#acerbus

Feliz burst from the stairwell door and toppled to the cold black granite tile floor of the grand hallway, struggling to catch his breath. He had finally made it to the top floor. He was almost there.

He attempted to stand but found it fruitless, his legs were as good as jelly. Resolved to not quit, Feliz began to drag himself down the hallway, wheezing and sputtering pathetically. His boss had paged him, what else was he supposed to do, he thought as his tall thin body squeaked along the floor. At least it was clean, he thought. The last thing he wanted was stubborn dirt all over his brand new pants.

His pallid eyes brightened at the sight of a nearby water cooler and he cracked a feeble smile. His chest pounding from the stress of his journey and his head feeling alarmingly light, he abandoned his crawling as he neared the cooler. Feliz grabbed at the tank with his overly long gangly arms and pulled it off the dispenser stand, hugging it to his chest. He stared at his deformed appendages for a moment, happy to have them for once, before chugging from the jug like a heathen.

He stood up carefully, his knees wobbling, and placed the now-empty tank back onto the stand. Rehydrated, he felt like a new demon. He chose to ignore the spots of water he had spilled on the floor in his mania. They were small at least, he thought. He had more important things to attend to, his boss was surely wondering where he was by now.

He caught his reflection in the spigot of the cooler as he passed it and was disgusted at his disheveled appearance. He quickly pulled a monogrammed hankerchief from his back pocket and dabbed at his sweaty body. Once dry, Feliz examined his reflection.

He ran through a mental checklist: Primp hair back into preferred tidy little swirl. Check! Straighten collar on pastel pink button-up shirt. Check! Symmetrical coordinating bow tie. Check! No stray threads dangling off rolled-up shirt sleeves. Check! Polish buttons on little grey vest. Check! No dirt on brand new black slacks. Check! Spats buffed. Check!

Feliz smiled, feeling he looked quite snappy. One should always make sure they look their best before a meeting with their boss, after all.

He took a deep breath and slowly approached the enormous blood-red door at the very end of the hallway. His long ashen black fingers swept across an embossed nameplate: The Great And Powerful And Most Impressive Golden Proxy Acerbus. He bit his lip fondly, wondering what he ever did to be blessed with such an exciting job: top assistant to someone as prestigious and glamorous as an Angel's proxy. He knocked lightly before struggling to crack open the heavy door and poking his head inside, "Good afternoon, Sir! Y-You paged me?"

The office was impressive as ever: pristine white marble, plush red velvet carpets, gold-tinted mirrored walls, 24 karat gold accents sparkling everywhere. Smooth jazz played softly. That was definitely new, Feliz mused. He glanced at the massive black mahogany desk placed dead center of the focal wall. Acerbus was absent from his elaborate throne and the desk was cluttered with empty take-out containers. Feliz was reminded that he hadn't had his lunch yet. He then remembered that his lunch had been stolen out of the break room that day and frowned.

"Ah, Feliz," Acerbus greeted, his back to him. He stared out his gargantuan wall-length window, sipping wine and admiring the city skyline. "What kept you?"

Feliz rubbed at the back of his neck sheepishly, "W-well, Sir, the public elevator is broken a-and my office is ninety-nine floors down--"

"It was a rhetorical question, you twit," Acerbus interrupted. "Come."

"Yes, Sir," Feliz slid inside, grunting as he pushed the door shut behind him. Acerbus turned, finished his wine, and headed toward the built-in bar. Feliz darted to the bar and grabbed a napkin.

He marveled as he watched Acerbus strut. He was dressed in his usual skin-baring silk shirt and tight leather pants, leaving little to the imagination in regards to his robust physique. His jet black hair cascaded in perfect slick curls, complimenting his gold-flaked eyeshadow and his stunning babyface. Feliz caught himself smiling dreamily and snapped back to attention as Acerbus met the bar. He gracefully accepted Acerbus's empty glass, wiped it clean, and placed it next to its wine bottle. He folded the napkin into a perfect swan shape and rested it at the foot of the glass, just how Acerbus liked it.

"You did call back those idiots at Polanski and cancel that stock venture, right?" Acerbus asked as he preened in the reflective walls.

"First thing this morning, Sir," Feliz beamed, always happy to report a task completed.

"Good, good," he replied absently, fidgeting with his hair. "Tell me, Feliz, I'm trying a new leave-in conditioner, does it look alright?" Acerbus turned to face his slight assistant.

Feliz tried not to blush as he made eye contact. Acerbus looked especially large today, towering over him with an odd contemplative expression, staring at him with fierce eyes, so intense that they burrowed through him. "Handsome as usual, Sir," he simpered, averting his gaze.

Acerbus's eyes brightened. "I believe you!" he replied with a grin, his golden fangs glistening. He admired himself in the mirror one last time before directing Feliz's attention to the lounge area in the far corner, "Come."

He observed his assistant as they strolled alongside each other, silently judging him. A conventional beauty Feliz was not, though he supposed he couldn't call him homely either. His hair, though tidy, looked especially dull today, more charcoal than black. Same cheap clothing as always. Acerbus had to admit, he liked that bright fuschia bow tie. Although, if he were to be honest, he'd never actually noticed a color that he felt didn't suit Feliz well. One of the very, very, very few things he envied about him. Probably the only thing.

Feliz froze as his eyes met the designer coffee table tucked in the back of the lounge. Six saccharinely cute little pony dolls, each a different color, sat in a perfect line, accessories arranged neatly off to the sides. A black snakeskin briefcase lay open behind them, lined with royal purple satin and stickers of the characters the dolls respresented.

"Oh!" Feliz stammered. "I'm sorry, Sir! I didn't realize it was your," he cleared his throat, "special time. I can come back later--"

"Actually, I was wondering if you might join me today," Acerbus interrupted, "Something a little different, hmm?"

Feliz paused for a moment in surprise. "O-Okay?" he replied, deeply confused. He knew for a fact that Acerbus never invited anyone to join him for his special time. If nothing else, interrupting Acerbus's special time was a quick way to get fired, or worse. Usually worse.

"Wonderful," Acerbus beamed. He motioned for Feliz to sit on the sleek ivory lounge sofa staged behind the coffee table. He clapped his hands together like an excited child. "Allow me to introduce you to everyone-- err, that is to say-- everypony!"

"Okay?" Feliz responded as he took his seat. His mind was swimming at the bizarreness of this situation. He watched as Acerbus tapped the head of each doll and listed a name, then began to prattle about the nature of the cartoon show they represented.

"--Anyway, that should be enough to get you started," Acerbus continued. He plucked two dolls from the table, a white one with a horn and vibrant curly purple hair and a pale yellow one with long pink hair and wings. He took Feliz's hand and plopped the yellow pony into his elongated palm. "Tell me, what do you think?" he grinned like a fool as he proudly fondled the white pony's horn.

Feliz began to sweat. He was blanking on the names already. He thought back hard, recalling something Acerbus had mentioned about marks. His eyes searched his pony, stopping at the logo on her hip: little pink butterflies. That had to be right, he tought. "I-I guess Butterfly is--"

"Fluttershy," Acerbus corrected.

"Oh..." Of course he had failed to guess correctly, he berated himself. "W-Well...her...her hair is very nice, I think." Feliz flashed a fake smile but it couldn't hide how awkward he felt.

"Why thank you, Feliz!" Acerbus gushed. "It took me ages to style it just right so that it actually matches the show!"

"I see..." Feliz poked at the doll's ears, trying to understand what exactly Acerbus found so alluring.

"Hasbro is more about the money than the quality of their merchandise, it's sad really." Acerbus pouted and flicked one of the cheap-looking plastic doll combs across the room. He sighed wistfully. "Anyway, Rarity thinks the weather is simply marvelous today," he manipulated the doll as if it were her speaking, "What say you?"

Feliz fought his bewilderment. "I heard it's supposed to rain later--"

"Ahem," Acerbus interjected, motioning at his doll with his eyes.

Feliz stared at him blankly.

"It's not you speaking, Feliz, it's her," Acerbus elaborated, gesturing at Feliz's doll.

Feliz squinted. He looked at Acerbus, then at the winged pony he had cradled on his lap, then back again. "Sir?"

"The doll, you idiot, speak through the doll," Acerbus said, rubbing his temple.

"Oh!" He fumbled bringing his pony back up to eye level, "Um...F-Flittersigh heard it's supposed--"

"Fluttershy," Acerbus corrected again through gritted teeth, his voice growing harsh.

Feliz paused, his head beginning to ring. He knew this whole pony thing was ridiculous but he didn't understand why he was having such difficulty. He was growing angry with himself. All he wanted to do was please his boss and he couldn't even remember a simple name. "Flutterby--"

"No! Fluttershy!" Acerbus clenched the white pony tightly in his fist and swooped down onto the sofa next to his nervous assistant, snatching the doll from his hand and gingerly standing her on the table. His expression was dark. "Repeat after me, Feliz: Flutter..."

"...Flutter," Feliz stuttered, wary. There were a lot of things he admired about Acerbus, but his angry streak was not one of them. He prayed there would be no pain to come.

"Shy..." Acerbus delicately traced Feliz's cheek with his perfectly manicured black polished claw.

"...Shy," Feliz gulped. He pondered whether to plead to not be hurt as he looked into the proxy's menacing eyes.

Acerbus leaned in slowly, cupping his massive hand against Feliz's face. Feliz's eyes squeezed shut as he braced himself. He gasped as he quickly found his ear trapped against Acerbus's lips.

"That's better," Acerbus cooed. He found himself delighted at the sound of Feliz's soft and shaky breath and the sensation of Feliz's lanky body beginning to tremble in his palm. A feeling of satisfaction began to bubble deep within him. He chuckled, pinching Feliz's cheek playfully before releasing him. "Now...Where were we?" he cheered and spun back to face the dolls.

Feliz sighed in relief but was painfully aware that Acerbus chose to remain seated hip to hip. He tried not to fumble as Acerbus stuffed the yellow pony back into his hands.

Acerbus unclenched his poor white pony and began to curl her tail with his pinky finger, smoothing any stray hairs. "You were saying?"

Feliz's eyes focused on the table. He began to stroke his pony's mane out of anxiousness. "Flutter--" he paused, taking in Acerbus's watchful eye, "shy..." He felt a twinge in his chest at Acerbus's pleased expression. "Fluttershy..." he began to sweat, "would like...to know what we were talking about again?"

Acerbus stared fondly at his doll for a moment before scoffing. "I suppose I can understand feeling a bit disoriented. Rarity tends to have that effect on others."

Feliz squinted in response. He really wished he understood where Acerbus was going with all this.

"After all, she's beautiful, successful, talented, brilliant, confident and outgoing," he doted. "She has many admirers..." His gaze shifted smoothly to meet Feliz's, "Does that sound familiar to you at all, Feliz?"

"...Maybe?" Feliz tried to hide how awkward he felt, but feared it wasn't working very well.

"...Like a certain wildly rich and successful businessman?" Acerbus led, puffing out his ample chest.

"Oh," Feliz stammered, "I...I suppose so." He fidgeted with his doll, trying to let it sink in that his boss, The Great And Powerful And Most Impressive Golden Proxy Acerbus, was comparing himself to a cartoon pony.

Acerbus sneered in repsonse. "Meanwhile, Fluttershy...the lady you have there," he bopped the doll's nose affectionately, "is much more softspoken, timid, and sweet." He locked eyes with Feliz, brought up his free hand to the yellow pony, and stroked at her wings. "She's very innocent...fragile..." he continued. He drew his hand away, making sure to brush against Feliz's delicate fingertips. Feliz tried not to jump at the intimate sensation.

"Now, you might be thinking," Acerbus mused, flopping his arm around Feliz's shoulders, "Boss, how are these two ponies such good friends?"

Feliz's eyes darted about, trying to stay calm as the imposing proxy's arm weighed heavy on his frame. He was trying very hard not to lose track of the conversation.

"Well, it's quite simple, really," Acerbus continued. "Rarity knows that she's better than Fluttershy in every way conceivable but, regardless, there are still things that she admires about her." He wriggled his pony about his palm with his fingers as though she were a stress toy. "Rarity, I think, finds Fluttershy's humble nature endearing..." He watched his flustered assistant squirm through the corner of his eye, "and her innocence to be alluring."

"I see..." Feliz replied, absently fondling at his pony's wings.

"...I like to think that Fluttershy also admires Rarity very much...like the treasure that she is," he continued thoughtfully, "That she likes to assist her and ensure her success." He coiled his arm tighter around Feliz, drawing him closer, "Would you agree, Feliz?" His tone grew alarmingly soft.

"I-I guess so." Feliz tried to find spots to focus on, trying not to blush at the warmth of Acerbus's arm against his neck, the strength of his embrace, and the hypnotic smell of his cologne.

Acerbus stayed silent for a moment, what seemed like an eternity to Feliz, lost in thought. Suddenly, forcefully, he nestled his face against Feliz's, placing his lips right in Feliz's ear. Feliz gasped sharply in response. His instinct was to move away, but Acerbus only strengthened his grip, trapping Feliz against him. Feliz could only squeeze the pony in his hands tightly and pray that his boss only had good intentions.

"You know...Rarity can sense when Fluttershy watches her," Acerbus hushed into Feliz's ear, "how she can't take her eyes off of her."

Feliz was taken aback by the turn in conversation. "...Oh?"

"Rarity can't really blame her, she supposes," he continued, "After all, what pony wouldn’t want her?"

"Sir," Feliz stuttered, flustered at the sensation of Acerbus's lips tickling at his ear as he spoke.

"Do you think they should kiss, Feliz?" Acerbus whispered.

Feliz's eyes widened. "Um," he bleated, his face flushing quickly. He finally understood Acerbus's game.

"What do you think Fluttershy wants, Feliz? Do you think Fluttershy wants to kiss Rarity?" he baited. He breathed heavily into Feliz's ear like a beast, rubbing at the white pony's horn with his tumb. "Do you think Rarity wants to kiss her too?" His voice became catlike, calculatingly drawing out his syllables, "Do you think Rarity should indulge her fantasies, Feliz?"

"I-um," Feliz fought back anxious tears. He trembled at the sensation of Acerbus's sultry breath, his blush deepening with every word that tumbled from it.

"Tell me, Feliz," Acerbus murmured, his fangs grazing Feliz's earlobe, "do you want them to kiss?" He brought his pony close to Feliz's, making sure she was turned as if to be looking at the other doll. "Should they give you a demonstration?"

"I...I," Feliz whimpered, overwhelmed as Acerbus fondled at his neck with his free hand and blew ever so softly into his ear. Acerbus chuckled darkly.

"Here..." he whispered, "let me show you." He closed the remaining gap between the dolls, touching their noses together. He finished off with a childish smooching noise that rattled through Feliz's ear and down his spine.

"Acerbus," Feliz shuddered, breathless, feeling warmer than he could even hope to get on a summer's day.

"Boss," Acerbus corrected as he grasped Feliz's chin and guided his head until their mouths hovered over each other.

"Boss," Feliz mewled.

"That's better," Acerbus purred. He began pecking tenderly at Feliz's thin eager lips, taking both dolls and dropping them to the floor. Strong hands groped along Feliz's sides before slipping under his vest. Acerbus slithered his thick tongue into Feliz's throat, reveling in the timid moans that followed.

Feliz gripped pathetically at Acerbus's broad shoulders as he melted into his kisses, careful to make sure his pointed fingertips didn't dig into the skin. It was funny, he thought, how after all this time, no matter how much he desired Acerbus's intimate attentions and how many times he was graced with them, that he still couldn't tell when Acerbus was trying to attempt foreplay. He shivered with anticipation as Acerbus slowly dipped him back, draping him over the arm of the sofa, trailing sloppy kisses down his neck and beginning to undo the buttons on his vest.

The ponies lay on the floor, their painted eyes stuck watching what Feliz considered to be his dreams coming true and what Acerbus considered to be an unusually satisfying afternoon.