"Staying out of trouble" ~ A helpful guide by Twilight Sparkle

The night's restless, the pit of worry in your stomach just doesn't go away.

He didn't said no, and he really did seem to really listen, but you have no idea what he'll decide. The bottom line is you laid your cards on the table and at this point there's no going back. Up until this point you'd never really expressed genuine unhappiness. Sure you'd complained about this or that, and been mad for a few petty things, but this is different. You basically told him you reject everything about your current life.

He made it cushy for you, and you'd told him it wasn't good enough, that you had to be free.

Realizing how far you'd gone makes you shiver a little. A less kinda master would simply beat you back into submission, hell you could even see him spanking you for this any other day. He still feels bad about the other day though so that buys you some leeway.

Maybe that discipline had been a blessing in disguise. Sure it was awful when it happened, but if it made him more sympathetic to your cause than some good could come of it.

You mull over the situation until you eventually fall into a well deserved sleep.

Having gone to sleep at a somewhat early hour you don't mind the gentle shaking that wakes you up the next morning.

Someone may or may not have said something, you didn't pay attention to as you uncurl and give a big yawn. After some more morning stretches, a few more yawns, and bumps into the walls, boom, you're in the kitchen.

You grab a bowl, sit down, and start eating before you finally notice something across the table from you. Your brain sputters pathetically for a few more minutes as it tries to wake up and identify the creature sitting across from you. "Don't you have work?"

"Actually awake now? I'm going in late today because I wanted to talk to you first."

Huh, he never misses work. He must feel this conversation's really important, but you aren't sure if that makes you feel better or worse.

"Alright so. I thought about what you said and I wanted to be sure I knew what I was talking about before I told you anything."

You just nod, so far so neutral?

"You probably don't really remember this, but have you ever heard of the pony safety act?"

You shake your head. You were in a pretty bad place when you first arrived so watching the news wasn't on your to do list.

"Yeah I kinda thought so, it passed just a few months after you got here. It's like... Well, ok let's start with your friend Rarity. You know free ponies are really really rare right? Like she's the first i've ever even actually met. Do you know why?"

"I just thought not many humans wanted to free them. It's a big financial loss at the very least..."

"Well yes and no, it's a little more complicated. Rarity isn't free. In fact there's actually no legal way to free a pony."

What? You're pretty sure you'd have noticed a collar and most ponies don't get free rein to own other ponies...? "I don't understand?"

"I looked her case up. Rarity is owned by Rarity. Her previous owner was a smart businessman who also used to own her company. When he got brain cancer he wanted her to take over since most of it is her work. Ponies can't own anything, but for some dumb legal reason being a registered slave owner meant she could. A bit of legal trickery later and she now owns herself with all the privileges that grants. He wasn't the first use that loophole, but that was part of the pony safety act, all those tricks are gone. They claim a lot of sketchy things were going on with laundering money in ponies names, but the bottom line is you just can't do it anymore."

Wow so that's it huh? You feel stupid for never looking into it before, why else would free ponies be so insanely rare?

"I know that's not what you wanted to hear... And I get that you're not happy here..."

Uh oh, gotta head this off. He thinks you're unhappy, then that makes him unhappy, then who needs a pony that isn't improving their life? Back to the auction for little Mrs Purple and next time you might not get so lucky.

"No no Anon! It's not... It's not like that. I meant what I said, you're really good to me. A gilded cage is still a cage and all, but you've been nothing but accommodating. I'm sorry, I guess I'm just a little ungrateful sometimes."

Damage control filly! You've got a long standing tradition of not having things shoved inside of you by sadistic owners, and if you wanted to keep that up staying with Anon is your best bet! If he's right then it sounds like you're a songbird for life so you may as well pick the comfy cage.

Ponyfeathers, he doesn't look convinced...

"I don't want you to have to pretend to be happy Twilight, but I do think you have it better here than you sometimes realize. That said Rarity contacted me this morning and asked to rent you for a few days. She said something about needing to test a unicorn product line that you'd be perfect for. I think it's real work, but maybe that would be good for you. I know she's your friend, but she seems to run a tight ship, and it might show you how other ponies live. However, I'll let you decide if you want to do it.

Huh, you usually don't get asked your input on, well anything actually.

The idea of spending time with Rarity would have sounded great just a few days ago but now you have mixed feelings about it. There's no way you're going to address her situation by ignoring it, might as well face it head on.

"Yes sir, maybe a little perspective could be a good. I'd like to take up her offer if it's ok with you."

"I'll give her a call. You know she's a pretty tough business mare, drives a hard bargain when it comes to price. She barely wants to pay at all to borrow you and her offer yesterday was crazy low."

"Yeah she had a lot of business experience even back back..."

"I can tell. I could barely talked her up to a few grand yesterday, but you're worth a lot more than even that to me."

Weird compliment is weird.

"You were a deal when i got you because of your behavior rating, but you're such a good girl now aren't you!"

Que the mane ruffling and blushing.

"Hey cut it out!" You bat his hand away with a flurry of hooves and share a good natured laugh.

"But really, why don't you spend some time with her then when you come back we can see how you feel about things here. If you still aren't happy we can talk about selling to Rarity if she's willing to offer a reasonable price. Ok?"

You give him a nod and he gets up from his seat while looking his phone for the time.

"I've gotta get to work. I'll call her on the way she might even pick you up today I'm not sure, I'll text you when I find out."

"Sounds good, have a good day at work."

A casual wave and he's out the door. No point pretending you aren't let down by the whole 'freedom not even being possible' thing, but you can't let it break you down right now.

The most important thing at this moment is mentally preparing for Rarity. Last time you'd kinda shut down when she started to treat you... less than ideally... Hopefully it was just the shock of a friend being that way with you, you'd had worse at the auction house, but you can't let it happen again. If you're going to find out what's going on with her, and hopefully help, you need to be alert, attentive, and on the ball.

You continue to mentally psych yourself up as you hop in the shower. Best to be ready just in case she does want to come by soon. This ends up being a good call since mid shower you get a text from Anon informing you she's already on her way to pick you up.

Now that you think about it how does she even travel? Ponies can't drive, even free ones. You find out soon enough when a hoof knocks on the door.

"Yoo hoo Twilight!"

No question who that is then. One deep breath later later you unlock and swing the door open to see your smiling friend.

"Oh Twilight I'm so glad Anon took me up on my offer! We got to spend so little time together yesterday!" Pulling you into a crushing hug you can't help but smile and return the favor.

"It's good to see you too Rarity. You sure got here fast."

"Ahh that will be master or mistress to you for the next few days sweetheart!"

Her voice is still sing song, her smile bright, and the nose boop she gives you playful but 'mistress' shows no sign shes joking.

"I... Do I really?"

"Well of course darling. I thought anon the more strict type based on the state of that backside of yours, but he must be somewhat lax if that's not second nature to you by now." She runs you up and down with a critical eye, clearly eager to hear how you respond.

You aren't sure if Anon set any rules or limits with her so it's probably best to play it safe.

"Yes umm mistress I just thought... well you know..."

"Oh I'm sorry! Don't think we aren't still the best of friends, but circumstances do change and I can't have you being a bad example in front of my other fillies. You understand?"

You give her a nod simply so you don't have to say mistress again.

"Wonderful now let's go! You have your collar yes? Perfect, now in you go."

You find yourself herded out the door and towards a rather nice car parked in the street. Pushing you towards the back seat Rarity opens the door with her magic and helps you climb in.

Why the back and not the passenger seat?

Hoping in the front Rarity fiddles with computer for a few moments before the car starts up and begins to drive itself. Makes sense you suppose, how else would she get around? Her legs wouldn't even reach the pedals.

"There we go, we're on our way. Now darling did Anon give you the details? No? Well that's not a problem I simply need a rather powerful unicorn to test some of our more advanced 'Magical Management' devices on. The company owns quite a few of course but none up to your caliber!"

"So I just flood them with magic?"

"More or less. Our technicians can fill you in on the details tomorrow, today we'll just get you home and settled in. And besides we have so much to catch up on!"

You smile as encouragingly as you can.

"Now we spoke briefly of your 'status' shall we say yesterday but I took the liberty of pulling up your paperwork earlier today. Let's see, ah yes here it is, they only gave you a 46% for magical prowess. I assume you were holding back on them?"

"I thought if they thought I was just an average unicorn I'd be a bit safer."

"I daresay you might have been right. I imagine if they'd know the truth one of the labs would have picked you up for a test subject."

The idea of being experimented on makes you visibly shudder.

"Oh no no darling it's not that bad. Nothing like what you may have imagined at least. They aren't allowed to do anything that dangerous or invasive anymore there are ethical standards in place."

'Anymore' implying at one point they could. You'd heard all kinds of horror stories of horns dissected, brain probing, and uhh other types of probing less related to magic...

"Well either way you needn't worry about that here, what we need you to do should be quite simple. I should warn you though we'll have to do a physical first to be sure you're fit for the tests. You don't have any recent vet visits on file and insurance can be so demanding."

Seeing vets was generally against your 'Not having things stuffed into the purple pony' policy, but you didn't see much choice here. Hopefully a large company's medical professionals would have a better bedside manner than what you'd received in the past.

"Once that's taken care of I'll give you the grand tour then we'll get you setup with a bunk mate. I believe you'll be sharing a room with Azalea, she's a lovely little pegasus mare, one of my own. you two will get along wonderfully I promise."

The drive goes by faster than expected. Before you know it the car pulls up in front of a towering glass building. Stationed in the middle of downtown the building must be at least 50 stories tall and proudly proclaims on the front to be 'Diamond In the Rough inc'. You knew it was a clothes line from the article, but given the size of the building, and how Rarity wanted you here to test horn suppressors it must also be much much more.

"Wow Rarity this looks really impressive."

"Well thank you Twilight, but I feel I must remind you of the rules. Since it was just us in the car I didn't mind, but from now on you really must address me properly."

"Oh, right. It's very impressive... mistress."

"There's a good girl! Now let's get going. We have much to do and they'll will be waiting to see you upstairs."

She squishes your face with her hooves when she proclaims what a 'good girl' you are. Why does everyone feel the need to talk down to you?

Following her inside the building's pretty impressive: fountains, a sculpture, TV's everywhere, a dozen elevators and soooo much open space. Trotting directly to an elevator you and Rarity ride about halfway up the building to the 24th floor. So far the style of the building seems surprisingly high tech everything, sleek, modern ,and curvy. The floor you get off on pushes the sleek all the way to steril. Must be the medical wing.

The receptionist hops to her feet as soon as she sees the two of you. "Miss Rarity, the doctor is expecting you, please wait in room 2 for just a moment."

Rarity offers a quick thanks as you follow. "I can tell you're a bit confused darling."

"No no... Well this is a much bigger operation than I expected.

"Oh yes, the New York location may be our headquarters, but this is where we house all our ponies as well as run R&D so it's quite the facility. You'll find the company owns several dozen ponies that are housed on the lower floors and help out with everything from fashion, to taste testing, to arcanotech accessories. You'll be upstairs with me and my personal fillies though. Not to say the rest of the dorms are unsatisfactory, but you'll just love my loft."

If she was going to say more she's interrupted by a knock on the door that quickly swings open. A rather young human female walks and shakes Rarity's hoof.

"Miss Rarity, perfect timing. So this is our temp?"

"Yes this is my dear friend Twilight Sparkle. We just need to get her cleared for R&D so she can run a few tests for us."

"Alright we can do that. Miss Twilight if you wouldn't mind stepping over here onto the scale."

Wow when's the last time someone called you miss? You can't tell if she's just a nice person or if she's pouring on the charm because the boss is here. A quick weight and height measurement later and she's got her hands around your stomach picking you up and onto the examination table.

Kicking your hooves a little you frown, so much for dignity. Sure this thing's human height. but why does everyone pick you up without asking? You can jump!

To be fair she's actually pretty nice though. Actually telling you what she's going to do before just grabbing you? amazing!

"Now take a deep breath. Ok and again. Alright and once more, great. So first we'll get your blood pressure then I'll have you stand back up for me and turn around, ok?"

Oh fuck. The blood pressure is no big deal, but your legs betray your nervousness with a little shaking as you turn around. Thankfully the evidence of you and Anon's 'disagreement' has finally faded, but when you hear the snap of plastic gloves behind you your heart jumps into your throat anyway!

"Ok and tail up please."

Oh shit not this again! You can't help but clamp it down and look to Rarity for support.

"Twilight I know this isn't your first doctor's visit ever. Don't be difficult for the doctor."

You can't help but whimper and wiggle as the doctor grabs your tail and starts to pull it up and out of the way. "Wait! Rarity please do you have to watch?!?"

"Twilight..."

"Mistress I mean mistress!"

With an exasperated sigh Rarity lights her horn and rolls over a small mobile divider from the corner. "Better?"

You open your mouth to answer only to find all thoughts put on hold as the doctor starts breaking rule number one: No stuffing things in the unicorn! There's no way you can't whine and squirm in a vain attempt to escape her firm grasp on your tail!

"Wait! No stop please!"

"Miss Sparkle please, I can't do my job if you don't hold still." Buck her job, buck earth, buck medical science, oh celestia quit touching that! Get it out get it out!

"Twilight really! Don't be a foal about this!"

You'll do no such thing until she gets away from there! Or at least that's the plan until until you feel Rarity's magic envelop you and forcefully pin you to the table! Using your magic on another unicorn is taboo enough, but to do it so they can be violated?!! Don't cry Twilight, at least be somewhat dignified about this...

You totally manage to only cry a little and only once the spectrum came out because you 'weren't cooperating'. Well buck her! Of course I'm not cooperating hands don't belong there!

"Alright everything looks fine Miss Rarity. She isn't spayed but she's not going to be full time right?"

Luna tits, spayed!?!?!

"Oh yes that's not a problem she'll only be with us for a few days"

They fuckin spay ponies here?!?!? That's disgusting! The doctor finally decides she's had enough fun molesting you and let's go of your tail. Rarity still has you pinned to the table though, talk about excessive.

"I'll file the clean bill of health with our insurance but if we decide to take her on full time she'll have to come back for that."

Holy fuck ok plans over you want to go house to Anon now. If living here is gonna cost you your ovaries then anon was right the grass isn't greener! The doctor leaves the room and Rarity turns on you in a heartbeat.

"What! Was! That!?!?" What the fuck! Why is she yelling at you!?

"You really embarrassed me Twilight it was just an exam!"

"I... I'm sorry I just don't like humans touching me there!"

"You must have been the luckiest slave in the world until this point then, but you will not embarrass me like that again! Do you understand!" The venom in her voice is terrifying, but if she thinks you're just going to lay down and let any human play with your bits she's got another thing coming.

"Maybe I am lucky, but Anon didn't send me here to get molested! And what the fuck Rarity! Spaying!???"

"You do not take the tone with me little filly! Do you think like it? I do what I have to do keep these ponies safe and sometimes those things aren't pretty! But you know what? Every pony here is safe, well fed, alive and not savaged on a nightly basis! I think that's pretty generous!"

No wonder generosity is shot if her definition it is anything short of slave rape!

She sighs and runs a hoof through her mane before releasing you from her magical grasp. "I'm sorry maybe this is all just too much for you at once darling. Let's just get you to your room for now and we'll talk about it in the morning ok?"

You just nod, you don't trust yourself to not lash out and you sure as hell aren't calling her mistress right now.

To your mild surprise you two take the elevator all the way to the top. Whoa! Now this is a penthouse if you've ever seen one! Art everywhere, huge windows overlooking the city, amazing furniture! Sheesh, she lives here?? Walking towards the back Rarity opens the 3rd door in an identical row.

"Twilight this is Azalea. I'm sure you two will get along great."

You don't even notice the other pony in the room until she waves a hoof at you as a small hello. She's lying on her back on the bed with her head hanging off the side making her wave a little loopy.

She doesn't say anything though, she just gives you two a curious upside down stare and waits on Rarity to say something.

"Wonderful I'm sure the two of you will get along swimmingly. You'll have to excuse me. Twilight I'll pick you up here in the morning."

Shutting the door and trotting down the hall you just stare after her for a few moments. Not off to the best start... Maybe this Azalea mare you could tell you more. Turning back around she's, well, still upside down.

"So what? You a new filly?"

"Just a temporary thing..."

"Good. Word of advice. Don't cross mistress."