Daniel Book Four- Zebrica

"Welcome, to Zebrica Daniel," Ditzy said, the moment the plain's door opened. And upon looking out, was a sight to behold. For below, were almost no ponies, but instead, were zebras, and plenty in number, and not just in the normal black and white stripe patterns. All sorts of colors could be seen, ranging from the deepest violet to the brightest red. Sure, there were a few that were black and white, but most weren't. It was a rather remarkable sight. As they got off the plane, they were greeted by one that was white with red stripes, (Red with white stripes?).

"Welcome Great Fifth, I hope your ride was pleasant." The zebra said. Daniel stretched, then nodded.

"It was great, really relax--"

"Do not speak out of turn stallion, know your place," The zebra cut Daniel off, then raised a hoof, as it came down, Daniel caught it, and threw the zebra back easily.

"Three things, one, I was not speaking out of turn, two do that again to any of us, I'll break the leg that tries, and three what the heck is wrong with you?" Daniel threatened.

"I was not addressing you servant, I was addressing the fifth," The zebra said, pointing a finger at Gilda. Who raised her eyebrow, as well did Daniel and Ditzy.

"Uh, sorry to break it to ya, but the one you just tried to assault, called a servant, and treated rudely, is the fifth, I'm just his friend," Gilda said, chuckling slightly. The zebra's eyes shrank to pinpricks, and she just about fainted, but stopped when she saw them all laughing it off. She walked up to Daniel and bowed her head in shame.

"I am sorry great one, please punish me as you see fit," the zebra said. Daniel stopped laughing and looked at her strangely. There was actually a small crowd surrounding, staring, as if hoping for the worst possible punishment.

"Uh, what?"

"I damaged your honor, and your dignity, I beg of you not to do the same to me, and punish me as you see fit." The zebra said. Daniel just stared.

"Uh, no, it's alright, I won't punish you," There was a collective gasp, and a few hushed whispers:

"He would do that?"

"Who would insult another's dignity knowingly?"

"Only a stallion would be so cruel,"

"Hey, that last one was a bit sexist, don't you think?" Daniel called out. And in about ten seconds there was officially two zebra's, the new one blue with black stripes, bowing before Daniel, asking him for punishment. Daniel looked to Gilda, then to Ditzy. Ditzy gave a rather derpy face, and Gilda rolled her paw in a get on with it way.

"Uh, alright, for your punishment, I uh, make you my slaves for a while, I guess," Daniel said, his face was contorted into an odd look of surprise, bewilderment, and confusion. The zebra's in the crowd nodded with approval and all went about their business. The two in front of him stood up and looked into Daniel's eyes expectantly. "What?" Daniel asked.

"Well, you made us your slaves, what do you command master?" The Blue and black one said.

"Okay, uh, first of all, could I ask of your names please?" Daniel asked cautiously, looking back at Gilda and Ditzy. Gilda was laughing and rolling on the ground, and Ditzy seemed to be just as confused as Daniel. The two zebras nodded.

"I am Blueberry," The one with blue and black stripes said.

"I am Candy Cane," the other said.

"Uh, alright, I guess you two are stuck with me for today, so, uh, why don't we just go to where I was supposed to go in the first place, I guess you can fill me in on certain zebra customs that I might need to know, even if I might already know of it, on the way there," Daniel said, gesturing for Candy to lead the way, and once the two zebras were a little ways ahead, Daniel whispered into Ditzy's ear, "What the heck have we gotten ourselves into now?" Ditzy nodded in agreement, as Blueberry went up to Daniel, and started to fill him in on zebra customs.

*   *   *

After arriving at a hotel, and getting to their room, Daniel spent two hours with the two zebras who taught him about ten hours worth of customs. (He can remember things fairly well). After that they all started to get prepared for bed, and seeing how there was only one restroom, Daniel had to wait until the other two were done, and seeing how Gilda had chosen to fly through some clouds to wash herself, she had already gone to her bed and was passed out. The two zebras just sat in front of him, and stared at him. Daniel coughed.

"So uh, how long is customary for your punishment to last? Exactly," Daniel said sheepishly. He rubbed his neck with his palm.

"Oh two to three months of slavery should do it," Blueberry replied, getting a nod from Candy Cane. Daniel face palmed with a painful sounding thwack, "Though if you wish for a longer time, it is not uncommon," Blueberry said hurriedly, mistaking Daniel frustration.

"What about a shorter time?" Daniel asked, taking a deep breath.

"Are you saying that you wish not to have our dignity and honor restored?" Candy Cane replied. Daniel just sighed.

"Never mind," Daniel said, leaning his head back against the couch. "If you're uncomfortable, you can sit on the--" The two zebras shuffled up on either side of Daniel "--couch," he finished awkwardly. Candy Cane looked at Daniel.

"You seem tense, why not remove those clothes, we are not at any official event, and if you need it we can always help you with your stress," Candy Cane said, and Blueberry nodded in agreement.

"Uh, what do you mean by that?" Daniel asked.

"Oh you know, massages, aroma therapy, and physical pleasure, if you wish it," Blueberry said. Ditzy walked in after about two seconds. Two very long and awkward seconds.

"Ditzy thank god, er, I mean I'm off to take a shower, bye." And Daniel was in the bathroom with the door shut behind himself. Ditzy stared at the two on the couch.

"Uh, so how long have you two known each other?" Ditzy asked.

"I just met her today," Candy Cane said, and again Blueberry nodded in agreement.

"Right, if I didn't know any better, I would say that you two would be sisters. Uh, I guess you won't want to sleep on the couch together, so what are your customs about sleeping?"

"Oh, we are to sleep on or near our master's bed, so they can call to us if they need us," Candy Cane said. Blueberry nodded.

"If I ever see you sleeping in the same bed as him, I'll rip your heads off, and send them to the moon. Is this understood?" Ditzy threatened darkly, They both nodded, then trotted to the bathroom door, and sat in front of it. Ditzy raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. Ten minutes later, the door opened, and Daniel stepped out.

"Oh cheese and crackers!" He yelled upon seeing the two zebras. He nearly dropped the towel around his waist. This was going to be a long two months.