Talking Animal in Horseland v. 6, Imprisoned Abroad edition

>Day 2 of Captivity
>Or Maybe Day 3, who knows?

>Positioned in a right-proper cell now, there were two things you were grateful for right about now.
>One, your long-sleeve shirt which the Guard hadn’t stripped you of.
>Or Gaolers.  You don’t know if that was a separate authority.
>And Two, the natural resiliency of these ponies, and their assumption that everything else was equally resilient.
>Your forearms ached, but you were glad.
>This meant you had a little more time to think.
>Maybe even got yourself a whole extra day to brood in here.
>Any number of things could go wrong in that time.
>It was hard to tell, what with a bag on your head, the size of your cell.
>Given that this appeared to be one of those dark, dank, unlit cells however, you were unlikely to see much.
>Ugh!  You wish they’d chosen a blindfold rather than this sack of, what, burlap?
>That’s just being mean.
>Yeah, you were probably getting a rash from this.
>At least you could still stretch out.
>Given the size of these ponies, you had worried about a room too small to stand up or lay down in.
>By your best estimate, this was a six-by-six-by-six room.
>Enough to be uncomfortable.  There were worse French prisons, though, if movies were anything to go by.
>Downright spacious for any pony malefactors who would happen to find cause to visit.
>For now, you worked at worrying a few threads of burlap open across your mouth.
>Your stomach was still sensitive, and if you had to vomit, you’d like to do so without doing so inside your sack.
>And a full-face covering…you could find a use for that.
>You considered how this long second day had begun…

>It seemed Twilight Sparkle had rousted all her friends for the exchange.
>Her incapability of restraining you with magic had extended to being similarly unable to carry you with magic.
>She had called for the release of your ankle bindings.
>This was fine by you.  It also opened up some options for what would happen next.
>Pinkie Pie had either made arrangements herself, or had explained why it would be a good idea to Twilight, but Mayor Mare was here, in addition some other functionaries.
>Probably Twilight.  She could be quite a dominant personality once she had the bit in her teeth, so to speak.
>Taking a look, you noticed that Applejack was looking just a bit ragged.  As though she’d been awake all night.
>Rainbow Dash, by contrast, looked rested but appropriately disheveled for an evening spent sleeping in the bush.
>Or maybe she’s always that rumpled looking, what the fuck do you know.
>She’d also doffed her black spy-suit or whatever the fuck that was.
>Rarity was pointedly ignoring you, however.
>Maybe it was the night spent in repose in the dirt.
>Pinkie Pie at least had found a moment to freshen up.
>Twilight was explaining the documentation to the civil representatives.
>She’d been pleasantly surprised at the forethought put into the paperwork.
>She’d even taken a moment to savor your official designation.
>”Anonymous,” she said as she passed, a pleased self-satisfied look on her face.
>At the moment, however, Fluttershy was attending to you as part of her ‘medical assessment’ that she’d actually drafted the night before.
>”So…Anonymous is it?” she asked, voice couched low.
>She was cleaning your face at the moment, so her volume wasn’t a barrier to communication.
“It’s what Pinkie has taken to calling me, yes.”
>You tried to keep a stone face for this.
>Others were watching, so it wouldn’t do to look too appreciative of her ministrations.
::Thank you::
>She didn’t pause, but you thinned your lips as she took a moment to clean around your mouth.
>”I’m not angry, you know.”
>Her voice sounded the very soul of understanding.
>You shrugged.
::I’m appreciative::
>”Would you be willing to talk?  I’d just like to hear your voice.  That is, if you don’t mind.”
>She had moved to your brow, and you bent forward to accommodate her.
“There’s only so much time to speak.  Based on your report, you’re aware of the nature of the proceedings…”
>”Nothing’s happened though.  Nothing’s been determined.  I’m sure that you’ll have the opportunity to speak in your own defense.”
>She had moved to the side, and was cleaning your ears now.
>”They see you the way I’ve been able to see you.  Yes, it’s not possible otherwise.”
>You still didn’t understand her fine manipulation that allowed her to get the details of your ear.
>But you enjoyed it.
>”The Princesses will have it sorted out,” she continued.
“I’m sure that will be the case.”
>A morbid thought strikes you.
>She’s tending to you in much the tradition of rural wives since time immemorial.
>Wiping down the body of their dead husband, preparing it because they can’t afford the services of another.
>That definitely put you in a dark mood.
>Fluttershy hesitates, reading your discomfort even though she’s tending to the nape of your neck at the moment.
“I don’t mean to upset you.  We’ve been friends too long for that.”
>You clear your throat, speaking to her behind you.
“If things don’t go dramatically wrong, you can expect to give your personal assessment of me to the Princesses.”
>She continues her efforts, moving on to your other ear.
“I trust you.  I just need you to trust yourself.”
>She appeared unmoved by your words, moving on to cleaning your neck.
>You raised your chin to help out.
>It made speaking uncomfortable for the moment, but you didn’t want to waste time.
“I’m sorry about your window by the way.  Rainbow Dash caught me off guard.”
>”Oh, it’s nothing she hasn’t done on her own just by stopping by.”
>She motioned you to raise your shirt, at which you raised an eyebrow in question that she ignored completely.
>You complied, but not without a harrumph, just to let her know how you felt about the situation.
>She leaned in close, resting her ear against your chest.
>Not without an extra nuzzle, leaning her whole weight against you.
>Pinkie snorted at that.
“I think there are ways to test my pulse without all that,” you deadpan.
>”But I wouldn’t have enjoyed those nearly as much,” she said, withdrawing.
>After filling in the appropriate block, she moved behind you again.
>”I’m going to raise your shirt again back here, so don’t be alarmed.”
>She raised the hem of your shirt above your shoulders, exposing your back to the air.
>She rests her head against your back, ear pressed close.
>”I need you to inhale, deep as you can,” she gently instructs.
>You do as you’re told.
>”Now hold it—“
>You count in your head, mindful of another set of deep breaths you shared with another pony.
>”—and blow it out.”
>A quick rush of air accompanies her words, and you’re grateful for the release.
>She has you repeat the procedure several times, holding her head to different parts of your back.
>You were a little light-headed after all that.
>She’s makes her way back in front of you.
>”Lean down again, please.”
>She rests your forehead against hers, and again you’re reminded of another pony.
>She pretends to make another notation, another check on her form.
>Fluttershy is checking your eyes, pulling your head this way and that, tugging at your eyelids.
>She even took a chance in looking inside your nose.
“Fluttershy?”
>”Hmm?”
“You were able to intervene last night because your friends know you, and were mindful of you even as they were subduing me.”
>She looks at you, unmoved.
“The Guard, however, doesn’t know you.  So they’ll like as not have the same compunctions.  I’ve already explained to Pinkie there, but don’t get involved once I’ve been delivered to their custody.”
>You read acceptance in her, even though she remains subdued.
::Thank you::

>Fluttershy joined Twilight and the other Ponies, replaced by Applejack.
>Joined also by one Rainbow Dash.
>You had considered speaking to Applejack, but that opportunity flew out the window.
>Heh.
>Because you tossed Rainbow Dash through a window.
>You took the opportunity to meet her eyes, however.
>Just a moment, a hint of acknowledgement, before you resumed studiously ignoring these ponies.

>”Is this all that kept me awake last night, Rainbow Dash?  It certainly doesn’t look like much.”
>Applejack sound both speculative and dismissive.
>Funny thing, that.  Usually that tone was reserved for discounting Geological records and Macro Evolution.
>You couldn’t contain flashing a broad grin at that.
>”Pfft!  This thing?  Yeah right.”
>Rainbow Dash was in turn brash and dismissive.
>”But Rainbow Dash!  You’ll look awfully silly if you try to sell that one in the face of the official report corroborated by witness accounts, and endorsed by those official looking ponies over there.”
>She punctuated that by waving enthusiastically to the other group, untroubled by the Technicolor Cunt’s brief look of anger before glancing at Applejack, abashed.
>”I—“
>With a toss of her head, she takes off before needing to come up with an explanation.
>Applejack looks as though she’d be amused if she weren’t so irritated.

“Honesty’s your schtick, right?”
>”Hmm…What?”
>That seemed to catch her off-guard.
“Does that make you some kind of judge of Honesty?  Can I tell you my story and can your magical connection to the nature of Honesty verify it and clear all this up?”
>”Whut? No!”
>”I think it’s more of a defining characteristic or guiding principle kinda thing.”
>You ignore Pinkie Pie for now.
“Yeah, that’d be nice if you could…”
>You let your voice trail off hopefully.
>”Well ah can’t.”
“Okay, okay,” you say, trying to defuse her annoyance.
>You snap your fingers at her, to get her attention again.
“Hey!  Hey you!”
>Your stage whisper fails to elicit a response.
“Applepony!  Treekicker!  You got family, right?”
>Searching your memory, you try for the best descriptor without really knowing her family.
“Larger than most, geographically widespread, numerically large.  Imagine you represented all Apple ponies alive today.  Not metaphoricalloy or figuratively.  You are now plenipotentiary for all Apples.  Oranges too, why not?.  Responsible for all presently alive, for the success or failure of current and successive generations, and continuity with the past.”
>She pales at the thought.
>Well, maybe under that coat of hair she does.
>But she looks the part, so much as you can tell.
>Fucking pony mannerisms.
>”I…Is that what you are?”
>You solemnly nod.
“Yes.  I am representative for one hundred percent of my people here in Equestria.  I am responsible for their future, and protecting the legacy of those who have come before, AND I AM SCREWING IT ALL UP!”
>You raised your voice louder than you intended to.
>The subsequent silence rings out even louder.
“This is spoiled by the fact that I am quite singular here.”
>Applejack looked like she had whiplash from swinging from worried concern to confusion so fast.
>You watched her chase the thought in her mind, struggling to comprehend what you meant by that.
“Ha!”
>Your ready grin and bark of a laugh go a long way towards clearing that up.
>You see the transition from confusion to tentative realization.
>You grin wider, showing as many teeth as you can to confirm her thoughts.
>Realization and anger, building rapidly and disfiguring her face as she goes full scrunch.
>Applejack pivots on her front right hoof, swinging her body around.
>With the ease of practice from years of regular and accurately delivering robust double-hooved kicks, you see her draw her body together.
>Tensing her body, you lean backwards out of her reach.
>You make it about 2 inches back before you hit an obstacle propping you up instead.
>Notasplanned.png
>Like having the floor drop out under you, like stepping out unexpectedly into open air instead of solid ground, a thrill of terror shot through your bowels.
>Goddammit Ponka.
>’Bone-shattering force’ was the phrase that came to mind as you raised your arms defensively.
>One thing worked in your favor; Ponka’s rush carried you forward, moving you inside of optimal striking distance.
>As it was you felt the blunt trauma inflicted on your wrists pushed so rudely into your own face.
>Into your own face and continuing past them, you tumbled ass-over-end over Ponka before roughly landing on the ground.
>Ears ringing, you didn’t quite catch the exchange between Pinkie and Applejack.

>Yellowquiet was clicking disapprovingly at you, as though you were one more of her charges who was misbehaving again.
>A few of those beasties could be right proper pieces of shit.
>Your tumble had required another brief cleanup and assessment courtesy of Yellowquiet.
>You made sure to grin extra wide over at Treekicker and what’s-her-face.
“She did me a favor, y’know?”
>Fluttershy didn’t dignify that with an answer.
“No really—“ you began, but were quickly interrupted, heat in her voice.
>”You seem to be trying awful hard to convince me that my friends are doing you favors, ‘Anonymous!’”
>You couldn’t back up much, so you had no option other than to receive her harsh glare as she brought her face to yours.
“It’s true!”
>Not meeting her eyes, you softened your voice as you continued.
“Now I don’t need to mount an ill-advised escape attempt since she’s willing to tell all about my scurrilous behavior.”
>Yellowquiet gives you another of her disapproving looks, but she gives you some space as well.
>You gingerly raise your arms in front of yourself, grinning wide.
“Shows how robust I am to boot!”
>You lower your voice for your next words, a harsh whisper.
“We went over this, dearie.  They’re less likely to test my limits if they believe me beyond them.”
>And if they don’t believe that, they’re more likely to overestimate how durable you were and you could safely die under questioning, sooner than late.
>Yellowquiet recoiled at that.
“Sorry…” you whisper, ashamed at the hurt written on her countenance.

“She really did do me a favor though,” you say, intent on Fluttershy’s lowered face.
>You extend your hands forward, but she turns her head away at your touch.
>Truth told, Pinkie Pie had meant to push you out of the way.
>She just didn’t count on your being faster than Applejack, but slower than herself.
>But considering how much you had already pushed the limits of appropriate behavior, you elected not to press the issue.
>It was an especially lonely wait, but the chariot arrived.
>Two charcoal-coated pegasi for PONY PULLS THE WAGON duty.
>And one fuckstick white-coated unicorn guard.
>Surprisingly, the Guardspony didn’t bother to look twice at the paper work prepared by Penka Po.
>Which to be honest, it’s only purpose was to serve as a vehicle for the delivery of the medical report.
>And for the Guard to see a good thing and copy details shamelessly.
>Penka Po hadn’t included the trigger of you earlier escape attempt in her report, but the plan was for her to include it as a verbal addendum as part of the custody transfer.
>So you weren’t worried too much about the Unicorn Guardspony—
>Whatthefuck
>Jerked rudely from Condition White, alarm registered quicker than any sort of plan of action.
>Shifting your head away from the bag Officer Unicorn had just tried to put on your head, you immediately shifted to stand from your currently seated position.
>Mind racing to catch up with your unthinking response, you spared  the shocked Unicorn a quick glance before deciding the confusion of the Civil representatives would be the best path out.
>But not three steps in that direction before one Pinkie Pie  emerged not at all where you saw her last to trip you up.
>Seriously, it’s a fucking clearing in an open field of grass.
>It wasn’t another two seconds before another pony piled on,  followed not too far afterwards by the Pegasi guards who had unshackled themselves from the Chariot harness.
“That’s three times, Pinkie Pie,” you snarl before rough burlap is shoved over your head.
>Oh hell, they’re securing the sack with a clasp to hold it around your neck!

>Laying across the floor of a Chariot, bag over your head, you did your best to not move around at all.
>After that bit with the sack, they had fastened a rope(?) to your wrist restraints.
>This in turn had been secured to the Chariot.
>The Unicorn guard promised that the rope was long enough and strong enough that you could either spend the trip in the Chariot, or hanging by your wrists beneath it.
>So you were busy just trying to be as inconspicuous as possible on the floor of said Chariot.
>You weren’t a fan of heights, so this was a small blessing.
>Like finding out the power had come back on for your death by lethal injection, in lieu of death by firing squad.
>Those fuckers were always afraid of being the one to kill the condemned.
>Slow death by getting shot in the stomach because of fear of personal responsibility and—
>Oh balls, you’re descending!
>Not a puberty joke.

>One rough landing, and a trip through winding paths, some passageways.
>A brief pat down for what you assume was for any obvious contraband.
>Unless they just wanted an excuse to grab your junk.
>The chill damp meant you were probably underground.
>Your leash fastened to your wrists was removed, but your wrist restraints and sack hood were left in place.
>Your only warning was a lock being turned, and a door being opened, before you were unceremoniously shoved into a cell, hitting the door frame on your way in and tumbling to the ground.
>Well, you weren’t trying to escape.
>A secluded cell away from the eyes of everyone suited you just fine.
>You decided to catch some rest on the chill stone floor.