True Treasure

It all started with the ship of course, that's what I would say. But honestly the ship would have never existed for us at  all if it were not for Pip's undying passion for a certain lunar Princess.

Luna...Even I could not rival Pip's love for her.

I remember that childhood night that first lit my Pip's passion in her. At the time we lived in a small village, one that was primarily populated by those who choose the celestial princess over our own princess. This of course meant ponies like Pip and I, along with a few others, were left mainly friendless. We stuck close to each of course and we were together, just him and I, that night we went out to sleep by ancient statue of Luna's old form. We felt closer to her whenever we were there and that night...that night we felt as if we had to be dreaming.

There we were, two foals with flanks blank, faced with the Princess of the Night. The whole event seemed mind baffling to us and it left an impression on us that will never leave and never be rivaled.

I felt a shiver go down my spine and a faint grin echoed in my eyes and I recalled this and with that the memory was broken. I found myself back in reality, staring into those chocolate-y brown that wore both a smile and the betrayal of concern in their depths.

"Dinky, I want you to take care of yourself...I don't want to lose you..."

My legs momentarily felt weak as Pipsqueak, feared pirate by many, ran a tender hoof over the soft fur of my sides. Feeling more sensitive than usual I imagine I could feel the individual bristles as they sprung free. He couldn't possibly know, I knew that. I had yet to tell him. But that gesture made me wonder...

I forced my momentary moment of weakness down with abruptness, knowing that is not a luxury I should be allowing myself. With a casual shrug I brush his brown hoof off of me.

"I always do. You should worry more about yourself. Drinking as you do you'll find yourself with the sea ponies one of these days."

Bellowing laughter met my curt response and my ears splayed back with annoyance.

"Don't you worry about that! The only pony I plan to sleep with is you."

My face reddens for no reason at his words and like a child's spring loaded toy my ears spring back up. I truly hated those days when I didn't even have the command over my own body's reactions.

I had no time to correct my own body's response as another noise was caught by the pricked up radar my ears formed. Hooves that while they could not be described as thundering were certainly heading towards the captain's quarters with speed. Both Pip and I subtlety shifted apart with the pretense of turning to face whoever this newcomer might be.  A lock of golden hair dipped into my eyes as the hooves come to a stop and knocking begins.

"Enter."

The playfulness that I see in Pip is gone now and he is back to being the captain the crew knows as a serious tone enters his voice. This is the demeanor of a leader. This is the captain that can inspire other to follow him with pride. This is a Pipsqueak to be feared.

A tousled grey mane appears first as the door cracks open, barely showing the purple eyes beneath it. Rumble. Another pony from our original village and directly under me in the chain of command. A good pony and a loyal pirate he truly was.

His head bowed respectfully at both of us before he looked for permission to speak. An unnecessary gesture that spoke of respect, as he well knew.

"Captain, land has just been sighted."

Pip's serious demeanor shatters at these words and with the grin he gave me as he turned his head I knew he was trying hard to resist sticking his tongue out like a foal.

"What did I tell you, everything would turn out just fine!"

I grumble and face Rumble, my business like posture not dropping even if our captain deemed it fit for himself to do so. There is something lacking from Rumble's information and that fact, or lack therefor, seems to have slipped from Pip's coltish mind.

"How far off is the land?" Is my simple inquiry, nose twitching slightly as Pip's playful manner does not dissipate.

Rumble hesitates for a mere second and I can see the gears in his head calculating that which he has seen.

"At our current speed the land is not too far off. I can't say for certain when we will land on its shores, with night falling the breeze is sure to shift or die down," He turns his attentions now to Pip, "Captain, do you think this is the place Luna has been leading us to?"

"Rumble..."Pip's eyes turn to the wooden blankets on the ceiling, eyelids drooping close, "I  would bet my name as Captain upon that fact. And even if it isn't, does it matter? Luna's ship always leads us where we are needed." Though still jovial his tone has become a shade more serious now.

All three of us stand there in silence for a few brief minutes as our captain lowers his head to make eye contact with the two of us. The light is fading from the cabin swiftly. Candles lit previously to my entrance become the predominant source of light now and the flickering shadows racing across our faces leaves for a serious scene indeed.

"If we're lucky that island will fix our dire rum problem Miss Dinky has just informed me of. How is a captain to work in such conditions, my lass?"

And of course a mood made serious never lasts long around our dear captain.