//------------------------------//
// Bearer Chapter: Generosity II 
// Story: Harmony's Creed 
// by Gapeagle 
//------------------------------//

"Doing things just to please your crowd."

Rarity sipped from the glass of wine that was previously resting on the table before her. Her eyes could barely focus as the words she had just heard repeated themselves in her mind. Her decorated hidden blade was extended, reflecting the picture of the troubled Bearer. Every breath was more forced than the last and her blinking became manual.

"Why don't you just go home?"

She finished the glass and placed it hard on the table. Her eyes glanced down at that dastardly weapon that was under her wrist. It was so unusually clean, no blood was on it to satisfy the status quo of her Brotherhood. Her hand began to tremble and she took the wine bottle again to refill her empty glass.

"Rarity! Do not drink anymore."

"Make me." She snarled and poured the wine into the glass.

"You have been like this for two days now! I would suggest getting a hold of yourself."

"I let her live..."

"Yes, you did."

The hand that held the wine was stopped by Generosity's control. Well, the Element made her stop. Rarity tried to fight, but her will was too weak to match the Element and her hand slammed the table with the bottle, making some of the precious wine splatter against the table. Rarity swore with a not-so-lady-like growl that contradicted her usually elegant voice. 

"Bearer?"

Rarity turned to see Coco peer at her anxiously. The Templar girl had severed her ties with the Order so that she would be away from Madame Poloman. However, if it was not for the Bearer's intervention, Coco would have probably been killed by some other Assassin. 

"What is it, darling?"

"An Assassin wishes to speak with you. I didn't think you wanted to be disturbed, so I tried to send him away, but he says it's urgent."

Rarity gave a confused look. Manehatten had been quiet of both Assassin and Templar operations since she arrived there. In fact, she had only seen a couple of Brothers this whole time. Such a message now made her Element jump and she stood up from her seat.

"Oh...woah..."

A dizziness overcame her and her eyes refused to focus. She had drank more wine than she thought. Coco ran over to assist the Bearer, much to the latter's disapproval. Rarity did not protest however, and allowed the girl to help her keep balance.

"Where is he?" Rarity asked.

"Right at the door."

Rarity pushed herself away from Coco and walked crookedly to the door. She missed the handle at first before trying again and barely succeeded. In a rather forced motion, she opened the door and was met with bright torchlight. The Assassin before her, short and thin, sighed in relief. The torch he held was far too close to the building and to Rarity. The Bearer took his hand and gently pushed it away to keep the heat from the torch away.

"Ah, Bearer, finally." He smiled, completely ignoring the Bearer's actions or demeanor.

"What is it?" Rarity tried to sound polite.

"Reports have come from Fillydelphia. There is a fleet of Gryphonian ships that lie anchor there. They report that the head of this fleet is Captain Gilda of the GKRS Valkyrie. We believe they mean to assault Baltimare."

"What!" Rarity gasped. "But....The Bearer....Rainbow Dash is down there! My dear Dash! Are you sure about this, Novice?"

"Absolutely." He nodded. 

She placed a worried hand on her cheek. "Oh my! Of course the Templar would do this. Rainbow had always been the loner of the Bearers and thus the easiest to pick off. Now Pinkie and Fluttershy are there too! My friends! Coco!"

Coco ran up to her from the dark parts of the house. "Yes?"

"We need to get going, dear. My friends could be in trouble.....soon."

"Are you sure you want to? You just had a existential crisis and are still trying to figure out why you are in the Brothe-"

"Coco! This is different! My friends' lives could be at stake. What kind of woman....person am I if I let this pass? A horrid one, that's what! We must go. We must go now!" She turned to the Assassin. "How long has this fleet been docked?"

"A month at least."

"Blast! They could leave any day."

Without giving a rational thought, Rarity took Coco's hand and rushed out into the Manehatten street, pushing the young Assassin out of her way. She started whispering to herself as she ran through the ill-lit streets and passed the gawking city folk. 

"Lady Rarityyyyyy!" Coco squealed.

The Bearer ignored her companion and made a tight turn. Her mind was focused now and her eyes darted about madly. To the docks. To the docks. That was all she could think about. A Gryphon fleet attacking poor Rainbow? The thought was unbearable. 

Rarity pushed by some pedestrians and dragged Coco further. Each step was harder and faster than the previous. Generosity pulsed to keep up with her. Its ringing voice filled her head.

"What is the matter? What are you doing?"

"I need to get to my friends!"

"Rarity! Please!" Coco wailed.

The Bearer took another turn and the Manehatten docks came into view. Not much could be seen in the darkness, but the shape of readied ships could easily be depicted from the watery backdrop. With one last quick motion, Rarity brought Coco to her side and they crouched behind a pile of potato sacks.

"What are you doing?" Coco hissed uncharacteristically. 

"We are taking a ship and sailing after these Gryphon hooligans." Rarity triumphantly replied.

"With what crew?" Coco inquired back.

Rarity froze and her eyes gazed into space. It was a valid question. Coco rolled her eyes and shook her head in disappointment. She then stood up and began to trek back, but Rarity tugged on her pale dress and pulled her back.

"We don't need one. You underestimate me." Rarity huffed.

"No, you overestimate yourself." Coco accused harshly.

"I beg your pardon! Rainbow taught me many things on sailing and being a captain." Rarity pointed to herself. "I know how to operate a ship. So well, in fact, that a crew is merely a convenience for me."

"Bullshit." Coco deadpanned.

"Watch your tongue, young lady!" Rarity shot back.

Coco held her tongue after this. Satisfied, Rarity stood up and walked over their cover. The docks were not completely abandoned for the night and late-night sailors chatted merrily on the piers. The Bearer did not mind this and simply walked forward.

"Lady Rarity! What are you doing?" Coco loudly whispered. "You know you're going to attract attention."

"By simply walking? Please, Miss Pommel, I think you are stereotyping sailors."

Coco grimaced in response to this. Rarity made a smug look before heading on in her usual not-Assassin-like manner. It would be fine, she thought. Much to her disappointment, the chatting sailors took instant notice of her when she entered the light of a nearby lamp. They all raised a curious eyebrow at her, no doubt confused by her ostentatious outfit.

"What brings a gal like ya out here this late?" A sailor asked.

"What cleverness do you have ready for this?"

"Oh nothing much, my good sirs." Rarity began. "I simply require a ship."

"A ship?" Another sailor guffawed. "Sorry m'lady, but you'll have to wait 'til mornin' for that."

"Ugh, I don't have time for this!"

Rarity threw her hands up in exasperation and walked by them. This left all the sailors even more confusion. The Bearer grumbled to herself as she approached a docked Equestrian schooner. 

"Lady, you just can't take a ship ei-"

Rarity turned around and pointed a scolding finger to them. "Listen her, my good sirs. I am taking this ship whether you like it or not. And if you don't want a cold bath, then don't stop me."

"What the hell's wrong with ya?" A third sailor barked. "That's our ship. How in Equestria do ya think you can take the ship and then sail her without a crew? Are you drunk?"

"I've had a few glasses of wine, but that's irrelevant." Rarity replied quickly. "And besides, I do require a crew and you hearty boys look promising."

"We just got back from the Gryphon Kingdom. No way am I going back on the water just yet." A sailor complained.

A general agreement spread throughout the sailors. The Bearer grind her teeth in deep annoyance. Right now she was wishing that Coco's stereotype was true. It would make it much easier. However, she still could try it.

"Are you really rejecting an offer to sail under a woman like me? I would pay you are handsomely. I am a lady with resources. A trip to Baltimare is all I am asking and I may make your trip, worthwhile." She batted her eyes.

A sailor shook his head. "Sorry, lass, but I'm married."

"Me too." Another sailor stated.

"Same here."

"Ha!"

"Oh for heaven's sake!" Rarity screeched. "I am trying to be a good friend here and save them from eminent doom and here you are, delaying me! Oh! Just let me leave and you can have the rest of the night without broken bones! Turn around and leave! You could say that you were pummeled by a squad of gangsters and they took the ship. Anything! Just let me have her!"

"Sorry. We can't do that."

The sailors started to walk over to her. Rarity rolled her eyes and summoned a pistol to point at them. With a gasp they are stopped in their tracks before her. Most of them speechless and simply gawked at the magic they had just witnessed.

"She's a witch!" One cried.

"And a rather pissed one at that." Rarity hissed. "Now would you kindly let me commandeer this ship and make my way out in peace?"

They all nodded quickly. Rarity smiled politely and holstered the pistol in her brightly colored sashes. Coco edged by the frightened sailors and hopped on the schooner quietly. 

"Are you sure about this?" Coco asked meekly.

"Of course, darling."

Coco gave her a skeptical look and glanced at the sailors who were backing away from the ship. The schooner was anything but worthy of such a trip. It was dreadfully ill kept and plain dirty. This made the girl confused as it was terribly out of character for the Bearer of Generosity.

"Why this ship?"

"Oh? Don't worry, this piece of Wendigo droppings is not our voyager. No, this is merely a tool for our real prize."

"Which is?"

"That ship."

The Bearer pointed at an anchored sloop-of-war floating in the harbor. From that distance, she appeared much more seaworthy than what they were standing on. Coco could only shrug at this. The night had already been far too long for her. Rarity grinned with confidence and strode over to the wheel in her usual fashion.

"Coco, my dear, release the main sails and let us be off!" She sung.

"How?" Coco croaked.

"Oh, by Celestia! Just untie those ropes and let the sails fall down. I have already released the ship from the pier. Once you do this, we should get going splendidly."

"Where did you learn to sail?" Coco asked as she released the main sails.

"As I told you, Rainbow Dash gave me more than a few pointers. I'll have you know that when I was a young Assassin in Baltimare, I sailed to the Labyrinth Isles. Crazy place, that is. Full of the most horrendous men. But some of the most handsome as well..." She added dreamily.

"You have much fonder memories of that place than I."

The schooner drifted from the docks and into the deeper black waters. Rarity began to hum a tune as she steered the skinny vessel towards the sloop. The ship they were targeting was lit with lamps on the bow and stern of the ship, indicating that the crew was still active on board. This was just what Rarity wanted. Her grin remained intact as they pressed forward.

"I have a bad feeling about this..."

"Oh, cheer up, darling! You are about to witness me at my finest in just a wee moment. You thought I couldn't get a crew, well you would be wrong."

"I thought you didn't need one."

"I don't....but that wouldn't mean I don't want one."

She steered the schooner close to the sloop. Coco had trouble pulling the main sails back up and laying anchor beside the larger ship. Rarity gently let go of the wheel and approached the side of the schooner. Since the sloop was taller than the schooner, Rarity began to form a staircase out of summoned gemstones. The sailors on board the sloop all gathered to the railing to watch the Bearer's magic.

Rarity sauntered up these steps with Coco meekly following behind. The sailors stared in awe at the Bearer. Some exclaiming words like "angel" and the such. Rarity waved at them kindly as she passed to and walked over to the captain's quarters. 

She gracefully opened the door to see the rugged captain staring at the papers on his oak desk. He grumbled some words before looking up. His eyes widened upon seeing Rarity and Coco. A single croak left his throat.

"Yes?"

Rarity clapped her hands together playfully. "Ah! You must be this fine ship's brave captain! Such is the pleasure of acquainting with you."

The bearded captain was intoxicated with her voice instantly. He began to sweat and smiled weakly at her. "Captain Gazer, at your service m'lady." He stood up from his desk. "May I ask what....brings you to my ship at this hour?"

"A task." Rarity placed a delicate hand on his desk. "A task for an armed ship like this and a worthy crew. Am I in the right place?" She added innocently.

"I believe so." He grew more confident. "What is this task?"

"I need to sail to Baltimare as quickly as possible. Opposition on the way is almost certain."

"That's quite a bit you ask of us, madame." The captain stated. "I am not sure my lads will like it." 

"I'll handle that, my dear captain." Rarity chuckled. "Don't you worry. I'll make certain that this voyage is worth your while."

He began to sweat even more. Rarity could now smell him and held her grin up reluctantly. This man was not the sort of captain she needed at the moment. 

"It's a deal." The captain nodded.

"Good." Rarity smiled. "I'm so glad we could form an agreement."

With that, the Bearer turned around and started to walk away. Coco followed with her usual confused look. The girl leaned towards the other and whispered in her ear.

"Are you sure about him?" She asked worriedly.

"No. We'll throw him overboard in the morning." Rarity answered. "But we have a ship and crew now. That's all that matters now."


~