Charter was swabbing the deck, using one mop with in mouth and controlling another with his horn. It was a trick he and his sister thought up of to help their father. Nectar Sea didn't take to the sea anymore, but she still traveled far and wide. Her husband Summer Vista took care of the house in addition to his work for the Scholarship. He and Vast would try to find some way to make the chore's easier. It was almost a game to them. 

As Grimwing said during lunch, the ocean was so beautiful. Even those off duty were taking enjoying the sunshine and breeze. Charter found himself pitying the poor sailors down below, who had to cook, prepare the cannons, or spray vinegar to keep the mold out. "Freedom is not cheap," his mother told him. "The sailors of the sea must work hard to earn it." 

Then suddenly the deck began to heave. Charter's inexperienced legs buckled and he began to tumble. He was almost over the rails before a pony's hoofs grabbed him. Looking up, he saw Grimwing struggling to keep control. Before he knew it, they were under in the lower decks. 

"So I'm guessing this isn't normal," said Charter once Grimwing was down below. His mother, when she wasn't traveling the land, told her of the sea. But he never heard of the sea turning red like that. "Thanks for saving me, Master Grimwing. You alright Master Deckhoof?" 

----
Dancer thought for it a while about Torrential's question. "Of the Houses? Probably Moon and Stars, always focused on the Sister's rule… or at least what the Archmagister dreams of. The Celestia I meet would have never enslaved her ponies. Twilight hordes the vaults to herself, puts a lesser power alicorn on the throne, silence anyone who disagrees. She perverted the past to suit her own needs.

"Of those who adapted to the change the most… Earthborn. I find Applejack's apostasy to be awful act, one that even most of Earthborn's citizens doesn't agree with. But the Supreme Commander isn't one to lie to herself - she knows the world has changed. And she's doing something about it." She sighed. 

"You're right, there is no going back. Too many have died, too much was lost, even with the order's attempts. The friendship of the Six has been long asunder. Even if the Sisters did return, that past is gone. I suppose we knew that already, otherwise the Scholarship wouldn't exist. 

"I suppose it's more accurate to say that our hope now is that Fall won't be a Demise. Before Sweeper, our prognosticators predicted total disaster - megadeath levels and a fall to savagery, far worse than even pre-Equestrian societies. The brick would be considered high technology, and the concept of writing the pinnacle of magic. A state of barbarism lasting centuries. 

"The future remains unsure, really. Some like Academician Žemaitukas think the Alicorns may only speed up the fall. But… Sweeper's aid alone has managed to complete our project. Our predictions are not as grim, and our spirits are higher. The Fall instead will lead to a Rebirth, as you said.

"Sweeper was wondering why you came, Lord Waters. Is that why you're here, to help bring the embers to life?"