The Tale of Lady Hoofwise

Chapters

How to Begin...
The Confrontation
The Circus
Pushing On
Reinvention
Tedium and Pleasure...
The Morning After

How to Begin...

To explain to the reader how my life became that of Lady Hoofwise? Difficult, to say the least. But I shall give it a try. I suppose, as with all tales, we should start at the beginning.

I was born to a family not unlike any other. We were not unique or wealthy, we lived within our means, as do so many others. My father was a scribe; he would work long hours copying documents from dawn till dusk. Whereas, my mother looked after us;if dumping us all in a communal play area counted as such. But,that is irrelevant.

Father wanted the best for us, he taught us letters, and forced us to absorb countless volumes on various subjects: The arts, the sciences, anything that would give us an edge in schooling. I didn't appreciate it much then; what foal would? Yet now, I bless the old stallion with all my heart...for that at least.

That was my life, from as soon as I was able to talk, my siblings too, but they were never treated as I was. To my parents, I was their 'Star', their lucky break. I was going to rise high and pluck them from the abject squalor we lived in : so they told me, night after night, day after day. Until the moment arrived.

For most young fillies and colts, the discovery of their special talent prompts great celebration and joy. Not mine. I was performing in the annual school play; I must've been ten or eleven? Anyway, I had drawn the lead villain; a simple role to say the least.

"Act evil." had been the masterful instruction. So, I did. I turned myself 'into' the character as it were; delivering an inspired speech before being slain! The applause! It was sweet music to my ears. The other parents grinned widely, clapping as if they meant it, over the usual, dutiful sound. My parents however, were not even there.

You see, to my parents, acting was a hobby; an indulgence that we would pursue alongside our glittering careers and nothing more. When they found out that I'd got the part, they'd smiled in that way parents do. "That's nice" They had chimed and never thought of it again.

When we returned to 'the dressing room'; the area furthest from the curtain, I felt the tingle. I had ignored it at first, so caught up in the grins of my classmates and that of the usually morose teacher. It became more insistent. Taking off my costume, I saw my brand; in the shape of a mask, with a shadowed face behind it. Naturally, this prompted a whole new round of cheers. I distinctly remember the feeling of dread that accompanied the discovery, yet I managed to return the smiles and appear jubilant.

Then came the journey home. I didn't live far away from the schoolhouse, but every step closer I made that night seemed to take an eternity; my leaden limbs protesting, while my heart fluttered. I cried bitter tears.

"They're going to be so mad at me!" I had wailed.

Unbidden, memories had invaded my troubled mind. One of being sat with father at his desk.

"My little Star." He had said fondly;

"You've done so well. I can't wait to see what you become: Some great scholar or theorist, perhaps, a great designer... a businessmare!" He'd cried! I had giggled and stared up into that spectacled face.

"I will Daddy. Just you wait."

Thus, I cried all the more and contemplated running away. But, I didn't; I walked into the house and broke down in the doorway. My parents had come rushing over; worry etched on their faces. "Please, don't be mad." I had whimpered.

They brought me inside, soothed me with comforting words, not yet having noticed. Once I had mastered myself, I had shown them; looking away, shamefaced..

They were silent for a long time. That silence! It had cut to my very core. I turned to face them, my father's face blank and my mother's, so telling... I burst into tears anew. My father had walked over and hugged me. I cried into his chest.

"I'm sorry!, I'm sorry!"

He replied;

"There's no need to be sad. You've found your special talent! We need to celebrate."

He had smiled so convincingly, I believed he truly meant it.

The liar!

It didn't take long for me to notice the change. My parents no longer doted on me, as they used to. I was no longer, 'their star' I was called by my birth name, 'Hope'; that must've twisted the knife all the further for them. I continued as before, but now, high marks no longer satisfied them. They managed a murmur of hollow congratulation; then turned their faces to my siblings.

I had become the black sheep, the outcast. My whole future had crumbled to dust in their eyes, all because of that one moment. I cried myself to sleep, trying anything to remove this foul blemish. Of course, nothing worked. It continued like this for many a year, until something clicked; I made the realisation that my mark, was an expression of me. That is to say, it showed my desire, my passion. Trying to change who I was would achieve nothing.

So, I set about my tasks with a new energy, daring my parents to question. They did not; they simply ignored it and averted their eyes. Incensed, I confronted them;just as the Circus came into town. It makes me laugh now, how that day changed my life.I had no idea what would come of it, at the time I didn't care. I had my heart set on showing them all that I would become great, and I certainly did. The famous Lady Hoofwise, a character that became real.

What was that phrase again? "All the world's a stage." Truer words were never spoken.

The Confrontation

The die was cast. I threw open the door and marched into the house. I was making a stand, showing that I wouldn't just fade away. My mother looked startled and the potato she'd just been peeling fell to the floor. "Hope?" She had said, looking me in the eye for the first time in months.

I launched into a tirade:

"Why are you and father treating me so? Have I done wrong? Have I shamed you?" She took each question as if it were a blow, shrinking back against the oven, but remaining mute. I was now in my 16th year and tall for my age. At that moment I towered over her, glowering venomously. That lasted all of a minute, before I burst into tears.

"Don't you love me?"

That did get her attention. Her face twisted and she bawled. I was in shock. Never once had I seen my mother cry, she'd always hidden it. Now, the dam had broken and I was the cause. Caught between my fury and sadness, i choked. "Well?"

"I will always love you, little Star" came the muffled reply, before she leapt at me, holding me with crushing strength, born of emotion.

If she'd used anything other than my nickname, I might've subsided, but that bitter reminder of the life I'd lost rekindled the flame. I pushed her off.

"Liar!" I shrieked, as she quailed.

"Ever since I found my talent, all you've done is ignore me. I'm still achieving as I did, working as hard; if not more so. You have no reason to treat me this way!" In that declaration, I let out all the pain of those last years. I stood there quivering, as she gave no answer; clutching the oven rail.

"You're right Hope, we don't have a reason" An even, yet keen-edged tone sounded. I whirled around to see my father, who was usually so placid, advancing on me in a cold rage.

"We had NO reason, to stop playing favorites;to let your siblings feel as if they mattered? Is that what you're saying?"

Despite my terror, I bit back. "So, by making them feel wanted, you exclude me? Never acknowledge when I've done something worthy of praise!?"

"This!" I said, showing my mark.

"Is your reason." I spat.

"Ever since I found a talent you despised, you wanted rid of me." I retreated further; "You remember that night, don't you? I came home in TEARS knowing that you would hate me! Do you know how that feels?"

My father stopped. His glasses glinted as he adjusted them.

"We never wanted rid of you. In our eyes you had achieved your potential. Admittedly, we were disappointed, as we couldn't understand how that became your talent. But, that was not the reason we've acted as we have. You've always been a spoiled child. I'm sorry, but it's true. We realised that your siblings would always be in your shadow." He held my mother, who was now sobbing uncontrollably, while I shrunk away from his words.

"You were our pride and joy, as you well know. They know it too; can you imagine how THAT feels? So, we've treated you as their equal, to allow them their chance to shine. What seems to you cruelty, is commonplace in other households. We knocked you off of that pedestal and we thought, you'd accepted it. But, I see from your actions today, you have not. We love you with all our hearts Hope, I'll be the first to say it and we are proud of what you have achieved. Now it is their turn."

I could not believe a word of what I was hearing. The exclusion, all those miserable nights, because they wanted my siblings to feel worthy? If a word of it were true, they would've told me prior to this, wouldn't you think? They waited until I, five years after that day, decide to speak out? Perhaps they'd prepared the whole speech in advance, to lull their darling daughter back? Ha!

I ran, with hot tears on my cheeks, bolting across the yard. A cry of "Hope!" pursuing me as I fled. I don't remember exactly how, but my flight took me to the Circus pavillion. I sat beneath a cart, huddled up and cried.

A voice called out

"Are you alright?"

I looked up into that concerned face, my own, puffed from crying. Little did I know, I was about to join the Circus.

The Circus

You might imagine watching my home town fade into the distance would stir some emotion in me. It did. A feeling of absolute triumph and freedom radiated from my skin as that ramshackle eyesore left my view; giving way to a rolling expanse of green. I let my back hooves trail over the edge of the cart, each bump in the road, jolting me, but I was past caring.

The cart was surprisingly large, like a train carriage, only road worthy.I wondered why, since we were the only two.The majority of the inside was separated by a curtain, my new friend had shown me. It was lined with a countless number of costumes masks of Tragedy and Comedy along with: coloured masks, tribal masks, scary masks and funny masks. Oh, and wigs, can't forget the wigs, ranging from a toupee, to a grandly tiered mass. Turns out my friend was an impressionist, I would never have guessed.

His name was Max, or rather, that was the stage name he'd taken for his series of sketches. Max's Masquerade He had said proudly, trailing his hooves in the air, while waggling his eyebrows. I'm not sure he knew what a masquerade was, but I laughed anyway. He stood beside me, holding the canvas of the roof, smiling. He always smiled as if the whole world were one big joke no one else was in on.

He was roughly twenty, wore his mane close cropped, (it helped with the masks) and had such a myriad of makeup stains I found it hard to discern his original colour. Although, patches of silvery gray shined defiantly against the encroaching muck. His mane was a shining black, I imagined it would look good long, but I never got to see it that way

He caught me staring and his smile grew all the wider.

"You sure running away was the best thing to do? This isn't like the stories. You could jump off now and be back home before long."

I rolled my eyes and punched him lightly. he laughed "I'll take that as a no then."

His grin was infectious and I put on an accent. "Indeed good sir."

He laughed all the more before making a mock bow and with an accent of his own said:

"Would M'lady require anything else? Silken bedsheets, some reading matter perhaps?"

I couldn't stifle my laughter and the farmer passing by on the dirt track looked bemused.

Blushing and holding my hooves to my mouth, only set Max off more. I began to snort, struggling for breath. The remainder of our journey passed in much the same way, each of us putting on accents more ridiculous than the last. In short, I was happy.

The convoy came to a stop in an area of dirt and dust; a few defiant weeds poked out in challenge. However, this area was ringed by green, marking this natural boundary. It did unsettle me a little, but that soon changed.

Some unspoken word of command saw it come alive. Ponies leapt from their carts, hooves full of fabrics and ropes and boards, it was amazing. I saw the stands, the housing, the side attractions all spring up before my eyes; some shared mental map coordinating the effort.

I stood, transfixed before I was attacked by the bundle Max had thrown; I fumbled to catch it. he smirked at the death glare I shot him. "Come on then!" he called cheerfully as he set off with his own bundle. While he managed to artfully dodge the press of rushing ponies, I didn't find it so easy; my bundle being knocked to and fro and becoming well acquainted with somepony's face as I later found out.

Having battled through the throng to the grinning Max; my mane billowing about my face and my chest rhythmically contorting with each laboured breath. I dropped my bundle, believing I was done; not so.

"Now," He said in a tone struggling to be even: "we raise the stand." I gave an exasperated sigh ,which made him burst into laughter.

I soon discovered how useless I was at practical work; I could raise the planks well enough, but connecting them with nails? That required a greater skill, or so I told myself as Max watched my efforts with an amused eye. "Are you going to stand there gawping, or help me?" I said, irritated; my hooves splayed in front of me, before I returned to my labour with a cross shake of my head. He did come and help me in the end; I imagine more out of fear for the guests, than as a gentlemanly gesture.

Upon completion, sweat pouring from my brow, I stood with my head held high and my chest puffed.

"Not bad, wouldn't you say?" I said, turning to Max.

In a droning voice he replied "Of course Ma'am" then scuttled away, as I sent a block of wood in his direction.

I was left to guard my creation as Max left to help with raising the main pavillion. Although it was now late in the evening, the whole action was illuminated by torches; a great red and white centrepiece rising from a deflated mass of fabric. It was an impressive sight, sure to attract the multitudes.

Nothing remained of the original area I described, sawdust craftily covering the desolation beneath. It was a fantastic transformation; the locals must've been ever so grateful.

With the pavillion erected, everypony began milling toward the cart park. I stood there, waiting for Max, who ushered me along a minute or so later. I walked beside him, looking around with nervous eyes. A few ponies gave me curious glances, but soon averted them, talking with their friends.

Escaping the row of brightly coloured tents and skirting the deviously placed tent pegs, we came into an open area. A large number of tables had been dotted around, each one encircling the long and grand central table. Many ponies were already there, chatting happily. For the first time I felt nervous, unconsciously moving closer to Max, the only friendly face in this sea of strangers.

While I was still looking around, we moved closer to the central table. I wasn't aware of this until I noticed that the crowd had melted away.

"What have we here?" Came a deep, smooth voice.

My eyes snapped forward to behold the speaker. He had an obscenely large waxed mustache, that gave his nose a bird like look. laughing hazel eyes, corresponding with his fur. White trousers, with a red coat-tailed jacket with gleaming brass buttons and a pair of shiny black boots. I knew I was in the presence of the Ringmaster. My mouth worked soundlessly, so Max filled the silence, telling him my name and where I'd come from.

His brow furrowed. "I see." after a pause he said "Max has treated you well, I trust?" I caught the unasked question in his tone. Was I Max's whore? I replied that he had treated me well and I was excited to be part of Circus life.

That seemed to satisfy him as, in front of the hushed onlookers he embraced me and with a happy chuckle, he said.

"Welcome Hope! We're always glad of new arrivals, aren't we?"

He addressed the last part to the crowd, who unanimously cried

"Yes!"

I was shocked by his hug, but I managed a smile.

"Thank you so much!" I said for all to hear.

He released me and with a glinting eye said "You'll dine at my table tonight, you too Max."

I was beaming by the time i'd sat down and those I caught the eye of, beamed too. The table was covered in a patchwork cloth, the bowls were an assortment of crockery and wood, while the forks were mostly metal. It didn't bother me, I just noticed the contrast. I swear, I laughed more that night, than I had for the last five years at home.

Later on, the chairs were moved to one side and instruments were brought out, everypony danced. I went from face to face, beaming and joking. I danced with Max awhile too, before the Ringmaster seized my hoof for an impromptu waltz. He was surprisingly lithe and seemed to take great pleasure in my being able to match him move for move. At the end I gave an amused curtsey, although without a dress. He good naturedly bowed, with theatrical flourish, then we parted.

After that night, the real work began. I was paired with Max when my skill with acting was noted. At first I was on once or twice, then as they grew more confident in my ability I featured more, until it became a twopony show. I never had my name added to the title though, didn't really fit.

I could regale you for many a page of the fun I had over those three years, but I'll stick with my favorite moment. We'd moved to a town a few miles from Canterlot and we had a group of schoolkids present. Max and I were dressed as knights, my face covered by a 'visor'. A few painted bits of metal and a plume seemed enough to convince them. Max paraded around the sawdust covered arena, coming close to the barrier. He took on an aloof and sneery tone, boasting of his ability. Soon enough, they started booing and throwing their popcorn, before I made my entrance.

"If you're so great, fight me!" I had cried, my voice muffled by the visor, wooden sword brandished.

We clashed and I swatted him a few times, soon enough he leapt the barrier, running into the crowd and I pursued. "I yield! I yield!" He shrieked, provoking guffaws from the children. He returned to the centre before collapsing. In a pathetic tone he said. "Good sir, you are far greater than I, let me look upon my superior" He kissed my hooves, mewling pathetically, which they loved.

"I am no sir," I said, removing my helm "I am a Mare!" he shrank back and the children hooted, cheering me.

I grinned, bowing and Max struggled not to. He stood up and paced the sands. "I could still beat all of you; so, be quiet!" A chorus of boos sounded.

I said "Oh yeah? Let's see. I'll need a volunteer." They all looked eager, although one filly practically leapt the barrier, so I chose her. She took my sword and stared Max down with a vehemence born of belief. I stifled a laugh as Max twirled his weapon.

"Alright now, let's not be too has-" She charged, smacking him ferociously. He fell.

"No more! No more!"

I came over to her and raised her sword hoof. "Champion!" Their cheers reached a crescendo and Max got up, laughing. We sat her on our shoulders and made a lap of honor. The filly held the sword high.Max and I shared a glance, grinning stupidly. We returned her to her place, minus the sword. Her classmates received her with joy. We bowed and exited, both of us similarly affected.

Next came the Ringmaster and his partner Miriam. I forgot to mention before, but he took part in the act. He was a trapeze artist. While she wowed the audience with her grace and sleekness. He awed with his energy, his form twitching like that of a predatory animal; It was a sight to see.

Despite our close relationship, Max and I were never a couple, despite what ponies thought. There was an attraction, but neither of us acted on it. Three years passed by, before I seriously considered it. Then, It was all too late.

I don't know why Max was dismantling the trapeze that day, perhaps I'll never know. I was in our shared 'dressing room' washing the makeup from my face, when I heard the clamor outside. I rushed out and asked what'd happened and somepony turned "Max has been hurt!" they said, before rushing off towards the pavillion. My heart turned to ice, I was in too much shock to cry. I just remember saying "Please be ok" over and over, like some protective mantra as I made my way there. A crowd had gathered in the ring and I pushed past them.

Max, my dearest friend, was dead. His neck was at an odd angle, broken by the fall. Mercifully someone had closed his eyes. First I remember trembling, then sobbing, then weeping unashamedly. Others were similarly affected, but for me it was worse. Many stood by me, but the Ringmaster himself, came through the crowd to hold me. I cried into his chest as they bore Max away. That mocking grin still fixed on his face in death. Having held the Ringmaster for some time, I pulled back. "Thank you" I murmured. He looked at me so piteously, I had to turn away. Before I knew it, I was back in our dressing room. Except, it wasn't ours anymore.

Everything I looked at reminded me of him. I sat, in state among the costumes, wallowing in misery. The others couldn't rouse me, no matter what they tried. Until one day, Stan, dear Stan, knocked. "Sir wants to see if you're alright." Sir was our alternate name for the Ringmaster, it was more of a joke than a sign of respect. I ignored him, lost in bitter memory.

"I'm coming in" he'd said. "Alright?" I didn't reply.

He entered, his muscular bulk barely fitting through the doorway. When he saw me, he sighed and picked me up. For a strongman he was surprisingly gentle. he murmured soothing things and I clung to him. "It's alright love, it's alright" He lifted me with ease and carried me outside.

Others were waiting, with solemn faces. They gave meaningless words of commiseration. as he carried me past them. I blinked at the usually happy sights of the stands, not feeling anything. I hadn't wanted to move from my place, but I hadn't resisted either. We came to the Ringmaster's tent; Stan bowed under the entrance and set me inside. He left soon after I believe.

I'd never been in his tent before, at any other time I might've eyed the polished oak desk or the canvas bed with more interest. He came over, his face displaying his sympathy. "Hope, my dear Hope." He said, hugging me with wordless feeling. Whether it was the seclusion, or his concern, I don't know, but I cried again. He felt my body shudder and pulled back.

"I can't imagine what you've been through" he'd said in that deep, soothing voice. I made no reply, but to cry more. I am unsure if it was I or he who started what happened next. In either event, we kissed. After some time I pushed at his chest, to break it, but that didn't happen. Somehow, we'd turned around and I was knocked against his desk. Unable to break the contact, I continued, my tears still falling. Eventually he relented and I sat on his desk, feeling all the worse for it. It was not that I disliked him, in fact, quite the opposite; but now, so soon after Max... it felt disloyal.

He then began spouting these words of love and adoration. I sucked them up dumbly, but managed to murmur "I like you too." I only meant it to show my interest, not instigate what happened next. With my apparent acceptance he leapt at me with a new energy. I beat at him to stop, feeble as I was but that didn't deter him. He pressed me further until I realised his intent. I was powerless to stop him as he took me, I screamed and I moaned, but to no avail.He seemed to delight in exploring my body and forcing me to endure this humiliation.

I tried to fight, but in the end my body betrayed me. He had forced me to the bed by that stage and once he was done, rolled off and held me. I couldn't shake him, so I lay there; my innocence lost and my body sore.

Pushing On

I wanted to believe that the night before had been a dream; that my sadness had manifested itself in my being ravaged, wishful thinking. When I awoke, he was gone, that satisfied sigh to his breathing, no longer resounding like a knife in my conscience. I rolled over under the sheets and looked about his tent, noting the finery, the nick-nacks, the bookshelf, then averted my eyes. I cleaned myself with as much dignity as I could muster, my extremities having returned to their usual dimensions, but reeking of the filth of the act. I could be cleansed visibly, but not internally. I washed my mouth out with a glass of water. I still gagged. I styled my mane in the hoof mirror and left the tent; the whap of the wind against the fabric punctuating my escape.

I was numb, blank, the combination of the two events having erased me emotionally. I passed ponies along the way and the looks they gave me told me they knew. They knew, that I knew, that they knew, so they soon averted their eyes. They hadn't helped me, so they could keep their implicit accusations to themselves. If I had left beaming, or parading myself, they would have been justified.

I went about my tasks with a lethargy I have never known. Dismantling our, MY, stand blankly. Nopony caught my eye and I didn't care. Let them talk, let them snigger to themselves, It wouldn't change the truth of the matter. Without Max to help me, it took considerably longer, but I bundled my things away independently.

Stan passed by at some stage, his face showing an expression of blissful ignorance. "Good to see you out and about love." I managed a tremulous smile and nodded. After those ritual pleasantries were observed, he left me. I mounted and sat on the end of my cart, trailing my hooves, thinking nostalgically of that first day. The events playing back in my mind, adding to my misery.

As if to complete this image, it began to rain. Ponies hurriedly packed away their things, ducking from this natural barrage. I just sat there, watching them, like a detached observer. Then Miriam came into view, a white parasol held high, covering her cream coat and pristine jade mane and tail. I regarded her as blankly as the others, thinking she looked like some China doll, delicate...innocent; a single gust of wind might shatter that soon enough. It was unfair to think of her cruelly, since she and I did have a mutual respect for each other. I only registered her fully, when it appeared she was coming my way.

She stopped a distance from my cart, shading her eyes with one hoof, so obscured was her vision by the rain.

"Hope?" She'd said and wandered closer, I made no move. "Hope." She said more insistently, before planting herself in front of me. Something in her tone made me look up, my eye roving.

Her face was guardedly blank, one lock of her mane batting at her mouth. I imagined she'd come to yell at me. I didn't know if she and the Ringleader shared anything like Max and I.

"Can I come in?" she said and I gave a nod. She got in and collapsed her parasol, giving a shiver.

" We need to get you out of the rain." I made no move to comply, so she dragged me backwards into the bowels of memory. Max had come up with this ingenious idea of a collapsing canvas, it was so good that others adopted it. Miriam brought mine down over the entrance, shielding us from the elements. She lit the magic safety torches along the sides, giving us some light. She busied herself in back, while I made no move.

She came out with a blanket, wrapping me in it and kneeling at my side, giving me a comforting rub on the back. I looked her in the eye for the first time,she looked concern, but after my encounter, I didn't know If I could judge that anymore.

We didn't speak for some time, I absorbed the comfort she offered. Then It all came out in a rush, the whole affair. To my credit I didn't cry, even though I felt like it. She couldn't have been much older than me, but the comfort she gave, reminded me of those early years with my mother. That safety and security. Her voice had some foreign flair that was pleasing to the ear, giving it an exotic duskiness, that soon lulled me.

She absorbed what I had said stoically. Then came out with her own tale:

"The Ringmaster is not a cruel stallion;at least, he doesn't mean to be. He becomes a slave to his passions, which I know from bitter experience. He has the charm and the looks, but he has no measure of propriety. I caught his eye at an age similar to yours; I kissed him with genuine affection and he returned it equally so. However, he took that affection as a sign of my willingness and...well, you know what came of that. When I heard what had happened.." She trailed off and I hugged her, a kindred soul in my suffering.

"Although, he never discards us, he feels for us both genuinely. I knew you'd caught his eye that first night, so I did all in my power to distract him, but with Max gone.. I failed you. He will call on you again, being ignorant of the harm he has done.Refusing will not get you anywhere, he will wear you down with gifts, with pretty words; he might even prostrate himself before you and beg forgiveness. You might be much stronger than I, but you will submit." She became teary now.

I gave her hoof a reassuring squeeze "We don't have to." I said quietly. She looked at me in puzzlement, but also a little hope. The cogs in my brain whirring, a plan formed. Miriam listened gleefully, her smile widening. We sealed the pact with a jubilant hoofbump. Now we were inseparable, as we needed to be for what was to come.

Miriam took a trip into town with a list of the items we'd need. I split the cost with her. I say it was my plan, but Miriam added her share to it.

I wasn't exactly happy with what we were going to do, but needs must. The Circus was moving off in the morning, so we needed to be quick. I spent the afternoon preparing myself. Miriam came back as darkness fell, the setting sun giving the whole area a rogue tint.

She'd bought what we needed, with a few words of encouragement, I bade her depart and get ready herself; for the next phase, was the deciding one.

The Ringmaster came back to his tent at his usual hour, having seen that everypony was packed and ready. He passed under the entrance, where we were waiting for him.

"Well hello, Sir" the giggly and seductive voice of Miriam rang out. He started at the unexpected noise, then his expression changed to one I can only compare to having your Birthday and Heart's Warming come at once. She was sat in his chair, while I sat on her lap. I was kissing her neck and caressing her shoulders. We both gave moans of exaggerated pleasure, while Miriam fluttered her eyes and gave a coquettish smile.

"There's a drink on the side we thought you'd like" I pressed my face into hers and turned to look at him. "You can sit back and relax, maybe we'll let you join in." I giggled, before returning my attention to Miriam, all to aware of what he could see.

He adjusted his collar, pulling at his coat. Once he'd wrested it off, he grabbed his glass and sat back, with the air of a connoisseur; he wasn't disappointed. Soon, our attentions became more detailed, focusing on certain areas of our anatomy that a true Lady would blush to mention. With a cheeky wiggle of my rear I set to work. Miriam played her part expertly; we had seduced him wholly.

After a similar performance by her, we focused on some of the items she'd bought. We used them with inexperience, but that made it more exciting; (It was certainly a learning experience!)along with several other arousing performances... one involving a paddle and my being bent facing him, which he enjoyed immensely.

I won't go into specifics from that point, but let's just say he ended up a happy stallion; then the sleeping pills we'd dosed him with took effect. We soon dislodged ourselves from him and removed the key to his cedar-wood chest from his coat pocket.

We opened it liked treasure hunters, it was filled with a multitude of sacks, each one chinking heavily. We removed several;It was only fair he gave something back after all.

We muffled our squeals of delight. Not that stealth mattered, since he was sleeping deeply at this stage.

Then came our flight. We locked the chest and put the key back, we replaced the sacks with similar ones, but filled with junk. Emptied his glass, and packed away our instruments, as well as clearing up any evidence of our lovemaking, minus that on the bed. We didn't expect it to fool him at all, but the image of him waking up to an empty bed covered in juices, made us laugh; a very wet dream indeed.

With that done, and our personal effects craftily placed in bundles behind the tent, we made good our escape. Darting expertly from place to place. We stayed far away from the sleeping tents as we didn't want to alarm anypony; since our faces were concealed.

Soon enough we were free. The lights of the nearby town beckoning us, like moths to flame. Once we were certain we were safe, we whooped and cheered. We embraced and ran a considerable distance.

The irony of our plan, considering what we were escaping from, didn't escape me. But, as I said, needs must. Any other way would likely have ended with our arrest, or continued abuse.

Neither of us cared: we ran for joy, we ran for life, we ran for freedom.

Reinvention

We'd done it! We were free. The euphoria of that moment, mere words cannot do it justice. Soon enough, we skirted the garden fences of thatched houses, our stealth mode engaged once again. We slid back our hoods and covering scarves, we didn't want to be mistaken for thieves now, did we?

I knew our next objective was concealment and as I couldn't change our looks immediately, we sought shelter. Anywhere immediately in town would be stupid and we didn't fancy walking into the tavern, as somepony would recognise us if a search took place.

As it happens, not many ponies walk around at night, so we had trouble finding directions. Luckily, some stallion or other was ushered out of the tavern at that stage. The words of the barpony carried, at least we thought he was.

"You go on home now Ted." were the parting words, before the door was shut on the light and noise inside.

It took Ted some time to respond, as he nodded after the door was slammed "Will do!" he said, before his face twisted in concentration and he tottered in our direction. We were leaning by the corner of the adjacent house, so we could see the grassy square and Ted's progress. He came to the house before ours, passed us without noticing, then relieved himself on the opposite wall.

I nodded at Miriam, she nodded at me, I nodded more insistently; she shook her head and mimed gagging . Our little discourse was interrupted by a moan from Ted, showing he'd finished.

"I needed that!" he said, to no-one in particular, before tottering past us again.

I rolled my eyes at Miriam before pursuing, I caught him, just as he trampled the flowers of a house further along, i'm surprised nopony saw him, since the lights were on and the latticed window gave a good view. I placed a friendly hoof around his shoulder, steering him away from an inevitable beating.

"Ted!" I exclaimed in a girlish voice.

"You remember me?"

He looked at me through a drunken haze and judging from the arch of his eyebrows he liked what he saw. "N-no, I don't believe we have Miss." he slurred, attempting some courtly bow; I held him up to stop him falling.

I pouted "You mean you don't remember me?" I sniffled "After that great night we had?"

His brows furrowed, but I'd got his attention. "Care to remind me?"

I'm surprised he remembered how to flirt, given the state he was in.

I laughed, although I grimaced inwardly. "Oh, you!" I would've punched him playfully, If I wasn't certain he'd end up knocked out on the floor.

I perched by his ear. "As it happens, i'm on the market for a house, know anywhere?"

The suggestion of my tone set his drink sodden brain working

"Yeah, they do that at the..place"

Knowing this was hopeless, I gave up.

"Thanks so much Ted!" I said, kissing his cheek.

"I'll invite you back sometime." I ran away before the suggestion hit home. bowling into Miriam as I hid behind the house.

"Is he following?" I said, poking my head out.

"Nope." said Miriam

"Looks like he's making out with a lamppost."

Sure enough, he was. Both of us were snorting, Miriam's eyes watered as she struggled to hold in her mirth.

Giving the pair some privacy, we walked across the square noting the odd stretch of pavement that passed into the Town Hall; strange that the rest of the square was grassy. It was rather grand, pillars supporting a tiered building made of polished stone;the huge clock-face at its summit illuminated by some magic or other. It was coming up to 4am and It didn't seem a smart idea to go inquiring after housing at this time, so we would sleep rough; not in the square obviously, but I did spy a signpost pointing to the park.

Neither of us was particularly keen on the idea, but we entered the fenced off park and searched for a place to sleep. It was a rather large park, abundant with flora. Luckily we found a dense hedge suited to our purpose. It must've served as a child's den at some stage, as removing a few branches we found a hollowed out grotto like area and we were concealed from any prying eyes.

We carried our stuff in backpacks, we'd attached huge blankets to the top, military style. (At least we thought it was.) I placed mine on the floor, having removed any particularly nasty stones and twigs. Miriam's served as our bedsheet, it seemed the sensible thing to do; sharing the blankets I mean, otherwise we'd be shivering and uncomfortable separated.

There was no time for blushing and shy suggestion, it was practical and that was how we saw it. We managed a little conversation as we slid under the sheet. Then a silence ensued, neither of us slept; I'll wager we were kept awake by the same thought. I opened my mouth to speak, then shut it again. We were both mature mares, but recollection of the, events of our plan, sealed our mouths tighter than any blushing schoolfilly's.

We both made an unconscious decision to ignore it and rolled into each other accidently. After a hurried "Sorry!" we both settled down, until the oblivion of sleep took hold.

We awoke simultaneously at the sound of laughter in the park beyond the hedge; the foliage providing a patchwork of images, so we could make out certain things. We got up and packed our things away, wouldn't do to have anypony stumble in on us after all.

We both grinned at the sound of playing, it reminded us of performing and the awed sounds that accompanied it. We shouldered our packs and walked out of the hedge nonchalantly. We doubted the children would care and if any parents saw, they dutifully averted their eyes.

Turns out that the town was a lot larger than we'd thought. The Town Hall we thought we'd seen was actually a derelict library, which we might've noticed if we'd seen the boards and large sign. The houses were in neat rows and had a paved path surrounding the patch of grass I'd talked to Ted on.

There was a Market District; shops neatly arranged, with a public forum in the centre, filled with the stand traders we were used to.

Having looked at the time I found we'd slept till mid-afternoon. There was some talk around the stalls of the "Circus Ponies" asking after friends, but they had been shooed away ; came the affirmation from one sour looking trader who seemed glad of it.

We made our way around and asked about renting; those we talked to seemed all to happy to help and we were soon directed to the real Town Hall. While the library had impressed us, this was awe inspiring. A gleaming white palace of marble, huge latticed windows along its walls; oaken doors that wouldn't have been amiss in a church and so on. The Equestrian flag fluttered in the breeze atop the dome of the roof, as the clock , chimed a deep bass to show the hour.

We went through the public entrance, all too aware of our backpacks and shabby coats. The inside was equally as grand, the gleam gave it the wooden walls a look of fresh cut pine. We shuffled up to the help desk, not a little intimidated. The spectacled mare on the other end gave us a fixed smile.

"How may I help you today?" She said it in such a robotic way, you could almost see her screaming internally.

"W-we'd like to look at renting a property." I said nervously.

At my words the mask dropped, showing a doubtful expression, but It was quickly masked.

I didn't blame her, since we were cloaked and carrying backpacks; not exactly the usual custom.

"Uh, huh." she said "I'll be right back." She twirled in her chair and walked away. She came back soon after with her manager and a guard pony. Miriam looked like she was about to cry, I steadied her.

"If you'd like to come with us please." said the dour Guardpony. The manager nodded, as if he was needed to acquiesce. We followed without a fight, the manager wiping sweat from his brow; this was clearly the most exciting thing he'd ever done.

We were taken into a back room and were sat at the two pre-prepared chairs before the desk and the Guadpony's chair.

The manager was there too, his heavy breathing carrying in the otherwise silent room.

The Guardpony got straight to it, looking as bored as before. "You can understand why we're suspicious, I'm sure. Two backpacking mares, looking like they've spent the night in a bush. What's your business here?"

I replied crisply "Hedge, actually." Miriam kicked me under the table, while the manager's jowls quivered in indignation.

Mr Happy however, didn't respond. I can't imagine he'd ever smiled; I imagine his face being so deep set that anything happy came out as less of a drone.

He sighed. "Very funny. Now answer my question."

So, I did. "Well, you know that the Circus folk have been asking after some frie-"

The manager leapt from his place. "I knew it! I knew it! Come to leech off of our poor tow-" Mr Happy silenced him with a hoof.

"Go on." he said, steepling his hooves before his face, blue eyes boring into us.

So I told him the truth, omitting the theft of course; I saved the tears till the end, a masterful performance.

Miriam echoed my tale and the manager seemed moved. "I believe them." He said, not that the rest of us cared.

Mr Happy digested it all, before grunting "I'll be back."

With that, he left, the manager hot on his heels like some faithful deputy.

Miriam looked at me pleadingly, asking for some reassurance. I smiled, not entirely sure what would happen.

Mr Happy came back half an hour or so later, minus the manager, holding some papers.

"Alright. Seems you have no Criminal Records, registered to the Circus that's just left... born in Trotvale and Gehoova; seems your story checks out. Although, given the nature of your statements we can't exactly question this Ringmaster. If I cared to, I could launch an investigation... maybe bring him in on this." He let the threat hang, steely eyes surveying us.

Since we made no response he continued "I see you were carrying a fair number of Bits with you. Should last you some time if you're renting." He passed us the contracts to rent a two bedroomed house.

Miriam looked like she was about to faint and I thanked our foresight in hiding most of the sacks.

Mr Happy spoke again "To be on the safe side, you'll take new names." More of a command than an option.

After some consideration I said "Rose" and Miriam followed with "Jasmine."

We imprinted our hoofmarks on the contract and Mr Happy nodded.

"Welcome to Drumble."

Just like that we were made new; a house, a friend and new opportunities to exploit. What more could I want?

Tedium and Pleasure...

Those first few weeks in Drumble were enjoyable, taking to our new identities and probing the social circles; all under the watchful eye of Mr Happy I have no doubt. Soon enough though, he appeared to accept our presence and one night we retrieved our remaining hoard, skirting back to the house stealthily.

For the next few days we waited apprehensively for that knock on, or through the door as the case may've been. No, we were safe and we returned to our life of domestic tedium and pleasantry. I use the contradiction for a reason: Having nothing worthwhile to do was jarring; but, we found ways to compensate.

For instance, we found the Drumble mares intriguing; they were very Amazon in their approach and were very much dominant over their husbands; I think I met one or two of them at social events and house parties, but they slunk away soon enough; a combination of boredom and the death glares their wives would give them if they pestered us.

After our settling we received an invitation to a small gathering; I suppose they wanted to size us up as it were. We were both nervous, although I hid it better than Miriam, who emptied her new wardrobe looking for something suitable; we didn't have anything expensive mind, no need to attract undue attention.

While Miriam fretted and knocked about in her room, I decided on the minimalist approach; It was a hot day and I'd rather be talked about ,than suffocate in silks. I chose four cuffs, one for each hoof, each one had a small button securing it. I styled my silvery mane for some time until it fell the way I liked it, my tail too. I chose a pair of violet tinted sunglasses to match my coat. I thought it made my eyes all the more striking. I played around with putting them on and off; ice blue, violet, ice blue.... you get the picture. Oh and a collapsable paper fan because why not?

I then went to help Miriam. She hadn't put anything on and was agonising over it. I walked over and picked up an emerald coloured vest, it opened at the neck, giving some ventilation. She was laid on her bed, surrounded by clothes, I passed her the vest.

"Put that on, it's light and it goes with your mane. I then busied myself putting her things back on hangers and into the wardrobe.

I heard her sit up and I went across to her chest of draws, atop it was her hairbrush and several makeup items, I picked up the brush and walked over to her, watching me from the quilted bed.

I sat down at the edge of the bed and passed her the brush, but she stopped me. "Could you do it? Yours is always so well styled.." She smiled and turned to face away, her mane spilling out behind her like some glinting wave.

I complied, we sat in silence for a while, then Miriam spoke in her sweetly accented voice. "Do you think I'll make a good impression?" She twiddled her hooves in her lap.

"Of course you will." I said, concentrating on my work.

She subsided again then chirped. "These has been an interesting few weeks haven't they?"

I smiled at that "They certainly have. I don't know how I'll adjust to this new pace though; no more shows to prepare for, just the social and domestic stuff."

"It's nice." Miriam said, I hummed my agreement. "Or it should be once this is over with." Her mane having that silken feel, I turned my attention to her tail, she stood up for that, I sat at the edge of the bed and we talked more.

"We get a new start, how many ponies can say that?" she smiled " What do you think Rose?"

I smiled too, curling the soft flow. "I don't know Jasmine. How many?"

Satisfied, I stepped away "Voila!" I exclaimed. Miriam looked at herself approvingly in the mirror. "You did a good job, she said, her left eye, covered by a fluid curl. She smiled prettily and I had a thought.

"Stay here a minute, I've got something for you." I came back moments later with a pair of green-tinted sunglasses, she tried them on. "Now we're a pair." I said, admiring my fashion sense. I didn't know what others would think, but who cares? I liked it and Miriam did too, judging from the sound she made.

Prepared, we set off to the park, a white pavillion had been set up in the centre; ponies milled around the interior and outside. Our presence was noted instantly, two fashion xenos amongst the mass of heavy dress. They chatted amongst themselves and one conversation that I was told of later between a mare and her husband went like this.

"Look at them. Not dressed up at all." She sniffed, fanning herself against the heat.

He murmured. "Yeah..." not focusing on his wife. "Two mares together did you say?"

She whacked him with her fan. "You pig! I know how that brain of yours works." she glared.

"Even if it is like that, it doesn't matter. Now behave! They're coming this way." Suitably cowed, he did as she commanded.

The mare was Mrs Hale; she became one of our closest companions on our later adventure, but you'll have to wait for that.

We hit it off well and after a short time the other mares adopted our style, gratefully shedding the extra layers that discomforted them. We enjoyed the attention very much and our company must've been agreeable because we were invited to a number of events. Having passed the ritual, we were in.

This was how it was for some months; then came the party at the Hale's home. It wasn't particularly grand, but what was said was important to my story: We were told of an annual trip to Canterlot and since we'd impressed them so much, we were invited along. We fluttered our fans and nodded acceptance, as that was the way of the Drumble ladies; while the husband's breathed a unanimous sigh of relief.

We had waited till we got home before showing our pleasure. "In with high society now!" Miriam said gleefully. We took out a bottle of champagne to celebrate and clinked our glasses together. "Ha! two common ponies rubbing shoulders with the elite!If only they knew." I smirked "Can you imagine Mrs Hale's face?" We both laughed then.

"One too many lemons" added Miriam. After we'd drained our glasses ,we resealed the bottle.

We'd drunk a small amount at the party; alcohol never agreed with Miriam, it made her face come out in a flush, that we always teased her about.

Feeling an odd stirring in my chest, I decided to go to bed. We said our goodnights and hugged, it seemed far more intimate than usual, but I put that down to the wine. Miriam's jade eyes glittered as we parted and we went upstairs.

I went into my room and steadied myself on the dresser, shaking my head. "Too much wine." I said to myself. Soft hooves wrapped around my stomach, I started as I hadn't seen her enter. She stared into the mirror, rubbing her hooves along the flat of my stomach.

Up until this point, our relationship had been strictly platonic, so I was unsure how to respond. "M-Miriam?" I said thickly. She smiled and kissed my neck, I instinctively moved into it, the warmth of her breath raising the hairs on my neck . She moved her hooves to my hips, swaying us to some imagined beat. She moved in closer and pulled back, staring at me with those soothing eyes of hers; a thousand emotions flashing through them.

I gave in to the strums of my heart, kissing her then, in harmony with the beat. Some unconscious emotional dam had broken, perhaps it had always been there?, in any case this was happening. I turned around my tail batting against the drawers, I placed my hooves on the curve of her body, still swinging in time. Our eyes locked and we giggled shyly.

"How long?" I asked placing my head in the crook of her neck.

Her seductive lilt responded. "About as long as you have." she nibbled my ear.

I closed my eyes any inhibitions I might've had dissolving. "We should have done this a long time ago." I murmured.

She shushed me, pressing a hoof against my lips. She motioned to the bed and I smiled. We locked lips and our hidden emotions went too and fro between us. The tang of her lips and tongue overwhelming my senses and that was just the beginning.

We were both excited as later motions dictated. Miriam expertly relieved that and I bucked and writhed under her touch. She enjoyed drawing it out, making me look at her beseechingly. She knew I was in her power, so we tried something entirely new to me; her lying atop yet facing away from me. I payed her back by commencing my own assault. Her quivering and the vibrations of a moan from her, told me I was doing it right; so I continued.

Once that venture was ended, we lay in each others hooves, panting. I had my face pressed into Miriam's chest, one eye looking up at her. She kissed my forehead tenderly and said the unspoken words that had already been echoed in the symphony of our hearts:

"I love you."

The Morning After

Waking up the next morning...I can't describe my thought process. For one thing my head felt like it was about to explode and two: I'd slept with my best friend. I was uncertain how to feel, I liked her, there was no question of that; but how would our relationship be affected by last night's adventure? Of course I didn't think that at the time. I believe that can be accurately summarised with:

"Oh fu-!"

Not wanting to wake her, I suppressed the urge to shout and moved into the bathroom, took one look at my mane and went for a shower. The water beat in tandem with the harsh pounding on my head; I couldn't help but think What do I do now? It tossed about in my head as I washed my hair. I was thinking in that way ponies do when they weigh up a potential love interest: I liked her, we made each other laugh, we lived together, liked the same things, could confide in each other...I gave a frustrated groan.

"We'll see how it goes" I said to myself and the rising steam.

I wasn't upset, but more...anxious: "Am I doing the right thing? Why did i do that?" All these questions assailed my brain. The pounding headache having reduced to a dull throb, I got out of the shower and dried myself off. After a while, I sighed and entered the room again. Miriam was sat up smiling shyly, I smiled in return and busied myself in the mirror by my dresser. She waited patiently until I was done before breaking the ice.

"Hope... about last night."

"Yes?" I said, still pretending to fuss over my appearance, not wanting to face her.

"I meant to tell you earlier...I just" She stopped for a moment and her tone made me feel a twinge of Guilt? no...sympathy? I can't think. Anyway, I turned and looked her in the eye. "Go on Miriam. It's ok."

She looked at me with those doe's eyes of hers "I was afraid you wouldn't feel the same way. That you would want me to leave.Then I drunkenly thought I'd act on it. I'm sorry... If I've upset you..." She trailed off and I went to sit beside her, giving her hoof a reassuring squeeze.

"Miriam, you could never upset me. These last few months you've been the pony I leant on. I never would've gone to all these events without you, I doubt I would've done anything. "

She sat up and held my hooves in hers as I continued.

" I do like you, I mean i've always liked you, but I didn't know just how much until last night. I've wrestled with these feelings for a while and i'm still nervous, but I think I love you."

I started staring at my lap, but gradually came to look at her. She gave a little laugh then kissed me. I'll admit I blushed; It was a wonderful moment.

After some time, we ended it. "I'm glad I'm with you." she said and I echoed it. This was my first real relationship and I wasn't about to muck it up.

We chatted then, as we usually did; talking in excited and girlish tones of the trip to Canterlot. We were going to mix with the creme de la creme, the top brass of the social sphere. We were going to have the best time ever!