"Alright then miss... Thread then?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Alright then. Miss Thread. Tell me, in twenty-five words or less, why should I hire you?"

Ambrosia sat, very seriously watching the stunning mare before her. Miss thread, Gilded Thread to be thorough, was visually a very pleasing mare. A unicorn with a beautifully cared for horn and a thin, but not too thin figure. She had long, slender legs that Ambrosia had trouble taking her eyes off of. Apparently, or so Ambrosia would be willing to guess, the lovely lady had pure unicorn blood in her, She had a slender, long tail that swayed across the floor, the beautiful tuft of hair at the end that glittered like pure honey, matching her flowing mane that cascaded down her shoulders and framed her equally stunning face. And of course, equally as stunning, her cutie mark adorning either side of her rump. A fan of deep red rose petals held together by a glittering string of pure gold.

Ambrosia would not deny that she liked this mare.

"I'm visually appealing," Gilded began simply. Even her voice was angelic, "I'm easy to get along with, I get along well with almost everypony, I'm not afraid to do what the client wants."

Ambrosia smiled. Strong character as well.

"I see," She said softly, looking down at the paperwork she'd been given by her potential employee, "It says here that you were a model for a short time in Manehatten. Is that true?"

"Yes. I... I didn't quite make the cut so..."

"That's quite alright. I know how difficult it is for models to make it in the industry. One of my girls from a few years back wanted desperately to be a model, so I gave her a bit of a uh... a nudge... in the right direction."

Thread forced down her jealousy as she nodded slowly.

"I left to try to get in the industry from Canterlot but..."

"It didn't work out. I understand. It's a tough industry. Personally, I think they were crazy not to let you in. You're beautiful hun."

Thread flushed and looked at her hooves.

"Thank you..." She replied softly. This wasn't the sort of reception she'd been expecting. Ambrosia's smile faded however as she looked back down at the file before her.

"However, your criminal record is curious. Pickpocketing? Manipulation with intent to harm, deception? That interests me greatly."

Thread, although composed on the outside, cursed her bad luck. It always came down to that.

"Well," She responded, a cold note in her voice, "I'm legally obliged to tell you about that."

"Oh," Ambrosia purred eagerly, "but's it's what makes you so interesting!"

Gilded Thread stared at Ambrosia.

"Uh... excuse me?" She asked, thinking she must have misheard. Amber stepped out from behind her desk and walked around to Thread.

"Deception..." She whispered huskily, starting to circle around Thread slowly, "How easily can you manipulate other ponies my dear girl? How easy is it for you?"

Thread hesitated visibly. Ambrosia was halfway around her now, and was rubbing very deliberately up against the notably thinner mare. She felt good against Thread's coat.

"I... I suppose it depends on the pony," She stammered, not quite understanding the direction of Ambrosia's questioning, "I-I-I guess it's a b-b-bit of a skill, like anything else."

"And, how badly do you need this job?" Ambrosia purred almost hungrily as she came to a stop in front of Thread. The unicorn mare's tail swished nervously.

"I... really need this job," she managed to admit past the warmth growing in her cheeks and chest.

"And I really need your revenue hun~" She purred, laying a hoof upon the taller mare's chest, "That, and I like you. You're a strong mare, and I like strong mares. But I have a stipulation to my offer."

"W-what is that?" Thread asked, breathing a little heavier as Amber brought her muzzle closer to Thread's.

"I want you," Ambrosia breathed, "To make your more sordid set of skills available for my use if I feel it necessary as well. To protect my girls, I might find myself in need of your particular set of skills. So if I ask you to infiltrate somewhere, or to gather information on somepony..?"

Thread didn't even hesitate. She answered instantly.

"I'll do everything I can to help," She nearly whimpered, reaching forward for Amber's muzzle as Ambrosia kept her distance teasing.

"Good girl..♥" She answered smugly, "Then welcome to the Golden Star Gilded Thread. We're happy to have you."

"Our business hours are fairly straight forward. We open at ten-thirty in the morning, and close at the same time at night."

Gilded Thread followed Ambrosia, keeping up with her swift pace with ease given her long legs, listening intently as Ambrosia explained how things worked around here. Her son was currently being taken care of by a young mare that Ambrosia had called Bubbles and had told Thread she implicitly trusted.

"Clients can pay for an all night service, but it costs significantly more, so we don't get many takers. We're open each day, not counting Sundays. Five of my girls live here, as do I. The upstairs rooms are not reserved at any time, and our girls are free to refuse a customer's advances if they believe they're being too forward or they seem dangerous."

The pair walked down a flight of stairs that led to the foyer and the pair sat in the middle of the foyer. It had improved a lot in the fourteen years that her and Bubbles had lived there. The polished wooden floors shone under their hooves, and the bannisters on the twin flights of stairs leading up to the second floor were made of a darker wood that contrasted well against the brighter floorboards and the red carpet on the steps. There were several couches around the area and a few tables.

"This is the foyer. This is where the girls gather when I want to address them. You'll meet them after I've showed you the layout of the floor. Now, to your left..."

Ambrosia took her newest employee over to the doorway on the left, pushing it open and holding it for her.

"This is our standard area. Most of my girls work out of this room."

The room was sparsely decorated, if not comfortably. Comfortable couches and a small bar over on the far side, complete with a little salad bar with a few snack foods. There were four young, pretty mares seated there, chatting whilst nibbling at the leftovers from the day before.

"Basic amenities. You don't pay to come in this room. Customers pay for the snacks, their drinks, and their choice of girl. The girls work as waitresses of sorts when they're not servicing a client."

Thread frowned.

"When does a customer go from being a customer to a client?" She asked, confused. Ambrosia smiled.

"Happy you picked up on that," She said happily, "A customer becomes a client when they choose the girl they want. Remember, the further they want to go, the more they have to pay in preliminary. And they have a choice to do it in here, or in a room upstairs. The rooms cost more of course. Remember, you take the money in advance. Payment is always done in advance. They pay for the service before they get it, and if you do well they'll tip you. This way please."

The pair of mares left the room and re-entered the foyer, walking now to the right side of the room to a larger, ornate door. There was a large, elaborate looking golden lock on it. Without a care, Ambrosia pushed it open, obviously having not locked it.

"This, is the VIP room."

Thread gasped. This place was easily three times the size of the other room, and it was stunning. Booths with flimsy looking curtains lined the walls, and the bar was set on the right side of the massive room, the only place without booths. In the center rested what could only be described as a salad bar, a massive square shape with dozens of metal dishes and trays, empty now, but most likely resembled more closely a feast or banquet when full. The carpeted floor was soft to the touch and gave nicely, and there was a chandelier above the salad bar. Otherwise, the room was lit around by lamps on tables and small, dim lights in the booths. On the walls were pictures of poster girls and pinups. There was even one of Spitfire up on the wall. At the very back of the room was a raised stage with a single microphone stand upon it. Held within the confines of the stand was a golden, old style microphone.

"VIPs pay a monthly bid to be able to enter here. The girls still cost them money, the drinks still cost them money and the food still costs them money. But, since the monthly fee isn't actually that much, they're only too happy to oblige us. We have a show every night, but sometimes our vocalist isn't well or has a bad day, so we have our backups. Personally, I prefer our singer, but our backup musicians are lovely entertainment as well of course. There are eighteen booths in the room, all along the left wall. The curtain can be pulled across the booths in case a client is interested in spending money right there."

Thread nodded slowly. A curious innovation, and no doubt a popular one, she surmised. Ambrosia looked slyly across at her newest employee.

"This is where you will work."

Thread started in shock and looked at Ambrosia.

"I'm going to start here? In the VIP room? I had thought..."

"Yes, normally I'd start somepony off in the regular room, and if they became popular enough, or worked really well, I'd up them to the VIP room. But you my dear..."

Ambrosia smiled at Thread.

"I know you're going to be a hit. Do you want to know how I know?"

Gilded thought about it for a moment. Having not answer, she nodded, wanting to know.

"Simple. I'm attracted to you. And if I'm attracted to you, they'll be unable to even resist you. And that means I can make them pay premium."

Gilded Thread flushed, embarrassed. Ambrosia gave her a few minutes to let everything settle into her newest consort's mind before speaking again.

"Now, given that it's a Sunday, I think it's time you met the rest of your workmates. Are you ready?"

Thread nodded quickly, her blush starting to fade by now.

"Excellent. Back to the foyer then!"

Within half an hour, Ambrosia had called her staff to call, and now they were seated before the red mare and the newest member of their little family, who was looking at each member passively, memorizing the faces of her new workmates.

"Alright then girls. I know some of you are wondering why I called you away from your homes or from lunch. This is my reason. Today, we welcome a new girl to the family."

There was a delighted murmur throughout the crowd and Ambrosia shot a happy look at Thread, who seemed a little nervous.

"Now, as due to tradition, we will celebrate her entry into our home in regular style, which is why you haven't seen any of the kitchen staff around. Now, before we begin, there's a few things I'd like to say."

A young mare came down the stairs behind the assembled ponies, looking harried and a little overworked. In one hoof was a tray with a crystal decanter filled with a deep red liquid and two beautiful wine glasses. Ambrosia smiled warmly at the rushed mare.

"Ah, perfect timing Bubbles. I almost thought you wouldn't make it."

"I'd never miss an appointment for you Mistress," Bubbles replied breathlessly, seating herself beside Ambrosia on the opposite side of Thread. Ambrosia nodded to her as she began pouring the two older mares a drink, passing one almost reverently to Ambrosia and one carefully to Thread, who took it in an aura of gold, not sure how to proceed with it. Bubbles noted her confusion and shot her a friendly wink which, for some reason, set Thread's mind at ease.

"Thank you dear. Now, as tradition, the new member of our family will share a drink of only the finest wine, for what ages better than a fine wine and family bonds?"

Ambrosia lifted her glass to the crowd of eager looking mares and (the few that there were) stallions. She then turned to Thread and whispered softly, "Only take little sips, drink deep when I do, and you'll be fine."

Thread barely nodded before Ambrosia lifted her glass to her lips, the taller mare before her copying her movement with her magic.

"A taste of wine, for an equally sweet friendship."

The pair sipped their wine and the other ponies said something quietly that Thread didn't catch.

"A sip of alcohol, for long lived bonds."

Again a sip, and again the others murmured something quietly. Thread glanced at them nervously before looking back to Ambrosia.

"A cup of fragrance, that our family stay strong."

Ambrosia tipped the rest of her cup of wine down her throat, and Thread followed suit, already feeling the alcohol work into her system. It was strong, and damn was it good.

"And the heat of our cheeks," Ambrosia said lastly, licking her red stained lips, "That our inner fires burn forever,"

She lunged forward suddenly, grabbing the taller unicorn's cheeks and pulling her forward, her shocked yelp cut off as her lips met her benefactor's, her eyes wide. Ambrosia's lips were a little taste of heaven itself, and she couldn't help herself. Thread had never seen herself as attracted to mares, and had never found herself aroused at the sight of nor scent of a mare. But Ambrosia brought out something primal in her that she had difficulty understanding or quelling. Unable to resist, Thread leaned into the risque activity, even as she felt Ambrosia's tongue tease her bottom lip, and her teeth brush against the same spot as she pulled away, her eyes half closed and her breath heavy.

The pair sat there for a moment, both panting before Ambrosia smiled slowly.

"Welcome to the family, Gilded Thread."

The group of ponies before them let out a delighted shout and surged forward, breaking Thread's reverie as she looked around at the sea of ponies closing in on her. There was a cacaphony of sound and colours, the feeling of woolen garments and silk before Ambrosia's lovely laugh carried over it all.

"Everypony to the VIP room! It's time to celebrate!"

Author's Note

Gilded Thread: A unicorn mare graciously offered by Basalisk120, who writes his own stories on this site in fact! He's a wonderful guy with great stories. Thank you so much for your lovely unicorn.