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Does not incldue side stories.", "count": "65", "submission_left_submission_id": "1938479", "submission_left_file_name": "2792187_TerraMGP_by_necessity_housewarming.doc", "submission_right_submission_id": "1829377", "submission_right_file_name": "2626390_TerraMGP_by_right_settle.doc", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/2626/2626390_TerraMGP_by_right_settle.jpg", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/2626/2626390_TerraMGP_by_right_settle.jpg", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/2626/2626390_TerraMGP_by_right_settle.jpg", "submission_right_thumb_huge_x": "300", "submission_right_thumb_huge_y": "300", "submission_right_thumb_large_x": "200", "submission_right_thumb_large_y": "200", "submission_right_thumb_medium_x": "120", "submission_right_thumb_medium_y": "120" } ], "description": "Apparently the cure for writers block is to stay up far too late and far too hard jamming out stuff when you're too tired to care. Here's hoping I can keep this going!\n\nAdmittedly this wasn't all me. Spoiler: [Spoiler]There are song lyrics at the end written by the amazing and wonderful[/Spoiler] [iconname]MoniBunny[/iconname]\n\nSorry for no shmexy times in this one. Hope you enjoy anyways.", "description_bbcode_parsed": "Apparently the cure for writers block is to stay up far too late and far too hard jamming out stuff when you're too tired to care. Here's hoping I can keep this going!

Admittedly this wasn't all me. Spoiler: [Spoiler]There are song lyrics at the end written by the amazing and wonderful[/Spoiler] \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMoniBunny\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMoniBunny\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t


Sorry for no shmexy times in this one. Hope you enjoy anyways.", "writing": "By Necessity: Faire\nBy TerraMGP\n\n\tHolidays were one thing that the people of Yggdrasil could say equalized the masses. Days of rest and relaxation amid the tussle and turmoil of daily life. When those who could be spared could gain a free day with family and friends at all sorts of wonderful celebrations, and those who could not at least got extra pay.\n\n\tNot that it was at all equal. Even Brinna knew that. For people of her class the prospect of small street fairs and celebrations was simply a pale shadow of the huge open air extravaganzas enjoyed by class 2 citizens. Nevermind whatever went on up in the spire.\n\n\tThat ‘whatever’ rang in her head as she stepped into the main lobby spire, already bustling with more people than she was comfortable with. Master had insisted she accompany him to the Landsegan. It was a shock to be sure. Partially because Bri really couldn’t picture the upper crust even recognizing Landsegan. True her Master was an exception. But so many of the stuffy elites he talked about seemed as if they’d collapse at the mere thought of a proper festival. Yet standing here now in the lift surrounded by half a dozen revelers in surprisingly ‘normal’ clothing, tunics and Tee shirts instead of suits and dresses. Bri was starting to wonder just what she should be thinking.\n\n\tWhen she finally arrived, it wasn’t at all what Brinna had expected. Though it was debatable if that was a good thing. The Pavilion, such as it was, seemed to be a whole floor of the spire, cleared out of most walls and open at least two stories up. AR projections created the intense illusion of a bright spring day planetside. The kind of thing that would have burned out her old data jack trying to compile. A swirling mélange of bright blue sky and pure white sunlight. Heady rushes of cool air from the circulation vents piping in an earthy scent much like one of the stations parks and yet thousands of times more ‘clean’ and fresh. Among this stood dozens, perhaps hundreds of people. Men, women and children. Whole families and young couples walking between booths and expos. \n\n\tA throughway with deep-dive rides and games mixed with obscenely priced trinkets ran from just near the elevator exit up to the windows where one could see the bulk of the station should they choose to filter out the AR display. Bri looked at first for her Master, and then quickly shifted focus to a quiet spot where she could hide. Obedience and duty grinding against the crush of warm bodies and the insufferable presence that pushed against the invisible bubble of personal space surrounding her. \n\n\tWithout Sean’s warm comfort or firm discipline the exposed dormouse found herself stumbling through the crowd towards a small gap between two of the stands. The space between the modular walls was likely meant as some imitation of traditional faire tents. Complete with garish tartans and obnoxious stripes littering each one in an overly cheery display. Brinna stumbled though the stumbling, stamping feet of raucous revelers as they plodded about without much heed of her. A pair of young executive-looking men grumbled and bawled at each other as they stamped and weaved though the crowds. Bri having to scurry and stumble against the padded floor just to avoid being trampled as they pushed right though the opening she had been following.\n\n\tShe only just managed to pull her tail out of the way as they passed, and could do litter but wince as one man spilled half of his tankard on to her head while trying to bring it up to his lips.\n\n\tThe press of people was still flowing as Brinna finally made her way up to the little hidey hole. She was just about to duck in when a sharp, familiar whistle struck her ear. The poor mouse turning her eyes and whimpering loudly.\n\n\t“Going somewhere, girl?” The voice hissed disapprovingly.\n\n\tSita was unmistakable, even out of uniform. The mottled snake instead wore a simple maroon sweater that looked uncomfortably warm given the climate control settings and a simple pair of slacks. Her hair was pulled back enough for once so that her bindi was noticeable, though it was clear how uncomfortable this casual attire made her even now.\n\n\tAlmost instinctively Bri began to make her way over towards Sita. Clumsily bumping and bumbling though the crowd while wringing out her wet hair and tail as best she could.\n\n\t“Uh, hi. Sita.” Bri muttered gently.\n\n\t“Hello, girl.” Sita spat. “It took you long enough to get up here. I got the signal that you were in the lobby almost half an hour ago.”\n\n\t“well yeah. I mean I, well you know. People.” Bri muttered softly as her ears folded down.\n\n\t“People.” Sita muttered. “That excuse again”\n\n\tBrinna looked away and started to rub her arm nervously. No matter how times she’d gotten it since meeting the snake there was simply no way she could deal with the stern disapproving looks and sharp tongue of the head maid. Those piercing violet eyes ever resting upon her and drilling in a cold, uncomfortable feeling of utter inferiority.\n\n\tThe fact that it made the mouse squirm didn’t really help matters much either. Much as she wished to fight it.\n\n\tBri looked back up over the rim of her glasses, managing to meet the tips of Sita’s shoes. She then glanced over to another set beside her. Tori, the young shrew girl, Hung off of Sita’s hand. She stood rail straight with her knees knocking. In her free arm she held a black furred squirrel plush in a tight headlock so as to keep her thumb in her muzzle. As before Tori wore the comically big and heavy metal collar around her neck, though now her maid uniform had been replaced with a Princess Boudicca themed sundress and a pair of Coin-Jains. Distant descendants of the old Mary Jane shoe with a small slot to hold a decorative coin on the top of each shoe.\n\n\t“Oh, Hi Tori.” Brinna muttered meekly. She tried to offer a smile. A simple shove from yet another passer by ruining it and nearly knocking her face first into Sita.\n\n\t“H-hi.” The shrew whined back. Her eyes downcast on the ground as she pushed herself up against Sita’s leg.\n\n\t“So, uh. Did you come with Master to see the festival?” Bri chirped nervously.\n\n\t“No. Master’s not coming.” Sita said flatly.\n\n\t“Wait, what?” Bri stammered and twisted her attention to Sita. The panic blazing in her eyes.\n\n\t“He may be able to make an appearance later, but something has come up with his newest project and he needs to negotiate.”\n\n\tBri swallowed hard and tried to maneuver herself in closer to the other two. Not that being near the viper was much of an improvement over the faceless crowds of class 1s. She tucked herself in against the wall to one of the stalls, not too far from where she had been planning to hide anyways. Her nervous arm rubbing turned to a fierce and painful grip into her own armflesh as her eyes turned up to meet the level of Sita’s knees. “So, uh. I guess that means you’re the one in charge here today, then?” Bri whimpered.\n\n\t“No, it means you are.” Sita said firmly. She pulled Bri’s paw away from her arm and quickly pressed Tori’s hand into it closing it fast around the cubs paw and not releasing until she was sure the grip was solid. “Master needs my help attending him. That’s the problem with not having a real secretary at home. He felt it unfair that everyone should be shackled to the suites simply because he is, though. So he told me to bring them down here for you to watch.”\n\n\t“Wait.” Bri blinked “Them?”\n\n\t“Stupid lousy game is rigged.” A sharp little voice chimed from behind Bri. She felt the fur at the back of her neck go on end. Small shivers creeping up her spine.\n\n\t“Here you go, squirt. I got you a… oh fack.” Myrtle muttered in disgust at the sight of Brinna.\n\n\t“Uh, hi, Myrtle.” She muttered back before turning her eyes to Sita. “So I’m supposed to keep an eye on them… until he gets here? I mean do you know how long he will be?”\n\n\t“As long as he takes.” Sita shrugged.\n\n\t“B-but I mean why me? He has slaves that can do this sort of thing, right?”” Bri whined. The only response to come was a long, drawn out glare from the viper and a hiss of annoyance.\n\n\t“oh…” Bri finally muttered when the wheels finally clicked into place. \n\n\t“Most of the other slaves are free to run about as they wish, so you don’t need to worry about them. The same might be said of Myrtle if she could be trusted to behave.” Sita hissed.\n\n\t“I can behave just fine.” The little red panda barked. Not that either of the adults present seemed to pay her any heed.\n\n\t“Master should arrive some time later, but until he does you will be in charge, slave Brinna. Both girls have sufficient allowance to enjoy themselves so don’t go letting them trick you into anything. Master may insist on letting you play out this little ‘normal life’ game with your apprenticeship stipend but that doesn’t mean you can be foolish and go squandering it on junk food or toys to keep them calm. If there is an emergency the medical station is marked on the festival map and if they behave too poorly you are permitted to bring them back up to the suites. Though if I find that you did so simply to shirk responsibility.”\n\n\tBrinna swallowed hard and leaned back as much as she dared. The thought honestly hadn’t even crossed her mind, at least not yet. She nodded dumbly at Sita and yelped her loudest little ‘yes ma’am”. A paltry showing but at least one that seemed to appease the serpent. Sita said nothing more and simply turned to make her way to the nearby lift. \n\n\t“Oh, man.” Myrtle sighed roughly the second Sita got out of earshot. “Why did we have to get stuck with you?”\n\n--------------------\n\n\tOnly an hour in to the little ‘arrangement’ and things had gotten out of hand for Brinna. The mouse maiden had already gone though at least half a dozen booths with the girls. Most of them already hard to keep track. There were toys and games, cloths, junk food that seemed to mirror that of her own festivals back home, save for the ‘real’ ingredients and the price tags which would probably cover her parents’ rail passes for the month.\n\n\tAt the start of their little excursion Myrtle had been wearing a rather large backpack covered in stickers and pins. Well, large for a tweenage Wah at least. Now, though Bri found herself wearing the bag as the elder cub went about clearing out battler boosters and small plush toys that probably cost less than the price to play the game itself. All of them ending up shoved into the backpack. Turning Brinna into nothing more than some poor pathetic pack mule. Or pack pony.\n\n\tShe blushed a bit at the dirty, speciesist, but oh so kinky thought of it. Her mind wandering just far enough away that she was surprised when Tori tugged on her paw again and led her along behind an all too eager Myrtle.\n\n\t“Miss Brinna” Tori chirped out from her side, tugging Bri’s jacket and pointing over to one of the pavilions. “Can we go listen to the stories?”\n\n\tBri looked over and smiled a bit. A large number of cubs and their parents were gathered around as a pair of white-robed druids told stories from the old Ulster cycle with the help of simple Holo pictures and even a few practical magic tricks.\n\n\t“oh come on.” Myrtle whined. “It’s just a Holo show. You can watch that at home any time.”\n\n\t“Please Miss Brinna?” Tori asked “I mean ,if it’s ok. If it’s not too much trouble. I don’t want to get punished. U-unless you want to punish me ma’am. That’s what toy is for after all.”\n\n\tBri blushed hard at that and shook her head a bit. “I, er, I don’t think I’d even know where to start with that, Tori. S-sorry.” She muttered “That’s kinda Masters place after all, sweetie. Or Miss Sita. Or Miss Chepi.”\n\n\t“Chepi wouldn’t punish us.” Myrtle giggled “She doesn’t have a sadistic bone in her body. She just wants to cuddle and give us cookies. It’s super boring! Sometimes Master makes her do more fun stuff though. She gets super embarrassed and tries to protest. It’s real super cute! Oh! They have one of those mech games imported from NA! Come on Tori let’s go try it out!”\n\n\tBrinna glanced at the large cockpit assembly put on a set of reactive magnetic suspensions. Something to make the game feel more ‘real’. The whole thing really looking like a cockpit pulled from an NA mech. She felt Tori pushing into her thigh and whimpering loudly. Looking on at the large metal containers in abject terror.\n\n\t“I don’t think so, Myrtle. Master said I have to look after you girls, and I think she’s too little to ride in one of those right now. I mean that’s not just a dive game. It could give her a concussion.”\n\n\t“Not if she sits in your lap.” Myrtle protested.\n\n\t“Yeah, no. I don’t think me getting a concussion is going to keep her safe.”\n\n\t“Gods you guys are both wimps.” Myrtle whined before marching off to the small booth to play.\n\n\tBri could feel the younger cub untensing a bit. Her muscles almost turning to jelly after all the exertion.\n\n\t“Thank you, Miss Brinna.” she muttered gently.\n\n\t“That thing was kinda scary looking, huh?” Bri asked. Admittedly it didn’t seem so bad to her. She tussed the girls mane of rust red locks and pulled her close. She could feel a few choked sobs as Tori nodded. It didn’t really look too scary. Hell it was where she’d have gone first thing if she’d been stuck here alone waiting for Master like it first seemed. Just looking at it though seemed to be enough to shake Tori up, and the last thing she needed was to feel any worse.\n\n\t“Do you think that she’ll be mad at me, Miss Brinna?” Tori muttered meekly. Bri was quick to clasp the cubs free paw and squeeze it hard, shaking her head. \n\n\t“I think she’s just looking for reasons to be upset. Don’t worry about it. All the other slaves went off to play around here without us after all. The faire is more fun with a friends you know.”\n\n\t“I don’t think I have friends.” Tori muttered back. “Tori is just a little rape toy.”\n\n\tBrinna bit her lip and shook her head softly. “If Master didn’t want you to have friends he’d tell you. And I think the others probably like you. They just want to go off and explore is all. I’m sure if you ask them some will say they are your friend.”\n\n\t“A-and what if they aren’t?” She asked nervously.\n\n\t“Well, I mean I guess, I can be your friend.” The words were a shock to Brinna. It wasn’t something she expected to say so easily. Certainly not to someone like this poor young thing. Still, the small start of a smile on Tori’s face was more than worth it.\n\n\t“Well, look who I finally tracked down.”\n\n\tBri turned to face the source of the voice. Her eyes widening a bit in confusion. “Kani? What are you doing here?”\n\n\t“What do you mean?” Kani blinked “I was told to come here. I figured the big guy wanted some arm candy that wasn’t a frigid battle axe or a sentient plush toy. Only he’s not here, and you were moving around so fast I thought someone had swiped your data jack for a minute there.”\n\n\t“How exactly would they do that?” Bri muttered “Or do I not want to know?”\n\n\t“Trust me, you don’t.” Kani muttered “Let’s just say there’s a reason your folks always told you not to go past the noodle shop growing up.”\n\n\t“Nobody would have stolen my old jack.” Brinna chimed. It took only a second to realize just how stupid she was sounding. “Anyways, Master didn’t show up. So I’m watching Myrtle and Tori. He’s got some big important thing going on.”\n\n\t“Right. Big important thing.” Kani chuckled gesturing a bottle being slung back and heavy drinking.\n\n\tBri quickly covered Tori’s eyes and growled softly. “Kani. Seriously? Come on now.”\n\n\t“What? My mom and my aunt were always super clear on what they were doing when they threw a few back. Dad probably woulda been too if he were around. You really think it’s gonna hurt a girl like her?”\n\n\t“Yes.” Bri spat “and besides you shouldn’t speak ill of Master around her. I-it’s really not ok.”\n\n\tStuttery and insecure as it may be, it wasn’t quite the tone Kani was used to hearing from her friend. She glanced Bri up and down a few times while the pieces struggled to fit into place.\n\n\t“A-anyways, Master’s not here, so no arm candy day.”\n\n\t“Sweet! So what kind of trouble can we get up to first!?” Kani grinned.\n\n\t“No trouble. And we aren’t in any danger. So you can probably go hang out and enjoy things. I don’t mind taking it easy, and hanging out with little Tori here. She needs a friend to hang out with her after all.”\n\n\t“Well why not make it two friends?” Kani asked The sullen silence that served as Brinna’s response slowly rendering the bunny girl rather crestfallen.\n\n\t“Look, I, I mean, I don’t’ want to… Can we like, talk about this later? When the girls aren’t around? Please?” Bri whimpered.\n\n\t“Talk about what?” Kani sighed “You know squeekles you’re not giving me a whole lot to work with here.”\n\n\tThe two simply stood in silence amid the small sea of people for the longest time. Small whimpers from Tori and the steady background drone of the crowd all seeming to fade out like waves on the beach. Both women struggled to read the other, neither one daring to speak. Soon, neither one daring to look the other in the eye.\n\n\t“This is so Gods-damned stupid!” A voice finally chimed loud enough to break the silence.\n\n\t“Huh? What is it?” Brinna nearly snapped the question out, so eager the mouse was to get away from the long awkward pause. “A-also, Language” she added in a feeble attempt to scold the girl.\n\n\t“The guy running the game just banned me for an hour! I was fragging house. Then some poor little rich boys whined about a slave ‘cheating ‘and I got kicked.”\n\n\t“You what? Woz, that’s just sad. Little babies can’t handle a bit of honest competition, huh?” Kani chuckled and cracked her knuckles. “Maybe we should head back over there and see how they like it when we aren’t holding back, huh?”\n\n\t“What? No!” Bri yelped “You can’t do that Kani. That’s not…”\n\n\t“Excuse me, are you the one watching this little ruffian?” A pair of collies pushed their way through the crowd towards the small group.\n\n\t“I, er uh, yes.” Bri muttered. “C-can I help you?”\n\n\t“I should say you can, worm.” The woman snapped “That little disgrace to the collar there had the audacity to rob our little Trevor of his rightful victory. Our boy has gotten high marks in piloting sims all though early academy and the idea that some little cum rag could possibly oust him in a fight is just ridiculous!” \n\n\t“Yes” the man beside her snapped “As my wife said, she must have been cheating, and I have a good mind to take it up with your Master, see that you are all flogged raw and skinned for such a disgrace.”\n\n\tBrinna yelped and stood rail upright. Behind her she could feel Kani moving forward a step. The bunny radiating that vicious energy bubbling just below the surface. Bri thankfully curbed it with a throaty whining plea and then turned her attention back to the couple, bowing deeply and whimpering. “T-this slave is sorry. Th-that this worthless little cum rag beat your son. I- er, I mean. No. I mean yes she’s a cum rag. B-but I. I mean. W-we have upset you, Sir. Ma’am. I promise you it won’t happen again.”\n\n\tKani stood agape. Myrtle fuming. Tori simply tilted her head and watched curiously. A small boy popped his head out between the two collies and smirked a bit “Her, Mommy. That’s the girl. I want her to say she’s sorry. Not her babysitter.”\n\n\t“Babysitter?” The little Wah snarled. “She is not my babysitter. I do not need to be babysat you…” Before Myrtle could finish she was yanked in close by Bri and pulled to her side. The mouse struggling and forcing her into a bit of a bow as well. \n\n\t“Say you’re sorry, Sister.” She said loudly enough for the couple to hear. \n\n\tMyrtle gritted her teeth and glanced at Bri. Venom dripping from her gaze.\n\n\t“Say it” Bri whispered ‘or you’re going to get in trouble with Master. Come on.”\n\n\tMyrtle spat in visible disgust, but stayed bowed when Bri let go. “I’m sorry I upset you.” She muttered.\n\n\tThe collies looked the pair over for a long moment before nodding in satisfaction and turning away. “Very well. Come, son. Let’s get you a fair rematch in your game.”\n\n\tBrinna let out a sigh of relief and stood up straight once more. When she did, she was met by a death glair from Kani, the bunny standing with her arms folded.\n\n\t“What the hell was that?” she muttered.\n\n\t“What was what?” Bri blinked\n\n\t“Oh don’t give me that. The way you rolled over and begged for those random tower folk like they mean splice to you.”\n\n\t“It was the right thing to do” Bri muttered. Now it was the mouse’s turn to be visibly annoyed.\n\n\t“But why, Miss Brinna?” Tori piped in from where she stood, drinking things in.\n\n\t“Well, cause, you know… cause we have to know our place. Right? I mean we’re inferiors. We’re property. We don’t want to make Master look bad.”\n\n\t“Oh Puh-lease.” Kani grumbled “Look, I may think he’s a pompous piece of hardened toilet slag but that big bear wouldn’t have put up with that sad little display for a second and you know it. He woulda had them yipping off with their tails between their legs.”\n\n\t“Kani!” Bri winced covering Tori’s ears again. “That’s Speciesist!”\n\n\t“and they’re classist fack-heads. Fair trade, I say.” She spat.\n\n\t“That’s not our place.” Brinna muttered insistently. “A-and I’m not going to teach these girls that it’s ok to pretend we’re something we are not. I.. I gotta be a good example!”\n\n\t“Oh, frag your good example.” the bunny muttered\n\n\t“W-well I’m in charge. A-and technically I’m in charge of you too. So, so you can’t go after them”\n\n\tKanina stood dumbstruck. Jaw dropped. She looked like a service drone that had just burned out every processor in its system at once. When she finally composed herself Kani simply shook her head and turned from them, stomping off from the trio into the crowd of people.\n\n\tAs much as she wanted to, as much as e everything in her screamed to say something, Bri didn’t. Instead she simply took Myrtle by the paw and started to lead the girls along towards the next attraction.\n\n--------------------\n\n\tThankfully whoever had arranged this little Faire had the foresight to understand people might need to sit in places that weren’t Dive-rides or shops. Even better the small wooden benches littered around the outer perimeter of the faire floor had crowd dampeners built into the AR simulation, tuning out the uproarious crowds only a few feet away into a dull murmur without the deadening sensations that came with using a jacks inbuilt filter.\n\n\tBrinna lazed back into the bench holding a small cup-shaped waffle filled with stewed berries and clotted cream. Tori and Myrtle flanked her, each holding a cup of soy-freeze. Myrtle’s was far too large for the tween to manage, as Bri had pointed out. Nearly a liter of dessert topped with nuts and clotted cream was now a third of the way gone and the wah was showing signs of it as she forced each spoonful down almost grudgingly. Her eyes turning back to Bri when she thought the mouse wasn’t looking.\n\n\tTori on the other hand had gotten the size Brinna had suggested. Though now it was a matter of Bri herself having to frequently switch from holding the plush toy to holding the snack. Stopping only occasionally to fuss at the small chocolate smears at the tips of her muzzle.\n\n\t“Why do we have to sit here? It’s boring.” Myrtle muttered as she curled her legs up to her chest. “I wanted to go on more rides.”\n\n\t“They don’t let you in to those simulations if you’ve got food. You think they want the dive chair all gunked up with melted Soyfreeze or ice cream?”\n\n\t“Is that why you got the berries, Miss Brinna?” Tori muttered softly.\n\n\t“Well, no. Not really.” Bri shrugged “It’s just more traditional I guess. Where I grew up Oimelc is a really big deal.”\n\n\t“Oimelc?” Tori whimpered the question nervously as she offered up her now nearly empty cup and reached for her plush. Bri stopped her and ran a small napkin over her paws before pushing the toy back into the girls lap.\n\n\t“Well my family is originally from Faeroe. Way back when. Most of the families in my section have roots back there, or they come from the old mining colonies back when the company bought up Mikadzuki mining. But yeah, lots of Faeroe people, so lots of us worship the Tuatha instead of the Aesir.” As if to make the point clear Bri pulled out the small icon to Brigid that hung around her neck, showing it off to the two cubs with the expected level of interest and engagement from each.”\n\n\t“So what? Just because you worship other gods you call Landsegan something else? That seems kinda dumb.”\n\n\t“It’s not dumb.” Bri whimpered. “It’s important. Class 3 citizens don’t have much. A lot of what we do have ends up being identity. It’s that we know who we are even if nobody else does. I remember Kani and I used to save up and do odd jobs for weeks just to buy little fruit cups like this and do some rides or games. Of course ours are all rigged. So Kani kinda sorta rigged em back.” Bri giggle-snored. “That’s how I got puff. Dumb guy running the booth took all my money so she came up and won him for me, then set it up so the next few kids who played would win too. \n\n\tJust saying Kani’s name caused her ears to droop once more. Bri glanced down at the still largely intact fruit waffle and quickly bit though the bulk of it. Gnawing and chewing with her big bucked front teeth, swallowing it down without any real regard for savoring it.\n\n\t“So you mean this isn’t just a festival for Freya then, Miss Brinna?” Tori asked in as calm and happy a voice as the shaken little slave girl could muster. So then what god do you follow?”\n\n\t“Brigid, if I’m not mistaken.”\n\n\tAnother familiar voice. This one sinking into the pit of Brinna’s like fangs. She cast her eyes upwards towards the glorious visage of a wolf now towering over the trio. A gold-furred bunny tucked neatly into the crook of her arm pit. Regal and resplendent even in a Lena Rudestrum shirt and a simple pair of leather pants.\n\n\t“Lady Runa?” Bri gasped. The mouse wasn’t even aware that she’d dropped down to her knees by the time she did so. The padding on the floor thankfully taking the brunt of the blow. The two cubs followed suit in short order leaving the confused mouse to tremble and glance nervously at the floor. She waited for some kind of order, some sign of what to do or say. Her heart racing in blissful terror in the presence of her Masters sister.\n\n\tRuna chuckled and reached out a paw, only for Bri to fall flat on her face, kissing the tip of Runa’s boot reverently. She finally dared to glance up at the shocked and bemused woman in the hopes that she had done the right thing. Her only answer a firm paw wrapping around her thick mane of black hair and yanking Bri back upright.\n\n\t“In fact, for those who follow the Tuatha, today would be Brigid’s day would it not, little one?” As one would expect of one of such breeding Runa didn’t miss a beat. Even her simple chiding bringing a blush to Bri’s cheeks. A nervous jolt of inferiority filing her that to this point had only ever been surpassed by the hands of her Master.\n\n\tThe mouse nodded softly. “Yes ma’am, well, no ma’am. I mean yes ma’am but not in that way. I mean with it being in space and all, and away from Terra, and all the festivals rolled into the day and EEP!“ She let out a small yelp as Runa tilted and twisted her head upwards by the muzzle. Reaching down to grip and reverently hold the small hand made charm.\n\n\t“Seems fitting enough, from what my brother has told me of you. I’m sure much of your fortune has been her blessing, little one.”\n\n\t“T-thank you, Ma’am.” Bri muttered softly.\n\n\t“I also imagine it hadn’t been too easy on you today has it? Or have you chained your poor little sister slaves here to the bench all day to avoid all the nasty little spawn of privilege stamping around here?”\n\n\t“She has, Lady Runa. We’ve been stuck here way too long. I wanted to go on some rides and she said I couldn’t and I probably wont’ have time to get any games done before we have to go. And I was gonna get something for Master, and.” Myrtle was silenced by a hard glare. The cold blue-and-silver eyes of the wolf ripping away any momentum the rant may have had left.\n\n\t“It would seem someone is not contented with her current circumstances. Siv, Where is Eleanor right now?” Runa growled playfully.\n\n\t“Wait, Eleanor’s here?” Myrtle asked as her ears perked a bit.\n\n\t“She should be waiting for her turn in the combat list dive right now.” Siv said happily. “I’m sure if you rush you might be able to persuade her that she needs a partner.”\n\n\tMyrtle scowled at Bri briefly before pulling herself up and darting off into the crowd. The mouse unable to do more than raise a hand in silent protest.\n\n\t“”I swear, my brother really can be a sadist, sticking you with that little imp. Here I thought he was supposed to be taking it easy on his new little prey.”\n\n\t“W-we should probably go get her, Ma’am. I mean Tori and I. Master wanted me to look after them and-”\n\n\t“Shhh, hush now, little inferior.” Runa cooed, pushing a finger to Bri’s lips. “This shall be between myself and my brother. I am sure any punishment gained because of it will be slightly less severe knowing it was out of your hands.” The wolf watched with predatory glee as the blush flashed over Bri’s face, the freckles in her fur burning bright red. “Besides, this is the day of your goddess, and I am sure you have worship to perform amidst the revelries. Come, little one.” Runa grunted as she snagged hold of Tori’s paw and pulled her to her feet. “We shall find something for you to wear that will entice your Masters brutal whims tonight.”\n\n\t“W-we will?” Tori whined. The poor girl both terrified and a bit on edge at the thought. The conditioning clearly working well.\n\n\t“We shall.” Siv affirmed.\n\n\t“B-but what about Miss Brinna?”\n\n\tRuna smiled a toothy smile and patted the cub on the head. “You will be able to catch up with ‘Miss’ Brinna later, little one. For now she has some very important matters to attend to. Don’t you?”\n\n\tShe didn’t, and truth be told Bri suspected that Lady Runa knew that. Yet the look in those eyes brokered nothing but agreement. The kneeling mouse nodding frantically and bowing low. “of course, my Lady. Your word is my command. Thank you for guiding me, Lady Runa. I really appreciate it. I mean it’s very kind of you. I mean,” she glanced up to see the trio had already walked off out of the small bubble of calm space and back into the maelstrom of carousers. Brinna stayed kneeling for a long while before finally feeling the urge to pull herself back up into her seat. Her long sought silence suddenly crashing into her with a deafening roar.\n\n--------------------\n\n\tEven with a supposedly ‘exclusive’ event like this it was hard for Bri to manage. It was amazing how big and crowded a simple floor of the spire could be. Or just how many people could be crammed in without seeming at all affected by it. The whole layout of this ‘faire space‘ or whatever it normally was still confused Brinna immensely. But it only got worse as she walked around it by herself.\n\n\tFor one thing it was clear things were modular and intended to be shifted as needed. Scrapes and indents on the floor showing signs of heavy equipment moved around from time to time, not unlike what she would see at her moms work on days when the class did a parent shadow. Then there were all of the little touches intended to simulate nature planetside. A few years ago Brinna would have written these things off as simple one-week eccentricities to help stoke the egos of the wealthy. Yet having seen what her Master and others like him had become accustomed to it made her wonder if this space wasn‘t intended to feel more ‘open‘ like that from the start. Not that she had any real basis for judgment.\n\n\tThen there were the side structures. In particular a large amphitheater sunk down into one of the corners of the room. Nowhere near the size of the few arenas the station had to offer. At most probably only able to hold about a hundred participants with some standing in the pit in front of the stage. Yet it was something she could have never imagined just resting there in the spire. Dipping down three or four floors further and likely eating up some of the most valuable real-estate on the station. Perhaps in the whole corp.\n\n\tThe theater was why she‘d let herself get stuck here now. Cowering off in the corner near the top as far away from the beautiful people as she could get. Leena Rudestrum, Yggdrasil‘s prodigal daughter, had been asked to play as part of the festival.\n\n\tIt was a shock to say the least. Certainly not something she‘d expect any of the upper branches to get into. Though Brinna would be damned if she was going to miss it. She‘d waited years to see this woman perform in person and after the day she‘d had so far, it seemed like a fitting reward. Not that she likely deserved such a thing. But for once Brinna didn‘t give a damn what she ‘deserved‘.\n\n\tShe sat back where the corner of the amphitheater met the path to the snack stands and dangled her feet over some of the simulated marble. Or maybe for all she knew the stone was real. It would be easy enough to check, but at this point all Brinna could do was slip her eyes shut and get lost in the music as the band finished up ‘bleed for me’\n\n\t“Hey”\n\n\tBri stumbled forwards, nearly falling over. Only stopped by a paw gripping on to her shoulder and pulling her back to her feet. She turned around and looked into an all too familiar face.\n\n\t“Kani.” Bri muttered. A smile instantly crossing and then fading from her muzzle. “What are you doing here?”\n\n\t“What do you mean? I told you why I’m here already.” Kani sighed.\n\n\t“Well yeah. I mean I know why you’re here. But I mean, here here. Like, right here here. Right now here. You know?” \n\n\tShe did. Brinna knew she did. Even with that stupid babbling and blathering Kanina understood her, if anyone would.\n\n\t“You do realize you’re stuck here at the back end of a huge over stimulating crowd, right? If it was anyone other than Leena Rudestrum I’d have assumed someone backed you into a corner on his way to the bathroom and you were too polite to protest and then too scared to move past all the people.\n\n\t“I would never let something like that happen… Again… for the third time.” Bri trailed off and shook her head before glancing up at Kani again. “And I don’t need to be babysat. I don’t need you getting hurt because you think you have to play hero or something.”\n\n\t“Uh, news flash, Bri. That’s my job now. Until I get released from it I gotta keep an eye on you. And really it’s not like that should be a big deal. How is that any different from how it’s always been?”\n\n\tBrinna didn’t say anything. She turned to the stage where the band was in the midst of one of their infamous dueling guitar and violent solos. Her ears folding back and perking up intermittently both to try and focus on the music and to avoid it as Bri struggled to get comfortable in her own skin.\n\n\t“Look, Bri, whatever’s going down you gotta talk to me. Because my magical mousie mind reading powers only go so far.”\n\n\t“You know why I’m mad.” Brinna said insistently.\n\n\t“Because Sea- Because ‘Master’ and I lied to you, right?” Kani sighed softly.\n\n\t“No. I mean yes. But more than that. You just went off and tried to fight gangers. People who probably had guns. All by yourself. What happened if you got hurt? What happened if you got killed?”\n\n\t“And what would happen if you got killed?” Kani quipped back sullenly.\n\n\t“I don’t care.” Bri snapped, tears in her eyes. “Maybe you and Master are fine with putting your life on the line to protect some stupid little dirt girl like me, but I’m not. I’m not going to lose my best friend because somehow she thinks I’m worth saving!”\n\n\t“You are, Brinna. Woz damn it you’re worth saving. How many times do we all have to tell you-”\n\n\t“Just, let me listen to this.” Bri grumbled as she turned her face to the stage, looking out at it from over the crowd of people.\n\n\t“Bri, I-”\n\n\t“I’m the ‘Mistress’ in this little arrangement, right?” Brinna muttered bluntly. “So just let me listen.” The words obviously made her horribly uncomfortable. Rage and anxiety quaked though a body not at all equipped to deal with both at the same time.\n\n\tKani watched Bri’s eyes close and then sighed, doing the same. Just letting the music wash over her and wipe out some of the festering feelings churning in her.\n\n\t“Well met, my loyal servants!” Leena crowed happily out to the filled amphitheater. Dozens of glow-rods and small holo projectors lighting up as they were thrust overhead, creating a chaotic sea of personalized scenes and flashing colors. “You know this is what I’ve missed about my home. To see all of you out there now. No pretension. No masks. Not like Third Sun. The people of the Great Tree know who we are!”\n\n\tHer leather clad fist shot into the air, another cry from the aristocratic youths assembled washed over the area. The lights quickly dimmed as a projection of the familiar starsscape around the station shone with near perfect clarity over their heads. Bathing the crowd in a deep twilight.\n\n\t“Now it’s about time we slow it down a bit. I think you all know this song. Hope that all of you out there, my kin, know just what it means. Hit it.”\n[i][center]\nOur last night, Lay down with me in the sheets, enjoy our time, your last breath takes in all of it, bloody roses, drown me in vast temptation. My promises, were spoiled my lips touched your neck then. I drink you in again, just to heal you, underneath my sin, clawing onto. The dark scent is always traced with an intoxicating need of your poison.\n\nI tell myself I'm no good for you, but you can't tell my tightening grip will not release, you want to fight it through the end, but you know you don't want to win. I drink you in again, just to heal you, underneath your sin, clawing onto, the dark scent is always traced with an intoxicating need of my poison[/center][/i]\n\n\tThe two women stood stone still, drinking in the song from their vantage point atop the small amphitheater space. Eyes and ears fixed on the grey wolf as she belted out the melancholy song they’d each heard a at least a thousand times between them. Kanina allowed her eyes to slip shut and a smile cross her muzzle with the second verse ending and the solo beginning. Her senses slipping away into a sea of flow and lilting guitar. The notes velvety and mournful. She didn’t even notice the paw slipping into hers. Fingers intertwining with phantom force into her paw and gripping firmly.\n\n\tHer eyes opened suddenly. The paw holding hers had yanked her down, a pair of lips pushing up against hers. A deep, sudden kiss twisting into her mouth. Needy and claiming at the same time. Soft and sweet and oh so familiar. The tongue of the blushing grey furred mouse licking and lapping at Kanina’s. It took all Kani had not to fall over. Finally getting herself situated, standing back up and kissing back roughly. The two girls sinking into each others embrace\n\n[i][center]I don't wanna be saved you don't wanna be free I can feel you swimming through my mind, shattering dreams shimmer in my eyes I can feel my soul ignite, as you make me mine. You drink from me again, just to heal me, underneath your sin, I'm clawing onto, your dark scent is now traced with an intoxicating smell of my poison.[/center][/i]\n\n\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "By Necessity: Faire
By TerraMGP

\tHolidays were one thing that the people of Yggdrasil could say equalized the masses. Days of rest and relaxation amid the tussle and turmoil of daily life. When those who could be spared could gain a free day with family and friends at all sorts of wonderful celebrations, and those who could not at least got extra pay.

\tNot that it was at all equal. Even Brinna knew that. For people of her class the prospect of small street fairs and celebrations was simply a pale shadow of the huge open air extravaganzas enjoyed by class 2 citizens. Nevermind whatever went on up in the spire.

\tThat ‘whatever’ rang in her head as she stepped into the main lobby spire, already bustling with more people than she was comfortable with. Master had insisted she accompany him to the Landsegan. It was a shock to be sure. Partially because Bri really couldn’t picture the upper crust even recognizing Landsegan. True her Master was an exception. But so many of the stuffy elites he talked about seemed as if they’d collapse at the mere thought of a proper festival. Yet standing here now in the lift surrounded by half a dozen revelers in surprisingly ‘normal’ clothing, tunics and Tee shirts instead of suits and dresses. Bri was starting to wonder just what she should be thinking.

\tWhen she finally arrived, it wasn’t at all what Brinna had expected. Though it was debatable if that was a good thing. The Pavilion, such as it was, seemed to be a whole floor of the spire, cleared out of most walls and open at least two stories up. AR projections created the intense illusion of a bright spring day planetside. The kind of thing that would have burned out her old data jack trying to compile. A swirling mélange of bright blue sky and pure white sunlight. Heady rushes of cool air from the circulation vents piping in an earthy scent much like one of the stations parks and yet thousands of times more ‘clean’ and fresh. Among this stood dozens, perhaps hundreds of people. Men, women and children. Whole families and young couples walking between booths and expos.

\tA throughway with deep-dive rides and games mixed with obscenely priced trinkets ran from just near the elevator exit up to the windows where one could see the bulk of the station should they choose to filter out the AR display. Bri looked at first for her Master, and then quickly shifted focus to a quiet spot where she could hide. Obedience and duty grinding against the crush of warm bodies and the insufferable presence that pushed against the invisible bubble of personal space surrounding her.

\tWithout Sean’s warm comfort or firm discipline the exposed dormouse found herself stumbling through the crowd towards a small gap between two of the stands. The space between the modular walls was likely meant as some imitation of traditional faire tents. Complete with garish tartans and obnoxious stripes littering each one in an overly cheery display. Brinna stumbled though the stumbling, stamping feet of raucous revelers as they plodded about without much heed of her. A pair of young executive-looking men grumbled and bawled at each other as they stamped and weaved though the crowds. Bri having to scurry and stumble against the padded floor just to avoid being trampled as they pushed right though the opening she had been following.

\tShe only just managed to pull her tail out of the way as they passed, and could do litter but wince as one man spilled half of his tankard on to her head while trying to bring it up to his lips.

\tThe press of people was still flowing as Brinna finally made her way up to the little hidey hole. She was just about to duck in when a sharp, familiar whistle struck her ear. The poor mouse turning her eyes and whimpering loudly.

\t“Going somewhere, girl?” The voice hissed disapprovingly.

\tSita was unmistakable, even out of uniform. The mottled snake instead wore a simple maroon sweater that looked uncomfortably warm given the climate control settings and a simple pair of slacks. Her hair was pulled back enough for once so that her bindi was noticeable, though it was clear how uncomfortable this casual attire made her even now.

\tAlmost instinctively Bri began to make her way over towards Sita. Clumsily bumping and bumbling though the crowd while wringing out her wet hair and tail as best she could.

\t“Uh, hi. Sita.” Bri muttered gently.

\t“Hello, girl.” Sita spat. “It took you long enough to get up here. I got the signal that you were in the lobby almost half an hour ago.”

\t“well yeah. I mean I, well you know. People.” Bri muttered softly as her ears folded down.

\t“People.” Sita muttered. “That excuse again”

\tBrinna looked away and started to rub her arm nervously. No matter how times she’d gotten it since meeting the snake there was simply no way she could deal with the stern disapproving looks and sharp tongue of the head maid. Those piercing violet eyes ever resting upon her and drilling in a cold, uncomfortable feeling of utter inferiority.

\tThe fact that it made the mouse squirm didn’t really help matters much either. Much as she wished to fight it.

\tBri looked back up over the rim of her glasses, managing to meet the tips of Sita’s shoes. She then glanced over to another set beside her. Tori, the young shrew girl, Hung off of Sita’s hand. She stood rail straight with her knees knocking. In her free arm she held a black furred squirrel plush in a tight headlock so as to keep her thumb in her muzzle. As before Tori wore the comically big and heavy metal collar around her neck, though now her maid uniform had been replaced with a Princess Boudicca themed sundress and a pair of Coin-Jains. Distant descendants of the old Mary Jane shoe with a small slot to hold a decorative coin on the top of each shoe.

\t“Oh, Hi Tori.” Brinna muttered meekly. She tried to offer a smile. A simple shove from yet another passer by ruining it and nearly knocking her face first into Sita.

\t“H-hi.” The shrew whined back. Her eyes downcast on the ground as she pushed herself up against Sita’s leg.

\t“So, uh. Did you come with Master to see the festival?” Bri chirped nervously.

\t“No. Master’s not coming.” Sita said flatly.

\t“Wait, what?” Bri stammered and twisted her attention to Sita. The panic blazing in her eyes.

\t“He may be able to make an appearance later, but something has come up with his newest project and he needs to negotiate.”

\tBri swallowed hard and tried to maneuver herself in closer to the other two. Not that being near the viper was much of an improvement over the faceless crowds of class 1s. She tucked herself in against the wall to one of the stalls, not too far from where she had been planning to hide anyways. Her nervous arm rubbing turned to a fierce and painful grip into her own armflesh as her eyes turned up to meet the level of Sita’s knees. “So, uh. I guess that means you’re the one in charge here today, then?” Bri whimpered.

\t“No, it means you are.” Sita said firmly. She pulled Bri’s paw away from her arm and quickly pressed Tori’s hand into it closing it fast around the cubs paw and not releasing until she was sure the grip was solid. “Master needs my help attending him. That’s the problem with not having a real secretary at home. He felt it unfair that everyone should be shackled to the suites simply because he is, though. So he told me to bring them down here for you to watch.”

\t“Wait.” Bri blinked “Them?”

\t“Stupid lousy game is rigged.”  A sharp little voice chimed from behind Bri. She felt the fur at the back of her neck go on end. Small shivers creeping up her spine.

\t“Here you go, squirt. I got you a… oh fack.” Myrtle muttered in disgust at the sight of Brinna.

\t“Uh, hi, Myrtle.” She muttered back before turning her eyes to Sita. “So I’m supposed to keep an eye on them… until he gets here? I mean do you know how long he will be?”

\t“As long as he takes.” Sita shrugged.

\t“B-but I mean why me? He has slaves that can do this sort of thing, right?”” Bri whined. The only response to come was a long, drawn out glare from the viper and a hiss of annoyance.

\t“oh…” Bri finally muttered when the wheels finally clicked into place.

\t“Most of the other slaves are free to run about as they wish, so you don’t need to worry about them. The same might be said of Myrtle if she could be trusted to behave.” Sita hissed.

\t“I can behave just fine.” The little red panda barked. Not that either of the adults present seemed to pay her any heed.

\t“Master should arrive some time later, but until he does you will be in charge, slave Brinna. Both girls have sufficient allowance to enjoy themselves so don’t go letting them trick you into anything. Master may insist on letting you play out this little ‘normal life’ game with your apprenticeship stipend but that doesn’t mean you can be foolish and go squandering it on junk food or toys to keep them calm. If there is an emergency the medical station is marked on the festival map and if they behave too poorly you are permitted to bring them back up to the suites. Though if I find that you did so simply to shirk responsibility.”

\tBrinna swallowed hard and leaned back as much as she dared. The thought honestly hadn’t even crossed her mind, at least not yet. She nodded dumbly at Sita and yelped her loudest little ‘yes ma’am”. A paltry showing but at least one that seemed to appease the serpent. Sita said nothing more and simply turned to make her way to the nearby lift.

\t“Oh, man.” Myrtle sighed roughly the second Sita got out of earshot. “Why did we have to get stuck with you?”

--------------------

\tOnly an hour in to the little ‘arrangement’ and things had gotten out of hand for Brinna. The mouse maiden had already gone though at least half a dozen booths with the girls. Most of them already hard to keep track. There were toys and games, cloths, junk food that seemed to mirror that of her own festivals back home, save for the ‘real’ ingredients and the price tags which would probably cover her parents’ rail passes for the month.

\tAt the start of their little excursion Myrtle had been wearing a rather large backpack covered in stickers and pins. Well, large for a tweenage Wah at least. Now, though Bri found herself wearing the bag as the elder cub went about clearing out battler boosters and small plush toys that probably cost less than the price to play the game itself. All of them ending up shoved into the backpack. Turning Brinna into nothing more than some poor pathetic pack mule. Or pack pony.

\tShe blushed a bit at the dirty, speciesist, but oh so kinky thought of it. Her mind wandering just far enough away that she was surprised when Tori tugged on her paw again and led her along behind an all too eager Myrtle.

\t“Miss Brinna” Tori chirped out from her side, tugging Bri’s jacket and pointing over to one of the pavilions. “Can we go listen to the stories?”

\tBri looked over and smiled a bit. A large number of cubs and their parents were gathered around as a pair of white-robed druids told stories from the old Ulster cycle with the help of simple Holo pictures and even a few practical magic tricks.

\t“oh come on.” Myrtle whined. “It’s just a Holo show. You can watch that at home any time.”

\t“Please Miss Brinna?” Tori asked “I mean ,if it’s ok. If it’s not too much trouble. I don’t want to get punished. U-unless you want to punish me ma’am. That’s what toy is for after all.”

\tBri blushed hard at that and shook her head a bit. “I, er, I don’t think I’d even know where to start with that, Tori. S-sorry.” She muttered “That’s kinda Masters place after all, sweetie. Or Miss Sita. Or Miss Chepi.”

\t“Chepi wouldn’t punish us.” Myrtle giggled “She doesn’t have a sadistic bone in her body. She just wants to cuddle and give us cookies. It’s super boring! Sometimes Master makes her do more fun stuff though. She gets super embarrassed and tries to protest. It’s real super cute! Oh! They have one of those mech games imported from NA! Come on Tori let’s go try it out!”

\tBrinna glanced at the large cockpit assembly put on a set of reactive magnetic suspensions. Something to make the game feel more ‘real’. The whole thing really looking like a cockpit pulled from an NA mech. She felt Tori pushing into her thigh and whimpering loudly. Looking on at the large metal containers in abject terror.

\t“I don’t think so, Myrtle. Master said I have to look after you girls, and I think she’s too little to ride in one of those right now. I mean that’s not just a dive game. It could give her a concussion.”

\t“Not if she sits in your lap.” Myrtle protested.

\t“Yeah, no. I don’t think me getting a concussion is going to keep her safe.”

\t“Gods you guys are both wimps.” Myrtle whined before marching off to the small booth to play.

\tBri could feel the younger cub untensing a bit. Her muscles almost turning to jelly after all the exertion.

\t“Thank you, Miss Brinna.” she muttered gently.

\t“That thing was kinda scary looking, huh?” Bri asked. Admittedly it didn’t seem so bad to her. She tussed the girls mane of rust red locks and pulled her close. She could feel a few choked sobs as Tori nodded. It didn’t really look too scary. Hell it was where she’d have gone first thing if she’d been stuck here alone waiting for Master like it first seemed. Just looking at it though seemed to be enough to shake Tori up, and the last thing she needed was to feel any worse.

\t“Do you think that she’ll be mad at me, Miss Brinna?” Tori muttered meekly. Bri was quick to clasp the cubs free paw and squeeze it hard, shaking her head.

\t“I think she’s just looking for reasons to be upset. Don’t worry about it. All the other slaves went off to play around here without us after all. The faire is more fun with a friends you know.”

\t“I don’t think I have friends.” Tori muttered back. “Tori is just a little rape toy.”

\tBrinna bit her lip and shook her head softly. “If Master didn’t want you to have friends he’d tell you. And I think the others probably like you. They just want to go off and explore is all. I’m sure if you ask them some will say they are your friend.”

\t“A-and what if they aren’t?” She asked nervously.

\t“Well, I mean I guess, I can be your friend.” The words were a shock to Brinna. It wasn’t something she expected to say so easily. Certainly not to someone like this poor young thing. Still, the small start of a smile on Tori’s face was more than worth it.

\t“Well, look who I finally tracked down.”

\tBri turned to face the source of the voice. Her eyes widening a bit in confusion. “Kani? What are you doing here?”

\t“What do you mean?” Kani blinked “I was told to come here. I figured the big guy wanted some arm candy that wasn’t a frigid battle axe or a sentient plush toy. Only he’s not here, and you were moving around so fast I thought someone had swiped your data jack for a minute there.”

\t“How exactly would they do that?” Bri muttered “Or do I not want to know?”

\t“Trust me, you don’t.” Kani muttered “Let’s just say there’s a reason your folks always told you not to go past the noodle shop growing up.”

\t“Nobody would have stolen my old jack.” Brinna chimed. It took only a second to realize just how stupid she was sounding. “Anyways, Master didn’t show up. So I’m watching Myrtle and Tori. He’s got some big important thing going on.”

\t“Right. Big important thing.” Kani chuckled gesturing a bottle being slung back and heavy drinking.

\tBri quickly covered Tori’s eyes and growled softly. “Kani. Seriously? Come on now.”

\t“What? My mom and my aunt were always super clear on what they were doing when they threw a few back. Dad probably woulda been too if he were around. You really think it’s gonna hurt a girl like her?”

\t“Yes.” Bri spat “and besides you shouldn’t speak ill of Master around her. I-it’s really not ok.”

\tStuttery and insecure as it may be, it wasn’t quite the tone Kani was used to hearing from her friend. She glanced Bri up and down a few times while the pieces struggled to fit into place.

\t“A-anyways, Master’s not here, so no arm candy day.”

\t“Sweet! So what kind of trouble can we get up to first!?” Kani grinned.

\t“No trouble. And we aren’t in any danger. So you can probably go hang out and enjoy things. I don’t mind taking it easy, and hanging out with little Tori here. She needs a friend to hang out with her after all.”

\t“Well why not make it two friends?” Kani asked The sullen silence that served as Brinna’s response slowly rendering the bunny girl rather crestfallen.

\t“Look, I, I mean, I don’t’ want to… Can we like, talk about this later? When the girls aren’t around? Please?” Bri whimpered.

\t“Talk about what?” Kani sighed “You know squeekles you’re not giving me a whole lot to work with here.”

\tThe two simply stood in silence amid the small sea of people for the longest time. Small whimpers from Tori and the steady background drone of the crowd all seeming to fade out like waves on the beach. Both women struggled to read the other, neither one daring to speak. Soon, neither one daring to look the other in the eye.

\t“This is so Gods-damned stupid!” A voice finally chimed loud enough to break the silence.

\t“Huh? What is it?” Brinna nearly snapped the question out, so eager the mouse was to get away from the long awkward pause. “A-also, Language” she added in a feeble attempt to scold the girl.

\t“The guy running the game just banned me for an hour! I was fragging house. Then some poor little rich boys whined about a slave ‘cheating ‘and I got kicked.”

\t“You what? Woz, that’s just sad. Little babies can’t handle a bit of honest competition, huh?” Kani chuckled and cracked her knuckles. “Maybe we should head back over there and see how they like it when we aren’t holding back, huh?”

\t“What? No!” Bri yelped “You can’t do that Kani. That’s not…”

\t“Excuse me, are you the one watching this little ruffian?” A pair of collies pushed their way through the crowd towards the small group.

\t“I, er uh, yes.” Bri muttered. “C-can I help you?”

\t“I should say you can, worm.” The woman snapped “That little disgrace to the collar there had the audacity to rob our little Trevor of his rightful victory. Our boy has gotten high marks in piloting sims all though early academy and the idea that some little cum rag could possibly oust him in a fight is just ridiculous!”

\t“Yes” the man beside her snapped “As my wife said, she must have been cheating, and I have a good mind to take it up with your Master, see that you are all flogged raw and skinned for such a disgrace.”

\tBrinna yelped and stood rail upright. Behind her she could feel Kani moving forward a step. The bunny radiating that vicious energy bubbling just below the surface. Bri thankfully curbed it with a throaty whining plea and then turned her attention back to the couple, bowing deeply and whimpering. “T-this slave is sorry. Th-that this worthless little cum rag beat your son. I- er, I mean. No. I mean yes she’s a cum rag. B-but I. I mean. W-we have upset you, Sir. Ma’am. I promise you it won’t happen again.”

\tKani stood agape. Myrtle fuming. Tori simply tilted her head and watched curiously. A small boy popped his head out between the two collies and smirked a bit “Her, Mommy. That’s the girl. I want her to say she’s sorry. Not her babysitter.”

\t“Babysitter?” The little Wah snarled. “She is not my babysitter. I do not need to be babysat you…” Before Myrtle could finish she was yanked in close by Bri and pulled to her side. The mouse struggling and forcing her into a bit of a bow as well.

\t“Say you’re sorry, Sister.” She said loudly enough for the couple to hear.

\tMyrtle gritted her teeth and glanced at Bri. Venom dripping from her gaze.

\t“Say it” Bri whispered ‘or you’re going to get in trouble with Master. Come on.”

\tMyrtle spat in visible disgust, but stayed bowed when Bri let go. “I’m sorry I upset you.” She muttered.

\tThe collies looked the pair over for a long moment before nodding in satisfaction and turning away. “Very well. Come, son. Let’s get you a fair rematch in your game.”

\tBrinna let out a sigh of relief and stood up straight once more. When she did, she was met by a death glair from Kani, the bunny standing with her arms folded.

\t“What the hell was that?” she muttered.

\t“What was what?” Bri blinked

\t“Oh don’t give me that. The way you rolled over and begged for those random tower folk like they mean splice to you.”

\t“It was the right thing to do” Bri muttered. Now it was the mouse’s turn to be visibly annoyed.

\t“But why, Miss Brinna?” Tori piped in from where she stood, drinking things in.

\t“Well, cause, you know… cause we have to know our place. Right? I mean we’re inferiors. We’re property. We don’t want to make Master look bad.”

\t“Oh Puh-lease.” Kani grumbled “Look, I may think he’s a pompous piece of hardened toilet slag but that big bear wouldn’t have put up with that sad little display for a second and you know it. He woulda had them yipping off with their tails between their legs.”

\t“Kani!” Bri winced covering Tori’s ears again. “That’s Speciesist!”

\t“and they’re classist fack-heads. Fair trade, I say.” She spat.

\t“That’s not our place.” Brinna muttered insistently. “A-and I’m not going to teach these girls that it’s ok to pretend we’re something we are not. I.. I  gotta be a good example!”

\t“Oh, frag your good example.” the bunny muttered

\t“W-well I’m in charge. A-and technically I’m in charge of you too. So, so you can’t go after them”

\tKanina stood dumbstruck. Jaw dropped. She looked like a service drone that had just burned out every processor in its system at once. When she finally composed herself Kani simply shook her head and turned from them, stomping off from the trio into the crowd of people.

\tAs much as she wanted to, as much as e everything in her screamed to say something, Bri didn’t. Instead she simply took Myrtle by the paw and started to lead the girls along towards the next attraction.

--------------------

\tThankfully whoever had arranged this little Faire had the foresight to understand people might need to sit in places that weren’t Dive-rides or shops. Even better the small wooden benches littered around the outer perimeter of the faire floor had crowd dampeners built into the AR simulation, tuning out the uproarious crowds only a few feet away into a dull murmur without the deadening sensations that came with using a jacks inbuilt filter.

\tBrinna lazed back into the bench holding a small cup-shaped waffle filled with stewed berries and clotted cream. Tori and Myrtle flanked her, each holding a cup of soy-freeze. Myrtle’s was far too large for the tween to manage, as Bri had pointed out. Nearly a liter of dessert topped with nuts and clotted cream was now a third of the way gone and the wah was showing signs of it as she forced each spoonful down almost grudgingly. Her eyes turning back to Bri when she thought the mouse wasn’t looking.

\tTori on the other hand had gotten the size Brinna had suggested. Though now it was a matter of Bri herself having to frequently switch from holding the plush toy to holding the snack. Stopping only occasionally to fuss at the small chocolate smears at the tips of her muzzle.

\t“Why do we have to sit here? It’s boring.” Myrtle muttered as she curled her legs up to her chest. “I wanted to go on more rides.”

\t“They don’t let you in to those simulations if you’ve got food. You think they want the dive chair all gunked up with melted Soyfreeze or ice cream?”

\t“Is that why you got the berries, Miss Brinna?” Tori muttered softly.

\t“Well, no. Not really.” Bri shrugged “It’s just more traditional I guess. Where I grew up Oimelc is a really big deal.”

\t“Oimelc?” Tori whimpered the question nervously as she offered up her now nearly empty cup and reached for her plush. Bri stopped her and ran a small napkin over her paws before pushing the toy back into the girls lap.

\t“Well my family is originally from Faeroe. Way back when. Most of the families in my section have roots back there, or they come from the old mining colonies back when the company bought up Mikadzuki mining. But yeah, lots of Faeroe people, so lots of us worship the Tuatha instead of the Aesir.” As if to make the point clear Bri pulled out the small icon to Brigid that hung around her neck, showing it off to the two cubs with the expected level of interest and engagement from each.”

\t“So what? Just because you worship other gods you call Landsegan something else? That seems kinda dumb.”

\t“It’s not dumb.” Bri whimpered. “It’s important. Class 3 citizens don’t have much. A lot of what we do have ends up being identity. It’s that we know who we are even if nobody else does. I remember Kani and I used to save up and do odd jobs for weeks just to buy little fruit cups like this and do some rides or games. Of course ours are all rigged. So Kani kinda sorta rigged em back.” Bri giggle-snored. “That’s how I got puff. Dumb guy running the booth took all my money so she came up and won him for me, then set it up so the next few kids who played would win too.

\tJust saying Kani’s name caused her ears to droop once more. Bri glanced down at the still largely intact fruit waffle and quickly bit though the bulk of it. Gnawing and chewing with her big bucked front teeth, swallowing it down without any real regard for savoring it.

\t“So you mean this isn’t just a festival for Freya then, Miss Brinna?” Tori asked in as calm and happy a voice as the shaken little slave girl could muster. So then what god do you follow?”

\t“Brigid, if I’m not mistaken.”

\tAnother familiar voice. This one sinking into the pit of Brinna’s like fangs. She cast her eyes upwards towards the glorious visage of a wolf now towering over the trio. A gold-furred bunny tucked neatly into the crook of her arm pit. Regal and resplendent even in a Lena Rudestrum shirt and a simple pair of leather pants.

\t“Lady Runa?” Bri gasped. The mouse wasn’t even aware that she’d dropped down to her knees by the time she did so. The padding on the floor thankfully taking the brunt of the blow. The two cubs followed suit in short order leaving the confused mouse to tremble and glance nervously at the floor. She waited for some kind of order, some sign of what to do or say. Her heart racing in blissful terror in the presence of her Masters sister.

\tRuna chuckled and reached out a paw, only for Bri to fall flat on her face, kissing the tip of Runa’s boot reverently. She finally dared to glance up at the shocked and bemused woman in the hopes that she had done the right thing. Her only answer a firm paw wrapping around her thick mane of black hair and yanking Bri back upright.

\t“In fact, for those who follow the Tuatha, today would be Brigid’s day would it not, little one?” As one would expect of one of such breeding Runa didn’t miss a beat. Even her simple chiding bringing a blush to Bri’s cheeks. A nervous jolt of inferiority filing her that to this point had only ever been surpassed by the hands of her Master.

\tThe mouse nodded softly. “Yes ma’am, well, no ma’am. I mean yes ma’am but not in that way. I mean with it being in space and all, and away from Terra, and all the festivals rolled into the day and EEP!“ She let out a small yelp as Runa tilted and twisted her head upwards by the muzzle. Reaching down to grip and reverently hold the small hand made charm.

\t“Seems fitting enough, from what my brother has told me of you. I’m sure much of your fortune has been her blessing, little one.”

\t“T-thank you, Ma’am.” Bri muttered softly.

\t“I also imagine it hadn’t been too easy on you today has it? Or have you chained your poor little sister slaves here to the bench all day to avoid all the nasty little spawn of privilege stamping around here?”

\t“She has, Lady Runa. We’ve been stuck here way too long. I wanted to go on some rides and she said I couldn’t and I probably wont’ have time to get any games done before we have to go. And I was gonna get something for Master, and.” Myrtle was silenced by a hard glare. The cold blue-and-silver eyes of the wolf ripping away any momentum the rant may have had left.

\t“It would seem someone is not contented with her current circumstances. Siv, Where is Eleanor right now?” Runa growled playfully.

\t“Wait, Eleanor’s here?” Myrtle asked as her ears perked a bit.

\t“She should be waiting for her turn in the combat list dive right now.” Siv said happily. “I’m sure if you rush you might be able to persuade her that she needs a partner.”

\tMyrtle scowled at Bri briefly before pulling herself up and darting off into the crowd. The mouse unable to do more than raise a hand in silent protest.

\t“”I swear, my brother really can be a sadist, sticking you with that little imp. Here I thought he was supposed to be taking it easy on his new little prey.”

\t“W-we should probably go get her, Ma’am. I mean Tori and I. Master wanted me to look after them and-”

\t“Shhh, hush now, little inferior.” Runa cooed, pushing a finger to Bri’s lips. “This shall be between myself and my brother. I am sure any punishment gained because of it will be slightly less severe knowing it was out of your hands.” The wolf watched with predatory glee as the blush flashed over Bri’s face, the freckles in her fur burning bright red. “Besides, this is the day of your goddess, and I am sure you have worship to perform amidst the revelries. Come, little one.” Runa grunted as she snagged hold of Tori’s paw and pulled her to her feet. “We shall find something for you to wear that will entice your Masters brutal whims tonight.”

\t“W-we will?” Tori whined. The poor girl both terrified and a bit on edge at the thought. The conditioning clearly working well.

\t“We shall.” Siv affirmed.

\t“B-but what about Miss Brinna?”

\tRuna smiled a toothy smile and patted the cub on the head. “You will be able to catch up with ‘Miss’ Brinna later, little one. For now she has some very important matters to attend to. Don’t you?”

\tShe didn’t, and truth be told Bri suspected that Lady Runa knew that. Yet the look in those eyes brokered nothing but agreement. The kneeling mouse nodding frantically and bowing low. “of course, my Lady. Your word is my command. Thank you for guiding me, Lady Runa. I really appreciate it. I mean it’s very kind of you. I mean,” she glanced up to see the trio had already walked off out of the small bubble of calm space and back into the maelstrom of carousers. Brinna stayed kneeling for a long while before finally feeling the urge to pull herself back up into her seat. Her long sought silence suddenly crashing into her with a deafening roar.

--------------------

\tEven with a supposedly ‘exclusive’ event like this it was hard for Bri to manage. It was amazing how big and crowded a simple floor of the spire could be. Or just how many people could be crammed in without seeming at all affected by it. The whole layout of this ‘faire space‘ or whatever it normally was still confused Brinna immensely. But it only got worse as she walked around it by herself.

\tFor one thing it was clear things were modular and intended to be shifted as needed. Scrapes and indents on the floor showing signs of heavy equipment moved around from time to time, not unlike what she would see at her moms work on days when the class did a parent shadow. Then there were all of the little touches intended to simulate nature planetside. A few years ago Brinna would have written these things off as simple one-week eccentricities to help stoke the egos of the wealthy. Yet having seen what her Master and others like him had become accustomed to it made her wonder if this space wasn‘t intended to feel more ‘open‘ like that from the start. Not that she had any real basis for judgment.

\tThen there were the side structures. In particular a large amphitheater sunk down into one of the corners of the room. Nowhere near the size of the few arenas the station had to offer. At most probably only able to hold about a hundred participants with some standing in the pit in front of the stage. Yet it was something she could have never imagined just resting there in the spire. Dipping down three or four floors further and likely eating up some of the most valuable real-estate on the station. Perhaps in the whole corp.

\tThe theater was why she‘d let herself get stuck here now. Cowering off in the corner near the top as far away from the beautiful people as she could get. Leena Rudestrum, Yggdrasil‘s prodigal daughter, had been asked to play as part of the festival.

\tIt was a shock to say the least. Certainly not something she‘d expect any of the upper branches to get into. Though Brinna would be damned if she was going to miss it. She‘d waited years to see this woman perform in person and after the day she‘d had so far, it seemed like a fitting reward. Not that she likely deserved such a thing. But for once Brinna didn‘t give a damn what she ‘deserved‘.

\tShe sat back where the corner of the amphitheater met the path to the snack stands and dangled her feet over some of the simulated marble. Or maybe for all she knew the stone was real. It would be easy enough to check, but at this point all Brinna could do was slip her eyes shut and get lost in the music as the band finished up ‘bleed for me’

\t“Hey”

\tBri stumbled forwards, nearly falling over. Only stopped by a paw gripping on to her shoulder and pulling her back to her feet. She turned around and looked into an all too familiar face.

\t“Kani.” Bri muttered. A smile instantly crossing and then fading from her muzzle. “What are you doing here?”

\t“What do you mean? I told you why I’m here already.” Kani sighed.

\t“Well yeah. I mean I know why you’re here. But I mean, here here. Like, right here here. Right now here. You know?”

\tShe did. Brinna knew she did. Even with that stupid babbling and blathering Kanina understood her, if anyone would.

\t“You do realize you’re stuck here at the back end of a huge over stimulating crowd, right? If it was anyone other than Leena Rudestrum I’d have assumed someone backed you into a corner on his way to the bathroom and you were too polite to protest and then too scared to move past all the people.

\t“I would never let something like that happen… Again… for the third time.” Bri trailed off and shook her head before glancing up at Kani again. “And I don’t need to be babysat. I don’t need you getting hurt because you think you have to play hero or something.”

\t“Uh, news flash, Bri. That’s my job now. Until I get released from it I gotta keep an eye on you. And really it’s not like that should be a big deal. How is that any different from how it’s always been?”

\tBrinna didn’t say anything. She turned to the stage where the band was in the midst of one of their infamous dueling guitar and violent solos. Her ears folding back and perking up intermittently both to try and focus on the music and to avoid it as Bri struggled to get comfortable in her own skin.

\t“Look, Bri, whatever’s going down you gotta talk to me. Because my magical mousie mind reading powers only go so far.”

\t“You know why I’m mad.” Brinna said insistently.

\t“Because Sea- Because ‘Master’ and I lied to you, right?” Kani sighed softly.

\t“No. I mean yes. But more than that. You just went off and tried to fight gangers. People who probably had guns. All by yourself. What happened if you got hurt? What happened if you got killed?”

\t“And what would happen if you got killed?” Kani quipped back sullenly.

\t“I don’t care.” Bri snapped, tears in her eyes. “Maybe you and Master are fine with putting your life on the line to protect some stupid little dirt girl like me, but I’m not. I’m not going to lose my best friend because somehow she thinks I’m worth saving!”

\t“You are, Brinna. Woz damn it you’re worth saving. How many times do we all have to tell you-”

\t“Just, let me listen to this.” Bri grumbled as she turned her face to the stage, looking out at it from over the crowd of people.

\t“Bri, I-”

\t“I’m the ‘Mistress’ in this little arrangement, right?” Brinna muttered bluntly. “So just let me listen.” The words obviously made her horribly uncomfortable. Rage and anxiety quaked though a body not at all equipped to deal with both at the same time.

\tKani watched Bri’s eyes close and then sighed, doing the same. Just letting the music wash over her and wipe out some of the festering feelings churning in her.

\t“Well met, my loyal servants!” Leena crowed happily out to the filled amphitheater. Dozens of glow-rods and small holo projectors lighting up as they were thrust overhead, creating a chaotic sea of personalized scenes and flashing colors. “You know this is what I’ve missed about my home. To see all of you out there now. No pretension. No masks. Not like Third Sun. The people of the Great Tree know who we are!”

\tHer leather clad fist shot into the air, another cry from the aristocratic youths assembled washed over the area. The lights quickly dimmed as a projection of the familiar starsscape around the station shone with near perfect clarity over their heads. Bathing the crowd in a deep twilight.

\t“Now it’s about time we slow it down a bit. I think you all know this song. Hope that all of you out there, my kin, know just what it means. Hit it.”

Our last night, Lay down with me in the sheets, enjoy our time, your last breath takes in all of it, bloody roses, drown me in vast temptation. My promises, were spoiled my lips touched your neck then. I drink you in again, just to heal you, underneath my sin, clawing onto. The dark scent is always traced with an intoxicating need of your poison.

I tell myself I'm no good for you, but you can't tell my tightening grip will not release, you want to fight it through the end, but you know you don't want to win. I drink you in again, just to heal you, underneath your sin, clawing onto, the dark scent is always traced with an intoxicating need of my poison


\tThe two women stood stone still, drinking in the song from their vantage point atop the small amphitheater space. Eyes and ears fixed on the grey wolf as she belted out the melancholy song they’d each heard a at least a thousand times between them. Kanina allowed her eyes to slip shut and a smile cross her muzzle with the second verse ending and the solo beginning. Her senses slipping away into a sea of flow and lilting guitar. The notes velvety and mournful. She didn’t even notice the paw slipping into hers. Fingers intertwining with phantom force into her paw and gripping firmly.

\tHer eyes opened suddenly. The paw holding hers had yanked her down, a pair of lips pushing up against hers. A deep, sudden kiss twisting into her mouth. Needy and claiming at the same time. Soft and sweet and oh so familiar. The tongue of the blushing grey furred mouse licking and lapping at Kanina’s. It took all Kani had not to fall over. Finally getting herself situated, standing back up and kissing back roughly. The two girls sinking into each others embrace

I don't wanna be saved you don't wanna be free I can feel you swimming through my mind, shattering dreams shimmer in my eyes I can feel my soul ignite, as you make me mine. You drink from me again, just to heal me, underneath your sin, I'm clawing onto, your dark scent  is now traced with an intoxicating smell of my poison.



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