Fallout Equestria: Premonition

Chapter 4

“Turning Tides”

The ocean wind blew through my mane as I sat atop the ship's mast. As the Celestian Destiny pulled away from the dock everyone let out a cacophony of cheers. The crew roared loud enough that Celestia herself could probably hear us from her rump imprinted throne. Smiling, I couldn't help but to get absorbed in the excitement and took off flying around the ship. My fun would stop however, as one of the crew members called me over.

Landing in front of him I stood straight up, “How can I help sir?”

“Where is the small one?”Brick was a meek looking stallion who had a muddled grayish brown coat. His mane was non existent but his tail hinted that it would had been a muddy tan. His cutie mark was a cannon ball bashing through a ship's hall. He now looked a bit upset that I hadn't answered yet.

“I’ll go find him right away sir.” I spun around to go find that little shit only for him to be standing right behind me. “Shit” I jumped half way up the main mast. I landed back on the ground, “Found him.” I pointed needlessly at him.

At that point I decided he needed a bell, a nice bell strung tightly around his neck so he can't go up seeking on innocent mares. Bright pink so that I can see him from a mile away, that bastard.

“Hi I’m here. How can I help you?” raising a hoof Monsoon waved to us with an innocent smile.

You know what you did you jerk.

“Good, we have a job for you. The Cleft demands you to help him below deck… cleft cleft.” Grumbling to himself he struggled to say the word chief. He kept trying desperately to get the word out. A few of the other crew members laughed at his speech impediment and he was getting pissed. In frustration he just commanded Monsoon by pointing down the stairs. Monsoon being smart for once took off under deck without any snarky comments or remarks.

“You're just messing with us aren't you?” We haven't even been on the ship a full day and they already started messing with us.

“No, there are just some words I can't say.” Shaking his head he gave a weak sigh.

Brick turned to leave I could see why he was struggling. He had a chunk of his head caved in, you could fit a hoof in it. Buck me sideways how is he alive? At my gasp of horror he stopped for a second to look back at me with piercing brown eyes showing me not to pity him. How the hell is he even moving around with such an injury. I really want to hug him, how much of a hard life he must have after getting his head smashed in?

As he trotted off, I realized something “What is my job?” reaching my hoof out I was about to stop him but Timber called my name. Taking a glance over I could see him standing by the captain's office. Fuck please be the captain giving me my job and not just us being busted already. Walking over, he motioned for me to step in. I followed in the captain's office feeling uneasy.

She had quite a large office with Windows on almost all the walls looking out at the ocean. There was a huge map of the ocean route on her wall as were memorial mementos. Some things caught my eye, one was a pair of iron hoof gauntlets that looked worn down. I wanted those badly, work didn't let me use weapons like that. There were pictures on the wall that showed her in her younger years, she looked fit and some one any stallion would love to cuddle with. Her eyes were filled with such joy in that picture not like now.

The Captain sat behind her desk looking down at papers, my papers! The captain looked up at me her face was undecipherable. Fear started the well up in me as I stood. She slammed a hoof down on my paperwork and slid it across her desk at me, it flew off the desk. I narrowly caught the paperwork from hitting the floor.

We were barely out and if they wanted to they could kick us off and make us swim back, well Monsoon would swim back which that itself would be entertaining. Monsoon your paperwork suck and I'm screwed if this goes all south. Placing the paperwork back on her desk in a nice pile I entered guard mode. Have to hide my reactions no matter what.

Her voice was barely audible and sounded like it was coming out of a rock grinder “Skills.”

She just didn't want to read, I can work with that. Not to bad relax see you're still safe. Skills I can bring to this job hmm, “I’m strong and tough. I’m a pegasus so can read the environment. I can follow orders and learn quickly and I take shit from no stallion.” I raised my chin and spread my wing to show my might. I got Timber to chuckle while standing behind me by the door. The captain just gave me that same even look. I should bring this mare to poker night in the barracks we could make a killing with that look.

She could be dead and we would never now. her face just never changing… or is she reading my mind. No are captains able to do that, can my mom read minds? Get out of my head you evil mare! But hold on.. if she could read minds she would have read my mind already and known everything. Unless that's the reason she is still staring at me she hasn't read that part yet. Shit now she is waving over timber. Did I give this away everything with my mind? Mind reading is not fair you cheating bitch. Now I'm fucking terrified, please don't kill me.

As Timber trotted over I imagined him grabbing me and Monsoon and tossing us both off the ship. I could feel myself tensing getting ready to defend myself. Maybe after tying my wings down they will toss me so I have to swim. Why did this thought cross my mind now getting thrown over overboard is not as fun anymore. The two have been talking for a while.

“Yes Capt'n.” smiling at me Timber turned around.

Were my hooves shaking stop shaking hooves I'm in guard mode show nothing, say nothing. Sweet carpet munching Celestia what will they do before tossing me off. I'm fucking terrified now, I am the only pretty mare on this ship please god no.

“Your assignment is the crow's nest. You are dismissed I need to go find myself a tiny pony.”

Yes yes yes! “Yes sir.” I had to keep myself from prancing in place I was so happy. I brought my hoof up for a salute, shit I forgot to get out of guard mode. The captain just raised a eyebrow as my hoof stayed half raised. Ha! got her face to change but buck me. Quick think of something wave, yes wave and walk away to the door. Don't make eye contact because you just really messed up. Did time just slow down or is it me? At least time resumed normal when I closed the door to the office behind me. I let myself breathe again, when had I stopped breathing?

Why didn’t I just tell her who we where and why we're here now that we're away from the docks. I could have been like ‘I special agent Silver Stripes and this is special agent Jack Ass. We are here to keep all of you safe from an impending zebra pirate attack.' We should have at least lied to and say that we were sent by Canterlot to keep this boat safe. Maybe he planned to tell her or not? Why didn't he tell me the plan. Most of this entire trip I have been in the dark and I'm just following it blindly. Know what don't think about it, just going to my post now. Taking off, I flew to the crow's nest and spotted another pegasus up in the nest.

He had short brown mane and tail along with a yellow coat that bordered white. Glancing back, he motioned to me with a wave of his wing.

“Which way you watching?” I asked.

“All of it.” he waved a hoof off to the ocean.

“You have eye in the back of your head?” I didn’t see any from where I was standing. I swear mom had them but I couldn't find those either. If I did find he did have eyes on the back of his head though I'd scream.

“Yep! I see everywhere.” he said sarcastically.

Hey I got sarcasm and a smile from him. I am going to enjoy working with you sir stallion.“What's your name?” I took to landing inside the not so big of a nest. We could fit two more but that's it, three if we get touch friendly with each other.

“Insightive Clairvoyance, and yours?”

He had a long silly name.

“Salty Seas reporting for duty.” And that is when my eyes fell onto his haunches, not too bad. But hold one flank doesn't end in a leg. Clairvoyance was missing one of his back legs up to his hip, looked like it was cut off. It made me thank Celestia I wasn't missing anything. Wait does every pony on this ship have some sort of serious injury handicap. Oh please don't let this be a thing.

“Our job is to watch out for anything, wind changes, land, storms, other boats, pirates, and monsters. The place up here is a huge target too so if you see like thunder or pirates even a monster get the fuck off this nest.”

Great so when the pirates attack I'll be the first one to get attacked.

“Ok” Now I'm a the target for everything got it. Just what I wanted to be when I grow up, a giant target for cannon balls.

“Good dodging is key to the job.” Chuckling he did a little jump side to side. How he did that while missing one leg is beyond me, probably helped that he balanced himself with his wings.

“At least you can fly.” He seemed to take notice that I have been staring at his missing leg. Now I feel bad for saying that.

“Ya dodging would be a pain without these wings... would be a long climb up here too.” Turning around he demonstrated trying to climb with three legs and he managed to do is fall on his ass and laugh.

“You should get a peg leg.” He could get like a oak one or maybe a painted one. Add one eye patch and he would be a official pirate.

“But I enjoy being try pony! Practicing for the circus and everything. Just need a name, how is Stubby the acrobat?” Getting off his ass he balanced on his back hoof and gave me a goofy face.

I laughed.

“You should so get a bladed leg.”

Sitting down he shook his head, “No I would damage the blade on rocks and metal. And if I stepped on someone's hoof on accident I would cut it off. Then there is the fact the captain would kill me if I repeatedly stabbed her boat and I can't even tell you how much fury would come out of those eye if I put a hole in the boat.” Getting comfortable against the post he resumed his watch.

I swear if I see eyes open on the back of his head he will die. Maybe he is the bad guy, nope my money's still on the zebra.

“It would still be pretty cool though.” Even if did come with a list of problems, nevermind maintaining it and trying not to snap it.

With the sound of conversations under me I glanced down to satisfy my curiosity and found Monsoon getting brought up from under deck “Hmm my partner is getting lead into the boss's office.” Guess Timber found his little stallion.

“I know he is your partner. Watched that weakling earlier when you lot where loading boxes aboard the ship.”

He must have been up at his post up here while I was stuck doing all the heavy work.

“That little bastard, I feel like he is trying to get the easy job.” He was probably expecting to like sit and count supplies or something while I would have to do all the heavy work. Maybe that is one reason he is keeping me in the dark about all of this.

“Not on this ship. The weakest get the most physically demanding jobs.” With a sinister smirk he joined me in watching Monsoon get led into the office.

“This job actually seems quite easy.” All I have to do is sit up here point at things and say what they are. Wow this is the fluff job, sweet I lucked out.

“Ya it is quite easy the only real hard part is remember to dodge after you pointed out bad things.”

Sure, ponies forget that part.

“What about the things that lurk under the water?” Do we just point down and yell thing under water. Or do we just get the hell out of the way when it comes to chomp on us.

“The only things that really can be a problem are sea snakes, sea ponies, murphys, sharks, and a few sea monsters. You can see their shadow on the surface of water so same rules apply. Point, yell where and what it is then see if it's going to try and nom on us.”

So pretty much everything under water, got it.

“But there really Isn't much to do up here either” Buck this is the easiest job but the most boring. At least I have a nice view of the ocean.

“Yep pretty boring up here.” Slumping down he rested his head on the side of the nest. “But get use to it you will be up here for the next few weeks.” Glancing over, he gave me a small smile. He is probably going to just stare at my flank every time I'm not looking so he isn't going to be too bored either.

“Sounds like fun.” Where did that feeling of adventure go, I miss it.

“Someone has to stay up here at all times. If we both are up here only one of us can take a nap. Someone has to always be up here day and night.”

“So who gets the late shift?” Why did I even ask that. It's obviously going to be me the rookie, me who is going to get suck with it.

“I don't know rookie who gets the night shift?” he gave a sly smile.

“Okay, okay I'll take the late shift seems fair.” Can't complain much, he did lose a leg after all.

The door to the captain's office opened and Monsoon marched off a bit upset about his assignments. Ha! Now you know being a sneaky shit gets you nothing bitch.

“During meals we usually have one sit up here while the other gets the food.” Once again I think I was going to be the only one going to get food for the both of us. We sat in silence after that for a little.

“I should have brought a deck of cards or something.” This is going to kill me. I don't even have ceiling tiles to count.

“We use to have a cribbage board but it got eaten with the last lookout who didn't dodge.” Buck you last lookout pony I will be bored for ages.

“What got them?” I could get a idea what might come for me.

“Water dragon, hopped right up and took the entire crows nest out in one bite.” He bit up at the air.

“Dragon!” How the hell did this boat survive a dragon, yet let alone fight it off. I don't think I gave this crew enough credit. I think I saw some of its scales on the wall inside the captain’s office.

“I warned him to be a fast little flyer but he didn't learn his lesson. Chomped and gone in one bite.” he shook his head in disappointment.

“If I get eaten please beat up Monsoon for me, trouble follows that stallion.” Crap why did I just say that. I really need to think before I say anything.

“The captain won't tolerate that.” With a borrow of his brows he glared down at him.

“No it's just that. He is a sneaky little bugger and tries to get out of the hard stuff. It usually bites him in the butt though.”

He eased up, “I hope he isn't the source of the trouble or the captain will take his life as forfeit. We don't need a trouble maker on this ship.” He seemed to wince at that, I wonder why.

“No, no just usually harmless stuff but don't worry I'll keep my eye on him.” Please don't have let me have fucked up everything again.

“I’m not too worried the captain has been sailing her entire life and none of the shit he can pull will get past her.” I wonder what she did before she was captain. I didn't get her name it wasn't even on the bio.

“Oh.” She doesn't swear like a sailor though.

“Not this route in particular but still has been out sailing the seas. She has done this one several times though.” There was a short pause as he contemplated something. “I hope those bastards pay already. It would suck to get mostly there only to have to turn back around and sail back. Take a guess who gets to tell the captain.”

Please don't be me, please don't be me.

“Us?” I really didn't want to hear the answer.

“Yep. We get to fly and bring the bad news to everyone. This job isn't the best but it is very important, how do you think I lost my leg?”

“You aren't just telling me this story to freak me out because I'm the new mare.”

“No the captain took my leg and I'm telling you so you will know to not piss off the captain.”

Top of my don't list now, do not piss off captain whatever I do. I like having all my limbs attached thank you.

“That is awful!” You upset the captain so she took a limb. That's is just mean and sadistic, and evil. Is she the one working with the zebras?

“No, it's fine I did do something really stupid and deserved it.” He tensed up at the memory.

“But you said it was for delivering the news!” He has to be messing with me.

“It wasn't for that. I was a bad thief and got caught trying to steal something the captain was shipping.” Great now I know I'm working with a failed thief. I'm going to have to make sure that no one steals my panties now.

“She should have taken a front hoof not a back one.” He couldn't steal anything with one front hoof.

“She took of my back leg and told me I work for her now till I can pay for everything I was about to steal or I could die.”

I wonder how long ago that was.

“Sounds like a fair trade to me.” He was at least given a second chance. Maybe the captain Isn't that evil of a mare, “ She could have turned you in or just killed you on the spot.”

“She used a knife as others held me down. They didn't take pleasure in it but they knew I had to be punished.” Looking at his missing leg I could gain new appreciation for what it meant and why he didn't replace it.

We sat watching the clouds for a while after that. I could see one that looked like a pony dancing. We were finally far enough from land that I couldn't see it but the water licking at the boat gave us some nice atmosphere. I could get use to this. Neither of us really wanted to continue that talk. He was the first to break the silence.

“What did you do before this?” He nudged me as I got lost staring into the horizon.

“Mostly miscellaneous jobs and heavy lifting.” Not entirely a lie.

“Ah, so that's what your friend will be doing down there.” With a chuckle Clairvoyance waved to where he was mopping the deck. “But our heavy lifting here is a little different. When they don't have an assignment the captain will probably lower the anchor a little and have them pull it back up over and over again. You know, builds character.”

“That would definitely help toughen him up. I am going to be laughing at him for having my old job.” Snickering, I had to wonder if he was even strong enough to lift the ship's anchor.

“Yep and that will help the anchor rope stay red, keeping all of it color coded.” he smirked.

I peered down to see if the ropes where different colors. Just the anchor rope was red and the others brown.

“You know there are pulley systems and stuff like that to help pull it up. Or are you trying to clean it by constantly dropping it into water.” Sounds trivial and stupid to me.

“It helps toughen ponies.” He flexed.

I could still easily beat his weak rump in a hoof wrestling contest.

There was silence again, I watched ponies move about doing their chores. Keeping an eye out for anything dangerous. After sine time even I got really bored, this was worse than guard duty.

The captain had signed the only zebra crew-mate to do the same chores as Monsoon. Hold on, don't tell me that he plan for that. No he isn't smart enough, I blame stupid luck.

“What's the point of even getting a room if one of us have to stay up here at all times?” Probably just a place just to put my shit.

“Some place to sleep when the other is on duty. Speaking of which, I'll probably go get some sleep soon.” Stretching he got up and rubbed his eyes.

How long have I been up here already?

“When do I get to sleep?” Please don't tell me I going to be sleeping during the day.

“They didn't tell you the schedule? I will get midnight to midday you will get morning to night and the other gets midday to midnight.”

Wait, there is a third Pegasus? Where is he, he should be up here by now.

“What am I doing up here if you're up here?” I grumbled. What a waste of a perfectly good day.

“Learning.” With that he went on to explain the signals I was to give and how to give them depending on what I saw.

It was nothing special, just had to announce what it was, where it was and then point. He nicely reminded me that the crow's nest proctects from nothing so dodging was essential. Thankfully he took the late shift as the other look out seemed to be tardy.

Wait on I found him. Sitting above us a small pegasus sat on the tip of the center mass. Grumbling, Clairvoyance waved me off. I flew down to see how Monsoon was doing.

Landing beside him as he continued to scrub the deck he glared up at me, “Having fun up there?”

He did not seem happy about his new job. Ha! this did't look like it was part of his plan.

“Yep! I get to see the entire ship along with all the drama that happens.” I beamed at him as he scrubbed.

“Yay for you, tomorrow I get to peel potatoes on the deck. The deck! And if I drop one, goddess help me if I drop one they will smack me. Not even the fun type of smack the violent one that stings." He scrubbed the deck with rage.

“Too bad it's not the fun one.” Chuckling at him I had fun and slapped the air. “You should have told them you were good at navigation or something."

“I did that and it got placed on miscellaneous jobs anyways.”

He seemed amused at my ass slapping technique.

“Well that sucks. I'm hungry so I’m off to get me some food. See ya when you finish cleaning.” I started trotting off happily to get food.

“I know some me some sea shanty's.” He called out behind me as I trotted off.

After eating my meal I promptly went to my room to sleep before an impromptu sing song could ruin my night. I had a nice dream too I was a wonder bolt and my mom was proud of me. My sister was back from school and not as much of a snobby bitch and my dad was there holding me. My dad the big heroic zebra who was only a whore to be with my mother but secretly he was a super spy… I love dreams.

Jumping from my bed I was woken up by a brisk knocking at the door. I shot a glare at whoever dared wake me before I wanted to get up, then I realized I had glared at the captian. “Sorry”

She pointed up with a hoof.

Nodding, I took a glance at the other two were up and gone already. Crap, am I late?. She trotted off and woke up a few more crew members. Making my way, I quickly grabbed breakfast for two.

The wind had picked up a little but still no problem for me to fly though to the nest, Clairvoyance was there.

“There is a storm coming.” He spoke ominous of the wind then took his food and started to eat.

“Ya could feel it on my way up. So what do I do now? There is the thunder on the horizon!” Dramatically, I pointed my hoof in the direction the storm was most likely to come from. That only earned me a smack.

“Unless you see it don't give out false calls. False alarm!” The second part was directed to the crew who had gathered on the edge of the boat to see if they could see the dark clouds.

At the new information I could hear a few grumbles and ponies trotted back to their posts.

“Sorry, didn't realize that was a call.”

“Yes it's a call especially if you ever see chain lightning. Some storms have those and trust me you will know it when you see it.” He returned back to his food.

“How dangerous is chain lightning?”

I could imagine lightning bouncing around a ship setting multiple parts on fire.

“It can burn holes through ships that's the fastest way to lose one.”

“Anyway is there a way to know if the storm is one with chain lightning or not?”

“Nope. Nature is just a homicidal bitch sometimes and with that I'm off to get some sleep, see ya.” He grabbed the empty plates and flew off.

Great! I'm all here by myself, with a storm so far out I can't see it. One that could potentially sink us… no I'm not suppose to be scared not at all. Hold on, isn't he suppose to be up here till noon? That jackass ditched me. He may be older than me and the other guy but he is not supposed to abandon me here.

Bored, I looked down at the deck and spotted my friend and the zebra getting to work on their muscles with the anchor.

Dropping the anchor and bringing it back up has to be slowing us down a little. Is it really worth slowing us down to get a workout. Probably just another one of those macho things. I have a bad feeling I'm going to be dealing with a lot of that on this trip. The guards had macho things they did to but usually they didn't do it too much in front of me. They were too scared to do it when I was there of me in fear that I would walk over and school them all. Then there were those who did macho things in front of me to try to get with me. It did work sometimes can't lie. Compared to the guards at my post this is just more funny to watch.

Now the zebra’s hooves are bleeding. Well he has to thank rope burn for that probably. Monsoon like usual looks fine, hold on. He should be bleeding to if was as weak as he had showed. The captain seemed to have noticed that. Hopefully, she will just think it was nothing. Wow how many times is she going to make them do that. I counted seven before Timber stopped them and made the go off to clean up.

“Hey ya!”

Glancing back I could see the other Pegasus I was suppose to work with. He was cream colored with sky blue eyes, mane and tail. He sounded a little younger than me and was chest height. He sat on the edge of the nest like a bird with his chest puffed out. Probably trying to look more stallion in front of the pretty mare, cute. “Zipping Skies” he thrusted his hoof at me.

“Salty.” Reaching back I gave him a firm hoof shake. Why did this stallion give me a bad feeling.

“Sooooo you're our new look out gal? Did the boss tell ya bout initiation?” Keeping his chest puffed out he took off flying around and landed on the edge of the nest next to me.

“No.” But my striking hoof is in range of your tender bits so be careful what you say next Skies. “Am I going to get my hoof cut off or bitten by something?”

“Nope.” His smile only got bigger.

I can potentially see this pony crying in pain in the near future.

“Then what?” it took all my will not to sound like I wanted to break him if he suggested what I think he was about to.

“They always do potato peeling a few days after leaving port so me and the old cook made a game out of it.” Reaching into his saddlebag he pulled out a bag of rocks. “ It's a simple game you try to hit the potato out of her hoof as there cutting them.” Okay he isn't as stupid as I though. Not demanding special treatment where no one can see us probably just saved his limbs and maybe his life. We just going to haze the workers.

“I have to bunk in the same room as them. There going to kill me with sea shanties and other loud annoying things.” I might not get my much needed sleep tonight.

“Come on it's a tradition.” he hopped down beside me and together we watched as Monsoon and the zebra went to work on peeling the potatoes.

Monsoon was having a little bit of a hard time trying to both not drop it and over trim it. The zebra was having a absolutely terrible time and taking way too much off the potato as he tried to cut it. At least the captain had gotten the zebra's hooves wrapped up before letting him work on potatoes. Timber was watching over the two with a belt strap tapping his shoulder ready to strike if a potato was to fall.

“They are not going to let me sleep if I do this. The captain is going to get mad at us if we do this won't she?”

“Only if we get caught and the captain ain't watching us now.” Knew it but you know what he was smart enough not to ask for stupid stuff so I should give him a brake.

“You're hazing me aren't you?” Purposefully trying to get me into trouble. But this might make me feel better about what that bastard did to my life.

“Naah I ain't hazing ya. You were important enough to put up here so now we're best friends.” Leaning over her tried to put a wing on my back. He didn't quite make the height requirements and only managed to a few feathered on and that's it.

“Don't make me throw a rock at you.” Pushing him off with one of my wings we both laughed.

He hopped back up on the edge of the nest again, “Choose your target Salty.”

I could see that the two of them where working really hard. I am so going to regret this. “Alright the winner doesn't have to sit in the crow's nest tomorrow.”

“And how do you plan on getting away with that?” Straight up just abandoning your post.

“Easy me and the old cook do this stuff every time we get a new pony up here. Usually, he gets the rocks and stuff but cap made sure all three of us ain't on the same shift. I just have to tell Timber that we're all good.” Glancing sideways at me he gave me the most sincere grin he could muster.

“Okay I choose the brown one. But you go first.” If I win this I'll get a chance to search the ship tomorrow with no wondering eyes and be able to look around more for anything that looks like a zebra trap. I needed to win.

“Got ya, taking aim...Fire!” Grabbing a rock from his bag he leaned back a little with the rock held high and wiped it down at Monsoons head.

“Ouch!" Monsoon’s hoof came up to his head rubbing it as he looked around.

Zipping looked proud flapping his wings, “Two points for me. One for the body, two for the head, five if knock the potato out of their hoof but if the rock lands on the potato bag we are done. Usually get in trouble after that anyways so don't do it.”

He was now two points ahead, need a head or potato to pass. I wonder how many points it is if I'd hit the knife. Taking aim, I throw the rock down at the zebras knife. Splat!! The potato tumbled out of the zebras hoofs and rolled away. There was a sharp crack as he was immediately hit and told to grab a new potato. Now I feel bad, he doesn't deserve this I hope he is the evil zebra.

“Damn you got five points already. I'm going to have to step up my game if I wanna win. Also we switch every round. My turn.” Hurling his rock down at them it hit the zebra in the shoulder. “One more for me.” he boasted.

Monsoon I hope this hurts. I aimed and fired hah! Got his head again. He glanced up at us and looked quite upset. Don't feel bad about hitting him at all. Seven and four. Hehe this is pretty darn fun. Taking a quick peak the captain was still standing at the helm and the crew were keeping busy. The storm clouds off in the distance where moving away from us so no storm.

“My turn and this is where I take the lead you will see.” Zipping his pebble down he was going for the potato. I could hear it whistle as it plummeted towards the potato. Did Monsoon's eye just glisten in the sun light?

Crap!! Ducking down so I had just enough cover I watched his irritation become to much for him to bare. Leaning in his blade shined in the light and at the very last second he brought it up violently slapping the rock back with a loud ping and show of magic sparks. I heard the rock whip back up and watched as it connected with Skies’s right eye.

“BUCK!” Falling back into the nest he clutched his eye and rolled around. He rolled around clutching his eye for a bit yelling about how much it hurt. When he stopped I could see why. It was black and puffing up. He would be able to see out of it again but not any time soon maybe it might take a week to heal.

“I think the rock wins” Giggling I watched him hold his face and rock back and forth.

Grumbling he just laid there cursing the fucked up earth pony and his rock flinging knife.

“Ow!” Something just hit the back of my neck… oh crap I'm in trouble. Turning around the captain was in the crow's nest holding a bag of pebbles and looking at me with a raised eyebrow. “It was his idea.” I quickly pointed at Skies with a hoof.

She leaned in getting ready to whispering something in my ear.. I whimpered right before she grabbed my head and not so gently bounced it off the center mass making my world spin and filling my head with pain as I slumped to the floor. Ow ow ow! I knew this initiation shit was a bad idea. I sat there trying to stop my world from spinning. Silver don't take a hoof blow from her, she can kick my ass. It feels like I just got hit by a damn sledgehammer. Hearing a cry of pain made me feel much better about the pain in me because that idiot just got hit too. The captain took off shortly after and I took the opportunity to hit the jerk myself.

“Ow. Why? Why must all the mares around me hit me?”

You know why.

“You got me in trouble and hit!” How the buck did she sneak up on me? I was keeping my eye out for her.

“But it was fun!” Chuckling he held his rib where the captain had hit him hard enough to bounce him off the edge of the nest and land against the center mass.

“No it wasn't they were pathetic and couldn't throw anything back.” I couldn't look at him my head hurt and it made want to hit him again. It was a one sided, we had the height advantage and rocks. They had nothing.

“Not pathetic enough I still got injured by your stupid friend.” Almost on cue we heard a resounding crash from below. Hehe seems the captian got to him too. I have to muster enough focus to see this. Crawling to the edge of the nest I snuck a peek to see what had happened.

Monsoon was holding the back of his hand as the captain watched. I think she had grabbed him and slammed the back of his head against the deck. Even though it wasn't me doing that to him, it felt oh so satisfying. I’m going to sit here for a sec and just enjoy this. The crew laughed at him and his plight. Captain glanced up at me and I could tell by the way she smirked she had fun disciplining us.

Turning back to the inside of the crows nest my world finally decided to stop it's constant rotation. Zipping was holding the side of his head where I had hit him. At least his head was not filled with a thudding pain and if it was well it wasn't enough. Reaching over I shook him violently. “Get up we need you attentive boy. Get up!”

“Give me a minute I just got my ass kicked by two mares and a fucked up stallion.” He tried to push me off to no avail. Whatever he wasn't worth the effort. He whimpered when I dropped him.

“We still have a job to do.“ Looking out I couldn't spot anything that needed immediate warning. The captain had taken the helm again and she was watching me. Please let there not be a round two. What was she waiting for? There was no call, there were no storms, there were no monsters, the winds were still going north…. no they were going east. I called out the change of wing and that must have been what she was waiting for because she stopped staring at me. The crew got to work adjusting for the change in wind.

Looking back, Zipping was still on the floor. “Get up already you're missing calls.”

“But I hurt.” Any cuteness he might have had died at his whining. A small rock flew up and landed right on the side of his head. “Ow.” Was his grumbled reply. I had a feeling I knew where that rock came from.

Peering over the edge of my nest just enough of me poking out of cover so I could look down I spotted the culprit. It would seem the captain had decided she was going to give us a hard time for what we did. She was still at the wheel but her other hoof was tossing a pebble up and down. She had a big grin on her face. Let's see if she keeps that grin scooping up the rock I took aim. But before I could throw zipping grabbed my hoof.

“Unless you have a death wish don't do it.” He pried the rock from my hoof and threw it off the ship entirely. Then I got hit with another stupid rock.

“The captain is having all the fun I just want to make it a game of pass.” Zipping grabbed the rock before I could get my hooves on it and got rid of it.

The captain spent the rest of the day tossing rocks at us whenever we were distracted or looked too comfortable. Zipping Skies nicely informed me he had packed thirty rocks and she seemed determined to use all of them. I technically won so Zipping told me I get tomorrow off. Not worth spending the day doing a treasure hunt for zebra bombs.

When the sun started setting I soared down to see how the two are doing. The captain had used all her rocks and was off to sleep but Lumber was still around with the night crew. The two seemed not to have fared too badly. Monsoon had three lumps including the one the captain gave him and the zebra had ten. They were cleaning up potato scraps off the deck.

Soothing the zebra I tried to be warm. “Need any help with that?” I gave my best ‘I’m sorry I got you hit earlier and it really does make me feel bad’ smile.

“No, I'm good.” And like that the cold shoulder. Although now that I'm closer up I can see he is a little taller than Monsoon and showed more muscle too. He had gray eyes that were determined not to acknowledge me but his mane was cut short so I know he could see me in his peripheral vision. His voice was nice at least, though it seem he has a hard time speaking Equestrian.

“So how you guys day been?” Not that I really cared much just still feeling bad for hurting the zebra.

“Improving. But somebody didn't help with that.” He growled up at me.

Hopefully they did improve because if the zebra kept dropping the potatoes at the beginning of the day the chef was going to kill him.

“I had to do it! It was an initiation thing and I won so I get the day off tomorrow to explore.”

He glared at me for another second then dropped it.

“I didn't mean for it to really hurt I was holding back. I was aiming for the potatoes not your heads.” They don't need to know I wasn't holding back.

“Your game was to try and get us hit, bastards.” He tossed a scrap of potatoes at me that bounced off my neck.

“I needed to do something because I have been up there occasionally flying around but mostly just sitting watching all day. I feel like my muscles are getting dystrophied or something.” I stretched.

“Go fly around maybe do like laps or something around your nest.” He grabbed the scraps he had thrown at me.

“I will probably get in trouble.” If I don't move around more I'm just going to become a head with wings… that is a terrifying thought. I'm doing laps tomorrow.

“Your problem.” Shrugging, he got back to work.

I went over and did a few trots around the ship for a while to get a my blood pumping and make up for sitting around all day. Got food then went back to my room for a bit of exercise push-ups. Then when I was finally ready for sleep all curled up in my bed they appeared.

I rolled over begging them for forgiveness… they had none. They sang for hours fucking zebra sea shanties. I learned a few, they just kept going on. Thanks for the work out earlier me because my exhaustion helped me find sleep during their stupid singing.

Crescent Moon

(Casting Monsoon)

Stepping above deck the bitter night air brushed against my coat irritating my injuries. My throat hurt from all the singing earlier but it was so worth it.

You should get a jacket.

“I know.” Whispering to myself I scanned the area. There was the night time skeleton crew Timber and him. Zalamar the zebra was leaning against the railing on the front of the ship. I kept my hooves quiet as I approached he was a charming stallion and I was enjoying the view.

You know better.

Nodding I trotted up beside him. “Do you miss home?” Made him jump, poor stallion he must have been deep in thought.

“Yes. I came to your country four years ago to learn in one of your school's.” If he came here he had to be a higher level craftsman or maybe a scholar. Four years is plenty of time to finish an academy.

“Enjoy your time here?” Equestrian schools weren't as strict as zebras. Physically punishing a student was banned here and they don't publicly humiliate students who do bad.

Nodding, he raised a eyebrow at me and turned back to look me in the eye. “You speak my people's language fluently and with such ease. May I ask who taught you?” Oops must have started speaking zebra and I hadn't noticed.

Idiot.

“You probably won't believe my true story but here is a summed version. My parents lived near the zebra empire capital. I was raised till the age of ten then made my way to Equestria. I haven't seen my home in nine years.” It was the truth even if it was missing almost all the details. I looked far off into the distance. And I knew what he was looking for earlier, our home the zebra nation.

I remember the food with so many more spices than here. I remember everyone wearing robes and being so polite to each other. The pink trees and the multitude of different colored fish. All the statues to the stars all over the place most to the stars of protection of luck. It was always clean and beautiful. The markets that would go for miles and always had something new.

Got lost in thought. “What? Sorry memory's.”

“I had asked you claim to be from the capital but I don't see any stripes on you how can this be?”

Easy I have a wonderful curse.

“The physical stripes your race is known for may not show on my back, but it is hemmed into my soul.” My teacher would be so proud of that answer, cryptic as buck but still the truth. “Let's us not dwindle on a mystery however. Anything interesting from our culture during your time in our lands?”

He took a moment to think, “You ponies swear a lot.”

Well buck he knows equestrian shits so bucking well. I let myself laugh, “Yes, yes indeed. Is that why you're going home? We swear to bucking much?” I'm having fun with this.

Don't relax he could be the enemy.

Shut up! I can have fun if I want to. And thinking of fun I wonder how the changelings at home are holding up. Wish I stayed longer, I am not being a good leader. Crap I'm getting distracted again.

“No Monsoon. I'm going home because I finished getting a degree in sculpting. I intend to go back and make my family a fortune in star statues.”

Fast way to get my hair to stand on end. Relax he has no idea, probably, maybe, hopefully. He has a degree?

“If you can afford an academy for four years why do you choose to travel by cargo ship instead of a passenger ship?” Specially one that will probably never make it.

“I ran out of money and couldn't afford a ticket back home. They have significantly increased the fairing prices since I came here four years ago.” Well the new Caesar being a dick probably doesn't help… wow I do swear a lot I need to watch that.

“Couldn't earn a few bits before leaving?” Kind of felt bad for him.

Don't trust him!

Shut up go and watch the captain or something just shut up. But it is true he could have made all of this up.

“I did but not enough. So you and your wife work on ships for a living?”

I fell on my ass I laughed so hard. Silver my wife? The idea was so ridiculous I couldn't help myself from laughing hard enough to send me rolling on the ground. “No no no me and her are just working together she is a acquaintance maybe close to being a friend but that's it.” She is good looking and sometimes nice but she can be violent and an utter bitch most of the time.

“Oh I am sorry for making a wrong inquiry.” He looked around nervous that others might come over, they weren't. Leaning in he whispered, “Is she seeing anyone?”

Damn it Silver why do you get all the cute stallions and mares asking me if you're available? Agh I have been working with you for a week and a few days and already half my people at home want you and this is the third crew member to ask me, damn you Silver! If this keeps up I am going to lose my shit.

“No she has a boyfriend back in Canterlot.” Who is probably changeling food by now but buck her it's her fault not mine this time. I took the steps to protect her family.

“That is… to bad. She seems like quite a catch.”

You haven't even talked to her you stupid zebra. She is a bitch who pulled on your heart strings for fun. Can't believe she still my first kiss. Not to mention she will steal your drinks.

“Trust me you're good. I have worked with her for a little and in that short time I have learned to find her irritating.” How her boyfriend Isn't snapped in half by now is far beyond me.

“I think I'll try my hoof anyways tomorrow if I get a chance.”

Good luck. She might just kill you by accident while searching the ship.

“Careful she is a little jumpy please don't spook her. Her right hook feels like a ton of bricks hitting you.” Grinning I got a little kick out of scaring the shit out of anyone who goes after Silver. No idea why but it's fun.

“Noted. Well Monsoon I'm quite tired and we still have a lot of work set up for tomorrow. You should get some sleep too.” He turned to leave but looked back when I wasn't joining.

“I'll be there in a bit just have a few thing to think about before going to sleep.” Waving him off, I looked up at the stars. I heard him trot off and leave me in silence. My mind was full of memories of the last time I sailed these seas leaving my home. I wonder how my sis is doing. The day I left replaying over and over in my mind. “I wonder how everyone at home is doing?” I felt pain, anger and sorrow when I thought about it. I need to go back one day.

“Stars I hope you're happy with yourselves and what you have done. Stay up there looking down at us judging our actions. I hope down here are fucking amusing to you.” Assholes. I felt my magic boiling inside of me fueled by my hate for the ever watching stars. Then I sat there for a while glaring up at them and let myself simmer down. “If you're watching lady star of luck please watch over this crew and protect them.” With those final words I pushed myself off the edge of the boat and trotted back to my bed.

The captain was there watching me, when she got behind me I have no idea. Her wings are silent but know what I don't care. I'm too tired for this, sleep time for this cursed zebra. As I walked past her she had a soft smile on.

Silver Stripes Level up: Level 3
New perk: Sneaky little filly --- Whenever you are hidden or in disguise you draw less attention to yourself.