After The Fall

BEEP

BEEP

BEEP

“Ah! Ajax! What the hell is that racket?” Dax yelled as he fell out of his bed.

“An alarm clock,” she giggled as she materialized in the room.

“Why?”

“You have a big day ahead of you. That and you need to get out of this ship and get some air.”

“I was out yesterday and the day before that I was shot at with a shotgun and the day before that I survived another encounter with those earth nutjobs. Not to mention that station nearly blew up with us in it.”

“Space station air doesn’t count. Anyway I let you sleep in early enough. It’s 9:00 and you need to eat something.”

“Fine,” Dax pulled himself out of bed and pulled on some normal civilian garb. Not to military or he would stick out like a sore thumb. He went to the mess hall and chowed down. He downed his last cup of tea before walking up onto the bridge.

“Alright what am I doing today?”

“Well I contacted Ms. Scratch and she’ll be over soon to pick you up and show you around the town, ect.”

“And what will Ajax be doing today?”

“Me?” she smiled, “I’ll cultivating a garden and making this place look nice. I’ve got a replicator and a few drones inside that cargo bay that could be put to good use. I’ve always wanted to try my hand at gardening!”

“Alright then, just don’t scare anyone with those drones. They can be intimidating. Also don’t grow any invasive species here; you don’t know what kind of effect some of our plants will have on the soil here.”

“Oh don’t worry. I’m only growing plants native to this world. I had a few species scanned into the database when we landed.”

“Alright then,” Dax said. He turned to the holotable. He activated it and pulled up a few displays.

“What are you doing?” Ajax asked.

“Checking out the last known positions of the Earth fleets. I was wond-Hey!” he yelled as Ajax killed the display.

“No. No Earth fleet is going to show up here. No Earth fleet is going to find us. No Earth fleet is going to turn this planet to glass. Relax Dax. Heh heh I made a rhyme, but anyway, relax. We’re safe here. Stop being so uptight and high strung. Relax.”

“Oh fine,” Dax smiled. The com turned on.

“Um hello?” a slangy voice came through the speakers, “Dax? Are you in there?” A screen displaying an electric blue haired girl with red eyes came up.

“Guess I should get going then huh?”

“Yeah, and take some recording equipment too. And stay out as long as possible! This’ll be the first time I’ll have the ship to myself and I plan to take advantage of it!”

“Whatever you say Ajax!” Dax said as he pulled on a small head set. It was barely visible but contained enough recording equipment to record enough.

He ran down the stairs to the living area. He opened the gangplank. Vinyl was standing outside.

“Dax!” she bounced. Dax walked off the gangplank. He pulled his watch out of his pocket and tapped on the screen. The ship closed behind him.

“So are you ready for some of the best Equestrian culture ever?!”

“Uh, I guess-”

“Great! Come on let’s go!” She grabbed his hand and pulled him down the road. He had to run to keep up with her. She finally let go when they reached a park.

“So watcha wanna learn about first big guy?”

“Hmm, I don’t know. What do you guys do for fun around here?”

“Hmm, well we have raves but I’m savin that one for later. Well normally I’m composing new songs but when I’m not doing that I like to play games and stuff.”

“Like what?”

“Well I like to play manhunt but that only works at night. But there is one other game I like to play but we need more people. Come on, let’s go find Rainbow Dash.”

***

Ajax hummed to herself as she opened up the hanger. She walked out of the ship and onto the grass. A drone followed but several buckets. She went to the front of the ship and began to direct the machine. It dug a hole in the ground, mashed up the dirt began spreading mulch. She began to plant seeds in the newly formed empty garden.

She sighed to herself as she looked up at the sun. Her programing made her obligated to help her soldier in whatever he did. But she didn’t want to leave this place. She was quite at peace here and wanted to stay. If only the same could be said about Dax. She wanted him to be happy and to find his peace here. Maybe…just maybe…he would find something that made him want to stay. But for now she would wait. She had some petunias to plant.

***

Dax had the ball. Just a few more yards and he would be at the goal. He had to admit. This game was fun. It was like football but different. Each team had their own ball and you couldn’t throw it. You had to hand it off to pass. Each team had a goal. The point was to cross over to the other team’s side of the field and score.

Dax was almost at the goal. Rainbow Dash couldn’t keep up with him. Not when he wasn’t limping from a gunshot. He was almost there when something blue tackled him to the ground. He was in jail. The other team could tackle you if you crossed onto their side. If they did you were sent to a jail and had to be tagged for anyone to get out.

Dax rolled over to see Vinyl. She was giggling. Fluttershy blew the whistle. The round was over.

Vinyl helped him up, “Heh heh, you alright?”

“Yeah, just wasn’t expecting you to smash into me like that.”

“Well after you outran Rainbow Dash and Noteworthy it was just me defending the goal.”

“Yeah!” Rainbow said, “While you may be faster on the ground, I’ll still out fly you in the air.”

“We’ll see,” Dax taunted, “But not today. That was fun! On my planet we have a few games similar to this.”

“Like?” Vinyl asked.

“Well the goal scoring and tackling is like football but the two sides of the field and jails are like capture the flag.”

“Oh! We have Capture the flag here too.”

The sound of Rainbow’s stomach interrupted, “Well I’m hungry!” she said, “Anyone up for lunch? My treat.”

“Sure, I’ll come,” Vinyl said, “This would be a good opportunity for Dax to sample some of our finest foods.”

“You comin Fluttershy?”

“Oh I’d love too but I have to feed Angel and the others. You know how stubborn Angel can be,” Fluttershy said as she fluttered off.

“Alright,” Rainbow said turning to Dax and Vinyl, “Well let’s go. I know a cool Café where we can get some of the best eats in Ponyville.”

“Cool,” Dax said. Vinyl grabbed her trademark glasses off the sidelines.

They walked down the street until they reached the Café. The White Rose. They head to an outdoor patio and take their seats. A waiter walked over.

“Hello, welcome to the White Rose. May I take your order,” the waiter said. He was surprisingly casual and friendly for such a high end looking restaurant.

“Yes,” Vinyl said, “I’ll have a Rose petal sandwich with a glass of lemonade.”

“Me too!” Rainbow said.

“I, Uh, I’ll have what they’re having,” Dax says.

The waiter nods and walks into the café. Dax turns back to the girls, “Rose petal sandwiches?”

“I don’t know what kind of food you eat where you come from but here we’re all mostly vegetarians. Try the sandwich you may like it,” Vinyl says.

The waiter arrives with the sandwiches and lemonade. Rainbow and Vinyl begin to eat. Dax stares at the sandwich. It has lettuce, cheese, and yes Rose petals. Rainbow and Vinyl take notice at his staring.

“Come on Dax. Don’t knock it till you try it,” She smiles. Tentatively Dax picked up the sandwich and took a bite. His eyes widened. It was delicious; sweet, not a bit of bitterness. The flavors swim nicely over his tongue.

“So? You like it?” Rainbow Dash asks.

“Yeah!” Dax says between bites, “It’s delicious!”

“Knew you’d like it,” She says as the three continue to eat. They all finish.

“What’s this?” Dax asks looking at a small berry left on the plate.

“Oh that!” Vinyl says, “That’s the best part!” she grabs hers and tosses it into her mouth.

Hmm, Dax thought, Why not? He grabs the berry and chomps down on it just as Vinyl spits hers out. She and Rainbow both suppress laughs.

“What’s so funny?” Dax asks cautiously, “Why are you two-oh dear lord.” There’s a hot burning in his mouth. His face turns red. Vinyl and Rainbow break out in laughter.

“What…Was…That?” Dax huffs. His mouth was on fire.

“That was a seasoning that you’re supposed to squeeze onto the sandwich!” Vinyl says between laughs.

Dax grabs his lemonade and downs it. Finally some cool relief. He looks up at the two. They stare at his face for a few seconds before exploding into laughter.

Dax begins to crack up, “That wasn’t funny.”

“You’re right! It was hilarious!” Vinyl says. Dax cracks up.

Dax pulls a serious face, “If you ever do something like that again, I’ll abduct you.” They stare at him before all three crack up laughing again. Vinyl stands up.

“Come on, there’s still a lot to do and the day’s only half over.”

***

Vinyl walked towards the concert hall. The sun was setting making a nice array of colors along the horizon. It had been fun with Dax. After lunch she’d taken him to watch a few classical movies. She’d fallen asleep halfway through the first one but Dax was watching intently. Even taking a few notes. He’d listened to some classical Equestrian pieces with the analytical mind of a musical genius. She’d been required to show him all the classical pieces of music, film, theater, and literature as his cultural guide, even if it was going to be a boring process.

She arrived at the theater and strolled in. She walked past the ticket booths, the souvenir shop and into the auditorium. Octavia sat alone on stage, practicing her next piece of music for her next recital. She sat in an empty seat and waited for her friend to finish.

Octavia put her cello back in its case, “Hey Vinyl. How’s it going?”

“Pretty good. I’m sure you’re aware of the alien who saved my life the other night?”

“Who isn’t? I hope you didn’t tell him they spent the rest of that night cleaning his blood off the ground.”

“No I went into graphic detail when he woke up,” Vinyl said sarcastically, “But anyway, he was here studying our culture when he found me. Now I’ve been appointed by the princess to show him around and expose him to the ‘finest our fine nation has to offer.’”

“Really? That’s interesting. What’s he like?”

“Dax? He’s very mellow and kind, he can take a joke and dish one out, he seems like he can have a good time if he wants…”

“But?”

Vinyl sighed, “He’s hiding something. I saw it on the train ride back from Canterlot. Something is bothering him.”

“Did you talk to him about it?” Octavia had joined her friend in the seats.

“I tried,” Vinyl sighed, “But he didn’t want to talk about it? I just want him to feel like he can trust me. I mean, he’s an alien from another world who rushed to my rescue when I was in trouble. I trust him perfectly but for however long he’s here, I want him to leave knowing he has friends here.”

“Well it sounds like he already has friends he can trust here. And it sounds like you’ve found yourself a prince charming,” Octavia laughed.

“What?!” Vinyl screeched standing up, “Now just wait one moment here! He saved my life yes but that doesn’t mean I’m in love with him!” Vinyl was red.

“I’m just joking Scratchy! Ha ha,” Octavia laughed, “But in all seriousness, it sounds like he’s earned the trust of everyone in the town and has friends here now. He’s certainly earned your trust but have you earned his?”

“Watcha mean by that?”

“Well does he have a reason to trust you?”

“Yeah! He barged into my house and nearly killed those 3 guys. I trust him,” Vinyl sighed.

“Then give it time. His first encounter with us didn’t exactly end well. He’ll warm up to you eventually.”

“I guess you’re right. Well I better get going. Thanks Tavi!” Vinyl stood up and began the trek home.

She unlocked the door. Her house was still getting repaired. The walls were patched up waiting for a final coat of paint. The counter top where one of the burglars landed after taking a fist to the face was chipped. She walked up the stairs to her bedroom. She walked over to the balcony and stared out at the night sky. The stars glistened brightly and the moon was in full. Next week would be fun. Oh so fun…

***

Dax arrived at his ship. The front looked absolutely amazing. There was grass covering all of the lawn. A nice garden went around the ship, all sorts of flowers and plants were in the garden. There were two small apple trees on the corners of the property. A stone walkway led up to the gangplank. A small pedestal stood near the gangplank. Ajax hummed to herself as she strode out of the ship.

“Wow Ajax! You really made this place look nice.”

“Dax! How was your day? Did you get anything good?”

Dax tapped his headset, “All in here. Looks like you have quite the green thumb.”

“You like it? I still have the back yard to do. I thought I’d spruce up our new home. No point in having this place look like shit as long as we’re here.”

“Yup. I’ll get this to you. Oh and ignore everything from 12:00 to 12:30.”

“Oh? And why?”

Dax shuddered remembering the burning, “I don’t wanna talk about it.” He strolled into the ship. Ajax followed, closing the door behind her. Dax strode into his room and into the bathroom. He stepped into the shower and held his breath as the water sprayed him in a full 360 degrees.

While Dax showered Ajax looked over the data. The game was interesting. Turned out it was an actual sport. She laughed when she saw Scratch and Dash get Dax to eat the Flame berry as it was called. She was intrigued with the classics of Equestria. A little annoyed when the camera shuddered, ruining Dax’s focus but got over it when she saw what caused it. Vinyl had fallen asleep and ended up landing on Dax. She listened intently to the classical music of the land. She had to admit, these were masterpieces she never would have even considered musically possible until now.

She sighed and checked up on Dax. He was fast asleep on his bed. Hmm. Better let me get some ‘shuteye’ too, she thought as she entered sleep mode. Tomorrow she would plant a vegetable garden in the back yard along with a deck that would lead off from the rear hanger.

Tomorrow would be a good day…