Foreigner in a Foreign Land

(A/N: Hi all!!! I wrote this in like two days so be gentle. This tale does get graphic in both blood and sex, so be aware. More graphic stories will follow.)

Applejack abruptly awakened. She was distinctly aware of several unpleasant things. First, she was soaking wet. Second, she was having a hard time breathing. Third, and directly related to the second, her face was deep in sand. The pony rolled over and tried to breathe, only to find out something else unpleasant. Her face and throat were clogged. For the next several minutes she hacked and coughed up wet sand. She was hovering between passing out and suffocating. Finally however she managed to spit it all out of her. She then gasped and wheezed, trying to remember what happened and why she was on a beach at night.

She had been on a boat, a passenger boat. She was heading somewhere on the high seas when there was a freak storm. Her memory was a little hazy after that. She remembers a giant wall of water, the ship cracking apart and being underwater. After that it was all black. The pony was lucky she was alive, she was a poor swimmer in calm water, the ocean was a whole different animal. The pony sat up and gazed around. She was on a narrow beach with a rocky cliff not too far from it. It must have been low tide; if it was high Applejack would have been thrown against those sharp rocks. The trees at the top of that cliff were not any that the earth pony had ever seen before and she knew all about trees. The earth pony’s thoughts were abruptly interrupted. She heard steps in the sand behind her. She jerked her head around to see two stallions approaching her, with cautious glances on their faces. They were dressed in clothes that Applejack had never seen before. Each of them had their upper bodies covered in what could best be described as robes. On their heads were round, wide conical metal hats. Each of them also had long fishing poles and tackle on their backs. The second Applejack turned to them they both flinched backwards.

“I told you she was a foreigner.” One said with an accent that the earth pony had never heard before.

“Could she be an Ainoof?” The other asked.

“No way, look at her burnt-colored skin and those blemishes. She’s a complete outsider!”

“They’re freckles!” Applejack barked, offended.

“Should we turn her over to the magistrate? That’s what we’re ordered to do by law.”

“We could see how much we could get...from other sources. They’ll pay us more.” They both glanced at each other, each with an eyebrow cocked.

“Uh guys?” Applejack asked, now appearing annoyed. “I’m right here.”

“Isn’t that illegal?”

“The law says that they can’t be deported if they are working.”

“That law was enacted over a hundred years ago so wealthy foreign merchants wouldn’t leave.”

“It’s still on the books. If she’s working then they have no reasonable cause for a warrant of investigation.”

“Again guys, right here.” Now Applejack was getting angry. They both turned to her, each one looking as if they had seen her for the first time.

“Hey.” One of them said, pointing behind her. “Is that your ship?” Applejack’s head jerked around.

“Where?” She shouted. That was when she felt a powerful blow to the back of her head. Stars exploded in her eyes and, once again, she faded into blackness.

When Applejack awoke she found that things were dark again. After a few moments of blinking and moving her head she found something disturbing. There was something over her head, probably a bag. She tried to shout out, but found that her mouth was gagged. She tried to take the bag off her head only to find that all of her hooves were bound together. For a few moments she squirmed helplessly, screaming against the gag. Abruptly something struck her sore head. It felt like a stick.

“Quiet!” A harsh voice said. Normally Applejack would have been violent and defiant, but her head hurt so much she actually obeyed.

Applejack had no idea how long she was lying on the ground, bound, gagged and blinded, but it felt like forever. Finally, she heard a sound akin to a curtain being drawn. That was when she heard a great many voices, most of them male.

“Welcome to the sale of saburuko!” A stallion said. “Let’s begin with this little mare from Nishishirakawa. She has perfect facial structure, making her a perfect working girl or hostess. What will you give for this treasure?” Ponies began shouting out numbers until the highest was found. Applejack heard what was apparently the mare on display being led away. “This next mare has incredibly dainty hooves, making her a perfect dancer. What will you give for her?” A chill began to go down Applejack’s spine. They were selling...other ponies!? What was going on!? What was this place!? The earth pony listened as mare after mare was sold off. Finally, somepony grabbed the mare and dragged her a ways. “Finally fillies and gentlecolts, our greatest piece of the month!” The bag was jerked off Applejack’s head.

She was in a room the likes of which she had never seen. There was what appeared to be some sort of doors on the front of the room. They had some latticed wood and covered by what appeared to be paper. The floor was covered by square straw mats in neat patterns. The room was filled with several ponies, most of them indeed stallions. All of them had brightly color robes covering the front of their bodies, made from a very soft and fine material. A few of them had mares with them. They too were dressed in fine robes, but had strange white makeup on their faces and necks, hair tied up into knots and had umbrellas with beautiful patterns of flowers and animals on them. They also had fans that they covered parts of their faces with them. Most of them were earth ponies, with only a few unicorns mixed in. There were no pegasi.

“This lovely gem is a foreigner who washed up on shore. She is sure to be submissive and a delightful oddity for anypony’s business. Feel free to come and examine her before bidding.” Several of the stallions walked forward. They began gazing her over, as if she were an animal to be bought. Applejack, feeling violated, angry and all-around defiant, began struggling with the gag. A few of the stallions walked up to her. They felt around her hips, tail and hair, apparently muttering about the odd color and texture. Applejack was practically popping her jaw out of place, loosening to cloth around her mouth. One of the mares with a fan over her face squinted her eyes, apparently in disgust.

“Her skin is the color of a dirty bathtub.” The mare said. “And her face is covered in blemishes.”

“That’s what might attract ponies to her.” The stallion said. “It’s like a two-headed cow or a dog missing a leg.” Applejack could feel a vein popping in her heat as she felt hate boiling in her gut.

“Who could possibly find that attractive?’ The mare replied. The stallion walked forward and grabbed her hair, lifting up her face.

“Those blemishes are hard to get past though...” He stated. The gag fell. Applejack jerked her head up and bit into his arm as hard as she could. The man shouted and jumped backwards, shaking his hoof.

“They’re freckles you worthless lowlife!!!” She shouted. “And I’m not some kind of freak show for your enjoyment! If you buy me I will do my damnedest to destroy everything you own!!” The man she bit scoffed.

“Submissive my ass.” He stated. He jerked his date and began leaving. All the other ponies followed him. Remarking on how ugly and venomous Applejack was. The apparent auctioneer ran forward.

“No, wait, stop!! I’m sure she can be trained! She can simply be used for display!!” The ponies didn’t listen. One them slid open one of the panels, the sound Applejack thought was a curtain, on the front of the room and they all filed out. The auctioneer growled. He marched over and grabbed Applejack by her hair, jerking her up roughly. The mare squealed in pain. “A lot of good you are! Now I’m going to have to lose money on you! Maybe I should do away with you right...”

“Ahem.” Applejack was released. The auctioneer and Applejack turned out to the room. A single mare remained. She was dressed in nice robes as well, but they weren’t as colorful as the rest.

“What do you want Saku!?” He barked.

“One hundred.” She said.

“What?” He replied, sounding confused.

“I’ll pay you one hundred.” Applejack didn’t know whether to feel relieved or offended. The other mares went for between five hundred and two thousand. On the other hand the auctioneer wasn’t going to kill her.

“Oh come on!” The stallion shouted, motioning to Applejack. “How often do you get a foreigner? Three hundred!”

“One hundred.” The mare said flatly.

“At least give me two fifty, I have to recoup my money!”

“One hundred.” The mare wasn’t budging.

“Two hundred at least.”

“One hundred.” It was like arguing with a brick wall.

“I’ll just take her to magistrate then.” The auctioneer picked up Applejack by her bindings and was scowling. The mare laughed.

“And receive twenty-five? You’re not fooling me.” The auctioneer growled.

“Fine.” He shoved Applejack forward. Since her bindings covered all of her hooves she crumpled back onto the ground like a rock in water. She landed on her nose, causing her to groan in pain. “Pay me my money!” The mare walked forward and removed a bag that had been hanging from her side. She counted out several gold coins, apparently worth one hundred of whatever they used for money. The mare walked over and immediately undid Applejack’s restraints. The mare finally got to stand up, rubbing where the ropes had her bound. The earth pony stared at her buyer, confused. Why would she cut her free? The mare winked at Applejack and smiled kindly.

“Follow me sweety.” She said. The auctioneer handed her a scroll of paper and marched away, still seemingly angry. Applejack, not having any better idea, began following the mare.

Once Applejack emerged out of the building she was in instant culture shock. Everything about this place was different from what she had ever known. The buildings had curved roofs. Most of the ponies were wearing a robe of some kind, although a few weren’t wearing any at all. Applejack also noticed that most of the ponies looked alike. They were all either red, white or silver with very little mixing. Most of them had either black or white hair, again with very little mixing. There were also massive amounts of earth ponies, without only one or two unicorns milling about. Applejack stared at the sky to see any pegasi, but spotted not. After a while they exited the town and the endless stares at Applejack. Once they entered the countryside there were only unclothed earth ponies, working in fields or carrying water around the dirt roads. They must have traveled for an hour before Applejack’s wits returned to her. She finally studied the mare leading her. She was wearing lovely robes with her hair up in a bun like the mares accompanying the stallions. Her hair was black, her eyes dark and her coat white. Even though she appeared to middle-aged she was still quite beautiful. Her cutie mark was that of a fan. Applejack figured now as good of a time to start talking as any.

“Where the hell am I?” She finally asked the mare leading her.

“You are in Nippony.” The mare said with a smile.

“I’ve...never heard of it.” Applejack admitted.

“We are an isolated nation.” The woman replied. “I’m not surprised.”

“What is...I don’t...I don’t know where to begin.” Applejack said.

“Ask away.” The mare stated. She sure was friendly for somepony who bought her.

“What just happened? Why was I being sold?”

“You were sold to a saburuko dealer. He sells mare foals to geisha and night houses.”

“What...are those?”

“Geisha entertain stallions through song, dance and flattery. Night houses are prostitute dens.”

“That’s...horrible.” Applejack was shocked.

“Not really.” The mare replied smiling again. “Most of the mares volunteer.”

“What!? Why!?”

“They’re from farming families who would be lucky to see a single coin their entire lives. If they work in those professions they are paid, have a comfortable place to live and are guaranteed to be safe.”

“I’m a farmer.” Applejack said. “Or...I was...but...I would never...”

“The situation here in Nippony is probably different.” The mare explained. They appeared to be approaching another settlement, this one much smaller. “Farmers are paid in food rather than money and are often only give enough to feed their families.”

“Oh.” Applejack thought for a moment, trying to sort her thoughts. “Who are you?”

“They call me Saku. I’ve been called that for so long I consider it my real name. I became a saburuko many, many, many years ago.”

“Why did you...buy me?” The mare smiled again as they were arriving at the walls of the settlement. They seemed to be built not for fortification, but to keep ponies from looking in.

“I felt bad for you.” She said. “Your options were bleak anyway. If he turned you over to the magistrate you would have been executed, put in a work camp or, if you were really lucky, deported to a country you’ve also never heard of to the east. That or he could have just dumped you on the street.”

“Why would they punish me?” Applejack asked.

“Because,” The mare continued. “foreigners are not allowed in this country unless they are working, although that was only implemented to keep the rich foreigners here a century ago. They’ve all left or integrated since then. Any attempt to introduce any foreign influence or goods will result in prison or death.”

“What about pegasi?” Applejack asked. “Couldn’t they just fly to other countries and bring things back?”

“There are no pegasi.”

“Huh?”

“They were expelled when the policy was made.”

“That...that’s cruel.” Applejack didn’t like the sound of this. This place sounded quite dangerous to be in.

“Don’t worry.” The mare continued. “As long as I have papers to prove you are employed they won’t touch you.”

“Employed doing what?”

“What else?” They finally entered the settlement. Applejack abruptly stopped. The place was swarming with mares. They were all dolled up, many of them posing in front of buildings proactively. Applejack felt a new chill go down her spine. Numbly she resumed walking, catching up to the mare leading her.

“This...this is...” Applejack said, her face going pale.

“Yukaku.” Saku finished. “A pleasure district.” The mare finally stopped walking. They were in front of a rather nondescript building. There was a sign with a red crane on the front. “This is my den.” She said, motioning towards it. “Remember the sign, most of these places look alike.”

“You...you expect me to...?” Applejack began to feel her stomach turn.

“Well...” Saku began. “I’m not going to make you. If you want, I’ll sign these papers and you can go free. However...”

“However?”

“First, I doubt you’ll find an easier or more worthwhile job for a farming mare to move into. Second, you are a foreigner in a foreign land that doesn’t like foreigners. Even if you have proof that you are free, a magistrate might capture you anyway. Third, there are no high-seas faring vessels in this country, only coastal ones.”

“There aren’t any...foreign ports?”

“None. You can refuse to work if you want, I won’t kick you out, but how are you supposed to eat? The mares have to buy their own food.” Applejack got even paler. This mare saved her from a life of harsh work or death...and dropped her into the life of a prostitute. “Why don’t you get some sleep for now? You look exhausted.”

“Yeah.” Applejack said, gripping her sore head. “I feel...dizzy.” Saku walked forward and slid open the door to the establishment. Applejack reluctantly followed her inside.

The inside of the place had couches, tables and what appeared to be a bar. There were fanciful pots in all four corners of the room with burnt sticks on the top. Applejack recognized it as incense. There were various mares lying on the couches, drinking from small dishes and chatting. All of them were wearing fanciful robes, too much makeup and had their hair done up in perfect buns.

“Kaede!” Saku cried. One of the mares set aside her drinking dish and jumped up. With a spring in her trot she made her way over.

“Yes Saku?” She asked. The older mare motioned towards Applejack.

“This is our new mare. She’s a foreigner and doesn’t have a clue about anything in our country. I want you to take care of her.”

“Sure thing Saku.” Kaede said. Saku trotted away behind the bar and began working on something underneath it. The bright, young mare instantly jumped in front of Applejack.

“Hi there! I’m Kaede!”

“H-Hi...” Applejack said apprehensively.

“Come on! I’ll show you to your room!” Applejack followed the happy pony to a back hallway sectioned off by a curtain. The earth pony gawked at the hallway they entered. It was lined with candles and provocative art on the walls. All the walls were made of those latticed wood and paper. On the doors were plagues with strange symbols on them. They appeared to be a bunch of lines randomly mixed together. They moved all the way to the end of the hall. The last sliding door had a plaque that was blank. Kaede slid the door open. “This is your room!” Applejack walked inside. Only the back and right walls were made of wood. The side facing the hallway and another room had those paper doors. The room was simple, with bedding on the floor, one of those fanciful pots in the corner and a table with a mirror on one side. Kaede once again jumped in front of Applejack, surprising the country pony.

“What’s your name?” She asked excitedly.

“Uh...uh...Applejack.” She replied.

“Wow, I’m not sure how to write the kanji for that.” Kaede said.

“Kanji?”

“It’s our writing system. Our names are on our doors. I’m not that good at writing, so you’ll probably have to ask Saku to try and write yours.”

“Okay...” Applejack finally started to study the pony in front of her. She was slightly younger than Applejack. She was white with silver hair. Like everypony else her eyes were dark and she was an earth pony. She was certainly quite pretty, with a perfectly shaped face. Her eyes were also bright, without a hint of sadness in them. Her cutie mark was that of a blossoming flower, and fit her beautiful body well. “How did you...get into this?”

“Hm? You mean working here?” She asked. Applejack nodded. “My parents sold me into it.”

“They what!?” Applejack shouted. She was instantly outraged.

“Why are you so angry?” She asked, tilting her head. “I’m not. I write them all the time.”

“They...they sold you!!!”

“It’s not uncommon. One day I was sleeping on a dirt floor eating nothing but rice and a few days later I was laying on a futon in a house and eating fruit and vegetables. I rather like it.”

“But...but you have to...sleep with stallions...” Kaede shrugged.

“They’re usually nice.” She said. “I’ve only ever been hurt a few times. Those that do are blacklisted.” Applejack’s mind boggled. This place was so bizarre. It was like she had entered some strange, seedy world a hop, skip and a jump from hell. “You look rough. Why don’t you get some sleep and I’ll come and groom you later.”

“O...okay...” Applejack said. Kaede bowed to her and backed out of the room, shutting the door. Applejack trotted over to the bedding. She stared at it, left and right. It wasn’t bed, at least how she knew it. There was a soft mattress-thing, but it was directly on the floor. The earth pony was too exhausted to care. She laid under the covers and curled up into a ball. She couldn’t believe how quickly her life had changed...twice now. When she sailed from Equestria she remarked how her life couldn’t get any worse. She didn’t mean it as a challenge.

“Wake up sleepy head!” Applejack was jolted awake. She instantly groaned. She was stiff from sleeping on an unfamiliar bed and her head was throbbing from all the hits she suffered. She lifted her head, squinting at the room around her. It took her a few moments to realize where she was. “It’s morning already.” Kaede bounded beside Applejack. “We have to get ready for our day!”

“We do?” Applejack asked, wiping drool from her face.

“Or at least I do.” Kaede said, motioning to her face. “It takes me most of the morning to put on all my makeup before the lunch. Some come to the district instead of eating. You on the other hoof don’t need any.”

“I...I don’t?” Applejack asked, crawling out of her bed. He bones were cracking as she stood up. She had quite the distressing night.

“We want to show off your face, not hide it. Now come on.” Kaede motioned towards the table and mirror. As Applejack walked up to it the younger pony motioned for her to sit.

“Where?” Applejack asked. There wasn’t a chair.

“Oh, like this.” Kaede demonstrated. She bent her back knees and sat her rump on her back hooves. Applejack appeared confused for a moment, but then obeyed. It was actually kind of uncomfortable, but she managed to maintain it. Kaede removed a brush from the table in front of her and began brushing Applejack’s messy hair. “What an interesting color. I’ve never seen it before.”

“It was my mother’s.” Applejack stated.

“I think it’s pretty.” Kaede said with a smile. It was the first compliment Applejack had received since she got there. It actually made her smile a bit. “What are those spots on your face?”

“They’re freckles.” Applejack said. “I get them when I’m in the sun a lot. They’re common where I come from.”

“They make you look exotic. I like them.” In short order, Kaede had skillfully brushed all of Applejack’s rough, long hair into something silky and orderly. She removed some long pins and hair pieces from the table in front of them. In a matter of moments she pulled Applejack’s hair into a neat twisted bun, put the pins in an “x” pattern through it and put the piece on top, giving her a flower on top of her head. “There you go, gorgeous!”

“If you say so...” Applejack said, studying her new hair. Now Kaede extracted what appeared to be fake eyebrows. Applejack grumbled a bit. She had been dolled up before, but didn’t like it. All the same, she had best not complain. She kept her face still as Kaede applied the eyelashes and eyeliner.

“Hmm...that should do.” The native pony said. “Saku told me not to cover up too much. Give me a second, I’ll get your clothes.” The pony bounded out the room. While she was gone, Applejack studied herself in the mirror. She had spent all her life working in fields, the sun and the dirt. Now she was in some whorehouse being beautified for work. The look she now had was so foreign to her. It was like it wasn’t even her, but some kind of mannequin. The pony even had to touch her face to make sure it was real. Eventually Kaede came bounding back in. She was carrying one of the fanciful robes and a fan.

“Here! Wear this!” With a bit of help Applejack got into the outfit.

“This robe feels...” Applejack began, moving around in it. “Really soft.”

“It’s a kimono and it’s made of silk.”

“Silk? Never heard of it.”

“Here, take the fan.” Applejack obeyed, spreading it out to see a vine of flowers displayed across it. “Now hold it over your face, only showing your eyes.” The country pony obeyed. “Wow, that makes you look gorgeous! You’ll get work right away!” Applejack flinched. She stared at the ground, dropping the fan.

“I...I...” Applejack was stuck between a rock and a hard place. She had a choice to make. She could work and live a decent enough life here...but the idea of having different stallions being with her everyday just to make money... Applejack had lived her entire life looking for that one special pony. The pony she could spend her entire life with, settle on a farm and have children. All of those things...now seemed impossible. All the same, Applejack just couldn’t live with it. “I can’t.”

“Can’t what?” Kaede asked, concerned.

“I can’t do this. I can’t...sleep with stallions I don’t know.”

“Well you meet them in the lounge before you come back to the room. You can talk to them and be picky.”

“No...I...can’t do this kind of work.” Applejack shed the kimono and folded it on the ground, laying the fan on top of it. “This isn’t me. I can’t do this.” Kaede abruptly looked sympathetic. She sighed and shook her head.

“We’re not going to make you.” The pony said. “All the same, what are you going to do for money?”

“I...I...I don’t know.” Applejack said, sounding defeated. “I just know that I can’t do this.” Both of them were silent for several moments.

“Well, you don’t have to worry about it now.” Kaede said encouragingly. “Saku said she’ll feed you for today.” That wasn’t much comfort for Applejack though. Tomorrow she’d just be right back in the same boat. “You’re probably still pretty tired. How about you rest for now? I’ll come and get you when there’s a break in the work to eat.” Applejack nodded.

The country pony spent the entire day sitting on the ground. She was rapidly bored, agitated and desperate to do something, but if she walked out of her room and the hall she was afraid of what might happen. She might lose her nerve and just join them. The very thought of that terrified her. She would occasionally hear ponies talking, doors sliding and then tell-tale signs of ecstasy. Applejack covered her ears, trying not to listen. All these years of living in a conservative and proper society and now she was stuck here. For what seemed like forever Applejack remained huddled in a corner, trying to pretend she was somewhere else. Finally, the door to her room slid open.

“Food!” Kaede shouted. Applejack jumped up excitedly. She was incredibly hungry.

“Finally!” She replied. Happy to see such a reaction from her Kaede bounded over. She had a pot in one hand and bowls in the other. She sat it on the floor and sat on one side. Applejack sat on the other, copying her hostess. The native pony lifted the lid, revealing a large pile of steaming rice with a large spoon in it. She gave both of them equal portions before handing it back to Applejack along with two small sticks.

“What are these?” The country pony asked.

“Hashi.” Kaede replied. “We use them to eat.” The escort neatly demonstrated how to use them, easily grabbing rice and eating it. Applejack attempted to replicate her actions, but found it difficult.

“Darn it...darn it...” The sticks fell out of her hoof. “Gosh darn it! Forget it!” Applejack went in face-first, eating the rice like an animal. Kaede giggled, apparently amused. The country pony had never eaten rice quite like this. It was thicker than what she was used to and it was actually quite salty. All the same the mare hadn’t eaten in forever and it tasted delightful. Applejack finished long before Kaede, who was taking her sweet time.

“More?” She asked.

“Darn-tootin!” Applejack replied, holding out her bowl. Kaede giggled once again, amused by Applejack’s expression. The escort quickly gave Applejack another portion, who instantly began chomping on the rice.

“So, where are you from Applejack?” Kaede asked. The country pony stopped eating. She paused for a moment before wiping her mouth and sighing.

“It’s this...country called Equestria.” Applejack explained.

“What’s it like?” Kaede asked, interested.

“It’s nice.”

“Nice?”

“I...was leaving it all behind.” Applejack looked down at her plate. “There was nothing left for me there.”

“Oh.” Kaede sounded disappointed. “Were there any farms?”

“Oh yeah, I was a farmer.”

“You were? So you ever actually had real money?” Kaede asked the question as if a child would ask another if they’ve been on the carnival rid or not.

“Uh...yeah. I always a surplus of money at the end of year...or...I used to.”

“Surplus?’ Kaede asked, sounding shocked. “What crops did you grow?”

“Apples.”

“And...?”

“Just apples.” The native squinted, as if confused.

“Did you just eat apples?”

“No, I sold the apples and bought other things.”

“But...you’re a farmer not a merchant.”

“Well, I didn’t do one exclusively, I did a lot of things.”

“You...you can do that?”

“You can’t?”

“No. You are what your mother and father were before you, with the exception of us.”

“We didn’t have to do that. We were free to do what we wanted when we grew up.”

“So...are there any daimiyo or samurai?”

“What?”

“Lords and professional warriors.”

“There are some soldiers and nobles.”

“Were you forbidden from mixing or marrying with them?”

“What? No. We were free to marry whomever we wish.”

“Really!?” Kaede was practically leaning over the pot below her. “You’re not...making that up!?”

“No, why would I?”

“Why would you ever leave?” Applejack flinched and abruptly put on a stoic expression.

“I told you.” She said, beginning to munch on the rice again. “There was nothing there for me anymore.”

“Sorry.” Kaede said, now feeling bad for bringing it up. Applejack was licking the bowl clean. Kaede used the spoon and scraped the last of the rice out of the pot and offered it to Applejack who gratefully took it and licked the spoon clean. Kaede then finished her own serving. Then, with her chopsticks, she reached into the pot and removed something small and shriveled. “Let’s split the umeboshi.”

“The what?” Applejack asked.

“It’s a pickled plum. It’s good for digestion.”

“It is?” Kaede nodded. She pulled the tiny thing apart and offered half of it to Applejack. The country pony took it, examined it and waited for Kaede to eat her own part. She made happy sounds as she chewed on it, as if it were delicious. Applejack then popped her own. She instantly made an unpleasant face. It was bitter, sour and not at all delicious. The country pony chewed on it as quickly as she could before swallowing it. She then coughed, not believing the taste in her mouth.

“Wow...that was...bad...” Applejack said.

“It’s an acquired taste.” She said, shrugging. “You want to come in the lounge for some after-meal sake?”

“Sake?”

“Liquor.”

“No...no.” Applejack said, shaking her head. “I’m...I’m fine.” Kaede nodded and began putting their utensils into the pot.

“Have you decided what to do about tomorrow?” Applejack felt that familiar chill go down her spine. She was only going to be fed for today. Tomorrow she would be on her own. Applejack sighed and rolled over onto her side.

“I won’t work.” Applejack said. “Just the thought of some strange stallion getting their hooves on me...” The country mare shivered and curled into a ball. “I...I just can’t...” Applejack’s voice was beginning to crack up. All the pressure was beginning to weigh her down. A deadline was approaching and all that remained past it was hunger. There was simply no way Applejack could do this...but what else could she do? If she left this place, this country would tear her apart. She was trapped and the only option she could seem to choose was to starve. Kaede instantly felt terrible. Applejack seemed paralyzed and horrified. She was trapped in this place with no real options.

“Don’t cry.” The sympathetic pony said, walking over and stroking Applejack’s hair. “Shhhh, it’ll be okay. I’ll share my food with you, okay?”

“Y...you will?” The country pony asked, suddenly shocked.

“Sure, it’s no problem. Until you can find some other job do we can share.”

“You...you don’t mind?”

“Of course not. I’m supposed to take care of you, remember? And I will.” Kaede winked at her and stood up. She grabbed the pot and began carrying it out. “Got to get back to work, got two mouths to feed.” She waltzed out of the room, sliding the door closed. Applejack didn’t know what to say. That was one of the kindest things anypony had ever done for her. She was willing to support Applejack...while she did nothing but cry and moan. She lay onto the floor, sighing. Now she was beginning to feel guilty on top of desperate.

It wasn’t long until Applejack heard something that deeply disturbed her. The door to the room next to her slid open...Kaede’s room. Applejack went rigid in the corner she was huddling in. There was a thin barrier between their rooms...and she could see the shadows of two ponies.

“I’ve been waiting all week for this.” Said the voice of a stallion. The second the door closed behind him Applejack could see him wrap Kaede up and begin kissing her neck.

“Oh sir, you flatter me.” Kaede said, apparently fluttering a fan.

“My wife is so frigid...I can’t take it anymore.” The stallion replied. He pulled her kimono off her body, making groans and gasps of desire the whole way. He led her to where her bed must be and sat down. “Please, service me.”

“As you wish sir.” Kaede leaned down, her head moving between his legs.

‘No...no...I...I can’t watch this!!!’ Applejack thought, her face going pale. She tried to look away, tear away her gaze or simply close her eyes, but she was completely frozen, unable to move or stop looking. She could see Kaede’s head bob back and forth. Making sounds that Applejack dared not describe. The stallion was moaning in delight, throwing his head back and muttering encouraging things. For several minutes Kaede kept up her work. The stallion put his hooves on her head, making her move much faster. For a few moments they both grinded together before he finally stopped, gasping and panting.

“Whew, almost finished early.” He said. Kaede coughed a few moments before apparently gaining her composure.

“It’s quite alright sir.” She said. “You may please yourself any way you wish with me.”

“I think I’ll save it for the best part.” The stallion said, chuckling. “Bend over.” Kaede turned around and lifted her rump up to him, her upper body and head against the ground.

“Please, honor me sir.” She said.

“As you wish dearie.” The stallion said. He pressed his body against hers, his front hooves in front of her back ones. Applejack felt her body shaking helplessly and her stomach turning over as she heard lascivious noises. She was horrified by what she saw and with every fiber of her being wanted to turn away...but couldn’t. She was completely stuck, as if watching a train wreck in slow motion. The stallion began moving, constantly groaning and sighing, enjoying himself immensely. The very thought of that happening to her...made her want to vomit.

“You’re way better than my wife.” He groaned. “So much younger and passionate.”

“Your pleasure is my joy sir.” She said. For several more minutes they continued moving. Kaede was gently whining, as if she were enjoying it as much as he was. The stallion began growling moving more frantically.

“Get on top of me, I want to watch.” He leaned backwards, pulling Kaede with him. She turned around on top of him, so they were facing each other. She was bouncing up and down now, his front hooves on her hips, guiding her. They continued for several more moments, before the stallion began groan loudly. “Oh...I’m gonna...”

“Go on sir, honor me.” Kaede said, whining along with him. The stallion moaned louder and louder until finally he arched his body and let loose a loud groan. Kaede whined along with him, as if feeling his pleasure. For a few moments after that they were both still, gasping and panting.

“Damn girl, I should come over more often.” He said, chuckling. He motioned for her to come towards his face.

“It would be my pleasure sir.” Kaede said. She leaned forward and they kissed, apparently long and very deep before separating.

“Alright, time to get moving.” Kaede rolled to one side, releasing the stallion from underneath her.

“Do you have to leave so soon sir? I enjoy your company.”

“Unfortunately if I stay longer my icy wife will yell at me. She shrieks like a banshee.” He quickly got dressed. He then reached into his clothes and pulled out something. “Here you are, love.” The tell-tale sound of coins jingling could be heard.

“Thank very much for your patronage sir.” Kaede said, taking the money and assuming a respectful sitting stance.

“No problem.” He said, heading towards the door. “You take care of yourself.”

“Please come and see me again soon sir.” Kaede said, bowing all the way to the ground.

“Sure thing dear.” The stallion slid the door open and closed it behind him. Kaede was completely silent as her customer walked out of the hallway. The mare sat up and sighed.

“Wish he would shut-up about his wife.” She complained.

Applejack curled into a ball, pushing her face into her hooves. Tears flowed as she cried silently, so the mare next door wouldn’t hear her. She could feel stomach turn over and over as horror overwhelmed her. Even though she only saw the outline of what happened she could fill in the blanks. The sweet, gentle Kaede just had sex with a married stallion...for money. The sheer weight of it all landed squarely on Applejack’s shoulders. There was no way in hell she could do this...not for any amount of money. She certainly wasn’t going to make Kaede humiliate herself even more than she already was just to feed her. For better or worse, she couldn’t stay here. Applejack rose up and wiped her eyes. She was going to ask Saku to set her free. The streets would tear her apart, but no matter what she wouldn’t get money from Kaede, not from this. Applejack sighed. Her life was getting no easier. She might just turn herself over this “magistrate” and hope for deportation. If she was going to set out soon, she had better get plenty of rest. She crawled under her covers and curled into a new ball. Her mind was crawling with all the things she had just seen. It would take a lifetime to get them out of there.

Applejack awoke some time later, groggy and disoriented. Some loud noise had awakened her, but it quickly faded before she could put her hoof on it. She blinked a few times, getting her bearings and remembering where she was. She groaned and hoped Kaede wasn’t at it again. She didn’t know how much longer she could take of this. The very thought of a stallion doing the same to her...she shivered. That was when she heard another loud noise. This one was the shriek of a mare in pain. The country pony jerked her head up. If her ears didn’t betray her...

“Kaede.” She said. As if suddenly finding her nerve, the earth pony jumped up, slammed open the door and dashed down the hallway. She emerged into the lounge to see a messy sight. All of the mares were standing around the edges, terrified. Three ponies were in the center of the room. There was a large stallion, blundering around and shouting. Saku and Kaede were standing on either side of him. Kaede was holding the side of her face.

“Leave Toma!” Saku ordered. “You’re drunk.”

“I’ll leave when I want to!!!” The large stallion slurred. “You can’t tell me what to do you old skank!!”

“Come on Toma.” Kaede said gently, trying to take his arm. “Let me take you home.”

“Shaddup!” The stallion jerked his arm free and smacked her across the jaw.

“You hit her a third time and I’m banning you.” Saku warned. Applejack felt anger boiling in her gut. Third!? He’s hit her...twice!? Saku began pushing him over to the door. He was caught off guard and stumbled part of the way. Just as she had a straight shot to the entrance he abruptly dug in his heels and halted. He gave Saku a powerful shove. She tumbled over a couch and landed on the other side.

“Get off me you old whore! Who are you to tell me what to do!?”

“HEY!!!!” Applejack bellowed. She began marching over. The stallion sneered.

“Oh, so now the foreign sow is going to tell me off. Why don’t you beat it before I bend you over and show you what a real stallion can do?”

“I believe...” Applejack began, walking over to him. “Saku told you to leave.” When she was in front of him she whirled around, showing him her backside, much to his bewilderment. “So why don’t you...” Applejack reared back with her hind legs. “LEAVE!!!!” She bucked him with a powerful blow. The stallion let out a shrill cry, like a pig being slaughtered. He flew backwards, his hooves not even on the ground. He slammed into the door, tearing the complete thing off it's rails. He tumbled onto the dirt street outside and rolled until he hit the building on the other side. He struck one of the supports of their porch. The wooden beam snapped in half, but didn’t completely collapse. The soldier lay on the ground motionless and groaned in terrible pain. Many mares gazed out of their houses to gawk at the sight in the dead of night, many of them shocked to see what appeared to have just happened. Applejack marched over to the entrance, grabbed the fallen door and lifted it over her head. “And stay out!!!” She marched back inside and placed the broken door over the entrance. “I swear of all the days for a dumb, rotten apple-headed drunken fools to come in here it had to be today.” Applejack turned around. “If he comes back I’ll...” The earth pony froze. All the other mares were gawking at her, as if in amazement.

“How did...you do that?” Saku asked.

“Huh?” Applejack asked. “Oh, I was a farmer of apples. I kicked trees all day to get them down. I’ve got unusually strong back legs I guess.” Silence still pervaded the room.

“Applejack,” Saku began. “I think I found a job for you.”

“Huh, what?”

“Would you be this place’s bouncer?”

“Bouncer?”

“Basically, you keep the peace and kick out unruly guests. That’s all there is to it.” Applejack glanced at the ground. She wouldn’t have to entertain stallions...but to be around it so often. Applejack wasn’t so sure.

“I...I was actually going to leave.” Applejack admitted. “I don’t I can stay...”

“What!?” Kaede shouted. She instantly dashed over. “Don’t leave! Was it something I did? Was it something I said?”

“What...no! No!” Applejack was shocked.

“I tried my best to make you feel at home, did I mess up? If I did tell me!”

“No! You’ve been nothing but nice to me!”

“Then why do you want to leave? You don’t have to sleep with anyone! Please stay, I don’t want anyone else to leave me!”

“Huh?” Applejack lifted her eyebrow. Kaede flinched and stared the ground.

“Every other mare I was supposed to take care of ran away.” She muttered. She turned back to Applejack, tears in her eyes. “Please don’t leave! Tell me what I did wrong!”

“You didn’t...it’s me...I can’t stay in this place. I mean...it’s just...” Kaede continued to tear up in front of Applejack.

“I’ll pay you.” Saku piped in. “I promise.” Applejack sighed in defeat.

“Fine.” Applejack said. “But I’m not sleeping with anypony.”

“That’s the idea.” Saku said. Kaede cried out happily and wrapped Applejack into a hug. Applejack undid the hug and walked over to Saku, looking stubborn.

“I’m not wearing a kimono.” Applejack said.

“You don’t have to.”

“I’m not doing up my hair.”

“It’ll probably make you more intimidating.” Applejack lifted her hoof and spit on it before holding it out. Saku tilted her eyebrow.

“What are you...?” She asked.

“Oh...it’s...how we do deals back home...” Applejack said, abruptly embarrassed.

“Oh.” Saku spit into her own hoof and held it out. They both shook them together to solidify their deal.

“I’m happy you’re staying!” Kaede said happily.

“Yeah...me too...” Applejack said rather bitterly.

Later that night the stallion that had been thoroughly trounced by Applejack was back at a military building, having a physician examine his wounds. He was lying on the table as the doctor felt around his chest. He had two wicked, purple hoof-shaped bruises on his torso. The stallion winced as the doctor felt around the area.

“Two of your ribs are cracked.” He announced. “Goodness, who could have done this to you?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.” The stallion muttered, gazing off into the darkness.

“I do.” The stallion jerked his head around to see a new stallion approach. The new earth pony had robes with military symbols on them and a curved sword on his side, showing his class as a samurai. “Who kicked you?”

“Sir...I...I really don’t.”

“Answer me.” The samurai sounded deathly serious. The stallion gulped.

“It was...a mare.” The wounded pony said, embarrassment all over his face. The samurai appeared shocked.

“A mare? Did this to you?” He tilted his head. “Who?”

“I dunno...some foreigner.”

“A foreign mare did this to you?” The samurai continued to sound shocked. “Where?”

“The...the...yukaku...”

“Why am I not surprised?” The stallion now sounded slightly angry. “When this tour ends you will take me back there. I wish to meet this mare.”

(A/N: Okay everypony, don’t start typing questions about the story. Everything will be revealed in due time, I promise. Anything about Applejack, what happened to her, why she behaves with such aversion to sex and the country they are in will ALL be explained. Now, I’ve got a question for all y’all. There will be more sex in the story so this pertinent, what do you guys think about the sex? Is it:

A = Too much, lay off and be more vague in the scenes
B = Just enough, keep it like it is
C = Not enough, be more detailed! BE A CLOPFIC!!!!

Regardless, I’ll follow the person who convinces me the best. Anyway, I hope you will all enjoy this story as I write it.)