HighTail University: Sera Pt. 07

"Stay still, will you?"

Aurora said with a huff as she wrapped a padded leather collar around Sera's neck while the girl stood and wobbled slightly on her new hooves. They were standing on the edge of the training field where Sera had first met Aurora, the large indoor facility promising a veritable challenge for any level of pony.

~Why is the collar even necessary?~

As if reading her thoughts, Aurora spoke, "The collar gives me a semblance of control as you move. A way to extend my reach and allows me to correct you from afar. Especially when on the whip circle. Think of it like a training aid. Normally I'd clip..." She clipped the end of a very long lead-line to the silver ring on the front of the collar, "... This to your bridle. But alas, your bit has no place for me to do so. So this will suffice.

She pulled on the line gently, firmly, and smoothly pulling downwards. Sera resisted at first but then followed the insistent tug until she was bent over and bowing to nobody in particular, "There's a good girl. When this line is tugged, you follow. Understood?" She released the pressure to let Sera stand up straight again.

Sera gave a stomp in response.

"Good. Before we get too ahead of ourselves. Let's get you accustomed to walking in these." They'd managed to make it to the training barn without too many wipeouts. Aurora tugged the lead gently and very slowly led Sera over to stand on the outer edge of a ring of sand with a single circle of artificial turf in the middle. She then let the lead slide through her hand as she walked to the center of the circle. The lead was long enough that it stretched to Aurora's hand in the center.

"We will start simple. I say go, you walk. Easy enough. I want you to really feel out those hooves. Get used to where your center of gravity is. Just focus on walking for now and listening to what I say, when I say it. Try not to overthink it, understood?"

~Should be easy... right?~

Sera gave a confident stomp.

Aurora grinned, "Oho. Confident already, huh? Walk then. Now." She said, accentuating the command by drawing the crop off of her belt and striking it sharply against her leg to make a loud crack.

Sera jumped at the noise and started to walk...

... Before immediately ending up face-first in the sand.

Aurora crouched down, "Overconfidence can wipe you out as easily as a lack of it. On your feet, pony. Try again."

Sera and Aurora rose almost in sync, and with another sharp crack of the crop against her leg for noise, Aurora encouraged Sera to continue, "Walk."

And so Sera did again. Putting one shaky foot in front of the other. They spent a good hour on this single piece of training until Aurora could walk the circle without wiping out. Of course, by this point, her legs were rubbed raw from the sand, and her face was slicked with sweat from the surprising amount of effort that this was taking.

"Ok, Pony. Take a break." Aurora said softly at the end of the hour, unclipping a water bottle from her belt and watching as Sera let herself collapse to sit on the ground.

Aurora narrowed her eyes, "Oh, I'm sorry, did I say sit on the ground and look like some common mule? Or did I tell a graceful ponygirl to take a short break during her training?"

Sera looked like a deer caught in the headlights as she stared up at Aurora's surprisingly firm words. Sera's chest heaved slightly as she worked to catch her breath.

"You've got about three seconds to get on your feet before you're walking on a hotwalker for two hours with no break, Pony."

Sera wasn't sure what a hot walker was, but it didn't sound entirely pleasant. She struggled to her feet quickly, stumbling and wobbling as she stood up.

Aurora walked over to her, "Shoulders back. Chin up." A sharp strike of the crop on her lower back accentuated the point, as did the tip of the crop, forcing Sera's chin to lift up.

"Better. You'll quickly learn that discipline is important. You do as you're told as a pony. Now I'll accept, I didn't give explicit instructions that you couldn't sit. But the same could be said for the fact that I didn't allow it either. You're meant to be elegant, graceful, and poised. So if you need to rest your hooves, you seek a trainer's shoulder, or a rest." She pointed to an angled padded rest cemented into the ground at the right height to sit your butt against.

"So don't do that again. Am I understood?"

~That went from 2 to 10 really fast. Ugh. I'm screwing it up already. She's staring at me. I should probably answer.~

Sera stomped quickly, nearly falling over again.

Aurora's expression softened, "There's a good girl. You still have no permission to speak." She warned, reaching up to unclip the edge of Sera's bit and let it slip from between her teeth, a line of drool leaking out of her mouth. Sera raised the waterbottle she'd unclipped earlier, "Open."

Sera opened her mouth, letting Aurora push the drinking end of the bottle past her lips and allowing her to suck greedily at the water.

It was icy cold, and the water brought a shiver of relief down her spine. While Sera was drinking, Aurora tugged a handkerchief out of a pouch and wiped it across Sera's brow, mopping up the sweat and pushing the baby hairs that had escaped their braid out of the pony's face. "If you think that water is refreshing. You're going to LOVE your shower tonight. Take a tepid or cold shower, trust me on this one."

Sera let out an almost needy mumble as the waterbottle was finally withdrawn from her mouth, but before she could make much noise, the bit was unceremoniously pushed between her teeth and buckled into place again.

Sera let out a huffy sigh to which Aurora patted her cheek, "Get used to it. Enjoy it. Let go of that humanity for just a little while, and you might be surprised what you find on the other side." Aurora winked and tossed the handkerchief over her shoulder before walking back to the center of the circle again and picking up the end of the lead.

"Hm. Actually. Now that you've gotten the handle on things." She walked over to a nearby shelf, producing a roll of what looked like white elastic tape, then walked over to Sera, "Hands behind your back. Grab the opposite elbows with your hands."

Sera turned her gaze on Aurora and tilted her head.

"Ponies don't often get to walk around with their hands free. Armbinders, jackets, cuffs. Usually, your arms are secure. So now that you've got the hang of walking, you need to get used to it without the use of your hands. Plus, it makes your posture eeeeeven prettier." Aurora smiled.

"But if you're not comfortable..."

~This is a lot. Do I want to be bound like this yet? I mean. I guess it's pretty normal in the world of ponies. I just never really paid attention to it. And I AM enjoying myself. But what if I get worse or something? Ugh! Deep breaths. Count to five.~

Sera drew in a very long, slow breath.

"Good girl. Just relax." Aurora whispered, using Sera's attempt at calming down to guide the pony's arms and hands into the right position. A few wraps of each wrist had her arms effectively cinched into place, "See. Nothing scary." She said softly as Sera opened her eyes, giving her arms an experimental tug, a pink flush spreading across her cheeks.

"Luckily, that's just vet wrap. So if you tug hard enough, you can likely free yourself in case of an emergency. But unless it's an emergency, I expect your arms to stay neat and tidy where they are." She picked up the lead line in the center of the circle and tapped the crop against her leg, "Alright. Ready to try again?"

Sera gave an uncertain stomp. Her whole center of balance felt different, and with arms and shoulders drawn back, the buttons on her blouse were threatening to pop open. A fact she was made very aware of by the tightness across her chest. Such was the problem with fitted blouses.

Now, if Sera thought running with her arms free had been a challenge. Running with her arms bound behind her back was even harder. Almost immediately, she overcompensated and ended up in the sand. Which made her realize quickly just how hard it was to get up without the use of your hands. She struggled, she squirmed, until she got her hooves under her and managed to get up one leg at a time until she was standing unsteadily, covered in sand and sweat.

The crack of a crop had her going again.

Around and around she went. She didn't know how many times she walked that circle. How many minutes or hours had passed. Each time came a correction. Shoulders back, Chin up, knees higher, don't slow down... it all blended into a continuous and relentless series of commands until Sera's brain felt like white noise. Just waiting for that next command. It was a bit like being in a sort of trance, full of a strange sense of calm she couldn't quite make sense of.

Was this what it was like being at peace? To stop worrying about the world for a while?

All she could hear was her heartbeat. The sound of her breathing in her ears.

"Breathe, Pony. Transition to a jog." Came that insistent voice.

She hadn't jogged yet. She didn't care. She went on instinct, picking up the pace and leaning forward. She made it one step. Two steps. Even three!

And then reality came up to greet her once more. One small misstep. A hoof crossed over in front of the other, and she went tumbling down. She hit the ground in a bit of a roll, ending up on her back and staring up at the ceiling, her chest heaving as sweat stung her eyes.

She shivered slightly as she slipped back to reality, a confused look on her face as Aurora came into her vision, waving a hand gently in front of her face.

"Earth to Pony. Hey. Blink twice if you're dead."

~Blink twice if you're dead. No. I'm not. I'm..~

Sera shook her head in obvious confusion, a weird rush of nerves rolling over her as she lay there. She heard reality rushing back to greet her like it had been dialed up to eleven. The hum of fluorescent lights, the sound of laughter in the background, the squeak of a fan whose bearings needed greasing, and of course, Aurora's voice.

"MM... mk..."

Sera shook her head at the object impeding her speech. She panicked for half a second, shaking her head vigorously, only stopping when Aurora unbuckled it from around the back of her head.

"Shh. Relax." The other girl whispered, a snip of something behind her back released her arms and left her sitting there. The air felt so cold against her sweat-soaked skin. That's when she looked up, noticing that there had to be at least fifteen ponies and handlers milling around the place. Doing all different sorts of training.

~When..~

"When did they get here?" She voiced her thoughts instead of getting lost in them. Her voice sounded dazed, like she was miles away.

Aurora grinned and tousled Sera's messy hair, not seeming to care about the sweat, "Oh gosh. They've been here for a good forty minutes."

"That's..."

"Entirely possible. You got a taste of one of the best parts of this lifestyle without even meaning to."

Sera tilted her head, "What do you mean?"

Had she really not noticed everyone coming in? Paid them no mind? Had she been so much in her own head that she'd managed to forget her anxieties for a little while? The confusion was etched on her face as Aurora grasped her beneath the arms.

"C'mon. On your feet, pony. What I mean... is best discussed another day. I think we will end it there for today."

"... But I was doing so good." Sera was surprised at how much her response sounded like begging. She didn't want to go.

Aurora giggled, "Yes, you were. A bit wobbly, but with practice, you'll be an ace in those boots. But I'm not giving you a choice in this; we're done for the day. You know what they say, too much of a good thing can ruin it... or... something like that. I suck at quotes."

Sera shivered slightly as she sighed, "Ok. If you think that's best." She conceded.

"I don't think it is. I know it is. You've done beautifully today. Plus... if I may so myself, you're ehm, a bit ripe and a wee bit see-through."

It took a minute for it to register on Sera's confused features, until Aurora pointed at her torso. She looked down at her now VERY see-through white blouse, soaked as she was in sweat from the hours of work. On a day she'd chosen to wear no bra nonetheless. She squeaked and dashed behind Aurora, putting the handler between her and the rest of the group in the training facility, who thankfully seemed to be paying her no mind.

"Y... You could have told me!"

Aurora whistled innocently, "It would have ruined the moment."

Sera grumbled, "But I'm half naked! Kind of.."

Aurora shrugged, "I mean, did you not notice the naked ponies hanging by their wrists in the wash stalls yesterday? Nudity is fairly common in this lifestyle. Not that we're nudists, it just comes with the care and consideration of each and every equine. Plus, you were in the zone and doing well. Who was I to interrupt a pony at her best! Especially when she's definitely looking her best..." Aurora added the last bit with a teasing poke of Sera's nose.

"Aurora!"

"Sera!"

Sera squinted, making Aurora giggle and wrap an arm around her shoulders to lead her towards the exit, "C'mon, stinky. Let's get you a replacement shirt, get your stuff back from the tack vault, and I hope... schedule your next visit? If you'd like to come back, that is."

"I do."

Aurora beamed, "Good! Cause I wasn't giving you a choice, dear. Nicely, of course."

Sera sighed, and together the two of them walked out of the training facility. The brunette whom Sera had kicked the door open on the previous day smiled as she watched the pair of them leave the building.

When they got into the barn proper, Sera was careful to walk behind Aurora to keep her modesty at least half intact.

Aurora reached around the back of Sera's neck, undoing the leather collar and taking a moment to slide it off her neck and clip it to her belt along with the bit Sera had been wearing. They were walking down the main section of the barn, where the walls were lined with wash stalls, a few of which were occupied with ponies lathered in thick froth from head to toe.

Sera looked between the stalls, wide-eyed.

"Don't tell me you already want a scrub-down..." Aurora whispered in her ear, "I can arrange that."

Sera blushed and shook her head, her thick braid smacking Aurora in the face.

"Ok, ok! Next time then. Juuuuust figured I'd offer. You haven't lived until you've had a groom wash, oil, brush, and massage you into blissful relaxation."

"Hear, hear!" Shouted a groom from nearby who was pushing skilled fingers into the calves of a relaxed-looking pony.

"Let's continue," Aurora said with a chuckle as she wiggled her fingers at the groom and pony.

Through the building, they went until they came to the Tack House, "Wait here, staff access only after hours." She pressed a badge from her utility belt to a panel beside the door, which lit up green, letting Aurora into the building and leaving Sera to stand there in the moonlight. It had gone from Daylight to Night in the time she'd spent there. The cool fall air outside made her shiver slightly. How ponies managed to do winter work and pull sleighs in form-fitting outfits was beyond her.

She contented herself with staring up at the ceiling of stars above. For some reason, they seemed so much prettier that evening.

Five minutes later, Aurora walked out of the Tackhouse carrying Sera's shoes, blazer, and to her surprise... her bag.

"When did I leave that behind?"

"Evidently in the fitting bay. Worry not, Gideon stored it with the rest of your things."

Sera accepted all of the things offered to her, blinking as she looked at her shoes and then down at her feet. She'd walked here without so much as a stumble.

Aurora pushed her head into Sera's vision, "Funny how they become second nature so quickly, huh? Want me to unlace you?"

Sera looked at the laces, considering doing it herself, but the growing aches in her body said otherwise, and so she relented and just said, "Please."

Aurora motioned to a nearby bench, "Sit."

Sera did and let Aurora work at unlacing the boots from her feet.

"Oh, I also brought you a present." She lifted a zip-up sports jacket from her shoulder. Embroidered on the front was 'HighTail Pony Club', "You're not an official member yet, but I get the impression you might take that step in the future. So consider it an... insurance policy." She smiled softly, surprised at Sera's sudden sniffle as she accepted the jacket.

"T... That's really sweet of you." She rubbed her eyes, "No idea why that is making me tear up."

"Coming down from a heightened emotional state. That'll happen. You'll cry over burning your toast later, too. I recommend a nice cold shower, your favorite bowl of ice cream, a fluffy bathrobe, and your favorite TV show. Spend the night in. No homework, just... relax your body and mind. Luckily, you've got the day off tomorrow too."

Sera sniffed slightly and laid the jacket across her lap as Aurora worked at her hooves.

"Day off tomorrow? No I don't." Tomorrow was a school day, that made no sense.

Aurora grinned, "Yes, you do. I've seen to it, and your Human Equine Bio professor gave you an A on the quiz you're missing."

Sera slumped slightly, a bit confused, "How did you manage that?"

Finally getting the lacing undone on one hoof, Aurora looked up at Sera, "Let's just say, the equine programs tend to hold a bit of influence, and leave it at that. Ponying is not an easy skill to develop or get into, so it's equitable that anyone involved in the education or lifestyle of ponies be given recovery days once in a while."

"Huh." Sera said flatly. Unsure how to feel about it. On one hand, it felt an awful lot like what her family was constantly doing to make sure she stayed in the spotlight. Paying off the school to let her in, making sure she had the 'best of the best' of everything. But then, this was different. This had been done out of kindness and care, not because she was 'valuable' to her family's image.

So she accepted it with a smile, "Thank you."

"Oh don't thank me yet. Thank me AFTER I've gotten these boots off because you're about to hate me."

"What do you mea--ow ow ow ow!" She cried out as the boot was tugged off, releasing her foot back to its natural state, which let all the nerves fire off in quick sequence, letting her realize just how sore her feet actually were.

Aurora worked quickly, undoing the other boot and tugging it off too.

"Deep breaths. First time out of hooves can be reaaaaaal sore. Take two Adviolle when you get back to your dorm and finish showering, helps take the edge off." She sat down next to Sera, who was almost whimpering in pain.

Aurora gave Sera's shoulders a gentle squeeze, "Want me to walk you back to your dorm?"

"C... Could carry me..." She murmured painfully.

"True, but that would be spoiling you. It's like a reverse walk of shame. A walk of pride. I'll walk you back, kay?"

Sera nodded, and with Aurora helping gather her things and letting Sera lean into her as they walked, they made their way out of the Equine facilities and up towards the dorm building overlooking the fields.

They shared no more words as they walked. Just letting the buzz of the crickets and the slight fall wind rustling through the long grass wash over them as they walked.

A quiet end to an amazing day.