Sinking
"When do you think this storm will end?" A low masculine voice called. It was in the afternoon and for the past few hours a small luxury ship and it's passengers have found themselves lost in the waves of a storm the likes of which is was surly unprepared.
"I'm not sure exactly but it should be calming down in the next few minutes." A voice of a different pitch answers it's owner a small light brown unicorn.
"That's what you've been saying for the past hour!" A high voice called " and frankly I am quite tired of waiting." The small elegant mare who had spoke to them leaned against her chair in boredom.
The boat rocket back and forth in the waves causing everyone to cling to there sets. The crew was talking about having trouble in the engine room even before the storm started now they were too scared to even ask.
“All im saying is that maybe this won't be over as soon as you say it will be.” The mare continued “None of you seem to know what's going on,” both stallions that had been talking looked at each other in defeat, neither wanted to talk to the crew who seemed uncommunicative when not asked directly.
“Well the storm has to end sooner or later, so don't see how talking about it will change anything.” The unicorn stallion said lamely he didn't like being contradicted
"Well I for one-" the mare began but was interrupted by a knock on the cabin door. Causing all those inside to turn to see what it was, the door opened a few seconds later allowing a young green mare to step in.
“Excuse me,” she said “but it appears that we are having trouble in the navigation room.” she wore a sailor hat and neckerchief. None of first three passengers had bothered to learn the names off any of the crew besides the captain and thus didn't bother with them.
“What do mean? What kind of trouble?” said the unicorn putting the conversation on hold. Thankful to have some information any information on what was happening beyond the room.
“They say that the charts are off.” The green mare said. there was a pause before adding “They didn't say anymore.”
“Well...send for somepony to explain just what the problem is.” said the unicorn irritably.
The mare simply noded and left closing the behind her. It wasn't long before somepony came nopony but the captain himself, briskly opened and closed the cabin door. He was a slender earth pony of middle height and age with a light tan coat and his coat and hat were the only indication as to his position.
“Good evening, sir.” he spoke briskly. “There is a disturbance in the navagaon room, the charts are off.”
“Ha.” The unicorn scoffed “The charts are never accurate in this part of the ocean.”
“Yes i know that but… does the name tempest island mean anything to you?” the captain asked.
“No, why?”
“Nothing really, its just…if i could speak to Mr.Loadstone.” The captain said looking at the clock on the wall.
“What are you talking about? he's not a sailor.” The unicorn said in amusement. “What could you possibly want from him?”
“Maybe, but hes been on many trips like this, he has judgment despite his age.” The captain said turning to look at the unicorn again.
“Mmmm.” The unicorn tilted his head back to look at the ceiling then the other two in the room. “Fine, Clay can you fetch him?”
The Earth pony guest rose from his chair and walked across the room without speaking and out a door opposite the one the captain had entered.
“He’s rarely left his room, he may not be feeling well.” The unicorn said watching the door close.
“I saw him earlier,” The mare spoke. “ He was speaking to the crew and walking around the deck, mostly at night.”
“I’ve been told that as well.” The captain said. “Habit i’m sure.”
"Yes.” The unicorn said absent mindedly wanting for clay to return, mind drifting to the storm. “Say-”
The door opened with a creek and clay stepped throw he took three steps into the room before stopping and looking behind him throw the door. A few seconds later a pony entered, moving into the room silently. The gray unicorn looked concerned but mostly tired as sleep had not entirely left him.
“You want something?” He said.
“Yes,” the unicorn said “the captain wanted to talk to you.”
The captain stepped forward looking at the one before him, talking in the sight of somepony he had heard about even before he had meet him.
“Mr.Lodestone if it isn't too much do you think you can help us with the maps?” The caption said with silent urgency.
"I don't see why not." He said after a pause looking around the room. Looking at the people gathered. He smiled pleasantly. Strange he thought so alike but different. His mind drifted to the task at hand, sea charts. He had some experience with them, yes.
He traveled he supposed, yet there was so much more to see and he planed to see it all, so why not help a little?
“Good, good,” the captain said stepping away “now if you'll just follow me we could use you in the map room.”
“Wait.” the unicorn said “Just a moment if you please.” he turned his attention to the newcomer. “Loadstone, if you don't mind my asking why did come along on this trip?”
“You invited me of course.” Loadstone answered simply. Thinking back he remembered receiving a letter from an acquaintance who he meet a few days earlier at a social gathering (some party he felt obligated to attend) they had talked he introduced himself as Clear Coat and asked if he would like to go on some “adventure” which in reality was a cruise on the south sea.
“Yes, but is that all? I didn't really think you'd go for it.” Clear Coat said shifting in his seat. He wasn't sure he should be asking this but he felt a need to.
Loadstone thought a moment before answering. “Yes, thats all.”
Clear Coat looked at him for a moment waiting for an elaboration when it didn't come he sighed. “As you wish.” he said looking away.
There was a brief moment of quiet them the captain asked him to move along he felt a tug in his cest. The need to say or do something but inability to to grasp what it is that needed to be done. He followed the captain to the door and looked back at the room.
“Goodbye.” He said simply.
A wave hit the starboard side and the boat was slammed against the rocks of shallow reef.
Loadstone was thrown to the ground with a grunt, unprepared. The captain fell forward as the other passengers clung to their seats in desperation unaware of what was going on. Clear Coat struggled to stay steady, the sound of breaking boards was unmistakable as water rushed into the hull. In the boiler room screams rang out as water came in faster than it could be pumped out even as they scrambled to save the ship fear creeped into their minds. It would only be a matter of time before...
"If that water gets to the engines this whole place is going up!" The caption said trying to stand. "You need to get to the lifeboats, I have to help my crew."
"Hey, you can't just leave us here!" The mare cried. This wasn't what she came for, this wasn't supposed to happen, it was supposed to be fun and this wasn't fun at all, if she could take it all back she would but it was too late for that now.
“Sorry, but my first duty is to my crew not you.” The captain uttered rushing out the door and into the stormy night.
“Hey get back here!” Clear coat demanded, pulling himself up and struggling to the door. The others followed him out not sure what to do. Outside the air is thick and heavy the waves pushing the ship back and forth, making it hard to stand.
The boat was sinking all right it wouldn't be long now, the water was spilling on the deck and and thick dark made it hard to see much of anything that wasn't right in front of you.
Clear coat made a move toward the railing trying to think of something to do, the ship was to small for life bouts and it was to dark to see anything. He stood there for a moment trying to see something, anything that could give him hope. There was nothing.
"Quick everypony find something that can float!" He called. Maybe they could make it out o.k. If they could just find something to cing to when to boat sinks. The gatherd pony's scattered to find something lifesavers, buoys and empty wood crats where assembled.
The waves where shoving to boat to and fro and before long the time had arrived with one last heave to ship flopped on its side sibling it's deck contents into the dark sea incuding the passengers. Thrown out of the shacky surface under them and into the cold viscous liquid that almost seemed to wrap around them like a blanket.