The Multi-Dimensional OC Bar

Paladin chuckled. "Would you like a demonstration of my defence?"

"I think I'm quite familiar with it already." Ician takes a brief sip of water. "But you'll find that often, the best defense is a good offense. Enemies don't retreat from a shield. They retreat from danger."

"...Which is how I magically cleared numerous bandit camps in past 2 years..." she says.

Ician raises an eyebrow. "Clearing bandit camps? What is it that you do for a living, anyway?" He pauses. "You and your dragon, I presume."

"They retreat from my shield." He chuckled and nuzzled her cheek before relaxing on her chest, hooves round her.

Harmony returns the embrace. "Oh, I don't doubt that, dear."

"Well, I do." Ician says crossly. "You'd better hope that the rest of the Guard has your back, or that shield of yours will break sooner or later."

"Travel around for anything interesting and such... we are currently unemployed, but I guess scaring the bandits away with Frost is useful to the Royal Guard, right?" she says, ordering another tea.

Paladin gestured and a shield erupted in front of Ician, a dozen spikes bursting from it till they were within an inch of his face. "Have fun with that. Also, I always have my medical pouch." He murred. "Thanks love."

Ician flinches backwards, his horn flaring up instinctively as he creates his own, weaker barrier to protect himself. "Touché. Not bad. But what about ranged opponents? They can hammer away at your shield freely."

He turns to Arianwyn. "There's no question about that, but more importantly, is it safe?" He blinks, and then facehooves. "What am I talking about? Of course it's not." He rephrases the question. "I mean, is there at least a chance of survival lower than or equal to... fifty percent?"

"Considering that Frost can just make a large friggin ice barrier in case of danger, our chances of survival are moving around ninety to hundred pecent. Not to mention that they all start running away at the very first sight of Frost.."

"Oh come on!" Ician complains. "Everyone has some kind of huge shield... thing, and what do I have?" He gestures at his own flickering shield. "This!" He gives the structure a light tap, and instantly the whole shield dissolves. "An illusion of defense."

Paladin pulled out his medical pouch and pulled a single needle from it with his magic. "See that spider, on the wall on the other side of the bar?" Without waiting, he flung the needle, impaling it on the needle with little effort.

He put the pouch away, dropped the shield, and snuggled back into Harmony, purring contently.

"Oh and Ician, I specialise in defence, so my shields should be good." He yawned.

Harmony grins victoriously at Ician. "Do you still think he won't be able to handle himself in a fight?"

Ician sighs. "Fine, fine, you win." He sulks into his drink. "All this makes me wish I had something special about me..."

"On my own, I probably couldn't do that much.. I am an amazing archer, but a rusty old sword in case of close combat doesn't really help much... that's why me and Frost always travel around together." Arianwyn says, happily sipping her tea.

"You do have something. You're far better at most stuff than me." He kissed Harmony's cheek and sighed. "Hmmm~ I can only do that a few times. How long till the Gala?"

"Well, at least you're both good in combat in one way or another." Ician pokes at his glass. "What do I have? Telekinesis? That's about it." He blinks. "I'm beginning to question how I'm supposed to survive on this Eastern Sea expedition now..."

"A few months, give or take?" Harmony nuzzles Paladin. "Being next to you is making me lose track."

"Alright, I'll make sure to check when I return~" he kissed her. "Ician, I can't fight at close range, not well. I'm just a spiked shield." He flipped himself, so Harmony was on top. "There~"

Harmony sighs contentedly. "Ah." She pokes Paladin's stomach mischievously. "You're a little heavy, you know that?"

Ician continues staring at his glass. "I can't fight well at close or far range. In fact, I can barely fight at all." Giving up the staring contest with the cup, he lifts it and takes a sip. "I'm only where I am now because of my strategic aptitude. Nothing more, nothing less."

"I know my dear, that's why I flipped us. You're light as a feather." He pecked her gently and nuzzled her. "Cheer up Ician, you'll do fine. Sometimes all you need is a good strategy."

Ician sighs. "Strategy goes a long way in battle. But there's only so much it can do when I command less than ten troops." He takes another resolute sip. "No, I will have to fight, if it comes to that. And if I can't fight fairly..." He gives a smug grin. "... Well, all's fair in love and war, after all. I'll keep a few tricks up my proverbial sleeve."

"Poison works well, as well as swords... Hmmm... I'm going to have to practice a new spell I've been devising... Would you like to see it?" He kissed Harmony passionately again.

Arianwyn sighs "...I just hope I find a special somepony soon... I have yet to find a stallion that won't run away from a friendly dragon..."

"Dragons are cool." He glanced at her. "I'm sure you'll find someone."

Harmony returns the passionate kiss with her own, giggling into Paladin's lips.

Ician keeps his gaze averted, addressing Arianwyn first. "Well, love isn't all that important. Besides, wait a little while and eventually you'll find who you're meant to be with."

He turns to Paladin. "Certainly. I'd like to see the full extent of your skill. I don't suppose you need to be kissing Harmony while you're doing it?"