Sorbet was getting very good at walking.

    Obviously, she was fully capable of normal ambulation. She had learned to walk at a young age, like any other mortal did. She could run and jog and sprint just fine; better than most, possibly. She took her own physical fitness and acrobatic acumen quite seriously. Sorbet had been a dancer once, and that served her well in her new life as a maid.

    However, for Sorbet, walking was a particular skill that she had re-learned. Walking was moving with grace and elegance, despite any restrictions placed on her person. Walking was using those various ` accoutrements that adorned her body to the fullest. It meant that when she walked, she could silence the many great chains and the swish of her scandalous maid’s uniform.

    The art of walking in this particular household took on other meanings. It meant that when company was visiting, Sorbet needed to very carefully measure her movements and sounds, providing the optimal sensations for any visitors. Or for her mistresses, as well. Blackberry and Raspberry Pai were exacting in their craft and in the way that they ran Pai Manor. Sorbet had learned a variety of skills that accentuated her body and her equipment. When the Pai sisters were both in the room, she was silent as the night save the occasional clink of her chains.

    But when guests were present? Sorbet had a new routine that would involve the most dainty, submissive, and sweet of approaches. She’d perfected walking in tremendously tall heels; her feet enclosed in luxurious sandals of leather and gold, with a sculpted ring for her big toes. She knew now how to make particularly loud ‘click-clack’ sounds with those sandals on the tile floor and stones of the manor. She’d also made certain that every sound of her outfit could echo when she was in the halls. Visitors would squirm as she approached, knowing that the Pai sisters held their staff in such lovely bondage. The loud rattle of chains, the swish of her uniform, the hum of her pleasant voice… and sometimes, the loud sound of her mewls and moans through a fat gag when the Pai sisters saw fit to punish her.

    Sorbet strummed a finger through her pink hair. She wore a pair of splendid velvet gloves with golden trim. Perhaps this weekend would be an appropriate day for punishment. Perhaps the sisters would be particularly merciful - they had been in a good mood the past few days, and they might deign to provide a very hands-on punishment… especially if the crime was light. Sorbet stared at a jar of fine Tagari candies. If she plucked a few, they might take her down to the dungeon for a personal lesson in the meaning of ‘property.’ Then again, they might simply bind her and give her double maid duties. Wiping the floors was hardly as fun as a thorough spanking.

    She was still contemplating the illicit deed when Blackberry tapped her shoulder.

    “Sorbet. A few visitors were spotted on the road to the manor. If you’d be so kind, could you prepare a glass of wine? And take those candies, they’ll be for the guests.”

    Sorbet didn’t realize she was being watched. “Of course, Mistress.”

    “You may help yourself to one as well. I saw you eyeing them.”

    Sorbet felt a bead of sweat on the back of her forehead. She turned around and smiled, shutting her eyes and bowing politely. “Of course, Mistress.”

    Blackberry began to reach for the dish and a tray. Such was the life of a maid in service of the Pai twins. She nearly dropped the whole thing when she felt the slender fingers of Blackberry’s hand caressing her rear! She yelped in surprise.

    “And Sorbet… these guests are special. If you’re good and presentable, then perhaps once they’re departed we can continue your instruction in the dungeon. I believe I still owe you a firm spanking from the last time you sipped from my favorite wine.”

     

 * * *

     

    They were the Songweaver sisters, but they weren’t being particularly melodic. Laurel was doing all the talking, and it was hard to break into a worthy walking song without accompaniment. Besides, it was Raya that was the bard of the two. Laurel was a warrior of light, and couldn’t compose on-the-spot like her sister Raya.

    “I hope they don’t ask for anything harsh,” said Laurel.

    Raya shrugged.

    “We never spoke about what they might ask for, you know.”

    Raya shook her head. No, they hadn’t.

    “What if they ask for something really expensive? Gold? Or maybe all of our magical items.”

    Raya frowned. That would be unpleasant.

    “Or - or what if they ask for something metaphysical? Like - like my abilities and faith as a paladin! Or what if they ask for your magic?”

    This time, Raya sighed and rolled her eyes. Laurel, as the younger sister, had the wilder imagination

    “What if they ask for my voice?! What if they’re actually super evil? What if they love irony!?”

    Raya smiled and huffed again.

    “Don’t - don’t worry, Raya,” said Laurel, who had nearly brought herself to tears in her imagining. “I promise that we’ll get you your voice back. We’ll lift this silence curse no matter what. I know that the Pai sisters are good, but if they try to hurt us, we’ll be out of there in no time. You don’t need to worry!”

    Raya couldn’t evoke a laugh thanks to the Spell of Silence that cursed her, but she could emit a grin. Laurel was loyal to a fault. Her blonde younger sister was smart and strong-willed, though she could do with more awareness of magic and its implications. Laurel wore her blonde hair down, with bangs over her magic circlet. It trailed nearly to her knees, but it never got in the way. After all, both Laurel and Raya were of Angelic stock. The two angels were sisters, travelers, shopkeepers, and adventurers… and anyone who saw them would probably know it in a heartbeat. If the incredible feathered wings didn’t give it away, the white toga on Laurel screamed ‘paladin,’ and the tight bodice that Raya wore made it clear that she was ready for adventuring.

    Both of them trudged forward. It was time to make the deal.

     ***

    Arriving at Pai Manor meant observing the well-manicured grounds. The entire structure was beautiful, as were the grounds. Stone-and-mortar walls, rock gardens, tall grass; wide fields surrounded by trees to minimize maintenance while allowing for some areas to be very carefully kept. 

    Inside, the two mysterious sisters were waiting, with a pink-haired maid in attendance. Blackberry hard dark, long hair; Raspberry had short brown hair with wide bangs. It was impossible to look away from Blackberry's piercing red eyes... not to mention her long red dress. She was stunning and a bit intimidating. Neither Laurel nor Raya knew quite where to start until they were prompted. 

    "Now that you're comfortable and I've fed you cakes and tea," said Blackberry with a modicum of a grin, "How about you tell me why you're here?"

    Raspberry leaned back in her chair a bit. She crossed her legs daintily. It was seductive, and Laurel couldn't help but stare. The cleric really knew how to strike an imposing figure; her dark leather sandals looped around her ankles and shapely feet. Leather straps kept it in place, circling her toes and going up to her ankles like a legionnaire of old. It made her look professional, classical - and made it clear that Raspberry dressed however she felt. Practicality be damned, she wanted to look good! It made Laurel sweat a bit. She continued.

    "We're here for her," said Laurel, pointing at Raya. Raya nodded, confirming what her sister had said. Raspberry raised an eyebrow. Why not simply say something?

    "And...?" said Blackberry.

    "And... we need your help."

    "That's obvious," said Blackberry again. "Do you want us to craft you something?"

    "N-no," said Laurel. "She - my sister, she's been cursed. We were on a quest and she was hit with a rather powerful Silence spell. She can live and breathe just fine, but Silence..." Laurel stared off. "Well, it should have worn off days ago. We think she's cursed. I think she's cursed. She can't really talk about it."

    Raya nodded soberly at Laurel's explanation.

    "And you want us to lift it? That's no problem," said Blackberry. Raspberry nodded. "We charge only a nominal fee."

    Laurel grinned. "That's great! We've got gold - a little, at least. I'm really happy to hear that, since, as a bard, Raya really needs-"

    Blackberry shook her head. Then, she stared at her sister. The two of them shared a brief grin.

    "I don't think you can pay our price. When we say 'nominal' we mean 'in name,' that is, in your name. We customize the fee to the customer. And we know that you two are - if not wealthy - you two have resources, connections, and can make quite a bit adventuring if needbe. You could sell all your magical arms and armor and have more gold than a lord or lady." Raspberry smiled, now smiling at the two sisters.

    "Then... what do you want from us?" asked Laurel.

    Blackberry snapped her fingers. Sorbet brought over a contract and fountain pen. "You'll be our live-in associates for two weeks. Or more, if you're not able to perform your duties."

    Raya mouthed "duties" with a quizzical look. Laurel raised an eyebrow and blushed slightly as she read the contract.

    "You'll be our live-in maids. And not those silly 'bondage-only' maids like that sorceress Fantom uses. No, you'll work and look good. Oh, and also you'll be our part-time pony girls. You see, we recently discharged one of our employees and the grounds simply aren't the same without appropriate fauna. And rather than some magical manticore or beast - we'd never want to keep an intelligent magical creature caged up - we prefer visitors. When you're not helping with maid duties, you'll be treated to the chance of a lifetime to be our beautiful stable-ponies. Believe me, some in town would pay oodles of gold for the chance to wear the bit and bridle of the Pai sisters." Blackberry crossed her fingers in her lap. 

    "Is this... necessary?" asked Laurel.

    The sisters stared at each other again, then turned back to the Songweavers.

    "No. But it is fun , isn't it?" said Raspberry.

* * * 

    Laurel blushed in the mirror. Sorbet applied a tiny bit of makeup to her face, and passed her a tiny jar of glossy lipstick. Laurel was turning so red with embarrassment that Sorbet didn't need to do anything else. She already looked like a doll. 

    The maid outfit was beautiful in a way that Laurel couldn't have expected. It also showed off far more skin that she'd ever seen on the serving-girls at her tavern, or the protectors and servants in noble houses.

    After having her brown hair carefully washed, rinsed, and tended do, Sorbet had helped Raya into a one-piece silk dress. Its gossamer fabric was almost, almost transparent. She blushed at the thought of someone getting close enough to see her underwear beneath it! It wouldn't have been hard, though. The dress itself flaredi nto a skirt that just barely covered her rear, going down half of her thigh. She bent over to adjust her stockings and instantly knew that Sorbet had gotten a good, thorough look at her silk panties. 

    The dress, black and white, had some marvelous gold trim. It seemed to be master-crafted, with actual golden thread woven to create a stunning tri-color combination. The only part without gold were the long stockings. They almost went to her skirt... almost. The result was a noticeably and blissfully tantalizing section of skin between the skirt and her hosiery. A pair of straps kept the stockings girdled... but Laurel suspected they were mostly there to draw the eye. 

    Of course, if anything was going to compete for attention, it was the gold. Sure, her black toe sandals were very appealing. Yes, the short gloves were shiny and frilly and cute. Certainly, the puffy "leg-of-mutton" shoulders were nice. But the gold chains really took the cake.

    The sandals themselves were hand-crafted by the Pai sisters. Well, it was possible that they had some level of magical assistance, but otherwise hand-made. Black with a leather strap over the top of her feet and another around her tendon; sturdy and snug and very attractive. A loop around her big toe maximized security - which was critical considering the raised heel. It all made her vulnerable while still comfortable. But it worked together with other pieces to expose her flesh and her role as  a slave. Tiny but very visible polished locks made it clear that even removing her footwear was not to be allowed without either their mistress's activity or Sorbet's intervention. 

    Massive gold shackles looped around Laurel's wrists and her ankles. Gigantic and highly visible gold locks kept them in place. A corset-like clasp around her waist was smooth and padded, as was the golden band around her neck. They all were comfortable, smooth, shining, and made Laurel squirm internally with every movement. Endless lengths of chain strung them all together, giving her movement but not enough to run; she could stretch but never quite feel completely free. Laurel felt a quiver somewhere in her body at the sight in the mirror; a maid dressed for pleasure and bound for servitude. 

    Sorbet helped her adjust the uniform. A few quick dashes of prestidigitation from a wand would keep her clean and comfortable. If needbe, Sorbet said, they could keep her like this for days. Maybe she'd wear it for the whole time.

    "Maybe you'll wear this forever," said Sorbet in a menacing but obviously mocking tone.

    Something about that excited Laurel. Sorbet noticed, and the maid - herself clad in black and gold - moved closer.

    "The funny thing about these chains is that they seem to live. They're never as long or short as you want them to be. Just a few weeks ago, I was in a particularly perky mood. I sighed and moaned and stretched..." Sorbet pantomimed her story and moved closer to Laurel. 

    "... I went to my quarters when the sisters were busy. I had the insatiable urge to touch and tease myself, lost in my own fantasies." She pantomimed again, this time taking Laurel as a partner. Sorbet came from behind, gently stretching her arms around to cuddle at Laurel's waist. Chains clinked. Laurel was blindsided. "Uh... and... what did you do?"

    Sorbet moved her hands from Laurel's stomach. One hand went down slightly, teasing her waistline very gently, while the other went higher, caressing and supporting her bust.

    "And wouldn't you know it... I couldn't get a single thing done." Sorbet retracted both her arms. Laurel pouted.

    "The chains keep you from having too much fun. If it's fun you want, you'll have to ask the sisters," said Sorbet.

    Laurel smiled and nodded. She pretended to not understand the implications. She pursed her lips. "I, uh, I like fun! Let's..." 

    Sorbet put a finger to Laurel's lips before she could embarrass herself further.

    "Fun later. But right now, you've got a manor to sweep."

    For the rest of the day, Laurel couldn't help but blush every time she had to bend over. It didn't matter if noone was there to watch. She almost hoped that someone would come by.


* * * 

    "And wouldn't you know it..."

    Raya was a sweet little thing. She was intelligent, erudite, a bit submissive... and Blackberry knew that she was a truly fabulous pony. 
    The brunette was doing 'work' at the moment. Work for a ponygirl didn't mean any sort of farming or travel duties. It did mean pulling around a small sled; a precursor to future excursions and uses of her lovely, lithe form. Right now, she was training. Or, to be more specific, she was being trained.

    "...you're a real natural, Raya." 

    Blackberry grinned. Her dark hair and matched her gloves. Her scarlet eyes matched her dress. She crossed her legs, lounging in a pair of simple sandals. She wiggled her toes a bit in the afternoon air; perfect weather to be outside. The metal ring around her toe kept her sandals on and comfy.  One of her own pieces of handiwork.

    Raya's "pony" training was, for now, merely physical exercise to see if the bard was going to be fit for more... equine duties. And she was performing very, very well. Sweating a bit, emoting quite a bit, but utterly silent thanks to the curse. 

    When she had finished moving the crates and various pieces of purchase from the town into the house, Raya nodded. She was done for the day. Clearly, thought Blackberry, Raya was more than ready for pony duty. She giggled to herself, wondering if Raya knew exactly what she had signed up for.

    By the time she was all dressed, Raya knew exactly what she was in for.

    Blackberry hadn't gotten her hands dirty - not that there was really any dirt to be had. She had been scrubbed clean. Sorbet and Raspberry, however, were eager to help measure Laurel's every inch and make sure the outfit was snug and perfectly fit. Raya blushed the whole time. She wasn't used to standing nude in front of a mirror. She definitely wasn't used to the feeling of beautiful women moving their hands up and down her body. She felt them poking and prodding. Without a doubt, she felt them teasing her. There was no way that they really needed to examine and touch her sensitive inner thighs as much as they did.

    At one point, Sorbet moved her hands to Raya's rear. She blushed as she felt the maid take a firm pinch of her butt! Each cheek stung slightly before giving way to a stimulated, reddening pleasure.

    She wanted to stop and ask her "why," to ask her what the point of it was. Of course, she hadn't the voice for it. She only had the slightly grumpy expression as they giggled and had her measured and re-measured.

    When that was complete, they showed her the outfit. It seemed to have been fabricated like magic, in front of her very eyes. But it was beautiful, and there was no doubt about that. Her only doubts were that she was going to wear it.

    A tiny leather bodice covered up Raya's breasts. She wasn't tremendously busty, but the leather cups left very little to the imagination. She stared in the mirror, noting that the bottom and sides of her breasts were highly visible. A corset went around her waist; black with red trim, and a series of gold metal locks to keep it on. A tiny chastity plate kept her womanhood concealed; functional, but embarrassing. It drew attention to her body. It made her realize that the pony outfit was just as much to show off as to humiliate and bind. It made her realize just how much she wanted to wear it.

    Raya started to quiver slightly as they helped her into it. She couldn't admit her submissive fantasies had hoped for this. Obviously, she couldn't speak it. But there was also something profoundly forbidden about it. The taboo was so sexy. She had too often fantasized about being kidnapped or bound, about being locked into a suit like this. The real thing was just a bit more... tight than she had imagined. Straps tightened around her body and bodice. She looked down and smiled. 

    Noticing her ward's blush and grin, Blackberry stood up. She tapped on Raya's grinning face. 

    "Open wide. I know you can't speak, but really - a good pony needs a bit and bridle."

    Raya greedily, eagerly bit down on the padded rubber of the bit-gag. She really felt like a pony at this point; pretty, colorful, and gussied up. All she was missing was a headband and collar, and already she saw the joys that were going to come with her new role... and with them, the beautiful read-feathered headgear that Raspberry was offering her. 

    Raya grinned past the gag. She practically helped them craft the last item - a pair of leather hoops to bind her wings. Not that she'd be flying anywhere. She quite liked it here already. 

    Both Laurel and Raya were sore from the previous few days. They'd been trained intermittently; not always wearing their finest equipment or donning their most beautiful outfits. No guests were on the way, so the previous day had just been work of the most basic nature; bringing equipment and boxes to and from the loading area down to the workshops. It was simple and a bit mindless, as was sweeping and helping prepare food.

    But today - today was a special day. Laurel knew it from the moment she awoke, and heard something she hadn't heard in weeks.

    She heard singing. Raya was singing. 

    Laurel yelped in surprise so loud that it startled Raya from her melody. Somehow, she still couldn't talk. 

    Laurel and her sister soon marched down to the Pai twins' study.

    "Okay, Raspberry. And Blackberry. L-listen, it's been almost two weeks. Raya still can't entirely talk. So... do you want to -"

    Blackberry stood up. "You're worried about your sister. I want you to know that that is very sweet of you. Now you needn't be worried. You already saw what happened last night... or at least heard. She's gotten the ability to sing back, as you saw..."

    Blackberry shot a lighting glance at Raya, and Raya blushed pre-emptively. "And if you didn't already know, she can yelp and moan."

    Laurel, somewhat oblivious (only partially intentional) ignored the comment. "Well... okay. But tomorrow's our last day, right? You're still going to help us."

    The sisters nodded. "Of course we are!" said Raspberry. "We just need one more component for our ritual and we can remove that curse permanently. Oh, and give you a little magical protection against the next curse."

    "Great!" Laurel clapped her hands together. "What do you need?"

    "Some red wine."

    Sorbet giggled. "Ah... yes. I think I finished it all off last night, didn't I?"

    Blackberry and Raspberry looked at each other and grinned. Raya and Laurel stared at each other and blushed.