Gatling Rain on a Steam Filled Morn

Waltz were arming himself from the one place that only two people know exists. Him, and his mother. The location? A ducked off perch inside a rock jutting out of the desert. One way in, one way out, and if you don't know what you're looking for, you'll never find it.

He grabbed a decoratively engraved revolver from the set of four that were set on the rusty shelves, and a cutlass, strapped the revolver to his right, and the sword on his left. Then the idea popped into Waltz's mind. Gunslinger stiletto, or priate tricornne? Eh, he'll stick to what he knows. No helmet, or hat, just his head. And his armor. If he ever needed it, he knew where to get his helmet. It's still int he clock tower.

As he stepped out of the small armory, he grabbed a bandolier of four flintlocks, and set it around his chestplate, admiring the ideal sight of himself decked out in weaponry. He were set for a war, now. Thing is, he probably won't be keeping all of this weaponry with him at all times.

Locking the door behind him, he turned around, and came face to face, well, actually face to sword tip with a young stallion. He were lithe, dressed in a simple brown shirt and black pants, black boots, even wore a bandana, and his hair fell messily around said bandana. His coat were peach, and his main chocolate brown. And. He looked pissed, wore a scowl like a beard. Which he didn't have.

"Where. Is Rose?", he demanded, digging the tip into Waltz's neck. Waltz were quick, swatted the blade away with one hand, and drew both revolver and cutlass of his own, aiming both at the newcomer.

"An enemy of my mother is an enemy to me.", he announced.

"Yer mother? Then I take it...", he fell silent, eyes drifting to Waltz's side.

"That I am as ruthless as her? Well, I could learn a lot from her on ruthlessness, but ruthless is not one of my feats. Deadly, however, most definitely is. And if I can square off against three machino core golems, and win, then you will be absolutely nothing but a ladybug beneath my boot.", he traded hands for each weapon. Cutlass in right, revolver in left, and he let his cutlass swing low to his side.

With a breath, the young stallion sighed, sheathing his weapon. "I forfeit and surrender."

"Oh no no!", Waltz chuckled. "Heft your blade, or I'll make it worse. You know this place exists, and I cannot break my promise to my mother. No witnesses!"

"Yer not gonna kill me."

"Like hell I won't! What makes you think I should show you mercy? You're the first pirate to ever raise a sword to me, I'd be damned if I shouldn't cut you down like a weak dog!"

"Check yer pocket."

Waltz opened his mouth to speak, but paused before he did. "Which one?"

"Right.", he answered without breaking eye contact.

Waltz fished the bauble out of his pocket, that which Eldritch had pressed into his palm without a word but a good while back. And light were glinting out from the cracks in it's shell. Waltz opened it, and it illuminated the whole cave around them in golden light, all shed from the single symbol inside. If he didn't know the nature of ancient artifacts, he'd say it were heart shaped.

"What do you know about this?", Waltz asked.

"That it means ye won't kill me."

"And how are you so sure of that?"

"Because by having that object in yer possession, ye be forcin' yerself ta follow a destiny that ya didn't make. In other words, someone made some decisions for you, and now ye must follow them."

"Who?"

"You yerself."

"Stop being cryptic!", Waltz pulled the hammer back on his revolver, and took a step forward, pressing it to the young stallion's temple, even pressing him into the cave wall as he observed the object in full detail.

"Look. I will ask fer ye trust.", the young stallion began. "Give me the object, and I will leave, even ferget me hatred fer Rose. In turn, I will return sometime in the near future, and explain everythin'."

Waltz turned his gaze back to the young stallion. His voice were rather high, he must be relatively young. Mulling over the pitched plan, he pulled his gun away, then holstered it, gently setting the hammer flush against it's chassis. "Alright.", Waltz took a step back, closed the object, then pocketed it again. "I'll humor you a little bit. Give me a reason why I should trust you."

"Like I said, by simply havin' possession of that object, ye've sealed yer fate. Not necessarily yer death, which people confuse the term with, but ye've given yerself a destiny ye must follow. Thing is, you could give me that object, I could leave, and sometime soon, we will meet again. Destiny will make it happen. I could be runnin' from ya, hopin' to never be seen again, and I will fail."

"A rather lengthy explanation for an interesting object."

"Someone immortal gave ya that, did they not?"

"No.", he lied.

"Then ye had to 'ave found it, either by pure chance in a market, someone's pcoket, or ye looted it from ancient ruins!", the young stallion spoke more agressively.

"I got it from someone. They gave it to me. But they were not immortal.", he lied, "What significance does this have?"

"It's a favorite of people eternally livin' in this here world. Gods and immortals alike. 'Tis of not as much use to a mortal as it would be to someone who'd live ferever. This object doesn't just predict, but sets yer destiny in stone until it's purpose is finished, and it will 'appen soon. Believe me."

"What will happen?"

"It involves the two of us. And an event that will 'appen soon. How soon is beyond me. But it couldn't be any more than a month away. Give me the item, let me leave peacefully, let me come to terms with the fate that is intwined with me own, and I will return. Ya have me word."

"I'd be taking a massive leap into the dark. I'd be letting a young colt trick me into giving up an item that could be of great value."

"Give me the item. Then go to the person who gave it to ya. And ask them what it is. Tell them it was glowing, and very brightly."

Waltz pulled the object from his pocket, then hefted it in his hand twice before tossing it to the young stallion. "Name. Now."

"James the Kid."

"Alright James. I'll find out what this is once I get back to my ship. If it is of great value, I will resort to magic tracking, will hunt you down like an animal, and take it back with deadly force. If it is simply an artifact...with interesting properties...I'll let it slide until you return. When you do, if my source does not tell me all that I need to know, you better have the information ready. Elsewise, I will not be a merciful person, such as I am right now. Leave. And do so swiftly and discreetly. I don't want anyone to find out that someone else was here.", Waltz cut free the young stallion's cutlass and took it with him as he passed by.

Waltz tossed it into the sands on his way out, and took wing, flying away from the marooned rock.

As Waltz backwinged onto the Brass Maiden, his mother met him on the deck, looking him over with a proud, content smile. The sight before her made her happy to no end. To see her own son taking after her.

"Your pride is showing.", Waltz teased.

She laughed happily, "Good!", she took a deep breath. "You don't know how happy it makes me to see you take after me."

"I don't take after you. I am a merciful god, and I aim for benevolence. But no one said I couldn't live my life the way I wanted to. So whats wrong with a little piracy fun every now and then?", he smirked.

Rose continued watching him with a warm smile.

"Seen Eldritch?"

"In the mess hall, making us our evening meal."

"I'm gonna go see what h'es brewing together."

He left his mother on the deck, and took the steps leading down to below deck. Eldritch heard him as he stepped down and closer, and gave the captain himself a piratey Arrrrr.

"Ahoy, cap'n! Welcome back aboard the Maiden!"

"Smells wonderful.", Waltz took a big whiff. "Heavily seasoned, so I assume it's not-so-great materials."

"Eh, aye. Unfortunately so."

"Well, I know you can cook, and I know you can cook well, so I assume it will taste just as great as always."

Eldritch laughed heartily. "Ye know me well enough!"

"What item did you give me?"

Eldritch paused. The question were odd. Out of the blue. then he began recalling what all items he'd given this stallion in the past. There were but one in the recent past. After a long moment of silent thinking, Eldritch smiled. "Ye met someone, didn't ye?", he paused, his smile fading. "It was glowin'?"

"Aye. Apparently this has somethign to do with meeting someone. Why does this object glow, and what triggers it's effect?"

Eldritch hummed. "Lad, ye didn't kill this person ye met, did ye?"

"No. I let him take the object, on promise that he would return soon, and explain everything."

Eldritch began stroking his beard. Then turned his attention to the pots beside him, stirring their contents and giving each a big whiff and a taste. "Needs more....everything. Could be better, but anymore seasonin' would make it worse.", he sighed, set the spoon down, then wiped his hands on his apron.

"Eldritch. You are a good friend, but you are wearing my patience thin. How valuable is that small object? Does it hold significance as, say, a key to an ancient treasure?"

"Nothin' like that, lad. It be nothin' more 'n the value it has int he eye o' the beholder. It is priceless. It is worthless. Depends on who possesses it."

"He said something about simply possessing it seals my fate. Mayhaps not as far as how I die, but what happens int he near future is unavoidable."

"That's because 'tis.", Eldritch pointed out. "Ye hold an ancient artifact. Hld. Ye gave it to this person, no?"

"Yes."

"Describe 'im."

"Young, dressed like a pirate, held a cutlass like he'd trained with it. Spoke like a pirate. Called himself James the Kid."

Eldritch were stroking his beard once more. He sighed. "Lad, this now be beyond me. Ye will jus' have to wait fer that young lad ta return with the artifact."

"Do you, or do you not, know what that item does?"

"Aye. Right down ta the letter."

"Then tell me!"

"No. Ye need to find all o' this out on yer own."

"I let someone who would readily murder my own mother, even admitted to it, get away because of this item and what he told me, I demand to know what it is, and what it does!", Waltz shouted.

"Patience, lad. Believe me when I say, all yer worries will be abated when ye find this person again. Because they will all be replaced with something entirely different to keep your mind busy."

Waltz splayed his hands, then clenched them. He marched out swiftly, passing his mother on the way.

"What was that about, Eldritch? My son was raising his voice, and to the person who raised him, I would appreciate you telling me what you won't tell him."

"If I told ye, ye'd tell 'im. It would be best if he found out on his own. Now, come in, take a seat! I got somethin' ye might like.", he grinned as he approached and pulled a very large barrel into teh opening. Rose slowly approached and took a seat at teh nearest table, and watched as Eldritch opened the front of the massive barrel like a door. He stuck his hand in, and fished out a very dusty bottle. He thumbed some of the dust off, and ksised it before grabbing it like any drunk would. By the neck. He closed the barrel, turning his attention to Rose.

"Rum? Oh, it's a pirate's life for me.", Rose said hushedly.

Eldritch chuckled heartily. "Ya see, I be a few centuries old, but this here...be far older than me. This be a silent killer! Don't drink it so fast, ye'll regret it. And it nay be rum. It be wine. Passion wine."

"Passion wine? From the pleasure gardens that the gods took from thsi world thousands of years ago?", Rose raised a brow to that.

"Aye! Meant ta be shared between only two who share interests. Ideas....maybe even a bed."

Rose chuckled lowly, "Eldritch, it's going to take a lot more than an ancient wine to get in bed with me."

"that nay be what this be for, lass! I be shocked ye wouldn't think of me as a gentleman! I be the legendary sniper 'imself! I romanced mares with but a burly ARRRRR, I took down leagues o' enemies with but one rifle!", he took a sharp breath. "But ye nay came here ta listen ta me boast. I would like ta share this fine wine with a fine mare such as yerself."

Rose rested her cheek on her knuckles as she isten silently. "Go on."

So.", he fished two very beautiful glass chalices from the cupboard, and set them beside one another. He grabbed a corkswcrew, digging it into the wine bottle's mouth. "About a good...oh, century and a half ago, I came across this merchant. He had many wares, all very old, nothing which could be any less than half a millennium.", He pulled the cork out as gently as he could, didn't spill a drop. He took a whiff. With a long satisfied sigh, he began pouring them each a glass. "He said to me. Come one, come all! Anceint aritfacts and ancient treasures for sale! Hah! I looked about me. No one were there but me. The market were rather empty. Soes, I asked, why d'ye nay have much business, friend?", he set the bottle down, and picked his glass up. Rose did the same, and they toasted with a beautifully harmonious ring. Then took a long swig of the drink.

It were deliciously sweet. Like taking grapes fresh off a vine coated in morning dew. Succulent and sweet, just like the fruit it were made from.

Eldritch relaxed in his seat, setting his chalice down. He hummed in delight. "He told me.", he closed his eyes as a smile graced his lips. "None o' these items be cheap. An' fer good reason. These be powerful artifacts, as old as they are strong. Soes, I grab one, and he grabs me hand. That be an artifact of the immortal twins, inseparable, yet blind. It tells them when they are near one another, and they can see it glow, even though they have no eyes. Then I ask, how much, and he told me, an object of equal or greater value. god old fashioned trade and barter!", he laughed. Eldritch then looked at the mare sitting contently across the table from him. "I offered him one o' these bottles."

Rose smirked at that.

"Well, he hands me the item. And he tells me what it does, and how it works. Not in his cryptic verse, which he first told me, but in as much detail possible. I thank him for the sale, and be on me way. With a new toy that I never let leave me side. Until one day.", he took a breath, "Ohhh, it were...over four decades ago. Had to be.", he took another swig from his chalice. "I were...where was I, and...what was I doin'?", he paused to stroke his beard. "Had just fixed up an old ferner of me own, were traveling a short distance ta sell her and buy me docks. Passed by a small family travelin', and they were stopped at the docks I was on. Had to moor fer the night. I pass by, and notice a light comin' from round me neck. It were dim, but it were still there. Then it grew dark. I paused, grabbed the artifact around me neck, and watched it as I back pedaled, and found that family. A mare, her husband, and their foal. Oh, it was a sight ta behold. Majestic, even.", he took another, and final swig of his drink, finishing it. "He were dressed fer business, she were dressed like a housewife, and that foal...ye coudl take a picture, and it would be art...", he paused as he reminesced. "I brought meself ta greet htem. We spoke. And then in the midst of our conversation, that foal reaches over and grabs me necklace, where I had me artifact danglin'. Little filly may have seen something shiny, and it caught her attention. Then it glowed brighter. I were speechless fer a moment until that mare pulled her filly away with an apology. Well, I left shortly after, but nay afore inquirin' when she were born. She were jus' three weeks old. And as adorable as any foal could be. I bid me farewells, and engraved that date on me six shooter."

"Now why would you do that? What significance does this artifact have? Is it the same one you gave my son?"

"Hold, lass. I be gettin' there. Needless ta say, I ne'er fergot that date. I memorized it down ta every number. And with them numbers, I memorized exactly what she looked like. Today, that filly were born. About forty three years ago, if me math be right. Piercing sapphire eyes. White coat. White mane. Do you know what her name was?"

Rose smirked.

"White Rose."

"Now why did you engrave my birthday in the side of your revolver?"

"It were me favorite piece. So I'd never, ever ferget. Happy birthday, Rose."

"Why thank you. But that still doesn't answer my question."

"I had done it becuse of why the artifact glowed. It be the artifact o' the immortal lovers.", he poured himself another glass, and Rose one as well. he didn't know she'd even finished hers until he glanced at her chalice. "It glows when ye be near that one person ye fall the deepest inta love with in yer life. And it glows the brightest when ye be nearin' the time ye fall deep in love."

Rose's jaw dropped, "You mean-"

"Aye, yer son be meetin' that person soon. And it will be happenin' soon."

"But I thought he said that it glowed when a young stallion were nearby!", Rose smiled wide.

"Heheh! Love knows no bounds. I d'nay know what yer son looks for in a lover, but ye c'nay escape that old magic."

"Same as you and I can't, huh?"

Eldritch smirked. "Nay."

Rose took a whiff of her drink. "It's not as if I'm complaining.", she took a swallow from her chalice. "You do look rather...gentleman-like, for a centuries old stallion."

"Heh. Ye look rather young fer a forty three year old mare."

"Why thank you. I use a special medicine called immortality."

"I ne'er found out when we would. And neither do I want to know. If it be twenty years from now, or two hundred, I can wait for the deepest love I've ever felt in me life. If it can top the love I had fer me wife, may Celestia rest her soul, then it be somethin' I'd be lookin' forward to."

Rose took a deep breath and sighed. "So. Does that ean you're going to romance me?"

"Only if ye give me a chance."

"Maybe.", she took another sip of her wine.

Eldritch chuckled, taking another sip from his own. "I been holdin' that story fer a long time. Waitin' ta find ya again."

"Didn't you help rescue me?"

"Aye! I did!"

"Then you knew I wasn't gonna die!"

"Indeed I did."

Rose grinned. Then hid behind the silence of another sip of her fine drink. "Eldritch. I am honored that you fought to save me."

"Ehhh, it was mostly because I wouldn't let an object decide me fate. If ye were gonna survive, no matter what happened, if we were destined to fall in love, by damned, I would have a hand in yer rescue, even if it wounded me."

"Awe, how sweet."

"Anythin' fer the mare I would fall deepest in love with in me lifetime.", he and Rose toasted again, downing the rest of their drinks.