Lunar Enthrallment

A dark blue, unicorn mare stood at the entrance to the Borderlands. Her gaze drifted across the blasted, ruined cityscape on the other side of the passageway as a small shiver ran down her spine. “You can do this. You do not need somepony holding your hoof at all times.” She knew that was right, that she shouldn’t need anypony else with her, yet it did nothing to calm her nerves.

As if Starsong isn’t hiding somewhere just out of sight watching us even now. She shook her head, trying to clear the intrusive thoughts. Despite the brief flare of irritation at knowing she was right about that, the thought did reassure her. Of course it does, a little filly always feels better knowing someone is around to take care of her.

A low growl rumbled deep in Luna’s chest as she clenched her teeth and stomped a hoof on the ground. “Enough!” Her voice barely a whisper, “So what if she is watching? Let her enjoy the show.”

The disguised alicorn’s head snapped up as she stood straighter. Her eyes locked on her first goal of the evening as she marched past the archway that led into the Clocktower Society’s non-consensual play area. Her PipSub’s illusion spell matrix materialized the standard warnings about the zone she was entering in front of her. Luna took the time to reread the summary and make sure nothing had changed, then dismissed the alert.

The mare resisted the urge to prance as she made her way towards the tavern. It had been nearly three weeks since she’d last had a chance to come here, far too long. She pushed aside a brief thought of simply galloping deeper into The Ruins and seeing what happened to her. As fun as that might end up being, she was here for a reason tonight.

She paused with one hoof on the door to the tavern, a carved wooden plaque declaring it to be ‘The Spread Eagle’. “You are Fading Crescent, just another mare, nothing special. Act normally, no shouting, no demands. Just be normal.” After one more deep, steadying breath she pushed the swinging door open and stepped inside.

The interior was very… wooden. Tables, chairs, floor, walls, bar, all were made of what looked like freshly cut wood. The smell of sawdust even permeated the air. The walls were decorated with large paintings of majestic, sweeping landscapes. A lively, upbeat tune came from a large player piano in one corner of the room.

The stallion behind the bar waved a wing, beckoning the newcomer over. Luna nodded and started to make her way through the sparsely filled place. It was several hours before the usual highpoint of activity for the Society but there was still a small hooful of ponies scattered around the tables, all talking quietly or nursing their drinks. The largest cluster was a set of four, one masked, two collared, and one wearing both, playing a game of cards in one corner.

Luna dodged out of the way of a tower maid with a tray of drinks on her back heading for the card players and slid up to the bar, taking a seat on the far end of the two stallions also occupying it, the bartender already waiting for her. “Always nice to see a new face around here. This your first time in the zone?” He gave her a polite smile that his yellow staff mask did nothing to hide.

She returned the smile and shook her head. “Neigh. We have been through here before.” She hoped he didn’t notice the way her hoof pressed harder into the wood as she spoke, “Once.” Memories of her true first time in this zone threatened to rise up to the front of her mind. She quickly quashed them, making sure to keep her smile in place. “But this is my first time in this establishment.”

“Well then, guess you know what you’re gettin’ into well enough. What can I do for ya?” He set an empty glass on the bar in front of the mare. “First drink for lovely ladies like yourself is on the house.”

Luna rolled her eyes and grinned at the stallion. His tone made clear that he was just having some fun rather than trying to proposition her, as if the staff mask he was wearing wasn’t enough evidence. She cocked her head, her ears perking forward as a thought came to mind with what he had said. “And what about the next round? Or those less ‘pretty’? What are they supposed to pay with?”

The barkeep let out an exaggerated sigh while shrugging his wings. “You got me, they’re all on the house. But let a stallion have a bit of fun will ya? Besides, don’t want to get dehydrated running around out there.”

She chuckled and pushed the glass towards him. “That was not a refutation of your offer. What would you recommend?”

He slipped a wing through the glass’ grip and slid it down towards some taps. “Well, we just got in a fresh batch of some honeyed cider that’s pretty good. Of course can’t go wrong with some sarsaparilla either around here.”

“The cider sounds lovely.” Luna leaned back on the stool as the stallion filled up her glass, grinning at how well everything had been going so far as she looked around the room. Now all she had to do was find the pony who she was looking for. The sound of a now full glass being set down in front of her snapped her attention back to the bartender, as good a place to start as any.

She lifted up the mug in her magic and took a small sip, her grin spreading wider across her muzzle at the sweet taste. Setting it down again she leaned closer to the stallion. “Very good, I thank you. Now, perhaps you can help me another way?”

“Well, I can try. What’d you need?”

“I’m looking for some pony. I was told they could be found here.”

“Alright, I know most of the regulars, so might be able to help, what’s their name?”

“I am not sure. I was simply told to come here and ask for somepony that could safely take me to the camp of The Talons.”

The bartender pulled back, a massive smirk on his lips as he chuckled. “Oh? Well now, shouldn't be surprised, Gregor does have impeccable tastes. Guessing the lucky bird caught you last time you were here?”

“Indeed.” Luna nodded, leaning back again, her tail twitching excitedly with how close she as coming to her goal. “So? Is there anypony like that here?”

He turned his head towards the two stallion sitting at the far end of the bar. “Yo! Trots! You got some work to do!”

The further of the two stallions slammed a hoof down on the bar and looked up over his companion. “Celestia’s fiery taint would you stop calling me that! It’s ‘Trotter’!” Luna had to suppress a chuckle at the stallion’s choice of invectives. “ Now what the blazes do ya want!”

The bartender didn’t even try to hide his grin or the amused twitching of his wings. “I’ll stop calling you that when you stop making it so easy for me. But seriously, this fine young mare here is looking to offer herself up to a certain griffon. Thought you might want to get on that.”

Shaking his head, Trotter slid off his stool and headed for the two, looking over the disguised alicorn as he came closer. “Well now, well, well, well. You’re an irritating git, but you’re not wrong.”

Luna blushed as the two stallions stared at her, twisting slightly in her seat to give them a bit better view. “Well? Shall we proceed?”

“I’m ready when you are little lady. If you want to head right into the middle of a camp full of desperate, merciless, amoral stallions eager to use a sweet little mare like you as their personal fuck toy, who am I to stop ya?” He gave her a quick bow as he swept his broad brimmed hat off his head. “Name’s Plains Trotter, and I guess I’ll be your guide through this lawless wasteland of debasement and debauchery.

Luna let out a small, pleased moan as he talked, the slight twitching along her side letting her know that if she had wings in this form, they’d be spreading out right now. “Fading Crescent, and that sounds lovely. Let me just finish my drink and we can be off then.”

She took the mug and drained it in one long, steady pull, tipping her head back fully, letting both stallions watch her throat move as she gulped down the sweet liquid. Slamming the glass back down on the counter with a satisfied sigh she hopped off her barstool, giving the bartender a grateful nod. “Thank you good sir.”

He returned her smile, dipping his head in a quick bow. “It’s what I’m here for. I’d tell you good luck and have fun, but where you’re going… doubt you’ll need much or have any trouble with that.”

Trotter nodded towards the door. “Well then, if yer ready we should head out.” Luna nodded and followed behind him as they left the tavern.

Once back out on the street he pulled a thin leash out of his saddlebag and held up the clip on it. “Just a little thing to let anypony we meet know what’s going on and to not bother going for you.” Luna leaned forward, offering her collar to the earth pony who quickly latched the leash in place. “There we go. Now, how do ya wanna play this?”

The now leashed slave cocked her head, her ears twisting forward. “Pardon? How do we wish to play what?”

“The walk. Want this to just be me showing you were they are. Or want to get into character and make like you’re a fresh caught slave I’m hauling in?”

“I… am not sure.” Luna looked off down the street. Everything was still as ruined and battered as she remembered it, deserted, barren… Being dragged down the streets, begging to be let go, forced towards her fate by an unfeeling, uncaring slaver intent on selling her into a life of unending sexual torment. She let out a small moan, her tail starting to flag to the side at the thought. Yet, something held her back from agreeing to it.

She closed her eyes and took a long, deep breath to steady herself. She wanted to go that route, there was no denying that. But giving into what she wanted to do without thought was part of what caused… She shook her head, pushing thoughts of that night away before they could sour her mood. We can do this perfectly fine. We simply need to remain calm and not give into desire so easily with no idea of what will happen.

Opening her eyes she gave the stallion that had been waiting patiently a sheepish grin. “I apologize for the delay. As tempting as the latter offer is, I think it might be better to proceed with the former.”

“Fair enough. No sense overdoin’ things on your first trip. Feel free to ask any questions along the way, but if we run inta anyone let me do the talkin’.” He turned to head down the street, the other end of the leash held loosely in his mouth.

Luna took off after him, keeping herself just a few steps behind, enough to leave a decent amount of slack in the leash. “Thank you. So you are part of Gregor’s.... Camp? Slavers? I am unsure of the proper term here.”

Trotter gave out a small chuckle as he led her around a corner and towards an alley, tracing back along the route Cadance had led her down at the end of their last trip. “Seems like every group has their own idea: Gang, team, slavers, raiders, ‘assorted conglomeration of like minded individuals in pursuit of similar goals pertaining to pseudo-non-consensual sexual activities’, and before you ask, all I gotta say about that last one is why in a windigo’s nutsack does anypony keep letting the Research Lab types name things? But Gregor? He likes ta call them his ‘crew’.”

Luna nodded along, wondering if it was worth asking either Cadance or Starsong for details about that, or if she would regret doing so. “I see, and are you part of this ‘crew’?”

“Nah, I’m what ya might call a ‘free agent’. Hook a right up ahead, we cut down two more alleys and we’ll be right on top of the camp.” He jerked his head towards a very familiar entrance, the large graffiti bearing the mark of The Talons still standing out on the bricks beside it. “Ah mostly just do this. Ah like just spending time in the taverns, talking ta ponies, seeing who all comes through, place has a great atmosphere. When that gets boring I put mah trappin’ skills ta use. Find some lovely little treat to play with, if I catch em, mostly do the same thing I’m doin’ now, just more ‘in character’, selling a new slave ta the highest bidder.”

As he went on, Luna’s attention wandered. Still listening to him, but letting her mind drift as they walked down the alley. She passed the spot where she and Cadance had been forced to the ground and claimed, unable to tell if the patch of ground that looked darker was some leftover stain from the encounter, the remains of some more recent victim, or simply her eyes and mind playing tricks on her.

She didn’t realize she had slowed down till the leash pulled taut, tugging her forward before the stallion leading her stopped and looked back. “You alright darlin’?”

She shook her head clear and moved to catch up. “Yes. My apologies, I was simply… reminiscing.”

“This where he caught ya your last time through?”

“Indeed. Still, many are quick to say dwelling in the past is futile, so lead on good sir.” The stallion moved on once again, though flashing a look over his shoulder on occasion to make sure she was keeping up. Luna thought over what he had said, trying to make sure she hadn’t missed anything important. “So, you say you sell the ones you catch. Is there some form of currency special to the zone that is used, or is bartering done in lashes and brands?”

“A bit of both. There ain’t one single thing, usually I get paid with time with their slaves, but there are other options. Lashes for one, for larger deals slaves themselves can be traded. Though the Raveners seem to be pushing this idea of slave tags being used rather than the slaves themselves. All part of the fun of building a new zone, seeing what ponies come up with.”

“It is quite intriguing. Though new? Also, Raveners?” Luna followed him out of the alley and down another. Lifting her head up, she could catch the faint but growing scent of a larger collection of beings on the breeze.

“Well, always been a non-consensual area here, but was mostly just what they call ‘The Core’ nowadays. The Ruins and Wastelands are a new expansion on it, only bought a year old or so. Based on some game the Lab docs like ta play I think. Raveners are one of the largest of the gangs, pretty much hold the entire center of the zone. And before ya ask, Talons are actually one of the smallest and newest, but they carry a lot of weight. Mostly ‘cause Gregor likes ta go for quality over quantity.” He looked back, his eyes traveling over the unicorn. “Definitely has an eye for quality. Anyway, hope you enjoyed the trip, camp is just two turns ahead.”

He turned back and sped up as he rounded the corner. Moving to keep up, Luna nearly collided into his rump. Looking up from her rather interesting view of the stallion she saw the cause of his stopping. Four ponies and a diamond dog stood in the middle of the road, each one masked and armed, two with the ‘sleeping dart’ tubes she had seen on her last visit, the rest with some manner or other of foam club. Or perhaps some of those were meant to be swords.

Before she could react, Trotter spoke up, Luna recalled his advice and let him handle this. “Well well, speak o’ the demon. Was just tellin Gregor’s newest prize about you lot. An’ before any ah you get any ideas, clockface, this one is off the board. Now then, ain’t it a bit early for a raid?”

The dog stepped up, setting his massive foam club head first on the ground and resting his hands on the haft. “Pony no fun. But least tell pony-toy about best pony-toy owners. Maybe sometime after done with bird-cat she come be Ravener toy.” He looked over to the mare and winked, a grin on his muzzle, before shrugging his shoulders. “Not many pony-toys here yet, know bird-cat go hunt early, leave camp, these ones just borrow some pony-toys. Can this one give to pony to no tell bird-cat about plans?”

Trotter ran a hoof under his muzzle, looking as if he was considering the offer. “Well, can’t say I have any reason ta warn him. No skin off my nose after all. Buuuut, I doubt you could convince his newest little pet to keep quiet. Why not try the Wreckers, I just brought a rather sweet set of twins over to them bout an hour ago. Might be up for grabs.”

The dog let out what Luna thought was an exaggerated sigh. “Very well, This one thank pony for help.” With a nod of his head the group started down the street. “Enjoy time with bird-cat little pony-toy. Maybe Raveners steal you one day.” He gave Luna a toothy grin before turning to lope off after the rest of them.

Luna watched them go till they turned the corner and were lost from sight before turning back to Plains Trotter. “I believe I would be correct in assuming there is an explanation for that?”

“Yup, sometimes when it’s slow, or they’re just feeling like a bit of fun, some of the gangs will send out raiding parties to try and steal slaves from other camps. Good way to let them try out different groups, see what ones they like the best. Not to mention the fighting can be kind of fun.”

Luna nodded as they started walking again, there was so much more to this place than she had thought, she was glad she’d held back on the desire to be treated like a slave and had the chance to start learning more about it.

“Now then little darling, looks like we’re here.” He turned one final corner and gave a light tug on the leash.

Stepping around him, Luna stopped, taking in the sight. The gap between the buildings opened up into a wide town square. One side of it was cordoned off by caution tape, the buildings obscured behind scaffolding and tarps that were in far too good a condition to be a normal part of the zone. Across the plaza from that was a large, fenced in area, a few rudimentary defensive fortifications forming a wide arc around it. She could see two or three ponies moving around inside the cage, a few more milling around outside of it.

The arc of defensive structures encased two buildings, a large, squat warehouse and the crumbling but mostly intact apartment building next to it. The door to the building was painted a very bright green that stood out even from the distance she was at.

“Hey! Gregor! Hold up, I got a present for ya!” Trotter’s shout drew Luna’s attention away from examining the camp even as it made her ears pin themselves against her skull.

Following where the stallion was looking, she saw the griffon and two ponies near one of the other exits from the square, Gregor in the process of turning towards the shout. As he saw who was waiting he leaped towards the two, gliding half the distance on that first bound before quickly closing the gap, looking like someone trying to hurry, without wanting to appear to be doing so.

He looked over the leashed mare quickly, a wide grin on his beak. “You finally decided to come by. It’s good to see you again!” He held open a wing and raised a foreleg in a clear invitation for a hug.

“I could say the same. I do apologize that it has taken so long to accept your offer…” She shook her head as she trailed off, stepping into the offered embrace. As his wing and arm closed tight around her she found herself wanting to simply melt into it. So strong, powerful, and yet so gentle. She had to fight not to drop to her knees and offer herself up as his slave right there and then, beg him to use her and make her his toy. Fear of committing some form of social faux pas in doing so was all that managed to keep her on her hooves, though she could feel a damp heat growing between her legs even as her breathing started to speed up.

As they stepped back out of their hug, the griffon’s smile was even wider, a knowing glint in his eyes. “Seems somepony is eager to get back to where we left off.” He winked at her before turning towards Trotter. “Quite the prize this time my friend.” He took the leash from the earth pony and waved a wing towards the encampment. “Please, help yourself for as long as you want tonight. Pickings might be a bit slim right now, but should be more coming in soon.”

“Much obliged.” He tipped his hat towards the two. “You enjoy yourself little darling.” Before Luna could reply he had turned and began trotting towards the warehouse.

“So, what to do, what to do, what to do with our newest guest.” Gregor wrapped the leash around his claw a few times to shorten it.

Luna finally gave in, dropping her head and letting her back sag. She looked up at him and gave him a quick, almost grateful hint of a smile. “Whatever my master wishes.”

The griffon ran a claw along her chin before cupping it and lifting it up to look at him. “Master? Already acting like a good little broken slave are we?”

She held his gaze for a few seconds before shifting her eyes away, but making no effort to pull herself out of his grasp. Was I too eager? Was I supposed to wait for his lead to start? You should have waited longer, Luna. She twitched back away from his claw as her tail nervously swished behind her. “I apologize if I was being too forward.”

He stepped closer to her, one wing stretching around to allow his primary feathers to gently stroke down her neck. “Relax, it’s alright. You didn’t do anything wrong. I can’t exactly fault you for being eager, but there’s also no need to rush things. It’s still early after all.”

She nodded her agreement while trying to focus on taking slow, deep breaths. Even if he forgave her, she still knew she had made a mistake somewhere.

“Okay now, why don’t we start over? And to begin with, clockface.” As he spoke he took off his mask, slipping it under one of his wings to hang on the harness holding his whip. “There, now that the ambiguity is out of the way, I really am glad you decided to come by.”

The mare straightened up, relief and irritation rolling back and forth in her head. She was glad to know exactly where they stood at the moment and how she should be acting, yet at the same time… “Thank you, I am sorry it took so long. However, I did not come here to be coddled.”

She held up a hoof as he started to speak then jerked her head back towards the signs of construction across the plaza. “I would assume those are the aftercare rooms you spoke to Mi-” she quickly cleared her throat, hoping to pass off the slip of the tongue as being simply a catch in her voice, “-my companion about. Which means you have almost certainly spoken to Starsong, and I find it hard to believe that at no point did she bring me up. I do not care what she said, I am not some weak little filly that needs to be kept safe and secure and is unable to do anything on her own”

“If I could get a word in edgewise?” Luna closed her mouth and took a step back, incling her head for Gregor to continue. “Yes, Den Mother Starsong did mention you briefly, but at no point did she ever even suggest I should go easy on you for any reason. In fact, she made clear that she thought it would be a good thing for me to push you a bit, and without even a single veiled threat about keeping you safe. I’m not sure if I should be honored or insulted about that.”

Luna felt her teeth grinding together as her jaw clenched. Foalish, so foalish. Assuming the worst of those around you, and you wonder why ponies might think you need a keeper. She wrenched her mouth open and took a ragged breath before sinking into a deep bow. “Please, forgive me. That was unfair of me to level such accusations. I… I should just go.”

The wing still tracing down her neck gripped a bit tighter as she started to turn away. “Hold on a moment. First, apology accepted, second, none was needed in the first place. I can read between the lines here. It’s clear you have some things you are working through, and I’m not going to hold a bit of nerves against anyone, especially not around here. Third, if you really want to go I’m not going to stop you, won’t even insist on sending an escort unless you want one, but if you just think you need to go because you offended me, or did something wrong, you don’t and you didn’t.”

“Very well.” What did she want? She looked back to the camp, there wasn’t much to it, but she suspected the more interesting parts were inside one of the buildings. Her last time had been so wonderful, so liberating, the thought of what else might be able to happen with an entire slave camp ready to break and use her made her shudder in anticipation. Yes, she wanted this. “I would like to stay then. Again I apologize for, I believe ‘being overdramatic’ is the appropriate term.”

“Again accepted.” He pulled his wing back and gave her a warm grin.

The unicorn returned his smile as she let out a soft sigh of relief that things had not gotten out of hoof. “So, where should we begin?”

“Well, since we really don’t have any need to rush, unless you have something pressing later you need to leave for…” Gregor trailed off, giving her a questioning look.

Luna shook her head. “Neigh, I made sure that I would have all night free for this.”

“In that case why don’t we hold off on getting in character a bit longer, give you time to relax a little and get used to things while I give you a tour? After that we can see if anything perks your ears up to try first.”

“That sounds like a wonderful idea.” She reached a hoof up to her neck. “Should I remove my collar then?”

The griffon shook his head. “Not unless you want to. Long as you’re with me and I have my mask off, everyone else should get the hint. Now if you’ll just give me a moment to take care of some business.”

Gregor turned around, back towards the two ponies he’d been with when Trotter had called him over. “Wood! I’m going to sit this one out! Grab Streaker to handle air support and take the hunting party out!”

The earth pony snapped a quick salute before looking over to Luna and waving. The mare returned the gesture with a smile, slightly disappointed the stallion was leaving the camp. Still, perhaps he’d be back later.

That done, Gregor turned back to her and inclined his head towards the camp. “Shall we?”

Luna nodded and began walking towards the barriers surrounding the camp, staying a half step behind Gregor, who still kept a loose hold on her leash. Even if they were out of character at the moment she still felt a slight bit of reassurance at that.

“I take it your companion has been busy as well? As overjoyed as I am to see you again, the two of you did make quite the adorable pair of slaves.” His tone was curious but polite.

The unicorn stomped a hoof a bit harder onto the ground then she meant to before recovering from the unexpected question. There had been no hint of rebuke, no reason to suspect she was being seen as a second choice prize over Cadance. She quickly fought to reassure herself of that before anything else crossed her mind. “Yes, she sends her regards but could not attend, nor am I sure when or if she will be able to in the near future.”

“Perfectly understandable.” His reply was quick, sounding conciliatory, almost apologetic. “I would assume a hoofmaiden to a princess whose wedding is a week away would be quite busy.”

Luna paused in mid stride, Gregor halting the moment the sound of her hoofsteps ceased, well before pulling the leash taunt. “And have you been checking on us? I do not believe either of us revealed such a detail last time.”

The griffon’s eyes flashed momentarily with an emotion Luna couldn’t quite identify before he winked at her. “No, but as I said, I can read between the lines. It seemed the most likely option.” He jerked his head back towards their destination as he started to walk again.

“As you can see, not a particularly large camp, but steadily expanding.” He pointed a wing to the ongoing construction. “And you were right, that’s where they are installing the new aftercare rooms. I had been planning on getting one of the other buildings nearby fixed up soon, but probably not till they are done with their work on that.”

She dutifully nodded, unsure of what to say to this, though still excited to learn more.

Gregor flashed her a grin as they passed between two piles of rubble topped with crude, wooden platforms that served as the outer perimeter. “Feel free to tell me if I get rambling on too much. I may take a lot of pride in what we’ve built here, but that’s no excuse to drone on and on till you’re bored. You are here for fun after all.”

The leashed mare pranced slightly as they passed into the actual camp. She returned his grin, playfully swatting his rump with her tail. “‘Tis not boring in the least. I am most eager to learn about your camp. As you said ‘we have all night’.” She paused for a moment to think things over before continuing. “Though, I would be grateful if you did not keep us waiting too long for the ‘fun’.”

“Message received. I’ll try to keep it brief.” He waved a wing to the two stallions patrolling the ramps and platforms, ending by pointing it towards the cage in the middle of the area. “That’s the first of our cages, the one out here is for slaves that are up for playing in a bit of a contest some of the crews have of raiding each other.”

The cage was about five lengths long and three lengths wide, with three mares inside, none looking or acting like captured, desperate ponies forced to be here. One was sitting near the edge of the cage appearing slightly bored, another was splayed out on a mat and looked to be sleeping, the third… Luna paused, leaning in to get a better view, only to verify that yes, she was working on a crossword puzzle. “It appears to be a rather gripping place to spend time. Oh, and that reminds me, we encountered a band that appeared to be preparing to raid here soon on the way. Plains Trotter sent them after another camp that they could still surprise, surmising I would warn you of the pending strike.”

“Really? Damn, been a while since we had a good raid.” He flashed his prize a quick grin while guiding her around the cage and towards the warehouse. “But can’t say I’m too disappointed, wouldn’t want something like that pulling me away from something much more important.” The tip of his tail slid under her chin then back down her cheek and neck.

“And true, not the most gripping spot in the camp, but it’s more a place for mares to rest without sitting in a safe room and still being open to some fun if somepony wants. Sometimes victims that have been wandering around without getting caught will just stay at a place like this hoping to get caught in a raid. And do keep in mind it’s still rather early.”

“Fair enough I suppose, but I don’t think I can foresee myself wishing to spend much time out here.” She shot the caged mares a look over her shoulder as they passed, shaking her head at the oddity of coming all the way out here simply to wait around like that.

“Can’t say I either blame you, nor am I disappointed to hear that.” Gregor stretched out his wing towards the larger apartment looking building. “Now over there, as you probably overhead last time, we have the lower floor of that building set up as an unofficial Green Zone. Same rules as any other, anytime you do need a bit of a rest, feel free to use them. It’s also got a decently stocked pantry if you need something to eat” His wing shifted upwards along the structure. “The upper two floors are open for play. They are generally used for more private sessions.”

Luna nodded along, she had heard about this already but was still impressed by the griffon’s forethought and concern in setting up such a resting place near his camp. Darting a bit further ahead of her, Gregor pushed open a metal door in at the edge of the warehouse, his free claw waving her through. “And in here is our main… let’s say ‘playroom’.”

The smell she’d been detecting for some time was much stronger inside. The same mixed reek of sweat and fluids that pervaded so many of the in use gathering areas of the society, though this time undiluted by purifier charms. It wasn’t overpowering and she had no doubt she’d get used to it quickly, but the amalgam of raw musk and mare essence made her shiver in anticipation.

Gregor stepped up next to her, giving her a moment to take in the sights. The inside of the building was exactly what the outside hinted at, a large, abandoned warehouse. Whatever cargo or goods had been stored here long since rotted away or been taken, leaving naught but stone and metal walls, floors, and pillars that had now been filled with an eclectic collection of items that would look massively out of place anywhere but the Clocktower Society.

The center of the nearest long wall was covered in peg-boarding that supported a wide assortment of tools of both pain and pleasure. Whips, crops, flogs, switches, dildos, vibrators, muzzles, gags, and so much more hung waiting for use. Across the warehouse from that was another fenced in area, this one with half a dozen slave-mares inside of it.

“It may be small, but I like to hope we’re prepared for just about anything.” His talons darted out, pointing to the nearest corner where dozens of thick straps dangled from the ceiling on mobile tracks. “Hanging restraint play area.” His claw darted to a wide circle made out of sandbags near the cage. “That is a bit of a makeshift gladiator pit for having the slaves fight each other. Well, ‘fight’ in a very loose meaning of the word. Maybe ‘entertain us’ would be better.” He let out a low chuckle.

Luna followed wherever he pointed, most spots obvious what they were meant for just by how they were set up. The gladiator pit piqued her attention as she tried to come up with just what she might end up being forced to do inside of it. What kinds of contest she could engage in to prove her worth. She had lost track of what Gregor was saying till the words ‘breeding stall’ caused her to whip her head to see what he was talking about.

Several wooden stalls were set up on the far side, the shape, structure, and purpose unmistakable to anyone who had spent time in any of the marecow stalls. Luna stared at them, picturing herself led inside of one, her legs roped to the edges and forced apart. Her muzzle pressed down into the trough filled with semen mixed with whatever her captures choose to send her into a false heat. Being forced to drink it, feeling her marehood getting warmer, damper, a dull ache growing deep inside of her. Left there, primed and ready to be mounted over, and over, and over, every stallion eagerly trying to turn her into their personal brood-slut as they pumped wave after wave of thick, hot, potent seed into her fertile womb…

She had completely ceased listening to Gregor, not even noticing when the griffon stopped talking. It was only when he tapped a talon lightly on her shoulder that she shook herself out of her fantasy and grinned sheepishly at him, the way his beak twitched she was sure he was smelling the arousal she could feel dripping down her hind legs.

“Well, I think this is a sign to wrap things up. And I think we found someplace you’d like to start.” He tightened his hold on her leash, a hungry gleam coming to his eyes and his wings rustling slightly at his sides as he looked her over.

“I… do believe so. If you wish to.” Her own voice was distant, distracted, her eyes constantly drifting back towards the stalls.

“I had you pegged for a breeding fetish, you definitely seemed to like that idea last time. But if you can wait just a bit longer, there is one more thing, well one pony, I’d like to introduce you to before we start.” He nodded his head deeper into the warehouse, but not in the direction of the stalls.

Luna’s hind hooves tapped out a quick, staccato burst of sound as they danced on the floor but she forced herself to take control again, to keep herself in check. She nodded to Gregor and moved to follow him. “If you wish, but please, do not take too long.”

“Oh, I won’t.” His voice was deeper, breatheir then before, a quick glance down revealing rather unmistakable evidence that he was getting as excited as she was about moving on. He jerked his head at the glassed in overhang near the back. “Up there is my private office, if you ever need to speak to me about something. If I’m not in, you can leave a note on the desk if you want.”

He led her around pillories, hitching posts, wooden racks, each form of restraining device they passed only making the growing heat between her legs all the worse.They passed a few masked ponies who nodded or waved to them but otherwise left them alone. While threading their way through the place she started to hear a rhythmic creaking sound accompanied by a muffled moaning.

“Now, if I’m right.” He lifted his head and sniffed, “She should be just ahead. If I’m not around at all and it’s something important, Wood and Berry are the ponies to take things to. You’ve already met Wood, and Berry…” He rounded a short stone wall that held up the corner of his office structure. “... Is having some fun that I hope we aren’t interrupting too badly.”

On the other side of the barrier was a small alcove with a single restraint rack in it, this one designed to hold a pony upside down and spread legged from the frame. Bound inside of it was a red earth pony mare. A piebald pegasus stallion was standing over her, the positioning of the frame letting Luna get a clear view of his cock as it plunged into the bound mare.

Her thoughts of the breeding stall awaiting her tapered off as she tried to make out just what she was seeing and who was in control. The mare was clearly bound and wearing a collar, but she was stretching the ties to their limit to wrap her hind legs around the masked stallion’s hips and seemed to be the one controlling the pace. She used the leverage to hammer herself onto his shaft over and over, the stallion’s hips barely moving compared to hers.

Her forelegs were also straining the fabric of her bonds as she was pulling his head down for a kiss. Her eyes were closed, but her ears twitched as Gregor spoke. A few moments later she opened them and let go of the stallion, who pulled back and took a few gasping breaths. “Depends, you going to stick around for round two, or still tender from the last time. And aren’t you supposed to be out finding some fresh fuck-meat?”

Gregor’s wing wrapped around his chest, feathers rubbing gingerly over his side. “No, to both the first questions. As to the second,” He motioned Luna to come closer as she realized she was standing in a blind spot for the mare. She dutifully took a step to the side, still trying to work out exactly what was going on, as the mare hadn't stopped savagely impaling herself on the pegasus as she talked. “We had an unexpected delivery as I was about to leave.”

The mare that Luna presumed was ‘Berry’ looked her over, a pleased smirk on her muzzle that was broken only by the occasional gasp as she continued her fun with the stallion that was looking more and more like he was holding on for dear life. Her eyes suddenly went wide as she stopped rocking in her restraints. “Oh.. ohhh is this-”

“Fading Crescent. Yes. It is.” Gregor’s reply came quick, cutting the mare off.

“Ohhhh, yeeeeeees I’ve been looking forward to this!” She tapped the stallion on the chest and started squirming in the rigging. “Hey, budge off a bit Flame.”

Luna heard the stallion mutter ‘seriously?’ under his breath as he backed off, her eyes drifting to his mare-cum covered cock as he pulled out of Berry.

The red mare quickly popped her restraints open, rolling onto her hooves with a directness that couldn’t be called poised or graceful, but was effective nonetheless. She moved right up to the leashed slave, looking her over like a piece of produce as she ran a hoof down her neck and sides. “Ohhh, even better than you said. Ohhh yes, this one is going to be fun!”

She turned towards the griffon with a huge grin spread across her muzzle. “Ohhhhh yes. Breaking room two?”

Gregor sighed and pinched his beak between two talons while shaking his head. “We already had something else planned, and I don’t think she’ll need much breaking in. I just wanted her to know who you were before we got started.”

“Oh come on! You never bring the feisty ones back unbroken.” She stomped a hoof on the stone floor. “It’s been ages since I’ve gotten to help break in a new slave, especially one like this!”

“Berry, it’s been a week and a half, two weeks tops, and this isn’t up to me.” Luna watched the exchange between the two, ocasinaly stealing a glance at the piebald stallion who was standing off to the side looking frustrated. She was lost on any response to make, they clearly had their own dynamic that she had no idea how to respond to.

Even as his gestures made him seem exasperated Gregor’s tone remained light, even amused sounding. While Berry’s voice lacked any hints of a strident whine, or complaining tone. Her voice was deep, almost husky.

Luna jumped back as the mare whirled on her, Berry’s cream striped, green tail nearly smacking the unicorn in the face. “True, it’s hers.” Berry stepped close, nearly nose to nose with the slave. “I know the big, strong griffon went and got you addicted to being his willing little fuck toy already, but it’s been weeks since then, wouldn’t it be more fun to be reminded of that first? Get the full experience of becoming a broken little slave?”

Luna was taken aback, the invasion of her space was so abrupt and so blatant she had no idea how to react. Yet, she found herself giving the idea serious consideration. It might be better to start fresh, to use it as a chance to get back into character, to give her time to fully embrace her role. Even without the memories of last weekend having been spent being ‘broken in’ as a toy for two soon to be newlyweds use making her tail flag and a fresh burst of heat to form between her legs.

Before she could respond, Berry leaned in, now nose to nose, both muzzle scrunching up from the contact. “Just think about it; you, tied down, helpless while I work you over. Make you moan, scream, gasp, beg as I teach you what you truly are now.” Her voice had dropped to a luscious moan, her breath filling Luna’s nose with the faint scent of strawberries.

A red hoof began lightly stroking down Luna’s mane as Berry slid her muzzle up to now whisper lustily into her ear. “All the while Gregor is sitting there, watching, making sure you see how big, and thick, and hard and throbbing his cock is. Taunting you, showing you what your future is. ‘Till finally, when you can’t take it anymore, you’ll beg for him to take you, to claim you. Beg to be made nothing but a slutty, needy, little cock-sleeve. Admit that all you will ever be good for, all you are ever meant to be.”

Luna’s hind legs gave out, her rump slamming onto the ground with a wet sounding thud. She let out a long, low, shuddering moan as Berry pulled away, a smug looking grin on her muzzle while she turned to Gregor. “I think that’s a yes.”

The griffon looked over at the blushing, panting mare on the floor. “Fading?”

The unicorn looked up at her name, quickly nodding her agreement.

“Alright then.” The grin on Gregor’s beak nearly matched the one on Berry’s muzzle. “You want to go get the room set up? We’ll be down in a few minutes.”

Berry pumped a hoof in the air and shouted, “Yes!” Only to stumble forward half a step as the stallion that had been waiting around the whole time cleared his throat.

“I take it that’s a clockface on us?” He sounded slightly annoyed, but not overly so.

“Oh, right, sorry.” There was the slightest hint of Berry’s already red cheeks turning just the slightest bit darker. “You could use one of the other slaves if you need to finish up. Or, OH, to make up for it, you’ll get first go at our next toy once we're done and we drag her out to show off what a good little cock-sheath she’s become.”

That caused Luna’s eyes to go wide as she looked up at the mare, a shiver running along her spine. She was certainly liking how this mare thought.

The piebald stallion nodded and Berry was soon rushing off, Gregor shouting after her “And don’t forget to put your mask back on this time!” That done he turned to Flame. “You knew what you were getting into trying to play dom for her.”

“Yeah, still, was worth a try.” The pegasus shrugged before giving Luna a lecherous leer. “I’m going to be very, very eager for her to be done with you.” He then turned and headed off in a different direction then Berry had run off.

Now alone again, Gregor moved back close to Luna, helping her up to her hooves. “And that, was Strawberry Cream.”

Leaning on him for support she chuckled. “She is… intense.”

“Oh my yes. How best to describe our Berry? You know how there are some creatures in the Society that use the chance of being here to become someone different? Who throw themselves into the roles, totally change who they are to the point they seem to be a completely different pony while they are here?”

Luna took a few seconds to work over what he said, looking him over suspiciously while working out just how to respond. “Aye… I am aware of such things. They are not exactly uncommon.”

Gregor nodded, taking up the leash and starting to head off in the same direction Berry had taken. “Well, Berry is on the opposite end of that extreme. Sub, dom, slave, slave breaker, or not in character at all, I have never seen her personality change to fit what she’s doing. But she is always having fun doing it. She’s intense, but… well you’ll see.”

He turned back to the leashed mare, a wistful look on his face for a brief moment before he reached under his wing and pulled out his mask. “Now then, are you ready to start your new life as my slave?”

Luna took the mask from his claws with her magic, gently settling it onto his face. “Indeed, very, very much so.”