My senses came back to me when I felt my body hit the ground as if I was dropped. My memory was blurry and I could barely open my eyes, all I could hear and feel at first were gruff voices and rough limbs grabbing me. It seems they wanted to drop me off here.
I tried to look around but my body was sore, it seemed being dusted causes muscles cramps. Although my eyes were a bit blurry my sense of smell was, unfortunately, working. I was covered in dirt, mud and sludge. The smell was no perfume. I wonder how was this going to save me ?
It kinda reminded me about the time when I was invited to one of my classmates party. To think I would be accepted at last....I was a hopeful fool back then. I wrinkled my nose. Boy do I smell. Opening my eyes again was a bit difficult but at least the blurriness was going away, allowing me to figure out where the hell am I.
I first took notice of the two pony guard-like figures, holding my shoulders, pressing downwards. They were heavily armored in steel. Like a pony version of human knights'. Humans ? No such thing in this world but how are they holding me ? They have no fingers ? Gonna have to get used to that.
To my right and left were ponies who by the sound of it were bickering about something. Definitely females by tone of their voices . I wonder what they were arguing about but that does not concern me one bit. I got to get outta here.
Ah, my sight is coming back. I blinked again, my vision now crystal clear. "Huh ?" I thought I was staring at some sort of fireplace.
In front of me was another pony, sitting on a golden throne etched with intricate geometric details. Is this how regality suppose to look like ?
I could not say my heart was in my mouth but I could not help but stare. There was still doubt if I'd be attracted to a pony. It sounds and feels weird but probably with time I'll realize I'm no longer a human.
The Queen, I am going to assume , was not paying attention to me. Her head was occasionally gazing slightly to the right and then the left, appearing to be listening intently to the two ponies on either side of me.
"Mother, Please explain to Lulu I do not need pet or a slave. Not forgetting she was the one dragged all of us to the slave market. " The one to my right spoke.
Ah. They talking about me, remembering what Discord said. Dammit Discord. I frowned at the pet part though. Was this what Discord was worrying about ? I felt exhaustion overtake me. I overdid it trying to stay awake. I slumped, letting the guards no more slack, and listened instead.
Another voice retorted, from the right. "What happened to 'If this surprise crate is a pony then it is mine ? ' Celly ? Did you forget because of that tiny brain of yours sister ? "
The queen spoke, interrupting the verbal fight. "Girls enough, I have made a decision on who keeps this pony."
The two other voices stopped bickering. No doubt waiting for her verdict. "Since Celly already has plenty of slaves and a number of pets, Luna shall have this one since she has none. This would be a good opportunity for her."
"But I don't wan-"
"That is an order Lulu." The Queen said with finality. It's time you learned some form of management and control and no, you cannot get rid of it. We wasted to much of the magic crystals for mystery crates. Haaaa, I don't know how you two got addicted to gacha."
Ignoring the disturbing fact that slaves were put in crates as gacha rewards I heard groans and grumbling which I assume was Lulu and the giggling was no doubt from her sister called Celly. Weird names. Probably pet names.
The knights dropped me on the floor. *Thump !*
"Argg !" That hurt a lot. Huh ?
I heard hoof steps near me.
"Arggg ! It smells. Are you even sure it is a pony ? I cannot even tell where it's face is. Maids, drag it away to my chambers !"
Discord save me.
It was either they were loyal to their princess or the stench was too much for them to carry me. Either way, they literally dragged me to princesses chambers while other maids cleaned the trail of sludge I was leaving behind. Judging by their facial expressions we were not going to became friends anytime soon. or ever.
Finally we made it to the chambers were Princess Lulu was waiting, well I assumed, because all the dragging caused a lot of sludge to go all over my face. I could no see anything.
"Maids take him to my bathing chambers and clean him."
There was silence. What's with the silence...ooh I feel a breeze. Nice.
*Gag*
*Gag*
*Gag*
"Disgusting ! Never mind ! Just throw him in !"
Guess the smell was really. Hmmmm. It's not that bad.
"Clean yourself. If you are not clean till I come back or at least resemble a pony, I will execute you personally. Go Now ! Urggg, what a horrible smell."
Just what did Discord cover me with ?
I was promptly thrown into a bathtub, if you could even call it that. At first I thought they threw me into a swimming pool. Just shows what different lives the rich experience compared to what the ordinary man, should I say pony ?, has to endure. Haaa. Some things never change.
As I attempted to clean myself as best as I could I thought over what I learnt so far here. I learnt two things. One, the princess called Lulu is freaking terrifying, I mean who say's they going to execute you in such a blasé manner. Capital punishment exists here. Who would have thought a girls program would have something like that.
Two, I have become enslaved to a princess. How the hell am I suppose to escape ? This place would be fortified to the teeth. Whoo. Let's take one small step at a time Thomas. Small steps. Calm down. Let's concentrate on cleaning up lest we get executed
I successfully managed to get out of the pool.
All's well now.Bathing was really difficult, still need to get used being a pony. I stared at the mirror as I dried myself with one of the many towels. Huh. I really do look like a statue if it were not for my green eyes.
"Thank you for giving me a second chance Discord." I said, hoping he could hear me. He was the first to treat me like a normal person.
I took a deep breath as I stared at the mirror once again. I tried to use my godlike powers I'm suppose to have...….
Not working. Dammit. Is there a phrase I have to say ?
"Aabracadabra !"
"Open Sesame !"
"Magic !"
..........
I feel like an idiot right now.
Should I imagine it ? Maybe it is due to me being enslaved ? Oh well, it could wait. I'm sure Discord try to contact me soon, hopefully.
I folded the towel and placed it in the basket provided. I opened the door, exiting the bathroom, which lead, to my surprise a massive bedroom, everything night-themed. Even the ceiling had thousands of glowing stars. Optic fibers most probably.
Being a bit lost I was relieved there was a maid cleaning the side of the bed. I need more info on this world if I want to survive maybe I could ask her some questions about this place. I began to slowly walked to her until I stood about a meter from her. Being previously a social outcast and haver never really struck a conversation with the opposite gender, I did not know how to converse or start a conversation.
She still did not notice me. What am I going to do ?
I did the most sensible thing I a guy like me could do.
*Cough*
"Who's th- eep !"
Ha. That got her attention.
"I see you are-d-d-d-done." She squeaked at the last part when she turned around to see me. She was a pretty mare with a cream coat and navy blue mane, braided to one side. Her cheeks were red. Oh she looks sooo cute ! I just want to hug her ! Are all ponies this cute ?
Trying my best to hide my social nervousness and my urge to hug her to death I asked in a polite voice "Excuse me, Ma'am, I have a lot of questions-"
"Y-Y-Y-You were a pile of s-s-s-sludge...."
I smiled sheepishly, that did not make sense, they knew I was a pony right ? "Yeah, I kinda was but I'm clean now."
I gave a a bright smile, to show that I am not nervous or awkward or a social outcast. Huh. Did I over do it ? Her face became even more red. Did see through my deception ?
"I'm sorry if I offended you." I said.
The mare broke from her stare, shaking her head. "N-n-n-n-o, you did not nothing wrong."
I smelt myself. Is it because I never bath properly ? I know it was difficult and weird bathing like a pony but I got rid of the smell and did a thorough job on my fur. The thought of head rolling off the executioners block. Maybe I should go and bath again.
"If you want, I could go and bath again."
"Eeeep !" Whoa. What is wrong with this mare.
"I-I-I-If you want I can a-a-a-assist you ." Actually that is a good idea. She could teach how to bath and my head won't depart from my body !
I gave her a grateful smile. "Thank you !"
*FWOOMPH !*
That's weird was I too eager.
"Miss ? What's going on with your wings ?"