Ia: Ari Rescues Gabby From Stables?

===================================================

Synopsis:

Ari finds Gabby on Aiers as a Pony Girl for a Goblin.

===================================================

"Foolish human!" Gorlm had muttered to himself, his smile growing even bigger and wider as he had thought about his "future pony." He had calculated mentally, realizing he'd save money on boarding Strawberry for the night while gaining something in return.

Ari had stood up. "So I can take Strawberry now? I can bring her back here tomorrow morning. Where are you staying?" she had asked Gorlm.

"Yes," he had replied, "You may take Strawberry now - you have my permission. And I am staying at the inn down the road, the...Golden Hoof Inn, I believe it is called."

He had given her a pointed look and a confident, proud nod before raising a hand and pointing to the back of the bar at the stables.

"Hey Gorka, tell the stable hand I'm lending Strawberry to this little human. If they question you, show them my seal," Gorlm had said, gesturing to a Goblin who had been standing nearby as they spoke. He had added with a smirk as he had addressed Ari, "And don't forget to return my property tomorrow morning, or you'll find yourself in a collar and bridle. Is that clearly understood?"

Ari had swallowed hard at the goblin's words, hating that she had to agree to be Gorlm's... "Y-yes, my lord, I understand," Ari had replied, her voice small and subdued. She had despised this arrangement. Walking alongside Gorka, she had marveled at how easily stroking Gorlm's ego had worked wonders. "He didn't even question why I wanted Gabby," she had thought.

Ari and Gorka had made their way towards the stables, concealed behind a discreet door at the back of the tavern.

"Right this way," Gorka had said with a sly grin, leading Ari forward while maintaining an air of condescension. "You know, he didn't have much faith in your abilities," Gorka had chuckled, his laughter echoed by a few other goblins and orcs nearby.

Ari had been determined not to let the taunts get to her, choosing to simply roll her eyes at the goblins' comments. She had followed Gorka, refusing to dignify his words with a response. Soon, they had arrived at the stables, where Gorka had opened the door and gestured for Ari to enter ahead of him.

As Ari had approached Ruth, who had been in the midst of cleaning an empty stall, she had greeted her with a friendly smile. "Hello again, Ruth."

Ruth had raised a hand to indicate she needed a moment, and Ari had patiently waited. After Ruth had finished and stepped out of the stall, she had smiled warmly at Ari. However, spotting Gorka behind Ari had briefly caused her expression to falter before she regained her composure. "How can I assist you both today?" she had inquired.

Gorka had presented Ari with a polite introduction. "This is Ari, and I'm Gorka," he had said while gesturing towards her. Gorka couldn't resist a snicker as Ari tried to maintain a friendly demeanor. He had leaned casually against a nearby stable door, sporting a smug, half-mocking grin. Ruth's reaction to Gorka's presence had not gone unnoticed by him.

Ari, adopting a hint of mockery in her tone to match Gorka's, had responded, "Yes, *hello there again,*" She had mimicked Gorka's tone, addressing Ruth. "It's always such a pleasure to see you. Would you mind lending Strawberry to me, please? It would mean a great deal to me."

However, Ruth had directed her gaze towards Gorka with less warmth. "Well, sir," she had said curtly, "Strawberry is owned by Gorlm. I would need his permission to lend her out."

Gorka couldn't resist another snicker, the smug grin on his face reaching its zenith. He had turned his menacing goblin eyes towards Ruth, sneering as he spoke with an air of arrogance.

"Indeed, *Strawberry* belongs to Gorlm," he had affirmed, his tone dripping with condescension. Gorka had then given Ruth a pointed look, accompanied by a confident nod. "Gorlm has graciously granted his permission for *this one* to take Strawb- um, I mean Strawberry. Here is his seal." He had offered a small emblem bearing Gorlm's mark as proof.

Ruth had glanced between Gorka, Ari, and the seal, her annoyance palpable. "Very well," she had conceded with a resigned sigh, her patience wearing thin. "Come along, Ari," she had said, gesturing for Ari to follow her.

As Gorka had departed from the stable, he couldn't resist one last taunt. "Hey there, little human," he had jeered, "you'd make a fine addition to Lord Gorlm's stable. I can hardly wait to see you adorned in collar and tack."

With that, Ari followed Ruth out of the stable, leaving behind the taunting goblin and his arrogant boasts.

"That fellow was quite the piece of work, wasn't he?" Ari sighed, her expression a mix of frustration and disbelief. She glanced around at her surroundings, taking in the dimly lit stable with a heavy heart. The air carried the unmistakable scents of hay and the presence of human ponies, a stark reminder of the harsh reality they faced. The warm glow emanating from the human pony stalls added an odd sense of coziness to the place, though it was hard to appreciate given the inhumane treatment of those within.

Ruth had led Ari to the last stall where Gabby had rested in a curled position. Ari had felt relief wash over her as she noticed that Gabby's hands were no longer bound, and a gentle smile had tugged at her lips as she had observed her peacefully slumbering friend. Turning to Ruth as they had approached the stall, Ari's smile had broadened, indicating her eagerness to talk.

"Mind if we chat for a few minutes before waking her?" Ari had asked in a hushed tone. "I had some questions for you, and it seemed like she could use the rest."

Ruth had nodded understandingly, her eyes filled with empathy for the weary ponies. "Of course, they were often quite exhausted after the long journey from the Goblin camp," she had explained. "What was on your mind?"

"Thank you," Ari had said quietly, her gaze shifting towards Ruth. "It looks like she's sleeping peacefully." Ari paused for a moment, her eyebrows knitting together as she considered how best to answer Ruth's question.

"I wanted to know more about this stable. I've never seen anything quite like it before," Ari admitted, her curiosity piqued. "Honestly, I had never heard of humans being used as beasts of burden like this."

Ruth stood beside Ari, casting a thoughtful glance at her. After a moment of silence, she nodded in agreement. "This is indeed a unique stable," she began, gesturing towards the stalls filled with sleeping pony girls.

Ruth continued, her voice carrying the weight of history. "Around 50 years ago, our elders decided to establish a settlement here by clearing the forest. That decision didn't sit well with the Goblins, and it led to a brutal war. Since this place was quite isolated, we struggled with scarce supplies during the conflict. Eventually, the war ended, leaving both sides severely weakened. Gorlm's father, a visionary Goblin, and our village elders came together to negotiate a truce. They crafted a detailed treaty, but at its core, it stipulated that Goblins would no longer attack our village, nor would they abduct our women or harm our men. In return, our villagers agreed to let the Goblins continue their way of life and engage in trade with them. And that way of life included the use of human females as ponies."

Ari listened with rapt fascination as Ruth recounted this history. She could hardly believe the turn of events that had led to this unusual arrangement. Ruth took a deep breath before continuing her narrative.

"My father understood that we couldn't free the females the Goblins used as ponies," Ruth explained solemnly. "But he believed in making their lives as comfortable as possible under these circumstances. That's why he started this stable. While the treaty demands we treat them as if they were livestock, it doesn't mean we must treat them poorly. We go out of our way to ensure the human ponies are well taken care of."

Ari nodded in understanding as Ruth spoke. Her eyes held a mixture of sympathy and intrigue. The origin of the stable was a tragic tale, but it was clear that Ruth and her father had cared deeply for the human ponies. Ari listened intently, and when Ruth finished her explanation, Ari turned her gaze towards the sleeping pony girls with a newfound sense of compassion and understanding.

"Thank you for sharing that with me," Ari had said to Ruth at last, her sad frown fading and a small, sympathetic smile spreading across her lips. "You've given me a lot to think about."

"Well, at least you did what you could to help them," she added quietly, her voice filled with genuine concern. "It must have been incredibly difficult for them to live in those circumstances."

Ari couldn't help but feel a deep sense of empathy for the human ponies after hearing their story. She turned her attention back to Ruth, her expression marked by a subtle, sorrowful frown. "How do the human ponies feel about this place?" Ari inquired, her voice gentle and understanding.

"Some of them seem to be okay with it," Ruth replied with a soft sigh, her eyes reflecting the complexity of their situation. "But for others, it's a source of great sadness."

Ari's eyes grew somber once again as she contemplated the lives of these human ponies, forcibly subjected to this existence. She imagined herself in their shoes, and it filled her with a profound sense of despair. "I wonder if there's more I can do to help them," she whispered softly, her eyes brimming with concern and compassion as she turned her gaze back to the slumbering ponies. "There must be something more I could do for them..."

Intrigued yet troubled by the plight of these women, Ari continued her inquiry. "Have any of them ever tried to escape?" she asked in hushed tones.

Ruth shook her head slowly, her expression carrying a heavy weight of resignation. "I don't believe so," she responded somberly. "Escaping is an incredibly daunting task for them. As you saw, their hands are always bound behind their backs. When they aren't bound, the Goblins make them wear mittens without thumbs, rendering their fingers useless. Without the use of their hands, escaping becomes nearly impossible. Moreover, even if they were to somehow manage an escape, where would they go? Many of these girls were abducted from who knows where, making it even more challenging for them to find their way back."

"Most of them simply come to accept this life," Ruth continued, her voice filled with a sense of resignation. "In time, some even form bonds with their owners and the owners' families. For any pony girl, the first visit to our village, is often the most humiliating experience of their life. Being naked, harnessed, bound, and used as a pony in a Goblin village or town with other pony girls around you, is one thing, but it's an entirely different ordeal when they are subjected to it in the presence of fully clothed human males and females. Especially when they realize the free humans of this village are not going to help them."

Ari couldn't help but cringe as she listened to Ruth. The thought of the first experience these poor ponies endured was heart-wrenching. It was evident that they had faced unimaginable challenges and hardships. But Ruth raised a valid point--where could they even go if they tried to escape? They were trapped in a situation with no clear way out, abandoned by any support they might have once had.

"You're right," Ari responded softly after a moment, her voice laced with empathy. "I just... I wish there was more I could do for them. They don't deserve this.."

Ruth offered Ari a comforting pat on the hand, her touch gentle and reassuring. "We do our best at the stable," she explained with a warm smile. "Once the ponies come here, they often look forward to returning. Did you know that Goblins don't use salt or sugar in their food? While the meals they provide are nutritionally sound and even healthier than what we have, they can be quite bland. We supplement their diet with tasty stew and sugar cubes."

Ari returned Ruth's smile, grateful for the kindness that was shown to the human ponies during their stay at the stable. Ruth's care and compassion shone through her actions, making the difficult circumstances a little more bearable.

"That's really thoughtful of you," Ari remarked softly, her eyes filled with appreciation as she listened to Ruth. "It must mean a lot to them."

Ruth offered a wry smile in response. "We do what we can," she said modestly. "So, why are you interested in Strawberry? Do you happen to know her?"

Ari flinched slightly at the unexpected question, her gaze shifting away briefly. She gave Ruth a sheepish smile as she responded, "Well, it's something like that. I don't want to lie to you, but I also can't share the whole truth. I hope you understand." Ari hoped her vague response would suffice, concealing the complex circumstances surrounding her request.

Ruth maintained her gaze on Ari for a moment, her expression thoughtful, before finally breaking into a soft, friendly smile. "Ah, I understand," she replied at last, giving Ari a comforting nod. Her tone took on a half-serious note as she continued, "I hope you're not planning on stealing Strawberry, though. The penalty for stealing property here is quite harsh."

Ari dipped her head in acknowledgment, her voice laced with sincerity. "Yes, Sam mentioned that earlier, and no, I have no plans to steal Strawberry," she assured Ruth. She paused for a moment, a hint of frustration evident in her voice. "Although it seems strange to even say that. How can I steal a person? I could abduct Strawberry, but 'steal'..." She trailed off, her discomfort palpable.

Ruth responded with a understanding nod. "I don't disagree," she admitted. "But we use these terms to avoid any slips of the tongue in front of their Goblin owners."

Ari offered a solemn smile in response, her unease lingering. She let out a small, nervous laugh. "Sorry," she said, her voice tinged with embarrassment. "It's just... the whole concept is so foreign to me, and these unusual terms, I suppose it takes some getting used to, you know? Is there anything else I should be aware of?"

Ruth rubbed her chin thoughtfully, her warm smile turning thoughtful. "Well," she began, her eyes briefly flicking towards her companion, "since you're taking Strawberry with you, there are some rules regarding human ponies in the village that you should be aware of. I'm afraid hearing them might make you uncomfortable, but they're taken seriously to maintain peace with the Goblins."

Ari's sense of foreboding grew as Ruth spoke, but she tried her best to remain composed. It couldn't be that bad, right? She took a deep breath and focused on Ruth, giving her full attention.

"Yes, please, go on," Ari urged after a moment, her eyes fixed on Ruth. "I'm listening, and I appreciate you telling me."

Ruth proceeded to outline the rules, her voice steady as she explained each one.

"First," she said, "pony girls must always be leashed. Any pony girl without a handler will be placed in an livestock holding pen. The owner would either need to pay a hefty fine, or if the owner doesn't show up within a week, the girl would be auctioned off."

Ari's heart sank at the severity of the first rule. It was a grim reminder of the dehumanizing treatment these poor human ponies endured.

Ruth continued, "Second, ponies must always be accompanied by their owners, who should keep them tethered or leashed when entering any establishment. This ensures they are under proper control and supervision. You'll often see ponies with a visible mark or brand, indicating they have the owner's permission to enter."

Ari absorbed this information, her discomfort deepening. The regulations were designed to emphasize the distinction between the free humans females and human ponies.

Ruth then stated the next rule, "Third, the handlers are supposed to clean up after the ponies if they defecate on public property like roads or parks."

Ruth continued, her voice carrying a sense of gravity. "Those were the critical rules. Apart from these three most important rules, there are a few more that you should be aware of." She took a moment to gather her thoughts before proceeding with the additional regulations. Sighing she told Ari "Handlers are to ensure that pony girls must wear appropriate gear, such as bridles and reins, when in public area. Handlers must have proper ownership document for their ponies"

--

Ari, trying to come to terms with the shocking rules and the harsh reality of this place, found herself at a loss for words. She attempted to convey her gratitude to Ruth despite the turmoil in her mind.

"I see..." she said quietly after a moment, trying to process all this disturbing information without letting her emotions get the better of her. "Well, you were right - I wasn't expecting rules like that. Thank you for the heads up."

Ari was too overwhelmed to continue the conversation. She just wanted to take Gabby and get away from this place. She knew she couldn't really run away, as both she and Gabby had the damned GC mission to complete.

Ruth, understanding the weight of the situation, placed a comforting hand on Ari's shoulder. "I knew it was too much to take in," she said empathetically, "but I wanted you to be aware of the risks you are taking by taking Strawberry out in the village."

Ari smiled softly at Ruth, grateful for her kindness and understanding. She took both of Ruth's hands and covered them with her own.

"Ruth, you've been incredibly helpful," Ari said sincerely. "You are kind to the ponies, and I am truly thankful for your assistance. I suppose we should wake up Gab... uh, Strawberry. It must be getting late for you."

Ruth returned Ari's smile with warmth and compassion in her eyes. Even in the face of this terrible reality, Ruth had managed to stay strong and kind, and Ari's heart warmed at the thought of having met her.

As Ruth approached Strawberry's stall, her movements were gentle and filled with an underlying sense of compassion. She was well aware of the peculiar situation and the importance of maintaining appearances.

"Let's get the pony ready," Ruth announced softly, her voice a soothing melody in the stable's dim light. She leaned in closer to the sleeping figure of Gabby, currently known as Strawberry. "Wake up, sweetie," she cooed, her words a mixture of warmth and understanding. Gabby stirred, her eyes fluttering open, and she greeted the world with a soft, drowsy groan that resonated through the stable. Her gaze fell upon Ari, and a tender smile curled on her lips as she released a gentle whinny.

Ruth's hands moved skillfully as she unhooked the leash from the floor, careful not to cause any discomfort to the pony girl. Strawberry, despite the awkward constraints of her bound hands, managed to rise to her feet with surprising grace. Ari couldn't help but marvel at her agility, wondering how she accomplished such a feat with her hands tied behind her back.

Ruth continued, her voice filled with affection, as she stroked Strawberry's hair. "Strawberry, look who's here to take you for a ride," she whispered, as though sharing a secret between friends. Strawberry responded with a curious whinny, a silent question in her eyes. Ruth playfully pointed to Ari, answering the unspoken inquiry with a smile. "Looks like your owner has lent you to this beautiful young lady. She'll bring you back tomorrow morning. Be a good girl." With a playful swat to Strawberry's rear end and handed the leash to Ari.

Ari observed Ruth's performance with a mix of gratitude and admiration. The kindness and empathy Ruth displayed toward the pony girls in this grim place had not gone unnoticed. Her actions brought a glimmer of comfort and hope to their otherwise bleak existence.