“Heeheehee!” Props giggled. “And do you remember that time when I surprised all of those goblins with the big flippin' rocket launcher?!”
Ebon Mane and Eagle Eye laughed.
“I-I'm rather fond of the time we dunked so many of the bandits in a lake,” Booster Spice said with a slight smirk.
Roarke droned, “It was certainly a more pleasant fate than what Haman put them through.”
“That's the whole point!” Props giggled and brushed her mane back. “The Jury had a way of—like—being so badflank but in a really... uhhh... fluffy way!”
“If you ask me, I've always been awesome at kicking butt and taking names,” Rainbow said with a grin. “Only, y'know, without putting the names on gravestones.”
“Though that took some effort,” Roarke added.
“Yeah, well...” Rainbow stuck her tongue out. “You're one to talk.”
The metal mare nodded. “Fair enough.”
Bellesmith stroked Kera's mane while the filly cuddled up against her in the lounge, fast asleep. “I was a great deal more fond of the quiet stops we made. Well... while they remained quiet, at least.”
“Like when we went shopping in Gray Smoke?” Eagle Eye grinned.
“Indubitably.”
“I don't know...” Pilate shrugged. “I had my most tranquil moments reading Floydien's collection of various tomes within the navigation room.”
“Awwww...” Belle leaned over to nudge him. “So sorry that had to go down in flames, darling.”
“Well, better the manuscripts than us, Beloved.”
“Very true.”
“We had a good many meals together, didn't we?” Josho muttered. “I mean, between Gray Smoke, Lerris, the sex crater, and here.”
“Well, I did do my best,” Ebon Mane said, fidgeting.
“I bet it's the only reason you stuck around, eh, old stallion?” Eagle Eye winked.
“Well, that, and hoof-holding a sissy.”
“Oh go soak your head.”
“I just might have to.” Josho glanced over at Roarke. “How I'm gonna stay hygienic where we're going, I'll have no darn clue.”
“So long as you stay clear of the goblin cesspools, there'll be hope for you, Josho,” Roarke said.
“And where's that, pray tell?”
“I suppose we'll discover on our own,” the metal mare remarked. “Think of it as an adventure within an adventure.”
“Oh, wonderful.” Josho sighed. “Better pack tons and tons of shotgun shells.”
“Hey!” Zaid sat on the edge of his couch, smirking. “Remember that time when you guys hit me?”
Dead silence.
Ebon Mane and Eagle Eye squirmed.
Josho and Roarke looked off in separate directions.
Rainbow Dash and Booster Spice fidgeted.
Kera yawned, stretched, and rolled over with a soft trilling sound, her tiny forelimbs hooked over her fuzzy chest. Belle gazed at her, then looked across the lounge. “Uhm... well... I think... erm...”
“The hour grows late,” Pilate firmly said.
“Yeah...” Rainbow nodded, shuddering slightly. “Imagine that.”
“How late is it?” Booster asked, blinking behind his goggles. “Feels like we've been sitting here for ages.”
“I think we could all use a good night's sleep,” Ebon said. His burgundy face stretched as he added, “It would be best to... be fully awake tomorrow.”
“For your journey, right?” Props asked.
Ebon opened his mouth, hesitated, then eventually blurted. “But of course.”
“Yeah...” Props squirmed, glancing down at the floor. “Uncky Prowsy's got a lot of ponies to drop off across the ocean. And if we want to manage a stop over in Abinadi first...”
“We'll squeeze it in,” Zaid said, winking as he stretched a forelimb around Props' neck. “I mean, we'll need some sort of relief, right? All of those dang ponies squeezed into a single vessel.”
“I won't be on board for long,” Booster said with a slight chuckle. “After all, Amulek isn't too far off by airship flight and...” His words trailed off, giving way to impenetrable silence.
At last, Josho belched and spoke up:
“Alright, buck it. I'm hitting the sack.” He sauntered across the lounge. “Swear to Ledo—I can't believe I watched you all drink all that cider while just standing by and doing nothing.”
“You should be proud, Josho.” Eagle smiled. “I know I am.”
“You want us to walk you to your room?” Ebon asked.
“If it makes you feel all sparkly inside, sure. Whatever.” Josho motioned along. “See you in the morning, Roarke,” he said without looking. “The rest of you as well...”
“A pleasure, Mr. Josho,” Pilate said, getting up with Belle while the mare laid Kera's slumbering figure over his striped flanks. “Zaid? Props?”
“Yeah, we'd better call it a night as well.” Zaid helped Props up and nuzzled her before smiling at the others. “I'll be needing lots of rest lately. Especially if I'm becoming a grease monkey's assistant.”
“Heehee...” Props smiled from ear to fuzzy ear. “Is that what you're gonna call yourself now?”
“Well, it's true, ain't it?”
“Make it simpler,” Props said, giving him a peck on the cheek. “Try 'grease lemur.'”
“Meh. It's taken.” Zaid and Props trotted off. “Anypony going by the west wing?”
“Not me,” Belle said.
“Oh! That's where I'm staying!” Booster Spice hopped up and trotted up to join them. “Guess we should plan for the journey ahead.”
“Sure, why not,” Zaid said, yawning. “Better pack extra spectacles.”
“So long! Good night!” Props sing-songed. “Don't let the desert bugs bite!”
“Fairwell,” Eagle Eye said, waving as he, Ebon, and Josho trotted in another direction. “We'll... we'll see you in the m-morning.”
“Yes, EE,” Belle said with a nod. She and Pilate turned towards Rainbow Dash.
“... … ...” Rainbow Dash hovered in place, gazing at them.
Belle smiled delicately. A sniffle escaped her nostrils, and she opened her mouth to say something. Looking past Rainbow—however—Belle silenced herself. She reached to her side, squeezing Pilate's shoulder and pivoting him towards the exit.
The zebra's ears twitched curiously.
“Best to put Kera to bed,” Belle droned. “Have a blessed evening.”
Rainbow blinked, arching an eyebrow. She felt a gentle hoof tugging at her tail. Her ears folded back, and she touched down before turning around to look at Roarke.
“Where are you headed off to, Rainbow?” Roarke gently asked.
Rainbow gazed at the Searonese mare, her muzzle agape. At last, she murmured in a soft voice. “Where would you want me to go, Roarke?”
Roarke said nothing. She bore a gentle smile as she leaned forward, rubbing her cheek softly against Rainbow's. Wordlessly, she took Rainbow by the hoof and led her out of the lounge, grabbing Rainbow's things along the way.