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From the equine facilities to the dorms was a surprisingly short walk up the back of the school and into the left wing, whose balconies overlooked the rolling emerald fields often populated with Ponygirls. One could argue that it was close for the sake of convenience. But 95% of ponies tended to take up residence in the barn. Custom stalls that they were allowed to customize and make their own while making sure they were nearby and available for activities, as well as able to be steeped in the lifestyle of a pony.
Perhaps it was this view that had shaped Sera's decision to accept her therapist's suggestion. Or one of the many other factors. Certainly not because she was constantly struggling to break free of her family's stranglehold over her life. Sometimes you'd think they were still living in the Victorian era. Go here, take this course, marry this person, do as you're told.
This point was driven home when she arrived home after her evening with Aurora. Splayed out on her bed and surprisingly exhausted for having done nothing physical. People could do that to you. But you know what else could?
Sera lay on the bed, her freshly washed hair fanned out around her like a curtain as she looked at her phone for the first time that evening.
[14 Missed Calls]
[19 Text Messages]
Sera wrinkled her nose.
"Ten guesses as to who they're all from." She mumbled to the empty air of her room.
Sera flipped open her phone and pressed the 'dial' button on her father's number.
It was nearly an hour and a half, one sore ear from being yelled at and two bottles of water drank with her medicine before she managed to slam her head into the pillow on her bed and pass out.
Such was her life.
But at least there was a spark.
Something different.
A path of her own?
Her. Own.
Sera dozed off with a small smile on her lips.
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[When do you think you might have a bit of time? - S.]
[Any evening except Thursday for obv. Reasons. - A.]
Sera spared a final glance at her phone before slipping into the office in which she'd been invited. It had been two days since her venture with Aurora, and it had dominated much of her mind as her follow-up appointment with Doctor Harlow loomed on the horizon.
"Ah, Miss Langford. You didn't miss your follow-up appointment. That's certainly an improvement on your part." Mused the brunette as she looked up from across her desk to Sera as the young woman settled into the overstuffed armchair she provided for her clients. Comfort was comforting after all.
Sera, blushing, reached up to rub at her cheeks. "Shocking, right?"
Ophelia chuckled, "Perhaps it would be. If I wasn't sure you had something on your mind."
Sera tilted her head, "What makes you say that?"
Ophelia chuckled, "You underestimate how quickly word travels in this school. Plus, you were kept safe under the wing of someone I am quite fond of." She steepled her fingers together on the desk in front of her.
"Ah, Aurora then?"
Ophelia nodded, "Her, as well as Another, who I see left her mark on you." She said with a chuckle, motioning to the few bits of glitter that Sera still had yet to be able to remove from the bangs of her rosy gold hair.
Sera huffed softly and flicked the now glitter-infused bangs framing her face, "Right. Please remind me to grumble at her about that. The amount of people that asked if I'd been at a strip club or something has been ridiculous!"
Ophelia raised an eyebrow, "Oh, so you intend to take another visit to the stables, do you?"
Sera blushed a slightly deeper shade of pink and nodded.
"Good. I'm proud of you for that. Even if others in your life deem it necessary to blow up my voicemail about your lack of progress." She frowned.
"I'm sorry about that. Father cares, I promise."
"Perhaps, but whether he cares about the right thing remains to be seen," Ophelia said bluntly before waving a dismissive hand.
"Regardless, you showed up for this appointment. What's on your mind?"
Sera leaned back and gathered her bag in her lap. "I was hoping you could tell me whether or not you think this whole thing is a good idea. I enjoyed myself with Aurora the other night, and I think it could be something I might enjoy. But... you know. My situation and all."
"Your happiness isn't determined by their approval. If you enjoyed yourself and were able to work through your anxieties during that session. I think it's a positive decision on your part." She leaned forwards and held up a finger in the air to make Sera focus on it, then quickly removed it so they were eye-to-eye, "Do what makes you happy. Because in the end, that's what matters. You only get one life, live it how YOU want to. The rest, the people in your life. Will all work themselves out."
"... But." Sera began.
"No buts. You felt what that spark of freedom and happiness feels like. Embrace it. That's my advice as your therapist, and I daresay as someone who cares about her patient's wellbeing."
Sera nodded, "Ok." She said almost too quietly for anyone to hear. Like a whisper lost on the wind.
"Off with you then, future Pony. My door is always open. And... if your activities get out. I will be here to help you handle that as well."
Sera climbed to her feet, dipped into a small curtsy, and smiled, "Thank you, Doctor Harlow."
Without further words, Sera parted ways with her therapist. Somehow she always managed to come out of Ophelia's office feeling a lot better than she went in. Though she supposed that was the job of a therapist, to make you feel better mentally.
Sera looked down at her phone as it beeped.
[Stop by any day after 4. Typically, I'm in the grooming area. No need to schedule or anything. Whenever you're ready. When it comes to this lifestyle, it's best not to rush. The sweetest fruits take time! ~<3 - A.]
So many choices to consider. But for now, the bell ringing yanked Sera's attention away. If she didn't hurry, she'd be late for her Equine Biomechanics class.
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~Deep breaths. There's just twenty people looking in your direction. Smile! Ok. Maybe not that big of a smile...-"Rein it in Ponygirl."
Sera blinked as her thoughts seemed to take a complete detour. That's when she realized that while trying to juggle her emotions amidst the active grooming room, she'd walked headfirst into the backside of a rather sweaty ponygirl dressed in minty green tack. Who'd snorted at her while her handle gave the reins attached to her bit a sharp tug, "Rein it in, ponygirl." The handle had said sharply, turning her gaze on the practically pink-glowing Sera who was wiping sweat from her face.
"Do you need something, red? Or do you just enjoy walking into unsuspecti--" She began, but was cut off when a hand pressed down on the handler's shoulder. A hand attached to none other than Aurora, who was offering an almost apologetic smile towards Sera.
"Careful, Rena. This one likes to kick down doors, I hear. Best let me handle this filly."
The handler narrowed her eyes slightly, then rolled her eyes and huffed, "Fine. Just... make sure she understands the flow of the barn better next time. Kay?"
Aurora nodded just before the minty-green-tacked pony leaned down and pressed her nose against Sera's. She let out an encouraging whinny and then trotted off at the insistent tugging of the reins attached to her bridle.
Aurora quickly wrapped an arm around Sera's shoulders in an almost protective fashion. "For being so anxious. You sure do like to make an entrance, don't you? Kicking down doors. Running face-first into Rocca there. I mean, we can all appreciate a pony slicked with sweat. But I didn't think you'd want to bury your face in one so soon..." Aurora gave Sera a sideways squeeze and led her off to a less busy hallway leading off of the main groom room, which was... busy to say the least.
Sera huffed at Aurora, then took a moment to slow her breathing and calm down as they got to the less busy spot.
"Thank you Aurora. It... It wasn't intentional. I was just--"
"--Lost in thought? Anxieties? Breathing exercises? C'mon. You're talking to the queen of panicking internally. You, my dear. Do not need to justify yourself to me. Rena is just a bit of a spicy handler, but don't worry. Much like a fungus grows on a tree, you'll come to appreciate Rena in time. Maybe. If you ever get to interact with her properly... Ok. Well." Aurora reached up and smacked her cheeks gently as if waking herself.
"Reboot. Ahem. Thank you for coming. I didn't expect you to come so soon. But you've managed to pick a great day. I just finished up and have the entirety of the evening open. I'll boldly assume you'd like to continue giving the lifestyle a try?"
Aurora was quick. Sometimes too quick. It was like she moved from one topic to the next with no in-between.
"That's a fair assumption." Sera said, "If you don't mind. I wouldn't want to intrude on your free time or anything."
In response, Aurora gave her another soft squeeze around the shoulders.
"Nonsense. The life of a handler, of a groom, is to enrich the lives of ponies. Both current and soon-to-be. Hm, so where should we start? Is the question. You got a small taste the other day. Tell me, how are you in heels?" Aurora tilted her head curiously.
Luckily for her. Social gatherings and fancy Galas had squeezed her feet into more than a few pairs of heels in her lifetime. Even the school uniform shoes had a small kitten heel built into them for the women.
"I'd give myself a solid seven out of ten."
"I'll take those numbers!"
Sera squeaked as Aurora smacked her ass, turning to stare at her in surprise.
Aurora froze and blushed, "Eh... uhm... sorry. Bad habit. That won't happen again."
The two of them stood there awkwardly until Aurora decided to speak.
"Ahem. Awkwardness aside. I think the best first step for you is quite literally, first steps. Let's lace you into some hooves and see how you handle them." At the same time, Aurora dug around in her pouches until she pulled out a familiar-looking bit gag, "Ready to make your offering? One voice for a pair of hooves! That's a pretty sweet deal if you ask me. Oh oh! Uhhh..." Aurora tapped her chin, "Do you want a loaner pair, or are you on the S-EAP Plan?"
Sera frowned a little, "My major isn't in the equine facilities. So no S-EAP (Student-Equine Assistance Plan) plan for me. I'll just go for the loaner pair for now."
Aurora filed the information away in the back of her head and giggled, "For now. Give it a few sessions and you'll be ready to go tack shopping. Oh oh! We DO have the trade show coming up in a few months. Perhaps something to consider as a short-term goal. Now open up that mouth of yours, Pony." She rolled the bit over and over between her fingers.
"Trade show, huh? Well, we'll see how things go. Thank you Aurora. You're very kind."
Aurora smiled softly and reached up, pushing Sera's hair from her face as the girl opened her mouth. The bit was slid in and then wedged between her back teeth. While Aurora was buckling it up behind her head, she blinked as the taste of apples washed over her taste buds in a confusing myriad.
"whh d'z ihh tuh-hay l'k ahhphhhls?" A bit of drool ran down her chin as she tried to speak.
Aurora slipped back around and giggled lightly, patting Sera's cheek, "Shhh. No voice. But to answer your garbled question, it's a special coating on the bit, usually reserved for well-behaved ponies. And since you're such a sweet pony, I figured you deserved that little treat. You're welcome." Aurora winked and slipped back behind Sera, much like last time she was quick to brush her hair back and twine it into a thick braid.
~A flavored bit... it's weird how nice that tastes. But I feel like it's making me drool more. Ugh. It's leaking onto my unifoooorm!~
Aurora chewed on her lip to stifle giggles at the sound of Sera sucking in air to try and prevent herself from drooling. Her fingers worked quickly. She'd done so many braids at this point that it took her less than two minutes to twine Sera's thick hair into a four-strand braid. She tied it off with a black ribbon before moving around in front of the other girl.
"So then! TO THE TACK-MOBILE! Or more accurately, the tack barn. Oh oh! I bet Gideon is there. He's going to looOOoove you." She leaned in to whisper, "His favorite color is rose gold. He might decide to keep you... Do be careful." Sera blushed brightly at the teasing whisper. But it was just that, teasing. Everything and anything done in this facility was done with express consent. Unless you were Aurora and accidentally slapped the ass of a pony you barely knew. She'd get an earful about that later.
She motioned for Sera to follow, and off the two of them went, only pausing so Aurora could check that Sera had the ear buds in that she'd been given the other day. Which she did and had synced up to her own cellphone, which was currently nestled in the bag still hanging off her body.
So they were off to the tack barn. Sera could feel a bubble of excitement in the pit of her stomach, as well as the butterflies of nervousness flitting about.
It was time to get into some hooves!
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