Cogs

Pearl Ring held herself with purpose as she addressed her class. The young unicorn foals watched as she moved between desks scrutinising work. A mathematics session had just concluded, and the task was to justify, using geometric rules, why points on a rotating circle travel at different speeds. The further from the centre, the faster it would travel.

"Excellent work today class." She said with a warm smile. "You've all managed to provide a formula showing how to calculate the speed, but who wants to explain why this is the case?" She cast an expectant gaze about the room. A filly towards the back raised a hoof.

"Even though the points all exist on the same moving plane, it would be correct to think of each point forming its own circle. While the number of revolutions each circle performs is uniform, as the circumference of each circle differ, a point on a larger circumference has to travel a greater distance in the same amount of time, hence it is moving through space at a greater speed." The filly inhaled deeply after speaking without drawing breath. Pearl Ring looked shocked briefly, then rallied and smiled brightly.

"That's quite right Starlight. I shall put a star on your chart." Pearl Ring produced from her desk a small sticker sheet, removed a golden star sticker, and stuck it to a chart on the rear wall of the classroom. Pearl Ring was impressed with her class this year. None were older than six, yet in the space of an afternoon they had managed to navigate a geometrical problem that some adult ponies would have difficulty with. Starlight's explanation had further impressed though, as it took the mathematical concept and explained why it worked, not that it just did.

"That's it for today class, I want your homework Monday morning." Pearl Ring opened the door and allowed the foals to flood out into the playing field. Parents had congregated to collect their foal, and were leading their respective charges out of the school gates. Rouge neatly stepped up to Pearl Ring and gave a polite smile.

"I've been sent by lord Blossomfall and lady Roselyn to collect a young filly, Starlight, miss. Could you direct me to her?" Rouge asked cheerfully.

"Where's the usual mare?" Pearl Ring asked with slight suspicion.

"She regrettably upset her ladyship, so lady Roselyn has graciously allowed her to fertilise the lawn."

"That does sound like my sister-in-law. Do you have any credentials to back this up though?" Pearl Ring asked kindly, suspicion evaporating.

"I have a note bearing the family crest, and Lord Blossomfall's signature." Rouge said smartly, passing them to Pearl Ring. Starlight had wondered over and nodded at her for confirmation.

"Well this all seems in order, Starlight is behind you now, so I'm sure she is anxious to get home. It has been a pleasure meeting you mister... Uh?"

"Rouge, miss, just Rouge. I am head of the household, after the last one made a career choice that resulted in him... Fertilising the lawn somewhat."

"Yes, it's a wonder Roselyn has any staff at all. Do pass on that I plan on attending this evening. And maybe you'd like to do some table service? So that I may see you about." Starlight had got bored, and was now playing with a couple of colts and a small rubber ball.

"Of course miss, now I must be leaving, lest her parents worry." Starlight had evidently lost, threw the ball violently into a colt's face and stormed towards Rouge looking angry and determined.

"I take it you know what you are doing tonight then." Iridescence stated calmly to Wildfire.

"Yes, I should manage it well, sir."

"Excellent, I shall probably call you to see me after the main is served." Iridescence said brightly. The pair were walking through the old town towards one of the parks. Inside its confines a water fountain, depicting an elegant unicorn mare, water spouting from her horn, was the subject of many of the passing ponies. A small brass plaque affixed to the basin bore the legend: 'Glory to the unicorn empress. May her reign be long and fruitful.'

"This is clearly a new representation." Iridescence said dismissively. "For the last two hundred years Sweetie Belle has been kept a filly. She doesn't now look a day over twenty, and has been twenty for the last thirty years."

"That would mean the empress has been the same pony since the uprising." Wildfire said in shock.

"But why would they keep her a filly?" Wildfire asked after a short pause.

"Do you honestly believe she's in charge?" Iridescence said bluntly. "Until recent years it's been useful to have a filly for empress, the only reason she was allowed to age was so that she may marry and have foals."

"Has she?" Wildfire enquired.

"Aye, my sister is actually married to her first born. That raised my family's already high prestige."

"I'm suprised Sweetie Belle didn't marry one of your family herself."

"Hmm? Oh she did. My great-great-great nephew through my long deceased sister Roseblood. I never met her."

"So her child," Wildfire began.

"Skylark." Iridescence added during the pause.

"So Skylark is married to his great-great-great-great aunt?" Wildfire said slowly, straining to think as to how many generations he had to account for.

"That's five degrees of non-direct separation. It's hardly inbreeding." Iridescence retorted seeing Wildfire's veiled point.

"It just seems a little odd to me, sir. I wouldn't be able to think I had married a relative, no matter how distant."

"Non-unicorns aren't of the same interest to heraldic ponies. I'm afraid if you want to be certain of no relationship, you're going to have to plot your own tree. Otherwise nopony would question if you ended up with your sister, mostly because nopony important would care." Iridescence said dismissively.

Rouge stood imposing in the kitchen; he gave a cursory glance at the activity around him. Around him the activity of minor chefs going about preparation work on ingredients, dogsbodies entering and leaving from various stores and marketplaces, service staff milling about discussing course logistics. Rouge smiled. He felt at home for the first time in weeks. There came a loud hiss as the first oil hit a pan.

The main course was about to be prepared. A tomato and parsnip potato cake served on a bed of spinach with caramelised carrots. The soup starter having been prepared in the morning, and was now sitting in its tureen awaiting a reheat and serve.

A young mare ran past carrying a bowl of finely diced onion, she tripped on one of the flagstones and dropped it. Thankfully, the bowl remained intact, but the onion was strewn about the kitchen. Rouge rapped his hoof against the central table.

"You, clean and you, dice some more onion." He barked, pointing at two random milling staff. Rouge looked down at the fallen mare. "Merryweather, perhaps you would like to go down to the scullery and collect some garlic cloves. Next time don't run, and consider yourself lucky the bowl didn't break. Roselyn is about ready to dismiss ponies for breathing too loudly at the moment, this evening is too important to the lordships."

"Yes sir. Thank you sir." Merryweather stammered, she burst into tears and walked quickly to the next room. Rouge signalled to a waiter.

"Lemon Promises, go and check on her will you. And for Celestia's sake do not let anyone from upstairs see the state she is in!" The stallion trotted smartly after Merryweather. Yes Rouge was home; nothing like the politics of the world below stairs, a brutal cut-throat world. He checked the large kitchen clock and strode over to the maid who handled Autumn Lily.

"Spirit Flame will be with his father now, surveying the estate. It's prudent you take this opportunity to take Autumn Lily some food, as you will be too busy with the dinner later to do so." Rouge spoke uncharacteristically gently. "If all goes to plan though, this will be the last time you have to take her food."

"You have a way of helping her? That's great news." She exclaimed cheerfully.

"If it doesn't work... I'm sorry for what the alternative is." Rouge said pained.

"What's the alternative?" The maid asked uneasy.

"Just... Hope." Rouge stated ending the conversation. The maid walked over to the salad chef and received a bowl of the pasta dish for the evening. it had a rich creamy garlic sauce that made her mouth water at the smell. She placed a cover on it and began her ascent to the household. Sighing with each heavy step she trudged to the second floor of the manor and rapped politely on Spirit Flame's door. It swung open and a bedraggled Autumn Lily fell upon the bowl with rapture. Her fur was matted with traces of blood, and she stank of sweat and neglect. Clearly Spirit Flame had yet to allow her to bathe, or perhaps hadn't thought of it, being hardly the most practical pony.

"Are you OK?" The maid asked before realising how stupid the question was. She looked apologetically at the mare, as she delved deeply into the bowl. "I'll just leave you to it then." She finally said awkwardly before sidling out of the room.

Cotton Flower surveyed the last of her charges, truly the most pitiful ponies left, tomorrow the workhouses, farms and factories would bid over the cretins that were left, for the cheap labour they could provide. She informed them of this gleefully.

"Oh and by the way, I have a dinner to attend tonight, with the local lordships, so I'll be able to get a good feel as to who is going to be hiring you tomorrow." She stalked out of the room, slamming the entrance door to the hall dramatically. She smiled and breathed in the heavy evening air. Making her way home she started planning her outfit for the upcoming event.

Pearl Ring sat in front of her mirror as her handmaid dressed and styled her mane. This was going to be a great evening of food, company and entertainment. Moving from her seat, the handmaid followed her to a dressing room, and watched as Pearl Ring scrutinised some of the best in pony fashion. After a short time, she selected a dress reminiscent of classical Rarity, a rich royal blue dress with vivid peacock feathers sewn into it.

* * *

Rouge stood poised in the entrance hall; opposite the open double doors he graciously accepted coats, hats and bags handed to him, before directing them to the dining hall, where Lemon Promises waited to seat the nobility. The seating plan alone had taken hours to perfect. Using careful detailed references to family trees, business connections, and wealth, Rouge had determined each pony's worth, and seated them in accordance; those of highest standing sitting closest to the hosts. He smiled warmly as Cotton Flower strode loftily up the path. Her mane had already lost its form in the slight evening breeze, and her dress was slightly too large on her.

"Good evening madam." Rouge said brightly. "And what a fine evening at that. We should be thankful to our weather stewards." He said in genuine cheerfulness. Cotton Flower glared at him.

"Oh do shut up." She said abruptly before shoving a coat and bag at him. Rouge had no sooner deposited the belongings when the crunch of hoofsteps up the drive alerted him to another arrival.

"Good evening sir." Rouge said with his usual manner. "I am pleased to inform you that you shall be sitting directly to the left of the head of the table." Iridescence smiled slightly.

"Good to see you Rouge. Nice place you got yourself here. Shame about the owners." Iridescence gestured slightly at Roselyn and grimaced.

"I couldn't possibly comment sir." Rouge said smiling. "Though I do envy the fact that you get the privilege of sitting next to her all evening."

"Yes, I'd liken it to going to hell, but it would appear my body hasn't given me the courtesy of death before allowing me to be subjected to it." Iridescence said smile not wavering.

"What of your valet sir? Is he joining us below stairs this evening?" Rouge said returning to business.

"Wildfire? Yes, I may call on him at some point, but in the meantime he can make himself useful I'm sure." Iridescence nodded at Wildfire and pointed to around the side of the house.

"You should find the servants' entrance, it is not seemly for a staff member to enter through the main entrance, unless at the explicit request of the lordship." He leaned in to whisper briefly into Wildfire's ear. "Remember why you are here. You won't have more than a couple of hours."

"Lemon Promises will direct you to your seat. Have a pleasant evening." Rouge finished with a wider smile than normal. Iridescence returned it and strode confidently into the dining hall. Rouge checked his list; only one pony remained to attend. Pearl Ring came into the glow of the open doorway looking majestic. Her appearance alone would have put Cotton Flower to shame, if not for the dozen guests already seated.

"Rouge. I trust I find you well." Pearl Ring said softly.

"Quite, miss. I understand Roselyn is eager to start the first course."

"Oh she was never one for patience." Pearl Ring said handing Rouge her peacock headdress.

The table was awash with noise and activity. Everypony was talking with their immediate neighbours, and all thought was on speculation of the wonders of the evening. To Iridescence's right was Spirit Flame, and opposite was Cotton Flower.

"Cotton Flower!" Iridescence said expansively. "You look as amazing as ever." He said carefully hiding the irony.

"Oh I suppose I do." Cotton Flower said flattered; missing the insult entirely.

"Is your charming sister attending tonight?" Iridescence asked already knowing the answer.

"The harlot is down at the bottom of the table." Cotton Flower said venomously. Starfall perked her head up at her mention.

"You OK up there sis?" Starfall called up. "Only I heard you debasing my choices some more." She continued, wielding a fork threateningly.

"If my sister wishes to make use of a filthy pegasi mare for whatever release she gets, so be it. But to claim her as a partner, Starfall is just making a mockery of our supremacy." Cotton Flower said spitting. "You have no right to be a unicorn."

"I choose to find love where I may. Just because Dusk isn't some perfect unicorn stallion, and a cousin doesn't mean I cannot love her!" Starfall rose from her seat, every piece of silverware rising with her.

"For the love of Celestia shut up!" Roselyn slammed her hoof against the table. "As far as I'm concerned you're both equally disappointing."

"And just what makes me so much of a failure darling aunt?" Cotton Flower yelled forcefully at Roselyn.

"You, dear niece, are a jumped up slaver living on blood money through your parents' death, and pony trafficking." Roselyn said with Icy preciseness. "I would even go as far to say your parents died of shame." Ponies gathered about the table gasped in shock, and muttered variations of 'I say', and 'Dear Celestia'.

"Have you no shame? I have no slaves, there are no slaves, and I fulfil a vital need for our society." Cotton Flower said slowly.

"I have heard what your workers are put through and expect after assignment. Frankly I agree with Aunt Roselyn." Starfall said in an acidic manner. "I saved Dusk from the degradation of her labour."

"Don't you pander to me you filthy whore. I approve not of your lifestyle choices. I would not care if you settled down with a nice unicorn mare, but she is not one of us and your relationship is a sham." Roselyn roared down the length of the table. Iridescence smiled satisfied and rolled his neck. The fine gold chargers rose in a blue aura, and circled around Roselyn's head; she glared threateningly at her nieces. Not wanting to be left out, Cotton Flower lifted the fine candelabras from the table, and held them before her. The flames flickered with increased intensity as she poured her magic into them.

"With me your precious Dusk would have had a future, a career and a position, What do you give her?" Cotton Flower said angrily.

"With me she actually has all of that." Starfall said simply.

"If you wish to sympathise with filth, you have no place in this household." Roselyn spat ferociously. Blossomfall rose slowly, and caused the raised paraphernalia to drop to its original places with a large white flash.

"Roselyn have you no shame? You would turn your niece out, destroy our dinner, and ruin our credibility in one evening?" Blossomfall stated sharply. "The three of you mares ought to return to your seats and learn to tolerate each other, at least until the dinner has concluded." Muttering, the mares sat carefully avoiding each other's gazes. Servants had begun to bustle about with bread selections as soup was served. Rouge walked behind Iridescence and held a tray on his back. He gave a slight smile when Iridescence noticed him.

"You know, aunt Roselyn, there is another at the table..." Cotton Flower began glaring at Iridescence with a mixture of spite and anticipation. Iridescence took a slight sip of his drink as Cotton Flower's chair slid backwards slightly, causing her to face plant into her soup.

"What was that darling?" Roselyn asked spitefully. "Oh, I see you are eating like the filth again. We unicorns have cutlery for a reason." Roselyn's horn glowed blue as the chair slid back to it’s original position. Cotton Flower lifted her head, purple aura gripping Roselyn's shawl, and cleaned her sopping face.

"Oh I am so terribly sorry; it seems the soup in my eyes caused me to mistake your shawl as a napkin." Cotton Flower said in mock apology. Roselyn opened her mouth to speak, but Blossomfall placed a meaningful hoof on her shoulder.

"I think it best we move on to the next course, we have already lost so much time..." Blossomfall said gently. Lemon Promises gave a signal to the lesser waiters and the empty soup dishes were collected. Iridescence tapped the waiter who came for his bowl on the shoulder.

"Be a dear and send my valet up. I have some important matters to clarify with him." Iridescence stated simply.

"Is that wise, Iridescence?" Blossomfall said meaningfully.

"I'm afraid this is a matter of urgency that cannot wait until the conclusion of dinner. I beg your sincere forgiveness." Iridescence said politely.

"I suppose I cannot refuse you a reasonable request." Blossomfall said sedate. The servant nodded and left the dining room. After a few moments Wildfire entered the room and stood alongside Iridescence. A brief hushed exchange took place, and then Wildfire left discretely.

"I have just learned something rather interesting." Iridescence said with grim care. Rouge smiled obliquely. "It would appear one of Cotton Flower's charges, sorry, ex-charge, is huddled in a room upstairs." Iridescence glared at Spirit Flame. "I understand she is being used as a consort to satisfy your ends."

"If daddy chooses to buy me a sex slave, then that is his business." Spirit Flame said stupidly. Blossomfall held his head against a hoof.

"I see, and though I loath to do this, I agree with Cotton Flower. These ponies are not slaves. They may be subject to our will, but willingly because of our power, not forcibly because we use it." Iridescence said carefully.

"How dare you question my family's treatment of its servants." Roselyn said bitterly.

"Darling, hold your tongue, uppity unicorns will not help this issue."

"What do you know of how to behave? You're a social outcast, turned aside by your own parents." Roselyn began. "I was at your sister's wedding, and you acted quite the fool." She spat angrily, "I beg you to remember yourself before you pass judgement on my conduct and my family's affairs."

"Out of the two of us, I am not the one who is failing to remember who I am!" Iridescence rose and stared down Roselyn. "I may be an outcast, I may be shunned, I may have little social standing. But by my birth-right, and my political standing, I am the second most powerful unicorn in Equestria, and you should be grateful I see fit to attend your pompous overbearing charade of a dinner. Why even genetically I am superior to you. I am your damned great-great-bloody-great uncle through Roseblood, and your great uncle through Summer Dew for pony's sake. I hold the power to Equestria's throne through my brother-in-law, and my family controls the law governing agents that hold our society together, to which I am the sole willing heir." He swung round to face Spirit Flame.

"You, sir, are a disgrace to our fair race, you treat your underlings with such disgusting habits and practices that you are the reason so many of them hate our presence. We may be the superior race, but if we wish to hold the peace we now enjoy, we must treat those beneath us with respect, and a modicum of care." He slammed a hoof against the table. "I am relieving you of her care, and placing her into my direct employment. Consider her re-assigned. If I so much as hear you have replaced her, I will not rest until every brick in this manor is torn down, and your family forced into poverty; working for the ponies you currently call equals." He stared at the assembled ponies.

"And the same goes for the rest of you. Have servants, acknowledge your superiority, but treat those ponies who serve you with common decency. Wildfire will collect the poor mare this evening before leaving, but I feel remiss in spending another minute in your presence." Iridescence left the room violently slamming the door behind him. Blossomfall, stared blankly, then turned to Rouge.

"Now that the point has been rendered moot, would you be so kind as to tell me what your decision would have been?" He asked softly.

"Yes, your lordship. I decided to wait for Iridescence to hear about it." Blossomfall looked stunned momentarily.

"Well played." He said finally.