//------------------------------// // Chapter 9: Beginning Work // Story: For a Fresh Start // by Azure_Flame //------------------------------// The sound of the alarm woke him with a start. He smacked the alarm, and slowly got up out of bed. His dreams weren't pleasant, and the alarm didn't help. He proceeded to get some breakfast, when a bang came from the window. Outside was a group of birds. They flew off towards someone, whose voice he couldn't hear. He ignored it and went back to his food. As he finished, he got his bags all together. He looked out towards the sky. The sun was up already, and some ponies were walking around. Seems like this town is up pretty early. Either that, or I'm around all the early birds. That's not a big – H was cut off by a loud beat from the hall. It got louder, and progressively harder to stand. The sound was strong, and it began to shift things. Azure ran all over, making sure nothing was falling. Once he knew everything was in place, he headed out of his apartment to find the source of the noise. The noise seemed to be coming from directly across the hallway, from Vinyl's room. Makes sense it would be Vinyl. I thought she would have a hangover. He walked out of his apartment and knocked on his neighbor's door. As the door opened, the noise intensified some. At the door was her roommate, the gray earth pony. "Yes, what is it?" She had a hoof over one ear, and a concerned look. "Can you turn that down?" "Give me one sec." She shut the door, and the sound was muffled slightly again. Seconds later, the sound stopped entirely. The door opened again, and the mare was there once more. "Sorry, Vinyl was mixing last night, and she can blare it when she falls on the volume dial." His eyes went wide. "So what, is she asleep right now?" "Yes. She will be insufferable when she gets up." "Oh dear. I'm sorry if I'm interrupting anything." "You are not. I was getting up myself, when Vinyl fell on the play button." "Okay. Perhaps I'll see you again." "Same to you." "You know, I never got your name. You shoved a hoof in Vinyl's mouth the second before she said it." "I apologize. My name is Octavia Melody. I just don't want too many to hear it in public." "Alright then. I'll see you around." He turned around and went back into his room. He picked up his bags, and left for the work field. He arrived just in time. As he joined the crowd of pegasi, the coordinator started yelling, in the same voice Azure knew. "Alright, come in and listen up! We've got a lot of work to do for the coming storm. I'll divide you into groups, and go from there. Clear?" He then pointed ponies around into several groups. There was around ten groups, each having a few pegasi each. After they were all separated, he began giving directions to each group. Soon enough, he came to Azure's group. "So, you are in charge of checking the trees on this side of town. Make sure there isn't any branches that could go flying –" His eyes fixed on Azure's bags, "– and that any saplings will stay firmly planted. The rest of you head off, I need to talk to Aero here for a sec." The rest of Azure's group headed off towards the trees nearby. "What's up?" He had a look of curiosity. The large stallion stared at him sternly. "Why are you wearing saddlebags? You don't need them for this job, ever." "I thought I might need some things." "Well, you don't. I'll let it slide, since it is your first day. Just don't let it happen again." "Alright. Will do." "Now, get going! You have a team, and a job. Get to it!" Azure headed off, and met his group. "Let me guess, the coordinator got on you for wearing bags?" The one that spoke up had a light purple coat, and a smirk on her face. "He got after me and my friend here when we did the same thing. Either way, it's nice to have someone on our team. The name's Cloudchaser." She held out a hoof, and Azure met it with his own. "Well, shouldn't we get started? We've got a lot of trees to cover. You start on that side." He moved over, and checked the branches. His teammates began a conversation. "So, you're new in town?" "Yeah. Got in two days ago." "Well, I hope the town has been treating you well." "Mm. It has." "Good to hear. So many come in and out of town, and I hear they don't like it. They say it's too boring." "They say this town is boring? I haven't seen anyone boring since I came in." "Really? I have trouble finding anyone interesting. And I've lived here for a while. Maybe you just have some good luck." "Maybe." They continued to work in silence, knocking down branches. Cloudchaser and her friend whispered to each other, giggling each time. The two seemed really close, closer than anyone he's seen. He sighed, and went to working. They looked over at him, and lost their smiles. "What's wrong? You look upset." "Nothing's wrong." "Are you sure? I don't want to know I was the one that made you upset." "It's not you." "Alright. Do you wanna talk about it?" "Not now." "Well, how about after work? We can go get some drinks." "Hmm, I guess that can work." "Sure! I'll find you after work." "Sounds good." He gave a small smile, and placed dirt around a sapling.