“I can't. Sorry.” Nick shuddered, strapping a book bag to his flank as he trotted swiftly out the dormitory. “I don't have the time... resources... or money.”
“Well, then... uh...” Rainbow Dash fluttered after him, fidgeting in midair. “How could I... erm... help you get those three things?”
“You can't,” Nick grunted, passing several students to stepped back just to gawk at the prismatic pegasus tailing him. “As in, it doesn't matter.”
“Oh come on!” Rainbow tossed her forelimbs. “You were so quick to help me out the past few days! Lemme guess... it's the cane that Dr. Dude has, isn't it?”
“Rainbow—”
“Would you want me to give him a few thwacks to the skull in return? Would that make you less grumpy?”
“It's not that I'm a grump!” Nick said, swiveling to face her. He calmed down, took a deep breath, and said, “It's only that I've used all of my money and resources building a boat of my own already.”
Rainbow Dash blinked. “You have?”
Twilight floated up and gaped over her shoulder. “He has?”
“Well...” Nick's ears folded as he threw a melancholic gaze to his right. “...that, and asking a pretty unicorn out to homecoming.” He brushed his bangs back. “Funny... I made friends with at least three mares that semester and all of them came down with Coconut Flu at around the same time...” A long pause. “Ah well. Live and let date.”
“Would you mind telling me more about this boat that you made?” Rainbow Dash leaned in, arching an eyebrow. “Like... how long ago did you make it?”
“Oh, Rainbow, it's been... it's been three years.” Nick sighed. “It was the last boat I made at home before sailing here.”
“I thought you couldn't bring boats into the Blight.”
“I know. I have it docked along the harbors of Eastern Kihutaja,” Nick explained. “Which is as far as the Blight ever extended.”
“And you've just left it... tied down there this whole time?” Rainbow asked. “Floating?”
“Rusting?!” Twilight added.
“Yeah, what she said—er...” Rainbow went cross-eyed while Twilight face-hoofed.
“You know...” Nick smiled wearily. “I don't think I'll ever get over that.”
Rainbow squinted at him. “Get over what?”
“He means the way that you're constantly talking to a pony he can't see—” Twilight began.
“Yeah, I get that!” Rainbow hissed at her.
Nick waved a numb hoof. “I rest my case.”
“Look... uhhhh... Nick...” Rainbow touched down and stood behind the stallion, resting a hoof on his shoulder. “This boat of yours. Do you think it's still good enough to set sail?”
“Wowsers, I just realized how freakin' tiny you are,” Nick gasped.
“Pay attention!” Rainbow snarled, summoning frightened looks from passer-by's. “Can this boat still set sail?”
“Pffft! Of course! I built it!”
“He's right, you know...” Twilight “stood” beside Rainbow Dash, fighting the urge to giggle. “No wonder Applejack could rein you in so easily by biting your tail.”
“Dang it, girl, I'm trying to—” Rainbow started to whisper before casting Twilight a double-take. “Wait... really?”
“Well, it's been a long time since I set her out in open water,” Nick thought out loud. He tapped his chin, gazing through the tree canopy above. “But with a new sail and a few upgrades, I'm certain I can get her to be navigable again. Why do you ask—Wait.” He turned to blink at her. “This is gonna turn into a big dumb adventure thing, isn't it?”
“Nick.” Rainbow smiled. “I really need to find these Five Seeds that the ancient texts speak of. Sinrar's confirmed that they exist for real. Once I get to the first Point of Interest, I'll know whether or not the other four are worth coming into contact as well.”
“Can't you... I dunno... wing it?”
“I would if I knew this place and if I knew where I could stop and rest! But I don't!” Rainbow paced around him, exclaiming, “Sinrar does, but he's just an old fart! Once I get the detailed maps from him, it's going to be a crazy game of seafaring and exploration—and I'm only good at half of that!”
“You could learn,” Nick said. “Sailing the high seas doesn't take much! Just casting a sail and throwing anchor!” He blinked. “Also scurvy!”
“Dude... I... uh...?” Rainbow glanced nervously aside at Twilight. “I haven't exactly got all the time in the world.”
“Yeah, so?”
She bit her lip, staring at him with puppy dog eyes.
Nick recoiled. “Wait... do you mean to suggest that... th-that...” He gulped and pointed at himself, shivering. “That I... me... I me mine help you sail across the world?!”
“Pfft! Not the friggin' world, dude! Just to the first Seed!” Rainbow smiled. “If what I and my Princess Luna believe is true, then I might just get the energy boost I need to make the rest of the trip by air!”
Twilight's lavender muzzle scrunched. “Wait, I don't remember any of that in our conversat—”
“And as soon as I've reached the first point...” Rainbow spoke louder. “...you can head on back!”
“But... but the semester is just about over! I'm about to have a break!”
“And what would you wanna do on your break, huh, dude?” Rainbow smirked. “Traipse around on hoof, chasing tail in utter futility?”
“Hey, girl...” Nick pointed. “Watch it.”
“Or...” She grasped his shoulder and pointed towards the east horizon beyond the K.M.C.A. campus and trees. “...go on an awesome high sea trip to some unknown destination with only the wisdom of Sinrar to guide us...”
“It's... still not much of a pitch you've got there,” Nick said. “I'm sorry, Rainbow. As much as I'd love to get my hooves on my old boat again, I'm afraid I'll have to pass.”
With that said, the stallion sauntered off with a dull sigh.
Rainbow stood, staring after him. Suddenly, Twilight perked up, and she leaned over, whispering in the pegasus' ears. Rainbow's eyes twitched, and she muttered, “...native island mares?”
Nick immediately spun around. “I beg your pardon?”
“Uhm...” Rainbow fidgeted. “We... c-could...” She smiled awkwardly. “...run into deliciously sun-tanned native island babes!” Her grin widened as her tail flicked. “The kind who haven't seen a stallion in years!”
“... … ...” Nick gazed at her. “... … ...let's go find Sinrar.” He trotted swiftly, taking the lead.
Oh Nick
"Here lies Nick - He never scored."
Sorry, dudebro, that idea got shot down already.
This is clearly best idea.
Ha! Rainbow is still tiny. Somewhat amusing that bit of headcanon is here, considering the amount of human RD's drawn shorter than everyone else.
Also, Nick looking for some ass.
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As long as its not this ass.
Looks like Nick isn't the only one excited by the prospect.
The power of boner compels!
Oh, Zai-- I mean, Nick.
Inb4 the native island mares are more interested in Rainbow.
This all but guarantees that they'll actually find an island full of hot mares who haven't seen a stallion in years, and Nick still won't get any because there's a reason why they don't need stallions...lesbians
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Twilight is a librarian. Of course she would say that.
This will end in tears. Of hilarity.
Oh, hush, Bablo Baggins.
Figures.
-Spirit (Yeast and Treacle)
Oh, please, as if you aren't just as interested in island mares, Dash.
5892492
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One should never underestimate the power of the Quest!
5892478 Feminist island?
Edit: Bad joke, I know.
Anybody else immediately see Morgan Freeman as Twilight Sparkle right then?
HAHAHAHAHAHAH~!
5892499
DOUBLE LOL!
wait a minute there rainbow...............how do ponies sun-tan? Wouldn't the fur just ah screw it, let's just say the can sun bathe.
Damnit it nick............actually, yeah, that'd probably work on me too
Grilled cheese is/was to Zaid as mares are to Nick
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There's quite a lot of flu types in Horseland, isn't there? It's probably all that magic.
Nice persuation idea, Twilight. Didn't know you had it in you.
Rainbow Dash is learning how to control Nick already, babes are to Nick what Cheese was to Zaid.
...Twi manipulating ponies through Dash...sneaky spirit.
-Memories given light, ease a lonely flight. Ynanhluutr.
Are we going to find another tropical pegasus sex crater out here?
I'm good with that
Oh, Nick....
5888248
All Hail the Master!
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5892478
So, noone will pay attention to Nick because every mare is going to be swooning around Rainbow Dash?
5892472 That just gave me a thought... If Dash is 'getting acquainted' with somepony and Twilight wakes up/comes out the pendant, things could get... awkward. And really confusing for whoever Dash is with at the time.
5892470
Nick is Zaid with brains.
That is in my head now.
DAMN you.
5892517
I'll out-bad-joke you if it helps you feel better.
5892595
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5892438
I resent this claim.
5892648
I celebrate this claim.
5892604
You're just jealous.
Typical stallion.
No, of course not. It's going to turn a ginormous dumb adventure thing!
Well, if the pegasus sex crater exists, it's easy to imagine more places like that.
5892447 I personally prefer Sandersonia. I find her weirdly cute.
Inb4 the island of Lesbos.
Ah, brave Nick. He's probably the only pony you could take to Durandana that wouldn't constantly be hit on.
Is it just me or does Nick [painfully] remind me a bit of Eagle Eye?
Nick Nick Nick... You wonderful, hopeless, adorkable, hopeless stallion.
Yes, now Nick is starting to show some promise!
Inb4 Nick stays until the end like Sancho Panza, awaiting his promised roll in the hay.
Nick's brain's dick is making him a far more likable character. Usually it's the opposite.
I wonder if Twilight know just how much Rainbow might like finding that...
Please don't try to hit on Dash, Nick, that'd be too awkward. Or hilarious. Do it.
Hopefully Twi and Dash can talk about Rainbow's secrets before getting to the other girls.
Otherwise things might be awkward.
5892517
It would have been alright of you said "femnazi," even though that's worse in some cases. It's better to separate the radical feminists from the genuine ones in the end, though, because not every feminist is attempting to overthrow the patriarchy and establish a matriarchy.
I swear, Rainbow's condition is going to become more and more obvious the farther along this journey we go. It begins with the small detail drops that Twilight doesn't know about and will definitely speak up about, and then it ends with Twilight witnessing one of Rainbow's dizzy spells. Simply put, there is no possibly way for Rainbow to hide her condition from the girls, especially Twilight. If Rainbow would just own up to that fact, then everyone will be far better off.
But dammit, I fear that Rainbow's hesitance at giving out all the information is going to be a hindrance just as Luna said.
A new recruit for the Noble Jury 2! The sequel is never as good.
5980613 The Noble Jury 2:Jury Nobler... Coming soon to a theater near you
Nick and Zaid seem to have more in common than the same amount of letters in their names ..