Life's Left Hook

The plucking of the base drum makes you jump at first.

Alongside the music, the noise of at least fifty or sixty screaming mares roars from the building.

Then, the smell of sweat, piss, beer, and marejuice hits your nose like a truck.

You almost yell as you recoil, but you stop yourself.

Trixie said she didn't want attention.

Which is damn near an impossible request, usually.

Until you see where the attention of everyone there IS.

You look forward, and onstage, you see six large, muscular stallions.

All of them are in police uniforms.

Well, were, rather.

They're stripping with the music, doing a dance routine.

And, even though you're not gay, it's still damned hot.

All the mares are whooping and hollering, throwing bits on stage.

Suddenly, a familiar mane catches your eye.

Was that-?!

The doctor! The crazy mare!

She's practically front and center, tossing bits up on stage!

You almost nearly burst into a fit of laughter, but then you feel something tug at your pants.

"Come on, Anonymous. We need to go around and get to the bathroom.

You don't look at her.

You're too busy getting an eyeful of the stallions in front of you, who are now in nothing but G-strings...

She tugs you along, and you follow.

But you don't take your eyes off of the show for an instant.

"Let it GOOOOOOOO~!"

*RRRRIP*

And, just like that, you get an eyefull of horsecock.

Right before Trixie pulls you into the bathroom and closes the door.

You stand there, dumbfounded for a moment.

"Sweet mother of Celestia, Anonymous. I didn't take you for the type..."

She's staring wide-eyed at the bulge that had formed...

Flustered, you adjust yourself.

"I-I'm not! I just saw that, and the smell, and I-"

"Anonymous."

You sigh.

"Whatever. I got a boner. Anyways. What'd you want to talk about? And why are you dragging me to a strip club?"

"Well, let's get what I wanted to talk about out of the way first," she says, a bit of snap in her voice.

She brushes her mane out of the way, and turns to lock the door.

"As you said earlier, yes, it is about... Us. And how I want to handle some things between the four of us."

You nod.

"Uh-huh."

"I've... Given it some thought. And I know what I need."

"And I know you probably aren't going to like it, but you'll understand."

You raise an eyebrow.

"Hm?"

Trixie sighs.

"Anonymous. What you did for me in the alley that night was..."

She pauses for a moment, looking down at the floor.

"I... I honestly can't bring words to describe it. It was a gift from the gods themselves."

She looks back up at you.

"I have a feeling I know how you feel for me, and you already know well how I feel for a certain mare you share feelings for."

"Yeah, yeah, Octavia."

She nods.

"It was a... Difficult decision, but I've made up my mind."

"Wait, decision over what?"

"Who I want the most."

There's a short pause, and she continues.

"Anonymous? As I said, I can never thank you enough for what you did, but, there's one thing that's very, very difficult to deny."

"Octavia, in the past, has done so much more for me, and my feelings are much stronger for her than they are for you."

You knew right where this was going.

"Sooo, that means...?"

She looks up at you, finally losing that stern, solid look, and instead showing a bit of gentleness in her gaze.

"You and I? We're not a romantic couple. I wish to remain loyal to Octavia, and Octavia alone."

There’s another pause.

You look down at her, confused.

And even a little bit hurt.

You get on one knee, reaching eye level.

"I… I get it. You want to stick with Octavia. I understand.”

After a light sigh, you continue.

“But, what exactly does this mean? Do you not want me to be with Octy anymore?”

She lets out a lighthearted chuckle.

"Don’t be silly, Anonymous. I’d never take you away from Octavia, even though you do steal her attention away from me. It would hurt her too much.”

You nod slowly.

But, something made you wonder.

“Wait. If you’re so worried about hurting her…”

You squint at her with angled brows, quizzical and interrogating.

“What was with that whole fiasco with the pictures, and the blackmail? You know damned well Octavia was in harm’s way if you went through with it.”

She nods.

"You’re one hundred percent correct, Anonymous.”

Okay, now that took you by surprise.

Those were the LAST words you expected to come out of her mouth.

“Wait, what?”

”I only realized what I was doing after you showed me in the alleyway. I’ve given it some thought.”

"And, a certain quote should sound fairly familiar.”

“And what’s that?”

”Professionals don’t make the same mistake twice.”

You smile genuinely.

Your words have really taught this mare a lesson, for the better.

A sense of pride wells up in you, and you let out a chuckle.

"As I said. I can’t thank you enough, Anonymous. You pulled the curtain away from my eyes. I was blind with… Anger. And jealousy.”

”You cleaned my slate in one foul swoop, and without so much of a care about what I'd done to you. I’ll never be able to repay that – especially since I was faced with this tough decision that tore my heart in two.”

”I hope you’ll forgive me.”

You pause, letting out a bittersweet sigh.

“I can’t object. Seeing how you’ve learned sure is one hell of a ‘payment’, if you ask me.”

She smiles.

"But. Before you jump to any conclusions..."

She holds up your chin, making you look at her.

"Us?"

”We’re still going to go at it in the bedroom. That’s what Octavia wants, and, as good as I am at lying, I don’t think I could get away with saying I don’t want it as well.”

She smiles slyly. "I have a feeling you won't object much either."

You shake your head no.

"Good."

"Now, an explanation as to why we're at a strip club?"

She lets out a cackle.

"Well, I'm sorry, Anonymous, but I don't have much time to explain myself."

"I have a show in ten minutes, and I have to get dressed."

With a very, very confident yet sexy and sly smirk, Trixie trots past you on her way out.

"I'm headed backstage to get dressed. Go ahead and take a seat in the back rows, next to the announcer. She's a familiar face, and a friendly one, as well. I'm sure you won't mind sitting next to her."

With that, she slides through the doorway, flicking her tail at you on her way out.

"Enjoy the show~"