Pip's Treasure Chest

“Alright everypony, tell me what you think,” said Pip with a big grin as he set out several martini glasses. Each one was an apple flavored martini drink with a little something extra. Instead of there being an olive at the toothpick there was a tiny hayburger that Pip had cooked up on a griddle he had brought down to his bartending station. This was to be one of the new items on his menu that Pip had been working on for the past week since Succubus’s impromptu strip dance. All he needed to do was figure out a name for it, as well as do a field test.

Sitting at the opposite side of the bar were several ponies who took their glasses with impressed expressions. Of course there was Succubus, wearing another pair of short shorts and a blue tube top, who was looking the most impressed by what Pip had created. Then there were Snips and Snails, both wearing overalls and red shirts, who had just yesterday finally collected enough bits to pay off their tab. They had thought that Succubus would dance for them again, but it was not to be since they had forgotten to include the broken cue stick as part of their debt. Still, Pip was allowing them to drink there for the time being. Then there was Scootaloo, the only member of the CMC still remaining in Ponyville and one of Pip’s oldest friends. She sat there wearing jeans and a leather jacket, doing her best to look cool.

Sitting next to Scootaloo was Rumble wearing jeans and a green camo shirt. From what Pip could see Rumble was doing much better. He was no longer staying at Pip’s getting drunk off his ass, nor was suffering from the depression caused by the incident at the Everfree Academy. From what Pip had heard, Rumble’s recovery made great strides after he finally talked to Zecora, somepony he had been avoiding like the plague due to guilt. What had got him to go to her was hearing that the zebra medicine mare was blaming herself for what had happened and was considering leaving to return to her homeland. The two talked from noon to well into the night. Pip had no idea what they talked about nor did he feel like he should ask. All he knew or cared about was that both of them seemed…lighter afterwards. It was as if a great weight had been removed from them both. Sure, they still need counseling and Rumble still had nightmares, but everypony could see there was a definite improvement in the way he acted.

All of them knew about him and Succubus and their reactions varied. Scootaloo seemed indifferent when she was given this information. Since he wasn’t doing anything illegal and it didn’t affect her then she didn’t see it as a problem. Rumble had been a different story. He had basically said that Pip was crazy, marrying a mare from ‘hooves knows where’ and that he barely knew anything about. If it had been a one night stand and he knocked her up it would have been different, but to Rumble this just seemed like a bad idea. If fact, he suggested that Succubus might really be a changeling! In the end he told Pip that if things looked like they were going south with her, then he should talk to him. And for Snips and Snails…they only wanted to know if she’d give them another dance.

“Not bad,” said Rumble, who took a small sip of the drink.

“Wish the burger was bigger,” said Snails after swallowing the bit sized burger while Snips nodded in agreement.

“Tasty!” said Succubus with a cheer.

“It’s good,” agreed Scootaloo. “And different. Definitely something that will help you stand out.”

“That’s the plan,” said Pip with a grin. “Might serve them tomorrow night. Mr. Rich rented out the place for some big get together. Wanted someplace quiet for him and some of his old pals to hang out with no talk of business.”

“Nice,” said Rumble with a nod, setting his drink down as he did.

“That’s not all,” said a gleeful Pip as he pulled out a brochure and set it on the table. Everypony looked down to see that it was full of different models of deep fryers. “I’ve been looking into this and there is a very good chance that soon I’ll be adding other hot items to the menu. Things like hayfries and the like, nothing too fancy. Just something that might help give me an edge over Kegger.” Pip then frowned slightly. “I just wish that it wasn’t illegal to have poker tournaments out here. Strip clubs are ok, but for some reason poker isn’t. Go figure.”

Succubus’s eyes brightened. “Pip, does that mean you’re considering my idea?” she asked, causing all heads to look at her and then at Pip.

“Never said it was off the table,” said Pip as he ignored the questioning looks. “Figured there wasn’t any harm in asking about it while I was down at the mayor’s office. Since we’re so far away from town and away from the foals, Mayor Mare doesn’t have any problem if we set one up here on a professional level. Still, I want to use that as a last resort since it’s more exAHHHHHHHHHH!”

Pip never got to finish what he was saying as Succubus took to the air, flapping her bat wings to soar over to him. In the blink of an eye she had her arms wrapped around his neck, rubbing her muzzle next to his as the two crashed onto the floor.

“You actually listened to me!” she cried happily. “Oh Pip, I love you!”

“We might not need to do it,” said Pip quietly as he tried to escape her embrace so that he could get some air. And failed.

“It doesn’t matter,” said Succubus right before she began to plant kisses all over his face. “I’m just happy that you didn’t ignore me like mommy and daddy.”

For the third time since she had been here, Succubus let slip something about her past and two of those times were about her parents in some way. The other thing that he learned was that she was from a place called the Hanging City, the original home of the thestral tribe. He remembered Apple Bloom talking about it for a class assignment who got the information from her brother-in-law. If Pip remembered correctly, the Hanging City was located deep underground on the ceiling of a massive cavern. There were a few other locations where thestrals live like Hollow Shade, but the Hanging City is the oldest.

This was all Pip really knew. He had tried to ask Succubus about her past several times now, trying to work it into a natural conversation in the hopes that it wouldn’t feel like he was grilling her or the like. And every time, Succubus would evade the question or topic. Anything that was about her past was almost taboo, like a memory she would prefer never to remember ever again.

It was then that the front door to the Cove opened with a loud bang, followed by a voice that yelled, “Party Pony in the HOUSE!” Succubus release Pip and the two rose to look at the newcomer along with everypony else. Seeing who it was, Pip let out a groan. Walking towards them was a unicorn who looked similar to Bulk Biceps in the way that they had the same coloration and mane style. Where they differed, however, was in the muscle department. While Bulk was a muscular stallion, Kegger had a bit of a beer belly. The unicorn was wearing a pair of dark blue shorts and a black shirt clearly several sizes too small. Everypony in the room glared at the newcomer except for Succubus, who looked at this new stallion with a curious expression.

“What do you want Kegger?” demanded Pip as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“Dude, chill,” laughed Kegger as his eyes roamed around the room, stopping briefly at the booklet on the desk as well as Succubus before returning to look at Pip. “I just came by to ask a favor of ya bro. That’s all.”

“Why in-” began Pip.

“You see, that busty Apple mare with the fine legs that sells you that hard cider won’t sell a drop to me,” interrupted Kegger. “Said something about, er, loyalty or quality or maybe both. I don’t know, wasn’t really paying attention to her after she said no. So, I was wondering if you could talk to her and see if you can convince her to sell to the best damn bar in Ponyville!” As he finished his sentence, Kegger pointed a thumb at himself as if to make sure everypony there understood who he was talking about.

Pip felt his eye twitch a little. “As I was about to say, why in the wide world of Equestria would I do anything for you?” he asked slowly, doing his best to control his anger.

“Whoa, no need to get all hostile,” said Kegger. “I’ll be, like, paying ya. And if bits aren’t enough I promise to cut your bill in half whenever you swing by Wild House”

“Please,” said Scootaloo as she shook her head. “Applejack will never sell to somepony like you.”

“Dudette, she might not have a choice,” said Kegger with a laugh. “At the rate things are going the Wild House will be the only bar in Ponyville. And if she wants to make any kind of profit, that Apple Jugs will have forget about idea’s like tradition or whatever and to sell to me. That’s the way Equestria works nowadays.” He then winked at Pip. “So, what do you say Pip? Ready to make a little money so you can keep this place open for an extra day?”

Pip felt his frown grow the more Kegger spoke. He hated the way he talked about the Apple family and the values they held. He hated the fact he was here right now, asking for help while rubbing his face in the fact that his bar wasn’t making much money right now.

But there was also some confusion. Why was he here? Even somepony like Kegger would know that Pip wouldn’t do him a favor. Or, perhaps, Kegger thought so little of Pip that he would jump at the chance to make a bit.

Kegger must have guessed Pip’s answer from his expression as he took a step back. “I guess not,” he said with a fake sigh. “Oh well, guess I’ll have to wait a bit longer to get my hands on that hard cider everypony keeps demanding. No biggie.” He then looked over at Succubus and winked. “Hey there. When this place closes down, I can guarantee you a job as my…personal assistant. I’ll make sure you work long and hard hours for a great price. Better than anything short stack here will give you.”

Succubus responding instantly by sticking out her tongue.

“Out,” was all Pip was able to say through gritted teeth. Kegger, still grinning like a mad stallion, turned and walked away, leaving everypony in the room to wonder if there had been any point to this visit.

A few days later Pip found himself walking through Ponyville with Succubus by his side. The weather was pleasant and sunny, making it seem like the perfect day for ponies to be outside. And they were. More stalls were out than normal, full of ponies selling whatever they could as if this were some sort of community garage sale. Succubus eyed everything with complete and utter delight, with no signs that this attitude would ever go away no matter how many times she saw something. Pip’s mood, however, was so depressing that one would think a pegasus had put a storm cloud permanently over his head.

It seems like there had been a point to Kegger’s visit. The day after Filthy Rich’s party, Pip heard from his friends that Kegger had bought his own deep fryer. Already hot foods had been added to his menu, making sure they were salty enough to make ponies want to drink more but not salty enough to make them spit it out. Pip knew that Kegger had spotted the brochure and easily figuring out his idea. So, what could he do about it?

Pip thought about continuing his idea of adding his own hot foods. Yet, the more he thought about it, the more he realized it would be a waste of bits. Sure, he had enough to get a good deep fryer and add a whole bunch of better quality foods, but who would come to his place when they could get something similar for less? It seemed that would always be the key issue.

At the end of the day, Pip realized that this was going to be a battle he was destined to lose. No matter what he did, Kegger would do the same thing but with a better deal. Pip may offer better quality items, but Kegger would always give better quantity for a smaller price. In the end, there seemed to be no way he could keep the Cove without doing something drastic.

Suddenly a soft hand gripped his shoulder. “Pip, are you ok?” asked Succubus. Pip blinked and turned his head to look up at her worried expression.

“I, er,” began Pip before coughing. “I’m fine.”

Succubus frowned and narrowed her eyes slightly. “Please don’t lie to me,” she said, her expression softening a bit and her ears flattened against her skull right after. “I know something is wrong. I’ve been trying to talk to you for the last several minutes, and all you do is look out into space. Is…Is it me? Are you tired of me?”

“WHAT?” shouted Pip, gaining the attention of many of the ponies in the area. “No, you’re great. You are definitely not the problem. I just have a lot on my mind with the Cove.”

“Oh,” she replied, perking up a bit and breathing a sigh of relief. “Well, maybe I can cheer you up when we get home.”

Pip blushed at this, knowing what she most likely meant. Ever since their second night together, Pip had been following her lead and wearing little to no clothes when it was just the two of them. At first it felt odd to walk around his home naked, like he was breaking some sort of established rule. Yet as time went on, Succubus helped him become more comfortable as they explored each other’s bodies to their fullest. With their hands, mouths, tongues, more and more they began to learn what pleased the two of them. Pip had quickly learned that doing anything to her breasts turned her on like nothing else, cumming multiple times just from sucking on them or giving him a tit fuck. And while the sex was great, they would also just lie in bed while pressing their forms together and feeling the other out. Or they would pull out one of Pip’s old board games.

“That would definitely cheer me up,” he said with a small smile.

“Oh, I know it will,” she said with a wink. “So, what were you thinking about?”

“Well,” began Pip as the two turned a corner, “I was thinking that if we want to keep our home we’re going to have to turn it into a strip club like you suggested.”

“Really?” asked Succubus excitedly. “Can I help? Please? I have so many ideas.”

“Of course,” answered Pip.

From there, Pip listened as Succubus began to run ideas past him at lightning speed. Pip listened, and if he spotted a flaw or an obstacle in any of her idea’s he would point it out but not dismiss the idea. Instead he told her that they would just need to work on it a bit more to hammer out the kinks.

Eventually, their walk took them farther into town. Even out here there were ponies trying to sell stuff right outside their homes. Whenever they came across something that Succubus wanted to look at, which happened a lot, their conversation was paused in case younger ears might be listening. It was while they were looking at one pony’s impressive collection of apple peelers that they ran into the queen of fashion herself who was levitating several bags full of fabrics around her.

The years had hardly made a mark to Rarity’s appearance or charm. Her coat still looked flawless and her mane in perfect condition. Dressed in a stylish blue gown that modestly showed off her large E cups, she was still a mare that could turn heads as she passed and make ponies forget that she had a husband as well as a daughter. Heck, for some ponies that was an even bigger turn on!

“Pip, darling,” Rarity exclaimed as she approached the couple. Pip noticed as she got closer that Rarity was eyeing Succubus, her smile faltering slightly before it returned to normal. At best, Pip it assumed it was because his wife was wearing her usual attire which was something that the fashionista found annoying. Pip also noticed out of the corner of his eye that Succubus’s smile had completely vanished. Her eyes narrowed in on Rarity as the fur on the back of her neck stood up like a cats.

“Er, hi Rarity,” said Pip nervously. “How’s it, ah, going?”

“Why, fabulous darling,” replied Rarity in a friendly tone. “Not only did I get a burst of inspiration this morning, but I am finding so many great deals! Now, who is your friend? I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure of meeting her.”

“This is Succubus,” said Pip. “And she’s a bit more than my friend. She’s my wife.”

Rarity’s eyes bulged at this information. “Oh my,” she said as she placed a hand on her chest. “Pip, I’ve known you since you first moved to town, and never in that time have I ever heard of you dating anypony. I had heard the rumors that you were seen with a strange mare and that she was, ah…” Rarity paused for a moment to clear her throat. “Well, never mind. I’ll be sure to correct everypony as soon as I can.” She turned to Succubus. “How are you dear?”

“Fine,” said Succubus flatly, really surprising Pip. He had never heard her talk to anypony like that before. He looked over at Rarity to give her an apologetic look.

“Ok,” said Rarity slowly before looking back to Pip. “Well, there is another rumor I heard that hasn’t quit spread very far yet about you Pip.” She then leaned in a bit closer and what she said next came out as a whisper. “I heard from the mayor that you were asking if it was ok to open a strip club. Is that true?”

“Y-Yeah,” said Pip.

“I see,” said Rarity, her smile vanishing slightly as she pulled back. “Would you two please be so kind as to follow me. There is something I must speak to the two of you in private” Then, without waiting for them to answer, Rarity spun on her heals and began to walk back to her home.

For a moment, Pip stood there, frozen like a statue and unsure what to do. On one hand, Pip was an adult and Rarity wasn’t related to him in any fashion. She had no say in anything he did. On the other hand, she was a friend and she knew a lot of powerful and important ponies. Flat out refusing might be a bad idea. So, taking a deep breath, he began to follow her with Succubus walking behind him. His plan was to listen to whatever she was going to say and stand his ground when she tried to talk him out of it.

Several minutes later, the three of them arrived in the showroom of Rarity’s boutique. He had only been here a few times before, when he and Sweetie Belle had to do a homework assignment. Like before, mannequins were placed across the room showing off her various designs. Ranks upon ranks held many high society dresses that were either to be kept here or sent out to her various stores. Other than that, Pip saw that there were two areas now that had three mirrors set around a raised platform, as well as another area that held various measuring tapes.

But, shortly after they entered, Pip heard Succubus begin to breathe loudly. Both he and Rarity turned to look at her and were shocked by what they saw. Succubus was sweating as she looked around, her arms wrapped around her waist as if she were trying to hug herself tightly. Her eyes darted back and forth as if she thought she would be attacked at any moment. Her entire body seemed to be trembling.

“Succubus, what’s wrong?” asked Pip.

“I got to get out of here,” she whispered as her knees suddenly gave out. Luckily Pip was close enough to grab her, and Rarity managed to use her magic to help hold her up as Succubus continued to whisper as if nothing happened. “I can’t go back. I need to get out of here. Can’t go back.”

“Quickly, let’s get her to the other room,” said Rarity as she began to levitate the mare into the kitchen. Pip didn’t even bother to nod as the two hurried Succubus out of the showroom and into the kitchen. There, Pip found it to be a bit more crowded. All over the table and against the walls were dozens of paintings that really didn’t seem to be in Rarity’s tastes. Many of them seemed to depict battles of a fierce warrior, or a group of heroic figures battling demons and the like. Some were dark and gruesome while others were bright and eye catching. Sitting at the kitchen table was a young, frowning unicorn filly with a red coat and a silver mane that obscured half of her face dressed in ripped jeans, a pink blouse with paint stains, and a leather jacket that looked too big for her. Hovering in front of the filly was a sketch pad and pencil that she was levitating with her magic while her hands rested under her chin.

“Scarlet Ink,” said Rarity as soon as they entered the room, causing the filly to lower her sketch pad and look at them with her only visible, half open eye. “We need a glass of water quickly. This poor dear seems to be having a panic attack.”

“Sure,” said Scarlet as she got up. As the filly did what her mother asked, the two sat Succubus down at the table. It seemed that being surrounded by all of these paintings had a calming effect on her. In fact, by the time Scarlet handed Succubus the glass, her hands were only slightly shaking.

“Darling, is everything alright?” asked Rarity as she bent down.

“I,” began Succubus, but stopped to down the rest of the water. “I think I’m ok. I just had a bad flashback, that’s all.”

“Must have been bad,” remarked Scarlet.

“Young filly, your mother needs to talk to these two alone,” said Rarity. As she said this, Succubus’s eyes widened and she began to look at Rarity and then at Scarlet with awe. “Now, please be a good filly and head up to your room for a bit.”

“Sure,” said the filly with a shrug as she turned around and let for the upstairs.

“T-That’s your daughter?” asked Succubus as soon as Scarlet was out of the room.

“Why of course she is,” said Rarity as she sat down at the table and used her magic to clear it off. “But I might be able to see the confusion. Most ponies who know me would never believe that I would allow her to go around painting things like these or dressing like that. But I have had enough experiences with my little sister to know not to force my own ideals onto her. To let her shine in her own special way. Still, there is the occasion or two where I must insist that she wear something more…refined. As long as she does that, then I don’t see the problem.”

As Rarity spoke, both Pip and Rarity noticed a change in Succubus’s expression. Her eyes seemed to lighten up and her ears stood up once again. Soon enough she was back to being her happy self with not so much as a drop of dislike being directed towards Rarity.

“So,” began Pip, happy to see Succubus looking more like her usual self. Yet, at the same time, wanted to get this over with. “About the club. I-”

Rarity held up a hand to silence him. “Pip, before you say anything I need to know how committed you are to this decision. Are you willing to see it through to the end, no matter what others might say?”

“Yes,” replied Pip as he looked over at Succubus who nodded.

“I see,” said Rarity. “Well then, if that’s the case, then perhaps we could do business together.”

Pip’s brain crashed. Did…Did he just hear that right?

“Oh my gosh!” cried Succubus. “You want to dance there too?”

“What?” asked Rarity as a blush appeared on her face. “Oh darling, n-no. I was going to suggest that I open up a store within the club. That, and help with your wardrobe.”

“Ahhh,” complained Succubus. “But I’m sure all the stallions would love you.”

“Wait, you’re not going to talk me out of this?” asked Pip in surprise.

“Pip, you are an adult,” said Rarity in a matter of fact tone. “What you choose to do with your business is up to you and it is not my place to tell you what you can and can’t do.”

“Well…thank you,” said Pip slowly. “But, why would you want a store inside my strip club? Don’t you have several all across Equestria?”

“True,” replied Rarity as she suddenly looked a little embarrassed. “You see darling, back when my business wasn’t doing so well I began doing some special orders for clients whose identities will remain classified. These orders were for more erotic uses, something that goes against my normal line so I can’t sell them in my normal stores. So, I’d like to set up a special store in your club where I can make and sell these specialties. In exchange I’ll help you get set up as well as making uniforms for your staff to help give you a unique look. So, what do you think?”

Pip looked at Succubus who gave him a bigger grin. So, when he looked back at Rarity, he nodded. They had a deal.