Fallout Equestria: Premonition

Chapter 3:

“Mending Sails”

The Lucky Clam deeply unsettled me as I felt drawn to the hotel. This place just felt perfect, as I walked inside the white marble flooring felt soothing to my hooves. The brown tiled walls gave this place such a warm and homely feel to it. Now that I was fully aware what this place was and whom inhabit it, it sent a chill down my spine.

What have I gotten myself into?

As I looked around the amulet let me see right through their disguise. The changelings were easy to spot, their body seemed to shift and flow as if it were submerged underwater. They were everywhere, and from the looks of it there weren't any actual ponies working in this place.

Approaching the front desk, a changeling pretended to be a faded pink mare with black mane and purple eyes looked up at me. The flowing aura around the ‘pony’ showed an outline of a changeling horn.

“Hello miss how may I help you today?" his words slid from his mouth and the watery aura around his horn gave a gentle glow.

“I would like to speak with your boss.” The amulet under my clothes felt like ice for a second and it took all my effort not to react to the chilling feeling.

“Of course miss I shall go get the manager.” A soft glow again was seen on his horn every time he spoke. Smoothly, he slid out of the counter and started to walk off.

“I will just wait here for Maelstrom then.” I kindly informed the clerk.

He stopped in place and looked at me, a small frown formed for a small second then he was back to a cheery mood, “She must have invited you to her room then right?" He walked back and reached under his desk, then pulled out a check in log. “Well then, I will take your bags up miss.” he reached out a hoof.

“Oh um sure, here you go.” Hoofing over my bag was a small price to pay to visit a ‘friend’. I still can't believe I forgot I was carrying this, not much I can do about it now. As I hoofed out my bag I nearly froze, my rifle was in my bags. Oh BUCK, I just gave changelings futuristic technology! Shit shit shit! I can't take my bag back they will obviously know something is up and after I mentioned her by name I'm going to be royally screwed. Okay Silver calm down don't show them you just royally fucked act normal.

As I stood there almost shitting myself I get into guard mode, face expressionless eyes focused to a single point at a wall.

Two Changelings exchanged a confused look to each other.

“You okay Miss?” the Clerk finished hoofing over the bag and faced me with a concerned look.

“YES MAM, 'ahem' everything is fine. -” Shit I think they might have noticed “- I have some important documents in there that I have to work on later.” All I could do was watch as a changeling walked away with my bag.

Trotting up beside me another changeling posing as a velvet mare spoke to me with the same smoothness as the clerk, “This way miss I will take you up to Manager Maelstroms office.”

Damn this talisman feels like it would freeze over at anytime now.

With a slight nod and salute I followed the changeling down a hall on the right towards the elevator. I really should have not given them my bag dammit. I’ll have to make sure they don't steal my shit.

“Her office is on the seventh floor miss room seventy four- “ as we entered the elevator he paused. “- Seventy six sorry miss I was thinking of something else.“ With a nod he resumed and pulled a lever that closed the elevator gate and we started ascending.

We arrived on the seventh floor. The floors were covered with a blue rug that resembled waves in its pattern, marble pillars seemed to curve along the edges of the doors. The long hallway had enough room for only two ponies standing beside each other at a time. After a bit of walking around I found the room.

Standing in front of the door to the ruler of this domain a small annoying red stallion popped in the back of my mind telling me ‘Don't die now'. Oh sweet Celestia what have I done?! What was I even doing here? I was recently hypnotized by this person not more than an hour ago and now I returned because I was angry that she lied to me. She could have made me want to be her friend in order to get me to come back and feed on me…. FUCK it. I tentatively reached out a hoof and knocked on the door. After hearing a little shuffling, a slider could be heard on the opposite side of the peep hole.

“Salty?! Come in, come in.” Maelstrom unlatched the door and opened it.

I heard a soft shimmer from the opposite side of the door before it opened. Maelstrom hadn't hidden her true form much. I couldn't see any water shimmering around her body but her mane and coat shifted and turned as though she was submerged. A faded horn could also be seen on her head that kind of reminded me of a shark fin. Her wings also gained a fin look to them along with a row of three gills along either side of her neck. Light reflected differently off her body giving it more of a sheen and made it shift in a colorful spectrum.

Maelstrom turned and walked to a kitchen counter. The room looked more like a small apartment than part of the hotel as it included a fully stocked kitchen with a stove and small fridge.

As she pulled out a bottle of wine and two glasses she looked over, “Salty it's great to see you, um how did you get here and find me? Do you like wine?”

Was it me or did she seem surprised that I was here?

“I would love some wine but If we're going to be friends we need to start fresh, no bullshit.” I said apprehensively.

Please don't poison me.

“What do you mean?” she paused and looked over. I took a seat on the side of the bed.

“I have met others like you and I don't appreciate you lying to me.” I said flatly.

I am spewing so much bullshit and hope that she wouldn't notice. The bed was so soft and now all I can think is all the ponies that probably died on this bed. No, need to focus, calm down and remember she wanted to be my friend… supposedly. This is a lot of work if it is just for a single meal.

“I must say I don't understand Salty.” She poured the two glasses carefully.

Catching the label on the bottle I couldn't help but smile, she wasn’t giving me cheap wine. Yes!

“I have met others of your kind before and don't appreciate being lied to.” I clarified happily.

Unfortunately, all I got was a confused look. Hold on, does she think i’m still suppose to be under her hypnotism.

“I know you're a changeling queen.” As the words left my mouth she slumped a little and drank her glass of wine in one go before facing me. I smiled and continued praying this wasn't the part where I died. “If we're going to be friends we have to not lie to each other, your majesty.”

“I wanted to be friends, I think you can understand why I lied and didn't invite you to my room.” With a small glow she lost the disguise and closed the door. A small wave started from her horn and glided down her body till it reached her tail. Her coat colors became brighter and glistened under the light. The pupils morphed into slits and fangs grew from the top of her mouth.

“No you didn't invite me but I do want to be friends and if you want that to do it the right way.”

Hey I'm not dead yet, yay! And she actually wants to be my friend.

“If I may ask, how did you find out Silver?” she asked gaining a serious tone.

“What? oh you said my real name.” The question took me a little of guard.

“I did didn't I, well you were lying to me the entire time about your name Ms. Silver Stripes the Equestrian royal guard.” She gave me a even look that made my hair stand.

“I use to be a guard, a changeling took over my life. It could be one of yours.”

The words flowed out of my mouth so quickly that I just thank Celestia they were understood. Shit! I told her my name and job. What else did she get from me when I was under her spell?

“No not one of mine, I have no interest in getting into Canterlot. So, Ms. Silver how did you find out about the changeling queens?” her tone relaxed as she refilled her glass of wine.

“Well you see I started noticing different types o-”

Leaning back I started, only to be cut of with sharp words and a glare that made my body tense up. “I thought we weren't lying Ms. Silver?”

“Yes but if I tell you, you will hate me for who I work with.”

Crap now I'm so dead goodbye world.

“Chrysalis?” she asked.

Hold on, she hates chrysalis too?

“No, not changelings but somepony you don't like.” I say, as I dread having to possibly face her wrath.

“That's hard.” she pondered, as she walked over and joined me by the bed. Then she started going on with a list of names that I didn't recognize.

But really, what was Crescent worried about she hasn't even mentioned his name yet. “So is it any of them that I mentioned or is it Udella the changeling queen of the deep seas that lives in the zebra seas?”

“No it's Mr. B.”

Shit, please don't know Crescent is Mr. B.

“Oh that's nice.” She smiled at the information and hoofed over a wine glass. “He is a nice pony and actually sent me a few useful letters.”

“Is this poisoned?” I said, while I inspected the wine.

Why did I even ask her like she would tell me?

“No.” she said while rolling her eyes. She laid comfortably in the bed beside me.

“You lick it!” I playfully argued.

With a sigh she leaned up and slowly slid her long slippery tongue into my glass and pulled it out with a droplets of wine still at the tip.

“Happy?” she asked with a big mischievous grin on her face, then proceeded to sip her own wine.

“Didn’t mean it like that but, um thank you!” I was a little thrown off but hey the wine isn't poisoned. Here is to hoping that her saliva isn't poison. With that I took a sip of my wine.
Mmm soo good!

“Not really sure how B knew where to send the wine, but it was nice of him.” She gave a small nod as she spoke.

“He is known for that.” And also for ruining people's lives when all they want it's to be a guard like their mom.

“From what I know Mr. B hates two queens, one of which is Chrysalis, the other is the zebra's ice queen.” Maelstrom turned on a radio in the background with a flick of magic.

“Seems like everyone hates Chrysalis.” Attacking Canterlot probably didn't help either.

“Most everyone yes, but she knows who B is and had attacked him previously. She did make a big mistake by making the swarm, we Queens try to keep our hive numbers within sustainable amounts.” Taking a swig from her drink she looked up at the ceiling.

“Sounds like Chrysalis really messed up.” Well aside from pissing off Equestria, the Crystal Empire’s princess and other Queens.

“The swarm was one of the worst decisions she ever made if you ask most Queens.” With a frown she stopped looking at the ceiling,

“Why would she make a lot changelings she couldn't feed? Does she go from place to place eating everyone there and move on?” her eyes were on me again and making me squirm.

“The more changelings you have the more 'authority' you have. At the time she made it she could support it and she did start moving to place to place eating everyone.” She nearly tipped her wine she got so angry.

Attempting to calm her down “That's really messed up. Oh and just a heads up Canterlot has had a changeling freak out so there searching the town and trains for you guys.”

“Just great they're probably using that damn flashlight thing too aren't they?” she replied with a hint of aggravation.

I gave a small nod as I sipped my wine. At least getting off the topic of Chrysalis seems to have eased her irritation. I wouldn't want to face her wrath and even attempt fighting a queen at her own base.

She continued on, “Those things can show the magic on one of my changelings if they're hiding useless it's used on a Queen like me, then it will just be annoying. We have had those things for much longer then you ponies have, we know how it works. They used to use them on boats to find us hiding among the crew.” She waved her hoof around in small circles like she was looking for something.

“Why don’t you changelings make a escort house? It is a win win for both stallions to get their necessities taken care of and changelings get love." I asked, steering around the subject.

“It's illegal in Equestria not sure why, just is.” she grumbled then took another sip.

“That's no fun.” Like that a seemingly good idea goes down the drain.

“I know, give us changelings a chance!” she proclaimed as she hoofed a head pillow in the bed over and over. After a brief pause and another sip of her wine she calmed down a little, “Silver I have to say you are very brave and lucky to have walked back here and approaching me of all changeling Queens.”

Yeah, brave you call it I think this was very stupid of me. Though I'm happy that as of now nothing bad has happened. If you didn't count that poor helpless pillow that was now missing some of it's feathers.

“Other Queens would probably have tried to eat me by now, why haven't you?” I asked, wondering why of all ponies or better yet changelings was she being nice to me. There has to be a reason for it maybe she already had nice full dinner, or that at the very least I provided her some sort of entertainment. From what everyone talks in the barracks these changelings were 'abominations' whose sole purpose is to devour everything is sight. This Queen seemed to be so much different that I have had expected, she hasn't even tried to cast anymore hypnotism spells after she revealed her true form.

“Well I’m sort of open minded to this whole thing. I reckon, one day ponies and changelings might even get along and work together. So why not already give it a try?”

“Actually I have already seen a pony/changeling couple before.” Snowy and Sheers or is it Frosty and Sheers hmm can't remember for the life of me. And from what I've seen they look very happy and she isn't an empty husk like the others would have led me to believe.

“That is interesting and something I have never seen or heard of before, really makes you think doesn't it. Most other Queens or changelings would have killed you by now.” she commented and looked up and down at me while stroking her chin.

I really don't like the way she is looking at me right now. “Hey! That's kinda rude you know. If this is how you play around it isn't funny.” Please let her be paying around.

“I'm only trying to be friendly don't worry.” she leaned forward and gave a comforting pat on my shoulder.

“I know it's just that, I'm not really sure how we can be friends. If I was in you hooves and you were my food let's say an apple how in the buck would be able to even take you seriously and not just get chomped on.” I kept on rambling like I knew what I was talking about to the point that I myself wasn't even sure what I was saying but she kept on listening. She kept listening, so I kept talking and I almost slipped up and told her the mission that I was to take part in. I just wanted to confide on everything with her since I finally had someone to complain with. Couldn't do much of complaining to Crescent and whining without him telling me 'Shut up Silver'.

“I don't know if I can tell you anymore about my mission, you might be working with the enemy.” We both gasped then giggled away.

“We don’t have any plans to raid any boats in the near future, so you are fine.” We got onto the topic of pony lie detectors for a while and how useful it would be to have one.

“Maelstrom did you really want to work in a lighthouse? What would you do around there?” Let's see how much she made up when she attempted to entrap me. Plus, I really don't want to share any more of my super secret mission. If I keep it like this I'll tell her everything about me and she will still have all her juice secrets.

“Yes, actually I would love to work in a light house. But… I have no idea how to work in one.” Admitting that she hid her face behind her empty wine glass in an attempt to cover her blushing face, it wasn't working too well.

“It’s fine, I think the only thing they do is hit a button to turn on the light and maybe change the light bulb once in awhile.”

“You know I didn’t lie to you that much when I talked to you. Around here I run this hotel, I go out and help gather food for my hive, usually sharing them with my subjects.”

“You share your food?” I asked with an hint of bewilderment. She is the Queen after all why does she share her food when she could go and horde it for herself?

“A Queen is useless without her hive, so yes I share my food. I have better hypnotism skills then all of them, so I’ll go out and find a young strapping lad-”

I cut her off with a giggle, “No old pony love?”

“No, I don't deal with them.” Setting her glass on the counter across the room she waved her hoof down with finality.

“Couldn't you just bite them or rip the love out of them with your own magic?” I asked, pausing a moment the answer dawned on me. “You probably get less love those ways.”

She gave a small nod, “ Most ponies don't understand that there are multiple types of love. First there is fake love which is not appetizing at all.” The look of disgust on her face told volumes of how bad this fake love must taste like, maybe it tasted like plastic or cardboard. “Then there is drained love. This is the love we normally get by pretending to be someone's lover or hypnotizing them. The flavor wants to be there but it's not, hmm kind of a after taste sort of thing, bland is the closest thing I can think comes into mind for the taste. It's not even that nurturing. And the last one of course is intercourse love.”

“Does this one taste like cake or a sweet desert?” I asked with intrigue.

“I wouldn't call it a cake per say, but it's a full three course meal.” With a dreamy look she licked her lips at the thought of this love meal.

“You have to work a lot for a full meal though.” If it's like anything she had to go to get me here finding that love must be a huge pain.

Why am I talking about eating ponies? Why is that look she is making make me feel so uncomfortable, is she checking me out? Am I about to become a three course meal? All these questions unnerved me.

“Plus also there is a big difference in nutrient received by all three. The hard work we put in to get a full meal is often well rewarded.”

Did she just sneakily lick her lips? “You know most would call you insane for coming in here.” She gave me a big smirk.

“Well what's the worst that could had happen?” I shrugged and gave a weak smile. I really shouldn't have asked, this is totally inviting something bad to happen.

“Dead.” she replied.

Yep that would have very much sucked.

“Dead wouldn't be too bad after what Mr. B said. The whole thing about the world coming to an end real soon.”

Sitting straight up she frowned, “Crescent Moon who said that the last time I saw him.” She quickly seemed to connect the dots as to Mr. B being said Crescent Moon. Her irritated look confirmed it.

“I’m just going to give you a hug and leave now.” I said, worried that I might have kicked up a bee hive.

She interrupted my departure and interjected explaining how they did not hate each other, she just found him to be utterly annoying. The first time she met him, she had attacked an enemy Queen moving over borders that he had aligned himself with. He was small at the time and a moron for holding onto a grudge.

That is something we both agreed on. I then went onto explaining how I met him and what he did to my life, basically taking everything from me. Thank Celestia that my cup was empty or else I would had chug down the whole thing.

Maelstrom gave me a hug then petted me, I stopped it before it got out of control.

I didn't mind it but having a changeling Queen pet my head but I didn't want this to divulge into a a pity buck. I let everything off my chest and told her all that was bothering me. She listened to all of it and made me chuckle a few times, this was starting to feel like a sleepover. She said she might be able to help to figure out who took my life, if I told her the types of spells the changeling cast. The types of magic that changeling can cast are affected by their type. I didn’t really know much but I gave her all the information that I had.

She still offered to help.

We ended up switching topics to my family. I went on and explained how my mother is an equestrian guard and I barely get to see her. And how my mother met dad during some off time while she was overseas in the zebra lands. He was her escort for the evening and then it got so heated that they made me. “I'm sorry to my mother but I have higher standards than to sleep with a common whore.” I puffed out my chest with pride.

Maelstrom laughed at me.

Why was she laughing at me? Stop it dammit!

“Sorry I can't help it. You a common pony trying to tell me, a changeling Queen that you won't accept anything beneath you. You do realize you are having a sleepover with a changeling Queen right? ”

I think that we have had too many drinks. “I should probably get going soon.” Putting down my … I think fourth or was it fifth glass I got up from the bed.

“Aww why?” She pouted at me.

“Crescent got us a hotel and I don't want him to waste his money.” Probably a crappy hotel with one bed and is probably be worried sick about me not returning. Since I did tell him I was going to 'stealthy' infiltrate a changeling hive and confront the Queen. In hindsight this was a horrible plan.

“Come back, I’ll send a guard to tell him you're staying the night in my hotel and you're totally fine. Maybe even write Crescent a letter to show you are alive.” With a big smile she patted the bed beside her.

“No, why would he believe one of your people. Doing that would probably cause him to charge in here weapon swinging.” I am not putting it past him to openly attack this place.

“You don’t understand how rare it is for me to have a relaxed conversation like this. Most the other Queens are bitches.” She was giving me the biggest pout.

“I promise I will visit again and talk more but I have to go, I pinky promise.” Going through the stupid motions I completed the promise.

“Whats a pinky promise?” She managed to keep her pout and confused look at the same time.

“It is a ponyville thing, it's a rule I'm not going to brake.” Giving her a pat on the horn I got ready to go.

“Did you just pat my horn.” Ha! Now she gets to be the blushing uncomfortable one. She gave me a scrunchy face in return.

“Heh I went to pet your head and your horn got in the way." I explained. "That's pretty dangerous, I could have stabbed my hoof. But now I really do have to go.”

Making my way towards the door I looked back at her whimper only to be hit with the most adorable pout face ever. I found her quite adorable or it might just have been my drink talking.

“Using that pouty look on me won't work, I use it all the time” Sticking out my tongue at her I continued to the door then stopped after taking just a couple of steps. Wait I think I'm forgetting something.“Oh crap, where did I leave my bag!?” After searching around for a little bit I remembered. “Right, the changelings took it.”

“They took your bag? You might want to go down there and tell them I order them to give it back. By now they probably already looted it.”

OH BUCK!!

Whipping the door open, I rushed out of the room with a quick, “Good bye!” Running to the elevator the changeling inside seemed surprised to see me. Quickly, he stood up and fixed up his little hat. I slid into the elevator as he stood up at the ready.

“Ground floor please.” Trying to keep the panic out of my voice was a hard.

He started up the elevator and stood there in an awkward silence, glancing back at me every few seconds. When I spoke up he nearly hit the ceiling he was so jumpy.

“I know, I know you were expecting me to be a meal today. Now you're all freaked out because I'm leaving. Here have this departure gift instead.” Grabbing the changeling I gave him a big kiss on the lips. I think they can collect love like that. There was a ding for the ground floor and I let him go. Damn it I didn't even give the queen a kiss, now I feel awful. Leaving the changeling in the elevator with a dreamy look on his face, I took off.

Running to the front counter the stallion ‘changeling’ behind the counter look stunned to see me. “The queen said for you to give me my stuff back please. Do not take the weird thing that looks like a pole.”

He nods to one of his co workers and that co worker took off into the back rooms with a quickened trot.

“I know you thought I was getting the sexy treatment so you where pilfering my stuff but I need it back. She will be very grumpy if you have stolen my things. Did you already spend my money?” They better have not spent my money. Did every changeling here think I was going to be having sex and providing meals for all of them? I don't know if there would be anything left of me if I did have sex with the whole hive.

With a wave of his hoof he leaned into whisper something to me, “I would prefer if you were more discreet about this MISS.” With a sweep of his hoof he pointed out all the normal ponies in the entry hall.

Oops.

“Sorry.” It didn’t seem like anyone heard me though. No one had gotten up to leave and I probably sounded way too drunk for me to be taken seriously.

It took a few minutes for them to get my bag. “Here you go, your bag is intact and nothing of value is missing.” As he hovered over my bag he leaned in again, “Be more discreet next time please.”

I think someone was a little sour the won’t be getting my fine flank tonight 'giggles'.

Taking my bag back, I quickly left the building so that I didn’t upset any more changelings. Took a quick look at my map trying to see where the hell I was supposed to go. The night had already died down and I found no one was out on this beautiful night.

The Tilting Raft was at best a three star hotel. The small hotel was by the water and look like it wanted to falling apart, the walls had peeling brown paint and the entire building had a musky smell that reminded me of something dying.

Talking to the gruff stallion at the front desk I was informed that a single room had been booked for the night for Salty Seas and Casting Monsoon. The owner of a mediocre hotel in the middle of nowhere has no money to spend it on somewhere else better than here. Crescent was being cheap with me. Fine, but if this place has bugs I’m out and going back to the changeling with the fancy wine.

He gave me a key and a room number. No one took my bags or showed me to my room, no elevator to bring me to the third floor. The rug felt grating under hoof. Please at least let the beds be soft. Arriving at my room, I instinctively knocked on it even though I had the key.

Opening the door, I could see Crescent sitting on the side of his bed staring at the door.

“Don't worry I'm not dead or a changeling.” Showing him the amulet made him relax a little.

“Just making sure” Getting up, he walked over to the door and started scrubbing something off from the inside door way.

“Did you make a death circle on the door?” I really hoped not he could have killed me.

“Not on the door the inside of the door and it's a binding circle not a death circle.” As he scrubbed the markings off there was a small shimmer in the air as the spell seemed to vanish.

“I'm alive and here.” Stepping past him, I tossed my bag onto the bed then spun around closed and locked the door as he finished removing that marks. “She really seems like a really nice person. Don't worry, I'm not hypnotized.”

Stopping me with a hoof he demanded, “Tongue out.” Sticking my tongue out only made him giggle. “Wow you actually listened to me.”

“Well, she was nice and I had a lot of fun.”

“Well, she can still go fuck herself!” he hissed.

“She doesn't hate you you know. I asked her who she hates and she never ever mentioned you. I even made it hard narrowing it down to a pony and she still couldn't guess you. So you are on good standing so get over it. Also... I might have told her you are B.” Really he was still holding a grudge since he met her, when he was just a little colt?

“Thanks Silver.” Grumbling he walked back to the bed.

“Celestia already knows so everyone could know, get over it.” What's his problem? The more people know the more that they could help us. “Why don't you offer me some wine like the Queen did.”

The sudden change in topics made him give me a skeptical look then he poked my head again.

“No if you are checking again I'm not hypnotized by her but her room definitely enchanted me.” Oh how I miss that hotel, I wonder if she even had a jacuzzi in her bathroom. Darn now I want to go visit again and see what other much nicer amenities her room had.

“You know I spent good money on this room.” He held his nose up high.

“If you asked her she might have let you stay at her place for free. All you would have had to do is donate a little bit of love.” I raised my eyebrows up and down giving him a saucy look.

“NO. We do not get along and I have changelings under my hoof, she would never ever give me a free room and I would never want it.”

His sourness was bleeding through at the idea.

How hard of a time did she give him when he was small?

“Silver you get the bed so be happy okay, I’m sleeping on the floor.”

“Why don't you sleep in the bed to? There is enough room here for both of us.” Hopping onto the bed I was greeted with the loud screeching of the bed. The springs were not helping either, it was not anything close to comfy.

“No the bed is yours.” Hopping onto the floor he curled up.

“Are you calling me fat, you jerk.” Why was he being so stupid. “Get up here you look absolutely pathetic sleeping on the floor.” Grabbing my pillow I whipped it at his head.

Poomph.
The pillow landed onto his face. “That helps.” He put it under his head and gave me a smirk, “You have to remember that we zebras are used to sleeping on mattresses on the floor, so this is nothing.”

“Do you zebras also do a chant to the stars before you go to sleep hala jula maverash billotch miten bich.” Waving my hooves theatrically I pretended to pray.

“Wow you just blasphemed so badly it's kind of sad, and no my tribe doesn't do a prayer at night.” Shaking his head in disappointment he shifted to try and get more comfortable.

“If you don't get your ass in this bed then I'm going to go and sleep with Maelstrom!” Why is he so persistent on being this stupid. I want to hit him he is so aggravating.

“Fine!” He got up and hopped in the bed with the pillow. “Happy now?.. This is so uncomfortable.”

“Yes I am, the bed was leaning over to one side.” I turned then put a hoof around him.

“Really are you that uncomfortable?” he whined. Why are you whining you moron! You have a big mouth and you have no idea how to use it.

“Yes it hurts.” I dug my hoof into into his side. Ahh why is this going over your head? You are the stupidest pony in the world.

“Yay!”

What the fuck! why is so happy now?

“What was that for?” Don't give me a stupid answner please.

“We are on our first mission together.” He giggled.

“Yes. Be happy that you ruined my life and dragged me off to work with you because it's the only thing we can do.” Like that any thoughts of fun are wisked away.

“I will fix your life Silver don't worry I'm on it.” He gave me the biggest grin, I wanted to punch his face in. First he misses my cues, now he is reminding me of how he destroyed my life.

“Does it matter? I have helped a convict and an enemy of Equestria I'm in deep shit now.” Great moods gone and now it shifted onward to this shitty.

“When everything is done you will be all set don't worry Silver I'll take care of you.” He gave me a pat on the shoulder for support.

I wanted to pat his face with force. “But when I get back they will want to know everything about you. They will be like ‘tell us everything you know or you're going to jail.’ and I don't want to fuck all of your friends over.”

“You know I can move if i need to. I'll just disappear again, don't worry about us.” With a flick of his hoof the light turned off.

“Aaah something brushed against me.” As he shifted around I chomped down on his ear.

“Owowowowow” He cried out in pain and tried to wiggle free. Then he bit my hoof.

“SHIT! Let go.” I hit him but he refused to let go.

“My Step mother was a changeling Queen I will never let go.” Celestia he is going full feral on me.

“I know how to truly stop you then!” I brought my hoof up kissed his forehead. He let go immediately with a little yelp he tensed up and wiggled free of my hug. We sat in silence for a few minutes. “You know you are pretty cute when you are quiet.” Besides the fact were in the dark. He just stayed quiet for a bit.

“That's not fair, you can't make fun of me like that.” He spoke a little above a whisper.

“What?” I know I was drunk but he is making no sense.

“You stole my first kiss you cant mess with me like that.”Oh …. oh shit. I guess we did kiss when I drank that purple drink. Oops. After that epiphany we both just went to bed with no more to say to each other. I kissed him, why did I forget what it tasted like? Damn it.

Waking up in the morning the moon was still alive, still sitting a bit above the horizon. It's had almost been a month and I still can't get out of the guard schedule. Looking around the clock on the wall nicely informed me it was four in the morning. Well, I have a little bit before we have to be there. I am not going to be able to fall asleep. Glancing over, Crescent was still sleeping, time to fix that. With a little push he flopped out of the bed his head shot up from the other side of the bead.

“I’M UP, I’m up.” He rubbed his eyes.

“Wake up! Get dressed we're going to be late Crescent.” I put my pants and shirt on as he looked over at the clock.

“Silver we don't have to be there till six.” Grumbling at me he stood up and stretched.

“We still must go we need to show them we are committed.”

“Silver I have a question. Do you know anything about sailing.” That would have probably been something we should have asked ourselves before coming here.

“Well I went to Filly Cove for a week so I know some stuff.” Best park ever.

“Filly Cove is an amusement park not a summer camp. How were you there for a week?”

“Mom forgot me.” Remembering all the fun adventure I had while in the park and playing on the fake ship gave me a warm feeling inside.

“Goddess that's terrible.” He gave me a appalled look.

“She got called to duty and forgot I was there but I had money. Before I got a few shirts and a water… They were nice and took care of me till the guards brought me home.” I think I still have that shirt hanging up in a portrait somewhere.

“That's still terrible” He shook his head in disappointment.

My mom was a great pony, just got really busy sometimes and forgot stuff. Serious time though. “I am Salty Seas and your Meroon, Meshum, Mushroom?”

“Damn it Salty, its Casting Monsoon just go by Casting for now.” Slipping into his outfit we were almost ready to go.

“What is Casting Monsoon, who is he and what is his status?” Basilisk, if we're going to be in disguise we need to know how to act.

“Well I'm single and available to either sex.” He chuckled and picked up his bag.

Not what I meant geez!

“I will go first then. My name is Salty Seas so therefore I must act salty… I don’t have to answer to you.” Swinging my bag onto my back I sounded irritated at the world and had a look to match.

“Salty no one knows either of us or how we act, there is no point in creating this performance and create a false personality to try and fool someone. Just be yourself.”

"I don't know, just trying to do this right. Let's go I guess.” Well fine then, that saves me the trouble of having to act like someone else.

We left the hotel passing in our keys and I took point so I could guide him to the Celestian Destiny. The morning air was calm and cool to the coat. The streets had a few early birds but arriving at the docks it was filled with ponies running around. The docks seemed to contain all of Baltimare’s early morning activities. Ponies were getting ready to set sail. We managed to push past the crowds of ponies till we arrived at our ship.

“Fitting name The Celestian Destiny.” Monsoon stared up at the Brig. The ship itself was massive I wonder how many ponies are going to be working on the ship. I know about twelve of them not including us but will that be enough. The sails all look new and the ship looked newly furnished. The poor ship needed a new coating of paint though.

“You'r being way too corny, shush.” Marching past him I found the crew. They were loading more boxes onto the ship. At closer inspection informed me that they were loading the perishables on the ship, alcohol and food mostly. A big stallion who was about to my chin with a beige coat and brown and yellow mane was directing everyone what to carry. His name was Lumber, as I approached him he noticed my presence.

“You the helpers?” His voice was rough and deep.

“Yes I’m Sa-” I stepped forward with my kindest smile only to get cut off by him.

“Boxes over there.” He gestured us to get to work and he was not asking twice.

Grabbing a box I immediately got to work. Monsoon on the other hoof hesitated.

“Sir where do I put my bags?” Monsoon had a timid voice and shrank back when Lumber spun on him. What happened to not putting up and act?

“You get to put your bags down when you are done moving boxes. NOW GET TO WORK.” His words promised misery and lots of pain if Monsoon dared question him again. With a yep and a nod Monsoon went and grabbed a box. Had three boxes stacked on my back when he grabbed one. He was huffing and puffing, struggling just to get the box moving forward I couldn't help but snicker at him. These boxes were light, why is he having such a hard time? Geez I gave him too much credit he is a weakling. Lumber shook his head as he watched him struggled.

“He is more technical, I'm more physical.” I felt obligated to give a reason why he was being so pathetic. Heck if he was going to ruin this trip and we haven't even started.

“Woow.” He finally got the box on his back and his legs were visibly shaking trying to support the weight. Was he really celebrating that?

With a little bump I bounce one of the boxes off my back onto his. “AAH!” he collapsed the two boxes still lying on him. The crew laughed at him and I took the boxes back.

“If you're going to be this pathetic, just take my bags in.” Balancing the four boxes on my back was a little tricky but not too hard.

“No, I'll do my part no matter how hard.” He reached up and nearly fell of the dock getting the box back. Struggling, he got the box back on his back and we brought the boxes up. After some more huffing and puffing from Monsoon we got the boxes to the hold. Another crew member named Orange Inequality was keeping count. He wasn’t even orange he was green. He directed us where to place the boxes and sent us back to get more.

On the third trip Lumber stopped me and motioned to Monsoon who looked like he was going to kill over.

“What is he even good for?” We both just watch as he panted dragging up a box.

Crescent is really messing up with the plan. “I do most the physical stuff just ignore him he is being dramatic.” I laughed at him every time I saw him it was so bad. It took us a half hour to get all the boxes moved. Monsoon laid on the floor panting. The boxes where light. Lumber walked over to us with quite a bit of irritation.

“Is he going to be a problem or liability?” He was asking me and if I didn't give him the right answer I think he will toss moron Monsoon off the boat.

“He is better with technical stuff, he is the brains and I'm the brawn." I hoofed at Casting, " Get up and get back to work. A pregnant mare could do better than you.”

“What next sir?” He referred to lumber like he was the captain… might be. I have no idea who the captain is. I know most the crew but the captain's bio never came in.

“Both of you go see Timber on the bridge, he will bring you to your room.”

Crescent owes me for not getting him thrown out.

As we both went to leave Lumber stopped me with a hoof, “Salty Seas by the end of our trip we will make him strong. You will not be expected to take his work on because he is weak.” With that he let me go. Catching up, Monsoon smiled as we waited for Timber to finish talking with others.

“You almost got thrown off the ship you idiot.” We were whispering trying to stop all wondering ears from hearing us.

“Maybe but I just got out of every extreme chore on this boat. Next time try not to make it look even worse by balancing a box on your nose while I'm struggling.” He hoofed me.

“Well the boxes where light and you were being stupid and pathetic.” The sight of his attempts were really sad.

“They were decently light but it was way too much fun acting.” Stupidly grinning at me, he chuckled.

“It was fun watching you nearly die from collapsing. I should have put more boxes on you.”

“You did and I got squished.” He stuck his tongue out pretending to die.

“So you are telling me you are actually strong.” I whispered. With a gasp I put a hoof to my mouth.

“Shut up ssssSalty” he grumbled.

Timber finally finished his conversation and waved for us to approach.

“What is it?” he asked.

“We were told to go to you for our room.” I spoke up and Monsoon didn’t mind taking on the shy exterior again. Jerk, do I have to do everything around here from now on?

“Yesh Yesh follow me.” He waved at us to follow.

He brought us where the crew was staying. The rooms didn’t have much but three hanging hammocks. Stopping in front of a room he spun and waved his hoof, “Here is your room you two you will be sharing it with the zebra.” They are making us sleep with the enemy. I will be sleeping with one eye open tonight. “The captain will be expecting everyone topside at o six hundred, don't be late.” With that he was off.

“Salty if he starts to sing zebra sea shanties, I might have to join him.” No please no, let them hate each other. Its annoying enough that I had to pick up after his lazy ass up deck, now I will have to worry about randomly belching out in song.

“NO! I need my sleep.” You ruined one night of sleep already I don't want this to become a regular occurrence. If my sleep schedule gets all messed up I'm blaming him.

“Come on, you have to tell me you know atleast one.” He nudged me.

“NO!! Don't make me hit you.” Never learned them never want to. I enjoyed my pirating days at Filly Cove but randomly singing into song was never my thing.

“Oooooh there once was a-.”

My hoof spun on him so fast that he wasn't ready for it. He fell over sliding away from me.

Rubbing his chin he smiled at me but stayed quiet.

“I warned you." I grumbled. "We still have plenty of time why don't we split up and search the ship while we wait, you take front I’ll take back.”

Wondering around in the back I found a few pony's rooms, Bolting Iron, Rip Tides, Casting Anchor, and Toothpaste hmm Toothpaste is the medic. Found the mess hall which seems to be the general meeting place. The back storage was locked, so couldn't check for zebra bombs. Stumbling into the captain's quarters I quickly spun around and left as not to bring suspicion. I had spotted the captain's storage on the other side of the room but didn't want to snoop at this time. Up top was the captain's office and that's all I found. If I want to count the hold I guess I found half of the rooms on the ship. Made a mental note of where everything was since I will be living here for a bit. Going above deck I found Monsoon watching the other crew members. Walking over, I tapped on his shoulder. “What did you find?

“The medic office, the front storage and the rest of the crew's sleeping quarters.” Oh I'm actually pleasantly surprised, he did his job instead of splashing his hooves around the shore again.

Sitting down alongside him we watched the rest of the crew walk onto the docks.

“I found the back storage which was locked but besides that nothing really else stood out." More crew members arrived and were going down to their rooms. "Hey! they're all late.” All those guys just get to come on board and they didn't even help with moving any boxes around. Not even the zebra helped out, hey I think that might be our roommate. Just hope he isn't as lazy as this one."

“Naw Salty we where here early and were hazed into doing extra work. Don't doubt they do this to all the new crew-mates.”

We watched them all come back up deck and all assemble around the main mast.

“They wont haze me, they will probably try to get in bed with me if memory serves me right.” Monsoon just shook his head at my comment.

Something landed on the plank from the sky.

Shit I got distracted.

All heads turned to the plank and went silent in respect. A white mare with gray mane and tail marched onto the deck. Her yellow eyes swept the crowd as she walked by her coat resting on her shoulders. She had several facial and body scars that spoke volumes of her voyages. She was toned to a point that she could take every stallion here down with a single hoof. The way she walked made me want to kneel down before her. Even Monsoon was held in awe by her power… or he was staring at her ass. Looking around, every person on this ship had only eyes of respect. Marching up the steps, she turned and stood by the helm. She made it a point to look at each and every one of us. She stared into my eyes and I could swear I might have gone blind right there in that look. Finally her look passed me, it felt like it lasted forever. Raising her hoof she placed it on the wheel.

“The captain wants her ship moving men! Make it move!” With timbers words everyone jumped to action.

The captain watched all of us move into action and she gave a smirk of approval. Anyone who wasn't moving correctly or didn't move the captain motioned them with her other hoof. She pointed at me then up at the sails. Nodding, I took off unfurling the sails. After that I got to watch the rest of the crew work. She was a silent conductor as we where her orchestra. Within seconds we had untied the dock and started on our journey. A journey doomed to fail.

Silver Stripes: lvl 2…. no I’m not giving her a level for this.