Ratchet was the first to wake up on Saturday morning. Rolling over in the bed, the unicorn was presented with Buttercup’s left ear. Smiling, she resumed her role as the big spoon in her mare’s tiny bedroom that was little bigger than a closet. Laying with the deaf earth pony, she was content to snuggle with her mare for a little while, although she quickly got bored of that. Grinning slyly, she bit the mare’s ear – not severely, just enough to wake her up. When her pet did wake, Ratchet turned her head to face her. “I'm just going to lounge here in the bedroom while you fix breakfast and invite Lemongrasss over. When it is ready, loudly announce breakfast is ready, even if your friend is in the same room as you.”

The unicorn waited patiently for a few moments as Buttercup blinked herself awake. Thoughtfully, she repeated her order, slowly, to make sure that she understood her lips. She was a strict Mistress, but she wasn’t unfair. “Oh,” she added as a thought occurred to her, “is it okay to call her Lemon, or does she like Grass, or does she prefer her full name?”

Blinking herself properly awake, Buttercup took a quick moment to process the fact that she had woken up with her beautiful marefriend and Mistress. It hadn’t been a dream! “Yes Mistress,” on her hooves – she didn’t want her ear bitten a second time – she bowed and signed her reply. “She likes Grass as a nickname. I'll just go and get her, Mistress.”

A rather playful thought crossed Ratchet’s mind. “Okay, I'm staying hidden. No reason to give away you now have a special somepony.”

Buttercup laughed, “You are naughty, Mistress.” She was still giggling as she left the bedroom with her blue tail bow in place. Glancing over her shoulder, she rather liked her sign of ownership, as well as to whom she belonged. She caught a glance of the clock as she walked across to the opposite apartment to hers and hoped that her friend wouldn’t mind being woken up so early.

“Good night…ugh, I mean, morning Buttercup,” Lemongrass groused as she opened her apartment door. Six a.m. was when she usually left with her best friend / little sister to tend her flower stall, but that was in the week. There was no reason to be up this early on a Saturday. It was unnatural. “Wh-What's up?”

“Hey Grass!” Buttercup nuzzled her honorary big sister as wiped the sleep from her bleary eyes. “It's my turn for breakfast, or did you forget?”

“Um, yes?” Lemongrass offered with a giggle. If she was honest, the forest green earth pony mare had only just remembered what her name was, let alone who was cooking whom breakfast. “Whatcha cookin’?”

Buttercup sympathised with her sleepy friend. If it weren’t for Ratchet’s presence in her bedroom, then she would’ve been asleep too. “Momma Snuggles’ special!” the summer green earth pony ran her hoof through her light green and yellow striped mane, smoothing out a few tangles. “Tempted?”

As it happened, Lemongrass was indeed tempted by the thought of banana pancakes, chocolate chip pancakes and blueberry pancakes. Especially if she wasn’t the one cooking them. She eagerly followed her best friend across the apartment building’s hallway. “Sold!” she grinned, for one didn’t need an excuse for Momma Snuggles’ pancakes. “Sounds great, Butters.”

Letting them both into her pokey apartment, Buttercup’s mind was on the Manehatten orphanage’s head matron. The yellow unicorn had been her mother as long as she could remember. While other ponies had been adopted out, she had stayed, unwanted. “She only made this once a week, remember, and then only if we'd been good fillies.” She shut the door, “Get comfy on the couch, I'll cook.”

Ignoring her friend completely, Lemongrass followed Buttercup into the kitchen. Not that she hated her lumpy old threadbare couch…much. “Anything new in your life, or are you just spinning your wheel?”

“Well, I told you I have a marefriend, which you don't believe.” Buttercup replied as she pulled various ingredients from her cupboards along with her frying pans and started cooking the pancake batter once it was mixed. She then started her battered old whistle kettle boiling for the coffee. “And I got three new customers yesterday.”

“I'll go along with the second half of that story.” Lemongrass snorted as she signed and spoke her comment. “Do you think they’ll be regulars?”

Rolling her eyes, Buttercup smiled as she cooked. She knew her BSBFF didn’t believe her that she had a marefriend. That was okay. She’d know soon enough. “I hope so. Always need more money. Maybe I'll get enough to replace the lumpy sofa one day.” She giggled, knowing she was more than likely stuck with it. “What about you?”

“Nothing,” the earth pony sighed sadly, “That's why I'm here with you instead of my own couch, my duvet and my right forehoof…”

Buttercup interrupted her with a fit of giggles as she created a stack of banana pancakes on a plate before cooking some more, these ones the blueberry. “Still looking for the perfect stallion, Grass?”

“Yeah,” she spent a moment picturing said perfect stallion along with his perfect member, “at least you won't steal him when I find him.”

“You should’ve come to Trixie's last night,” Buttercup replied, talking more than signing, seeing as how she was using her hooves to cook. Fortunately, she knew that Lemongrass could understand her odd voice just fine. “Lots of perfect stallions on the second floor…”

“Pfft,” she snorted derisively, “All looking for their perfect stallion. That’s the problem!”

Laughing, Buttercup cooked until she had three towering stacks of pancakes on the plate. When she judged she had enough, she said loudly, “Breakfast is done!” as per her Mistress’s orders. With her back to her friend, she divided the three flavours of pancakes among three waiting plates. “You want to sit at the table, Grass?”

Lemongrass was surprised by that. They usually sat on the lumpy couch watching the breakfast news on the boat anchor of a TV. “Oooh, we are being all fancy and eating at the table. I'm right here, you know.” Buttercup, unsure of her volume, repeated her announcement that breakfast was ready a lot louder as she set three plates on the table. Clearly, by the look on her big sister’s face, she thought she had gone bonkers.

Seconds later, Ratchet emerged from the bedroom and, with curlers in her burnt umber mane, she walked into the kitchen like she owned the place and she gave Buttercup a kiss. “I thought my special somepony was going to serve me in bed!” she then made a show of noticing Lemongrass sat open mouthed at the table. “Oh, seems we have a guest this morning.”

After kissing her owner, Buttercup bowed respectfully. She only felt a teeny bit guilty at setting up her friend. “Good morning Mistress.” When Ratchet had taken her seat at the table, she provided coffee for both of them before her, though absent mindedly she left her mug by the whistling kettle.

“H-H-Hi, I'm Lemongrass…” it wasn’t often she was lost for words, but this was such an occasion.

Unable to resist a smirk, Ratchet reached out over the table for a hoof bump. “Pleased to meet you, I'm Ratchet.” She kept her hoof out while she took the mug that was hers in her magical aura.

As Lemongrass bumped Ratchet’s hoof, Buttercup leant over and closed her best friend’s mouth. “I told you I had a marefriend, Grass.” That done, she sat at the table with her hooves at the side of her plate like a good little mare.

Taking a bite of the banana and blueberry pancakes, Ratchet was in love all the more. That they had been made because she ordered it to be so made them taste all the better. Lemongrass’s reaction was just the icing on her cake. “These are delicious!” to show her appreciation, she gave Buttercup a banana pancake loaded kiss.

“Thank you, Mistress,” Buttercup held the kiss, tasting the pancake she had just made. “Momma Snuggles’ special.” She really wanted to attack hers, and though her hooves twitched towards her knife and fork, she forced herself to remain still until Ratchet said she could eat.

“What do you think of them, Grass?” Ratchet didn’t even try to keep the smug tone from her voice. As a dominant, the way that her pet kept her hooves still, obviously awaiting her order, excited her no end.

Sat at the table, Lemongrass hadn't even lifted up her cutlery, let alone taste the pancakes. Quickly, she took a bite and nodded, trying to force rational thought through her brain even as she swallowed the chocolate chip pancake. “They're great!”

“I feel generous,” Ratchet said with a nod of her head to their guest. “You may have some, pet.”

“Thank you, Mistress,” though she wanted to dive in muzzle first, Buttercup instead took a refined piece with her knife and fork, smiling at Lemongrass's reaction. “Something wrong, Grass?” Quietly, her friend shook her head and continued to eat her breakfast. Smiling, the deaf mare took another couple of bites, thinking she was alright to do so as Ratchet gave her permission.

“So, ah, what are you doing today?” asked Lemongrass, the flower seller at last seemingly able to speak.

Ratchet answered for her pet. “I'm taking Butters to the race track with me today.”

When Buttercup finished the small stack of three banana pancakes, she was about to start on the blueberry ones, though she forgot to ask if she could eat those. More pressing right then was the confused look on her big sister’s face. “Mistress is a mechanic for Air Raid, the racer. I'm going to see where she works!”

“Oh, I read about her in the papers. She...” As dots connected to dots in Lemongrass’s mind, making a picture, the earth pony’s eyes went very wide as she processed how this strange pony sat at the breakfast table with them was part of Princess Luna's group. The papers said so!

As she ate her breakfast, Buttercup giggled. Now, she was well aware that she hadn't asked permission to speak and she was just being naughty to test Ratchet. “You look like you did that time momma caught you stealing cookies from the pantry!”

Wearing a stunned look on her face, Lemongrass looked at her little sister, a picture formed in her head. “You're going to be hanging out with a Princess…” Ratchet had by now drained her mug of its contents and she moved her empty mug towards her pet, looking to see if her guest also needed a refill.

Though Ratchet didn’t say a word, Buttercup got the message. “I already have my Princess, Grass.” Standing up, she took both Ratchet and Lemongrass’s mugs over to the kettle where she began to refill the coffee. While she was there, she made the mistake of drinking hers that she left by the kettle before.

Wasting time was one thing Ratchet couldn’t stand. Slightly annoyed, the maple coloured unicorn slapped her hoof hard down on the table. “Do not dilly dally, pet!” she then turned to Lemongrass. “I don't know when Lady Octavia will ride in the car again, but the Princess does like to watch from the box. That is where guests watch from.”

Stood at the kettle by the sink, Buttercup sputtered her coffee and blushed hard at being caught out. Once she had made the fresh coffees, she set the refilled mugs back on the table. “That’s where we could watch from, Mistress?”

“I’m not going to have you under my hoof in the pit, pet.”

“Thank you, Mistress!” Buttercup then took her seat and picked up her fork once more.

At long last, with the smack on the table from Ratchet’s hoof, Lemongrass found her 'big sister' voice. She waved her hoof in the air, making sure she had Buttercup’s attention before she spoke next. She hadn’t really paid attention before now. Now though she was switched on and alert. “Mistress? Really? You're seriously doing this crap again, Butters?”

Quickly, eagerly, Buttercup nodded. It dawned on her that Ratchet had set this breakfast up to show her off. She was okay with that. In hindsight, she supposed she ought to have seen her friend’s response coming. “Ratchet, she's my marefriend and my Mistress, Grass…”

“Quiet pet!” Ratchet snapped, interrupting the deaf mare before she focussed on Lemongrass. “Again?” It crossed Ratchet’s mind that the other night in Trixie’s Place Buttercup did mention she’d had a bad time with a poor Mistress before, but they hadn’t gone into detail about it. She had a feeling they were about to.

“Yeah, again.” Lemongrass kept her voice even, but it was plain to all present in the kitchen that she was barely holding her temper. “What was it, about a year ago, Butters?” the summer green mare nodded but she didn’t say anything, instead twiddling her mane in her hooves.

“My pet did say she’d had a poor Mistress in the past,” Ratchet replied as she sipped her fresh hot coffee. “You think I'm another?”

“I don't know,” she narrowed her eyes and pointed an accusatory hoof towards Ratchet and then at her friend. “I do know she ain't going to the hospital again just 'cos some plothole who wants to play Fifty Shades doesn't pay attention, got me?” When Ratchet smiled and motioned with her hoof for her to go on, she said, “You know she almost died, right? Cut her air off until she passed out? I'm ain’t letting that happen again.”

At once, Ratchet was impressed. It was totally understandable from everything she had been told and that she had heard that this mare be protective of her pet. Still, she had to assert herself here. “To be honest with each other, there is little you can do, but you can have this,” she then passed the forest green earth pony her official racing team card. “Should I put her in the hospital, you can make some hay out of that.”

“You put her in the hospital,” Lemongrass snarled, crushing the business card in her hoof, “And I'll put you in the next bed and I wo...”

Ever since she had returned to the table with the coffee refills, Buttercup had watched the back and forth between her BSBFF and her Mistress. While she wasn’t able to hear what was being said, she read their lips fast enough to keep up with her big sister best friend forever. She had heard enough. Rearing up, she interrupted their bickering and posturing with a hoof smack to the table. “Hey!” she yelled, “Do I get a say in this!?”

Lemongrass was stunned by her friend’s outburst, “Butters, come on, I'm just looking out for you!”

Buttercup wanted to continue her outburst but, when she snorted through her nose, the pause gave Ratchet the opening she was looking for. “Pet!” she yelled, magic sparks crackling at her horn – though those were just for show, they had the desired effect. “On the floor now and silence!”

When Buttercup moved to the floor so fast it was like she had teleported, Lemongrass snorted derisively, showing she was not impressed. “I stand by what I said.”

Ratchet forced herself to breath calmly through her nose, taking long deep breaths. “Lemongrass. It is good she has a big sister that cares. I noted that you're in one of the pictures she has on the wall.”

Like Ratchet, Lemongrass sighed and she breathed through her nose. She forced herself to remember that this pony wasn’t Compass Star. “She's my little sis. Butters looked out for me in the orphanage after I was put there. I owe her the same…” she blushed then, the fact that she did a rubbish job of that last time. She blamed herself for what Compass Star did to her, that Buttercup ended up in the hospital.

Ratchet had an idea. “Do you like to watch?” she asked slyly.

“Yes, yes I do…” the forest green earth pony’s blush only deepened when she realised what she had just admitted to.

She wasn’t the only one fighting a blush. “Oh my, that usually shuts them up.” Ratchet hadn’t been expecting that response. Now her bluff had been called and she had to follow through or lose face. Which she couldn’t allow to happen. Still this could work out. “Well, I do enjoy an audience.” She then levelled a measured look at her guest. “It has been a pleasure to meet those that my little Butters cares for. Do you want to stay while I discipline my pet for her outburst?”

Smiling, Lemongrass offered her hoof for a bump, which Ratchet quickly returned. “Yeah, I’ll watch, but not cos I'm checking up on you. I know you're okay. I just wanna see how you do it.”

“Happy to give out pointers for your future use,” said Ratchet with a wink. She sensed the air had been cleared between them and she got up from her seating pad. “Butters, follow.” She headed back for the bedroom without looking back. She knew she was being obeyed.

On the floor, Buttercup was rather hoping that Ratchet and Lemongrass had forgotten she was there. Alas, it seemed it was not to be. Slowly she got up and followed her Mistress to her bedroom, with her friend close behind her. “Foot of the bed,” Ratchet ordered when her pet was looking at her, “chin on the floor, ass high and tail up.”

“Yes Mistress,” signing her reply, Buttercup was quick as lightning to assume the position she was ordered. She got down on the thinly carpeted floor and, with her ass up in the air, lifted her tail up and let it fall over her back. Her chin was down on the floor as Lemongrass sat to the side out of the way so she could watch.

Opening the drawer in the dresser, Ratchet took out the riding crop and held the corrective instrument in her magic before slipping on some hoof covers over her forehooves. Taking aim, the maple coloured unicorn applied two hard crop smacks to each of Buttercup’s ass cheeks. “Who owns you?”

On the floor, Buttercup squealed into the carpet, “Aaah, y-you do, Mistress! You do!”

Ratchet deftly delivered two more smacks with the crop, loving the way that her pet’s ass cheeks grew redder with each strike. She had done that. It felt good to be in charge, to own her pony. “Who tells you want you can and cannot do?”

Starting to get wet with arousal, Buttercup’s light green and yellow striped tail twitched. Ratchet certainly knew how to swing a crop. “Ah…aaaah y-you do Mistress!”

To be given such control, freely and by one who trusted and loved her, by Cadance it felt good! Wordlessly, she switched to using her gloved hooves. Two smacks were quickly landed on each of her pet’s cutie marks. These grew an angry red like her ass cheeks. “Did you think I wouldn't punish you in front of a guest?”

As her ass reddened up under the hoofed onslaught, Buttercup whimpered, “Y-Yes...no! No, Mistress!” Sat off to the side, Lemongrass was getting rather interested in what she was watching. It was clear to her that this dominant mare knew what she was doing. Between every slap and smack, she was inspecting her partner for injury.

Smirking, Ratchet landed four more smacks with her hooves, each one hitting the fleshy part of her partner’s behind in quick succession. “You like an audience, don't you, pet?”

“GaaaAAAH!” the earth pony screamed as the dull red hoof marks on her ass brightened with each well-aimed strike, her pussy getting so wet she was dripping onto the carpet between her hind legs. “Yes Mistress! I love an audience Mistress!” Right then she would’ve agreed that rain was dry if her Mistress had asked her to.

Satisfied, Ratchet took out a vibrator from the dresser drawer with her magic and carefully she slipped it deep inside her pet’s sopping wet marehood. “You are an attention whore?” she asked while at the same time delivering two more smacks with her hooves.

“Yes Mistress!” Buttercup’s pained screams at the punishment she was receiving became lewd aroused moans, she was very turned on indeed. She couldn’t resist the hoof that was wandering towards her marehood. Purely by coincidence, Lemongrass was starting to do the exact same thing.

Out of the corner of her eye, Ratchet could see Lemongrass start to pleasure herself with her hoof. It was the hottest thing she had experienced in some time. Smiling sweetly, she remotely turned the vibrator up to full speed and she used the crop to smack the sole of her pet’s hoof hard. “Did I give you permission to masturbate?”

“AaaAaaAAAAGH no-no Mistress! I'm sorry Mistress!” Buttercup screamed the loudest scream yet and Lemongrass now had her hoof rubbing away like a blur at her own pussy.

As she worked her magic to slip the vibrator in and out of Buttercup’s wet snatch, each thrust accompanied by lewd squelching noises, Ratchet picked up the crop and whapped her pet’s raised ass two more times. She gauged from her reaction though she couldn’t take much more of that. “You want to cum, pet?”

“I do...” Lemongrass moaned, blushing intensely as she proceeded to rub one out. Straight as she might be, this was hot as Tartarus.

“Yes Mistress!” Buttercup by now was drooling on the bedroom floor from both ends, “I want to cum, please!”

“You haven't earned it yet…” Ratchet pulled the vibrator and, since it was slick and glistening with the earth pony’s arousal, she plunged it straight into Buttercup's as yet un-played with asshole. Quick as a flash, a second vibrator replaced the first so that both holes were filed with buzzing plastic. Her pet primed, Ratchet moved around and, sitting in front of her, the unicorn slid her own pussy onto Buttercup’s muzzle. “You may cum after me.”

That did it for Lemongrass. The show of dominance was enough to tip her over her edge and she came loudly, though thankfully Buttercup couldn’t hear that. Nestled in between Ratchet’s thighs, the deaf mare began to eat out her Mistress like her life depended on it, all the while emitting cute needy moans from the toys buried in her holes.

Ratchet didn’t let up on the toys, indeed she increased their speed up as far as they would both go and left them there. She was loving the pleasurable sensations of the tongue dancing around the insides of her muscular tunnel and to keep her in place she rested a hoof to the back of Buttercup's head.

As she ate out her owner, Buttercup tried really hard not to cum. She wanted to be a good pet. She pressed her muzzle into Ratchet's marehood as far as she could reach so that it was all she could breathe, licking away. After several seconds of that, with a scream, Ratchet came hard.

With her muzzle pressed deep in Ratchet's snatch, Buttercup inhaled nothing but her juices and the smell of her Mistress’s pussy. It was like having her air cut off – and, her sense of euphoria heightening all the time, she kept eating her out. After all, she wasn't commanded to stop.

“That's bucking hot...” Lemongrass moaned, her cum spattered all over her own hooves from her session.

Since she noticed that Buttercup hadn’t cum yet, Ratchet took both vibrators in her magical aura and thrust them as fast as she could in and out of her pet’s holes. Try as she might, the summer green mare couldn’t hold back for more than a few moments. “MmmmMMMMMPH!” her scream was muffled though by where her muzzle was, namely in Ratchet’s slit. “AaaaAAAAAAHN!”

Presently though, Ratchet lifted her pet’s head up and, using her magic, she carefully, slowly, removed the two vibrators around to the front. With her hoof under her chin, she lifted Buttercup’s head high enough to look at her in the eyes. “Clean those vibrators in the sink and return them dry to the drawer.”

“Y-Ye-Yes Mistress...” Buttercup was very slow to move. When she did though, she staggered cross eyed to the bathroom to clean the toys as instructed.

“Wow…” Lemongrass breathed. She had by then recovered from her orgasm. “That was awesome, by the way. You know that, right?”

Oh, Ratchet knew it all right. Rolling to her hooves, she delved into the closet where she knew the breath play hood was kept in its sealed bag. Lifting up the hood, she showed it to Lemongrass, who recoiled from it like it was on fire and might burn her. “Is this what has you so worried?”

“Yes. I didn't know she still had that…thing.”

“I haven't used it yet, but I will. First, I'm going to talk with some others that do this and do it safely. I don't want to lose my new pet.”

“She told me she'd gotten rid of it,” Lemongrass sighed and then she shook her head. “It's not a thing. I've seen you're okay. I care for her, y'know?”

“Big sisters should care,” Ratchet agreed with a knowing smile. “I don't think there is a limit I'd go to in order to save Sparky.”

“Well,” Lemongrass smiled and hugged Ratchet close. All her fears about her had been addressed, “I gotta go...freshen up, amongst other things.” ‘Freshening up’ would involve her largest dildo on the highest setting until she couldn’t walk straight.

Ratchet eagerly returned the hug. “I'll have Butters email you a comp pass for tomorrows race.”

“Thank you Ratchet, I appreciate it.” The forest green earth pony mare got in another hug. “Hurt her like she wants to be, make her comfortably uncomfortable.”

When Lemongrass had taken her leave, Ratchet turned to the tiny apartment’s bathroom to see just what was taking Buttercup so long. What she found was a certain deaf mare who, having cleaned the toys, had her hoof jammed in between her hind legs. Clearly masturbating, she saw Ratchet in the mirror and she snapped to attention like she hadn't been doing anything. “Are you good enough to read lips in the mirror? If not…” she made a hoof motion to turn around.

Slowly, Buttercup turned in place to face Ratchet. “I’m sorry, Mistress.”

“Not yet, not yet.” But the maple coloured unicorn resolved to make her sorry soon enough. “Finish what you were supposed to be doing.”

“The toys are clean and dry, Mistress,” she pointed to the gleaming freshly cleaned toys.

Silently, Ratchet raised an eyebrow. “Not yet put away.” Blushing, Buttercup made a meeping noise and she hurried to put them away in the dresser drawer in the bedroom. Following behind her, as Buttercup put the toys away, Ratchet performed a hooves on inspection for any real damage from the spanking. There were a couple of angry red welts, but nothing lasting. When the toys were put away, she turned her around. “Can I trust you?”

Quickly, Buttercup nodded her head. “Yes Mistress, you can.”

“Yet you broke one of your orders. Trust is very fragile.”

“I-I'm sorry…” * she does have the decency to look suitably ashamed*

“You will be,” Ratchet asserted. At least Buttercup had the decency to look suitably ashamed. “I want to know why?”

“After what we just did, I um...I was horny,” she admitted, her face bright red. She looked down at the thin threadbare carpet of her bedroom and then back up. “I was trying to be naughty. I didn't mean to be really bad.”

Ratchet believed her. She did however have to set the rules out firmly. “Naughty is rubbing yourself off on the bed post. Bad is breaking a rule. Clean up the breakfast dishes and then we can go to my place.”

“I won't do it again Mistress, I promise,” with her ears slicked back, she walked from the bedroom to the kitchen to wash up the plates and cutlery.

Saying nothing, Ratchet watched her go. “She will learn,” she promised under her breath. Although, left alone in the bedroom, she placed the breath play hood in her saddle bag as she wasn't leave that there. She had plans for that later.

At the sink, Buttercup was quietly beating herself up as she washed the knives, forks and the pans. She couldn’t believe she had been caught being really bad like that. Once that chore was done, and the table and worktops wiped down, she bowed to her owner. “Done, Mistress.”

“is time to go then. Anything you want to bring?”

“Just my phone, Mistress, please.”

When Ratchet nodded her head, giving her consent, Buttercup went to get her phone. Before she was ready though she gave all her plants and flowers in the window boxes a quick look over and a water. Only when that was done did she open the door for her Mistress. Trotting out, Ratchet held her head high. Pausing just long enough for Buttercup to lock up behind her, she then headed straight for the nearby subway station.

In the pleasantly warm sunlight of the early morning, Buttercup had to trot to keep up, walking alongside her Mistress so she could see if she spoke to her. While she was still mentally kicking herself over her mistake in the bathroom, Ratchet was walking with a smile. She didn’t know if that was a good thing or not. At the station, Ratchet turned to be sure she was facing her. “Did you bring your pass?”

Smiling at the barrier, Buttercup reached into her saddlebag and took out her pass. That and her phone was all she had bought with her. “Yes Mistress.”

Again, Ratchet took the lead and led the way onto the platform. This early in the morning, particularly on a Saturday, there was virtually nopony else around, save for the staff. Taking a look at the map on the wall, the pair got on the very next train that was heading to where she wanted to be on Stallion Island. Once on board, she looked at her pet. “I've been told the yellow square is for the handicapped. Do you want to sit there or in the train?”

“The yellow square please, Mistress.” She was however prepared to give the space up should a more handicapped pony than her such as a wheelchair user get on.

In the yellow area, Ratchet settles on the seat next to Buttercup and puts a foreleg over her shoulder. When she gently turned her head to face her the unicorn could feel the tension in her body. She wasn’t having her beat herself up, that was her job! “One set back is not the end of things, but I cannot let it go without punishment.”

Her heart fluttering hopefully, Buttercup nodded her head. “I understand Mistress. I accept whatever punishment you see fit…” The moment she finished signing that, Ratchet stole a long lusty kiss from her mare, a kiss that Buttercup melted into. ‘This isn't so bad...’ she thought to herself as her tongue fought a losing battle with the one in her mouth.

“Fear not, pet, I will teach you.” Smiling, Ratchet was content to just hold her close on each of the next two trains until they got to get to their destination.

Enjoying the warm comfortable snuggles, Buttercup had no doubt that she would see through on her promise of teaching her. That though was for later. For now, she was happy to be held and kissed until they got where they were going. Once they got out of the station on Stallion Island, Ratchet walked along at an easy pace past the ice cream shop, which was closed, the coffee shop, which was open and an Appleloosan restaurant that was also closed. As she’d had very little reason to come to Stallion Island before, Buttercup was very interested in where they were going.

When they reached a large three storey detached house, Ratchet stopped and waved a hoof at the white building. “This is my house,” she said once she was looking at her partner.

When she looked up at the huge building, Buttercup couldn’t help but stare open mouthed. While it was obvious that no real effort had been made to beautify the landscaping around it, it was the house itself that stunned her. It was like a palace compared to her tiny one-bedroom apartment. “You live here?”

“The four of us live here,” Ratchet clarified. “It’s a lot nicer than our place in Canterlot.” She pulled out her key card and opened the ornate wrought iron front gate and then the white front door. Taking a step inside, she saw Hoist and Candyfloss making out on the couch in the great room. “Hi Hoist, Candy, where’s Sparky and Jackie?”

Reluctantly, her older brother looked up from his make out session with his marefriend. “Jackie called and will met us at the track. Sparky is under the hood with Air Raid, Cream, and the Pit Boss in the garage.”

Springing off the couch, Candyfloss was more interested in Buttercup who was nestled deep in Ratchet’s side. “Oh, who is this cutie, Ratchet?”

Ratchet looked at her pet and wondered why she was trying so hard to occupy the same space as her. “She's deaf, so you have to make sure she can read your lips.”

Smiling, Candyfloss proceeded to show off a hitherto un-demonstrated skill as she signed to Buttercup. “Hi, happy you could be here, I’m Candyfloss, I'm guessing Ratchet doesn't know how to sign?”

Facehooving, Ratchet sighed. “Hoist, you always find the smart ones.”

The moment she saw Candyfloss signing at her, Buttercup’s eyes lit up. She didn’t feel quite so overwhelmed now somepony was doing something familiar. “Mistress doesn't, but I have taught her some signs.” She spoke and signed, as she looked around the entrance hall and great room, enthralled. “This place is amazing!”

Standing by Candyfloss’s side, Hoist chuckled, “so this is why you missed the open mic last night, sis?”

“We had a private open mic,” Ratchet then made sure to sign, using one of the few she knew, 'She is mine'.

As Candyfloss giggled at what she saw as Ratchet’s slightly clumsy signage, Buttercup responded with, “And I am hers.”

“You aren't the only ones,” Hoist said, “Jackie got himself a pegasus stallion who looks very pretty in a dress.”

While they spoke amongst themselves, Buttercup had a thought. It was a thought that excited her like it was Hearths Warming Eve. It was a thought that concerned all the unused landscaping space outside that was currently home to long shoulder high grass and weeds. “Mistress? I couldn't help but notice you have a lot of room outside. Um...may I um, plant a few things, please?”

Smiling, Ratchet looked straight at her pet and said, “Are you moving in or staying at your place?”

“Mo-Mo-Move...” Buttercup gasped, unable to sign, she actually shut down for a moment thinking about that, her overloaded brain struggling to process the idea of a pony like her living in such a magnificent house like this. After all this was how royalty lived, surely?

“Sis,” Hoist waved his hoof in front of Buttercup’s wide unblinking eyes and got no response, “I think you broke her.”

“I did try earlier, just check out her ass!” Ratchet said proudly, even more proud was she of her work when Candyfloss did just that, checking the newcomer’s recently cropped and spanked hind quarters with her hooves. The evidence was there of Ratchet’s ‘love’, it looked beautiful.

Buttercup hadn’t moved an inch, not voluntarily, at any rate but Candyfloss’s well placed hooves did cause her to raise up her tail in quite the provocative manner. “M-Move...in?” the thought slowly made its way through her brain to her mouth that felt like she had lockjaw. “I...yes! Yes! I'd love to!”

Her partner’s reaction somewhat passed Ratchet by. “You can do as you please with the lawn and I'd love some of those window boxes. But only after you talk to the herd gardener. We live here, but we don't own it yet.”

“Who's that?” asked Candyfloss, her hooves still caressing the welts on Buttercup’s behind.

“I will Mistress, I will!” Buttercup at last shrugged off Candyfloss’s hooves as she danced on her own, the deaf mare performing a thoroughly adorable four hooved dance. She was getting very giddy at the very thought of an actual garden! Not just a collection of window boxes, a real garden!

“Mr Caffeinated,” Hoist supplied the answer to Candyfloss’s question, the quietly spoken unicorn nuzzling his marefriend’s cheek, “He owns the place. His wife, Ms. Thespian is the gardener Ratchet spoke of.”

“Both will be at the race tomorrow.”

“I'll ask!” Buttercup let out a delighted overjoyed squee as the reality of her new partner’s proposal began to sink in. It was all a little much. “Oh my...a garden! An actual garden!” she danced and pranced around the living room without a care as to who was watching. “Wooooo! A garden!”

Curiously, Candyfloss caught Buttercup’s eye as she signed and spoke at the same time, “Ratchet, was she living in a cave?”

The maple coloured unicorn shook her head and shrugged her shoulders, “One room apartment over in lower Manehatten.”

Eventually, Buttercup stopped her prancing and, gasping for breath, she blushed bright red, shuffling her hooves on the carpeted floor. “I-I’m s-sorry…” Candyfloss was right. Her apartment may as well have been a cave, with all her battered and pre-owned out of date furnishings.

“Ratchey,” Hoist beamed, “she's adorable!”

“She is and what’s more, she's a keeper.” Ratchet walked over and kissed her stunned marefriend’s lips. The root of what had her so stunned still escaped the unicorn though. “Could you show her around, brother. I'm going to the garage to make sure Raid's eyes haven't glazed over.” When Hoist nodded, she continued, “Include my bedroom and she can snoop around.”

As Ratchet headed out to the garage, Hoist stepped in front of the deaf mare, making sure he could be seen. “Come on, Ratchey's room's this way.” He proceeded to lead the way, giving his newest guest a tour of the large house that ended at last in Ratchet's room. Thoughtfully, Candyfloss tagged along on the tour to answer any questions and practice her signing at the same time. This was a good call, because in Ratchet’s room Buttercup stopped and shook her head. “Oh Celestia!” she was wide-eyed, “This place is a mansion! You have three bathrooms!”

With the aid of signage, Candyfloss said, “Four, Jackie’s room has a private bath.”

Suddenly, Buttercup felt very inferior indeed. As she slowly sat on the floor of the bedroom that was larger than her living room, everything threatened to overwhelm her at once. She felt like a poor little charity case given a handout by a passing noble. “Yeah,” she muttered, her voice subdued, “It's, it's great.”

“Hey,” Hoist wasn’t immune to Buttercup’s swift change in mood. “Are you alright?”

“Fine. I'm fine...” she said softly, trying very hard to hold back hot tears that were threatening to spill forth at any moment. At a loss as to what to do, Hoist did the only thing reasonable. He looked to Candyfloss for help.

Not speaking, the pink earth pony just used her hooves to sign to Buttercup. “It’s just you and me, and I'm here to learn. Show me what is wrong.”

“It's...I don't know, four bathrooms!” Buttercup threw up her forehooves in the air, speaking rather than signing. “You were right, I lived in cave, and now I'm in a place with four bathrooms!”

Candyfloss giggled, not that she was being mean, far from it. She understood. “It's okay Hoist. She’s just overwhelmed by our apparent wealth.”

Unsure what to make of that, Hoist came over and hugged Buttercup, placing his foreleg around her shoulder. “We aren't wealthy, though…”

“This isn't some high-rise apartment or cookie cutter place though, Hoist,” Candyfloss signed, “The pit crew is here because the sponsor put them here. You should meet them on Sunday too. To them, it is just a house.”

The deaf earth pony mare almost fell over when she read Hoist’s lips. She would have, were he not hugging her. “You aren't wealthy?” she blinked once then twice, “From where I come from this is a palace. I lived in the orphanage all my life, then I got a one bedroom cave and I thought I was lucky.”

Like Hoist, Candyfloss hugged Buttercup. Kissing her forehead, she signed, “I’m really sorry for the cave thing, I'm a carnie and life has to be funny to survive it. Ratchet must like you to ask if you've move in. Plus, another thing, the whole crew is terrible at lawn maintenance.”

Returning the hug, minus the soft kiss, Buttercup smiled, “It's fine, Candy, really. It's just...the chance to have a garden that's mine and I can share with you all, not just window boxes, it was too much.”

From downstairs, Ratchet’s voice wafted up from the front door. “Car is on the flatbed, Hoist, Candy, it’s time to head out for the track. Please bring Buttercup with you.” Signing, for the deaf mare’s benefit, the pink mare let her know that it was time to go racing.

~ ~ ~

Up ahead on the road through Manehatten, Hoist drove the flatbed truck carrying Air Raid’s Audi R8 with Sparkplug by his side. Following behind, Ratchet drove the backup van with Amethyst sat in the passenger seat and Cream, Air Raid, Candyfloss and Buttercup in the seats behind her. Thankfully, the mid-morning traffic was light. Light enough that Air Raid’s attention was directed not to the upcoming time trials but to the newcomer. “Is this your newest find, Ratchey?”

“I think she is a keeper, Raid,” she replied, deftly steering them and their equipment through the streets. While the others spoke, Candyfloss contented herself with supplying Buttercup with a running signage as there was no way they could all face her from where they were sat in the van.

“I met Jackie’s new colt at the open mic last night at Mr. Caffeinated’s coffee shop,” though they were being informal, Air Raid was sure to mind her manners. She liked not upsetting her Mistress. “He has the same disorder as me.”

That little revelation almost made Ratchet turn early into the path of an upcoming bus. Fortunately, she recovered the steering wheel before the van could start to turn. “No way! Really?”

“Disorder?” Buttercup, who had been following the exchange thanks to Candyfloss’s rapid hoof signs, was now very curious as to what disorder the racer was referring. Her questioning look was quickly answered by her translator, though she had no idea what Scootaloo’s Syndrome was. “I'm Buttercup,” she said, her odd sounding voice loud in the van, “pleased to meet you.”

“I’m a pegasus that can't fly,” Air Raid explained. With her back to them, the lime green mare was unaware that Candyfloss had already told her what was what. “Welcome to the insanity of racing, Buttercup.”

While Candyfloss erupted into a full-on fit of giggles, Buttercup remarked, “It's been nothing but insane so far, miss.” She couldn’t help but giggle too, “but it’s been a good insane.”

Air Raid nodded in agreement to that and, when she was about to say something else, Cream swiftly and deftly distracted her driver with the pertinent topic of corner entry speeds and breaking times with the new and updated gear that the pit crew had installed on the car. Candyfloss did make an attempt to sign some of that until she realised that Buttercup wasn’t interested.

As she had almost next to no idea of what Air Raid and Cream were talking about, Buttercup instead sat back and enjoyed watching the scenery whizz past the van’s windows. When they arrived at the stadium and the pit row in particular, Hoist had the Audi off loaded from the flatbed while Ratchet parked the van. The maple unicorn kept her lover with her. “Introductions first,” she smiled as they walked to their pit area, “and then Hoist will take you up to the box to watch us in action.”

This was Buttercup’s first chance to really see the car properly in the summer sunlight without a tarp covering it on the flatbed. Again, she was amazed. “Mistress, that car is a rocket! Look at it!” She wanted to touch it, to run her hoof over the white curves, but she was scared it would blast off.

“It is close to one, pet,” Ratchet agreed as she lead the way back to the pits with Hoist in tow.

In the pit area, Wheeljack was there with Velvet Sky by his side ready to greet his brother, his sisters and the new additions to the family. “Hello there, Buttercup. Welcome to the racing team.” Forewarned in advance, the eldest member of the family was careful to look at her and speak slowly.

“Hello sir,” appreciating the care he took with her, the earth pony bowed respectfully. “It's a pleasure to meet you.”

Offering a friendly nuzzle of greeting, Wheeljack straightened up. “We can chat properly later.” Regretfully, there was work to do, and a time trial to qualify for the next day’s race. That meant no place for extraneous bodies in the way. “Brother, if you'll do the honours?”

Hoist was quick on the uptake and quicker to oblige. “Okay, ponies watching, come this way please.”

Before Velvet Sky left with Hoist, the dark blue pegasus stole a quick kiss from Wheeljack. Likewise, Ratchet gave Buttercup a very hot, lingering kiss, adding, “Enjoy the show, Butters.” The deaf mare wasn’t all that sure she would, but she was heartened when Candyfloss walked alongside her. She liked the pink pony a lot.

In the enclosed VIP box, there were two earth ponies seated already in the centre seats. “Hello Mrs. Snowfall, Mr. Baron,” Hoist greeted the two very impotant ponies with a deep respectful bow to each. “I hope you don't mind if my marefriend, Candyfloss, Wheeljack's coltfriend, Velvet Sky, and Ratchet's mare...special somepony, Buttercup join you?”

Snowfall was the first to answer, the elderly pure white earth pony mare looked particularly regal in an airy summer yellow dress. “Not at all, I can have somepony to talk to while he watches the track.”

His ribs nudged, the sharply dressed Baron, smart in his business suit, snickered. “Company is always welcome. Permission given, Hoist nodded politely once more and he returned to the track, leaving Candyfloss, Velvet Sky and Buttercup with Baron and Snowfall. “It's nice to meet you both,” Buttercup decided to break the silence between them, “I like your dress, ma'am, it’s very nice.”

‘Her’ attention drawn to Snowfall’s exquisite but simple dress, Velvet said, “I agree, your dress is quite beautiful.”

Looking out of the panoramic windows that overlooked the race track, Candyfloss loudly rolled her blue eyes, a giggle in her voice. “Mares…”

Curiously, Snowfall was looking at the group, none of whom she recognised, except for Candyfloss. They did seem pleasant though, and they were with the pit crew. “Thank you, I do try and it helps to have fashion consultants in the herd.”

While Baron did speak to the newcomers, his attention was on the track below. “The pleasure is mine, it’s always nice to meet new ponies that are in it for the fun.”

Like she had done in the van on the way to the track, Candyfloss signed for both Snowfall and Baron, just in case Buttercup couldn’t see them speaking. This caught the elderly mare’s attention in a heartbeat. “Candy, what are...” almost as soon as she started to ask, she put two and two together. “Oh, is Buttercup deaf?” that got her husband, Baron, to face the group.

Smiling broadly – this group was so considerate! – Buttercup nodded her head and replied, “Yes ma'am, I'm deaf. You two are the sponsors that Mistress Ratchet spoke of?”

Velvet, so taken by the dress that Snowfall was wearing, spoke before the white mare had a chance. “Pardon me, ma'am, but where did you get that dress, I'll simply have to get one!”

Giggling, Snowfall answered Velvet first. “I got it at Marecies,” then she looked at Buttercup, pointing to her husband. “He is one of the sponsors, Baron is chair-stallion for the Manehatten Times,” just then, the door opened and an elderly zebra mare entered the VIP box. “The mare walking in is the other sponsor, Sweet Water.”

“Hello, Snowfall and Baron dear,” the pale blue zebra mare nodded to the five ponies in turn, “Lots of ponies I find here.”

Since Sweet Water was stood behind Buttercup, Candyfloss again supplied the necessary signage so she knew what was being said. Turning, Buttercup greeted the newcomer who looked like she might have been young when her TV was new. Not for the first time, she was very grateful that Candyfloss was there to help her out. “Hello to you ma'am.”

Though Velvet acknowledged the zebra’s presence with a polite nod of the head, the pegasus was very interested in Snowfall's dress. “I must get one of these! It's gorgeous!”

“I usually shop off the rack unless it is for a specific purpose, then I visit Coco at Rarity's Recreations.”

Like Snowfall before her, Sweet Water immediately picked up on the fact that Buttercup was deaf. “There is a skill I do lack, for a deaf pony and me to talk back.”

Baron rolled his eyes, “Zebras and their rhymes…ow!” he winced, thanks to the strategically placed elbow driven into his ribs courtesy of his wife.

“I think Wheeljack would love to take me out in one of these…” Velvet Sky was talking mostly to himself, the dark blue pony making a huge mental note to get one at the earliest opportunity, if not sooner.

“You're the other sponsor for Air Raid and Ratchet's family?” asked Buttercup, her spoken voice odd as ever. Fortunately, the zebra could understand her just fine.

“I'm the High Cheiftess of the Coffee Tribe,” Sweet Water replied with no small degree of pride. When Candyfloss had signed for her, she continued, “Air Raid is a good vibe. We sponsor her to race fast. One I hope will truly last.”

“Advertising does help a lot,” Baron cut in, when his phone vibrated, alerting him to a text message. “Amethyst says because of the win, they will be last up for the first try.” That said, the earth pony stallion focussed on the first car to set their time.

“Forgive my lack of conversation,” Sweet Water bowed politely at the other ponies, “I must watch to see the competition.” She then joined Baron at the window to watch the time trials.

Dramatically, Snowfall lifted up a hoof and sighed, “And like that I'm again a racing widow!”

Velvet Sky, who was a huge racing fan, took the opportunity once the trails started to soak up the action. This for him was like a special birthday treat. Seeing that everypony else was absorbed by what was happening on the track, Buttercup decided to keep Snowfall company. Candyfloss joined the two mares, but she was casting looks down at the pits to spot Hoist at work when she could. “I've only met Ratchet briefly after the last race,” Snowfall spoke up, nuzzling Buttercup’s cheek, “But I think you've found yourself a good mare.”

“She is a strict Mistress and I love her,” Buttercup smiled a very goofy smile just thinking about Ratchet and her dominant ways. Ways she absolutely loved.

“I understand,” Snowfall beamed, “Strict is a good Mistress. Do let somepony know though if she becomes a harsh Mistress, won’t you?”

“Ratchet isn't harsh, ma'am,” Buttercup still had that adorably goofy smile plastered all over her face, “she's perfect!”

“Good to know. I'm sure we will see more of each other. Maybe the team will even join the herd someday…” Just then, a car spun out on the track and that took up Snowfall's attention, the elderly earth pony eager to see where that car finished and whether Air Raid would come.

~ ~ ~

“That's that,” Baron announced to the VIP box when his driver had completed her time trials, “she has the pole position with only two runs!”

Sweet Water knew Baron well enough that she could tell the old stallion was virtually rubbing his hooves together with glee. “That is why we have released Cream from her duties. I will talk with Bluff again to have Amethyst released too.”

“That would make things easier when they start to travel,” Baron agreed. Admittedly he knew little about racing, but he knew travel across the country was part of the deal.

“We need to wait for Hoist to get us,” Candyfloss said to Buttercup and Velvet Sky, “We can't enter the pit area unescorted.” She was though itching to get her hooves on her quiet, handsome stallion.

Pausing only to give them each a hug and a nuzzle, Snowfall said, “It was a pleasure to chat with you three. See you here tomorrow.” With that, she, Baron and Sweet Water left the VIP box for the track. After that was planned a high level sponsor’s meeting at Caffeinated’s ranch.

Shortly after the older three had left them alone, Hoist opened the door, his face lit up in a wide beaming smile. “It was a good day today, let’s go down to the van…mmmph!” he was cut off mid-sentence when Candyfloss galloped over and gave her cute stallion a series of very big kisses all over his face.

“So...was that it?” asked Buttercup. Since she was not being a huge racing fan like the others, she was a little lost as to what had just happened.

By contrast, Velvet Sky was as excited as a pony who had a very special reason to be excited. He had watched Air Raid’s time trials and races on the TV at home and at Trixie’s Place, but never had he thought he’d get to watch it in person. “That was brilliant! Raid got pole!”

Smiling, Hoist was more than happy to let Velvet explain the trials to Buttercup so that he could spend more time with Candyfloss on the way back to the pits. Velvet happily jabbered on, explaining in very great and somewhat unnecessary detail the intricacies of what just happened. By the time they all got back to the pit area, Buttercup had progressed from complete racing novice to expert on the qualifying procedure. “Welcome back, pet!” Ratchet was ready to great her lover with a big smoochy kiss. Wheeljack was not to be outdone in the kissing.

Watching, Sparkplug giggled and she nudged Air Raid’s flank. “It's like that really old movie, Raid. They're twitter patted!”

“Yeah they are kiddo,” Air Raid smiled, because she herself was just as head over hooves in love with Amethyst and Cream. “I’ve never seen such a twitter patted lot of ponies.” The lime green mare, elated from getting the pole position, watched Buttercup hug and kiss Ratchet like she hadn't seen her in a week, while Velvet did likewise with Wheeljack.

“Ratchet,” said Wheeljack when Velvet stopped kissing him long enough for him to breathe, “I'm moving into Velvet's place.”

That hadn’t been entirely unexpected. Ratchet bumped hooves with her older brother. “Okay, we'll keep the room for you anyways. I don't need an in-room bathroom.” She then made sure she had Buttercup's undivided attention. “Are you moving in with me?”

Both Velvet Sky and Buttercup shared near identical looks of wide-eyed surprise, but they very quickly recovered their composure. “Oh you are?” The dark blue pegasus spoke up first, “I think I'd like that.”

Nodding her head eagerly, the deaf mare was quick to agree. She was over the awed feelings she had experienced earlier at the large house. “Yes, Mistress!”

“So, Jackie…”

Wheeljack laughed out loud at his sister, “Give me a week to move out or at least pack up before you move your pet in.”

Again, brother and sister shared a hoof bump. “Can do.”

Candyfloss nuzzled and kissed her stallion. “We can stay as we are, swapping places when it suits us.” That suited Hoist just fine, and he nodded his agreement.

Looking between the two happy couples, Air Raid smiled warmly, “My, you two sure are fast!”

Smirking, Amethyst tip-hoofed over to her beloved pet and, like she had at the open mic night, bit the lime green mare’s ear hard. “So days the pony staying in our room at somepony else's house…”

“Good point Mistress,” Air Raid, suitably cowed, had the sense to blush, “very well made.”

“I'm off with Velvet, see you here at ten a.m. tomorrow,” Wheeljack made his rounds and hugged Ratchet, Hoist, Sparkplug, Air Raid, Amethyst, Cream and Buttercup before he left the pit lane with his lover.

“I'm driving the van,” Ratchet called out, “all aboard!”

Air Raid had no problem with Ratchet driving. After thundering her Audi R8 around the track at almost two hundred miles per hour – thanks to Sparkplug’s additions – driving anything slower seemed like an anti-climax. She was in no mood for traffic either. “It has been over a week since I got a speeding ticket. I’d like to see if I can make it all the way to two.”

“You mean a week since you gave the city economy a boost from your fines?” Cream stuck out her tongue and winked at her fellow submissive. In the van, Buttercup again sat next to Candyfloss so she could get signage on what the ponies were saying, Amethyst called shotgun and got it while the rest piled in the back of the van.

In the back of the van, Cream and Air Raid set about their important business of jibber jabbering about the speeds and break times they had pulled off on the track. Ultimately they decided not to change much, especially when Amethyst helpfully reminded them that they got the pole by 1.23 seconds.

An utter lifetime between first and second.

Sat by Buttercup’s side, Candyfloss only signed a bit of that talk and, bored, signed 'Should I inspect Hoist's lollipop now or after we get home?' to Buttercup. Giggling, the deaf earth pony mare nodded her head and she just signed her reply, ‘You are naughty. I like you, Candyfloss’.

Immediately, Candyfloss nodded to her new friend and she whispered into Hoist's ear. She just loved the delightful shade of red he turned when she was done. That he had to press a hoof between his legs to cover himself up just meant her work was done. “Whatcha two doing?” asked Sparkplug, who had taken notice of the signing going on.

Laughing, Buttercup explained, “She's looking for a lollipop!” that just made Hoist turn an even brighter and more intense shade of red and make the unicorn try to cover up all the more.

“I already told her we don't have any lollipops at home!” Sparkplug entirely missed the point, “I meant what were you doing with your hooves?”

Understanding what Sparkplug meant now, Buttercup signed and spoke, hoping that the young unicorn would make out her words. “We are talking. I can’t hear, I'm deaf.”

Excited, Sparkplug clapped hooves, “Like a secret language!”

“Just like a secret language!” Buttercup replied eagerly, “Like spies on a secret mission!”

“Wait,” Sparkplug ran some things through her head, those things not adding up in her head. “If you're deaf, how can you hear me?”

Seeing as Sparkplug was being completely adorable, Buttercup giggled as she answered, “I can't hear you, I can read your lips.”

“What!?” Eyes wide in wonder, the yellow unicorn pulled her bottom lip out so that Buttercup couldn’t read what she was saying. “Is there something written on my lips?” As she wondered just who had written on her face, Candyfloss laughed out loud and tapped the deaf mare so she could sign what Sparkplug had said.

As she had not encountered a pony quite like Sparkplug before, Buttercup burst out laughing, she wasn’t mean or nasty, she was literally an overgrown foal. “No, I mean, your lips move when you talk.” She tried to explain quickly while laughing the same time, “I watch them so I know what you are saying.”

That gave Sparkplug a very clever idea. Freezing her lips as much as she could, she managed to say, “How about now?”

Signing what the yellow unicorn had just said, Candyfloss laughed, as did Buttercup. “No, not that time. You would make a great secret agent spy, Sparky,” After that, they spent the rest of the ride back wanting to learn sign language from her new friend. Hoist secretly thanked his little sister for doing such a great job of changing the subject. Driving along up front, Ratchet secretly wished she wasn't the one driving.

Once they had reached the house after a most uneventful drive where Ratchet wished even more that she wasn’t driving as she was missing out on some top-level signing lessons, the maple coloured unicorn parked the van in the garage. Getting out, Air Raid, Cream and Amethyst said their goodbyes before they went back to Caffeinated’s Ranch where they were staying. Watching them leave, Sparkplug said, “They stay at a really fancy place.”

“I think you stay in a really nice place, Sparky,” Buttercup commented to the young mare. Hoist, once they were at the door, took the first chance he could get to take Candyfloss upstairs so they could 'lie down'.

“Oh yes,” Sparkplug agreed, “we don't get in trouble here with noise like we used to in Canterlot.”

“Engine noise.” Ratchet cleared up almost before her sister had finished speaking, “What Sparky really likes to work on.”

“I think you're a very clever pony, Sparkplug.” Buttercup commented as the yellow unicorn nodded vigorously at that. “I don't know anything about engines like you do.”

“How about dinner at The Bread Bowl and some ice cream afterwards?” asked Ratchet, who was in the mood to eat out. If Sparkplug’s excited hops were anything to go by, her idea was a definite win. Then again, who didn’t like ice cream? “It is still early. We'll leave in a couple of hours, so you can watch some TV.”

Sparkplug made a beeline for the TV’s remote control. “Okay!”

“Buttercup and I will walk around the yard.”

The yellow unicorn wasn’t paying attention to her big sister. She was already flicking through the ten cartoon channels in her hunt for the Power Pony Action Weekend Marathon. With a cheer, she found it. “Watch out for that mean squirrel. He tried to kidnap Mr. Flopsy.”

After promising that they would be wary of the mean squirrel, Ratchet took Buttercup on a little tour of the overgrown and uncared for garden that surrounded her home. “She is adorable, Mistress,” the deaf mare said once they were alone with the shoulder high grass and weeds. She smiled at her partner, “Are you alright? You looked sad when you got out of the van.”

Using the little signage she knew, Ratchet signed, “You are mine. I am yours.” Then, she spoke, “While I was driving my sister was getting sign lessons that I would like to have. You will teach me, and her too I'm sure.” Forcing a smile of her own, she swept her hoof, encompassing the overgrowth that was the ‘garden’. “We are here to look at how you will make your garden grow.”

“I'll teach you Mistress,” quickly, Buttercup kissed Ratchet's nose and she tried very hard not to get as giddy as she did before, though it was hard and, giving in to her excited giddiness, she danced again in place. “Oh, um…sorry.”

With her jealous thoughts banished to the back of her mind, Ratchet booped her pet’s nose with a hoof. “You are being a very good naughty right now.”

Seeing that, Buttercup smiled. She was happy that she was doing that right, at least. Ratchet was a much better owner than her previous dom. Looking around at the jungle that was the grounds, she pictured where she could have her flowers and plants, a vivid image forming in her head. “I can do so much with all this space, Mistress.”

“I'm sure you can,” Ratchet didn’t doubt her for an instant. She recognised the same excited enthusiasm that Sparkplug had when she was about to disassemble an engine. “Tomorrow, after the race, you can talk to Ms. Thespian and use your free weekends to work on the garden. And, since it is flower business, you will have to wear your socks when working.”

“Eeee!” Buttercup squeed before she realised she had done it. She was quite excited about getting to wear her new blue work socks, it was just beginning to sink in just how awesome this all was. “I can have flowers there, herbs over here, a path through it, then veggies there...”

Happy to let her pet ramble, Ratchet followed her and she listened intently. Her partner was so enthusiastic it was infectious, like a schoolfilly on show and tell. She was also sure nopony would tell her Butters ‘no’. She couldn’t see Wheeljack in the garden, Hoist was more interested in Candyfloss’s ‘garden’ and Sparky…was Sparky. While she was happily explaining her vision for the garden, the earth pony mare noticed that her companion wasn’t saying anything. “You're quiet there, Mistress.”

“I'm happy.” Ratchet hadn’t noticed she was quiet. “It has been a few years since I was really happy. “Do continue.”

“I'm happy I'm making you happy Mistress,” Buttercup was about to carry on with her vision before a thought struck her. A wonderful, marvellous, awesome thought. A thought that made her prance through the grass. “I can finally enter the Manehatten Horticultural Competition!”

“What's that?”

Buttercup stopped her prancing as quickly as if she had been immobilised by a unicorn’s magic, even though Ratchet’s horn was unlit. “Every year there's a garden competition, the mayor and a team of experts judge it. One time, even Princess Celestia was a guest judge. It's a prestigious award to win, Mistress!”

Though she knew little about flowers beyond what they tasted like, Ratchet could appreciate how big of a deal that was. “I think I'd be better at a flower eating award.”

Buttercup burst out laughing at that, “I haven't been able to enter before, because, well, I haven’t had a garden before. They um, they don’t allow window boxes to enter.”

“We'll just have to set you up proper then, won’t we?” Ratchet replied, thoroughly enjoying the overjoyed look on her lover’s face. The next hour and a half passed like that, with the earth pony rambling and the unicorn letting her. Presently, when it was time, Ratchet booped her nose. “It's dinner time. I hope you like country cookin’.”

Playfully, Buttercup nudged Ratchet’s barrel, “I like it because you like it, Mistress.”

“You show wisdom, my pet.” Ratchet was most pleased indeed that Buttercup was starting to get how this worked. She was still smiling as she gathered Hoist, Candyfloss and Sparkplug from inside the house. Amusingly enough, it was just as hard to crowbar them out the house, though for different reasons. Hoist was happy to ‘lie down’ with Candyfloss while Sparkplug wanted to watch the Power Ponies.

That was until Ratchet used her ultimate weapon.

Ice cream.

As she was really happy with herself and where she was at, Buttercup practically skipped alongside Ratchet on the sidewalk. As it was now a late Saturday afternoon, there were a few ponies about, no doubt going to eat or to the movies. Hoist and Candyfloss walked with their tails and forehooves entwined. The Bread Bowl, when they got there, was quite lively, as was the nearby coffee shop and ice cream parlour. “I didn't think to make reservations…” fretted Ratchet outside.

Helpfully, Hoist went to check while the rest of the group milled around the entrance foyer. Fortunately, there was room for them, though Buttercup, as this was her first time in an Appleloosan restaurant, was place, was curious to see what the food was like. Sparkplug was mesmerised by all the bison murals on the walls. ‘It's like a western movie in here…’ she thought to herself.

After a few moments, Hoist returned and, getting his sister’s attention, pointed to a long table with just three ponies sat at it. “Ratchey, isn't that pink unicorn with the herd?”

Ratchet followed her brother’s hoof and nodded her head when she recognised who he meant. “Yeah, I think. Wait, that blue pegasus is the one who Air Raid said was dating Wildfire. I think we have a table!”

Nodding, Hoist lead the way over to the table with Candyfloss as ever by his side. Ratchet, holding Buttercup’s hoof, bought up the rear. Ever the carnie, Candyfloss knew both Mapper and Serenity, while Buttercup, who read the newspapers, recognised Serenity immediately. “Oh...oh!” the deaf earth pony nudged Ratchet’s flank, “That's Serenity! The opera singer!”

“Hey Maps,” Candyfloss, by contrast, was casual as ever. “How's the plush stall doing? Still making it hard for Serenity to sit down?” The pink earth pony mare knew very well how Serenity loved it when Mapper made her comfortably uncomfortable.

Imperiously, Mapper surveyed the group of five ponies stood before her table. “Candy,” the pink unicorn said with a raised eyebrow, “you've fallen into a bad crowd. All speed and grease.”

Sat next to her, Airmail lifted up her mopey head. “Oh, it’s most the pit crew…” she sounded despondent, like a wounded animal.

Serenity winked at Candyfloss, “I'm sitting now, and I'm liking it.” Although she was smiling, there was a tell-tale shuffle to her ass that screamed the hard seat was more uncomfortable for her than it was for the others.

“We have no reservations,” Ratchet spoke up, the dominant in her wanting to control the situation. “Is it okay if we crash your table?”

Mapper, recognising a fellow dom, inclined her head. “You, stallion,” she said to Hoist, “pull that table over to ours now please.” Nervously, Hoist did as he was told, using his magic to do bring not only the table but the pony sat there as well. Immediately, Serenity gave the slightly inconvenienced pony an autographed photo of her.

Taking her seat, Candyfloss winked at Mapper, “I like the way Hoist smells of grease. And his lollipop is speedy in just the way I like it.” The pink carnie pony just loved the way Hoist blushed, “He's adorable!”

Sitting down next to Ratchet, Buttercup looked at Airmail. In stark contrast to all the other ponies at the table, the azure blue pegasus seemed like she was about to jump off the Narrow’s Bridge. “Excuse me, but are you alright? You look sad…”

“Fine.” Not even bothering to lift her head from the table, Airmail waved a hoof in the air and mumbled, she didn’t even stop to wonder why the strange mare’s voice sounded so strange and odd. “I’m just sitting here doing paperwork while my fiancé is with my marefriend in Canterlot…”

Mapper rolled her eyes for the millionth time, her temper quickly reaching the end of her rope. While she had a degree of sympathy for her herd-mate, nopony had died. “Mopey pony is mopey and no fun.”

Seeing as she had a certifiable death wish, Serenity reached over the table, across Mapper and petted Airmail’s green mane. Mopey Airmail said and did nothing but mope into the table top. Possessing no filter whatsoever, Sparkplug bounded around the table and sat herself next to Airmail. “Mopey is no fun. You need a hug!” Buttercup, unsure what to do or how to follow up with that, wisely chose to sit quietly as Sparkplug followed up on that hug.

“This is my pet, Buttercup,” Ratchet introduced her lover, “but you can call her Butters.”

“Pet is it?” Mapper asked, the pink unicorn definitely not laughing and definitely not smirking as Sparkplug squeezed Airmail so tight she was turning a deeper shade of blue. It was thoroughly adorable, but there was business to attend to. “And you know about the caring and feeding of pets?”

Since it was a busy afternoon, the waiter had yet to make his way over to the table to take their order. A serving pony though did bring them water to drink in the meantime while they waited. Serenity moved a hoof over to touch Buttercup's hoof as Ratchet replied, “I may be a little out of practice, but I can get back into the swing of things.”

Tapping Buttercup’s shoulder, Candyfloss asked her via signage if she was following this, to which the flower seller nodded eagerly that she was. She then turned to Mapper with a smile on her face, “Mistress Ratchet is a strict but fair owner. I'm a lucky pet to have found her.”

Removing her hoof, Serenity gave Mapper a meaningful look but she said nothing. To Mapper of course the look spoke volumes. “Let me know if you need a pet bowl, then.”

“As it happens, there is something I need.” Ratchet said and, while Mapper remained quiet, she gave the maple unicorn a ‘go on’ look. One deep breath later, and she continued, “It's, um, well, breath play. I don't want to screw that up.” Watching the exchange, Buttercup almost fell off her seating pad when she saw them talk about her most favourite thing ever.

“If you make a mistake you'll only make it once,” Mapper snorted, though further discussion on the subject was halted momentarily when the waiter at last came and took their orders.

“She has a hood, and she uses a hanky to signal the end of play.”

“That is good,” Mapper agreed thoughtfully, “but you need to be sure the hanky will fall if she passes out. Some idiots will wedge the signal to last longer.”

At the ‘idiot’ remark, Buttercup was about to have an outburst similar to the one she had earlier, but she just managed to rein herself in. Ratchet noticed Buttercup rise up to the challenge and, just in time, she placed a hoof on her nose. “I don't think my pet is an idiot, but I think she has had an idiot owner before, and I don't want to be that owner.”

“Then practice. I know a pet that can last five minutes, and others that barely go for one.”

Smiling a grateful smile at Ratchet, Buttercup sat herself back down calmly at the table. “I can easily do three minutes, Mistress Mapper.”

On the other side of the table, Sparkplug still had her hug in place around Airmail's shoulders. “Are you feeling better now?”

Through a very, very supreme effort, Airmail slapped a smile on her face. The yellow unicorn meant well, after all. “Hard not to with your hugs, Sparky.”

“Your pet speaks. You should fix that. First you,” Mapper pointed a stern hoof at Ratchet, “You learn CPR. Then do simple holding of breath and time it. Next simulated drowning. Easy to stop, and fix if it goes poorly. Asphyxiation is not so forgiving. Pet signals because it is all their body can do. Don't trust non-body signals like a hanky. Watch the pet as she fades to nothing,” she giggled, “Fun to masturbate over them too.”

Airmail shot Mapper the most deadpan look she could muster. “I don't see you masturbating over Trails.”

“Even my imagination can only go so far,” Mapper shrugged. Buttercup imagined herself in just that scenario and she had to press her hind legs together, her tail lifting up of its own accord.

Just when the unicorn waiter bought over their orders in his magical aura, Sparkplug, with a most curious look on her face chose that moment to ask, “What's masturbating?”

Mapper barely lifted an eyebrow. “Really Candy? I can see big sis here as being clueless, but you?”

Poor Hoist attempted to cast an invisibility spell that was far beyond his skills and he failed miserably. “Is it a game?” Sparkplug asked genuinely, “Is it fun? Can you play with yourself?” At that, Ratchet lost it and snorted her water out of her nose. “What?” Sparkplug was confused, “Do you have to play with somepony else?”

Somehow Candyfloss managed to keep her composure. “There’s a time and place for everything, Maps.”

“Time was yesterday,” Airmail commented, though her shoulders were shaking up and down from suppressed laughter. “Place isn't here.”

Ratchet let out a deep sigh, “I'll take care of it. Can you wait till after the race, Sparky, Please?”

Candyfloss patted Ratchet’s shoulder sympathetically, “I think Sparky already knows how, just not the words to go with it.”

“Alright, Ratchey, I'll wait. I like learning new games!” Sparkplug squealed happily. Buttercup, who had been trying very, very hard not to laugh, finally lost it and laughed like a hyena at Hoist’s reaction and Sparkplug's complete and utter innocence.

~ ~ ~

“What did you think of that meal?” Ratchet asked Buttercup when all the plates had been emptied and removed from the table.

“I enjoyed it Mistress,” Buttercup answered quickly and honestly, “The company made it all the more enjoyable.”

“Can we have ice cream now?” Sparkplug asked, the yellow unicorn bouncing on her hooves beside the restaurant table, earning more than a few amused looks from the other diners.

“I don't know Sparky,” Ratchet feigned ignorance, “Is there an ice cream place close by?”

“Yes!” Sparkplug squeed as they left The Bread Bowl – Hoist picked up the bill without question – and the now not so busy ice cream parlour was right there. “It’s just over there! It's just there!” She pointed eagerly as Buttercup and Hoist both giggled at her antics. To the deaf mare, she reminded her of a young filly who got adopted from the orphanage years ago.

“Oh, that ice cream place.” Ratchet played it down like she was just seeing it for the very first time. “I think that is an excellent idea, Sparky.” Buttercup was rather looking forward to ice cream after the meal she had just eaten. She was thinking a fair bit though, mostly about what Mapper and Ratchet had been talking about, she was more than a wee bit distracted because of that.

Following a brief but very pertinent mental exchange between Mapper and Serenity, in which the pink mare didn’t want ice cream but Serenity did, Serenity begged, Mapper said no, Serenity pouted and finally Mapper agreed on the promise she’d be spanked later. “Do you mind if we join you for ice cream?” the teal mare asked finally.

“No, more the better.” Ratchet had no problem with them joining her little party. “Come along pet.” As soon as they got there, Sparkplug was eagerly looking over the flavours when they walked inside. “You may have a bowl of two scoops of your choosing, as long as you don't choose rocky road.”

Sparkplug rolled her eyes at her big sister. She never let her have more than two flavours. Not like the bowl would explode. “I want the vanilla and strawberry, please, Ratchey.”

Buttercup, having looked over the flavours, chose the mint and pistachio, Ratchet opted for cookies and cream and strawberry, Candyfloss and Hoist both chose chocolate and caramel, Airmail had coffee and vanilla while Mapper and Serenity both had strawberry, vanilla and chocolate. Soon, they all had their respective ice creams and they moved to a couple of tables next to each other that seated four. “Would you sit across from me, please Sparky?” asked Serenity.

“You bet!” Immediately, the foalish unicorn took up a seat opposite Serenity.

Politely, Ratchet coughed, getting the attention of those at the tables. Just to make sure, she tapped her pet on the nose. “There is one rule in eating ice cream in this shop, Butters. You can’t use any utensils, and you can't feed yourself. I will demonstrate.” The maple unicorn took Buttercup’s ice cream and she switched it with hers. She then took some of it on her tongue and she fed it to her pet.

“I'm all in on this!” Candyfloss needed no encouragement whatsoever to join in and she swapped cups with Hoist. Also joining in, Mapper swapped hers with Airmail.

For a few moments, Sparkplug looked at what everypony else was doing at the table, her brother and Candyfloss, Buttercup and her sister who are as really into it as were Airmail and Mapper. She had that uneasy ‘left out’ feeling again and she didn't like it. “Um...Serenity, do you want to switch ice cream with me?”

“I was afraid you wouldn't ask me. I'd love to swap with you.” Serenity pushed her ice cream over to Sparkplug, a slight amount of concern in her voice, “Are you sure you want to do this?”

Nodding eagerly, Sparkplug leant over the table and whispered not so quietly at all, “I kissed my friend at school once.” Cautiously, always on alert, Ratchet glanced over to see what was happening with her sister.

“Ohhh, that must have been nice!” Quickly, mostly thanks to the look on Ratchet’s face, Serenity became the number one non-sensual ice cream feeder in all of Equestria. While their lips did touch, it was completely non-sexual and, satisfied, Ratchet returned her focus to totally sensually feeding Buttercup her ice cream.

Sparkplug did take the ice cream from the chaste kiss that Serenity offered her and, she fed Serenity in kind, though she could easily tell it wasn’t the same as the other three couples at the table. She looked around once more and pouted. Serenity of course, noticed. “Is there something wrong?”

Yes. There was something wrong. A very big something. “You aren't doing it like they're doing it!”

Serenity blinked at that. Mapper turned Airmail's head to see Serenity. Serenity's ears flicked. Airmail's ears flicked and she turned back to snogging the ice cream from Mapper’s lips. Clearly enough to be heard by all at the table, Serenity said, “You don't know me that well, but if you want to do it like them, I will do it like them also.”

That was enough for Ratchet to turn her attention back to her sister. She wasn’t sure whether to put a stop to it right then and there or not. That would make her the biggest buzzkill in the universe though, so for now she was happy to let it play out while it was harmless. While Sparkplug wasn’t in any way skilled with this ‘kissing thing’, she had kissed her friend a few times in Canterlot. So, she attempted to kiss Serenity as passionately as she could. It was a decent show that got Buttercup's and Hoist's attention too.

“Go for it Sparky,” Ratchet gave her approval – because she didn’t want to be the bad pony – and she went back to snogging Buttercup’s face off. Serenity used her prodigious talents to guide Sparkplug as she introduced her tongue into the younger mare’s mouth, and the intricacies of general muzzle cleaning.

Hoist stared at his sister and Serenity for a second until he was reintroduced to Candyfloss's lips. At the same time, Buttercup engaged in a bit of a tongue battle with Ratchet, not prepared to give up the tongue war so easily. As it turned out, Sparkplug was rather quick learner and she gave Serenity her ice cream coated tongue in return, holding the kiss as long as she could.

Ratchet and Buttercup were the first of the couples to finish up their ice creams. “We're going for a walk. We’ll see you back at the house later.”

Just as Ratchet and Buttercup stood up from the table, Sparkplug pulled away from Serenity’s lips, a small trace of ice cream on her tongue and her eyes wide. “Cadance's feathers...” she breathed, her usually fillyish voice now sounding very adult indeed.

At the sound of her sister’s altered voice, Ratchet spun around, rooted to the spot. Serenity smiled, “I'd think that Cadance's feathers are tickly!”

“Now...wow...that's how you eat ice cream!” Sparkplug gasped, wiping her lips with her hoof.

“I quite agree,” Candyfloss did indeed agree, though wisely, Mapper and Airmail chose to stay out of the upcoming discussion.

In a bit of a wide-eyed daze, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Candyfloss's very talented tongue, Hoist shook his head in order to clear it. “Sparky? Ratchet...did you hear that?”

“I heard,” Ratchet’s legs were leaden and heavy, “You doing okay there, Sparky?”

“Oh, Ratchet...” Sparkplug was seeing the world as if through new eyes for the first time. “I'm very okay!”

“But...But...you sound...your voice!” Hoist stammered, the unicorn stallion attempting to wrap his head around what he was witnessing. Just like Mapper and Airmail, Buttercup was staying out of it. This was obviously a deep family moment.

“I think Sparky has a beautiful voice.” Opined Serenity, and she would know.

Sparkplug blinked. She blinked again and a third time. This happened to her the other night, and now it was happening again. “I-I don't know how...I don't understand it. I-I'm still me,” she shook her head a little as if clearing out any cobwebs, she still felt like her. “It feels like it felt the other night, when I flew with Luna and Tempest.”

“You what?” Ratchet’s voice sounded like a steel trap. Hoist, realising his ‘secret’ was about to be revealed, really wished he could cast that invisibility spell right then. He was going to get skinned alive, at least killed until he was dead, for sure.

“Don't shout at Hoist, sis. I snuck out on Thursday and went to Caffeinated's house. You said there was a party.”

Ratchet’s steel trap voice was even and measured, though her eyes were narrowed dangerously. “Did you party with Raid?”

“No, I took my bunny and I played party games with Requiem and Longshore,” Sparkplug explained honestly, “Princess Luna and Tempest came upstairs a bit later and offered to take me home.”

“Okay, that is okay…” breathing in calm thoughts through her nose, she looked at her brother trying without success to disappear. The R-bomb wasn’t quite diffused just yet. “Did you tell your brother before you left?”

“Hoist had no idea until I was bought home,” Sparkplug confessed, causing Hoist to let out an embarrassed meep. “He didn't do anything wrong sis, it was all me, I swear.”

Candyfloss, knowing that Hoist needed help, spoke up for her stallion. “He went out to look for her when we found she was gone. He came back with her, and the other two.”

“Okay, I..” Ratchet saw there was little point in exploding. What was done was done, and from the sounds of it there was no lasting harm done. So, it was all good. What she was struggling with now was her ‘grown’ little sister. “Okay, It's fine Sparky. Just make sure somepony knows when you leave by yourself, can you do that?”

“Sure I can,” Sparkplug smiled warmly at her sister. Looking at her now, like everything, it was seeing her for the first time. “This...I like this! Is this being grown up?”

Solemnly, Ratchet nodded, “Yes Sparky, welcome to a whole new world.”

“It's like...it's like waking up!”

Ratchet decided she really, really needed some air, a lot of air. This was threatening to overwhelm her, and she didn’t like being overwhelmed. “We’ll see you at home, brother, sis…” she turned and headed out of the ice cream parlour with Buttercup close beside her.

The two ponies crossed the street together in silence, with Ratchet very deep in thought. Buttercup did attempt to say something but she noticed that Ratchet wasn't paying attention. So much was the unicorn not paying attention that Buttercup had to stop her walking in front of a car. Still Ratchet said and did nothing. On the other side of the street, the deaf mare tapped her shoulder hard. “Are you okay?”

No, Ratchet was not okay. The thing was, she wasn’t at all sure why she wasn’t okay. She was unnerved, sure. And more than a teeny bit scared of what this new development meant for her, and for the family, for the future. “I'm not sure if I've woken up from a dream or a nightmare.”

Buttercup was in no mood for riddles. Hurrying, she got in front of her lover and stood in front of her, blocking her path. “Talk to me.”

“Sparkplug drowned when she was five. It took a while before Wheeljack and I were able to resuscitate her. Hoist call for the ambulance. Ever since then she has been a five year old filly up here…” she tapped her forehead next to her horn. “The docs in Canterlot said she had brain damage from lack of oxygen. The herd doc here said it was age regression from a traumatic experience before she knew of the drowning. I trust her. Now...”

Buttercup thought she saw where this train of thought was going and she didn’t like it one bit. “So now she's starting to grow up, and you aren't sure if you prefer her growing up or how she was before, because that's what you're used to…”

“No!” Ratchet interrupted her sharply, instantly regretting it. “Sparky and the engine are one! What if...what if she loses that connection? As a pit crew we’d be finished! I don't know what to do if that happens.”

“You don't know what will happen, Ratchet. Whatever happens, you're family, right?”

“Yeah, we're family. We've been though worse, and she said it happened before. I don't even know what Sparky will be like at breakfast.”

Leaning forwards, Buttercup softly kissed her Mistress’s lips, “Ratchet, at the orphanage, things changed, a lot. Sometimes daily. I was scared to get close to anypony. If I did, they might be gone in a day, week or a month later and I'd never see them again. I know it's not the same, but I kinda know what you're going through.”

Ratchet knew it wasn’t the same, but she could see and was grateful that Buttercup understood a little of what she was going through. “You still have Lemongrass, and we did put on a good show for her. There is something I want you to see though on our way home.”

“Grass and momma Snuggles were the only constants I had when I was growing up. They gave me hope that somepony somewhere might want a broken pony, and now I have you!”

“I haven't even broken you yet, Butters.” Ratchet giggled as they walked along the grass-lined sidewalk. Though it was late in the afternoon, Celestia hadn’t yet lowered the sun. It was approaching eight p.m., they walked past a mom and pop store still open and the homes got nicer, even nicer than Ratchet’s was.

Buttercup felt like she was walking along a street in Canterlot, the houses were that nice. She held onto Ratchet's hoof as they walked along, her tail entwining with hers. The idea of Ratchet breaking her was a very enticing one indeed. “I want you to break me, Mistress. I want to be your lover, pet and slave.”

“So do I, I want all those thing as well, but I want to do it gently.” After a few moment’s silent walk, Ratchet bought her charge to a stop outside a very large, very palatial and opulent home and used her key card to get past the ornately wrought front gate.

“Buuuuuuck…” Buttercup breathed, the earth pony standing stock still staring at Caffeinated’s place as her partner went and opened the gate. Silently, Ratchet walked her stunned mare around the flower and herb garden in the front of the house. That was enough to shock her back to her senses. “A garden!” Buttercup pranced around excitedly, “Ratchet look at this!”

“That’s only part of it,” the maple unicorn then led her through the gate that lead to the back yard where there were vegetable and flower gardens as well as an orchard of fruit trees. Buttercup absolutely lost it in her glee, she squeed so hard that she actually orgasmed on the spot.

Ratchet smiled, opting to overlook the climax without permission this one time on account of the fact it was completely adorable. “This is where Sparky was last night, and where we will be tomorrow, win or lose, for the after-race party. You can meet the gardener, Ms. Thespian. It gives you something to aim for at 'our' place.”

“Look at all this!” Buttercup squealed excitedly, it was like seeing the royal gardens for the first time, then she paused, the name ringing several very large, very loud bells in her head. “Thespian, 'the' Thespian? This is her garden?”

“The actress, yes this is her garden.”

Dismissively, Buttercup waved her hoof in the air at the actress bit. That wasn’t what she was interested in. “She won the Manehatten Horticultural Competition award four times in a row!”

“Um, I didn't know that, but I know you want to, and I thought this would be inspiration.”

“She hasn't entered for a few years, but when she did...she owned it!”

“I think you can own it too.”

“You think...me...I...you think I could...” Buttercup didn't finish that sentence, instead she launched herself at Ratchet and kissed her long and hard, mashing their lips together as passionately as she could. “I love you! I love you so much!”

“You complete me and I want to give you the tools to succeed,” Ratchet kissed her pet’s lips in tun like she herself had been kissed. “I love you too. Now, we should head on back home. We have other things to do tonight.”

“Other things...” Buttercup only had to think for the briefest of seconds to have a good guess what those other things might be. She was pretty sure those other things might just be her hood. “Um, like what you were talking to Mistress Mapper about at dinner?”

Ratchet smiled, glad she had such an astute pet. “I think I need to do this as much as you want me to do this. Later, you can tell Lemongrass how it went.”

“I trust you Mistress, completely, and I love you with all my heart.”

~ ~ ~

When Ratchet and Buttercup entered the house, Hoist, Candyfloss and Sparkplug were all sat in the living room watching the large wall mounted TV. Seeing as how Sparkplug was back to her usual foalish self, the growth spurt at the ice cream parlour not lasting that long, they were watching Power Ponies. Hoist was cuddling Candyfloss while Sparkplug was whooping at the Masked Matter Horn kicking ass.

Like she had done all the way back, Buttercup held Ratchet’s hoof and nuzzled her cheek as the unicorn poked her head around the living room door with a smile, “G'night fillies and colts!”

Smiling, Hoist got up – reluctantly – from the couch and he came over to Ratchet and nuzzled his sister as Candyfloss kept Sparkplug occupied with the cartoon movie "Mane-iac's Revenge". “She started to get younger again on the way back. When the TV went on, she was playing with her bunny like nothing happened.”

“Let what happens, happen.” Ratchet said thoughtfully, “As long as she is happy, that’s all that matters.”

“I'm sure Requiem will help her,” Hoist grinned, nuzzling both Ratchet and Buttercup. “Good night you two, I hope you have fun.”

“Try to not wake the neighbours!” Candyfloss called helpfully from her place on the couch.

When she saw Candyfloss say that, Buttercup blushed hard, her green fur radiating bright red heat because, as it was a detached mansion, she knew she'd need a fog horn to wake anypony up. “N-No promises, Candy.”

“What she said.” With that, and all the good nights exchanged, Ratchet led the way upstairs, her destination her bedroom. Buttercup was more than happy to walk behind her Mistress. She wasn’t as overwhelmed as she was earlier, but she still slowly took it all in with a teeny bit of awe. “How long can you hold your breath?”

“Two minutes, easy, Mistress. With training, I'm aiming for three.”

“I'm aiming for as long as you can go.” Reaching into her saddlebags that she had left at the side of her bed, Ratchet pulled out hood and, somewhat reverently, she took it out of its clear protective bag. “I took this as a punishment, so you wouldn't have it at home. Now I'm glad it is here.”

“I'm glad it is too, Mistress,” licking her lips, Buttercup looked at the hood in her owner’s hooves with a great deal of anticipation for what was to come.

Slowly, carefully, like she was holding a relic from the times of the Unification of the Tribes, Ratchet looked the mask over. Turning it, she inspected it from all angles. It was vaguely head shaped, with clear eye covers so they could look at each other. A simple twist valve at the end of the muzzle sealed the mask, and a twist the opposite way let the air back in. “This looks very well built, pet.”

Buttercup nodded her head eagerly. It should be well built, considering what she paid for it, three week’s money, it was easily the most expensive thing she owned. “I saved up to get a good model, Mistress.”

Wordlessly, Ratchet moved around her pale blue bedroom and piled a few pillows at the headboard. “On you back, in the centre of bed. I want you propped up on the pillows so I can watch your eyes.” She was determined to take Mapper’s advice to heart.

“Yes Mistress!” so giddy was she, that she didn’t bother to sign her response. She danced on her hooves for a second before hopping up and getting in the middle of the bed. A quick shuffle later she was up in position so that her head was on the pillows.

“Do you still want to use the hanky signal?”

“I didn't bring it, Mistress.”

Ratchet raised up a dangerous eyebrow. “That wasn't my question, pet.”

“Sorry, yes Mistress, I want to use it.”

Without looking, Ratchet lit her horn and, opening a drawer in her dresser, took out a clean white hanky. “What luck, it seems I have one!” she placed the square of white material in her pet’s right hoof. “Now, show me. Wave your right hoof.” Straight away, Buttercup waved her forehoof. She was laid with her legs spread like she expected to be restrained.

Though she wanted to tie her down, Ratchet resolved to keep it simple. For this first time, at any rate. “Good, now I'm going to put the hood on. I want you to wave that hoof if I'm doing something wrong and we can start over.” Nodding her head to show that she understood, the earth pony’s tail swished up between her hind legs. Carefully, Ratchet placed the hood over Buttercup’s muzzle and, taking extra care to make sure her ears were folded back, she fitted it over her head. The elastic cupped the chin and cheeks, along with back of neck to make a perfect seal. She had the front valve open.

For now.

Through the clear eye covers of the hood, Buttercup looked very happy indeed. It had been way too long since she had worn it last and the smile on her face that reached her eyes said it all. It communicated perfectly how she felt, and they hadn’t even started yet. Breathing slowly through the open valve, she watched Ratchet position her right hoof up in the air supported by the pillows. Preparations in place, the dominant unicorn moved her muzzle between her legs and went to work.

“Aaaaahn…” Buttercup moaned lustily through the valve and immediately she began to leak into Ratchet's mouth, though she was wet with arousal in any event. For five whole minutes, Ratchet lapped at her pet’s dripping snatch, sliding her tongue deep inside her wet muscular tunnel to see if she dropped the hanky. She didn't drop it, she was taking shallow breaths through the open valve and, groaning, quivered on the verge of an Equestria-shattering orgasm.

Sensing her lover was close, due to her puffy swollen labia and hard erect clitoris, Ratchet lifted herself up so that Buttercup could see her speak. It was time to really play. “I understand that lack of oxygen to the brain causes euphoria and makes orgasms really intense.”

Buttercup nodded her head very eagerly indeed. “It does Mistress!”

Although her pet’s odd sounding voice was greatly muffled by the gagging effects of the hood she now wore, Ratchet got the message. “I want to test that.” In her magical aura, she held a stopwatch up so that Buttercup could see it. She used a hoof to close the air valve while her magic started the watch. It left Buttercup's view and it was replaced by a ribbed vibrator held in Ratchet's magic.

As she felt the wide ribbed toy slide inside her, Buttercup’s eyes went wide, for she knew what was about to happen next and she was so ready. “Mi...MmmmMMMMPH!” she moaned, the toy easily sliding inside her. She could feel every ridge along the way.

All the time that the maple unicorn was working the buzzing toy in and out of her pet’s dripping hole, Ratchet was careful to keep eye contact with her, and she had the hanky in view just in case. She was determined, as evidenced by her thrusting the toy deep, to get her off.

At one minute and thirty seconds of no oxygen, Buttercup arched her back and shuddered through an intense screaming orgasm, squirting over Ratchet like a fountain. However, she wasn’t done and the dominant pony kept going, magically thrusting the vibrator inside her. When the stopwatch read two minutes and six seconds, Buttercup, now starved of air, had that second orgasm, her body shaking with the force of it. By now her vision was going dark, her eyes fluttered and nine seconds later, she dropped the hanky.

Immediately, Ratchet opened up the air valve even before the hanky hit the bed and then she stopped the watch. The vibrator came out and she placed a hoof gently to the cheek of the hood, and one hoof to Buttercup's chest to make sure it rose and fell.

Though her eyes were closed for a brief couple of seconds, she opened them when she felt the hoof caress her cheek. She breathed in wonderful sweet oxygen through the open valve, her chest rising and falling as she rode out the best orgasm ever. “Time for a taste test, I think.” Ratchet left the valve open as she once again went in muzzle first between her pet’s open hind legs.

“Oooooh buuuuuuck!” Buttercup trembled and quivered, her needy swollen marehood slick wet. Ratchet did say she was going to break her, and she was true to her word. Buttercup had declared her intention to be her slave, and she was going to make her earn that honour. Of course that meant working a third climax out of her.

Seeing as she had already cum twice, Buttercup’s third didn't take very long at all, though she hardly squirted anything this time. Her scream, though muffled by the hood, was as loud as ever. By the time she had done, she was a panting drooling sopping wet mess of fur. Carefully, Ratchet removed the hood and noted there was a lot of water coming from it. “Is it what you expected?”

“B-Be-Better…” Buttercup wore a goofy smile on her face, “I love you!”

“It was fun for me too, just to watch you squirm.”

“S-So we'll do it again?”

“Again?” Ratchet repeated the question, a sly look on her face as she mashed their lips together in a passionate kiss, “We will do it now!” With that, she placed the latex hood in place back on the earth pony’s head.

Buttercup was absolutely sure this was heaven and she didn't know what she had done to deserve such sweet treatment. “Thank you, Mistress!”

Resetting the hanky in her pet’s hoof, Ratchet then moved a feather into view. She waited until she saw the look of recognition on the earth pony’s face and, smiling widely, the feather attacked Buttercup’s hard nipples. “Mmmmmm!” she moaned, though thanks to the three climaxes she’d had, her nipples were very hard and quite sensitive.

As well as ticklish.

“Ahahahaaaa!” Enjoying the sounds of the muffled laughter, Ratchet started the stopwatch after showing off the feather. She dipped the feather into her pussy to wet it and she continued the nipple assault. Within seconds, Buttercup was laughing so hard she was rapidly using up all the air in the hood. It was quickly getting hard to breathe, though not once did she try to push her Mistress away.

Through super sensitive nipples and the feather as well as the other climaxes she had already endured, the deaf mare was well on the way to a fourth. Another few seconds of tickling though and breathless laughter and even Buttercup, with her presence of mind, dropped the hanky.

Very quickly, Ratchet opened the air valve all the way open with a hoof and then she dropped the feather and stopped the watch. “You still with me?” she asked, not hiding her relieved smile when she saw Buttercup nod her head, panting to recover her breath. Slowly, she removed the hood and laid it by her side on the bed. “Just two tries for tonight. You did last longer on the first try though.”

“Th-That...was...amazing...”

“Yes,” Ratchet giggled, “it was fun. Now you get to clean up the feather, the vibrator, and the hood. Even more fun for you.” Smiling weakly, Buttercup rolled onto her side facing her Mistress and she began to lick the feather that so wickedly attacked her nipples moments before.

Happy to watch the show, Ratchet just laid back and enjoys the sight of her pet deep throating the vibrator clean. She hadn’t been ordered to, but she made the show as sexy as she could. Ratchet and her hoof didn’t hide the fact that she was getting worked up. Her pet was that good.

After cleaning the ribbed toy like it was a real stallion, Buttercup moved onto the hood. Though she had cleaned the vibrator and feather by mouth, that wasn’t how she was going to clean the hood. On shaking hooves, she took it to the nearest bathroom and rinsed in the sink before coming back to the bedroom.

While Buttercup was away cleaning the hood, Ratchet, feeling mischievous and horny, stuffed the ribbed vibrator deep inside herself. “What a naughty pony!” she declared once her pet had returned, “You were gone so long the vibrator got dirty again! You may clean it again, where it is.”

Though she laughed at that, Buttercup saw straight away what her Mistress’s game was. “I am a very naughty pony, Mistress.” She smiled and got up on the bed, crawling forwards into place and stuffing her muzzle between Ratchet's hind legs. When she was in position, the deaf mare slid her tongue inside her.

At that moment, she noted the vibrator was turned off. Noting that and, with a sly little smile, she flicked it on with a hoof as she enthusiastically ate out her owner’s pussy. On the receiving end now, Ratchet gave a nice soft moan of pleasure.

Buttercup of course couldn’t hear that audible cue, but she could tell Ratchet was getting wetter by the second. She then took the end of the toy in her mouth and moves it back and forth and few times then she licked around it. It was most strange, having the vibrating toy in her mouth, but she could tell Ratchet was enjoying what she was doing.

After several hard and deep thrusts, Ratchet wiggled her hips as the vibrator went deep enough inside her to tap her cervical wall. Screaming out Buttercup’s name to her bedroom ceiling, the unicorn gripped the bedsheets as she bucked her hips. By Cadance was her pet good!

Instinctively knowing she was doing a good job, Buttercup repeated the little cycle of thrusting the vibrator in and out and then licking around the insides of Ratchet's sopping wet tunnel. After burying the toy inside her screaming and thrashing owner for the fourth time, she began to suck on her swollen clit.

Buttercup didn’t need to hear to know that, with her back arched up off the bed, Ratchet had reached her orgasm.

Seeing as she was not commanded to stop, Buttercup carries on sucking on the unicorn’s hard clit for another moment. Then, she decided to take a tentative lick at her puckered asshole to see what she did. As she was deep into the throes of ecstasy, Ratchet didn’t react any different.

Using a hoof to rub at her Mistress’s clitoris, Buttercup tongued the unicorn’s asshole like she was born to eat ass. Her other hoof kept tapping the ribbed vibrator in and out of her marehood. After her second orgasm hit, and hit hard, Ratchet put a hoof on Buttercup’s head, holding her pet in place.

About to lift up her head, the deaf mare felt the hoof there at the back of her head and she stayed where she was, content to keep doing what she was doing. She had even managed to synchronise her tongue fucking with the tapping of the vibrator.

After her third momentous climax, Ratchet took hold of Buttercup’s mane and she gently but firmly pulled her up until both mares could see each other’s lips. “You are naughtiest of slaves in the best of ways…” she sighed, cross-eyed from her orgasms. “Now, pull that out and clean it then get up here and snuggle me.”

Smiling, Buttercup obediently retrieved the vibrator with her teeth before turning it off. A couple of quick sucks had the toy clean and, once she had set it down on the night stand, she crept back onto the bed for the much-needed snuggles. Content to just hold her close, Ratchet turned off the bedroom light, the unicorn figured they could talk about the move later.

Very happy to be held, Buttercup nestled into Ratchet's chest and was soon asleep, both mares loving their life outside the pit lane.