//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2: Something Out Of Place 
// Story: Across The Pond 
// by Aurora Aura 
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	Twilight Sparkle regained consciousness with the midday sun showing it's deliciously warm face to her through a porthole. There was a cloud cover but despite that the sun saw fit to shine beyond the mean clouds who only wanted to take Twilight's warmth. Though the continuous rocking motion wasn't what Twilight had expected and her coat reeked of fish what bothered her was the strange creature kneeling beside Twilight. 

Twilight didn't say anything at first. Just stared in wonderment at the new cat like being. Twilight didn’t know what to make of it, it’s face certainly reminded her of a cat but that’s as far as the resemblance went. The way it knelt beside her suggested it stood only on it’s back limbs much like her dragon assistant did but she couldn't be sure. Twilight had never read anything about it in any of her books. She even owned a copy of the world standard bestiary and it never made mention of what was now before Twilight. She got excited about the prospect of learning something no one else had yet and sat up immediately. Just as quickly wished she hadn't as Twilight leaned over to the porthole the light had come through and allowed her daisy sandwich to come back up.

When Twilight had finished her moment the unique creature asked "Feeling better?" in a strange accent and a raspy voice that identified it as a man.

“You can talk‽” Twilight exclaimed.

“Yes, though Ra’Zahmirr is just as surprised to find out unicorns can talk,” The creature said slowly, as if unsure Twilight had really spoken. “Ra’Zahmirr never thought he’d ever see a unicorn and to find out they talk, we’ll, it’s an interesting revelation.”

“You’re name is Ra’Zahmirr?” Twilight asked for clarification. She had met ponies who spoke in the third person before though it was uncommon.

“Yes. I assume you have a name as well,” The creature who identified himself as Ra’Zahmirr said.

“I’m Twilight Sparkle. What happened to me, how did I get here and what are you?” Twilight had many more questions but felt those ones were a good place to start.

“No one knows how you got out in the sea. We followed a strange light and decided to try fishing in the area only to pull you out with our fishing nets. Had we not been in the area you’d most likely be dead. For that, you should feel quite lucky.”

“Fishing net? Well that explains the smell,” Twilight said to herself as she took a moment to look around the room for the first time. 

The room was small and triangularly shaped but still big enough to move about in. There were boxes of varying sizes along the two walls adjacent to her makeshift sleeping mat. The wall to her left had space between the stacks of boxes for a narrow door. Though there was a decent amount of room to move around in this was clearly not a place many ponies entered very often. 

A few moments passed as Ra'Zahmirr allowed Twilight to get her bearings. Once Twilight was satisfied with what she had seen she broke the silence.

"So you were just sitting there ... watching me sleep," Twilight slowly said as she attempted not to sound accusatory.

"In the days since we've picked you up you have been under the eyes of someone. We've been rotating through every four hours. Ra'Zahmirr approached you when you started to stir."

One word in particular stood out to Twilight. Days. Ra'Zahmirr just said she had been unconscious for days. 

"What!" Twilight said, barely managing to prevent herself from getting up again. "How far are we from Equestria? Why wasn't I dropped off? Whe-"

"Enough," Ra'Zahmirr cut Twilight off. "Ra'Zahmirr will go get someone to help answer questions. In the meantime, please, calm down." With that Ra'Zahmirr walked out the door, leaving Twilight to her thoughts.

First she thought about where she was and what kind of ship has creatures like Ra'Zahmirr. Where was she going that they had never seen a Unicorn before, let alone expect it to talk. But mostly she thought about her spell and what had gone wrong. Where did she mess up? Twilight was slowly getting to her hoofs as Ra'Zahmirr came back in with another creature trailing behind him looking significantly less cat like. The most immediate difference was that this one had a lot less hair.

"This is Miram. She will get you situated as Ra'Zahmirr has certain tasks to attend to," Ra'Zahmirr said as he gestured behind him. Twilight shook her head a few times indicating she understood which seemed to release Ra'Zahmirr from his place as he turned on his heels and walked out.

Twilight looked to the new creature. Similar to Ra'Zahmirr, but so very different. No coat at all but thick hazel brown curls bounced at her shoulders. Her ears had a slight point to them and her cheekbones were high up on her face than Ra’Zahmirrs were. Miram’s eyes were a brilliant and deep emerald green that seemed to mesmerize Twilight. The spell was broken when the girl cleared her throat.

"Hello," she said. "Ra'Zahmirr said you could talk."

"Uh, yeah. Yes," Twilight stammered as she came out of the little trance. "My name is Twilight Sparkle. If you don't mind me asking, what are you and Ra'Zahmirr? I've never even heard of anything like you two before."

"Well I'm a Breton, and sourpuss is a Khajiit," Miram answered with a smile before adding "Don't tell him I called him that."

"And exactly how far are we from Equestria?" Twilight asked.

"Hang on," Miram said as she reached into a side pouch in her pack she had with her. "Ah-ha, here it is." Miram started to unfold the large piece of parchment. Once she finished it revealed a world map. But this one seemed different than anything Twilight had seen. The most eastern thing on the map Twilight recognized the shape of Equestria but it wasn't detailed at all. In fact, aside from the shape on the map the only identifiable thing about it was the word 'Equestria' scrawled across it. To the west of Equestria was a continent she didn't recognize. Above it was labeled 'Tamriel' and throughout the continent was lines separating sections and identifying them as provinces. Black Marsh, High Rock, Skyrim. None of these places even sounded familiar to Twilight.

While Twilight was thinking about the new landmass to the world map Miram pointed to a place off the coast of Equestria.

"Here," Miram said. "We picked you up about here and now we've moved to about here." Miram moved her finger to a place much closer to Tamriel's south. If Twilight knew her geography as well as she thought she did then the point that they picked her up at was about the same distance to Ponyville as Canterlot was.

"Why didn't you drop me off in Equestria," Twilight demanded.

"How were we to know you from Equestria," Miram said defensively. "Though even if did know there isn't much we could have done. The waters around the place are pretty well guarded around the clock."

"So you're turning around and taking me back then?" Twilight asked. "And handing me over to the blockade so I can go home."

"We don't have the supplies. We're on our way down to the Topal Sea to gather some Crystallized Moonlight before porting in the city of Senchal. A pretty major trading hub in southeastern Elsweyr."  

"I haven't heard of any of those places," Twilight said. "And I may not know much about this Tamriel place but I know you can't crystallize light." 

"It's not literally crystallized light, a lot of people call it moon sugar. People pay good money for it too."

"Why, what is it for?" Twilight asked, curiosity getting the better of her.

"Well it's the major ingredient in Elsweyr Fondue, though I don't think that's why so many people buy it," Miram gave a knowing smile at that.

Twilight was about to ask what Miram meant by that but was interrupted by the opening of the door as Ra'Zahmirr came back in. 

"Purple one, Ra'Zahmirr wishes to introduce you to the captain. Follow Ra'Zahmirr please."

Twilight Sparkle shakily got to her hoofs and followed Ra'Zahmirr out. Miram waved goodbye before starting to fold up the map she had taken out. The hallway Twilight stepped out into seemed to go from the front of the boat all the way to the end but she couldn't be sure how long the boat was. Ra'Zahmirr went left so Twilight did as well.

The two walked to the end of the corridor and up the steep staircase at the end. Through the hatch at the top of the stairs was the ship's deck. Despite the window in Twilight's little room the sun still radiated a brightness that was too much for her eyes that had adjusted to the darkened corridor below. The sun reflected off the sky blue waters and seared into her retinas, making Twlight quickly shut them for fear of going blind. Once Twilight had decided to open her eyes again she was greeted with the busy deck. Most of the bipedal creatures were feline like Ra'Zahmirr. The way they moved back and forth across the deck made Twilight compare them to bees, buzzing about their wooden hive. However Twilight didn't get a chance to look for too long as Ra'Zahmirr began to lead Twilight to the back of the ship towards a set of double doors. 

Ra'Zahmirr turned and said, "wait here, Ra'Zahmirr will make sure now is a good time."

"Alright," Twilight said as Ra'Zahmirr entered the double doors. Twilight looked around towards the crew that was busy working but would steal glances at her periodically. Twilight then turned to look off the right side of the ship where she saw land. This was Twilight's first glimpse of Tamriel if Miram's map was correct. The nearest part was appeared to be some sort of desert that was covered in rolling hills and, despite what Ra'Zahmirr had said about there being a busy city, the whole place seemed barren and desolate to Twilight. Further along the mainland was what seemed to be a mostly densely forested sub-tropical area.

The sound of double doors opening caught Twilight's attention and she turned from the landscape on the horizon and faced Ra'Zahmirr who beckoned her inside. When Twilight walked in the first thing to catch her eye was the mahogany desk in the center of the room, which was in a state of half organized clutter. Several stacks of papers were haphazardly piled about the desk and various knick knacks littered the room. Twilight didn't know how anypony could stand to be in this room for any extended period of time but pushed the thought to the back of her head. Twilight Sparkle trotted up the the desk and looked at the being sitting behind it, just watching her.

"Hello, my name is Twilight Sparkle."

"So it's true," the captain said to himself. He shuffled in his seat, sitting up straighter and continued. "My name is Navito and I'm in charge of this boat."

Navito seemed to have a skinny frame when Twilight compared it to the other two she had met but that might have more to do with the man's height. Even though he was sitting he seemed hardly any shorter than Ra'Zahmirr was standing up.. His hair, long and unkempt, was raven black and his face was more than a little scruffy. Over all Navito seemed to assume an air superiority so Twilight decided to keep it professional with Navito and save the bulk of her questions for Miram or Ra'Zahmirr. 

"Yes, sir." 

"Sir? I like that," Navito smiled. "More to the point though, we are on our way to the Topal Sea to harvest a bit of moon sugar, which should only take a day or two. Then we'll port in Senchal and probably will not be undocking for quite some time. My crew has been to sea for far too long and deserve some rest. However once we get into port I'm sure we can work something out with another boat in the harbor to get you home. If not you'll just have to wait until we go out to sea again."

"Thank you for keeping me informed Mr. Navito," Twilight said politely. 

"If there is a ship willing to take you it might take a bit to find them, Senchal is a big place with lots of merchant ships," Navito told Twilight. Twilight thought about it and figured if it took too long her friends would come by and get her anyway. Since she had already been gone a few days she suspected they were already looking for her. Though given what she's already learned she suspected waiting for a ship might get her home much faster. After all, if one of her friends went missing she'd never think to look in the ocean.

"That's fine," Twilight told Navito. "I'll wait."

"If Ra'Zahmirr may interrupt," Ra'Zahmirr said as he finally stepped up to the desk. "Ra'Zahmirr isn't meeting anyone after the ship has reached its destination and is willing to take Twilight around and help her home."

Navito gave Twilight a look that told her it was up to her. Twilight didn't think about it for very long though. She had no idea what this place was like or what its customs might be and having a guide and someone she could trust there would help a lot. With that in mind she turned her head to Ra'Zahmirr.

"I would love your Ra'Zahmirr," Twilight gave him a smile that he quickly returned.

"Then it's settled," Navito said as he stood up. When he did Twilight noticed there was hardly an inch separating his head from the ceiling. Twilight strained her neck to look up at the large man and turned her smile on him, just glad at how helpful and nice these Khajiit or Breton or whatever were being.

Ra'Zahmirr gave Navito a slight nod then started to walk towards the door. Not knowing what else to do Twilight followed him through the double doors and out onto the deck. Twilight spared a glance back over to the mainland that was quickly approaching from the distant horizon. Twilight noticed we were heading towards the desert part of the land rather than the forested area.

"Ra'Zahmirr," Twilight stopped walking and turned her whole body to face the land. "Are we heading into that desert?"

"Yes, it is southern Elsweyr. Though Elsweyr is much more than a simple desert. In northern Elsweyr there are many lush forests to be found."

"And what can you tell me about Senchal?" Twilight asked. "I mean besides that it's a major trade city."

"It is the single largest port city not just in Elsweyr but in all of Tamriel." Ra'Zahmirr told Twilight. "It started out as slums and rapidly turned into a coastal resort of sorts. Bazaars, taverns, merchant quarters and open-air markets ringed on three sides by crowded harbors. Despite being deep in Elsweyr there are many races one can find in this city."

Twilight looked on in wonderment. Ra'Zahmirr made Senchal seem like a cultural hub and Twilight was growing ever anxious to be there. If she was going to be stuck someplace at least it'd be someplace as diverse as Senchal sounded.

"Is there anything I should know before we get there?" Twilight asked.

"Senchal has a .. unique history," Ra'Zahmirr spoke slowly, as if tasting his words for their veracity. "There are many parts of the city that are little more than ruins left over from a deadly flu that claimed many of my kin. Though that flu is long gone the ruins are home to many less than reputable people. Pirates, assassins, junkies and thieves all take to the abandoned streets. Use them to cover their misdeeds. It would be wise of you to not leave Ra'Zahmirr's side once we are in the city unless Ra'Zahmirr tells you it's safe."

Twilight seemed to deflate at the revelation but tried to maintain her enthusiasm. If this city was that bad Ra'Zahmirr wouldn't have called it a resort. She was determined to learn as much about this Tamriel as she could before she left Senchal.

"Now come on purple one," Ra'Zahmirr told Twilight. "Let us not stand in the rest of the crew's way."

Twilight nodded in agreement and followed Ra'Zahmirr over to the hatch that lead below decks and down the corridor to her small room.