Not all of Tough Cookie and Syntax's expeditions go successfully. Sometimes, they find that somepony else has gotten the treasure they've been seeking, and sometimes, that somepony will leave behind a message taunting explorers who came looking for what's already gone. A disappointment, to be sure, but for an antiques dealer like Cookie, even something as simple as an old vase or jar left behind is a find worthy of her shop, Curios. She'll consider the trip somewhat of a success in that case, and Syntax is just happy to see his friend and partner in good spirits despite a setback.