4 Into the Unknown
Chapter Four
Into the Unknown
Wherein an airship is launched,
Pinkie Pie reveals to Twilight her true position in the nature of things,
and the Bearers of Harmony rudely ignore Twilight's wishes.
Early June, 1012
Canterlot, Ponyville, and onboard Nebula, on course for Zebrica
Sooner than I expected, Gudgeon pronounced my ship finished and well-appointed. I managed to reign in Rarity, and the paint job on the envelope and hull were within the range one might expect... if at the very edge of a theoretical bell curve delineating stylishness of merchant vessels.
All that was left was to give her a name.
"Shooting Star?" suggested Luna, as she carefully examined the ship's lines.
"Hmn... some clever double meanings possible with that one, but no, I think I've decided," I replied. "I'm going to name her after you."
Luna smiled but then raised an eyebrow. "Will that not compromise the anonymity you seek?"
"Oh, I won't call her My Darling Luna, if that's what you're thinking." I grinned at her and moved my wing, gently lifting my primary feathers through her cool, ethereal mane. "I was thinking that 'Nebula' would be nice."
Luna laughed. "Thou art naming thy craft in honor of my hair?"
"Dark, sleek, and beautiful... with constellations, you'll note," I said, pointing out the decorative stars painted on the envelope. "I think it's appropriate."
"I'sooth, 'tis a blue not unlike my own." She was trying to sound casual, but her eyes sparkled in the torchlight.
Luna broke the bottle of sparkling cider across Nebula's bow at her launching; a perfectly acceptable gesture from one princess to another, signifying nothing else... as far as the general populace was concerned.
I had my ship, I had my plan, and I had a tough choice to make. Up until then, I had to be available whenever the map table called. I hadn't thought about it much because I rather enjoyed being given missions of importance at a moment's notice, and every task had worked out pretty well. On the evidence, the map knew what it was doing. But the maiden voyage I was contemplating would take at least a month, and maybe more.
I have to admit that I was moping around the castle in a pensive mood, considering what I would do if I was halfway to Zebrica and my cutie mark lit up, when Pinkie Pie made up my mind for me.
"Hiya Queenie!" Pinkie called, as she bounced into the throne room.
I chuckled. "Did I get a promotion?"
Pinkie snorted and rolled her eyes. "Silly Twilight! I was talking to the table!"
"The table."
"Yupperoonie!"
"Do I really want to know?"
"Well," she said, ticking off the points on her hoof, "you're a princess, and the table bosses you around, so that means it outranks you, and that means it's a queen." She paused to rub her chin. "Or maybe an empress... but definitely not a marchioness!"
It actually made sense in a twisted, Pinkie sort of way.
"So—"
"Don't worry, Twilight! Just because you're the lackey of a piece of furniture, doesn't mean you aren't super-duper spiffy!"
"'Lackey.'"
"Yuh-huh."
"Of a table."
"A maaagical table!"
I was told that ponies heard me shouting as far away as Town Hall.
= = =
"I'm leaving Monday morning," I told the girls as we enjoyed a light lunch together on the grand balcony of the castle. "I've got an itinerary set, and Spike will be along to send messages. I'll write letters to you all at each port, and Luna has arranged to forward them. I'll be so far away that shared dreams would be impractical, but you can ask Celestia or Luna to send a letter if I'm needed back here. I think that covers everything."
They all looked at each other.
"Yeah, everything except who's going to take over our jobs while we come along with you," Rainbow Dash said, scowling at me. "I can ask Spitfire to assign me to your guard again, but that means somepony else will have to take over at the castle."
"Well, I reckon I can hire Caramel for the hayin' and maybe Noteworthy to help take care of the stock. He ain't much for heavy labor, but he's good with critters," Applejack said.
"I could finish up my outstanding orders in a week. Sassy and Coco should be able to take care of any emergencies. Could you put off the departure for a few days, darling?"
"I suppose I could..." Fluttershy began.
"Wait, wait!" I interrupted. "I'm not going to upset your schedules for this! It's just a trial run, and if the table comes up with a..."
"Cloud Kicker!" Dash said suddenly. "Yeah, I'll put her in charge and then everypony will be extra glad to get me back!"
"Maybe Noteworthy could stop by my cottage for the evening feeding? Then I could..."
It was obvious that they were going to ignore me. Some leader of ponies I was. "Listen!" I half-shouted. "This isn't a pleasure cruise and I don't want to be recognized! I'm going in disguise and..." I really should have known better.
"Oooooo! Secret stuff!" Pinkie Pie clopped her fore hooves together. "I'm in!"
"Some sort of nom de guerre would be in order, wouldn't it? 'Dashing Blade' sounds nice! He was the hero of a fabulous romance novel I read last month."
"I'm the one who dashes around here!" Rainbow objected. "Hmn... I've got a Daring Do costume..."
"I s'pose I could put a colored hatband on one o' my spare hats."
I don't know why I even pretend to have any control over my life.
= = =
I shifted my scheduled departure to Monday the week after and managed to keep the girls from making it look like I was exporting fancy costume parties. I worked up some charmed jewelry to alter their appearances, though Rarity insisted on making her own setting for her gem, trying very hard not to let on that she thought my simple bezel and gold chain was an affront to fashion through the ages. It didn't really matter, because I layered a charm on top of the jewels to make them unnoticeable,[1] but Rarity insisted that she would know, so I gave in to her whim. Rarity was right about something else: We needed cover names. But I didn't think we could manage to consistently use the pseudonyms without slipping up, so I developed a clever little spell to alter how other ponies heard what we called each other. The six of us could use any of our names or nicknames, and others would only hear our chosen aliases.[2]
----------
[1] Merchant crewponies didn't wear much in the way of accessories.
[2] Spike made an adorable little colt, and was very eager to play cabin boy even before Rarity squealed with delight on seeing his disguise and gave him a big, nuzzle-y hug.
----------
Aside from Rainbow Dash snapping welts on her own ears and rump while practicing with her Official Daring Do Action Bullwhip, preparations went smoothly.
Celestia had her staff prepare and expedite all the paperwork that was necessary, including, interestingly enough, foreign health certificates and licenses. She gave me the final bundle, all tied up with a neat red ribbon and a sheet listing all the contents, and my last excuse for not leaving vanished.
I spent the last night before we left in Canterlot with Luna. She even canceled Night Court so that we would have more time together.
"Thou hast the charms and philters I prepared?" she asked me as I prepared to fly back to Ponyville early Monday morning.
"All properly stowed away," I confirmed.
"And a goodly store of enchanted paper for messages?"
"I will write you even when I have nothing of interest to say. I promise!"
"Nay, thy slightest thoughts are of great import to me!" She lowered her head until her muzzle was only a hoof width from mine.
"You're making it very hard for me to go," I said, moving my own nose closer until it almost touched hers.
"Would if be so horrible if thou wert ever so slightly behind thy time? There are not sufficient hours in a day to properly show my affection, but perhaps a turn of the glass to hint at how grievously the hours apart will wound me?" Like we hadn't spent most of the previous night doing just that.
I kissed her for the space of ten heartbeats and then broke away. "I'm the captain, and duty calls."
She smiled wickedly as she backed away. "Then fly to thy duty, but let it not weigh heavily upon thee, for thou shalt need all of thy strength to bear the welcome I will tender upon thy return!"
"So the trip won't be a total loss, no matter how it goes." I attempted a leer in return, but am fairly certain I didn't pull it off. Fortunately, Luna is very understanding.
= = =
"Grass?" Rainbow Dash peered through the hatch into Nebula's main hold. "We're hauling grass? That's so lame! We should have a cargo of exotic silks and spices! Maybe mysterious locked chests that make eerie sounds at night!"
"Canter Valley Bluegrass hay is worth a great deal in Zebrica," I told her. "They consider it a rare delicacy. And spices and silk come from across the ocean, so why in the world would we be exporting them there?"
"Lame," Dash muttered and she turned and clomped off toward the fo'c'sle. We were barely a day out of Ponyville and she was bored already. She'd been on self-imposed pirate-watch for most of the morning and we hadn't even crossed the Equestrian coast yet.
But it wasn't just her. Crewing aboard an airship freighter took a certain kind of temperament, and I was beginning to suspect it was one that none of my friends shared. I tried to interest Dash in learning to steer the ship, but she was completely disdainful of a craft that could only manage a tiny fraction of her flying speed. But to my surprise, Fluttershy seemed intrigued by the idea.
"It's really like some big animal, isn't it?" she said, looking out over the main deck. "All the crew need to work together, like muscle and nerves and lungs."
"I suppose," I admitted. "Ponies who work aboard airships and boats are always careful to call them by name and often claim each vessel has its own quirks and personality, though there's probably a lot of superstition in that."
"Well—" Fluttershy paused for several moments, but I knew she just needed time to work up to whatever was coming next and waited patiently. "Maybe I could get to know Nebula. I've watched how the crew ponies handle the lines, and I don't know if I'm strong enough for that, but—" She ducked her head and let a long lock of her pink mane fall across her face. "Maybe—sometime—I could try steering. If it's okay with you and it isn't too hard, I mean."
I introduced her to Acorn, the unicorn helmspony on watch, and ran her through Driving a Balloon 101.[3] She listened attentively and even summoned up enough courage to ask a couple of good questions.
----------
[3] That's a joke, by the way. One pilots, sails, or steers an aircraft. Aeronauts cringe when ponies speak of driving a craft that flies.
-----------
"Okay," I said when I was confident she had grasped all the basics, "take the wheel, Ms. Fluttershy!"
"What? Now?" Her eyes widened in surprise. "Oh, I don't know—maybe I should just watch for a little—"
"No time like the present!" I said cheerfully. I lifted her in my magic and plunked her down in front of the big wooden wheel. "Acorn and I will be right here if you need us!"
She immediately froze up. But since we were holding to a straight, level course, that was perfectly acceptable.
After about five minutes had passed, when most of the tension had left Fluttershy's shoulders and forelegs, I said to her, "That's really good! You've held a good steady line, no sudden or wasted motions. Right Mr. Acorn?"
"Yes, cap'n," he replied, solemnly. "As sure a hoof on the wheel as any I've seen."[4]
----------
[4] My crew had been hoof-picked, not only for their aeronautical capabilities, but for a certain phlegmatic outlook towards what might best be termed peculiarities.
----------
"Oh," Fluttershy said, softly smiling. "Really?"
"So let's try a slow easy turn," I said.
"I don't know if I'm ready for—"
"Turn the top of the wheel to the left until the second spoke from the top is straight up," I told her. I had to give her a little magical nudge to get her started, but she did it.
"Nothing is happening," she said after a moment. "Did I do it wrong?"
"It takes a little while for Nebula to respond," Acorn said. "And it's hard to tell when she starts to turn unless you watch the compass. There! You see the card moving?"
"Oh, yes!" Fluttershy smiled, proud of her achievement.
"Good," Acorn said. "Now, let's try to straighten her out heading Southwest by West. That's the mark on the compass card, there. The spoke with the fancy bit of ropework on it will be back at the top of the wheel when the rudder is amidships."
"Yes, I see it."
"Good! Now, it took Nebula about five seconds to start her turn, so figure how fast the compass is moving and try to turn the wheel back five seconds before the mark I showed you reaches the index line."
Acorn was being very kind and careful with Fluttershy, so I left them to the flying lesson and went in search of the rest of my friends.
Within a couple of days, everypony had gotten interested in some aspect of shipboard life and settled into a regular routine. Even if I thought some of the exercises that they went through were a little impractical, they were all happy, and that's what mattered. Fluttershy had gotten so interested in piloting that I could barely convince her to let go of the wheel long enough to eat. Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash spent the afternoons whacking at each other with wooden cutlasses and boarding axes that Rarity had put together for them.
The only thing that didn't work out was one of Rarity's ideas; she just couldn't interest anypony else in playing shuffleboard.
I had assumed, with her martial arts background, that Rarity would join Dash and Pinkie, but she had gotten interested in fancy knot work and spent her free time with Halter Hitch, learning all sorts of ridiculously complicated ways to use up a lot of rope.
Oddly enough, Halter Hitch was an earth pony, but he could tie complicated knots faster than any of the unicorns aboard. Soon, we had "fancy work" covering railings, belaying pins, and anything else that afforded a decent place for Rarity to practice. She even wove a very luxurious-looking hammock that Dash commandeered for her mid-morning and late-afternoon naps, and a smaller version for Spike.
The crew didn't seem to mind all the unusual activity, and were positively delighted by the cooking skills of Pinkie Pie and Applejack.
I had packed two chests full of books and magical equipment, and spent most of my time reading or working on creating the Talisman of Night.
The Talisman had been another excuse I had used to delay my departure. I felt it was an unfinished piece of business that I ought to resolve before leaving Ponyville for any extended period. Unfortunately, the work had not gone well, and it was still far from complete.
The whole horrible affair with Luna's corrupted other half had left me in possession of another alicorn's twisted magical power. The Nightmare was no more, but she had left her indelible mark on the raw mana I had absorbed from her, and it made things difficult for me when using it to amplify my own magic. Like a filly who had become a good dancer and then undergone puberty, I found that things no longer functioned in the ways I had become accustomed to. A young mare stumbling over her own hooves posed little threat to the ponies around her, but the energies I commanded were of an entirely different magnitude, and potentially very dangerous.
It wasn't just the extra power within me that was the main problem; I had learned how to deal with that sort of situation when Tirek had escaped Tartarus. No, it was that the magic itself had been twisted somehow and preferred certain spell forms. It's hard to describe, and I don't want to ponify the magic; I am certain that there was no sentience to it at all. But the problem remained and I didn't want to keep playing host to the uncomfortable energy. It needed a safe place to reside.
My solution was to bind the Nightmare's magic into an artifact, much like the Alicorn Amulet. In fact, I had recovered the Amulet from its secure location in order to study it in preparation for my attempt. I took it to an underground workroom beneath my tower in Canterlot, and that's when I got a rather nasty surprise.
I recognized the magic bound into the Alicorn Amulet.
I never had any intention of putting it on, of course. I was confident that I had sufficient strength of will to resist its corrupting influence, but there was no sense in taking chances, and I didn't need to channel its magic to investigate the matrix that kept it bound into the jeweled necklace. But as soon as I opened the protective box that held it, my experience while escaping the Wheel of the World told me precisely what its source of power was.
The gem held a tiny fraction of the magic of the Red Queen. The power within the Amulet was a mote of the magical essence of the mother of Celestia and Luna; the amoral and merciless creator of our universe.
I shut and locked the box.
= = =
=
Thanks to PresentPerfect, Princess Woona, and statoose for editing and pre-reading!
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6541776
I am interested in hearing more about Spike's fro.
Curse you for making me wonder about the edibility of marks on mana.
Ooo, like the tie in to the Red Queen there. She (and the exposition on her) probably my favorite bit in the Luna Cypher. Fits very well with what we've seen it do, too - might is right.
A whip and rope? Is it me, or do these ponies sound incredibly kinky?
Love the sweet TwiLuna moments in this one, I'm glad to see that the conclusion from TLC stuck.
As if it isn't hard enough to remember what went on in the previous chapter under normal circumstances, with this split time storytelling I have to remember what happened two chapters back. Woe is me.
6542563 I have to agree there. As much as I'm loving the story already, I think I might end up waiting until it's complete before reading any further. That'll probably let me appreciate the narrative much more.
Unless, of course, some miracle such as, say, daily updates were to happen.
6541978
"the paint job on the envelope and hull were within"
"jobs" or "was"?
"Luna; the amoral"
"Luna, the amoral"?
Aww, and the chapter ends. They keep doing that! :D
Ah, back to the start, then? Acceptable! It's refreshing, like you've found your voice again.
How long do you suppose it'll be before they reach the Grand Line and find One Piece?
The change in chronological order was a bit jarring, if I'm being honest.
Yeah... kinda of a pet peeve for me as well. Especially when someone says "drive a motorcycle"...
YOU FRIGGIN RIDE A MOTORCYCLE!!!
6543229 Well, they already have the pony version of Zoro...
scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xal1/v/t1.0-9/12088282_10206743584123569_5061898299615845922_n.jpg?oh=06dae77ad4f71e00e96f0f8dbcb08df9&oe=56C4632A
I can never read this without thinking of Kingdom of Loathing taking it to the logical conclusion.
Because you do have some control over your life: your decisions.
Still don't approve of Luna x Twilight shipping, but other than that, this story is shaping up quite well.
6543980
6542563 6542710
No daily updates, sorry! But, yeah you can wait 'til the whole story is up to read it. Alternatively, you could read the even chapters first and then the odd chapters and get the whole story in chronological order. But I don't really recommend that, as the alternating chapters address similar elements and are set up to be read that way.
6545263
Yeah, not much to be done about it now, I suppose, but I really don't like that format of storytelling. Ah well, the story itself makes it worth it, at least!
6545263 Indeed, if a story was intended to be read in a certain way, reading it out of order is usually not a good idea.
Unlike pondercolt, I actually don't really mind this kind of format, it's just that it isn't very well suited to a periodically updating story.
Though knowing me, despite all this talk of waiting I'll probably end up just re-reading the last two chapters every single time a new chapter comes out.
Oh My Goodness!!!!!
I saw "The Celestia Code" story cover on EQD and go curious as to why it's showing up as updated... Then I saw "Sequel Part 4" and got hyped :D
Now reading ^^
Which makes you wonder if Trixie's excesses under the Amulet's influence is an insight into the narcissistic and capricious nature of the Red Queen.
6562960 Which would make good sense, really, given the other interpretations of "The Red Queen".
Red Queen's Race in Biology
6562960
6566499
And, as the Red Queen is imprisoned in the Wheel of the World...
Faved.
And Twilight's ultimate position in the universe is explained.
I sooooo want Chryssie to find out about it, it'd give her snark ammo for years to come.
So going by the pattern, back to the past and Twilight launching her first trip aboard her new ship. How long until she decides to go full pirate on things?
Opinion hasn't changed. It's like the "Previously on" segments from shows that in showing specific events from the past make clear exactly what the episdoe is going to be about. I don't like those either. Still I'll stop harping on this point cause yeah, it's more a YMMV issue then one I think is really wrong. I do get the point and they can work, I just personally don't like them.
Wow it took her almost a year to get the ship ready? Guess it makes sense, experimental design, lot of detail, and wanting it to be just right. So two years to go before she's a feared sky pirate.
So is Zebrica the main Zebra nation, like Equestria for ponies, with the place they are at in the future/present/whatever it counts as... in 1014 there that solves it, just some out of the way little place that happens to be Zebra dominated, but just a small nation outside the overall larger scope of Zebrica?
Rarity gonna be Rarity. So how big a freak out will she have when Twi scrapes off a lot of the paint job in close brushes with stuff?
Huh.... I mean I could probably come up with some ways that works if I tried, but none pop immediately to mind.
Oh right, took me a second to realize she meant the whole hidden relationship thing. But didn't Celestia tell them it was the next year or so that really mattered? They still need to hide it? Or just have their own reasons for it now?
How much time to devote to your actual responsibilities, and how much to gallivanting around the world on a whim?
Okay, so she does realize the issue, and is having issues deciding which to do and whether or not this is right.... though more just due to the Map then her actual Princessly duties? This does feel like a...like a slight issue with just how devote she had been to them. Still, only a month, and she did take that trip to the ruins, so not unheard of. I wouldn't say she's neglecting her responsibilities yet, or even seeming to, just that the way things are going, I can't be sure she won't be doing so soon. Still only a month then back, helps lend credence to these are just isolated trips and she stops back in Equestria afterwards... for now.
Hope the Map is smart enough to realize you are out of range?
I'm wondering this myself... how bad would knowing the workings of The Pink One erode my sanity in this verse?
You know....... I have to agree. So is that what prompt Twi to say "Screw it" wanting to be her own Pony and not let others boss her around?
Okay..... that is pushing things. I know the story established Wild Magic and all, and there is deeper reason behind Pinkie being Pinkie, that maybe this was the Wild Magic giving her a push, but it feels, just a bit to forced, to easy, just, remove the dilemma far FAR to easily. It also ignored the whole REASON they are sent on these mission, and the fact nothing is actually forcing them to do so, it's all their choice because they know the Map has a good reason. And, all that gets ignored for this? I'm not agsint the idea in and of itself, but it feels far to pat, far to easy a way out of the dilemma that doesn't actually address any of the issues with the dilemma in the first place. Hopefully this comes back to bite Twi in the flank later, that it's made clear this was wrong and she was taking the easy way out... but even then... nothing about the reason behind the missions? It just... yeah rambling. Short version, I can understand Twilight wanting to be her own pony, but the way it's done feels far to easy and forced for the sake of making the dilemma go away. Rather then addressing it. (Or as SF Debris would call it, Voyager writing 101)
You have Spike, also how many ponies have young dragons with them? Or.. right this is before she's trying TO hard to hide herself, just a cloak and claiming to be a merchant likely. So yeah she gets a pass on this one. Still you HAVE Spike with you, why write in port and wait for the slow as mail, and if you are doing that, why have Luna forward them rather then just mail them directly? Or, going to be sending them via Equestria embassy for faster, more secure delivery? Still why not just have Spike send them to Tia, and have her forward them to the Mane 6? And yes I know it wouldn't be an issue because they will be coming with. But still, where is the logic here?
So range limit on that.... and given Magic Sheep, yeah it makes sense no merged Dreamscapes, but couldn't Luna still enter Twi's dreams? I mean, if they could do that while she was trapped on a whole other plane on existence, what's a few extra miles? (Yes I know they did not do it, but only because of The Nightmare, who proved it could be done regardless.)
RD-So are we addressing the whole joined the army to avoid having to take sides, even though that is like, the worst place you could do that with an imminent Civil War between the two ponies who are in charge of that army?
Pinkie-I'm sure the Cakes will manage, though Ponyville's party supply economy might take a hit.
Rarity-Self employed, just so long as she doens't have any projects due soon
Fluttershy-Yeah gotta find somepony to take care of the animals
AJ-Well time to hire a bit of farm help I guess.
So yeah there really isn't anything that they can't get out of or have somepony take over. Fluttershy is likely the trickiest of the lot.
And Given the Manehatten branch we now know she's opened, maybe Coco too? Between them, they should be able to handle things. Sassy on the business end, Coco on the production end.
So that's a no one remembering the whole joined the army thing? (Reserves I know, but still) Also... RD...
and yet, I am not the least bit surprised.
Ya think. Also, so it's alright for YOU to totally ignore your duties and any issues you are needed to help with, but not okay for them?
So how are you disguising Spike?
.......... Okay I freaking love this, it is so simultaneously
and 
and just, perfect Dash.
............ I don't think that would help AJ........ but, at least you are trying.
So her dealing with how much control she has going to be one of the issue? Her feeling like she is lacking it causing her to go nuts and try to TAKE control of everything?
I see she has gotten over her disregard for charms like that, Good on her, she did learn that lesson. Also, good idea too, makes it far less likely your disguises will slip. So she is thinking ahead.
Huh, would have figured... oh wait CREWPONIES, not the merchant's themselves, okay, makes sense.
That.... seems a bit to easy. And, how would you know when others are talking to you, what name they think they are? This whole idea seems even MORE complicated then just picking pseudonyms and remembering not to screw up, the whole idea is just, so complicated and SO many possible issues with it. I mean, I could see it maybe being a version of a Translation Spell, but that would be nice to know, and have more details then jut "It just does it" Like, have them actually PICK names, so they know what others think they are being called, and well they are going to other lands so, other languages, just have Twi work it into the Translation spell, that their names get translated as their cover names rather then their real ones. As presented it's just a cheap handwave to explain using their real names in the text. Give it some more reason and explanation to fit better.
Okay, explains Spike but... how? These are only illusions. Making one pony look like another, simple, but how do you make Spike look like a pony? I mean look yes, but what about movements? How will the image mimic quadrupedal motion on a biped? What about his hands? Will things just be hovering? Facial expressions? He can't make quite the same things ponies do, different eyes, less expressive ears, and what about single leg gestures? How is that illusion supposed to work? Or just keep him on the ship at all times so nopony sees him except for at a distance that makes those issues pointless?
Because of course that is a thing, and of course RD has one.
Celestia is oddly all behind this. Just for the sake of Twilight seeing the world from a new perspective and maybe seeing how things work helping her deal with toning down her instance on perfection? That living vicariously thing I talked about? Or, does she know where this is going and wants to get it over with? Or some combination of those and other issues?
See this makes sense, admitting she has duties, and giving a reason for her to cancel them that makes sense, rather then just pretending they don't exist like she forget all about them. Yes I like this.
Again, she has Spike, why need some other way? Or, does his dragon message breath only work with special paper here?
Yes, just not, you know, your other duties apparently.
"Thou shalt not be able to sit comfortably for at least a week!" So, they get passed the whole lack of physical attraction, her not being gay bit, or Luna still changing shape for fun time?
All good points, like 99% of all mercantile trips are just boring everyday stuff like this. And Twi wants to appear perfectly ordinary.
Long stretches of utter boredom, followed by more boredom, and then sitting around being bored with nothing to do utill you hit port, and go totally fucking nuts out of finally not being bored. Fluttershy might like the peace and quite, AJ, RD and Pinkie, yeah they are going to go stir crazy.
And kind of how I saw it, and also CALLED IT!
Not really. There is SOME of that to it, but each ship is unique in how it works in little ways.
*in completely dull monotone* Yes, quite the joke. Twilight's sense of humor know no bounds in it's hilarity.
Totally planned it that way.
Meaning they can deal with the Mane 6 all being utterly insane in their own way. (Well except AJ)
Card... oh it's one of those where the needle is fixed, and the 'card' with the direction rotates instead?
... and she knows exactly where a good bondage gear store is..... Rarity, you kinky kinky little minx.
She had other spots for the early-morning and noon naps.
OHHHHHHH Twilight working on creating her own artifacts? She really did take "Create Wondrous Item" as her feat last level up.
Right, so she still has that power, and working on the artifact to contain it then, giving up on the idea of multiple different ones?
So is that why she seems so weak in 1014? Over did it and spent to much energy?
OHHHH PLOT TWIST!
RIIIIIGHT, yeah this being cocky is really going to bite her in the flank at some point.
Good chapter, nice starting point for her journey, a few logistical issues, but yeah they are mostly nitpicks or, things that simply could use a bit of clarification. Really want to know Celestia's whole motivation here, get a bit more time with her. The romance has been toned down and feels more natural, though, maybe a bit TO toned down if anything, or might just be the lack of decompression stages between how they were and how they are now. I get time has passed in 'verse to explain it, just, hard not to get the metaphorical bends going from one extreme to the other that fast. Again not 'bad' just noticeable to me.
So since they've got disguising jewelry and a spell to change their names, am I right in guessing that their crew doesn't know who they are either? I suppose they might have initially interviewed undisguised, but that wouldn't help with the new crew that's been joining them.
If that's the case, I'm totally waiting for the Stardust moment when Twi's cover is blown, she totally freaks, and the whole crew is like "yeah, we already knew."
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Yay! Every time I run across someone referencing KoL it gives me warm fuzzies.
Ahh, so it's slightly Pinkie's fault, too.
Impeccable logic.
Oh AJ.
Spike the cabin boy colt? I like it.
Ahh, there's Fluttershy's start at
drivingpiloting.That's a funny initial detail considering her later persona.
Ooo, interesting detail regarding the Alicorn Amulet, not to mention the continuing Nightmare influence.
Shouldn't this be "forehooves"?
…Apparently, not only is fo'c'sle an actual word, but it also has the alternative spelling of fo'c's'le — you know, in case two apostrophes in one word weren't enough.
Well, the ending of this chapter certainly raises more than a few questions.
Having just finished reading 'The Life and Times of a Winning Pony', Rainbow Dash's intention to put Cloud Kicker in charge while they're away seems perfect. xD
Pure gold.
Nice tip-o-the-hat to the real world there. American and Canadian Timothy hay is a profitable export overseas, particularly to Japan.
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I did my research. Twilight would be proud of me!
The fact that Twilight's friends literally won't let her leave on her own for a month is kind of a problem. At the time, there wasn't really anything to suggest she'd need her friends for a single month-long trip. So their insistence on coming with her is kinda manipulative.
I'm probably totally off, but I'm going to hazard a guess that the Alicorn Amulet may come up later in the story.
Hmm, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie playing pirates I can see that.
This seems a little out of left field.
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I believe Rarity is actually shown in the show to have some knowledge of martial arts.
reminds me of a comic strip where a spaceship was carrying COFFEE BEANS.
ok, it was actually part of a role-playing game, but still amusing.
http://www.absurdnotions.org/page110.html
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i.ibb.co/hXjggw0/Fighter-Rarity.jpg
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That's fun! I'll have to start following that.
...And then ran her through with a shard blade?
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Wrong fic!
This whole scene is precious <3 Also, that scene with Pinkie Pie is really funny too. I like how it ties back in with the prior chapter and Twilight understanding Pinkie Pie's nonsense. I think I am starting to see what you mean now!
Oooooh SNAP I knew she'd become significant again. I'm curious if this Talisman project of hers will work out or not!
The thing I love about this is just how much research you must have done to make things authentic. Airship parts, referencing real world trade, things like that. These are fantastic skills and bits of knowledge that can really flesh out a world. I need to do some research on how I want to world build my next stories and ensure they are as well thought out as yours! Although I will admit, a lot of the airship terminology sails over my head, but I just roll with it
Might be able to squeeze in some more chapters tonight, might not. Not sure yet. I'm trying to do two at a time given the unique framework of the story's chronology. I'm digging it so far!
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I'm glad you're not confused or upset by the back-and-forth! Some people were.
I'm a total Age of Sail geek, and that's why my (aero)nautical terminology gets a bit thick at times. I'm happy to know that it's skip-able without impacting the story. That sort of stuff should be seasoning, not a speed bump!
I thoroughly enjoy Pinkie's nonsensical brand of wisdom (or would that be wise brand of nonsense?) As do I appreciate Twilight's taking the time to understand it at least in a "I don't understand exactly what you are saying, but I get the gist".
I also love the sailing terminology and the detailed diagrams at chapters end.