Umbra just stared at the scene before her, this was supposed to be a poker match, why were her players spending more time acting like schoolchildren that like each other but don’t want to say anything than adults actually trying to gamble? She just stood there watching Vinyl Scratch and Octavia blush at each other and throw in random bets, they didn’t try to make a show of pretending to look at their cards. Fine, if that was going to be the way they did things she was going to have some fun with it.

“Alright ladies,” said Umbra, “since you are such exceptional patrons,” it wasn’t a lie, the two had been frequenting the casino almost as soon as its doors first opened, “I have been authorized to give you access to the VIP section, we will switch out to a new game in one of the private booths there.” The two mares looked at her with a mix of surprise and delight, Umbra was happy because the VIP chamber allowed the staff to up the ante in more interesting ways than just increasing the betting amounts. The two mares snapped out of their high school blushing contest and blinked in surprise, even watching as Umbra packed up the table and motioned to follow her.

Vinyl Scratch and Octavia quickly got from their seats and followed the black unicorn mare. They all made their way through the facility until they reached a set of doors that said only authorized individuals were permitted beyond that point, the sign was just above a set of double doors that had no windows and looked plain, aside for the slight gold pattern of Sphinx on it and the ornate looking door handles. Umbra reached into her bosom, amusingly enough, and pulled out a key decoration in the shape of Sphinx’s head held to the doors, the imprint of Sphinx on the doors flashed for a split second then the doors opened seemingly on their own, the handles even turned down and up at a forty-five-degree angle without anyone touching them, and the three entered the seemingly dark area before the doors closed behind them and the chamber became fully illuminated with a light that was bright but not harsh on the eyes.

The chamber seemed to be broken into several rooms, the room they entered was the first of these rooms in the chamber and seemed to be its own private dining and bar area, the shelves all had some very exotic, and expensive, spirits on them but also had an extra layer of specially reinforced glass and the whole case was locked up with seven different kinds of locks. It seems that anyone that did manage to sneak or force their way in here was going to have a hard time pilfering the obviously small fortune in booze. Umbra led the two through an arch to the left of the room, this new room looked more like a set of tables for up six guests, two guests per table, with what looked like a platform rising out the water at the front of the room, the back of the room had a game table, looked like it could play the role of a card table or craps table.

Umbra set the cards on the table and started shuffling them with her dark indigo colored magic (another one of the “gifts” Sphinx had given her, for some reason when she ended up in servitude to the creature she had the color of her magic shift from the malevolent umbral color it had been during her Sombra days to this muted party color) as she said, “Alright ladies, the game is Strip Poker, house rules.”

The two mares stared at Umbra in clear surprise, “What does that mean,” inquired Octavia in her refined voice, “exactly?”

“Simple,” said Umbra, “you start the game with a standard ante of a single casino chip, size is your choice but make sure it’s around the same cost as that of the other players, then each bet after involves the use of one or more articles of clothing, all players with no more clothes to bet are out of the game, and the winner is the one who has clothes remaining on their figure, the winner also decides what to do with the losers and for how long.”

“I’m in,” said Vinyl Scratch excitedly, the electric blue maned white unicorn mare was practically grinning with excitement, “I’ve been trying to get...my associate to play some more risque games as of late.” Octavia shot Vinyl a look that was a mix of annoyance at her antics and gratitude that the white unicorn hadn’t voiced the nature of their relationship. Octavia had been doing her best to avoid risque activities, in public and private, but it seemed Vinyl was a bit too dedicated to her wildcard persona when out and about when she didn’t have any business calling, not that Octavia minded too much.

“Well, if you both insist,” said Octavia, “I suppose I should try going all in. How about we make it a bit more interesting.”

“Ooh,” said Vinyl with interest, “what do you have in mind?”

“Five games,” said Octavia as she held up an elegant hand in a sparkling glove, “with the best of three winning out. Each individual game win allows that winner to decide a little thing for the other players.” Umbra suddenly didn’t like where she knew this was going, Sphinx was going to probably institute this as a new house rule the moment she read this. Umbra’s arrangements with Sphinx wouldn’t allow her to keep this little wager under wraps.

“Ooh,” said Vinyl, “what about when you get the three wins?”

“If Vinyl or I get the 3 wins,” said Octavia, “we can request something for ourselves from the house, if our host wins they can make a request of either, or both, of us that has a maximum of 5 days.”

“I’m going need to have a talk with the boss for a moment,” said Umbra neutrally outside, but inside Umbra was panicking, she knew Sphinx wouldn’t just okay this but also find a way to draw this out. And while Sphinx would likely want to do this deal but Umbra was still playing the host then she would be the one doing all this first. Umbra didn’t think it would go this way, especially when it came to someone as reserved as the immaculate Octavia, she just wanted to feel like the in-control stallion she was before the events that led to her current situation, having to beautiful mares in the nude and alone in the room with her was supposed to feel like being that big stallion for a brief moment, not a vehicle for furthering Sphinx’s approach to games.

Umbra excused herself for a moment to make a quick, and personal run to Sphinx. On the way out she brought Zecora in to handle the VIP drinks, Celano was on duty at the casino’s official bar, so Zecora would have to do for the time being. Besides, Umbra didn’t want to use the changeling network, it would let Chrysalis know of her unintentional buck-up. Zecora introduced herself as she entered and started unlocking the drinks and mixing materials.

“Greetings, I am Zecora, one of the new staff,” said Zecora as she took care with the door as she entered, “if something about me amuses you then do not be afraid to laugh.”

Vinyl Scratch made no attempt to hide the fact she was following the Zebra’s body with her eyes, Octavia also found herself doing the same but she at least tried to be more discreet about it. How could they not, the zebra mare had a GGG-Cup bosom and plot big enough to set a drink or two on with noticeably little problem. If Zecora had noticed their stares at her she didn’t indicate as such, she just made her way to the bar and opened things up.

“What sort of mix do you wish to drink,” inquired Zecora as she grabbed one of the mixing shakers and almost juggled it before setting it on the bare before her, “I seriously hope it will not be something that later ends up in the sink.”

“How about you give us both the VIP special,” said Vinyl with a smirk behind her purple-tinted shades.

“Um, yes,” said Octavia carefully, “that sounds agreeable.”

Zecora nodded and grabbed quite some red and white spirits and poured them into the shaker with some ice before securing the top and cap then putting on a little dance with her shake as she also grabbed two wine glasses near the end of the nearly three-minute show, during which time the two did not notice Umbra’s return with what appeared to be some notes on parchment. Zecora then sat her plot on the bar and placed the two glasses on each of her rear’s mounds and began pouring the drinks over her shoulders into the glasses, with quite a bit of expert skill. Vinyl was clearly loving the show, Octavia made a look of embarrassment and brought one of her sparkling gloved hands up in front of her blushing face. Zecora was smiling over her shoulder the entire time.

After pouring the drinks, Zecora picked up the glasses and stood up before handing the glasses over to the pair of mares. She then made her way out of the chambers silently after gesturing to Umbra at the game table. She did this mostly because that she was instructed to keep the ponies in the VIP section company while Umbra was out for a personal chat with Sphinx. She didn’t mind too much, she didn’t have much to do recently and had probably spent more time making sure all her belongings were getting and organizing most of them around her room. Also, now that her cauldron was getting in, Sphinx was setting up a place for her to work on various concoctions.

Umbra started shuffling the cards as Vinyl and Octavia approached the table with their drinks in hand, her magic illuminating the cards as the deck was cut into smaller segments that were then shuffled together into a crisscross fashion. “Alright ladies,” said Umbra, “the boss excited about this little wager, should the house come out of this with three wins then you’ll both have to do a special music event that lasts five nights. Don’t worry, we’ll be sure to clear it all with your publicists. Now, do you have what you’ll ask for with your three wins? Or are you just going to think about it as we play?”

“I have a few ideas,” said Octavia, “but I will keep them to myself until the game is over.”

“I’m just gonna wing it with that sort of thing,” said Vinyl, “focus on the game first, then think about what I would like to ask for after. Best not to jinx it with the assumption the game is already in my pocket.”

Umbra nodded and started dealing the cards, “Alright,” said Umbra, “this is going to be a variant of seven-card stud, I know you know the rules since you’ve played it a few times with me.” Inside her head Umbra was screaming, she couldn’t hear her stallion voice anymore but that didn’t matter at the moment since she basically gave Sphinx a new way to mess with everyone. “The only real new rule you need to be aware of is that after the initial ante, you are to bet with your attire until you have literally nothing left on, that means you will be expected to use your undergarments in the betting, and only after you have literally nothing on will you be permitted to bet with whatever chips you have. And just a reminder, the house rule on checks is you can only perform three consecutive checks before betting, or calling of some kind are mandatory for continued play. Also, your removed attire will be returned to you at the beginning of each game, but only after the winner had made their say on what to impose on the other players.”

Vinyl was grinning behind her glasses as she set her drink and bag of casino chips down in front of her next to her dealt cards, Octavia was looking far more embarrassed by the turn of events as she placed her bag of chips and drink down on the table next to her cards and picked up the hand she was dealt. Both tried to switch over to keeping a neutral face as they brought their cards up to view. Vinyl’s smile a moment ago would have been a terrible bluff, but her starting hand was actually one of the better starts she had found herself with in quite some time. Octavia’s opening hand didn’t inspire her with confidence, with only three cards that could pass for a small hand all off-suit chances were she would be the first one throwing down pieces of her attire. Umbra’s starting hand wasn’t bad, it wasn’t good either, it was okay for a hand.

Octavia looked over to Vinyl, she knew Vinyl would follow her lead in places like this since she was the one in the know with the classier places they frequented. Octavia reached into her bag and pulled out a 90-bit chip and threw it out as the ante, Vinyl and Umbra followed her lead. After a few minutes of intensive staring at their cards, the players started betting. Vinyl started off with her shades, revealing her maroon eyes underneath. Octavia and Umbra called by throwing their gloves into the pot.
Octavia decided she might as well just roll with it and think about it later. By Umbra’s admission of the rules, they would be getting all their attire back after each game.

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Twenty minutes into the first game, Octavia and Umbra were down to their undergarments, much to Octavia’s embarrassed chagrin. Vinyl was missing her shirt, and loving it, with her bra and bosom out for all to see. Octavia was feeling embarrassed not just because she was down to her bra and panties, she was embarrassed because she was in a set of white lingerie with blue highlights that Vinyl had given her as a gift just a few months prior. Umbra wasn’t feeling all that embarrassed, she had been put in similar situations by Chrysalis and Sphinx numerous times before, of course, that still didn’t change the fact that two of Equestria’s biggest names in music could see her lacy lime-green lingerie any less embarrassing. Granted, Umbra didn’t want to end up in a situation where she had been after the Fleur debacle, and this situation was starting to bring back flashbacks of her punishment, despite she was fully clothed when she was spanked.

Just fifteen minutes later and Vinyl was pulling the pot in and giggling to herself, there was a considerable pool of chips along with the attire that had been betted during the game. “Alright, my rule is simple,” said Vinyl with a big grin as she tossed the attire that wasn’t hers over to the other players with her magic and pulled her shirt on, “you both have to do an over the top gesture every time you bet for the rest of the day.”

Umbra’s left eye began to twitch, after these rounds of betting those two could just retire to their rooms and hold off on the bets but she would still be required to do so for the rest of the day, and chances were Sphinx would extend the rules imposed on the players here considerably longer than that. After making sure everyone was fully attired again, while shuffling the cards, Umbra dealt out the next set of hands.

Vinyl almost wilted when she saw her hand, a runt would have been an improvement, she would have to bluff as much as she could on this one. Octavia almost gave away her hand, she was just two cards off from a royal straight flush, in diamonds no less, and the last two cards were a pair of black fours. Umbra looked at her hand almost chuckled, she had two sets of three lows, not the best hand but in the circumstances definitely a winning one.

To the surprise of the others, Octavia started off the betting this time by throwing out her gloves almost as soon as she put down the ante. Clearly, she was confident she had a potentially winning hand, or was at least close enough to one to warrant such a bold move. Vinyl figured Octavia was bluffing, she had been doing so for maybe half the last game and not given away her distress, and decided to call her bluff by throwing in her shirt and shades, Octavia had to call by adding in her footwear. Umbras was not happy, she threw in her own gloves and footwear.

Umbra tried to rush this next game, to her detriment, and within 12 minutes the game was to a similar point it had been just a half-hour in. Which meant Umbra was in just her panties with her bra in the pot, Octavia was in a similar situation since she was also down to her underwear but had yet to move any of her lingerie, and Vinyl was grinning like a fool despite being completely naked. Vinyl was only permitted one last bet in this state, as was confirmed by Umbra in the last game when Octavia had ironically been the first player to end up completely nude.

Five minutes later Umbra was in the buff and Octavia pulling in the pot while combing through it to look over for her attire to throw on. Once she was back in her formal dress, much to the amusement of Vinyl Scratch, Octavia issued her ruling, “Upon leaving this chamber, for the rest of the day, and all of tomorrow, all the players must dress in their best attire.” Octavia shot Vinyl a knowing smirk. Vinyl did have a fancy dress, which Octavia had made sure had been packed for the trip, but Vinyl never thought she would have to be wearing it, until Octavia’s decree left the gray mare’s mouth. Vinyl had enjoyed the show of ridiculous poses Octavia had made, especially when she was down to her lingerie, but now she had the feeling this decree was Octavia’s way of getting back at her.

The following match, including ridiculous poses, was won by Umbra when she was down to her panties and had her bra in the pot, Umbra’s decree was for her fellow players to have every bet be made with an additional minimum of 80 bits in chips. Matches four and five were additionally won by Octavia, her decree for the end of game 4 was to have all players show the cards they were swapping out of their hands. And after game 5 was won, Octavia asked for Novo to give her and Vinyl a private show in the VIP lounge, Umbra hurriedly had Chrysalis send the message off to Sphinx what the winner’s request was, she knew her comprehensive report of the day’s activities and dealings was not going to be pleasant for her.

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Princess Luna stepped into the facility, the princess of the night had been made aware of the new staff, one of whom is a practitioner of the performing arts. The midnight blue alicorn was in a sexy little black number that gave more than ample room for her cleavage, which was considerable thanks to her luscious L-Cup bosom, along with a front split just below the waist, which had an indigo belt, to give a view of her gorgeous legs. Her silver collar, silver-hemmed blue elbow gloves, and silver shoes helped complete the look.

Chrysalis appeared to greet the buxom midnight blue alicorn, and guide her around. “Mistress Luna,” said Chrysalis in a friendly voice, “it is so nice to see you visiting this establishment, to what do we owe this visit?”

“We were made aware that one of your staff is a practitioner of the performing arts, as a patron of the arts we would like to observe a few of her shows.”

“Of course,” said Chrysalis, “I will let the boss know about your request, they should be getting back to you soon. I will lead you to the VIP section to wait, please follow me.”

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Queen Rain Shine stepped into the facility, she had heard rumors about the surprisingly ethnically diverse staff of the facility, she was thinking of being a patron of the facility. Also, she needed to get Autumn Blaze out somewhere that would allow her to interact with other creatures. Rain Shine herself was noticeably tall and buxom, her lime-green elbow-gloves and thigh-high high-heeled boots and forest green dress with splitting down the sides from the waist down and yellow decoration around her exposed naval that continued in a pattern around the waist area were the epitome of class for the kirins. Her back sweeping maroon horn with pink stripes upon her forehead was also a thing of beauty.

The white kirin queen and her teal hair were well kept and beautiful as is, her natural swirls upon her head gave off the illusion she had her hair well-styled. In truth, she just brushed the hair on her head and tail and it all naturally fell into place, no magic or specialist needed. Rain Shine was merely wandering about the lobby, and adjoining areas open to the public, it was best to do things from the eyes of a tourist before anything else.

While she was wandering around one of the staff, a buggy-looking unicorn-like creature, informed her that the proprietor of the establishment would like to show her around. Rain Shine immediately got the impression this was a special service not many guests were treated to such a distinct hospitality, she motioned for the creature to lead the way. She was led through the lobby to a maroon-colored cat-like creature that seemed to be just a head or so shorter than her, which was a bit of a surprise given Rain Shine’s height.

“Greetings, Madame Rain Shine,” said Sphinx as she approached Rain Shine, “how about I show you around a bit, and we can finish it all up with a stop over in the VIP area.” Rain Shine took a moment to think about it and gave a regal nod, Sphinx gave a big grin and started showing her around.

Somnambula was doing a security check on one of her tables, in the little red number Sphinx insisted she wears about the facility, with her black bra underneath, along with a set of black knee socks and short red high-heel shoes. She suddenly became aware of the fact she no longer had a set of panties, only Sphinx would be so brazen, and it really showed just how much her rear and hips have grown while working at the casino. She looked over her shoulder to see Sphinx in her usual leotard, with a red feather boa over her shoulder closest to Somnambula, guiding a tall white kirin in a very distinct green dress. Sphinx seemed to be giving the kirin a tour, if you went by what Sphinx was saying to the guest she was guiding around.

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About a half-hour after Sphinx had given her tour, she and Rain Shine entered the VIP section. Celano was at the bar pouring a starry fizzing beverage into a martini glass for Princess Luna. “I was not expecting the wondrous Princess Luna to be here as well,” said Sphinx as she motioned for Celano to make her the beverage she most preferred. “Madame Rain Shine, Celano is our master of spirits, she can mix up almost any beverage you ask for.”

“I think I will just have what the illustrious Princess Luna is having,” said Rain Shine in her elegant voice, “I wouldn’t want to overextend your staff by requesting something that could be arduous to make at this time, maybe next time the two of us cross paths.” Celano nodded and started mixing up the drink, throwing in little flourishes as she mixed and shook the ingredients. The final product looked almost identical to the beverage that resembled a starry night sky.

Princess Luna chuckled as Rain Shine stared at her starry glassy with more than a bit of confusion, “Night’s Spirit never looks the same with each pour,” said Luna playfully, “It’s like the everchanging night sky, and if you are lucky then you might get a constellation or two in your glass.”

Rain Shine looked intently at her glass to see if she could spot a constellation at all. After a bit she noticed something. "Oh, I believe this is Ares is it not?"

“My first mix was Cancer, I don’t know what it is about first mixes and zodiac constellations.”

“What was your second pour?”
“I got Signus and Tritium together, for some reason, those two aren’t near each other in the night sky, if I don’t ordain it, it’s a bit amusing.”

“So, we get to drink the stars as they could be, maybe we could start ‘charting’ the sky in our glasses.”

“That sounds like a fun game, best of luck.”

Author's Note

I know it's been a while, hope it was enjoyable. Might be a while until the next chapter.