be fake. Or dead. Still, it is within this medical center that several unconscious ponies lie resting, being tended to by a number of mares, even visible through the entrance stitchign a wound closed.
    The cause for this can be seen just outside town, opposite the forest of Everfree; a bonfire, with several writhing wooden corpses lie burning. The Timberwolves; creatures of living wood and a tenacious cling to life that only fire could reliably end. It seems there was a raid recently. Perhaps the cause for a visit from the Lady of the Sun?

Celestia (230) has posed:
    Not specifically for the Timberwolves, but Celestia had indeed heard that some of the more isolated communities had some problems, of varying kind. A heavy sigh lifts from the future monarch as she eyes the pile... she'd hoped that things would be fixed sooner, but it looks like it will not be a wonderful land of carefree happiness for some time to come. Likely never, but she can hope, yes?

    Well, no time like the present to see what she can do. "Hmm... perhaps they could use more guards," she muses before stepping over toward the medical tent. "Is everyone all right? Will you recover?" It's a simple question, more asked out of politeness. A brief light sputters at the end of her horn, casting a soothing warmth through the room, though it's not actually healing.

Calumnia (514) has posed:
    Only those nurses not presently occupied bother to acknowledge the white mare, though they do dip their heads. "Ladyship." An older mare with a satchel foull of herbs, and one of the two unicorns to boot canter up to the Alicorn. "They should be alright. Some of their injuries needed to be stitched, and a few ponies lost a substantial amount of blood, but we expect no deaths. Luckily Heart Ache-" She nods toward a light grey mare, thin, with a deep green red mane parted by a horn, "-happened in shortly after the attack. She's been able to numb the injuries and sedate the patients while we treat them."

    The mare in question, absorbed in her work, leans down as she's mentioned to touch her horn to a stallion's flank where a cut was still oozing through a bandage, a somewhat sickly green glow touching it. The stallion, barely awake lets out a sigh of relief and settles into sleep before an earth pony begins to chagne the bandage. Superficially at least, it does appear to be a simple pain killer and sedative, but the latter, instead, more closely bears the arcane signature of a draining spell.

Celestia (230) has posed:
    "I see," Celestia says calmly, looking over the injuries, and perhaps wincing here and there. Celestia is no stranger to battle, but she doesn't like to see ponies like this. In fact, she is so much not a stranger to battle that she has light barding rather than royal regalia. "Well, it looks like you have things in hand, but if you need anything please tell me. I will send for some help."

    The spell gives her pause though. Eyes narrowing, she observes the newly-named pony for a long moment, waiting for the painkiller to set in and the bandage to be firm. With a polite, flowing voice, she asks, "Heart Ache, thank you for your timely arrival. Could you step outside so I can speak with you? Skilled nurses such as yourself are indeed a rarity." She lightly steps herself back.

Calumnia (514) has posed:
    There's a pause where the mare goes still, as if just now recognizing her surroundings after her spellwork. The pause is momentary of course, then an exhale. Her head turns and inspects the other patients, who seem to be well enough, then faces the Alicorn. Her cutiemark bears the legend of two snakes forming a heart, and her eyes are a cool green. "As you wish." She responds with a somewhat terse tone of voice, but by the lack of reaction by the other medical ponies it's not that unusual coming from her. Head held high though a bit stiff, she walks out, tail flicking behind her.

    One nurse, one of the younger, hesitates, as Heart Ache steps out, then glances to the Alicorn and adds, "Err- actually, if you could see fit to spare a few ponies for a few days while these mares and stallions recover, it would help--ow!" She winces as the eldest, lead pony swats her once. "We'll be alright Ladyship, I'm sure you ahve more important things to tend to." The two of them retreat, a soft glow of magic ragging the younger of the two away by the ear.

Celestia (230) has posed:
    Hmm. Celestia watches the younger mare curiously for a long moment before sighing, making a mental note to see if she could spare a couple ponies to send out here. Something really was going on here, but she was not yet certain it was a bad thing! Energy drains though... she hurries to step out of the tent, adding a quick, "Keep up the good work."

    Now then, where was that pony? "Heart Ache... a moment?" Celestia stretches a little, as most buildings and tents aren't made with her in mind, then she trots up to walk alongside, no hint of real suspicion or anger yet. "You're very good with that painkiller spell. Where did you learn that? I wasn't aware that there were many nearby communities."

Calumnia (514) has posed:
    Heart Ache stands waiting nearby, not far from the tent and within plain view. Her ears remain perked, while her tail lashes side to side. Neither her tail or mane are done with any form of beauty; the former limp and the latter tied in a bun, nearly a knot to keep it out of her face. A few ponies watch from nearby, more curious than anything.

    "There are not, but there's always ponies travelling the roads; seeking stability, family, what have you else." Heart Ache replies evenly, her green eyes, reflecting a hint of gold from the lowering sun, on the Alicorn. "The spell was just something I worked out on my own, I don't like to see ponies hurting." A bit of emotion enters her voice, wheras previously her words were clipped and to the point. Business.

Celestia (230) has posed:
    Celestia keeps her voice low, as if to keep the other ponies from hearing her words. "I see, that is very kind of you. though I can't help but notice the complexity of that spell and the other effects woven into it. I imagine that staying in one place too long, you might notice some troubles if you kept using that spell."

    Despite the veiled prodding in her words, Celestia keeps her tone casual and even, and she's made no move toward the other pony. In fact she's attempting to step away from the guards, perhaps to keep them out of any conflict. This might be a tad overconfident on her part should things turn south.

Calumnia (514) has posed:
    "...." Heart Ache's response is silence, though her eyes dart a bit. Not enough to leave the other mare, bot more than the solid calmness they had possessed moments prior. "The pain killer spell is functional and fairly simple, I've used it repeatedly, sometimes on myself, without incident." She responds, voice held calm. Her ears flick a bit then return to forward, and her tail lashes a bit harder.

    It's not difficult to tell from her body language that she knows the mare she's talking to has uncovered something that Ache would rather not be uncovered, but at the same time it's closer to annoyance than fear, particularly given her eyes don't seem to leave the mare, as if studying her.

    "As for kindness, I am paid for my services in food, shelter, and a few trade-worthy goods by grateful patients. Now, what would you /really/ like to say to me?"

Celestia (230) has posed:
    What does she want? Celestia is not as schooled in maintaining a poker face as she may someday be, but she still has a pretty even expression, looking at the nurse pony with one brow arched. It's an almost human expression, one of uncertainty and thought.

    Confrontation heaves a sigh from the Mare of the Sun, and she spends a brief moment lowering the sun a little bit further. Dusk time is now. "If you are truly concerned with helping the other ponies, I am pleased, but I saw that your other spell was taking something from them. This is a dangerous world even now... as you can see." The burning bonfire gets a toss of her head toward it. "Where do you come from, Heart Ache?"

Calumnia (514) has posed:
    Of the reactions the smaller mare had been expecting, this certainly was not one. Her ears direct themselves forward again, perked, as her tail stills. Her eyes glance in the direction of the orange glow of the bonfire, taking her head in teh direction just enough to bring it into view, then returning to the mare before her.

    "I believe it was referred to by it's inhabitants as Stonemare's Vale, though Discord referred to it as 'Boring' most of the time." Stonemare's Vale was a small community of ponies, mostly earth ponies with only a single family of pegasi to edge rain towards crops that sustained the town, and an even smaller group of Unicorns. The Earth Ponies farmed enough to feed the town and trade a bit, and one group had even managed to work stone. When Discord fell most ponies there migrated to the Everfree, save for the stone-workers, who were too stubborn to leave.

    "As I said before, I am paid for my services in food and shelter. I merely fail to specify my needs when engotiating the deal."

Celestia (230) has posed:
    Sigh. Boring. That would be something Discord would call it. Celestia clearly has to think for a few moments to call up the details, but whether or not she makes the connection isn't immediately clear. "Stonemare's Vale. I know the place. A small community... not many unicorns, either." That's a pointed note, but she doesn't press that issue.

    Then she turns and looks toward the small community. "You fail to specify... and in doing so, you could harm them in the long term. I wonder what makes your needs so different, then?" Again, she doesn't press the issue, but her voice grows more stern. "If you truly do care for the other ponies, then you will move on from here. Perhaps not today or tomorrow, but soon. Do you understand why?"

Calumnia (514) has posed:
    The response is a snort, and /now/ her ears pin back, tail drawing close. "Oh yes. Barring any level of kindness sheer pragmatism would dictate I leave within a few days of this encounter." She hisses quietly. "Somepony will have heard parts of this conversation or at least questioned why it's going on. If I stay they will find it suspicious in itself, and if they heard the latter half of this conversation I will need to defend myself. Again."

    She straightens and the sound coming from her note is closer to the hiss of a feline than a pony accompany an exhale. "Oh rest assured Ladyship, I'll leave. After all, only the ones who don't /need/ love are the ones that recieve any."

    With an inhale,subsequent exhalation of another slow breath, voice returning to it's 'strictly business' tone, and nowm ore audible. "As you wish, Ladyship," she begins, more audible for the sake of curious ears and eyes, "I will depart after setting my affairs in order. Thank you for the compliment."

Celestia (230) has posed:
    It is perhaps not the best decision that Celestia could make, but then it could be worse. Her own ears twitch backward in a display of doubt, before her voice grows firm. "I am sorry. These are the matters I must consider. I thank you for helping, but I fear the long term damage this could do."

    Celestia hesitates, then her voice lowers again. "Tell me, are you native to this world? Something I have not seen? There are many tales that have me concerned, but I do not wish to jump to conclusions. What has happened to your previous encounters?"

Calumnia (514) has posed:
    As the conversation continues after 'Heart Ache'expects it to end, she forces her ears forward, though they flick. Her tail remains pinned. "This is not the place to have this conversation. I've been afforded a tent nearby. It's within shouting range of the guards, if that soothes you." Her head tosses and she points to a small tent, roughly large enough for a bed roll and maybe a few effects and one or two ponies company. It would be cramped but workable.

Celestia (230) has posed:
    "Briefly," Celestia agrees. "If it reassures you, I have no intention of starting trouble tonight." She heads toward the tent, where she can speak more freely of this, though she waits for 'Heart Ache' to enter first. What she says next may be a surprise.

    "I apologize for my abrupt declaration," the Sun Mare explains. "Whatever you are, you have no permanent place here. By all rights I should simply get rid of you while we are here... but that doesn't seem necessary. I worry about what you are taking from these ponies, and I want to hear your story. Briefly."

Calumnia (514) has posed:
    The grey mare does not respond at first, stepping into the tent, and closing the flap. She sits on the bedroll and raises a brow. "Oh I don't do I? Then have a look." She casts another glance around and exhales, stilling herself.

    Before the magenta eyes of the (future) Diarch of the Sun, the form of 'Heart Ache' distorts and warps, growing slightly into a mare of taller, slim stature. Or at least a 'mare' is the closest word. Cool green mane trns to a more ragged silken one, wings unspooling from flesh that devours it's own coat into hole-ridden wings not too different than what might belong to a dragonfly, or Breezie. Her horn warps, like wood soaked in water, coming to a razor point, and fangs jut from her lips, thin, sharp fanggs, meant for piercing, not rending. Eyes open, a poisonous green with cleft dagger-pupils. Throughout all of this, her horn remains dark; the magic radiating from her whole body equally.

    "So because I am no longer a pony you should 'get rid of me' as if I were a pest?" Her voice is completely different, carrying a seperate timber and an odd resonance from her vocal cords. "Hah. Discord was right." She responds with a soft hiss, ears pinned. "I'm not sure where I would be from if not this world, but I would argue I have as much right to it as you do."

Celestia (230) has posed:
    Even being much younger than the Celestia of other worlds, this Celestia has seen a lot. This doesn't stop her from widening her eyes in surprise at the shift in form to something less... pleasant to look at. She even takes a small step back, bumping against the cramped inner flap of the tent.

    The bitterness is impossible to miss, though. "Do you deny you could be a danger to Equestria, as you are now?" Her voice is sharp, at first, but she softens it quickly. "But despite this, I do not want to destroy something for what they are. I am taking a risk by giving you a chance to find a way to live with us peacefully." Another pause. "No longer a pony? You were once like us? Did Discord do this to you, then?"

Calumnia (514) has posed:
    Some grim satisfaction comes from watching the mare who, in concert with her sister, sealed away the likes of Discord step back and show fear, or at least surprise. "How noble of you. That puts you well above a grand number of the ponies you hold so vaunted. Still, you're listening so I may as well. Yes, as far as I am aware I was at one point a pony. My first real memory is of Discord, standing over me with that... thrice-be-damned smirk. I /do/ have a few flashes from before. The painkilelr spell for example. Impressions of faces... smiles..." Her voice cracks a little, ears outright wilting rather than just pinning.

    She pauses for a few moments, lost in a ghost of a thought before her ears pin properly again, then flick forward.

    "You wanted to know whath appened to my previous encounters? My first was Stonemare's Vale, the town Discord said I came from. For some diluted reason I thought if I asked for help and just explained what I needed now, they wuldu nderstand. I knew it with every fiber of my being." The smirk is closer to a grimace even as it forms. "They listened. That's more than any other town by the way. And then they chased me out with sickles and fire. After that. Nopony chased me beyond town though. So I went to different towns, sometimes in disguise, sometimes not. Traveling groups of ponies, what have you. I was so hungry by the third time I was turned away that I lost it. So I ate anyway. I left them on the road. When I left they were breathing, but that's all I can say for it. In fact some ponies hunt me now. Did you know that?" She laughs softly and the grimace is more pronounced. "Sometimes I can scare them off. Sometimes I can't. So I defend myself."

Celestia (230) has posed:
    Sigh. "I should have done what Tyrael suggested," she murmurs, then shakes it away. She lifts her head, taking on a serious tone again. "You tried, and for that I can't find any fault. I don't know what he did to you, or even if the Elements themselves could change it, but it does not seem to be healthy for the ponies around you. Perhaps I can find a way to help you in time, but until then... you will need to keep moving. I can't let you stay in one place if this is what you need to do to survive."

    Tapping a hoof, she concentrates and lifts out a small device. "Here, take this. It will let you speak from far away. It's not much, but at least you will be able to call if you find something, and hear voices instead of being alone so often. It is the best that I can do for now."

Calumnia (514) has posed:
     That draws 'Heart Ache's attention. The gift. She accepts iti nto the familiar color of her magic. That at least, has not changed. She peers at it in confusion, the expression perhaps the most emotion on her face beyond a pained (or angry) grimace yet. "I'm not sure how such a thing can afford a magic such as that for it's size. Still..." She inhales, and lets out a long breath. "Thank you." She stares at the gift and spends a moment in thought.

    Yes, she could likely change identities and stay. She could vanish away and keep an ear to the ground for this particular mare,. Each time she's outed she learns how to avoid it in the future, after all. And yet...

    "I'll keep it. Still, the timberwolves are not my doing. I feed on love, not luck. Guards always have some to spare for anypony that can make the pain stop. As lon as I do not consume much from any one of them, they merely become tired. It's convenient as a sedative."

Celestia (230) has posed:
    "I see," Celestia nods, "But I worry about the longer term. I won't say anything to the ponies here... for now. I suggest you move on soon, as I said. If no long term harm is done, then perhaps the greater good of helping the ponies here will make up for the cost."

    That sounds a little harsh, she realizes, so she tempers it with another quiet remark. "Discord did many things to this world, and it is not always fair to the victims. I am sorry that you have become this, and I hope it is not going to be a larger problem in the future... or an indication of worse to come. As you have seen, the ponies of Equestria are still very skittish of the strange or alien. Perhaps with time that will heal as well."

Calumnia (514) has posed:
    A snort answers the first comment, then once again the charcoal-skinned creature is once again left without words, looking down at the gift cupped in her hoof.

    "I'll need a few more days here if I keep feeding at the rate I am. That should leave me with enough to make it to another town with enough energy to take on another identity and deal with whatever gets in my way on the road." The creature's visage warps again, albeit rapidly. The view still allows the Solar Mare to watch a coat of fur sprout and wings to shrivel away even as they sink into flesh. Her horn straightens, and color adjusts, leaving once again the guise of Heart Ache. "Don't get me wrong, I've still seen what ponies are really like but... Some of them aren't so bad." For the first time, she smiles, even if it's not with her own face. It's a fragile thing, and her eyes don't close all the way.

Celestia (230) has posed:
    The change is less shocking this time, and Celestia nods her head. "There are many ponies with greater hearts than you would think... but I suppose I can't blame you for hiding. I will return in a few days to check on the ponies here, but I do hope I will not hear any strange illnesses or stories of pony-eating monsters. I'm giving you some trust, Heart Ache... if that is your real name. I do hope it is not misplaced."

Calumnia (514) has posed:
    "I don't know my name. The closest I've got is the one the hunters started calling me. My 'real' name is Calumnia." Falsehoods. Lies. A fake. "Do let me know what you've found. I've never been able to stay someplace long enough to know if there are long term problems."

Celestia (230) has posed:
    "And I am Celestia," Celestia replies, though it's likely that fact is already known. "I hope there is not. Be careful and I do wish you good luck in finding a place of your own, where you can safely live with others." Oh, if only she knew.