Considering the situation you find yourself in, you come to the conclusion that the only winning move is not to play. For now, at least. Instead, you decide to patiently wait for the night to fall.
 
You spend most of the afternoon pacing around the empty room, looking out the small window, and comforting your anxious companions. Every once in a while, you strike up a conversation with the guard, trying to learn what you can.
 
The brown seadog doesn’t seem to mind letting you know that she is part of the Black Hound crew, and that you are being held captive in an area of the uncharted ocean, far from the shores of any kingdom, called Mare Nullius.
 
She tells you that these are dog-eat-dog waters; everyone fights over what few islands there are, and the rare ship passing them by, such as yours. According to her, had her crew not found you first, your fate could have been much worse.
 
With that being enough exposition, and the sun finally approaching the horizon, a distant bell calls the guard to the mess hall. She returns a few minutes later with her paws full, first setting down a bright lantern on the bench, then slipping a tray of algae soup into your cell, along with Moonflower’s hat.
 
Surprised, you try to thank her for returning your friend’s belonging, knowing full well that she didn’t have to, but she immediately cuts you off with a glare sharper than her freshly sharpened swords. Right. It never happened.
 
Still, every little victory counts. You gently put the jeweled cap on its rightful owner’s head, and after drying her tears, the grateful bat pony rewards you with a tight hug, and loving nuzzles.
 
Moonflower: “You’re the best, Trailblazer!”
 
Your party’s morale now a bit higher, you take this moment to fill your growling stomachs with the bland, yet hot, meal. Then, you resume the waiting game…
 
As you and your friends huddle together to watch the sunlight fade from the sky, the monotony of the day is suddenly broken by the hallway door slamming open.
 
Unknown seadog: “Lights out!”
 
The brown seadog pushes herself up from her seat, quietly muttering something to herself about overdue rest, and walks off with her lantern. Once the door shut behind her, your party is left alone in the nearly pitch black dungeon. At long last!
 
You are not alone for long, however; just as you are about to devise an undoubtedly flawless plan of escape, you sense another presence nearby. Or rather, you smell it. Curious, you take a closer look behind the bars to the hallway, and as your eyes slowly adjust to the darkness, you recognize a familiar-looking black and white seadog.
 
Moonflower: “Ooh! Isn’t that—”
 
Friendly seadog: “(Shhh!)”
 
The friendly seadog motions for you to be quiet, and Moonflower complies, grinning sheepishly. After applying what looks like oil to the hinges and lock, your new ally opens the heavy door without a sound.
 
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