"I have." He initiated that move where you raise your hoof and your partner does a spin. "My first language is the language of adventure... Of course, deep down inside, I can tango."
"Let us see how adventurous you are!" She laughed, jumping up on the railing and balancing on her hind legs. She extended a hoof, waiting for him to join her, to finish their dance. The rail was narrow, and icy. The ground lay almost twenty thousand feet below, and neither one of them could fly. She was testing his bravery, whether she consciously realized it or not. In spite of herself, she was intrigued by the assassin. She wanted to see what he was made of.
"Please, I do similar daily." He hopped up to the railing, balancing on his hind legs alone, and retool her hoof. This was going better than expected, and Navaja was having fun. Hopefully nopony would slip.
They danced on the rail for a few minutes, until the record reached its end and began making an annoying scratchy click. She sighed and hopped down to turn the player off. "I think I have my answer. I'll see you at dinner." Without another word, she grabbed the player and headed back down below. Nightshade greeted her in the sickbay. "Well?" "Yes. Definitely." "And did you actually tell him that?" "Where's the fun in that? Let him play the game. He doesn't need to know he's already won."
Navaja smiled and hopped down off the railing. He had a good feeling about this. After admiring the view for a few more minutes, and probably synchronizing, he headed back inside. He went into the mess hall and found Azrael alone. He looked like he was meditating. Mister might have to write up a conversation next post.
Traveling by airship was rarely interesting in and of itself, so the crew found ways to pass the time. Nightshade and Rain sat in the sickbay with Nova, discussing how they would spend all the bits they were about to make from the expedition. Cannonball joined Flair and the griffon brothers Galahad and Gaston in a game of poker. It quickly became obvious that Gaston was cheating, but nopony seemed to mind, as he was a terrible player either way. The ship left the north pole far behind and continued on what was now a southward course, cruising through the endless daylight of a northern summer.
Azrael opened his eyes and glanced at Navaja. "How do you think it went?" Navaja shrugged. "Fairly well. I think I have a chance. So tell me, if I may scrape for conversation. How did somepony manage to kill you the first time? You're clearly indestructible." "Meningitis, strength in numbers, and bad luck, assassin. The odds weren't in my favor that night."
Time passed, as it is wont to do, and it was soon early evening. Galahad had cooking duty that night, something he took very seriously. The sumptuous meal served at the dining table below deck wouldn't have been out of place at an upscale Canterlot restaurant, and the delicious smell soon summoned everyone to the table as effectively as a dinner bell.
"Gracias," Galahad answered. "I do what I can." Nightshade took a seat between Cannonball and Nova, and was soon stuffing her face with croissants. Galahad had anticipated this, and made plenty. Flair came in next, literally dragging his older sister, whose mane looked to be about halfway through a rather elaborate styling process. "Come on, Rain! Nopony cares what you look like! Let's eat!" Rain, realizing that she was fighting a losing battle, quickly undid the work she had done to her mane and let it fall free. "Fine, you gluttonous little twerp. Go forth and make a pig of yourself." She sat down across from Nightshade with a sigh. Flair might have been one of the best elemental mages alive, but he was still just a teenager.
Navaja sat down next to Rain at the table, chuckling. "Is this that, how do I say... sibling fellowship I've heard so much about? It looks absolutely stunning down, by the way. Majestuoso." Azrael quietly walked in, smelling faintly as if he'd somehow found himself a few drinks.
Rain blushed slightly. "Thank you..." She caught a whiff of Az as he walked in. "Have... have you been drinking the antiseptic alcohol?"
"Of course I have," Azrael said calmly, sitting down next to Nightshade. "I had to celebrate somehow." Navaja winced. "Luna's Mane... I guess it can't kill him."
Azrael smirked. "I'm joking. I found a bottle of bourbon and helped myself to a few swigs. I have no idea who left it there, but I do hope they don't mind."
"Probably one of mine," Cannonball said. "I have booze stashed all over the ship." He nodded, pulling out a small bottle that had been taped to the underside of the table. "In case of booze emergency."
"That was indeed a booze emergency," Azrael confirmed. "I don't suppose you also keep a secret stash of red wine around?" Navaja asked.
