"We'll have to live from household to household at first," Pilate said, his voice gently reverberating off the bulkheads of the mess hall of the Noble Jury. He tood at the end of the long table besides Bellesmith. Kera sat at the table right before the couple—now an unabashed family of three. "Beau and several other villagers have already offered to lend us space. But as the months go by, we'll see about having a new cabin built."
"One closer towards the lake," Bellesmith said with a smile. "It's been a long time since these ponies have had a practiced scientist in their midst." She giggled slightly. "I think I could do some much needed tests on the mineral content of their local rivers and streams—figure out a way to get the most healthy catch of fish." She motioned with her head out a nearby porthole. "In addition to that, the meteorology of this valley is amazing. I would very much like to make at least one expedition to the northern mountains to see how the skystone is collected."
"Isn't that—like—super dangerous?" Kera looked up with a squeak.
"I'll be certain to venture out with experienced ponies, darling."
"Nah, I was just wondering if I could come with you!"
Belle and Pilate chuckled.
"And I... uhm..." The zebra thought aloud. "I have quite a wealth of knowledge concerning the Ledomaritan Confederacy and the history of the underlying regions just west of here. Presuming the two empires agree to open up trade as swiftly as they have the cease-fire, I could be of great assistance with communicating with potential merchants of the west."
"You're certain you won't come under attack by the Council of Ledo?" Josho asked, squinting from where he stood with the rest of the crew around the table, eyes glued to the three ponies. "They're not easily forgetful—or forgiving."
"If you ask me, the Confederacy has a lot more on their minds right now," Ebon Mane spoke up. "If this is indeed a demilitarize zone, I think they'd be risking a lot by sending spies in to grab random citizens."
"Not to mention the bits involved!" Props exclaimed with a gasp. "I know it sounds super nasty, but Gray Smoke isn't going to enjoy peace time. Prices for services in the floating city will spike, and I think most of East Ledomare is gonna have a busy enough time tackling that little kerfluffle!"
"We've considered any and all precautions," Belle said. "Pilate and I have agreed some identity change is in order."
"Identity change?!" Floydien's brow furrowed. "Boomers will switch the boom?"
"More or less," Pilate said. "I could very easily sacrifice O.A.S.I.S. in a heartbeat and change my name."
"You've got an idea?" Ebon asked.
"Indeed." Pilate nodded. "'Kramer.'"
Ebon made a face. "What's that? A fish?"
"Ahem... it's the name of my long lost brother."
"Oh! R-right..." Ebon cleared his throat and blushed slightly. "Might I suggest 'Goldberg' instead?"
"You may not."
Props giggled. "Tell us your new name, Belle! Tell us yours!"
The mare chuckled. "I haven't quite figured that part out yet." She ran a hoof over her short hair. "A new mane color might seal the deal in my case."
"Might wish to file that horn stub of yours down to the skull," Josho grumbled.
"Mr. Josho..." Pilate sighed.
The obese stallion shrugged. "Just sayin'. You should just as well go all out."
"Have her wear a hat the whole time!" Zaid said from across the room. He smirked. "A village like this could never use too many ponies with hats!"
Kera giggled and looked up at Bellesmith. "By the way, can we keep him too?"
"Unless the fish in these lakes can be milked, I'm sorry to disappoint you, kid," Zaid said. He smirked as he faced the two adults above her. "I gotta say, it seems like you made the right decision here."
"Hmmmmm?" Pilate looked up.
"What I think ZZ means is the best decision for you!" Props said.
"'ZZ?'" Zaid's muzzle scrunched up.
"We're just glad that you're all understanding about this," Bellesmith said. "We've been through so much, and we would very much like to see you all find a peaceful place to settle."
"But at the same time..." Pilate paused to shrug, then said, "We've only ever been searching for a home. For us, it's here, where Kera belongs." He grinned. "For we belong with her."
"Yeah, well, you guys better get a cabin built soon!" Kera folded her forelimbs with a pretend pout. "I didn't leave Blue Nova so I could sleep in the rain all over again!"
Belle rolled her eyes. "I seriously doubt any of Hap's neighbors here would do such a thing to us."
"You really think you can trust these boomers?" Floydien asked, his antlers sparkling at the tips. The large elk fidgeted where he sat. "They are just so full of mirth and grin grin. It scares Floydien."
"I never once figured it was the home for you, friend." Pilate strolled over and placed a hoof on the elk's shoulder. "The winds wouldn't be kind to Nancy Jane here. However, if you wanted to settle—"
"Unspit it!" Floydien frowned. "Floydien wishes to throws as much distance dust between Floydien and stabby stabby. Another continent awaits beloved womb and steam glowing. Floydien simply..." The elk's nostrils flared. "...simply did not expect to be traversing the cold space without striped boomer to guide him."
"You most certainly won't be without a guide, Mr. Floydien," Pilate said. "Rainbow Dash will be scouting ahead of the ship constantly, helping each of you find places beyond the Frozen Sea to settle. And as for replacing me as a navigator, you can always rely on Josho's veteran experience, not to mention Eagle Eye's trained vision."
"That's for darn sure," Josho said with a smirk. "As bothered as I am to see two damn fine ponies and their scamp draw anchor, I'm more than rearing to buck this place behind me and find a decent place to retire." He turned and smirked across the table. "How 'bout it, fruit basket?" He blinked, and his brow furrowed.
"Eagle...?" Ebon murmured, resting a hoof on the young stallion's shaking shoulder.
Eagle Eye had his head pressed to the table top. He trembled, his lungs hiccuping between each breaths. "I'm okay! I-I'm h-happy for you guys..." He sniffled and whimpered. "Really, I am..."
"Eagle Eye..." Pilate muttered.
"Oh darling," Belle cooed. "Please, do not make this any harder than it actually is—"
He gazed up, his face red and his eyes a teary mess. "I just... j-just didn't think it'd be so soon, y'know?" He bit his lip, producing a weak smile as tears trickled down his lavender muzzle. "I had dreams of finding a village... or a place besides a city... or even a farm to settle. But..." He gritted his teeth and mewled, "This is just too close to home, you guys. I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry... b-but I have to keep moving." He gulped. "I have to keep flying east with Rainbow Dash. Please... please d-don't hate me for not staying as well."
"Oh Eagle Eye..." Belle smiled gently.
"We expected you to continue your journey, Eagle," Pilate said. "We'll be happy to know that you're still working towards a bright and promising future."
"Really?" Eagle Eye rubbed his face with a forelimb, smiling bitterly. "Will you r-really?"
With a motherly grin, Belle trotted to the edge of the table and spread her forelimbs. "Come here."
Ebon stepped back, giving Eagle Eye room to slide out of his chair then scamper down the mess hall. He practically collapsed in Belle's forelimbs as the mare hugged him gently, stroking his shoulder and back.
"I love you g-guys so much!" Eagle Eye whimpered into her arms. "Belle, so beautiful—with a voice like a song! Pilate, so handsome and inspiring! Kera, such a bundle of adoracute j-joy..."
"Hmmm-Heeheehee..." Belle sniffled before leaning down to nuzzle his folded ears. "You've practiced this speech before, haven't you, darling?"
He squeaked, shaking. "Far t-too many times than I could count..." Ebon chuckled from the other end of the room while Props let loose a prolonged, teary squeal.
"We'll never forget you, Eagle Eye," Pilate said as he trotted over to rub a gentle hoof in the ex-mercenary's shoulder. "Nor what Crimson and Phoenix have done for us."
"I... I-I always feared..." Eagle Eye sobbed and whimpered, "Th-that Foxtaur was the w-worst thing to ever happen to you two..."
"And yet it was the best," Belle said. "All things work for a reason." She lifted his muzzle so that she could smile face-to-face. "If it weren't for you, I'd never have met Kera, and we'd never have given her the future that she deserves."
He gulped, lips quivering. "Really?"
"Mmmm..." Belle nodded. She leaned forward and delicately kissed his foread besides his horn before stroking his mane. "Fate has something good in store for you and your future, too, EE. I'm sure of it."
Eagle Eye smiled, his cheeks warm as he grasped both Belle's and Pilate's hooves. "I'll be happy, wherever I am, just to know that you guys got the peace and tranquility you deserved."
"Yes, well, we all have Rainbow Dash to thank for that."
"Heh... small world, huh?"
The group chuckled once more, leaning in to nuzzle each other for the time they had left to afford it.
At the far end of the table, Roarke sat the entire time, her forelimbs folded as she leaned her bare brown body against a bulkhead behind her. She took a deep breath, then noticed a streak of movement out the nearby porthole. Her eye-lenses rotated as she gazed out, peering beyond the fogged up glass.
Outside the Noble Jury, hovering parallel, Rainbow Dash gazed at the faces inside the mess hall. After a minute or two, she took a deep breath, flapped her wings, and pulled herself into a leisurely flight, cycling through the gray drizzle of Lerris. She banked north, gliding faster against the moist valley winds as she passed over the lakes and rivers below.
If she flew fast enough, it almost dried the tears forming along her lashes. She would be out there for several hours. Alone.