Project Starburst

A few hours later, the four ponies had gathered together once again, still stunned by the events that had taken place in the manor.

"Well, now it's obvious what's going on." Cloud Flare said, slamming his hoof into the table, only to be quieted by Greymane. He glanced up at the two mares, who both had troubled looks on their faces. Well, Spiral Dream seemed concerned. Golden Luck, she seemed distracted, glancing out the window from time to time during the conversation.

"Anyway, he's controlling these ponies with those weird strings." Cloud went on, settling back in his chair. "We rushed in without understanding what's going on, and we paid the price."

The silence hung in the air after that, even Golden Luck seeming melancholy at that fact. Dancing Strings had taken away Angel Grace, and though the five of them had just barely met, her loss was still a major blow. None of them wanted to bring up that fact, but all of them knew if they were going to make plans, it couldn't be avoided.

It was Cloud Flare who finally broached the silence. "We're getting her back, right?" he asked, a hint of desperation sneaking into his tone with the last word.

"That could be difficult." Greymane said, shaking his head. "She's deep in his manor, and you saw what he did. She won't even want to come with us."

"Yeah, but..." Cloud turned on Spiral Dream quickly. "You...you said you could fix it, right? You can undo whatever he did to her?"

Spiral Dream sighed, obviously not wanting to say what she had to say. "Well, I could probably break the magic spell, but..." she shook her head. "The strings would still be there, and we're surrounded, and I'd still need to understand what he did." sighing, she looked at Greymane. "I mean, maybe. With a little bit of help."

Greymane tapped a hoof to his chin, brow furrowed in thought. "I'm afraid I couldn't provide much help freeing Miss Grace's mind. I could certainly provide some protection..."

"That's the stuff!" Cloud Flare said, standing up excitedly. "If the two of us...no, the four of us, all work together, we can get Angel out of there, and stop Dancing Strings once and for all."

"Well, I wouldn't go that far." Greymane chuckled. "We still have no idea how strong he is or what he's doing. But we can certainly try to free Angel Grace and get some more information." he glanced at Golden Luck, who was glancing out the window again. "I could use your help, as well."

Golden looked back, shaking her head firmly. "No way, no how." she rose from the table. "I joined up with this little group because I figured working for the Princess would pay well. I didn't sign on for rescue missions against crazed puppeteers." she turned away, headed for the door. "Good luck, though."

As Golden Luck left, Greymane put out a hoof, stopping Cloud Flare who was already leaping from his seat. "Easy now. If she doesn't want to help, we can't force her. She's right, this is a dangerous plan." he looked around at the others, seeing the looks of hope and determination on their faces. "But I think it's one we can pull off. Now, let's get started..."

"Master Strings."

Dancing Strings sat up from the reclining position he had been resting in, glancing at the maid who had just arrived. He offered a slight smile, nodding for her to go on.

The maid bowed her head. "As you requested, we have prepared your newest maid." she took a step to the side, and out came Angel Grace, all dressed to serve.

"Ah, Miss Grace. I presume you like your new attire?" he asked with a wave of his hoof.

Naturally, she nodded, though her response wasn't...quite in tune with his hopes. "They'll come back." she said softly, not quite looking him in the eye.

He gave a sigh, pulling the pegasus closer to him. "My dear Miss Grace, as far as your friends are concerned, you're naught but an obedient puppet." smiling slightly, he lifted her chin to look at her eyes. "Judging by what I see, you're not far off, either."

Casting a glance at the maid still standing by the door, he gave a dismissive wave of his hoof. "You may go now."

As the maid left, Angel spoke again. "You may be able to move my mouth and my body. That doesn't mean I'm nothing but a puppet." clearly, she wasn't quite pleased with the lack of fire in her response.

Dancing Strings chuckled a bit. "Perhaps not yet. I'll admit, that little performance of ours left me quite worn out. Still, I can see how deeply you're already affected by your strings." His horn glowed, and Angel's body was once again under his direct control. This was puppeteering the way it was meant to be! Sure, the gift he'd been given made his puppets docile, but there was a certain thrill in pulling their strings himself.

"I have to admit." he said, rising to a standing position, moving Angel back, "You are a cute little doll. You might actually enjoy being my puppet, once you've learned to relax, let your mind go, just let me pull your strings."

His statements were very deliberate, meant to chip away at her resistance. It was working, too. He could feel less of her pulling away, less fighting. "It's not so bad, is it, puppet? To just mindlessly obey, as I pull on your strings?" he gave a light, almost playful tug, pulling her towards him.

"Mm..n-no..." Angel gasped out softly, as he pulled her into an embrace. Was it resistance or acceptance she had meant to vocalize? It was so hard to be sure, and sometimes he wished he could read minds. Or rather, what was left of them; he could already feel Angel crumbling underneath him. Perhaps a little help wasn't remiss after all.

"That's my doll." he half-purred in her ear. "A good, obedient doll who responds so well to her strings...why, we'll put on such wonderful..." he looked up. The maid had returned.

"I thought I told you to leave us." Dancing said in a low growl.

"My apologies, Master Strings. However, the maids near the door report that Miss Grace's companions have returned."

He chuckled, lowering Angel to the floor. "I suppose I should be a gracious host, should I not? Come along, Angel dear." he tugged on her strings, having him walk alongside him as they left the room. "The rest of your set has kindly offered themselves up. Our lesson will have to wait."