Sunset had finally approached the docks where the ferry was. She quickly held up her admission ticket to signify she was a paying customer, before a stallion managing the boat took notice.

“Ah, I see you arrived just in the nick of time, miss!” The stallion greeted Sunset. “We were just about to head off for the day, since we had no other passengers aboard our lil’ vessel.”

“Any… time… sir.” Sunset said as she was catching her breath from the sprint, before handing over the ticket.

The stallion cut up the ticket before opening the gate to let Sunset through. “Here you are, miss. It’s good to see somepony today wants to board the ferry. Many others prefer to take the train, I’m guessin’ cause they get real seasick easily.”

Sunset took notice of this stallion’s appearance, as she realized he did look familiar. Her immediate thought was that he looked like one of the busboys from her spring break cruise, who served the guests on the yacht. He wasn’t really a guy Sunset interacted much with, outside of simply telling him what she wanted for breakfast. Though during the cruise, there were a few instances where she did notice Rarity having butterflies in her stomach when he was around her. To Sunset though, his color schemes and freckles amusingly reminded her of a male version of Applejack.

“Well, let’s just say that traveling by ship is kind of my only choice at the moment for something important.” Sunset replied to him. “I feel like I’ve seen you before though…”

“Oh? Well that’s a bit of a surprise.” The stallion noted. “I’ve only had the simple occupation of being the first mate of these beautiful vessels. I wouldn’t say such a job gets me as well known as say, the captain.”

Just as he finished, the captain in question stepped out of her cabin before addressing the two ponies still on the docks. Although they were steadily walking toward the boat, she was beginning to get impatient.

“Hey, Ragamuffin! Would you be so kind as to pick up the pace!? We don’t have all day, you know.” The captain shouted from afar.

Sunset didn’t really pay much attention to the captain’s visual appearance, and instead was somewhat confused at the name she was just seemingly just labeled.

“Did she just call me a… ‘Ragamuffin’ just now?” Sunset asked.

“Oh, no. That’s my name, silly miss!” Ragamuffin clarified. “I don’t really use my name a whole lot, so many ponies get confused in thinking they’re the ‘ragamuffins’ on our cruises.”

Sunset thought to herself. The name “Ragamuffin” sounded familiar when she was on that cruise, as well as the times afterward where she would sometimes have conversations with Rarity, where she specifically brought up that name. As such, it was definitely a safe bet that this stallion was indeed the busboy she vaguely remembered. Regardless, Sunset simply shrugged at this, and boarded the ferry. Her previous thought was soon forgotten when she finally saw the captain as she turned around to greet the two ponies. It didn’t take long at all for her to recognize this was yet another one of the Shadowbolts, Lemon Zest.

“Captain Zest, we are set for sailing!” Ragamuffin announced, before releasing the chain that held the boat in place. The ferry had begun to make its way to Canterlot, just as Sunset was hoping. To lessen the weight on her back, Sunset placed her saddlebag into one of the cargo boxes on the boat, before taking a seat on one of the nearby benches.

As the boat began to move away from the Manehattan docks, Lemon Zest stood aboard the bow of the ship and took off her hat to lament the failing business. “Just me, my first mate, and… one passenger. Given how slow business has been lately, I might need to close down soon…” She sighed.

The pony versions of the Shadowbolts Sunset had met so far came across as equally snobby and irritable as their human counterparts. But as for Lemon Zest, she overall didn’t seem to be in the same metaphorical boat. Sunset didn’t remember too much about the human Lemon Zest, besides the fact she loved listening to loud music. The pony version of her appeared to be one of those struggling owners of a failing business. In this case, based on what Ragamuffin alluded to earlier, many ponies weren’t really riding the ferry, either due to preferring the train or to avoid seasickness. In some ways, Sunset did admittedly feel bad for Lemon Zest, though her occupation as a ferry captain definitely was surprising, to say the least. It was going to take a while before the boat reached Canterlot, so Sunset figured it wouldn’t hurt to strike a conversation with Lemon Zest. She walked over to the captain, trying to figure out her situation, even if it wasn’t really any of her business.

“Hey, I couldn’t help but overhear your dilemma, Captain.” Sunset said sympathetically. “Business hasn’t been going well lately?”

“Business has been terrible ever since I began!” Lemon Zest moped. “My dad never supported my vision in becoming a music producer! That’s all I’ve ever wanted to be, but not in his eyes. So instead of investing his money in music equipment, he bought me this useless boat that I have to pay monthly fees for in the parking docks! I barely make enough to make end’s meet, and this week has been the worst! Not a single passenger until today, because everypony only takes the train!”

“I can understand your frustration.” Sunset began, trying to reason with Lemon Zest. “But maybe it’s possible your dad wants to help you get familiar with a job you have experience with?”

“Well I don’t!” Lemon Zest snapped. “I feel like he only wants me to be like him to continue the family tradition, because he was once a ferry owner himself. I have zero passion for this job, so I’m thinking one of these days, once this business fails, I’ll just sell this stupid boat and invest that money into following my actual dreams. After that, I’m giving my dad the cold shoulder for the rest of my life, that’s what I really want.”

“No, you really wouldn’t.” Sunset said, as she put her head down and turned the other way.

“Excuse me?” Lemon Zest said sternly. “And who are you to tell me how to live my life?”

“No, it’s not that…” Sunset began to explain. “Whatever you do with your boat if this business does end up failing, that’s completely up to you. I more just disagree with your reasoning to never speak with your father ever again.”

“Well what did you expect? He put me into this career I never wanted, never supported my actual passion, and always insisted I spend ‘family time’ with him, when I could’ve been a rock star by now!” Lemon Zest pouted. “Why does he have to be so stubborn and unsupportive? I hate my dad!”

Hearing those words made Sunset hurt inside. This was especially due to how she was on her way to find her own parents, and didn’t know if they were even still around. She knew the need to advise Lemon Zest on this matter, even if it wasn’t really her business to do so.

“From what you’ve told me so far, Captain…” Sunset began. “He isn’t either of those. I don’t think you realize how much your dad actually sacrifices for you.”

“What have I mentioned so far that would make you suggest that at all?” Lemon Zest asked with skepticism.

“You have to consider the little things, even if they aren’t always in your favor. “Sunset started to explain. “For example, your dad wanted to actually spend time with you, bought you a boat with his own money, and kept you focused on an occupation that can still bring in a reliable income. It really sounded like to me, your dad just wanted what was best for you, even if it wasn’t necessarily something you wanted for yourself. I actually know from experience that producing music isn’t always the most reliable way of making a living.” Sunset said, remembering the times where she would play guitar in the human world’s park, and barely even make 5 bucks a day. “Sure, you dad may not agree with what you really want to do in life, but it still sounded like to me he loves you, and wanted to give you the best life possible.

Lemon Zest processed things and began to make the sudden realization that this mare was right. “I… I never thought of it that way. In all fairness, I have at least made enough money to afford rent in Manehattan, even if business became unusually slow lately. I guess I was always more focused on my personal talents and interests.”

“I mean, your interests can’t always necessarily define your job, or vice versa. “Sunset confirmed from experience. “Some of us do have to make a living to get around, even if we don’t always agree with the occupation in question.”

“Honestly, Captain?” Ragamuffin chimed in. “I did notice that you have been rather out of it lately, and haven’t shown much enthusiasm to greet the passengers when we do have them come aboard.”

Oh, I suppose that’s true.” Lemon Zest agreed, remembering how she always seemed to be in a bad mood while on duty, which was likely from the personal disdain she had with her father. “In some ways, perhaps that’s the actual reason business has been slow lately. Nopony wants to be around a grouchy host.”

“If that’s the case, perhaps it is a thing to consider.” Sunset said, agreeing to that possibility. “It was only your first mate standing out by the docks with no captain. And he did look bored while waiting by himself. Doesn’t seem like the best way to run business.”

“Yeah… I guess I’ve just been really feeling under the weather lately to welcome any ferry guests aboard.” Lemon Zest agreed. “Bad relations with your family can really do that to you.”

“Well, as a suggestion for compromise, if you like making music so much, perhaps you could play the music on your cruises, or even play it by the docks to attract more visitors? It could give you a reason to keep this job, to show your talent while making a reliable income.”

“That’s… not a bad idea at all! I can’t believe I never thought of that!” Lemon Zest exclaimed. “And as for my dad, you’re right. He does love me, but I just never saw it myself because of my own selfish ambitions!”

That last statement hit Sunset pretty hard, as it truly summed up her own life. She responded to rely a message. “As I’ve learned in the past, you have to find your family, and family is forever.”

“I can’t believe I was actually thinking of taking my dad for granted a few minutes ago.” Lemon Zest said, proclaiming disgust in herself. “Thanks for talking me out of it, ma’am. I guess you’re pretty close with your own family?

“Well… not exactly.” Sunset began elaborating. “I didn’t grow up with my parents, and for a while, never focused on making friends. It wasn’t until after I had accepted friendship, I saw the values in having a family. But now that I’ve returned home to Ponyville, I’m going to have a harder time finding them, since we never kept in touch. That’s why I felt the need to talk with you in not taking your own family for granted. Because one of these days, they won’t be around anymore…” Sunset finished as she begun to tear up, just thinking of the mere possibility that both her parents had somehow already passed since the time she stayed in the human world.

Lemon Zest put a hoof on Sunset before speaking up. “Thank you, I’ll be sure to make my music known on these ferry rides, so that I can focus on my own passions, and make my dad proud at the same time. You may be my only passenger for the day, but after this talk, I already know you’re my most valuable one.”

“Anytime.” Sunset said, happy about doing a good deed. “I’m just really glad I was able to solve a family problem for you, let’s just say… a good friend of mine taught me a thing or two about friendship.”

“I feel like your tips can really help our business take off to the next level, you are like an amazing psycho-therapist and business partner combined!” Ragamuffin said with enthusiasm. “Is there anything we can do to repay you for taking that extra step in caring?”

Sunset didn’t feel the need to be repaid for anything, until she looked over at the cargo box and saw her saddlebag, which reminded her of something crucial.

“Well, if you would like to help me out, perhaps you can give me a lead into uncovering a mystery I’ve been trying to solve?” Sunset suggested. “I have a saddlebag which has the word ‘Solstice’ engraved on the bottom. I have reason to believe that could possibly be the name of my father, or some kind of brand name. Do either of you know anypony by that name?”

Lemon Zest and Ragamuffin both thought about it for a while, before coming up blank. “Sorry, ma’am. I’m afraid that doesn’t sound familiar at all.” Ragamuffin responded.

“Same here.” Lemon Zest said mutually. “Though about your other theory, no. I have friends who work in fashion and craft bags of their own. From what I can gather, there is no saddlebag brand in Equestria anywhere that is named ‘Solstice’. Just putting that thought out there.”

“Okay. Fair enough, thank you both for trying, at least.” Sunset said, thankful in thinking she now had a clear idea that ‘Solstice’ was likely somepony’s actual name, not a brand.

As the boat soon quickly approached the stop closest to Canterlot, Sunset got off, and waved goodbye to the two ponies. She felt both proud and impressed that she had solved a friendship problem on her own, similar to the times Princess Twilight wrote to her about how she herself has had similar adventures in amending friendships. Sunset felt she certainly learned her own friendship skills from somewhere, and after all these years, they finally got to shine. She was a completely changed pony in contrast to how she was back in Magic School. As Sunset trotted off the docks and began to go up the mountain to Canterlot, she was hoping she hadn’t missed too much of the coronation, as she knew that her inconvenient detour had already made her late.