Chapter 34: Compromise

It was just past midnight in the park by the town, but the party was still going strong. All the little foals had been tucked into bed and the adult drinks had been broken out. Music was loudly thumping into the cool night air from a ridiculously large set of speakers. Old wooden wire spools, large and small, had been placed on their sides to be used as tables and chairs. James was currently sitting at one of these with Feather, both enjoying a couple of beers while the rest of their group went to go cut the rug - or grass, in this case - with all the other dancers.

"You know, there's something I always wanted to ask you..." The earth pony said to the human.

"Shoot."

"Some of the strange words you use. I mean, you mostly speak the same language as us, but there are certain words you use whose meanings often escape me."

"Like?"

"Fuck, shit, damn... to name a few."

James smiled and chuckled to himself, "Ah, ha ha. You mean cuss words."

"Cuss words?"

"Yeah. Their words I usually use for emphasis or when I'm pissed off."

"Pissed off?"

"Yeah, that's another one. Means I'm angry."

"So, like the way we say 'what the hay' or 'horseapples'."

"Yeah, I guess."

"What's their context?"

"My my, Feather. Do we have a budding linguist here?" James said playfully.

"Well, I can't say I'm not curious..."

"Hey, learning another language can be fun. For instance: Me danee keh me toonam zebaneh Farsi sohbat beh konam?"

"What's that?"

"Another language from where I'm from. It came with the job, but I had a lot of fun with it. Especially learning things like: Keeram mesalsal hast. You can say shit like that to the ladies and they'll think you're all cultured and all that BS."

"What does it mean?" Feather asked, now intrigued.

"My dick is a machine gun." James said with a non-chalant smile.

The pony nearly spit out the beer he had been drinking, "That makes you seemed cultured?"

"Yeah, it's important that the girl you're talking to doesn't also know the language when you say stuff like that.... trust me. No amount of fluently spoken and eloquent compliments will forget what you just said."

The earth pony shared a chuckle with the human at this. James began to explain the meanings and uses of his native tongue's colorful expletives, having some good laughs in the process. James was especially happy to have one of his own friends taking an interest in his own culture and sharing a mutual fascination with other languages. Soon enough, the human had him cussing like a pro.

"So, what would you say about that busted up building over there?" James asked, pointing at an old decrepit shack.

"Looks like a piece of shit."

"Damn dude, all you need is to learn how to tie some knots and you'd practically be a real sailor." James laughed.

"Hey, do you think you could maybe teach me that other language too?"

"Sure. I haven't gotten to use it in a while, so teaching you would help me pick it back up again."

"What are you boys talking about?" Came a familiar scratchy voice from behind.

James spun around in his seat to see Dash standing there.

"Nothing much." He replied.

"Uh... do you mind if we talk? Alone?" She asked with only the slightest hint of nervousness.

"Uh... sure, in a bit. I'm kinda in the middle of a conversation with Feather."

"He left already." She flatly pointed out.

James looked over his shoulder to see that he had indeed quietly slipped away somewhere.

"Slick sonovabitch..." he muttered under his breath. "Alright Dash, let's go for a walk, shall we?"

James finished his beer and stood up. The two meandered away from the loud music and hopping revelers to a quieter area of the park. For a time, neither of them spoke a word, an awkward tension hanging in the air between them so thick it was nearly tangible. James could almost feel it begin to build, making him uncomfortable enough that he considered heading back, until...

"The... the other week we hung out and just looked at the stars... well I wanted to... I uh.... Ugh, I'm no good at this!" The pegasus mare said, exasperated.

"I know."

"Well, you don't have to rub it in!" Dash said to him angrily.

"No, I mean I know what you're trying to say."

The weather pony was taken aback at his statement, an expression of bewilderment tinged with a pinch of ire upon her face.

"What the hay!? So all this time, you knew, but you didn't do or say anything!?" Her expression transformed to one of deep anger. "Do you know how that feels!? For months, here I was, watching you leave, wondering if you'd return or if you even liked me back!"

James stopped her explosive tirade by raising a hand, carefully choosing his next words. It was times like this when he thought he'd rather be getting shot at instead. At least then, covering his ass simply meant finding some solid, physical cover to get behind. Right now, however, he felt as if he was trodding across a tightly laid minefield while blindfolded.

"I understand where you're coming from, and I'm sorry. But you also have to understand where I'm coming from here. You know what I do?"

"Well, yeah. You fight, you protect everypony!"

"No, I kill. That's what I do for a living, that's my skill set, death. And that is only half of it. There are forces out there, dark forces, evil things that just want to cause as much pain and destruction they can, sometimes for such a little thing as making a point. It's MY job, and all the other's I've trained, to physically put ourselves between them and everyone else, including you. Getting attached to some one like me can only end in pain. What will you do when I got back out there and I don't ever come back?"

"If that happened, I would--"

"Not IF. WHEN. I'm a person that willingly and oftenly puts myself in a position of mortal peril. The odds will never be on my side. Don't you see? You'd just be setting yourself up for heartbreak. Go find a pony like yourself, there's plenty of good guys out there who would be more than lucky to have some one like you." He finished with a microscopic hint of sorrow.

The pegasus mare standing stubbornly before him hung her head low, contemplating his words. After a minute, James thought she would finally agree, but then she looked him straight in the eye and stomped her hoof on the ground.

"I don't care! You can't tell me what's good for me! Out of all the others I've been with, you're the only one that actually seems to care! For Celestia's sake, you don't even have wings, but you jumped out of an airship just to spend time in the sky with me! I calling in the favor you owe me! Just give me a chance." The rainbow maned weather mare said to him sternly.

James stood there, a little impressed with the strength of her conviction. He would follow through for now. He would never go back on his word with a friend. However, the future still remained uncertain to him. He knew it couldn't last long, especially if past experience was anything to go by. Not to mention the fact they were both of a completely different species, even if she was sentient. For now, though, he would honor his obligations. Albeit, deep down inside, a small part of him hoped his doubts would turn out to be groundless.

"Fine then. What did you have in mind?"

"How about we start with a real date. Maybe dinner out in town? No more just hanging out."

"Oh no, Miss Dash. You just bought yourself a ticket for a ride on the Crazy Train. Prepare for a whole day."

"What are we gonna do?" She asked perplexedly.

"Don't you worry about that, I'll let you know in time. For now, I think it's best if we call it a night."

"Fine, but this better be good."

The pegasus trotted off back to the party with a noticeable pep in her step. James turned around and began to make his way back to his house. He pulled his iPod from out of his pocket to check the time and saw that it was nearly 2 AM. Nothing good ever happens after two in the morning. Now he had another thing adding weight to his mind. Slowly he walked back to his residence, trying to figure how his new situation could possibly work out.

"Looks like that went well."

"Jesus!" James jumped back, startled by Feather's sudden appearance at his side. "How you do that, I will never know. Wait, were you listening in the whole time?"

"Well not the WHOLE time. Just that last part."

"Dude, if you were anybody else, I might kick your ass."

"So, you got a plan?"

"Only one thing comes to mind at the moment. But I'll need Sparks' and Myst's help."

"Well, you know us. We are at your command."

"Which is why I'll never want kick any of your asses."

=====================================================================

The next morning, Sparks was in his workshop, tinkering with his CO's NVGs, attempting to repair them. Replacing the lenses were easy, but electronics inside were still complex, and most of all, highly interesting. Carefully, he maneuvered a small rod of metal, preparing to solder two frayed wires together. With his magic he slowly began to heat it up until it was just a few degrees away from it's melting point. Gradually, he moved in for the finishing touch. Suddenly, the door burst open, causing him to lose his concentration and drip molten metal all over the infernal contraption.

"Sparky, I need your help!"

"Damnit James! I almost had your night brights fixed!"

"Heh, 'sall good. Wait, did you just cuss?"

"Yeah, feather's been spreading it around. Kinda catchy actually."

"Well, just be careful about who you use it in front of. It's unbecoming."

"You got it boss. Anyway, what the hay was so important that you had to interrupt my work?" The engineer said with annoyance.

"You heard about HALO*?"

"Yeah, you mentioned it a few times. What about it?"

"How would you like to help me and Myst pioneer it in Equestria?

====================================================================

Drifting peacefully above the clouds, the Clipper sat supported on nothing but the density of the air itself. Inside, Sparks was fitting a strange mask to an even stranger being.

""You sure you got this right?" The human asked with a muffled voice.

"I followed your description as best I could. The only difference is that instead of tanks, you have a small crystal set in the intake enchanted to compress the air it takes in to pressures like the ones found at sea level. Unless you go completely out of atmosphere, you should be fine. What about the ridiculous suit you're wearing?"

"What's to worry about? I designed it, and Rarity stitched it together."

"The fact that you designed it is what worries me. You look like a giant flying squirrel!"

"Whatever, I still got the parachute. You got the other mask worked out?"

"Yup. In fact, Myst and I will be wearing a pair of them in your crazy ass scheme of yours."

James ripped off his full face mask, "Hey, I said if you didn't want to help, you didn't have to. You're here on your own initiative."

"You know we're all here for ya, no matter what." Myst said over the radio.

"Love ya, babe." James teased.

"Watch it buddy, I got a coltfriend!"

"May Celestia have mercy on his soul!" Sparks exclaimed.

They all had a good laugh at their playful exchange. Behind the unicorn, the side door was wide open and James could make out a broad spectrum of colors fast approaching their small craft.

"Shit, here she comes. Showtime." James warned.

"We gotta talk about you using national assets for your own private applications." Sparks scolded.

"Comes with the privilege of rank." James simply relied.

"Oh, so you would have no problem letting me take the airship to Las Pegasus?" Sparks countered.

"Ask and you shall receive. Although, you'd still have to convince Myst. It IS her ship after all."

"I don't come cheap!" She said over the channel.

In no time, the flash of colors had solidified into a certain sky blue pegasus. She came to within a few yards before flapping her wings to bring herself to an abrupt stop, sending a dense blast of air into the compartment. With a flap and a flutter, she alighted into the cabin with deceptive control.

"What the hay are we doing up here? I fly this high up all the time. And why are you in that crazy looking get up?" She complained.

"Just wait, we're going higher." James informed her.

"Higher? What're you up to?"

"Just be patient, this may take a moment." James keyed the mic around his throat, "Myst, can you take us up? Go as high as you can, really push the envelope."

"You got it boss. Though if something goes wrong, I don't think the Princesses are gonna like whatever excuse we come up with...." the pilot cautioned.

"You let me worry about that. Just take us up." James ordered.

Their skilled pilot charged the bladders hanging above the main body of the ship, causing the whole thin to rapidly ascend to the heavens above. Higher and higher the ship rose, the air becoming thinner and the ground becoming nothing but a flat white expanse, extending in all directions. James donned his mask while Myst and Sparks did the same, the rusty colored unicorn affixing another over the face of pegasus that had joined them. James keyed his mic and initiated a radio check.

"Sparks here."

"Myst here."

"Uh... Dash here. I guess. What's going on?"

James briefly ignored her and continued with what he was doing, "Outstanding. Keep us going until we reach the outer atmosphere. Sparks, the spell if you please."

The engineer walked up and began to cover Rainbow in his distinctive electric blue aura.

"Hey, what do you think you're doing?" Dash said angrily.

"Dash, just sit still. It's necessary." James cautioned.

"What do you mean it's necessary? What the hay is going on here?"

"We're performing what people in my profession call a HALO jump. It stands for High Altitude, Low Opening. Myst's ship uses a special form of helium that should be able to take us to the absolute outer reaches of the atmosphere. Sparks is casting a spell on you to insulate your body against the cold. The full face mask will supply you with oxygen and keep your eyes from freezing solid, as well as providing air and fostering communications between us." He explained.

"O... K..."

"I'm wearing what's called a 'wing suit'. You're about to see what it's gonna allow me to do." The human moved over to the open door and peered outside to the scenery below. They were so high up now that they could just about distinguish the curvature of the planet.

Dash walked over and stood by the human's side as they looked upon the world far below.

"Hey Dash? Remember what I said about buying a ticket for the Crazy Train almost a week ago?" James asked with a hidden smile.

"Yeah?"

The human unzipped a pocket on his breast and pulled out his iPod. He pushed a button and slid it back into the pocket, securing it once again.

/ALL ABOARD! HA HA Ha Ha ha ha..../ the music began.

James backed up to the large open door, threw up the devil horns, and proceeded to do a back flip out of the perfectly good airship. Dash, never one to back down from a clear challenge, leaped out after him with a smile. James was waiting below, facing towards the aircraft he had exited and the blackness of space. He had his arms and legs at his sides and when he saw the athletic mare jump after him, he made a 'come hither' signal with his index finger.

She narrowed her eyes and tucked her wings to her sides, rapidly closing the distance between them both. When she had just about reached him, he spread his arms and legs, opening up the webbing that was sewn into the spaces between. James was snatched up by the thin air and started to glide haphazardly through the air high above the ground. This far up, and with almost one hundred thousand feet to fall, he and Dash had plenty of time to screw around. Dash flared her wings to bring herself level to the human, only to see him once again tuck his limbs in and spiral straight to the terrain below. The whole time, Ozzy was blasting into their ears through the custom made masks they were wearing.

Of course, the speedy pegasus quickly caught up with him, so he flared his webbed wings again and contacted her through their comms.

"You ready for a real challenge?" He asked of her.

"Yeah! Where are we going?"

"We jumped out over one of the small mountains close to Ponyville, I've mapped out a valley that runs down it to a field below. It starts near the top an runs about three miles down to the base. I'm gonna shoot right down it, you down?"

"You kidding? That's crazy! Fortunately for you, I love crazy!"

James still had some time before entering the valley, so he decided to pull a few tricks. He didn't have wings in the conventional sense, but he could still use the ones he had to his advantage. He spun, flipped and tumbled through the air, a happy Rainbow copying his every move, sometimes showing him a few of her own. As he flared his limbs again to bring him closer to the target mountain, she spun upside down and over him, looking 'up' at the human below her. He countered by flipping over and throwing up the 'Peace' sign before diving straight for the beginning of the valley run.

James dove straight in and flared his 'wings' once again, sending him speeding down the open wedge of earth at high velocity. Dash soon over took him and led the way down the valley, through twists and turns and over sharp ridges and clefts. Soon they swiftly shot out over a high rising cliff, which was James' cue to pull his chute. The high octane fall immediately transformed into a nice tranquil drift through the air as the pilot chute exploded out and pulled his main wide open. James reached up and gripped the two dangling wooden handles to help steer his new airfoil back to the nearby town.

"That was awesome! I don't think I've ever been that high!" Dash spouted off gleefully as she pulled up beside him. "And where did you come up with that strange suit? You could practically fly with it!"

"We have them back in my world!" He shouted back over, "Pretty fun for us humans, huh?"

"No kidding! So what's next for the day?"

"Well first I have to land somewhere close to town and wait for Sparks and Myst. Which might be a problem, 'cause it's a little further away than I thought..." James said with concern. At the moment, he was rapidly descending to the Everfree.

"Does this mean you get to owe me another favor?" Dash said excitedly.

"Yeah, looks like it!"

*HALO means High Altitude, Low Opening. referring to a stealth tactic used by paratroopers to avoid detection on a jump, NOT the video game.