Good news is picking up dinner went off without being marginalized or picked on. Sadly that counts as a good day in your book at this point.

Bad news is Anon's car is already in the driveway. What the heck, it's like 4 why is he already home? He better not give you crap about dinner not being ready when it's this early...

You're just gonna walk in there, ignore the elephant in the room, and pretend you two didn't end on a horrible note last time.

Just completely normal.

Not nervous at all, no sir.

Wait, shit! You forgot to put your laptop back in his 'hiding place' that you totally don't know about and took it from! Oh crap oh crap oh crap, he's gonna know you took it without permission!

You just got in trouble and now he's going to find you pulled some dumb shit again already! Ohhhh why do you do this to yourself???

No this isn't the time to panic! just gotta relax!

It's alright. It's ok. Breath in, breath out, breath in, breath out.

You approach the front door and hesitate. You don't want to get in trouble again, you're so tired of being in trouble...

"Oh you don't say darling? Well that is quite understandable..."

Hold on, is someone else in there? Instead of opening the door you press your ear against it and listen.

"If you know what I mean."

"Oh, I most certainly do darling! I have a hard enough time keeping my own in line from time to time!" That voice! Throwing the door open your eyes quickly confirm your suspicions!

The white mare gasps and nearly jumps clean out of her her seat!

"Gracious Twilight you scared me half to deatHHHH!" You cut her off with an overly enthusiastic flying tackle!

"It's you, it's really you! I thought I'd never see you again! I tried to contact you, but everyone I called said they didn't know what I was talking about! I sent an email but I didn't think that would work, and then Anon said we couldn't go to New York, and I just missed you so so so much, and I just didn't know what to do and..." Your ramblings are cut short by a delicate white hoof covering your mouth.

Pushing herself back up into a sitting position she gives you a warm smile before removing the hoof from your lips.

"Darling I'm absolutely ecstatic to see me, but one thing at a time hmm?"

She's here, she's actually here! There's so much to tell her, so much to talk about. Has she seen the other? Was it true she's free? Has she been safe? How did she get here? The more you look at her, the more the memories come flooding back, the more you realize how much you missed her and the happier it makes you that she's here.

Naturally you decide the best course of action is to throw yourself into her chest, wrap your forelegs around her and start crying.

"Aww, there there darling. It's alright, everything going to be alright. I'm here." The one hoof hug and mane petting you received only drove home the point that your friend really is here.

"It's ok, It's ok. Shhh, just relax dear..."

After allow yourself a few quiet moments before pulling yourself together and extract yourself from her grasp. As much as you'd like to hold on forever you still have so many questions to ask!

"Im sorry, I just never thought I'd see any of you ever again then here all the sudden here you are!"

"Oh that's quite alright, I know this must be as big a shock for you as it is for me."

Rubbing the tears out of your eyes you notice Anon disappeared from his chair. Maybe he wanted to give you two a few minutes alone? That's kinda nice of him.

"Did I hear you mention New York though? It's for the best you didn't go there. Our head office may be there but I usually work out of Atlanta. I was merely up there for the day when somehuman snapped that photo." Atlanta! That's only some 45 minutes away!

"Oh my gosh you're so close! What happened though? How did Anon find you?"

"Well, I was just having lunch with my assistant and saw this human giving me the strangest look. I told him it was bad manners to stare, but when he said I looked like someone his pony was looking for I was a bit intrigued. Then of course he was kind enough to give me your name and well, here I am!" She gave you a confident wink and a smile that you returned!

So Anon was at least paying attention to you the other night even if things went majorly south. You suppose you'll have to at least begrudgingly thank him later. Despite him being a total jackass yesterday he still did you a favor even casually approaching her.

"But enough about me. Tell me about Anon dear, how does he treat you?"

Someone actually caring enough to ask about how you're being treated brings a warmth to your heart you didn't realize was missing.

"He's... well, he's ok. He gives me a good bit of freedom, but he can be pretty firm at times..."

"Hmm, yes I understand. Sadly maintaining a strict and orderly home is usually what's best for some ponies. So glad to hear he lets you out and about often though. I swear some owners barley let their little ponies do anything, I mean what's even the point then? how can they be productive?"

The warmth in your heart flickers.That... was a little weird, but you choose to not worry about it.

]"Uhhh yeah, he got me a tracking collar, so I run all the errands and do the housework."

"Oh delightful, may I see? Ah, the 3500 model. Real time tracking but it's only so accurate, I suppose in a small town like this it gets the job done though right? I keep the 5k model on all my fillies personally. Let's me make sure they aren't wandering too far off course."

Wat.

"Your... fillies?"

"Oh of course darling! I'm sure you remember Coco Pommel from Manehattan? She was my first acquisition but far from the last. A quick 'laying down of the law' so to say and she's been a perfect dear!"

Wtf is this?!

"I'm sorry by acquisition you mean like purchase right? As in ownership?"
[
"Yes yes of course, that is the way of things. I would think you'd know that by now. I suppose Anon is your first master then?" She giggles and pokes you in the collar.

Rarity was never the element of kindness, but she was always very socially graceful and considerate. For her to just casual reference your bondage sets of a dozen alarm bells in your head.

"I umm yes, after they got you girls I was on the run for a few years..."

"Ha! Good on you for giving them a good chase darling, but I suppose nopony can run forever. Did you put up a good fight? I yet to see your paperwork but I imagine with a run like that you've got a poor obedience score at the very least. Though I suppose your magical prowess would bump your value back up a bit..."

The hair on the back of your neck stands on end as Rarity rubs her chin and evaluates you with a critical eye! This isn't right! Something isn't right!

"You've been keeping fit though, yes? And your ring is set very low so he must trust you, how wonderful. Would you mind?"

Gesturing to the floor in the middle of the room Rarity herds you up off the couch and onto your hooves.

"Perfect, now say 'ah'."

The pit in your stomach gets worse and worse as your instincts scream that something's very wrong!

She checks your teeth and mane for a few minutes then to your shock lights her horn and teleports the sundress right off you! Circling around like a hungry shark she finds your reason for having the dress and titters. "My my I see someone has been quite naughty recently. "

"Rarity! W-what are you doing?"

"Oh it's quite alright dear, no need to be modest. How can I make anon a fair offer without first inspecting the goods, hmm?"

Offer... Goods?????

"Rarity, I..."

"Shush darling please, I really must focus."

The hundred things you want to say suddenly don't matter when she grabs your tail in a mote of her magic!

"Rarity!"

"Just a quick peak I promise. Oh my, is this Anon's work too?"

A quick counterspells breaks her grasp and lets you clamp your tail down protectively! "W-what? No! Anon's never..." How can she even tell you were with Dusty yesterday?!

"Twilight you can tell me, really. A little trauma might help me get a better deal, you understand."

Holy fuck this isn't the Rarity you know! She's worried about getting a deal!? Really?!

"It really wasn't him. T-there's this neighbor..."

"A neighbor? Oh my, how juicy! Does Anon know? It doesn't really matter who's doing it specifically since most mares are a bit small for a full grown man. If we can prove any abuse then - "

You back away and try to make yourself smaller the more the alien mare approaches you. "No. It's not a human, it's a stallion. He's my... he's my friend." Right?
[
"Ah a coltfriend! Never mind then i shan't pry then."

"Not exactly my coltfriend..." You mumble.

He really isn't though, Dusty's just... a friend. Maybe your only friend at this point...

The more you think about that the more it depresses you. some element of friendship you are with your friendships dwindled to a single carnal relationship with a colt.

"Be that as it may, it can't be used as a bargaining chip either way. Let's see now: good overall health, magical prowess, average physical fitness and condition..." She continues mumbling to herself as she appraises you like a piece of meat...

You've been through a lot over the years, but you aren't sure you've ever felt as objectified and betrayed as you do this moment...

"I'm thinking we start negotiations at... $750? I'm simply startings things low you understand. It's no insult to your value I assure you."

You don't return the nuzzle before she trots off towards the kitchen to find Anon. D-did that really just happen? You can only stand there in shock and try to shake yourself out of your stupor.

She is just looking to free you right?

She didn't exactly say it exactly, but she couldn't really be thinking of owning one of her best friends could she? Of course not! B-but if she owns several other ponies already...

Violently shaking your head you tell yourself you just have to believe in the Rarity you know. Maybe it's all some sort of plan? What better way for the element of generosity to shine than by buying and freeing every pony she can?

Then again she told you she uses tracking collars on her 'fillies' too...

So lost in thought, you're surprised at how soon Rarity returns with Anon in tow.

She gives you a small shake of her head as she crosses the room. "Negotiations seem to have have broken down darling. He must quite like you!" She winks and giggles. "Worry not though as I'll be back with an offer your wonderful Mr Anonymous won't be able to refuse! Tragically I'll need more time to prepare a more proper offer and works calls so I must be off for now! I do so appreciate your time though dear Anon. I hope you won't mind if I stop by again soon?"

"Anytime you want, a friend of Twilight is a friend of mine."

"Splendid! I'll be in touch then! Au revoir!" The creature cleverly disguised as Rarity because what else could it be?! gave you a warm smile and closed the door behind her.

Anon has to literally poke you to break bring you back to reality. "You ok Twi?"

"I... Sorry yeah I-I'm ok..."

He doesn't look convinced when you finally meet his eyes. "I thought you'd be happy."

"So did I... I... I'm sorry just... please excuse me."

Teleportation to your room your take a few deep breaths to try and calm yourself down. You'll need all your focus for what you're about to try and pull off if you're going to do it with so little magic.

Once you feel ready you light up your horn and reach deep deep deep into the aether for the dimensional pocket you'd made all those years ago. It's hard with so little magic, but desperation fuels the spell until a small object falls out of the void and onto the floor in front of you.

For a full minute you dare not open your eyes and as soon as you do you wish you hadn't.

On the floor lies the element of generosity.

Cracked right down the middle...

Author's Note

Congratulations you made it to the end of Act 1! As you can probably tell, things from Act 2 onward take a much more concrete direction as far as narrative direction goes. Twilight's still going to get the buck teased out of her, but that's her own fault for being just too darn cute.