IceStorm

~~~Aloe Blossom~~~ The hug that was being held by the two sisters was a tight one. Aloe pulled back from the hug and couldn't help but wipe away more liquid happiness from her eyes as she heard her sister speak. She told her that she had been able to see many places and that she hoped that the spa would benefit from the places that she was able to go to. She also heard her sister say that she had heard many things on her travels, telling her that she was one very lucky mare with very special children. Aloe couldn't help but blush a bit as she watched her sister look her over before hearing Rose speak up. She couldn't help but giggle when she said that the two of them really did look like each other. Before she could respond, Lotus did so with a smile. She felt her sister pull her close and wrap a hoof around her and she found herself leaning into it, much as she would if Rose were to do the same movements. Like she had said with her, she had heard many things and then asked if she was the one that deflowered herself. At that point, Aloe couldn't help but chuckle. "Oh please, pretty much everypony in Ponyville knows you were my first," Aloe said, sticking her tongue out playfully to her sister. "But yes, she's the first one to actually put a bun in the oven so to say. Four of them, technically," Aloe smiled before leaning over and whispering into her sister's ear. "I put one inside her too," she giggled. "I am glad you're back though... I was about to put up fliers to try to hire additional help. I don't know how much longer I can keep going before this takes me out of commission for a few weeks."

~~~Sugar Moonlight~~~ Sugar would nod as Gloomy's words pretty much hit the nail on the head. It was less that she'd not dreamed about it, but more that she had, and the prospect terrified her. Especially after watching two of her friends fall victims to said effects of falling. She couldn't help but let out a small laugh, going a bit chipmunk cheeked as she held her hoof up to prevent more from coming out as she heard Gloomy mention something about horning in. So unicorns did use their horns as part of normal conversation and amusement. That was one thing that unicorns and earth ponies had in common. Honestly the list seemed to be getting longer and longer at this point, and Sugar felt rather silly believing otherwise at any point. Though it did beg the question what else they used their horns for. Sugar couldn't help but blush a bit as a few naughty thoughts came to mind before shaking her head. "Hey," she started, using the topic to take her mind off of where she was going. "It's not as some of the ones that we use. Not everything that Canterlogic ended up making came with instructions on how to use it, so we came up with the phrase 'Hoofing it' as ponies tried to figure out what they actually did on their own. Sometimes with... interesting results..." When Sugar gave the warning about the flavor interactions, Gloomy responded that she had a bit of a sweet tooth. "Oh, I'm definitely right there with you on that one," she said smile. "Just about everything I eat has some sort of Sugar in it," she giggled, playfully sticking her tongue out with a wink. She then realized what she had said herself, and then blushed a bit. It definitely didn't feel like proper talk for two ponies that had only just met. Sugar had already been caught staring at her flank, and had thought of other things more than once. She wasn't sure what was going on with her today. Whatever was in the air, she hoped it wasn't contagious, or maybe that it was... she honestly didn't know at the moment. And hey, the flank staring wasn't entirely her fault! Gloomy was showing it to her! Granted, it was more to punctuate her joke... but still! Come on Sugar, get it together... you're making everypony else look bad... she thought to herself. Once the tea was finished, she turned the other pot down to a simmer. It wasn't quite time for her to start working with the other ingredients of the chili yet, so she had time to partake in a few cups and a bit more conversation while they waited. Like Gloomy, she too decided to try some molasses in her tea. When she did, she was quite happy with the flavor. She might have to start adding this to tea more often. She had been expecting the molasses to overpower the raspberry flavor, and she determined that it very well could if a pony used too much, but just a couple drops added just enough sweetness to complement both the tea and the raspberry flavors. She couldn't help but giggle a bit more when she heard Gloomy's slip up, saying that she was sweet, and then adding that she meant the tea. Maybe the naughtiess really was in the air! She could see the mare blushing a bit and smiled. "That's okay, I think you're pretty sweet too! After everything you've told me so far, how can I think you're anything but amazing! Bridlewood is really lucky to have you living there," she smiled.

~~~Sugar Moonlight~~~ Sugar would give a nod and a smile as she set the kettle on the stove and started a pot of water to boil, dropping a couple of the tomatoes that she bought into it. She made sure to poke some holes in the peels so that it would help them boil down into the stock that she would use for the chili. She was glad to hear that Gloomy would be happy to show her the way. When she started talking about the airships from Zephyr Heights, and asked about if she ever wanted to fly, she immediately shook her head, apparently sharing Gloomy's opinion on the matter, but for different reasons. "Well, weather wise there had been more clear days recently than normal, which means the storm that's coming out off of the bay is going to be a doozy. But as far as flying goes, I prefer to keep my hooves on the ground. After seeing ponies literally get blown away by some of Canterlogic's contraptions, and watching Sunny fall out of a collapsing lighthouse... I've come to the conclusion that earth ponies aren't meant to be in the air," she said with a giggle. "I do have molasses, but I do need to warm you that the black and the raspberry leaves are mixed through the same batch. I'm not sure how the flavors usually interact. I usually drink mine unsweetened because the raspberry flavor makes it sweet enough for me," she smiled, grabbing the molasses out of the cabinet for Gloomy. If she wanted to try it with that flavor she was more than welcome to. In fact, in the spirit of things Sugar decided that she might as well give it a try as well.

Welp, this was it! This was the day that Wind Dancer had been looking forward to since that fateful night in Ponyville. She was currently getting reading into one of the gazebo turned dressing rooms for the event. Today was the day that this single mare, married the stallion of her dreams. It was almost ironic that it ended up being the colt that grew up next door to her in Cloudsdale, even though they never truly met until they came here to Las Pegasus. In fact, that's exactly why the two of them had chosen this place. The Las Pegasus Central District Park. Right under the very tree that Sky had sneezed and dropped leaves on her from when they first met. She could still remember that day vivdly and she still chuckled every time she remembered that face. As it was now though, she was incredibly antsy and was ready to get everything started. Something that her mother was getting very annoyed with. "Windy, I know you're anxious dear, but please for all that is holy please stop squirming. You're making lining this up very difficult," her mother said, trying to line up the zipper on the dress and the the buttons for the trails. With a long zip, the two mares looked in the mirror, and Morning couldn't help but wipe a tear from her eyes. "You okay mom?" "Yes sweetie. It's just hard to see the beautiful mare that you've grown into. I still see you as the little filly I raised all those years ago. But I also can't be any more proud of the mare that you've become. You've become a beacon of hope for so many ponies and you've helped so many others... There just aren't many ponies like you in the world anymore, and I'm so happy that you managed to find one of the few other ponies like that who fits you so perfectly," she said, pulling her little filly into a hug, one that Wind returned. "Well, I had a good rock. Even when I was reluctant to come back to Cloudsdale I never stopped thing about you and dad. There are no words to describe how happy I am that both of you are here to witness this, even if dad might have his hooves full with Glimmer right now," Wind giggled. After a few final adjustments, Morning smiled. "Are you ready to become a married mare?" she asked with a smile, watching Wind return the smile and nod. "Good, it's almost time. they should be sending the ushers here soon."

It didn't take much to presume that things were getting harder and harder inside the spa. Aloe had made sure to hire additional help for the masseurs and the herbalists in prepping for her inevitable time away from the spa. After all, she had no real idea when her sister was coming home. She had Rose helping her as it was getting everything set up and she was learning what she could, but there was going to be a time soon where Rose was in the same situation as Aloe. She had just finished making sure the baths were ready for their next patrons as she heard Rose pop in and ask if she needed any help with anything. "No, I think were good here. I started getting the baths ready a bit ago because I knew it would take a bit longer. Though if you wanna help me get the towels ready for the clients when they get out. The fresh ones should be over in that cabinet there," she said, pointing to said cabinet not far from where Rose was standing. Everything else went out the window though when she heard the door bells chime and a voice ring though the shop. No... it can't be, she thought to herself. She knew that voice anywhere, but so many times she'd thought she'd heard it in the past and it was just her imagination. When she heard the voice say she was back, she hesitantly but hurriedly, made her way towards the door. Well, as quickly as a pregnant mare could that was. She was expecting to be let down by her imagination again, but this time... This time was no fluke or her mind playing tricks on her. This time, her sister was actually standing in the door. Within an instant she ran up to her and locked her in a giant hug. "I've missed you... So much I've missed you..." she said, leaking liquid happiness onto Lotus's shoulder.

~~~Sugar Moonlight~~~ Sugar watched as Gloomy took the box from her, and then gingerly set it on the table. She nodded at the roundabout way that she said that so long as we have our memories, those we loved are still with us today. She was also ecstatic to hear that Gloomy would love for her to visit herself sometime. That sounded exciting. "Absolutely!! Though I would have to do it after one of your visits. At least for the first time. I've never been outside of Maretime Bay before, and I'm not exactly good with directions," she said, noticing the mooch more natural smile. Her eyes then went wide for a moment. "Shoot!! I promised you chili and tea and I haven't even started either one yet!" Sugar proclaimed, quickly moved to the other side of the counter, finding her kettle and filling it with water. "What kind of tea would you prefer? I have green and red clover, black with raspberry, and honeysuckle camomile," Sugar asked.

~~~Sugar Moonlight~~~ Sugar listened intently as Gloomy spoke. She looked into the amethyst eye that she could see and she could see the emotion that she felt. She may not be able to see this sparkle or whatever they could see, but she could see how the mare felt talking about this in front of her. She explained that her grandma was where she got a lot of her poems from, and started talking about the tea pot. She told her that the set was actually from her grandmother's grandmother, which meant it was very, very old. Much older than any porcelain set would have lasted... Maybe she could be swayed to the side of iron after all. Plus the design sounded nice to look at. A long dragon of the ancients, looking both serious and silly surrounded by gold would definitely be quite a site. And the gold would probably help with the flavor issue as well. But with a pot that old, she doubted it would have any metal flavor at all from the start. "That definitely sounds special. I would love to see it at some point! Oh! Wait here for a second!!!" Sugar said, getting up and almost prancing to get bedroom with what looked like a small jewelry box. The paint was a bit weathered, but it looked very well kept up. The edges had the same maroon glitter that could be seen around it's edges and the wood itself painted gold with a light grey stick filly and am older looking pink pony both reaching for the lock on it. "This is the single most important thing that I own..." She said, handing the box over to Gloomy. "It was the very last thing that my grandmother and I made together before she... Well... You know," Sugar started. Even ask this time later she still had trouble admitting that she was gone. She supposed that was like that for any family though.

~~~Sugar Moonlight~~~ Ah, no wonder the statement had such strong repercussions. She heard Gloomy talk about how if properly made, an iron kettle wouldn't have such flavor, and that you weren't suppose to scrub them, you were supposed to let them build a film. The statement that got her though, was the fact that she had inherited hers from her grandmother. That made Sugar feel genuinely awful. She could tell that the smile that Gloomy was trying to wear was strained. Still she smiled. "Well, I image that your grandmother must have been a wonderful pony. After all, you are a wonderful pony, and they say here that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree," she said with a smile. "So, why don't you tell me a bit about it? The tea set that is. It's obviously something that you cherish and for good reason. We all have our heirlooms that are passed down from generations before. So, you tell me a bit about yours, and I'll tell you a bit about mine," Sugar smiled.

~~~Sugar Moonlight~~~ Welp, as soon as Sugar saw the ears drop on the Gloomy's head she knew she stepped in this one. She watched as she made her way over to the couch and sat down, and she couldn't help but wince a bit at the words. Yup, definitely stepped in it here. "I suppose that is one advantage. I actually can't recall the number of times I've had to buy a new one because I put it in the sink too early and it broke just because of the temperature difference. I guess it just comes down to how they are made. I did try an iron one at one point, but it was either poorly made or made out of bad iron cause the only thing I tasted was the metal and not the tea. Maybe unicorns have refined the process, so their tea pots aren't so bad?" She said, hoping to at least somewhat smooth the roads. She didn't want their friendship to go sour now just because she tried to be cheeky with a tea response.

~~~Sugar Moonlight~~~ Sugar was quick to notice that the blush never really faded from the face of her new friend. She told her that she understood. That at least for her, she would love to go work for Alphabittle again, but he was the one that told her to come out and make some friends, saying that it would do her well to find a good one. She added that in the end she felt that he was right and that she was happy that she found herself. She smiled warmly when Gloomy said that she thought that she would make a good friend. "Well then, I will do everything I can to make sure I can live up to those good friend qualities," she said with a smile, giving Gloomy a nuzzle. She then heard Gloomy ask if she had a tea set somewhere, and if she did if it was cast iron or porcelain. The question made Sugar scoff playfully as they made their way inside. "Well, the only correct answer is porcelain. Cast Iron tea sets are for ponies that either lack taste, or enjoy the taste of metal in their tea. Porcelain all the way!" Sugar said with a smile, though internally hoping that Gloomy was also a porcelain pony when it came to tea. Otherwise, the inside was just as plain as the outside. There were some The sofa had a lot of glitter on it, but a pony could tell it was because it was where Sugar usually sat. She also had a simple television, and a couple plain lamps that lead into an open kitchen with basic tile floors. "Welp, this is my home! It's nothing fancy compare to some of the others, but that just means that there's less to take care of," she smiled.

~~~Sugar Moonlight~~~ The blush and the bashful look didn't go unnoticed by Sugar. If anything it was quite cute and adorable to watch. That that Gloomy wasn't cute other times! She had after all, been caught staring at Gloomy's flank as a result of her words earlier. At the moment, she listened as she spoke about her scent was probably because of where she had spent most of her time, but was looking for a new recourse since it seemed most ponies didn't like her poems anymore. To this Sugar had to pause. "Sounds a bit like myself now. I'm in between jobs as well because I don't want to be a model for a warmongering company anymore. And if it makes you feel any better, I like your poems. I find them cute and charming, and even with the brief time I've met you I can tell they are a part of who you are. If you love being a poet, then a poet you shall be! Perhaps you just need a new audience. That's an adventure that we can both embark on together," she said, leading her through the streets to her humble little house. Unlike her mane and tail, it didn't have glitter everywhere and looked somewhat plain by comparison.

~~~Sugar Moonlight~~~ Sugar could once again almost feel the surprise in Gloomy. It was almost as if the poor unicorn had never been hugged. She also had a point about life being the original poet. She also took it a step further, sharing some of the beliefs that unicorns had about earth ponies. Or at least one of them, saying that they all thought they stank. To which Gloomy added that she smelled nicer than everypony that she'd met prior to. She gave a soft smile and a blush. "Thanks, you smell pretty nice yourself. Kinda reminds me a the tea I drink at home. Speaking of which, I can make some for us to enjoy while the chili is cooking if you'd like," she smiled, stepping back out into the brisk air. The chill was intensified by the breeze off of the bay. She could also feel the light sprinkle of rain starting to fall. Yup, definitely a good day for making friends and eating chili.

~~~Sugar Moonlight~~~ The somber tone in the atmosphere of the shop left a feeling in the air that was so thick, it could be cut with the proverbial knife to go with it. Thinking about it, a spice store probably wasn't the best place for this, but this was where the question was asked and to postpone the answer might have lead to it not being answered. When she heard Gloomy speak, telling her in her own way that the remorse that she felt would pave the way forward, before further staying that she was hoping to be part of that path. She felt the hoof under her chin, and she couldn't help but smile when she looked into Gloomy's eyes. Well, the eye that she could see anyway. "For a brighter tomorrow indeed," she said, reaching up and giving her new friend a gentle hug. She then stepped back and smiled. "And I would love to have you be a part of that path with me. I'm always up for making new friends, and learn everything I can about what everypony else is actually like. Though it is kind of poetic in a way, earth ponies being so afraid that the others were monsters, that they themselves turned into the monsters they feared. Perhaps you can use something like that in your work! Maybe worded in a way where the story could serve as a warning that to much hate and distrust can turn you into the very thing you're afraid of," Sugar smile, hoping her new friend looked the idea as she paid for the cinnamon and then held the door for her.

~~~Sugar Moonlight~~~ Sugar could almost hear the look of surprise that Gloomy had when she said shampoo. She then heard her add that her sparkle shined about as brightly as her mane did, but would be surprised if it had before. She was going to ask what she meant at first, but then she vaguely remembered hearing other unicorns mention it, so she must have been talking about some aura thing that only they could see. She wondered if it was somehow tied into the earth pony magic of olden times, but even then she wouldn't know what to look for. Her thoughts were interrupted though as Sarsaparilla answered that they did have it and that they would have it right out. Thankfully she didn't seem to be too upset that she wasn't her first stop. It wasn't anything against her spices, Vanilla Bean was just closer. Once she had it, and paid for it she turned back to Gloomy, who had commented on Canterlogic knowing how to make a pony look good and asked if they were who made the shampoo. Sugar sighed and hung her head. Welp, it was fun while it lasted... she thought to herself. She couldn't lie to this pony, so far she had proven to be nothing but nice and very unique. She liked that! and she certainly wasn't going to lie to the poor mare to save her own image. "No... actually. I get this shampoo from Mayweather's spa. It's right after you get in town by the main gates. Canterlogic itself... isn't a good company, or at least it wasn't. I thought it was before, but looking back on it now... they were the ones that was distributing most of the lies about unicorns and pegasi. The were the ones that were telling ponies that the unicorns would read their thoughts, which I suppose isn't entirely wrong. If you can read sparkles or auras then you could get an idea of what a pony is thinking based on their emotions. But the second part is just plain ludicrous and I feel horrible for ever believing it, let alone at one point playing an active role in supporting it. They said that unicorns shot lasers from their horns and would fry the brains of any earth pony that looked at them. Canterlogic used these fears to profit, making items that, thinking back on, probably didn't actually work for our protection..." she started, pausing to take a breath. "Products that I used to be first in line to model for. Like a metal hat that was supposed to ward off the mind reading abilities, which... wasn't tested..., or Pegaboots, that were so heavy not even we could move in them. Thankfully they moved that to an automated display because there was no way I could model those. But after what they became... and after what I saw the ones who run Canterlogic do... I can't trust them anymore, and I used to help them, so I don't know what that says about me... All I know is, I don't want to be part of something that will hurt others. That's not who I am..." she said, hanging her head once more.

~~~Ice Storm~~~ Ice couldn't help but smile and listen as the others started speaking, reiterating what she herself had said about them. Ice actually felt sorry for any individual pony that wronged anypony in this room. Because now they would have what some could consider, Equestria's most powerful force all zeroing in on them. Ice was still certain there were plenty that were stronger than her. She would be a fool to think that there wasn't. She did know, however, that she was definitely in the upper echelon. She knew that most of her power that she had came from her relics, and that in of itself was a danger. Mostly because she didn't know just how much power was in them, and if they broke, that could spell the end of things for wherever they were. She also couldn't help but chuckle a bit as Raven got caught up in her own words. "That's okay, it's easily to get caught up in the things that were. After all, had everything not happened, exactly the way it did, we would not be here now," she stated. As it was, most everypony seemed to be finished with their meals and Ice figured now would be as good of a time as any. "Well girls, I do think it's time..." Ice Storm started. "The last few years have been quite a roller coaster and has been filled with many hurdles, but there has always and forever been one constant. All of you. It started off with Raven, and then everything just started blossoming fourth. I found myself starting to surround myself with ponies that I just, couldn't honestly live without. From Myth's pure emotions from when we met on that Hearth's Warming evening in Ponyville, to our first mission together, she said looking to Feather Blitz. Every time I look around the room I know that I made the best decisions I could have made in not only starting STAR, but finding those ponies that I would eventually come to call my family..." Ice Storm said as she started levitating four boxes into the room. Each one was no larger than a 2x2x2 box, and she said them down in front of each and everypony in the room making sure that the right ring went to the right pony, as they were each emblazoned with the one thing that pony loved and cherished the most. "Which is why, after tonight, I would want to make it official, and I can think of no better night than Hearth's Warming Eve to make such a declaration. I would like for everypony here to become part of my herd, and be my brides," Ice said with a warm, hopeful smile.

~~~Sugar Moonlight~~~ Sugar was thankful that at least if Gloomy did catch her staring, she didn't make to much of a scene about it. She noticed a raised eyebrow and a smirk, but that was about it. Thankfully they moved onto the topic of the turnovers. It seemed that Gloomy liked that word better as she said it was a plainer word, but clearer all the same. "And definitely easier to pronounce," Sugar giggled. "At least for me anyway. I've always taken a simpler approach to things. Especially since up until recently everything in my life seemed to be pretty demanding," she added. She was about to turn her attention to the shop clerk to ask where they kept they're cinnamon sticks when she heard Gloomy sneeze. It seemed like a gentle sneeze, but was enough that her sonnet came down over her eye. She watched her panic for a moment before she paused and she watched her horn light up. Sugar was immediately mesmerized by the sight. Inside she was still a bit worried about magic, but the more she'd been around ponies of different types, the more she'd found her fears becoming more and more farfetched. Most ponies seemed to be pretty much the same despite their differences. Now that she was watching it up close, she couldn't stop watching it. She then heard Gloomy say that sometimes she forgot that she could do that now, and then asked if there was anything like that that happened with here. She further added that she didn't see anything around that couldn't be accomplished without magic, before commenting on how sparkly her mane was. "Yeah, I wish I could call that magic. Magic would make mornings easier, but no, the sparkle is naturalish, it's from the shampoo and conditioner I use. It basically infuses glitter into my mane and tail. The modeling agencies, and by agencies I mean Canterlogic, looked the look, and honestly I do as well, even if it's somewhat hard to maintain," she smiled. "But no, we didn't get any magic or anything of the like from the sparkly explosion. If we did, I don't know what it was. All I know is unicorns got magic, pegasi got flight, and we got friends. Which is an okay trade for me," Sugar added with a smile before turning to the clerk. "Hey Saspy! Do you have any Cinnamon Sticks in? Vanilla Bean was out," she asked.

~~~Sugar Moonlight~~~ Sugar could understand where Gloomy was coming from. After all, when you were around a pony all the time you would learn more about them. Something that Sugar hoped that she could do with her new friend here. She also couldn't help but feel a bit of sympathy for both. Izzy would have definitely been like Sunny in the fact that she would have been the outcast of Bridlewood. Sunny to would have that same smile on her face around town even when others ignored her. Still, she admired her for sticking with what she believed in. This meeting that was occurring now would not be possible otherwise. "Then it is no wonder that she got along with Sunny as well as she did. They were basically the same pony but in to different spots," she smiled. She then noted that Gloomy's face became more solemn as she described the chimithings. Apparently they were a pastry. She watched her expressions before watching her turn her head back towards her flank, as if to accentuate the weighing down line. Sugar found herself following her gaze before realizing that she was staring just a bit longer than she anticipated. She quickly moved her eyes back up and smirked a bit from the look in Gloomy's eyes. "Oh, it's one of those kind of treats. I think we call them turnovers here. But they have the same effect. Too many of them at once can definitely lead to a plump rump," she smiled as they entered the spice shop, their nostrils immediate assaulted by the smells of various spices.

~~~Sugar Moonlight~~~ When Gloomy mentioned the recipe sounded something like what Izzy would come up with, she raised an eyebrow for a moment. "Really now? I would have thought she would have been more of a pepper spice pony, though I can see that as well. I've never really interacted with her myself but she seemed quite energetic from watching her with Sunny. Though that could easily be overflow off of her. Sunny has a very infectious personality," she commented. It was true though, especially now. Whatever Sunny was feeling was usually emulated by the ponies that were around her. Given how everything has happened recently it wouldn't surprise Sugar if it was Sunny running Maretime Bay before long instead of Phyllis. Her head tilted a bit tough when Gloomy asked and a sarsaparilla strawberry chili chimicamigawas or however she said it. "Well... The sarsaparilla strawberry chili doesn't sound too bad. It's hard to imagine a spicy strawberry though. But before I can fully answer that question, I must ask one of my own..." Sugar said, giving pause. "What is... A chimichacura... Or however you say it?" she asked.

~~~Sugar Moonlight~~~ Sugar would smile and nod at the uniquely worded question. "Most definitely! I'll be there first to admit that I don't make my chili as spicy as some. Mine tends to be sweeter, but that's okay. Chili is one of those dishes that everypony does just a little bit different to give it the flavor they desire," she said, her smile brightening when she heard Gloomy say that she would join her. "Great! I just have to make a quick trip over here to one of the other spice vendors to pick up a cinnamon stick. My go to spice store was out. Then we can head back to my place and share stories and the like while it's cooking," Sugar said happily.

~~~Sugar Moonlight~~~ Sugar listened to the unicorn that had come into the city. She says that she was following in the hoofsteps of another and was looking for what she had found. She seemed quite different than Izzy. She was a lot more laid back and mellow. Sugar could get behind that. Being a model had it's perks and was quite lucrative, but enjoying something as simple as quiet time was good as well. She introduced herself as Gloomy Sonnet. She wasn't she why, but it fit her, and even more so when she said that it was often her mood and her muse. "Nothing wrong with that. After a long day at work that's a feeling I know well. Say, I was just about to finish up getting some stuff to make some chili. If you'd like, you're welcome to come and have some of you want. I'll have plenty," she said with a smile.

~~~Sugar Moonlight~~~ Believe it or not, days like today were actually quite common this time of year. Just because it wasn't warm didn't mean they still didn't get weather off of the bay, and today, the overcast day seemed to be a product of that. They seemed to be blowing inland instead of out to sea. This time of year that could mean any number of things. Wind, rain, snow, all of the above, it was Maretime Bay. It would snow in the middle of summer if it wanted to. Sugar has seen it. The chill in the air made it perfect weather for chili though, and that was why she was out and about amidst the impending storm. She needed the ingredients to make it. "Alright... I got the soy beef, the tomatoes, beans, and chili... All that's left is some cinnamon and that will be perfect!" She said with smile, licking her lips in anticipation. It was about them that she heard a voice from the main gates. It was a unicorn, and a mare if her build and hey voice was anything to go by. She only barely caught the last bit about her being alone. After having already met with several members of different races, Sugar was already more at ease with approaching them, and she gave a soft smile as she approached. "Hello there!" Sugar started. "Welcome to Maretime Bay! My name is Sugar Moonlight! You said something about being alone?" she inquired. She wasn't entirely sure how far it was from here to Bridlewood, but from what she'd heard Sunny talk it wasn't close. To travel that distance alone had to be lonely, and she wanted to help her not be.

~~~Aloe Blossom~~~ Aloe was very quick to notice the bundle of excitement that was Bevel. She felt like the mare was going to shake her out of her hooves before she returned a giggle and a smile when Rose introduced her as the most beautiful mare in Equestria. She also introduced their little one on her back. As they made their way inside, Aloe would look around at all of the different things that were present. She would be lying if she said that she knew what the intentions were for anything here. In fact, she doubted that anypony other than the mare that was accompanying them in here would either. Such was the life in the way of experimenters. After all, sometimes said experements don't work and all you're left with is a bunch of random components that are now worthless. At least she figured the after effects of her experiments would be easier to clean up, most of the time. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you Ms Bevel. Rose has spoke highly of you and the items that you create. I am certain that you and I will get along quite well, both of us being creators and all. Though I will openly admit what I make seems to be a lot less dangerous than what you do. the most anypony has to worry about with one of my botanical products going bad is a rash, or a bit of coat loss," she giggled a bit.

~~~Ice Storm~~~ Blizzard wasn't kidding when he said that the roster was thin. She let out a frustrated sigh when he made mention about the guard being nothing more than an honor guard than anything else. "Tell me about it," she said, noticing the book briefly but putting pieces together she kinda figured what it was. She never used a spellbook herself, all of her magic was innate. She could probably share some spells with him later, but for now she needed to refocus. "Believe it or not, the royal guard wasn't much different. The incompetence that most of them showed in the past invasions was the entire reason I made STAR. To get a competent group of ponies together to help protect our land. From threats both outside and in," she said looking over the roster. "Well, we at least have enough guards to maintain a patrol, but they would be a bit further spaced out than normal. We could go with singular patrols, but that would be unwise. It's actually pretty easy to overpower a single guard. Especially if somepony got the jump on them. So moving in pairs, or the buddy system like we call it in STAR, can help prevent that, so as long as they've been properly trained. That being said, since we are short staffed, we should probably help with the rounds," she said, setting her saddle bags down. When she heard Blizzard mention Twilight Manning him a member of the guard to keep an eye on him, she nodded. "That's probably exactly what it was honestly. That was part of the reason Luna made me one of her personal guards after I told her I was founding my organization. Both so I could convey information to her, and that if I started slipping down a less savory path, she could pull me back. Though I'll admit... It feels weird for it to be the other way around now. Since she retired, she's actually one of STAR's officers. That being said though, I definitely wouldn't take it personal. A court wizard is a big deal. Besides, I hear the Canterlot Magic Guild needs a new Archimage for Ice, considering I live in LP now."

~~~Aloe Blossom~~~ Aloe was a bit unsure of taking such a trip. She wasn't sure if Albedo was ready for such a long excursion and it was increasingly possible that the eggs could hatch at any time. They would need water immediately once they did until their lungs developed. She might have only had one changling daughter at the moment, but she knew very well what was required for them at this point. Or at least, what was required for this particular species of changling. Since Rose was aquatic, her offspring would be as well. At least the kind that came out of the eggs. Still, she trusted Rose's judgement and tried to suppress her maternal instincts as much as she could, which included refraining from bucking anypony that she thought might be looking at them funny in the face, whether they were actually looking at them at all or not. She wasn't sure when she'd become this protective or this violent, but nothing was going to hurt her little ones. She let out a sigh as they walked through the streets up to where a giant ship was. She was a bit confused though as ships were usually in water and she didn't see any of it around. She heard Rose knock on the door and introduce that they had arrived. She smiled and looked over to Rose. "So, who is this pony again? I remember you talking about an inventor, but I don't know much about them otherwise. Also... I might be new to boats and ships, but isn't this supposed to be in water?" Aloe asked looking around once again.

~~~Ice Storm~~~ Ice Storm nodded, both to hearing the news about Fire Walker, and to shutting the door behind her, throwing a silence on it for good measure just in case anything confidential came up. She was glad she did, cause shift rotations and times while not necessarily confidential, could still be taken advantage of at times. She herself have used such tactics in the past when acquiring things she needed to get Star started. When he said that something like that and directing things would be simple for a pony like her, she scoffed a bit. "Hardly. I make sure that the sub commanders are where they need to be, and then they take care of the rest of the staffing. That said, let me take a look at things here and see what kind of staffing we're working with here," she said approaching the desk. "If I may?"