Her Collar, Her Love

Another night of carnal delights had come.

The shop was closed and dimly lit by clusters of candles wafting the intensely sweet and fruity scent of ylang-ylang. It was an exotic tree from Marelaysia that produced yellow blossoms whose essential oils was known to relieve stress, as well as act as an aphrodisiac. Another arrow in her quiver, Rarity liked to think as she lit yet another candle on her way to the stairs. The last of her customers had left about fifteen minutes ago. Long before that, her mind had been utterly swept away in the preparations that would be needed.

She was joyously excited, yes. But this was their first night exploring her particular wants. Would Fluttershy be bored? Oh, her darling sub (and new marefriend!) had been receptive enough at their last tea, but some things did not translate well in execution. Rarity had to alter enough dresses from a customer’s realization that their ‘oh so brilliant’ idea just looked horrid when seen in a certain light or angle. Nay, even she had to make hard departures from her design sketches from time to time. It was a part of the creative process.

This process, however… It was special. A burning hot glow amidst a sea of darkness that flickered with the threat of extinguishment far more than Rarity wanted to dwell on.

It had been a mutual consensus by the mares that despite their increased dedication to each other, they would keep their new romance hidden. For Rarity, it was less a fear of being rejected by the fashion community (though it might hurt her bottom line in conservative Canterlot…) but more because for once she didn’t want the whirlwind of publicity it would bring. Her work with Dark Mask was still incomplete, and the stallion had insisted on keeping their new fashion line under wraps until they were ready to reveal it in full.

Worse than the violation of her sacred collaboration with her dear friend and client, the press would no doubt dig further into her and Fluttershy’s sudden love connection to reveal their exploits behind closed doors. The idea was unthinkable! Love was love, but what happened behind closed doors was not for public consumption!

Fluttershy was in total agreement. Though their adventures were known throughout the land, their celebrity seemed to come in waves. The pegasus perhaps had the lowest profile of all their friends, and this was perfectly fine by her. All she wanted to do was tend to her animals. She did not need, nor want, the lurid attention that their relationship may broker. Good heavens, Rarity could just imagine the kind of headlines those rabid newspapers would sling their way:

FILLY LOVE: Rising Fashionista Turns Shy Ex-Model Into Her New Love Toy!

FASHION WORLD SHOCKED: Fluttershy Is Rarity’s Newest Accessory?

SILK, SEX, AND SCANDAL: Animal Advocate In Amorous Affair!

No. Heavens, no. The time was not right. Perhaps, if things became more serious between them, then they could take the plunge... but for the moment they were both content to keep things to themselves.

These considerations, mist-like but still conspicuous in her mind’s eye, waltzed to the record whose music now spun its way crackling from her player throughout her bedroom. Rarity hummed along to the pulsing chords as her magic glow pulled on her costumé for that evening… A sky blue taffeta evening gown with long gold threaded tassels at the shoulders, and appliques of flowing white flowers along her barrel down the skirt. The dress swished just over her hind hooves. Originally, Rarity had meant to use a gown with a train, something to trail luxuriously over her lounge chair, but such a feature would (ahem) make the rigors of amour more cumbersome. It was true that practicality was perhaps not her strongest suit, but as much as she craved fabulosity, Rarity would not sacrifice her dignity… least of all on a crucial night such as this.

Even so, she decided the farthingale and hoop skirt were non-negotiable-- how else was she supposed to achieve the required bell-like shape for her outfit!?

Just as Rarity was applying the finishing touch to her makeup (a beauty mark just a little below the corner of her left eye) she heard the bell ring downstairs. As a matter of trust as much as convenience, Rarity had given Fluttershy her own key. Given the limited amount of time between closing the boutique and their playdate (the latter her sub had cautiously suggested might be pushed back to provide more time to prep, but Rarity would have none of it) it simply made it easier for the unicorn to not have to drop things to let in the mare she was already so intimately entangled with.

Moments later, soft hoofsteps could be heard ascending the stairs to Rarity’s room. There was a gentle knock. Rarity smiled and called out, “Come in, ma belle!”

Fluttershy entered, wings half unfurled, her eyes wide and searching behind her forelock but a noticeable upward curl on her petite mouth. “Hello, Rarity. I very much like the candles. They smell so--” Then as her gaze, at last, found her owner sitting at her vanity, her head rose and her expression cleared, her wings extending another inch before stopping with a quiver of their primaries. “Oh! My goodness, you look beautiful!” she exclaimed breathlessly.

Rarity gave a single grateful bow of her head, a beatific smile spreading her rouge red mouth wide. “Thank you, darling.” Her horn glowed as she lifted Fluttershy’s outfit for the evening from her ‘completed projects’ rack across the room.

Fluttershy cooed as it stopped to hover in front of her. Though not as extravagant as Rarity’s evening gown, the pegasus’ clothing-- a traditional black and white maid’s outfit-- could not escape the fashionista’s need for embellishment and expressive beauty. It came with a white frilled cap with black satin ribbon and a white laced apron. The actual dress was black, but the collar was white, with the skirt cut a short length, and pinned to the throat was a large black satin bow. On the back of the dress were surreptitious folds that concealed wing slits. Clipped to the back of an accessory hangar was the ruffle tulle petticoat, to be worn under the skirt for shape. Floating next to this all was a simple pair of black slip-on shoes for the hind hooves.

“It’s so pretty…” Fluttershy breathed, reaching a tentative hoof out to the pleated skirt.

Rarity’s smile took on a devilish slant as she moved the dress aside and laid it on her bed. “I am glad you like it. Though, there is something I require for you to put on first.”

At her sub’s inquisitive look, Rarity levitated a slim square box to her from her a drawer in her vanity. Fluttershy batted her eyes at the mysterious box placed at her hooves, but when she carefully opened it, Rarity couldn’t help but chuckle at Fluttershy's full body blush.

Slipping off her vanity seat, Rarity crossed the room, and with her eyes fastened on her pet all the while, she raised the contents of the box with her magic.

It was a ruffled white gartini panty with open crotch and garter straps. What joined them in Rarity’s aura was a pair of sheer white stockings with lacy tops.

With a considerably more wicked smile, Rarity stepped closer, lightly bumping just under Fluttershy’s chin with a delicate hoof as she purred, “Would you allow me the honor of helping you get dressed?”

An audible swallow could be heard from Fluttershy before she gave a shaky nod.

With an appreciative murmur, Rarity encircled her with her aura, the fine hairs on the back of her neck standing tall as the electrifying connection became whole. It was a subtle thing, something she’d missed in the swath of ecstasy and lust they had been up to their heads in during their other times of amour, but without so much ‘background noise’ Rarity savored how her magic related to her the fine details of Fluttershy’s exquisite body. If magic was the extension of her spirit, then her spirit was intoxicated by the other mare’s comely form, the delectable plump of her teats, the slope of her flanks, the sleekness of her legs (ooh, but surprisingly fit, too, judging by the firmness! Well, Rarity supposed without magic and a horde of animals to care for, she’d have to carry all that feed and massage all those… bears? Honestly, how often did Fluttershy give Harry the Bear a deep tissue massage!?)

“R-Rarity?” Fluttershy squeaked.

Rarity gave a strong shake, suddenly aware that she had her marefriend airborne and upside down, the poor thing.

“Apologies, darling! This will just take a moment.” Fending off mortification, Rarity cleared her throat and righted her marefriend. With all the haste and impatience of somepony trying to escape a misstep, she set about magically slipping on the articles of clothing.

Fluttershy meeped as the gartini squeezed over her flanks, but they settled just under her teats without problem. The stockings clung to her hind legs, and the garter straps clasped with minimal adjustment. Next came the dress and apron, for which Rarity gave a satisfied hum that she had gotten the measurements correctly. The skirt flared out nicely over Fluttershy’s gaskins thanks to the ruffled petticoat. The shoes and frilled cap went on last.

Her work done, Rarity eased Fluttershy back to the floor.

“My goodness!” Fluttershy breathed with wonder as she looked at herself.

“Here, sweetest,” Rarity said, feeling her heartbeat quicken again as she levitated her standing mirror over and set it down before her companion. She supposed no matter how many times she did it, she would always feel these jitters when introducing one of her newest creations to somepony else.

Fluttershy took in her transformation with the utmost amazement. She turned on the spot, craning her head to see how she looked from the sides…

“I look so cute!” she giggled finally, a look of joy lighting up her features.

She stopped, her cheeks tingeing pink as she got a look at herself from behind. “Oh, my!”

Rarity stifled a laugh at her pet’s adorable reaction as she stepped in closer, joining Fluttershy’s view of her reflection and seeing just what she’d hoped to see. Thanks to the short length of her dress’ skirt, the ruffle petticoat did such a nice job of providing a downright titillating peak at her sub’s crotchless gartini, and the delicious pink filly fruit it framed there.

“Mm, yes,” Rarity said with an approving nod as her eyes met Fluttershy’s in the mirror. “If you don’t mind my saying so, the fashion world lost much upon your departure, darling… Its loss, my gain,” and here the unicorn pecked her sub on the cheek before indicating a set of basic cleaning supplies by the door: a broom, a dust pan, a bucket of water and a scrub brush… Nothing to do any serious cleaning with (though Rarity certainly intended to employ her sub’s green-listed desire to clean for her owner in earnest someday… but not tonight. Tonight, this was for show.)

Rarity meandered to her love seat as Fluttershy drifted closer to her props. There, on the soft cushion, was the unicorn’s precious white fan. THE fan, she’d dare call it, for she could recall nothing else, before or since that had held such a significance to her heart by way of its meaning. Oh true, she had acquired such precious curios from her exploits across Equestria that held meaning and importance in their own right.

But this fan, perhaps more so than their exchanged lists, symbolized their continued trust and intimacy. Until tonight, Rarity had kept it on a silk pillow, hidden within a safe so that not Opal nor Sweetie Belle could visit upon it their brand of energy. This fan was special. An artifact of love.

With her aura raising this precious accessory before her, Rarity turned with raised chin to her sub. She could feel her aristocratic persona rising up from deep within. Its intoxicating power and eagerness to enact her love for her dear pet brought a bliss and assurance that the unicorn had been thirsting for since their first night together. “Are you ready, my dear?” she purred with a flirt of her long eyelashes.

Fluttershy gave an eager nod, her wings quivering on her back.

Rarity snapped open the fan and curtsied.

Across the room, Fluttershy curtsied low with head bowed.

When they rose, it was Lady Rarity and her housemaid, Miss Posey, alone in the room.

The waltz music ended as the record needle reached the center ring of the vinyl disc. The madame tsked as she went to flip the record over and reset the needle. The room once again became filled with the pulsing chords of a romantic waltz at a triple meter. Rarity hummed happily, her eyes slipping shut as she bobbed her head softly to the music. One, two, three. One, two, three. After a moment, she peered archly over her shoulder at her maid.

She was a young thing and new to the work. The lady had hired her, less out of need, and more because, well…

Who wouldn’t enjoy such a view?

Miss Posey had her rump in the air, one hoof furiously working to remove what looked like an unfortunate spot in the carpet left by a certain blowhard who had tried to delegate a simple dye job to wild animals. In fact, the zeal with which she went at the spot seemed… perhaps more than necessary?

Though Posey’s vigorous cleaning did afford the lady with the happy view of her pretty femininity.

With eyes fixed on her servant, Lady Rarity glided to her love seat, perching carefully on the edge as the demure maid quietly worked. Sensing her attention, Miss Posey paused her scrubbing to glance nervously at her mistress. When the pair’s eyes met, the maid quickly rose to all hooves, her forelock shielding an eye as she did a quick curtsy.

“My lady?” she said inquisitively. It was, in a way, both a greeting, and a question. Hello madame! Your attention was unexpected. How may I earn your approval?

Rarity tucked a hoof under her chin and levitated her fan, opening it to cool herself off. My goodness, it was quite a warm evening! Even so, she kept her fanning at a steady, calm pace, relying more on force than speed to feel that gust of relief. With indolent lilt, Rarity asked, “Miss Posey, do you know much about music?”

Posey flicked an ear, her little mouth puckering in thought. The lady hid a small titter behind a powdered hoof.

After a moment, Miss Posey declared with earnestness, “I’m afraid my education lacked such refinement, my lady!”

Rarity smirked. Bravo, my dear. You take to this like a fish does to water. She closed her fan and motioned for her maid to come closer.

With what appeared to be a quick inhale for courage, Posey ventured closer.

“It is a crime, Miss Posey, that such an intelligent mare as yourself be deprived of this cultural enrichment,” the noblemare said with gravity. “As such, I have decided to correct what I can of it in the small time we have.”

Miss Posey bowed her head, her body trembling. “Oh, my lady you are so kind!”

Lady Rarity pointed with her fan at the record player. “My dear, what you are listening to now is nothing short of one of the greatest waltzes of all time! It’s called, in the native Pollish, Kovich Walc. ‘Son’s Waltz.’”

Her eyes slipped shut as her fan ticked side to side to the music. Her voice fell to a low murmur. “You see, this was composed by a stallion named Earth Son under the oppressive rule of Polland’s monarchy some three hundred years ago.” Her brow creased, “This waltz… it’s derivative of his other work, movements that he wrote for a ballet years earlier."

"A ballet?" Posey remarked.

Rarity eased open one eye, her ruby lips widening in a coquettish smile. "Yes! A very popular ballet at the time." She let her eye fall shut again and hummed as she summoned the details up in her head. "The original name was lost, as was much of the story. Ponies have now taken to calling whats known of the ballet, 'The Lover's Catalyst.'" When she opened her eyes, she saw Miss Posey gazing ponderously at the record player.

"Was it a romance?" the maid asked.

"Of sorts," Rarity replied. "The story was about a company of knights led by a brave captain that had vowed to overthrow an evil baron. This baron held Polland’s princess captive at his castle. The captain of the knights loved the princess. He was willing to die for her, and fought hard to save her.”

Rarity's mind’s eye called forth images of strong stallions in full armor, tattered banners flying overhead as they marched onto a dark and looming castle… It seemed so much like her dream from the other night. “The knights, you see, they represented the strength of the people," she went on. "The captain that led them represented the best of them. And the princess was a symbol of the country’s purity. The baron, however… Well, it was an obvious stand-in for the then ruling king. Thus it was banned, of course. When Earth Son composed this waltz, he snuck in portions from that original ballet into his movement. It was… is a song composed of hope that life would get better for the common folk. A defiant cry that, yes, love does conquer all.”

“And did it?” Posey asked, her sweet face tensed with the need for closure.

Rarity quirked an eyebrow, her smile turning rueful. “Yes. It did. When Earth Son was old and feeble sadly, but nevertheless he got to live to see it happen for his grandfoals.”

Miss Posey held the scrub brush to her breast, her ears swiveling to alert as the record player fell silent in the lull between tracks. Lady Rarity’s eyes ticked from the player and back to her maid. A curling smile appeared on her lips as her horn glowed. There was a small scratch from the player as the music cut off once again. With great care, the noble unicorn replaced the needle at the outer reaches of the vinyl record, playing Kovich Walc once more.

Lady Rarity slid from her seat. “Miss Posey, please return the brush to its proper place and meet me in the middle of the floor.”

Miss Posey seemed confused at these instructions, but did as she was told. A right and proper servant needn't understand the greater intent of a command, but they did need to follow it. This maid was cognizant of her place, and the noblemare appreciated any who could behave honorably in their station. Propriety was function, in her eyes.

When Miss Posey joined her mistress in the center of the room, Lady Rarity held up a hoof, her pastern relaxed so that her hoof turned down near the cannons.

“Place your hoof over my pastern, if you please. I intend to complete your cultural enrichment tonight with a lesson on dancing!” Rarity announced.

Now Posey balked. “D-dancing?” She shrank, her eyes going wide. “My lady, I’m not a very good dancer! Wouldn't it be improper for me to--?”

“Tut, tut, I shall be the judge of that. Your hoof please!” Rarity insisted firmly. Perhaps she had been a bit quick to assess her maid's self-awareness. Impropriety? Ha! Nay, the only improper thing was for beautiful mares like the one before her being so woefully ignorant of something so culturally important. It was within her right to oversee the progress and growth of her servants.

And that was especially true of how she praised them.

Miss Posey looked stricken. "I-If my lady insists, th-then of course I will obey! I... I am only worried that being overly familiar with me might... might reflect p-poorly on you! I'm just a maid, after all..."

Rarity's expression softened. "Ma chérie, do you respect me?"

Miss Posey paled right through her bright coat, her face going slack. Her wing's culverts fluffed, the primaries spreading and quivering along her sides. "My lady, of course I do!" she gasped.

Rarity grinned a little at her servant's squirming. "And you care for me?"

It took only a moment for the color to ease back into Posey's cheeks. "My lady... of course," she murmured, her blue gaze softening to quiet adoration.

"Then trust in your madame," Rarity breathed. "You are a jewel in need of polishing. My attention could no more pass over you as it could deny the presence of the sun in the sky."

Miss Posey's expression cleared even as the color of her form, only moments ago like that of a ghost, was now like a warm sunset. With just the barest hints of a tremor, she placed her hoof over her mistress’ postern.

A small victory for Lady Rarity.

“Now,” Rarity said with firm authority. “I shall lead, and you shall follow. Heed the way my touch guides you.” Then to demonstrate, she moved her foreleg out and in her direction, causing Miss Posey to step just a bit to the side and oh so much closer. Their chests were brushing, the maid’s bow tickling Rarity’s exposed neckline. The heat radiating off of Posey was formidable. A fire to match her own, for if Lady Rarity had felt warm before, she felt heated now.

This will be a happy burn, methinks!

“Next,” Lady Rarity murmured, “We rise up on our hindlegs.” Just as she did so, Posey mirrored her, a shaky breath escaping her lips. “Place your other hoof on my shoulder,” Rarity instructed next. “And I shall place mine on the point of your hip.”

Miss Posey nodded her understanding. When their hooves had found their places, the effort of balancing became much easier. Their center of gravity rested between them, where their chests and necks touched.

“Very good, dear!” Rarity said with a happy chuckle. “Now just follow my lead, and do not be afraid, hmm? I’ve got you,”

“Y-yes, my lady,” Miss Posey whispered.

Lady Rarity, with practiced ease, moved with great care over the carpeted floor, leading her charge into small steps at first, then with more vigor and zeal.

One, two, three. One, two, three. One, two, three.

The waltz was by and far simpler than the foxtrot, making it an excellent beginner’s dance. Mistress and servant glided and turned evenly with the beat, cheeks pressed together, hearts beating as one. For many years, the waltz had been the overture of love. It was a silent conversation between two souls, as intimate as it was refined.

Lady Rarity could have stayed in that moment forever.

Then the song ended. The knight had saved his princess… but at what cost freedom and love? The question was Earth Son’s lingering challenge to the faithful, punctuated by the dramatic beat of silence between this movement and the next.

Miss Posey seemed startled at the long dead stallion’s challenge. She moved forward, anticipating the next step when her Lady Rarity had initiated none. The madame was unprepared, pushing her off-balance. Alarmed, she fought to hold on to her partner. They fell.

Rarity--just normal Rarity--was quite surprised at this sudden development. After a moment of disentanglement, a burning sunrise appeared over her in the form of her pet sitting atop her, straddling her sides, and gushing apologies.

“Oh my gosh, Rari-- I mean-- My lady! I’m so sorry!” her forelock was frizzy and split over her muzzle. Her frilled cap was knocked askew. Rarity was no better. She was certain one of her hoops in her skirt had been bent, and had she heard a tear when she fell? Things were feeling tight around the shoulder like the fabric had caught and pulled on something, so she guessed it to be somewhere there.

But these things failed to take importance in the face of her dear sub’s quivering form. She was embarrassed. Scared.

For a moment, Rarity considered using their safeword. Cotton. Fluttershy did not want to feel humiliated, and the fashionista was determined to shield her from such a feeling. But would stopping things so abruptly ease her mortification or contribute to it? After all, the pegasus was upset that she had knocked them out of character. Wouldn't stopping things reinforce Fluttershy's dismay at having slipped up?

Perhaps it is better to continue, Rarity thought with concern.

Raising a hoof, Rarity pulled back her partner’s hair and found her eyes. Those blue jewels were misted, but Fluttershy was holding back tears. Such simple courage. Rarity thought her heart would break. Oh darling...

That was when Lady Rarity pulled Miss Posey into a deep and passionate kiss. She held her tight, her lips massaging those soft petals until the pegasus' body stopped its quivering atop her.

Feel this fire you've sparked ma chérie! Your selfless love staves off the cold!

When she pulled away, the noblemare said breathlessly, “Why Miss Posey, what in Equestria do you have to be sorry about?” She touched noses with the maid and said with a coy smile. “I haven’t had this much fun in years.”

Propriety was function, but amour was life! And who could deny living for such petty inconveniences such as status?

“Really?” Miss Posey squeaked. Her lips shared a touch of the rouge lipstick. She sniffled. “I just-- I feel I’ve ruined your lesson!”

“Well the lesson isn’t over, darling!” Rarity chuckled as she used a foreleg and perhaps a small magical push to roll her maid over. Now she was on top with the young maiden beneath. Ah, but this blasted hoop skirt! It was getting in the way. Rarity’s horn flared with impatient light, her hind legs lifting just enough to allow the infernal piece of clothing to be removed swiftly. It landed in a heap in the Lady’s ‘to be mended’ corner where she kept her repair work. An easy enough fix, she thought to herself as her hind legs set back down. Miss Posey, ever obedient, hadn’t moved an inch, and her mistress was quite grateful, as this made it easier to trap her with another kiss. Lady Rarity’s tongue, while eager in its questioning passes over her partner’s lips, restrained itself until Miss Posey’s warm touch answered her own. It was less of a wrestle and more of a happy surrender as the noblemare searched her partner’s mouth while her partner gently and encouragingly massaged hers. That exquisite taste... To die for! Rarity concluded with feverish conviction.

When Lady Rarity broke the kiss, a small rope of saliva briefly bridged their extended tongues before disconnecting, and she gave small shiver at the perverse indulgence. Judging by the slick warmth of her marehood, such deviance fueled her need.

“My dear, dear Miss Posey,” Rarity purred. “Do you know the final lesson of Earth Son’s historic waltz? Its hidden tale of a knight captain fighting to save his dear princess from corruption?”

Breathless, the maid could only shake her head.

Lady Rarity gave a deep throated chuckle as one hoof trailed down her maid’s rumpled white apron. It stopped just where she knew Posey’s teats, full and pert lay hidden. She circled these slowly, lovingly.

“The final lesson,” Lady Rarity said as she slipped lower and lower, her eyes piercing deep into her servant’s. Miss Posey raised herself up, almost desperate to maintain their eye contact-- like she’d lose something important if this was broken. Rarity shoved Miss Posey’s ruffled petticoat up, revealing her wet, plump sex, freed to drip its juices without the confines of traditional lingerie. The lady’s words fell to a hot murmur as she lowered herself to taste this sweet feminine blossom. “The captain and his princess knew they had to wait until their hungry love for one another could be sated.” Without lifting her head or even her gaze, she conjured the fan from the love seat. “I want you to try for me dearest… Mind the fan. While it’s closed you are not to climax!”

She was surprised to hear her maid protest, even as it came as a pitiful mewl: “But, b-but--!”

“Miss Posey!” Lady Rarity said sternly. Then, she said in a soft whisper, “You can do it. Think of what you must, knowing your mistress has faith in you!”

Posey nodded jerkily, her eyes drifting up to the fan.

A soft proud smile crossed the noblemare’s face. Young. Naive. Ah, but with such resilience and pluck! Woe to the world who would underestimate this little servant…

All that said, Lady Rarity didn’t make it any easier for her maid to keep from cumming. No, how could she? This taste! So warm, and slick, and pungently sweet. The lady’s mind spiraled into the flavor of her partner’s desire as she teased that pert little nub that so begged (nay, needed) attention. She let her tongue dance around it in playful swirls. Judging by her partner’s labored breathing, Miss Posey was having quite the time of it honoring her mistress’ order. She writhed and wiggled, little whines escaping her throat as she tried to keep her climax at bay.

Lady Rarity let this go on for about as long as she could stand it (because by Celestia, those noises her lesser was making was liable to make her find a euphoric end touch-free!) and she snapped open the fan.

When Miss Posey’s climax came, her voice sang her dulcet release like the last note of a song. A fine waltz, one might say, Lady Rarity thought with a little smirk.

The noblemare sat up, her tongue lapping at the feminine juices that now matted her muzzle.

They sat blissfully quiet, the only sound coming from the record player and it’s romantic music-- practically forgotten now.

Miss Posey, who had been laid out in her ecstasy, raised herself up on her forelegs once more, her foggy gaze finding her lady’s.

Rarity smiled slowly, one hoof reaching out to gently caress her maid’s cheek. With a mischievous tilt of her head, she said, “Lesson complete. Though…” and here she winked as she started to hike up her dress. “I’m afraid there’s one more thing you’ll have to clean before the night is through, ma chérie. It seems our exploits have brought on a filthy mess.”

Posey’s grin was drunken, eager, but more than anything-- magnificently confident.

Bravo, my sweet Fluttershy… Bravo, was Rarity's last coherent thought before her servant's pretty little maid mouth did what it was so well-suited for...

Cleaning. Naturally.

The days turned, stealing away the happy moments without mercy. Wasn’t that the nature of living? To soldier on, and persevere! Or Rarity was sure that was a quote from something worth quoting. She couldn’t really be bothered for details before her first cup of tea in the morning. This she sipped with great indulgence, her eyes closed as her window blinds fended off Celestia’s insistent daylight for just a little while longer.

Another long nighter. Rarity had put her all into completing the first prototype for her and Dark Mask’s new line. Her creative fever had been fueled by the memory from just a scant few nights ago: her pet’s long and dexterous tongue committing a practically sinful dance around her cum-slick folds--

The door to her shop opened with a bang, the bells ringing in alarm. Rarity jumped, sloshing her tea down her front. “Oh blast it!” she grumbled as she took a cloth napkin and wiped herself clean. "Who in the world is it!?"

Urgent hoof-falls galloped to her before the culprit was revealed to be--

Fluttershy, her hair frizzed, her hide glistening with sweat like she’d flown all across town.

Rarity blinked at her marefriend, then glared down at her cup of tea. “Clearly I need to drink something stronger if I could not recall you are the only other pony with a spare key!” Rarity muttered.

Fluttershy leaned in the doorway, gasping in deep gusts of air.

Rarity tsked and set her cup down, the last of her exhaustion leaving her. Fluttershy was really worked up over something, and Rarity’s affection and sense of responsibility commanded that this not be ignored a minute longer. Placing a hoof on her pet’s shoulder, Rarity filled a cup with water with her magic, then floated it over.

“Take your time, my dear," she said with growing concern. "When you’ve regained your breath, you will tell me just what has you in such a fluster!”

Fluttershy nodded emphatically, taking a small sip from the cup before setting it down on the floor. After a few more deep breaths, she gasped out: “Rarity we, hah, may… we may have a, hah, problem!” Fluttershy admitted breathlessly with a wince.

Rarity’s eyelashes fanned in confusion. “Oh? What sort of problem do we have, darling? No, hold that thought. Please, come with me. Sit. Let me make you some tea. It will calm you.”

The pegasus seemed incapable of protesting. She allowed her owner to lead her to the kitchen table, where she was sat down and very shortly presented with a steaming cup of tea.

Rarity sat next to her, hooves folded just under the chin. “Now. Let’s start again. What is the problem, and how does it involve us?”

Fluttershy nudged her teacup’s stirring spoon with the tip of one of her primaries. “Well, y-you see, I… ah… may have mentioned to Rainbow Dash that I’m somepony’s pet.”

The unicorn went still. “And where in Equestria did you find the urge to do that?” Just the smallest hint of displeasure crept into her voice at her sub’s admission to indiscretion. After all, had Rarity not gone out of her way to make certain she first cleared any revelatory discussions between Twilight and Dark with Fluttershy? But it was both decorum and affectionate understanding that kept any knee-jerk reactions at bay. No… knowing her darling sub, Rarity was willing to bet that--

“Rainbow Dash started asking about my collar when she brought Tank in her for his shell shining,” Fluttershy admitted with a miserable droop of her ears.

Rarity looked up at the ceiling with a heavy sigh, even as her lips curled up in a wry half-smile. Ah. “Flutters, let me see if I can spare you the mortification of having to explain that which I’m fairly certain I can guess with great ease. Is that all right?” she asked the other mare.

Fluttershy nodded her head eagerly. “Oh, I’d very much like that!”

The unicorn nodded once and started slow, her slanted grin growing into one of her generous smiles. “So our cocksure Dashie takes notice of your exquisite collar upon your pretty neck, and naturally, she becomes curious.” Rarity’s smile curled as she leaned in and scratched Fluttershy gently under the chin. Meanwhile, she cooed, “The real trouble starts because my delightful pet is as guileless as she is beautiful, thus her attempts at quenching Rainbow Dash’s curiosity is met with ever more questions!”

A piteous nod from the repentant pegasus. Rarity chuckled. “Well! I can only conclude that you relented to her persistence and thus… she insisted on meeting your new owner?”

“Yes, and I’m oh so very sorry!” Fluttershy gushed with a nervous twitch of her wings. “She says she wants to… to make sure I’m n-not in over my head! She has no idea it's you!”

Rarity hummed, her smile pursing. However boorish Dashie’s behavior, the unicorn could understand where her athletic friend was coming from, especially given her foalhood friendship with Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash, irked as she usually was by her fellow pegasus’ demure nature, felt it was her duty to protect Fluttershy. The idea of some other pony dominating her friend would naturally flare up Dash’s protective instincts, as Rarity was sure it would inspire hers. This knowledge kept her annoyance at the pushing of her pet to a minimum. Rainbow Dash was a mutual close friend. Her intentions are good, even if her methods could use some work… like so many other things Dashie, Rarity thought with a little weary shake of her head.

“Very well. If you feel comfortable with it, Fluttershy, I see no reason to object to Rainbow’s presence at our next playdate.”

Fluttershy’s eyes went wide, and did Rarity imagine it, or did her darling pet’s wings jerk, feathers fluffing in that way they usually did when springing to aroused attention…?

“R-Really?” Fluttershy asked with a squeak.

Rarity smiled graciously. “But of course, dear! It affords me an opportunity to set some ground rules with her, now that the cat is out of the bag… if you’ll pardon the crude expression.”

Fluttershy picked up her tea cup with her wings, the cup rattling tellingly on the saucer before she was able to lift it with minimal shivering. “O-okay… I’ll bring her.” she mumbled before taking a sip.

Rarity leaned in, her brow furrowing. “Darling, please know that I am not ordering you. In fact, I demand that you only bring Rainbow Dash if you are positive you will be all right with her potentially entering our dynamic! That is, after all, what she seems to be daring us with, is she not? Whether or not she can disrupt our relationship by wresting dominance away from your mysterious owner?” The unicorn sniffed with disdain. “It’s almost primitive that she could think it so simple… But she will not find an easy opponent in me, I dare say! And I will not, nay, cannot abide her exerting her will over your romantic affairs, well intended or not. If she truly wishes to have some say, she must seek that right from the pony who cares for you, least of all for me, and most of all, for you, Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash must understand and respect boundaries, and so I say again: if you do not wish to welcome her into our scenes, then I will gladly support you in denying her.”

Fluttershy’s eyes misted and she set down her teacup as carefully as she could, her breath escaping her lips in a slow, shaky exhale. Her forelock slipped forward as she thought hard. A full minute passed by. Rarity waited patiently, her brow still creased. She knew Fluttershy enjoyed having some of the responsibility lifted from her withers, but sadly, this was not something Rarity could, or even would, take from her. The pegasus had to love and respect herself enough to be able to clearly say “no” if she truly wished it. Even to pushy friends like Rainbow Dash.

When Fluttershy lifted her muzzle, her bright eyes shone, and her mouth was set.

“I want her to come,” Fluttershy murmured.

Rarity smiled sharkishly as she lifted a teacup to her lips. “Excellent… If you’ll indulge me, I already have a few ideas of how to deal with our energetic friend.”