As the giggles subside, the two ponies and one zebra look at each other, smiling. “So my friend, last we met, you were off to stop some crisis or another and I was headed back across the seas. What have you been up to since then” the zebra asks, leaning back and sipping on her cider.

  “Oh you know… preventing one apocalypse after another,” the stallion remarks with a slight smirk.

  Chuckling to herself, the zebra lets the stallion continue. “Lately though, I’ve been thinking about taking a step back and letting things sort themselves out. If only for a few years.”

  Finishing the cider, the zebra calls out “Barkeep! Another round of cider!”

  With the drinks replenished, the stallion turns to the zebra. “So, how long have you been in Equestria this time?”

  “Oh… about 6 years now. I’ve been hunting for the… relics… of my past and those of my friends.”

  “I see you found at least one. Tell me of the others. How many have you found?”

  Sighing, the Zebra focuses inward and whispers “247.” Closing her eyes briefly, she takes a deep breath as a tear escapes from her eye. With the announcement, the atmosphere rapidly turns somber. “I know it’s been so long, but I thought more would have been handed down as heirlooms.” the zebra continued in a broken whisper. “I found nearly all of those in either thrift stores, pawn shops, or in some cases still on the, uh, owners.”

  Not sure how respond, the brown stallion gently places a hoof on hers as she fights back sobs. Taking a moment, she regains her composure before continuing. “I’ll be keeping my eyes open, but now it’s time for me to leave Equestria and see about getting back to my… tribe. There have been too many close calls lately. At least for my comfort level.”

  Nodding in understanding the stallion asks “Any idea of when you might come back?”

  “Not really. I mean, I’ve done quite a lot this time ‘round. I even managed to convince the Buffalo to let me join them for their traditional stampede. That was a lot of fun.”

  Grinning the stallion leans back “It sounds like you had quite the adventure. Were you in Canterlot for the coronation?’”

  “Are you crazy?” she asks incredulously. “If they followed standard procedure there would have been far too many guards, detection spells, random screenings, pat downs. No. It would have been a highly foolish risk for me to go there at that time. As it was, I swung by Canterlot on my way here to deposit the relics in a safe deposit box.”

  “I guess that makes sense. But in all honesty, how many people do you think would actually recognize you?”

  “I managed a glance in the guard shack. My photo is still there. Granted it’s rather faded, but it’s still there.”

  “Ah. Well, I’m guessing since you’ve managed to arrive here, there wasn’t an issue?”

  Sighing, the zebra shakes her head before finishing off the latest mug of cider. Setting it down, she leans back and sighs. “No major issues. I just managed to dredge up feelings of the past, like always.”

  Nodding in understanding the stallion sets his half full mug down and shifts uncomfortably in his seat. “So, uh, how about a threesome?”

  With the tension of the moment broken, the three laugh before the zebra starts to slide out of her seat. “I need to visit the Dockmaster and see if any ships are either headed to Zebrica or if one’s looking for a Navigator.”

  Still giggling, the grey mare hops down and gives the zebra a hug before stepping back to let the brown stallion out of the booth. Once clear of the table, he is quickly engulfed in a hug from the zebra. “It has been so nice to see a friendly face after all of these years,” she whispers to him.

Grinning, the stallion returns the hug and nods in agreement. “We’ll have to do this again my friend.”

  “The usual 25 year span then?”

  “That sounds like a plan!”

  Tossing some bits on to the table, the zebra, grins at the other two before giving them one more hug. Releasing them, she heads out into the bright mid-day sun to see about passage on a ship.