Celestia's Finest: Comrades in Arms

[Elbeyon]

Since Rose is leaving the room, Love pilots a BugBot so that she can watch Seaworthy. That way he's not unattended.

[D.KnightSpider]

"Understood." Longshot considers his options and agrees. "That sounds like a wise policy. I'll leave you be."

He finalizes his departure and then steps away from the brig. Given how hard Stormwind had been hit, he'd probably be out for a good long while yet...

And then his comm signals. Longshot listens to Rose's message and checks the immediate urge to tell her to go to Tartarus.

EDF Subvocal Comm: "I have the book. I'll meet you near the galley."

[DigoDragon]

EDF Subvocal Comm: "I have the book. I'll meet you near the galley."

Silent comm (Longshot): 'On my way.'

Rose makes her way over to the galley to find Longshot.

[Elbeyon]

Scomm (EDF), "I'd like to be kept apprised of any risky plans. Seaworthy dodged autofire while pulling that book out from no where, tried to fill my lungs with water, and with that book caught a grenade traveling nine hundred miles per hour."

[DigoDragon]

Scomm (EDF), "I'd like to be kept apprised of any risky plans. Seaworthy dodged autofire while pulling that book out from no where, tried to fill my lungs with water, and with that book caught a grenade traveling nine hundred miles per hour."

Silent Comm (EDF), 'Fair. Seaworthy said don't open and read the book. Something something chaos.'

[Miltonian]

The storm is a known, but rare, phenomenon. The incredible electric interference it generates shuts down any radio communications. Equestria, due to its well-managed weather, never has to worry about. Other areas, however, are at the mercy of such storms, especially in places where there is a strong concentration of magic.

Rose and Longshot meet up in the galley with no problems whatsoever.

[DigoDragon]

Rose and Longshot meet up in the galley with no problems whatsoever.

I mare could get use to that.

"So, we need a plan or do I just let him down? What are your ideas here?" Rose asks Longshot.

[D.KnightSpider]

Longshot stares at Rose for an uncomfortable moment, trying to gage just how serious the question is supposed to be.

"What's your situation and endgame? I don't know anything about what you've done or what your angle is."

[Elbeyon]

Love keeps an eye on Seaworthy and won't let him out of view/mind.

Scomm (EDF), "These storms happen from time to time. It's rare, but it's know to happen. The Chaos Tome, as Little Twi, called it contains a fragment of Protean Essence." Love having fed her curiosity has other things to feed.

Love is so hungry. She heads down to the galley. She barges into the room with energy. She isn't trying to make a scene, but she is being a little loud. Her mind more on food than being quiet.

She looks for her good friendly escort because she made him a deal. If she can find him, she approaches and says, "Hey, do you want to grab some food with me?" If she can't find him, she'll have to do this alone and get some gruel. Either way, she is getting some food!

[DigoDragon]

"What's your situation and endgame? I don't know anything about what you've done or what your angle is."

"I don't have an endgame, really," Rose answers. "Seaworthy is just a nut cultist who wants to watch the world burn to appease a chaos god. Not sure why trying to kill the admiral had any significance. It might not have any. Could just be to prevent anyone from getting to the island. Wouldn't be surprised if they were based there taking advantage of Ironbeak's situation."

[userpay]

Brazen sighs in relief as the engines thrum to life. At least they wouldn't be at the mercy of the storm.

scomm (EDF): Ah don't like handin the book back to him none either. He claims to control it but this area is already ah bit chaotic with magic as is ain't it? Don't that stand ah chance to screwin up whatever he does?

[D.KnightSpider]

Longshot shakes his head. He toggles his EDF Comm so they can hear his response.

"Then in the absence of any direct, definitive results that would result from trying to con Seaworthy, I say that we not give him the book. A fishing expedition isn't worth the high likelihood of losing the ship."

Subvocal Comm.: "Love, can you run that by us again in actual ponish?"

[DigoDragon]

scomm (EDF): Ah don't like handin the book back to him none either. He claims to control it but this area is already ah bit chaotic with magic as is ain't it? Don't that stand ah chance to screwin up whatever he does?

S.Comm (EDF): 'I don't think there was ever a plan to actually give him the book. But now that we know what it does, his friends will probably want to get it back. If I study the design, I can try making an illusion copy should we find ourselves cornered to give it back to the cult. Or on purpose to trick them into our own trap.'

[D.KnightSpider]

Longshot performs a recall on his bag. He takes his time fishing the bound tome from its hiding place.

S.comm(EDF): "If they have any means of sensing chaos energies then a disguise wouldn't fool them for very long if at all... Here's what it looks like."

He extends the book to Rose so that she can inspect it. Save the strip of super tape holding it closed, Rose can study the entire thing.

[Elbeyon]

Scomm (EDF), "Names are all I've got until I put in some hours in at the library. I'll give you everything I've SCANed today." Love sends the information. "I'm afraid I don't have any more information on the book to give anypony, but I'll look into it before we land. I'm not sure if there will be any information in my databases."

[DigoDragon]

He extends the book to Rose so that she can inspect it. Save the strip of super tape holding it closed, Rose can study the entire thing.

Rose studies the book carefully, particularly what kind of aura it might be giving off, if any.

INT study (3d6)[12] (.v 14)

Casting Mage Sight (3d6)[8] (.v 15)

[D.KnightSpider]

Subvocal Comm EDF: "I understand, Love. Don't worry over it."

Longshot sighs, deeply.

"I can't believe I'm about to say this, but... when contact with the mainland is restored, can you tell Discord I'd like to speak with him?"

[Miltonian]

The book, strangely enough, gives off no magical aura at all. It seems, for all Rose can tell, like a perfectly ordinary book.

The universe can hardly believe Longshot's request either.

Fortunately, Love is able to locate her friend. He is standing guard in the mess hall. He brightens when she approaches. "Ah, comrade. You are alright. This is a good thing, yes." He chuckles. "I am afraid I cannot leave my post, but I would not turn down anything brought to me."

[Elbeyon]

Oh... Love thinks she knows what this is about... Love answers Scomm (EDF) with a serious tone, "Yes, I'll try my best." She asks him on the channel, "Developing any sea sickness? Do you think you'll make it through one storm? I find not focusing on the motion helps." Her intently focusing on the ship not sinking helped as well.

Love tries her best to smile. "I'm alive. That's good. You alright?" Tours to guarding the mess hall. Love has to wonder if he is on a punitive shift.

"Thanks for the tour earlier. I have a pretty good idea where everything is now. Guard duty, huh? I'll see if I can bring you something!" Love will leave him after the short conversation. Her hoof waving through the air as she walks away. She heads off to line to grab a load of food and maybe, meet the chef.

[DigoDragon]

Silent Comm (EDF): 'Not seeing a magical aura on the book with my Mage Sight. If the cult can tell the difference, it's a different spell entirely to detect it.'


Hmm, Protean Essence. Has rose come across that subject in her studies?

Thaumatology: (3d6)[14] vs. 15

[D.KnightSpider]

Subvocal EDF Comm.: "Thank you. But, no. I'm actually not developing any seasickness. I think I'll manage alright."

"Rose, what you do with the information is up to you now. If you want to try and string him along then you're welcome to try."

Longshot puts the book back in his pack and sends it to null space.

[Miltonian]

"I'm alive too," he replies with a chuckle, "If that is the benchmark, we are doing well comrade.

Love gets in line behind a bunch of already tired sailors. It take a few minutes, but soon she is at the front, where a stern-faced griffoness is ladling gruel into bowls and passing them out. She pauses when Love steps up. "Haven't zeen you before," she says in a very thick accent, "Voo are you zuppozed to be?"

---

Unfortunately, everything pertaining to Chaos Magic is restricted to specialized courses at Equestria's academies, courses where the teachers can keep a close eye on their students. Rose did not take those courses, it seems.

Meanwhile, the ship plows its way forward, drawing nearer and nearer to their destination.

[Elbeyon]

Scomm (EDF), "Glad to hear you have your sea legs! Want me to grab you some food?" Love seems a little tickled having said that.

It's a benchmark they can both meet!

She hums a tune while waiting. The crew is an interest to her. They way they move, talk, and eat their food. She sticks close to the pony in front of her and makes small talk as they move through the line. There are so many people! So many introductions to be made!

When she gets to the front of the line, Love smiles real big at the griffoness. "I'm new around here! First time on the boat! Call me Sparky! What should I call you?" Love has her tray at the ready. She can work as she talks. "Five bowls. I'm couriering for my friends. My friend on duty was very excited about me meeting you." She motions back to her guard. She chuckles, "I share that excitement." Maybe, it's the food and hunger, but Love is very happy talking to the cook. Bring on the gruel!

Spoiler: Edit

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Can't forget my reply to Longshot!

[D.KnightSpider]

Subvocal EDF Comm: "Thank you, Love, but no. I'm doing alright in the calorie department."

"Alright, Rose. I'll leave it to you to decide what to do next; just keep us in the loop." Longshot says. "Is there anything else?"

There wasn't room to complain given his own stupid moves in the past. Impressed with Rose's antics, however, he was not.

[DigoDragon]

"Alright, Rose. I'll leave it to you to decide what to do next; just keep us in the loop." Longshot says. "Is there anything else?"

"Can't think of anything. You checked on the captain already, right?"

[Miltonian]

The cook grunts and looks Love up and down. "You are cheerful. Too cheerful." She slams some slop down on Love's plate, then another. "Limit of two. Tell others to come get zeir own."

---

The Admiral's voice comes over the intercom. "Soldiers of Vedina. I want to congratulate you on meeting what has been a very trying time with the force of will and strength of character expected of you. We have sighted our destination. This voyage of doom will be over soon. Thank you."

[D.KnightSpider]

"Yes. The Admiral has him under lock and key with no visitors permitted." Longshot replies. "I'm going to take a look at the Captain's room, just in case there's anything more to this. Best of luck."

Longshot listens to the announcement and then heads toward the declared declaration.

EDF Subvocal Comm.: "Game faces, ponies."

[Elbeyon]

Love smiles and takes some inspiration from Happy, "Thank you!"

Two bowls? Love looks down at the gruel and her stomach rumbles. "Rules are rules." She chuckles. Two bowls is only enough to feed herself. She'll need to bust into her rations if she is going to share with any pony. "I'll tell them, but they're a little tied up at the moment." Some literally! Love smiles at her. "Thanks for the food!" She waves goodbye and sets off. She gives the food a nice smell as she walks.

Scomm (EDF), "Heads up ponies. We've got a limit of double rations from the kitchen." She smiles, "The chef would personally like to meet the people she feeds."

She stops by the guard and tells him the tell of her meeting the cook. She tries to provide him with the amusement he sought, but she doesn't do it at anypony's expense (except her own). Sadly, she wasn't able to get him any food, but she does have some on her person. She gives him a small candy bag from her saddlebag. She'll take some for herself to tease him about testing his food for dangerous substances. It'd be dangerous for him to eat all the candy by himself.

Then, she heads off to the med bay to meet up with Seaworthy. Half a meal for her in hoof & a meal for him. She sees if she can pull up alongside his bed.

[DigoDragon]

"Good luck."

Rose will mill about on top deck then.

[Miltonian]

The Captain's quarters are the largest on the ship. However, they are sparsely furnished. Only his steamer chest is there, unpacked. The quarters have not been used yet. He just came aboard.

---

The griffoness grunts and ushers Love away. She has no time for her right now.

The marine's eyes light up, but he wisely waits for Love to take a bite before accepting it. "Thank you, comrade!" he says with a smile and begins to bite.

Love, however, is stopped by the guards newly posted at the infirmary. The first steps forward. "Equestrian," he says by way of greeting, "Where are you going?"

---

Rose sees the island appear in the distance, growing closer and closer...

Unfortunately, the deckhands are all going about their business. Rose would have to strike up a conversation to get their attention right now.