Adventures in Equestria Ep. 18

*It was a warm, sunny day in Ponyville. By all account, the summer's pomp was still at its height, but there was something in the air of this particular day that spoke of change on the horizon. One the lake just outside of the village, the waterfowl gathered their fledged young into great flocks. Deep in the Everfree Forest, the animals made good for their long winter sleep. Even Zecora could smell the approach of autumn in the air and began to seal the cracks in the walls of her hut accordingly*

*At Sweet Apple Acres, the Apple family were preparing for harvest season. Big Mac pulled carts full of baskets out into the orchards, aided by their cousin, Caramel. Apple Bloom helped Granny Smith prepare the kitchen for the soon-to-come influx of apples to make cider, jam, apple butter and other goods to sell and live off of through the winter. On the hill above the house, Applejack oversaw the whole of her family's homestead. Just then, Rainbow Dash came flying in from out of the clouds*

Rainbow Dash: Yo, AJ!! How's it hangin'?

Applejack: Jes' fine, Sugarcube. *turns to look out over the Apple Family's farmland* Gonna be a good harvest this year. Uh…thanks for those extra bits o' rain ya gave us.

Rainbow Dash: No problem, AJ, but don't expect me to that again. I can only get away with localized rain showers so much before my supervisor asks questions.

Applejack: Thanks, anyway. *bumps a hoof with Rainbow Dash*

Rainbow Dash: So, you still comin' to Twilight's to hang out this afternoon…or are ya too busy with this?

Applejack: No worries, Sugarcube. Big Mac can see to things on the farm while I'm with ya.

Rainbow Dash: Cool! See ya there. *takes off into the air*

*Applejack looked back through her telescope and saw something coming up the road. It was a large pony stallion. His fur was so jet black that when the light shone on it, it gave off an iridescent blue sheen. His mane and tail were blue-green and on his flank was a ship's wheel. He wore a blue knit sailor's jersey and had a large duffel slung across his back*

Applejack:  Hmm… Never seen that feller before.

*Later that afternoon, the Mane Six, Spike, Mezmo and Salem were cleaning up from a picnic lunch they'd had on the front lawn of the library. Rainbow Dash was curled up on a cloud she'd pulled down from the sky to use as a cushion, enjoying a new Daring Do novel*

Twilight: Enjoying the new novel, Rainbow?

Rainbow Dash: You know it. Man, Daring Do has so many great adventures!

Pinkie: We have adventures.

Rainbow: Yeah, but these are REAL adventures in distant lands! I've never even left Equestria ONCE in my life.

Mezmo: Well, neither have I, but you don't see me complaining.

Rarity: You're absolutely right. Who would ever want to leave Equestria? It's perfect here.

Fluttershy: I don't know. Neighpon was quite nice.

???: *singing* When the sea voice calls, I must obey
And rolling tides draw me away
White horses
Setting courses
For a distant shore
Come follow me, wayfarers all.

*The same stallion Applejack saw earlier was coming up Ponyville's main street, walking right past the library. Finally, he stopped and looked at the group with a golden-yellow eye*

???: Good day, friends.

Twilight: Uh… Hello.

Mezmo: Hi.

???: *sniffs at the air* There's a hint of clover on the wind behind the sharp smell of the river. *sighs* Autumn will be upon us soon.

Mezmo: *raises an eyebrow* You’re a sailor, aren’t you?

???: Why yes, yes I am. The name is Wayfarer. A pleasure it is to meet you.

Twilight: Won't you…won't you please come in and rest a while? You look like you've been walking all day.

Wayfarer: *slowly gives a nod of his head and walks into the library* Thank you, kindly.

*Once all were inside, Twilight mentally grasped the front door's knob and began to close the door*

Wayfarer: Leave it open, please. I am not especially partial to being battened under hatching. *eases himself into one of the reading chairs, laying his duffel across his lap*

Twilight: Oh, sorry. *closes the lower half of the door, but allows the top to remain open*

Wayferer: *looks to Mezmo* Now tell me, lad, how did you know I was a sailor? Was it my cutie mark, my jacket?

Mezmo: Actually, it's from the way you talk. Sailors who came to port back in Mareheim usually talk the way you do.

Wayfarer: *chuckles* I was on a ship out of that port once, when I was younger. I suppose the manner of speech stuck with me.

Mezmo: Figures…

Twilight: You're not one of us. I mean, you're not from around here.

Wayfarer: Right. I'm a seafaring stallion, I am, and the port I originally hail from is Coltstantinople.

Futtershy: Coltstantinople?

Wayfarer: *rummages in his duffel bag, pulling out a goblet and a bottle of Chianti, pouring himself a glass* Coltstantinople…and the Greecian islands…and the Levat. With golden days and balmy nights. Sleeping in some cool cistern or ruined temple during the heat of the day and after sundown, feasting and song under great stars set in a velvet sky.

Rainbow Dash: *looking at one of her Daring Do novels* I suppose you go on great voyages, months and months out of sight of land and provisions running short and your mind communing with the mighty ocean and all that sort of stuff.

Wayfarer: *chuckles* By no means. That wouldn't suit me at all. No, I am in the coasting trade, and rarely out of sight of land, where every landfall spells romance. *Roots in his duffel again and pulls out a model gondola* Oh… Venison is a fine city, wherin a stallion can wander at his ease, taking his pleasures with his friends. Where the air is full of music and the sky…full of stars.

Rarity: The way you talk, I wonder why you’d ever want to leave.

Wayfarer: *sighs* It doesn't do to stay too long to one ship. There is always another ship in every port. *singing*
Sea-rover I will always be
10,000 stars for company
O'er islands
Low and high lands
Away to old Bengal
Come follow me, wayfarer's all.
*gets to his hooves* And now I take to the road again, until at last I reach the little sea town I know so well. There, sooner or later, the ships of all the seafaring nations arrive, and there, at it's destined hour, the ship of my choice will let go its anchor.

Rainbow Dash: *quietly* Let go it's anchor

Wayfarers: And you will come, too, I think, little friends, for the days pass and never return…and the South still waits for you. *walks toward the door* Take the adventure. HEED the Call. 'Tis but the banging of the door behind you and 'tis out of the old life into the new one. I will linger and look back, and at last I am sure I shall see you coming, eager and lighthearted, will all the south in your faces. *walks out and down the road, singing*
And now I yearn to travel on
You'll surely follow where I've gone
Your longing is strong enough, now heed the call
Come follow me, Wayfarers all.

Rainbow Dash: Hmm… *puts down her novel and heads over to the reference section*

Twilight: Rainbow?

Rainbow Dash: Kinda possessed at the moment, Twi. *pulls a thick atlas off a high shelf and sets it on one the table, flipping through pages until she finds one page in particular* Here it is.

Mezmo: What?

*Rainbow's hoof was pointing to a dot on a map marked "Coltstantinople"*

Rarity: So that's where that fellow is from, hmm? My, it certainly is far away.

Mezmo: Yeah, all the way in Saddle Arabia. Funny, he didn't look Saddle Arabian.

Twilight: Saddle Arabia has a rich history of foreign trade. Besides the native camels, you'll find horses, donkeys, cattle, ponies, and even elephants and canids.

Mezmo: Ah.

Spike: All that trade has made the camels immensely wealthy and allowed them to build a prosperous empire in the middle of what most call a wasteland.

Pinkie: How do you know that, Spike?

Spike: Don't forget, Princess Celestia raised me for most of my life. I learned a lot by listening to her talking to her ministers and advisors.

Pinkie: Oh. Okie-dokie-loki!

Rainbow Dash: Awww, YEAH!!! *does a back flip in mid-air* I am SO there!

Rarity: So where?

Rainbow Dash: I'm gonna pack and head for that sea town Wayfarer was talkin' about! This is the kinda adventure I've been lookin' for! Just like in "Daring Do and the Story of the Seas"! YEAH!!! *buzzes out the door*

Applejack: Rainbow, let's…talk…about this… Bottle that gal's energy, a pony'd make a fortune.

*Rainbow darted around town with almost double her usual energy; making arrangements with her supervisors on the Weather Team, dropping Tank off at Fluttershy's, packing two large saddlebags, and setting off. After a short amount of flying toward the sea, she spotted a black pony plodding along the dirt road. It was Wayfarer. The stallion was in no hurry, going at his own pace*

Rainbow Dash: Yo, Wayfarer!

Wayfarer: *ears prick up and he looks over his shoulder to see Rainbow coming in for a landing behind him* I will linger and look back, and at last I am certain I will see you coming, eager and light-hearted. With all the South in your face. Welcome, my friend.

Rainbow Dash: I'm sorry if I'm holding you up, but…I had to come along with you! I've never been outside Equestria in my life and I…

Wayfarer: You feel the Call. The pull to the great beyond. The longing to see what the Horizon has to offer you. Come now, little sister, and see for yourself.

Rainbow Dash: ALRIGHT!!! *zooms away down the road and returns not five seconds later* Uh… Why don't YOU lead, because I have absolutely NO idea where we're going.

*And so, Rainbow Dash followed the older pony, hour after hour, step after step, down the road, until at last, from the crest of a hill, the pair looked down on a small village built right on the coastline. On the water was a vast series of docks, at which were moored dozens of ships of all sizes*

Wayfarer: *breathes deeply* Ah… The smell of the sea. Nothing like it.

Rainbow Dash: *breathes in deeply, and then immediately starts coughing* Yeah… *coughs* Likewise.

Wayfarer: This is the port village of Yolktown, where I first set hoof in Equestria when I was little more than a boy.

Rainbow Dash: Yolktown? As in egg yolk?

Wayfarer: No. Yolk as in a harness.

Rainbow Dash: Oh. Never heard that name for it before.

*The two descended into the town. As Wayfarer made his way toward the docks, Rainbow couldn't stop staring at the animals that lingered about the streets. Giraffes, deer, camels, rhinos, ponies, horses, cattle, canids, griffins, Minotaurs and dozens more she could not name. Wayfarer lead her through the town and down to the wooden walkways of the piers and began to look long and hard at every ship he passed*

Rainbow Dash: Whoa…

Wayfarer: Hmm… *sniffs and looks at an impressive Brigantine moored nearby* Ah. Yes. THIS is the one.

Rainbow Dash: There are more animals here than the circus my friends and I worked at a couple of weeks ago. *sees the ship Wayfarer was looking at* Whoa…

*Wayfarer walked up to the ship, watching as the crew loaded cargo and stowed their belongings. Walking up to a griffin at a small table with a large book sat in front of him, Wayfarer wrapped his left forehoof around a quill pen set in an inkwell on the table and signed his name in the book. Up on the ship, a minotaur noticed him, along with a Diamond Dog*

Minotaur: Is that you, Wayfarer?

Diamond Dog: Aye, that's HIM, alright, the old seadog.

Rainbow Dash: Is that a…Diamond Dog?

Wayfarer: Yes, he is. Ships sometimes hire them to help protect the cargo. *turns to the crew* AHOY, SHIPMATES!!!

Crew: AHOY, WAYFARER!!!

Minotaur: You're just in time. The tide's with us and we pull anchor in a matter of hours. Bring your cute new friend and hurry aboard.

Wayfarer: Well, come along, Rainbow. Sign your name to the ledger and climb aboard for the adventure of your life!

Rainbow Dash: Aye, aye, matey! *takes the quill in her teeth and signs her name in the ledger* There we go. *flies up onto the boat*

*A ship's whistle was blown by a dark green unicorn with a spyglass cutie mark. This was Deckhoof, the ship's first mate*

Deckhoof: Fall in for inspection!

*The crew moved to the center of the deck and stand at attention. Rainbow Dash fell in as best she could*

Rainbow Dash: *to Wayfarer* Who's that?

Wayfarer: That's Deckhoof. He's the captain's first mate, which means whenever the captain isn't on deck, HE'S in charge. Just stick close to me and you'll be alright. I've sailed with most of these fellows before.

Rainbow Dash: Heh! He doesn't look so tough to me.

Deckhoof: *ear twitches* Did someone say something about me?

Wayfarer: *Chuckles* Just a slip of the tongue, sir. It's the filly's first time. It won't happen again.

*The door to the captain's cabin at the stern of the ship opened and a grey and black feathered griffin stepped out onto the deck. He was dressed in a navy blue topcoat with slits cut into the back to allow his wings out and a white Captain Yacht Hat with yellow string. Most striking of all was the metallic claw replacing his left foreclaw. This was Alfonso Giovanni, captain of the ship*

Deckhoof: *snorts* See to it that it doesn't, Wayfarer. *blows his whistle again*

Rainbow Dash: Whoa! Your captain's a Griffin?!

Deckhoof: Captain Giovanni, sir! The crew is assembled and the tide is with us. We can set out at any time.

Captain Giovanni: Protocol, Deckhoof. *strides down to the main deck* If this is your first coasting journey, listen up! I don't know what sailing experience you have, but my ship is no pleasure yacht. The ship's owners and their clients expect the best from me and that means I expect the best from the lot of you. Everyone works on my ship and you had better hope Deckhoof or myself don't catch you dawdling! *stops striding in front of Wayfarer* Well, well, Wayfarer. And here the word ‘round the pub was you'd retired to buy that little farm you were always gabbing about.

Wayfarer: I won't say I didn't buy it, sir, but it turns out retirement isn't all it's cracked up to be. Neigh, sir. I was born to be a sailor and the sea's where I belong, especially when I'm sailing it on a ship bound for my hometown port.

Captain Giovanni: Glad ta have you aboard, shipmate. *looks at Rainbow* Another of your stray pets?

Wayfarer: The girl has the spark, captain. She's craving this kind of adventure, sir.

Captain Giovanni: You, Pegasus! Have any weather work under your pinions?

Rainbow Dash: Yes, sir! Six years experience on the Ponyville Weather Patrol team, sir!

Captain Giovanni: Good. That kind of skill can come in handy once we leave the border of Equestria. Very well, all hands, hooves and whatever ya happen to have, make ready to sail! Set the sails! Cast off the ratlines! Make ready to run free!

*The crew rushed about the deck, some climbing up the rigging to work at the sails, others moving to the mooring lines, and others rushing below deck to do things Rainbow could not see*

*Slowly, but with a solemn and grand dignity, the ship pulled away from the docks, away from Equestria's land altogether, and put out into the open sea. Now…you must be content to skip five or six weeks of coasting voyage, for if I told the entirety of it to you, it would fill an enormous book. I will say Rainbow Dash worked just as hard as any member of the crew, and saw things she had never known to be real outside her adventure books. Finally, early one morning, Rainbow was startled out of her hammock below decks by a loud sound*

Rainbow Dash: YAH!!! What the hay is that noise?!?!

Wayfarer: It's a Muazzin, calling people to prayer.

*Rainbow looked up to see Wayfarer shouldering his duffle and rolling his hammock up to put away*

Wayferer: Rainbow, my young friend… We have reached my homeland.

*Up on deck, the entire crew was preparing to disembark. Rainbow flew up to the masts and looked out upon a magnificent city, easily the equal of Canterlot in beauty. She saw a thriving marketplace, palaces and temples with towering minarets, and other buildings the names of which she did not know*

Rainbow Dash: By the Sisters… It's gorgeous.

Captain Giovanni: Ahh… The sights, sounds and smells of Coltstantinople. Nothing like 'em. I remember the first time I made a voyage here. You're in fer a treat, miss.

Rainbow Dash: It's like a city straight out of a Daring Do novel!

Captain Giovanni: And many of the things you read about in those books CAN happen. Like any big city, Coltstantinople has its pitfalls, but stick close to Wayfarer, and you should be alright.

Rainbow Dash: Oh, I will, captain! I will!

Captain Giovanni: *chuckling* Alright. Alright. Dismissed.

Rainbow Dash: *salutes* Yes, sir!

Deckhoof: *blows his whistle* ALL ASHORE FOR SHORE LEAVE!!! *sing song* Last one off is a rotten egg. *gallops down the gangplank*

Rainbow Dash: Oh no you don't!! *zooms down the gangplank*

Wayfarer: *inhales deeply* Ahhh… Home. I hadn't thought I'd see it again.

Rainbow Dash: Wow. It's so big.

Wayfarer: Yes. And it can be easy to get lost. Come, I will show you to my family's home where we may rest.

Rainbow Dash: Lead the way, Wayferer!

*Wayfarer lead Rainbow through the city and right into the marketplace. Rainbow looked around at people, ponies, horses, camels and dozens of other beings conducting their business*

Wayfarer: You might want to breathe through your mouth for the next few minutes. We're passing the dyers' souk.

Rainbow Dash: What's a… *sniffs* EWW!!!

Wayfarer: I warned you. The dyers' souk is full of hanks of wool being colored for making cloth with.

*After a few minutes, the air smelled a lot better. In fact, it smelled wonderfully fragrant*

Rainbow Dash: *sniffs the air* Hey, the bad smell's gone. *sniffs the air again* But this new scent… Wow! It's smells wonderful! What is it?

Wayfarer: Ahh… The spice market. Spices our one of our main exports here. You have the whole range of black pepper. The whole range of white pepper. Then there's cinnamon, cumin, bay leaves, fennel, ginger, dried rosebuds, sesame seeds, cardamom, and any other spices you can name.

Rainbow Dash: *takes a big whiff* Mmm… Even Sugarcube Corner doesn't smell this awesome!

*As they leave the marketplace, Wayfarer leads Rainbow past a magnificent palace. Guarding the gate were two large bulls with horns of a goat, wings of an eagle, the tail of a peacock, and dressed in armor*

Wayfarer: Divert your eyes. This is the palace of the Sultan Dromohhamed, ruler of the camels.

Rainbow Dash: What are those guarding it?

Wayfarer: They are called Buraq. Magical bulls who serve as the Sultan's royal guard and personal messengers.

Rainbow Dash: They sure are big.

*One of the guards yawned, spreading his wings to their full length in a stretch before resuming its stoic position*

Wayfarer: Just mind your manners around them.

Rainbow Dash: Gotchya.

*Finally, Wayfarer lead Rainbow to a wall with a large blue door edged in gold in it. Flying up briefly, Rainbow saw a large mansion surrounded by the wall. Wayfarer walked up to the door and knocked a forehoof against it. Just then, a small window on the door opened. Wayfarer spoke into it in a strange language Rainbow could not understand. The window closed and there was a sound of hooves running away*

Rainbow Dash: What was that?

Wayfarer: I asked the servant to tell the widow Jernan that her son has come home.

Rainbow Dash: Jernan? Is that your mom?

Wayfarer: Yes. This is my family's home.

Rainbow Dash: *eyes widen* Wow…

Wayfarer: I suppose I should've mentioned I come from a well-off family. *chuckles nervously*

Rainbow Dash: Yeah, you should have.

Wayfarer: Sorry. I just don't like creatures knowing my family's rich. I want folks to like me for ME, not my mother's money.

*The door opened to reveal a chestnut brown Saddle Arabian mare dressed in pink robes trimmed with green*

Rainbow Dash: *to herself* Wow… A real Saddle Arabian horse!

Wayfarer: Mother, I've come home for a few days, and I've brought a guest.

Rainbow Dash: *eyes widen* Mother?!

Wayfarer: I'm a half-breed. My father was an Equestrian pony, and mother is a Saddle Arabian horse.

Rainbow Dash: Oh.

Jernan: My son. *nuzzles along Wayfarer's neck then continues speaking in Saddle Arabian*

Wayfarer: Mother says she's happy to see me and wishes to welcome you to our home.

Rainbow Dash: Wow. Thank you, ma'am. *bows her head*

Wayfarer: Uh, mother, I don't wish to impose, but...do you think we could have something to eat? It's been a few weeks since we've had anything decent.

Jernan: My son is hungry and I don't think to feed him? *calls to here servant* BRING REFRESHMENT TO THE GARDEN AND LET THE MUSIC PLAY!!! My son from across the wide ocean has returned to me! *twirls around, unwrapping the shawl from around her neck and shoulders, allowing her thick black mane to fall freely*

Rainbow Dash: Whoa!! That's a lot of mane!

Wayfarer: Yes, indeed. Come and see our garden.

*Wayferer walked  through the door, Rainbow following close behind. Inside, light came into the chamber through small windows, revealing red-orange tiles decorated with blue patterns along the walls. In the middle of the floor was a small fountain and along the walls were couches lined with soft-looking pillows*

Rainbow Dash: Wow. Nice place your mom has here.

Wayfarer: *chuckles* This is only the receiving hall. The main house is beyond the garden. This way.

*Through the next door, the small group emerged into the daylight and into a magnificent garden. Everywhere were fountains and exotic plants. Large flowers filled the air with their sweet perfume and fruit trees offered their succulent bounty to all. The air was filled with the song of birds nesting in the trees, along the rafters and living in shining cages*

Rainbow Dash: *mouth agape* Whoa… No…way!

Jernan: *sits at a short-legged table in the midst of the garden* You do not have gardens like this in Equestria?

Rainbow Dash: Well, I mean, uh… Yeah, we do, but… The only one I've ever seen this grand was Princess Celestia's.

Wayfarer: *chuckles* Mother comes from an old merchant family. That’s actually how she and father met.

Rainbow: Seriously?

Wayferer: Seriously.

Jernan: I was accompanying my father on one of his trade caravans when I was younger. We eventually came to a port where an Equestrian ship had put in for repairs after being caught in a storm at sea. That was where I met a stallion like none before.

Rainbow Dash: *chuckles* I guess his size didn't matter to you, huh? I mean, him being a pony and you being a horse and all.

Jernan: And why should it? We spent many happy days together while my father conducted his business and his comrades repaired their ship. We had so much in common; the sea, adventurer, a love of what was just beyond the horizon…it was fate we would be together for the rest of our days.

*As the group ate amongst the garden. A well-groomed donkey came in, carrying a message between his teeth*

Donkey: Milady Jernan, a message from the palace for you.

Rainbow Dash: From the palace? *looks to Wayferer* Your mom knows the Sultan?

Jernan: *takes the message and unfolds it* I consult his divine majesty, Sultan Dromohhomed on policies such as foreign trade. *reads the letter, muttering in Saddle Arabian* Hmm… the Tsar of the Hooviet Union city of Romanov wishes to discuss a trade agreement with his majesty. He's asking me to be there to help negotiate the treaty with the ambassador.

Rainbow Dash: Tsar, huh? Sounds important.

*The next day, Jernan led Wayfarer and Rainbow Dash, now dressed in formal Saddle Arabian robes, through the massive gates of the palace. Past more than two dozen heavily armored Buraq. Rainbow watched as one of the huge creatures yawned and stretched, his colorful wings spreading out and his tail fanning out to its full width*

Rainbow Dash: So…you guys get paid to just stand around? *chuckles* Must be nice.

Buraq: *stares forward with a stern expression, lowing deep in his throat*

Rainbow Dash: *looking nervous* Okay then… Gotta go. *catches up with Wayferer and Jernan* It was nice of your mom to invite us along with her to overhear the negotiations.

Wayfarer: Mother wants me to learn how to run our family business…and she likes you.

Rainbow Dash: *blushes*

*Jernan led the two ponies into a massive throne room. There, on a high dias, was a golden couch covered in over-stuffed pillows. Laying on the pillows was a large golden-brown camel with a thick line of black fur growing out of his chin and down the underside of his neck, like a beard. On his head is a white turban decorated with a ruby clasp and a peacock feather. This was the Sultan Dromohhommed, ruler of the camels. As they approached, the sultan took a small metal pipe, attached to a tube that led to a hookah on the floor near his throne and exhaled a cloud of smoke*

Rainbow: So that’s the Sultan, eh? What’s that urn thing on the floor next to his throne?

Wayfarer: That’s a hookah. It's…sort of like a pipe.

Rainbow Dash: Hmm…

Buraq: The widow Jernan to see his Divine Majesty!

Sultan Dromohhommed: Ah… Jernan, my old friend. I am delighted you could come to see to this negotiation. *stares at Rainbow* And our respectful welcome to Rainbow Dash, Element of Loyalty, chosen of Celestia, Lady of the Sun.

Rainbow Dash: You know who I am?

Sultan Dromohhommed: You rescued Luna, Lady of the Moon, from the demon that possessed her and returned the Master of Chaos to his stony prison. Your names are not unknown in the wider world.

Rainbow Dash: *chuckles* Yeah, I'm awesome like that.

Sultan Dromohhommed: Indeed. Know that you are welcome in my home. If you require anything during these negotiations, my servants will see to you. Show in the ambassador!

Buraq: Yes, your majesty. *moves to another door and pulls it open with his teeth*

*A tall human man dressed in the court robes common among high-class men during the era of Tsarist Russia entered the sultan's throne room*

Buraq: Announcing his grace, the Ambassador Boris Yelkan. Emissary to his majesty, the Tsar Dimitri Nikolaida, ruler of the Empire of Romonov.

Rainbow Dash: A human, eh?

Wayfarer: Yes. Though why humans would wish to live in such a cold land is beyond me.

Sultan Dromohhommed: Welcome, your grace. I trust your journey was a pleasant one.

Ambassador Yelkan: *nods* Da. Indeed it was, your highness. I am truly sorry his majesty, the Tsar, could not be here himself. He is far too busy with matters of state back home.

Sultan Dromohhommed: Perfectly understandable. *gets up and walks down toward Jernan and the ambassador, two of his guards draping a white and gold robe over his shoulders* Come. Let us move this meeting to the garden. A much friendlier environment for these sort of talks.

Ambassador Yelkan: A wise decision, your highness.

Jernan: I agree. Come along, son.

Wayfarer: Yes, mother.

*As the group walked, Wayfarer purposely slowed down and grabbed Rainbow's tail*

Wayfarer: C'mon.

Rainbow Dash: Ow! *annoyed* Hey!

Wayfarer: Trust me, if we go to that meeting, we'll be bored out of our skulls. I know where the interesting stuff in this palace is. Growing up, my friends and I used to sneak into this place all the time.

Rainbow Dash: *smiles while raising an eyebrow* Oh really?

Wayfarer: Follow me. *gallops down a corridor*

Rainbow Dash: Wait up! *flies after Wayfarer*

*A few minutes later, the pair reached a door. Wayfarer opened it to reveal a room filled with instruments, puppets and costumes*

Wayfarer: This is where the sultan's royal entertainers keep their supplies.

Rainbow Dash: Oh, wow! Pinkie Pie would totally flip her lid if she could see this now.

Wayfarer: C'mere.

*Wayfarer quickly pulled Rainbow into a rack of hanging costumes. When he pushed her out, she was now dressed in the costume of a Saddle Arabian belly dancing girl*

Rainbow Dash: *confused* Huh? Hey, what gives?

Wayfarer: Sorry. I guess some of the humor gets lost in the cultural gap. *chuckles*

Rainbow Dash: Oh, so you think this is funny, huh?

*Rainbow quickly grabbed Wayfarer and threw him into the costumes. When he was finally able to pull himself out, he was now wearing a belly dancing girl outfit as well*

Rainbow Dash: HA!

Wayfarer: GAH!!! *scowls* You're just lucky we horses all have such a similar build.

Rainbow Dash: *sarcastically* Yeah, sure.

*Just then, the sounds of hooves could be heard approaching*

Wayfarer: Uh-oh, the sultan must've asked for entertainment during the negotiations! Let's get outta this nonsense!

Rainbow Dash: *smiles smugly* Oh, I don't know. I think that outfit makes you look kinda pretty. *chuckles*

Wayfarer: Will you just help me with this before--

*The door opened as camels, ponies and horses came filing in, grabbing costumes and instruments*

Rainbow Dash: *worried* Oh boy!

Camel: Hurry up! Hurry up! The sultan has commanded a performance for his guests. We don't want to keep him waiting! *sees the two ponies* Don't just stand there, you two! Move along and get to the gardens!

Rainbow Dash: Who? Us?

Camel: No. The two dancing girls standing there like warts on a toad BEHIND you! MOVE IT!!!

Rainbow Dash: Hey! Wait a minute, we're not--

Camel: NO TIME! NO TIME! Hurry! *shoves the two ponies into the exiting group of entertainers*

Wayfarer: Oof! Watch it!

Rainbow Dash: OW! Hey! Easy on the wings, pal!

*The entire group of performers was herded out into the gardens, toward an outdoor stage. Wayfarer swallowed at the sight of his mother and adjusted the sash of his costume to hide his Cutie Mark*

Wayfarer: Got any bright ideas, Rainbow Dash?

Rainbow Dash: Not really. What happens to us if they find out we're not really belly dancers?

Wayfarer: *makes a choking sound, drawing a hoof across his throat*

Rainbow Dash: *eyes widen in fear* Seriously? But your mom's friends with the Sultan, can’t she vouch for us?

Wayfarer: *shakes his head* "The law must apply to every creature, or it doesn't mean anything." So it is written in our book of laws.

Rainbow Dash: *starts to get nervous* Hoo boy. Um… Uh….

*Rainbow noticed her bag being sat down just offstage. The flap opens, revealing a record sitting inside. Rainbow looked at it…and spotted a phonograph sitting right next to the stage curtain*

Rainbow Dash: *eyes light up* I've got an idea! Back in a flash!

*Quickly, Rainbow Dash zoomed over to her bag, grabbed the record and zoomed to the phonograph. She then placed the record down and zoomed back to Wayfarer, appearing as is she never left his side*

Rainbow Dash: Miss me?

Wayfarer: *through clenched teeth* How is a record going to help us get out of this, may I ask?

Rainbow Dash: *quietly* Just trust me, will ya?

Sultan Dromohhommed: My friends, in honor of this momentous occasion, I have called for a command performance from my personal troupe of entertainers. Start the show!

*The camel in charge of the entertainers lowered the needle on the phonograph*

Ambassador Yelkan: A record? No live musicians, your highness?

Sultan: I gave my musicians the day off before you arrived. Besides, I just bought that record player and I've been dying to try it.

Ambassador Yelkan: Hmm…

*The phonograph soon began to play. The song was silent at first, with the faint sound of a violin being played a fast paced speed. Coming in behind the violin was the sound of finger cymbals, drums, and strangely enough… an accordion. It was the song “Istanbul” performed by They Might Be Giants*

Sultan Dromohhommed: *ears move forward* Strange… I don't recall purchasing this record.

*The dancers, hearing this new song for the first time, stood in their positions, confused as to what they were supposed to do. None of them had rehearsed a routine to this song*

Wayfarer: *quietly* Rainbow, what did you do?

Rainbow Dash: *quietly* Just follow my lead, okay? And try to keep up.

Wayfarer: *quietly* Alright. But I KNOW I'm not going to like this.

*Rainbow reared up on her hind legs and flared her wings out behind her to hold her balance. She began to move her forelegs in rhythmic time to the music. Taking her cue, the others dancers begin to do the same*

Phonograph: *singing* Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Now it's Turkish delight on a moonlit night

Every gal in Constantinople
Lives in Istanbul, not Constantinople
So if you've a date in Constantinople
She'll be waiting in Istanbul

*Rainbow lead the dancers in a spin and began to move to the back of the group with Wayfarer*

Phonograph: Even old New York was once New Amsterdam
Why they changed it I can't say
People just liked it better that way

So take me back to Constantinople
No, you can't go back to Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the Turks

Rainbow Dash: *quietly* When I give the signal, get ready to run like a mad cow.

Wayferer: *nods, quietly* Got it.

Phonograph: Istanbul (Istanbul)
Istanbul (Istanbul)

Even old New York was once New Amsterdam
Why they changed it I can't say
People just liked it better that way

Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the Turks

Ambassador Yelkan: Hmm… *smirks* Not a bad song choice, your highness. Must be what the young ones are listening to these days, eh?

Sultan Dromohhommed: I suppose. Still, a rather enjoyable melody.

Jernan: *looking around* Has anyone seen my son and his friend around anywhere?

Wayferer: *quietly* Rainbow, look. They love us!

Rainbow Dash: *quietly* Yeah, well, just get ready to get outta here. Or prepare to explain to your mother why you're dressed like a girl.

Wayfarer: *quietly* Right, right, of course!

Phonograph: So take me back to Constantinople
No, you can't go back to Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the Turks

Istanbul!

*After the song had ended, Sultan Dromohhommed stomped one hoof politely against his dias. Soon, his guards and ministers began to stamp loudly in approval, along with Jernan and Ambassador Yelkan*

Ambassador Yelkan: *applauds* Bravo, comrades, bravo!

Jernan: Encore!

Rainbow Dash: *bows with the rest of the dancers and backs slowly offstage* Well, that was fun.

Wayfarer: *following Rainbow Dash* Yes, now let's get back inside and out of these costumes.

*Galloping back to the closet where this all started, Rainbow Dash and Wayfarer stripped out of the costumes and back into the robes they were wearing when they entered, quickly heading back for the throne room*

Wayfarer: Phew! That was a close one!

Rainbow Dash: Yeah. And now I'm down ten bits to replace Mezmo's record.

Wayfarer: So what was that song we were dancing to anyway?

Rainbow Dash: It's by some human band my friend likes. Uh… "They Could Be Ogres" or something like that.

*As the pair returned to the throne room, they saw that the sultan, Ambassador Yelkan, and Jernan had already returned*

Wayfarer: *clears his throat* And so you see, if you get lost, it's really quite easy to redirect yourself back to the throne room. *looks to Jernan* Oh, hello, mother. Sorry to disappear like that.

Rainbow Dash: Did we miss anything?

Jernan: Oh, no. Just the usual boring details of politics. I trust you enjoyed the tour my son undoubtedly gave you.

Rainbow Dash: Oh yeah. *chuckles nervously* It was pretty cool.

*Three days later, at the port, Rainbow Dash was preparing to board a ship heading north, back to Equestria. Wayfarer and Jernan were standing on the docks, saying goodbye to their new friend*

Rainbow Dash: I'm sure glad things went well with the ambassador.

Jernan: As am I. I hope we see you again one day.

Wayfarer: May the trade winds see you safely home, my friend. I would come with you, if I could, but I feel I should stay a while longer before I begin my next adventure.

Rainbow Dash: *hugs around Wayfarer's neck* I'm gonna miss you, pal. Next time you're passing through Ponyville, look me up.

Wayfarer: *chuckles and returns the hug* Don't you worry, I will.

Rainbow Dash: *looks to Jernan* Jernan, you've certainly got one heck of a son here. Take good care of him, okay?

Jernan: *nuzzles Wayfarer* I always shall.

Wayfarer: *blushes in embarrassment* Mother, not here. You'll embarrass me in front of my friends.

*Just then, the sound of a bosun whistle could be heard*

Rainbow Dash: Well, gotta go. *trots up the gangplank*

Jernan: Farewell, Rainbow Dash!

Wayfarer: May your home await you at your journey's end, my friend!

*Wayfarer then shouted a farewell in Arabic and trotted back into the city with his mother as the ship lifted anchor and sailed away from the dock. In her head, Rainbow Dash recited the letter she would soon write to Princess Celestia*

"Dear Princess Celestia,

We are lucky to have close friends and places we feel comfortable. For all its comfort, this shouldn't stop us from making new friends and experiencing new things. The world is a big place, full of adventures and new friendships around every corner. Still, nothing will ever compare to the familiar feelings of old friends waiting at home for you.

Your loyal subject,
Rainbow Dash”