Chapter 121: The Hourglass
[Kira POV] Year 5, Day 207
Kira waited. About two hours, she was quite sure based on her internal clock.
Just her and those two other ponies who sometimes watched in her direction — silent and still, waiting like she was.
Then the door opened.
Hob returned, riding the same ponygirl as before. Several servants following behind.
One of the servant girls opened the cleats holding the pony next to Kira and guided her over to Hob. He dismounted smoothly from his current ride, then mounted the new one — a practiced, professional swap done in seconds.
Then they helped remove the pony kit from the one Hob had been riding. After that, she joined the other servant girls like it was the most natural thing ever. No ceremony. No transition. Just: equipment off, servant mode on.
Next, the same group — including the one who'd just been un-kitted — placed the ponygirl equipment on another girl.
The same girl who'd guided Kira to this room. Who'd helped place the pony kit on her. Who'd taught her the rules.
Once they finished with her, she was placed in the empty spot next to Kira. Connected to the hitching rail.
Kira watched her. Strange. Two hours ago this girl had bossed her around. Told her she was untrained. Set the rules. And now she was next to her on the hitching rail — equal, same equipment, same position.
And most freaky—during all of this, they made no sound at all. Only sounds were when clamps closed or opened. Metal clicking. Nothing else.
[Silent and professional. They've done this so many times it's routine — pure muscle memory, no communication needed.]
Finally, Hob started talking. Watching Kira directly in the eyes.
"You are allowed to nod or shake your head to agree or disagree. Do you understand?"
Kira nodded.
Hob continued. "Nice. So let's go over our deal. I helped you before to not get disqualified, and in return, when I visit you in Borderwatch, you'll allow me to ride you in private a bit. You also wanted to suggest I help with the opening of your master's establishment there. Is this correct?"
Kira nodded.
Hob's tone shifted. Harder. "However, then you modified the deal. Wanted to make it right here and now. And I even needed to get rid of some babysitters you had. Do you agree?"
Kira nodded.
Hob's voice carried disappointment now. It looked genuine. "Good girls do not alter agreements. Especially not so one-sidedly. But I'm reasonable—you had a bit of a bad day."
He paused, then added almost in passing. "By the way, race just ended. Well, first few hundred riders have arrived. Your sister ended up in spot 378. But slower riders will probably arrive over the next two hours or so. Name removal ceremony you need to attend starts about four hours from now."
He shifted into business mode. "So here is our new agreement with your modifications: You rest here two more hours. I like my ponies rested before I take them to ride. After that, we make a small ride here. Privately—so nobody will ever see or hear about it. Private ride was our initial agreement."
He continued — clear, organized, and even making it look fair. "And then you go back to the VIP area where your master is waiting. Plenty of time to spare to catch the ceremony later. I'll let one of my people escort you there so your brother can't make any more tricks on the way. Nod if you understand. All looks logical?"
Kira nodded. This deal looked... too good?
[What's the catch? Where's the punishment? Where's the price for changing terms?]
The friendly tone dropped. "After that, we never talk or meet again. You are a bad girl who can't keep her word. Or perhaps more correct wording: self-centered princess who only demands. I don't like one-sided relations. So we're done. Don't ever approach me again. Nod if you understand my point of view."
Kira nodded, feeling the weight of it land — the full consequence settling in.
[I really didn't want this. Hob's reputation could have opened doors money couldn't — broadcaster networks, industry connections, the kind of ally you couldn't buy. But he just closed that door permanently. The opening event help, any future relationship, gone.]
Hob then asked, curious. "Just curious—you wanted something more?"
Kira nodded. Almost wanted to try talking even with the bit in her mouth — to explain, justify, fix this.
But the ponygirl next to her—the one who'd taught her the rules before—watched her like a hawk. Her eyes literally screaming a message: Ponies don't talk. You are not allowed to talk. Only nod or shake your head.
Kira noticed Hob's smug expression and the wordless communication between him and the ponygirl next to her. He'd positioned the pony there deliberately — a guard and enforcer in one, making sure Kira stayed in line.
Then he changed gears, voice almost playful again. "I like you. The way you tried to use every chance before was impressive. So I'll give you a chance to prove you're a good girl."
He approached a table in the middle of the room. Pulled an hourglass from somewhere—probably item box or spatial storage. Placed it on the table.
"It's one hour. Use this time however you see fit. I wait."
He flipped the hourglass. Sand started falling. Timer started.
After that, the room landed in strange silence.
Hob just sat on his saddle, watching the room with bored eyes. His servant girls stood nearby — professional and patient, ready for whatever came next.
Kira had no idea how to make her point. She couldn't even talk. Wasn't allowed. It was some game or something—but she had no idea how to play it or what the rules were.
[An hour. To prove I'm a good girl. To fix the burned bridge. To save the relationship. But how? What does he want? What am I supposed to do?]
[Can't talk. Can't move unless guided. Can only nod or shake my head. What kind of proof can I give like this?]
She actually had a somewhat funny idea. [Should I use some morse? But I never took the effort to learn it, and not sure if others know it either.]
The hourglass sand fell steadily, inexorably — time slipping away.
One hour to figure it out.
About five minutes in, Hob spoke. Casual. Almost apologetic.
"Sorry, Kira. I'm bored. Is it fine if I do something else during the wait?"
Kira just nodded. What else could she do?
[I've thought of maybe a hundred ways to communicate. Even using morse code with head movements. Only issue: I don't actually know morse code. And forcing Hob to just wait in boredom would only make things worse — irritate him more.]
After that, Hob pulled a book from somewhere—item box probably—and started reading. Perhaps ten minutes passed.
Then he spoke again. "It's a bit hard to read while in the saddle."
He put the book away.
Then asked his servants. "Girls? Ideas? Something fun?"
Both ponies next to Kira almost jumped — straining against the harnesses that connected them to the wall, eager and desperate to be chosen.
The pony Hob was riding also moved her head up and down fast. Getting attention. Pick me. Please pick me.
All the other servant girls made sad faces. Watching the pony harnesses with something like envy.
[Is this some game they play often? Something I don't understand? Already a quarter of the time used and I still have no idea what I'm supposed to do.]
Then Hob asked Kira. "Kira, can you please select one pony? You're the most neutral here. Just indicate."
Kira wasn't sure. Selected why? For what?
But she indicated the one Hob was riding currently. Seemed logical — already mounted, already chosen.
Hob smiled. "Good choice."
Then what happened next almost made Kira's head explode. So unexpected. So sudden.
Several servants approached Hob and the ponygirl. Two grabbed the ponygirl from the sides, supporting and holding her steady.
A third moved behind Hob and pulled his pants down.
And then Hob's male equipment... exploded in size. It looked almost comical—like the size of his forearm. Massive. Disproportionate to his small goblin body.
Hob moved behind the ponygirl and entered — hard and immediate.
Now Kira understood why those two holding her from the sides were needed. She would have probably collapsed otherwise — the force, the suddenness, the sheer size of him.
Soon they also removed the bit from the ponygirl's mouth so she was able to talk. Or well—mostly just moan.
Hob had fun with her for maybe the next ten minutes or so.
[Right there in front of everyone, like it's the most normal thing in the world. Professional sex in the stables — just another part of pony care.]
In the end, Hob asked the girl how she felt.
The girl answered, breathless but satisfied. "Thank you, my lord. It was awesome as usual."
After that, Hob asked Kira to select the next one.
Both ponygirls next to her watched with begging eyes — desperate, both wanting their turn.
Kira wasn't sure how to select. So just indicated the one who'd been here before. Been waiting longer. Seemed more fair.
Hob nodded approvingly. "A fair choice."
And then the same procedure with this girl. And finally also with the one who'd taught Kira the rules before.
Kira had to admit — this display was quite impressive. Professional, efficient, and the girls really seemed to enjoy it. Permission to talk afterward, satisfaction visible, gratitude expressed.
[I'm now quite sure what Hob is hinting. What I need to do to be a good girl. What he expects. What would fix the burned bridge.]
[He wants me to beg for it. To nod eagerly like the others did — show I'm willing, prove I'm not just a demanding princess, demonstrate I can be a proper pony like his others.]
But she'd also seen this kind of powerplay before.
Courtesans had specifically warned about this. Very dangerous and effective way to break someone down. Let them watch it happening—everyone having fun, everyone satisfied, everyone enjoying themselves. Group effect. Social pressure. Wanting to join. Wanting to belong. Wanting to participate.
They'd actually made training lessons about it. Watched some girls from local brothels having fun with some gigolo. Several maids almost lost themselves while watching. Got too invested and aroused, too willing to jump in without thinking.
[And now this goblin tries the same trick on me? Social manipulation through group participation? Making me want it by showing everyone else wanting it?]
[Very clever. Professional manipulation — and I can see the trap being set even as I sit in it.]
The question was: did knowing make it less effective?
Kira watched the hourglass. Maybe ten to fifteen minutes left.
[Damn. I'm definitely affected. But it would also be beneficial for the household. And to get back at brother. Or are those just excuses?]
[No. It's definitely beneficial. Purpose. And I promised Mistress in my oath—my life and body belong to her. This serves that purpose. Serves Master through her. Helps the household. All logical. All justified.]
Reality was that it would be her first time. In her life. And with a goblin.
[Come on, Kira. What's wrong with you? You've lived more than a century and never had interest before. And now? Now you want this?]
But the goblin actually looked quite cute. Almost like a cute toy. Small. Non-threatening despite the massive authority he commanded.
[You lived more than a century. Never had interest in anyone. And now you're considering losing your virginity to a goblin in the stables. While bound as a ponygirl. For household benefit. For revenge. For... whatever this is.]
Her head was crashing. Too many thoughts. Too many justifications. Too many excuses mixing with actual desire.
She opened seed connection to Mistress Null. The distance made it slow, but she already knew this needed approval.
The wrongness had hit the moment she seriously considered it. That quiet internal resistance. Not pain. Not command. Just absolute certainty that the seed would never let her go through with it on her own.
Without Mistress or Spy allowing it, this would go nowhere.
«Mistress, can I give my flower for household purposes? You own my body, so asking permission.»
Silence. Long-distance seed talks were always slow. But maybe Null was thinking over the question. Or maybe the way Kira worded it was confusing.
In the end, the answer came before Kira managed to add more details.
«Never seen you make bad calls. It's your flower. Household purposes or whatever else reasons you have are sufficient.»
Brief pause. Then Null added something else. Almost gentle. Clinical kindness.
«You don't need euphemisms with me. I've watched you run from rooms every time this topic comes up. Maybe getting it over with makes your life easier.»
Short and simple — approval given, trust expressed.
Kira sent back quick thanks and closed the seed connection.
Then she nodded. Fast. Pulled at the reins like the other ponies had done before.
Before she lost her bravery, before she overthought it and the justifications collapsed under scrutiny.
Reality was she wanted this. Every second she found more reasons. Like — as best as she knew — she was the only virgin maid who wasn't still wet behind the ears. Every time others talked about things like this, she usually left the room fast — running, avoiding, pretending it didn't interest her.
[Now's my chance. Now or never. Stop overthinking. Just do it.]
Hob watched her with that smug expression. "You want to be a good girl?"
Kira nodded faster — eager, desperate, fully committed.
One servant girl came and released her guide rope, leading her to the middle of the room. Others surrounded and supported her.
Kira stood there. Pony saddle on her back. Hands bound underneath it, fingers brushing the emergency release. The button was right there. All she had to do was press it. But she didn't.
Hob approached from behind. Dress up. Underwear down.
Enter.
Kira expected something. She'd thought all her life about how it would feel — built it up, imagined it, wondered about it.
But got... nothing.
Yes, she could feel how the goblin's way-too-large equipment entered and exited — physical sensation, pressure, movement, all of it there.
But she'd heard others talk about how it felt. Seen other girls looking like they were in heaven. Even the ponies Hob had just been with—moaning, satisfied, grateful. And Hob himself clearly really enjoyed it — pleasure visible, satisfaction obvious on his face.
But nothing for her.
Then, through dragon hearing, Kira caught voices from beyond the wall — casual conversation, muffled by distance, definitely not meant for her.
"...haven't used that room in years."
Small laugh.
"Hob and Drek still do this sometimes. Pony plays. Just to see how far some golddigger will go."
Another voice answered:
"This one got surprisingly far. Usually they give up long before this."
Kira stared ahead.
[...Oh.]
[So this too.]
[Well. Too late now. This should at least be enough to get me what I wanted—to destroy brother.]
A different realization followed right after.
[Dragon. The dragon in me. It's just some mortal thing that would never affect me. Physical sensation without the pleasure. Mechanical experience without the reward. I'm immune. The merge made me immune to this.]
[Did Mistress know? When she allowed it? Did she know I'd feel nothing? That dragon merge made me immune to mortal pleasures? Is this why she plays with Master but never actually—]
Kira had no answers. She wasn't sure she'd ever have them.
[What have I done? Gave up my virginity for household benefit and revenge — and I can't even enjoy it. Can't even feel what I'm supposed to feel. Just... mechanical function. An empty, wasted experience.]