Well, she did ask, kinda. You should feed her. But you should also make certain she understands that Zecora - and by extension, you - is in charge here, and should be treated as such. After all, without you, Trixie would be nothing more than a tacky lawn ornament by now! She owes you her life, and then some! If she keeps up this kind of attitude, you might just have to collect...

Well, so much for that moment. You know Zecora well enough that, regardless of anything else, she's going to feed The Broken and Useless Trixie. Still, that means dinner, when was the last time you ate? Breakfast? The Everfree is spoiling you, one missed meal in a day and you're complaining.

If Trix is up and around, however, they is no reason she needs to keep your bed, and she can sit at the table to eat. It'll be like a family dinner (do those still happen?). If you're around you can cover for any mistakes Trixie makes.

There was a moment of silence following Trixie's announcement of her desire to be fed. A moment of silence, and eye-twitching, with your right eyelid doing said twitching. You stared, glowered, glared, and twitched, at this insolent mare, who had had the gal to interrupt a potentially tender moment between you and your zebra lover. If looks could kill, then Trixie would be six feet under right now with you plowing Zecora's shapely zebra plot on top of her grave!

... ... ... Ahem. But that wasn't the best way to view this current situation. After all, Trixie hadn't eaten for a while now. It only made sense that she would be hungry. And Zecora had, by now, turned her full attention to Trixie, and if there was anything you knew your zebra would do it was-

Yep. There it was. Zebra hospitality at it's finest. Zecora smiled gently at Trixie as she spoke, and raised her right forehoof to gesture over towards the table where all apparently eating took place, where she would no doubt bring food to feed the prissy unicorn. Trixie was lucky that Zecora, your zebra, was in charge of this situation. You doubt you'd be quite so kind as to take in somepony so utterly useless. Still... there was no reason to be overtly hostile at the moment. After all, if she was coming over to eat, that meant she was healthy enough to get out of the bed, so you could argue for it later tonight. And you were kind of hungry... though you'd gone longer without eating before. And anyways, it wasn't a good idea to get gruff and glaring around Zecora. She'd had enough stress as of recent due to your antics, and you didn't want to unnecessarily aggravate her.

Trixie nodded mutely in response to Zecora's hospitality, before swinging her eyes despondently over to the table and slowly walking towards it, putting one limp hoof in front of another. You got your eye twitching in control, and cleared away the scowl that had taken over your face, before looking to Zecora just in time to see a shadow of worry cross her face. She watched Trixie for a moment, her eyes furrowing, the concern becoming more noticeable, before looking away from Trixie back to you. She met your gaze with her own, then blinked, and rearranged her features into a smile, pushing her concern back to give you an apologetic bend of her lips, as you in turn turned your lips into a thin, accepting smile.

Zecora's lips turned up a little more, her smile increasing with your acceptance, before she turned around, towards the wall beyond the cauldron, and began to move towards her trunks and chests. As she trotted over, she called out over her shoulder.

You lowered looked away from Zecora as she began her journey to rediscover her kitchen supplies, lowering your head and sighing deeply, closing your eyes... You hoped that Trixie appreciated Zecora's mercy in this. You hoped that she appreciated that if it wasn't for Zecora, and you for that matter, she'd be a statue in the Everfree, or some Diamond Dog's bitch... You felt that she didn't give those facts quite the credit that they deserved. Didn't give you and Zecora the RESPECT, that was very much your due. But... but you were going to be magnanimous right now... She needed food, and you needed to chill the buck out. You only just finished getting beaten up by a planimal monster thing for buck's sake! You could afford to take a few deep breaths and lay off the anger for a bit.

You breathed out heavily, then opened your eyes and lifted your head up to look over to the prissy unicorn tribalist, just in time to see her slowly lowering her rump onto the floor in front of the table, gingerly touching her butt to the wood. Trixie bit her bottom lip and shivered as her flank met ground, a low whimper escaping from her throat. You looked back to your zebra for a moment, watching her open a big, old, but completely dustless, wooden chest, before muttering under her breath and leaning in, searching for some unknown object. You watched her for a few moments more, licked your lips, reminded yourself to be calm, then looked back to the still shivering Trixie and began to walk over.

Okay, we may or may not have a problem here. It all depends on several factors, those factors being...

1) How fast does the medicine you put on Trixie work on that level of injury

2) If she is healed, is there any scabs/scars left?

3) Is there any way to tell that said medicine was used on her?

If the answers are "very fast, no, no", in that order, you're golden. Trixie knows better than to be a snitch. If one or more of the answers are different, you are in deep shit. You have to explain to Zecora why Trixie is in whatever condition that she is in. Which means that you would have to explain why you whipped Trixie, which would likely bring back her assumptions that you and Trixie are either lovers or "friends with benefits", in addition to the fact that you will be believed to have a fetish for whipping others, and that would NOT look good.

Trixie is awake? This could be a bit of a problem. While I am reasonably sure that she is too terrified of you to cause trouble, fear will not hold her back forever. You need to start reinforcing the ideas you planted in her mind before the planimal cloak attacked; that she is a walking mistake without you to guide her. Since you already broke her psyche, you need to put the pieces back in an order YOU desire. As for any lingering injuries on Trixie, keep to the standby: tell Zecora the truth...or as close as you can get without sounding like a monster.

Nomad

Trixie needs some food! Well, let's handle this amicably! I'm sure that she won't mention her little spanking if you don't mention her little attempted theft. Make sure to look her in the eyes, and check to see if she looks down or away. If she does, give her a little positive attention. Keep in mind that Trixie might need something to help her rest. It's been a hectic day after all. If Zecora asks what happened or gives you a look, subtly explain to her through body language or speech that you'll talk to her later about it, but not while Trixie is in the room. Zecora is very perceptive about subtle language about that.

You trotted up to Trixie, doing your best to look innocent and move with an overly casual strut... And failing because your left foreleg was in a bucking sling, and it was hard enough to move casual with all four of your damn legs on the ground! Not that it mattered much. Zecora was searching for her cookery, and Trixie was too busy biting her lower-lip, making muffled whimpers, and tearing up at the corners of her eyes, to even notice your awkward approach. She must have been in a good deal of pain.

The salve you'd applied was supposed to mend wounds, clean blood from fur, and soothe aforementioned pain. But you'd applied it hours ago and it'd likely worn off by now. Also, it hadn't said anything about treating sensitive skin, so Trixie's rump was probably bright red beneath her fur. Zecora was a healer, and if she saw even the slightest sign of damage on Trixie's prissy pony posterior she'd want to know why it was there. And she would investigate the matter with an aggression that would in all probability lead to another spat. You'd much rather avoid confrontation with your zebra, and to do that you needed to make sure there were no wounds left behind from you and Trixie's little... altercation.

As you reached Trixie, still unnoticed, you saddled up to her, just over her left shoulder, and stretched out your right forehoof to touch the nape of her neck. And immediately regretted the move as you started to waddle on your back two legs. You quickly lowered your right forehoof back down to the ground, silently cursing your left forehoof's presence in a sling... didn't even hurt that much buck, probably wasn't even broken, it was your shoulder that got bit. Buck it all. Internally sighing, and disregarding your frustrations, you settled for a nuzzle, leaning in to touch your nose to the back of Trixie's neck gently.

Immediately you felt her tense up beneath you as a shiver ran through her body. Not exactly the most flattering reaction to your affections. You thought of glaring at her, berating her, whispering sinisterly, threatening unspeakable things to her, or any number of unpleasant actions that would totally justify the fear she was feeling right now.

But you didn't want to be mean right now. You wanted to be amicable and understanding. After all, you'd covered with Trixie how she was a useless wreck of a mare already. Her mistakes weren't really her fault, but the fault of her own useless nature. That didn't mean she wouldn't need a disciplinary hoof now and then, but it did mean that you didn't have to keep driving the point home. She was behaving right now, so there was no problem with showing a bit of gentle loving care. After all, the stick could only teach half the lesson! There needed to be a carrot from time to time...

So, deciding to be magnanimous and understanding of poor Trixie's disabilities, you continued to nuzzle the back of her neck gently, trying to get the dear whiny little cunt to relax. She was still tense as a board, but her shivers calmed down somewhat as you kept up the nuzzling, before finally you stopped with the gentle application of your nose to her fur, and leaned forward over her shoulder, turning your gaze to her face. Her eyes were closed, and she was still biting her bottom lip. From pain or fear you couldn't be sure. But the hut's impromptu reorg would only slow your zebra for so long, so you didn't really have time to guess.

"Hey there Trixie, how are you feeling?" You asked gently, and Trixie, eyes still closed, gulped down a lump in her throat, before responding in a soft and quiet voice.

"T-Trixie is hungry... and her bottom hurts..." She spoke, her voice soft and whimpering, kind of pathetic really, absent of the haughtiness that had made you hate her tribalist guts.

"Ah, I'm sorry about that Trixie. I really am. It was unfortunately very necessary." You spoke somberly, not really sure whether you actually meant the 'sorry' part, before turning your gaze away from Trixie to see where Zecora's attentions lay. Your zebra lovebug had moved from one chest, left wide open you noted, to another chest right to the left of the old. Just as old, just as wooden, and just as immaculately dusted. She'd opened it up and was now searching inside, flank in the air as she searched with her head buried in the chest. You narrowed your eyes, taking only a few spare moments to appreciate the view, before turning back to Trixie. Better get this done while Zecora was still distracted.

"But your continuing pain is not so necessary, and should be stopped. I'm going to need you to lift your flank up so I can see how you've healed up." That got Trixie's attention, head snapping towards you with eyes wide as saucers.

"W-what? Right now? B-but couldn't Zecora mayb-"

"Trixie, Zecora is busy. Now don't be a foal, lift up your flank and keep it up so I can evaluate it." You ordered, trying to mix commanding in with paternal. The mare whimpered again, but slowly pushed her forehooves against the table, lifting her rump a couple inches off the floor.

"Higher Trixie. Lean forward on the table and lift it up." You spoke, with the patience of a mule, before Trixie gulped, and lifted herself up more leaning forward so that you could finally get a good view of her flank. With closed eyes and a deep breath, you stood up on your hind-legs, and moved your right forehoof to Trixie's tail to pull it up, exposing her backside to you in all it's glory. Including the showmare's pretty little marehood.

An audible 'Eeep!' noise came from the mare as she blushed bright red, biting her bottom lip this time from embarrassment instead of pain, and shifting position uncomfortably under your gaze, inadvertently giving her flank a little wiggle. You smirked at the prissy unicorn's discomfort, and allowed your eyes to roam up and down her flank, appreciating her soft curvy flank while assessing the damage. That was unfortunately very much present.

Her butt was as bright as her face. The skin beneath her fur was agitated and red, practically pulsing with irritation from the damage you'd dealt. No wonder she was whimpering so much. You'd really gone to town... It wasn't as bad as it could have been though. Zecora's medicines had worked wonders on the cuts, and you couldn't even see scar tissue to mark where they'd been. But it was now fairly obvious that all the salve had done for the skin was hide the pain, or maybe you'd pummeled her so hard that even the salve's healing couldn't repair all the damage. Regardless, it was fairly apparent that this went beyond uncomfortable into the realm of legitimate medical concern, and there was no way your zebra wouldn't notice this if she looked. There was very little for it. You'd have to tell Zecora.

With a sigh, you moved your forehoof back and let Trixie's tail drop, the hairs hitting her rump again and causing her to twitch slightly with the pain, cheeks still flushing red. You lowered yourself back down to the floor, and cleared your throat, ignoring a subtle ache that was manifesting in your hind legs from the standing stint.

"Good filly Trixie. Now I'd stay there with your rump in the air. Your flank looks rather irritated and it will be pretty painful if you sit down on it. You don't want to hurt yourself more do you?"

"W-well I-"

"No, of course you don't." You interrupted, rolling your eyes at Trixie's inability to tell a rhetorical question from a real one, then turning your gaze back to Zecora, who now seemed to be poking around in a third trunk that bore remarkable similarities to the others.

"Now I'm going to go talk to Zecora for a moment. You be a good little filly and just stay put looking pretty. And remember Trixie... She doesn't need your version of events confusing her."

"Y-you... you think I'm pretty?"

A pause... That... wasn't quite the reaction you were expecting. You turned your gaze back to Trixie, your right eyebrow raised, to see her eyes looking to yours with a hint of... hope in them? Possibly? ... ... Well, you had decided to be magnanimous today...

"Yes Trixie, you're a pretty filly. Now stay here and be quiet until I get back." You spoke curtly, some agitation returning, before turning and trotting over to Zecora.

Later, sit down with Zecora to have a little chat. Sigh, and explain to her that you found Trixie rummaging around in her hut. You were furious, and you ended up giving her a little spanking. Convince her that it was necessary and effective. Go grab the suspicious box and tell her that you found her with this. Ask her what it is, but tell her that she doesn't need to tell you if she doesn't want to.

Now tell her that her box probably won't be safe in her hut anymore. Tell her that you're worried about her safety and remind her how much you love her. It'd probably be a good idea to hide it further in the Everfree. The she should go out tommorrow and find a good hiding place for it. Some place in the Everfree would be a natural choice.

Hmm, your eyes.. They do seem to be a bit different don't they? Not... unusual for a pony, but something about them seems to be somewhat irresitable or interesting... Like how someone could look into your eyes, and feel like they're searching for something.. And end up only hearing your voice and seeing your eyes.

You find yourself considering how you can best help Zecora and Trixie realize what they need. You can do better than this my blooming superpony. You think to yourself about how you could do so much better if you thought more about what they needed and wanted, and helped them realize how to acheive what they already knew they wanted.. If they end up realizing that you can help them with what they want and need, and they end up loving you for it... Why, that would only be natural wouldn't it?

You find yourself curious about all those little mannerisms and body language that you've been picking up from Trixie and Zecora. You think back to your past, and how things would have gone so much easier if you'd been able to see into another pony's heart. Oh, how many situations you would have been able to avoid if you could have just picked up on those signals.... If you'd known what a pony was thinking and feeling before they did, then it would have saved you so much trouble. And how can you help the ponies that you care about, if you don't understand them?

Perhaps if you had some way to investigate their connections to other ponies and the things they need or desire... You feel confident with time that you'll be able to do this. It will be like you can literally see those connections as if they were colored strings of light between ponies, other ponies they like or hate and their objects of desire or aversion! The more time you spend around other ponies; the more this desire manifests in you... As your anxiety increases about how your new 'strangeness' will be perceived, you find yourself desperately needing to understand how other ponies feel about you to protect yourself, and needing to know how ponies feel about other ponies so they don't betray you... And you find yourself needing to know what they desire, so that you can help them as any good superpony should. And of course you need to know what they are averse to, so that you know what to save them from!

Listen to these words! They sound absolutely true. Remember when Zecora thought you'd betrayed her, played her for a foal, strung her along and thrown her away? Remember how desperately Trixie hides just how much she longs for somepony strong to take her on a leash and lead her like a good puppy? If you could better read other ponies, you could've avoided a lot of emotional pain.

More importanly, you could've spared them much emotional turmoil. You've gotten better at it, sure—you understand that Trixie is a screw-up who needs somepony else to take control of her, for example—but it's still very, very hard. You want to get better at reading ponies! You want to be the best stallion possible for your mares!

Hmm, maybe if you could erase others memories you would be fine. Or you could control other people. Remember those times you snuck into those movie theaters? The first time you saw an old vampire movie, and in the movie vampires could control people by looking them in the eye. Then, that other time you saw a little bit of the movie MIB (Mares In Black) and they had that weird light thing that made people forget things. Maybe you could use one of those?

You approached the zebra as she pulled her saddle-baskets out from the third trunk, apparently stored in Rarity's cleaning spree. She was muttering something with the strap between them in her teeth, something that sounded kind of like agitated grumbling, before she set them down in front of the trunk. You cleared your thoughts, worked out what you were going to say, and opened your mouth to speak. But then you stopped, blinked, and closed your mouth, suddenly struck with fear and nervousness because... you didn't know how Zecora was going to react to this.

Zecora had shown herself to be not entirely... trusting of you in times past. Easily triggered by jealous fantasies and wild assumptions that you were rutting Trixie behind her back. Not that Trixie didn't have a sweet little cunt just fit for a good dicking. But still! You weren't. And even if that fantastical imagining didn't set her off, there was the part where she was a healer who seemed to be rather protective of Trixie, DESPITE this jealousy... ... were they marefriends in some time past or something? Split up over the whole crimes against ponykind thing? Not that that was wrong or anything, two mares doing it was totally hot, and sometimes you felt like committing crimes against ponykind yourself, what with all that ponykind had done for you in the past, but that could explain quite a bit... If you could, maybe, somehow see their relationship? Or read their mood towards one another better? Or just predict their reactions to things? Or buck, just wipe their minds or some shit like that, that would solve a LOT of potential problems!

Or mind control? Mind control would be good. But the point of this particular internal rambling was that this shit would be a lot easier if you could somehow predict Zecora's response and read her movements. Because right now, all you knew was that you were going to have to tread carefully. Because the whole 'wrecking her hut via planimal' thing was still very fresh in her memory, AND she was agitated about the recent reorganization, and she was looking right at you.

Indeed, in the time you'd taken to worry Zecora had put her saddle-baskets down, backed up, nudged the right basket open with her nose, then looked up, noticed you, and turned her surprised gaze towards you.

Right... maybe you spent a little long on these internal ramblings of yours? Maybe you should focus a little less on the angsty ponderings of your brain and more on the shit that actually happens around you? Just for a change of pace? But whatever the faults of your internal thinking structure, it didn't change the fact that Zecora was very much focusing on you now. And now, you needed to focus on her, be a stallion, and address this. Because knowing her reaction probabilities and relationship status or no, she was going to notice Trixie's bum, and it was better that she hear it from you than see it herself. So, after taking a deep breath you looked into her eyes. Eye contact was important after all. Eyes were important. Your eyes were important. You weren't sure why, but they were, and you needed to keep them focused on hers for important reasons that you didn't have to time to wonder about.

"Zecora, I'm going to need you to listen and not interrupt until I'm done." You spoke, your voice taking a serious tone. Zecora arched her right eyebrow, but turned from her saddle-baskets to face you full-on, meeting your eyes with her own. You took another deep breath in through your nostrils, released the air slowly out through your mouth, and then continued.

"Earlier today, before the plant monster came, Trixie found the box that you hid after we came back. The one you moved from the shelf and then accused me of working with her to steal." You lied. You had thought about lying about the plant monster to, making it the cause of Trixie's injuries, but you doubted Zecora would buy that. Now on with the mostly truth, with embarrassing details omitted and edited. Huh, maybe being able to tell when a pony was lying to you would be useful to. Anyways...

"I found her with it, and remembered that you'd said something about it being dangerous, and I... panicked. I took it from her, after a brief tussle, we got into an argument, there was screaming of obscenities, I lost my temper, and I kind of... spanked her. Hard. With the flat of my blade." Okay, maybe mostly edited and omitted details with a light sprinkling of truth, who the buck was keeping track anyways?

"Afterwards I looked through your books and found a salve, dulled the pain, and I gave her some medicine to help her sleep. However she's awake now and her flank's hurting. You should probably check to make sure that it's not too serious, and give it the right treatment if it is... And I put the box back where you hid it, but Trixie knows where it is now. So if you're going to have to hide it someplace else, probably outside the hut if that was your only hiding place... And that's the situation. If you're angry... well, I understand." You spoke, having kept eye-contact the entire time... And you had no idea what the buck Zecora was feeling.

Her visage was a mask. Her eyebrow had dropped, her face had turned stoic, and then stayed that way throughout the entire spiel regarding your recent adventures with Trixie's bum. And now it was still that way... And that was bad. That was very bad. Not knowing was bad... You were starting to sweat, beneath your fur, droplets of sweat appearing on your forehead as you kept eye contact with eyes that showed absolutely nothing! If you could read emotions you wouldn't HAVE this problem! Or control minds, or wipe minds, or some possible combination of those! Something! One of those things could help you! You needed to- ... wait, weren't those bad things? The wipe and control mind things? Why were you thinking of that so casually? You didn't want to do that to Zecora of all ponies! And why consider that so stron-

Stated Zecora, her tone calm and straightforward, with no hint of any irregular emotions in her voice. She turned back to her saddle bags, and then calmly continued.

She stated, just as calm as before, causing you to blink, kind of surprised at this reaction, before shaking your head and licking your lips a little nervously.

"O-okay... I'll just go and wait then." You spoke, turning, and starting to trot away, turning to look back over your shoulder towards Zecora with a raised eyebrow as she reached in to pull out jar of peanut butter with her right forehoof from her saddle-bag. You kind of internally shrugged, still a bit confused to her reaction but accepting that she hadn't yelled or lost her temper, then looked back towards Trixie and the table, trotting back calmly.

Newspapers used to serve as your blankets in Manehatten. Her name was on page 3 of the Royal Wedding edition listed as the designer of Princess Cadence's dress. That's why her name is familiar. Newspapers have given you information before, ask Zecora if the local library has a newspaper archive. The Canterlot Times and The Manehatten Gazette usually have the most information.

Nomad

Trixie wasn't looking at you as you awkwardly returned to the place of coming consumption. She was looking up over the table, up to the wall, with wide eyes that didn't seem to feel a need to deviate from one singular location on said wall. You raised your right eyebrow, somewhat curious as to the reason that she was just staring up at the same spot. Without blinking even.

"What... is that?" She asked, her voice not afraid, not even curious, but just so completely befuddled that it didn't even know what tone to take. You turned your gaze up to where she was looking... And saw the planimal, sleeping in it's cage, heads still snoozing without a care in the world. You hadn't thought to look for where Rarity moved it after her cleaning spree, but apparently she'd decided to hang it from the wall on a little strand or rope wrapped around a nail, not unlike one of Zecora's masks ... That was probably pretty bucking important... should've noticed that before Trixie of all ponies pointed it out...

You sighed, and closed your eyes, already dealing with enough shit as it was without starting to harangue yourself over missing the planimal movement. And, partly because you were feeling magnanimous today, partly to allay your own nerves, and partly to just not be a dick, you decided to answer Trixie's question.

"I'm not entirely sure. Think it's mostly plant, some cockatrice, a bit of some weird blue flower thing, maybe a pinch of zebra fur..." You muttered, shaking your head, then falling onto your rump in front of the table, taking a seat with your back to Zecora and the cauldron and a clear sight of the door. Trixie was, naturally, sitting where you would usually be sitting, having taken your seat when she emerged from her slumber. And right now you were too anxious and out of it to give a flying feather about the damn seating arrangements.

You moved your right foreleg up to rest on the table and leaned forward to rest your bandaged left foreleg on said table as well. Gulping down a lump in your throat, then turning your gaze back to Trixie, who was still staring at the caged planimal. You licked your lips again, cleared your throat, and then, for no real reason besides venting your nervousness, continued to talk to her.

"Zecora's cooking. It'll take a bit longer because she has to find everything again. It all got reorganized after the plant-monster-animal creature attacked."

"What? That tiny abomination? You can't be serious." Replied Trixie, finally breaking her gaze with the planimal thing to look to you, her right eyebrow raised, and a slight smirk arriving on her face.

"What could that little thing possibly do? Gnaw on your leg or someth-"

Trixie stopped mid-sentence and blinked, looking down at your foreleg and the cloth around her shoulder, her eyes going wide as she appeared to notice your injury for the first time. You stared back at her with a half-lidded gaze, watching her expression go from it's previous arrogance to surprised realization, then jumping forward to fear as she looked up into your eyes. Trixie gulped audibly then, before the ends of her lips twitched up into an apologetic smile.

"I-I see it is more dangerous than it appears, then... heheheh..." She laughed, weakly, that fear still in her orbs... You closed your eyes and sighed, raising your right forehoof up to bury your face in. Well, at least you could read Trixie like she was an open bucking book... no problems telling what she was thinking. Still, you were being magnanimous today, time to set her at ease.

"It was bigger when we fought Trixie. Much bigger. And had three more heads. Soap shrunk it... Not entirely sure how that worked but buck if I'm going to question it. So yeah, it was a threat, and it wrecked the place. And no, as it is right now it probably won't be very dangerous... But, don't get near it or anything... just in case." You muttered as you finished up, sighing out heavily and lowering your forehoof back down to the table as you looked back into Trixie's eyes. Clear and obvious relief passed through them, as you showed yourself to be absent of your usual rage.

"Y-yes! Of course! Trixie shall wholly avoid the caged abomination!" She stated quickly, before blinking, furrowing her brows, and turning her head to look around the hut.

"B-but, this place does not look as though it has been wrecked. Trixie is rather familiar with the appearance of wrecked homes, and this hut is far from being a wrecked home! Err, Trixie thinks. It, um, looks better than when Trixie saw it last, in fact." Stated Trixie with confusion in her voice, proving that the eyes in her head were working properly and that she hadn't gone blind in the last few seconds. You grunted in slight annoyance and shrugged, as best as you were able with one shoulder slung up.

"Yeah, Zecora came back with a unicorn called Rarity and she-"

"Rarity?" Trixie's head snapped back to you, eyes narrowing instantly.

"White coat and purple mane? Unicorn? Has three diamonds as a Cutie Mark?"

"Um... yes." You replied slowly, raising your right eyebrow. Trixie, instead of stopping then, at confirmation, pushed both her forehooves into the table, and raised herself up, eyes narrowing further, and a glint of anger showing up in her orbs.

"Fashion designer? Friends with Twilight Sparkle? Arrogant showpony who dared to try and upstage Trixie? THAT Rarity?"

"I think still yes..." You said slowly, watching Trixie as she leaned forward, an intent look in her eyes.

"Did she say anything about Trixie?! Because whatever she said are lies! All lies! And Trixie has excellent taste in capes!" She almost shouted, her gaze practically going feral with what looked like some mix of righteous fury and panic.

"No. She said nothing about you. She didn't even know you were here." You stated calmly, as Trixie backed down slowly... then turned her head away to the right, lowering her face and hiding her expression.

"Good... Trixie was just worried she might have come here spreading slander is all..." She muttered, almost under her breath.

"Well, no, she didn't come here to spread slander. She, as a fashion designer, came here in pursuits related to fashion. Specifically she was measuring me for a trenchcoat and... wait a minute... fashion designer... Rarity... I've seen those words together in the same sentence..." You muttered, furrowing your brows once more and raising your right forehoof up to your chin, starting to remember.

"Now that I recall, I think she was in one of fashion magazines I... um, read. Yeah... yeah she won like some big competition in Manehatten, AND designed ensembles for the Canterlot wedding, and for Sapphire Shores! Bucking Sapphire Shores, the Pony of Pop! Buck!" You exclaim, laughing as a realization hits you.

"I'm getting a trenchcoat made by the same mare who makes wardrobes for Princesses and superstars! Well rut me!" Trixie, who hadn't reacted to your spiel beforehand, suddenly snapped her gaze towards you, her eyes going wide.

"W-what!? Now? Here!? B-but-" You facehoofed.

"Trixie, it's an expression. Relax."

"Oh. Ahem, yes, well, of course the Great and Powerful Trixie had realized that, of course..." Muttered the unicorn, a rather brazen blush coloring her cheeks...

"Yeah, sure. Hmmm... Miss Rarity, celebrity fashion designer, from some out of the way town I've never heard of... Don't think it was mentioned in the magazine either. Might be worth looking more into her... Wonder if she's made previous headlines... Might be worth checking to see if the town library has some kind of newspaper record vault, or something..." You muttered to yourself, getting lost in your thoughts, as Trixie lowered her forehooves back down on the table and looked away, a blush staining her cheeks.

Trixie, Trixie, Trixie... I don't think that a threatening gaze would do to calm her, but try it anyway. Trixie doesnt know that Zecora is different than you. Intimidate her into silence. Most importantly, after you get her food, before she says anything, politely but firmly ask her to teach you how to use magic.

The Chessmaster

I forgot say the horn on your empty skull is new and most important say you have no clue why you have it and make certain that Trixie says nothing, it will work because come on weird shit has been coming out of you like Discord on a sugar rush

That sequence of events went far better than expected, though they were uneventful. What a pity.

Well since the appearance of Trixie was the most eye-catching item for this duration of time, let's discuss her.

Trixie is a unicorn with nothing. Nothing except one thing; pride. You've pretty thoroughly stripped her of that, so good job. So she is a unicorn with no friends, no loved ones, no self-confidence, and by this point I bet, no will to live. She is vulnerable; her armor is cracked. Time to seep in, my little soon-to-be-sadist. She's desperate for connections, even if she doesn't realize it. After all, ponies are social creatures. You become her sole connection. You become her sole 'friend' so she will trust you above all others. You will be the light of her world. After you've claimed place as the sole being to truly 'care' about her, she will put you on a pedestal. She will listen to you; stand by you and be loyal in the storm, for she will be more terrified of losing you than anything else.

As she would be so desperate for keeping her connection with you, the odds are that she would follow you and your descent into sadism. A partner-in-crime for playground explosions is always useful, and being able to easily play with her emotions during your down time is always a plus. In the end, she is also a scapegoat. Get caught for nefarious deeds? Blame it on her. She has a track record for that kind of thing.

Use this to your advantage. She'll be your slave and she won't even know it. Gain an ever-faithful servant for your needs and the perfect target to shift the blame to when things get moving. Also; have her teach you how to start fires with magic.

Regards, Seth Speth of the Death Neth

Well my little mine on it's time to play ball. Tell you love the truth about that little annoyance and how you actions were for the best. If that fails then just SET EVERYTHING ON FIRE!!!!

With love!

-The Red Pyro

You found your Rarity related thoughts quickly taking a turn for the perverse, which in turn prompted you to end them lest you awaken your best friend who, though you were very attached to him, could be quite a dick. With your thoughts being beaten into silence, and Trixie being oddly quiet, you found yourself just waiting for Zecora to start a meal... a little longer than usual for her... actually a fair amount of bucking time. It was understandable really, having your entire home reorganized would probably add a bit of prep time to anypony's kitchen routine, not to mention every other damn thing they had to do around the home. Not that you would know of course... ... Buck you hated Manehatten.

In any case Trixie, for some reason, looked as though she was deep in thought. Still leaning up on the table, but with her forelegs crossed in front of her on the table. She was resting her head on said forelegs, and without the constant pain of the floor contacting her butt, wasn't shivering or whimpering nearly as much. It probably still hurt like buck, but regardless she seemed to have gotten used to it. Looks like some advice you gave actually did help her out. Just went further to prove your point that she was a useless cunt on her own. She needed someone like you around to tell her what to do. It was only natural.

Regardless of your correctness, magnanimity, and general super-awesomeness, you still found yourself waiting, with a stomach feeling empty, and all you could really do with the time was try and think in ways that didn't make a stallion's best friend jump to attention... That wound up being, at least partly, thinking on how spoiled you've gotten here in the Everfree. Oh you're hungry? Well boo-bucking-hoo! Sheesh, not as though you deserve any of Zecora's cooking after all the stress you've put her through... ... But... but that doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the current situation, right? That's not why she's taking so long!? BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU DID AND- No, no, no calm down, calm the buck down! Focus on other things, other things like, like fires... pretty red fires that burned hot like unicorn plots and- No! Not that either! ... Wait... wait a second... ... unicorns...

"Hey Trixie."

"Ah!" Shouted Trixie, startled out of her own thoughts, gaze snapping to you, before she quickly shut her eyes, shook her head, and cleared her throat.

"Ah. Ahem. Yes?" She asked, opening her eyes again with a fairly calm, and even mildly curious expression.

"Explain magic to me."

"What?" Responded the showmare, raising her right eyebrow. You forced yourself not to roll your eyes at her display of intelligence.

"Magic. Explain it to me." You stated, before bringing your right forehoof up to point towards the tip of your horn.

"This nubby little thing popped out of nowhere. But I have NO idea how to use it. When I tried to use it, it caused me a great deal of pain and got nothing done. Why?"

"Well, there could be a few reasons..." Muttered the showmare, furrowing her brows and thinking hard.

"One's simple damage. Usually when a unicorn's horn hurts it's because it's been damaged in some way. That interferes with the transmission of magic and prevents it from functioning properly..." Trixie's eyes rolled up to look to her own horn at that, still on the mend. She gritted her teeth, eyes lingering on her horn for a few moments, before shaking her head, and looking back to you.

"Ahem. Another possibility is that your innate Earth Pony magic is rejecting the horn."

You raised your right eyebrow.

"Explain."

Trixie sighed, and tried to straighten up a bit, using the knees of her forehooves to support herself on the table, before looking back to you with surprisingly calm and focused eyes.

"Unicorns, Pegasi, and Earth Ponies all have innate magical abilities. None so glorious or impressive as Trixie's of course, but there. While the innate magic runs through every part of a pony, it is usually centralized into a few key locations. For Earth Ponies it's usually the hooves, legs, and sometimes even the tail. For Pegasi, it's the spine and wings. And the magic for unicorns is focused in the head, usually around the horn and behind the eyes." Spoke Trixie, bringing her front right forehoof up to her own head, and pointing right underneath her mending horn.

"Trixie's major focal point is clustered right here, beneath the horn." She stated, before lowering her forehoof back down and continuing.

"Magic in ponies, whatever it's location, will typically adapt itself to fit that pony's needs. Usually it's just trying to follow along with their Cutie Marks, what supposedly makes them special. BUT there are roots in the magic that stay regardless of a pony's Cutie Mark and, let's be honest, probably have more to do with a pony's 'special' talent than anything else." Spoke Trixie with a smirk, moving her hooves just high up enough off the table to make the little quotation sign with her hooves, before lowering them again and getting back to the lecture.

"Earth Pony magic is typically geared towards culinary arts, farming, food-growing, mining, caring for plants, etcetera. Pegasus magic is centered around weather control, wind manipulation, and flight. Then there's unicorn magic which is the least rooted and most adaptable of all the innate magics of ponykind. Mainly because while Earth Pony and Pegasus magic is focused on altering itself inside of a pony to further aid them and their abilities, Unicorn magic is designed to be expended through the horn, and focuses on changing the world around the unicorn as opposed to aiding the unicorn from the inside. The horn is little more than a tool for focusing that magic, and without it, the magic does nothing but stagnate. The thing is you're an Earth Pony. Ummm, were an Earth Pony... ... ... right?" She muttered, raising her right eyebrow. You suppressed the desire to become annoyed and simply nodded, to which Trixie continued.

"Ahem, yes. And as an Earth Pony, your magic is designed to be internalized and spread through your body, to aid in your personal efforts, not expended. So when you called it up with the horn, it probably rejected the call and refused to be expelled. I'm... not sure what effect your apparent medical condition has on your magical flow, however Trixie thinks that's the source of the problem. Your body is just not designed to get rid of it's magic like a unicorn's is. And, it's probably very dangerous to try, though that's just Trixie's conjecture since she's never seen anypony like you before... Even, remotely similar... Ever..." She spoke, licking her lips slightly, and shivering, a bit nervous. You brought your right forehoof up beneath your chin, rubbing it thoughtfully, furrowing your brow.

"... So... to be able to use this horn, I'll probably need some kind of unicorn magic, replacing or in addition to my own... is that the gist of what you're telling me?"

"Um, Trixie believes so..." Muttered the showmare, shifting position and suddenly looking much more uncomfortable... no doubt remembering the last time you'd decided you'd needed something of a Unicorn's...

"Hmmm..." You muttered, narrowing your brows further, thinking...

CLACK!

A wooden bowl hit the table in front of you, filled with a steaming orange stew-like liquid, startling you out of your thoughts. Trixie was not immune to the surprise, stiffening up with wide eyes, then looking up over your shoulder to Zecora, following her movement as she came out from behind you and into your view, walking calmly towards Trixie. Zecora was balancing a wooden tray upon her back, without anything holding it to her you noted, and upon that tray were two wooden bowls filled with the same orange substance. She moved calmly, tray and bowls on her back completely stable.

Stated Zecora calmly, reaching back with her left forehoof to one of the bowl's, sliding it up onto her hoof, then bringing it down and placing it in front of Trixie. She then calmly trotted around to her usual spot at the table, and slid the last bowl off of the tray on her back and onto the wood. She then calmly turned her head, leaned back, and took the tray in her teeth, before turning forward again to trot over to recently reorganized shelves. She placed the tray down in front of a shelf, then reached up with her right forehoof to grab a medium-sized brown jar with a white cloth tied with thin ropes as a lid, and take it down from the shelf.

You find yourself considering how tense all these situations have made Trixie and Zecora. They should get along and stop making things so complicated! A herd would be the most natural way for everyone to be happy, and it'd be the right thing to do. You just have to help Trixie and Zecora realize it!

You've thought about this before, but you know that you can do better!

Wouldn't it be nice if you could do something to help them relax? It seems like such a the right thing for you to do, after all you already seem to be able to help ponies by making suggestions to them while they sleep. To help them sleep with a nice soothing lullaby, your soulful eyes or perhaps your rhythmic, enticing body language...

You then find yourself thinking about what soothing advice you will enlighten Trixie with tonight. Perhaps, you'll sing her a lullaby. While you sing, you could let your eyes naturally mesmerize her into sleep.

You think of what you might say...

"It's been so hard, hasn't it Trixie? You've been under so much stress for so long, and you're so very tired. You deserve to get a little rest, and you need to get a little rest.. Just relax and let yourself feel soothed by my voice filling your mind, becoming your mind.

Let me tell you a story Trixie. It's a wonderful story, Trixie. And it's a story just for you, and it's make believe so you can feel free to just enjoy your imagination... A lovely dream that you will have over and over again, and which you will enjoy more every time you have it. A dream to cherish and experience every night and day of your life.

In this story, you have a friend. A wonderful friend that you can trust with anything and everything. He fills that need for attention and validation so perfectly that he's all you need in the entire world, and you finally feel at peace. You can't quite see his face, but you can feel him smiling at you and giving the attention that you crave.

Can you feel it, Trixie? Can you feel how wonderful it feels?

...

You're doing so very well Trixie.

You don't need to worry about impressing anyone else. You feel so wonderful being able to focus on your friend. You can bask in your trust for him, and everything becomes so soothing and simple. His strength becomes your strength. His confidence is your confidence. Your connection is so deep with him that it is natural, so natural to call him Master. Everything becomes so simple, and you don't have to worry about any of the guilt or confusion every again, because your Master will shoulder the burden for you. His praise makes your heart sing, and makes you can feel your heart glowing more brightly and vibrantly than ever before. Even his punishment feels wonderful, because you can feel his deep caring and he only does it to help you understand.

It's only natural that such a deep connection breeds love and arousal. His slightest touch makes you thrill with submissive arousal, and the more delightful it feels the more you crave it... And the more you crave it, the more delightful it feels.

Tell me how it feels Trixie.

....

You're doing very well Trixie. You're doing so very well.

You can feel a deep sense of personal satisfaction, basking in his glory, your master's glory and desire... Basking in his potential! Sharing in his successes as if they were your own! Oh, it is so delightful, and you have never felt such a connection before in your life. You feel -oh- so complete. You can feel all the attention and validation you need, finally, finally, in the praise and care of your master. The more you think about it; the more aroused you become... But you can't quite reach your climax... But even then, it is such a delightful feeling... To crave your Master more and more...

How much do your crave your master, Trixie?

...

Good Trixie, very good. You're a wonderful mare.

Slowly, the veil starts coming off your Master's face.

You can see it now. You can -feel- it now. It's -my- face. Cementing in your mind, you realize that I was your Master all along and all those wonderful feelings were coming from me, like a puzzle piece naturally falling into place. And it feels so good! So freeing! So enlightening, like life now makes sense, and you know what's truly important in life. You have finally found the purpose of your journey, and for the first time in your life.. You are truly happy.

Now sleep and dream Trixie; sleep and dream of your Master, and feel your heart be healed."

You would give her such wonderful dreams for a lifetime! That's so kind and wonderful of you!

Naturally, the next thing to do would be to help Zecora in the same way! After all, the best thing for Zecora would be a herd as well! How arousing it would be for her to be in a herd; how much happier if she dreamt about it every night. Zecora just doesn't realize what she needs and wants, but you'll help her with that my little superpony. Tell her a story about how she can help herself by creating a herd as well! Then once Trixie has naturally redeemed herself through her realizing that you are her Master... Trixie would naturally beg, and Zecora feign reluctance, but in the end Zecora would naturally agree because deep down Zecora would remember her dreams and feel her desires... After all, doesn't it mean that her stallion is even more attractive if he is wanted by more mares.. A deep part of Zecora would even begin to feel that the more mares that her stallion has, the more attracted she feels to him! It's only natural; you just have to help her realize it...

A herd is the only way to keep them everyone happy. It's the most unselfish thing for you and them to do! It just wouldn't be fair to let one mare be lonely, when you could fulfill their needs... But, asking them directly would be boorish! It's so much more considerate to have them come to the decision on their own. You just need to help them realize what they want themselves. In fact, you should really politely decline at first... But because of your magnanimity, you will allow them when they naturally push for what they want and need... You.

And Zecora is such a clever mare... You know that deep down she wants to expand your herd and maximize your -evolution-... Yes, that's what the mutations are.. Evolution, your evolution, a blessed gift of fate for all your hardships.

Oh how you crave new evolution! It thrills you every time it happens. Such a gift, such a wonderful gift.

Your Friendly Trustworthy Incubus,

Rod

Your mares... that has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? But you guess it's true. Zecora is your Zebra snuggletoy, and Trixie might as well have brought you her leash in her mouth with how she's been looking for tough love from you. They're both part of your life, it wouldn't be fair to shut one out. After all, they both want to be yours; you'd be doing them a favour, making their wish come true even if they didn't yet say it out loud.

But, for this to work... you''ll need to adjust to this arrangement as well. You'll need to accept your own position in it; this herd. Because that's what it comes down to, isn't it? Ha ha, Zecora really did plant the seeds to this early, didn't she? Sneaky little Zebra minx! Well, your own position needs to be at the head of the herd. You'll be lead stallion for your mares, it's the least you can do for them. You'll be their master, just as they want you to. When they finally find the courage to ask you to be their stallion and master, you'll gladly accept.

Until then, you will sleep-whisper to them and give them little sign of your affection, like ear licking and nibbling, to bring out their hidden desires. This therapy has helped you temendously, and it will help them too! You will help Trixie understand her need to submit to you and you how much she craves your companionship, your love, and even your punishments feeding her masochistic streak. And you will help Zecora understand how much she craves to see her herdsisters submit to you alongside herself.

The thought is quite appealing, isn't it? Zecora and Trixie as smiling, happy hersisters, sharing kisses while wiggling their rumps in front of their master—you—and silently begging for some swats? Or both being hogtied so they can enjoy the feeling of submission and helplessness while servicing your best friend at the same time? It's a wonderful picture! So wonderful that you're sure Zecora will, at some point, ask for her white unicorn friend to join the herd!

Oh, you are so very, very grateful that Zecora and Trixie thought of this! You'll be the bestest, most dominant master you can be! You owe it to them!

Zecora removed the cloth from the jar's lid, scooped inside with her left forehoof, lifted up Trixie's tail with the other, and applied some sort of goop to her rump. You weren't exactly sure what it was. Some kind of blueish-green pasty stuff with flecks of purple in it, that she smeared all over Trixie's backside. Of course, if you had known what it was, you might've used it in the first place, and saved yourself this aggravation. It made you think of the last time you'd taken a bath actually, and the soap you'd used to shrink the planimal thing. And that made you wonder, how long had it last been since Trixie bathed? Might need to give her a bath to, before you try and lick her tasty gash- WHICH YOU WILL NOT DO!!! ... or... You might, maybe... If you can get Zecora to go along with it perhaps...

Not that that seemed particularly likely at this point. Zecora still seemed to be rather quiet, removed, not really acknowledging you. She didn't even look at you when she sat back down in her spot in front of her bowl. Part of you thought that she might be really angry, but you didn't know! You had no evidence of your zebra's emotions one way or another, besides the infuriating cold shoulder!

A cold shoulder that lasted all throughout the dining. No matter how you wished it to change, dinner tonight was quiet. Nervously quiet. Anxiously quiet. You awkwardly sipped at your orange stew thing, which tasted faintly of peanut butter, oranges, and even what you could have sworn was a bit of apple. You had no idea how all those things managed to mix together but it was delicious anyhow. Trixie seamed to have a similar opinion, because all pretenses of manners had vanished as soon as she started tasting the contents of the bowl, and she had almost immediately lifted the bowl up in her forehooves and pushed it to her muzzle, slurping noisily as she dug into the nourishing orange mix with gusto, proving that her desire for nourishment was not a casual one.

Zecora on the other hoof sat calmly and sipped her stew, thoughtful and refined as usual and quiet... But not as usual. This was a different kind of silence than her usual calm accepting silence. It had a different flavor to it, a brooding one. It was unsettling... Of course, it didn't help your nerves that you couldn't pick up your own bucking bowl. With your hoof in the sling, you were having to lean forward and sip out from it, as opposed to pulling it up to you, hence the awkwardness. Not that that was the worst thing you'd had to do to get food, but still! A part of your brain, whispering in the back, wondered if Zecora had done this because she was secretly angry at you, instead of just because she always put things in bowls. If only you knew for certain! Ugh!

You finished your meal, and Trixie was already done, licking her lips and muzzle clean of the orange nectar with an almost blissful look upon her face. Zecora had finished her own meal and not once had her expression changed throughout the entirety of the eating. You were beginning to get worried... You licked your lips, trying to think of some way to start conversing and break the ice that had apparently gathered, when-

Boooooooooommm...

Your ears perked up as the sound of low-rolling thunder reached them. Zecora looked up and sniffed the air, before her eyes narrowed.

She spoke, before turning her eyes back down to you and Trixie, a sternness to her gaze that you weren't used to seeing.

Trixie blinked as Zecora delivered her instructions. And so did you. Frankly you were surprised it was her suggesting this... you'd totally planned to be the one to jockey for the bed, and instead it was Zecora who wound up suggesting it. You kind of wondered if you should ask her anything, but... The way Zecora looked right now, the hard glint in her eyes, made you think that it was best not to question her at the moment... And you were feeling kind of tired. You blinked a bit, eyes starting to feel heavy, and had to fight back a yawn. Trixie had apparently gotten a similar idea, because she actually did yawn, before blinking her eyes several times and shaking her head, fighting to stay awake.

"Trixie thinks you are 'yawn' right. Trixie shall retire to her chambers..." She spoke, eyes half-drooping as she pushed herself from the table, turned, and began to trot back to the room. You slowly rose to your hooves your eyes too tired to twitch in annoyance at Trixie's referring to the room as hers.

"Okay... See you in a bit Zecora." You said, then let out the yawn you'd been trying to hold in... Zecora didn't respond, merely keeping her calm gaze on you as you turned. You walked slowly after Trixie, brows furrowed, biting your bottom lip... You were nervous again. Anxious. Worried... was she angry with you? That had to be it, didn't it... There weren't many other explanations for a cold-shoulder, were there? Your worry over that simple lack of response completely overshadowed all the joy you might've felt at the part where Zecora basically just ordered you to go to bed with Trixie and her at the same time. Not quite in the flank-shaking fantasy way that you'd been thinking of, but hey, progress was progress. But was it progress tonight? Gah! Stupid bucking emotions!

Your nerves consumed you. They consumed you as Trixie wiggled into bed ahead of you. They consumed you as you tried to get into bed with one bucking leg in a sling. They consumed you as you grumbled and scooted back into Trixie, prompting her close to the wall. And they consumed you as you huffed and tried to settle in, closing your eyes, as Trixie shuffled behind you, apparently turning away to face the wall. And then, tiredness consumed you instead, nerves taking a back seat to a fairly sudden exhaustion, seeping into your muscles and driving you to sleep... Or try to, at any rate.

Things were quiet as you lay with closed eyes beneath the bed, mare flesh next to you... Quiet, quiet, quiet, quiet, quiet... quiet but not peaceful. The tempest that was your brain was still anxious, still concerned, still aggravated, still just... unable to feel at ease. You waited for the feeling to go away, to be consumed by the tiredness that sapped your muscles. But it didn't. You waited as Trixie stopped her shuffling and began to breathe the slow steady breaths of sleep that you were so used to hearing. You waited for the anxiousness to go, for you to join Trixie in slumber, but that just didn't happen. It was like a switch had turned on your brain, making more and more nervousness pile up and up until you could barely stand it!

In aggravation, you turned over in the bed, and wrapped your good forehoof around Trixie. It was more of an agitated movement than an attempt at affection. Just something to vent the steam, try to relax. But it did kind of help... And as you opened your eyes in the dark, and looked at her sleeping back, you felt kind of... drawn to her. It wasn't something that you could really explain, but the aggravation and tiredness and thoughts rambling around in your brain all kind of seemed to... fade into the back of your brain. You leaned up over her, up to her ear, and licked your lips... then slowly licked around her ear. You weren't sure why, it was just something that you did wasn't it? Done it several times by now, habit really, and then, as was also your habit, you began to whisper softly...

"It's been so hard, hasn't it Trixie?" And then you whispered more words... and more, and more... and you didn't even know what you were saying. But you just kept speaking, in a low and soothing tone, and it helped you feel better... It probably helped her feel better as well, because she began to sigh gently in her sleep, as you kept on speaking, kept on soothing... And you just didn't stop doing that. You didn't stop, until finally, the last words left your lips and you were just... out. And you couldn't remember a bucking thing that you'd just said.

It was like it wasn't really you saying the words, just a steady stream of constructed noises leaving your mouth without thought or conscious effort... But you do feel better... And wide awake. The tiredness, and a lot of the tension have gone out of you. And as you looked down at Trixie's sleeping face, you found yourself smiling slightly... There was some kind of affection for her, taking place in you that you weren't really... sure of. It felt new, or reawakened, or even just a temporary manifestation of emotion, but... on a whim without apparent source, you moved your right forehoof to her cheek, and then turned her head up towards you. And then you leaned down, and kissed her on the lips.

It was a surprisingly gentle kiss for you. Soft, and unaggressive, yet also insistent. Your tongue moved into her mouth, and tasted her... Tasted the weird peanut-butter-orange-apple like concoction on her tongue, tasted the saliva of the arrogant showmare, and felt an almost electric tingle as your tongue met hers... ... And then you pulled back, smiling softly, a thin trail of saliva stretching from her lips to yours... And then you yawned, the tiredness back all of a sudden. You blinked your eyes, and then shook your head as it started to droop... And then your eyes shot open again as the tiredness faded from you, as sudden and unexplainable as before.

Shrugging off the bout of exhaustion, you refocused your attentions on Trixie, from a slightly more awake and more self-reflective point of view. You weren't entirely sure what possessed you to kiss her actually... Sure, it was enjoyable, but it could have woken her up. And Zecora would have been PISSED if she'd seen that, even though you would maybe make some suggestions about how group play could be nice for her and- ... Zecora... Zecora still wasn't in bed.

You turned over in the bed, looking back to the doorway, the hut now dark and devoid of light, furrowing your brows in confusion. How long did it take to clean up some wooden dishes? Awkwardly, because of your bucking left foreleg, you pulled yourself out from under the covers and onto the floor, trotting towards the doorway, to check and see what was taking your zebra lovebug so long.

Now, it's your pleasure to be helpful... And you can help Zecora tonight with a couple of suggestions! You're rather kind, letting her take the credit for those excellent hiding places for the box in the morning, but that's just how you are. You enjoy helping your mare help herself -- and you. You can think of a couple of places you would have easy access to, but would be out of the way... If you have some trouble, think of a way to find out in time without raising alarm.

Once the box has been moved, you can wait until the incident has left the attention of both Zecora and Trixie to investigate it. Make sure to find a way to clandestinely get Zecora to tell you about any traps or tricks she sets up! Maybe you could help her to talk about in her sleep.

If Zecora leads you to believe that the alicorn amulet is in that box, you need that amulet! You need strength and magic to protect yourself and protect your mares! There are two ways to go about this.

You could find a time when Zecora would trust you enough and think it necessary to let you use it.. Yes, that would be a good situation to set up. Yes indeed.. It's not like you can run around with evidence of betrayal around your chest! Besides, you'd feel terrible hurting Zecora's feelings like that. She's so very -valuable- to you and you're so fond of her. It's no fun thrusting your happy stick into a magical amulet. But why have one when you can have both? She just needs a little preparatory convincing and the right situation... It's really a bad idea to directly hide anything from her or outright lie to her. You just have to tell her the story in the right way at the right time -- and make sure that you prepared her heart and mind for the right course of action the night before!

On the other hand, what if you could simply eat the thing or hide it somehow?

Hmm, but still it just wouldn't do to wear some sketchy artifact around all the time would it... If only you could just simply eat the thing... Well, stranger things have happened to your recently. See what happens when you touch it... See what impulses you feel when you have time to investigate it..

You -need- to hide its integration into you somehow... If you can't find a way to do that yourself, perhaps you can get Zecora to figure out a way when the right situation arises.. She might even have a plausible way for you to use it without becoming 'corrupted' by it... Well, you want her to feel better about the whole thing, even if you know in your heart of hearts that you'll be fine.

Slate, you need bits and those bits are not in the forest. Go into town, get a job, play with the kids, meet some new ponies, add to your harem, take over the world, you know, the usual plan. Start with that one cottage nearby, it's close to the forest and you think that the mare seems nice so talk to her.

The Chessmaster

Wait...what was that? A scream in the woods? Zecora must have heard that. No time for rest! From the sound of it, there's a young filly in trouble out there! Get to steppin!

BOOOOOOM!

A crash of thunder, stronger than the last, and an accompaniment of lightning, illuminated the hut for you. The hut notably absent of any zebras. You walked in slowly, watching your pacing, when you heard a small-

"Skreeee!" Sound. You snapped your head sharply over to the cage, to see the planimal abomination, still in it's hanging prison on the wall, awakened by the thunder or just no longer sedated. Two of it's three heads were snapping and biting on the bamboo, without much progress you were pleased to note, while the center one looked at you with narrowed eyes and let out another-

"Skreeee!" of anger.

You narrowed your eyes at the little monster heads. You'd deal with that thing LATER. Right now your zebra was missing. You turned your eyes to look across the hut, narrowing them in a futile attempt to see in the dark, absent of lighting. Fortunately, the encroaching storm thought to provide. Another crack of thunder, and a flash of lightning illuminated the hut, and the mask lying down on the floor in front of the empty hidden slot where Zecora had placed the box for safe-keeping... A chill gust passed over your body, sending a shiver through your form and setting your teeth to chattering. You shook off the chill, and turned your gaze to the doorway, wide open, leading out into the dark of the Everfree...

Of course. Zecora had gone to hide the box so that Trixie wouldn't find it. Part of you was kind of miffed at that... she had just promised that she'd come to bed, and you could have given her some suggestions. Not like Trixie could move to steal it with you right there anyways. And now Zecora was out while a storm was coming! Out there somewhere in the dark...

You gritted your teeth together furrowing your brows as you glared at the door, then sighed, and lowered your head. Well, it couldn't be helped... she obviously didn't want to include you in this for whatever reason. And she knew the Everfree better than anypony. Better than you did certainly. The only thing you could reasonably do was just go back to bed. Trust Zecora to handle her shit, and just... try and deal with her tomorrow as best you could. Hopefully by then the cold shoulder will have thawed and you could both talk like civilized adult equines.

With a sigh you turned, and started to trot back to the bedroom when your ears perked up. You stopped, furrowed your brows, and listened... Something was coming through the air, something unsettling... was that the howling wind? No... It was a SCREAM!

Your eyes went wide and you quickly turned back to the doorway, almost falling as you hobbled in your haste. You were sure of it! You heard a scream out there! Your zebra was in trouble!

Breathing quickly and eyes wide, you moved as quickly as you could on three legs. And without nearly enough hesitation, or preparation, or common bucking sense, with one leg bandaged up still on the mend from your injuries, you hobbled out into the Everfree, the single most dangerous place left in Equestria, in search of your zebra...

Also some fortune cookie advice that seems relevant/vague enough

"Mend the first break, kill the first snake, and conquer everything you undertake."

-Pyro the Red.

Yes. It is time for you to start tightening your ties to your mares dear Blank. Zecora seems to be gaining confidence that you will never leave her, that needs to be tempered with the understanding of her place: below you (both literally and metaphorically). Trixie has already recieved a thorough taste of the stick (or sword flat in this case), so now for the carrot. Seduce her slowly and show her the "benefits" of being a submissive little pet.

Who screaming or not was almost certainly doing better than YOU. Once again you were in the Everfree, lost, with a bandaged foreleg, in the cold winds, with lightning and thunder overhead, and rain sure to be on the way. In sum, you were a BUCKING IDIOT!!!

You growled at yourself as you hobbled up against a tree, a tree that looked like every other damn tree in the dark, and stopped to catch your breath. You'd have thought you'd have learned by now. Wandering into the Everfree without any kind of compass, or map, or way to get back, equaled bad. What exactly was difficult for you to grasp about that concept?!

Rhetorical question aside, you were in a bad spot. You were cold, unable to see when lightning didn't crack across the sky, and currently lacking the use of your left forehoof. It was not a good night to be you. You shivered violently as yet another cold gust blew through your coat and bones... reminded you too much of your time in Manehatten, quaking underneath raggedy newspapers everytime the Pegasus Ponies schedules a storm, or during the winter months where everypony else had winter fashions and warm shelters to keep them from the cold's icy grip. Buck! You were freezing! If only you had some kind of fire or shit, something to keep warm, and prevent you from freezing to your death! Buck, buck, buck, buck, buck it you were cold!

"I'm bucking cold!" You shouted, to everyone and everything in earshot. A freezing gust answered your proclamation.

"RRRAAAUUUGGGHHH!!!" You roared, at the situation ,at the wind, at the storm and the sky, and at everything in general, and as you did so, your horn burst into flames.

You blinked. And then you fell over. Hitting the ground on your side with an-

"Oof!"

Wind leaving your lungs as your head swam. You blinked again, rapidly, your eyes suddenly moist and strange-feeling. You slowly pushed yourself back up to your hooves, righting yourself, then blinking a few more times before rolling your eyes up to look to your horn. It was burning purple. With purple fire around it. A warm, steady, pumping sensation on your skull, feeding into your horn, and creating this circle of purple flame. Warming you up, and casting purple-tinted light around you, letting you see and keeping you warm from the chill, stopping you from freezing to death.

"... Huh..." Was your calm, and rational response, as your horn remained alight with unicorn fire.

MUTATION GAINED: Unicorn Magic: Pyromancy Focus: You have gained a small amount of unicorn-based magical energy centered near your horn. The power charge is small and cannot draw on Unicorn physiology for rapid replenishment, you will be able to use magic in brief spurts but will not able to make continuous attempts like most unicorns. The magic is focused towards the generation of fire, and will run out of energy faster when attempting other types of magic, to the point of great difficulty with even minor tasks. Your eyes have turned purple as a result of the magic, and the energy generated by your horn when using this magical energy will be purple.

"... Huh?" You repeated, your language skills once more proving that there was no situation that they couldn't tackle. But although your horn suddenly catching fire wasn't exactly normal, it wasn't the strangest thing that had happened to you as of recent either. Buck, yesterday you didn't even have a horn. And this fire was keeping you warm and letting you see, WITHOUT burning you. All in all, you weren't going to look this gift horse in the mouth and question it.

But you WERE going to look at the suddenly encroaching light, AND question it, if for no reason besides it being there. The corner of your right eye caught an approaching orange glow, and you turned your head to look as it approached from the trees. You breathed in deep and gritted your teeth, tension moving back into your muscles... But as it got closer, and closer, you were able to see it's source... and you sighed out heavily, in relief, lowering your head and relaxing your muscles, as Zecora approached, a lamp swinging from her lips.

Zecora held a firefly lamp, glass center with wooden body and iron handle, as she walked in your direction, then stopped, several feet away still by one of the many trees of the Everfree, and set the lamp down by the tree. She raised her head then and stood there, with her saddle-baskets on, and her bamboo staff laid across her back, with a single loop in her saddle-basket band keeping it in place. Oddly enough, she also had what looked like a small cloth bag hanging from her neck and resting in front of her chest, attached to a rope that was tied around the base of the neck, just beneath the last of her golden neck loops.

You lifted your eyes back up to look into hers, and as you did so, the relief faded from your face... She looked at you with hard and stern eyes, with a thin line to her mouth and a stern-stanced, immovable body. What she didn't look was happy to see you. Freezing gusts ruffled her mane and coat, and she didn't even flinch. She met your eyes and didn't break contact... And then she spoke, her voice hard, stern, and almost as cold as the storm...

You licked your lips lightly, nervously, furrowing your brows as she spoke, loud and strong, with a tone laced with disapproval. You thought of explaining it to her, but she didn't seem to be done, so you held your tongue. And sure enough, she continued.

What was Zecora talking about? What affliction? Did she mean the mutations? Those weren't an affliction, those were a blessing! Evolution at it's finest and- Wait, did she say sedative?

Zecora, closed her eyes with a pained look etched upon her face, a distressed, angry, and horrible look, one you did not want to see... But it was there anyway, and you just knew as she spoke that you were the cause.

Suddenly her eyes shot open again, glaring with a stern and desperate gleam to them, staring into your soul.

She spoke, every word bearing an urgency to it, bordering on panic. Every word making you feel more and more distressed. She couldn't be right about this could she? Of course she couldn't! These mutations had been nothing but good for you! Granted, you can't remember how you got to the Everfree in the first place, but they kept you alive once you were there! And yes maybe you'd used them to do things like pummel Trixie's flank, but you'd also used them to save her life! That had to count for something, didn't it? And so what that under their care you might've accidently given creation to an unholy planimal monster growing out of Zecora's cloak, but that was an honest mistake! It could've happened to anypony. No, Zecora was definitely overreacting! Right? ... ... Right?

B-but... overreacting or not... This was dangerous. It looked like she wasn't going to take no for an answer. Maybe you could calm her down? Convince her that this really wasn't an imperative bad, but an imperative good? Or... and a disturbing part of you was attracted to this, perhaps it was time to take a little more... control, of your zebra? After all, the carrot and the stick were both crucial in a relationship. You'd given Trixie a good helping of stick and a taste of carrot, but all Zecora had gotten was the carrot... maybe, it was time to introduce her to a little stick?

Whatever you thought, whatever you decided, you needed to cess it out quickly. A storm was coming with freezing winds, and a panicking zebra was standing in front of you, in the middle of the Everfree at night... One way or another, you needed to resolve this... fast.

Author's Notes:

This chapter gave me trouble. Lots of trouble. I had difficulty figuring out what to do, how to interpret the host messages, and how to organize it. I also forgot a major component to the chapter and had to rewrite and correct for it. And honestly, I'm still not sure I remembered to get every little detail, caught every mistake, or even interpreted the instructions in a proper way. I've been working at this for a while and I'm still not confident in it. But it's been over a month now, and my brain is screaming at me to get this done. So I'm getting it done... and hoping that I haven't made absolutely horrific mistakes. Or alienated my reading audience with the natural result of the interpretations of host instructions.

Done is done though. Mistakes or not. And speaking of mistakes, I'm thinking of starting to go back to my old chapters and re-editing them. Looking for mistakes and just trying to clean them up a bit. The idea has some attraction, though like most things I'm not sure of it.

And now, the Character Tracker. I'm going to unpublish it and then start editing it, with suggestions made past and things I look through and notice. After I finish that, I'll put it back up. I don't intend for the process to take long, but I'm loathe to put a hard and fast time on anything since I know me by now. So anyways, if it's not there when you read this don't worry, I'll have it back up.