HighTail University: Sera Pt. 01

Mid-day..

The best time, they say, for thinking. For being productive.

But for the young Seraphina, it was the best time for therapy. Sitting in the same boring red chair across from a woman who could have been the center of plenty of dirty-minded fantasies with her no-nonsense business suit, skirt, tight bun, and cat-eye style glasses perched on her nose.

The therapist, sitting back in her chair with one leg crossed over the other, was idly tapping the tip of her pen against the clipboard containing all the details of her past conversations with Seraphina. Of which there had been many.

"... Have you considered acting on those feelings, Miss Langford? It's clear from several of our conversations that you feel like you have no path of your own. Perhaps it could be a healthy decision to try something new?"

Sera leaned back in her chair, a finger idly scratching a pattern into her well-worn blue jeans. Sometimes it felt like her therapist saw through her a bit too well. How long had she felt like a secondary role in everyone else's story? Heck, she hadn't even chosen this college for herself.

At twenty-two, she still lets her parents determine her path. That's what happened when you were born and raised in a family that held traditional values and 'appearances' in higher regard than just about anything else. She was pretty sure they'd even started working on plans for her marriage and how it could benefit the family.

She opened her mouth to speak, but her therapist beat her to it.

"Let's put your parents' feelings on the matter to the side, before you speak. Set them to the side for a moment and tell me what it is YOU want to do. If you could try something new tomorrow, what would it be? Take your time and really think about it."

Sera didn't raise her eyes, refusing to look at her Therapist. She'd always had an issue looking people in the eye. Maybe it was a lack of confidence?

As she sat there, mulling it over in her head, her thoughts were interrupted by a melodic whinny that came from outside the door of the office, which was promptly followed by a small thump on the door...

... And then the sound of several breakable-sounding objects hitting the floor and an exasperated snort.

Her Therapist, who was always put together and business-like, let her forehead crease for half a second at the noise. Her composure almost broke before she caught herself. She set Sera's clipboard on the desk in front of her and stood up, dusting off non-existent dust from her skirt, "A moment if you will, Miss Langford. I do believe a young filly just dumped my lunch on the floor..."

Sera gave a quick nod as her Therapist swept past her to the door. With her thoughts interrupted, Sera looked over her shoulder towards the door as it was opened.

Standing on the other side of the door was a young woman wearing a stark white catsuit that hugged her body like a second skin. But that catsuit wasn't the most prominent detail. It was the knee-high white boots that ended in gracefully designed hooves, the criss-crossing straps of yellow and white leather that encapsulated her body like tack crafted for a horse, and even the intricate leather bridle wrapped about her head with it's striking black bit nestled neatly between her teeth, a plume of feathers rose from the top of the bridle only adding to the flair of the woman's outfit.

Her therapist leaned on the doorframe and looked at the mess of food and coffee now deposited on the floor outside of her office. She crossed her arms, "You know. I should make you lick that mess clean."

The woman, the pony, shuffled from hoof to hoof, obviously nervous as the steel tray slipped from the harness attached to her body to land atop the spilled food.

Then her Therapist reached out and undid a single buckle from the pony's harness, letting the rest of it fall to the floor. She followed through with the movement, trailing her hand up smoothly to caress the pony's cheek and then gently massage behind her ears, "... But perhaps today we say you had a bit of a tack malfunction and you work extra hard in training later. How's that sound?"

The pony, clearly enjoying the massage of the spots behind her ears, let out a cute sort of noise that sounded content, followed by a single stomp of a hoofed foot.

Sera's Therapist gave a quick nod and pressed a small kiss to the pony's forehead, leaving a faint outline of her lips in crimson on the woman's forehead, "There's a good girl. Now, back off to the barn with you. Make sure this..." She scribbled a few words on a sticky note and pressed it against the woman's left breast, "... Gets to one of the handlers down there. Okay?"

With a quick stomp, the woman-dressed-as-a-pony trotted off, leaving the two of them alone once more.

"That was nice of you, Mrs. Harlow."

Mrs. Harlow, Ophelia by name, pushed the door shut and spun about to walk back towards her desk, "You'd be surprised how far a bit of compassion can go with a pony. Discipline has its place, but compassion. That's how you win their hearts. Plus, Sunset is a bit of a timid creature. I guarantee you she was panicking internally at that mess. But that is besides the point..." She settled back into her chair and picked her clipboard back up, noticing that Sera's eyes hadn't left the door.

"Miss Langford?"

Sera blinked and flushed slightly, turning back around to face Ophelia, "Sorry. Yes, I get what you're saying. Compassion versus Discipline has always been kind of a heated topic amongst the equine community, hasn't it?"

Ophelia nodded, "That it has. Know something of the community, do you?"

Sera shrugged, "A little. I read a bit here and there. It's always been kind of interesting."

An almost imperceptible hint of a smile slipped onto crimson painted lips, "You know. You're currently attending a college known primarily as being the highest-rated equine training facility in the country. And you're lacking in a hobby, seeking a path to call your own..." She let the words hang in the air, letting Sera figure them out for herself.

Sera tilted her head slightly, letting her cascade of rosy gold hair fall to the side as it escaped the braid at the back of her head. After a moment, her cheeks flushed red, "What, me in hooves?" Sera shook her head quickly.

"My parents wouldn't approve. And gosh... could you imagine me tacked up pulling a cart or something?"

Ophelia looked Sera up from toe to head of hair, "I could imagine it actually. Rose gold goes ever-so-well with so many colors." She waved a dismissive hand, however, knowing that Sera could be a bit hesitant based on their conversations, "Alas, that is not a decision for me to make. But I think part of our therapy plan for you should be for you to try something new before our next session. How does that sound?"

"I.. ehm... thank you. I think?" She wasn't sure how to respond to the mixed compliments from the woman.

~Try something new. Maybe it IS time. A choice outside of my family's bubble.~

Sera nodded once more, "Ok. Something new, then. I'll come up with some ideas before our next session."

"No no. I want you to TRY something new before our next session." She leaned over to a rack full of pamphlets for various clubs the school offered. She also scooped up one from behind her desk and scribbled some information on it. She then slid the pile of pamphlets across to Sera, "All the info about the various clubs the school offers..."

She slid another Pamphlet across separately. On the front was 'Tuesdays @ 3:30 PM. Ask for Aurora. Beginner Basics' written in glittery pink ink. The pamphlet was for the school's Ponygirl Club, which was hosted and run by students who were part of the equine career track, "... And if you change your mind and want to try on a pair of hooves. Take this. No pressure, of course. Tuesdays, Aurora runs a newbie class. Nice and quiet. Good for a girl looking to find her path."

Sera slid the pamphlet on top of the others and smiled lightly, "Thank you, Mrs. Harlow. I'll let you know what I decide to do. Am I still ok to call if I need some advice?"

"Always."

There came a knock at the door.

"Until next time then Miss Langford?"

Sera nodded and climbed to her feet, swiping a candy from the bowl on Ophelia's desk, a courtesy offered every time she came to therapy. Without further thought, she turned and slipped out of the room, pausing only to turn her music on and tug a pair of soft blue headphones down over her ears. Which were pretty much a requirement when she was milling about with the student body.

Somehow, her headphones and music always gave her a sense of security in crowds. She put the best smile she could on her nude-painted lips and merged into the student body. Just another cog in the wheel of HighTail University.

Now it was time for her to decide what path her future might hold!