“So glad of you to come back to work, Emerald,” Faith Cure grumbled as she watched Ember trot to her locker. “I hope you had a good time in Cloudsdale.”
Ember stopped and glanced back at Faith, grinning slightly. “Still have a headache from there, but yes. It was enjoyable, and I slept part of the way back.”
Faith raised an eyebrow, then shrugged some. “I hope it was worth it at least.” She watched her slip on the scrubs. “Ah ah… your bracelet.”
Ember paused, glancing to her bracelet. “Er, right. Sorry, just recently got it.” She grinned, and levitated it off her fetlock and into the locker, hiding it within her emerald cloak.
“A gift?”
“From Quicktail,” she grinned, a faint pink tint starting to appear on her cheeks.
“You’ll have to tell me about him later, for now. You're going to do clinic work later. A pair of pegasi could use your loving touch.”
“A pair of… oh… them.” Ember nodded as she watched Faith look at her questioningly. “They are… where?”
“Well, since you’ve decided to take on more clinic work lately for some reason. They are on the second level, just in a room looking out towards the deck. One Mr Flare, and one Miss Shadow, sharing the same room.” Faith chuckled and floated a file towards Ember. She took it, opened it, and glanced along the documents inside.
“Erf, these two came in that night I was dragged to the castle, huh?” Ember glanced at Faith as she walked away.
“Yup! Have fun!” Faith chuckled as she waved back to her, walking out of the locker room.
Ember sighed and finished getting ready, before making her way out and towards the stairs to head up to the next level. She nodded to each pony as she passed, giving each one a warm grin.
She stopped outside a door that was barely open and tapped lightly on it with a hoof. After waiting a moment, she stepped in and peered inside, seeing a red pegasus sitting up on one of the bed, staring out the window of the room that overlooked the gym. She stepped in further and looked to the other bed, seeing the ice blue pegasus mare laying on her side, facing the window as well.
“Ahem.” Ember cleared her throat, and both didn't seem to react, except she noticed each turn an ear towards her. “I am Nurse Emerald Haze, and I was asked to check up on you two. May I come in?”
“Well, you're already a few steps in so far. So might as well,” the stallion quipped, not even looking at her. She shrugged and took a few more steps in, closing the door behind her. She looked over the stallion, noting that his wings were wrapped up and in a brace that ran the entire length of them. In addition he had a large number of bandages around his barrel and along an arm.
She glanced to the mare next, and could make out a similar number of bandages, along with her right arm set up in a cast running pretty much it's entire length. Her wings looked fine, and had a small number of bandages along them, but her barrel, from what she could see, was more wrapped up then the stallions.
“You were the two with him that night...weren't you?” Ember let out a sigh, as the two turn partly to look at her. They remained silent as she sat between them, looking at each one closer. They both turned away, deciding to remain silent at the moment.
“If you can't mention that night, don't worry. I’m just glad he is fine, mostly.” Ember started towards the mare, looking her over and lightly scanning her with magic. The mare closed her eyes, sighing.
“Are you talking about Talon?” she mumbled, barely loud enough for Ember to hear.
“Yes.”
“Then yes, we both were there with him that night. How is… he doing?” The mare glanced to Ember, and past her slightly at the stallion who was watching her.
“Fine, now. He…” she trailed off, unsure of what to say or describe what all was actually damaged.
“We know what he is, Miss Haze,” the stallion stated calmly, “and seeing him fight against a foe much stronger than him, well… I wish you could have seen him.” The stallion grinned warmly at her.
She let out a sigh of relief. “His crest is damaged, missing the middle part of it. His left fore hoof is burned, along with a few inches past the fetlock. He has several small burns that have healed, mostly, along his limbs and wings.” she paused, taking a deep breath. “Because of the damage on his hoof, he can't hide it. He can make a blade still, but he can't change it beyond that.” She turned to the stallion, shaking her head slightly. “He can't hide what he is anymore, without covering it up!”
The mare slowly sat up, wincing as she did. “Easy, Miss Haze. We all came out of that fight with scars.”
“Sorry… it's just…” Ember sighed, trailing off again.
“The way you're acting,” the stallion starts, making Ember glance back at him, “he’s a brother to you, in some way. Am I right?” Ember nods faintly. “So he isn't as alone as he thinks. He has seen you, right?”
“Quite a bit, yes. I gave him a ton of energy from the Cloudsdale show.” She turned to the mare, resuming scanning her. “Your arm is mending rather well. Given more rest, I’d say you’ll be back up in maybe a week or two,” Ember lightly put a hoof on the bandages around the mare’s barrel, her horn and hoof glowing faintly for a moment. “And that should ease your breathing problems for now.”
“Thanks, and you can call me Rime, Miss Haze.” She grinned, watching the unicorn nod and trot over to the stallion.
“Just Ember or Emerald, both work either way.” She looked over the stallion, focusing on his wings first. “Hmm.”
“How bad are they?” He glanced over his shoulder at them. “And you can call me Crimson.”
“They aren't the worst I’ve seen. Cloudsdale weather factory accidents can get pretty bad, but… For now, you will need braces if you wish to fly again,” Ember sighed softly. “Other than that, you're healing nicely.”
Crimson sighed loudly. “Well, at least I'm not fully ground bound. But I think it's a safe bet I'm done being a flying fighter.” He glanced towards Rime, smirking some. “But I think I can handle what the future holds.”
Ember looked between the two, grinning faintly as they just grinned at each other. “I think I’ll leave you two alone for now. And see what else Faith Cure has for me to do.” She bowed slightly to them, trotting towards the door and leaving the pair behind.
“I never pegged you for having a griffin for a coltfriend… what do you call a griffin friend like that?” Faith asked with a chuckle, as Ember dug into her sandwich to avoid speaking. “Though… given what I know about you…”
Ember suddenly gasped, coughing as she inhaled part of her sandwich. Faith laughed a little as she floated over a cup of water which Ember took and drank down quickly. Once she finally had her breath back, she glared at Faith. “Don't mention that!”
“Oh please,” Faith waved a hoof dismissively, “Do you honestly think that matters at this point?”
Ember stared at the table a moment. “Yes. The wedding invasion is still too soon,” she mumbled.
“Even then, I can vouch for you. You’re one of my best doctors that's still staffed here. All my others either left for the Crystal Empire, or became a part of the Wonderbolts.” Faith shrugged, then eyed Ember. “Speaking of, what would you do if you became a trainer for them? How would you take going to their shows?”
Ember shied away, staring at her sandwich, “As long as it isn't Cloudsdale, it's okay.”
“And if it is?”
Ember started to chuckle, which turned into a laugh, she kept this up as a stallion slid a tray onto their table.
“What has her in hysterics?” Light Gaze asked, watching Ember quickly stop laughing, blushing brightly and looking away.
“Oh nothing, Light. Nothing at all,” Faith laughed as Ember quickly resumed digging into her meal. Faith leaned over to Light. “You are aware, she has a special somepony, right?”
“Nope,” he glanced at her, then looked at Ember. “Who's the lucky guy who finally found a way to steal your heart?”
Ember mumbled something around her sandwich, making him raise his eyebrow.
“Didn't quite catch that, ma’am.”
Faith snickered as she watched Ember continue to try and hide who it was. She just grinned as Ember got quieter and quieter each time, and leaned back over to him. “Quicktail, a griffin it seems.”
“Oh? Going the exotic route I see. Too bad you're missing out on this.” He gestured to himself. “But I am taken, now.”
Ember kept eating her sandwich, thankful that Faith turned to the stallion. “Oh? Who is the lucky mare?”
“Stallion, actually. And...well, let’s just say he has certain talents I like. A lot.” Light smirked as he glanced at Faith, then looked at Ember. “So, when are you moving out of that little home, if you have a griffin stud with you?”
“For now, we are content in it. And, he works for the Embassy. We could probably afford something in the high class area with no problems. But honestly? We like where we are.” Ember shrugged slightly.
“Wait… He works for the Embassy? That's near the Castle! It must be a long hike from your place to there.” Light looked shocked for a moment, then leaned on the table. “You both must keep in top shape having to trek that far on a daily basis.”
“The hike doesn't affect a former Sky Wing,” Ember casually remarked, getting a gasp from both of them.
“A Sky Wing?! Seriously?” Faith chirped, “He just gave up something like that to be with you?”
“Er, well...He is a guard for the Embassy, probably a direct guard to the Ambassador when he visits Canterlot.”
“Still, must be some connection for him to leave something like that.” Light just grinned, “and just how long have you two been going together?”
“A...few months.” Ember looked down still blushing faintly, “Met nearly two decades ago, though. Saw each other again at the Canterlot Library a few months ago and we hit it off together. He decided to stay here and live with me.”
“Well, at least you’re in good claws with him,” Faith chuckled. “A former Sky Wing, and a griffin, don't think any pony will dare mess with you.”
Ember looked up at Faith, sticking her tongue out, ”Not like I can't defend myself.”
“Oh yes, I heard about you and your travels to get here from the drake empire. Taking down a drake by shocking it. Impressive to say the least.” Light chuckled as he shook his head, “It's how you earned that scar, isn't it?”
“Yup,” Ember nodded.