“Did you really... honestly spend six whole hours shopping for coats and scarves today?” Josho asked.
Ebon Mane giggled while Eagle Eye blushed. The group of Jurists sat in a luxurious lounge besides a balcony overlooking the night-drenched capital. Specks of starlight blossomed across the veil of night in the distance. “Look, Ebon and I are going to be living someplace really... really cold for a while,” Eagle said. “I wanted to be prepared for the long haul up at Ether Point.”
“Yeah! Heehee!” Ebon smiled rosily. “With six different wardrobes!”
“Oh Eagle...” Bellesmith smiled coyly from where she sat beside Pilate and Kera. “I do hope the two of you come to visit often. I'm going to miss you being you.”
Eagle pouted, his lavender cheeks growing red. “So... s-so what if I like winter gear?” He shuddered while Ebon nuzzled him. “All the cloaks, gloves, and furs?” He shrugged. “It's one of the few occasions I have to truly... truly accessorize.”
“Heeheehee!” Props giggled, winking at the others. “I guess if EE stayed here in the desert, he would have built up a collection of multi-colored pith helmets!”
Eagle bit his lip. “...who says I haven't thought of it?”
“More power to you both,” Zaid said, sitting beside Props. “Living in a place that cold would drive me mad.”
“It won't be that bad,” Ebon Mane said with a shrug. “When we're not keeping watch over Mother, we'll be certain to improve the facility in any way we can. According to the llamas' latest report, they dug pretty deep into the mountain, creating a supply station. We could dig further, providing Val Roa with a spacious interior for storing tools on future expeditions.”
“Assuming King Lunarius ever decides to fund a project that utilizes skystone deposits, then that just might be feasible,” Roarke said.
Booster Spice squinted. “Wouldn't that create a conflict with the Lounge?”
Roarke calmly replied from where she stood along the fringes of the room. “I'll be an intercessor, if need be.”
“Roarke Most Rare,” Pilate remarked with a grin. “Ever the wise ambassador.”
“Feh... so long as somepony else is,” Kera muttered.
Belle glanced aside at her. “No longer fond of the royal princess treatment? You do realize that you've earned enough favor with the Val Roan Monarchy to practically become the real thing.”
“Yeah!” Props waved her hooves in the air. “'Duchess Kera Tin Mehjj of Xona!'” She giggled. “Has a nice ring to it, ya think?”
“Yeah, if you like cracked dumbbells,” Josho belched.
“Ugggh...” Kera shuddered from head to tail. “No thank you.”
“Awwwwwww...” Props cooed. “But you make for such a cute, tattooed dollll!”
“It's not the dresses n'junk,” Kera muttered. “I'm just sick and tired of that little fawn leaning on me all the time.”
“Who, Prince Eine?” Pilate grinned. “He does seem rather fond of you.”
“And, judging from the King's rugged looks...” Belle leaned in to nuzzle the filly. “I'm certain he'll grow into quite the handsome buck someday.”
“Ewww! Quit it!” Kera batted Belle's cheek away like a fussing feline, shivering all over as she stuck her tongue out. “I swear, I'd be better off living with the turtles!”
“Uh oh!” Props giggled again. “Somepony has a secret crush!”
“I do not!” Kera stomped her hoof, though she couldn't stop the redness spreading between her muzzle-lines.
“Hrmmmph...” Roarke folded her forelimbs as she sat back on her haunches. “...breeders.”
“Yeah!” Kera mimicked the Searonese mare's pose. “What she said!”
“Perhaps it's a good thing Roarke's taking an extended leave,” Pilate remarked. “Or else Kera might find it fashionable to start replacing her organs with mana-devices.”
“Hey!” Kera grinned wide. “That would be cool!”
Roarke's blue eyes squinted. “Would you be so kind as to procure the alcohol for dipping the bone saws in, child?”
Kera nearly wretched. “Uhhhh... on second thought...” She swiveled towards Belle. “Up for shopping for dresses sometime soon?”
Belle laughed merrily. The chuckles echoed across the room as Zaid, Props, Ebon and Eagle Eye joined in.
This was what Rainbow Dash trotted in on. The petite pegasus stood upon the edge of the lounge, gazing at all of the chatting, laughing ponies sitting together. She placed down Luna's satchel as well as the bag of items Arcanista had just given her. Free of the weight, she leaned against a bronze pillar. A heavy sigh escaped her lips, meanwhile her ruby eyes darted from face to warm face.
Soon, Rainbow's vision fogged. Her ears folded back as a misty cloud spread across her eyes. She sniffled more than once, shivering slightly.
At last—after glancing and past Roarke—she clenched her jaw tight. The pony inhaled deeply, flexed her wing muscles, then trotted straight forward, sporting a devilish smirk.
“Why the hay is everypony sitting around doing nothing?!” her voice cracked. “Did Zaid finally eat up all the grilled cheese?”
Booster turned and grinned. “Hey! Rainbow!”
“Rainbow Dash!” Kera trotted over on rapid legs and gave Rainbow's chest a gleeful nuzzle. “Where've you been all day?”
“Where else, squirt?” Rainbow reached a hoof down and ruffled the filly's emerald mane. “Learning some awesome stuff about the Grand Choke.”
“Awesome?” Kera leaned back, blinking. “How?”
“'Cuz I'll be the first and only pegasus to scale it.” Rainbow winked. “That's how.” She flapped her wings and hovered in the center of the group. “When I'm done with this part of the world, they're gonna be calling it the 'Grand Chump,' I swear to Luna!”
“Hahaha!” Zaid slapped his knee. “You and only you, Rainbow!”
“Arcanista hooked you up, I take it?” Josho asked.
“And how!” Rainbow winked. “Or, if I felt stupid, I could eat myself to death with a bunch of uber bread crumbs. But that'd be pretty anticlimactic, don't you think?”
“I'd say!” Props said. “Have a squat, Dashie!”
“First thing's first...” Rainbow gestured wildly with her hooves. “Where's the cider?”
“The servants brought some about an hour ago,” Pilate said, gesturing in the general direction of a table in front of him and Belle. “We didn't bother partaking yet because... well...”
“That's okay, Stripesy.” Rainbow winked, nevertheless dashing forward and lifting a pitcher. “I wouldn't drink without me either.” A slight giggle, and then she pivoted about. “Say... where's Floydien and Midnite?”
“Beats me,” Booster Spice said, shrugging. “Floydien's been out and about on his own all over the place.”
“Midnite's probably visiting her father,” Ebon Mane spoke up. “Saikano's volunteered to accompany us and Mother on the way to settling at Ether Point.”
“Should be one heck of a cold trip,” Eagle Eye added, resting a forelimb around Ebon's side. “Nothing a good bit of snuggling inside our tents can't fix.”
“EE...” Ebon blushed, fidgeting in protest. “Must you...?”
“Yes.” Eagle nuzzled Ebon's cheek, smirking. “I must.”
“Hmmff...” Josho smirked, leaning against a pillar. “That's the Princess I raised...”
“Don't give yourself too much credit, old stallion.”
“Whelp...” Rainbow Dash poured herself a cup of cider and raised the glass. “Guess it's Floydien's and Midnite's loss, eh? Let's drink to the stars.”
“Sure thing!” Props lunged for her own glass.
“Uhm...” Booster Spice blinked under his goggles. “Why the stars?”
“Because there're so dang many of them, ya fuzzhead!” Rainbow stuck her tongue out. In her peripheral vision, she spotted an ice-cold pair of blue eyes staring her way. She gave Roarke a distant smirk, then raised her glass. “So... y'know... to skies red and gold... the evenings and dawns that brought us together more times than they spread us apart.”
“To the Noble Jury!” Zaid shouted, raising his glass.
Belle and Pilate joined in, followed by Eagle Eye, Ebon Mane, and the rest. “To the Noble Jury.” And they all took liberal sips.
Roarke took a deep breath, gazing melancholically beyond the star-kissed balcony. “Amen...”
That's my title, step off, son.
5639232
Swannie, there's yer damn Kereine.
(Edit- Called it)
This comment made me realize that there won't be any Luna's Guidance on the dark side.
Rainbow Dash, for the first time, will have all connection with her homeland cut.
Her last conversation had better be worthy of song.
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5297657
Feels are inbound, but good feels. Happy feels. Leaving, but with hope, not dread. It will be sad, yes, and the end of an era. But while the ship may be gone...
The Jury sails on.
And so does the SS KerEine. Twenty five and twenty five, ):(. Knock 'em out!
Just enjoy the moment.
5639245 Don't panic.
Amen.
pinkie.ponychan.net/chan/files/src/133912013031.gif
5639224
They don't have to be worthy of song, just sincere, if your supposition is correct.
5639271
Oddly gives me a feeling of bittersweet nostalgia.
5639271 Aw mare. This is the gif I used to toss at all my newly-converted brony friends back in the day. So many memories.
better say our farewells to these characters while we still can. we probably won't see them for...a very long time.
5639270
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Awaiting Rainbow-Versus-Shark action in the Choke Sea.
5639278
As Roarke most aptly put it, Amen to that.
5639276
The man, the myth... the legend.
Where've you been?(and welcome back!)
5639232 Hey, it didn't take long for you to show up!
Here, this is for when ):( further crushes your hopes:
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Would ponies really wear gloves? Unless if EE is constantly standing up (i.e. in a bipedal fashion), then shouldn't they be boots?
(Quickly tries to come up with a quip aimed at Swan Song)
Fimfiction really needs a cider emoticon for things like this.
Gonna miss these characters.
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5639232
Yeah, that was a really nice touch.
Too bad we'll never get to see it happen.
Dash better enjoy the last meal with her friends.
Hopefully they all give her some gifts to see her off like the Crusaders did.
-Treachery and deceit, kingdom of conceit Yaerfaerda.
Hmm come to think of it would pony gloves actually be considered socks?
Time to enjoy the last of the long sweet goodbyes.
So many warm, bittersweet fuzzies.
Also, Rainbow ought to tear another one off with Roarke before she goes. Y'know, for the road.
Excuse me while I cry myself to sleep now...
Or maybe I should save my tears. They haven't said goodbye quite yet
Am I the only one wanting RD to hurry up and talk to Luna so she can get going across the Grand Choke already? No? Oh well... All hail Zadubadabu, for it is written "Zadubadabu is love, Zadubadabu is life."
Early versions of the My Little Pony total conversion for Dwarf Fortress had ponies wearing gloves on their horns & mouths. Handwear goes on anything with [GRASP]. That's how I'm imagining EE: a glove stuck on his horn, all but one of the fingers flapping free.
5639232 Congrats! The Keraine Train rolls on afterall
5639271 By Luna, the feels have been doubled.
(Raises a glass)
The night before the lone journey is filled with lies and false hope... May your god bless you, for it is the only true blessing you can receive when faced with death's icy grip.
While they were eating, she said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me."
Do not go gentle into that good night
The longer the quiet continues, the stronger the storm will blow. Thankfully we are dealing with a direct descendant of a Hurricane here.
5639291 I'm holding out hope for "flashback" chapters where we check in on the non sequitur antics of the Jurists for comedic effect.
Aaaand the Keraine train is officially back on track and stronger than ever!
Hear, hear!
I thought it was sad enough that we be having The Last Supper,
but then the radio was playing.
Enola Gay.
Don't think Floydien is leaving so soon...
I have got to start making a habit of reading the chapters each day, I have been inactive on the site as of late... Regardless, I do hope that Luna has something to say soon, one last farewell before the journey across the grand choke, and it is possible that Dash will reach the dark side before the next full moon.
5641305
Were you even paying attention to the part about the Grand Choke, the Great Sea, and then Verlaxion?
Yaerfaerda takes place over the course of several days, so we may very well have just missed the full moon, but for the sake of the novel? I'm willing to bet that Rainbow will be talking with Luna before long.
5639232
Keraine eh? Will be interesting to see if this ship goes anywhere as the story looks to be moving on from these characters.
5639698
(also raises a glass)
To the Jury!
To clear skies and fair winds!
To friends lost and friends found!
To families made and bonds forged anew!
To the jurists, both present and those far away!
Goodbye, farewell, amen.
Aww too many goodbyes...
so, Luna tho
The final throes of goodbye approach. No more dancing around it. The flight approaches. :resignedlunahere:
-Spirit
Pilate, if you can't pull off that pun, you aren't fit to be a father.
5842136 Bravo! I completely missed that!
To the Jury indeed. It may be a black smear on a now-barren mountain side in the Val Roa wilderness, but it shall continue to fly on. From now till the Midnight Armory.
To the Jury!
Though hell will bar the way, may the winds carry you swiftly through to the light of another day
To the Jury.
Screw it moving the finished post here, it fits here better.
To the Noble Jury and her noble crew,
A finer family we never knew,
Ever onward and eastward they flew
as They laughed, and cried, fought and grew,
The Noble Jury and her noble crew.
The Noble Jury Was a noble lot,
And lessons of kindness and peace they taught,
Against darkness and villains and chaos they fought.
For peace and harmony Was all that they sought,
For the Noble Jury was a noble lot.
The Noble Jury faced its noble end,
A final Battle beside lovers and friends,
Though the day was won in Val Roas defense,
Her hull would be shattered and lost to the winds,
When the Noble Jury met it's noble end.
To the Noble Jury and her noble crew,
Alongside Austraeoh, they all proudly flew,
But now they retire homes and families renewed,
Though with her forever their hearts remain true,
Farewell to The Jury, and her grand noble crew.
To the noble jury and her noble crew may their legend live on forever.
6086781 a wonderful ode to a wonderful crew.
6086781 extra awesome poem
To the Jury!
To the Jury!
One last drink, my friends!