Flicker simply didn't see it coming. This reminded him what the Earth Ponies had the magical unicorns or flying pegasi did not: Strength. The blow made him get up on his hind legs before falling backward on his back, there was a silence as Flicker pushed himself slowly away from his aggressor, a hoof on his face massaging the impact point. He had had his share of wounds and battle, but truth be told he saw himself more like a Glass Cannon, he could take main, didn't mind he liked it. "T-that hurts... Haha, you'd think after having my face burnt so bad this would be nothing... Ah yes, adrenaline, I have none right now since I didn't expect this, funny how the pony body works, haha-haaa..." This was said softly and more to himself than to anyone in particular, he looked up and tried to force a smile, although he was visibly in some pain.

"Well, I do say I enjoy being hit on by pretty girls, but not hit [i]hit[/i] on, haha. Good reflexes by the way, maybe do that on an actual enemy next time, good thing I don't have the sames, I mean, wouldn't want to melt such a pretty face and actually make you have to go through the humiliation of people looking at you in disgust or punching you in fear. I know this guy I worked with and he had his back legs amputated, said I had it lucky since I was still mostly 100% functional, I answered that at least he got looked at with pity... kind of what i meant right here now isn't it?" He looked around a bit and thinking back on what he had just said, he realized it was pretty gloomy rather than lighting the atmosphere. He continued as he got up, slowly, still shaken by the hit.

"Bah, who am I to assume things, probably wasn't the face but the pick up line uh? 'Nice Cutie Mark', I mean I should have expected that punch now shouldn't I? Hahaha! Oh I should work on my game some more, can't expect mares to fall for that now can I?" Noticing the large Elk behind the two girls, Flicker turned his difigured gaze at him. "Oh hey, I remember reading something about an elk in this team. Welcome, you came at a little... misunderstanding but no matter... Oh and, getting hit on is a slang for... compliments aimed at establishing courtship... For mating, as in sex and babies. You do understand Equestrian, right? Oh I do hope I won't have to discombobulate all of my crappy jokes haha, the road to understanding a new language and its subtleties is a long and tedious one but you'll get there. Ever met a Camel? These guys have literally 182 words to describe specific types of sand so talk about linguistic subtleties, but erm, I'll get back to you on that."

He turned around to the griffon. "Lieutenant Commander? I hope you'll excuse what I'm about to do but I feel like it must be done, for all our sakes, I do not mean to infringe on your authority but, here it goes." He turned around and used his magic to pick up the briefing he had in his saddle and turned the pages. "Ah yes, you fit the description miss Autumn Floret was it? Autumn? Floret? Floret sounds way more natural..." He trowed the briefing on a table near and advanced quickly and very close to Floret, invading her personal space and putting his own face before her eyes. "I am aware this sight is not the most pleasing to the eye but you will take a long and hard look at this face and you will not flinch, you'll keep contact 7 seconds after I'm done talking even. Listen and listen well, because this is important." The leathery surface of Flicker's face was now an inch away from the eyes of Floret. "If this sight, as horrible as it may be, makes you flinch, makes you lose control of yourself for even a moment, you endanger us all and by all likelihood, either you or someone who cares for you-" He quickly looked at Aster before returning his yellow eyes at Floret. "-will DIE, because in a situation where your life or your death depends depends on your self control and your ability to look past the horror of crippling or even mortal injury and do what is needed to make sure the creeping shadow of decay does not extend to us all, if you flee, if you punch the wrong thing or if you even flinch in front of death itself, it may be all over, for you, for me, for her, for all of us."

Flicker stayed silent in front of Floret for 7 long seconds and stared at her before backing off. "I'm sorry but the dangers we will face are real and despite how publicized Princess Twilight Sparkle made the League, it isn't for everypony. We will achieve great things, I am certain of it, but... this life style isn't for everyone and although I would regret not having a botanist with us as I am certain we would miss spectacular discoveries, you must consider Floret, as must we all, that this may be a one way trip for many of us and even somepony with ice in his veins may not make it. I don't know you other than what few words were written on a piece of paper but judging how you'd have the reflex to punch someone in the face while we didn't even leave the homeland, I'd invite you to especially think about how you'd react in the middle of a dangerous and hostile territory full of unknown and most probably lethal dangers. There is no shame in walking through this door and going back to your home if you aren't absolutely 100% certain you are ready to face what lurks in the unknown."