>"I was around for the Zebrican conflict, just not where you'd expect."
>Flare spat out the toothpick and replaced it with a cigar, her hooves fiddling with a match box momentarily as she made to light it, taking a puff of the fine smoke.
>She adjusted her position against the wall.
>"There was a group of Earth Pony supremacists operating on Equestrian soil, stealing weapons shipments and hardware. The guard was stretched thin and it wasn't too far out of my way so I..."
>She paused and took another puff of her cigar, blowing the smoke out of her mouth.
>"Well, I dealt with it."
>She chewed a little on the filter thoughtfully, apparently unafraid of her exploits being overheard by some of the keener ears in the bar.
>"That was all maybe... Forty odd years ago? Yeah, their leader, one Powder Keg, ruthless bastard he was, he managed to get out before I could capture him and bring him in for trial."
>Another puff.
>"Always wanted to know what happened to him."
>"Always wanted to know what happened to him."
>Anon decided he'd heard enough and unceremoniously picked up the little bat mare.
>Flare gave a little screech and struggled in his grip.
>"Oi! Put me down!"
>Anon's fingers instead went for her vulnerable belly as he began to tickle her, bringing joyful giggles and screeching from the helpless bat.
>"A-A-Anooooon!~ Stoooop! Please... Ah!"
>War hero Flare spent the next few minutes giggling and squirming like a little girl.
>It was a cuddly sort of night.
>After having his fill of tickling, Anon sat back on his stool, sitting an exhausted and heaving Flare on his lap where he cuddled her quite openly.
>He looked around at the other occupants of the Shady Trough, daring them to say something of his public display of affection.
>One by one, the observing bats went back to their own activities, hearts freshly warmed at seeing the spectacle.
>For her part, Flare simply struggled to catch her breath after the 'ruthless attack'.
>Having managed to recover her breath somewhat, she turned her head up and gave him a little glare.
>Even that was adorable.
>Anon flicked her ear.
>"Why so serious?"