The plush pony village Sassy Saddles, Part 3- Living as a pony?


Status: Steve got his ID and papers in Ponyville, the journey can begin

„Come on, Steve, I mean Sassy Saddles. We should not prevent that hard working office work-pony from its hard work.“ Twilight touched Steve's shoulder and began to shove him outside in a gently way.
Steve 'admired' his new accessories a light blue coloured wallet with three sewing needles stitched on the front side. Every needle with a different colour and a pin with the letters P, I and T (Pony in training) to be attached at his chest.
„I can't believe this! I- I really cannot believe what just happened!“ Steve*s anger was about to erupt.
„What's wrong? You got your license and everything is fine. You can thank me later for everything.“
„Thanking you? What for?! I have just been declared to a female pony, O-FFI-CIAL-LY.“
„Yes, and it fits you well, Sassy Saddles.“
„I am a man, for christ sakes“
„You mean Celestia's sakes.“ Twilight corrected him.
„Whatever.“
„I am neither female nor cute nor pony-loving nor did I accept that embarassing name.“
„First: you are a Ponyville citizen, an honored guest, second: our rules do count for everyone as long as they reside inside this village. You got chosen to be named Sassy Saddles as long as you are here. And lastly don't be such a sissy. It is not the worst imaginable fate you can think of. The costume defines your character, your behaviour, your gender and your position. You are what you wear, at least for the duration of the next three days that is.“

Twilight fastened a pin with the letter PIT (Pony in training) on Steve's chest and handed a light blue wallet with three crossed pins, each pin having a differently colored head, over to Steve. His future cutie mark. Steve gulped by the mere thought about his eventual fate. At least he got his identity- sort of. That meant he could roam around the village freely.

As soon as they left the building Steve could swear that he saw Twilight's horn flickering. What might that mean? Twilight for her part didn't seem to notice any unusual occurences.

„So, Sassy Saddles“, Twilight giggled „Where to now? I can show you the map and you tell me where to start first. It's all your choice and I will follow as your trusty shadow.“


Steve was rather disappointed. Didn't those ponies trust any stranger without exception? He didn't need a babysitter, despite his apparel. “Can't I go alone and just exploring the place by myself? I mean, I am an adult and I can handle myself all right. Plus, you have my word that I won't cause any trouble.”

“Sorry, Steve, but I can't allow you to do that. There are a few dark places where you aren't seen as a welcomed guest. It is better if I showed you the boundaries. Don't argue with me and we will do just fine.”
Steve nodded in agreement.
„One more thing: it isn't about who you believe to be out there, it is all about who you are chosen to be here. That name is your identity. And telling from the apparal of our suits...“
Twilight displayed her body. There was no sign of any gender related 'attribute' to be seen. She was just an ordinary plushy with female hairstyle, female voice and a female colour scheme to be honest.
„... we don't care about any sexual stuff, at least in the open, if it is not offensive I have to add.“

What goes on in any house, as long as, whatever is going on behind the closed drapes and nobody being hurt and relying on consentual interactions, is none of our business. In the open, we are just cute plush ponies, at your service. You will get used to it.“ She caressed his cheeks and ruffled the mane of Steve's partial suit.

Steve for his part wanted to continue.
“Understood. Twilight. I can go wherever I want?“
„Of course you can. Just point with your finger to a symbol on the map and I will explain you the details. Let's begin then, shall we?“ Twilight took the map in front of Steve's nose pointed with her hoof to a bigger sized clocktower symbol with a house and began to explain.

„This here is our main hall, our first stop.“ She showed at the building they just had come out from and then back to the related spot on the map. „There are entertainment, support and security options for all Ponyville citizens. You can choose as many as you like but you must pick at least one of them.
„I can pick one, yes. What's that?“ Steve pointed with his index finger to a greyed out muffin symbol with a wrench on top of it.“
„This?“ Twilight replied „this is on special demand of a pony you don't know, yet. She insisted several, okay many, times on her own individual bakery. The construction site is waiting for her return as a construction manager. You can't visit a building that's not ready to be entered, yet. For the reasons of your own safety, of course.“

„Fine then, what about that cake symbol over there?“
„This one, is our general bakery. We are creating many cakes, muffins, pies and cookies for the whole village and deliver it to any corner and – in some cases- to some buildings outside the village. If you haven't got a problem getting your hooves covered in flour, water, dough and yeat then we can of course start there.“

„One more thing.“ Twilight interrupted Steve's plans „ After the three days of your stay, you have to return to the main hall to get your personal belongings back in turn of your pony identity- one 'life' for another- and to remove your name from the list. Now listen, this is very important: Don't ever leave the village before you have signed and checked yourself out appropriately. Do you understand what I am saying?“

„I think so.“ Steve nervously replied.
„Believe me we don't want to wake sleeping ponies up when it ain't necessary in any way. Additionally, you don't tell anybody what happened here, and I mean anybody. You sign a declaration that you never in any way tell anybody or publish any writings about your experiences to make sure it won't happen. Then you will be led to the main exit, your old ID will be given back to you and you will be a free man once more. Then you can go. Our ways would seperate, maybe forever or you will send an request to our officials for another 'round'- it's up to you. Anyway, it would be fine and you won't hear from us anymore unless you contacted us beforehand.“

„And what would happen if I decided to... erm... call it quits, break in your private rooms, retrieve my stuff and ran the hell out of this madhouse?“ Steve asked mockingly.

„Well, that's simple. An alam signal would inform the villagers and the royal ponies for a start. Hell would break loose and you won't want that to happen, believe me. You would be declared to a 'LP' a lost pony and you would lose your sovereignty and your self determination. A bounty would be set on your ignorant head and I couldn't help you anymore. You would be hunted and caught, imprisoned and... how do I put it... 'educated and trained'.
We are simply calling that process intense ponyfication. Believe me, you wouldn't want to find out about the details.“

„That all sounds good and dandy but there is one more issue I have to adress you with.“ Steve formulated his next question and touched his tail. Has it become softer since the last time? Maybe he was seeing...feeling things. Whatever.
„I have an assumption what you mean.“ Twilight scratched her plushy chin and began to walk in a circle, pondering.
After minutes of watching the purple plush pony just walking without muttering a single word Steve placed himself directly in front of her, interrupting her thoughts harshly.

„Well? What is your solution?
If you mean what I mean I am deadbeat out there. Even if I played by your rules. The real world out there thinks I have killed my superior officer. I will stand on trial with nothing to use as a defence on court. I don't intend to rot jail, or worse only to allow you to continue your crazy LARP here. You have to turn yourselves in.“ Steve demanded in a rude tone, grabbed both of her soft and plushy shoulders looking accusingly over to Twilight or that Twilight mask she was wearing, Steve wasn't sure if he was able reach out to some form of sanity below all that fabric.

Twilight gently brushed off Steve hands without a big effort.
„Relax, I know you are blamed for murder of your former partner. Although no bodies have been found, you are under strict surveillance. Even we don't know what happened exactly but you can trust me in this. We will find the culprit and clear this whole mess up. I promise you can go after the three days are over, with nothing to worry about. In the meantime I will conduct the investigation.“ she assured.

Right at that moment a shiny red pony with a grass-green mane approached in a rush.
„Miss Twilight, I am sorry to consult you with that minor issue but there is something we need your help with.“
Twilight sighed. „I was wondering why my headset didn't make any noise for a while, I think I will visit Trixie later. (To the messenger pony:)Let me guess, it is Derpy, again, isn't it?“
„Yes, I apologize. We desperately have been trying to contact you for hours. As it seems, her hoof-zippers are jammed and all ponies around are busy with projects or meetings al about the compound. Rough force didn't show any effect and I suppose we need your 'special' talents to help her.“ it said nodding to her horn. Did it glow again? Steve rubbed his eyes, maybe it really was his mind playing tricks on him.
„Fine then, show me the way.“ she said to the plush pony messenger before turning her attention back to her guest: „Steve, I mean Sassy, is it okay if I pick you up in the evening? My services are needed, again. But hey, you can freeroam as you please as long as nobody forbids you the entrance.“

„I am a grown up pony, T. I won't mess around, that's a pony-promise.“ Steve made sure and grinned as he raised his index and middle finger to convince to her that he was sincere. „I see you are having all hooves full at the moment, responsible positions require all your attention, I understand. I will handle myself in this place well and I won't get lost.“

„Are you sure? I have enough bad reputation already.“ Twilight raised a brow.
„All will be fine. You can go.“




„Fine then, lead the way. Don't worry, I will be back in no time and catch up with you.“ Twilight said to the messenger pony and left in a rush after petting Steve's shoulder and giving him a firm and warm plush hug. Steve couldn't deny that he enjoyed that feeling more and more every single time. This was a strange place and he seemed to adept to it the more time he spent there. Creepy...

Steve waited until both of them vanished behind the corner and then some of his pressure decreased. A sigh of relief managed to escape from him.
„Aaaahh, finally some peace and quiet. Now I am curious how this whole place works.“ Steve stretched and took a look at the map again. He couldn't take his eyes off the auburn tail of his improvised and way too effortlessly produced suit excuse. So featureless, maybe a different colour would be better. Hm, maybe visiting a tailoring shop or a boutique could help to pimp it up some way, just a bit. Maybe some strands, warmer colours and... KEEP YOURSELF TOGETHER, STEVE!


He slapped his cheeks with both hands to come back to senses. Being surrounded by plush dressed pony-lovers and dress-up enthusiasts didn't make it any easier to convince himself he was still a human, a sillily dressed one, admitted, but still a human.



Steve, now renamed to Sassy Saddles, had no idea where to go so he let 'Twilight' choose the destination. As he'd first expected she marked all the points of interest for him with circles in different colours. Red for the risky activities (construction workers, enforcers and such), yellow for the moderate ones and green for the jff (just for fun activities). The first station was the town hall with the nearby playground, conveniently marked with the word 'START'. There was a good location to begin with.
After five minutes of good old walking through the fesh morning air, admiring the scenery, the large fields, the trees in the distance and the well hidden guarding stations here and there he arrived at that place.
Dozens of 'ponies' where jumping and frolicking around playing several childish games. Steve found a bench nearby and observed the community- so many plush ponies and it seemed like a fever dream because not even a single one of them was showing signs of exhaustion, overheating or panic attacks. All of them were full pony suited, their faces neatly hidden behind ever smiling cartoony faces with oversized eyes. Some of them played childish games like playing catch, ball games, some of them were racing against eachother on their bicycles. One of them crashes into the other. All of them tumble together, tangling their fluffy manes and tails in the process and looking like a colourful heap of unused fabric. Without them laughing you wouldn't have noticed that those masses of fur were occupied somehow.
Another pony, being a bit worried, hurried to their aid.
„Are you sure you haven't hurt yourself? It looked rather intense...“
„No, don't you worry your fuzzy head. These ponysuits are awesome! I haven't had that much fun since ages and as you can see there isn't even a tiny scratch on me or the suit. Rarity really is a genius.“
„Yeah, mine is awesome as well, I like it more and more each day. If I wouldn't wear it, I couldn't stop myself cuddling it over and over again. That fluffyness is toxic.“
„I couldn't agree more, hehe. Once you looked into the depths of your future you are done for.“ The other pony commented before both ponysuited individuals staring at each other, bursting into a big laugh after a few seconds.
After a short while one of the ponies began the next conversation: „And...?“ it asked poking with its hooves on the flank section of the other pony.
„And what?“ the other pony replied a bit annoyed.
„You know what I mean. Have you or haven't you?“
„No, I haven't. I am not sure if the time is right.“ the other pony slowly retorted.
„You know, my guess is it is a check board. Black and white square patterns, makes sense to me.“
„Or I am just able to build genius mosaic paintings who knows.“
„You will never find out if you don't try. You have heard what Twilight said: every pony has its unique purpose.“
„Yeah, yeah, I hope it isn't a checkboard. I can't remember being any good with any board game you can think of, and even less for the case of checkmating anyone. If that guess is true, I swear I will visit Rarity right after that discovery and ask her to change my C.M.“

„Might be, why don't you try it out right away? I will accompany you if you are too much of a scaredy cat, that is.“ the pony patted the plushy shoulder of its worried friend.
„Yeah, thanks for nothing and such. Which one is yours by the way?“ the checkboard flanked pony wanted to know as it untwirled its messed mane.
„Mine?“ the other pony held its breath, looked to the right, then to the left, right, up down and right again.
„Well...?“
„Don't push me, you hear? For Celestia's sakes I just wanted to explore every inch of Ponyville before I go full-pony. I enjoy the freedom of being a blank flank. But for a strange reason I have a strong drive to prove myself in... I don't know what.“
„Yeah, lucky one. For a reason I don't know, I got a cutie marked ponysuit the moment when I entered the divine halls. They didn't say I had to keep it that way. Maybe it is something very afar from both our imaginations, a tiler profession maybe, urgh... scratch that.“
Both ponies laughed in unison and brushed the dirt off their plushy ponysuits.
To calm its buddy down the other pony said there was no worry and no reason to rush any unconsidered choice.
„Yes, you are right I guess.“ the checkboard-flanked pony began.
„So what are you waiting for? Let's pay that grumpy pony a visit!“
„Are you really going to support me?“
„Of course I am, we are one pony-family after all. Whatever you do, I will be watching over you- until you find your true profession and your cutie mark as well.“
„And if one of us is not satisfied with the cutiemark we can change it anytime, don't forget.“





After their short and enlightening conversation both ponies picked up their respective vehicles and swung themselves on them, riding along the way as wobbly as before, manes flowing around in the wind, nothing to worry about, leaving the playground behind- and Steve in a confused state.

Everything seemed to be so impressively simple. You could be what you like, try out what you like and there wasn't any bad consquences to be afraid about, if you didn't violate the royal high rules that is.

To be honest Steve didn't waste a single thought about his own designated cutie mark. What is a cutie mark anyway but a simple emboidery, a symbol without any further use or effect. But why did it bother him so much when he wasn't even wearing his ponysuit? Was it even 'his' cutie mark when he wasn't even wearing the ponysuit?
One thing was for sure: He never experienced the varied colors he saw in such a high extense. Every color was charming, wonderful and almost asking him to be used for any kind of clothing, accesoire or attachment. It was as if the different types of decoration he never paid any attention before were desparately begging him to be used.
The urge to just DO SOMETHING became stronger and stronger every passing minute.

Was it the influence of the costume he was wearing? In a futile attempt he tried to ditch the suit, ignoring the cameras setting their focus right on him only to be greeted by helpful ponies ignoring in return every word he muttered, dressing him up as before and to vanish in the next alley afterwards. It was cursed. The costume had to stay on him. Despite his humiliating appearance he was somehow thankful that he wasn't wearing that full-pony monstrosity which was waiting for him 'at home'. He shuddered. Even thinking about becoming one of them, a mindless soft and cute... slave wasn't something to look forward to for sure.
Shaking his head he continued his investigation. If it wasn't the suit he was wearing what else might have caused the effect? Halluzinogenic gas or drugs in the nutrients of the meals to 'spice' it all up? Or was his sixth sense, his gut feeling, what was right? The short moment when he was confronted by the waiting ponysuit... he could have sworn the eyes were moving. Or was it a quick reflection? The hollow eyes in that plushy and soft... maned ponyhead that never seemed to blink ever activated his inner alarm bells... He was stumped, at least for the moment.

It was no use. Steve clapped on his thighs and stood up. Pondering wasn't taking him anywhere so he continued with Twilight's plan.

In that village, filled with mascot suited scatterbrains everything seemed to be possible. So there must be any evidence to solve the mystery and find a way out. He caught himself again as he carressed his soft horse tail. It seemed so natural to just do it but somehow he felt it was a replacement for his 'real' suit. It was getting harder and harder to think clear and being surrounded by plush horses didn't make it easier.

Anyway, his will was strong enough to endure every torture, special forces training was useful after all.
New evidence needed to be found, step for step, one hoof at a time... erm... you know.
Steve made a short stop to quench his thirst. A nearby well was a pleasant sight and apparently it was used quite regularly judging from the filled shelves of fresh mugs and cups one one side and a pile of used cups on the other. Maybe that would help to keep his focus. The water tasted sweet and good. Was it water anyway? With every sip he took he was thinking more and more about the herd, his family and his purpose in the village.
He had a bad feeling about this and emptied the other half of his cup. The water stain sunk in the ground and the grass seemed to glow for a short second or was it because the sun was blinding him? He couldn't tell for sure.

Is there likely to be any continuation to this story series? ^^