//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1 
// Story: On the Night Sun 
// by Toraka 
//------------------------------//

"Gah, don't tell me there are still no jobs to be done. The Night Sun has been anchored for like two weeks now!" The grey mare slammed her hooves onto the desk in front of her and laid her head into them. "I need to earn my living. I'll even do taxi jobs if I have to."

"It has been three days since you came. Try to have a bit of patience, Daylight." The harbormaster gently pushed her off of his desk. Instead, she laid back over the back of her chair. "As it happens though, an offer bearing your name came in. Four explorers from Ponyville ask for transport into the southern jungle and through its river network. Expected duration is a few weeks, here is the map they sent."

Daylight snapped back to attention and leaned forward to read the map. "Hm, this is right in the outs where even the rivers are barely charted. Yay, adventure! Tell them I'm in." She took the documents and stood up, moving towards the small office's door.

"If things go well, it looks like they can arrive tomorrow." He opened the door with a bit of magic. "As always, the captain provides the supplies included in the price. The villages marked on the map can restock you if you are not picky. Be prepared."

"When am I not?" She stepped out into the open. At last the sound of the waves returned to her. Though the sun was high, the air was still cool as it blew past the city's spires. Spring was coming, but only coming. At least the heat in the jungle would be bearable. She was glad the harbour was set at the east end of the city, far from the buildings that only stole warmth from each other. She was technically registered as living in the city, but would never enter it as long as the more open shore area gave her everything she needed. When she could sleep on her ship, why should she pay somepony else to give her a bed while she was on land? Popping out of her thought, Daylight realised she had no idea when the explorers would arrive. It would likely be early in the morning. She would need to refuel the Night Sun and buy plenty of food without delay. Thus, she stopped going into the opposite direction and headed towards the supply store.

It was a small storefront filled with large bags of storable food that greeted her each time she entered, but she knew the storage area in the back made up in size. No true seapony ever ate much anyway. "Aye,"  came from the front as she was pondering whether to give in to the biscuits again. "You just missed Crystal. Need another cheap meal or are you heading out?"

With a final burst of willpower, she tore herself away from the cookie shelf and walked up to the counter. "Rob, I'm on commission again. Four to feed for a few weeks, they said." She slid the documents over the counter for him to read. "What is Crystal Focus up to, anyway? I haven't managed to catch her in ages."

"Something about Jet and finding her true destiny," he said as his eyes ran down the list of specifications. "You'll need a lot. I will have it delivered to you later today." He looked up to find Daylight not meeting his gaze. "Wake up, nutshell captain! I'm fairly certain Jet is taken already, handsome as he is."

"A filly can dream! Which I did not!" She attempted a quick spell to hide the colour that was certainly creeping to her face, but found herself as incapable as always. "Put the stuff on my tab, looks like this will have a big payout. The Night Sun is docked in the same spot as always." She took back the map, but not the other documents. He would have more use for them.

"Gods watch over you. It's a messy place where you're going, full of beasts and wild magic." He produced a checklist and filled in numbers.

"There is only one god, and his name is Death." The biscuit shelf beckoned again. Trying not to think of her weight, she magicked one of the packages from there onto the counter.

He made it disappear below. The message was clear. "And there is only one thing we say to him: Not today!"  He patted her on the shoulder as she was already turning away. "Do not forget that."

"Aye." She left the shop and headed towards the actual docks, to the Night Sun. She could not be left without her ship for too long; Land was far too steady for her liking. Once she had done all business back at the Night Sun, there would be nothing else remaining but to wait for the explorers. Perhaps she could practice some of her magic, as a proper unicorn should in any opportune moment.

On the way home, she had encountered a stand selling slices of cake to raise money for charity. Knowing that her money was put to better use feeding orphan foals gave her a fuzzy feeling as she strid along the pier. The chocolate cake probably helped, too. Perhaps it was too warm to spend the entire day in tight cabins and corridors. She threw the map onto whatever surface was closest inside the helm and hopped back off of the Night Sun. The waves called to her, and she knew the perfect spot to embrace them.





Daylight wrapped up and tossed aside the towel she had used to dry her golden mane. It would dry eventually, once she hung it up sometime in the future. It was not important right then. For the moment, she grabbed the roof of the helm cabin - the highest point on the Night Sun - and pulled herself up. Despite the city being so close, the stars were once again painted into the sky with their full glory. Sailors had always relied on the stars to guide them when they were in need of guidance; Why should she behave any differently? The sky was an empty canvas waiting to connect pictures and host dreams. She was glad for every second she could spend with it. Each night she would go to sleep, and each day the stars would stay with her when no one else would. Orion and Nylea had come out again. Perhaps she could follow their hunt on the journey southwards. What differed hunting nyxborn beasts or ancient magicka, anyway?