A pony on hard times

The request was unexpected “I want you to come to my mansion tomorrow night”.

“I’m not sure what sort of mare you take me for!” Cadence replied, giving a firm but not too hard slap across the stallions face.

There were a lot of rules at the Prancing Mare, and any of the girls caught doing anything illegal would soon be out of a job. And any of the punters asking for anything illegal would soon be banned.

“Hey, we all know what you are whore!” one of the stallions entourage replied, raising from his chair his horn glowing in anger.

Cadence shifted on her hooves and her own horn began to glow. Everypony nearby started to back off…they all knew that the Alicorn’s magic was only second to Celestia’s and didn't want to get in the way if things turned nasty.

The stallion turned to his acquaintance and gave him a hard slap across his face with the back of his hoof "Do not speak to any pony like that, especially a lady such such as her!”

“Yes boss“ came a meek reply as the unicorns horn fizzled out. Cadence horn dimmed, and everypony went back to normal, still keeping an eye on the tense situation.

“Crystal Heart, I didn’t mean it like that!” Cadence gave the Stallion a harsh look but gave him a chance to continue “I am having an intimate get together of business associates, and would like to have you waitress for us…and as some entertainment”

“Thank you, but I’m due to have tomorrow off” she replied courteously

“I’ll pay you two hundred bits” the stallion replied dismissively, as if such a sum of money was nothing to him.

“I don’t really need the money”

“Yes, but I’ll also give you a nice meal and a comfortable bed for the night. I know you are struggling to get them, despite all the money you may have access to”

“How do you know that?” the alicorn’s eyes narrowed slightly

“Everypony is aware of your situation Crystal Heart”

Cadence looked at the stallion with a bit of anger at the way he had spoken her name, but he seemed unphased by this “Look, I’m not going to try anything funny and even if I did I don’t think you would have any trouble looking after yourself with your magical abilities.” He glared at his associate as he said this “I just want to show off to some of my out of town business partners and can’t think of a more exquisite way of doing so!”

She wasn’t really sure what to expect, but if it meant a nice meal and a comfortable bed, how could she refuse?

“Okay, it’s a deal.”

The club owner was okay with Crystal Heart having this job on the side, and Cadence mulled this over as the limo that had been sent for her whisked her through the streets of Manehatten. Normally any sort of private work was banned, even if not illegal, and she wondered what was the bigger factor – that she used to be a Princess, or the seeming high standing of this business pony.

However, there wasn’t too much time to think as the limo pulled up outside some gilded gates, which were opened by two rather large earth ponies. The limo drove into the compound and stopped in front a rather large and impressive mansion. It may not have been Canterlot Castle, but was probably one of the biggest places for a pony to live.

A mare, in a formal servants outfit, approached the visitor as she got out of the Limo. “Crystal Heart I presume?”

“Yes, and you are?”

“My name is Silver Platter, but you should refer to me as Ms Platter. I am the head of the household, and tonight you shall report to me”

“Yes Ms Platter”

The older looking mare, although a baby in comparison to Cadence real age, then leaned in close and whispered “Sorry Princess but I can’t go easy on you in front of the other servants. I have strict orders from Mr Spur”

“I understand” Cadence responded softly “but please don’t call me Princess”. She took note that this was the first time she had heard any part of the stallions real name.

Ms Platter coughed and straightened out “Right, of course, follow me Crystal Heart”

The pair walked into the house and quickly went up the main staircase to the upper floors. Ms Platter opened a door halfway down a corridor on the third floor “This shall be your room for the night”

Cadence looked around the room and felt a little more at home. It wasn’t as fancy as a castle but was on par with the top hotels in town. She could see into a beautiful tiled bathroom and also a comfortable large bed that would actually fit her.

“Dinner is due to start in less then an hour, so you best start to get ready. Various sizes of maids outfit is in the wardrobe…but I don’t think any of them will fit your unique frame”

Cadence pointed to a box on the bed “I guess that what that’s for” and opened up the box. Inside she levitated out an outfit, as well as some jewellery inside

“I guess Mr Spur wants to treat you specially” Ms Platter sighed “Just try to keep it professional”

“Yes Ms Platter, I’ll try my best but I don’t know what’s expected of me”

“Nor do I. I’ll leave you in peace to get ready”

Cadence put on the seductive maids outfit that was in the box and looked into the mirror. It was a more dignified than the ones she wore at the Prancing Mare. It matched the colour scheme of Ms Platter’s outfit, but was clearly designed to show off the Alicorn’s form. She applied a little makeup and jewellery from the box, and looked around the room. Whatever she had to do tonight, it was worth it for that bed and the bath that would be waiting for her.

Cadence trotted down the stairs, where she saw one of Mr Spur’s bodyguards talking to Ms Platter and a few of the other servants. Cadence noticed that the other servants were attractive young mares but she was the only one in a different outfit. As she approached, all the other ponies went off to do their tasks, and Ms Platter came over to her.

“I’ve been told that you are to greet our guests, and then serve drinks and socialise with them prior to dinner. The others will serve dinner and then you will be around all evening to fill in serving drinks and whatnot”

“I understand Ms Platter” Crystal Heart responded with a dignified nod.

As the out of town guests started to arrive Crystal Heart greeted them all at the door, bowing to each one and taking any coats or belongings in her aura. Seeing the former princess welcome them made the first impression that Mr Spur was after.

After all the guests had arrived, Crystal Heart trotted into the main reception room where Ms Platter was serving some drinks. Seeing the alicorn arrive, the older earth mare walked over and Cadence lifted the serving tray off her back. Cadence thought about carrying it in her Aura but instead placed it on her back, spreading her wings slightly to help balance it. Of course there was no need to do so for carrying the tray but her slightly expanded wings made her look all the more impressive. Cadence was as tall as the tallest of guests, but also had the biggest wings and the longest horn. She was an impressive figure, and whilst all the stallions thought it, none of them mentioned the mare.

She made drinks and served the guests, making as much small talk as she could. Despite having dealt with ponies for hundreds of years, she found it difficult to talk to these. Normally she would be in the position of power with everypony looking to impress her. But in the outfit she was in, and being forced to act all flirty, she just didn’t really want to be there.

After a good amount of time socialising, it was announced that dinner was ready so the guests and the host moved into the dinning room. This gave Cadence some time alone, but she knew it wasn't going to be long enough to do anything useful, like get acquainted with that bath.

She instead looked over the room and noticed a small harp in the corner. She knew how to actually impress ponies and so levitating the instrument in her aura, she followed the ponies into the dinning room. She sat in the corner and started played the strings of the instrument in the earth pony way. She had never played a lyre before but you pick up these things during a life that spans generations…and that’s just the life she could remember.

The beautiful music played softly in the background, being a suitable accompaniment to the meal. Mr Spur looked over at Crystal Heart concentrating hard both on her hoofwork and trying to remember the notes of a long forgotten tune. Wow, she really is keen to impress. She must really want to earn that bath and bed!

Cadence ran a hot bath and got out of the outfit she had been forced to wear all night. She settled her body down into the water and it seemed like all the cares of the world faded away. The rest of the evening had gone well. The ponies she was talking to actually were often quiet interesting. However the fact that most the guests were stallions and they couldn’t help themselves from staring at her when they thought she wasn’t looking didn’t make it the most comfortable of evenings.

But that didn’t matter given it meant she got to have this bath. The tub at the Prancing Mare or the one she shared with others in the block of studio apartments wasn't really big enough for her larger pony form. But this was just perfect; a heavenly treat for the immortal Princess. The jacuzzi’s jets sent wonderful heat into the Princess’s body and just for a brief moment she was back in Canterlot Castle’s wonderful spa.

Unfortunately just as she was getting lost in the moment, a knock on her suite door interrupted her thoughts and the boss called out to her. She thought about covering herself up with a robe or something but thought against it. After all, she could probably use herself to distract the stallion which might help her cause.

“Come in Mr Spur” she cooed softly but confidently.

The stallion entered the room, and looked around until he came across Cadence in the bathroom. He stood shocked still as he noticed the alicorn lying in the bath and seemed a little more than flustered at seeing Crystal Heart soaking. Her plan seemed to be working.

“Oh, do you need a robe or something?” he stuttered.

“Well I think you've seen plenty enough of me at the Prancing Mare. What else is there left to see Mr Spur?”

“Please, call me Stainless” the large earth pony blushed a little at this and Cadence thought it was strange the effect she seemed to have over him – he was a powerful pony and yet here he was acting like a young colt around his first love. She checked to make sure she wasn't casting a love aura by mistake, as she had once done as a filly, but found instead the effect was natural not magical.

She wasn’t sure to be flattered or offended, but either way stored the information away for future use.

“Yes, it’s a shame to see you reduced to serving the common ponies at the club” Stainless replied

“It pays the bills” Cadence acted dismissively but made sure her voice sounded despondent enough.

“Well, you did well tonight Princess…” he started

“Crystal” she corrected instinctively

“In this place, you’re Princess, okay!” Stainless half demanded. Cadence just smiled at him, picked up a few bubbles from her bath and placed them on her head as a crown

“Whatever you say, boss” she grinned whilst striking a regal pose with her head, causing the stallion to blush again “You were saying?”

“Oh yeah, well, you certainly impressed my business associates, not just because of who you are. You’ve more then deserved the bits, bath and bed tonight! Can I count on you to do this again soon?”

“Only if you get more marshmallow scented bubble bath” Cadence responded splashing the water a little and with embarrassment at maximum for the earth pony, he quickly left the Alicorn to her bathing.

It was the dead of the night, with the moon high in the sky. Cadence lay in the most comfortable bed she had been in for a long time. It seemed like such a shame to leave it but she had to take the chance when she could.

Knowing how paranoid the mob boss was likely to be, she was under no illusion that there would be at a minimum cameras and spells monitoring her. She cast a small levitation spell to bring a glass of water over, but at the same time ran a scan to see what was there. If my magic’s being monitored, at least this will just look like I’m getting a drink

As expected she could sense the spells surrounding her room, designed to track her movements should she leave the suite. There was also another spell monitoring for spells that she casted, but it was relatively amateurish and designed for specific types of magic only. She could easily cast spells that wouldn't set off that alarm.

There were also a number of hidden cameras in the room which would cause a bit more of an issue. Afterall, she couldn't simply disable them as they were bound to be monitored. The fact somebody was watching her as she slept made her feel a little uncomfortable but then she was more than capable of looking after herself.

Cadence took a moment to think about it and worked out what to do - she may not have been trained like the Royal Guard, but spending time around one of them meant she had learnt how to make a plan on the hoof. She cast an illusion spell and she saw a slight shimmer surround her as the spell took effect. She lay still like she was sleeping and the spell started copying her. After a few minutes she made herself invisible and teleported out of bed.

In the bed was something that certainly looked like her sleeping soundly and would certainly fool anypony watching via the cameras, at least long enough for her to get a good snoop. Carefully calibrating her magic to the spells surrounding her room, she teleported out to the corridor on the same aura frequency as to be undetectable.

Cadence had seen a bit of the mansion during the evening and had a rough idea where to go. She carefully walked towards what she assumed was the mobs main work area, constantly checking for any spells. She found that once she was away from her room, the spells were more focused on keeping anypony out of the building, rather then monitoring the inhabitants within.

She approached the study to find the lights still on. Cadence crept towards the door which was slightly ajar and peaked inside. There was nopony in the room so she carefully edged the door open, pausing to see if anypony heard the squeak but when nothing happened she skulked in.

Looking around, she could sense there was a safe behind a large picture, but this was a well designed magical safe installed by somepony who really knew their spells. There was no way she could break into that and keep a low profile. The desk had some locked drawers, which she could and did easily open, but leafing through the documents within there was nothing of interest.

Her horn glowed with a long drawn out spell as she cast one of the most complicated spells she had ever done. Normally, casting spells that couldn't be sensed by other unicorns was something on the most powerful of mages could achieve.  She being an amateur spellcaster would normally not have a chance, but then she was of course one of the most naturally gifted spell casters around which helped greatly. The spell ended up being a bit crude, but with the extra magic she could put in thanks to her massive magical reserves, it would surely work.

With a final extra push, a small invisible and hopefully undetectable orb left her horn and floated in the room. It would allow her to hear what was being said, and allow her to record it in her mind, but only if she was nearby. I guess I’ll be spending more time here than I want too.

Checking she left no signs that she had been in the room, she carefully made her way back through the mansion and safely back into her bed. The raid had been a partial success, something at least she could build upon.