The new morning came. A beautiful Sunday with perfect cool weather for the ponies and their riders had arrived. It would be a good day for the riding events. Diana was enjoying a brisk morning walk with Drake on this very morning.

She’d missed attending shows. She missed attending with a pony. She liked having Drake along. It was double the pleasure having him with her and trusting her as he did. But he felt the same. Being with her made things alright, even if he wasn’t contacting authorities as he should.

Then again, he had broken one of the major cardinal rules to investigation and case working. He’d gotten involved with his work. He was already compromised with Her knowing who he was. But things always happened for a reason and reasons, along with instinct, told him to trust Diana.

She even had him in clothes, a blanket/Cloak of sorts because it was too cold to have a pony out there in bare skin this early in the morning. When it warmed up though, it would be perfect weather. He wore the black cloak with a pair of boots that rose to his knees. He was dressed in a fine pair of black pants and had on a white and black shirt.

Everyone knew she was one of the nice ones. That her ponies weren’t always ponies. They were people too, to her and to the eyes around them.

“It’s such a beautiful morning..it’s ..almost too peaceful though.” Diana looked about. “You ever just get that feeling?”

“Actually..yes.” Drake wrapped the cloak around her shoulders to help keep her warm. “You’re shivering as well.”

“I do love the cold though.” Leaning against him and sighing. “But you’re so warm..” Diana giggled. “How do you like the outfit I have purchased for you?”

“Very Cavalier..If I didn’t know any better..I’d swear you thought me to be your dashing knight right now.”

“Aren’t you?” She whispered.

“Very good reply..My lady.” Chuckling but pausing. “Wait..”

“What is that?” Diana ran forward and towards the private stables where a small crowd of various masters with their ponies had gathered. “Oh no..”

Drake was quickly behind her to see what was happening. Giovanni was outside and yelling at James, who was on the ground before him.

“You Ignorant little stable boy!” Giovanni had shoved him outside. “I told you to WARM the food up..not Over HEAT it for her! She’s a Mare not a bloody Dragon!”

“Master..I..” James stood slowly. “I didn’t mean to get it that hot..The Microwave is malfunctioning.”

“Excuses! What would have done had she burned her self when that liquid hit her front legs!? Huh?! Spilling it..tripping.” Hauling his hand back, he backhanded James across the way and made him crash back into some fencing. “You never learn!”

James sat amongst the broken fencing in some hay and people were gasping. He had a bloody nose but he was otherwise alright. Diana tensed and grabbed Drake’s hand. She knew he might try something foolish and that would blow everything.

“Giovanni!” Diana spoke up instead. “What do you think you’re doing!? We don’t Abuse our help!”

“You..the kindly mistress tell ME what to do?” Giovanni laughed.

“Excuse me..pardon me.” Chad pushed through the crowd. He wasn’t a tall man. He stood maybe Five foot eleven inches. “Diana..sweety...let me.”

“And what are you going to say to me, Powder puff?” Giovanni glared at the man in Powder blue.

His pants black, shirt, Powder blue and highly polished black riding boots. Chad boldly stepped forward and faced The Tall Giovanni.

“What am I going to do? We do NOT hit our help!”

He slapped Giovanni suddenly and many gasps came. James scrambled to his feet and looked on with shocked eyes. Diana’s gasp adding to the many, she had started to giggle though. So she leaned against Drake to watch this little display with more ease than before.

Giovanni, shocked, had stumbled back. NO ONE DARED HIT HIM IN PUBLIC OR IN PRIVATE! His breaths livid. Anger could be seen. Chad hmphd and simply turned and walked away from him.

“Look out!” Someone yelled.

Giovanni charged at the much smaller man’s back. But to Giovanni’s surprise and dismay, he was on the ground and looking up at Chad who’d just proceeded to Judo flip him. He could barely move. Chad hit a minor nerve point to stun him for a few minutes.

“You, Giovanni, and No..I will not give you the dignity of calling you MASTER Giovanni, Have been weighed, Measured and found very wanton.” The man in Powder blue smirked. “Toodles..”Glancing at James, he smiled genuinely while turning. “And you..I always have a space in my stable for good help.”

The man walked off without a word after that. Whispers, tiny jeers at the trembling Giovanni. Diana was fully impressed with Chad as was Drake.

“Giovanni!” Mistress Raven ran up to him and knelt beside him. “Look at what..that man has done.” Starting to tend the bruising cheek. “Are you alright?”

“That is NOT a man!” Giovanni suddenly rose and shoved Raven away. “Bah!”

He stormed off in embarrassment into the private stables. Raven was on the ground and gasping. She hadn’t done anything. James sighed and walked over to her.

“Ma’am..” Extending his hand to her. “Let me help you up.” James didn’t judge her because she idolized Giovanni as other’s did. “Are you alright?”

“Hold on..” Diana also stepped forward. “Did he hurt you, Raven?”

“I..I’m...fine.” Letting James help her up. “E..excuse me.”

Mistress Raven left just as quickly as Giovanni had. Diana extended a clean hankie to James.

“Go get your self looked at in medical, son. Go on..No arguments.” Making him take the cloth. “Jason...come escort him to medical.”

“Come on, Lad.” Jason nodded to her. “ I’ll let you know how he is in a bit.”

Her hands on her hips, she turned and looked at all the other people gathered about. It was ashamed. NONE of them spoke up.

“You all ought to ashamed of your selves. Letting Giovanni ABUSE someone? Have you all lost your pair? You..masters? Mistresses? Go on..There’s nothing to stare and gawk at here. GO.” Diana wasn’t afraid to let into them. “I swear.”

Drake moved up beside her and wrapped a comforting arm around her. She sighed and leaned against him.

“That’s..rules..They just LET him do it. It’s sanctioned in the charters. We do NOT abuse or hurt our help, our ponies or each other. Ug..these people. The last incident like this happened over five years ago..but it wasn’t Giovanni.”

“I think you need to calm down.” Pulling on her arm gently. “As your stallion..I must look out for my mistress..so..I say a nice cup of hot chocolate and a massage is in order.”

“He should be sanctioned!” A few other’s talking in a corner. “She’s right..he’s going to bring trouble if he keeps acting THIS bold.”

“Well we could always call HIM.” Another man suggested.

“They talk..but they don’t act.” Diana growled. “And WHO would call HIM? Would you, Dylan? Or you, Yvette? No..you wouldn’t, would you. But you’ll say it.”

“Actually..has anyone ever met HIM?” Dylan hmd. “I don’t ever recall.”

“No.” a man behind him answered. “Because none of us want to. The last time HE was called..Master Frederic disappeared. He deserved it, yes, but still.”

“Gentlemen..We shouldn’t talk of such things. What’s done is done for reasons to protect this world without bringing in more suspicion and hate from the outside. That was five years ago. Let it be.” Diana turned. “And personally..I have mer HIM. He’s a charming man..when he’s not provoked because people want to be idiots. I say whatfor for him. He at least acts to protect when people need it. Unlike you all.”

“You’ve MET him and you..aren’t ..gone?” Dylan asked.

“Dylan..have I EVER been in trouble due to stupidity?”

“No.” A few answered her.

“Right..because I respect this world and the people that participate.” Motioning to Drake. “Does it look like I have him geared up as a pony in this cold right now? NO. He acts as my pony because he WANTS to and I respect him fully in return. You could all do with a few refresher lessons. For remember..it is ME who teach this in the public. I HELP make it acceptable for ALL of us to enjoy. What can you all say except that you..hide and don’t do anything to help?”

Grunting, walking off with Drake beside her. He only glanced back once before wrapping a protective arm around her shoulders. Drake didn’t like seeing her get so worked up.

“You need to calm down..”

“I’m sorry..I just..It’s ..” Diana sighed. “It’s disgusting.”

“Yeah, it is but look what happened. Some people did stand up. Even Jason, A master, was content and non-arrogant enough to help a stable boy to the medical office. As I have come to understand things, to a more serious master, that’s lowering them selves.”

“Jason isn’t like those other fools though. They were all, in a sense, looking UP to Giovanni. When will people realize that Power is only good when you do something GOOD with it. That the true beauty and pleasure from a Master and Sub come from inside when both give them selves willingly. Granted SOME of the ponies give them selves to idiots like Giovanni because they are obsessed with being dominated by what they see as a powerful man..but in truth..James is more the Benevolent master. He takes care of them, he loves them and is a very good Stable boy. It almost sickens me because I know that Giovanni..was...once...good like that..like Us inside.. But that is another long story in it’s self.”

“I can’t imagine THAT man as ever being good.” Opening the side entrance door to the room of the stable for her. “But..you have been around this longer than I have.”

“Mmm..I grew up around this. My own parents were Masters.” Walking inside and sighing. “They were kind and loving. I miss them..but I know they are enjoying their retirement..which I have paid for, in their Carribean home.”

“As a child should do..They should love and care for their parents.” he chuckled and closed the door. “Although..This incident has got me thinking.”

“About what, Drake?” Turning to look at him.

“That little man..Chad? He knew moves..that..I don’t even know and I’m special Ops.”

“That just goes to show that not everything is at it seems on the outside. Just like Giovanni. He may seem like a powerful, strong man, but in truth, he is a coward that only gets that power by causing fear. Plus..as far as Master Chad goes..well..he does often have to defend his..honor as it were. I expect he has to work out for that reason alone.”

“Come to think of it, yes. I’ve met many Alternative life style men..in the world. And most are well worked out. They care about their appearance and other people. I have nothing against them..or even Master Chad. I applaud him actually for I wanted to do the same thing to Giovanni.” Already fixing her a cup of hot chocolate. “I just hope..things come to a head soon. I’m not sure how much longer I can maintain my tongue and..how much more stress you can handle.”

“It is a test of wills, yes.” Diana smiled and sat down upon a chair. “But we will come through it in the end. And then you will see that I was right about things.”

“I never questioned you.” Mixing the chocolate for her. “I questioned my own self. Yes..I want to help that girl as soon as possible and yes I have been tempted to call outside authorities but I don’t....because you asked me not to.”

“I do love you, Drake.”

“And I you.” Sitting on the foot rest in front of her, extending the cup. “Now drink..and relax.”

“My master Stallion.” Smiling lovingly at him.

“Yes I am..” Nodding, chuckling. “And you’re my Mistress and my heart.”

“Yes I am.” Diana took the cup from him. “I shall always be.”