//------------------------------// // Chapter Two - Under Way // Story: Cruising // by Rose Quill //------------------------------// I reached over and poked Twilight. “We’re here, sleepyhead.” She cracked an eye open and looked around. “Huh?” I pointed out the window of the van, the cruise ship looming over the smaller buildings of the marina. “Looks impressive, doesn’t it?” She pushed her glasses up onto her forehead and wiped sleep sand from her eyes. “It looks massive,” she said after replacing the lenses and following my gaze. Shining Armor clicked on the overhead lights as he pulled into the parking lot. “Last stop, ladies,” he said, turning slightly in his seat. “Please make sure you have all your belongings and disembark at your earliest convenience. Thank you for patronizing Sparkle Cab Service.” I rolled my eyes while Twilight cocked her head at him. “Goofball,” she said. “Bookworm,” he threw back with a grin. We all climbed out of the van, collected our bags from the top and said our goodbyes to Shining Armor. I heard an annoyed grunt from Applejack as she hoisted the last bag from the luggage rack. “Consarn it, Rarity,” she said as she dropped the large suitcase to the ground. “We’re only gonna be gone a week!” “You expect me to survive a week without several changes of clothes?” The Fashionista looked horrified, turning her gaze on the rest of us. We all hefted our duffel bags, backpacks, or satchels. “Hmmph!” She pulled the handle out of her suitcase and started rolling it towards the embarkation ramp. “Wow!” Twilight said as she bounded into the stateroom, dropping her satchel by the door. “This is amazing!” I looked around, smiling a little myself. Outside of the two full-size beds, there was a large couch, a small refrigerator, and the attached bathroom had a large tub in it. Twilight went over by the porthole, staring out with the same grin I had seen on the train to Canterlot during Hearth’s Warming Eve. “Penny for your thoughts, Sunshine?” I said into the silence. “This is just so amazing. This is going to be such fun!” She turned to me, eyes wide. “When do we get to go swimming? Or would you rather catch a show? Should we get changed, or do we find the others first?” She picked up her bag and started digging through it. “Simmer down, Twilight,” I said with a laugh. “We haven’t even left port yet.” I started to unpack my duffel into one of the two closets, making sure to keep some items hidden from my hyper fiancé. “But there is a meet and greet in the main dining hall in about an hour.” “But what do we do until then?” she asked, unpacking like I had. I went over to her and wrapped my arms around her, nuzzling the back of her neck. “I can think of a few things,” I whispered in her ear before a yawn escaped. “A nap, for starters.” We missed the announcements, but the comfort of the room’s bed made up for it. We were making our way down to dinner when a voice called out. “Twilight? Is that you?” I turned to see a pair of girls running up to us. The blonde girl lowered her headphones as she got close, and her friend tossed her long white hair over her shoulder. “Lemon Zest? Sugarcoat?” Twilight took the hug in stunned silence from the blonde girl. “What are you two doing here?” “Taking a cruise,” Sugarcoat said. “Same as you.” Lemon grinned. “We’re gigging with one of the onboard bands for this run,” she explained. “It’s pretty good money, and we get to essentially go on a cruise and be paid to do it. We may not get to show it much since Cinch shut down the music program, but Sugar is a classically trainer pianist and I led the drum line when we had one.” Twilight shook off her surprise and gestured towards me. “You both remember Sunset Shimmer,” she said, flushing a little. “My fiancé,” she squeaked out in a voice that even Fluttershy would have found timid. Lemon Zest looked at her with a look of amazement, her grin growing. Sugarcoat just blinked for a moment. “Congratulations, Twilight!” Lemon said, pulling her into another hug. She looked at us both slyly, her smile turning a bit toothy. “Anything juicy to share?” she asked. Twilight turned red as I felt some heat rise in my face too, turning slightly and rubbing the back of my neck. “Lemon, you’re being a pest,” Sugarcoat said, her voice never varying in pitch. “While they look happy, I’m sure they aren’t as eager to share their exploits as you are for gossip.” She walked up and patted me on the back. “She’s doing better, but she still shouldn’t speak in public just yet.” She left, pulling Lemon Zest along with her. I looked at Twilight, who shared a shy smile. She then giggled. “What?” I said as we continued walking towards the dining room. “Nothing,” she said. “I just thought about Lemon meeting your sister Glory and the amount of gossip it could generate.” I pictured the two gossip hounds talking together and giggled too. “Let's not encourage them getting together, what do you say?” When we got to our destination, Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Rarity were already sitting down to eat and AJ and Dash were sauntering in from the other entrance. We hit the buffet and sat down. “So who got berthed with whom?” Twilight asked, adjusting her silverware on her tray as she crossed her legs. “I took the bunk with Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie,” Rarity said. “We have some simply wonderful ideas about how to spend the night tonight.” She was simply vibrating with excitement. “There’s a fashion show in one of the ballrooms tonight, showing some of the newest fashions out of Manehatten and Las Pegasus!” The amateur designer squealed with delight. “And afterward there’s a super-duper mega dance contest until midnight!” Pinkie swallowed a biscuit in a single bite. “And Fluttershy is going to be my dancing partner!” The shy girl flushed brightly but smiled excitedly. “We obviously got roomed together,” I said giving Twilight’s thigh a squeeze. “And that leaves AJ and Dash sharing a berth.” Silence descended on the table. “Oh my,” Fluttershy whispered, twirling her fingers in her long hair. “Is that a good idea?” “I’m sure it will be fine,” Twilight said as she started cutting one of her food choices into small bites. “Sure, they’re a little competitive with each other, but I’m certain they’ll set it aside for the time being.” “Wait an apple-pickin’ minute, missy” a voice called out. “I was reachin’ for that dish!” “Psh, ya snooze ya loose, apple-butt.” I looked at Twilight, feeling six other eyes lock on as well. She was blushing slightly, adjusting her glasses. “Annnnnnnny minute now,” she chuckled. We all laughed. I glanced at her dish. “That smells delicious, Twi,” I remarked. What did you get?” “A bit of roasted corn, some buttered potatoes, rice, and a quesadilla.”