> Two Questions
>  by Melesse Lindenya
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The Ties That Bind
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

coco pommel hummed to herself as she threaded the needle through the hem of the dress, concentrating on finishing the last of the alterations for the show tomorrow.

The actress who should have been wearing this costume quit at almost the last minute, and the theatre had offered a handsome sum for coco to quickly adjust the clothes for her replacement. It was easy-enough work, and had given her something relaxing to occupy her over the past few days.

Soon enough, coco's work was done for the night. Just in time, too, as the air around her was filled with the most delectable scent.

"Dinner's almost ready!" her Mistress' voice called out, and coco immediately perked up.

"i'm coming, Miss Rarity!" she called back. she hurriedly put her things away — tidying up after herself was one of her Mistress' rules —  and then trotted over to the dining room, where Rarity had just finished setting down a delectable roast in the center of the table.

coco waited at the doorway as her marefriend finished up the last touches of their meal. Idly, she raised her hoof to fiddle with the leather collar she wore, a simple thing with a diamond carved in the shape of Rarity's cutie mark hanging from the ring in front. The jewelry calmed her anxious mind, and filled her with a sense of contentment whenever she stopped to think about what it symbolized.

"There!" Rarity announced, and gestured towards coco. "I do hope you've completed your work by now?"

"Yes, Miss Rarity," coco replied, letting her hoof fall away from her collar. "i just finished the last dress, so I'm all done for the day." she smiled. "You have me completely now."

Rarity smirked at that. "We'll see about that. Now, shall we continue this conversation over our evening repast? Wouldn't want the food to get cold, now, would we?"

"Of course." coco waited for Rarity to sit down before taking her own seat on the opposite side of the table. "Oh, this looks delicious!" she exclaimed, seeing the salad that Rarity had elegantly plated in front of her.

"Thank you, darling." A soft blue glow surrounded Rarity's horn. "One does try their best. I hope you enjoy it."

coco waited politely as Rarity floated up a pair of pill bottles. She poured out a round white pill for herself, and then a blue oval pill for each of them. It was a familiar routine, and coco placed the blue pill under her tongue without comment. They stared into each other's eyes as they waited for the pills to dissolve, basking in the simple pleasure of being together, in this moment.

Afterwards, Rarity put away the bottle and used her magic to levitate her fork, spearing it into her salad. "Bon appetit," she declared before daintily digging in.

Picking up her own fork, coco took a bite and closed her eyes, savouring the mix of flavours on her tongue. "This is lovely," she said. "Caprese salad is my favourite, and you do it so wonderfully." It had been a while since she'd tasted Rarity's cooking — normally, coco cooked for the both of them.

"I wanted to treat you," Rarity said. "And to make up for how busy I've been this past month."

"It's okay," coco replied hastily. "i know how important your work with the Friendship Council is. And the store in Baltimare really needed your help to be successful, after the economic downturn happened just as it opened." she smiled. "i did read over the reports too."

"you did." Rarity returned her smile. "And I can't thank you enough for your input. Still, I promised that I would take care of you, and this is my way of showing that."

"How was the Friendship Council meeting?" coco asked as they continued their meal. "You talked a lot about Baltimare when you came back, but not much about Canterlot."

Rarity shrugged. "Oh, just more of the usual nonsense. Twilight wished to go over some proposals for her new outreach programs, and then we had to deal with ponies making wild claims that six mares control all of Equestria and taking umbrage at the idea."

coco raised an eyebrow. "The six of you do basically control the entire kingdom through Princess Twilight."

"Well, yes," Rarity allowed. "But we're hardly some shadowy cabal! Though, I suppose we would all look rather fabulous is a set of matched cloaks." The conversation paused for a moment as they both imagined it. "Regardless, I doubt Celestia and Luna had to deal with such nonsense."

"Wasn't that what the revolution of seven-sixty-eight about?" coco asked, trying to remember her history lessons from school.

Rarity's eyes narrowed. "If you're going to keep being a brat, I'm going to have to come up with some suitable punishment for you, my dear." The teasing note in her voice sent a thrill of desire down coco's spine.

"Is that a threat or a promise?" coco replied with a smirk.

Rarity's horn lit up brighter, and coco let out a soft gasp. "Keep trying your luck and find out, pet."

The salad was really, really good, so coco decided that this time, she wasn't going to act up and turn dinner into something more interesting. "Yes, Miss Rarity."

"Anyways," Rarity continued, a hint of disappointment in her tone that made coco smile. "Since I was best equipped to help Twilight with such... delicate public relations matters, I was forced to stay an extra day with her, hence my delayed return to Manehattan."

"i see." This time, coco couldn't resist. "So, was the sex good?"

A giggle escaped from her lips as Rarity nearly choked on a crouton. The unicorn glared at her as she drained her glass of water and coughed to clear her throat. "I will remember this," Rarity said, and coco shivered in anticipation. "We'll see about putting that mouth of yours to better use tonight."

"Yes, Miss Rarity," coco replied demurely, using her cup to hide her smile.

"And to answer your vulgar question, it was fucking fantastic." A wicked grin flashed across Rarity's expression. "Becoming High Princess has done wonders for Twilight's ability to top, I must confess, to say nothing of her ability to suck dick. The mantle of leadership really does suit her. She also promised to visit with Applejack soon, so I suppose you'll get to see just how much of a Dom she's become since their last visit."

coco grinned back. "i can't wait."

They were both finished their salads by now, and as coco stood up to exchange her plate, Rarity shook her head and used her magic to clear it away instead. "I'm treating you tonight, dear. That means you don't have to lift a hoof for now."

"Oh, okay." coco sat obediently as Rarity laid out the next pair of plates and sliced the roasted eggplant in half, depositing one half on each plate. "You don't have to do this, you know."

"I know," Rarity replied, daintily cutting off a slice and tasting it. She chewed and swallowed before speaking again. "I wanted to. you know very well how much I like taking care of you, and..." She faltered, her usual mask of confidence slipping for just a moment before she smiled again. "And I know you'll pay me back tonight anyway."

coco frowned. That wasn't what her marefriend had meant to say. And Rarity had been acting oddly nice to her all day.

Not that Rarity wasn't always nice to her! But today was different. She had woken up coco with breakfast in bed, telling her that she wouldn't need to worry about any of her chores today. Then, after a very pleasant shower together, they'd gone to see an exclusive morning rehearsal of the revival tour of Platinum on Bridleway, which was coco's favourite musical and wasn't scheduled to premiere for another week.

Then, they'd gone for a walk down by the river, and Rarity had seemed insistent on telling coco how much she loved her, and being even more affectionate than usual, which coco wasn't complaining about, but still.

Something was up, and if Rarity didn't say what it was soon enough, coco would have to do her own part to take care of her lover.

For now, though, she simply said, "Of course, Miss Rarity. And the eggplant is delicious as well." Another one of her favourites. Rarity was really going all-out. "I really do appreciate everything you've done for me today."

"And I appreciate you at all times," Rarity replied warmly. "I know I can get caught up in my own dramatics occasionally, but never doubt that I keep you in my thoughts at all times."

"i don't," coco promised. It had taken her a long time to reach the point where she could say that with such conviction, but the destination had been worth the journey a thousand times over. "i've been so happy ever since you moved to Manehattan, and even before that, you cared so much about me after Suri, when i was at my worst."

"you were so strong," Rarity said, her eyes filled with so much love that coco found herself ensorcelled by them. "How could I not have fallen head over heels for you?"

"i still can't believe you picked me when you could have had any pony you wanted." coco smirked. "And i was sure you were going to break up with me when i couldn't stop throwing up after the surgery." she shuddered, remembering the pain of recovery. Without Rarity by her side to cry into, she wasn't sure how she would've been able to endure it.

"Well, at least now, if I ever decide to walk the same path, I'll have somepony who understands by my side," Rarity quipped. "Networking is very important, as you know."

coco giggled again. "i love you, Miss Rarity."

An odd weight settled on Rarity's expression as she replied, "And I love you, coco."

After that, they finished their meal while gossiping idly about the movers and shakers of the city. coco shared the news that Lord Jet Set was apparently the father of Chestnut Magnifico's child, which was why he was currently living in Manehattan and not in his Canterlot mansion with his lovely (and very irate) wife, and Rarity opined about Vignette Valencia's latest publicity stunt at the Friendsgiving Day Parade. That little tidbit was followed by speculation as to why the famous author Single Shade had been spotted at a brothel with what appeared to be a typewriter, leading to some very amusing speculation about what one could do with such a device in the bedroom.

coco took the last bite of her eggplant as Rarity recounted the tale of Applejack asking Rainbow to teach her how to preen her marefriend's wings, letting the sense of contentment in her heart steep into her soul. The world of fashion was chaotic and frenzied, and coco relished little moments like this between her and Rarity. It made the bad days more bearable knowing that good days like this would always come.

"That was incredible," coco said as she wiped her mouth with a napkin. "i'd forgotten how good of a cook you were."

"I have my moments," Rarity replied modestly. "And as every chef knows, a meal is much better when cooked with love. Now, are you ready for dessert?"

"Yes, Miss Rarity." There was a palpable air of excitement around her mistress when she asked the question, and coco felt her own heartbeat begin to speed up in response to whatever it was that Rarity was hiding from her.

Rarity's horn lit up, and a covered tray floated over from the kitchen before settling down in front of coco. Then, to coco's surprise, Rarity herself stood up and walked over towards her.

She reached out a hoof and softly stroked coco's mane, and coco let out a soft purr at the sensation. "Allow me, darling." The lid on the tray lifted up, revealing a plate of chocolates. Rarity's magic engulfed one of them and floated it slowly towards coco.

coco obediently opened her mouth and let Rarity feed her. She loved the intimacy of this ritual, loved being able to lean into her marefriend's warm, soft body and lose herself in love and sensation. "That's a good girl," Rarity cooed, floating another chocolate truffle towards her. Rich sweetness filled coco's mouth as she bit down, tinged with just the slightest bit of tartness to bring out the flavour. "I do so adore this," she said as coco chewed. "you're mine, and I don't ever want to let you go." Once again, her voice was thick with emotion.

"i don't want you to let me go either," coco replied. "i'm so happy you decided to move in with me."

"I couldn't stand being away from my pet any longer," Rarity replied. "I feel complete with you, coco; you fill that part of my heart that's always longed for someone to have and to hold, and I do so love spending time with you. Having somepony who shares my eye for beauty to talk to is something I sorely lacked back in Ponyville. But, more than that, you make me want to be the best mare I can be, and I cannot thank you enough for that."

coco finally turned to stare at Rarity. "Miss Rarity, are you okay?" she asked when she saw tears welling up in her Mistress' eyes.

"I'm fine," Rarity replied, wiping away a tear with her hoof. "More than fine, actually. I'm with the mare I love more than anything in the world, and..." She faltered. "Oh, I didn't think this would be so difficult."

"Is there anything i can do to help?" Now coco was really worried. Rarity was the kind of mare who would face down the very End of Equestria with grace and poise.

"You've already done enough just by being the amazing mare you are," Rarity replied. Her horn lit up, and a large jewelry box appeared in front of her. "I... I have something for you, if you'll accept it. A gift, and a promise."

"Oh?" The box looked large enough to hold a necklace, or maybe a pair of bracelets. coco wasn't sure which.

"coco," Rarity's eyes met hers, and despite the nervousness in them, coco saw such strong-willed determination that she couldn't possibly look away. "I love you more than any poet could put into words. Every morning, when I wake up by your side, I'm reminded that Equestria is a good place, and that everything I've done since I received the Element of Generosity has been worth it, because it made a world where we could be happy together. you've already invaded most of my idle thoughts and fantasies, and I would like it very much if you would make one more of my wildest fantasies come true."

Bright blue magic lifted up the box's lid, and coco gasped as she looked inside to see two pieces of jewelry inside.

The first was a silver engagement ring set with a brilliantly cut diamond.

The second was a larger ring fashioned from the same silver, with the same intricate pattern carved into the rim and another diamond in the front.

coco immediately recognized it for what it was: a perfect, larger copy of the ring fashioned into a collar. Her heart pounded madly in her chest as the pieces fell into place, and her ears strained in the silence that followed, waiting for Rarity to ask the question that she hadn't expected, but now desired more than anything.

There was a click, and coco looked down to see that her collar had been unlatched.

coco's eyes widened as she glanced up at her marefriend, confusion and concern cutting through her emotional maelstrom. "Rarity?" she asked. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Rarity replied with a soft smile. "But you know what question I'm going to ask you, and I don't want to ask it as your Mistress." She shook her head. "If you give yourself to me completely, it will not be in a scene."

Understanding dawned, and Coco nodded. "Okay, Rarity," she said, letting her submission slowly bleed away as she faced Rarity as an equal in every way. With her own hooves, she took off her collar, placing it on the table, and all the while, her gaze never left Rarity's. "Ask your question."

Rarity took a deep breath and got down on one knee. "Coco Pommel, will you do me the honour of marrying me and giving yourself entirely into my keeping?"

A wide grin split Coco's face. "Yes and yes, Rarity. I will be your wife, and your submissive, for the rest of my life." There was absolutely no hesitation in her answer. "You've helped me become the strong mare I never thought I could be, and with you, I look forward to each coming day instead of dreading it. So yes, I want nothing more than to be yours forever."

And then, they kissed. Joy burst through Coco as she let loose her passion, wrapping her forelegs around Rarity and pulling her closer so they could deepen the kiss. This was where she was meant to be, with the mare she loved, the mare who had helped her put the pieces of her life back together after Suri had torn them apart. The mare who had taught her to trust again, and who was so worthy of trust that Coco had given over her body and heart to her entirely. Their tongues danced together, and Coco felt almost complete.

There was only one thing missing.

They broke apart, panting lightly, and Coco's need must have shown in her expression, as Rarity then said, "Our wedding will be a grand affair, I'm sure, but for now, I think it's time for a much more... intimate ceremony."

Coco nodded mutely. As much as she couldn't wait to speak her vows to Rarity at the altar, she knew that what was going to happen next would change her in a way that would run much, much deeper than some ancient ceremony and archaic traditions that would likely turn into a media circus when the press found out about it.

She wanted to marry Rarity, certainly, but more importantly, she wanted to pledge herself into her ownership forever, and that she could do tonight.

Rarity's horn lit up, and the collar floated out of the box. With a click, the metal band opened up, and Coco gulped as the magnitude of what she was about to do sank in.

"You don't have to do this," Rarity said, clearly sensing her nervousness. "You do know that, right? My heart is yours, whether you choose to give your body to me in this way or not. I would not for the world want you to feel pressed into accepting this collar."

In Rarity's concern, Coco found her courage. Rarity would never hurt her, and Coco was strong enough now to assert herself if she needed to. The collar glinted in the light of the setting sun, seeming to beckon her towards it, and Coco allowed herself to give in to its pull. "I want this," she said. "Make me yours, Miss Rarity."

Rarity nodded. "Very well." Her voice sharpened, returning to its usual commanding nature. "Present yourself, pet."

Coco raised her head, exposing her neck to her Mistress. Rarity stared down at her with eyes so filled with love that Coco felt like she was drowning in it. The collar floated over, and a moment later, she felt the press of cool silver against her throat.

"Coco Pommel, I swear to you that I will care for you and your needs so long as we both shall live. Your pleasure and consent I will hold first in my thoughts, and I shall treasure the servitude you freely give me. I also pledge to hold our safeword sacred, and to use it without reservation should the need arise."

The words were spoken with the emotion of a wedding vow, and they both began crying anew as Coco gave her response. "Rarity, I freely give to you my body, mind, and soul, to do with as you wish. I swear to serve you as your submissive, and to bring you pleasure however you desire. I also swear to communicate to you my true feelings, and to never hesitate to use my safeword should my boundaries be crossed."

There was a click as Rarity fastened the ring in place, sealing the bond between them.

And as the vows settled into her soul, coco felt complete. This was who she was meant to be. A servant and pet to her Mistress, Miss Rarity. She had found her place in the world, and now, it would never be taken away from her.

coco was safe, at long last.

"I noticed that you never used the word 'obey' in your vows," Rarity said dryly as she magicked away the box with the engagement ring.

coco smirked. "i didn't want to lie to you, Miss Rarity."

"Mmm, I did promise you that I would make you pay for your earlier disrespect," Rarity's horn glowed, and coco gasped again as she felt the effects of the spell between her thighs. "Now then, shall we adjourn to our bedroom so I can properly discipline my pet?"

"Yes, Miss Rarity," coco said as she squirmed in her seat. "i love you, Miss Rarity," she added, because she could say it, and she wanted to, every day from now until eternity.

"I love you too, my pet." Rarity stood up and walked towards the door leading to the next room, her tail swaying to and fro and giving coco the occasional tantalizing glimpse of the treasures hidden beneath. "But don't think I'm going to go easy on you because of that fact."

"i wouldn't dream of it." As the two lovers made their way to the bedroom to celebrate their union, a thought occurred to coco, and she asked, "So, who are we inviting to the wedding orgy?"