Toots sat down with Comforting at one of the small tables nestled among many others. "This boat really does seem to have everything." But what he wanted was right there. He took her hand with a hoof, holding her with a smile.

Comforting wrapped her claws around his hoof in turn, leaning to be cheek to cheek. "It's so romantic." She flicked at his bow tie. "Maybe you'd like to be a little less clothed, before we go on deck."

Toots colored at that suggestion. "Maybe later. The sun's out, time to be out and frolick, you wicked chaos creature." He nuzzled gently with her. "Like it or not, your friends are pretty sure you're the one in charge of this expedition." He laughed warmly at her. "You did invite them and all. Besides, the others want to play with us."

Comforting gestured for them to approach, waving happily.

Toots turned to follow her gaze, watching the other girls arrive. "Hi everypony."

Hitch was there as well, Sparky perched on his back. "Hey right back at you. This has been incredibly fun." He patted Sparky on the head. "Hasn't it?"

Sparky chirped in the affirmative and bounced excitedly.

Hitch looked up and pointed a hoof. "That one looks promising!" He trotted over towards a water slide that led into the pool. "Water rides on a boat in the water? Why not!?" He climbed aboard.

Izzy was beside him at a moment, tail flicking in anticipation. "You know what this needs? Foam!" She rubbed her hooves together. "Who likes soap foam slides?"

Sunny swatted at Izzy. "I don't think that's allowed. Points for the idea, but we should save that for when we're not on someone else's slide."

Izzy nodded slowly, settling down. "Fine! Be safe and normal then! It would still be fun. Foaming, cool liquid pouring across our bodies!" She started salivating heavily.

Sunny gave Izzy a push, sending her down the slide with a loud squeal of delight. She landed with a splash, hopping up to spread the water everywhere. She clapped her hooves. "Whooo!"

The ponies followed Izzy down the slide in turn, each enjoying the experience thoroughly. Once everyone was in the pool, Sunny shouted, "Let's do that again!"

Comforting angled her head at the ponies. "I think they're having a fine time. I don't have to foalsit them constantly. They are adults, silly adults, but adults none the less."

A loud noise rang through the air, a high pitched shriek, then the sound of wood and metal crunching.

"What the heck was that?!" Toots stood up, alert. "That sounded really bad."

They hurried towards the sound as others were moving in the opposite direction. The path led them out onto the deck, where a giant chunk of ice was melting rapidly, but not so fast they couldn't see it.

Comforting peered at the ice. "What in the world?" She turned in place. "What left that there?"

Toots shrugged his confusion, looking from the ice to her and back.

Sunny Starscout pressed on, nearing the ice chunk. "We should investigate that!" She patted at the ice chunk, though it was rapidly melting to nothing at all, revealing the damage that had been inflicted on the ship.

"It hit us!" Hitch stated the obvious, pointing a hoof at the hole in the ship's railing and the damage to the deck itself. "It hit the ship!"

Amber glared at the damage. "Ugly, but won't stop the ship from functioning, from the look of it. Do any of you know a creature that would leave or use ice?"

Pipp raised a hoof, but put it down without stating anything.

Comforting waved to draw her attention. "Pipp? Do you have something to share?"

She cleared her throat. "Well, I might know somecreature. She has a real magnetic personality, but I wouldn't think she'd be on a cruise ship of all places."

"I can be wherever I want." They all twirled to see Allura perched above them, glaring down at them. "You ponies are ruining everything!" She fired off her cold beam, which Comforting caught with ease.

"Hi there, Allura." She tossed the beam behind her out into the ocean. "What brings you by? We're all out of kitty treats."

"Don't mock me." She leapt athletically to the deck, towering over most of them. "I was told this can take you far away. I mean to use it to go where I want, but the ponies refuse to listen to me." She prodded Comforting with a paw. "If you're so smart, how do I get them to shut up and listen?"

Comforting looked between the captain's cabin and the ice cat. "You shouldn't be here."

Allura growled lowly, a rumbling sound that resonated in their hooves. "I demand you tell me how to get them to listen to me!"

Misty peeked out from behind Comforting, who served as a fine shield. "Um, sorry, but they don't owe you, Allura. Where did you want to go anyway?"

Allura scowled down at the unicorn. "What use are you?" She swept her tail dismissively. "None. Just like the rest."

The chaotic spirit placed herself between them. "No, don't you dare go there. These are my friends." She pushed Allura away. "I'll not have you talk to them that way.

Allura let out an almost meow as she slid on the smooth deck so easily. "Stop that! I want to go home, and this boat can go to distant places. I demand you get them to listen to my demand!" She jabbed a claw towards the cabin. "They won't listen to me! Make them listen!"

Toots raised a hoof. "Miss Allura, you're welcome to join us on the cruise, but you've gotta pay like everyone else."

Comforting elbowed her husband. "I don't think she wants a relaxing ride."

"Not unless it's going where I want." She lowered to glare at Toots. "You, tell me how I can reach them." Her eyes sparkled as she let out a hypnotic purr.

He blinked, staring at her. "Well, you should probably just knock."

The cat stopped abruptly, raising a brow at him. "I tried that."

Comforting chuckled. "I doubt the door is going to hold her out."

Allura puffed herself up. "I will knock it down if I have to." She sat up. "But I was hoping you knew a less, hmm, crude way. I'm trying to be reasonable here."

Comforting gestured to the cabin. "Go try again."

The group of them followed Allura up to the cabin, where she tapped on the door. A voice from within replied, "Go away."

Allura waved at the door, huffing with a hint of growl. "See? They won't even listen to what I have to say."

Amber trotted up towards Allura. "Hello, um, scary kitty. Have you tried speaking, gently, through the door? Somepony is there, clearly."

The snow leopard blinked. "Oh, you're right." She turned and spoke to the door. "I wish to go home."

"We'll be going back to Maretime Bay in just a few days. Enjoy your cruise!" The voice was clearly nervous, and the door didn't open.

Allura growled again. "No, not there! I need to go to my home!" She slammed her paws against the cabin door. "Listen to me!"

Comforting slid in to wrap an arm around her shoulders. "Hey, don't be like that. They have a schedule and everything. Detouring to take you somewhere isn't on it. I know what a pain it can be, other creatures stuck on their schedules."

Allura suddenly turned on Comforting, tackling her to the ground, not that she looked terribly upset about it. "You! I've heard you can go places. Why don't you take me home?"

Comforting slid out from underneath her. "It doesn't work like that. I don't really travel to places. I can get places, but I don't travel to them. Not the way you're expecting, at least." Comforting rubbed at her cheek. "Besides, I have no idea where your home is, so going there would be tricky. Do you know where your home is? Maybe point it out on a map?"

Allura sank to her haunches, teeth clenched as frost misted the air in front of her snout. "N-no... No! That's, that's the problem!" She slammed her paws on the deck, which frosted over. "I don't know where home is. I just want to go back!" Her cry echoed in the open space.

Comforting hugged Allura, surprising her, though she didn't attack this time. "Are you trying to catch me? It won't be that easy!" Her voice lacked conviction.

"Nope!" She kissed her forehead. "I just want to help you."

"You'd be better off helping yourself!" She pushed Comforting away, sending her into the arms of Toots.

"Hey." Toots held her close. "Careful, Allura. I won't let you harm Comforting." He glowered at her, something fierce lingering in his eyes. That faded the moment she gave him a stern look back. "Never mind."

Comforting hugged him briefly. "Points for the effort." She walked back to Allura. "If you want to go back, there's only one way."

Allura stared at her expectantly, waiting for her to deliver.

"Well, if you don't remember how you got here, we just have to retrace your steps." Comforting made a walking motion with her fingers. "So where were you before here?"

Allura sank to her belly. "Near the auroracorns. And don't ask where they are, where it's colder and less annoyingly warm." Her eyes darted to Hitch. "He was there, briefly. Him and his friends ruined what I had going there."

Hitch rubbed the back of his head. "Well, you were kinda bullying them. So I was protecting them."

Sparky hissed at her, jumping off his back to confront her directly. He blew out a tiny puff of smoke and fire in her direction. She blew back a cold blast that sent him tumbling across the ground.

Hitch was there instantly to gather up his little dragon. "You leave Sparky alone! We're not here to fight. We're on a vacation. A vacation you weren't invited to."

Comforting swept in to stand between the two. "Don't escalate this any further, you two." She turned to Allura with a little smile. "Look, you're a cat now stuck on a boat in the middle of water. I'm pretty sure you don't want to swim."

"I do not." Allura lashed her tail. "What are you suggesting?"

"Just hang out." She gestured around them at the others. "We aren't your enemies. The only reason we fought before was because you attacked us. You picked a fight, and then lost. Let's just cool off." She paused. "I take credit for that pun, but seriously. Even you deserve some time off, so take it, relax with us. Let's have a little truce until you get back on solid ground."

Allura narrowed her gaze. "And then we'll fight to the bitter end?"

Comforting raised her hands up in surrender. "Nah! No more fighting. I think you could really use some friends."

"Friends, ha." She looked around a moment. "Fat good those are." But she didn't press the conflict, instead hopping up onto the roof of the ship and settling for a good sulk, as felines were good at doing. "I'm going to sit up here until we get to the land. Don't bother me." She glanced at Amber. "Except you, shorty. You can be around me if you must."

Amber pointed a hoof at herself, jumping with surprise. "Me? Um." She let that go, turning away to lean closer to Comforting. "Why would she want to talk to me, of all ponies?"

Comforting shrugged. "Not a clue, but hey, a chance to make a friend. I hear cats that like you are awesome cuddle buddies, so take the chance. I think you'll be fine."

Author's Note

Allura, you weren't invited on this cruise. Bad kitty! Bad! Don't make me get the water bottle.

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