//------------------------------// // Exploration // Story: Songs of the Siren // by Silver Inkwell //------------------------------// Chapter Ten: Exploration Forrest was on a quest for love and it was just as simple as that. He knew that he loved Lily, but did she return his affection? He didn't know, and that was slowly driving him insane. Even Sebastian was becoming concerned at this point. “Sir, you need to calm down,” he would always say. “Calm down? But why? I’m so happy right now Sebastian.” "Yes, you are, and I am truly happy for you. But could you please keep it down for me and the guests?" “I really don’t know, I could, but I just don’t want to.” Sebastian sighed very heavily, “Very well then sir, I shall try to explain your nature to them better in the future,” he said. “Thank you. Now, I would like today to be one of great fun and adventure."     "Alright, that can be arranged. If you have a desired location in mind, of course." Forrest put a hoof to his chin and pondered this for a while. After a few minutes, his eyes lit up in inspiration. "I have no idea," He said with a grin. "Let's just have fun, shall we?" Sebastian sighed resisting the urge to hoof-face himself, “Yes sir, but might I remind you that your next birthday is coming up soon?” “Yes, I already know that, I just hope that I get to see Lily on my birthday.” "You can dream and wish for it all you like, just don't let it turn into hope."   “Well I hope that wherever my heart takes me that I won’t be led astray. But come now, make some preparations, I feel like sailing today.” For no real reason, he went over to the balcony edge of his window and started singing because he feeling so happy.  “Look at the sea, my friend, look at its waves, does it ever really end?” “Sir, I think that you’re taking this just a bit too far,” Sebastian said. “Nonsense. Now then, the sea, yes, it does have many wonders, yet for me it hold freedom, an escape from reality, no more lies, only the truth. Feel the win at your back, there’s no real reason to stay here anymore, so let the waves devour you instead. Be consumed by fear and the darkness of shadows no more, forget the past, and instead just let the waves roll over you to let them eat the pain away. No more fear, only the soft embrace of love, do you hear its whisper? Its very soft sweet voice, you can hear it call if you will only take the time to listen to its song.” “Sir, I think that it’s quite time that you take a break already.” “No, nonsense, don't be so silly or ridiculous. Now then, I know it’s just a little bit crazy for a pony like me, yes, a prince, royalty, to be in love so much with the sea. But what can I say except that I want more? I know that there’s more that’s out there, so much stuff to learn, so many things to collect, and I just want to see it all. It doesn’t really matter what I have so long as I can finally see it all.” “I think that the sea salt has driven you quite insane, sir.” “Hey, that’s okay, maybe I’m crazy, but I’m in love with the sea, oh yes, because I know that there’s that one perfect mare that’s out there just for me. And it’s not on land where I will find her my friend, but deep down below in the very great depths below, to where no ships have ever seen before, to where no sailor knows. An expanse so great that no pony can ever possibly measure it. Oh yes, that’s the place for me, because it doesn’t really matter what I do so long as I see it all, because now all I really want is just to go out there and sail my pain away. No more fear, only the hope and warm loving light of the day to guide me onwards. Forward with my dream until my wish is finally granted at last.” “Sir, isn’t it about time that you just give it a break?” “No way, I won’t ever give up and I won’t ever say that it’s just too much for me because I know that I can go the distance. I can sail far away until no pony else can see me, and on to a world unknown, to a land no pony knows, until the friend of all of us finally comes to collect my soul for the life that I have lived.” “You mean your friend death?” Sebastian said very slightly shocked and surprised “Yes, that’s right my friend, but now I think that it’s time that I sail far away, it’s just the right time to leave this place behind and forget the memories of the past until yesterday is no more and only tomorrow will lie ahead instead.” “Sir, just take a break, lie down and then all will be well and fine.” “Yes, it will be, because I will always have the sea to be very near to me.” And with that said Forrest lay his head and body down on his bed. “Good night sir, sleep well and tomorrow there will be adventure for you.” Sebastian slowly left the room, making sure to close the door behind him very carefully so he wouldn't disturb Forrest, who now had a smile on his face as he drifted off to sleep). Forrest slowly woke up to the morning sun and quickly went downstairs to greet Sebastian. “Good morning friend, I’m ready to go and explore,” he said. “Yes sir, I can tell,” Sebastian said. "Alright, let's go then," he said grabbing what he needed, but then, feeling like something was off, decided to grab some wax, after all, you never knew. They ate breakfast very quickly and then Sebastian took him down to the docks where the sailors were already waiting for them. “Well hello there, how’s the business going?” “Very well, now that you’re here with us,” one sailor said. “What’s your name?” “Aquis, sir, or at least, my nickname is,” he said. “Yeah, and I’m Salamander,” another sailor said. “Where’s the captain?” "Here," said one pony. "And my name's not important for now, so just call me 'Captain'." “Very well then, let’s be off, shall we?” Forrest said. “Yes, let’s,” the Captain said. And so it was that they all got on the ship (which was already prepared to go) and they soon departed for their adventure. But after a while they began to grow bored, or, rather, the sailors did. However, nothing short of death could take away Forrest's excitement. “I can’t wait until we finally find something fun,” he said. “Yes sir,” Sebastian said. After Sebastian had spoken, Forrest heard something. Something that sounded like angels singing. Forrest nearly started walking topside before he remembered the warning and stuffed wax into his ears. "Sebastian," He started. "Put this in your ears, quickly!" As the ship drew closer to the singing, Forrest and Sebastian remained unaffected. But the same could not be said for the crew, they all leaned over the rail of the ship, but, thanks to the protective spell, didn't leap over the side. But out of nowhere, a fierce storm came upon them. "What? That storm's not supposed to happen today," Sebastian commented. "That's because it was the sea king who created it, not the weather ponies." Forrest replied. "I wonder why?" “Probably because he’s very angry right now if I were to guess.” “Well then, let’s get out of it, shall we?” said Sebastian. “Yes, let’s do that,” Forrest said, trying to steer the ship. But it was no use, as the wheel suddenly spun out of control and lightning somehow managed to hit them, causing the ship to ignite. “Everypony abandon ship right now! Get off!” Forrest shouted. The sailors promptly followed his command. “I won’t leave you sir!” Sebastian shouted. “Then you’ll just have to go down with me and this ship!” Forrest shouted back. “No, I’m going to save your life.” Suddenly Sebastian punched Forrest in the face knocking him out. “This is for your own good sir,” he said leaping off the ship’s edge. Though Sebastian struggled to do so, he managed to get everyone to the safety of home. Eventually, Forrest woke up and groaned, "Well, I think that's enough adventure for today." "I thought so, too. Good night, sir," Sebastian yawned. "Sebastian," Forrest started. "Did you happen to hear what the Sirens sing about?" "No, sir, I didn't." 'Oh well, it will simply stay a mystery for now,' Thought Forrest as Sebastian left the room. Forrest's mind slowly wandered off while his imagination ran free until, at last, he fell into a deep slumber. (or something like that).