Bon-Bon: Okay, so adequately explaining the mood we were walking into during the wedding requires some context. So-

Tootsie: Is this the pirate story?!

Bon-Bon: Yes, this is the pirate story.

Tootsie: I love the pirate story!

Bon-Bon: I know. I know. Okay, so. Well over a thousand years ago there lived two orphan siblings- a brother and a sister.

Though they lived in Canterlot, they grew up in poverty and were given little chance for advancement. They barely scraped a living together doing whatever job they could get for as long as it would sustain them. The work was exhausting and often dangerous. Sometimes they would get hurt, or one of their bosses would make up excuses to underpay them. But through it all they always had each other to rely on.

On occasion they would go on long trips with many other workers to transport supplies by wagon. For in these days, trains had yet to be invented. The pair would march for hours a day with dozens of others- until they reached the ocean. From there, they would join with many other ponies, numbering a hundred or more, who had traveled just as far- or even farther. They’d load up grand ships, and then board as well. The fleet would depart and then the long ride would begin.

For their tiring journey, the workers were rewarded with cramped, confined lodging, little food, and more work. You see, the ships were only half loaded. As they traveled, massive nets were released and towed in the ship’s wake. Workers would have to pull the nets in and release others. Then sort and store the catch, or return to the sea what was of little value. Being so exposed to the elements, sometimes somepony would get sick. Sometimes they’d never make it back to Equestria.

Eventually they arrived to the far away land they traveled so long to reach. But the workers weren’t given so much as the opportunity to observe the exotic land; they were permitted only to unload and reload the ships for their return. Drums and crates were replaced with drums and crates. Large, intimidating creatures would watch them from a distance or fly overhead as they worked. Nopony dared to drop or damage any cargo. Mental images painted during the trip depicted razor-sharp talons cutting through pony flesh like scissors to a mane.

The trip back home was still without solace; the food supplies would always be empty by then and resupplying at the foreign port was never in the budget. So the workers still had to continue tossing and retrieving the fishing nets. Only this time the fish weren’t for trading. The value of fish in Equestria has never been very high. No, now the fish they caught were to feed themselves. Most who signed up for this trip were given no warning that they would ultimately be forced to consume the flesh of a once-living creature.

When finally the workers returned to Equestria, they were loaded with the foreign cargo and sent on their way back to the city they started from. For it was only when they finally returned home that they would receive payment. No sense paying somepony anything before they leave if they may never make it back. But, before they left the ocean, they would inevitably run into the next group of workers, having just arrived to load the ship. Some would ask questions about the trip or where the ship was going, if they’d never gone before.

Our sibling pair completed this trip a few times; knowing all the while that they were being duped. Knew that the captain and crew were wealthy, ate fantastic meals and avoided the harshest weather by forcing the workers to take their place. But they had keen eyes and grand aspirations that could not be crushed. They learned how a ship is navigated, steered- how distance is measured when there are no landmarks to speak of. They listened to tales of sea dangers and stole glances at expensive maps. They made friends with other workers; sorted through who would be valuable and who could be trusted. All in preparation for the day- the day they would steal a chance.