//------------------------------// // Luau // Story: Gulliver's Last Travel // by Boss_Hoss1 //------------------------------// Gulliver's Last Travel Chapter 4; The Luau By Boss Hoss Captain's logbook, H.M.S. Alicorn August 16, 1720 ~Anno Domini (Mid-day to Evening) Luau! The herd sang and leapt like dolphins across the waves as they raced off to spread the invitation. Luau! The few Pegasi on the island picked up the cry, scattering ahead of the Hippocampi like brilliant flocks of birds. Luau! Word spread to the farthest islets of the Gallopacos chain in under an hour. Luau! Sails and rainbow flocks, or herds actually, winged their way to Windy Corral. Sails soon revealed the boats beneath them. -Boats from small coastal sailboats and catamarans, and other odd craft. -On up to a couple of Sloops, and a battered old Lugger. There was even a strange colored board as long as a canoe, as I had seen at some South Seas islands, but with a tiny mast on it manned by a grinning orange pony. This he sailed by balancing on his hind legs and holding a cane bar attached to the sail for a yardarm and a handle. This wild maned pony did the most astonishing tricks on the waves as if he himself were a Hippocampus instead of an Earth Pony on a carved board. My children were fascinated, but I pray not enough to ask to try it… To my shock, teams of winged pegasi presented themselves to me and volunteered to lift my horses from the hold. In an amazingly short time, the two horses had been hoisted in net slings from the depths of the ship all the way to the shore, each by a pair of the winged ponies. Good Lord! What strength these Pegasi have! We all watched in rising joy as Angus and Daisy ran up and down the beach like foals, splashing in the surf. Beyond the lagoon, the boats were grounding on the beaches, and some of the smaller ponies joining in the antics of my horses, with a growing number of bare-flanked foals racing with them, made conspicuous by the absence of those markings. Now that there were more of these ponies arriving, I could see the pictures I had dismissed as decorative brands or tattoos on their flanks were on every adult pony, even the Hippocampi. This was more than merely decoration. I knew I must ask the next pony to come to me, and with a curious sense of timing, Rumrunner and a wizened old zebra stallion trotted up to me. A zebra, who even himself had an abstract version of these marks on his flanks made of stripes! I had to wonder what other surprises this island had for me. Surprisingly, the perpetually wobbly stallion motioned for me to bow to the old zebra and whispered < Ay Mate, this old bloke is the Shaman what lives on the North end o’ the island, an’ the unofficial leader of Windy Corral. Best hoof forward, Mate! > Hurriedly, I dropped to one knee and took off my hat in salute. At least I had left my coat onboard as it was already so warm here. The extra weight would have been awkward in that pose. < Greetings, Sir. I am Captain Lemuel Gulliver of the good ship Alicorn. I hail from England and bid you greetings. > Curious, the elderly stallion leaned on his gnarled staff and watched how I moved, then grinned broadly, one tooth replaced with gold. < Greetings, Friend Gulliver, many greetings! I am named Zeram, of the Clan Quickstride. But, called “Old Stripy” in most proceedings. > Peering at me, the zebra motioned for me to sit, and began to examine me once I did. < Young Rumrunner came to me today. Talk of Luau, and a patient most brave -Like apes we have out Unyasi way. I agree that for him, you I would save. > Amused at his speech, I bore the examination. < I myself am a Doctor, but yours’ is a second opinion that I hope can make a difference. > By now the zebra had opened my shirt and held his ear to my chest. < A stallion of learning and a sea captain too. Glad I am you also have an open mind and true. > I coughed politely as he lifted my left hand and shook it in a wave that went through to my right hand. < Perhaps you might answer some questions as you examine me, Zeram. I have noticed these odd marks on all you equines. They cannot all be brands, or tribal tattoos like I saw upon the Maori natives. Whence did they come? What do they mean? > Rumrunner chuckled < Are ye serious mate? Ye don’t have Cutie Marks where ye are from? > Raising a brow, Zeram brayed softly to himself in wonder in whatever language zebra possess here, then spoke in equine; < Ai? Tis’ true? Your kind do not bear Harmony Marks? …Do you? > Here he pointed to Rumrunner’s flank. < Look here, Sir! His is a bottle of Rum! His Cutie Mark is a life calling, not dumb. Making, selling and sneaking his wares. Past the Griffons and Minotaurs unawares. > He turned his weary behind my way to show a swirl of stripes forming a firey cauldron < Mine, as you can see is special All Shaman kind use this vessel My place in Harmony and Life, My mark guides me from strife. > Amazed, I fell back on my rear in the sand. A world so organized, everyone finds their place in it by a mark on their body, and comfort in that knowledge that they are specially placed. Even the Liliput political election system pales in the amount of strange-but-right sense this makes. < Good Lord! I do not see these on the foals! How does one get these marks? Is it all thinking beings here? What happens if I get one? > Both equines laughed; a good, honest laugh with me at my questions. Zeram finally spoke. < Questions, many questions good and shrewd, Thoughts that would not occur to me have ensued. All things equine, are what Harmony enshrine. ‘Twas we herds first given the spark divine, All else are newcomers, and not Unity entwined. The gift of Marks to give you is not mine… When the time is someday right, A foal will strive day and night Talent, either mental or might, On one special day come to light. > Laughing, Rumrunner shook his head < As he says Mate. I had me an epiphany when I had an idea to help make rum faster, when I helped me Sire makin’ th’ brew. An so I go me brewer’s mark on my flanks when I succeeded, Savvy?. Th’ other creatures never get cutie marks, ‘cept Hippogriffs, seein’ as they’re half Pony, half Griff. Ol Stripy here thinks they came through long ‘afore, as you just have, so they aint got th’ connection to th’ world, savvy? > He suddenly stroked his mustache and turned his hoof to cup his mouth in a whisper. < That reminds me. We got one Hippogriff might sign up, Mate. Sad thing, result of rapine an’ pillage, but a damn good fighter ye’ll need I wager. -No awkward questions tho, Savvy? He’s touchy about that eagle half… > As the examination progressed, I watched my family helping with preparations for the Luau. Alexander was helping dig the pits and ready the coals to go in, while Elanore and Elisabeth helped prepare the foods for cooking, laughing and giggling with the mares like old friends with Jolly’s help. I could see plantains, yams, coconut dishes, bread fruit, and such being readied for the pits. As for the cold dishes, a strange root was being hammered to paste, and large wooden bowls with either fruit or vegetable salads were being readied. To my surprise, the Hippocampi brought various fish, which my darlings were more than happy to help prepare. Since their hands were proving very capable, the ponies were quite satisfied to leave it to them alone after demonstrating how to stuff and wrap the fish for the pits. Getting Rumrunner’s attention, I pointed to the fish < I thought all Pony kind were herbivorous. Is there something I am missing here? > Grinning, he chuckled < Ay Mate! Shocking is it not? Takes great amounts of energy ta’ fly it does, an’ so the Pegasi race must supplement their diet with things like fish and eggs when they can. That extra protein must be why they have a reputation as great and aggressive fighters, savvy? Oh, and Swifthoof the Hippogriff will be wanting more than most Pegasi get as well. > He winks < The Hippocamps also love a bit of fish now and then too. I take it ye will be wantin’ some? Plenty for all who like that sort o’ thing. Me? I’ll stick ta’ plants and rum, Mate! >. Soon, the zebra was done with his examination, even performing a short ritual in front of me as I sat on the beach, complete with flashes and purple smoke. After an uneasy silence, the aged zebra bowed his head. < Much as otherwise I wish to say, I have no answer for you today. For your illness I have seen no like, To someone better you must hike. It attacks your spine and brain, Soon it will bring you great pain! Off to my hut I must speedily repair, For slowing medicines I must prepare. -Strong enough to ease your despair. > With that, the stallion waved his staff in signal to the Pegasi above. After a moment, there was a wooshing sound like roaring surf, and a lemon colored stallion picked up the Shaman and carried him to the far end of the island... It was with a heavy heart I checked the time on my pocket watch, and drew a bottle of my medicine out of my pouch. Carefully, I poured a small dose into a telescoping cup and drank the brew. That news was grimmer than I expected, but hopefully that insight I could never have of what was happening to me might give the zebra an edge in this. Could Zeram create a better medicine than the one I made to slow down the attacks, and buy more time for a cure? ~~~~~~~~~~~~ At last, the assembled ponies tell me the Luau is about to start with the return of Zeram from his hut. As the Honored Guests, we found ourselves placed in a prominent location with a close proximity to the food and to the part of the beach cleared as a stage of sorts. Our ship formed the backdrop to whatever was to happen as the coppery sunset illuminated it from behind. ( Background music to the song is similar to the Fhloston Paradise tiki song from the movie, 5th Element. Thanks for everyones help in my finding this. :D ) < Harmony…> The gathering ponies started the song as a whisper, the volume growing with each repetition. < Harmony… > < Harmony… > < Harr-mooo-nyyy!!! > Spellbound by the sight, we watched as the Hippocampi leapt and danced on the surface of the lagoon, with the Pegasi joining in above flying in complex weaves as they carried fluttering banners. In the foreground, Earth and Unicorn ponies danced and pranced in ways the Lipizzaner trained horses of Vienna wished they could match, flanked on two sides by choirs of Hippocampi singing the background melody, acapella. As the music swelled, the rest of the ponies began to sing; < Heeerrrreeee~ Between the Sky and Sea Between the Land and Sea Between You and Me Living in Harmony~ Here you will see, Ponies of the Land, The Sky, and the Sea. Living in sweet Unity! Harmony! Harmony! Harmony! Heeerrrreeee~ Between the Sky and Sea Between the Land and Sea Between You and Me, In Harmony~ Come, meet and see, Strangers from the sea, Teach them how to be, In sweet, sweet, Harmony~ Harmony! Harmony! Harmony! Heeerrrreeee~ Strangers from the sea, Come and sing with me, With ponies of the Sea, Land, Sky, ~and we, Teach you Unity, And we all shall be, Part of Harmony~ Harmony! Harmony! Harmonyyyyy! > As the song faded down and segued into a rapid drum jam, we all looked at each other with great smiles on our faces, even our two horses were smiling. Suddenly my family all share a look of confusion, and it hit me. At some point we had all joined in the song, the humans and the two horses, and we had all understood! The aged zebra chuckled and nodded, strong rum breaking up his rhyming speech pattern a bit. < Yes, you now know our Harmony and what it can do. In Harmony, our hearts speak true. One only has to listen to our hearts. Your family will find it easier now to learn Equestrian, my friend. If they but do their parts. -Now that they have heard Harmony! Now that they have touched Unity and it has touched them in their hearts. > He chuckled and winked as he touched my shoulder, breaking with his rhymes entirely for a serious moment < Now, Friend Gulliver. I hope you find Harmony with yourself, for your road has been long and torturous. –And if you cannot do this yet? > He passed over a bottle of rum from the net bag hanging from his back < One small cup and no more, should at least keep you in peace with yourself for the night, and help in other ways. > With that, the old fellow trotted off, braying a chuckle. Beside me, my wife and children ooohed and ahhed as an orange and red Unicorn mare wearing a grass skirt danced on her hind legs, leaving momentary trails of fire we were told were illusory. She twirled and spun with a staff tipped with real fire on both ends. As if the bottle was a summons, Rumrunner plopped down nearby. The stallion pretended not to see the dancing unicorn. < Cheers Mate! That’s the stuff, aye? Ol’ Stripes he be an understandin’ Shaman, innit’ he? > Chuckling agreement, I nodded and offered some of the bottle. To my surprise he raised a hoof and waved it off. < Oh no, Mate! He gave that to you special. That is rum made by Sugar Cane himself, the first pony to start the trade in the islands, an’ me GrandSire. Ol’ Stripes only uses it fer special occasion, Mate. He only has a precious few left after all this time an’ he adds things to ‘em ta’ help in special cases, an’ yer as special as they come, savvy? > Stunned, I looked from him, to the bottle and back. Could this help stave off my illness in part, as well as my muddled feelings? I certainly hoped so. As I watched, the fire-dancing mare pranced close, making my two horses lean back in fascinated, stunned shock. For all their ability to talk to me, they are still but horses and not Ponies. -And fairly afraid of fire. To my surprise, Rumrunner flinched back as well, as she gave him a playful smirk and a wave of the staff in salute. Surely he was not afraid of fire? At my glance, Rumrunner blushed and looked down at the sand < Well, she might be my type but I’ve tried ta’ go out with her, see… An’ well, I’ve been “burned” by her before… > She suddenly laughed right behind him, making him jump fifteen feet in the air easily. < And ye deserved it, Rummy! > She giggled as she went back to finish the dance as everyone and pony in view laughed. -How had she gotten behind us when she had been in front of us? Meanwhile, the food was being passed around, with portions of fish making their way to us. A stout Earth pony a little smaller than Daisy trotted into the open space as the fire dance ended. Wavedancer sat on his back like an English Lady of Quality sitting side-saddle on a fox hunt. Her sun-yellow mane and tail crest was combed and shining in the firelight as her tail flukes hung freely against the right side of the stallion. After a moment, she raised a hoof to the crowd and spoke; < Greetings to you all! We of Gallopacos Herd called this Luau to aid these strangers from afar. They need brave sailors to get to the mainland and meet with the Princess. > She winked < I need not remind you how generous the Princess is in rewarding rescues… > prompting a few chuckles and cheers from the crowd. Here, her face turned serious < Gulliver and his Herd need at least eleven ponies for crew. We are afraid he will need more! Word from the Kelpie herds are the pirates are active around Gallows Reef Island at this time so they may range into their path no matter what we do. This ship will need stout-hearted fighters, even with the mysterious weapons Rumrunner told me of. If you wish to try and join the crew, leave your name with Ol’ Stripey, and come back here in the morning and both Captain Gulliver and Rumrunner will check you to see if you are in for the voyage. > She then pointed a hoof to me < Friend Gulliver and his herd will be here for you to meet tonight if you have questions. And now, I hereby declare! Let the feasting begin! > As she said this, the moon rose from above the trees behind us to bathe her in silvery light and the sky lightening to a strange, dusky purple. With a loud chorus of whinnies, the large crowd broke out into excited and hungry cheers. Elanore passed me a wooden plate with a steaming portion of sea bass and several of the other side dishes, smiling as she put her hand on my arm. “Would that you had brought me to a romantic place as this without being deathly ill to do it, love.” Suddenly, Elisabeth gasped from nearby “Oh dear Lord! The Moon!” My wife turned to look before I could, and her hand stiffened on my arm. “Oh!” I beheld a great silvery moon, but without the familiar shape of the black mara forming the vague features of the Man in the Moon. No, what we saw was a majestic, perfect rendition of the side profile of a great, black unicorn with a pale, oval crater for an eye. After a moment, I had to laugh. I half expected something really odd about this world to show we were not on ours instead of an uncharted land, but this was amazing! My poor lambs were only now truly convinced we were no longer upon the world of our birth. When Alexander finally cleared his throat and spoke, it was to point at the moon and ask “Father, did things like this happen a lot when you journeyed, um.. “abroad”…” I could only laugh all the harder and lie back in the sand until I got my wind back. After a few minutes, I was still grinning like a fool and finally ready to sit up. A shape nearby offered a taloned hand < Good evening, Captain Gulliver! > I sat up to find myself facing a creature that must be the Hippogriff. The Pegasus half was a dapple grey while the Griffon end was a sooty grey with faint black streaks an inch long. His mane and tail were a rich, raven black as well, while his Cutie Mark was a winged horseshoe. This stallion would be hard to see against a stormy sky. < Swifthoof, I presume? Well met, sir. > His beak flexed in an improbable smile as he released my hand. < I am, sir. You and yours must be from far indeed for them to react to the Mare in the Moon as they have. Tell them not to worry, the old mare’s tales say she will not leave the moon until the stars are right. > Somehow, I did not doubt this tale one bit. Smiling, I looked into his golden eyes carefully < I see, are you a fair astronomer, sir? > He grinned brightly, square horse’s teeth framed in his beak. < Aye, and I am trained as a Navigator, sir. I can fight, tie knots to rig a ship, and sail her, and use a sword like nopony on this island. > Nodding, I motioned for him to sit and eat with us < Come then, Swifthoof. We have much to discuss… > A navigator who knows the local oceans and can fight? Things were looking up already. It can only get better from here on out…