Bolt watched a dark shadow approach, a glint of white teeth below a pair of purple eyes approaching him with a wide smile. Bolt tried to back away from Ruby but he was already coiled up, her tail piled around his body in a mess of thick coils, pressing in yet oddly soft and squishy and not at all scaly like he remembered, but no less threatening. As Ruby approached she opened her mouth wide, a red dripping maw waiting to greet him and he could hear the soft moans of Polish deep within.

Bolt was awoken by the sound of a pan being smacked against by something wooden and he sat up straight, panting heavily as the false coils around him fell down as his bed became askew under him, his hooves sinking into the belly foam. Bolt jumped out and stumbled away from the mess of coils gathering his wits as faint light poked through his window. When Bolt’s breathing had settled, he turned to the door and opened it stepping out to find the hallway full of ponies, all in various states of sleepiness. Nedra, whom had awoken the staff in place of Polish, put down the wok and wooden spoon she’d used and led the way to the bathrooms, getting in first as the others were all too tired to compete, the other four filling up just as fast.

Bolt headed towards the line, only just faster than two other ponies, whom he glanced back at. One just stared ahead at the doors waiting sleepily, rubbing his eyes, while the other one smiled dimly, her eyes looked funny to Bolt, like Nedra’s, unfocused and glazed and she appeared to be enjoying her thoughts, or rather lack of them, as her body remained closed together as if she was being compressed. Bolt looked forward seeing similar ponies like the two behind him, glazed eyes and smiles or a weary stare. Bolt saw a couple ponies glance back at him, their eyes more focused and they gave a polite nod to him. Bolt also noticed the staff all had their uniforms ready and the fact that he hadn’t received one marked him as new rather clearly.

Looking towards the doors Bolt noticed an empty unoccupied one “Why isn’t anyone using that one?” Bolt asked turning to look at the sleepy stallion behind him.

He suddenly snapped awake “That’s Mistress Ruby’s bathroom! Nopony uses that without her permission!” He said sharply and Bolt noticed a few heads turn towards him.

“I didn’t know…” Bolt grumbled.

The line moved forward steadily, a pony leaving the bathroom with their uniform on, fur clean and their mane no longer a tangled mess. Some of the staff also looked more vitalised, however others appeared to only grow in their glazed stares as if they were falling deeper. Bolt didn’t ask why that was, he didn’t want to get another stare from the other staff. Finally, as the line began to end, Bolt got a free bathroom and skipped inside quickly. It was simple, a shower, sink and a toilet. The shower also featured two gels, one labelled and one simply marked ‘pets’ in swirly writing. Bolt skipped it having a distinct impression it was what made the other staff… unfocused.

Once Bolt had sorted himself out for the day, he finished by drying his hair and tail, which then proceeded to return to its natural messy fashion no matter how hard he tried to fight it into place. Giving up, Bolt left the bathroom and followed the other staff to the opposite doorway. It looked like a sort of staff room, living room and dining room mixed together. A wide table was set out with various food along the middle of the room. Bolt sat down and glanced over the food. Simple salads, hay fries and less common pony food; meat. Bolt guessed the staff had to eat what was available and whilst it hadn’t been illegal before the lamias arrival meat had sort of been taboo for most. Now it was culturally acceptable and the ponies happily grabbed whatever suited them. Bolt had never been bothered by meat before; as a chef, Bolt sometimes made it for griffons, so it didn’t bother him in the slightest.

As Bolt ate he glanced around the room, there was a TV surrounded by several wide sofas, with a pile of fake coils similar to the bed set to the side for those who liked to be bound up. Behind the sofas were a set of recliners arranged in a circle with large goggles on a table in the middle of them, Bolt could only guess what they were for. On the other side of the room were more TV’s and seats and even some computers and consoles. If not for the threat of becoming breakfast it wouldn’t be a bad place to work!

Once the staff had mostly finished, Nedra stood up and began to speak to the staff assembled around her “Mistress Ruby has temporarily given me the position of head butler until a replacement arrives. Polish did a poor job attempting to find a chef and Mistress could not overlook this, his biggest mistake.” A few of the staff look worried and mildly upset at the loss of Polish, but no doubt it had happened before, the rest of the staff, which made up the majority, looked satisfied, as if failing Ruby was a major crime deserving of more punishment than being eaten “However, Polish did manage to find a new chef, Bolt, whom will be taking over the role of head chef. Silver, Sparkling,” Two mares shifted in their seats, having been listening to Nedra with unwavering attention “He is to be your new staff Master.” The pair nodded and smiled mindlessly in response.

“Mistress Ruby is also planning to host a dinner at the end of this week on Sunday! That’s just six days away now, hence the demand for a new chef… Now we don’t want the rest of the Canterlot lamias to think we are subpar in our skills so I want this place doubled over in its efforts this week, Ruby will be the judge of us all so don’t you fail us!” Nedra said and received eager or fearful nods “Now you all know your usual jobs, Silver, Sparkling and Bolt stay here the rest of you get started!” Nedra ordered and they all sprinted for the door to get started on the day ahead.

Silver, Sparkling and Nedra walked over to the edge of the table and Bolt followed after them. Silver was like her name sake, silver with only a darker silver coloured mane that was just barely visible, her eyes were a cool grey and her cutie mark was a row of cutlery. Sparkling was bright blue with a yellow mane and green eyes, her cutie mark was a washing up sponge with sparkling dots around it for cleanliness.

“Bolt this is Silver and Sparkling, the two staff porters, they will help you familiarise yourself with the kitchen once I have you in your uniform. You are their staff Master, they will obey your every command as if it were one of Mistress Ruby’s, however her rule outranks your own so remember that. You will also be able to forward to the head butler, when he arrives, a request for new staff in the future, but for now Mistress Ruby had informed me that you may ask for as much staff as you like from her if you pass her test this morning.” Bolt nodded in understand of Nedra’s explanation “Good, now follow me and we will get you a fitting uniform!” Nedra said leading the way as Silver and Sparkling headed for the kitchen.

Bolt was taken downstairs, along the corridor he had first arrived in and into a back room. Within were rows upon rows of uniforms for the staff, one of which Bolt could tell had recently been worn.

“Hold still for a moment please.” Nedra ordered pulling out a tape.

Bolt did as he was asked watching Nedra as she wrapped the tape around various parts of his body before walking over to the line of clothing “Here we are, this should fit.” Nedra said presenting Bolt with a uniform, the exact same design as her own, save for the fact it was designed for stallions.

“I can put it on thank you.” Bolt said trying to take it from Nedra.

“I am sorry Bolt, but Mistress Ruby gave me specific orders to make sure the suit not only fitted you, but that you wore it at all times! She will inspect you herself, she has never shown such interest in an employee before! Please show your respect and gratitude when you see her, we are all so envious.” Nedra said with a pout, how come the new stallion got all the luck?

How come indeed? Bolt tried to raise an objection but Nedra silenced him, showing him how to put the suit on and fasten it, as if Bolt had never worn a waist coat before “It’s… Comfortable.” Bolt admitted.

“Indeed, it is based upon the texture of Mistress Ruby’s coils themselves… So soft, squishy and strong… all slaves desire is to be held by them.” Nedra said gaining a thousand-mile stare.

“If you say so.” Bolt mumbled.

Nedra shook her head gaining some form of clarity “Now you are suited up, please make your way to the kitchen, Ruby will soon come down for her meal!” Nedra ordered shooing Bolt towards a side door to the kitchen.

Bolt was ushered into the kitchen, Nedra closing the door and leaving to tend to her own tasks for the day whilst Bolt was greeted by Silver and Sparkling whom had been waiting patiently in the clean kitchen.

“Welcome Master, we are at your command.” They chimed together “What are your orders?” This seemed more extreme to Bolt than he expected… It was like they were semi-mindless robots and he had been hoofed the controller with no instructions.

“Um… Right…” Bolt looked around uncertainly, the kitchen was large, with a row of ten cookers each with an oven, in a five by two row, making up the core of the kitchen, there was a large walk in fridge, freezer and dry store side by side and rows of counters, shelves with bowls, utensils and more made up the other side of the room. Towards the far back were a pair of large sinks for Silver and Sparkling to work from as well as a glass wash and pot wash beside them. It was certainly a more industrial set-up than Bolt had previously worked with at his wagon, his whole kitchen would fit snugly just in the fridge!

“Alright, breakfast. What is Ruby’s preferred meals?” Bolt asked deciding it would be best to make that first.

“Mistress Ruby doesn’t have any particular favourites, and if she does she keeps them secret so the chefs cannot use them as a clutch if they underperform!” Silver explained with a smile.

Well there went that idea “Okay…” Bolt gulped drawing on an easy idea “Get me… A carton of sausages, eggs, bacon some salad ingredients and also baking powder, cake butter, self-raising flour, caster sugar, syrup, a few more eggs, some milk and custard powder!” Bolt ordered, speaking the words as his mind worked on how to get it done for Ruby quickly calming his nerves as he slipped into what he was good at.

Silver and Sparkling raced off quickly to complete the order as Bolt retrieved a selection of knives, boards, pots and pans and some select herbs. Choosing the hobs closest to the door, Bolt set the gas fire going and the pair of porters returned setting down the requested items on a counter behind him before heading for more.

Bolt set out several chopping boards of various hygienic colours, oil gulping out of bottles and filling the room with the sound of fat sizzling in a pan, and the thud of a knife landing on a board repeatedly. Silver and Sparkling, waiting breathlessly beside Bolt as he worked, galloped at even the most meagre of orders and requests Bolt asked; working tirelessly to appease their newest master and bask in the glow of obeying orders. Bolt had Silver watch the bacon and sausages cook and to let him know when they were done, a nice toasty brown colour he specified, and she seemed to be scowling at them as if her gaze could make them hurry up to appease her Master faster. When they were done she hopped up and down excitedly chiming the fact and nearly fell over as she wobbled from the euphoria flooding her body.

Due to Silver and Sparkling’s eagerness to obey, the meal took a little longer than normal for bolt to be ready; a large plate with a circle of eggs and a wall of sausages covered from bacon that Bolt had propped up with roasted tomatoes to make a cute lean-to tent. Bolt had also added a side dish of salad to go with the main. The desert was syrup sponge which bubbled away in a large pot as Bolt had made the pudding five times larger than his normal ones, as it seemed fitting for Ruby given her size.

“Is Ruby waiting in the dining room?” Bolt asked and Sparkling shook her head “Could you go get her?”

“Of course, Master.” Sparkling said leaving her companion to finish the washing up as Bolt set silver covers over the food to keep it warm, then lifted it up on a wide tray and laid it out along his back.

Bolt made his way out into Ruby’s personal dining room, which was a long massive oak table with cushions set before pre-made up place mats. At the far end was a more pronounced setting for Ruby herself, more cushions had been set out and a maid was busy warming them with both her body and hot water bottles. The room was decorated with forest like walling and a sunny sky poking through dense canopy, the windows were stained glass with patterns of weaving coloured snakes over them, watching those within like guardians, though the room had a pair of guard patrols within for Ruby’s safety, as if she was unable to protect herself. Bolt walked over to the setting and organised Ruby’s food for her, turning to go back to the kitchen but a voice stopped him.

“Don’t you want to stay so I can give you my opinion straight away?” Ruby called and Bolt looked back as she slid towards her place, stopping before him.

It was a lot easier to see her in the daylight and the way the morning light sparkled over her coils made Ruby’s movements seem more elegant and captivating. Bolt watched mystified as Ruby’s tail glided like a sea of white, he looked up at Sparkling who was weaving left and right, almost falling each time, as she followed the coils before her dreamily. Ruby stopped before Bolt and cupped his chin with a cold hoof.

“Are you confident in your abilities and that I will enjoy your food?” Ruby asked and Bolt gave a small nod as those pools of purple bore into his head like moles in the ground “We shall see, won’t we.” Ruby said taking a seat.

Ruby took the cover off the first plate of food and smiled “Cute.” She said lifting a fork up with her magic and pointing it at the lean-to. Ruby stabbed her fork into the sausage, cut it up with the knife and got some bacon on with it too. Ruby gulped it down without chewing and paused licking her lips. Bolt felt a breath he hadn’t noticed he’d been holding finally be released out as Ruby kept eating her meal.

Without a word, Ruby pushed her plate away and pulled the dessert Bolt had prepared close. Ruby gave a soft ‘Oooo’ as the golden coloured pudding was coated in a thick layer of syrup and the yellow custard steamed beside it. Ruby took a spoon broke a piece off and scooped up some syrup and custard. Bolt heard Ruby let out a long sigh as she gulped the pudding down and noticed her eating became more rushed, though she was now also chewing, trying to get the flavour in her mouth.

Ruby leaned back against a propped-up coil with a content smile when she had finished and Silver took her plates away afterwards “Well,” Ruby looked sideways at Bolt with a smile as she licked her lips “That was delicious. Seems you will have the privilege of cooking for my dinner party.” Ruby cooed.

“Joy.” Bolt muttered and Ruby chuckled.

“Hold the enthusiasm back a notch.” She teased as she curled a coil towards Bolt who flinched but Ruby didn’t stop despite his obvious discomfort, and her smile only grew as Bolt backed up “Oh you’re going to have fun at the dinner… Rows upon rows of lamias all so very grabby for a server… And who doesn’t love a stallion whose heart is fluttering in fear? It’s so… Predatory!” Ruby hissed leaning towards Bolt from her cushions.

Ruby giggled at Bolt’s face “Now then… I guess it’s time to tell you what the plan is. The dinner is going to consist of three courses that you can decide, of course you will also have to provide some prey.”

“Prey?” Bolt asked.

Ruby nodded “Yes, prey… See some of us like to eat ponies now and then and we have specific ponies for the job, ones who have done crimes or failed us… Or some who ‘volunteer’ for it. You will prepare some side dishes and sauce with them, don’t worry the lamias will send you the main ‘ingredient’ for the dish.” Ruby said “Perhaps you should give it a try on one of my own prey?” Ruby suggested.

“I-I dunno… I’ve never done anything like this before.” Bolt stuttered, too shocked by the idea of ponies being eaten to feel disgust at the idea yet.

“Of course, I understand, one step at a time I forget you’ve probably never seen or at least spoken to a lamia before up close so let’s get you up to speed on what we can do.” Ruby looked over at Sparkling “Go find me some prey.” Ruby ordered and Sparkling nodded trotting briskly away and out the main double doors.

Ruby stood up and slid over to Bolt who kept backing up, Bolt began to move to the side but Ruby sent a pile of thick coils around Bolt like a pen backing him up until he tapped against the wall. Ruby flicked a coil under Bolt’s front hooves and he stood up on his hind legs in time for Ruby to pin him up with her hooves. Bolt watched the thick muscular tubes wrapped around the base of his body, feeling the sheer power through the thick armour flex up against him. Bolt looked down at the coils, which were as thick as his head, and watched in awe as the coils curled around his body squishing up against him. He could feel them rise and fall as Ruby breathed softly, the texture of scales rippling over his fur, it didn’t feel too bad if the situation wasn’t so terrifying.

With Bolt now caught Ruby gave a sharp yank as she turned around and Bolt stumbled forward after Ruby “Lamias arrived in your broken land not too long ago, and we brought peace and prosperity to it. Unifying all of the races across the lands… Guiding the ponies through the dark where they could not see with our eyes… Our hypnosis.” Ruby said with a smile as she returned to her seat at the table. Bolt didn’t really understand why Ruby had told him this, was it important for what was to come?

The doors opened and Sparkling returned with another unicorn mare following beside her, who smiled at the sight of Ruby and sprinted towards her, eagerly accepting the coils that scooped her into the air and twisted her around and around like a fly in a spider’s silky web. Ruby set the bound pony down on her lap.

“Watch my eyes little morsel.” Ruby cooed.

“Yes Mistress.” The pony whispered and Bolt watched. He could just see the side of Ruby’s eyes and watched the deep purple and black begin to narrow into tiny pinpricks of black. The mare under Ruby tensed in anticipation and Bolt felt his eyes drawn to the pinprick, his own mind holding its breath in equal parts fear and curiosity.

However, the dot soon broke, breaking outward into a ring of red which consumed the forming whiteness of Ruby’s eye, then another ring followed and chased the red colour away and another ring and another. Bolt watched the rings feeling a rising numbness in the back of his mind. Bolt didn’t notice his body was leaning forward slightly as if drawn to the rings. Bolt was confused, why was this so captivating? His mind felt a little fuzzy and slow… Dizzy as if he was on several shots of some spirits or something, yet there was also a sharp clarity there too.

Bolt wrenched on his mind and closed his eyes looking down, slowly he opened his eyes and looked at the mare. She had been inducted into trance previously and broken down so she was nameless and thoughtless in or out of trance. She was prey, food for Mistress waiting to be eaten and her mind was quickly drawn into trance, spiralling, pulsing rings racing through her eyes at a faster pace than Ruby’s. Colours of the spectrum that no artist could even dream of competing with raced for dominance in her eyes and a wide smile crossed her mouth. Part of Bolt’s mind drew his attention to how happy she looked, no fear or worry etching her face, no depression or drowsiness ruining her eyes… Just rings of colours and bliss.

Again, Bolt wretched his gaze away “Oh you missed most of it.” Ruby scolded as Bolt opened his eyes, Ruby’s eyes once again purple slits “Look how happy and carefree she is, not a concern in the world, does it feel nice?” Ruby said in a soft whisper as she squeezed her meal-to-be.

“Yes Mistress.” She cooed in monotone.

“Are you ready to join me, forever?” Ruby asked.

“It would be bliss to do so Mistress.” Prey said as she was lifted up and her cocoon opened slightly.

“Then crawl into your new home.” Ruby ordered opening her jaw.

The mare’s smile grew as she reached out with her hooves and wriggled forward sticking her hooves down inside Ruby’s wet, soft, throat first and trying to drag herself inside. Ruby turned the cocoon upward and the mare slid in head first, moaning in pure ecstasy.

“It feels so good Mistress!” She moaned just barely audible through Ruby’s mouth and neck and she wriggle the back half of her body like a fish, wriggling deeper and deeper, getting faster as her own body weighed her downward. The mare gave a sudden jerk and slid down as if Ruby’s throat was a slide, her moaning voice muffled through the layers of muscle over Ruby’s body. Bolt watched the moaning wriggling bulge roll down Ruby’s body, into her tail and head towards Polish.

“Mmmm, I can’t wait to try ponies you’ve ‘prepared’ Bolt.” Ruby cooed with a smile as she gulped the bulge into her stomach, letting her struggle in her first stomach for a while like a good morsel, tiring herself out for the move to the next stomach later on.

“W-well… Thank you for the demonstration but I… I had b-better go practise preparing… Ponies for you now. W-when do you want me to ask you for the extra staff?” Bolt stammered.

“Oh, don’t worry about them, just tell me how many you want and I will send a messenger to Sunny… But you I have a job for you now.” Ruby smiled “A little birdie told me you asked about my bathroom this morning, wanting to use it since the others were all occupied, well we can go do that now. You can help me bathe.” Ruby said as if this was a privilege, which to the others it was considered to be as such.

“O-oh no that’s fine Ruby but… I don’t think you want me bothering you I…”

Ruby drew a snake like grin with full teeth “Two mistakes.” Ruby cooed.

“What?” Bolt asked stunned by the show.

“Two mistakes,” Ruby let go of Bolt around his belly and snapped a coil around his neck pinning him down against the coils “One; you called me Ruby and forgot Mistress at the start!” Ruby said tightening her grip “Two; you refused me, you don’t do that Bolt. You obey me, always. Got it?” Ruby asked with a cold smile.

“You can’t do this!” Bolt wheezed trying to pry the coil off.

“What?” Ruby asked pausing in confusion “Did you just talk back?” Ruby asked tightening her hold even further now as Bolt began to tap his hoof against her tail.

“I… I’m just on for the dinner… Mistress is… Title for full staff…” Bolt said eyes rolling up as the muscle weighed down on him like stone.

Ruby stared at Bolt as he began to turn blue “Regardless of how long you stay my title is still Mistress whilst you are here, got it?” Bolt nodded in understanding “And you will do as I say?” Another nod “Good.” Ruby released her vice grip and Bolt crumbled gasping for air “Be thankful I like your cooking, I’ve ‘fired’ employees for less than what you did so watch it.” Ruby warned and when Bolt didn’t respond, because he was too busy gasping for air, she pressed on a bit more “Got it…?” Ruby rose an eyebrow threateningly.

“Yes… M-Mistress… Ruby…” Bolt said looking away from her holding his sore throat.

“Good, now follow me Bolt you’re going to join me for my morning bath.” Ruby said happily, holding out her tail tip like a helping hoof.

Bolt took hold of Ruby’s offered tail tip and it wrapped around the base of his leg and pulled him up and with that Ruby set off slithering towards the door, the sea of white flowing left and right. Bolt had the sense to look up as he followed Ruby and as she looked back she seemed amused, but remained silent as she led the way back upstairs.

Ruby led Bolt up to the second floor and along past the staff bathrooms, where Nedra stood waiting with a few other ponies “Ah, Mistress, your bath is ready was your breakfast to your liking?” Nedra asked.

“Indeed, Bolt has the fortunate fate of becoming our new head chef. Now that is settled I will need you to visit Sunny at the Castle,” Nedra gave a bow in response “Bolt, how many staff do you need?” Ruby suddenly asked “Tell Nedra and she will inform Sunny and the staff will arrive tomorrow for you.

Bolt looked around surprised and confused at the sudden order but recovered quickly “Oh um… Right. Will the butlers and maids act as the servers?” Ruby nodded “Okay, seven chefs, three more porters.” Bolt told Nedra.

“Ten staff. I will let Queen Sunny know and she will send them along.” Nedra said skipping away to relay the message.

“You’re not going to use all the ovens?” Ruby enquired, knowing of her own home well.

“There shouldn’t been any need for every oven to have a chef for the number who are eating, I’ll have enough time to prepare the food during the morning.” Bolt said, trying to sound like he was reassuring Ruby and not himself.

“Well I look forward to seeing you working with some enlightened.” Ruby cooed opening the bathroom door.

Bolt shrugged, enlightened or not, whatever that meant, so long as they followed his orders it would work out for him and he could leave this all behind!

Bolt stepped into the bathroom and gasped, the room was huge! No wonder the staff bathrooms were so small; this room was like an indoor pool! The wall led out from the staff showers like a small entryway and then broke sideways leading along behind all the other bathrooms and stopping beside the staircase. In the middle was a great deep pool with three pairs of taps around each side, hot steam rose from the water into the air and curled around, steaming up the room as it tried to work its way out the open windows.

Ruby slid up to the edge of the pool and let her tail slide in until it touched the bottom, as she slid in Ruby’s tail moved faster as the warm water heated her up and increased her metabolism. Ruby sighed as her tail floated or lay upon the base of the pool, weightless to her as she lay back floating her pony body just above the water. She looked at Bolt standing at the edge of the pool, staring at her unsure what to do. Looking around Bolt noticed a wardrobe fixed into the wall with massive towels and fancy soap.

“Strip,” Ruby said lazily and Bolt took a step back.

“What?” He asked taken aback.

“Strip, you don’t want a soggy uniform, do you?” Bolt shook his head and looked down at his uniform, undoing it and folding it up neatly and setting it on a long table fixed into the wall for clothing.

Bolt looked at Ruby and the mass of white hovering over the blue tiled bath. Bolt sat down by the edge of the pool and dipped his hooves in nervously “Why do you need me here? Not as a chef I mean… Here in the bathroom?” Bolt asked “Mistress.” He added, almost forgetting again.

Ruby chuckled softly “You’re… Amusing.” Bolt raised an eyebrow and Ruby rolled over sliding along the water making it ripple as her tail propelled her along with incredible grace and speed that her bulk shouldn’t have allowed. Ruby pulled her pony half out of the water and leaned up towards Bolt holding herself up with her hooves, fur dripping and hair stuck to her head. Bolt thought of a sea siren for a moment at the sight.

“How am I amusing you?” Bolt asked.

“Well… A few reasons, first you are afraid of me and nervous to be around my tail.” Ruby proved her point by holding a coil out towards Bolt, who leaned back as a result “Next, you resist me… My eyes, my beckoning control and my tight grip. Even Polish was susceptible to it and just let it play out, even on his first day when he had the will to do so he just let me dominate him… They all do, they see me and are afraid and let me do as I please… But you, you are afraid like them, yes… But you hold onto the idea that your mind can’t be touched or won’t be… You try to block me out, try to fight, to resist… You are afraid of me physically but brave mentally…” Ruby smiled leaning towards Bolt grinning “And I want to make you quiver at my touch, not from fear or worry… But blissssss.” Ruby hissed with a grin “I want you to ask me to dominate you… To wrap you up… Hypnotise you of your own free will. It will be… Fun.” Ruby said suddenly surging her hooves forward and dragging Bolt into the bath and under the water where the world fell silent from the rushing water.

Ruby’s hair flew out around her like a tornado of flames and she smiled at Bolt as she held him, air bubbles streaming upward as she watched Bolt before letting him go, Bolt quickly flipped around and broke the surface.

Bolt coughed up the water he had swallowed and felt something press up under him, he knew it was a coil as it breached the surface but he still clung on to stay afloat, Ruby popping up in front of him.

“Ooops,” She said in mock worry “Here let me support you.” She cooed curling the thick coil around Bolt as a buoy to keep him afloat.

Bolt looked below him and noticed a sea of writhing coils waiting to snap up and wrap him up like the coil around his body “Is there a shallow part of this bath?” Bolt asked and Ruby nodded, floating towards the other side until Bolt felt the tiles under his hooves and stood up on his own legs.

Well, he could feel the tiles for half a second before a layer of snake scales, muscle and fat slid under him. Bolt was swept off his hooves and fell down with a splash, his head still above the water but now he could feel strong rippling coils sliding under him. Bolt was about to get up when Ruby weighed him down with her pony body. Bolt looked up as Ruby rested her hooves on his head and her head atop them staring down at him happily from behind him.

“Comfy?” Ruby asked as her pony body and the start of her tail rested up against Bolt’s spine.

Bolt flushed “I suppose.” He muttered.

“Oh, you like this?” Ruby asked her smiled growing.

“I didn’t say I like it… Just that it’s comfy.” Bolt argued.

“How can you not like something that is comfy?” Ruby asked confused.

“It depends on the situation.” Ruby laughed at Bolt’s hollow reason.

“Sure, you don’t like my coils supporting you. The thick muscles and line of fat moulding to you so you sink comfortably, the water heating you and lapping up your body, my weight holding you down and pressing you into my scales which rub and tickle your back.” Bolt managed to hold back a shiver but Ruby wasn’t done, resting her mouth on Bolt’s left ear, which had the chunk torn out, Ruby whispered letting her tongue flick out “I bet last night you dreamt you were in my coils whilst you slept in that mock coil bed of yours… You know I let the staff have them since I don’t have time to coil them all… It drives them… Wild.” Ruby cooed “They know it’s fake and only sub-par to the real deal and you can tell, can’t you? The bed is soft, squishy and thick, yet it doesn’t have my muscles or integrity… Nothing holding you, the feeling of muscle within the softness blends comfort and tightness together in a wonderful symphony of blissful relaxation that supports you so sweetly.”

Bolt was unable to subdue the second shiver his body was rocked with and Bolt tried to reach up to cover his ears but Ruby casually rested her hooves on his and the jelly of his leg muscles caved to her hold “Stop.” Bolt pleaded.

“Why, I am doing no harm telling you what you are feeling… What you could feel, after all I’m not trying, you’re just sitting on my coils and they’re still and motionless. All you have to do to understand what I say is speak. Ask and I will grant your wish to be coiled.” Ruby cooed her devilish offer.

Bolt glanced down at the coils twisting in the water under him and gulped “I think you better start washing yourself.” Bolt managed.

Ruby blinked in surprise, he didn’t break… Impressive. Oh well, she’d let her words stew in his mind over night and try another approach tomorrow. Ruby let go of Bolt and dipped her head back under the water running her hooves through it quickly before surfacing and reaching for a shampoo bottle, then Ruby hesitated and smiled. Ruby reached over and grabbed a plain white bottle which Bolt noticed had some sort of violet leaf on it with scented swirls, like the ones from cliché hypno movies. Ruby smiled as she poured a generous amount onto her hair and began brushing it in. Giant pink bubbles began to form in her mane that turned the water a foggy pinkish purple as they fell from her head into the water. Bolt breathed in, the scent of the shampoo was smooth, like a refreshing cold drink on a hot day, yet at the same time it was hot like hot chocolate during winter. Perfection blended into an aroma.

Ruby dipped herself under the water and it flooded with the soapy colour as she surfaced not far from Bolt who glanced over, the scent of the shampoo now clinging to Ruby as she stood up over him and grabbed the bottle about to wash his hair with it. Bolt took another breath as the foam on the water floated over and touched Bolt’s leg, it made him tingle pleasantly with a sweet numbness and he had a sudden desire to scoop it up onto his body…

Bolt had climbed out the bath before Ruby had even finished taking the top off the shampoo “W-what is in that stuff?” Bolt asked shaking it off quickly and running it under the tap to wash the rest of it off his body quickly.

“It’s just an herb from our homeland, do you not like it?” Ruby asked with a smile.

“I’m not an idiot! I know what it’s doing… I’m staying out the bath now…” Bolt mumbled and Ruby looked a little upset.

“Guess bath time is over… Ah well. I’m getting out!” Ruby called and the servants from outside trotted in to help Ruby “Would you mind preparing a snack for me, Bolt?” Ruby asked.

“What?” Bolt asked bitterly and Ruby glanced over at him “Sorry… Yes, Mistress?” He asked taking a step back.

“Better… Tell Silver and Sparkling I want you to prepare for me a ‘mind melt cake’ they will provide you with the ingredients that you need!” Ruby ordered as the two servants basked in Ruby’s sensual aroma.

“I’ll get to it, Mistress.” Bolt said softly watching Ruby’s tail arch upward, the water dripping off making it sparkle in the light. Bolt left before he ended up gawking like the others.

Back in the kitchen Silver and Sparkling were dusting and doing a few routine clean-up jobs now that everything was done “Master, you’re back.” Silver said and Sparkling looked over eagerly “Do you have any orders?” Silver bounced on her hooves in anticipation, why did they like this so much?

“Yeah I do.” The pair quite literally jumped for joy at these words “Ruby wants a mind melt cake; can you get me some ingredients and instructions?” Bolt asked.

“Oh, the instructions aren’t needed you just mix it all in a bowl at once and cook it… We’ll get the ingredients!” Sparkling promised the pair racing off to collect them.

The pair soon return with a trolley containing a collection of items, standard things like flour, sugar and butter were laid out however the one thing that stood out was a purple label-less bottle that looked like a spirit bottle.

“Is it alcoholic?” Bolt asked taking the bottle, Sparkling and Silver standing close as Bolt took the bottle.

“No.” Silver said.

“What is this?” Bolt held the bottle up to the light, admiring its stunning violet colour…

“Dripleaf.” Sparkling said.

Bolt began to uncork the bottle as he said “I’ve never heard of that before.”

“It’s a lamia herb, they brought it with them when they became the new rulers.” Silver said as they leaned even closer.

It clicked in Bolt’s head what it was but by then it was too late as the cork popped out and the aroma of the bottle’s content hit him. Bolt stumbled back holding onto the bottle as the scent went straight up his nose into his head, a long moan escaping him. Bolt felt his hoof move as Silver took hold of the bottle leaning close as if to try and drink it.

Bolt tugged it back “T-th-this is Ruby’s…” Bolt managed to stammer out as he held the bottle close. These two were so obedient, the idea they would do something so disloyal surprised Bolt… Could the drink taste that good?

Before Bolt realised it, the bottle was halfway up to his mouth which was hanging open in eagerness to try some before Bolt caught himself and tried to pull back “Why don’t you drink it? It will make you feel so good and fuzzy… Mistress won’t mind, and besides you are a chef you have to make sure the products taste good.” A voice cooed in the side of Bolt’s mind.

“Can we try some too Mistress?” Silver asked and Bolt heard a slap behind him and looked back as Ruby lowered her hoof from her face.

Bolt gulped as Ruby smiled at him “Ignore them, go on try a bit.” Ruby cooed holding Bolt’s legs from around his back and pushing his hooves with the drink clutched in them upward.

“It… It’s unsanitary for me to drink from the bottle I plan to use.” Bolt tried to argue but Ruby simply took the bottle from him and used her telekinesis to hover a glass over and pour him a generous amount.

“Go on, it’s can’t hurt to try new things, right?” Ruby cooed managing to get the glass in Bolt’s hooves with ease.

“But the hypnosis… What you said before…” Bolt mumbled.

“I said I’d make you beg for my coils and gaze… This is fine, it’s just a taster you can have some and that’ll be it, sate your curiosity and let it leave you in peace… I’m not forcing you to go under my spell, just indulge Bolt… Just a bit…” Once again Ruby took hold of Bolt’s hooves and turned them up, but this time he was no longer able to fight back.

Bolt let the glass touch his lips and Ruby guided the liquid into Bolt’s mouth. Leading up to the purple drink running toward his mouth every part of Body’s nerves cried for him to spit it out instantly once it got near him, but once the drink touched his lips his resolved melted like ice in a furnace. Bolt let the drink slip into his mouth and felt a hoof hold his chin up and he was thankful for it, because otherwise his jaw would have fallen open because the muscles turned to jelly. Bolt gulped once and molten lava rolled down his throat and baked him from the inside, moaning all the way, another gulp and the whole drink was gone. The world span before Bolt’s vision as the appliances in the room morphed into a cacophony of various colours and Bolt slumped against the strong hooves of Mistress Ruby.

Ruby lowered the glass and smiled “Was it good?” Bolt managed a tiny nod as his mind bubbled and fizzed like soda, thoughts floating just out of reach like vapor “Hmmm, perhaps I gave you too much…” Ruby leaned into Bolt’s ear holding the bottle up to him temptingly “Or maybe not enough?”

Bolt gasped he didn’t want to drink more of that stuff but he could smell the same fragrance from the drink on Ruby, the many sources were blowing out every cell in his head as he tried to fight his body’s urges to drink more of this poison… This sweet, smooth, delicious poison.

“Stop… Please…” Bolt managed ashamed and humiliated by how whimpery and broken his voice sounded in his throat.

Ruby swayed the bottle under Bolt’s nose then cooed “Alright.” Ruby set the bottle down on the counter beside the other ingredients “Sorry girls you’ll have to try another time, unless you can convince Bolt to let you have some. He’s in charge of the kitchen after all!” Ruby cooed smiling and Silver and Sparkling hopped over hugging Bolt, nuzzling him and cooing.

“Can we have some Master~?” They sang in unison.

Bolt felt his face flush as he tried to push them off “It’s for Mistress Ruby, you don’t want to drink it all and upset her, do you?” The pair gasped and pulled off shaking their heads “Then make sure the place is tidy for now whilst I make her cake.” The pair nodded, a little upset, but they complied.

“Aw now that was a little mean.” Ruby teased leaning over to look at Bolt as he focused on the task at hand trying to shove the tingling sensation his mind was revelling in away “You could have given them a little bit.”

“They’d just ask for more and more then… B-Better to not encourage… Them…” Bolt said slowly.

“Or encourage you from seeing the effect from another perspective?” Ruby cooed with a smile.

“Is there anything else you wanted?” Bolt tried to sound angry or hostile but he couldn’t find the willpower to do so at the moment.

Ruby slid her coils around into a doughnut and lay upon them facing Bolt as she lounged about “Not really, I’m just curious to see how you work.” She said watching as Bolt began to mix all the listed ingredients into a bowl with mild curiosity “It is really interesting that something that looks like brittle cement paste can taste so good when you do it.” Ruby commented.

“Most cakes or food in general doesn’t look that appetising until it’s finished, but once they get a nice colour, like a golden brown, they look a lot more appealing to the eyes than dull grey.” Bolt said happy to stay on the conversation of food.

Ruby sat up slowly as Bolt paused holding the closed bottle of dripleaf, Bolt felt his lips go dry and felt a soreness in his throat that he knew the drink could sate. Ruby giggled behind Bolt “The temptation to just gulp down all the sweet smooth dripleaf you can get, let it flow over your tongue and soothing your throat with its comforting numbness.” Ruby said in a soft temptress voice.

Bolt took a sharp breath through his nose and poured the dripleaf into the cake mix and quickly capped it fixing the lid down firmly as Bolt began to mix the cake, which began to turn a purple colour “Please stop that…” Bolt pleaded and Ruby smiled curling a coil towards Bolt.

Bolt’s leg muscles twitched but he didn’t stop Ruby from curling the thick tube of muscle slowly around his neck, twisting upward and pressing her tail tip into his cheek until he looked over at Ruby “Why… Your reactions amuse me.” Ruby cooed as she squeezed the coil, making Bolt gulp air as his breathing was interrupted “And if you mean it why are you letting me do this?” Ruby cooed giving another squeeze.

“You’ll get mad if I try to stop you.” Bolt excused turning back to the cake, even though it was ready. He couldn’t say it, wouldn’t say it… But the rippling bulk of Ruby’s muscle and the soft undertone of fat pressing and caressing his neck DID feel pretty good, and her playful petting of Bolt’s cheek wasn’t distracting enough that he couldn’t work through it.

Ruby gave a soft laugh in amusement “Keep telling yourself that’s the reason until I slither through your defences!” Ruby threatened.

Bolt ignored Ruby pouring the cake into a tin and almost throwing it in the oven as Ruby gave another squeeze “Thirty minutes…” Bolt mumbled to himself turning a timer on so he wouldn’t forget through all the pampering coils- Distracting strangling snake!

Bolt shook his head as Ruby chuckled “Sorry am I bothering you?” Ruby cooed “I’ll uncoil you if you like.” Ruby said.

“No-bother…! It’s no bother you can uncoil me if you like.” Bolt said biting his lip before he felt a gentle breath on the side of his neck.

“Is your mind conflicted inside your head… Why don’t you let me quell it and allow it to fall silent… Help you relax…?” Ruby offered and Bolt stood up straight and walked away “What are you doing?”

“Ch-checking… The equipment…?” Bolt suggested.

“You can’t dodge me forever Bolt.” Ruby cooed slithering away with a low laugh.

Bolt later took the cake out of the oven and pushed it out of the tin onto a plate, grabbing a knife to cut it up Bolt turned to Silver who was waiting “Take this to Ruby for me.” Bolt ordered.

“I cannot.” Silver said softly “Mistress Ruby has ordered me to tell you she wants you to deliver it to her yourself and her word is divine!” Silver said with a smile as she again quivered at relaying Ruby’s orders.

Bolt gulped “Great,” He said with a raspy voice “I better go take it then. Where is she?” Bolt asked.

“In the living room, follow me.” Silver said taking a brisk trot, almost galloping to reach her Mistress quicker.

Bolt followed after Silver into a high ceiling room with white and red wallpaper and a green grass floor carpet, above a silver chandelier swung back and forth slowly like a pendulum. Bolt turned towards a warm fire where Ruby lounged on a pile of slightly squashed pillows that had obviously been used many times before.

“Mistress, your cake.” Silver said taking her leave and abandoning Bolt to the giant snake mare who turned to look at Bolt.

“Well, are you too scared to approach me?” Ruby asked and Bolt had the thought ‘terrified’ cross his mind then. But Bolt still approached Ruby and managed to fly over her coils to the front of her and sat the cake down on a small table beside her “Thanks.” Ruby said dragging out the s “You can go for your own lunch now, I will see you later.” Ruby said “Unless you’d prefer to stay for some cake?” Ruby said with a smirk.

Bolt stared at Ruby for a few seconds “I would like some cake since you’re offering, thank you.” Bolt said quietly sitting himself down in front of her.

Ruby actually sat up slightly in surprise “What are you doing?” She asked.

“Taking you up on your offer.” Bolt stated.

Ruby paused in confusion then giggled which broke into a full legitimate laugh “I will admit, Bolt… You are resilient… I will enjoy this.” Ruby cooed cutting a piece off and wrapping a long-forked tongue around it and swallowing it without a bite “Enjoy the dripleaf.” Ruby cooed.

Bolt froze, oh Celestia the dripleaf how did he forget? That was the main thing that had distracted him so much earlier “O-oh right I… Erm… Maybe I’ll pass on the cake.” Bolt said before a coil wider than his head snaked around his shoulders and pulled him forward back towards Ruby and the dreaded cake.

“Nonsense a hard worker needs to eat, right?” Ruby said holding up a piece she’d cut off, larger than her own.

Bolt wanted to flee from Ruby’s grip but the soft shifting of muscles against his neck, the sound of scales rubbing together as they slithered around his ears, and the lingering tingling of his previous dip into dripleaf made Bolt crack far too easily for his liking. Bolt allowed Ruby to feed him the cake like a caring mother and Bolt stared up at her with a deep shameful flush as she cooed like he was a foal.

“Is that tasty?” Ruby asked in a mock bubbly voice, it was, the flavour was sweet and sugary and the cake melted almost like a liquid but it was still solid enough to have a satisfyingly soft chew to it so the flavour mixed around Bolt’s mouth. His empty belly welcomed the meal easily “I’ll take that as a yes.” Ruby said as Bolt, shamelessly, took another bite.

Bolt was unable to stop himself as he ate the cake, only able to restrain himself enough to slow chewing so he didn’t guzzle it all down, that and Ruby feeding him meant she held it back to tease him and if he ate too quick his mind wailed for more, how easily Ruby got into his head made Bolt hate himself.

“You look very cute like that.” Ruby said and Bolt looked up from his seat beside Ruby’s coil pile.

“Will you need me to cook your dinner tonight?” Bolt asked between another bite of his cake piece, unaware Ruby had gotten a second for him to eat as she munched on her own.

“No, I have somewhere to visit, so I think you can relax for the rest of the day, or plan the dinner if you like. I have the guest list with all the lamias and ponies for you and I’ll give it to you before I leave.” Ruby said softly “Why don’t you sit on my coils, it’d be easier to reach the cake!” Ruby said and Bolt hardly noticed his mind and body agree without argument.

Standing up, following Ruby’s hoof with the cake, Bolt stepped forward and felt his hooves rest upon Ruby’s coils, the soft muscle flexed and moulded to his hooves and pushed upward rubbing his frogs soothingly. The sensation brought a flicker of lucidity to Bolt’s mind for a moment and he hesitated.

“Oh, don’t do that, come on!” Ruby cooed offering the cake to Bolt.

He didn’t want to, Bolt really didn’t want to eat it, but his mouth moved on its own and took another nibble of the cake and Bolt felt as if his nerves had settled and he was brave enough to step upon the coils. It wasn’t that he WANTED to stand on them, he just had to show Ruby he wasn’t afraid… Yeah… Bolt pushed up on the coils and waded over the squishy sea of white scales, looking between Ruby as she slithered backwards, and the cake she mocked him with, a dog following a treat. Ruby suddenly moved the cake forward and Bolt sat down, partially aware he was now across from Ruby, the soft strong coils of her body ruffling his tail and rump as well as his legs now as Bolt took another bite. See, he wasn’t scared of this mare! Bolt took another bite then realised it was the last of the cake, Ruby leaned back in her coils and watched Bolt with a smirk as the faint dazed and glazed look in his eyes receded and he blinked clearing his head.

“Did you enjoy your cake?” Ruby cooed smirking as she lay back in her coils, hooves either side of her along a thick coil like the rest of a sofa, coils sparkling from the firelight “Are you enjoying the view? I get many compliments about the captivating beauty of my coils, you may enjoy it too if you wish.” Ruby said supressing a laugh at Bolt’s locked gaze.

Bolt tried to look away but the beauty of the glowing embers along Ruby’s coils was irresistible and his gaze would return quickly if he did manage to look away, following the flow of armoured scales up to the mare connected to them “Y-yes… It’s… Nice…” Bolt was unsure if he was complimenting Ruby’s coils or confirming he’d like the cake. He felt like Ruby was circling his very mind ready to pounce on it and he couldn’t get it to sit up, it was like it was laying itself down as a mat for her!

Bolt managed to close his eyes for a few seconds then sighed as he felt as if he was swaying although he was motionless and, with wobbly legs, he stood up and began to walk off Ruby’s coils “Where are you going?” Ruby asked, and Bolt noted the tone of surprise and awe Ruby had at the fact the stallion still had some means to so much as move away from her. She’d forgotten how fun it was to break a strong will, and how challenging it really was too.

“I… I wanted to get a start on planning for the dinner… Mistress.” Bolt said, finding the last word too natural.

Ruby looked visibly disappointed “Oh, very well… Yes, I understand there is much to do and only a few days to do it so you need to begin as soon as you can. Very well.” Ruby said again as she stood up herself, Bolt managing to hop off her tail before he fell “I will be visiting Sunny’s castle and likely won’t be back until tomorrow evening so have some dinner ready for me when I get back.” Bolt nodded in understanding “Good, and here is the list.” Ruby opened the drawer on the table where Bolt had set the cake down, now eaten mostly by him, and she gave him a short list of twenty-five lamias “Best of luck.” Ruby said smiling as she slithered away.

Bolt went back into the kitchen and looked down at the list, it was just names and titles, like “Sunny Coils – Queen.” and “Midnight Blade – Captain of the guard.” It didn’t list their likes, dislikes or anything… It wasn’t very helpful.

Bolt sighed as Sparkling and Silver trotted over “Ruby has gone out until tomorrow… We best start a plan for the dinner.” The pair nodded with a smile “I’ll head to my room and plan a list of meals, get me some paper and a few pens.” Bolt paused looking at an old battered book on a shelf with a bunch of other cook books, Silver and Sparkling scrambling off to follow his order gave Bolt plenty of time to check this oddity. It was a plain brown book and almost looked like a diary, Bolt took it down and flicked it open, quickly discovering from the tables of contents that it was a former chef’s book! Could be useful, he thought.

Bolt returned to his room once Silver and Sparkling returned with the paper and pen, Bolt telling them they were done for the day and to pack up. Bolt looked at the plaque showing his name and the title ‘Head chef’ he gulped quietly to himself wanting this week to go by quickly! Bolt opened the door and stepped inside setting the paper and pens on the desk. Since the room lacked a chair he pulled the coil bed over and piled it under the desk… And when he sat down he had a ghostly thought of Ruby’s coils.

“Smooth coils slithering into the nooks and crannies of your muscles, pampering you sweetly as you relax… and slowly look up at me… Into my eyes.” Bolt actually turned around in fright to check Ruby wasn’t actually there whispering to him. Bolt placed his head in his hooves groaning.

“Get out of my head.” He mumbled and a quiet hissing followed, retreating and leaving Bolt in peace.

For now.

Author's Note

Chapter 3, Bolt you should always be on guard in a lamia's home, always one slip up and it can spiral away.

Did you see what I did there...? ... I'll leave.