Searching the Aftermath (Open)

[PureWrath]

December 19th


Ivan walked into one of the destroyed factories. He closed the door behind him it didn't matter much the ceiling to the building was gone. The air was cold and he could see his own breath. There was reports of suspicious activity by the Factories. He wasn't sure if he would honestly find anything the district was fairly large and they could easily rotate factories if anyone needed to. There was a few other griffons in the area, from what he was told but he had yet to see anyone else. He walked through the rubble being cautious of where he stepped. He wondered what was even made here at the time. He started digging through old cabinets to see if he could find any sort of paperwork most of it was useless. He sighed as he wasn't even able to really investigate any further then this. There was no signs of life. Or any recent activity.
He walked back for the exit. He closed the door behind him. He started to walk over to the next one to take a look. He stopped. "Where is everyone? I haven't seen anyone else all night." He said to himself as he walked along the pathway. He assumed they were all investigating but it was slightly concerning to him.

[Freyia]

Freyia had hardly been here a day and already her detail was rubble cleanup. In the largest Equestrian city, even a thousand ponies couldn't have cleaned all the rubble since the war ended, especially not when all they have is their hooves. Freyia curses as she lifts a heavy chunk of wall into the cart outside. Today's orders were simple, at least that's what they said. Her armor and weapon were still back in her bunk room, having been told she won't need it. . Clean up the Industrial district by leading rubble into carts and carting it to designated areas. The assumption, at least in theory, is to get these factories working, eventually. Freyia doubted they would ever be workable, at least not in her lifetime.

She was told to come back for the day once 10 carts were loaded and hauled off, this was number 9. Looking up at the stars, she began to pine for home, but quickly quelled that thought. Not right now, must finish. The cart sat almost full, just needing a few more chunks. She made her way back into the building. Without her armor or weapons, she could be mistaken for an Equestrian. That's why she wore a small satchel on herself, holding the papers that would save her life, if any should come investigating.

[PureWrath]

Ivan walked along until he saw a cart filled with what looked like to be rubble from a factory. He was curious why it was out here. "Who would be salvaging this rubble? It does look important." He spotted the door to the factory. He slowly walked up to it. He prepared himself due to a possible confrontation. He pushed the door open slowly and crept inside. "Hello? Anyone in here!" He said quite loudly. It looked like this factory had imploded on itself by the look of the scattered rubble and mess. At the moment, he didn't see or hear anyone. He waited a few moments to see if he would get an answer back. He pulled out his blade. He was worried about getting ambushed.

[Freyia]

Freyia was liking the silence of the night, the only noise coming from her hooves and the rubble she moved. That's why it was quite a shock when she heard another's voice ring through the factory. The rubble in her hooves dropped to the ground, cracking into smaller pieces with a loud boom. She remained motionless, waiting for another sound from the unknown creature. Anything to reveal what it was.

She spent a few moments thinking over the situation. It called out first, a greeting --> not an aggressive threat. Sounded deeper than most, male --> possible griffon patrol --> trouble. Normally Freyia would not think twice about a griffon, but without her armor and out past curfew, in a new command where no creature knows her. It's probably best to stay low as much as possible. She moved slowly, remaining as quiet as she could. Get to the cart and get out.

It probably would have worked, if she hadn't have kicked another piece of rubble, the sound echoing in the empty, decrepit building. That was two loud sounds revealing her location. There was little chance of getting out secretly now.

[PureWrath]

Ivan heard the large echoing sound. He wasn't about to get too close after what happened last time he investigated shady area's "Come on out. No harm will come to you. Explain yourself!" he said loudly. He wanted a response but he knew whoever it was heard him the first time. But they were either afraid or they were avoid confrontation. He didn't know if he had any sort of comrades in the area so he had to a little more careful. That and his shoulder was still healing. If he wasn't still recovering this would of been much easier.
He tried to fly up higher nearing where the ceiling should have been on this destroyed factory. He still couldn't see anything it was pretty dark he moved a little closer, trying to see if he can see anything but no. He moved to the side where he could see a figure but he still couldn't make it out. "Come out, Nothing bad will happen you have my word." He said in a softer tone, trying to be less intimidating might help him here. But who knows.

[Freyia]

Freyia stood motionless while the creature spoke. It was curious that whatever it is, was being quite nice, gentle almost. This made her more afraid. All to often during the war, sadistic creatures have lured unsuspecting, unthreatening civilians, only to then brutally slaughter them. She saw a creature fly up, probably griffon, and face her. Damn, there was no point in hiding now.

"Hail," she yelled, stepping out of the shadows. Her pure white coat, while a little dirtty from her work, is hard to hide even in the night. She made sure to move slowly and deliberately, so as to not raise concern. "I am Freyia, newly reported to the Manehatten Guard. I'm here on duty." She hoped the creature would be reasonable. A quick glance around revealed nothing that could be used as an effective weapon, and no holes to the outside were close enough in case of retreat. "Who are you?" returning the question seemed appropriate.

[PureWrath]

Ivan was glad that there was no physical confrontation. He was just about done with fighting things in shadows. He put his blade away as he felt it wasn't necessary. He landed back down on the ground. He walked over to the Freyia. "Sergeant Ivan at your service." He said with a small bow. He wasn't used to having ponies among his ranks it was definitely odd. "Do you have any sort of paperwork? I believe you just being cautious is all." He gave her a slight smile. "So why are you clearing out this rubble alone?" He asked it did seem odd that they would have anyone cleaning up these factories. "Have you seen anyone else tonight. I was with a small group of griffons that were investigating the area but I haven't seen them in some time now." He said. He felt like he was rambling so he decided to stop asking so many questions right now.

[Freyia]

Freyia gave an odd look to the griffon the whole time she grabbed and handed him her paperwork. This one was definitely not like the others. He treated her with decency, even respect. After a few moments, she realized what she was doing, clearing her throat and shaking her head a little to break her awkward stare. "Yes sargent, I-um...I have been on orders to clean out the rubble and move it to a designated area. As for your unit, no I have not seen them. I have been inside this factory all day." She straightened herself and starred blankly into the horizon. It wasn't a fully attention stand, but was close. She refused to look at him again, being as professional as she could.

[PureWrath]

Ivan smiled "Well this seems to be in order." He had a light laugh. "No need to be so formal. Speak freely Freyia, I don't know too many equestrians in the ranks which means you are probably quite skilled." He wasn't used to such loyalty and respect from any sort of soldier. He did like it. He handed her, her papers. But he was still worried about his comrades, this was concerning but hopefully they didn't run off or got themselves into trouble. Who knows maybe they went home for all he knew. "I am investigating the possibility equestrians doing illegal activity in the area, jumping from factories to keep themselves hidden. I just don't know if my squad went back to headquarters...Or found trouble." He sighed he knew it was probably best to search the next few just in case but the area was quite big it was a lot of ground. "Freyia do you mind accompanying me? You don't have to. You can go home if you want. Purely up to you." He asked politely. If he did find anything having her at his side was quite reassuring.

[Freyia]

Freyia did not move, but considered his proposal. Working all day moving rubble made her exhausted, but the thought of doing real patrolling was something she could not pass up. "Yes Sargent, I'll assist," she said, keeping her professional tone. She waited for him to move first before she would budge.

There was only one problem. "I'm not Equestrian," was all she said, same tone as always. This was a pet peeve of hers, when griffons would call her Equestrian. She had never lived in Equestria nor had she ever pledged fealty to a pony princess. When will these griffons stop assuming?

[PureWrath]

Ivan was glad that she was going to help him patrol the area. With him not being at his best physical state he wasn't too sure how he would have faired in a confrontation. He felt bad when he offended her. "My apologies. I shouldn't make assumptions of others." He sighed as he tried to relax. He then walked over to the door as he held it open for her. "After you Freyia. You can drop the professionalism, I don't care for it much outside of the headquarters." He gave her a small smile to show his honesty. He yawned it was getting kind of late but still there was some work to be done before he could even think about going home.

[Freyia]

Freyia eyed his smile as he held open the door. "With all due respect Sargent, I would like to keep my baring." This was something she learned early on. Even if a superior says its fine to be informal, there's no saying if another even higher superior will see. At which point the lowest rank...her...would usually get screwed. No, its best to always be professional with one of higher rank. "I must also say Sargent, I don't know how much help I'll be should a situation arise. I am without my armor or weapon." She wasn't too worried about it, but it's still something to be aware of.

She eyed the surroundings, this time looking for any sign of activity. "I haven't heard or seen anything in this area all day. I recommend we start at another place, Sargent."

[PureWrath]

Ivan promptly unbuckled his blade from his side. He handed it over to Freyia. "Consider yourself armed. Yes another area is probably worth our time." He looked around for a moment to see if he could see anything moving in the moonlight but nothing that he saw "I have a wound from a few days ago. I'd prefer you to be the one with the sabre. Besides I have a Dagger that will do me fine in a pinch." He walked ahead. "The armor thing I can't change but you look like you can handle your own, I'm not too worried." He smiled back at her. He continued to walk to the next factory.

He decided to make some small talk as he walked along to the next factory. "So Freyia, I'm imagining things aren't easy for you, I know how other griffons can be." He honestly didn't know what to say. Freyia didn't seem like the talkative type to him and why would she griffons weren't exactly the friendliest of creatures. Then again she was probably used to the regular abuse.

[Freyia]

"Thank you, Sargent," she said as she took the blade. It wasn't her best weapon, but she did train with may different weapons, so she knew what to do. She flapped her wings and began hovering just above the ground, holding the weapon with both hooves, ready in case of ambush. She listened to the Sargent, surprised that he would try and make small talk. If anything he was acting more like an officer than an NCO. "I endure what I must, Sargent," she responded immediately. After a moment, she decided to expand on it a little, "Truth be told, the griffons here aren't that bad. They mostly keep to themselves and ignore me. Rather nice working by myself for a change." This was enough information to give him. He was not her NCO, so there was no reason to get close. Odds were after this night, they would never see each other again.

[PureWrath]

Ivan walked up to the factory. This one was still fairly intact sure it was a little beaten down but the roof and most of the pillars seemed undamaged. He noticed a flicker of light coming out from under the door. He cracked the door open just a bit to try and see inside. He could see a few shadows he couldn't tell who's they were. He didn't want to open it anymore he rather not get caught. He closed it quietly. He whispered back to Freyia. "Maybe a backdoor attempt would be best. Or if we can find a broken window to go through." He backed away from the door. "Unless you have a better idea? what do you think Freyia?" He asked he liked having a second opinion.

He was worried that his group was in there though possibly captured but the little bit that he heard didn't sound like they were griffons. Possibly it was some families taking refuge in the building but better to be on the safe side then run into a fight. Ivan wasn't used to recon he had a watchful eye for guard duty and strategy but not recon. Hopefully Freyia was more in her element the he felt he was.

[Freyia]

Freyia loved battle, but had the wisdom to not rush into them. No, they needed information, in order to have the best odds. She thought about it for a moment, then came up with an idea. Handing the sword back to the sargent, she began taking off her satchel, hiding it under some rubble. "If they are ponies, they won't immediately attack one of their kind," she said looking to the griffon, "and if they are griffons, hopefully you'll stop them." She took some dirt in her hooves, and with a moan dusted her hair and coat, making her look like another street pony. So dirty, she thought as she finished up.

This idea was something new to her. Never had she done reconnaissance. But her new bunk-mate, the assassin pony, this was something she would do. Honestly the idea came from thinking of her, though she would never admit it.

"If they are hostile or you're birds are in there, I'll signal...with..." finding a word or phrase to use eluded her.

[PureWrath]

Ivan smiled "I like your idea, you are a crafty one aren't you." He liked this idea she could get on the inside and hopefully it was just some squatters and nothing dangerous but it was better to be safe. He notice her stop talking. "You can signal me with a few taps of your hooves...or something." He felt kind of bad for not having some sort of signal in place but he packed lightly due to his work just being a small investigation. He was worried for Freyia's sake even though he knew that she could handle her own but if she were to get injured because of him he'd feel bad. He hoped that it was nothing. But he could just feel trouble looming overhead. "I've got you covered ill watch from the door you being inside should be a good enough distraction for me to slip inside or at least I can watch from the door." He smiled enthusiastically. Shortly turning back to a more stern and serious mood to better fit the setting.

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