You roll a 2 (required 10). Failure.
 
Your party uses what fading daylight remains to search the area for supplies. While you and Apple Basket do not find anything useful, Moonflower gets her hooves on a few interesting plants to study later.
 
Your expedition ends less than an hour after it begins, as the sky darkens above the rising moon. You all head back to the sailboat, and store some of your belongings away for the night.
 
Given a moment of free time, your mind wanders once more to your predicament around the ring of alter sex. You try to recall what Moondancer said when she first studied it, something about what would happen if it broke…
 
Moonflower: “What’cha thinkin’ about?”
 
Pulled out of your thoughts, you notice Moonflower grinning at you, and decide to tell her about what happened earlier when you took off the ring.
 
Moonflower: “Oh! Is the ring actin’ up?”
 
You nod, and show your friend that putting on the ring now turns you into a mare, while taking it off turns you back into a stallion.
 
Moonflower: “Whoa, the ring’s got it all backwards now! How’d that happen?”
 
You tell her that you remember wearing the ring when you entered and when you left Astora. You suspect that the town’s antimagic field could have messed with it.
 
Speaking of which, you are also concerned that the guards might have noticed the ring going off when you passed through the town gate earlier, and that you risk getting caught if you do that again while wearing it.
 
Moonflower: “I got’cha. They don’t like magic, and the spell is super flashy. Well, it sounds to me like the ring still works, and Clear Fountain said they had those no-magic thingies in every city, right?
 
So turnin’ ya back’s probably gonna be a cinch if we try it somewhere else. But for now, I kinda like boy Trailblazer… heehee!”
 
You say that you’ll figure something out, and share a hug and some nuzzles with your bat pony friend. Then, you suggest going to bed early so that you can start travelling by first light.
 
Your party agrees, and decides on watch order. This time, Apple Basket is first, followed by you, then Moonflower. After sailing a safe distance from the coast, and putting some scarves and cloaks by the door, you all get ready for bed…
 
You are gently rocked awake. When you crack an eye open, Apple Basket’s blurry face comes into view, silently mouthing that it is your turn to stand watch.
 
You drowsily pry yourself out of Moonflower’s hooves, and slide out from under the warm blanket. As the younger colt turns to hop onto his own bed, you stop him, and gesture to the now free spot next to the cuddlebat. He offers a timid smile and a nod, then claims your place next to her.
 
You equip Blue Striped Scarf.
 
You step out onto the deck, where you are immediately blasted wide awake by an unpleasantly cold wind. With it, a loud, unending howl echoes from the direction of the valley to the north.
 
All around you, a faint red glow tints the night sky, and behind dark clouds, the moon casts an eerie light upon the dancing landscape. When you look at the distant shore, you can see shadows moving and glimmers flickering, but you are unable to tell if your eyes are playing tricks on you.
 
Long, uneventful hours pass until your shift is finally over. You quietly head back inside of the cabin, shaking off some shivers, then you nuzzle Moonflower up. She springs out of bed and gives you a goodnight kiss, before putting on her equipment, and making her way outside.
 
Hearing Apple Basket stir half-awake, you playfully slip under the covers to replace his missing bedmate. He doesn’t seem to mind at all, and eagerly cuddles up against you to share some of his much welcome warmth.
 
You fall fast asleep in the colt’s cozy embrace, once again to the dull sound of ocean waves and creaking boards…
 
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