The Dragon's Den
Good lord, did he have to thrust so enthusiastically?
I tried not to think about the taste in my mouth as I bent down to take what I was imagining was a very large popsicle down my throat. A very large, very veiny popsicle. A very large, very veiny, salt flavored popsicle given to me by a very nice, very large gentleman who had come in this evening.
As I tried not to gag on his popsicle, I thought back to what’d happened earlier; that strange mare in the parlor....
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She was obviously one of the heros I’d seen in the newspapers and heard the radio. I couldn’t think of her name, but how many other purple and pink alicorns happen to be wandering around Maretropolis? Really it always astounded me what ponies could get away with just putting on a pair of glasses. It was like no one even noticed she was there, it was the same when the Madame put her hair down. It suddenly seemed like there was a haze around them, and ponies just couldn’t connect the dots.
Apparently this mare could. She’d asked after the Madame by name. But was it because she knew of our benefactor’s...extracurricular activities? Or because she just happened to be a bit of a freak on the side of superheroing.
“If you want the Madame you’ll have to make an appointment,” I responded curtly, tapping a pen against the desk. “Though the Madame doesn’t take appointments too often.”
“I don’t think this is the kind of thing you make an appointment for.” She cocked her head.
“You’d be surprised what you can make an appointment for in here.” I scoffed.
“Really? I thought this was a restaurant. Do you have special menu items or something?” She blinked.
Celestia’s supple flank I gave her way too much credit.
“Uh...yes...that’s it...what did you want the Madame for again?”
She cleared her throat loudly and closed her eyes before she spoke, I decided immediately that I didn’t like her much. “I am Twilight Sparkle, reporter for the Daily Sun and I’m doing a report on the fastest growing business in town. It’s really amazing you know. I had a hard time finding the place, there’s no sign or anything, but by word of mouth I found it! I wonder why everyone I asked turned red.”
It was my turn to blink. Good Goddesses, sometimes it seems like I was the only one in this town with any sense whatsoever.
“Oh....well, the Madame’s not in right now, why don’t I tell her you came by and let her know you’re interested.”
That’d be great thanks.” She nodded and her horn glowed as she pulled a small bit of paper from the inside of her jacket. “My card.”
It read ‘Twilight Sparkle, Mild Mannered Reporter’.
It took every ounce of strength in my body not to roll my eyes.
I almost lost my balance as the ground suddenly shook beneath my hooves and the two of us looked out the window to see a column or smoke rising in the distance. The ‘Reporter’ bit her lip.
“Um....I’d better go...report on that,” She chuckled awkwardly. “Nice to meet you, miss....”
“Trick, Trick Turner. Now haven’t you got a day to go save?”
She froze with a half-panicked expression overtaking her features. Got you.
“With your writing, I mean?”
“O-oh yes, of course...um...have a nice day.” She visibly relaxed and nodded a bit too enthusiastically.
With that she dashed out the door. I had to admit she had a really cute ass.
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It was thoughts of that ass that got me through the rest of that meaty popsicle. Bleck, I hate the cream filled ones. But at least this popsicle vendor had the decency not to fall asleep afterwards like most of them do. He even helped me clean up a little, but I caught him half-stumbling as we packed up the sheets.
He thanked me with a dreamy smile on his face and I complimented him on what a stud he was, and what a pleasure it had been to choke on his popsicle before I ushered him out and closed the door, pressing my back against it and catching my breath.
Geeze, will I ever get used to that?
I walked towards the bathroom to clean myself up, as I opened the door I got a good look at myself in the mirror. Same old Trick Turner, unruly green mane, made unrulier by her earlier activities, same light tan coat, and the same, hopefully alluring figure. Be alluring
I also couldn’t help but notice my lack of a black eye.
It’d only been a few days since my...experience, with the Madame. I still found it a bit odd, a shiner like that should have lasted at least a week. But directly after my stint under the Madame’s care it had looked as though I’d never had one at all, I was fine. Better than fine really, I felt great. It was odd, but hey, I didn’t question it. What I did question, was what I was supposed to do now. I remembered her hair, the smell, and the unbelievable sensation.
After I’d recovered enough to walk I really hadn’t seen much of the Madame, this was my first day back on the job and she hadn’t been there at breakfast as she usually was. Now that she knew my little secret was life supposed to continue as normal? I supposed I didn’t mind that, I mean there were worse ways to live but...I expected something different. I don’t know, maybe I was just getting greedy.
I carefully got my mane back into order, going for an upturned bun at the top of my head, revealing the gentle slope of my neck as it led down my back, leading the eye down to my haunches, which I gave a little sway to myself.
I did have to say, if I were not me, I would probably find me rather attractive. What? I eat popsicles for a living, I’m allowed to be vain every now and again.
Checking to make sure that I was back in top form I took a deep breath and walked out of the bathroom to make my way back to the restaurant floor. The hardwood of the hallway made it’s familiar clicking sounds as my hooves struck their expensive surfaces.
I spied Lace leading another stallion into her room as I passed. It was her third of the night and we’d hardly been open an hour. As I snuck a peek at that Goddess given rump of hers I had no doubts she’d once again be top mare. She’d been a little slow to get back up to speed after what had happened, but Leather had talked her back up and she was back to doing what she did best again.
I descended the stairs, passing Fishnets and Sweet Kiss on the way, Sweet Kiss smiled at me and I returned it. She and I had been a bit closer since her own time with the Madame; while I was out cold she’d tended to me, I had hazy memories of her giving me water and making sure I was comfortable. I also had a few not-quite-so hazy moments of ‘accidentally’ knocking a few items off my end table and watching her bend over to pick them up.
Just because I was hardly conscious didn’t mean I couldn’t have a little fun...But no time to think about that, I had a job to do. While I didn’t think I really...feared the Madame anymore...no, fear wasn’t the right word...I still felt a sense of obligation to her, meaning I had to do my best.
Besides, there was still something just a little bit frightening about the power she had over all of us. It was a bit like living with a shark. A large, sexy, lust inducing shark, who occasionally took you into a sea cave and screwed you senseless, and instead of eating you, teased and tormented you with her hair.
I was not good at metaphores.
The restaurant was crowded as usual. I could smell the alcohol on a hundred breaths. The room was warmer than any other part of the building, and not just for the food. Not every mare waited till they got up to their rooms to start. I saw Whips making out with a yellow earth pony in the corner, it was getting so heated I wondered if they’d even make it upstairs and not just devolve into heavy petting on the show floor.
The sound of ice and glass clinking together set up a constant rhythm as Cocktail Dress served drink after drink, as fast and efficient as usual. I walked the floor, looking for my next client, things were bustling and stallions were quickly getting swept up by various mares.
Back arched, sway hips, half-lidded stares, be as alluring as possible.
I walked up to the entrance my eyes scanning across those at the front of the line. They all seemed eager and hungry, as per usual, but my eyes widened as they settled on a familiar unicorn stallion.
It was the stallion from a few nights ago. The one who’d ordered the mushroom and leek soup minutes before nearly being crushed by a thrown carriage crashing through the roof. Judging from the piece of paper floating in the air next to him, the Madame had actually given him that voucher....well no one can say she wasn’t a mare of her word. Still, I wonder if she’d expected him to come back.
He saw me and smiled, waving. Ah well a customer is a customer. I sashayed over to him with a sultry smile. The blush on his cheeks was instantaneous as I threw my hips out to catch his eyes.
“Hello again, Tiger, here to indulge?”
“Why yes, I think I’ll sample your wares.” He nodded.
The deal was struck, I smiled, and remembering from last time as I turned I drew my tail across his cheek and under his chin. I looked over my shoulder to see it had the desired effect; it did, and he had a goofy grin on his face as I led him into the restaurant proper. Stallions were so predictable.
At times finding a seat for a client is like a game of musical chairs. With the hustle and bustle of the place stallions were being placed, then ushered upstairs in a constant turn around, if a seat was free, it wouldn’t be for long. A lot of the mares here worked fast and efficient, it wasn’t uncommon for small arguments to be started later off of stolen seats and guarded tables. Usually we were a friendly sociable lot, but when it came down to business everypony got just a little bit more cutthroat.
Still, fortunately I found a table near the kitchen, I could hear Honeysuckle busily making the night’s orders as usual. The clatter of plates mixed with the clinking of glasses and the rattle of ice as the smell of a plethora of different dishes mixed with the smog of cigars and the haze of alcohol.
Ahhh the sweet hum of business.
“So, what would you like this time?” I purred. Not an easy thing for a pony to do mind you. “Or would you like to skip straight to...” I licked my lips. “...dessert?”
“I think I’ll have my dinner first thanks.” He chuckled at his own joke before tilting his head. “What was that thing you suggested last time? It was pretty good.”
It took a moment for my brain to catch up to the fact that the question had no real opening for innuendo. I mean mushroom and leek soup was about as sexy as a potato. Perhaps when he’d come in the first time I should have suggested the celery. That was long and hard, I could’ve worked with that. Maybe I could make mushrooms sound sexy.
“Umm...excuse me?” he asked, and I realized I had let my thoughts wander. I quickly readjusted, giggling lightly.
“Oh, sorry there tiger, just got lost in how handsome you are for a moment.” I made sure to add a bit of an extra purr to my words as I spoke, leaning close to get a good look. He was blushing again. I briefly wondered if he was another virgin, he seemed really quick to blush.
“O-oh um...well...thank you.” He smiled.
I giggled in turn, stallions tended to like it when you laughed, don’t ask me why, but hey, whatever works.
“Anyway, if you want my suggestion you want the mushroom and leek soup, tiger. And afterwards, if you like anything tastier, you just give me a ring.” I leaned forwards and pecked his cheek. I didn’t do it for every customer, but I knew his type, to a degree anyway. The kind that usually spent a lot of money on one particular girl because they actually thought there was a connection. I’d only heard of them, and seen them out of the corner of my eye.
Usually they went to Lace or Fishnets, those mares were easy to fall for, trust me, but I’d never actually had a stallion like this as a client. I hardly even managed repeat customers really, I was a bit out of my element, but I was a quick learner.
He stiffened noticeably under the kiss with a sound that I might have mistaken for surprise. He did know what we did here didn’t he? I mean he’d been here a few nights ago, and probably knew a bit better than most of the bucks coming in to get their rocks off, but he seemed just as out of his element as I was.
I giggled again, staying close to him, proximity was important. “I’ll go put in your order, don’t go anywhere.” He floundered, I wondered for a moment if he was going to knock the flowers off of the table; but when he managed to get his tongue to work he thanked me. He was usually blue, but for the moment he seemed to be a bright shade of purple.
I just winked at him and turned to put his order in with Honeysuckle. I made sure to put an extra sway in my step, my tail swaying in such a way as to give a pretty damn good view, but never too much, enough to make him want more.
The kitchen was bustling as usual, Honeysuckle was trotting about the kitchen in her usual way, her deep sultry voice calling out completed orders every now and again. Damn, she could make mushrooms sound sexy as hell. But then I could probably do very naughty things to myself just listening to that mare read the phonebook.
“I’ve got an order for the mushroom and leek soup.” I told her when I found an opening to get up to the window.
She turned from something sizzling in a pot to look at me a moment, a smile playing up along her very, full, very soft looking lips.
No...bad Trick Turner, stop checking her out and listen to the words coming out of those lips.
“Oooh, that’s a rare one,” she commented, her hooves flying around the kitchen with amazing precision. For an earth pony she was very skilled at multitasking and detail. If she weren’t a cook she could’ve probably given a unicorn watchmaker a run for his money. It made me wonder what she might be able to do to m-
GODDESSES DAMN IT, FOCUS!
I shook my head to clear it. “Oh um...Yes, same stallion who ordered it last time actually.”
She payed a bit more attention to me at that, her eyes seemingly sizing me up. I hoped I wasn’t blushing.
“Ohhh, got yourself a dragon now, have you?” she chuckled. “Get it girl.”
“A dragon?” I asked on reflex. I knew what was happening might be common, but I didn’t know there was an actual name for it.
“Oh sure,” She used a rear hoof to adjust a pan on one of the stoves, it did interesting things to her haunches. “He’s got the gold to pay the bills, and he thinks you’re one of his treasures, so a dragon. It fit’s, don’t it honey?”
I tried to ignore the fact she called me honey. To be honest I’d never really had this long of a conversation with her. She usually slept through breakfast, and was too tired to do much after service was finished.
“Well, I suppose...though he might just be a buck who wandered back in...you heard about what happened the last time he was here, didn’t you?”
She nodded, flicking a hoof that sent a pan of stir fry flying onto a nearby plate. “Who didn’t? Your black eye’s looking good by the way.” She chuckled.
I did blush at that. I resisted the urge to touch the spot where a bruise should have been, I was sure most of the mares in the brothel had noticed, but Honeysuckle was the first to mention it.
“Oh no need to be shy,” She reassured. “I’ve been around here longer than anypony I think. It happens from time to time, I wouldn’t fret. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth as the saying goes. Around here you’d probably just catch them staring at your ass.” She chuckled at her own joke. “Anyway, get back to your dragon, Trick, you never know when he might need his princess. Careful, he might eat you”
I felt my fur bristle at that word. I was the farthest damn thing from a princess that it was possible to be while still being a pony. Though admittedly...the eating thing did sound nice....hey I might like mares, but a tongue is a tongue if you use it in the right way...
I walked away from the kitchen to leave Honeysuckle to her work, allowing myself a few lecherous thoughts on just what her tongue might be capable of. An earthpony’s was longer than most, as I knew quite well myself from liberal use of mine. If you mixed that with her precise, skilled movements....Oh Goddesses....I could imagine that warm wet tongue snaking it’s way down my belly to rub against m-
Okay this was starting to get distracting. I really needed an outlet for this kind of thing.
As I walked around the floor, lining up a few other tables while I waited on my ‘dragon’s food’ to be done I watched the other mares as they worked, feeling a bit self conscious. I mean sure, now the Madame knew, but so far she hadn’t shown many signs of doing much about it. How would they react if they knew? I hoped they probably wouldn’t care, but what if they knew the way I looked at them?
I helped these mares undress some nights....Admittedly wonderful, wonderful nights... But what if they considered that like having a wolf in the henhouse? I did have my suspicions about some of them, but they way they talked about stallions, about the things they did to them, I could tell they actually enjoyed some of it.
That or the were better actors than I was. But if I couldn’t tell them, then that meant I only had the Madame to confide in. I wasn’t sure if that scared me, or aroused me. Hell it probably did both. Well now wasn’t the time for introspection, now was the time for turning tricks. Time to live up to my name.
I got a few other stallions some bread and another a salad. A lot of them tended to do that; order quick, easily eaten things to get to the main event. They did love their dessert. It was considered rude to come in and not eat before heading to the back. Some stallions did it, but it often earned them dirty looks from the others, it was an unwritten rule. I mean sure they were hiring mares for sex, but damn it they had standards.
I was a bit dismayed to find that when I’d gone to the kitchen to get some lemonade to refresh a drink that Whips had poached one of my clients, I only saw the view of their rumps heading up the stairs to do terrible things to one another. But I could hardly blame her. I really couldn’t say my heart was in it as much, and it’s not like I would have enjoyed it quite as much.
Still I did owe the Madame, and that meant doing my best anyway.
Honeysuckle called out the soup order and I went to retrieve it. The sultry cook gave me a wink as I collected the food, I tried not to think about the things it made me want to do to her, and focused on balancing the tray on my flank. It was trick the Madame taught a lot of earth pony mares, it showed you had balance and poise, not to mention they were going to look there anyway so they might as well notice their food had arrived. As I walked I repeated those familiar words in my head.
Back arched, sway hips, half-lidded stares, be as alluring as possible.
I arrived at his table, and was quite surprised to find he was staring at my face. Not even staring really, just looking, that was very strange, but I shrugged it off.
“Your food, stud.” I smiled and wiggled my hips a little, skillfully creating waves in the soup without spilling a drop, with a playful motion I switched it to my forehooves before sitting it in front of him, stretching and hiking my rump in the air way more than the motion demanded.
As I did, I was surprised to find his hooves doing something, roaming down the front of my chest.
Huh, I didn’t think he’d have the nerve. Then I noticed he’d slipped a piece of paper into the front of my costume. My brow furrowed, that was weird, but if he was into i-
Then he was whispering in my ear. Oh Goddesses, why did that have to be a weak spot of mine? If I didn’t focus on how deep his voice was I could pretend it was Honeysuckle’s breath brushing against it.
“Get off the floor, read it in private.”
That shook me from my thoughts, I gave him an odd look, and he gave me one in return, he shrugged and his horn glowed, a spoon lifting to his mouth. He sucked on his lips at the taste.
My curiosity quickly got the better of me.
“A bit of espionage?” I chuckled. “Well, if that’s your game I can play.”
I tried to hide my interest by not running out of the restaurant to the back rooms to see what the message said. Digging it out of my costume as an earth pony was no easy feat mind you. Damn these things were tight. But when I managed to get it out, and uncrinkled enough to read my mouth dropped open.
It read simply:
Come to the Maretropolis National Mint Immediately
I may require your assistance
Time to earn your keep.
-The Madame