Frozen slipped through and closed the portal behind him. "We had better make this quick. That was a minor spell, but it may still attract unwanted attention." The other pony looked thoroughly confused, "Misser I dunno what you're talkin about, but the master is going to be awful sore if i'm late!"
"Well I could pull the information from his mind, as long as you don't mind that it'll kill him," Discord offered, looking to Frozen whilst keeping the pony pinned. "Depending on how cooperative he is, it might be the best option." He added with deadly sincerity, glaring pointedly at the pony.
"Perhaps a bit more civility would be in order," Frozen suggested, "He's probably just afraid. I doubt he would willingly stand up to two very powerful beings, if there was not an equally powerful master calling the shots." The pony nodded emphatically; he liked the ice pony, the dragon thing wanted to kill him!
Discord growled. "Very well, try it your way. But we are on a clock here; If we don't get what we need soon, we'll have to resort to my method." He grinned wickedly. "Much as it pains me." With that, he moved aside and let Frozen talk to the pony, making sure to hover around in the background and look as sinister as a Draconequus could.
"Good cop bad cop?" Frozen asked, over his shoulder. Frozen touched the quivering being; his fear was exquisite, but he couldn't allow himself to five in and feed, not now. "Alright buddy, what's your name? That's an easy one, can you tell me your name?" The pony nodded slowly, "Healing hoof," he said softly.
"Unless you want to do bad cop bad cop?" Discord replied to Frozen as he passed him. He hung back and let Frozen question this 'Healing Hoof'; he was ready to jump in if he was needed, but for now his role appeared to have been successful, and the answers seemed to be flowing freely.
When Frozen had finished with Healing Hoof, he motioned for Discord to speak with him in private. Once they were a few feet away, he turned to him. "So, apparently he unwillingly serves Arzeroth, one of the lesser lords of this realm."
Discord thought for a moment. "What does he do for this 'Arzeroth'? What does a lord of this realm need exactly?" He glanced at Healing Hoof then turned back to Frozen. "It looked as though he was searching for something when we found him..."
"Trinkets for the master, mmmagics..relics and such.." the pitiful creature said. Frozen nodded, "I figured as much," he said, "Where is this Arzeroth?" "No! That is forbidden!" Healing Hoof squeaked.
"Forbidden?" Discord chuckled darkly. "I don't see how that affects us. But if you're so eager to be put out of your misery, I'll oblige you." He wreathed his claw in blue flame and raised it to Healing's head, then looked at Frozen. "Where should I start? Short term memory?"
"In the northern citadel!" Healing Hoof shrieked, in fear, before Frozen could protest. Frozen looked at discord expectantly.
Discord feigned disappointment. "I do so hate it when they co-operate." He turned his back on Healing and went over to Frozen. "I wasn't actually going to do anything," He said, quietly, "I don't even know any spells like that, but it's the illusion that counts." He glanced back at Healing Hoof, then back to Frozen. "Here, take this," He said, handing Frozen a mug of hot chocolate. "berate me a little so he can hear, and go see if you can good cop a way into the Citadel out of him."
Frozen smiled a bit at Discord's kindness and nodded. "That was taking it too far!" Frozen yelled, "Next time I see you doing that you'll regret it!" Frozen trotted over to Healing and offered him the cup, which he took with great skepticism. Frozen nodded, to let him know it was okay to drink it. Healing took a tentative sip and, when he found it to be good, began to drink with gusto. Frozen watched in satisfaction until Healing was done, before he spoke. "So, healing, do you suppose you can help us get into the fortress." Healing looked from Frozen to discord, then back to Frozen. He nodded quickly, fearing option B more than his co-operation.
Once the sleeping pills in the hot chocolate had taken effect, Discord deemed it safe to talk frankly with Frozen. "Having a route into the Citadel is all well and good, but we still need a plan for once we're inside. I say we stage a coup; you and I alone wouldn't stand a chance, it's true, however..." He looked over at Healing Hoof "If there are enough terrified minions like him, it may be doable; all we'd have to do is convince them life under our rule would be better than under this... Arzeroth's. Then maybe we'll have enough strength to challenge him."
Frozen considered this option quietly, for a few moments, before he nodded in affirmation. "That would probably be our easiest course of action. You can catch more flies with sugar than vinegar, they say.."
Discord grinned. "I think our particular brand of sweetened vinegar has proven successful, and I did quite enjoy playing the villain again; it's like slipping into an old suit..." He did just that to illustrate his point, then, as he passed a paw across his face, his tufty goatee was replaced with a much neater affair, as well as an accompanying moustache. "So, what do you say comrade, ready to lead the glorious revolution?" He asked Frozen, affecting a thick Russian accent.
Frozen snickered, "Very well, but first we had best wait until our charge has woken. We had better plan out the finer points of the operation now, while he sleeps."
"Well," Discord reasoned, returning to his normal accent, "It seems to me we'll need a show of force; something to show that we're worth following and not to be trifled with. Healing over there seemed terrified of the consequences of betraying Arzeroth, so there must have guards or enforcers of some kind, perhaps we could dispatch one of them?"
(I was thinking about it, but I wasn't sure how or why it would've happened. It would explain Frozen's rejection of his Windigo heritage, as you said, and it might also explain why Discord's taking such an interest in him. I'll have to sort out the details.) "Indeed," Discord nodded, "Unless you feel like beating them in pugalistic combat of course," He added, grinning. Discord thought a moment. "My magic doesn't seem to affect things already of this realm, as I said, but it can affect both of us; I should be able to protect you to some degree, and also make us both look a little more intimidating. We'll have to return to our normal forms after the fight though; Healing Hoof has already seen us."
(sounds good!) Frozen nodded and looked over at the other pony. He was willing to do whatever it takes to make certain ponies like this never suffer again.
