Siren’s Mercy
Water.
To many, it was a key to the circle of life on par with heat of Fire; both as necessity in moderation and as risk in abundance. To some however; it was something so much more; be it for the Innocent games of Foals and Experiments of the Gifted, to the Lifeblood of Farms and Opportunities for those that chase it’s horizon. So often was it taken for granted with little thought other than the disgruntlement of poorly timed rain, a highly sought after drink or a suddenly sharp drop in temperature under a showerhead, that it almost seemed strange for somepony to pay more mind to it.
Of course, there was always the exceptions of those who worked upon it’s waves, those born under it’s shimmering surface or even unfortunate enough to find their blood run cold at the sight of anything deeper than a bath, let alone the thought of venturing into it. Among this relatively small percentage however, there were always those who found nothing short of wonder and opportunity at the seemingly innocent liquid, so much so that a scant few who were destined to live life among the wisps of air and skies of clouds cannot help but feel the deep blue was far more of a home than the hard, dry earth beneath them ever was.
“Mmlb…”
While she had never personally considered herself to be one such a mare, the submerged form of a lone Shamare would have these concepts in mind as her back pressed firmly against the aged wood at her back and under all but one of her hooves. Not that she needed to hold herself down too much, a repurposed potion belt and bagged stones across her barrel served that purpose well, but it at least distracted those limbs as her only free hoof ran across her outlined ribcage, trying to ease the ache swelling within her.
“Hrmblm! Mhmblb…”
It almost seemed ironic that she had held her breath for so long... If anything, her intention of being here below this shimmering surface was to see how her most recent creation aided those who had run out of breath for so long, that not even the strongest wills could resist exchanging the cool wisps of air for the flooding torrents of water into one’s lungs.
“Hrmglglb! Hrglglmn!”
Yet despite all her small scale experiments and repeated self assurances, there was one obstacle that stood ahead of her the whole way, a variable that had foiled trial after trial; Instinct.
“Hrmglglh! Mphlblblblp!”
“Those convulsions… Not much longer to my limit now.”
“Brace yourself Zecora… Fight your instinct, do not bow.”
“HRLGLMLB! MHBLMN! Mhglmm!”
This had not been the first time she had subjected herself to such daunting dunking, not even her tenth if she were to count days she had brought herself to try again and again. It wasn’t as if she feared the water, if anything, she could hardly imagine a more peaceful place than the world below the shimmering surface of the blue. Her plunges in the past had served her well in more than simple admiration of the depths and it’s serenity however, as there was no shortage of Flora that flourished where almost no air if any could touch.
“Grlglgbglglbln!”
Though as much as the caves below the Everfree’s Marshlands provided an abundant supply of such plants, getting to their source was an ordeal only the determined or foolish would undertake. Luckily, Zecora’s training had served her well in gathering a few samples that were critical to the remedy residing not only within a couple bottles by the tub, but also currently within her increasingly breathless body itself.
“Hnhnnlb! Hnblbn! Hnnn!”
“Ancestors… H-Help me just a little more…”
“I-I can do this… Not much breath in store!”
The Zebra’s training could only prepare her so much however for when she planned to surpass even her own experienced limits, such strain could be seen in just how hard her lips pursed together before they would be concealed by the hoof that was bracing against the wooden wall moments ago. Her relaxed expression had devolved into a state of stress that seemed to convey her struggles even moreso than her body did in this moment. Any daydreams behind a gaze up at the not so distant surface were almost utterly shattered with the thundering beats of her chest and the screams of her psyche.
“Hnnblb!”
Part of her was determined to stay here.
“Hnnnglgbl! HNNN! HNNNNNMNMBMLBLB!”
Yet part of her mind that drove her body to squirm and shuffle demanded her to surface, begged even as time dragged on and her chest burned hotter and hotter.
“NGNNLBLB! HNNNGLGN! GOULGLB! HRNGLB!”
So hot in fact, that when her eyes darted open in desperation, she half expected to see the vapour filled bubbles of boiled water rising up from her heaving chest. Yet all her pinpricked pupils would make out was the once calm surface overhead distorted by ripples and waves, both driven by her fleeing air and compromised composure.
“HNNNBLBN! HNGLNLBLGLB!”
Were Zecora outside the tub watching someone else going through the submerged struggles she was enduring, she’d be surprised at how much air could be left within somepony even when their need to replenish their lungs turned from a mild annoyance to driving desperation. Alas, such thoughts were far from the Zebra’s mind as she focused what she could on controlling her heaving form, barely able to conjure the control to calm the kicks of her hind legs that splashed at the surface overhead and kicked at the walls of the tub, as if her outstretched limbs could knock down the reinforced frame that held it in place.
“HNNGLBN! HGNGLGNN! HNN! HNNNNNNGLGB!”
“Ghhhh! S-So… Tight! Come on… Just a bit more pain.”
“S-S… Smash through it, find this sought after gain..!”
“GNHLGNGNBM! HRGLGLGLGLGLB!”
Gathering her control but for a split moment, the Zebress would tear her hooves from her body and clutch onto the leather band that held her to this depth, grasping onto it for dear life as she summoned the resolve to let a convulsion run it’s course, a constant plume of stale, useless, expired air making it’s return to the world above that sloshing surface. If she didn’t feel her lungs were under a vice’s grip, they now felt as if a Manticore were crushing them!
“HRGLBLBN! HNNN! HNNNHNHNNN!”
No matter how much she tossed and turned from side to side, no matter how much her mind screamed at her even more so than the riots of her increasingly uncontrolled actions, she needed to do this! She’d come so far, she’d come oh so close, so many times! Her eyes no longer burned so much anymore nor did she feel as much discomfort through her flooded sinuses.
“HNNNN-HNNHNHNNHNN!! HNN! HNNN!”
This acclimatization however would pale in comparison to what she planned to achieve with this, a potion that could have one’s worries of an eternal sunken sleep be gone! All she needed was to test it.
“HNHNNHNN!–HNNN!”
“A-ANCESTORS… S-So… close… A-Almost… There!”
“HNNN-HNHNHNNN! HNN-HNN-HNNN-HNN!”
“A-Almost… T-THAT’S IT… I-I don’t need air!”
“HNN! HNN! HNN! HNN! HNNN!”
“I-I DON’T W-WAAAANT… A-AIR!”
“HN-HNNHNHNHN! HNNNN! MHMMM!”
“I-I DON’T… NEED…”
“MHMMHMM! HNNHNN!”
“D-DON’T… NEED….”
“HNNNN-HNNN-HNN-HNNNNNNN!”
“N-NEEEEEEED…”
“MHMHMMHMM-HNN-HNHNHNHNHNHN-MHMMMM!!!!”
“AIR!”
SPLASH!
“G’AUUUUGHHH!”
What was actually a mere few seconds felt like an instant for the Zebra as her body could no longer ignore her instincts, determination be damned. In their effort to push off the bottom, Zecora’s forelegs all but threw the restraining strap of the belt from her abdomen and clambered for leverage at the side of the tub as her hind legs kicked off the bottom. The eruption of the Zebress from the tub sending water just about everywhere! The ceiling, the surrounding floor, the nearby table, the sloshing waves almost knocking her already disoriented body back down into the waters they’d just escaped, her heaving, gasping form coming to rest slumped against the tub wall and the surface of the adjacent table placed there.
“HAUHHH!... Ahhh... Hauhhh... Ahhh!… Hhahhh... Ahhh… Hahhh… Hughhh…”
Zecora wasn’t sure how much time passed as her muzzle’s underside flopped against the wood… A minute? 2? An hour could have passed and she’d be hardly any the wiser as her oxygen deprived mind did it’s best to catch up to the current moment.
Ancestors that was close… A mere moment or two later and there was no chance in holding back the water that had tickled at her throat…
Realization of such a fact would normally spur a sigh of relief in other ponies, but for what she had just gone through again? All that time and another very scarce sample gone to waste…? All that flowed out of Zecora’s lips was a singular, exasperated vulgarity that could only be hoped to be understood by those far, far away from Equestria. The proverbial knife to her heart only seemed to be twisted as she opened her eyes once again, being met face to face by the very bottle she had consumed the freshly brewed contents of yesterday from, another standing by it’s side as if to gather round and laugh at another of her failures.
“Fate… You have had your… Hahh… Your turn, no?”
“Why… Do you continue… To torment me so?”
As much as Zecora’s Wisdom had taught her the value of patience, she was no stranger to the feelings of frustration that tore at this virtue more than ever. Part of her was almost certain that either Discord was up to his old tricks or there was an Ancient Spirit had laid it’s curse upon her.
THUMP.
She knew such ideas would be mere fabrications of a strained soul however, though it did not halt her adjustment of posture that brought her forehead against the table rather than the underside of her muzzle-
Rrrrhlp-TISHK!
The sounds she heard next however, followed sight of the half full bottle now missing it’s full partner, made the latter of these options seem much more likely.
There were no words for how much torment the Zebress felt at that point.
… Even if she did use a great many of them that night; some foreign, some familiar, all echoing out into the Everfree’s Dense Vegetation and Luna’s Night Sky.
The next day…
If there was one thing Zecora had learned not only from Princess Twilight but also from her own endeavours; it was the path to progress was often paved on foundations of faults. What was supposed to be an easily produced remedy however had soon turned into a project that had seen so many setbacks even from her honed skills and experimentation. The most critical of the ingredients alone, Siren’s Mercy Flowers, was the biggest thorn in her side…
This particular piece of flora grew quite commonly along the nocturnal and shallow caves of Equestria’s coastlines however these flowers were often weakened by the Salt Water from which they grew in pools of. The Fresh Waters provided within the underground caverns and bogs of the Everfree however though were far more potent, but were often found far within the depths of such submerged tunnels. It had took her a few close calls and even the use of a SCUBA tank from a contact of a friend just to reach them and bring back a jar’s worth of Petals and Stalks. Recalling this memory only added to her embarrassment however that so long had passed with only unproven results to show for it; So much trouble for a few flowers… Were this any other potion or even earlier in this project, she’d likely have laughed at the thought.
Now though, all she could do was sigh as she idly spun her hoof around the porcelain rim of a mug, it’s black contents almost seeming to taunt her as she looked back at her reflection on the shimmering, lightly steaming surface.
She wasn’t sure how much longer she could keep at this project; such a confirmed breakthrough would likely save a life or two across Equestria if it could work but all she found time and time again were unforeseen complexities with the Potions and Failures of her own resolve, the latter of which felt as it dug deeper into her with every passing day and trial alike.
“Zec’? You alright there?”
The voice that spoke to her from her side was not the first that had disturbed her train of thought this day, for previous ones they were either of passing townsfolk to which she’d provide little more than a reassuring, although dishonest, nod or a member of staff offering her a top up of the Caffeine rich drink under her hoof.
What had her pause however before giving either such response though was in how she was addressed…
Zec…
She had not heard that nickname in a long time, and knew of only one Stallion who’d called her by such a casual title. Bringing her spare hoof to the aged cloth of her hood, she’d drew it back to bring her face back into the buzzing sunlight of the Ponyville Café window as her head turned to the voice’s source.
Recognising the Green Pegasus standing there with a pair of saddlebags slung across his back, each inscribed with his identity and regiment, a smile came to the Zebra’s lips for the first time that day, risen up from the reunion of an old friend.
“Delta! Haha, it has been far too long. Please, take a seat, my friend.”
“How have you been? Last I heard you’d sailed out from Horizon’s End.”
A smirk came onto the Stallion’s face as he carefully set his bags across the smooth seats of the banquette opposite of her across the table. In truth, he hadn’t expected such a warm reception from his Zebrican friend, but he happily welcomed it as he took his seat.
“Not too bad, busy as all hell though. There were a few border disputes out by Mareakech, got called in to provide security for the embassy there while negotiations took place. It’s surprising just how much two Tribes will argue over something as little as a hillside but eventually everything was resolved.”
This shared recollection of his assignment easily brought back memories of her homeland, as much as Zebrica was a vast and exotic place, there was no denying it’s harsh and relentless climate. As such, it was no surprise even when she was a foal that two tribes would sometimes be at one another’s throat over as little as a bucket, let alone an acre of somewhat fertile farmland.
“As much as I love my homeland, I cannot deny its leader’s squabbles.”
“You’d think after so long, they’d work together and end such debacles.”
Such a suggestion easily spurred a light chuckle from the Stallion, he knew such a simple solution could barely work, but the hindsight of such a trouble free conclusion to the chaos almost seemed silly to be missed for so long. It wasn’t long however until the topic would turn back to how Delta had found her in the first place.
“Well, either way, I doubt politics of another continent has much to do with how you’re doing today. I thought you’d hate instant coffee?”
Hearing this assumption would bring one of the Zebra’s eyebrow to rise naturally, conveying her confusion into it’s relation with her current condition. Wherever it had relation, she opted to see what her friend in the armed forces was getting at.
“Hate is such a strong word to describe this concoction with, though your guess isn’t wrong entirely.”
“I have made many a brew naturally. To see something so mass produced so popular? It puzzles me.”
She would be about to question as to why the topic had swapped to her preference of drinks, what the Pegasus had to say however easily provided it’s answer.
“Yet here you are on your second mug of it? If that doesn’t seem strange, I don’t know what is.”
Second? She’d turn her gaze from her friend to be reminded that her hoof was on one of two cups containing the drink she just disapproved of, the set aside of the pair containing merely a dribble’s worth left. She barely remembered drinking it down until it was mentioned. Seeing that any chance to deny her troubled thoughts in her mind had gone down the drain, a fresh sigh would leave Zecora’s lips before she responded in kind.
“I see that despite your endless work, the small details are not lost to you.”
“As for me, you are right. I have been struggling with a potion well overdue.”
His suspicions confirmed; Delta would lean forth over the table a little, taking a brief moment to ensure there would be nobody listening in. While he was certain it wouldn’t be something too drastic, if it was a matter he had to reveal an obscurity to inquire on, it had to be something she wouldn’t want to be known in overheard gossip by a passerby. Satisfied they were out of whisper earshot, he’d turn his gaze back to the Zebra as she continued.
“There has been a remedy I have been working on, it’s components rare as gold.”
“Gathering it’s petals is a task so dangerous, one is liable to pass sooner than when old.”
“I have however, gathered a fair few and experimentation has been ongoing.”
“It is here however, that I find myself at an impasse, despite the promises glowing.”
“Were things easier, this remedy for those potentially lost to the sea would be here today.”
“Yet it is the final phase of testing where my own form; my instincts, constantly betray.”
Most ponies would be impressed of the ease this mare spoke in Limerick, for the Stallion that sat before her however, he simply accepted it as part of her own charm and focused on the message carried by those words. While the details of this final test were vague, what he had a feeling they would imply easily had his heart skip a beat… And for his teeth to bite on his hip for a moment at an internal guess.
“So, you’re trying to make a potion that can revive those who drown back to life more safely?”
The clarification provoked the Zebress to look around for a brief moment herself before continuing on to explain further.
“I will not lie; to ensure the life in someone in that state is the lowest bar.”
“My true aim is for those who consume to breathe freely, yet swim deep and far.”
Her full intentions of this potion revealed, Delta couldn’t help but feel a wave of approval surge in him!
“Whoa… That’s amazing… I didn’t think that could be- Wait… Zecora… How have you been testing this?”
As much as Delta admired her intentions, her previous statement on what had been holding this project up easily spurred some concern in the Stallion. Worries that were solidified by what his Shamare friend had to say next…
“It’s no secret this is hardly a test to conduct in the public waves of a bay.”
“But even in the waters of my tub at home, I cannot convince myself to stay.”
She had tried to breathe water?! BY HERSELF?! Delta wouldn’t be surprised if a cold sweat ran down his face as he took a deep breath, mentally thanking the Goddesses that he was still speaking to her right now.
“Sweet Luna’s Arse, Zecora… I applaud the dedication but surely you know how dangerous that is? What if something went wrong? What if the potion backfired and you started to drown? You’re doing this on your own, what if you blacked out and-”
It wouldn’t just be the realisation that he was starting to raise his voice that halted his scolding, but also in his warning, he could see that the Zebra’s face turn from his own gaze to looking down at the table between them. Such a sight easily brought the Stallion down from trailing on and had him calm his tone before continuing.
“Look… I’m sorry Zecora, I just… I don’t want you putting yourself at risk… What you’re doing is fantastic, it really is… But the potion can burn if it means losing you… That’s a price NOBODY has any right to ask you to pay after all you’ve done.”
As much as these were words aimed to raise the spirits of the mare before her, when Zecora’s gaze met his own once more, she felt her heart warm in knowing he meant every word. She had to admit, the way she had been conducting these tests was foolish in all respects and everything he said was a risk that had became clouded by her determination and frustration alike.
“Delta, I assure you, I’m not the one here who is owed an apology.”
“In hindsight, I can see my actions are on par with a Foal’s folly.”
“Your care is heart-warming, but it doesn’t change the fact my supplies are low.”
“Now I’m down to one potion’s worth of sample. These plants take some time to grow.”
“With so much risk yet so much reward hitching on one bottle, I can hardly rest.”
“In all my life of being a Shamare, I have rarely known such a difficult potion to test.”
“And before you ask: No. Your courtesy in supporting me is more than enough.”
“If something goes wrong, I worry I may fall short in bringing you back from snuff.”
Even while listening on what she had to say; Delta’s mind was already thinking through potential ways of which to aid the Zebress before him. The first thought to come to mind was of testing the potion for her… Alas, her recognition of his selflessness came to her mind first and the idea was swiftly rejected.
“How about testing on plant life?”
This suggestion would earn a small shrug and a sigh from Zecora before she gave her answer.
“I wish I could say that was a method I was yet to test.”
“But I already have, and need to be sure it will work it’s best.”
“The results seem promising but I must be sure it will work on something sentient.”
“And for that, I have an idea; though I hope this request will not raise discontent.”
As much as Delta had a feeling of what she was about to ask of him, he dared not to assume such until she’d asked for it personally.
“Your expertise has saved more than one at the hooves of the Ocean’s kiss.”
“It is a skill being taught across Equestria, returning those who’d be lost to the Abyss.”
“Yet I have not been able to attend such a class.”
“Which is why in your efforts my faith will amass.”
“Delta… Will you keep me down on my next attempt of this trial?”
“We only have one shot; I have no spare potions left, not even a vial.”
And just like that, his guess was proven right. Many ponies would assume such a request was merely part of a sick joke but Delta knew there was complete sincerity in the eyes of the Zebra before him just as much as her words. It was in this moment Delta found himself at a crossroads:
Here he was with one of his best friends, and she was asking him to put her life in his hooves, for the sake of an experiment… In his heart, he knew such an endeavour could stand against the care he promised to take of her. At the same time though, he could see how many lives this could save and how much this remedy had taken a toll on her; be it from the bags under her eyes or she was recently putting herself at risk of drowning alone just to test it.
Delta wasn’t sure how many seconds passed of him thinking this over, nor was Zecora as her hooves curled against the table in anxious anticipation of his answer. For a moment, the pair’s gaze locked, a moment of clarity coming forth in his mind as her stare told it all. She wanted this and she trusted him fully to carry it out… It didn’t take a mind reader to tell his unease in being asked to do such a thing to someone he cared for… On the other hoof though, he’d be damned if this experiment drove her to demise through such dangerous methods of ‘Solo Sinking’...
“Alright, I’ll do it. On two conditions: First, I’ll ask again if you really want this before we carry this out. If you have second thoughts, don’t hesitate to tell me okay?”
The first of these demands that left his lips were almost missed by the Zebra as she released her sigh of relief, none the less, she’d give a reply in kind before taking a quick sip of her drink that had lost it’s heated edge in the midst of conversation.
“Of course, your demand is understandable and even with it Delta, I thank you.”
“And sorry if the caffeine has provoked my response, but do tell me Condition Two?”
In her mind, Zecora had expected it to be something cheesy, maybe a free sample of a brew or a lesson in Zebrican Martial Arts. What she received however would arrive as the Stallion got to his hooves to the side of the table and reached a wing over, giving a firm rustle of her iconic Mohawk.
“The second is that you get your overworked flank back to your hut and rest up for the day. Knowing your skills, I’m sure the Potion can wait a little while for Luna to dish you out some peaceful, overdue dreams. I’ll pop by around 9 if that’s alright?”
This playful motion easily spurred a not so subtle giggle from the Shamare, a slight tint of red coming to her cheeks as her hoof batted away that playful wing of the Stallion.
“Hehehe. Very well, I shall see to it my body is rested for the trials tonight.”
“And Delta… Thank you, all goes well and this project will cease to blight.”
Looking back to meet her gaze, Delta’s smile would light up towards her face as his wing gave a couple reassuring pats onto her shoulder before returning to his side.
“Anytime Zecora, see you then.”
With a nod of acknowledgement from Pegasus and Zebra alike, the Stallion made his way out with a trot to his step and a swing of his bag that was resting on his seat to return to his back. It wouldn’t be long after he stepped out the front door that he took to the skies, the Zebra’s gaze following him as the events of their experiment were now laid out and the project’s conclusion was now in sight.
“Steel yourself Zecora… Calm… You can trust him, no need to frown.”
“You’ve did so many small scale tests, surely you won’t drown.”
Even with these mental reassurances, she couldn’t help but release a sigh as she brought her cup back to her lips to welcome another sip past her lips… Only to set it back down moments later once again as her gaze looked down to the liquid that left little more than a lukewarm bitterness upon her tongue.
“Ugh… To think I got this with a well earned Bit.”
“Delta’s right… This really does taste like shi-.”
Later that Evening…
Back within the confines of her hut, Zecora found herself pacing backing and forth by the recently cleaned metal of her cauldron, the many artifacts from her adventures and preserved samples that aided her creations. What drew her gaze more than once would be the Zebress staring back at her as she occasionally passed by the perfectly still waters of her filled tub. Yet no matter where her gaze went and calm she was supposed to be, she couldn’t help but feel off…
Halting by this container of her aquatic testing, her stare lingered below that of the face looking back at her, tracing the lines of darkened bags hanging below her eyes with a gentle hoof. If she had any doubts on how much this potion’s pursuit had taken a toll on her, the evidence was clear to see on her face. Yet she found it strange that despite how tired she had felt earlier this morning, how exhausted her soul had felt after setbacks and flawed testing methods, she felt refreshed now, giddy even…
This unexplained excitement in itself Zecora confused; had the Coffee she consumed earlier really hit her that hard? And if so, why now after she had rested? Perhaps the nap that Delta requested her to take had helped more than she’d realised? Either way, Shamare could barely stand still and who could blame her? How much of this unease was from anxiousness or anticipation though was anyone’s guess.
Chap-Cap-Chap!
Regardless of how she felt though, she’d do her best to suppress these feelings through deep breaths as her ears flicked to the sound of knocking at her door among the gentle pitter-patter of rain against her abode’s window. Taking little more than a moment to collect her wits, she brought herself to the door, straightened up and tugged the wooden gateway towards her to greet her visitor. Sure enough, it would be the Green Pegasus she was expecting; albeit with a lightly darker coat courtesy of the rain clinging to his form.
“Delta, it is good to see you again. Everything is set.”
“Please, come in. Wasn’t I supposed to be the one getting wet?”
Even when drenched in nature’s downpour, Delta couldn’t help but chuckle from the Shamare’s humour, his smile clinging to his face as he stepped into the warmth of her home.
“Likewise Zecora. Heh, guess I had a bit of bad timing. Was caught in the skies over Apple Acres after dark when the storm came in, barely saw the first Squall until I flew into it, and that was before the widespread downpour kicked in; Had to hoof it from the Ponyville outskirts onwards.”
Hearing the reason as to why Delta had become so soaked easily brought a lip of Zecora between her teeth for a moment, the Zebra already pulling down a towel she kept handy by the doorway, in case she too had wound up drenched as he was here and now.
“Hmmm, an unfortunate twist of fate indeed, all the more reason I thank you for coming by.”
“I barely avoided the rain myself, but that’s still a far walk for you to make, couldn’t you fly?”
Posed with this question as he took this towel with a thankful nod, Delta would get around to explaining why he opted to choose such a scenic way of coming to this hut in the middle of the Everfree, all whilst running the increasingly wet cloth across his body to clear away the dribbling water.
“Well, yes and no... I can and have done it before but it’s hardly what I’d call safe. Night flying is always a pain, depth perception goes to hell in the low light unless you’re a Thestral; Even with them, total darkness from cloud cover can render their gifted vision restricted. Toss in rain to the mix? Flying with wet feathers can be harder than it looks, manoeuvres become sluggish and you can see even less than before. I don’t know about you but if I’m on a collision course with a Tree in a landing zone or a Tower among houses? I’d like to see them before I’m a second away from inscribing my face on either em.”
A second of a united gaze in the wake of this explanation would be all that was needed before the pair soon burst in a short burst of laughter. By now, the Stallion had dried himself off as much as he could reasonably and would drape dampened cloth across a piece of woodwork to dry off for now.
“A point well made, my friend. Good to see you got here safely. Anyway, shall I offer you a brew?”
“I think it’s safe to say we should be comfortable and refreshed, especially for what we are yet to do.”
As if reminded of his purpose here, Delta would freeze in his tracks as his gaze held between the Zebra and the nearby tub. As much as he wanted to be there to support her, he knew first hand of how… Intense the Water could be… Knowing she may be about to put herself through that? To say he felt torn over her goals and wellbeing was putting it lightly; Not that he had no faith her potion, that Shamare could work miracles...! But there was always that little chance.
“Uhm… No, no thanks Zec, I got some water. Feel free to grab one though if ya want. No rush here for this.”
For a moment, there was a pause in the Zebra’s motions, her mind pondering over her options in that moment as her own eyes moved from the Kitchen and the Bottle upon a table, the Glass container soon finding Delta’s attention as he followed her stare and approached it alongside her.
“Very well Delta. As tempting as it is for myself; I do not wish to have any interference from tea.”
“My potion should work despite anything else consumed, but I’d rather not test my luck to see.”
As much as Delta liked to agree with Zecora on the faith in her potion before them, the suggestion that it could be faulted by anything someone had beforehoof only raised a bit of worry in the Stallion further. Attempting to shrug off such concerns, the Stallion carefully wrapped a wing around the bottle and raised it from the table in a cautious hold.
His observation of the contents even from a distance could see that the contents held a deep blue colour to it, one he’d seen from times he’d plunged deep below the waves on Freedives alone or alongside a friend. Taking a closer look however, Delta could see that the contents almost had a shimmering sparkle to them, the fluid almost seeming to have a starry sky of it’s own in the depths of the liquid, forming differing constellations and shapes with each angle he glimpsed through it before turning his attention to the Zebra by his side.
“So… All goes well and you’ll be able to breathe with no more issue than the Hippogriffs do back at Seaquestria?”
Delta’s question of the potion’s design would earn a nod of confirmation from his Zebrican friend by his side, her own gaze turning to the bottle in his wing as she went on to explain.
“Indeed, if everything I have tested on plants works for Ponies; that is the goal.”
“If not… Well, there is still a chance that it may offer safety even as one drifts among shoals.”
To Delta, it wouldn’t take a degree in psychology to hear the doubt in her voice from the words she carried. For a moment, Delta would set the potion back down upon the table and bring a hoof to her shoulder, coaxing the Zebra’s eyes to his own as she felt his contact.
“Zecora, you’re probably one of the most talented alchemists I’ve ever known: Your work has already saved lives Equestria wide, performed feats top scientists have been scratching their heads over for months, you went from Scary Stranger to Wise Wonder to many around here. If you believe this potion will work, I’m sure it will… But by no means do you have to go through with this if you don’t want to.”
Given this reassurance by the Stallion at her side, Zecora found that her lips curled back to the smile they had moments ago with uplifted spirits. From there, her glimpse turned from him to the potion before her.
With a deep breath and a look back at the singular remaining chance to put her latest work to the test before needing to wait for weeks upon months for another sample; her hoof shifted forth to curl around the bottle and drew it closer.
“While I appreciate your unwavering concern, I assure you that I am ready.”
“Our goal is in sight and my course is set, all I ask is for you to keep me steady.”
This confirmation of her decision made, the Zebress would bring that bottle a little closer before grasping it’s corked top between the smooth whites of her teeth. The second the stopper was pulled free, a soft aroma would flow through to her nostrils, the scents of Sea Salt and Floral Dew bringing both a subtle smile to the Zebra but also memories of all the failed times she had tried before. This time would be different, she was sure of it. Replacing the contact of cork upon her lips to that of glass, she begun to down it’s contents. While she had yet to perfect the taste of the concoction, Zecora knew that for what it was worth, she could bear the sweet yet oddly metallic taste of the potion’s prototype if it meant ensuring it would do more good than mere Snake Oil. Taste preferences aside, it wouldn’t take long for the last droplets to slip past her lips, a trail of tingling aftertaste trailing down the confines of her neck confirming it’s potency whilst she set the bottle aside and fought back the urge to cough.
For a moment, her gaze lingered upon the glass in her hoof that set the bottle back on the table. Had she prepared herself for the first successful test on Pony-Kind? Or had she just squandered the last chance she would have for Ancestors knows how long? She had felt reassurance from herself, her plant tests and now the Stallion at her side all this time and yet, it was impossible to silence that inner voice of doubt. Taking a deep breath, she turned to face that Pegasi with soft sigh and a soft smile as her Cyan eyes met his Sapphire pupils.
“I must admit, the taste is not exactly sublime.”
“A task for another day; for now, I believe it is time…”
For a moment the Stallion by her side felt the urge to say something in reply, but when no words crossed his mind, let alone lips, he opted instead to give a mere nod of acknowledgement before following her to the small pair of steps that lead into the tub. Little more than a quick dip of a hoof was needed to determine that the water had remained a consistent cool temperature, just as the ocean would be on a warm day. Such waters would resemble perfect conditions of a calm sea on a warm day, while she was intent on performing more testing for harsher scenarios that ponies were more likely to drown in, she was certain it should work regardless and would at least provide some kind of control result for comparison.
“No rush for this Zecora, take all the time you need, I’m right here.”
If there was one thing Delta knew when it came to stressful situations, it was the constant nitpicking of nerves… And who could blame Zecora in her hooves? Hell, he wasn’t sure on just how long she had took to mentally prepare herself in her previous tests but if needs be, he’d wait all night if it gave her some semblance of comfort. Luckily though, as he stepped into the tub and turned around to face her, it would appear such dedication wouldn’t be necessary as merely a few seconds would be needed for her to follow in his hoofsteps with little more than a steadying hoof offered by him needed to guide her into these waters.
Now with the surface just below her barrel by a few inches, Zecora felt as if there was an extra source of reassurance aiding to ease her worries; the very water they stood in. In times she had to herself, she would occasionally find her mediation not just in the open breeze of the Everfree or even in honing her inner peace through balance and concentration in perfect equilibrium atop a staff. As good as these were; sometimes she couldn’t help but find the embrace of the crystal clear lake waters of nearby natural basins to be all the more calming, a whole realm where not even the wind would disturb her.
While he didn’t mention it, Delta was all too familiar with the Water’s Wondrous World as well… He just hoped such Sinking Solace would help the Zebress who carefully leaned back to rest upon her haunches by his side. To aid her balance, the Stallion would unfurl one of his wings and rest it behind her, to act as a rest for her to slowly lean back against as the water rose up her form. Such a motion would earn a nod of appreciation as the Shamare carefully laid into it, feeling her hind legs almost hanging down in the waters as she let them drift limply, her eyes sliding shut with her forehooves resting upon her chest as it rose to and fro…
A deep breath in, mustering up what her lungs could take as they expanded her ribcage against her slender form and gathered what worries laid persistent in her mind.
A slow breath out, letting her toned abdomen level with her deflating chest as her lips let her apprehension and breath flow away. Were it not for the feathered span at her back, she’d likely have drifted under there and then…
In… … Out… …
In… … Out… …
Zecora wasn’t sure how many breaths she took in this position, but part of her almost didn’t care… It was hard not to feel at complete and utter ease like this… Alas, meditation and relaxation was not her motive for this moment or her courteous company this evening.
“Okay, I’m almost ready… On my fifth breath, you can hold me underneath.”
“Remember; I must stay under the whole time, even when I begin to breathe.”
Even with her pupils looking against the darkness behind her eyelids, she could practically feel the gaze of the Stallion at her side on her. With potential distractions of sight eased from her mind, her remaining senses became heightened; the soft breeze of his breathing, the shuffling of his tensing hooves below the surface, the ripples made by his rising and falling chest… Yet even with these subtle signs, it didn’t take much to give away Delta’s anxiety of such a tasking he’d taken up…
Despite this nervousness however, a soft subtle sloshing and the feeling of damp pressure upon her shoulder opposite of him would hint to his preparations to press her below the surface while she made her own. Each of her breaths almost seemed to drag on for eternity as she all but fully released her lung’s contents before re-inflating them with fresh breath once more through the passages of her nose. By the fourth cycling of her respiration, she could hear and feel that her heart beat had slowed significantly and her chest, all according to plan. All that remained was one last step…
One last breath which now flowed through slightly parted lips and nostrils alike, raising her chest in preparation of the submersing below the waters lapping along her sides. Fortunately, her experiences of previous swims had taught her that breaths were not just on how much air one could take in before plunging in, but rather how much one could hold while still remaining comfortable, a personal threshold Zecora had met many a time before and had now met once again with a resealing of her lips.
“Here we go…”
Seeing the signs of a more securely held inhalation, Delta’s hoof on her shoulder would gradually dial up the force it exerted on her shoulder, easing her lower and lower into the waters with his second wing joining his first under her, acting as padding in exchange of the wooden base that didn’t exactly make for the most comfy of backboards. With every second, the water crept up over the Zebress, taking more and more of her into it’s embrace until only her muzzle remained above the surface, the water climbing up every inch of her being with absolutely no resistance in exception of the buoyancy Delta was now counteracting.
Before long, even her lips would find the ocean flowing over them as a few stray bubbles flowed freely from her nostrils. Back in her foalhood, she’d gotten water up her nose more than once in a position like this, but lessons learned and practiced since had taught her ways of closing her soft palate. Some water would reside there, but this mild irritation soon passed by the time she found her head gently resting against the wooden base of the tub.
“Mblp…”
Hearing the turbulence of water to her side and feeling the shift of weight on her pressed shoulder, Zecora would bring her eyes to slowly open despite of the initial irritation they felt across them. Through the waving surface and blur of her pupils trying to adjust to their denser surroundings, she could vaguely make out the features of the familiar Pegasus now standing over her. While she wished she could see as clearly as more Seaborne beings do, beyond the blur she could just about make out the Blues of his gaze looking down to her, a stare she happily returned with a soft smile both in reassurance for his nerves and of genuine comfort from his presence.
Meanwhile on the opposite side of the waving surface, Delta found himself unable to help but smile back down at the Zebra below him. In truth, he found he could hardly look away: It was no secret that Zecora had an element of natural good looks to herself but to see her like this? Peacefully below the water? Her everyday Mohawk flowing freely either side of her? That wonderful smile of hers? Delta wasn’t too sure what is was about being below the waters that added to one’s allure but the view he had below him easily cleared his mind of the situation at hoof for a moment as he observed the breathless beauty below even as she allowed her eyes to droop close and her form relaxed into an almost meditative state.
“Mhmblm… Nhnbl…”
As time passed; Delta took steps to ensure that no matter what would happen, he remained in control of her position in the tub. His flanks lightly resting over her lower abdomen with his hind legs taking the weight of his form back there. Despite the pressure of two ponies on one side and the hard wood of the bottom on the other, he kept his wings in position to act as cushioning for Zecora, one resting carefully at the base of her neck, ready to move upwards to catch her instincts risked to bash her head backwards. All the while, his forehooves remained on her upper torso with one bracing her shoulder in cautious restraint. The other however rested lower and across her chest, feeling for the steadily deteriorating stability of her lungs and soon to be increasing rate of her pulse.
“Mhmnblb! Mhglmblmm…”
The first sign of which would catch Delta off guard just as much as Zecora, it was hard to tell how long she’d been down already but with her body starting to protest with a single bounce of her chest, it was a good sign that her limit would soon be approaching. All that was needed was to keep her down long enough to not only reach it, but to surpass it as the minutes ticked by.
“Mhglmblmn, Hnglglblmn!”
Despite the rising ache of her chest and occasional shudder of her abdomen, the Zebra continued to hold what breath didn’t slip past her occasionally pursing lips. While she did feel tempted to release all the breath she had sooner, she wanted to ensure that the potion could work even on someone so adamant on keeping their lungs dry; they push themselves to their very limit to hold back the Ocean’s kiss. As such, so would strive she to ensure it could work under such strain.
“Hrglglouglb! Mhglglb!”
Though this didn’t halt a plume breaking free past her lips as a short jolt bucked her form up against the Stallion, or at least tried to as his hold kept her in place with little more leeway than a slight arching of her back. Though as much as the seriousness of the situation continued to loom over them, the Stallion over her was barely able to hold back a slight smirk of her puffed cheeks as she caught what air she could from that outburst. While the experiment they were performing was intense in all aspects, it was hard not to find the view of each side of her muzzle expanding out in an attempt to hold what breath she could adorable in it’s own way.
“Mhrmblblouglh! Hnglmglb!”
As much as it offered very minor relief for the briefest of moments, Zecora knew that the stale breaths that were desperately clung to within her cheeks were doing no good anywhere but her lungs. Yet as she made an effort to bring it back into the confines of her jostling chest, an ill timed convulsion formed just enough force to part her lips and have the waters overhead disturbed by another plume of stale breath. It was impossible to know how much time would have been lost from these bubbles escaping her but there was nothing that could be done about it now.
“C’mon Zecora, you got this…”
While Delta was certain the Zebra below him couldn’t hear a word he said and was far too occupied to notice even if she did, these words would still leave Delta’s lips as his hoof felt what he eyes couldn’t see. The racing of her heartbeat as it’s pace begun to speed up, each beat becoming more forceful than the last as her chest rocked under his hoof even when she summoned the will to keep her dwindling breath within her chest as best as she could.
“Hrglglb! Hoglrouglb! Mglglb!”
With every moment, her entire body continued to telegraph her strain and not just in the quaking of her chest and pursing of her lips that bubbles continued to occasionally breach. From behind him, he could feel his haunches being greeted every so often by the waving of her abdomen, almost as if it were a breathless belly dance. All the while, her hooves had been anything but static as they tapped and curled against the wood under her, subtle knocks that would have been joined by her back had his wings not formed a mattress under her. For the Stallion over her that had gone through such motions himself countless times… It was almost hypnotic.
“Hrglb! HNGLGB!”
Though it was by now that more pronounced protests had begun to make themselves known, convulsions had begun to not simply bounce her chest upwards but rather arch her back in an attempt to rise up. Though this was soon brought under control by Zecora and the Stallion holding her down-
“HRLBLGLB!”
Another would soon follow. The forehooves at her sides coming up to not only clasp over her pursing lips in attempt to stem the bubbles of breath that escaped with, but also to try and massage her chest to try easing the fire that burned within. In doing so, she found herself clutching onto the one of two restraining hooves under her. Was this a move to try and remove that hoof or to grab hold in a means of symbolic support? Delta had few ways to tell but in agreement of what they had conversed on; his hoof’s placement remained, continuing to hold her in place but he did at least give gentle kneads onto her chest to try and soothe her aches…
“Mhmmglbm... HRPHBLBM! HN!”
For a brief moment, this motion seemed to help and Zecora could feel that her chest had seemingly eased just those couple degrees cooler… But this respite would prove to be short lived as yet another convulsion rocked her form under him. Even with the seal of her hoof against her lips and the dedication of her will, bursts still broke free to the surface overhead.
“C-Come on, hang in there!”
“Fight that urge, resist the air!”
As much as she did her best to mentally reassure herself, there was little Zecora could do to halt the squirming under the Pegasi. While she hoped she wasn’t putting too much pressure on his wings, the hold on her shoulder and chest was becoming more and more necessary by the second.
“MGLBLBLM! GLMLB!”
Regardless of how much consideration she wanted to give him, the fact of the matter was that his goal was to ensure she stayed her, no matter what she did willingly or not. The latter of which was starting to prevail more and more as plume after plume begun to break free from her lips, each more copious than the last as her chest begun to dance just as much as her abdomen. The outlines of her ribs would soon be adding their own form of stripes to her chest, each outlining on every attempt of her lungs to draw in something past her pursed lips and desperately pressed hoof.
“Hnnn-HNHNNHBLBLG! HGMGLBLBN! MRPHHBLBLBLBL!”
The longer Delta gazed down to her, the more he could tell that the true countdown had begun: Not from the severity of her struggles or the sounds of her grunts he could barely just hear past the sloshing and splashing. But instead rather from how the bursts of bubbles frothing their way to the surface had begun to dwindle, each plume coming up with lesser numbers no matter how loudly her muffled exclaims had become.
“Goddesses! My air is… All but gone!”
“T-This is it, Zecora… F-Fight… On!”
Through the waving surface and despite the shaking of her head that almost banged against the back of the tub were it not for a quick adjustment of a feathered span, Delta could see that her brows had furrowed as her eyes clenched in determination. Their closure almost seemed as tight as her hoof’s grip on his forehoof on her chest, though this hold soon snapped away as her hoof beat against the wooden deck to the side, seemingly mimicking the sporadic shuffling of her hind legs behind him.
“HNNNHN-HNHNN! HNGLBLN! GHNGHNN!”
For better or worse, all the preparation and practice was coming down to this very moment. Zecora’s body was in constant writhing as instinct battled harder than ever, so fiercely in fact that Delta’s hoof on her chest moved to her unoccupied shoulder to aid in pinning her down.
“HNNGLGLB! HNNNN!”
Whatever strain there was obvious from outside the sunken Alchemist; an ever bigger protest could be felt within as her teeth were gritted and lips were pressed oh so firmly against each other. No amount of inner peace and serenity could quell the sheer intensity within her body…
“MHMMHMMM!!! HNNNNNNN!!!”
She knew that the quick way to ease such a breathless burden was mere inches overhead… Yet with every second, every writhe, every wave of her chest and abs, she denied herself that easy way out.
“MHNNN!”
“My chest… I-It’s so hot!”
“No! No air! I-I will not!”
“HNNN-HHHHNNN!!!”
By now, she’d find that every so often she’d be trying to crane her head forward, to the mere inches away from the shimmering surface overhead… Only to bring her head right back down against the wing under her head, sometimes rougher than others…
“MHNNN! HNGLB! HNNLBLB! HNHNGRLB!”
“A-Ancestors! I-I’ve never felt such seething!”
“J-Just a b-bit more… I-I must start breathing!”
“HRBLGLB! HNGLGB! HNGLGLG!”
“J-Just a little more! I must bear!”
“NHNNGLGLN! NHNNNN!!!”
“I-I D-DON’T…!”
“MMHMMM!!!”
“DON’T… N-NEED AIR!”
“HNN-HN-HN-HNN!”
No matter what she told herself over and over, just about every other input of reality told her otherwise. This was a feeling she’d become all too familiar with recently with these experiments.
“HNNN-MBLBLG!!! HN-HNNN!!!
“I-I DON’T W-WANT…”
“MHNNNNNG!”
“I-I DON’T… N-NEED!”
“HNN-HNN-HNN-HNNBLBLG! MHMGLGLB!”
“…!”
“MHMMMBLLGLGLGLGLGLBLBLBLBL!!!”
“AIR!”
To the Zebra, what had transpired so far had almost felt like Déjà vu to the previous day: To the many days before where testing had tried and failed many times.
Occasions where her deepest intentions were foiled by dug in instincts.
Tests that had failed time and time again from personal error rather than the Trial by fire nature of Alchemy.
Attempts that had seen her to the very limit of her body that forced it’s natural preservation to override and guide her to safety.
The motions were felt well before she registered the thought of carrying them out; the slams of her hooves on the wooden base of the tub as she pushed against them.
“HRGGLGLGLGLGLGL! MHMHGLGLG?!”
But something was off this time: Her hooves pressed but she felt no current against her face, no ascension through the waters threatening to hold her as it’s own. In a flash, her pinpricked pupils shot open and witnessed the reason; her panicked mind catching up with the sights and backup plan she’d lost sight of mere minutes ago.
“HRLGHLGLGLGLGL! MHMMMMMMM!!!”
Reserves of bubbles escaped her in desperate pleas she barely knew she had. The fires of her lungs flashing over into pure infernos that surprisingly didn’t rise up to the surface in bubbles full of smoke. Her body’s thrashing and kicks to try to slip away from under her close companion yielded not an inch of ground, the hooves on either side of her unable to bring her muzzle up any closer to the waving surface that almost teased her.
“GLGLGLGLHNNNNNNN!!!”
Looking down at the Zebra below him, Delta for a moment lost sight of her through the froth of bubbles both from her terrified thrashing and erratic expulsions alike. There were rare occasions when he’d seen the bridge of her muzzle and cheeks the colour they were now, but even the pinks of embarrassment seemed to be pale compared to the deep, breathless red that overwhelmed across her muzzle.
“HNN-HNN-HNNNHNN-HNNN-NNNNNNNNN-!!!”
For a moment, Delta wondered if his breathlessness was so obvious when he was in a similar state to her in this moment. Such thoughts however were lost from his mind as he felt not only the grip of one hoof to one of his that pinned her, but also the impacts of her other forehoof colliding with chest. Each of these blows earned a short grunt from the stallion as he bore the brunt of each and every one that attempted to force him off.
If there were any doubts that Panic had gripped the Shamare below him, all were gone as her actions seemingly ran on autopilot; the only semblance of control coming from one last effort, one last plea for mercy.
“DEEEELGLGLGLTAAAGLK-!”
And it was in this moment of desperation that she made a critical error.
“HRGLGLK! HORGLGLK!”
In calling for the Stallion over her, her tongue had flicked in such a way through the water flowing into her muzzle that a short trickle of water rushed into her throat. The sudden intrusion easily provoking her gag reflex and bringing forth a fit of coughs she couldn’t hope to stop and with them...
“G’HAAAUUGLGLGLGLGLGLGLK!”
For a split second, Zecora’s world ceased to exist as she felt that cool, flowing, intense breath flow in. She could swear she’d scarcely felt her throat feeling so full in a single instant, yet what didn’t flow down her gullet easily lingered within her chest.
“HURGLGK! G’HOUGLK! HRLGK!”
Only to be brought right back to reality as her chest all but kicked in protest, her entire form almost attempting to curl up as she bucked up against the pinning Pegasus. Her eyes clenching shut as the rushes of water were heaved back up among plumes of air that were literally being flushed out of her very being.
“Hrglg! K-Houghlg! G’hauuglglglglgn!”
For the Stallion over her, the sight of her chest rising and falling as she took in the water’s flooding flows was an awe inspiring sight; a view that left Delta almost out of breath himself as he closely observed her. Clearing his head of such a trance, he’d find himself witnessing the hoof that left his chest slightly sore coming down to her neck. Her reflexes driving her to try and stem the flow rushing not only into her lungs, but also out of it as each cough and splutter acted as a getaway for the very last spheres of useless air she had left within her.
“H’Hglk! G’hauuglk! G’AHUUUGLGLGLG…. Hrglglk! Houuglglglglgl.”
“Ancestors above! That’s a harsh sting!”
“Wait… Within me? Am I… Breathing!?”
“H’uuuglglgl. Hnnglglglgl… Hglk! Houuuglglglgl…”
Among the sharp strikes of pain as her dry lungs had become increasingly drenched, the weight that she could feel growing heavier and lighter as her chest hauled and heaved and the bombardment of her gag reflex that had her constantly hacking seconds a; her mind had finally caught up to the fact that she was breathing!
“I-Is this real? Am I… r-really doing this?”
“Deeply breathing, yet under this shallow abyss?”
Or at least, she thought she was. With currents rushing to and fro across her tongue and within her very core, she could hardly discern any feeling of satisfaction within her lungs that were begging for air mere moments ago. She’d heard of Ponies who could withstand the Sea’s Slumber even after the beginning breaths of drowning but the records of those who succumbed after even the first trickles had been so common that such ideas were down to rumours in her mind.
Yet if this was supposed to be the potion’s way of helping her breath, it was hardly easy. Each and every cycle of her chest was oh so heavy… Some inhalations almost feeling like purposely sloppy swallowing compared to other heaves that pretty tried to draw in what breath she could before forcing out as much of the water as she could. Each breath out even felt warmer compared to what she drew in, albeit with a decreasingly noticeable difference as the water cooled the heat of her chest that had become almost scorching in her hold.
“Hgglglglgl... Houglglglg...”
Behind all of this though… There was something else…
“These breaths… So difficult… So heavy… Like I ran a mile.”
Despite the developing coolness of her chest, she couldn’t help but feel… Warm… Had she become numb? She could still feel every little brush of the feathers at her back and how even the last tiny spheres of breath escaped through her hanging muzzle.
“How… Why… Do I feel… Such… Need to… Smile?”
With every drop that flowed into her, she couldn’t help but want to draw in more… To breathe deeper, longer, to sink down even deeper as she brought her eyes open once again.
“H-Huglglglgl… Ouuglglglglg….”
In her heaving haze, she almost forgot about the Stallion that was helping to keep her under in this tub… The waters that almost seemed to form a window had calmed so much compared to before, the only disturbances coming from her subtle movements and current that had formed from her own respirations. Through this stoic sheet, she couldn’t help but look deeply into that Stallion’s eyes, feeling the corners of her of her muzzle curl into a soft smile even as her paced panting continued.
Little did she know of just how her wonderful whites and beautiful blacks of her face had their red tint running even deeper through the colour spectrum, by now slowly taking on a persistent purple that was mirrored upon her lips. Was this part of the potion’s effect or a symptom of Cyanosis? Delta could hardly be sure but seeing that she was already breathing, possibly even drowning, one of his hooves begun to follow the curve of her shoulder for a proper hold to bring her up to the surface once more as the weight on her shoulders eased.
“Huglglh… Nglglgl…”
What he didn’t expect however was to feel one of her hooves greeting his own, one seemingly in a reassuring hoof hold as the other guided his back to her shoulder. It was a move that took the Stallion back for a mere moment, but looking down at her… Her breathless beauty, gorgeous gaze and sweet smile, he couldn’t help but feel the upward curve of his own lips as he allowed that hoof to return to it’s carefully pressing position. Though judging at how she rested upon his wings even without the press of his forehooves or even the presence of his haunches on her barrel for a moment, it seemed that she didn’t even have the buoyancy to rise up anymore anyway.
“Hauglglglgh… Houuglglg…”
“Thank you D-Delta… This feeling… I-It is… Without name…”
“Intense and flooding… Yet warm and calming all the same…”
“Houuglglgl… H’Hglouglhglgl!”
For a short moment, a little series of jolts rocked the Zebress. Ones that had her back arch up against the underside of the Stallion as she seemingly gasped mid heave. A wave of warmth rushing through the Sunken Shamare as her chest felt oh so tight for a minute.
“Houghlglgl... Hnhnhnnmnglg~”
“A-Ancest-ah! W-What was that?... Such a w-warm flush…”
“I-Is that the potion… G-goddesses I never felt such a ru-HUH!”
“H-Houglglgl..! Hlglglg!”
Out of nowhere, another series of capturing convulsions seemed to take their hold on the Zebra, each shudder leaving an aftermath of tingles that sparkled across every inch of her being… First lightly, but with each sporadic shudder, each waterlogging wheeze, she couldn’t help but feel it grow stronger, the warmth within her growing each time.
“H-Hglglgl! HGLGLGL..! Huglglglg!”
“W-What… Is c-causing tha-ahh-t bliss?!”
“I-Is the water… D-Doing this?”
“G’Houglglglglrk~!”
If there was any explaination for the feelings that had the Zebra squirming under the Stallion, they were gone from her mind as she found herself shuddering and writhing for a whole other reason than before… The idea of breathing even slipped from her mind as she was rocked with yet another wave… This one almost seeming to linger as her gurgling gasp dragged on with it, her chest rising oh so deeply as the water flooded senses and body alike.
“Houglgl~! Hglgughlk~!”
With each breath, she wondered just how high that bliss could rise… How each sharp shot through her chest set the rest of her body alight for a moment so deeply that she could swear she felt herself sweat… She had no doubt in her mind it stung… Oh it did… But some part of that deep down only made every other sense all the more heightened now that the instinct for air had been all but overrun.
“G’Gouglglg… Huglglglh~!”
All that seemed to matter was the need to breathe… To ease that growing tightness in her chest and gut alike, both of which only grew more intense with every breath she endured. A vicious cycle had formed that was taking this Zebress to even steeper heights of sensation she never thought possible.
“Glglglgl...! HGLGLGLL!~ Houuglglglk~!”
For a moment, Zecora even found that her vision begun to pan upwards even as small stars danced in her gaze, each light almost seeming to linger in place be it from her own sights or what she saw reflected back in the increasingly blurred eyes of the Stallion overhead that she gripped onto the hoof tighter with each time. It wasn’t long before she realised that her head wasn’t leaning back, but rather her eyes were rolling back… A quick shake of her head easily bringing them back into focus as she found herself trying to bear the heat… The strain… The pressure…
“H-ouglhglglk! Houglglgl!”
“S-S-So… …. …Strong!”
“H-Hglglg! GHLGLGL!”
“I-I…!”
“HOUGLGL..! HAAAGLGLG...!”
“C-Can’t… Hold O-Ooon!”
“HAGLGLGL..! AGLGLGLGLN...! HGLNGLNGLNLGLGLK...!”
“I-..!”
“HAAAUUUGLGLGLGLGLGLGLGLGLGLGLGLGLK!!!!”
Once again, as it had done so when she first welcomed in the water’s kiss into her very lungs; all reality had seemed to halt for the Zebress. The rush of water that flowed into her this time however had came so heavily, carried by a gasp that echoed with an inverse outcry of overwhelming intensity, she could swear the depths had kissed her very soul.
“HGLG-HAGLGL-HGLG-OUGL-!”
The scene below Delta had been one which easily had him blushing a deep and pronounced red across his face, a more lively tone compared to the seemingly intoxicating indigo that had been taken on by the Zebress. Her body’s writhing and shudders having her hind legs clench and kick behind him as her chest rose and fell in rapid yet sporadic succession. The hoof that had rested on his own that still kept her down in this time had even reached up to grasp his own shoulder, the force of her spasms almost acting to drag him down with her.
The whole time, not a single word went through Zecora’s mind. Her thoughts running blank and actions completely not of her own doing as she was her body rode the waves of this unexpected yet heavenly hijacking. How long had it been since it started…? How many breaths had she’d hyperventilated since it started…?
“Houglgl… Hglgngl… Hhhnglglg…”
Any motivations to seek answers to these questions were long gone as these waves of bliss seemed to ease into a more constant state of serene sensation… Not seeming to rise but not dulling in the slightest either… In this moment Zecora could hardly register anything… Not the breaths that felt even heavier than before… Not how all but one of her hooves barely had the strength to rise up any higher than they were already… Or even how the aches that had tortured every inch of her being inside and out had all but faded away?
“Hglglg… Hglngl…”
All that existed to was the water… Her quivering form… And him… The Stallion that brought her to this breathless bliss… The one keeping her safe when her instincts threatened to take over… Without even thinking, her raised hoof on his shoulder moved to thank him the only way her bliss blinded mind allowed.
“Zec-Wh-Blmlb?!”
If Delta thought he’d seen everything so far, he was proven so, so wrong as the hoof at his shoulder moved up to the back of his head. Having been so entranced by the display under him, he was caught completely off guard, and almost out of breath, when she drew his muzzle below the surface… And straight to her own! The wings behind her almost sprung free from their wood and Zebrican prison as his lips were met by the softest, and quite possibly bluest, touch he had ever felt…
For a moment, Delta was just as frozen in time as she was… But as his mind caught up to the situation at hand, what air he did hold in his chest was murred away through his nostrils as pressed back into these oral affections, lips locking together as tongues tangoed in a sea of their own. The spheres he’d released almost tickling the muzzle of the Zebra who had not felt their contents in oh so long…
“Mhmmglg… Mhmglk… Mhmm…”
While this kiss they shared only lasted a few seconds, it easily felt like eternity before it broke as Zecora laid her head back. Now relaxing against the soft pillow of his feathers, her smile lingering as her blue blushed cheek received a gentle caress by the hoof that once held down her shoulder, leaving his wings and hind legs to hold his form over her.
“Mhmgl… Hnhngl… … …. … Hglg…”
The events of what had been merely minutes had easily been one of the most euphoric of Zecora’s life… Yet at the same time… It had been oh so exhausting… She could swear she’d scarcely felt so tired in her life, be it from troubling tests or vicious viruses…
“Hnglg… … ... Nglhglk…”
However this tiredness felt different… It felt Peaceful…
“Hglgl…”
Satisfying…
“Nglgl…”
Free…
“… … … … … … … ...”
In that moment, Zecora didn’t even realize how long it had been since her lungs had taken any more than an idle lungful…
She hardly realized her hooves at her hoof on the back of Delta’s mane had begun to slip down his neck once more as her eyelids drooped.
“…Glp… … … Blp…”
She barely recognised how the hammering of her heartbeat had relaxed so much she could barely hear more than the odd tap…
“… … … … ... Hglglg…”
All she felt…
“…. … … … … …”
All she knew…
“… … … … … …”
…Was peace.
“… … … …Blp…”
“Zecora?”
As much as Delta had been transfixed on how beautiful the Zebress under him had looked even when he’d brought his muzzle back up to the surface following the kiss; he was all too aware as to why the Zebra had settled into such a serene state.
Unsure if it was a state of exhaustion from the potion or the real deal of the Ocean’s kiss… He’d allow the hoof on her cheek to return to her shoulder, giving it a slight shake…
“Zec, c’mon… Time to come up.”
Yet despite this shake, only residual momentum moved her after the fact… Looking into her eyes and moving a hoof to her chest, what he saw and felt made the Stallion’s blood run colder than the deepest glacial lakes.
The chest that rose with waterlogging wheezes and gurgling gasps… Had only a slow, light thumping to answer his touch… And those pupils that had shrunk to pinpricks on more than one occasion before remained stoically dilated even in the candlelight of her hut…
“Shite!”
Without a moment’s hesitation, the Stallion’s hooves wrapped around her as his wings unfurled with such force, a good deal of the surrounding hut floor had joined Zecora’s body in becoming soaked. A quick series of flaps would be all that were needed to haul her significantly heavier form out of the tub and onto the puddle soaked floor. The haste in the Stallion’s movements may have cost him some grace in setting her down, but given the situation, it was understandable as seconds would count in these moments.
“Come on, Zecora. You’re gonna be okay.”
Without delay, Delta’s hooves would move to press firmly upon her sternum… Yet before he could start the first compression: A dim, blue glow that he’d previously seen from the contents of the potion had begun to resonate across her front… It’s path marking a significant outlining of where her lungs resided… Where her Stomach rested... It even traced up to the underside of where her throat met her head.
Moments later, it was not water that left past her idle lips, but rather a continuous plume of sparkling vapour… Unsure of what the contents were, Delta would think quickly in gathering some with the use of a spare jar that had been left to the side. By the time, he’d gotten a good enough sample and sealed the jar, this cloud had all but depleted from the Zebra, her chest noticeably more relaxed than it had been so befor-
“G’AUUUUUUUUGGHHHH!!!”
What almost made the Stallion drop the jar however would be that of the sudden gasping cry given off by the Zebra, her chest finally rising and falling with the air they were well overdue! Such a sight easily earning a sigh of relief from the Stallion that wasted no time in returning to her side.
“Easy there Zecora, deep breaths. It’s okay, you’re safe…”
Minute by minute passed with nothing but a comforting yet cautious embrace of hooves and the heavy, hauling breaths to finally relieve her previously besieged lungs. Only when her heart wasn’t bombarding her chest like an instrument of her homeland did the events of before catch up with her…
The time she must have been under for.
The burning strain of being denied air for so long.
The terrifying uncertainty as she was held under.
The rush of that first breath…
The overwhelming intensity of the breaths that followed...
The flavours of the kiss they shared…
The feeling of it all peacefully fa- WAIT! KISS!?
At an instant, the deep red Delta once had on his cheeks could be seen on the Zebra’s cheeks as that particular event flashed back in her mind. Her heart rate picking up once again as she realised what she had done to one of her closest friends!
“D-Delta… I… I… Thank you for helping me breathe…”
“But I think… it would be best… If you were to leave…”
Of all the requests she could have asked for, this one in particular had caught Delta off guard a little. What she had gone through may have been a successful test but it was still none the less a full on Drowning that she endured, assisted in recovery or not by the potion.
“Um, are you sure, Zecora? I can stay a while if there’s any-”
“No!”
Such a sudden outburst almost made the Stallion jump lightly as he eased back from the Zebra, her eyes glued to the floor even as she got to her haunches.
“No, I-I’m sorry, I know you want to help me be at ease.”
“I’ll be fine, but I must request some solitude, please.”
As concerned as Delta was, he knew better than to argue otherwise… What had spurred such a change of heart? Had he done something wrong? Goddesses, he prayed he hadn’t… Regardless of what the cause was, he’d give a nod of acceptance before turning away and making his way to the door. Opening this wooden entrance revealed that the storm outside had not dwindled in the slightest, if anything it seemed to have gotten a little worse.
“Alright Zecora, just… Take care of yourself, okay?”
Looking back to her one last time, he’d allow this request to leave his lips before he made his way out into the torrential rain of the outdoors again.
Just like that, with the clatter of the handle latching shut, Zecora was alone once again. A sigh leaving her lips before they were buried along with most of her face behind a hold of hooves. The fact she was breathing now, and even felt a tad parched seemed to hint that the potion had helped in some way… But everything else that transpired once the water rushed in? The number of questions she was left with almost gave her a headache there and then.
“Damnit… I need some time to let my thoughts process…”
Just as she was about to start thinking aloud to ponder these queries, a yawn had all but hijacked her speech… The aches of fatigue slowly becoming evident as she brought herself to her hooves and realised she felt oh so much heavier.
“Perhaps I should rest… A fresher mind may yield some success…”
Thoroughly tempted by the entrance to her bedroom she could see opposite of the room, she begun to haul herself towards the call of a mattress, the offering of a towel and the need for a glass of refreshment she kept at the bedside. Though at the same time, barely paying mind to the fact her hooves were treading through puddles of the water she was breathing mere minutes ago… She could take care of it in the morning if it really lingered…
One Week Later…
“For your Purchase sir, I thank you.”
“May your day be easy and not require two.”
A kind smile would be the return this Zebress received from the opposite side of her stall as another customer departed, a freshly steaming cup of brew carefully held in a horn’s levitation. With the recent disruption to railways due to maintenance, there would prove to be a fairly significant deficit of coffee delivered to Ponyville. While Café’s did still serve them, their owners found that stock had soon either depleted at the same price, or would offer a chance to make some extra bits by raising the price of these morning Pick-me-ups.
Zecora on the other hoof saw an opportunity to introduce the local folk to her more natural blends, grown through methods and seeds passed down from her homeland both herbal and plain alike. It was slow work at first but as word spread of her particular morning brews and their more reasonable cost, it wasn’t long before she saw frequent customers, some more than others but for a particular Pink Pony, she always kept a bag of decaffeinated beans to hoof…
For the time being however, the last customer had been served and Zecora could take a moment to relax and wipe clean her stall’s counter. Her gaze taking a moment to look around the open street as she eyed the clock-tower not so far away, finding that the time of closing up was drawing near. As this was merely a small side business, she knew she could stay open as long as she needed to, but she didn’t dare to keep open around the time that the local school unleashed it’s pupils for the rest of the day. She’d be there until sunset from Hot Chocolate orders alone!
That said, thoughts of the walk back as she begun to pack away her stall faded for a moment as he eyes caught a glimpse of a particular colour behind a set of armour. From time to time; Guardsponies would find their patrols passing by the front of her stall, the odd armoured guardian of the town even buying drinks of their own when their shifts seemed to drag on just that bit too much…
In this case however, she every easily recognized the Green Coat of a Pegasus Stallion that had just given a salute to a new pair of guards, handing over their shift. It wasn’t the first time she’d seen Delta since… That evening… But she didn’t dare to bring herself forward to talk… Judging by how he didn’t look in her direction for any more than a split second at a time, it didn’t seem that he did either…
Like all the other times, over the past week, she simply turned her gaze away to clean out a milk jug that had seen plenty of use through the day… Soon finding her reflection gazing back at her; the cloth laden hoof halted it’s patterns… Was she really simply going to avoid him again?
Any other time she’d happily greet him and the pair likely would have shared talk over a drink or two. What had happened was in the past… Were a few minutes and the decision of a mind not thinking straight really going to undo years of friendship?
Taking a breath to steel her nerves, she’d exchange the cloth in her hoof for a sign reading “CLOSED” and placed it upon the counter. With the rest of her goods stowed away under lock and key, the Zebra would bring herself to a trot to catch up to the Guardponies not too far away.
“Excuse me, Delta? May I have a word?”
“If you’re not busy, I don’t wish to be absurd.”
Hearing this request behind him, Delta would find himself put on the spot as he looked between her and the Guardspony at his side. As much as he tried to hide it and keep things polite, the surprise that she approached him could be seen on his face before he turned to his comrade.
“Zecora… Um, yeah! Sure thing. Hey Slingshot, can you tell the Captain I’ll be there shortly? I gotta take this.”
Such a request earned a bit of a smirk from the Thestral at his side, offering a hoof-bump to the Pegasi of the pair as he gave a nod of understanding.
“No problem D, I got your back. Just remember it’s Sweetroll Sunday and you know what Jackhead’s like when she finds a spare sweet at the mess.”
Such a reminder easily earned a short chuckle from Delta as he met the hoof with his own in a short bump before his Bat-pony brother-in-arms left him with Zecora. Turning his attention back to the Zebra in question, Delta would be trying to think of what to say before his lips came into motion.
“So um... Hello again. I uh… Look I just want to-...”
Whatever words were coming forth from the Stallion would soon find themselves being hushed as she brought a hoof up in front of him.
“If the words you seek are of apology, you need not make any.”
“If anything, the mistake made was of my own actions that day.”
“In truth, I have no clue as to why I went in for that kiss.”
“I’ve thought it over but every time; the reason is what I miss.”
Just talking over that particular moment brought a blush of bashfulness back to each of their cheeks, yet in spite of this, Delta couldn’t help but smile to the Zebra as he gave a light gesture for her to follow him. Soon enough, the pair were walking side by side along more scantily populated roads.
“I don’t mean this in an egotistical or assuming way Zecora? But I wasn’t too surprised you did that… I mean, sure, it caught me on the back hoof but-”
Wait, he predicted she would do that? Confusion was instantly plastered all over Zecora’s expression as she almost halted in her tracks, her glance to Delta conveying just how well needed a double take was.
“Okay, I must ask that you go back a minute.”
“You… KNEW I would do that after passing my limit?”
Worrying that his wording had potentially stirred some distaste in the Shamare, Delta’s thoughts immediately scrambled to think up of another way of explaining his point.
“What? No! I um, well… Ugh, that came out wrong… Look, I’m just saying… I’ve succumbed to drowning in the past too. Albeit under less, willing circumstances but on reflection of it? It didn’t feel anywhere near as bad as I thought it would. If anything, while rare, it can spur more… ‘Sensual Sensations’ in some folk.”
While the revelation that she wasn’t the only one to endure such an intense experience from drowning did offer a fraction of reassurance; it still seemed far-fetched that others could feel anything close that what she went through, let alone what Delta was hinting in himself and others.
“Delta, I appreciate the words but I doubt that is real.”
“Surely you jest in saying this is what others can feel?”
A short chuckle would resound from the Guardspony at her side as he called his bluff, a short shake of his head swinging in tandem with this as he looked back to her after a quick glance at their heading. Even with this bout of laughter though, sincerity was still in his voice as much as his expression.
“I know it seems a tad unlikely Zec, but I mean every word. Aquaphilia is easily a fair deal of a rare taste and can range from merely thoughts of being around water to… That. But it does happen, toss in those who enjoy a tad of Breathplay into the mix and you’d be surprised how their blush won’t just be from breath-hold strain.”
Such a calm and collected response wouldn’t be the only thing that robbed Zecora of all comprehension in that moment. Hearing that such a kink had a title of it’s own easily hinted that it was far more common than she had previously thought mere moments ago just from Delta’s hinting.
“I... am at a loss for words. This is really as commonplace as you claim?”
“That something so… Risky yet frequent enough to have it’s own name?”
It would be at this point that Delta’s expression had lost it’s smile, his lower lip coming between his teeth for a moment as he thought over how to explain further.
“That’s honestly what concerns those who practice it responsibly the most: The Risk. Many of those who have this kink respect the dangers of this sorta thing. Some will stick to lighter elements of play while others will ensure they have enough elements of safety to keep themselves safe.”
“At the same time however, it doesn’t hold them back from enjoying the bliss it offers, breathtaking or not. Even simply observing others, roleplaying or just fantasizing over it can have ‘em get riled up in no time. That said, hopefully your potion may help them out in such regards to keep things safe?”
While she didn’t feel up for admitting it; the Zebra’s mind couldn’t help but wander to such ideas. Combined with her memories of her own experience, she found herself mirroring Delta’s nibble of his lip. In her case however, it was for another reason entirely that her cheeks may have given away, much to her dismay.
“I see… Well, you have my thanks for this… detailed description and collecting that Steam I couldn’t feel.”
“If all goes well and I can gather more of Siren’s Mercy, more safeguards for the sunken may yet become real.”
Hearing her gratitude would bring a feeling of relief back to the Stallion at her side, and from seeing his smile, a return of her own. Though in the aftermath of reflection of what she just said, she recalled a new challenge ahead of her; Supply.
“That said; I am not blind to the task ahead to gather more of this, petal and seed.”
“And the fact this has been our only real result so far has not gone without heed.”
Such reminders would not fall on deaf ears as Delta’s pace halted for a moment, his brow rising to what she was potentially getting at and even moreso to how one of her forehooves ran back and forth across the rings of her other limb.
“You mentioned how hard it can be to get mere petals of those flowers. I can’t imagine getting more substantial samples will be any easier.”
Seeing that the Stallion had begun to catch on, Zecora would look around for but a brief moment to ensure they had at least a little privacy. Not that she had intended to unveil anything that would get a second glance from a passerby but given the nature conversation, it did give her a little confidence behind her next words once she took a deep breath to collect herself.
“Indeed, there’s a good chance that the search for such samples will be more than a single endeavour.”
“Which is why I hope to ask you to make things easier, may I request another favour?”
Before a word could leave the lips of the Stallion, Zecora knew she had his answer from the sly smirk on his lips and the look in his eyes.
“Where and when?”
Just like that; Zecora couldn’t help but grin right back at him.
