Once again, she woke as the first rays of sunlight hit her eyes. They fluttered open, revealing her small room in the Crystal Palace. How many days had she been here, waking to the sunrise each morning?
Climbing out of her small bed, Botanica shook her mane in place. Almost two months, now, she thought to herself, two whole months since they brought me here. It was a simple deal that the leader of the pony's slave community offered to the Vectin overlord. Pizza Pie told him of Botanica's natural talents with plants, and in exchange for her services, her family received better living conditions in the Crystal city, instead of outside in the slave camps.
Making her way to the attached bathroom, she nearly cried at the sight of her own figure in the mirror. The loneliness was getting to the young mare, not having anypony else in the palace with her. Just the Vectin guards for company, since no pony was allowed in the palace after overlord Kessish claimed it as his own. But if it helped her family, she told herself it was worth it. And her work also made it easier to grow the bio-pod plants, which benefited all the pony slaves working the fields.
Ready to get back to her lab, she left her room. One of the lizards was outside her door, waiting for her to emerge. Standing upright on two legs, it held a long staff in one clawed hand, with light armor covering its shoulders and chest. Its scales were a modest brown color, a bit darker then her own light-brown coat. A patch of grey covered it's snout. Botanica frowned, realizing that she'd never seen this particular guard before.
It pointed down the hall. "Time for you to work," it ordered, following the same pattern as the previous guards. Each morning, one would come and escort her through the palace to the laboratory they had set up for botany research. This was all her life consisted of now, assisting those that conquered her home. Having enslaved the ponies to farm the bio-materials their civilization used, the lizards spent the next 50 years turning her world into one large farming complex. Having a native who was an expert with plants only sweetened the deal for them.
Arriving at the lab, she entered and approached her workbench, and was surprised to hear the sounds of clawed feet follow her into the room. The other guards had remained in the hallway, not bothering to watch an activity only their leaders cared about. So, why had this one entered the lab?
"What are you doing?" she asked, he voice soft and quiet.
"I wish observe," it replied in a raspy, almost growling voice, straining to pronounce her language.
"Why?" Her curiosity got the best of her.
"Once wanted to be grower," the guard admitted, "but was made guard instead."
"I see," she replied, not really understanding, but deciding to go with it. At least it would break the monotony. "Well, I'm working on grafting these two bio-pod plants together, in an attempt to produce bigger yields of seeds." She could sense the guard stepping closer to look over her shoulder. "Do you have any experience working with plants?" she asked.
"When still a fledgling," the guard responded, "I would grow flowers. But when came of age, was made soldier."
"Why didn't you tell them you wanted to work with plants?" Botanica asked. Not much was known about Vectin society, and she was fascinated by the chance to learn more about her people's conquerors. Besides, none of them have ever really talked to me before...
The guard straightened his back. "Vectin born into different nests," he explained. "If nest is prosperous, they have choice of occupation. If nest lower, you commoner, and assigned occupation." He tapped his chest with a claw. "I born to common nest, and assigned occupation."
"How sad," she muttered, "not being able to follow your own dreams just because of where you were born."
"All serve the Empire as chosen." He looked down at her. "I ask to guard you to observe growing. Continue work."
"Very well," she agreed, and turned back to the lab table. "By the way, what's your name?"
"Name?" He sounded surprised at her question. Of course, this was more interaction then most members of their races ever had with each other. "Why you ask?"
"Well, if you're going to observe, I might as well explain what I'm doing," she replied. "It will make it more enjoyable, anyway."
"You would teach an enemy?"
This time, Botanica turned to face him. "A fellow botanist," she corrected him. After a moment she answered his blank stare. "A botanist studies plants."
"Ah yes, a grower," he said, causing Botanica to giggle. If nothing else, this exchange was bridging a few culture gaps between them. "I would like become grower as well."
"Then I will teach you," she smiled at him. "But it would be easier if I new your name."
Again, he tapped his chest with a single claw. "I am Zarkin."
"Pleasure to meet you, Zarkin. My name is Botanica." She pointed at a tray covered in little cups, each one holding a newly formed seedling. "Let's start with some basics. Hand me that tray of seedlings, please."
Zarkin did as requested, and they got to work....