The end of the exhibitional careers of Hepzibah and Racham came with more of a whimper than a bang. The duo stopped their public activities immediately, and half-heartedly continued to try it in private. Hepzibah was the one to softly whisper in his ear to convince him that he could still savor lovemaking without a struggle. She was right, and Racham was satisfied.

They took to their quiet reality with relative ease. Hepzibah uncomplainingly went about her residency at Pasternville General Hospital, and adored every chance she had to care for the ailing and help them to recover or even just to feel better.

Racham largely puttered around his home, taking care of his paperwork early in the day and trying to find a way to model his life after the retired Cranky. He had it easier, as Matilda was a homemaker and was there very often. Racham had outfitted his basement with magic gems, loam screens and humidifiers to make his own little hobby fungus garden. He had gotten spores from Diamond Dog catalogs and spent some portion of the day tending to the growth.

Both of them enjoyed taking a bit of time to snuggle on the couch together and listen to Tempus sing. The giant cricket had grown on Racham, who saw it as less of a foreign invader in pony lands and properly as his beloved's close confidante and comforter during a turbulent time. He owed a bit of gratitude to the chirping little arthropod. And the music he made was genuinely lovely. Wrapped in his darling's embrace, both of them sighing and snuggling while Tempus chirped out with great enthusiasm with great variation, it was truly a beautiful thing.

Another thing the two loved to share were the videos of Rarity, the most consistent face in the Dog-and-pony pornography business. Because their sexual escapades had taken them away from regular purchases and watching of her oeuvre they missed a change. At some point during the early part of her career and the present the industry had changed to more positive depictions of Dog-and-pony interactions.

One evening they were lounging together, feeling one another up while watching a movie. It was a semi-fantasy piece named Dream of a Better Tomorrow. Rarity starred as a noblemare enamored of a Dig Dog guard in her employ, with numerous instances of daring inter-class sex. Racham and Hepzibah were losing the thread as the drama of intrigue and villainous ponies became less important than Hepzibah's fingers wrapped securely around Racham's throbbing pole while his hoof, along with light tugs of magic, gently worked around and against the whole of her dripping sex.

“You're really enjoying this show, I see,” Hepzibah teased, “You're giving a standing ovation...”

“And you, my dear, are just gushing over the performance,” Racham responded with a laugh.

Hepzibah dragged her soft paw palm against the lightly flared head of Racham's cock, slowly and sensually smearing his copious precum around the whole surface of the tip and under the edge of the flesh. Her fingers slowly came down to press into the flesh of his length. Her hand twisted slowly on the crown, dragging her softly furred digits over the veiny surface, pulling up and moving down with as much unhurried ease as she used in her twisting motion.

Her motions were drawing out warm, pleasured moans and soft sighs from Racham, with added deep groans when the actions changed, Her hand slipped down, still lightly twisting, her thumb and first finger forming a ring around the perimeter of his quasi-flared crown. Her other fingers went from stroking side-to-side to stroking slowly up and down along the quivering, throbbing surface, coaxing out more hot squirts of precum.

She moved the ring formed from her fingers down over the thick rim of his tip, the slippery pre and strength of her pulling making it pop softly through the circle. She slid her first finger down just enough to stop herself from pulling back over the top and stopped all motion to give a firm, proper squeeze, lightly indenting the stiff flesh. Her hold secured she eased up on her hold just a bit and began to slide her hand up and down again, resuming the twisting of her hand as well.

Racham's breath came in long, hot shudders as the stroking grew more firm and covered more of his shining erection. His attention wasn't on the inept pony villains failing to force themselves on the captive noblemare. It was focused on how his hoof was moving. His large hoof was perfectly covering the whole outer surface of her erogenous zone, from the ticklish flesh below her teats to the very top of her perineum, and covering all the more sensitive flesh on their side of her pink and puffy slit.

The mobile fleshy portion at the bottom of his hoof worked with all the practiced skill and dexterity required of a well-informed lover. He touched the very particular spots that made Hepzibah quiver and yap with delight, making her juicy snatch all the more moist. He twisted his hoof a few times, moving the whole area with a focused, gentle grind over her clit. The motion caused a tremendous tremble and small squirt of Dog juice.

The furthest edge of his hoof's curve repeatedly flicked at the slight ridge of her taint beneath the gauzy misting of fine fur there, which straddled the line between present and bare. He dug and wiggled his hoof at the little rise, focusing all of his attention on the area and angling his hoof up just slightly to relieve some of the pressure on the other areas of her sensitive crotch.

His fleshy underhoof gently pinched and prodded at Hepzibah's fleshy mons, pulling the warm and slightly fatty flesh up and away from her oozing slit and pushing back in towards it, grinding on her clit with each motion. He carefully tapped his way down and along her flushed outer lips, gliding in a teasing little collection of touches along the edge between her outer and inner lips, mostly smearing the warm and musky fluid around the area. Her velvet-soft coat had become spiked and mussed, but it was at least protected beneath the concealing hoof.

Both of the lovers had been carefully minding the state of each others' orgasms, hard as it was through the thick, enfolding fog of their rising pleasure. Hepzibah opened her fingers and pulled her hand entirely away almost at the same moment that Racham pulled his hoof from her crotch. Both of them gave a sudden shiver and soft moans as the cool air struck their respective bits, a spit of precum and small squirt of juice coming of the actions.

Both panted softly for a moment, leaning in close to one another as they let their genitals rest and allowed their pleasure to slowly drop down. Hepzibah silently rolled onto the floor and spread out her hind legs, presenting her well-worked sex to Racham. “Give it a moment but... we can move on to this...” Hepzibah said with a wink.

“Of course, my love, of course...” Racham slowly rubbed his cheek over the small of Hepzibah's back, joining her on the floor and consciously trying to avoid slapping his erection on his belly.

“We didn't really lose anything... did we..?” Hepzibah asked, looking back over her shoulder.

“Oh my dear...” Racham pressed a soft kiss on one of Hepzibah's rear cheeks and sighed. “I wish I could pull that poison out of your head. You've very well convinced me that it was foolish to so fixate on that matter. We lost nothing. We gained peace. Peace and happiness. And no more danger.”

“Just had to make sure,” Hepzibah said with a light laugh and a careful wag of her tail. She lightly tapped at Racham's face with the plain and smooth portion of her tail, the nubby portion swinging over his head.

Racham looked up at the screen, finally getting back to the movie. After many failures by the villainous ponies to even molest Rarity's character the Dig Dog from the beginning had come to her rescue, the ponies under his command soundly defeating the lesser bad folks. Racham gently probed at Hepzibah's sex, smearing his precum across her parted and juicy slit. “How things have changed. Never even touched by another pony, and she is being loved, by her will, by that Dog.”

Hepzibah yapped sharply as the broad, flared head split her sopping passage and allowed the long, throbbing shaft into her. Her walls pressed in tight around Racham's pole, pulling and rolling slowly along it. “She loves it. Just like you taught me I can see it in her eyes. It looks like such a nice thing. Acting in front of a whole faceless audience, engaging in something she loves so much. Being with a Dog, freely.”

Racham slipped his forelegs around Hepzibah's midsection, squeezing her firmly to give him the proper leverage to rock himself forward and bury his shaft down deep into her. He was subconsciously mimicking the motion of the hero on screen. The big-bodied Dig Dog was quite securely stuffed deep inside of Rarity's pony puss, gripping her hips right at the Cutie Marks, working his hips with the long, smooth and practiced ease of a professional pornographic actor. Racham was right there with him, learning how the motions worked, putting his skill to the acquisition of the carnal arts. “So freely seen. And with the benefit of the modern techniques of the cinema there are so many options...”

“N-no... I think... I think... ah!” Hepzibah shuddered as the new technique worked over her nerves in a new way and made her insides tremble pleasantly. Her clit was pleasantly bumped by Racham's low-hanging plums, sending a quick burst of pleasure nearly up her spine each time. “I've been with Dogs... that's real. Not as n-nice as yours but... ohh, it's real.”

Racham let out a laughing moan of pleasure, throwing his head back as he broke the pattern and gave a few extra-hard, bottom-pounding thrusts against Hepzibah's rear. “No... I see her look. She looks like you when you are in the throes... oooh yes... the throes of utter and perfect passionate delight! Ah... it's not artifice in the service of sex that I mean. But wait... wait a moment. We can't speak now...”

The sounds from both dissolved into breathy pants, moans, whines, grunts and the moist sound of body meeting body. The Dig Dog and Rarity on screen reached a joint orgasm well before Hepzibah and Racham did. They had the freedom to draw out their orgasms, though not for much time.

Hepzibah was the first to reach her climax, her breath coming as a series of sharp, hot pants while her hands slid slowly along the ground. She hit her peak with a high-pitch yelp and a soft, quivering howl that matched she shuddering of her body, and the trembling of her clenched inner walls that worked over Racham's organ.

The vise-tight clench and rapid rolling set off Racham's own orgasm, setting him to loud whinnies and snorts, and making him softly nip and pull at the back of Hepzibah's neck. He huffed loudly, a wet tone to the sound as saliva seethed through his teeth. His grunts hissed through the small gap formed by his open teeth and curled lips, each huffing grunt announcing another shot of hot semen. His tremendously flared tip was nestled securely against Hepzibah's cervix, splattering pudding-thick globs of pony semen with every pulsing twitch, the tight barrier mostly blocking the flood, though permitting a few stray squirts through.

Real life and video fantasy blended together into a kind of similarity. Hepzibah dropped quite solidly to the floor, barking happily as Racham's muscular bulk fell along with her and settled into a comfortable pressure on her back. The credits of the movie are split, half the screen showing the cast and crew, the other half showing a comfortable snuggle, Rarity laying comfortably beneath her Dig Dog lover, both of them looking utterly at peace with the world. The movie ended with the prominent logo of Bare Mare Studios.

Racham and Hepzibah lay for a long while, breaths and heartbeats slowly coming down from the orgasmic heights to more sedate, normal levels. His cock slowly softened and slipped out of Hepzibah, back into its sheath, with a small splatter of his goopy seed. She was just laying and relaxing, eyes closed, tail softly thumping on the floor. Racham was watching the screen, and noting everything, especially the studio logo. “Did you ever wonder...”

“Mmm. Wonder what, dear?” Hepzibah asked, opening one eye and looking up at Racham.

“If you could ever have two careers...” Racham said softly, laying his head between Hepzibah's ears and giving each one soft, loving nibbles and licks.

“I trained long enough for one. Sorry love, it took a lot of work to get into a hospital, and stuff all that learning between my ears. I can't give it up,” Hepzibah said with a soft sigh. She flicked her ears around, to give Racham a bit more of a challenge in his nibbling.

“Maybe you don't have to...” Racham mused, nibbling the tip of one ear. “I would never steal you away from the career you love, the lifesaving work and helping of others. But you could add to your repertoire. We could find the beautiful middle ground, between privacy and public activity.”

“Weren't you just telling me that you gave it up? Are you just saying what you think I want to hear while we're having sex?” Hepzibah asked with an annoyed huff.

Racham used his magic to remove the movie from the player, letting the disc hover in front of Hepzibah's face. “Before the eyes of the many, without needing to perform in every living room and hotel.”

Hepzibah sighed and closed her eyes. “Back to playing the villain again? Like I said, now I think you're just saying things...”

“No! Oh no,” Racham said quickly, stroking Hepzibah's sides reassuringly. “I'm not saying that... not exclusively. It's a bit complicated. I want to explain it to you. To take the time, paint a picture, help you see what I mean. I promise you, we will not be going back to the old ways, but something new. Grand and new...”

Bare Mare Studios looked as it always did. Though the exterior of the building was nothing special for the medium-rent neighborhood it was in, the interior looked like nothing so much as a very modern office building. The clean lines of the slightly curved eggshell white walls blended nicely with the dark blue carpets, all of it managing to look nice even under the humming glare of the fluorescent lights on the ceiling. As ever, there was a circular reception area, staffed by two unicorns.

“Mister Racham and Doctor Hepzibah?” Opal, one of the two cream-colored unicorn mares that worked the front desk at Bare Mare studios, checked a clipboard and looked over at the pair who were waiting anxiously. “They're ready for you now.”

“'They'?” Racham asked, incredulously. “I rather assumed we'd get a single pony taking our particulars and a pleasant indication to try another day.”

“As I understand it, your reputation precedes you, Mister Racham. You're getting a much more attentive meeting,” Opal said, using her horn to open a door near the reception area. “Down the hall, left, then right, then left again and go until you see the door marked Salon Two. Thank you for coming to Bare Mare Studios, and have a very pleasant day.”

“I admit, it's not quite what I was imagining,” Hepzibah said as she rose from her chair and walked by Racham's side to the door. “It's a lot more... let's call it, 'business-casual' than I had anticipated.”

“Assumptions are not always accurate. We've seen that more often than most in our lives,” Racham noted, as they walked down the halls of the studio. “We showed others a false face and had assumptions broken by our many experiences.”

The decorations they passed as they walked on were an eclectic lot, from motivational sayings accompanied by photographs of nature scenes to movie-poster-sized covers of Bare Mare videos. Rarity and fellow mare performer Fluttershy were much in evidence. Hepzibah nodded her head when she saw the Rarity productions. “Saw that one, saw that one, adored that one... they seem very proud of these two.”

“I did some research before we came here. Fluttershy has been a stalwart and high-earner for a long while, and experienced a bit of a renaissance when she began performing with that fellow, Iron Will,” Racham said, pointing out a poster featuring the two. “And I learned a very interesting fact about our favorite mare. Rarity once worked only with ponies until a script had her working with Dogs. Now she will work with no other species. This seems like the sort of inclusive work environment we need.”

“I don't know. The hospital in this town is nice. There's another Diamond Dog doctor there, two Changelings and a zebra. Fairly inclusive,” Hepzibah said.

“You can still work there if this should come to pass. We are not sexless prudes above ground. Even our sexless prudes becomes less-than-sexless-prudes over time,” Racham countered, with a soft laugh.

“I don't know if I could maintain the respect of patients if they've seen me spread out and pounded in a movie,” Hepzibah said, with a hint of mirth.

“How could they not respect you after seeing your tremendous... talent?” Racham asked with a deep laugh.

By that time they had reached the indicated door, so Racham opened it and allowed Hepzibah to go in before him. The room was plainly square, but tastefully papered in floral print. Around that room were reproductions of antique chairs, couches and low tables, covered in lace, giving the air of a drawing room. Soft string music, piped in through a hidden speaker, filled the air. Three ponies occupied the room. Sapphire Shores, Photo Finish and Hoity Toity. All three were gingerly sipping from cups of aromatic tea.

“Mister Racham...” Hoity said in his cultured voice, sliding off the couch and rising to approach Racham and Hepzibah. “I saw you on stage on two occasions. You never should have left the craft. Tell me, how is Mister Donkey? I came to understand you had cause to visit him after his retirement.”

“So far as I know, he is still well,” Racham said, shaking Hoity's hoof. “He was enjoying his retirement with his good lady wife last I saw. I used to envy him, now I think he would envy me. I give you the reason, the woman who shouldn't marry me because she can objectively do better, Doctor Hepzibah.” Racham bowed his head and allowed Hepzibah to come to the fore.

“Enchanté, Mademoiselle Médecin,” Hoity said, taking up Hepzibah's right hand and giving is a gallant kiss. “You must be something to have him so devoted.”

Hepzibah blushed brightly and waved off the compliment with her left hand, giving a soft, nervous laugh. “Th-thank you, Mister Toity. That's quite nice of you to say.”

“I mean every word,” Hoity said with a smile. He turned and strolled back to the other ponies, who had risen. “I present my colleagues, who are very integral to the process of getting new talent. Here is our talent scout and casting director, Sapphire Shores,” He said, indicating the still-fabulous former pop pony, “And the agent and general overseer for all our employees, Photo Finish,” he said, motioning to the stern and serious mare.

Photo strode forward, her features stony, her eyes a mystery behind her sunglasses. “Hmmm. Solid. Shtrong. As far as ponies go you, Herr Racham, have good presence. It takes a special pony to be noticed in this indushtry. I know your vork, and know your skill. If you can perform zee other part of the job remains to be seen. Und as for you...” She cast a look over Hepzibah, ears to toes. “Fraulein Doktor, I haf looked over many Diamond Dogs, but you, you look like you vill be excellent. A soft coat, good form, pretty face, und I see your teats are of good size.” She turned around smartly and returned to the others. “Zey are acceptable to me. Now, Fraulein Shores, give your professional opinion und give a formal decision.”

“My pleasure...” Sapphire said, trotting forward with a spring in her step. She made her way around the two, carefully considering every bit of them from every angle. Racham stood ramrod straight and even dropped his penis a little bit for a modest assessment. Hepzibah fidgeted, and tracked Sapphire with her eyes and head. The former pop pony trotted away again and back to the others. “He's got a body like a statue. He could be something. She looks good all over, and she's really fidgety. Guys like active ladies when they're that big.”

“These two mares are the gatekeepers, as it were. They find you two acceptable so your first hurdle is passed. But bodies are only part of what we do here. Our profile has been increased by our notoriety. All our productions have a special touch. From what I understand, you will be strictly together. It is not unheard of. But you need to bring something special to the table. I understand that you have a notion which is unique.”

“Indeed we do, Mister Toity. One which takes advantage of the wonders of stage acting and the magic of recorded entertainment,” Racham said. “We open on a basic situation. Is it history? Is it pony tale? Is it some unknown time? That is for the cunning writer to decide.”

Hepzibah took up the pitch, dramatically opening her hands. “A Diamond Dog woman, lovely, noble, but not overbearing. She's lovely. Just the sort to be admired by all men. She is admired by the perfect stallion... and coveted by the most horrible.”

Racham nodded in approval of Hepzibah's performance. “The sex between the lovers is magical, and their masturbatory sessions are passionate affairs of lust, love and devoted repetitions of their lovers' name. But there comes a problem. A terrible problem. The horrible stallion. Brother, rival, former compatriot of the good one. The detail matters less than the fact that he covets that relationship.”

“So he comes for her!” Hepzibah shouted, leaping forward for dramatic effect. “He takes her, stealing her away in some appropriate manner. He lavishes lewdness upon her, with touches on areas that are near to improper but artfully restrained. He wants to ravish her, ruin her, properly. Where he can take his time.”

Racham stood tall, looking properly heroic. “But he never has a chance. Her lover is on the trail, and not far behind. There is a clash, the wicked one is thrown down, as must happen.”

Hepzibah went on, with a soft look on her face. “She is with her bold stallion, who has freed her from the hold of evil. And she and he go at it with more passion and adoration than ever before!”

“And above and beyond, the best part. I play both hero and villain. Believe me, makeup and dye can do many, many things,” Racham said, he and Hepzibah sharing a secret laugh.

Hoity stroked his chin softly, considering the plot he had been presented. “It's a rare thing when the hopeful actors pitch their own concepts. And this is quite a concept. Fascinating. You put it forth with a lot of passion and I honestly believe the two of you could do a good job at it. You sound like you'd give it everything you have.”

“Good, triumphant; evil, defeated; and a loving pair reunited to make mad, passionate love. A Dog and a pony. We approached this studio because you were the first to make it acceptable to show that relationship being consensual,” Racham said.

“We're both really big fans of Rarity. She eased us into this idea, and gave us something to do when we wanted to add a little extra spice to our spicy evenings,” Hepzibah added.

“We need more customers like you. We'd make money on sales and from your acting,” Sapphire said with a small laugh.

“Ja. Und zis notion vould increase our unique notoriety. Ve already are known for being ze most positive company. To show such clear goodness... it vould open a new market,” Photo said, with a light nod.

“So... you claim you could play both parts, good and evil? I have seen your turn as a villain, so I know your capability in that regard, but could you play a unique hero, with a look and motivation different than the evil stallion?” Hoity asked, lowering his sunglasses and looking at Racham.

“I promise you. I could make both of us look entirely different,” Racham said with a hint of boasting. “You would practically have a new actress in every production, and as for myself, well, two new stars. I can perform the proper fight actions to be cut together into a convincing battle. I promise if you give us this opportunity you will not be disappointed.”

“Just for my own information...” Hepzibah broke in quickly, raising a finger and smiling sheepishly. “This... opportunity won't ruin my career, will it? I work in a hospital; private practice is a bit easier for ponies. I need to be able to remain employed.”

The trio of studio ponies looked to one another for a moment before breaking into three distinct laughs. “Doktor Hepzibah, you need not vorry about your reputation. You are an adult, und zie Prinzessen do not look down on our craft. Zee last bureaucrat zat looked down on us now eats candy und cupcakes mit our studio lawyer in her van.”

Racham gently nudged Hepzibah and smiled at her. “I told you. Even our sexless-prudes become less-than-sexless-prudes over time. You can keep your job at the hospital and do this as well. You'd need only a decent stage name and good makeup. It does work wonders after all.”

“With that matter concluded...” Hoity said, “We can arrange for a screen test for you both, including the makeup tests. Don't worry, our makeup artists are extremely talented if you just give them instructions in how you are best made up. I'm actually quite eager to see how this goes.” He turned to Sapphire. “Miss Shores, I look to you to arrange this all, review the footage and give a final approval. Then Miss Finish may finalize the paperwork.”

Sapphire nodded and pulled a pad and pen from her pocket. “Right... can you both come back here in a week, ready to get made up and give it your all?”

“I can certainly do this. I have no responsibilities which are pressing. Dearest, can you get the time off?” Racham asked.

“It's my usual day off anyhow. I should take the day before off, just to get ready. I'm so glad I'm prepared for performance in front of an audience...” Hepzibah said, looking up suddenly, a blush coloring her cheek.

Hoity looked at Hepzibah curiously. “I didn't realize you were an actress as well. Were you in anything I might have seen?”

Hepzibah and Racham shared a look that wavered between amusement and worry before she said, “Probably nothing you saw. Small audience performances, short runs.”

Hoity looked at the two for a moment before he nodded. “Any experience puts you up on most of those that come here hoping for job.”

“I think this will be better,” Hepzibah said, with a great deal of relief. “Playing for a live audience is nerve-wracking. Now I don't have to worry about a bad reaction.”

“And we can both act more freely, without having to take time off in between,” Racham said, sharing a laugh with Hepzibah that mystified the other three.

Hepzibah admired herself in the mirror, sliding a hand along her cheek. What she was witnessing in the well-lit makeup mirror was a far cry from her usual quick dye job. The dried coating had transformed her ashy coat into a rich and vibrant green, like an emerald, with a lighter green tone setting off her face, which continued down her chest and over her belly. It was perfect. It looked so natural. “Amazing...” She said.

“Thank you. It was a unique challenge to get the tones just right,” The makeup artist said. He was a Changeling, wearing a blue beret and a matching bandana. “It was a pleasure to work on you. I usually work on male Dogs, and they never need anything like this. I love a unique challenge.”

“You succeeded...” Hepzibah said, standing up to admire every part of her dyed form.

“Thank you, Doctor,” The Changeling said with a small greenish blush. “Sometimes I feel a little taken for granted around here. It's always good to know I'm appreciated.”

“Maybe you need to make them notice you. You have skill,” Hepzibah said, stroking over her arms. Still soft and velvety, not stiff and heavy like her quick and cheap work.

“It's not a very 'Changeling' thing to do, getting noticed,” The Changeling said with a laugh.

“Changelings do everything, and they get noticed when they do amazing things. I'm from a hive-close colony, I know it,” Hepzibah said.

“Maybe I'll give one of the guys a new color job, just to show off. Miss Rarity might be impressed with it,” the Changeling mused.

“That'll be a great perk if I can get work here. I can meet my favorite actress! Is she as nice as she seems on screen or is she really unpleasant?” Hepzibah asked.

“Miss Rarity is the sweetest, most wonderful mare I know. Always a kind word and a smile,” The Changeling said with a sigh. “And she's very good with her pups.”

“Yes, Racham told me she had puppies. I didn't think I could admire her more,” Hepzibah said, hands drifting over her belly. She could stop her contraceptives at any time. A foal wouldn't be a bad thing at all...

“Well, you're all ready. Miss Shores will want you on the set,” The Changeling said, interrupting Hepzibah's reverie.

“Of course, of course. Thank you again, and I hope I get this job. You'll have more chances to show off,” Hepzibah said with a laugh, before rushing out of the dressing room door and onto the set.

The set was like every other at Bare Mare, a moderately-sized square space, with walls made of sound-dampening foam, and a polished stone floor made safer with the addition of grip tape. Wires wound and twisted about like an electronic undergrowth, leading between the power supplies and cameras, monitors, and other esoteric articles of cinematic sorcery whose purposes were surely known to their operators. Slightly off from the center was the stage area, which was not set up in any way, containing only a plain foam pad and several large pillows.

There were only a few ponies around, seemingly a skeleton crew, the bare minimum needed to run the cameras and sound equipment. Also in evidence was Sapphire Shores, who was sitting on a wood-and-cloth folding chair, like a stereotypical director. She offered a smile to Hepzibah and nodded pleasantly to her. “Looks like you got the full treatment, honey. It's an amazing transformation. I don't think you'd need to worry about a patient recognizing you.”

“Yes, I think I am very effectively incognito with this look,” Hepzibah said with a soft chuckle. “Now where is Racham?”

“You know men, takes them forever to get ready for anything we need them to do,” Sapphire said with a wink. “Besides, he has to get made up once then tell them how to do his second makeup job, so they'll be ready when he goes back.”

“I should have remembered...” Hepzibah said. On hearing a door her ears perked to their fullest and her attention was drawn over to the door that indicated it led to the male dressing room.

Racham stepped out... in some form. His coat was a sickly off-white color, edging on gray, while his mane had been made limp and lifeless, dyed a sickly green. His eyes looked slightly sunken, and subtle makeup around his mouth and a set to his jaw gave him a crooked, cruel look. Then a smile broke across his features and he slowly trotted out. “And how do I look, dearest? They're even better than the television crew I worked with before. All top quality, applied with artistry.”

“I know! Look at me,” Hepzibah said, slowly turning around with her arms spread.

“You look so unlike yourself. I should not desire you. But I know it's you under that color. And I will always wish to hold you close,” Racham said with a soft voice, wrapping Hepzibah up in a sudden, tight hug.

Sapphire laughed into a hoof then clopped them together. “Settle down, lovebirds This is the menace test and the fight filming for the bad guy. So try to be menacing.”

“Ahh, yes, yes, of course. My apologies, Miss Shores. I simply have an abundance of love I must express. But professionalism was long my credo. Come, dear, to the stage,” Racham said, leading Hepzibah onto the stage and into the sight of the cameras.

“Since this is just a screen test you can be a little freer with how you act. And since Mister Toity assured me that you could improvise well, you can do anything you like while you're up there as long as we get some good menace scenes and a convincing fight,” Sapphire said, checking the scene through a small device that gave her a camera-like view.

“Want me to start us off? Set up just how overbearing you should be?” Hepzibah asked.

“Please, dear,” Racham said, bowing just a bit, “If you would be so kind.”

“Alright. Just assume my clothes have been torn off but nothing else has happened yet,” Hepzibah said. She then threw herself backwards onto one of the pillows, one hand behind her, one hand up and directed at Racham. “N-no! You can't do this to me! I'm never going to love you, I already gave myself to your brother! He treats me better than you ever could!”

Racham sneered, baring his teeth just enough to make the menace clear but not so much that he ruined the effect. He gave a slight rear and stomped heavily, a derisive snort passing through his flared nostrils. “My foolishly benevolent brother has no claim on you. He has not deigned to place a ring on your finger and thus you are still free. I have wanted you for years, lusted after that perfect body. And yet you never even looked at me! I am the picture of mystic and muscular might, more than that accursed sibling of mine and yet you chose him! Despite all my advances and hints you gave your desirable form to him!”

Hepzibah slid backwards slowly, still looking worried, though with some steel in her eyes. “I never wanted anything you offered. I know you're a cruel and heartless pony, a vicious brute that has had many others. They've all said how scared they are of you. Your brother was kind to me, he saw me with equal love and lust; as a real Dog, not a mere trophy. He's every bit as muscular and mystical as you are, maybe more, and where you have insensitivity polluting your soul he is filled with kindness!”

“You lie!” Racham cried, rearing up higher and stomping himself closer to Hepzibah. “You know nothing of me and my ways, you know not that my brother is in any way my superior, and you have no right to speak to me in such a manner!”

“I have every right! You have no right to do this to me!” Hepzibah countered.

Racham rushed forward, erection standing proud as he placed himself over Hepzibah's body. It throbbed and bounced with his heartbeat, aided by subtle flexes of his muscles. It dipped down, nearly touching Hepzibah's bare belly and teats. “Enough! You have put me aside for too long! I will take what I have desired for ages. No more will you humiliate me by laying with my kin. Now I take back my honor...”

“You have no honor!” Hepzibah cried, pushing on Racham's chest, scooting her rear carefully away from the slowly bowing erection. “Don't you dare!”

“You cannot-” Racham's ears pricked up and he turned to look behind himself, as though hearing a call. “You! So, you come to try and steal my honor once more. You are a fool, brother. She will be mine, and you will no longer be a concern. Come to me if you have nerve!”

Racham went onto two legs and spun around quickly, his horn releasing a wave of magic that went off camera. He smiled triumphantly then scowled as he surreptitiously created a colored wave of magic that came in and struck him on the chest. He stumbled back a little, as though he had been seriously stricken. He rushed up a short distance and reared again, legs kicking out in a particular pattern while he continued to produce magical effects that looked very like hooves coming from before him, which struck him.

Hepzibah had risen to her feet again and cheered. “I told you, he's better than you! Show him your power! Teach him a lesson about trying to hurt innocent folks.”

“Worthless, gutless, powerless brot- ugh!” Racham had been producing a magic shield, but it shattered with a spectacular flash, during which time another grunt was heard. As the glare faded Racham was down on the ground, looking unconscious.

“Cut! Get ready to reset for the second part. We'll see how skilled you really are, Mister Racham,” Sapphire said.

Racham hopped to his hooves with a smile and a stretch. “I hope the second application of dye is quick. I don't want to keep you waiting.” He dashed off the set, magic opening the door to his dressing room.

Hepzibah looked at her position, nodding a little bit as she held it for a moment. “I think I can get back to this mark. I don't want to be responsible for ruining our chances.”

“Oh, that would seem unlikely. You seem like a proper lady, and a lady can never endanger such an opportunity so long as she retains her bearing and poise,” A new voice spoke from behind an inactive camera. Rarity trotted slowly into view, bouncing her curled hair and pushing along a stroller that contained a small, swaddled bundle.

Hepzibah made a noise like a gasp mixed with a squeal and a high-pitched noise that only she noted. “Oh my Mother, oh my Mother, by Faust it's you! It's you! Rarity! I can't believe this! What are you doing here?”

Rarity laughed musically and pushed her stroller closer to the set, showing off the small, sleeping Diamond pup within, mostly covered up, but his white head showing him to be a Dig Dog. “Why am I here? A potential new colleague, who was described as a beautiful Diamond Dog involved with a handsome stallion was said to be in the building? I would be remiss if I did not come here to offer my support and my vote of confidence. I did not see much, Doctor Hepzibah, but I can see you are serious about your craft, and that you are as lovely as they said.”

“You know my name?” Hepzibah asked with a subtle awe. “Oh this is more than I could have imagined.”

“And you seem to be a fan,” Rarity said with clear mirth. “Yes, I know your name. And that your paramour is one Racham. I have seen him in other works. For a pony, he is well-constructed. You must be very... happy with him.” She dropped a saucy wink to Hepzibah.

Hepzibah put one paw over her face and waved the other demurely. “W-we have a very... energetic love life. We wouldn't be here if we didn't think we could manage. I'll confess, I was scared at first. I was worried I might lose the respect of my patients and colleagues at the hospital.”

“Nonsense, darling,” Rarity said with a firm shake of her head. “We ponies are broad minded and free, particularly in these modern days. You will find no such shunning. And even if such a rare thing should happen, I can assure you were here in this profession are a tight-knit group.”

Hepzibah smiled sincerely at the sentiment, then looked down to the napping pup in the stroller. “He's adorable. He really has your coat.”

“My eyes, too, when he opens them,” Rarity noted, using magic to slowly run a stroke down the side of the small pup's face. “My little Marble Chip. He takes after his father, of course, much as his sister does.”

“I had heard you had two. Where is she?” Hepzibah asked, looking around the room.

“She is with her father and her 'uncles', as she knows them. She is still young enough to be brought around here without need of hiding things from her. Little Alabaster Trove, my first treasure. I brought Marble with me to come visiting because when he wakes he will demand suckling... much like his father and the rest,” Rarity said with a laugh.

Hepzibah tilted her head a bit, and then blinked as comprehension dawned. “You packed. That hardly ever happens anymore. I never knew any group that could fight off jealousy and greed to make it work long enough to be viable. I wrote it off as just another ancient thing, like ceremonial mounting or neutering.”

“I am a generous mare, but no harlot. I do not splatter lust about with abandon. I grant a deep and abiding love to those I find worthy. And I have found these Dogs worthy. Daily do they prove my trust was well-placed,” Rarity said, her eyes growing soft and dreamy.

Hepzibah had her own soft look, as she thought of Racham. “I may not agree with the pack sentiment, but I know about giving your love to the worthy. Racham said that he saw your sincerity while you were acting. Even in the most unpleasant of rape scenes your affection couldn't hide.”

“I'm so glad we are done with such foolishness, except for the occasional fantasy-within-a-fantasy. Expressing love is always for the best,” Rarity noted. “I wish I could stay to meet this fine fellow of yours but I have the feeling you will be loud and raucous when he comes. I am quite certain I shall see you both around the studio. I haven't a doubt you will be hired on.”

“Th-thank you for the vote of confidence, Miss Rarity,” Hepzibah said, some of her fannishness returning. “I can't wait to work alongside you.”

“I'm certain it will be good for all concerned. Be well,” Rarity said with a dip of her head. After ensuring her path to the door was still clear of wires she lit her horn and slowly pushed the stroller out of of the studio.

Hepzibah watched her go with a trace of a giddy smile on her features. Sapphire, who had been watching the whole exchange trotted over and gave her a nudge. “I think she's right. If your stallion does half as well with the good guy as he did with the bad one then you two will be undeniably a good choice.”

“He doesn't show it, and his career never demonstrated it, but I think Racham may be better at playing good ponies than evil ones, because it's what he is. He's such a natural that I doubt it would be acting. It would be the truth,” Hepzibah said.

“We'll see,” Sapphire said with a nod.

A bit more time passed before the dressing room door opened and Racham emerged, transformed. His coat was a fiery orange-red color, while his mane and tail were both a dazzling golden yellow. His face was set in its most handsome and heroic mode, with subtle applications of makeup giving him a flushed, full and healthy look, in contrast to the sickly sunkenness of his prior appearance.

“And thus, I am transformed,” Racham said with some mirth.

“Oh... wow...” Hepzibah said, rushing up to run her hands over the new coat. “They really did an amazing job. I can't even see the other one.”

“As I suspected, I believe that the genii of this place will do right by us,” Racham said, stretching out his limbs and cracking his neck. “Well now, once more we tread the boards, my love.”

“More like the foam,” Hepzibah joked, getting back onto her rear and looking over to the point that had been indicated by the prior scene. “Need me to give some reaction shots?”

“That would be good for cutting into the audition film,” Sapphire said.

Hepzibah waited for the cameras before she returned to her look of determination under fear. Her head snapped up and she smiled brightly. She pushed herself up and looked with love towards the heroically-posing Racham.

Racham waited for the reactions, which could be cut in at any points before he began. “Stop! I knew you were a terrible brother but this... this is insanity!” He waited for the speech he remembered before launching his magic, impacting himself with the bolt his evil character had thrown before responding with his own. “You monster! Beast! You dare call yourself a pony?” Racham shouted his lines as he launched kicks and magical attacks, trying to recall his timing. “You are a cruel monster and this land blessed by our Mother has no place for the likes of you! You will not harm this innocent! You will not hurt my love!” He let out another blast of magic that became a flash, and a strike that was meant to be the knockout blow.

“My dearest!” Hepzibah leaped out at Racham and embrace him tightly, sighing contentedly as a foreleg swung around to draw her into a tight hug. “Thank you... thank you so much.”

Racham softly rubbed his cheek against Hepzibah's, leaving a small trail of kisses. “Evil must be cast down, and good shine through. Come dear, let us go home...”

Hepzibah threw herself down to the ground again, onto a pillow, on her back and with her legs parted wide. “They need to see us doing this as well. And you have the right dye job to mean the hero is getting his due...”

Racham looked down at Hepzibah, his cock audibly slapping against his belly as he released a deep, loud groan. He slowly stepped over her, stepping out his own rear legs to grandly present his hind end to the camera. His testicles hung low and heavy before the camera's eye, while his tail was flicked up and aside, to avoid inadvertent covering of the activity.

The thick shaft dipped down, Racham's hips loosening a bit while his legs bent, letting him nudge the broad crown against Hepzibah's semi-pyramidal slit. Wetness merged with wetness as the precum-oozing cockhead 'kissed' Hepzibah's dewy petals. He applied pressure gently, slowly, working his hips side-to-side so that he wedged the tight passage open.

The outer lips parted slowly, swallowing up the mushroom tip hungrily and pressing solidly around the gently pulsing pony pole. Racham flexed his rear sharply and dropped his stance more, to drive in a few thick inches. Hepzibah responded by wrapping her arms tightly around his upper body and lifting herself up to press to his strong chest and letting out a quivering howl of pleasure.

Sapphire smiled as she watched the couple making love, a genuine and passionate love. She observed the heavy pony balls swinging freely to thump solidly against Hepzibah's rear end while she was thickly plugged by the generously sized erection. She didn't even need to cut together the fight, though she would. The sex would sell, and sell well. She couldn't wait to give them the good news. Though, as her hoof gently rubbed against her crotch, she figured she could wait for a while longer.

“Mail's in...” Racham said, flipping through the various envelopes as he entered their new apartment, the one located in the same city as Bare Mare. Hepzibah had gotten a good position in the local general hospital, and Racham had happily adapted to the new environment and grown pleased with his new fungus garden, which had come with them from the previous place. “Wedding RSVP, wedding RSVP, junk mail, wedding RSVP from Rarity and her whole pack... feels like all the cards in one envelope. And a package.”

“It's here!” Hepzibah barked, leaping out at Racham and roughly snatching the package away from him, eagerly tearing open the cardboard container.

“Wedding present from your folks?” Racham asked with a laugh.

“They're giving us some magical gems, spores and some antiques, and that's only after the wedding. They love you but they want to see you slip that ring on,” Hepzibah said, showing the contents of the box to be a video. It wasn't a production copy, but a preliminary copy, the box art showing both Hepzibah and Racham in their dyed state. They were named as 'Steel Spire' and 'Madam Roxy' while the production was titled, 'Love Will Rise.' “They got the rough cut ready! They'll clean it up and start selling it next month.”

“And we will be well on our way to at least one new title, if not two. They have great faith in us, it would seem. Quite flattering,” Racham noted, sliding up to admire the box. “Shall we put it in, and enjoy ourselves?”

“That's what I was hoping for,” Hepzibah said with a saucy grin. She rushed into the house and eagerly put the video into the player.

Racham settled comfortably beside Hepzibah as she started the video, and began to nibble at her neck. “Actors, characters, audience. We never needed other ponies. We were always sufficient, as long as we had each other...”

Author's Note

'Dream of a Better Tomorrow' is a reference to Bronystories' very generous gift story "Expecting Exile." It's actually the last line of the story and serves as the cap to an extremely romantic scene. It seemed appropriate.