Urohringr

by Imploding Colon

In a Very Short Time

"If I could just build Nancy's womb from scratch, y'know?" Props stammered as she sweated beneath a series of gutted manaconduits inside the engine room. Using her forelimbs, she ratcheted several pipes together and tightened them to the breaking point. "Nnnngh... I could make handsome's ship sing! Instead, all I have to work with is clutter and mothballs!"

"You're doing a great job, Propsy," Ebon Mane said from the sidelines. "Don't let anypony tell you different."

"They can tell me whatever they wanna tell me," Props muttered, tossing her blonde mane out from her eyes as she squinted at an intersection of tubes. "Still isn't going to change the fact that we're all better off remaking the womb instead of trying to salvage what's been doubly, triply, and quadruply done on this!"

"Yes, well, one mare's womb is another's pit of snakes." Ebon turned to Eagle Eye, grinning. "Right?"

Eagle Eye grimaced. "Wrong."

"Erm..."

"Stick to cooking... for real..."

Props giggled, then batted her eyelashes from where she lay beneath the pipes. "Manatuner?"

Eagle levitated the item in question from the bench to where Props was. "I'm just glad we were able to shut this off before we left Rainbow Dash in the dust. You can never know when her dizzy spell kicks in."

"You can never know anything about her period," Ebon Mane muttered. "Especially as of late."

"Yes, well, we all know the weight she's been carrying."

"Of course we do!" Ebon exclaimed with a nod. "All the reason—y'know—for us to revevaluate things... maybe..." The stallion fidgeted.

Eagle Eye squinted. "What are you getting at?"

"I can't be the only pony who's thinking it."

"Thinking what, Ebony?" Props squeaked in mid-tinker.

"That... well..." Ebon scratched his head and shrugged awkwardly. "Maybe we should have somepony else take the leadership chair for a while."

"Heh... like who?" Eagle Eye smirked. "Floydien? Belle? The first is nonsense and the second is no show. I'd vote for Pilate, but he's kind of lacking foresight at the moment... or at least just sight."

"What about Josho?" Props asked.

"HA!" Eagle Eye held a hoof over his smirking muzzle. "Oh please. That old stallion would run the Noble Jury into the ground."

"I'd rather worry about the ship than about us," Ebon said.

"How do you mean?"

"Do I gotta spell it out for you?" Ebon glanced at the doors on either side of the long engine compartment and spoke in a lower tone. "Maybe Rainbow's saved the day for us before, but lately she's developed the coaching talent of an alligator. She stands around, saying nothing, and if you get too close to her she hisses."

"I think pegasi are warm blooded..."

"You could have fooled me!" Ebon exclaimed. "With the way she's been holing herself up lately!"

"Just have some faith in her," Eagle said. "She'll come around."

"EE, she passed up an opportunity to talk to her Moon Princess last night!"

"She did?" Props blinked.

Eagle sighed. "Ebon, let's not bring that up..."

"Why not?!" Ebon shrugged. "We can't just bury the issue, can we? Then we'd be adding to... y'know..."

"To what?"

"The misery that seems rampant as of late." Ebon frowned. "I know what they say about 'misery loving company,' but that isn't what I signed up for! The pegasus who smuggled us out of Blue Nova believed in something, and at this rate it's gonna take more than time and circumstance to jump start her back into action!"

"Ebon, I'm all for sunny skies and rainbows, but I really don't think now's a good time to challenge the status quo."

"But—"

"We're hovering high over the Frozen Sea. It's already been a week and we still haven't reached the Strip of Flurries. Rainbow Dash may not exactly be her usual, cheery self, but she's no less dedicated to this crew and everypony's safety." Eagle smiled as she said, "Let her do what works for her. The problem isn't in the leadership, but just the overall mood on board the Jury. That, the rest of us can work on. We don't need a charismatic head hauncho to be charismatic, y'think? I mean, listen to us! We're striking a good chord, just the three of us, aren't we?"

"Yeah!" Props grinned. "And I don't even know how to play guitar!"

After sighing, Ebon smiled tiredly in the mare's direction. "Maybe we could vote you in charge of the Jury for a while, Propsy. Your smile's bright enough to melt a path through the Flurries."

"You think?" Props blinked her blue eyes. "You want that I should put a veil over it or something?"

"Errr..."

"Hey, uhm..." Eagle's ears flicked. "Is there a steam leak?"

Props turned towards him. "Huh?" She peered through the mess of pipes. "Shouldn't be. I went over the pipes with a fine toothed comb just yesterday."

"I swear, I hear... like... a hissing sound."

"You know, I hear it too," Ebon said, nodding. "It's more of a crackle than a hiss."

"Where's it coming from?" Props asked while tightening another pipe.

"From across the room, I think. Almost as if it's coming from the bench."

Thud! Props head struck the pipes, sending a resonating clannnnng throughout the engine compartment. "Owie zowie!" She slid out, breathless. "The communicator!"

"Huh?!"

"It's picked up something! Somepony be a gentlecolt and help me up!"

Ebon and Eagle Eye bumped into each other to reach Props. Wincing, Eagle resorted to giving the mare a boost with his telekinesis.

She sprang across the room and threw her hooves deep into a mess of wires and electrical dials. "Oh please... oh please..." She bit her lip and sweated as she adjusted the frequency, causing the fragmented spurts of white noise to come in slightly better clarity. "Come on..."

"Seems like a crazy mess there, Propsy," Ebon asked.

"Yeah, you need any help?" Eagle added.

"Shhhh!" Props frowned. "You stallions just stand there, being cute and quiet! But mostly quiet!"

In a jerking motion, Ebon and Eagle pressed themselves against the wall like wooden soldiers.

---

Bellesmith climbed her way up to the middle deck of the ship. She paused, gazing down the crawlspace to where she had just finished chatting with Pilate. After a sigh, she turned and resumed her lonesome lurch back to her room.

She froze in place.

The door to her quarters hung fully ajar.

Turning pale, Belle galloped in a yellow blur towards the room. She flung her head through the doorway.

"Kera...?!"

The filly was gone.

"Kera?!"

Her yelping voice echoed across blank bulkheads and empty bedspace.

Panting, hyperventilating, the mare looked all around. She dashed from room to room, unabashedly flinging the doors open and gazing inside. "Kera?!" At one point, she startled a groggy Josho awake, but moved right along with a frown when there was no filly to be seen. "Kera?! Where'd you run off to?! Please, for the love of the Spark, answer m-me!"

By the time she peered into the lavatory and infirmary—both with no success—she was starting to collapse. Tears sprang from her eyes and her muzzle choked on a sob.

It was around that time she heard a faint voice from the next compartment towards the stern. Breathless, Belle dried her cheeks and limped into the mess hall. Between the hallway and the long table, a pair of figures sat on the sofa that filled up most of the tiny lounge. One was Kera, slumped sideways against a hoofrest with her legs curled up. She gazed into the distance while Zaid squatted in front of her. The stallion had a glossy metal bowl full of fresh grapes, and he was plucking them one at a time off a tiny set of stems.

"...now here's a bit of a secret, only it isn't one, really. And yet it is, cuz I've carried it with me for so long." The stallion smirked and raised a goblet to her tiny lips. "Strawberry and cranberry juice. Good stuff, right? Here, take a sip, sweet pea."

Kera's lips tensed and untensed. At last, they pursed wide enough for Zaid to pour a tiny amount into her mouth.

"Ah! There we go. No need to drown you in fruitgasm, though that'd be a fitting thing for a tombstone." He winked, lowered the goblet, and held the bowl of grapes up. "Now, give it a second or two for the taste to settle. 'Kay? Now... let's have ourselves a nice purple grape, shall we? Just what the doctor ordered... the doctor of awesome." He held it to her muzzle, giving it a tiny shove against her lips. "It's alright. Don't be afraid. It's the green grapes that'll murder ya..."

Not long after, Kera nibbled, then inhaled the tiny piece of fruit in question. Zaid hoofed her another, and she gobbled it down more liberally.

"Yeah... and one to grow on!" Zaid smirked. "Now, here's the part with enchantment and kitten sparkles. Ya ready?" He picked up the goblet again. "Same juice, right? But—alas... if we just take a sip..."

He tilted it to her lips. The tiny filly swallowed a miniature gulp. Once Zaid lowered the cup, Kera remained still, but her ears twitched slightly... then twitched again. There was the hint of darting movement to her eyes.

"Eh... ehhhh?" Zaid grinned from ear to ear. "Where'd the strawberry and cranberry go? Was it suddenly and inexplicably replaced with a muzzle-ful of sweetastic heaven?!" He slapped his two hooves dramatically in front of her. "Pshhhhhh! Magic! Killer, huh?" He smirked as he picked the bowl of grapes up again. "I learned it while having to ration fruit on top of one of Khao's ships. I tell ya... those long journeys over the Ledomaritan mountains were boring as stones, but I found a way to jazz up the situation. Amazing how sweet life can get if you just squeeze out the bitter, y'know?"

It was around this point that Belle finally regained the breath to speak. "Zaid...!"

The stallion looked over his shoulder. "Hey-heyyyyy! Look who's up'n'at'em!" Zaid winked at Kera. "She's a very funny mare, your mom."

"What do you think you're doing?!" Belle stammered as she hobbled towards the sofa.

"Uhhhh..." Zaid blinked awkwardly with the bowl in his grasp. "What I do best? You don't have to be in demolition to break through walls." He popped a piece of fruit into his mouth and held the bowl out to her. "Mmmmmf... how 'bout some nibble for your tribble?"

"Did you steal Kera out from our room?!" Belle growled.

"Ew, and commit Grand Theft Filly on a Tuesday? No thank you."

"Answer the question!" She stamped a hoof.

Zaid choked on a grape, wheezed, and waved a forelimb. "Alright! No need to get all Riversaddle on me! Jeez!" He slapped his own chest, inhaled sharply, and said, "I heard somepony whimpering. Figured it was her. Thought the little scamp could use some food, so..."

"Zaid, I've got Kera taken care of!" Belle frowned. "If you wanted to see her, you should have asked me!"

"Uhhhh..." Zaid's eyes darted left and right. He smirked awkwardly. "I think I can see her just fine. What, do I need your permission to use my eyes?"

"Zaid..."

He scarfed down another grape. "Mmmf... cuz if you ask me, Pilate's overdue in that department—"

"For Spark's sake, Zaid, do you ever stop joking for once?!" Belle brushed past him and picked the Kera up, draping filly over her flank. "In case you haven't been paying attention, this poor little pony's been through a lot!"

"Uhhhhh... yeah..." Zaid gulped down some grapes and shrugged. "So I figured... y'know... sweet fruit, companionship, sunshine? The girl's catatonic, not a vampire."

"She needs rest and peace, Zaid!" Belle grunted. "Not to be carted around the ship at random and force fed fruit! There's no telling what a change in her diet will do to her stomach!"

"Yeesh. Chillax, chestnut!" Zaid remarked in a drawling tone. "She isn't exactly getting any better in that sarcophagus of a room you keep her in!"

Belle stared daggers his way. "Are you insinuating that I don't know how to take care of her?!" she spat.

Zaid tongued the inside of his mouth, eventually murmuring, "Ya think... uhhh... that maybe I should be?"

Belle fumed and fumed some more. At last, she stomped away with Kera in tow.

"Y'know, Belle, the girl used to eat grasshoppers and dodge chaos snakes. I think she can handle a tasty grape or two—"

"Kera is not the girl we used to know!" Belle threw angrily over her shoulder. "And until you're sharp enough to realize that, Zaid, I don't want you anywhere near her!"

"Belle, c'monnnn! I was just—"

"I mean it! Stay away!" Belle was hollering from halfway down the hall at this point. It only took three more heavy steps, and she was inside her quarters, slamming the door shut behind her. She stood there, breathing heavily. After a half-minute, she calmed down, knelt by the bedside, and lay Kera down again.

She pulled a blanket over the filly's tattooed body. Kera stared at belle... through her. The mare reached a hoof over and stroked her mane. As the seconds wore on, so did Belle's resolve. Her eyes glistened, and by the time her muzzle twisted in a sob, she had buried her face into the mattress beside Kera, crying in tiny little salvos of bitter breath.

---

"So... uh..." Eagle Eye leaned forward. "What do you think it means?"

"Shhhh!" Props hissed, tweaking and adjusting the dials of her communication array.

Eagle gulped, then leaned towards Ebon. "Hey... what do you think she thinks it means?

"To be perfectly frank?" Ebon shrugged. "We're probably not alone out here."

"You mean over the Frozen Sea?" Eagle asked. "Who else would be dumb enough to get stranded out here in the middle of the Spark-forsaken cold?"

"Pizz Fah Wizz!" Props jumped in place. "I knew it I knew it I knew it!"

"Mind telling us the it that you know?"

"I only got it for a second—like a ghost signal—but I'd recognize that frequency in my sleep! Heck—while doing backflips in my sleep!" Props spun, her cheek rosy as the edges of her happy bright eyes glistened. "It's just gotta be him! Him and nopony else!"

Comments

[SugarPesticide]

Enter Uncle Prowse!

"You can never know anything about her period," Ebon Mane muttered.

Someone please tell me that I'm not the only one who read this the wrong way.

[Jake The Army Guy]

So, we see Belle being a helicopter mom(Odd that happens the same day we get an episode of AJ doing the same thingOH DEAR GOD IT'S A CONSPIRACY, Zaid trying his best to help Kera and apparently getting a reaction, and what appears to be Uncle Prowse making his presence known.

I like it. Fifteen close-hand pushups, ):(. Knock 'em out!

[zaponator]

Belle, stop.

[Hap]

I hope Zaid manages to break through that wall and three others. Belle is just indulging her own paranoid reactionary coping mechanism at Kera's expense, and Pilate, like Rainbow, is just trying to avoid the situation instead of trying to help Kera.

[Booster Spice]

Zaid might just be the only one on the whole ship that Shell either couldnt break in Keras mind, or couldnt be bothered due to far too different in thinking.

As for the signal. Please land here, we are hungry and would love fresh meat.

I still keep thinking of Props as a mouse, and get confused when she is pointed out yet again as being equinoid.

[AppleTank]

4053417 4053370
Like, Zaid, Props, Eagle Eye, and Ebon are the only ponies still stable. Floyd's a bit wacky all the time, Josho is suffering food withdrawal, RD is sulking, Belle is suffering critical mother failure, Pilate feels useless, Kera is cataconic.

[Personifire]

Goodness gracious. A certain pony named Belle needs to relearn how not to be a jerk.

[That_one_guy]

I want to backhand Belle off the side of the Jury. God, enough, please. I don't want to do this for twenty more chapters. Destroying the family is feeling more and more trite... Again, opinions opinions, but it's not jiving with me.

Interesting about the walkie, though. I think we're a little too far from Xona to be anywhere near Zabudababu or Uncle Props, so who could it be?

[SomeOriginalName]

Oh, I see you are trying to help Kera break out of her current vegetable-like state, Zaid. Huh. Better be a complete jerk to you.
#thingsbelledoes.

[IceKitsune]

Well finally time to meet Prowse. Ok I'm sympathetic towards Belle and all but that was likely the stupidest thing she has done so far. At this point she isn't helping Kera at all.

[Axan Zenith]

I think it'd be funny if Cold Canter found Propsy's frequency.

[Starlit Skies]

4053347 I didn't read it like that, but I wouldn't be surprised to learn that IC threw that in there on purpose.

Belle is reminding me of AJ in today's episode (Somepony to Watch Over Me [for those reading this comment later]), which in turn reminds me of my aunt. Please Belle, don't become like my aunt. The world is already crazy enough without another one.

[silvadel]

Belle has merely absorbed some of the bad side of Dash for this.

[RomanCandle]

Belle is a problem. Zaid is officially my favorite character. God I love him.

[RoboRed]

Good guy Zaid. Well, at least you tried there, bud.

Geez, Belle...really?

4053347
Nope. I think I caught one or two innuendos, and I was just WAITING for Zaid to pop in while they were talking. Buuut it didn't happen.

[Zytharros]

...

Belle, let the paranoia flutter away. Not everyone's in it to hurt Kera. In fact, with what you're doing, you're almost certainly doing her - and the relationship you have with your beloved - more harm than good.

[Fishberry]

At least Zaid isn't being brutalized any more.

I'm off to get some cranberry juice, strawberry juice, and red grapes. I'm curious.

[Aatxe360]

4053628

A long way from home if so, but I doubt it. Apparently, Props is certain of who it is. I can't wait until we meet these possibly new characters.

[Jonathon Smythe]

Kera doesn't need Belle, Belle needs Kera.

And Uncle Prowse might be making his debut.

Zaid, keep doing what you're doing.

[durandana]

"Pizz Fah Wizz"

?

??????

[Lightning Bearer]

"Hey... what do you think she thinks it means?

"To be perfectly frank?" Ebon shrugged. "We're probably not alone out here."

But yeah, I suspect it's Prowse. Don't see how it could be anything else, considering the context and Props' reaction. Maybe we'll finally get to see Zadubadabu.

Also, Belle... what the fuck?!

[dragonridergoku]

I finally catch up and now we get to finally see what's going on in Zadubadabu. I'm assuming Props is talking about Prowse and not some other unknown character, but I suppose IC could change that up on us. Still, I'm really glad we can finally see the kingdom of Zadubadabu and the cyborg army serving under Prowse who they believe is their God Emperor. Can't wait for that to happen.

Also, get it together Belle, seriously.

[Rayvinne]

4053347 Commas are important, yo.

Also, Belle, what the heck? Did all the mares sync up or something?

[xXshaydXx]

zaid was getting through to kera!! wtf belle? dick move.

[dafiltafish]

*initiate over-protective mother mode*

[Swan Song]

4053513 I don't think it'll last too horribly long. Seems like enough will be happening to the crew that they'll have to stop being idiots in order to survive. And with Zaid, Props, Ebon and Eagle actively working to improve emotions onboard the ship, I think things will start to turn around sooner rather than later.

[Cynderfall]

So Belle is also a little broken? Ok. Keep up the good work Zaid.

[adrusi]

So it's either Prowse or someone involved in Roark's escapades calling. If it's Prowse, then a distraction from sulking and a new personality not damaged by the events at Lerris and respected more than Zaid might be just what the jury needs to regain its vigor. I'm hoping it's Prowse.

Reuniting with Roark at this point would do more harm than good, at best making Rainbow regret the way she treated her friend, and at worst making Rainbow hat Roark even more.

4053628
If it were Cold Canter, that would be interesting. It's possible, Since this communicator is supposed to be incredibly long range. It would certainly be an interesting signal to study for a sound stone aficionado such CC. I don't think it's likely to be CC, because it would really stick out from the rest of the story, but then again, each installment is written in a slightly different style, so it's always possible. If it is CC, this call could serve the same role as a talk with Luna, but RD might be more curious and therefore more likely to participate. It could be therapeutic.

Kera's condition is pretty serious here. As much as I want it to be, a change of scenery a la Zaid isn't going to be enough to snap her out of it. In the context of the story, the only thing I see helping her is some sort of cathartic moment in the middle of a battle or something along those lines.

[The 24th Pegasus]

So Uncle Prowse is out here in the frozen sea? I was wondering when we were going to see him. And jeez, Belle really needs to get her head out of her ass. She needs to realize that other people on the ship can help Kera too. She's not helping by keeping her locked away in her room all day and night.
24

[Nevlamas]

Definitely malignant.

[Vandratha]

I'm glad to see that at least some members of the Jury are in good spirits. It's been very depressing recently.

Belle, honey, stop smothering the poor child. She's not going to heal in isolation.

[not_a_rainbow]

belle, wut r u doin?
belle, stahp!

[Future Regret]

I'm liking Zaids new character, though the shift from total idiot to cool guy was a bit drastic, I love it. He was still really funny in this chapter. Also, I agree with Sugar Pesticide.

[Straker]

Ahhh, been a little while so let's see...okay Zaid is still awesome as is Props and Ebon and EE. Josho seems to be okay, Belle is a mess, Kera is still in shock, oddly enough Pilate despite what happened seems to be okay, though I still feel bad for what he's having to deal with. Dash...really needs to get her priorities in order.

[Straker]

4088560 He was always a super cool character, lol.

[dashie76]

IIIIIt's Dashie's evaluation time!

Still sadness aboard the Jury...sadness and strife. Belle is being slightly overbearing. Zaid actually emitted a decent response from Kera, as well. And enter Uncle Prowse. This'll be awesome. These are my thoughts so far.

-MASH

[whizzball1]

Also. Prowse!
...?
It could be anypony...

-Spirit

[Zecoro]

4088560 keep in mind, theyve been out on the ice shelf for a good...week now is it? give or take a few days? miserable character changing times i might add. i guess it did some good for Zaid in that sense.

[JustAnotherTimeLord]

The more you insist things have changed, the more they do end up changing. There are two things one must remember after a tragic event: things can return to normal, and that sometimes they can't. However, you start with trying to live life the same. If that doesn't work, you work your life around it. It's a process.

Right now, Belle is hoarding Kera because she can't deal with what happened and is using Kera's current demeanor to justify wallowing in sadness and remorse. She's deluded, Pilate is ignorant, Rainbow is tempermental, and everyone else is trying to stay sane between all this, and it's simply not working.

And it's cold outside . . .

[ElderJones]

Zaid is progressively becoming more awesome.

[**Beert]

Umm...yea...what JustAnotherTimeLord said.

[Seraphimus]

5788369 Pilate I think is less ignorant and more... Lost, He can't see anymore and everyone else has Kind of abandoned him. He feels Empty and hopeless. The rest though? Pretty much spot on to how I feel. Belle Is so caught up in her own sorrow that she's Incapable of helping Kera the way she needs. Comfort, rest and company yes, but she WAS and IS a child, she also needs Sunshine and happiness and friends and locked away in a dark room she's Really only getting Rest and company.

[Hazard]

Belle, once generous is hoarding Kera away. Pilate, once the navigator is lost. Rainbow, once the leader that brought them together is doing nothing to keep them that way.

[Regidar]

"Yes, well, one mare's womb is another's pit of snakes." Ebon turned to Eagle Eye, grinning. "Right?"
Eagle Eye grimaced. "Wrong."
"Erm..."
"Stick to cooking... for real..."

Ahaha, oh god
You write some god-tier banter, my friend

And hell, that scene with Zaid and Kera made me feel like a motherfucker... and Belle's actions make perfect sense, really. She's been through a lot too, and she's clinging to the only way she knows how to keep control of her spiral of a life.

[Metal Aura]

You can never know anything about her period

There should be a comma before "period" or this sentence has a totally different meaning.

[ponygrad]

I'm really digging belle and pilate growing and not being perfect.

[Yami Vizzini]

Hey, somepony's possibly started to crack Kera's shell... so of course Belle has to take offense at the first sign of progress for this whole crew in ages.

[DuskPhoenix]

For the love of God, Belle! Kera had more of a reaction after a few minutes of being outside of that room than she did with apparently weeks spent in there! Besides, if you're going through real traumatic depression, you really shouldn't keep yourself in just silence and darkness and sleep. That's how you drive yourself further down into depression, not how you fix it.

Zaid... I didn't expect to like him as much as I do now. He's a goofball and he's straight up insane sometimes, but he has a great heart and he's actually pretty smart when he wants to be. Hopefully he can keep breaking through to Kera.

[arancaytar]

"Yes, well, one mare's womb is another's pit of snakes."

Or backup manacore container, as it were.

I miss Roarke.

"You can never know anything about her period,"

That sentence would probably be less ambiguous with a comma.

Also sheesh. RD is a dunce, Belle is a dunce, what is it with this ship of unhappy fools?