Plots & Plans

"We owe what?!" Mrs. Anon asked, looking at her husband. "How could we owe that much?!"

"I don't know!" Mr. Anon snapped, not meaning too, but he was under a lot of stress.

Mr and Mrs Anon have always had financial problems. It was their reason for moving to Equestria. But recently, it seemed their lives were only becoming more and more difficult. Equestria was a land of equal opportunity and thus finding work wasn't a problem. it was maintaining the job that was Mr. Anon's problem. Almost, if not all jobs in Equestria were outfitted for ponies, so a human would have some difficulty completing the tasks. First, there was that job at the library, but due to an issue with the archives being too small, Mr. Anon wasn't able to move around without knocking something over and created more issues than solutions. Then there was his more recent job of being a manual laborer at Sweet Apple Acres, but without proper farming equipment, Anon wasn't able to properly get the apples down from the tree in time and had to be let go.

Mrs. Anon fared no better. She couldn't figure out how to help Ms. Cheerilee at the Ponyville school, nor was she able to work the massage parlor. In her desperation, Mrs. Anon sought out some way to pay their bills. A door to door salespony, Loan Shark was what he called himself. He was able to sell Mrs. Anon a payment pan to help them through the last couple seasons. But now their bill was due and what Loan never told Mrs. Anon, was how much interest was attached to the money.

"His name was Loan Shark for god's sake!" Mr. Anon rubbed his temple, not wanting to completely lose his temper. "I mean that should've already gave it away!"

"It's not my fault!" Mrs. Anon snapped back. "Every one in their world has weird names, i thought he was just another normal name."

Before Mr. Anon could respond, there was a knock at the door. Just wanting this day to end, Mr. Anon contemplated if it was best to simply ignore it. But he knew he couldn't just hide away. Walking over to the door, the pony on the other side made Mr. Anon cringe. It was an Earth stallion with a near blackish blue colored coat, short slicked back black mane, piercing yellow eyes, and the coin shaped cutie mark only made Mr. Anon both disgusted and terrified.

"L-loan Shark." Mr. Anon said with a bot of fear and surprise in his tone. "Y-you're here already?"

"Afraid so. And are my bits here?" Loan asked, he already knew Anon couldn't have had the money yet.

"I...well...you see..." Anon couldn't think of anything, he only hung his head low in shame and sorrow. "No, we don't have the money, nor will we be able to."

"That's pretty bad." Loan said, shaking his head and subtly forcing his way inside the house. "Fortunate for you, I think there's a way for us all to leave happy."

"Oh?!" Anon was desperate at this point to get out of debt. "We're sorry for all the trouble."

"Oh it's no problem." Loan's tone was oddly comforting but remained composed. "I understand money is tight and you can't find good and steady work. So I was able to find you a nice job. Honest pay, honest hours, and of course, the food and lodging is freely included in the job."

"You found me a job?!" Anon dropped to his knees in surprise as if he was just given a divine miracle.

"Not just you, but your wife as well." Loan commented, hiding the small grin from the human couple. "so pack what you can, you're moving to Canterlot."

"Canterlot?!" Both humans said at once in shock

Canterlot, the crown jewel of Equestria, next to the Crystal Empire, and the centerpiece of the Equestrian royal family. The Alicorn Sisters Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were to two reigning monarchs of Canterlot and most of Equestria. But to Mr. and Mrs. Anon, Canterlot was one of the most expensive places to live in Equestria. And here they are, with not only a new job for the both of them, but a new home. Once they arrived, Loan explained where'd they'd be working and living: Canterlot's Royal Palace. Standing in the throne room of the castle, both humans stood before Celestia. Celestia's body was the only one that was more resembling the size of a normal horse from Earth, not like the other ponies who were so small compared to the Anons.

"And as in this newly established contract." Loan finished going over the details of the Anons' arrangements. "These two humans will work as special servants here in the Canterlot Palace. They will receive free lodging, clothing, food, medical treatment, and any other benefits for their position. On condition that the chosen percentage of their wages shall be paid to me until their debt and interests have been settled."

"That sounds fair." Celestia stated, her voice was regal and nearly boomed with grace and authority. "How long will they be within debt to you?"

"I have discussed the newly formed payment plan with them on the train ride here." Loan answered calmly, as if trying to make some sales pitch. "Given the going rate of pay for servants of their caliber, and the interest percentage I offer, they will be in your employment for a minimum of three years."

"I see." Celestia looked over the Anons. "And my I have your full names please."

"Oh, sorry your highness." Mr. Anon apologized. "My first name is Jackson and my wife's name is Jennifer."

"Jackson and Jennifer, welcome to Canterlot Castle and I hope you enjoy yourself." Celestia nodded, then gestured to one of the guards. "I still have to discuss more with Loan Shark, but my guard here will show you both to your new quarters."

"Thank you your highness." Both Jack and Jen bowed their heads before going off with the guard.

Once they arrived in their new room, bot jack and Jen were in pure awe at the splendor of the room. it was well furnished and decorated as if it was for a special guest, not just some new servants. What was even more amazing, was that their new attire was already waiting for them on their bed. It was a simple butler's tailcoat, and a maid's long skirt; both custom made to fit humans. Jack and jen were far too impressed by the room and their luck to find such good jobs to question the outfits.

"Looks like we made it." Jack commented, hugging his wife. "I thought when Loan came, it was going to be a lot worst. but now, we're here in Canterlot of all places."

"I know, this will definitely help us." Jen replied, checking out the servant attire. "Uh hun? How long have humans been able to move to Equestria again?"

"A little under ten years now I think. Why?" Jack said, checking out the rest of room, which also included a private bathroom.

"Well I'm looking over these uniforms. And I found something strange." Jen answered, holding up her own outfit.

"Strange?" Jack walked towards his wife. "How so?"

"Well it has a long skirt, and looks custom made for humans." Jen showed how light the skirt fabric is. "But this skirt is way too light. A strong enough gust and this thing with blow right up. I don't know what human modeled for the clothing, but this definitely will not work well for us."

"Honey, we've been given an extremely rare opportunity to work for the Princess of the entire country and will have no expenses, save our own debt. So we can live with a little wardrobe issue." Jack replied, looking to see that the pants of his own clothing were not tight fitting, but would show off his own privates very easily. "Okay, I'll talk to a tailor later in the week."

Just then, there was a knock at the door. Walking to the door, Jack revealed that the visitor was one of Celestia Sun Guards. His purple armor showed off a much higher rank than the usual guards. The armor also looked better made with gold lining aligning the edges of the chest and helmet. The stallion under the armor was a white unicorn with three tone blue mane and tail, and his cutie mark bore a shield-like emblem.

"Can I help you sir?" Jack asked.

"Hello. I'm Captain Shining Armor of the Royal Guard." Armor introduced himself. "I have been told to direct the new servants to their first assignments."

"Oh! Okay, no problem. We'll get in uniform right away Captain." Jack said, politely closing the door. Within several minutes, the door reopened with Jack and Jen in their respective uniforms. "Okay where do we start?"

"Follow me." Armor stated, leading to the humans to the servant's main room.

The room was large and spacious, yet very little covered in anything save for various stain glass images of the history of Equestria. Similar imagery was seen throughout the castle. The room had a few mare maids and fewer stallion servants. The servant ponies stopped what they were doing and looked at Jack and Jen, who stood in an awkward daze.

"Is Task here?" Armor asked one of the maids.

"She is." The maid looked at the humans and giggled before skipping off into one of the many doors within the room.

After a couple minutes, an older looking silver grey unicorn mare. Her short cut iron grey mane and trimmed tail only gave more attention to her serious stone black eyes. Even her broken bone cutie mark gave her a more intimidating appearance. Jack and Jen spent a second looking at the mare they can only assume was Task. Unlike the other servants, Task wore a garment looking something like a a suit custom fitted for a mare. Probably an attire reserved for the head servant.

"So you're both the new kids? Let me have a look at you." Tasked looked Jack and Jen over. "Well, you're both certainly big enough for more difficult tasks." Her gaze met with Jack. "I'll have you work with Captain Armor, he told me he had a task that he wasn't sure any of my ponies could do. So I want you to prove him wrong." Then her eyes looked over Jen. "For you, get acquainted with the other girls and clean this castle top to bottom."

"Yes ma'am!" Both Jack and Jen replied at once.

"Come with me, Mr?" Armor requested to Jack.

"Uh Jack Captain, sir." Jack responded.

"Okay Jack. Let's see if you're up to what i have in mind." Armor stated, directing Jack out the door. But not before letting him hug and kiss his wife before they went their different ways for work.

"Now for you, Ms?" Task asked.

"Oh, I'm sorry. My name is Jen ma'am." Jen replied. "I-I'm very eager to get started."

"That's what they all say my dear." Task said, looking to one of the maids. "You, take Ms. Jen and show her the ropes. I want her prepared and well versed in how things are done around here." The maid nodded with a smile and had Jen follow her. With the excitement over, the other maids went about their duties, leaving Task alone. Heading back to her office, Task smirked to herself. "Let's see if you can last longer than the others." Before returning to her own work.