Slave Velvet WIP

>Well-off Anon
>Small inheritance turned into successful business
>Nice lodge-style home on a big ol' ranch near a small mountain range
>Private, but lonely, life
>Go to small convention in Laughlin
>Wander the Casinos, but you prefer the Stock Market
>Not a huge difference, really
>In a small shop at the back of a mall, you catch a glimpse behind a curtain.
>A much bigger shop is back there.
>Mention it to cashier, who carefully sizes you up.
>"Yeah, go ahead."
>Inside are ponies in cages.
>Of the many, two catch your eye
>Unicorns.
>A blue...guy? Is pleading with a white...girl.
>Probably.
>Definitely.
>You make a show of looking around, most of the ponies avoiding your gaze, but a few look up at you with big, sad eyes.
>One begs you to take him out of there.
>This is getting depressing.
>Eventually you're close enough to eavesdrop on the unicorns.
>"Please honey, I'm sorry! I know I'll never apologize enough, but I'll get us out of this! I promise! It's going to be okay, just stay strong!"
>The mare just looks tired.
>Like most of the ponies in here, she's a little dirty, but not filthy.
>And you can see a couple of red welts on her back legs.
>Her flanks, maybe?
>When the pony sees you looking at her, she lifts her eyes and sets her jaw.
>Getting to her hooves, she walks to the edge of her cage, as you feel compelled to walk to her.
>"Hey! HEY! Velvet, what are you-NO! Nononono!"
>"Please sir." she says firmly, loud enough to be heard over her companion. "I want to leave, won't you take me with you?"
"I don't-"
>"Twilight Velvet! This joke has gone far enough! Stop it!"
>"You got us into this, now I am getting myself out." she states matter of factly. "Please sir, I can cook, clean and generally take care of your home. Just take me away from this place!"
>That last line was almost a sob.
>You're not heartless, but you don't really need a pony...
>Giving her a small nod, you walk back out front.
>The cashier gives you a knowing look.
>"Which one?"
"The unicorn mare."
>"Heh. She's older, but she's game. Whiny shit of a husband though."
>OOOOOHHH.
"They aren't a...pair, are they?"
>"Pretty sure they've got kids somewhere." the cashier says, sliding a piece of paper across the desk.
>A bill for $50k.
"That's a lot of money, what do I get for that?"
>"A good maid that doesn't have to be paid."
"Maids don't cost that much."
>"I'll give you her and her husband for seventy."
"I'm good." you say, filling in the pertinent details on the form. "Let me warn my bank about this."
>The cashier smiles broadly.
>"I'll bring her out and get you her title and forms."
>A short phone call later, you're listening to hysterical shouting coming from behind the curtain.
>But despite the pony's protestations, he just became forcibly divorced.
>His mare is now your mare.
>You almost feel bad about it...but she doesn't seem upset when she is lead out into the shop on a leash.
>"Already vaccinated, filed your registration just now -that'll take a day or two to process- and now the check...?"
"Here." you say, laying it flat on the counter, holding out an open hand.
>"Looks legit."
"I get the impression not everyone can go back there." you say as he drops the end of the leash in your hand.
>"They can't."
"Who can."
>"You, obviously."
"Just me?"
>"Of course not. But anyone who looks like they have the money and isn't going to waste my time can."
"How did you know...?"
>"You get a feel for people. Now go enjoy your mare."