//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: New home // Story: The Equine Masters // by OtterP //------------------------------// Melissa held on as Twilight trotted towards her home, levitating the cage by her head, and from time to time Twilight turned her head to examine her little pet. Melissa meanwhile was growing more and more nervous, her new mistress seemed nice but from experience she knew that first impressions could be deceiving. Melissa saw that they were approaching a very large tree, the biggest she had seen in Equestria. It had several windows and even balconies, and she realized that it had a house build into it. She got on her knees to get a better view; most of the other buildings in this village seemed to be normal two-story houses, but this tree-house easily dominated them all. Amazed and curious about it, she asked, “You live in there?” Twilight smiled when Melissa spoke, “Yes, I do. It is my home as well as a library.” The alicorn replied. They arrived at the front door, and she opened the door with her magic while still levitating the cage, “What is your name?” Twilight asked as she walked inside. “My name is Melissa… Mistress.” it felt a little awkward, saying that. Twilight smiled, closing the door and turning to look at the interior, she then turned her face towards Melissa, “Nice to meet you, Melissa, my name is Twilight Sparkle, and welcome to your new home.” Melissa’s jaw dropped a bit when she saw the large living room housed by the tree. So large in fact that the room alone could have held her family’s entire farmhouse. Her attention was then turned to the walls which were full of rows of books. Feeling her interest piqued, she asked, “What are the books about?” “Oh, they all sort of books: history books, adventure novels, books about magic… wait, you can read?” Twilight looked at Melissa, her face filling Melissa’s field of view. “Yes I can, Mistress.” Melissa turned her head down, not sure what to expect. “Excellent, I never thought you could read.” Twilight paused suddenly and looked a little shameful, wincing at how that had sounded. “Uh, sorry.” “It is okay, Mistress.” Melissa said as Twilight levitated the cage onto the table. “Let’s get this opened, shall we?” Twilight looked at door and unlocked it with her magic and opened the door. “Come out…” She encouraged her with a smile, sitting beside the table. Melissa crawled out, and stood up for the first time in a while. She had to stretch a couple of times before she looked around, now with unobstructed vision, and relieved to be out of the cage. But when she turned her face to Twilight, she almost jumped as the alicorn was looking at her curiously, tilting her head slightly... and so close that Melissa could have touched her muzzle if she took a step and reached her hand. Not sure what to make of it, Melissa looked down again, “Yes, Mistress?” She asked in fearful tone, fidgeting her fingers. “What? Oh, I’m sorry.” Twilight backed away and giggled, which caused Melissa to look up at her, surprised by her apology, “I didn’t mean to stare like that. I guess I got little carried away.” She waved her hoof. Melissa stayed quiet, and Twilight leaned closer, offering a friendly smile, “You don’t need to be scared, I won’t hurt you. Please, relax.” Melissa on the other hand was barely able to control her emotions. Together with Joshua, she had been taken away from everything, catalogued like an item; she had no idea where her brother was, or if he was even alive! And now this pony seemed to be almost giddy with excitement. But, she's been so kind, like she actually cares about me... Melissa’s internal struggle went unnoticed by Twilight. “So, Melissa… How did you learn to read and write? At school?” “No… My father taught me, girls are not allowed to go to school, and we didn’t have time for it anyway…” Melissa’s voice trailed off, she had wanted to learn to write and read, and even studied alone whenever she could, but now all her hard work seemed worth nothing now. Twilight’s face turned first surprised and a little angry, “Wait, human girls are not allowed to go to school?” Twilight asked, and when Melissa nodded, she rose to her full height, “That is awful.” Melissa raised her face again, “Mistress, why… what do you want me to do?” She asked carefully, swallowed nervously and waited for her mistress’ answer. Twilight smiled, “I bought you because I need help with the library and my studies. I have an assistant, but I’m afraid that he is sometimes overworked. You see, Spike is a dragon and-” “A dragon!?” Melissa shouted, and immediately put her hands over her mouth, having interrupted her mistress like that, and looked worriedly at Twilight. If Twilight was somehow annoyed by being interrupted, she didn’t show it. Instead, she just chuckled at Melissa’s reaction, and explained, “A baby dragon, and a very friendly one. I am sure you will get along nice. He comes back tomorrow.” Melissa doesn’t know what to say to this, and decided to reply with only, “Yes, Mistress.” “Don’t worry, Melissa.” Twilight said happily, “So, ready for a little tour?” Do I have a choice? Melissa thought, but nodded. To her surprise, she felt herself being lifted off the table, and floated in mid-air towards Twilight. Melissa looked down when she was floated over table’s edge and felt dizzy, the floor seemed so far below, far enough in fact that she was sure that if she fell, she would be seriously injured or killed by the impact, and it made her shiver, since all Twilight had to do was let go. But Twilight’s hold on her was firm and she was levitated on her back, and Melissa grabbed some of her mane hairs with her hands. “I thought riding on my back would be more comfortable than floating in air this whole time.” Twilight had turned her head to look at Melissa, and chuckled at the sight. “Ye-yes, Mistress.” Melissa was little taken aback, but calmed herself soon and she couldn’t help but feel Twilight’s fur with her hand. The day went by fast as Twilight took Melissa for a tour in her library and home, trying her best to make her feel at home. She introduced her to her system of shelving the books in order and even showed few books to Melissa to see what kind of books she had. She was sombre at first, but eventually Melissa began to feel better, Twilight’s enthusiasm felt genuine and even began to catch on with her, too. After Twilight had finished her tour, she had levitated Melissa and several books on the table. Melissa looked at them, one seemed to be an adventure novel, the others a history book and book about magical spells. Reading them wouldn’t be easy since the books were bigger than she was. “Obviously you can’t lift the books, but you can keep notes and help with customer service.” Twilight looked at Melissa and lifted the books from the table. “You can read any book you want here. I can teach you almost anything you want.” Twilight said while she floated the books back to their shelves. “Teach me?” Melissa asked, her mood changing back. All the books and Twilight’s enthusiasm had made her happy but now she suddenly realized it, and felt guilty about it as she remembered the state her parents must be right now and most importantly, Joshua had been taken away, and she had no idea if he was even alive. Twilight tilted her head, a little confused, “I didn’t mean that in a bad way, we can be friends, you, me and Spike.” “I am not your friend! I am your pet, your slave, we can’t be friends!” Melissa shot back angrily, but fell silent immediately. An awkward silence descended between the two as both considered what the other had said as well as their own words. Melissa’s anger was quickly replaced by fear, Twilight had been nice to her so far but her friendliness may have limits. The thought of what she could do to her, what she had seen ponies do to disobedient humans made her feel terror. She bowed to Twilight, “I’m sorry my outburst, Mistress… I… I apologize… Please, don’t punish me.” “I’m not going to punish you or hurt you in any way.” Twilight leaned closer, brought her hoof behind Melissa and carefully stroked her on the back. “Okay, Mistress…” Melissa nodded. Before Melissa had even noticed, the Sun had set and the Moon shined in the sky. Captivated by the sight, she walked on the edge of the table, and watched the Moon which shone through the window. “What is the matter…?” Twilight asked with a quiet voice. Melissa stood up, and wiped her tears, “It is nothing, Mistress.” Suddenly, Melissa felt herself floating into the air, she realized that Twilight must have lifted her off the table. Melissa shivered as she was powerless to do anything against the magical grip. Twilight sat up and levitated the tiny girl to her chest, she carefully crossed her forelegs around Melissa, enveloping her with soft fur, and brought her into a warm hug. Melissa felt Twilight’s steady heartbeat on her palms and almost teared up as she rested her cheek against Twilight’s chest fur. “Please tell me.” Twilight insisted. Melissa hesitated for a few seconds, her hopes rising, her mistress was an alicorn princess, and maybe she could help her, and Joshua... “Mistress… I came here with my brother, he is just 11, if… if something happens to him…” Melissa spoke so quietly that Twilight had to listen carefully to hear her. “What happened?” Melissa fought against her tears, her fist clenched, Twilight’s purple fur coming between her fingers. “He took him! He didn’t like me from the beginning and he must have taken Joshua on purpose.” “Who is he?” Twilight inquired. “Prince Blueblood, Mistress.” Melissa answered. “Blueblood!?” Twilight frowned angrily. “You know him, Mistress?” Twilight’s reaction had made Melissa even more worried now... “He is one of those rich aristocrats, and the worst kind.” Twilight answered. “Is my brother in danger?” Melissa asked, fidgeting nervously. Twilight shook her head, “No… Blueblood is after money and influence, not cruelty. He probably sold your brother to some special customer.” = = = In Canterlot Castle, there was an entire wing that had been dedicated to Prince Blueblood’s use exclusively, he had been slowly acquiring wealth and influence among Canterlot’s high elite, even overcoming some of his reputation of being a snob, through his human trade, especially since he wasn’t asking questions how his customers used their little pets. Inside the wing there were several rooms, full of caged humans: either waiting for to be sold later, or to be used as amusements in whatever parties Blueblood arranged for his business partners or any Canterlot royalty he wanted to impress. In one of the cages, Joshua lied curled up, so far he had been left in his cage, but sleeping in it had left him bruised and tired. He sat up, taking support from the cage’s mesh and looked at the Moon which shone through a small window, “I hope you are okay, sis.” He whispered with a sad tone. “Did you say something?” A voice called from a nearby cage. Joshua looked at the direction of the voice, “N-nothing.” he quickly answered. A man in his thirties was sitting in his cage and looking at him, “Are you okay?” The man seemed average build, he had messy brown hair and a few days’ stubble on his jaw. His clothes reminded Joshua of his father’s farm clothes. “Yes, sir.” Joshua answered, “Just… lonely.” The man smiled, “Aren’t we all, kid. My name is Mark by the way, not sir.” “I’m Joshua. Do… do you know what they are going to do to us?” Joshua said and searched for a comfortable position to sit, where it wouldn’t hurt so much. “No I don’t.” Mark answered, “I guess you are new here, as I am?” “We are here to amuse the Prince’s quests.” A new voice said, and both turned to look. Joshua had never seen a man like the new speaker, not only he was the biggest man he had seen, his skin was darker than theirs and almost reddish, his headband kept some of his long black hair in place. “Swallow your pride, do what they say and you may survive, but don’t look for hope, you’ll find none of it there.” He said without turning his head to Joshua or Mark. “Who… who are you?” Joshua asked, but the man didn’t answer. “I have heard that there is a continent far in the west where people have skin like that.” Mark whispered. Joshua shivered, even more fearful about what was going to happen tomorrow.