Chapter 9: Sea faring…and sickness Pt 1.

3 Days Later.

We managed to leave the deep snow and I was walking on solid ground once more, the little ride I had wasn’t too bad to say the least, it was a weird experience but a calming one too.

Pearl was gliding along in the snow while I was just stepping through it.

We ended up in a pathway that has seen traffic of on goers passing by, I’m not worried anyone will see us since I can literally blind them to us.

Up ahead I heard noises and the sounds of talking…a town.

Coming closer to it I realized it was a fishing town…and a port trade…so why is that important?

There is A LOT of pe-Ponies and other creatures around doing whatever.

I stop our trek and head up a small hill getting a look at the town better…and I was right it was lively.

Ponies, Dragons, Minotaurs, Deer, and some subspecies all moved around the town like normal people…

Shaking my head of my unpleasant thoughts I think of a plan…we can leave this area and head to a new one…since ‘The Storm King.’ Is likely on my ass for what happened.

‘So we need a ship to get across the ocean…that is doable.’

‘Care to tell?’

‘We get a ship and equipment with little ‘bits’ I managed to take and sail to another region where we can get a breather from the cold.

‘And to run from the storm king?’

‘More or less; and before you say I could take them on, yes I know I could…but at the same time this world…isn’t really keen on violent solutions to issues like him.’

‘And ours isn’t keen on peaceful talks or speeches?’

‘Yes exactly.’

I locate a port with some decent ships and merchants talking to the populace.

“We’ll head there.” I mention to Pearl towards the town’s ports.

‘But what about me…I think those things will be frightened by me.’

‘I already told you, no one will notice unless I make them notice…to me you’re a big reptilian with the muscles to kill, to them you look like a normal being and you belong.’

‘He’s right…they can’t tell the difference since he won’t let them…he will keep them away unless they are actively searching for us.’

‘So…were…safe?’

“Yes, we are.”

Pearl seems to relax.

“Let’s go.” I motion to her to follow, she did as we entered town.

The entire place was bustling with all types of creatures looking for wares and whatever else they need or desire.

The first thing was to get a ship…cheaply if possible.

Second was to get equipment for the trip, fishing rod and a net would be good, water filter...if they have one.

“And some firewood.”

With that, we head to the port to find a ship that can suit our needs.

Walking along the port I notice a few ships that were for sale…and were expensive…save for one.

“Well…this looks bad.”

It looked like a Dutch sloop…but not in the best shape…the sides were damaged by years of use and abuse, the mast had several boards holding the it in place…the sail had holes in it with some patched up.

…this will need some work…but it will do.

‘WAIT, you’re seriously thinking about buying this thing?’

‘Yes, it’s fixable and in the state it’s in it will be cheaper to get this and fix it than buy a newer one…plus it has a story.’

I see the unfortunate souls who was trying to sell the ship, a young stallion boy with torn clothes (His a blue shirt with holes and brown pants with holes as well) and an older man who looked angry (Covered in a sheet cloth).

“Excuse me.” The young boy asked a passer who ignored him.

“Sir.”

“Mam…”

He slumped in defeat.

“Ahem.” I get his attention and walk up to him.

“What is a young one like you doing here?” I ask like an adult…feels weird too since I haven’t met that many children to speak to in such a long time.

“Umm…I don’t have a place to go…me and my grandpa are homeless.”

That hit a note in my mind.

‘Damn this kid has it rough.’

Peering into his head I know what has happened…and it wasn’t good.

‘His own parents dumped him and his grandfather here and left…what vile-’

‘I get it…so quite down.’

“You don’t have a place to stay…”

The boy shook his head.

“This ship yours?” I point to the sloop.

He nods.

“It’s our only refuge.”

‘Big word for a kid.’

Looking at the ship despite its damage it was still in good condition.

A smile came to my face as idea came to mind.

“I have a question.”

The young boy stared at me with confusion.

“How well do you know about sailing?”

“That’s…all I know…but we have to eat…or…”

“Tell you what…I’ll help you out…if you can sail me and my companion out of here.”

I have never seen a kid get so happy so quick.

“Y-You mean it?”

“As... Celestia is my witness, I do.”

‘Fuck me that felt weird to say…’

‘Sounded odd too…isn’t it normally as GOD is my witness?’

‘Yes…but…’

‘This Celestia is their version of God.’

‘Yea…and supposedly she is physical, real and approachable…’

‘Huh…how very interesting.’

“But first we have to fix this thing up.”

“But we have no bits…”

I gave a large smile.

Pulling out a small bag that I nabbed from the kings tent I managed to get a few of these, Bits that they use as currency…just a gold coin in Earth terms.

Shaking the bag, the boy’s jaw dropped his reaction made me and Pearl laugh…again Pearl was hissing in a cute fashion.

‘Cute…Dammit said it again.’

‘And yet you deny you liking her.’

‘If I want your opinion, I’ll ask for it.’

Another giggle just made me even more annoyed.

“Right then do you know where we can get the supplies to fix this ship?”

The boy nodded quickly eager to start.

But before we head out the boy turned to his grandfather…who was still the entire time…hold on…

“Grandpa I have to go for a bit…please stay here.”

All the boy got was a grunt…

‘I get it…his mind is broken…and not by natural causes.’

‘Someone did it…why I wonder…’

‘Let’s find out.’

Walking to the older stallion I reach my hand to his head and search his addled mind.

‘Water flowing like peaceful thoughts, living together with no chain, living together with no pain…’ His thoughts run in a loop.

‘Some sort of spell…witchcraft…someone was mad at him and sealed his memories save this melody which is stuck in his head.’

‘Are you…Are you going to…?’

‘You bet your ass I am.’

The elder man suddenly gasped as his mind was flooded with the once lost thoughts.

“What are you doing?” the boy asked in fear and confusion.

“Shush…I’m concentrating.”

The man started to breathe heavy his mind suddenly going into full force as he started to recall everything.

Then he passed out.

“Grandpa?” the young boy asked…every creature started to stare at what was happening but then continued doing whatever they wanted to do.

“He’ll be fine, Pearl mind taking him to the ship and laying him on the bed.”

‘Sure!’ she did just that and came back out ready to go.

“Alright kid let’s do this.”

The boy then took off waving his hand.

“Come with me I know all the good places.”

With that I followed the young…colt, boy is a term for male, but colt sounds more natural since he is an equine.

Anyway, me a Pearl continued to follow him as he showed us the places to get what we need.

‘You plan to employ them?’

‘Yes.’ I reply simply it was obvious why…but apparently not obvious enough.

‘I’m at a lost as to why…We need these ‘Bits.’ But were spending them on things like these.’

‘That’s the thing about making money…you sometimes have to spend it to make more of it.’

‘…Huh?’

I laughed which made Pearl curious.

‘Is she speaking to you?’

‘Yes, she is…she is asking why I’m spending the bits we have to get all these things.’

‘Well why are you?’

‘Think of it as this…if we bought an expensive ship then we wouldn’t likely have enough to get supplies and we would be in a tough time…if we bought a ferry then it would cost more to ride…if we bought a ship too big then we would have no way to managed it since you usually have to employ a large crew to get it to move…so the only logical get what we need is…’ I rolled on trying to get the both of them to think.

Pearl hissed in thought as the woman inside my head hummed, they took a second to think before…

‘Find a cheap ship and a desperate crew and help them and they will help us?’ Pearl Almost got it.

‘Ooh so close…you’re half right, yes getting a cheap ship is the best thing…but seeing the ship were getting is a decent size it would take a lot of effort for the both of us to keep the ship moving and to keep it from crashing into anything…its possible but it makes it harder to do much as in routine, one of us would have to be up constantly to keep everything in order…’

‘So having someone with experience is priceless…plus…I can’t help but want to give these two guys a hand…they have been through a lot.’

Pearl cocked her head to the side not knowing what I mean.

‘Right forgot to say…they were left here by their family, with nothing to help them…’

Pearl’s face made it obvious that she was upset too.

‘Who would do such a thing?’

‘People…AND some ponies for that matter.’

Remembering what Tempest said that our worlds weren’t so different started to sound more and more true by the days.

‘So we help them and they help us…sounds fair and good for both parties.’

The hours roll on as we got everything we needed and more, turns out bits are worth quite a bit…eight bits for a sail, seven for wood mast repair, twelve for all the equipment we got, thirteen for more wood for the sides, and twenty food for about two months.

‘Still have twenty-three left…not so bad.’

I was carrying the equipment and four of the food barrels with psionics while Pearl was using her muscle to carry the rest of the barrels.

Looking at the colt who was helping to carry the large sail his clothes weren’t the best to be in…

‘Let’s fix that.’

“Hey kid…”

“Yes sir?”

“What’s your name?”

“Vind Striker.”

“Wind Striker?” I asked him gaining a look of confusion.

“Excuse me sir?”

“Call me Omega.”

“Oh, uh Omega…what do you mean by Wind Striker?”

“I’ll tell you later right now let’s get this stuff to the ship and work from there.”

We got back to the ship, but before we got ready to fix it up.

“Hey Vind.”

“Yes sir?”

“Come with me.”

I start to walk off to a store with a lot of attire…a lot.

Pearl started to browse the clothing and wonder what would fit her…

Vind stared at the store and noticed what I was planning.

“You…Your…” he was speechless.

“Yes…yes I am.” He did something slightly unexpected and hugged me, tears of joy started to fall.

I couldn’t help but smile…a genuine smile and patted his head.

The young colt bolted to the nearest aisle of clothes he could wear.

“Get few pairs too.”

I get a tap on my shoulder and notice Pearl holding a pink dress with sapphires at the ends in her hands.

‘I like this…do you?’

My head suddenly got the image of her in the dress…and it wasn’t child friendly.

“Uh the dress…It seems a bit too small for you…but yes.”

‘I’m too big?’ she sounded concerned.

“Well yea…you’re really big and that is way too small…”

Pearl started to feel hurt at my opinion.

“Whoa now easy I don’t mean it offensively you’re a giant snake with constrictive capabilities, your muscles will tear right through it if you try to wear it.”

‘Oh…so it’s the dress…not me.’

“Yes, that is for a pony…and you’re the size of a minotaur or dragoness easily.”

‘So, I’m too big for a pony dress?’

“Exactly…it’s the way it’s made is the hard part…plus it would be better if we kept our armor…as much as I want to get some other clothes it wouldn’t be ideal considering our situation.”

‘Really? How.’

“You require a decent heat source…and were in the cold so that would be good for you, I need mine to keep it from anyone trying to nab it, plus it works with my psionics and makes it easier to focus my psi energy more efficiently.”

I point to the guns we have.

“Plus, it helps carry our weapons.”

‘I get what your implying, if the two of you trade into clothes you might feel more free…but it would also leave you vulnerable to things like an attack, and leave an opportunity for any of these ponies or whoever to steal them and try to use them.’

“Yes, it’s not the best idea unless we’re certain we are in a safer position.”

‘So…I can’t get a dress.’

Blushing slightly, I shake my head.

“No…just saying don’t expect to wear it too soon…”

‘Oh OK!’ she gave an innocent quip and went to see if they were any other things that she could wear.

I gave a breath of relief as I just waited for the two to get done with their shopping.

‘So…Still think you’re not attracted to her?’ The way she teased me really pissed me off.

‘FUCK-OFF.’

‘Come now Elder bane…I saw what you were thinking about her…’

‘I SAID FUCK OFF!!’ My anger started to flare which gave a red flag to the Elder in my subconscious to shut up.

‘Ease yourself, I’m only jesting…don’t get so emotional.’ She knew if I snap the whole building would come down and draw attention to them.

Taking a deep breath, I calm my nerves the anger leaving my body.

After thinking for moment, I decided to get something for the grandfather as well.

With that all of us went to the merchant who had a snob look on his face.

“Wasting bits for the Poor?” he asked which really set me off again.

“And If I am?” I ask modestly.

He only shook his head and chuckled.

“Fine then that will be…64 Bits.” He gave a cheeky grin.

Both Pearl and Vind stared in shock at the pricing he claimed.

‘Fucking knew it…bastard trying to get a rise out of me…however.’

A devilish grin came to my face.

‘Are really going to do that?’

‘Shh~’

“12 will be fine…”

“Are you trying to haggle me?” he asked annoyed…until he sighed.

“Twelve it is.” I hand the Bits over and began to walk out with the two now even more shocked.

“H-How did you?” Vind started to ask.

Turning I put my finger to my lips and shushed.

‘Later.’ He jolted in shock at my voice ringing in his head.

We get back to the ship and get ready to work, the first thing we did was fix up the sides replacing the wooden planks that was filled with holes.

As I was hammering away on a piece of wood from the inside, I hear a loud thud.

Vind started to shout at someone.

“Leave me alone!”

Stopping what I was doing I rush back outside, only to notice a few colts picking on Vind they wore more fancy clothing all are pretty similar.

“What’s the matter short stuff can’t fight back?”

A crowd had formed around the children watching from a distance.

The bully in a green coat, white leggings and polished shoes pushes Vind down, which Vind quickly gets up and throws a punch in his face.

‘Damn…nice left hook.’

The colt got pissed as he grabbed his nose and threw his own punch which missed when Vind ducked and went behind him.

There were girls in a group watching the fight…probably with the brats.

Unfortunately, one of the four managed to grab Vind and hold him steady.

“Let me Go!” he shouted.

“Well now it’s time for payback.”

‘That’s it I’ve had enough.”

The colt punched Vind in the stomach twice…as he was reeling back for a big punch, I grab his wrist stopping him.

To Vind I look normal…but just for them…I look like a monster…

“LET HIM GO.” I gave a slight growl in anger…they froze in terror.

“NOW!!” I shout making them do what I said quickly.

“GO HOME…BEFORE I MAKE YOU.” I was really pissed at them so no one could argue that I was going too far…

“Wh-What are-”

“Charles!” Another voice came from the crowd.

A stallion with fancy clothing like the colt I’m holding came out of the crowd.

“HEY! UNHOOF MY SON!”

I did just that and the boy ran to his father the others ran after him.

“What does a simpleton like you think you have the right to touch my son.”

“He is picking on another kid who hasn’t done anything wrong.” I say calmly not to escalate the situation.

“Him?” The stallion points to Vind and scoffs.

“He deserves it, the poor have no place here or anywhere.”

‘OHHH…SHIT…’

My blood just rose to 212 degrees Fahrenheit…other words…I’m pissed off.

“Care to say that again?” I say icy.

“He deserves…it…” he trailed off as my psionic aura flared like a fire.

“Again?” I slowly walk to him he starts to shiver in terror.

“He…H-He…”

‘ELDER BANE CALM DOWN!’

‘SILENCE!!!’

Vind stared in awe at what was happening.

“You…AS MUCH AS I WANT TOO…I can’t kill you.”

The words I said made him quiver the word kill ran through his head.

Giving an evil chuckle I stare at him.

“BUUUUT that doesn’t mean I can’t, BREAK YOU.”

Using my psionics I scare and scar him; he even pisses himself and leaves an obvious yellow stain in his white clothing.

Leaning to his face I give a big scowl.

“RUN.” Was all I said…and like bullseye he ran like the wind.

The rest of the bullies followed suite and the girls stared in fear.

“THAT MEANS ALL OF YOU!” I yell at them making them bolt.

With the nuisances away…I take a deep breath relaxing myself and controlling my anger.

Vind wanted to say something but I shush him again.

‘I already told you…Later.’

Vind flinched again not know what was going on.

“Lets get back to-”

I heard a rustle as an older stallion Navy blue in color and sea blue main burst through the captain’s cabin, a cheery smile on his face and a spark in his eye.

‘Looks like he’s back.’

‘This older stallion seems to be happy about something?’

The stallion took a deep breath in his lungs as he marveled in something.

“♪Oh Me Life is All Back Together, Haven’t Felt this in Forever, FREE like a Feather, Can it get Any Better! ♪”

I laugh at his antics as Pearl started to dance to his tune.

Vind was dumbfounded.

“♪Cool Brisk of Today, Waking Us To Laugh, Sing, AND Play! ♪” the stallion started to dance around in joy.

I couldn’t help but smile widely, this is honestly a nice change of character.

“♪Bringing Us All Here Today! Cheering on the Day, JUMPING to the Fray~♪”

He wound up to the front of the sloop and looked over the town.

“♪ TO LAUGH SING AND PLAY! ~ ♪, HAAHAHAAHA!” He finished his note and sudden applause came from the gathering crowd cheers and whistles too making him bow in appreciation.

‘Well now that was a nice tune…’

‘Odd…but yes, nice.’

‘...But we have work to do.’

“Ahem.”

Getting the stallions attention, I gave a light smile.

“You seem chipper.” I say with a happy tone.

“Ya Bet Yer White hair I Am!” that caused me to lose my smile.

Pearl just stared at me and noticed my hair…then it dawned on her.

‘Wait…did he…’

‘But…that’s…impossible…’

“You…see me?” I asked.

“Well Duh your bright as day in contrast to the rest of these fellers, pale skin, no coat, some weird armor and yer with a big snake lady.”

Pearl froze in surprise and fear as she was found out.

“Not what I meant but ok…So you’re not affected by psionics…to an extent.”

“Psi-Wha?” he seemed lost at my wording.

“Grandpa?” Vind called to the stallion as soon as I was about to speak.

“Wait a minut…VIND?!” The stallion noticed the young colt.

“GRANDPA!” the boy ran to him and hugged him with more tears in his eyes.

“You Gotenn Big since I last remember.”

“You-You…” The boy couldn’t speak his emotions flowed freely.

“Shh~ easy there mah boy.” He hugged the boy tight.

I waited for them to have this moment before speaking.

“Well…AHEM…it thinks it time we finished what we started Vind.”

The stallion stared at me with confusion before Vind jolted in excitement.

“Oh Yea!” he looked from his grandfather and to me.

“How’s the bottom deck?” he asked since I was down there working on it.

“Almost done…Just had a few left before I ran out here.”

“Thanks, by the way.” He said as I chuckled.

“Not a problem…but sailing will if we don’t finish.”

At the word Sail the Older stallion had excitement of his own.

“Ya Mean your…”

Chuckling at the Irony of the words I nod.

“We’re fixing the ship before we sail.”

He hopped up in joy and was eager to help.

“Then wah are we waiten for? LET’S FIX THIS BEAUTY.”

Laughing at his enthusiasm we all start to work on repairing the sloop and get ready to sail.

The sides were fixed and the sails were replaced, the mast was also fixed up and the ship had a new look…better and more bright looking.

“An’t she a Bute.” The stallion asked no one in general.

“She sure is Grampa.” Vind replied gaining a head ruffle from him.

“That’s mah boy.”

Sighing from working so hard I stretch and gain a few pops.

“So what’s your name Old man.”

The stallion seemed offended my me calling him old.

“Sunny boy Ah am Barron Whisker Breeze…And Ah am 82 Years Young.”

Raising a brow, I reply.

“Then I take it back…your ancient.”

That seemed to annoy him further…

“What are Yer Sayin Albino?”

“Oh insults…Ok you wrinkly jean.”

‘Elder Bane what are you doing?’

“Two-legged land lubber.”

“Old Fart.”

“Plum.”

“Tomb of a Pony…”

The two of us were face to face, both Pearl and Vind stared in fear of what was going to happen…only to.

“HAHAHAHA!”

Sigh in relief and annoyance.

We both laughed at each other sharing the good-natured bout.

“Ah like You.”

“Same here.”

We get ready to sail into the night and the excitement was visible on everyone’s face.

But I know that Pearl…isn’t going to like this.

Author's Note

I Hope you enjoy this new chapter...this is part one...so be ready for part 2.