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// 52. More Pet! Celestia... 
// Story: Short Shorts 
// by Coranth 
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“I wonder,” Daniel mused, “how it would look if I rode upon your back through the halls of Canterlot Palace? You, in your Riding Tack, like this, completely under my direction. How would others react, I wonder? How would they react, knowing that their beloved Princess – always so strong, so regal – likes being treated as a simple animal?” Sitting before him upon her haunches, clad in her special riding harness and saddle, Princess Celestia – the Solar Diarch of the Equestrian Principality – hummed contentedly around the soft leather bit she chewed gently in her mouth. “How would they react…” – and here, Daniel leaned forwards to softly ruffle her pink mane – “when I tell them that you’ve been a good pony?”

His words, though part of the role-play, were utterly sincere and – upon hearing them – Celestia teared up. ‘Yes’ thought she, ‘yes, yes, yes! I am a good pony…’ So enraptured was she with her internal thoughts that she almost failed to hear his next words. “Come on… up!” With a start and a little snort, Celestia happily obeyed him, moving to stand proudly; then a sigh escaped her nose as she felt her beloved settle upon her back, take up her reins and place his feet in the stirrups. A moment later, however, her eyes narrowed. ‘Wait a moment. Why is he riding me now…’ No sooner had she thought that then her eyes widened as Daniel turned her toward the doors of her…

A whinny escaping her, she stalled and canted her head, ‘No! I… I can’t go out there like this…!’ But then, there came the sound of her beloved’s voice as he murmured soothingly to her, “Everything will be fine, sweetie… Now come on, forward! Hup!” And forward she went. As she moved closer to her bedchamber doors, Celest – Celly – expected to have to nose them open. What she did not expect was for them to be opened by her Dawn Custodes, Stern Visage and Proud Heart—and then, what happened next utterly blew her mind. “Evening Prince Consort,” Proud Heart greeted her beloved. Daniel acknowledged the Elite Guardspony with a smile. “… And a Good Evening to you sir,” stated he.

Proud Heart nodded and then – casting an appreciative gaze unabashedly over her – the Guardspony stated, “A fine steed, is she not?” As Celestia experienced a severe case of temporary brain freeze, Daniel nodded and affectionately petted her neck. “That she is,” he replied fondly. And with that – even as Celestia struggled to work out what the hell had just happened they were off, her body moving on auto-pilot as her beloved guided her through the Royal Palace.

It happened again when she and Daniel stopped by the Royal Kitchens and he got himself a snack; nopony there even acknowledged her as Celestia or even Princess—they just commented upon her as though she were a simple animal! She was “a wonderful steed” or just “a fine-looking mare”… and Celestia whimpered as a secret thrill ran through her body… before “getting into role” more! She snorted and whinnied joyfully as Daniel rode her through the halls to the Royal Dining rooms wherein some of her Court were gathered for supper. There Daniel dismounted her and proceeded to eat the finer things in life—but not before a Maid set down a tray of simple foods.

Fresh hay, grass, diced fruits and vegetables, along with several balls of “mash” dipped in molasses, was the simple fare she dined upon whilst all around her - “… such a neat eater! What a polite pony! Such a marvelous steed for a fine Gentleman” – the comments flew as the nobility dined upon the finest cuisine. She was an animal. A simple animal. It was utterly intoxicating! After supper… Then she was being ridden again, the nobility trotting in her wake as she was ridden out to the Palace Courtyard which had – to her amazement – been transformed into a dressage arena! There, Daniel ran her through a simple dressage routine - one she’d learned and memorized on Earth as a joke of all things – to thunderous hoof-stomping applause upon its conclusion!

After her performance Daniel invited those ponies who’d watched the show to come up and pet her, and pet her they did; nuzzling her with their noses and stroking her coat and mane with their hooves, to which she nickered softly. Shortly thereafter, her beloved rode her back to their shared quarters within the Palace and there – once he’d removed her riding tack, leaving only her collar upon her – she at last made to speak. “How… I-I don’t even… How did you manage to do that! How in Faust’s name did you pull that off?!” Daniel didn’t answer her; instead, he just looked at her and gave her a mysterious little smile…