The sounds of screams and moans echoed throughout the dark dungeon room, filling the ears of a weak and exhausted grey mare. Octavia was lying on the floor of a wooden cage as it hung suspended over a large metal grating emitting waves of heated air. She could hardly think straight as the lack of water and food was getting to her.

They were trying to break her, after her recent escape attempt there was no other option. The organization that had to either tame her or make her "disappear". It was the only way to prevent her trying to escape again and revealing their dirty little secret to the world. The problem with the latter was that she was considered the property of an important pony who didn't want to give her up. The problem with the former was that she disagreed to his claim of ownership.

Octavia, trying to focus on something other than her torture, raised up her torso with her arms. She was covered in sweat to the point that it soaked her fur, dripped off her body and pooled on the floor of her prison. She had to stay strong though, if not for her own sake then for the sake of the others trapped in this hell hole. Wanting to redirect her attention to anything but her current situation she sent it to the pony who was watching her.

It was Fancy Pants, her master. The one who only saw her as something to possess. He was sitting in a comfortable armchair smoking from a pipe as he took in the grey mare's situation. "You can stop this at anytime Octavia.” He said in a manner that bore his weariness at her rebellion from the program. She should've been at his mansion, dressed in maid's attire and playing her lovely music for his amusement. Instead he had to play babysitter to a mare who didn't understand her place.

"I.... would rather die..... than be your toy...." She snarled back. He wouldn't harm her. He had already gone out of his way to make sure his prize wouldn't be damaged. Then again the earth pony's bluff was just that, despite how dedicated she was to the act. The fact of the matter was that her time at the Society had given Octavia a newfound perspective on her life, one that if she would've had before she might not be where she was now. She didn't want to die here, but if she was ever going to get back to her old life she couldn't let her captors see her blink for even a moment.

Fancy Pants sighed and took a sip of a delicious looking milkshake he retrieved from a naked white pegasus that was sitting next to the unicorn, her arms held out and ears drooped as she tried her best to hold onto a silver tray without shaking. "You know I hate it when you say things like that. Why can't you be good filly like Berry here?" He reached over and scratched the mare behind the ears as a reward for her efforts.

"Perhaps you just bet on the wrong pony. I will not submit no matter what you do to me." Octavia turned her body to face away from the stallion, having been reminded why she went silent before. Slumping down in the puddle beneath her she decided to focus on others things and if there was nothing else in the room to occupy her time she would just have to focus on her thoughts. Unfortunately the only thing she could think of was how she got in this situation in the first place.

The curtain fell as hundreds clapped in applause. Octavia put down her bow and rested her cello against her legs. She felt exhilarated, the audience loved the performance. She held back her giddiness and looked to her fellow symphony members. They were busy putting away or breaking down their instruments. They were so sophisticated and professional, everything she aspired to be.

This was her first night as part of a big name orchestra. It wasn't the Royal Canterlot Symphony, but it was a step above what she had been. She had been in plenty of notable performances before including solo recitals and even playing for the Grand Galloping Gala, but it had always been a case of ponies knowing of her and not actually knowing her. This was her big break as tonight the crowd was packed with high class ponies who saw her performance. Even if she was just another face in the crowd of musicians she was sure that this was the start of something that would change her life forever.

Placing her cello in its case she packed up and went back stage. There many of the musicians were speaking with each other or waiting near the exit to sign autographs. Octavia wanted to join in with these activities, but being her first night she was sure that the more famous musicians wouldn't have anything to do with a newbie like her and it was unlikely that even one pony that saw the show would have noticed her. She was simply going to slip out and go back to her hotel until a pony came into her peripheral.

The pony was a yellow unicorn by the name of Scherzo. He was the one who managed the musicians and the one who scouted her for this concert. They had first met after one of her recitals where he explained that he had just lost a cello player. When he offered Octavia the spot she jumped on the opportunity. Tonight was her test to see if she was up to playing in front of a large crowd.

"Octavia!" He said, giving the mare a light hug. "You did wonderfully tonight. I am so glad you came." Octavia was relieved to hear him say that. Despite how composed she was during the performance she never felt more nervous.

"Thank you." Said Octavia. "So does this mean that..."

"Yes, if you want then you have a permanent spot in the orchestra." Said the stallion.

Octavia took a deep breath and exhaled. "I would be happy to be your third chair cellist."

"Good. I'll write up a contract and meet you at your hotel room in the morning." Said Scherzo.

The grey mare nodded and bid the stallion goodnight. As soon as she made it out of the concert hall though she finally let her excitement take over, making joyful noises as she hopped on spot for a moment before taking off in a run. She ran all the way back to her hotel, wheeling her cello case behind her.

As she got inside she got the bellhop to help her get her instrument back to her rented apartment, which had a living room, bathroom and bedroom. Octavia tipped him three bits for his trouble and then closed the door. She was alone at last to collect her thoughts. If she could just keep this job and do her best she might finally get the recognition she deserved. Pacing around the living room she eventually noticed a small fruit basket on a coffee table in the room.

Going to inspect the basket she saw a card and picked it up. "Good luck on your show. I know you'll do well. Get in touch soon. Vinyl Scratch." She read aloud before tossing the card back down in a huff. Octavia was still upset with her roommate after a falling out they had. One too many times Vinyl had promised to come support one of her recitals only to forget. Reserving a seat again and again for friend who would never be there always left her embarrassed and upset. She chose to finally cut off the relationship.

It was that recital where Octavia met Scherzo and when he offered her something outside of Ponyville she accepted immediately just to find a way to distance herself from the DJ pony. It seemed though that Vinyl was still trying her best to make up for her mistakes, but that was always the case. Always trying to make up and never keeping her promises.

"How did she even know where I was staying?" Octavia asked herself aloud before remembering that Vinyl had many connections in the musical world. That made her even more frustrated. It always seemed that while Octavia had exceptional talent Vinyl was the one who got the easy breaks because of all the connections she had through other ponies like Neon Lights. That never really got to her in the past and really shouldn't now except that it allowed Vinyl a way to keep bothering the earth mare when all she wanted was a bit of time to herself.

Octavia was about to take a seat and try to take her mind off of things with a magazine until she heard a knock on the hotel room door. "Who could that be at this hour?" She wondered. Going to the door she looked through the peephole and couldn't believe what she saw.

On the other side of the door was a stallion, but not just any stallion. It was Fancy Pants. Anybody who was anyone knew who Fancy Pants was. A rich, aristocratic pony who held the attention of every pony in his circle, which was practically any pony with high social standing. If he liked something then it meant that they would like it too. Ponies had made their careers on his opinion and now he was standing just outside her door holding what seemed to be a bouquet of white roses in his hands.

Octavia was in a state of disbelief. There was no way that he could be here for her. Was he even at the concert that night? He couldn't have noticed her of all ponies, could he? How could he have found her even if her even if he had? There were just too many variables that said that this was a mistake. Even so this was an opportunity she couldn't pass up. She made a few adjustments to straighten her outfit and her mane before grabbing the handle of the door and opening it.

As she came into the view of the pure white unicorn he smiled at her presence, already a good sign. "Can I... help you?" She asked cautiously, not wanting to look a fool if she happened to be right about him just knocking on the wrong door.

To her surprise the unicorn presented the flowers in his hand to her. "Octavia Melody I presume?" Octavia's heart instantly began to beat hard in her chest. Fancy Pants was here for her and not only that he knew her name. As her knees weakened at the sound of his voice she propped herself up against the doorway for a moment so she could get her bearings.

"Y-yes. That's me." She said taking the flowers. "And you're Fancy Pants."

The stallion seemed pleased she recognized him. "Very astute of you my dear."

"Pardon me asking.... but are you here because of the performance tonight?" She asked nervously.

Fancy Pants could see that she was intimidated by his presence. Most ponies trying to rise in the ranks of high society were. "I am indeed. I usually bring a bouquet like that one for ponies I think perform or play spectacularly. I felt that tonight you did exceptionally well with your cello, but when I went back to give you them I was told by Scherzo you had already left. Luckily he knew where you were staying."

This whole conversation was overwhelming for Octavia. She could never have imagined that she would attract such attention on her first night. She hardly even knew where to go from this point. "Oh! How rude of me. Would you like to come in?" Octavia stepped to the side to allow the unicorn in.

"I'm afraid I can't. My wife is waiting for me at home. Perhaps some other time." Octavia felt a bit deflated by his words, but this had already been more than she could've hoped for. She was about to bid him goodnight, but then he spoke up once more. "I was hoping that you would accompany me though. It might be a bit much to ask but could you come to my manor to give me and my wife a private performance?"

Octavia was in awe. She had dreamed of being good enough to one day play for someone as important and respected as Fancy Pants. Some would say that the only ponies more respected than him were Princess Celestia and Luna themselves. "I would love to!" She yelled in a burst of excitement. "Ahem... I mean to say I would be honored to perform for you and your wife." Her face was a bit red from her outburst, but it seemed that Fancy Pants understood and was bemused that she had let her emotions get the better of her.

A while later the two ponies were walking up to Fancy Pants’ manor. "Are you sure you wouldn't like some help with that dear?" The unicorn asked as he watched Octavia pull along her wheeled cello case up the hill to his home.

"No, I can manage." She strained a bit, but she didn't want Fancy Pants to trouble himself. Besides, she had carried the instrument around since she was a filly and thus built up a bit of endurance to the task. The only reason she was having any issue was that she had just got done taking it from the concert hall. The unicorn allowed her to continue by herself at her request and they soon made to the front door which opened as their hooves touched the stone step in front of it.

"Welcome home, Master." Said a pair of earth pony maids in unison as the two entered the manor. Octavia looked from one to the other and saw they were twin mares, one being white furred with black hair and the other black furred with white hair. The two also wore inverted uniforms where the primary color of the dress was the opposite of the pony while the frills and accents matched them. The two removed Fancy Pants' coat and tie and hung them on a nearby rack before coming to Octavia. "May we take your coat miss?"

Octavia looked down. She was still in her orchestra uniform. "No, thank you though." The two maids moved away from her and to Fancy Pants. Octavia couldn't believe the amazing amount of symmetry the two had. She wondered if it came from training or if it was just natural for the two mares she assumed were sisters.

Fancy Pants gave the black mare a pat on the head. "Onyx, please alert my wife that we have guests then meet your sister in the kitchen."

"Yes Master." The mare said before running off, practically skipping.

Fancy Pants then turned his attention to the white maid, patting her mane as well. "Pearl, you go and get the cooks to prepare a meal for three and when it's done bring it to my room."

Pearl nodded. "Master, should I have the chefs prepare some of the special wine for your guest?"

"No, just bring something to ease the mood later." The stallion said.

The mare was about to leave to do as she was told, but stopped just as she turned away. "I almost forgot Master. Another guest came here while you were out. He is currently being entertained by the Mistress."

"Ah, it must be Pinion. Thank you for informing me. Now run along." The white mare obeyed and headed off to the kitchen

Octavia wasn't exactly sure what the two were talking about, but she was hardly paying attention anyways. She was too busy taking in her surroundings. Fancy Pants' home was practically as extravagant as the royal palace. "What a mansion." She said to herself as she imagined herself living in such a place.

"Miss Melody, please come with me." Fancy Pants said to her, making her snap back to reality. She followed right behind him through the mansion, seeing more and more of the unicorn's luxuries along the way. After a long trek that was a testament to the size of the building they eventually arrived at the master bedroom and Fancy Pants opened the door.

Awaiting inside the room were two people. The first one Octavia noticed she had expected as it was Fancy Pants' wife, Fleur De Lis. At first glance Octavia had to look away as she thought that they had walked in on her naked, but she soon realized she was just wearing a dress that perfectly matched the pure white unicorn's pelt. The dress still made Octavia feel a bit uncomfortable though as it hugged the mare's body tightly allowing the earth pony to see her every curve.

The other creature in the room was a male gryphon, who was wearing a three piece suit and had a cut mark under his eye. He had a sort of regal air about him, at least that was what she thought at first glance. It was the first gryphon she had ever seen so she had nothing to compare to.

"Ah, so it is you Pinion. I see you got my message." Said Fancy Pants as he went to shake the gryphon's talon. The gryphon however was too concerned with Octavia's presence to give the stallion a greeting back. "Don't worry, she is just a guest of mine."

Pinion looked to Fancy Pants with irritation. "I thought this was going to be a private conversation."

"It is, but I have to take care of this first. I apologize, but this was a bit unexpected." Said Fancy Pants. "Could you maybe wait in my study till I finish here?"

The gryphon inspected Octavia once more, his sharp eyes piercing into her. "Is this the one?" He asked.

"Perhaps." Fancy Pants replied. "I will know after tonight."

"Fine, but try not to keep me waiting long." With that the gryphon brushed past the earth pony.

Octavia was confused to say the least. It seemed that the gryphon had heard of her and that Fancy Pants had some sort of plans for her. "Excuse me, but is there something you haven't been telling me?" She waiting for Fancy Pants to give an answer, but Fleur answered for him.

"Is this that girl you've been going on about since the Gala sweetie?" She said getting up out of her seat. "She does look lovely. No wonder you are so fond of her."

"Fond of me?" Octavia wondered what she meant. She couldn't possibly mean that he had a physical attraction to her. He was married and to the very mare speaking to her at the moment. The earth mare doubted that a pony would confide such a thing to his wife, and if he had then she didn't think that Fleur would be speaking with such a pleasant tone.

With a slight blush on his face Fancy Pants clarified the situation. "What my significant other means is that we were at the Gala when you were there helping to provide the music for the festivities. I found your part in the band you were with quite pleasing, at least until that whole ruckus that ended the night. It was a shame that the party ended so soon and before I could get your name."

She could hardly believe what she was hearing. Fancy Pants loved her music. He had wanted to get to know her sooner. If not for the events that ended the night in disaster she might of already been within the stallion's inner circle. Just the old Octavia luck coming up to haunt her once more. Only this time fate had given her a second chance and she wasn't about to let it go to waste.

"Then you have been waiting for this night for a long time." She said as she set her case on the floor and pulled her cello from it. "I would hate to disappoint. Please.... take a seat." Fancy Pants, being the gentlecolt he was, got Octavia a seat of her own before taking Fleur's hand and sitting on their bed with her. Octavia held her instrument close to her body and place her bow on its strings, taking one deep breath to calm her nerves before starting.

The mare put her all into her performance, for the most part she always did. Pouring her heart and soul into her movements she let her emotions guide her hands. She could've played an over three hundred year old classical piece note for note instead without fail, but she always felt that she did her best when she let herself go. The only problem was that not all ponies felt the same way. Plenty of times she had been turned down from an audition because she would try presenting her own artistic expression when other ponies would take more traditional routes. She couldn't help it though. While she always wanted to be part of a large symphony and be known for her talents her true dream was to create music that would be known throughout history, just like her idols had done before her.

After playing for what she felt must of been a half hour she finally stopped and opened her eyes. For a moment the expressions on the two unicorn's faces made her think that they didn't enjoy the performance, but their shocked looks led to ones of joy. They gave a complimentary round of applause to the earth mare as she made a small bow in her seat.

"Bravo my dear. Bravo. I don't think I've ever heard anything quite like that. Might I ask who the original composer is?" Fancy Pants asked.

"Well, if I must be embarrassingly honest...." Octavia replied. "It's an original piece."

The two unicorns gave each other a quick look of amazement before Fancy Pants looked back at the mare. "That was an original... well then that settles it!"

"That settles what?" Octavia asked confused.

"Octavia, how would you like a job as my personal musician?" Fancy Pants could see the bewilderment on the earth mare's face so he decided to elaborate. "What I mean is how would you like to play for me all the time? I have been looking for a pony to have around to entertain me and my guests with their musical talents."

"And you want me for this job?" Octavia asked.

"It would pay well I assure you and would include room and board since you would be staying here." Said Fancy Pants.

Octavia was a bit unsure. "What would my duties be if I accepted?"

"You would just have to play at formal parties my wife or I will be throwing in the future and perform for us privately whenever we ask it of you. That's all." Octavia wanted to ask more, but then the door suddenly opened and the two maids from before came in with several carts filled with food. "Ah, dinner has arrived. Don't feel like you need to answer right now Miss Melody. Let's eats first and you can think of your answer." The maids quickly prepared Octavia a plate of food, a gourmet vegetarian meal fit for a princess. They also offered her a glass of red wine, but she declined it. If she was going to make a decision like this she wanted to have a clear head.

Octavia wasn't sure exactly how to take this. On the one hand she would be working for Fancy Pants as his go to pony for musical entertainment. That in itself would be a title that any pony in her field would want. The only problem she had was that it would take her away from Scherzo's orchestra. She did enjoy playing as part of huge band such as that and she practically agreed to be a permanent part of it just that night. Either one of these choices could shape her future and she had to weigh the options carefully.

The mare finished her meal and looked to Fleur and Fancy Pants. "I'm sorry..." She started. "But you seem to have caught me at a busy time of my life. The concert you saw me at tonight... the manager there offered me a job already and I agreed. If not for that obligation I might have accepted your offer. Believe me, it is very tempting, but if I can't keep my word then what good is it."

Fancy Pants' expression didn't alter at this bad news. "I understand my dear. It is a shame I didn't get to you first. I'm sure you will do well in your new career and I wish you luck." Octavia was surprised that he was taking it so well. Most ponies would at least show some sign of disappointment after losing a pony that they had been scouting for months to someone else. "Fancy Pants must be a gentlecolt through and through." She thought to herself.

Shortly after she packed up her things and was escorted out of the manor by the two unicorns. She bid them farewell and headed back to her hotel. As she got back to the main gate the gryphon from before stepped up behind Fancy Pants. "So are we going after her or not?"

Fancy Pants let out a sigh. "I'm afraid so. Have your men pick her up from her room and do be more careful this time. Schorl told me how you gave the last one I sent you after a black eye."

Pinion laughed lightly. "I'll do my best, but it depends on how much fight she has in her." The gryphon stepped outside and spread his wings before taking off into the night's sky.

It took some time for Octavia to get back to her hotel. She was right back to where she had started that night except now she had a full stomach and a swell of confidence. Even if she wasn't going to be Fancy Pants' personal musician he still thought she was a great cellist and perhaps he would tell his friends about her. From what she heard that gryphon say earlier it appeared that he already had.

Getting back to her room she opened the door and set her cello next to the door. Only a few steps in she noticed another item had been set in her apartment, a large crate. "I really wish they would stop bringing packages for me in my room like this. I could just as easily get them are the front desk." She said as she approached the crate. The top looked like it could come right off, several latches were on it that attached to twist locks on the lower part of the box. For a moment she wondered if it could be something else from Vinyl, but as she opened it she pushed that thought out of her head.

There was nothing inside, nothing she could take out at least. The inside of the box was lined with some sort of padded material, as well was the bottom of the lid. She could also see a few small holes in the sides of the padding that went out to holes on the outside of the box. She couldn't think of any reason why anyone would send her this.

"I hope you don't mind the accommodations." She heard a voice say. As she looked up from the box she saw five gryphons step out of her bedroom, one of them being the one from Fancy Pants' manor. "It is hardly fitting of a pony of your talents, but you seem used to settling for things that are beneath you."

Octavia inched away from the gryphons that were coming right for her. Knowing that this could lead to no good she did the smart thing and call out. "Somepony! Help! Help!"

The gryphons laughed. "I'm afraid that no one is coming to save you. The rooms next to you are empty and the walls are soundproof anyways. Don't want to disturb the other guests. Looks like you chose the wrong place to stay. Doesn't matter, would've gotten to you one way or another. One bad cab ride, get in the wrong train car, drink something you thought was fruit juice...." Said Pinion.

Octavia looked around the room for something that could help her out of this situation. She could try running to the door, but turning her back to group would be a bad idea. Trying to buy time she did her best to keep the gryphons talking. "What do you want with me?" She asked.

Pinion moved towards her slowly. "Somepony would like to talk with you about joining a very special club."

Octavia didn't like the sound of that. "Who sent you? Was it Fancy Pants?" It was the obvious pony who could've done it seeing as this gryphon was at his manor.

Pinion however tried to deflect the blame in case Octavia somehow got away. "No, I just help him by shipping things from one place to another. This is a different pony all together."

Octavia wanted to believe the gryphon. After how Fancy Pants treated her that night she found it hard to believe that he would send these creatures to attack her. "And this 'club', what is so special about it?"

Pinion smirked. "It is only one of the best clubs ever created. Once you get there you'll never want to leave. Enough talk though. Could you do me a favor and get inside that box? It would save us all a lot of trouble"

The gryphons rushed at her and in an act of desperation she grabbed the fruit basket. She tossed the basket to the two gryphons coming from her left side and flipped the coffee table to the ones on her right. Now having distracted or blocked off all but Pinion she made a dash for the door thinking that now was her only chance of escape. Unfortunately Pinion was able to close the distance before she could turn the knob, sliding his arms under the earth mare's to place her in a hold.

Octavia wasn't going to take this laying down though. She bent her head forward and then sent it back hard, ramming the back of her skull into the Gryphon's beak. "Ack! You fucking bitch!" He yelled as he stumbled backwards, taking the lighter earth pony with him.

"Let! Go!" Octavia yelled back, lifting up a hoof before stomping it down on Pinion's shin. The gryphon let out another cry of pain, but wouldn't release the earth pony.

"Dammit you guys! Get over here and hold her!" The other gryphons got over to their leader, but not before Octavia sent a few more stomps to his legs. They grabbed a hold of her arms and legs as they struggled to get her onto the floor. Pinion let go of her arms and rubbed his beak. "I can't believe you did that... If it wasn't for the orders I was given, I would beat you within an inch of your life."

Octavia did her best to break free of the grips of the gryphons holding her to the floor, only managing to slip an arm or a leg free for a moment before getting it caught again. It was a hopeless endeavor and at this point she knew it, but if they were going to take her she wanted to cause the gryphons as much trouble as possible. This continued until she felt a sharp prick in her neck. "No!" She said, looking to Pinion who was injecting something into her.

"Sssshhhh.... go to sleep little pony. Soon you will know your place...." Pinion said to her. The Gryphon's visage started to blur and Octavia found it difficult to keep her eyes open. Only minutes later the earth mare was dead asleep and being placed into the cramped box.

"This one going to the Society?" One of the other gryphons asked Pinion as they locked the box.

"Yeah, cart her out the back exit and put her in the truck. Take her instrument too. Her owner wants it stored away till she's ready." Pinion replied. The gryphon nodded and helped get the crate on a dolly before rolling it out with one of the others. "You two, get this place cleaned. I don't what any trace of her ever being here." The two remaining gryphons quickly got to work and started picking up the fruit scattered on the floor.

"Hey, what do you make of this?" Said a gryphon as he lifted up a small slip of paper.

Pinion took it from the gryphon's hand and read what it had written on it aloud. "Good luck on your show. I know you'll do well. Get in touch soon. Vinyl Scratch. Hmmm..... I think....." Pinion said in a pleased tone as he slipped the card into his pocket. "It might be something worth holding onto."

Author's Note

Start of the Octavia arc! If Coco was the "natural submissive" and Fleetfoot the "one who gave in" then Octavia is the "fighter". This will go over the events that happened during from Octavia's capture to her to her escape attempt and then finally what her fate will be at the hands of the Society. Hopefully it will also add a bit more of an idea of how the organiazation works behind its walls as well as how the slaves interact with each other.

Today's guest OC is Sweet Berry who is owned by herself (And the Society so it seems).

Also I wanted to make aware to those of you that might be looking for a place to RP after Knighty's purge of the forums that a fan of ETS, macman31, has made a place for people who want to have Society related RPs. You will have to make an account, but there are already a few people playing on their and anyone is welcome to join if they want to have some fun playing as a member or slave of the Society..

The link is right here. Hope to see you there.