Her Collar, Her Love

A week passed since Rarity had returned from her trip, and she found herself at the spa with Fluttershy for one of their regular visits. Rarity had sunk into the relaxing routine of it all, until the pegasus asked something out of the blue:

"Rarity, I was wondering if... I was wondering if you would make me a collar? Please?"

The question had startled the fashionista, and she levitated a cucumber to peek at Fluttershy in the neighboring mud bath. "I'm sorry, dear. I don't think I heard you quite correctly. You wanted me to make you a what?"

"A collar," Fluttershy meeped, ducking her head-- though they were currently the only ones in the spa room.

Now Rarity removed the other cucumber and turned her head, blinking. "Fluttershy, do you perhaps mean a choker? Or a necklace?"

"No," Fluttershy said, now completely retreating behind her forelock. "I mean a collar. Like... Like for pets."

"Oh! You mean for Angel? Why of course! I'd be happy to make one for the little bunny," Rarity said with a relieved chuckle. She replaced the cucumbers and reclined back into her bath. Her mind was already taking off with design ideas. Something sky blue, maybe? With a little bell...

Fluttershy squeaked.

Rarity gave an exasperated, if fond, sigh. By this point in their friendship she had quite become accustomed to her friend's timid nature, but it did rather impede the design process. "Yes, Fluttershy?"

Her spa mate barely spoke above a whisper. "It won't be for Angel. The collar, I mean."

Now Rarity sat up straight and removed the cucumbers once again. Intrigued, she leaned carefully against the rim of her bath, watching Fluttershy closely. "Darling, I confess you have me at a loss! Just what am I making this collar for?"

"N-not a what... But...b-but a who." Fluttershy whimpered, her hooves covering her blushing face. "A-and that who is me!"

Rarity's brow tightened as her pupils expanded like twin full moons. "For you? Fluttershy, darling, now I am utterly bewildered! Are you perhaps attending a costume party of which I am... unaware?" The very thought of missing a social event nettled the unicorn. She liked to think herself on top of the latest soirées in town; indeed, as the premiere director of style in Ponyville, she could be said to require such information!

"No," was the tinny-- and rather unhelpful-- answer.

The fashionista's tension eased somewhat. So she hadn't missed out on something important. And yet…

"It sounds like you've set your heart on it, darling," Rarity said slowly. "Of course, if this is your desire, I would adore to accessorize you properly-- this is truly what you wish?"

Fluttershy looked at her, her blue eyes bright-- hopeful, Rarity thought-- as she nodded jerkily. "Yes! Oh my goodness, yes! I can compensate you for the trouble--"

Rarity wrinkled her muzzle into slight moue, offended by the mere idea. "Pish posh! None of that, Fluttershy. You know I'm more than happy to give my friends what they want!"

There was something in the dear pegasus' expression that Rarity's social acumen couldn't, or wouldn't, translate for her.

"I know, Rarity," Fluttershy said, with the barest hints of a smile. "That's why I trust you."

The simplicity and earnestness of Fluttershy's statement made Rarity fidget, still unsure of the true meaning behind the exchange. She cleared her throat. “As you should! We’re good friends. I’ll always do my best for you.” Her face tensed and she splashed idly at the mud. “This… This request isn’t coming as a result of our conversation a week ago, is it?” The idea seemed so fantastic. How could Fluttershy be asking for a collar with those intentions? It just didn’t fit the unicorn’s idea of the other mare. The pegasus was so gentle, innocent, and--

“Maybe?” was the quiet reply.

Now Rarity stiffened and stared at her friend. Fluttershy had sunk so low in her mud bath that her face was nearly submerged in the thick brown liquid.

“Fluttershy, dear, the bath is meant only for the neck down,” Rarity warned. Her voice was distant and lacking in conviction. She’d taken to staring at the wall across from her.

Does she truly understand what she’s even requesting? Not just for herself, but from me as well?

Rarity's eyes narrowed. "You aren't being bullied into this are you?" she asked with a deeper scowl. Like many of their friends, she felt especially protective of Fluttershy.

The pegasus winced. "No!"

"Then..." Rarity's eyes fluttered and she straightened her back in thought. "I suppose, if it's something you truly wish for. It... is, right?"

“If that bothers you, I can look elsewhere. But yes,” Fluttershy whispered. She’d turned her head the other way, hiding her gaze; Rarity's heart went out to the poor dear, watching her tremble with the effort. “I just… When we last talked, it felt like you might understand. You see I’ve been wanting something like that for a long time.”

“I see,” Rarity murmured. Her shoulders hunched up as her withers tightened and determination filled her. The yearning in her beloved friend's voice-- well, a lady could not permit such need to go unanswered! “So you wish to explore those activities we discussed?”

“Y-yes?”

“And have you found a partner?”

“I’m... working on that.”

Rarity cleared her throat again as she nodded.

Silence.

The fashionista settled back in her bath and replaced the cucumbers over her eyes, much of her aplomb restored. “I’ll make the collar for you, Fluttershy.”

She heard her friend shift in the station next to hers. “You will?” she could hear the pegasus’ voice lift in tone, a happy squeak to counter her earlier despair.

Rarity chuckled. “Naturally! I couldn’t very well deny you when I’m already designing clothes of a similar nature with Dark Mask! It’s such a simple request, too, darling, really. It won’t take me away from my work overly much.”

“Oh, Rarity! Thank you!” Fluttershy gushed. There was a splash. Rarity imagined the pegasus’ wings may have fluttered in the mud.

She smirked, her stomach doing butterflies as she started to imagine what Fluttershy in a collar would look like. “It’s no trouble, my dear-- honestly, a receptive and friendly audience, I should be thanking you!”

When the word ‘collar’ popped into Rarity’s mind, her first thought was of leather. It was a natural connection to make, and she’d sketched out some quick ideas of what this could look like. Genuine monster leather was once a rare commodity that the griffons charged heavily for. Now that trade relations had been established with Yakyakistan, monster hide was more affordable. It was so much more supple than the synthesized material ponies specialized in.

Rarity toyed briefly with concepts of gem-studded leather collars. Perhaps... something stitched with waxed linen thread? She could also try to cold press the surface with something pretty. Flower designs. Butterflies to match the dear's cutie mark?

But upon further thought, she threw the sketches into the trash bin with an exasperated sigh.

Leather was too austere for Fluttershy. She needed something softer to compliment her personality. Rarity straightened her work glasses, and flipped to a blank sheet on her sketch table.

“It would help to know what, precisely, she wishes to roleplay as,” Rarity muttered with some consternation. In the week since the fashionista had maintained contact with Dark Mask, she’d been cautiously plumbing her new client’s knowledge of the BDSM scene. One thing she had learned was that ponies who engaged in ‘pet play’ could be many different things. Dogs, cats, and even cows. Some did a combination of animals. If the submissive was a masochist seeking humiliation, then they were still a pony, but they roleplayed being forced to behave as animals.

“There’s nothing for it,” Rarity sighed as she sat up from her work desk and trotted to the door-- triple-checking the lock spell. Even with Sweetie staying with her parents, she simply couldn't stomach the notion of her sister stumbling upon her current inspirational mess. “I shall have to pay Fluttershy a visit and ask her what she intends to be! I’d hate to make her something ill-suited to her role; in any milieu, the fashion must fit!”

It was evening once again when the fashionista set out for her friend’s home. By the time she reached the outskirts of Ponyville, the moon had climbed high into the sky and a chill had entered the air.

Halfway up the path to the animal lover’s residence, she knew something was wrong.

Rarity’s ears perked and swiveled forward as Discord’s agitated voice floated to her from Fluttershy’s cottage.

Oh dear.

“The idea alone makes me want to turn inside out and sing hymns! If you’ll recall, that was quite unpleasant the last time!” the draconequus spat.

“Discord, I’m afraid I don’t understand why you’re so upset,” Fluttershy’s quiet voice replied. “You’re the one who helped me understand my desires in the first place!”

“It isn’t your desires that irk me, Fluttershy. It’s the pony you want to share them with that does!”

Rarity froze. She was standing outside the front door now. She knew that it was entirely improper to eavesdrop, but it was so rare that she heard Discord speaking as candidly as he was now. Whenever he talked in front of the others, it was always in a taunting, roundabout way. What she was hearing confirmed the group’s suspicions that the mischievous spirit of chaos was holding them at arm’s length and revealing his true self only to Fluttershy.

Of course, the other reason for the fashionista staying was because she was dreadfully curious to hear whom Fluttershy wished to choose as her dominant partner.

A soft sigh behind the door. Fluttershy’s voice was patient, but exhausted. “Discord, do you think I like Rarity better than you?”

Rarity’s breath caught. She stared with wide eyes at the door.

Discord scoffed, his voice taking on a petulant tone. “Me? Jealous of that prissy unicorn? Ha!”

“All right…” Fluttershy said with some weariness. “Because... I just wanted you to know, the only reason I haven’t asked you is because you seemed genuinely disinterested in the idea of being my owner.”

“I am disinterested,” Discord said more evenly. “BDSM was always an amusing thing to watch, but I never cared for the idea of being responsible for somepony else. I just worry that your fashionable friend lacks the fortitude for being your dominant. You need someone with experience, not some delicate snob like Rarity!”

Rarity could feel her hackles rise. ‘Lacks the fortitude’? 'Delicate snob'!? How dare he! Quite instinctively she pawed the earth, just once, and then forced herself to settle.

“I would very much appreciate it if you stopped talking about her that way, Discord. She’s your friend too,” Fluttershy said, her gentle voice taking on a firm edge.

A rude snort. “Only nominally,” Discord muttered.

The fashionista grudgingly agreed. Just because she’d shared an amusing hooful of days with Discord and the others didn’t mean they were close. Still, it stung a little to hear the draconequus dismiss her so… so easily. So casually. They may have barely moved past being acquaintances, but she had been quite sincere in her efforts to welcome her former enemy into her close circles, if not quite the closest, of course. This revelation of his uncouth and uncalled for distrust felt like a major set back.

“Remember those nice stallions we met a few months back?” Discord went on. “They’re positively dying for a new kitten. I could re-introduce you. Maybe over tea and scones…?”

“I’d… I’d really rather be with somepony at the same level as me. Somepony familiar. Those stallions sounded like they wanted things I’m not willing to try.”

“Fluttershy, dearest, you really have me feeling backwards about this. Me! I thought you wanted to be a kitty? Where’s the contradiction, there?”

“I want to be a kitty, but I want to do more than just what an ordinary kitten might do. Things puppies can learn. And anyway… Since you aren’t willing to try it, I think I’d prefer a mare as my owner. It feels less... scary.”

Rarity could feel her body heat up. So that’s what she wants…

“Ah, but don’t you remember the femcolt with the poofy mane? What was so scary about him?” Discord said, though his voice lacked conviction. Rarity couldn’t help but humph.

“I appreciate you wanting to help me, Discord. Really, I do. But please try to understand... I feel safe with Rarity.”

Rarity’s face went slack even as her heart soared.

Safe? With me?

The conversation between Fluttershy and Discord continued, but Rarity turned and slipped away as quiet as she could. Her mind was reeling. She needed some place quiet. She needed some place to think.

She needed some place to learn.

Twilight Sparkle opened one of the tall golden doors to her crystal castle, her expression curious as she met Rarity’s anxious gaze.

“Rarity?” The princess opened the door wider, her look tensing with concern. “Hi! Is something wrong? You look like something’s wrong.” Her mouth thinned to a worried line as her voice went flat. “Something’s wrong isn’t it? Did Pinkie pretend she was a mad scientist again?”

Rarity squinted one eye. “Er… No?” At least not with her. She hoped.

Twilight sighed in relief, her body relaxing and wings settling. “Phew! That’s good.”

“Ahem. Twilight, darling, do you think I could make use of your library? I know it’s rather late, but...” Rarity looked down at her hooves, her heart beating hard in her chest. How would one phrase it… Rarity wished there was some rule, some etiquette that covered this beyond 'don't.'

“Of course!”

The fashionista raised her eyes to see Twilight grinning at her. “I was just doing some studying myself. I’d love to have some company for a little while!”

Rarity heaved a sigh of relief. “Oh Twilight, thank you!” Her intention was to find a book about the BDSM lifestyle in general, to get a better sense of what it meant to be a dominant. She’d considered asking Dark Mask, of course, but up till then she’d only been asking for small details from the stallion. She hated to come across as ignorant, and she did not even have a sense of what would be considered improper or prying as of yet. Also, there was something about bothering him with her personal matters that felt unprofessional. He was still a client, after all; standards, always standards.

The unicorn entered the castle, and the princess shut the door behind her. She led Rarity through the foyer to the entryway leading to the first hallway. “It’s a pleasure, Rarity. I’m always happy to help a pony in search of knowledge.” She leaned in and added with just a hint of a giggle, “Spike’s asleep already. He had a busy day, the poor guy. He’ll be so annoyed to know that he missed you!” Rarity smiled politely at this, though inwardly, she couldn't quite focus on the little drake's darling exploits. Her mind was in such disarray, it felt hard to genuinely laugh right then.

They turned down the hallway, and after a moment’s walk, Twilight led them through the doors to the castle library. Inside the large room, the ceiling rose high, the walls filled with books on all manners of subjects. The princess had painstakingly rebuilt the Ponyville library, thanks to generous donations from around the kingdom. Everything was indexed and organized by her hooves. Rarity was not quite as passionate about knowledge, but she was always awed by the level of dedication her alicorn friend exhibited toward books and her devotion to the community. So regal, really.

In the center of the library was a table, stacked high with academic volumes and unrolled sheaths of parchment. A quill sat in an inkpot, and a plate held a large jar of fireflies which casted a wide glow. Twilight started to gravitate back to her work, but paused to look back at Rarity with a tilt of her head. “May I ask what you’re looking for? Maybe I could help you!”

Rarity’s blush colored her white coat. “Er… I… I was looking for books on…” She scuffed a hoof on the flagstone floor. An irreverent and unhelpful part of her-- with Sweetie Belle's voice-- wondered if she might not also endeavour to write a book of, ah, counter-culture etiquette if she survived all this? After an extended pause, she said, “Forgive me, but I think I’d rather not say.”

Twilight’s brows rose and Rarity silently willed her friend to value politeness over her ravenous curiosity. “Oh! That’s fine.” She smiled pleasantly, and Rarity mentally chalked up a victory. “Still, if you need help, I’m more than happy to do so! I can be discreet.” Twilight stage whispered with a solemn nod, “You wouldn’t believe the books people check out! I’m sure what you’re interested in can’t be that bad.” The princess giggled then pranced back to her work desk.

Rarity watched her go helplessly. Where did Twilight find the energy, she wondered.

With a will, the fashionista moved from her spot and began to slowly trot up and down the rows of shelves. Her eyes scanned the books with a growing sense of despair. She knew what she wanted, but she had no idea what such a thing would be found under. Did Twilight really have a section dedicated to such delicate matters? Was Rarity really contemplating entering into an... activity... with Fluttershy that was of an intimate, nay, deeply sexual nature?

Though, as Dark Mask explained it to me, pet play isn’t wholly about sex, per se. It’s a kind of freedom for the sub. A way to let go of their ordinary responsibilities, and a measure of certainty and control for the dominant.

Still, to ignore the intimacy of it was difficult and perhaps foolish. Fluttershy was one of her closest friends after all. What did it mean if they started doing such risque things together? Were they going to be a couple? Or would it be one of those modern ‘friends with benefits’ sorts of arrangements? Rarity had read about those in her gossip magazines. They never seemed to end well as far as she could tell, and the appearance of it-- well. One did not, if one was concerned with proper.

The hour grew late as Rarity's search proved fruitless. Twilight showed no signs of fatigue as she scribbled a new note down on a piece of parchment, occasionally humming to herself or making a cryptic comment. Rarity, however, was ready to swallow her pride. This is for Fluttershy, she reminded herself. If nothing else, to understand the poor dear's wishes would be the only way to truly decide the ladylike way to handle them!

I can’t keep wasting time. I just… I need to understand more. I’d hate to make a decision from a place of complete ignorance.

Fluttershy trusted Rarity. The fashionista took that trust very seriously. Very well. Sod all doubts, anyway, and full steam ahead!

“Twilight?” Rarity’s voice trembled a little as she approached her friend. For Fluttershy, she repeated in thwart of her doubts.

Twilight glanced up briefly from her work, her quill still engulfed in her lavender aura. “Hmm?” she asked, eyes and face bright with the eagerness to assist.

“I… I was wondering if you could, perhaps, help me find a book on a… ahem, delicate subject.”

The quill froze as Twilight looked up at Rarity fully, concern rising in her gaze. “Delicate? I’m afraid you’ll have to be more specific, Rares.” She gave an apologetic shrug.

The unicorn sighed. Nothing for it, mustn't meander… She closed her eyes and said with a note of suffering. “I was hoping you had a book that covered… BDSM?”

A pause. Again, silence. Rarity nervously creaked open one eye.

Twilight wasn’t there.

Bewildered, the fashionista opened both eyes wide and turned on the spot, her head craning this way and that in search of her friend. “Twilight!?”

“Up here!”

Rarity looked up to see Twilight was hovering overhead, her wings flapping leisurely. “Sorry. Rainbow taught me how to do quiet take offs so that I wouldn’t disturb others standing close to me as much.” She was grinning. “I really wish you’d told me what you were looking for sooner! I would’ve explained to you that I keep the adult books locked away. Remember that time Scootaloo made off with that book on ancient pegasus love rituals, and then shared it with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell?”

Rarity’s expression darkened. “Yes,” she said dryly. And I still wish you might be a trifle less strict on the matter of memory wipe spells, darling, she added, if only in her thoughts.

Twilight chuckled nervously as she flew off toward the northern part of the library. Startled, the fashionista galloped to keep up.

“Yeeeah. After Applejack got through lecturing me, I decided to take extra measures to make sure no one underage gets into the grown up stuff. Now I keep those books under lock and key.”

Well, Rarity admitted, that was sensible, especially if one was within the effect radius of the Crusaders.

They turned down an aisle Rarity hadn’t noticed before. Up high, there was a shelf, safe behind a glass case-- a quite obviously well locked case. Twilight stuck her tongue out with concentration as her horn lit up. A magical construct materialized in the shape of a key. This, the alicorn guided into the keyhole, where she turned it. There was a satisfying click. With a gentle push of her hoof, Twilight swung open the glass case and squinted at the book spines.

“BDSM, BDSM,” she muttered under her breath. She bobbed in the air as her wings flapped slowly. She went down the row before she paused, her eyes popping wide. “Aha! Here it is!”

With her magic, she pulled the book from the shelf and locked the glass case again. She landed next to a stiff Rarity. The fashionista could still hardly believe she was at the Princess of Friendship’s library requesting a book on BDSM. Even more, that Twilight was personally helping her with a smile on her face.

“Here you go!” Twilight chirped as Rarity’s aura overtook hers.

Rarity floated the book closer to read the title. Underground Love: A Pony’s Guide to BDSM.

The unicorn flicked her hair back as she levitated the book to her side, where it hovered just at the shoulder. “Thank you, Twilight. This is just what I was looking for.”

Twilight squinted her eyes merrily. “You’re welcome. And please, next time, don’t hesitate if you need something of a similar nature. Or even...if you just want someone to talk to.” Her wings rustled on her back and she blushed a little, much to Rarity’s surprise. “I’d hardly call myself adventurous in the bedroom, but Flash and I have...experimented.” She rubbed a hoof against her other leg, her smile gaining a slant at Rarity’s blank expression. “When Cadence is your sex ed teacher, you can’t help but get curious. I get it.” Twilight shrugged and tilted her head to the side. “So I won’t judge! Like I said, I can be very discreet.” A long pause. Twilight’s smile turned more fixed, her eyes stretching in mild panic. “Rarity, please say something. I’m starting to feel like a nuisance!”

Rarity started, her own eyes fluttering. “Oh! Oh dear, I’m sorry,” she looked down. “I, ah… It’s just very new to me, and I’m not accustomed to feeling so out of my comfort zone. I suppose I just feel a tad bit overwhelmed.”

Twilight nodded. “That’s understandable.” She gestured at the book. “I hope that helps!”

Rarity smiled genuinely for the first time since arriving. “Oh, quite so, dear, I think it truly shall.” She stepped forward and gave her friend a light hug, once again admiring the grace and height Twilight was gaining; why, soon, she might make as striking a model as dear Fleur. “Thank you ever so much, Twilight. I’ll leave you to your studies. I have some reading of my own to do, and I think I would prefer to do that in private.”

The princess hugged her back. “Of course! If you feel up to it, I’d love to hear how it goes.” When she pulled away, she winked at Rarity. “Again. Discreet.”

Rarity laughed as she started for the door. “Perhaps, Twilight. Perhaps!”