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AWF posted an update last week to ponepaste:
https://ponepaste.org/11514#2560
to
https://ponepaste.org/11514#2694

>>43355742

> The elation was fading and with it went Thistle's good mood. She'd been singing when she came back from Filthy's General Store, and now she was sitting dejectedly at her kitchen table and watching the bottle.
> Maybe she shouldn't have gotten it, but after the tryst with Splinter she'd felt great. All traces of the hangover were done, probably sweated out of her. That post-being-filled glow had pushed her out the door, to see Splinter to the park and take in some fresh air and sunshine.
> Her way back had led her past the shop and she'd ducked inside on a whim.
> The hard cider was in her home now, but she was afraid of opening it. Worried what Rangi might say.
> As if the thought had summoned him, the nomad walked in the door. He didn't immediately spot her in the kitchen and went to the stairs. "[Thistle? Are you up? Is Sss-plinter still here?]"
"[I'm in here.]"
> Rangi twirled around in surprise. His eyes went to the stairs, but then he approached the table to look at the mare. She stared back as blankly as she could manage, though she couldn't prevent her ears from flattening.
> "[Your friend is gone?]"
"[Yes.]"
> His nose wrinkled and he stared at her matted tail. When she followed his gaze, she did her best to hide it behind the chair.
> "[Why did you ask me to go away?]"
"[I just wanted to be alone for a while.]"
> "[With your pony friend?]"
> Her breath hitched and her muscles tensed at the question, but no answer was forthcoming so she just shrugged and fixed her gaze on the bottle. Rangi saw that and reached out to pick it up. He couldn't read the label, but he knew what apples were. It was difficult to live in Ponyville for any length of time and miss that.
> "[What is this?]" he asked.
"[Just something to drink.]"
> He pulled the cork out and she reached a hoof for the bottle.
"[No! Don't!]"
> Rangi didn't swig from it, like she'd feared, but he sniffed at the contents, then put the cork back. "[This is strong. Wasn't it enough for you to get drunk yesterday?]"
> Remembering, he glanced at the floor and saw that she'd at least cleaned up the vomit from last night. Thistle hoped he wouldn't go and check the bedroom, because she hadn't done the same. If anything, it was worse because of her and Splinter's frantic copulation. It was a surprise her mane and tail were as neat as they were.
"[I'm not going to drink it!]" she whined.
> "[Why did you trade it?]"
"[I don't know. Please-]"
> He paused and watched her, unsure what she wanted and waiting for her to speak up. She had nothing, so she drew a deep sigh and put her face in her hooves. Her shoulders shook a few times.
> Rangi's hand landed very gently on her withers. "[What's wrong?]"
> She turned her eyes on him, tinged red and already brimming with tears.
"[I wanted it!]" she said. "[It's been so long! I needed to feel something after- after yesterday! After everything!]"
> "[Wanted what?]"
"[To fuck him, you idiot!]"

>>43398663

> His hand withdrew as Rangi took a step back. He looked at her in injured silence for long moments. He shook his head in quiet denial, but her steady, splayed-eared gaze dispelled any possibility that he might have misheard.
> At long last he asked: "[What about us? I thought we were- I thought you wanted.]"
"[I did! I do...]"
> "[But you wanted to be with the pony?]"
"[Yes!]" she wailed. Then, a moment later: "[No!]"
> "[So it all meant nothing?]"
"[You liked it too! It was just fun!]"
> "[We were both slaves. We didn't have anything, except each other. Those people - the Borchi-Quin - they hurt you too. I thought we were-]" he said quietly, but fell silent when he didn't know how to finish. He spread his arms and let them fall.
> She didn't know what to say either. Eventually he turned and left.
> Her stomach felt as if the bottom had dropped out and Thistle sprang to place herself between him and the exit.
"[Wait!]"
> "[Why? You don't want me.]"
"[I do!]"
> He ignored her. "[I might as well go back to Saule. At least she's honest about what I am.]" His quiet voice shook a little, but his gaze was steady.
"[No, stay. Please!]"
> "[As your slave?]" he asked.
> She should have said no, immediately and emphatically. Her own memories betrayed her. She ordered him around and had him do all the menial tasks. She used him for sex, but only when she wanted it. She made him sleep on the couch because his snoring sometimes woke her up.
> Even this morning, she'd used him to help her get up, told him to entertain her guest, then sent him away when she needed to be alone.
> Was she treating him any differently than Saule would?
"[N-No,]" she finally managed.
> It drew a wry chuckle from the young man. "[Yeah, that's a lie.]"
"[It's not! You're not a slave!]"
> He crouched down so they could be at least approximately at eye level. "[I had to accept it. I didn't have a choice when my people were killed. They took me at spear point and they told me I have to everything they said or I would be beaten. Killed.]"
> None of this was new and she'd seen all of it happen. Why was he telling her that? Rangi reached out a hand and cupped her muzzle in his palm. "[I thought here, in this place, you wouldn't think of me as a slave at least. The Borchi-Quin let you go and no one is beating you. I don't know. I thought you were finally free and I was too. I guess I shouldn't have believed it.]"
"[Please!]" she sobbed.
> He rose up and was about to push past her. She had to do something, or another person would walk out of the mess that was her life. She deserved nothing less, but she wanted so much more. She tried to hook the man with her fetlock, but he slipped out of her grasp and left through the door. It shut, nearly hitting her on the nose, and then she was alone.
> A part of her wanted to follow, but all that would do was make a big scene in Ponyville and give her citizens even more reason to fear and mistrust her.

>>43398664

> Instead, Thistle went back to the table, where the cider bottle had been left, opened and ignored. She clambered up on the chair, grabbed it between her forelegs, and pressed it to her lips. She could forget for a little while. It would make her feel better.
>...
> It got better as the bottle got emptier.
> She was seriously dizzy and the cider was nearly gone. She was drawing circles with a bit of spilled liquid on the table and playing with the idea of getting another when there came a knock on her door.
> Thistle giggled at the world swaying around her as she stumbled her way over to open it. Her mood soured slightly when she saw one of the Royal Guards, but a single look at his strong back and sturdy canons brought the smile right back.
"'ey, offisler!" she crooned. "Wanna go off duty an' keep me co- company?"
> His face was hard and impassive, though his eyebrows rose in surprise at seeing the ex-mayor in such a state. She followed his gaze and realized she was still holding the nearly-empty bottle in a fetlock grip. Odd, she must have hobbled over, which would explain why she was so unsteady on her hooves.
> On a whim, she held it out.
"Wanna some?"
> "Ma'am, are you drunk?"
"Not s'much I can't take you up-upstairs an' an'"
> He shook his head and stepped closer with a stern look which broke through the fuzz in her head. "Mayor, please control yourself. You need to-" he began, then fell silent and closed his eyes. "I'll probably regret this," he murmured. Louder, he said: "You need to come with me. It's about a nomad."
"Wha' nomad?"
> "It's the nomad who has been living with you. We have him in custody. He was walking around Ponyville alone, which is forbidden now."
"Ugh."
> She would have cursed, but she couldn't remember any good pony swear words just now and she knew the guard wouldn't understand nomad ones, so what would be the point?
"Fine," she finally grumbled. "Le'ss go!"
> The stallion seemed a little uncertain about her state and didn't move out of the door.
"Well?!"
> "Ma'am, please leave your drink here. You can come back to it."
> She looked at the bottle in her grip once more, then laid it carefully and reverentially on the floor. It wouldn't do to spill it. She'd need even the little that was left after she fetched Rangi from whatever mess he had gotten himself into.
> The worry and the guard's stoic presence were clearing her head a little, and she definitely didn't want that. She peered at the sky and tried to decide if Filthy's store would still be open by the time she was done.
"Where is it?"
> "We're garrisoned in Princess Twilight's castle. Come with me."
> The pony turned smartly on his hind legs and began to trot away. He paused for her to close the door, and made sure she was following before heading down the street.

>>43398665

> ~~~~

> There had been too much paperwork. Her buzz was gone, her head hurt, and her entire body was sore for some reason. To top it off, her stomach was queasy once more and Thistle wasn't sure how much longer she'd be able to hold on to its contents.
> The questions, the forms, the statements - an outright *interrogation* - had taken *hours*! She was fed up with the whole thing and only smoldering range was keeping her awake. When she finally came face to face with the young nomad, she gave him the stink eye, and he glared right back at her.
> She had to translate the guards' warning to Rangi, and then his own statement for the official record. There was an official citation, and a fine she would have to pay.
> An awful night, all in all, but at long last they were free to go. Only one thing was left before that annoying, if handsome, guard would move out of their way.
> "Can you promise that he won't run away again?" he was asking. "We can give you a collar and a rope, ma'am."
> She looked at the sullen man and translated, though not quite word for word:
"[I'll drag you through the streets on a collar if you try to run. Understand?! It's your choice!]"
> Rangi murmured something unintelligible without really looking at her.
"[What?]"
> "[I said fine!]"
"[If you run and they catch you again, you'll have to stay in that room they put you. You'll have to stay there for many moons, understand? That's the punishment!]"
> She was exaggerating a little, and the most the guards would do was keep him for a few days, then send him to the camp with a ban from entering Ponyville. It probably wouldn't even be a permanent one.
> "[Okay!]" Rangi snapped back. "[I understand! Let's go!]"
> Thistle shook her head sadly. He'd been so nice and reasonable back in the nomad camp, and he was getting disobedient and uppity under her care. Maybe there was something to the way Saule and the other nomads handled their servants.
"[Do you want to go back to the camp? If you don't want to be with me I'll take you back and give you to Saule.]"
> "[No!]" he rushed to say. For the first time, the annoyance was gone, replaced with low-key fear. "[I won't run away. I promise.]"
"[Good.]" She paused and narrowed her eyes at him. "[You threatened you'll go back to the camp earlier.]"
> "[I was lying. I was angry!]"
> She put it out of her mind and instead gave a nod to the guard.
"It's fine. Rangi will stay close to me from now on. He didn't know about the new rules."
> It was a lie, but not much of one. She'd known it was coming, and she must have told him, but neither of them had expected just how fast Twilight would enact these new laws. The citizens of Ponyville must have been really worried to hasten the bureaucratic process this much. Thistle had barely been gone a day!
> Was it really only a day? It felt like an age had passed.
> She let her head hang low and her ears splay.
"[Come on.]"

>>43398668

> The stallion stood aside, but he kept a sharp eye on the two as they filed out of the castle's side door. When Thistle glanced back, she saw some lights in the windows high above. Twilight was probably having dinner with her dragon servant.
> She snorted softly to herself and left.
"[It took so long the trader is no longer trading!]" she grumbled.
> "[Why do you want a trader? We have food.]"
"[Never mind.]"
> Maybe it was good that she hadn't gotten completely smashed again, for the second night in a row. She'd thank herself in the morning.
"[What are we going to do about you?]"
> Rangi didn't answer her, though he obediently stayed close to her. The threat of prison probably wasn't too real for him, but going back to Saule was a bleak scenario. He must have gotten used to the little freedoms he had with Thistle, regardless of what he'd said. He didn't have to work very hard, he had a soft place to sleep, and much better food than even Salki and his family ate.
"[You can't run around the town on your own, understand?]"
> Still nothing.
"[Answer me.]"
> "[Yes!]"
> She didn't comment on his snappy tone. If she pushed too hard, he would run away again, risk or no. He might go anywhere in Equestria, or just wander the wilderness. Worse, he might roam into the Everfree forest and get himself killed.
> Thistle opened her mouth to warn him, when she caught a faint sound. Rangi was sniffling. It was so unexpected that she stopped and twirled around, her annoyance and the foul sensation in her belly momentarily forgotten.
"[What's wrong? Why are you crying?]"
> For a moment it looked as if he would refuse to answer. His lips pressed together and Rangi quickly wiped at his eyes with his hands. She watched him a little longer, and he eventually sighed. "[It's you!]" he said. "[You changed! You were nice, but now you're just like Saule. All I am to you is a slave to order around. I thought you were different!]"
> Like Saule!?
> She very nearly exploded and started yelling, but something in his hunched shoulders told her that Rangi was expecting exactly that.
> The incandescent anger flared out and left cold, numb ashes in its place. Some example of pony values she was!
> There was sudden moisture in her eyes, and Thistle turned away from Rangi. She couldn't look at the look of sheer betrayal in his eyes.
"[Come on,]" she said gently. "[Let's just go home. It's been a rough day.]"
> He didn't comment, but when she began walking she heard his slow, measured footsteps behind her. A quick glanced showed Rangi was watching her carefully, with a mixture of confusion and surprise. He couldn't fully understand her reaction.
> Neither could she. Maybe after she slept. They needed to talk.
> She had to prove to him that she was still a pony, and that his well-being mattered.
> It'd be hard, but it had to be done.

>>43398670

(Insert AWFs one or two sentence comment here.)

I took the opportunity to post the update before the another one hopefully today. Don't get mad at me AWF.

>>43398670
>elation was fading
No sex scene? Sad.
>she was afraid of opening it
She just drank herself into a coma not even half a day ago.
>With your pony friend?
I wonder how jealous he will be. Thistle basically cheated, even if neither Rangi nor Thistle said that they are in a relationship.
>I wanted it!
Should have stayed quiet. What kind of mayor was she?
>I thought we were
Now it's maybe time to introduce the concept of herding to him. But Thistle is bad at lying. Or manipulating. Or twisting the truth. Or anything basically when it comes to managing opinions.
>he turned and left
Expected.
>I do!
Thistle is pretty bad at relations. Not just romantic relationships but all in general. How the fuck did she end up as the mayor? She is completely incompetent in more ways than one.
>You don't want me.
If she does, she has a strange way of showing it.
>She ordered him around
This in itself would not make him a slave. He has to learn to fit in to the pony society somehow.
>but only when she wanted it
So like any women.
>snoring
Isn't he like 13-14? People don't snore at that age.
>Yeah, that's a lie.
Not in her mind. And also he matured too much in just a year. Like 5 years worth.
>mess that was her life
And there is only a single common point.
>she wanted so much more
Maybe if she would start doing something about it and not just passively observing and/or drinking herself to blackout?
>and then she was alone
That cider will be gone soon.
>pressed it to her lips
Seems like it did not even take more than a few seconds.
>knock on her door
I wonder if it's Salki. Rangi going back to them or something, and Salki comes to ask what's up.

Cont.

>>43398685
>Royal Guards
I was not expecting them for sure.
>ey, offisler
Did she seriously got drunk this much from a single cider?
>Ma'am, are you drunk?
That and stupid.
>It's about a nomad.
A single one? Sounds like Rangi made a scene.
>walking around Ponyville alone, which is forbidden now
I expected him to go back to the camp or something. Also it's a relief he did not make a scene intentionally.
>in Princess Twilight's castle
Hopefully she won't meet with Twilight.
>he glared right back at her
Heh.
>official citation, and a fine
Fine? That's stupid. Also why is she the one having to pay it? That implies Rangi is hers. Reinforcing the slave thing.
>We can give you a collar and a rope
Wtf.
>murmured something unintelligible
Probably that he is her slave.
>he was getting disobedient and uppity under her care
What? Disobedient? Uppity, ok that's understandable. Because he was no longer thinking about himself as a slave.
>I won't run away. I promise.
He did not this time either. He was just taking a stroll fuming. At least that was what I would have done.
>It was a lie
She can lie?! That's a new one!
>It felt like an age had passed.
For Rainy Day it has.
>with her dragon servant
Heh.
>Why do you want a trader?
More drinks obviously.
>much better food than even Salki and his family ate
Minus meat.
>Rangi was sniffling.
Thistle fucked up again.
>You were nice
I mean, she is not that different. But now she has more authority.
>He couldn't fully understand her reaction.
Nobody can.

Thanks for the update!

>>43398640
Cute maid!

>>43398640
>>>/trash/

File: 7494800.png (2.17 MB, 1015x2340)

2.17 MB PNG

>hold on, what do you mean by 'I have to clean'?
>that's not what maids are for you silly hoomin

>>43399076
She has to clean! My private parts with her mouth.

File: 7547023.jpg (91 KB, 1026x1026)

91 KB JPG

blushy maid

>>43398685
Thanks for posting this, kind anon. I got the new update ready to go, incoming in a few minutes!

>>43398685
Thanks again, critique-anon!

>Thistle is pretty bad at relations...
Maybe overdone a little, but I'm trying to convey that the experience has fundamentally broken her and she's refusing to admit it.

>Cont'd

> The bottle of hard cider she'd left unthinkingly on the floor was still there. Thistle nearly tripped over it when she returned home in the dark. She picked it up absentmindedly and drained what little was left.
> "[What is that?]" Rangi asked just behind her. "[You are drinking again?]"
> She didn't like just how accusing his voice sounded, nor the disappointed look he was giving her.
"[I'm not! What do you mean 'again'?!]"
> He reached down and plucked the bottle from her grip, but it was empty. "[You drank all of this? Why are you doing this?]"
> There was an infinite number of satisfactory answers, of course, except Thistle couldn't think of a single one. Her ears went flat and she failed to meet the nomad's glare. Instead, she headed for the stairs.
"[I'm going to bed. We'll talk in the morning.]"
> It was as much a promise to herself, as it was to him. What she'd been doing - how she'd been acting - was *wrong*, but she didn't want to think about it at night. It was all a little too raw still. Things would look less bleak in the morning.
> Rangi stayed behind, watching her for a little while. When her forehooves were on the first step, he finally turned and circled the couch. She heard the springs creak as he settled down. It was a relief. She needed time to think.
> When the door to her bedroom opened, the smell hit her. She'd forgotten.
"[Rangi! Come up here!]"
> It had slipped out before she'd really thought it through. Maybe the few swallows of cider were already dulling her mind. In either case, it was too late. She heard the footsteps and soon the nomad poked his head into the bedroom. "[What?]"
> She played with her hoof on the carpet, mainly for something to look at so she didn't have to show Rangi her face.
"[Sorry,]" she murmured. "[Help me change the sheets?]"
> It was intoned as a question, but she hastened to add:
"[Please?]"
> He'd done that before. He wordlessly went to the wardrobe where she kept clean sheets. Thistle breathed a sigh of relief and began pulling the covers off her pillows.
>...
> She was breathing heavily by the time they'd finished. These things were easier to do with nomad fingers, or a unicorn's magic. Earth ponies had the hardest time of it, and she'd had to contort herself into impossible shapes to bring all four hooves into play.
> She was sitting on the freshly made bed, and Rangi simply tossed the soiled linens out into the hallway, to be dealt with later.
"[Thanks,]" she said.
> He didn't acknowledge her gratitude, and he still looked cross. Her smile slipped and her ears splayed.
"[I'm sorry, okay? We'll talk in the morning.]"
> At these words, Rangi turned and-
"[Wait!]"

>>43399347

> She couldn't just let it go. The accusation that she was treating him like a nomad would her slave was twisting her insides. Maybe it was the cider, or maybe that was just a convenient excuse, but she had to set the record straight.
> At her call, Rangi paused in the doorway and looked at her, but didn't come back.
"[I don't think you're a slave. I never did!]"
> "[Yes you did!]" he countered. He still didn't return, but at least he turned to face into the room again. "[Did you already forget? All those things you had me carry around that big house every day! The things you told me to carry from the trading place to here! Cleaning even when things aren't dirty!]" He pointed a finger at her bed. "[This too!]"
"[Just because you didn't think the floors were dirty doesn't mean they weren't! All you know is dirty ground in tents! This is different!]"
> "[You taught me how to make water from the metal hole just so I could bring you water to your bed whenever you needed it! So you didn't have to go up and down the steps!]"
"[I taught you how to get the water so you wouldn't be thirsty too!]"
> Rangi didn't acknowledge that part of it, of course. His finger shifted to her as he continued: "[You had me stand behind you when you were talking with all the ponies! You never thought how boring that is! I didn't understand anything you were saying!]"
"[I told you to learn the language!]"
> "[How if you don't have time to teach me?!]"
> Thistle realized she'd been gradually raising her voice, and so was he. That proved he wasn't in the least bit subservient!
"[How can you say you're a slave when you're yelling at me?]"
> "[You're yelling at me too!]"
> Both of them were breathing heavily and glaring at one another. Her muzzle was scrunched up in anger. How dare he accuse her like that?
> She caught the thought before it made it to her mouth. He had every right. He scrunch went, and she let her head fall down on the bed between her forelegs.
"[I'm sorry,]" she whispered.
> "[What?]" He approached the bed and leaned down closer to her to hear better.
"[I said I'm sorry.]"
> "[So what do you want from me now? Do you want a slave? Do you want me to do things? Do you want to use me for fucking?]" he fell silent, until she lifted her head and looked at him. "[Just so I know what to expect.]"
"[You're more than just a- just *those things*! I'm not going to do that to you.]"
> "[Do I have a choice?]"
> He sounded as if she'd been forcing him, and that was a profoundly scary thought.
"[Don't tell me you didn't enjoy all those times we fucked!]"
> At least he had the decency of looking away, embarrassed. He didn't deny her accusation.
"[I thought so!]"

>>43399350

> "[It doesn't change I was a slave to the Borchi-Quin. Everyone I knew was a slave too, or dead. I knew I would never marry, not unless I earned my freedom, and Saule said that would never happen. So what?]"
"[I was a slave to Borchi-Quin, too.]"
> His hand was hovering inches from her side, but he hadn't touched her. She didn't know whether he wanted to stroke her, or grab and strangle her. His brow was furrowed and the tendons in his arms stood out, as if he was struggling with himself. "[You're not anymore,]" he pointed out at last.
"[That's true. They don't dare treat me like a slave anymore. Not in this land.]"
> "[But I still am. Yours, if not Saule's.]"
> Thistle rolled her eyes and nearly snapped back at him, at his insistence on bringing it up. The reaction was automatic, unthinking. She barely caught it in time and forced the impulse down. Instead, she took a deep breath and made her voice as calm as she could.
"[I didn't mean for you to be. I guess-]" another ragged breath tore from her throat before she could continue: "[I guess I treated you like one because I was used to it, and it was easy, and everything was changing. I shouldn't have.]"
> "[So, what do we do now?]"
> She glanced at the empty part of the bed next to her. It had always been large for one pony, but she'd never felt it was as empty as now.
"[Stay here? I don't want to be alone right now.]"
> Rangi followed her gaze, his hand still hovering right above her. She thought she could feel his warmth radiating from it. He noticed it at the same time she did, and pulled away from her. He was going to walk away and her heart skipped a beat at the realization.
> "[Why?]" he asked.
"[I don't want to be alone tonight.]"
> "[Will you use me now that your pony friend is not here? Is that why you want me to stay?]"
"[No. I promise.]"
> "[What if I say no?]"
> She closed her eyes and swallowed a lump. The correct answer was obvious, but it was hard to say.
"[Then you can sleep on the couch. I won't be angry.]"
> "[You're lying. You'll just find some other way to punish me. I can't escape from you because the other ponies will catch me, and bring me back. Even if I make it, the Borchi-Quin will catch me and return me to Saule.]"
"[It's not a lie. You can go and I won't be angry. No punishment. I promise.]"
> Only then did Rangi sit on the bed beside her. He laid his palm on her side and his fingers idly scratched her coat. It was pleasant, and every bit as warm as she thought it would be.
> "[We are both... wrong,]" Rangi said with a strange, scary twist to his lips. It was a mockery of a rueful smile.
"[What do you mean?]"

>>43399353

> "[We aren't acting like we should. My life - the life I knew - is gone. I keep thinking about it, but it's never coming back. Even if we weren't in this pony world. You said you're not acting like a pony. We're both wrong, inside.]"
"[You're right.]"
> Neither of them spoke for a while. Thistle stretched out, pushing her hind hooves against Rangi's thighs and burying her face in her pillow. It still smelled vaguely of stale sweat, but at least the vomit was gone. She could sleep like that without getting nauseated.
"[I want to sleep. Please, come here. Beside me. We'll figure it out in the morning.]"
> Rangi, remembering her instructions from many days ago, stood up and flicked the switch to plunge them into darkness. A sliver of the moon's beam shone past the curtain, barely enough to give shadows shape. She heard rustling as he removed his animal hide clothes, then the bed shifting and creaking as he climbed in.
> The night was warm, so they simply lay on top of the covers. His knee was leaning against her back in a comforting reminder that she wasn't alone.
> Whatever their little relationship was, Rangi was right. They were wrong. Wrong for their place in the world - her removal from office proved it - and probably wrong for each other.
> She didn't know how to resolve it. Maybe she really *should* go and talk to a therapist?
> They could decide in the morning.
> For now, it felt as if long-buried things had been said, and some of that weird, uncomfortable tension between them had been released. Having Rangi in the room was almost... homely.
> She decided she wouldn't mind, even if he snored. Still...
"[Turn to your side, please? Give me your hand.]"
> He obeyed and she slid back, fitting comfortably against his belly. His proffered arm went snugly around her midriff.
> Maybe it was too warm to be the little spoon, but she needed it.
"[We'll figure it out,]" she promised quietly.
> Rangi didn't reply and she fell asleep waiting for his answer.

> ~~~~

> She woke up before dawn. The sky was gray and overcast, and the sun was not yet up. The little sliver of outside she could see between the curtains revealed a dismal, gray, sodden world. Any further sleep was impossible, with how Rangi snored. It wasn't loud, but it also wasn't regular, nor constant. For a while, Thistle tried covering her head with the pillow, but it either suffocated her, or didn't muffle the sound enough.
> The thought about waking him up and kicking him to the couch occurred, but with their tentative, shaky truce from last night she didn't want to do it. Things were confusing enough. She *had* asked him to stay, and he had, perhaps against his better judgement.

>>43399354

> There was only one thing to do. She slid out of his grasp and to the edge of the mattress. She paused there to make sure he hadn't woken up, then she rolled off the bed and stood up. It had been smooth and she hadn't made any noise even with the thin carpet.
> Leaving was tricky, having to place each hoof carefully, *just so*, noiselessly, but she made it without any mishaps and she began to breathe a little easier in the corridor. Rangi's snoring still had the same non-rhythm and volume, and she was able to descend the stairs a little more easily.
> There wasn't anything to do, not really, but she could get breakfast started. She hadn't read the weather forecast, or maybe she didn't remember it, so there was no telling how long the rain would last. Besides, it was the perfect weather to sit on the couch and talk about their situation.
> Something had to give. She was both sad and relieved to have lost her job. She was furious at Twilight and worried about the nomads' future in Equestria. Closer to home, she needed to clarify, in her mind, what Rangi really was to her.
> Could they be together? They came from such different worlds, and the only thing they really had in common was their servitude to the Borchi-Quin. She'd gotten out of it, but maybe he hadn't, not where it counted.
> What happened next? What would she do for money? Her savings wouldn't last long.
> Maybe she should accept Twilight's offer of a stipend if she studied how the nomads adjusted to life in Equestria? Would they be okay with it?
> For that matter, she hadn't visited the camp in *days*! Salki was probably worried, and Saule would likely have that smug, triumphant, holier-than-thou look on her face. What did the people think about the new restrictions, and the new scrutiny of the guards? What was happening with Cranky and the donkey herd?
> Threads were slipping from her hooves and Thistle realized she was panting, in a near panic. Even without her Mayoral duties, so much depended on her! She couldn't stop!
> Breakfast first! Then talk with Rangi! Then a visit to the camp!
> She hurried over into the kitchen and opened the fridge. There was a half-yellow stalk of celery, a can of mushroom soup, and two eggs.
> The heel of bread in the box on her counter was hard as stone.
"Crap!"
> There was nothing to it. She had to go out for supplies. A quick rummage through her drawer found no purse. She dug into the mess of things up to her elbows before she remembered she'd told Rangi to take it so she could have privacy with Splinter.
> That thought threatened to bring an entire new unwelcome avalanche of guilt and emotion tumbling down on her and she barely managed to push it away in time.
> No money.

>>43399356

> Maybe Filthy would extend credit. She was good for it, she just needed to visit the bank. Well, one cashier and a small safe in the corner of the Town Hall, which was all the banking services her small town really needed. The clerk would give her bits from her account, but he wouldn't be in until after lunch.
> Was Filthy's store even open? She walked to the window and peered at the sky.
> Glasses! They were up in the bedroom, on her bedside table, dropped out of sheer habit just before she fell asleep.
> She didn't need them.
> Her hoofsteps weren't as quiet as they could be out of haste, but she made it out the door with Rangi's snores still clear to her pony hearing. She'd be back before he woke up, and she'd have a nice breakfast for him when he did. That would start their day right!

>>43399360

Is that growth and self-awareness from our Thistle? Can she turn things around and get her life back on track? Maybe she and poor Rangi can make it out of this intact!

Paste: https://ponepaste.org/11514

bumpin to read

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fits = sits

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>>43399956

>>43400723
>kirin maid
hot

>>43398640
Built for throwing on a bed for a dozen mating presses and then marrying with a family of foals

up

Before bed bump.

>>43402277
Get back here. HALT STOP.

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oops

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>>43402467

>>43403651
i miss soapy

I don't know how many of us are here who read Slaventure back in the day.
Why did Lurkernon changed Sunburst to Stardust? I'm comparing an old version of the paste to the one currently available and there are so many tiny changes which fixes mistakes, but quite a few which adds.

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Pillow duty.

10

It's been almost 4 years since the Ponepaste story index, thread index got any update.

>>43398640
I would never own a pony as a slave, I love them to much.

>>43406749
You are in the right thread then.

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Was there a story with a simple for hire maid pony? PiE setting where pony maids are common. They get paid and everything, just like a normal job.

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to p1

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Caught!

Also, Lithia: https://poneb.in/8225

>>43407939
No one?

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lazy, spoiled, and soon to be fat
put that poner to work

>>43399360
>I'm not!
Ah, the denial phase.
>would look less bleak in the morning
Instead it will look hopeless.
>Rangi! Come up here!
That was quick. I mean using him.
>Help me change the sheets
If she used him for such easy menial tasks, then no wonder he feels like a slave.
>I don't think you're a slave.
At least she is telling the truth. She does not views him as a slave. That does not mean she does not treat him as one.
>gradually raising her voice
I wonder how long will it take for the guards to appear again. Or the neighbors complain.
>You're more than just a- just *those things*!
Not much more if she without the influence of alcohol "cheated".
>Do I have a choice?
The only decision which is up to him is does he stay or not. One subjects him to more of the same, the other is completely unknown.
>I treated you like one
She finally realized and admitted it.
>Then you can sleep on the couch
Heh. Just like any male in a relationship.
>other ponies will catch me, and bring me back
Not if he gets escorted outside of the town.
>We're both wrong, inside.
Big words from a 14 year old.
>his animal hide clothes
Why have not Thistle got him proper clothes yet?
>go and talk to a therapist
But find a therapist for the therapist first! So the therapist can go to the other therapist immediately.
>but she needed it
Again with things she needs.
>against his better judgement
I don't think he cared about the arrangement too much.
>breathe a little easier in the corridor
Isn't it harder there? Due to the vomit soaked sheets being left there.
>weather forecast
Don't you mean weather schedule?
>Could they be together?
Only depends on her.
>What would she do for money?
Twilight's offer still stands.
>she hadn't visited the camp in *days*
The worries of Draga come true.
>No money.
She just talked about her savings. Where are those? In the bank?
>she just needed to visit the bank
Or where they kept Rangi and ask for her bag back.
>She didn't need them.
Transformation to Thistle is complete. Different mane/tail color, muscular and now no glasses. Does she wear her necktie?
>She'd be back before...
She always makes these plans, but never succeeds.

Thanks for the update!

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Some unicorns are kept as status symbols. All they have to do is look pretty and escort their masters in fancy places.

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ponbelly can be ticklish
pet with caution

>>43412553
cutie

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>>43406524
me? I blame Maonyman
>New Equestrian Railroad update never ever

>>43399360

> Buying the bottles had been a mistake. She'd known it as soon as she walked out of the store. She'd never intended to do it, but seeing them up there, on the shelf, so heavily discounted, had proven to be too much of a temptation. Curse that Filthy and his eagerness to get rid of his old stock before the new cider season!
> Except she couldn't really blame the store owner. It was her own decision to take the bottles. How could she not? After everything that had happened over the past few days, she might need to celebrate a little something with Rangi, or she might need a pick-me-up after a particularly bad day.
> A glass or two to take the edge off couldn't hurt.
> Anyway, it was done now and she was home. The snoring was absent and she heard the ominous silence as soon as she shut the door behind her and cut off the noise of the street.
> No problem, it just meant Rangi must have woken up. She'd have to hurry up with breakfast, so Thistle headed for the kitchen. Less than a minute later, the groceries were stowed away and she was left with two bulges in her saddlebags. One on each side, for balance.
> She briefly wondered where to put them, then glanced at the open doorway to the living room to make sure she was still alone, opened the lowest drawer under the utensils, and quickly pulled out the random assortment of items which tend to accumulate in such places.
> The bottles went in the back, and then she piled the stuff back in. It was pure luck that the drawer was still able to shut, and more importantly that the things completely covered the hard cider.
> Rangi wouldn't find them there.
> "[What are you doing?]"
> The sudden voice behind her made her jump away with a squeak. How could he have moved so quietly? Rangi was barefoot, but even so he must have taken exquisite care to creep over the hardwood floor of the living room.
"[Why are you sneaking up on me?!]" she demanded.
> Her heart was hammering and she was grateful she'd had the chance to put the bottles away, at least. She reached out with her hind leg and pushed the drawer fully shut as nonchalantly as she could manage. There was the faintest of clinks as the bottles rolled to a stop, but the noise of all the other knickknacks in the drawer covered it up some.
> Before Rangi could answer, she softened her tone and pointed a hoof at the table:
"[I went and bought bread and greens. I have milk - I know you like it. I thought we would have breakfast. We are not in a hurry today.]"
> Rangi cast his gaze across the few items she'd set on the table, then headed for the fridge. "[Fine. I will get it started.]"
"[What? Oh.]"

>>43415041

> He'd fallen back into the old habit so easily. He *always* cooked, ever since she'd shown him the few basic recipes needed for morning. It hadn't occurred to him to question it.
"[Wait. I will cook today.]"
> This quiet statement stopped him short and he turned to stare at her. "[So you were serious last night? I thought maybe you were talking in your dreams, or maybe you were drunk again.]"
"[I wasn't drunk!]" she said, then her ears splayed and she corrected: "[I only had a little. I wasn't drunk! I meant it!]"
> "[So you have been treating me like a slave because you forgot not to?]"
> It was a poignant question and no less hurtful for how accurate it was. She didn't much like the sarcastic undertone, but she needed to make an actual effort.
"[I never thought of you as a slave, Rangi.]"
> At his raised eyebrow she sat on her rump and looked helplessly at the ceiling.
"[Okay, fine! I acted badly. I didn't think about it when I asked you to do things. I didn't mean it that way, okay?]"
> He didn't answer.
"[What do you want me to say? I'm sorry! There.]"
> At long last he moved, even if it was only to sit down and reach for the dark loaf of bread she'd gotten. It was no longer warm, but still very fresh and he broke off a large piece. Her mouth opened and she very nearly berated him for not using a knife, but she forced it shut and watched in polite silence as he began to chew.
"[I wish you were a little more civilized, but I guess that's my fault for not really teaching you.]"
> The young man just shrugged and kept eating.
"[Don't eat the whole bread. I will make eggs. There is also cheese.]"
> Well, in complete honesty, what she called 'cheese' was nothing like what they understood under the term, but it was *technically* correct and Rangi had gotten used to the new kind. In the camp, they had a type of curdled donkey milk which might become cheese if it was clean and left to age properly.
> She didn't like it because it didn't agree with her anatomy. In fact, it disagreed violently. The one time she'd tried it, besides being grossed out at its origin, she'd spent the night outside, doubled over a hastily-dug hole in the ground. Not just that - she'd also needed a hole in front of her.
> She'd tried never to even think about that episode, lest she become queasy. Even now, many months later, she felt her stomach shrivel at the thought and she wrenched her mind away from the topic.
> It was spoiled, rotten milk, nothing short of it, and she'd been only too happy to introduce Rangi to *real* cheese.
> True to her word, she fetched the little paper-wrapped packet and lightly tossed it onto the table. She fished out a knife from the drawer so he could cut it, then left the man to it and went for a skillet.

>>43415045

> He was silent as he ate, and she began to hum to herself a little.
> It felt as if their little dynamic had had a shock last night, and they were both better off for it. She could fix whatever their relationship was, or was supposed to be, or they wanted it to be.
> More importantly, she had the bottles in the lowest drawer. She would celebrate their new understanding with a glass or two as soon as she could.
"[We should go and see how the people are doing today,]" she decided abruptly.
> Rangi looked crestfallen, but didn't object.
"[I haven't been to the tents in a long time. I need to talk with Salki about the new rules. We need to decide how the nomads will live, and how they will earn their keep.]"
> Another little complication. She was no longer the Mayor, so she couldn't ask the townsponies to keep extending the strangers credit. Maybe Twilight would continue that little practice, or maybe the people would need to start making money.
> That would imply meeting with the Princess, which was an unlikeable prospect these days. Her ears splayed and Thistle thought longingly about the bottles.
> It would be *so much easier* to talk to Twilight if she had a glass or two. It would relax her and loosen her tongue. She got along with ponies better when she was tipsy.
> Almost absentmindedly she broke three eggs and flicked the shells onto the counter. Rangi could deal with them later-
> She caught the thought before it finished. One of them would clean it up. Yeah, that was better.
> After breakfast, they would walk through the park, visit the tents, and talk with Salki and Darga. They would discuss the nomads having jobs. Then she would bring whatever they'd decided to Twilight and work out some kind of an agreement.
> That would be a solid day's work for a diplomat, and she could reward herself with a glass of cider. Maybe Rangi would have one too, and they'd both loosen up enough to have a little fun.
> Her tail was lifting up, but Thistle didn't mind. She hummed a gentle melody as she cooked, sneaking glances at the nomad who was chewing his bread and cheese and staring at the grey skies out the window.
> "[I don't think Darga will like these new rules. You said only a few nomads can come to the town?]"
"[Yes, and a pony needs to be with them.]"
> He barked a laugh. "[Maybe it's not so bad.]"
"[What makes you say so?]"
> She left the eggs for a moment and turned to look at him in time to see his grin vanish. "[Nothing. I just thought what face Darga will make when you tell her.]"
> He was right! Darga would be *pissed*, even if Salki wasn't! They'd shout at her. Maybe worse! None of the nomads had physically beaten her, at least not since Willow, but this was a big restriction and the chieftain would doubtlessly, and unjustly blame her!

>>43415049

> It must have shown on her face because Rangi started to laugh some more. He kept doing it even when she gave him the stink eye. "[I'm glad I'm not you!]" he chortled. "[Maybe we will see just how free you really are, at least in Darga's eyes!]"
"[Shut up. I'll deal with Darga!]"
> A nasty thought occurred to her and she gave Rangi an evil grin.
"[Besides, if Darga decides I'm a slave again, then you'll go back to Salki.]"
> His chortling was cut short and the pair looked at one another in somber silence. Eventually Thistle exhaled and bowed her head.
"[I'll do what I can to make sure this doesn't happen. We are in the land of ponies. Slavery is not allowed here.]"
> "[So you will make the Borchi-Quin let my people go? What little is left of them? You will make those pigs stop using Ruslan girls?]"
> Thistle shrank in on herself at these words. On some level she'd always known it was happening, but she'd gotten good at not thinking about it.
> "[That's what I thought. Maybe your world of ponies isn't as enlightened, or as powerful as you said.]"
> He was right. She didn't like admitting it, even to herself, but he had a valid point. One she'd been all to eager to simply ignore and sweep under the rug. Had Twilight figured it out? If so, why hadn't she done anything about it?
> Should Thistle tell her? Surely one single ex-mayor, even of Ponyville, couldn't hope to make the nomads change, not really. If she tried, they'd decline. If she attempted to force them, it would get ugly. They'd need magic to prevent needless bloodshed.
> What then? Her mind raced ahead. Would they simply stick most nomads in jail until they learned Equestrian ways? How well could they learn kindness and friendship from a prison? All they'd do would be to brew resentment.
> In a generation they'd die out.
> Thistle put her hooves over her head.
"[Fuck, why is this so complicated?!]"
> She thought longingly about the bottles again, but they wouldn't help, except if she wanted to forget.
> This needed a smarter head than hers. Dislike or no, she would have to approach Twilight with the problem. Maybe it would need more than one Princess.
> Suddenly Thistle wasn't sure her own diplomacy was up to the task. Not if it meant going up against Darga. She'd never *really* done that before. At most, their ideas had diverged a little bit, but they were mostly aligned. They both wanted the chieftainhood to go to Salki, and they both wanted the Borchi-Quin to survive.
> No easy answers.
> She remembered her skillet barely in time to pull it away from the fire and prevent their breakfast from burning.

>>43415053

> At least this gave her something to do. She flipped two of the eggs on one plate, and the last one on the other. She had Rangi cut more cheese slices and a few slabs of bread. Then she sat across from him and looked at her food.
> She'd thought there would be no appetite left, but her stomach growled. It had very little except cider over the past few days and the smell made her ravenous.
> The positive was that they both ate in silence.
> When she was done, she watched Rangi wipe the plate clean with a bit of bread.
"[I will get us something to drink,]" she said and placed a hoof on the floor to get up.
> "[Sit. I will do it.]"
> She froze, but Rangi was true to his word. He knew where to get the glasses, and how to open a new carton of orange juice. He poured expertly and delivered a glass to her first, before getting his own.
"[I thought you didn't want to be my slave,]" she commented.
> He stared at her in surprise, then exasperation. "[It is not slavery to do something nice for one another! Surely you are not this stupid?]"
> The insult made her narrow her eyes. Rangi was watching her carefully, seeing how she would react.
> He was testing her!
> He wanted to know if she'd really meant what she'd said. If she corrected him, or got upset, he would have his answer.
"[Sorry. Don't call me stupid in public, okay?]"
> The words were only a little bit bitter. It helped when he inclined his head and said: "[Okay. I promise.]"
"[I will clean the plates and the glasses when we are back.]"
> He didn't look like he believed her, but Rangi shrugged to that and drained his glass. "[So you really are going to tell Darga about the new rules?]"
"[Yes.]"
> "[Leave me with someone to wait. I don't want her, or Saule, to see me when you deliver that. Can you leave me with Hisein, or Buygra? They are fair.]"
"[Deal. Let's go.]"

>>43415056

It's been a crappy week, so I wasn't as productive as I'd hoped. This is somewhat short and I didn't get around to the really interesting scene where Thistle will be confronted with how the poor nomads are doing in this strange world. Next time, though!

Paste: https://ponepaste.org/11514

bumpin to read

>>43415487

>>43416072

>>43415056
>Buying the bottles
So, she goes out to get breakfast materials, instead she buys alcohol. She is in a massive downward spiral. No money, but must acquire alcohol!
>One on each side, for balance
Heh. And Rangi will walk in just at the right moment spotting nothing more than the two bottles of cider.
>bottles went in the back
She is turning into a true alcoholic.
>clinks
I don't think the nomads recognize the sound and/or connect the dots.
>He *always* cooked
RGRE
>I only had a little.
Calling a whole bottle of hard cider little? Another alcoholic sign.
>wish you were a little more civilized
Only a week or two ago they were on a different world! What does she expect?
>Don't eat the whole bread.
Heh.
>In fact, it disagreed violently
Unlike alcohol.
>She could fix whatever
Is this a goal? Looking at her track record, everything will go bad.
>in a long time
Meanwhile Rainy Day is long dead.
>start making money
Maybe they could be construction workers. But even for that they will need a lot of training.
>thought longingly about the bottles
Would be funny if Twilight found her drunk, blacked out.
>Rangi could deal with them later
Heh.
>Maybe it's not so bad.
Could be worse.
>They'd shout at her.
Or they just decide to go home.
>I'm glad I'm not you
Heh.
>do what I can to make sure this doesn't happen
What's that going to be? Observing? Drinking herself to blackout?
>let my people go?
Is there any left?
>approach Twilight with the problem
I'm pretty sure she knows these already.
>I will get us something to drink
No, bad pony!
>I thought you didn't want to be my slave
Doing something for her does not make him a slave.
>Surely you are not this stupid?
She is a lot of times.

Thanks for the update!

>>43418537
Bad cat pony!

>>43416926
>put my hoof on her mouth
>she just gently nibbles on it, like she's begging.
"she's mine now. here's the hundred bits."
> plop a full sack down on the floor that rattles with the sound of many coins clanging against eachother
> put my leash on her and look her in the eye. it's clear that she already knew I'm her master the second she laid eyes on me.

Random thought, but has anyone done a Cheerilee story, yet?
I could easily see one be about Anon buying Cheerilee to be his son, Anon Jr.'s homeschooler/tutor.
Cheerilee slowly bonding with the child and developing confusing feelings about her captors, specifically Anon, could be an interesting green.

>>43419729
There was one with Velvet. But it was just a sex scene basically.

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If AWF finishes his story, will this general die?

>>43420211

Can't be arsed to dig up the trip on ma phone.

I was planning to take a bit of a break after Meyer - that one is going longer than I anticipated - but I have two new ideas I'd really like to try after it. A bit of a return to my roots, kinda. I don't wanna promise too much, and it'd be great to get some other greens in here too, but we'll see...

>>43417312

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Discarded slaves when?

Pony works the counter
Pony stocks the shelves

>>43422761
Wagiepony.