Chapters Chapter 2: Master’s House
The carriage bounced along the cobblestone path, making its way through the crowded streets of Canterlot too its destination. Sitting in the cage compartment of the carriage, Octavia looked around at her surroundings to the best of her abilities; given how small the windows on the carriage were. From what she gathered, they passed by some upscale part of town. The marble trimming on the buildings looking like masterful works of art, the tall regal stature they possessed was one indication she received as she gazed at her surroundings. Getting bored of looking at the expensive homes, Octavia looked down at her sister’s sleeping form. She gently begun stroking her sister’s back as she hummed a melody too her.
Looking back at the sisters, the grey stallion, gave a dull smirk.
“Your singing voice slave is it any good?”
Without looking at the grey stallion, Octavia smiled. “Yes, yes it is, why do you want to know?” She replied.
“Well slave, my wife likes music and since you sing, she’ll enjoy that.” The stallion replied; turning his gaze towards the road.
Smirking at his response, Octavia resumed her melody as they continued on their path.
Coming to a stop out in front of a small house, which sat in the foothills overlooking downtown Canterlot, the grey stallion stepped down from the passenger seat of the carriage. His hooves made contact with the ground making dull thuds.
“Do you need help sir?” The driver asked looking at the stallion.
“No, I got this covered.” The grey stallion replied.
The stallion made his way up to the back of the carriage to bring his newly bought slaves into his abode. Standing off to the side of the door he released the latch with his magic, the door gave a low groan before slamming into the ground with a loud thud. Startled both looked up to find the source of the noise only to cover their eyes from the light flooding into their eyes. Cool spring air rushed into the back of the carriage, hitting the sisters’ bare fur causing them too huddle up closer to each other.
The stallion smirked at the sisters’ display of affection as he stepped into the back of the carriage. Walking up to them he pulled two magic locking collars from his rain coat’s pocket and put them round their necks with his magic. Both sisters looked as the felt a new item touching their necks, seeing that they now wore collars both sisters took the time to ponder over their new accessories. Octavia stared at hers with mild annoyance; the color was white and stuck out like a sore thumb. Pinkie on the other hand tilted her head to the side at her light blue collar.
The stallion gave a smirk at Pinkie’s reaction to her collar. Her actions were adorable too him, stopping in his tracks, he slightly shook his head of that thought. Getting back on task, he pulled out two leashes and attached them to the sisters’ collars. Once done he begun tugging on their leashes, motioning them too follow. Getting up from the cold wooden floor boards of the carriage, both sisters made their way out and into the open air. The warmth of the sun was inviting to the sister’s bodies, warming their blood before the rays of sun became consumed by the clouds that had begun to accumulate over the city.
Looking up at the house, Octavia took a good look at the house her and her sister would be calling home for a long time. The home itself was nothing special; it was an average upscale maple-wood and plaster house, which appeared too house three bedrooms, two baths. The outside walls were painted white, with dark red shingle roofing, decorated with several single pain-windows and dark oak framing and border work.
Nearing the heavy oak door, the grey stallion opened it and walked inside with the sisters in tow. Stepping into the home both sisters noses where assaulted with the smells of mahogany musk, cigar smoke and a surgery sent from a pot of flowers that sat by the door on a metal stand. With their eyes adjusted to the lighting within the home, both sisters could see a simple brick fire place off to their left, with a mantle over the fire place with sepia photos of what appeared to be the stallion’s family. Sitting in front of the fire place, was a small dining table for five, with three red candles sitting in the middle. Off too their right was the hallway leading to the bedrooms and restrooms of the home, while the kitchen was directly in front of them.
Walking into the kitchen, the group passed by the island in the middle of the kitchen and up to, two heavy oak doors. Unlocking the door on the left with a key, the grey stallion led them into a rickety old room. Too Octavia it looked like a crude add-on to the home from a previous owner who tried adding on a work room or shed with little success. The roof which was held up by four oak beams and was sagging slightly on the far right corner, while one of the walls too Octavia’s left tilted to the right slightly. Seeing two worn mattresses, blankets and a bucket within the room, Octavia realized that this was their new living quarters.
“So slaves this is your new home. This is where you’ll be living for the remainder of your life. Now there are some rules that I expect the two of you too follow.” The grey stallion spoke up. Looking up at the stallion both sisters gave him a solemn look of acknowledgment. Nodding his head, the grey stallion began.
“The name you’ll call me by is ‘Master’, and that’s the only name you’ll use. Now let’s hear you say it.” He spoke looking for the sisters’ cooperation.
Looking at the grey stallion, both sisters replied. “Yes Master.”
Nodding his head, he continued. “You’ll use this bucket for reliving yourself, when it’s full, take it out back… oh and don’t think about escaping, the fence is too tall to jump over and it’s lined with wire too keep vandals out of my field.” Master spoke, eyeing them for any objection or hope of escape. Sighing, he continued his list of rules.
“To clean yourselves, there is an empty wooden barrel out back that you can use.” Looking at his watch for a second, he nodded his head as he tugged on the leash motioning to the sisters too move along with him. Heading back into the house the trio made their way into the dining room. Walking up to the table, Master looked at the sisters. “Your tasks throughout the day are too clean up the place and make it look spotless and at the end of the day during supper you’ll serve our food with the other slave my son owns. The other slave will cook the food and you’ll bring the food out too us.” Looking at the sisters he gave a small smirk, waiting for a reply.
Pinkie slowly nodded her head at her master, speaking a soft yes; Octavia on the other hand gave an uncharismatic sigh of understanding. She was glad the work wasn’t grueling or demoralizing but she would find it very repetitive.
“What was that slave?” Master asked looking at Octavia.
Giving her master a confused look Octavia asked. “What did I do Ma…” *!Smack!*
“I wasn’t asking for a reply, slave.” Master replied, smacking Octavia across her face.
Looking at her Master, Octavia wondered why he had a sudden burst of hostility towards her. Pinkie looked at the scene with fear creeping into her mind. To keep the fear way, Pinkie inched closer to her older sister’s form. Octavia felt her sister’s action and draped a hoof over her shoulder.
Master looked down at the sister’s actions. Smirking at Pinkie, he lazily gazed at Octavia.
“Your sister replied properly to my statement, next time I hear another uncharismatic sigh, this will happen.” Master swung his hoof at Pinkie’s face.
Crying out in agony, Pinkie grasped the top of her head at the sudden rush of pain that came too her skull. Octavia’s eye twitched as she saw the pain Master caused her sister. Looking up at him, she gave an angry scowl inching closer to her master. Chuckling at her actions, he swung again at the pink filly. Another wail of pain came from Pinkie as Master’s hoof made contact with her head once again.
“P-P-Please stop, M-Master!” Pinkie wailed.
“It’s not me little one it’s your sister.” Master replied looking at Octavia, a smug look plastered on his face.
Pinkie looked at her sister and then back too Master, tears blocking her vision, her mind full of confusion. Master gave a smirk at Pinkie’s confusion. Adorable he thought.
“So, do we understand, slave?” Master asked with a hum, giving Octavia a chuckle.
Looking at her sister, a tear rolled down Octavia’s face at seeing the pain Pinkie was in. Taking a deep breath, Octavia looked at her Master responding with a hiss.
“Y-Yes Master.”
“Good.” Leaning his head too her hear. “You think you’re so smart. You may have your wits and your sister but be warned, now she’ll be a tool I can use against you… If you ever think of backstabbing me you better think twice!” He whispered.
Octavia hung her head low, not wanting to look her master in the eye. Pinkie, seeing her sister's depressed mood made her upset; she never liked it when her family was sad. Stepping closer to her sister she wrapped her front hooves around her sister’s right foreleg. Feeling her sister's hug, Octavia looked down at her sister and gave her a small smile. Facing away from the sisters, Master began rummaging through some papers on the dining table, mumbling too himself. After a minute passed he glanced back at the sisters.
“So in three months’ time I have very important investors coming to inspect my railroad company. So too get a better chance at funding, I’m going to have them over for diner that month on the 16th day, so I hope to have the both of you ready as proper service slaves by the end of month.” Walking up to the sister he looked them in eye. “This meeting must be perfect, if any mishaps occur then your lives here are going to become miserable ones.” Master told the sisters as he lit a cigar he brought out of his coat pocket.
The sisters nodded their heads in response to his statement, letting him know, that they understood. Liking their answers he tugged on their leash and brought them back to their room. Unlatching the leash from the sisters, he walked back through the door. Before locking the door he spoke up.
“I’ll have my wife bring you some white gowns too wear when she gets home so you’re presentable during supper tonight.” Master told the sisters as he shut the door, locking it.
Once the door was locked, Octavia looked around for the wooden tub master mentioned beforehand. Heading to the back door of the shed she opened it; its hinges giving a soft squeak as they moved. Light stung her eyes as the sun was now directly overhead. With her eyes adjusted, she looked for her object of her desire. On the other side of the shed was the barrel lay against the outer walls of the shed. Weeds grew around the haul of barrel, dirt caking the underside of its belly. Grabbing the edge of the barrel with her mouth, Octavia began dragging it back into her new living quarters.
Hearing grunting, Octavia looked up to see a large red stallion earth pony, with a blonde color mane working the small patch of land that surrounded the house; the land’s boarders lined with a fourteen foot tall pine fences. Looking at the stallion, Octavia looked at his features; he was a toned stallion, probably in his late teens early twenties, he wore a worn white shirt the loosely hugged his form. Seeing him move his gaze in her direction and seeing his blush she realized that she was still nude. Blushing herself, she continued her tasked as she brought the makeshift tub into hers and her sister’s living quarters.
“What’s that sis?” Pinkie called out, her tears finally drying out.
“You’re gonna get a bath so you’re nice and clean tonight.” Octavia replied too her sister’s question, looking for a faucet.
“What about you?” Pinkie asked, with a child’s innocence keeping her gaze locked on the barrel.
“We'll bathe together, like when you were little.” Octavia replied setting the tub near a worn out faucet, rust coating its outer skin.
As the water poured loudly from the faucet, Octavia picked up her sister it a tight embrace as she helped her into the tub. Surprisingly the wooden barrel held the water decently, with only a few minor leaks that drained slowly.
“Sis, it’s c-cold!” Pinkie called out, withdrawing her limbs closer to her body from the water’s cold aura. Laughing at her sister, Octavia made the best of their situation.
“It’s cold sis? Are you sure? It’s pretty warm.” Octavia playfully asked, telling her sister a little fib. The water was cold, too cold but her and her sister hadn’t bathed in so long that bathing would do them some good.
‘At least Master given us this luxury.’ Octavia thought as she dipped her body further into the water.
Smiling at her older sister, her fear lessening, Pinkie dunked her whole body into the water. Octavia smiled at her sister, Pinkie was truly her shadow always following her every hoof-step. Finally sitting in the makeshift tub, Octavia began to scrub the dirt out of her fur the best she could as she watched Pinkie play in the tub which made her smile.
Oh how she wished to have her sister’s innocence of the world once again. She looked down at her distorted reflection in the tub. She had grown up fast during the first part of the war. Octavia was slightly more mature for her age, all thanks to the never ending chaos surrounding her at all times. There was no time to be a child anymore, for her at least, she made it her mission to keep Pinkie from having to grow up. She deserved her child hood. The bruises on Octavia’s body proven that, Octavia always took the fall for her sister. Smiling at her sister she couldn’t deny, there were still days where her childish side came out to play, those moments when she was able to afford to play with her sister; sisters being sisters, were ones she cherished the most.
Running her hooves through her dark grey mane, Octavia thought about what their new life would in tale. Cleaning up a house and maintaining it didn't seem all that bad too her. It would be boring and repetitive and it seemed like they were going to be treated better than most slaves. She knew they weren’t going to be treated as equal but their situation did beat being sold into less savory jobs some slaves were forced to do. She heard tales from other slaves when she was in the POW camps, that some slave owners would physical abuse or play mental games with the slaves they owned. Octavia’s master seemed nice too her but she wouldn’t fully trust him, Octavia feared that if he was willing to use her sister against her, something bad could happen if he got too angry. Maybe his wife was nicer or his son.
Looking at her soaking wet sister, Octavia let out a snicker as she moved closer too Pinkie, dragging her closer to her stomach. Pinkie giggled at her sister’s touch as Octavia washed out her sister’s pink fur and straight magenta mane. Octavia hummed a melody as she washed up her sister, making sure to get Pinkie as clean as possible.
After an hour past and Octavia and Pinkie were finished washing up. Master’s wife as stated earlier brought them simple white night gowns that they would be wearing, plus three extras pairs too replace their dirty ones. Octavia watched as Master’s wife stepped up to her. Her presence was calming, she seemed kind too Octavia, even Pinkie started to feel safe around her. After handing the stack of clothes to the sisters, Master’s wife gave a slight nod, before closing the door. Quickly getting dressed, both sisters spent the time laying on one of the mattresses, playing ‘I spy’ and little guessing games to pass the time by. Two hours later, Master came to bring them into the kitchen so they could prepare themselves for their first time serving supper. Entering the kitchen both sisters saw a red stallion making some salad on the island counter. Both Octavia and the red stallion met each other’s gaze and blushed, remembering their earlier encounter. When Master left the sisters with the stallion an awkward silence hung over the three ponies. Not liking the uncomfortable feeling the red stallion spoke up.
“Yer the new slaves Master bought?” The red stallion asked, looking at the two fillies.
Looking at the stallion, Octavia gave him a nod. Smirking at the filly the stallion spoke up.
“Is that yer sister?”
Again Octavia nodded. Shaking his head he returned to his task as he spoke.
“Not much of a talker.”
“No, I’m just um…” Octavia mumbled, looking away from the red stallion.
“Nervous, don’t you ah worry none. Master is yer kind as long as things go his way, his son is around and if his temper doesn't boil over when his drunk.” The stallion replied, slicing up some carrots into a pot.
Nodding her head, Octavia and Pinkie moved to the other side of the island.
“Need help with anything mister?” Pinkie asked looking at the tall red stallion.
Shaking his head at Pinkie’s politeness, something that made him smile, the stallion replied to the pink filly. “Sure thing little filly, are yer good with a knife?”
Octavia was going to protest but her little sis always liked to help other ponies and always jumped to the chance to do so.
“Yes sir, mister, um… what’s your name?” Pinkie asked giving the stallion a confused look.
Looking at the pink filly, the stallions replied. “Mac’s the name.”
Octavia looked out through the archway separating the kitchen from the dining room. Octavia glanced at the dining table and watched the four unicorns eating their meal. Octavia took the time to match each name she heard too each unicorn she watched. At the head of the table sat her master, whose wife called him by Diamond. Diamond sat at the table slowly eating his food. Having some time to look at her master, Octavia guest he was 38 years of age form his mane and beard showing some small amounts of light grey seeping through. The way he acted at the table seemed one of pure dullness; he seemed stock in nature, not the charmer she saw at the market.
Moving her gaze to the next occupant at the table, Octavia glanced at an older mare; her name was Holly Star, a blue unicorn mare with light grey-yellow mane. She was Diamond’s wife no doubt, and she held a strong demeanor as she sat by her taller husband. She was a writer for the local newspaper writing short stories in one of the funny columns each and every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. She mostly left home to meander around the town gathering inspiration for her stories. Octavia smiled too herself, she liked Holly, she couldn’t pinpoint it but something about Holly made Octavia feel comfortable. Maybe it was the fact that Holly took interest in her and her sister during supper. She had asked Diamond what propelled him to perchance them. He shrugged and stated he merely bought her and her sister for help around the house. Octavia had to admit she couldn’t help but laugh along with Holly at Diamond’s statement.
Lastly she moved her gaze upon the last two occupants of the table. Sitting at the table next too Holly sat their teenaged daughter named Star Light a light grey teenaged filly with a dark navy blue mane. She seemed shy to Octavia, not really taking interest in her and her sister. From what Octavia gathered she was and artist to be, when she was telling her mother that she wanted to get accepted into Canterlot’s Art Academy. Octavia guessed that Star Light was the same age as her, due to her voice at that awkward stage of maturing. Lastly Diamond’s son sat next to him on his right. His name was Star Dust, a black teenaged colt, with a bluish-brown mane. He was tall for his age of 18, Octavia assumed because he wore a military recruit styled outfit. He seemed like the arrogant type one who would do anything to get recognition or to get what he wanted.
Octavia kept her gaze a little longer on the family at the table. Satisfied that she got their names down, she was about to return to her task when she caught a glimpse of Star Dust staring at her. They both locked eyes at one another. Star Dust raised a brow at Octavia; putting his hoof up to his chin he gave a sudden wink and a kiss towards her. Octavia seeing his gesture blushed; quickly she darted back into the kitchen. Octavia shook the blush away from her face.
“One more hour…” She mumbled.
An hour passed by an Octavia and Pinkie were finishing the dishes before heading back to their beds. On the island sat a bowl Mac made for them consisting of a simple grain meal conspiring of fruits and vegetables. It was a meal Mac was allowed to make form himself and now since the sisters were now a part of the scene, Mac made it for them as well. When Pinkie finished drying the last dish both sisters placed them back in their assigned cupboards. With the task done Octavia and Pinkie turned around to pick up their bowls before Diamond took them to their room.
As her gaze turned to the island, Octavia froze when her eyes landed on the form of Star Dust. Star Dust saw Octavia’s reaction and a sly smirk went across his face.
“Father wanted me to guide you back to your room.” He spoke walking up to the sisters.
Octavia stood in place.
“Well aren’t you gonna pick up your bowl?” Star Dust asked tilting his head slightly.
Octavia moved her gaze at her bowl and back to Star Dust. With a slow nod she picked up her bowl with her mouth and along with Pinkie began their small trip to their room. Walking up to the door Star Dust unlocked the latch and opened it for the sisters. Pinkie skipped into the room. Her spirits were high after spending some time with her sister and Mac. She and her sister had turned the evening chore into a fun one to keep them in high spirits. Pinkie was glade she made Mac smile. Plopping on one of the mattress, she sat her bowl next to her and gazed up at her sister waiting for her to join. Octavia smiled at her sister actions and took a step into the room. A soft smack was felt on her rump. Tripping but not losing her whole balance she sharply glared and the source. Star Dust stood in the doorway with a smirk on his face. Embarrassment filled Octavia as she backed up from the older colt. Her actions made Star Dust laugh.
“You’re cute when you become embarrassed. I’ll see you around slave you’re gonna be a source of internment for sure.” Star Dust commented before shutting the door.
Octavia kept her gaze on the door, her embarrassment not fully gone. Pinkie tilted her head; fear gripped her mind as she wondered what was wrong with her sister.
“Octy?” Pinkie asked.
Octavia broke from her trance; turning her attention to her sister she spoke up.
“Yes sis?”
“Are you ok? What was that about? Does he really find you cute…”
Octavia put a hoof up too Pinkie’s lips.
“That was nothing sis… Let’s eat; we’ve got a big day head of us for tomorrow.” Octavia cooed too her sister, taking a seat next to her.
“Ok, I’m starving!” Pinkie cheered.
Octavia lay on the mattress along with her sister. The meal was filling to say none the least. It was tick thanks to the grains and the flavor was… amazing. How Mac was able to turn cheap dull ingredients into deliciousness was something else. The only thing that soured the meal was her bad breath, she did her best washing out her mouth with water but with several weeks of not brushing, left Octavia wishing she could brush her teeth once again, oh what a feeling that would be.
Stroking her sleeping sister’s head, Octavia stared at the roof of the shed, looking through a small hole in one of the wooden planks of the roof; the stars twinkling in the night sky, Octavia thought about her day.
‘Today went by ok.’ Octavia thought as she hugged her sleeping sister closer to her body.
Except for them being naked in public and having Master throw a fit and taking his anger out on her sister, everything seemed to be going well. She just hoped that one day they would taste freedom or at least living at Diamond’s home would be pleasant until things changed, like the war ending or Diamond had a change of heart and let them free.
‘I guess Mac could be right, as long as Master’s temper is at a minimum he’s ok.’ Octavia thought as she moved her gaze too her sleeping sister.
Smiling, she nuzzled her sister while getting into a comfortable position.
‘Just don’t challenge Master, Octavia, if you don’t he won’t hurt you and your sister and maybe, just maybe, life here will be tolerable.’ Octavia thought before falling into her dreams of days before the war and hoping her future hopes went according to plan.
Chapter 3: A Hopeful Gift
‘Two months, two months, has it really been two months already?’ That thought swam in Octavia’s mind as she put the books back onto the bookshelves in the study.
A pile of books surrounded her creating a mini fortress of knowledge. Dusting was a relaxing activity for Octavia. Every two days out of the week, her and her sister dusted the furniture within the home. It was an easy task for them, one where they could get lost in their thoughts. Pinkie always talked to herself, painting with the dust rag on the dust-covered surfaces. Octavia would find this act very charming. Finishing the second to last row, Octavia got up to help her sister with her side of the room. Walking up to her sister’s side, she noticed that Pinkie had placed the books in order of the cover’s color. The colors went from blue to green to red and then to brown. The top shelves were not done since Pinkie couldn’t have reached them.
Octavia shook her head.
“Color coded, that’s new.”
Pinkie glanced up at her sister and smiled.
“I was thinking that Master and Holly would like a different change of pace from the usual, you like it?”
Octavia tilted her head and nodded. This made Pinkie smile. Standing up, Pinkie gave a stretch before returning to her task. Glancing up at a clock, Octavia’s eyes fell on a calendar to the left of the clock. The days date read the 12th day of the 4th month. Octavia eyes quickly moved back to her sister. It was her birthday. Octavia put her hooves together and gave a smile. She was excited to do something exciting for her sister. Though her excitement dwindled, her and her sister never had any true birthday celebrations. When was the last time they had one, a year ago or maybe two? Octavia glanced at Pinkie once again. She couldn’t’ get a gift for her and she whole heartily knew that her masters would say no to such a request. Closing her eyes, she gave a sigh.
Hearing hoof steps both sisters glanced up to see Diamond walking into the study with a stack of papers floating in his magic. Looking at the sisters he happened to look upon the bookshelf behind them. The books were all wrong.
“Who did the books like this?” Diamond asked glancing back and forth in-between the sisters. Both sisters looked back at the books and hung their heads. Diamond set the stack of papers on the coffee table and looked at his slaves.
“Speak went spoken to, who did this?” He asked again.
Pinkie was about to speak, but her sister cut her off.
“I did Master,” Octavia called out stepping a little closer to Diamond.
Diamond gave a smirk; he noticed Octavia had cut off her sister’s statement.
“Are you sure?” Stepping closer to Octavia, he looked down upon the filly. “I thought I heard your sister mumble something before you spoke up.” Glancing at Pinkie, Diamond gave a little hum as he smiled at the pink filly.
Pinkie moved her eyes back and forth from her sister and Diamond. Octavia gave a look telling her to be quiet, but Diamond’s stare was starting to make her very nervous.
“Um, I-I actually did, M-Master…” Pinkie mumbled.
Octavia stared at her sister, she was trying to stand up for her and Pinkie shot her down.
‘Why did you do that?’ Octavia asked herself, looking at her sister with hurt in her eyes.
“Well then you’re the one who did this, I say, hmm…” Diamond replied to Pinkie before glancing at Octavia. “What’s your name little one?” He asked.
Octavia and Pinkie never told their names to their masters, they never had to.
“It’s O-Octavia,” Octavia replied looking down at her hooves fearing the worst.
Diamond gave a small smirk.
“Octavia, yes, that’s a nice name, you should have told me when we first met.” Lifting up her chin he looked into her purple eyes. “You must know that your sister needs to learn how to take reasonability for her actions, how else is she gonna handle the mistakes she’s going to make.”
Octavia glanced away from Diamond and looked down at the floor. She knew what was best for her sister, not him.
“Well here is what we’re going to do, you finish up the house and I’ll teach your sister how to do the books correctly since she has forgotten, does that sound fair?”
Octavia looked up at Diamond. He wanted her to leave her sister alone with him. Octavia frowned at her master and shook her head; to get her point across she got in his face. Diamond gave a dull expression as he tilted his head to the side glancing at Pinkie who was looking at the whole scene with pure concern and confusion. Octavia followed Diamond’s gaze at looked at her sister.
“There is no debating this unless we would want to have something occur that some pony will regret,” Diamond spoke glancing back at Octavia handing her a rag with his magic.
Octavia looked at the rag and with a fuss and grabbed it with her mouth. Walking away with a grunt she glanced back at Diamond and Pinkie, with a forlorn expression. Diamond gave a nod to Octavia to continue her task. Reluctantly, Octavia listened to him and walked out of the study and into the kitchen. With her gone, Diamond looked down at Pinkie.
“Well let’s get to work little one.”
Pinkie who hadn’t taken her eyes off her sister glanced up at the large stallion.
“Where did my sister go?” She asked standing up, slowly walking up to Diamond’s side.
“To finish the chores,” Diamond replied looking down at the pink filly.
“Oh…”
Diamond gave a smirk.
“I want you to empty out the all the shelves and redo them again.” Diamond hummed walking to the desk that sat next to a large window overlooking the backyard.
Pinkie looked back at her master and tilted her head.
“All of them?” She questioned.
Diamond raised a brow at the pink filly.
“Yes all of them, your side and even your sister’s. Re-dust them and put them in alphabetical order.” He replied taking a seat on a desk chair pulling out a shot glass and a bottle of apple whiskey from one of the desk’s drawers.
Pinkie looked back between the different bookshelves, frustration building in her mind.
“But I thought I would do you a…”
“Did you hear me? Don’t be dense, slave I want you to do it my way, not your way.” Diamond interrupted her, floating the stack of papers towards him.
This statement made Pinkie release out a childish huff as she walked up to the bookshelf to begin her task once again. With frustration, she removed her careful set up she had done onto the floor. The books were so colorful and that color spoke to her artistic side. Pinkie wanted to make a rainbow. She had seen them before after a rainstorm back when she lived with her parents. She always thought that they were pretty.
Diamond looked through his stack of papers, sheet by sheet floated around him. The paperwork took up most of his time now these days. Paperwork for his job at the railroad company, payment sheets, bills, order forms and production quotas. Rubbing his temple he set them on his desk and took a sip of his whiskey. Setting the glass back onto the desk’s surface, he used his magic to open up the curtains a little more. Grunts and moans graced Diamond’s ears. Looking back, he saw Pinkie’s expression in a frown as she restocked the books to his liking. Deep down he started to regret buying such a young slave, she was starting to get more defiant with his request and doing things her way. But, on the other hand, his other slave wouldn’t do his bidding if the pink one wasn’t with her. Looking back on his purchase, he only bought the sisters so he could avoid having to pay a weekly fee for a maid to clean the house. Saving every bit was more important to him. Bits couldn’t be used willy-nilly on things that can be done for free. Bits were for paying bills, food and buying crucial supplies for himself and his company. Another grunt graced his ears, causing him to rub his temples.
‘What have I gotten myself into?’ Glancing back up at Pinkie, he gave a sigh. ‘Maybe I can find a way to make her listen to me unconditionally?’
With his gaze still on Pinkie, Diamond took the time to gaze upon her as she worked. Her thin form moved with grace as she re-dusted and reorganized the bookshelf. Even though each stroke of her hoof with the rag was done in childlike frustration, Diamond couldn’t help but see potential in her. She would be strong when she grew up. Getting bored of her hoof movements Diamond moved his gaze from her hoof to her neck and down her body. Even with the white gown covering her body, he could still make out her form, from her curvy backside, her thin stomach and her small lanky hind legs to her small rump. A smirk crossed his face as he took a sip of his whiskey.
‘She’ll grow up into a fine looking mare.’ He thought to himself.
That thought lingered in his mind for some time. He liked that thought, he gazed at Pinkie imagining her as an 18-year-old mare, but as soon as that thought came it left. He shook his head, he couldn’t think like that, he was married and he was a unicorn. Thoughts of another mare you weren’t married to like that, especially and earth pony or pegasi wasn’t just taboo, but illegal.
‘I’m a gentle colt and gentle colts don’t think like that.’ He told himself.
Again though, he glanced back at Pinkie, her task was finished on the left bookshelf and she began her task again on the right bookshelf. Thoughts of his wife came into his mind. The spark in their relationship wasn’t as strong as it used to be. With their jobs slowly eating their time, they just couldn’t find the time to settle down at some place and be with one another. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his wife walk by with a book floating in front of her face. She slowed down and looked at him with a small smile. She then glanced and watched Pinkie working with the books; she caught her husband staring at the pink filly, tilting her head she spoke up.
“What are you doing dear?”
Diamond without moving his gaze replied to his wife.
“Making sure our slave does her job correctly, sweetheart.”
Holly nodded and continued walking into the kitchen. Diamond’s gaze softened on Pinkie as thoughts of and older and attractive Pinkie began to grace his mind once again.
‘Why I’m I think of my slave like this?’
Was he missing the fire that burned during the earlier part of his love life? Where had that spark gone? He couldn’t deny it; he and his wife weren’t as close as they use to be. Ever since his son became a military blimp pilot and bought them their stallion slave, a gap started to form. He didn’t know why, he guessed it was their different opinions on the matter but of course he never brought it up to his wife, until he did though he wouldn’t get the answers to his predicament. Looking back at Pinkie a smile came to his face. An idea had popped into his head. He would take his wife out to dinner tonight as a gift. Hopefully to bring back that spark he craved. Maybe purchasing Pinkie and her sister, was a good idea after all.
“Done Master!” Pinkie called out stepping up from her spot and glancing over at Diamond. Awaking from his daze, Diamond got up and walked up to Pinkie. Looking at the bookshelf he began combing over her work.
Pinkie seeing her master’s reaction tilted her head to the side in mild frustration.
“What’s the matter Master?” Pinkie huffed.
Looking back at the upset filly, Diamond gave her a dull gaze.
“Have to make sure your job meets my standards little one.”
Octavia scrubbed the dining room table for some time. Honestly, she hadn’t moved from her spot in the last 45 minutes. She periodically glanced up and looked down the hall to see if her sister had returned from her task Diamond assigned her too. With each passing minute, she became nervous. Did he do something to her, was it taking longer than normal, her mind ran wild with many possibilities. Once she thought of checking up on her sister but that thought died as quickly as it came. She just had already challenged her master and if she had left her task then she had feared he would get livid and something terrible would happen. Octavia finished dusting the table for the fifth time when she heard hoof steps walking down the hardwood flooring of the hallway. Lifting her head up, she saw Holly walking towards her. Octavia noticed Holly was reading a book as she walked; the book floating in a yellow colored magic aura. She watched her sit in one of the dining room chairs, Holly taking a seat across from Octavia.
“So I see you’re by yourself dear,” Holly spoke still with her eyes on her book.
Octavia jerk slightly from Holly’s sudden statement.
“Y-yes Ma’am,” Octavia replied.
“Are you worried about your sister?” Holly asked looking up at the gray filly.
Octavia moved her gaze down the hallway and nodded her head in agreement.
Holly gave a smile.
“Don’t worry dear, she’s still working on the books, saw her as I passed the study.” With a hum, she moved a page from the book. “I take it she didn’t do the books correctly, what happened she done them correctly before?” Holly asked softly, staring into Octavia’s purple eyes.
Octavia couldn’t move her gaze’s away from Holly’s soft yellow eyes.
“She put the books in order according to color Ma’am.”
“Mmm, that doesn’t seem like such a big deal too me… Thinking about it, it would bring more color too our study.” Holly chuckled flipping another page.
All Octavia could do was stare at Holly for the longest time. She found favor in what Pinkie did. A small smile came to her lips, did Holly like her and her sister? This was confusing to Octavia. Why would Holly not treat her like trash or make her feel intimidated? Was this her way of brainwashing her and her sister? These past two months Holly had been kind to her and her sister, when Diamond would come home a little snappy, she would calm him down to make sure he didn’t take his frustrations out on them. Different questions lingered in her mind and Octavia slowed her dusting.
“You thought my sister’s action was nice?” Octavia asked in bewilderment.
Holly glanced up at the filly and gave a smile.
“Why yes dear. Unlike my husband I do not mind if things are not done in the correct manner, as long as they are done I fine with that.”
Octavia couldn’t help but nod in agreement. Fidgeting with the rag in her hooves, she thought about her next question long and hard.
“Why are you being nice to my sister and I?” Octavia finally asked, staring directly into Holly’s eyes.
The question caught Holly off guard as she slowly set her book down on the table and looked longing into Octavia’s soul. Octavia became nervous that she asked a wrong question.
“Dear,” Began Holly. “My husband and I have different opinions when it comes to treating slaves, ever since we got that red stallion out there in the backyard.” She pointed out the window at Mac who was cutting down a dead tree; Octavia followed her pointed hoof.
Taking a deep breath, Holly got up and made her way to Octavia’s side.
“Dear, my husband believes in intimidation tactics to get a slave to do his bidding. I on the other hoof do not.” With a smile, she put her hoof on Octavia’s right shoulder. “Would you be more willing to serve me if I was cruel or kind?”
This wasn’t a statement, Octavia knew that for sure. She was taken aback by Holly’s question and for a few seconds, stared into Holly’s soul looking for malice but found none. She didn’t want to be here in the first place but at least hearing her mistress’s view of treating slaves was one of kindness and not brutality, she couldn’t deny it, it made her feel more comfortable around her.
“Kind, Ma’am.” Octavia finally spoke looking down.
Holly seeing her slave upset lifted her chin.
“What is the matter dear, can’t have your spirits down, can’t do your job like this.”
Even though her chin was helped up by one of Holly’s hooves, her eyes looked down at the rag that she held in her hooves. The thought of Pinkie’s birthday still lingered in her mind from earlier that day. She gave a huff. Would asking Holly about getting a gift for her sister, be the right thing to say at a moment like this? Was it a smart idea to push her luck with her, or go for it and suffer the consequences later on?
“I-I was… thinking… that…” Octavia mumbled.
Holly tilted her head.
“Yes?” She asked nodding her head.
Octavia glanced up at Holly.
“It’s my sister’s birthday… a-and I wanted t-to get h-her…”
A hoof was placed over her lips. Looking at Octavia with a smile, Holly gave a chuckle.
“Would your nerves be lessened if I got you something that you can give to her?”
Octavia’s mind was stumped by Holly’s offer. What was she trying to do?
“Really?” Octavia wondered.
Holly’s only response was a nod of her head as she patted Octavia on the head.
“Mother?”
Both Holly and Octavia turned their gaze at Star Light who was standing in the doorway.
“What are you doing,” Star Light asked, seeing her mother patting their slave’s head.
“Oh dear I was just comforting our slave, can’t have her nerves getting the best of her,” Holly spoke walking back to her seat. “Come; sit down child for a little bit before you go to your night classes.”
Star Light stared at Octavia with a raised brow before taking a seat next to her mother’s side. Octavia looked at the scene with a dull stare. Seeing Holly and her daughter sitting next to her reminded her of her own mother. Tears coming to the forefront, she quickly whipped them away before returning to her task.
“Thanks, Ma’am, for your…”
Holly raised a hoof up to silence Octavia. Holly only nodded back and motioned for her to return to her task.
Nodding her head, Octavia turned to face the kitchen when her sister came walking down the hallway, her rag lying over her back. She looked fine to Octavia, but she could see that there was disappointment in her eyes. Walking up to her sister, Octavia rubbed her cheek against her sister’s. Glancing at the kitchen with one eye opened she saw that it was a little disorganized. With a hum, she called for her sister. The faster they got it done the more time she could spend with her sister in their room before supper time.
Five minutes passed since that time, Diamond made his was out of the study and walked into the dining room to see his wife and daughter sitting at the table. Off in the kitchen, he saw his slaves straightening it up. With a smile, He walked up to his wife and laid his head against hers. Holly shivered a bit by the sudden sensation of her husband’s touch. Moving her gaze to meet his she gave him a wondering smirk.
“What’s this for dear?
Diamond gave her a smirk back.
“I was thinking we haven’t had time to enjoy ourselves and I thought that we could go out to dinner tonight, just the two of us.”
Holly put a hoof to her lips and smiled.
“Well that sounds lovely dear, but who’s gonna watch our slaves when we’re gone?” She asked raising a brow.
Diamond smiled.
“We can lock the doors of the shed to keep them in, but if you want we can have our son watch them.”
Holly mulled over what her husband said, with a smile on her face, she nodded.
“Well then we're gonna have to tell him when he gets home.”
Octavia sat by the doorway of the kitchen, she was out of sight but she had heard Diamond mentioned his plans for tonight and curiosity got the better of her.
“We can have our son watch them.”
Those words ran through her mind, her hooves became sweaty at the thought. She was going to be alone with Star Dust. For the past two months when he would come home for the evenings from pilot training, he took every opportunity he got to tease her with catcalling'. It always embarrassed her especially the looks he gave her.
“Oh no…” Octavia whispered, sweat rolling down her brow.
The Calm before the Storm
Chapter 4: The Calm before the Storm
A young stallion walked up the dirt path leading up to his home. His body was sore from work, his military uniform dirty from a long day of training. He never really liked to sleep at the barracks at his camp. He preferred home and the comfort of his own bed and the food. He knew that purchasing the earth pony stallion would be a return on his investment. Nearing the door he used his magic, opening it.
Walking into the home he saw his father messing with a bowtie at the dining room’s mirror. Puzzled he walked up to his father.
“What’s the occasion father?”
Hearing his son, Diamond let a smile grace his lips.
“My boy, glade you made it home on time, and perfect timing too.” Walking up to his son Diamond wrapped an arm around his son’s shoulder. “Your mother and I are going out to spend some quality time with one another.”
Star Dust looked at his dad and raised his brow.
“And what does this have to do with me and my perfect timing?”
Diamond rustled of his mane.
“You’re watching the slaves tonight. Your sister will be leaving around six for her classes, so you’ll have some help for an hour…”
Star Dust had stopped listening to his father and instead thought about the evening ahead, but mostly he thought of a peculiar grey teenage filly. A smile formed on his face, he was going to be alone with her tonight. He dreamt of this, for the past two months he kept his charades a secret from his parents and did them only when he knew no one was looking. With a clap of his hooves, he began planning out his night.
Why did the fibers of wood look like veins? Octavia thought over that thought multiple times. It was a good question her sister brought up. Why did they? More so how did her sister know what veins were? ‘Oh that’s right.’ Octavia gave herself a mental face hoof for that. Of course mother would have told her since they were homeschooled. Looking at the wood planks lining the roof, she raised her brow. ‘They really did look like veins.’
Hearing the latch on the door make a sound, Octavia moved her head to see the door was opening.
‘Was it really supper time already.’ She thought.
Getting up on all fours, Octavia moved her gaze back to the door to greet Diamond. She froze when she saw who was standing at the door. Star Dust gave as smile as he walked down the small step and walked up too Octavia. ‘Of course how could I forget?’ Octavia thought watching Star Dust give her a sly grin. Getting in her face, he rested his nose against hers, Octavia blushed at the contact.
“So” Star Dust spoke up. “I have something special planed for us tonight, come follow me.”
Octavia stood in place not wanting to move from her spot. What plans was he was talking about? What did he want to do with her? Sweat rolled down her face, her mind running wild with possibilities. By this time Pinkie had awaken from her rest. Her gaze was on her sister, seeing her so nervous she spoke up.
“Sis what’s the matter?” Getting up she walked to her side.
“Um…” Looking down at her sister, Octavia tried coming up with words to describe the situation they were in.
“It’s time for supper, come lets go.” Star Dust called out motioning to the sisters to follow.
Hearing this Pinkie took off at a steady pace while her sister walked slowly into the house. Stepping into the kitchen, Octavia looked up to see Mac was already near the island cooking a meal, a small proportioned one at that. Walking up to Mac, Octavia was about to help him when she felt a tug coming from her collar. Looking down she saw a blue glow around the leash clip. Looking up she saw the same blue glow around Star Dust’s horn.
“You’re coming with me.” He called out to her, tilting his head towards the dining room. Mac gave Star Dust a strange look at his statement.
Seeing the red stallion staring at him, Star Dust gave a slight frown. “Get back to work!”
Mac tensed and quickly went back to his task. Octavia felt sorry for Mac, he was a kind stallion who shouldn’t have been treated like that. With a frown she held her stance as she glared at the young unicorn. Seeing this, Star Dust gave a sly smirk and began pulling on her collar a lot harder. Slowly Octavia moved in his direction thanks to his magical strength. Pinkie seeing her sister moving towards the dining room began to follow. Seeing the pink filly following her sister, Star Dust summoned a small barrier with simple ease. A blue wall stopped the filly’s movements. Stunned she glanced up at Star Dust and her sister with confusion.
“You stay here and help the other slave with supper tonight…” Star Dust spoke to Pinkie before turning his glare towards Octavia, “Shall we sit down?”
Looking at the Star Dust, Octavia slowly took her seat that was presented to her. Scooting her closer to the table, Star Dust made his way to his seat on the opposite side of Octavia. Octavia stared at the stallion that sat across from her with confusion and anger. He shouldn’t of have treated her sister like that.
“Why am I sitting at the table?” Octavia asked looking at Star Dust with a raised brow.
Star Dust looked at Octavia with a sly grin.
“Well I thought we could have a little date.” He spoke. Seeing something pink poking out from the doorway, he glanced at the form and saw Pinkie staring at them. With a frown he sent a glaring eye towards Pinkie making her cringe and sink back into the kitchen. Octavia caught his acted and gave a frown.
“I'm going to help them.” She hissed, getting up from her seat.
Star Dust frowned at her actions and used his magic to sit her back down. Stunned, Octavia looked up to see Star Dust shaking his head.
“Now, now, now, we’re gonna have a fun time you and I. I want you to enjoy this evening. I want to enjoy this evening. You try anything, and then I don’t know… maybe I might convince my father to send your sister away.” He smiled.
Octavia frowned for a short while before she smirked herself.
“Well then if you do that, then I won’t do a thing. I already told your father…”
“Well then…” Star Dust interrupted her. “I might have to take you away from her. I’m planning on getting my own place soon and there is always room for one more.”
Octavia stared at him and began sulking into her chair. She began to worry that he wasn’t fibbing. Hearing grunting she looked and saw that her sister was bring a tray of a hot pot of water and two cups with tea bags in each to the table. Pinkie used all the strength she had in her not to spill the items. Getting to the table she began setting them on its surface, as she did her task she would glance up at her older sister and give a solemn look to her, like she wished she was sitting next to her as well. Octavia felt terrible that she was sitting at the table with Star Dust but his threat of taking her away from Pinkie kept her from testing the waters. Looking back at her sister, she mounted a sorry too her before turning her gaze at Star Dust.
“Now...” Began Star Dust looking back at Octavia, “Our first meal is a small salad then it’s a cabbage roast with a red wine glaze and lastly a small Georgiou cake for desert…”
“Star Dust! What the hay?”
Both Octavia and Star Dust looked towards Star Light standing under the hallway arc way. She wore a simple blue school outfit and a saddle bag was draped over her back. She stared at the duo with a confused expression.
“Yes?” Star Dust asked, taking a sip of his tea.
“Why is our slave sitting at the table with you?” She asked
Star Dust gave a sigh before smiling at Octavia. This act caused her to blush. Motioning to Octavia too take a drink of her tea, she reluctantly took a sip and then another. It was amazing to her. She started to feel guilty that she was consuming this tea and Pinkie couldn’t have any part of it. She began to slow down her drinking but a raised brow from Star Dust stopped her from setting it down, worried she began to sip her tea once again.
“Star Dust I said why is our slave sitting at the table, when father finds out…”
With a raised hoof he silenced his sister and gave her a knowing glare.
“Say a word to our parents and I’ll ruin your precious art carrier.” He spoke with venom.
Star Light was shocked by her brother’s hurtful comment. Her mouth hung open, her mind trying to form words.
“How can y-you…”
“Because I can, you have your desirers and I have mine.” Star Dust spoke interrupting his sister, his gaze looking upon Octavia, his gaze making Octavia fidget under his soft glare. “You let me have my desires and I’ll let you keep yours and this will be our little secret. Say anything and I’ll ruin you. The same goes for you.” He spoke looking at the both of them. Both teenagers stared at the young stallion with worry. Slowly Star Light nodded to her brother stepping away from the duo.
“I guess I’ll be going… I w-won’t be home tonight so I-I’ll be staying at a friend’s h-house…” She spoke nearing the door. Star Dust gave a knowing smirk to his sister, causing her to blush. “I-It’s not like that.” She hissed before shutting the door behind her with force.
“Sure it is.” Star Dust mumbled to himself.
Octavia looked at the scene not knowing what to do. Why would Star Dust threaten his own sister? The more she stared at him she began to wonder how he was like this. Was it his military career that made him like this or was it his parents. There was no way he could pick up these traits from Holly; she was to kind and caring. Her hooves began to shake as she looked into her half empty tea cup, her shaky reflection staring back at her. Her eyes became wide.
‘His father…’
“So…”
Looking up, Octavia saw that Star Dust was looking at her with lust in his golden eyes. She began to fear the worst until the sounds of plates being prepared in the kitchen graced her ears.
“So…” Star Dust spoke. “Ready to eat?”
Soft elegant music played across the dining hall of an elaborate restaurant near the upscale neighborhood of Lombard District near the Royal Castle. Dark oak tables covered in a silky red cloth laid out across the marble floor of the room in deliberate random fashion. In the center of the establishment hung and ornate obsidian and diamond incrusted chandelier. Sounds of ponies talking could be heard but the way the building was built, caused the noise to be lessened, making any crowed event tolerable in the noise department.
“Well honey, I have to say you picked a wonderful location to enjoy the evening, and on such short notice.” Holly complemented her husband, jabbing some lettuce with her fork.
Diamond looked at his wife and smiled, he knew the Flame’bue was a great location to spend time with his wife. It was what he needed to bring the spark back into his marriage.
“Well, I picked the best place for you dear.” He spoke taking a sip of his port wine. Holly blushed at his comment and gave a sigh.
“We’ve been busy haven’t we dear?”
Diamond gave a nod to his wife.
“Ever since I got orders from the empire to create a new shipment of trains it’s been hard balancing funds. I hate to layoff hard working stallions, I need the manpower if we’re going to make quota but if I don’t get those investments next month, then who knows.” Diamond sighed, twirling his fork around on his plate. “And the papers been keeping you busy with your stories, I guess that’s what happens when you’ve become popular.”
Holly looked at her husband with a small smile.
“At least we’ve finally got time to ourselves. We’ve better enjoy it before too long, as soon as we get home a lot more is going to be on our plates.”
Diamond looked up at his wife with a raised brow.
“What do you mean by that dear?”
She glanced up at her husband with a soft smile.
“Well those slaves you’ve bought dear. They’re going to have to be taught to become proper mares when they get older. We got to make sure their well-fed as well; I don’t want thin weak servants…”
“But dear…” Diamond began to speak but was cut off by his wife.
“And we got to make sure they respect us and are loyal as well. I plan on trying some new things that might get them to warm up to us, hopefully one day they are loyal enough to take to dinner parties and a few other things…”
“Sweetheart!” Diamond hissed frowning at his wife. Holly stopped her rambling and stared at her husband. “Sweetheart,” Began Diamond, “We don’t have to do anything with the new slaves, we’ll just do the same thing we’ve done with our other one, they’ll turn out just fine.” He sighed taking a bite out of his salad.
Holly gave a frown of her own to her husband as well.
“And make them a nervous wreck.”
Diamond looked up at his wife and raised a brow.
“A nervous wreck?”
“Yes a nervous wreck, ever since our son gotten us that slave, he’s always been nervous around you and our son. It’s hard trying to get that slave to do things or help me around the house. Every time I talk to him, he thinks I’m going to beat him any second.” Holly huffed, giving her husband a glare.
Diamond just huffed at her statement.
“You’re doing it wrong.”
Holly gave another frown.
“Oh so your ways better, always needing to establish an iron grip over everything you do.”
Diamond gave a sigh.
“That’s the only way a slave should be treated dear and that’s how it’s going to be done, MY House My rules!” He hissed, taking another bite of his salad, be it a little rougher than normal.
“Don’t you mean our house?” Holly hissed back. “One day you’re going to need to understand it’s a team effort; I hope you hadn’t forgotten that?”
Diamond stared at his wife for a short while. Taking a deep sigh he glanced into his bowl.
“Yes dear.” His plans for a romantic night were slipping away. He hoped that his wife wouldn’t bring up the slaves, their differences on the matter always made the conversations on the topic heated. He hoped he could turn the evening around before it ended. Maybe buying those slaves were a bad idea after all. ‘If they mess up my dinner with those investors next month, they’re going to regret that they even lived!’ Looking up at his wife he gave a sigh.
“Sorry dear.”
Holly looked at her husband and gave a sigh of her own.
“Same here, let’s just forget about it and enjoy our evening, we’ll discuss it later on when it becomes relevant.”
Diamond just nodded to her statement.
A light breeze hit the couple as they walked the streets of Canterlot. Diamond gave a hum at his surroundings as they passed some shops and homes that lined the streets. Holly wanted to go shopping for some small minor things. So they decided to prolong their evening by walking to their destination instead of taking a cab. They enjoyed the 15 minute walk to the shop. It was a quiet evening. The streets were barely noisy. There were only a few unicorns that were out and about getting some last minute tasked done before heading home for the night. The large tower clock that stood tall over the district Diamond and his wife were in, read 8:50pm; the stores would be closing within the hour. Coming up to their destination Diamond saw that his wife was heading to a small hobby store that shared space with a lawyers’ office that occupied the second and third stories of the building.
‘Interesting place for a store.’ Diamonds mused to himself.
Walking into the building the couple split-up as Holly went for the item she was looking for. Diamond stood by the door and waited patiently for his wife. He took the time to gaze around at the knick-knacks that littered the store. Crafting items, planks of wood, dolls, wooded action figures, picture frames, sporting gear and painting canvases all flooded his field of view. He sat there wondering what his wife could be getting at this time of night. Was it some new colored yarn for her kitting or was it some more drawing supplies for their daughter. Whatever it was, he merely let it sink to the back of his mind, taking this time to close his eyes and let them rest, it was welcoming. Several minutes passed by and the soft sounds of the fans spinning became Diamond’s personal space of peace.
“Got what I needed dear.”
Hearing his wife’s voice and hearing her hoof steps, stepping out the door, he gave a hum and followed after. Stepping up to her side he gave a hum as he brought out a cigar from his coat’s pouch.
“What did you get dear?” He asked lighting his cigar.
His wife gave a hum and only a hum as she continued walking. This action made Diamond a little frustrated with her. Grunting he asked again but got the same response. With a drawn out sight he gave a grunt and stepped in front of his wife.
“What’s in the bag dear?” He spoke with authority.
Holly looked up at her husband and gave a slight sigh.
“It’s a doll for one of our slaves’ dear, the little one.” She answered before continuing her walk to the taxi station but a hoof stopped her in her tracks. Diamond looked down at his wife and gave a frown.
“What for?” He hissed.
Holly gave a frown of her own.
“Too show thanks for their service dear.”
This statement only made Diamond more frustrated with her.
“You don’t reward slaves for doing their jobs dear, it what they do, you only punish them when they misbehave.” Diamond told his wife, his voice taking on a tone of anger.
Holly just frowned at her husband.
“What’s wrong with my way of doing things?” She hissed.
Diamond gave a small laugh.
“Like I said earlier dear, your way makes a slave to soft.”
“And what’s wrong with them being a little soft?” She asked looking into his golden blue eyes.
Diamond lifted a brow.
“If they become too soft they start to slack off, become lazy and more klutzy like those damn winged freaks. Fear is what works, makes them better workers, they fear of disappointing you…”
“Fear is not the only way dear!” Holly interrupted her husband’s rant. “If you treat them nice, then they are worried about disappointing you even more than fear. They’ll find you as a ‘friend’ a ‘friend’ they do not want to lose.” She concluded her statement getting in her husband’s face.
Diamond gave a huff at her statement and looked away. Holly stepping away from her husband continued with her walking.
“Let’s head home before it gets too late.” She spoke looking back at her husband.
Diamond gave a huff and trotted up along her side. Stopping her with a hoof once again he lowered his lips to her ear.
“I’ll let you have your way but when those investors come over and those slaves fuck it up, I’m going to enjoy your misery when your way of doing things is proven wrong…” Looking into her eyes he gave a smirk. “Because dear, when a stallion makes the rules, a mare follows them, Unicorpian law dear, don’t test the waters again!” Giving her a kiss on the lips he lifted his head and continued along the dimly lit road towards the taxi station. Behind him his wife was having a hard time processing his words. When his words finally made sense too her, she began to tremble and slowly followed after her husband.
Octavia was full from her meal. She looked down at her belly and let out a sigh. She felt guilty. She let herself go when she tasted the meal Mac made for her and Star Dust. It was good, better than the meal Mac was allowed to make for themselves. She looked up at Star Dust wiggling a tooth pick with his magic. Cleaning the dirty gap between his teeth, Star Dust glanced at Octavia and gave a suggestive grin. Blushing from his smile Octavia sunk slowly in her chair. Laughing at her actions he looked up at the clock. Seeing the time was 9:30 He gave a hum and got up from his seat and walked up to Octavia’s.
“Looks like supper is over with,” Resting his head on hers, he gave a hum to her shivering reaction. “Did you have fun?” He asked.’ Wrapping his arms over her shoulders.
Octavia looked at the hooves that lay over her chest and gave out a shuttered sigh. The evening with him was awkward. He talked about his yearly childhood and how it was like. He mentioned it was a little awkward. Ever since he turned 12 his parent’s attitude towards each other was interesting to say the least. He talked about his dislikes and likes, one of them being her, that made her shiver when he mentioned it. Then he asked her about hers. That stumped her to say the least but in the end she obliged to his question. She told him she was a coal miner’s daughter, and lived in the small town of Coma-ke near Ponyville and the Victor Dagger mountain range. We she said were she lived, he gave a whistle. He told her that the blimp he was stationed on attacked that region a year ago. These words stunned her and Octavia couldn’t help but let some anger fill her mind at that statement. Here was someone who was working on the same ship that brought chaos to her small town. Causing her and her family and a lot of the town’s locals to flee to the coal mines to wait out the bombardment, which lead them straight to being captured by Unicorpian forces. It didn’t help they were all stuck in-between the walls of the mine and the entrance blocked by a multitude of Unicorpian soldiers.
“You haven’t answered my question dear, how was supper? Did you enjoy it?” Star Dust spoke up, interrupting Octavia’s train of thought. Looking up at the stallion she gave out a shaky reply.
“Y-Yes.”
Star Dust gave a smile.
“That’s good,” Looking back at the clock he saw that the time was 9:35, with another hum he got up from his position and released his grip on Octavia. “I’ll walk you back to your room; mother and father will be home soon.” Gripping her collar with his magic he began to lead her to her room.
Walking into the kitchen Octavia saw that her sister was putting the last of the dishes away small forks, knives and some small plates. Next to her was a small bowl of oats that Mac must of have made before heading to his shed a couple of feet way from theirs. Seeing her sister walk into the kitchen, Pinkie gave a smile to her, Octavia returned it. Pinkie still waving, watched her sister and Star Dust near the door to their room with slight confusion, usually they went together. Stepping up from her place she began to walk towards her sister. Seeing Pinkie making her way to them, Star Dust lifted a hoof to stop the pink filly. Stopping in her tracks, she saw him motioning to her, too return to her task. Reluctant she stood her ground. See this Star Dust gave a frown.
“I’ll get to you in a little bit slave!” He hissed. “Get back to work!”
Fear coating her mind Pinkie quickly went back to her task. Liking what he saw he turned his gaze and saw an angry Octavia looking back at him. Stepping closer to her face, he gave her a smile.
“I wasn’t going to do anything bad to her, cheer up or do you want me to do something?” He asked to the grey teenage filly.
Hearing his words, Octavia gazed at the ground and frowned. Smiling he opened the door to her room. Seeing it opened she stepped in. A sturdy click graced her ears and she heard the door close behind her as a hoof stoked her backside. A blush adored her cheeks and she felt the hoof slide up her back, up her neck and under her chin. Seeing golden eyes move in front of her vision she became nervous at what Star Dust was about to do. Then like a flash of lighting his lips pressed against hers. Shock swam through her mind as she backed away from his kiss but he was quick and swiftly pinned her to one of the walls of her room. For a long minute, his tongue explored her mouth as she tried using hers to push his out. Finally what felt like an eternity to her ended and he finally pulled away from her lips, only to dive back down for another round. Tears coated her eyes as she wanted it to end. Finally he ended it and pulled away from her and gazed lustfully into her soft purple eyes.
“What’s your name beautiful?” Star Dust asked looking into her soul.
Stunned and with tears in her eyes, she shakily replied to his question.
“O-Octavia-a!” She moaned.
Tilting his head he moved a hoof up to her eyes.
“Now, now Octavia, don’t cry dear, I would never hurt you. Just giving you a taste of what’s to come. When the time is right I’ll truly show you my love but like a fine wine I want to let you age, tease you a bit more let you marinate.” He hummed stroking her dark mane.
Octavia shook under his embrace.
“Now don’t say a thing to mother and father you hear or you’ll be saying bye, bye to little sis.” Star Dust hummed, moving away from Octavia’s form. Stepping to the door her looked to his left to see the shaking teenager looking at him with fear. “Sleep tight.” He smiled before opening the door and closing it soon after he stepped into the kitchen. Octavia looked at the door for some time; finally she began to breakdown as her floodgates finally opened.
Pinkie was putting the last dish away when Star Dust came from her room. Pinkie looked back and watched him walk up to her with a sinister grin plastered on his face. Scared, Pinkie backed up against the counter drawers. Finally standing over her, Star Dust bent his head down and looked into her eyes. Nervous, Pinkie spoke up.
“Y-Yes master?”
With a smirk Star Dust spoke up.
“Well little filly, you did a good job tonight serving me and your sister.”
Pinkie looked at him and slowly nodded.
“I’m trying to do my best, especially for my sister; do you think Holly would be proud? Maybe I should tell her….”
“No!”
Cut off by his harsh voice, Pinkie’s mood soured once again and she sunk back down towards the ground.
“You will not tell my mother or father about this you hear! Say anything and I’ll take you from your sister!” Star Dust spoke with venom coating his words.
Pinkie stared at him with tears starting to form in her eyes.
“N-No don’t do t-that please!” She shouted, shooting up shoving her face into his.
With a hoof he pushed her away from his face and looked back down upon her.
“I will as long as you keep tonight and every other night like it a secret.”
Pinkie looked up at him and gave a frown.
“But secretes are not a nice… Ah!”
With a hoof he shoved her face into the tile floor, pinning her to the ground.
“You’ll keep a secret you got it!” Star Dust hissed, pushing his hoof down harder on her skull to emphasis his point.
Fear swam through her mind, her limbs moved about sporadically as she screamed.
“OK! OK! OK!” Pinkie cried out.
“Stop!” Star Dust spoke with authority. Pinkie stopped her movements and looked up towards him the best she could.
“I’ll give you some advice kid. Keeping secrets is not a bad thing; it just might just come in handy one day.” Star Dust told her as he lifted his hoof from her skull.
Now free, she quickly got up a scooted to the door of her room, keeping a good distance from him. Hearing the front door open. Both Pinkie and Star Dust looked towards the dining room to see Holly and Diamond walk through the door. With a quick glance to the pink filly, Star Dust called out to his parents.
“Hey mother, father, perfect timing I just got done eating supper and I was just taking this here little one to her room.”
“That’s good son.” Diamond spoke up stepping in-between the doorway of the hallway. “Where are the other slaves?”
Star Dust gave a hum as he went for the door knob.
“The grey one was not needed so she did chores and the red one finished early and did most of the dishes. This one served and finished the rest.” He replied.
“Mmm, where is your sister?” Diamond asked.
Star Dust looked back at his father.
“She’s staying at a friend’s house; she was going to be late and decided that it would be best to say there.” He replied turning back to the door knob. Pinkie was looking in-between Star Dust and Diamond with curious eyes.
Watching Pinkie and her antics for a short while, he gave a sigh as he spoke. “Well then, I’ll be in the study if you need me, got to do some quick paper work before going to bed.” With that Diamond walked down the hall.
Holly came up with a bag in tow to her son and Pinkie. A smile was on her lips as she finally approached.
“You can head to bed dear I’ll take over from here.” Holly spoke.
Star Dust raised a brow and looked at his mother.
“Mother I’m capable of taking care of…” A hoof stopped his speech.
“I said get to bed; you need to get up early remember. Don’t be like your father, listen to your mother.” She spoke giving him a stern but loving glare.
With a slow nod, he listened to his mother; he said good night and headed for his room. With her son gone, Holly looked down at Pinkie with a smile.
“Shall we get you to your bed as well?”
Looking up at the older mare, Pinkie gave a happy smile, finally glade that she was around the calming presence of Holly.
Octavia sat on the mattress and looked at the door with a solemn look in her eyes. She had heard Star Dust conversation with her sister. She despised him and the things he said to her. How dare he do such a thing? She was young. She must have been scared but one thought nagged at her thoughts, it was a part of his conversation he had with Pinkie. One she didn’t hear well. His voice got lower near the end. What did he say to her? What did he do to her? Theories swam through her mind until they were shattered when the door opened.
A pink blur rushed towards her and slammed into her. Octavia was stunned for a second before she realized that her sister was hugging her chest. With a smile she returned the hug. Hearing a giggle, Octavia and Pinkie both looked up to see Holly looking down upon them with a smile.
“Seems light she missed you? You’ve must have been busy with the house even though it was pretty clean when we left?” Holly asked looking at the sisters with a raised brow.
Octavia looked around before nervously replying to Holly’s answer.
“Uh… Y-Yeah I was very busy.”
Holly looked down at them and just gave a shrug.
“Well anyways I came in here to give you a gift, more so a certain pink filly a gift.”
Hearing this, Pinkie shot up her head and looked up at Holly with wide eyes.
“R-Really!” Pinkie asked with wonder.
Holly gave a nod.
“A gift from your sister and I.” Holly replied looking at Octavia with a smile, causing her to blush.
Pinkie jumped up and down, waiting for her gift. With a smile Holly produce a small doll from her saddle bag and handed it to Pinkie. Pinkie graciously took the doll and held it close. She looked over the features of the doll. It had black hair and tail. Its eyes were blue buttons and the color of the fabric was a light tan. The doll looked like a filly and it wore a light green dress and a horn was sown on it forehead. Pinkie stared at the doll and a large smile adored her lips as she held the doll close to her chest.
“Oh thank you! Thank you!” Pinkie yelled out hugging her sister then hugging Holly.
Quickly as she hugged Holly she quickly released her grip and sulked low to the ground.
“Sorry Ma’am I didn’t mean to I-I…” A hoof silenced her woes. With wide eyes, Pinkie looked up at Holly.
Looking down upon Pinkie, Holly smiled and spoke.
“No need to be sorry. Enjoy the gift; your sister wanted you to have something for your birthday.” Holly pointed to Octavia, who was smiling with happy tears forming in her eyes.
Pinkie looked at her sister and gave her a long and strong hug.
“Thank you sis.”
Octavia looked down at her sister and let out a small chuckle. The night for gotten thanks to Holly, she looked up at the mare and gave her a smile.
“Thank you…” One of Holly’s hooves lay over her lips, looking at the hoof then looking at Holly, Octavia raised a brow.
Holly looked into Octavia’s purple eyes with a kind demeanor.
“No need to thank me.”
All Octavia could do was slowly nod her head. Maybe Holly was the key to making her and her sister life here pleasant.
After putting the sister to bed, Holly made her way to her room. Stepping into her room she saw that her husband was already in bed and was quickly glancing over a small book. With a sigh she when to her drawers and took out a night gown and headed into the bathroom. Diamond hearing his wife’s movements, looked up to see the shadow of her form getting undressed. Glancing down at the bed sheets, he gave a sigh.
“Dear?” She asked.
“Yes?” Holly replied.
Diamond took a deep breath.
“What I said to you earlier… I’m sorry I acted that way.”
Hearing these words Holly glanced from the doorway and looked at her husband with a longing stare. Making eye contact with his wife, Diamond gave a sigh.
“I was buzzed, and not thinking straight I guess the stress of work was getting to me and I took it out on you.” He spoke as he set down his book. “Do you forgive me?”
Holly looked at her husband for several minutes. Diamond became nervous at his wife’s action. Since the ride home he realized what a mistake he made. He messed up big time and if he wanted to save this romantic night he needed to apologize now. Finally she spoke.
“Yes dear I do.” With a sigh she lifted a toothbrush with her magic and dipped her head back into the bathroom. “We all make mistakes, were just ponies after all.” She called out.
“You…” Diamond stopped himself. He was going to correct her wording from ponies too unicorns but decided not to. Lying in his bed he began listening to the sounds of his wife brushing her teeth. With the sounds of the sink turning on and then off, he watched his wife make her way to her side of the bed and crawl into it.
Lying down, Diamond took the opportunity to wrap a loving arm over his wife and bring her close to his form. With soft kisses along her neck he began to show her that he was sorry. Holly let him have his fun before stopping him with a hoof.
“Not tonight dear.” She spoke and with that she turned off her light, bring the room into complete darkness.
Snuggling into the covers, Holly began to doze off into sleep leaving Diamond staring at her sleeping form. Looking down at his wife he looked at her outline. A frown came upon his face. His night didn’t turn out the way he planned. Why were his views and opinions different from his wife’s? He guessed marring a writer was starting too not turn out to be the best thing after all. ‘To independent.’ He thought, ‘Never listens to authority.’ Again he stared down at his wife and instead of seeing the outline of his wife’s average form; he started to see the thin form of a younger mare. This one replacing the wavy mane of his wife’s with a silky long mane. This new mare lying next to him was one who would be obedient to him and his every word. Not one that saw the new laws of Unicorpia as an invitation to go against nature itself and defy her husband or stallions in general. The more he thought and fantasied about this mare the more he like the idea but this future mare was not old enough and the laws prevented him from achieving his goals. With a frown the image of the perfect mare faded away and the form of his wife filled his eyes once again. With a sigh he turned over and fell asleep.
Chapter 1: Auction in the Market
A sunny day like no other graced the grey filly as she walked around her family’s small farm. Her family’s farm wasn't very big, only enough produce was grown to feed her family and her family alone, no, her family weren't farmers, instead they were a mining family. Her father worked the coal and iron mines in the Victor Dagger mountain range a few miles up north. Her mother was a stay at home mom taking care of her and her sister.
Small hooves pittered and pattered along the warm soil beneath. The filly’s straight mane bounced along with her movements. Her purple eyes looked around for a particular family member. Searching high and low she scanned the grounds of her family’s farm. With no sign of said family member; she moved her task to the interior of the house.
Stepping through the front doors of the small wooden home, she was grace by a dimly lit room. The curtains covered the windows letting very little light through, giving the home a haunted vibe.
The filly was frightened by this, inching her way further into the home she slowly gazed around, looking for her sister.
“Hello.” The grey filly softly spoke but no reply.
“Hello!” The filly looked around, her fears escalating. “Mom! Dad!... Sis?”
A loud bang erupted thought the house, shaking its foundations, sending the filly to the ground. Landing with a thud, the filly shot her head up with great speed and looked towards the sound of the explosion. In front of her, her home’s front door was ripped off its hinges. Burn marks scared the walls of her home. The filly then noticed a figure standing in the doorway. It was a large unicorn towering over her; a sinister look coated his pure white eyes. The filly looked up in shock not able to move. With great speed, the figure swooped down upon the filly and all went black.
Dripping sounds echoed relentlessly throughout the shell of a rusted out metal cage, the echoes dancing merrily to the ears of a grey teenage filly. Ears twitching from the ever numbing pitter-patterin' of water, torturing the filly’s slumber, the filly arose from her less than adequate sleep to grace the start of a new day. Lifting up her head slowly, sleep leaving her body, the teenaged filly lazily gazed around at her surroundings. Her dry purple eyes looked at the bars that surrounded her, she quickly regretted waking up and only hoped of falling back to sleep
She sat in the middle of a row of ten large, eight by five metal cages each filled with a pony or two. She was in a P.O.W camp.
Again she had woken up in the same cage for the past two weeks. Her body sore from the beatings she got. Feeling something soft move down at her hooves, the teenage filly moved her gaze down at a smaller pink filly, resting her head on her hooves. The teenage filly moved some of the pink filly’s magenta mane away from her eyes. Taking a deep sigh, she leaned up against the metal bars of her cage keeping a protective gaze on the filly in front of her.
“How was your sleep child?” A deep voice asked.
Lifting her head up slightly, the teenage filly’s eyes fell on an older brown earth pony stallion in a cage next to hers. He looked worse for wear, receiving more beating than her, no thanks to his defiant nature against his captors.
“Good San-Del.” The grey filly mumbled looking down at the pink filly.
San-Del shook his head. “A good sleep, your face tells me differently Octavia.”
Octavia’s face went into a frown.
“I dreamt of being back home with my mother and father…” A soft choked out sigh escaping Octavia’s lips. “I dreamed I was roaming around my house playing a game with my sister.” She softly spoke, a tear running down her face.
San-Del nodded his head as he glanced out at the vast courtyard where several unicorn soldiers walked about, moving supplies and prisoners to different locations within the camp. The P.O.W camp was massive complex about twenty by twenty acres across. From the place he sat he could see three large sniper towers, three of many where archers stayed at their post. Over his head sat poorly made roofs that hung over their heads, barely keeping the elements out of their open-air cages. He gave out a long sigh as a cool wind blew by; shuffling in place he looked back at Octavia.
“We all have dreamt of the times before the war.” San-Del softly smiled at Octavia. “At least you have your sister.” He pointed to the pink filly sleeping next to her.
Octavia glanced down at her sister; a soft smile adorning her lips.
“I guess you’re right.”
San-Del nodded his head, laying his head back down; he let out a low sigh.
“Food will come soon; you might want to wake your sister.”
Octavia nodded, moving her head down to her sister’s level, she shook her sister gently.
“Pinkie, it’s time to wake up...”
Octavia and Pinkie sat by each other, silently eating their morning meal. In front of them was a type of mash consisting of random ingredients unknown to the sisters in a wooden bowl. Octavia gagged at the meal she forced herself to eat every day. Two long weeks of this food was driving her mad. Letting out a disgusted sigh she looked down at her sister who was playing with her meal, a sad solemn expression adorned her facial features.
“Eat sis, you need to keep up your strength,” Octavia mumbled, scooping up a small hoof full of mush to her sister’s lips.
Pinkie scrunched up her nose at the food moving her torn clothing to her face.
“I don’t want to sis.” Pinkie whined, moving her head away from the ungrateful meal.
“You need to eat! I don’t want you to get whipped again!” Octavia hissed.
Pinkie stared at the black colored mush in her sister’s hoof. Scrunching up her nose, Pinkie slowly licked some of the goop into her mouth. A cold chill slowly ran down her spine tickling her body. Octavia, nodding her approval of her sister’s action scooped up another portion for her sister and herself.
“One more bite sis…!”
The sun was hot, no not hot, scorching. Sweat coating her body, Octavia emotionally stared down upon the many different arrays of rocks that lay before her. She was born and raised in a mining town near the Victor Dagger mountain range of the Earthen Empire. It was there her and her family were captured along with the rest of the town. When they had arrived at the camp they were assigned to sort through the valuable rocks and items from their town’s mines and homes. ‘The spoils of war’ Octavia had heard several prisoners mumble before. She still heard some prisoner cry out as they watched their possessions get torn down for scrap.
The sorting was separated by age. The adults got the heavier workload where good sized rocks and items were loaded to the east side of the camp. The children, on the other hand, got the smaller items and rocks. Easier on their hooves and probably was done to make them feel like they were treated better than the others. It was a sick joke too Octavia. The children along with working away from the adults were also split up from their parents. Octavia and Pinkie never saw their parents and they would probably never see them again.
Pinkie sat by Octavia, her hooves moving slowly across the rocks that lay before her. Her eight-year-old mind went over the rocks with dull amusement. Each time she picked up a rock, a small reminder of her father and mother came into play. The warm delicious pies, her mother would make and her father’s deep smoky voice. A tear formed in her eyes as she placed the rock she held, one of light tan in color, resembling her father’s coat, back into the pile.
!Crack!
Pinkie recoiled in shock as the subsonic sounds of a whip sounded next to her face. Afraid she fiercely held onto Octavia. Octavia feeling her sister’s pleading embrace glanced up to see a guard looming over them, giving Pinkie a hard glare. The guard wore bronze armor that covered his leather and chain mail clothing. On his back sat a wooden repeating crossbow and magic daggers on his for arms. A whip gently floated in his magical grasp next to him.
Octavia gave a stern glare at the stallion. The stallion seeing Octavia’s expression glared even harder.
“Why-ya standing up for this little runt, slave? Get back to work!” He growled stepping closer to Octavia’s face.
With her personal space compromised she gave a glare at the stallion.
“She’s my sister!”
The guard looked down at Octavia with a smirk.
“Your sister yey, well wouldn’t it be a shame if something happens to her because of you...” The guard replied grabbing Pinkie by the back of her torn dress’s collar.
Octavia tensed at those words. The guard seeing her body tense gave a laugh. Pinkie closed her eyes and mumbled a soft “no”.
“Looks like you should listen to your sister… mmm?” The guard smirked, commenting on Pinkie’s statement.
Octavia looked back and forth between her sister and the guard. Every fiber wanted to lash out at him, but her mind out of fear told her no.
“Storm Luck!”
The guard gave a sigh as he brought his head up.
“Yes, captain!?”
“What are you doing with those prisoners?”
Storm Luck looked around before answering.
“This one was dilly-dallying around, telling her to get back to work.”
The captain nodded.
“Well tell that little one and the grey one next to her to get up, they're selected to go into the city today.”
Storm Luck raised a brow.
“Really?”
The captain replied with a nod and walked away down the dirt pathway.
Storm Luck gave a whistle.
“Wow looks like you’re going to the big city, which looks like we’ll be saying goodbye.” He joked. “Well, you heard the captain, GET UP!”
Octavia gave Strom Luck a harsh glare as she got up from her spot. Grabbing her sister she began to walk towards the dirt pathway. Stepping onto the pathway, Storm Luck nudges her to make a left. Walking down the pathway, Octavia and Pinkie both saw several carriages being loaded up with a few earth and pegasi prisoners. Octavia wondered why they were being sent into the city when the thought was interrupted by a rough feeling on Octavia’s body causing her to stop in her tracks. Loud sounds of cloth ripping filled her ears. A soft breeze lick at her bare body as her last possession fell to the soft dirt road. She was bare, naked in front of everyone. Her shame escalated along with her anger, but her shock grew even more when Storm Luck ripped Pinkie’s article of clothing off as well. Tears stained Pinkie’s face as embarrassment flooded her mind. Octavia held on tight to her sister, dragging Pinkie close to her body; her tail instinctively covering her backside.
Storm Luck gave Octavia a sly seductive look.
“Boy, your hot, mmm I would totally do you if it weren't for the fact that you’re an earth pony. Maybe someone in the city might though? But their gonna have to pay top bits for sure.”
With a shove from Storm Light, the sisters fell into the rough embrace of several guards who dragged them to the carriages.
“Where are we going… sis?” Pinkie asked her older sister, fear coating her words.
“I don’t know Pinkie, I don’t know…”
It was loud, that’s all it was, loud. The sounds of a busy market permeated throughout the large roundabout street echoing off of building, stalls, ponies and anything and everything until the sound graced the sister’s ears. Octavia folded her ears back to stop the noise from causing a headache.
Octavia stood standing on a wooden platform that was erected next to a grand marble and stone fountain. Her line of sight able to gaze over a large open section of the roundabout were the busiest part of the market sat. Octavia gave a sigh as she moved the chains that bound her to a wooden stage. Metal scraping against metal, the heavy feeling settling in her mind that she and her sister and were being sold as a slave.
To rid herself of the dreadful feeling, Octavia took it upon herself to pony watch. Gazing at the buildings that surrounded the streets, she was impressed by their size. The buildings towered over the marketplace casting a shadow over the streets. She stared in awe at the sight; she just never had seen building that tall before. ‘Could things really be built that tall?’ She wondered. She took the time to mull over their ornate carvings, their timeless artworks standing out as flamboyant in the dull light of the sun. The buildings spoke class but as she noticed the business within spoke mostly of common folk. Small food markets of fruits, fish and vegetables, dark dingy pubs and the arrays of shady services lined the market. Tall brick smoke stacks from factories down the way spewed smoke from their bowels that mixed with the clouds above, creating a smoggy overcast.
Too Octavia the buildings stood out like sore thumbs compared with the shops and market itself. The market was dull too Octavia, the overcast day brought a depressing mood to the whole thing. ‘Who could find this part of town enjoyable?’ She thought. Of course, the answer to Octavia’s question was right in front of her. Many unicorn ponies walked about filling the streets. Different shapes and sizes of unicorn ponies walked about buying goods and or eating out at different restaurants. Small unicorn fillies and colts ran around the market causing a ruckus, teenage colts and fillies walked around, having fun hanging out with one another and the poor stood by the pubs, holding out their hooves for help. Octavia gave a scowl at the fillies and colts running around; it was something she and her sister could never have again.
Feeling a soft form rub up against her leg, Octavia looked down to see her sister shaking from fear.
“What's the matter sis?” Octavia asked her distraught sister.
“I’m naked sis; I’m s-scared…” Pinkie cried her tearful gaze staring at the crowd in front of them.
Sighing, Octavia felt sorry for her sister, to be exposed like this at such a young age. It was something she wished her sister never had to go through. Being naked in public was one thing but to have your only possession being torn from your body was something else. Octavia had tried to fight off the guards from taking their possessions and hauling them into the carriages, but she received a hit to the head from the butt of a spear for doing so. Octavia didn’t understand why they needed to be without clothing during the auction they were forced to be a part of. She heard that some customers wanted to see a slave’s build, but a thought interned her mind telling her it was for something much darker. Looking out into the sea of ponies, she saw some stallions eyeing her in ways that made her feel violated. Looking back down at her sister she gave her a light nuzzle on her cheek.
“Just ignore the stares Pinkie.” She spoke to her sister.
“I-I can’t Oct-y, I miss mommy and daddy, I-I wants to go home.” Pinkie moaned, tears falling down her face.
Smiling at the nickname her little sis had given her, she gave her a little kiss on her forehead.
“I’m right beside you sis.” Octavia whispered.
Looking up at her older sister, Pinkie gave a weak smile. Both sisters stayed close to one another in order to keep some sense of security. An Hour past and some unicorn stallions and mares came up to the stand the sister’s stood at to gaze upon them and the four other prisoners with them as well. Since then, two younger stallions and an older mare were purchased, which only left Octavia, Pinkie and a younger colt.
Octavia glanced at the young colt with a solemn expression. He was alone with no one to hold on to for comfort. Which made Octavia hold on to Pinkie even more.
Hearing hoof steps coming up to them, both sisters looked to their left to see a grey unicorn stallion walking up the wooden steps that led to the top of the platform. The grey stallion was tall in build, his neck was thin and so was his face. His stature showed his was a business owner; the way he walked was deliberate. His dark brown mane was cut short and combed to one side. He wore a dark blue raincoat over his blue shirt; while adorning a black saddle bag that was draped over his back. Nearing the sisters the grey stallion gave them a calm look as he eyed their features. His eyes moving up and down their bodies, liking what he saw he gave them a smirk.
“Turn around slave.” He said in a low gruff.
Doing as told, Octavia hesitantly turned around showing her backside to him.
“You too pink one!” The grey stallion called out.
Looking at her sister, Octavia gave her a nod, reassuring her it was going to be alright. Shaking nervously, Pinkie turned her body, tucking her tail in-between her legs. Cocking his head from side to side, the stallion gave a satisfied sigh. Looking at a yellow stallion behind a booth he spoke up.
“How much for the grey one?” He asked, looking at the seller and owner of the sisters.
Looking at Octavia, for a second with a squinted eyes the yellow stallion let out a sigh. “She was a hard bargain from the soldiers who caught her, I say 150 Unicorpian Bits.” He replied.
“Mmm… 150 Bits, that’s a lot for a filly especially when she kind of beaten up. How old is this slave?”
Scoffing at not being recognized as a filly and just some average product, Octavia rolled her eyes as she turned around to face the stallion that was interested in buying her.
“15 years of age and I got her with those scars, it’s the best price I can do sir.” The yellow stallion replied, looking at the other stallion, giving him a seller’s smile.
“Hmmm, I see, and the pink one?” The grey stallion asked again.
The yellow stallion looked at Pinkie a sec before letting out a hum.
“Well she is eight years of age and in good condition I say 200 Bits.”
The grey stallion gave a hum of his own.
“So slaves, are you hard workers?” The grey stallion asked the sisters.
Looking at him in the eye, Bothe sisters nodded their heads reluctantly. Pinkie wrapped her little hooves around her sister’s front leg. Octavia glancing down at her sister, she gave her a smile trying to comfort her worries.
The stallion gave a smirk at the slaves.
“So is the pink one your sibling?” He asked.
Octavia hesitantly looked up and nodded to the stallion.
“Speak up.” The stallion spoke up. “Don’t nod, when you can speak… or can you not?”
Octavia shook her head.
“No… I-I can speak.”
The stallion gave a smile at Octavia.
“So you would like to stay with your sister?” The stallion asked stepping closer.
Octavia backed up a little but still kept her gazed fixed on the older stallion.
“Y-Yes.”
The stallion glanced at Pinkie who was hiding behind her sister.
“Why should I buy the both of you? One slave can do the work I expect them to do? What can your sister add to the table?” The stallion replied gazing back into Octavia’s purple eyes.
“She and I-I are workers and w-with the t-t-two of us we can g-g-get more d- done.” Octavia choked.
The grey stallion gave a huff.
“Need more.”
Octavia looked to her sister and gave a frown.
“If you don’t buy both of us then I won’t work!” She hissed.
The stallion stepped back from Octavia a small distance and gave a little chuckle.
“Wow got some sass don't you, I like that. You agree with me little one?” The stallion asked looking down at Pinkie.
Pinkie looked at her sister and the stallion and gave a shy nod. The stallion gave a nod back to Pinkie, which caused her to blush. Looking back at Octavia, the stallion gave her a sly smirk.
“I like you; you seem you do a good job, a slave who will do her job as long a baby sister is with her.” Looking at the yellow stallion he asked. “So how much for the both of them?”
Looking at his books, the yellow stallion replied.
“300 bits, sir.”
“Well, how about you drop it to 200 bits and I’ll throw in a large order of bread for you and your family.” The grey stallion remarked holding a bag of bits in his front left hoof.
Eyeing the bag of bits, the yellow stallion thought about the deal, bread was too expensive now these days as all the surplus of products went to the war effort. Taking a deep breath, he looked at the grey stallion.
“You have yourself a deal.” The yellow stallion replied, shaking the grey stallion’s hoof and taking the bag of bits from his other.
As the stallions were finalizing their deal, Octavia and Pinkie were taken from the stage by some guards and lead down to a carriage that awaited them. The carriage was a large twelve foot tall and ten by eight, coffin on wheels; with small window ports that were just large enough for a hoof to fit through.
Opening the back door of the carriage, one of the soldiers pushed the sisters through the opening. Lifting the door back into its original position, the soldiers locked the door and stood by, waiting for the grey stallion to arrive.
Holding her sister in a tight embrace, Octavia looked through a larger window port with a metal grate bolted into the frame in front of her. Looking out of the window through the small holes in the sheet of metal, she saw two large earth ponies latched to the carriage, as a unicorn stallion sat in the driver seat holding a whip, waiting for his passenger. Feeling a tight sensation around her waist, Octavia looked down to see her sister gripping her out of fear. Sitting down next to her sister, she began to stroke the top of her head in a circle. A technique she used to calm her sister when they lived on their family’s farm before the war.
“I-I’m s-s-scared sis.” Pinkie moaned into her stomach.
“Don’t worry, we’ll be fine.” Octavia cooed to her sister.
Feeling the carriage rock back and forth, Octavia looked up through the large window to her left to see the grey stallion looking at her and her sister.
“Well, slave, ready for your new home?”
