Moonlight Charm art by floatsam: https://imgur.com/AlQvYrO

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>Be the little mare, also known specifically as Moonlight Charm.
>Your master calls you Moon, or Charmy, or sometimes affectionately, ‘my little Charmy’.
>It makes you feel tingly when he does that.

>You’re one of the lucky mares—You have a master.

>Almost a year ago now, a group of radical terrorists from some board on the internet stole a mutagenic chemical, one of the transhuman project derivatives, tweaked it, and set off gas bombs in several big city districts across the east coast.
>Everyone in the affected areas was turned into a little, pastel-colored pony.
>As far as terror attacks went, it could have been worse, but was still incredibly disruptive to the lives of many people.

>For instance, ponies weren’t particularly good at living on their own.
>Or doing most jobs, for that matter.
>A little magic, flight, and durability didn’t make up for stubby hooves and your pathetically small stature.
>Granted, ponies still retained their knowledge of course, but their personalities got a bit more whimsical and childlike, which made them unfit for several roles.
>Hard to be an officer of the law or a business owner when you were so little and impossible to take seriously.
>But that alone wasn’t even the biggest change.
>Being a pony meant you had new needs.
>Needs like being held, or feeling the touch of another.
>Within an hour of being ignored, a pony would become uncomfortable and anxious.
>Within several hours of being alone, they would become agitated and begin to crave touch, like the beginning of withdrawal.
>A pony left for multiple days in isolation would become unstable, prone to panic attacks and episodes of emotional distress.
>If left alone repeatedly, a pony would eventually develop a powerful separation anxiety and would cling to anyone that so much as acknowledged them.
>Or in extreme cases, become unresponsive.
>Being a pony meant you weren’t just social creature—you NEEDED to be with someone.

>And so the pony caretakers program was launched.

>With Google having a detailed personality profile for every human on the planet, ponies and suitable owners could be matched using an algorithm.
>It wasn’t perfect of course.
>Some masters were better than others, and not all of them even wanted to have a pony to look after in the first place.
>Personality mismatches still happened, and there were some cases of abuse that surfaced now and then.
>It was hard for a computer to account for all the changes in personality a pony had gone through, or know if a person had a dark side.
>Not to mention what a gender swap did to a person’s profile.
>You unconsciously rubbed your back thighs together, a small groan coming from your throat at the still-strange feeling.
>Gender swaps were common… there were a lot more mares than stallions, after all. 

>But like you said, you were lucky.

>Your master, Anon, was kind, gentle, loving, and always paid plenty of attention to you.
>In return, all he asked was that you help with some basic chores around the house while he worked.
>Thankfully he worked from home, so you could curl up in his lap whenever you felt a little needy.
>And he made good money too, so you were never left wanting when it came to toys or games or snacks.
>Compared to your dead-end office job, coming home to an empty house every day with no real future?
>This wasn’t so bad.
>And having someone who cared about you, someone who made you feel special?
>That was indescribable.
>It was hard to understate how good it felt to mean something to someone, to be able to greet your master and have him smile and pick you up.
>He loved to blow raspberries on your belly and tease you for being cute.
>He liked to tickle you whenever you got too sassy and gave you headpats and praise whenever you did something good.
>To feel that genuine affection made your heart sore, gave you goosebumps, and sometimes…?
>If things got particularly lovey, your chest felt heavy and full and warm in all the right ways.
>It was a feeling without compare.
>You genuinely loved your master.

>Though, the two of you still had challenges in your relationship.
>In particular, you had a bad heat problem.
>The heats as a pony were like being a hormonal teenager surrounded by hot naked women for years on end without release, all condensed within the microcosm of a week.
>Ponies could take the edge off with medication, but you had a naturally high libido even outside your heat.
>During that week, your mind was a slurry of slutty, depraved thoughts, and nothing could calm you down or get your mind out of the gutter save for a good power fuck.
>Thus far, Anon helped by getting you plenty of toys, but that wasn’t what you needed.
>You needed a real, live cock to spread you open.
>But Master didn’t want to help when you got lewd like that.
>He’d said no the first time, and looked more than a little uncomfortable about the prospect of doing anything sexual with you.
>It hurt, but you didn’t want to be a nuisance, so you didn’t ask after that.
>Your next heat was approaching in a few days, and you eyed the date on the calendar with dread.
>Anon promised he’d look into stronger medications this time, or barring that, a fucking machine.
>But while those things were nice, they probably wouldn’t help.
>You didn’t have the heart to tell him.

>That wasn’t the only cause for concern in your relationship though.
>You see, while Anon was by all counts an amazing master, he still had some quirks.
>He was a bit messy, for one, an issue that only got worse once you were around taking care of the cleaning.
>And he could be stubborn as a mule sometimes, as well as occasionally prone to jealousy when it came to you enjoying the attention of other males.
>But that was something you could live with or manage in the case of getting pets from mostly him.

>Rather, Anon had one particular flaw that was particularly challenging for you to cope with.

--

>You let out a soft moan as you wiggled yourself deeper into the confines of the laundry hamper, basking in the scent of your master.
>You could feel the first dregs of need trickling into your system like melting ice as you lay there, inhaling his scent like a drug.
>He was going to be upset if you didn’t get your chores finished but you couldn’t help it.
>You loved doing this.
>Everything felt so soft and warm.
>And it smelled so nice.
>Anon was busy working on his computer still, you told yourself.
>He wasn’t going to catch you.
>You shoved your muzzle into a pair of boxers, breathing deep of his intoxicating, male scent.
>A shiver ran through you and you clenched your legs tightly.
>Ooh, your sense of smell as a pony made this so addicting.
>Everyday should be laundry day.
>You wormed in deeper, then, using your mouth to pull a pair of pants and a shirt over you, you made a laundry cocoon of sorts.
>It was perfection.
>A literal envelopment of softness that smelled like master and made you feel comfort all the way down to your bones.
>So soft… so nice.
>Your eyes began to feel heavy.
>Oh wait… no.
>You can’t fall asleep now.
>You have chores to do.
>Your muscles ached to lay still, to not get up from your comfy spot deep in his clothes.
>Everytime you made a move to extricate yourself, the thought died halfway, like you were chained down.
>Maybe you can just relax for a few minutes?
>Yeah that’d be fine.
>Just a quick nap and master will be none the wiser. 
>You nuzzled into a pair of socks, feeling the delightful little pills brushing against your fur .
>Just… a few… minutes.

--

>Something made you stir.
>You blinked, staring blearily around your little cocoon as a yawn spread across your face.
>Oh… right. Laundry day.
>Everything in your little clothes nest had conformed to your body, wrapping around you snuggly, save for a pocket around your muzzle, and it felt pleasantly warm still.
>Gosh, that may have been one of the best naps you’ve ever taken, you thought. 
>You feel so well rested.
>You pushed your hooves out, hearing them pop before curling back up again.
>God, why were laundry baskets so comfy and warm and pony sized.
>If you could, you’d ask master to replace your bed with one.
>But then again, you prefer sleeping next to him.
>Nothing like being master’s little teddy pony and getting to feel his steady breathing against your back, knowing he was sleeping soundly because of you.
>Master always said you were soft and enjoyable to sleep with.
>You let out a sigh and wormed back into your spot.
>Alright, just another minute and you’ll finish laundry before master takes a break.

>“Charmy, what do you think you’re doing?”

>Your eyes snapped open.
>Oh no!
>You sprung up like a steel trap and stood rigid, a pair of boxer shorts hanging on one of your ears.
>You didn’t dare reach for it.
>There, squatting in front of the basket, was a stern faced, unimpressed looking Anon.
>He rolled his head slightly, resting it on his palm as he looked at you, eyes cutting like knives.
>A small squeak, like the air squeezing from a balloon, eked past your lips.
>It was then that you noticed the lighting.
>Gone was the clean, blue lighting of the afternoon sun.
>In its place, the incandescent lights filled the space with a warm, yellow hue, and outside the laundry room window, you could see the last wisps of the setting sun, painting the bottom edge with red and purple. 
>Oh god, that wasn’t a quick nap at all.
>You were asleep all afternoon!

>Anon, didn’t say anything for a time, and you stood there, awkwardly shifting your weight back and forth, waiting for the ball to drop.
>He simply weighed you with a kind of cold calculation.
>That should have set off alarm bells in your head but you were far too panicked to notice.
>Eventually he spoke.
>“I was looking all over for you, you know.”
>Your ears snapped back against your head.
>Ohgodhe’ssodissapointedinyou.
>You forced down a whine as he continued.
>“And here I finally find you, in my unfinished laundry, after I got all worried thinking you’d gotten into trouble or were lost. Charm, I thought something happened to you, and instead, I found out you just decided to shirk your chores and take a nap.”

>You sniffled.
“I’m s-sorry. Please don’t be mad.”

>He let out a long breath through his nose.
>”I’m not mad at you, Charm. I’m just really disappointed.”
>Your chest felt like someone dropped a weight on it.
>No no no! You hated this!
>Why did you have to do that? You should have known better.
>”This is the third time you’ve done this with my laundry too, so you’re apparently not taking this seriously. No, I don’t think sorry is going to cut it this time. I think we’re going to have to do something about this, and I’m not talking about ‘no TV for a week’ here.”

>A strange feeling wormed its way into your gut.
>Uh oh...
>Anon could be firm with you at times but he’d usually chastise you a bit and give you a minor punishment like taking away your favorite snack or restricting TV time.
>If anything, he was a little too light when it came to punishments.
>[spoilers]Being cute had its perks[/spoilers]
>But every now and then, Anon would get in a mood.
>It was then that you recognized the look he had—the smile that touched his eyes and teased at his lips.
>Your stomach dropped out from under you.

>You see, Anon had one particular personality quirk that wasn’t like the rest.
>He was a bit messy, yes, and stubborn and jealous on occasion.
>But like you said, those were easy to deal with.
>Rather, Anon had one particular quirk that really, truly scared you.
 
>He had a sadistic streak.

>It only popped up once in a blue moon, but when it did, you knew you were in trouble.
>You tail snapped down between your legs and you felt your skin grow cold as a shiver ran through you.
>Anon would never hurt you, of course.
>Not once had he ever used pain to enforce a lesson.
>You think it was a point of pride for him.
>But he could punish you in other ways.

>You swallowed.
“W-What are you going to do?”

>”Oh, I think I have an idea.”
>Anon grabbed your forehoof and dragged you up out of out of the basket, slinging you over his shoulder and keeping one hand under your bottom to keep you steady.
>He paused for a moment, feeling the faint wetness from your lower lips.
>You clenched your eyes shut as a furious blush formed on your face.
>Oh god, now he knows you were getting off on it.
>If he was disgusted, you couldn’t tell.
>Anon simply headed towards the back of the house.
>On his way you noticed him grab a strange, white container, with a picture of a horse on the front, but you didn’t have time to read the label as he slung it under his arm and headed into the backyard.
>After a few paces onto the cooled grass, he set the container down, and then picked you up and placed you onto a soft patch away from the house.

>The butterflies in your stomach had whipped themselves into a frenzy as you looked up at your master.
“What are we going to do in the yard, Master?”

>”You’ll see.”
>Anon grabbed the container, and after instructing you not to move, began pouring the liquid out onto the grass.
>He drew a ring around you, with perhaps enough space to fit another pony or two, then came around to the front of you again.
>You sniffed the edge of the circle where you could see the dampened grass.
>It didn’t smell like gasoline.
>In retrospect you feel guilty for even thinking he’d do something so dangerous to you.
>He could be mean but master wouldn’t hurt you.
>You looked up at him, a question in your eyes.
>His only answer was a sweet, yet worrying smile.
>Oh, that smile did not bode well for you…
>Without a word, he left the container on the ground and headed back to the back slider.

>You sat there, furrowing your brow at him for a moment before you stood and went to follow after.
>Something stopped you.
>Your hoof hovered in midair, somehow unable to push forward.
>You lowered it to the ground, then tried to take a step forward again, but something stopped you, just the same as before.
>There was no barrier or magic. You could tell that much.
>You just… couldn’t.
>Anon had stopped at the door and watched you without a word.
>You turned, attempting to walk the other way, and again, that same feeling stopped you.
>You trotted in circles, trying every angle, each time, unable to take that next step.
>A nervous feeling wormed its way into your gut.

>You turned to Anon, panic starting to rise in you.
“Master,” you said, looking over to him. “H-Help! I’m stuck.”

>He simply put his hands behind his back and leaned forward slightly.
>His smile was like a little girl with a secret, bursting to let you in on it.
>It was then that you noticed the container he’d carried out had been left just outside your circle.
>The label had been turned to face you.
“Horse repellent?”
>You turned back to Anon.
>He looked lovingly at you in a way that made your hackles rise.

>”Aw, my cute little Charmy. You look so adorable. It almost makes it hard.”

>You swallowed, and sat back down on your haunches.
>The next move was his… it all depended on how far he wanted to take your punishment.

> “Well…” he paused for a good few seconds, savoring the suspense as you held your breath. “Goodnight, Charmy.”

>Fear, cold and sharp surged through you.
“Master, no please! I’m sorry I’m sorry! Please no!”
>Anon turned and headed towards the door.
>Tears began falling down your face as you rushed around the circle, helpless to cross the threshold.
>NO! You don’t want to be left outside!
>You want to be with master and cuddle and go to sleep in a nice warm bed and oh god you were such a bad pony why did you do that you should have known b—

>The door shut.
>Anon was gone.

“Master NO! Please don’t leave me!” you cried towards the house, bawling openly now.
“I’ll be good I promise! Just don’t do this!”
>There was no answer.
>Anon was gone.
>No, wait, don’t panic.
>This was just a test.
>He wanted to tease you a little then he’d come right back, pick you up, and be happy that you didn’t say anything you didn’t mean.
>Just be good and wait.
>A good pony waits for their master patiently and without whining.
>You sat there, staring at the slider door while your body was racked with sobs.
>Any minute now he’d be there.
>Just be patient.
>One minute turned into two, then to three.
>Three turned to ten then to an hour, and eventually, the sun’s light began to fade, dowsing the backyard in a gloomy dusk as you sat there, alone.
>Your heart ached and a deep sense of dread filled you.
>Fresh tears sprung forth as you sat there, stomach grumbling, whimpering for a dinner that wouldn’t come tonight.
>The light eventually faded to night.

>You watched with horror as the lights in the house progressively went dark until finally, Anon’s bedroom light clicked off.

--

>You didn’t sleep.
>The entire night you lay there on your little island of grass, desperately hoping against all hope that he’d bring you in.
>But no respite came as your mind slowly turned against you.
>First came the crushing loneliness.
>It settled over you with a gnawing discomfort, a thunderhead looming overhead as it ate away at you.
>But you were alone, with only the darkness around you.
>It pressed in against you from all sides, taunting you, filling you with dread.
>You sobbed and covered your face with your hooves.

>Then came the agitation, the panic.
>Your breathing and heart rate spiked as you felt the ice cold grip of terror squeeze your chest like a ripe fruit.
>What if master forgot about you?
>No, even worse, what if he got up the next day and decided he’d rather not bring you inside anymore?
>What if he left you here?
>These thoughts and more, all irrational, all unthinkable when you were held in his arms, felt all too real now.
>What if master didn’t want you anymore?
>What if you were really a bad pony all this time?
>What if he got tired of you and got another pony?
>What if he LEFT. YOU. ALL. ALONE.
>Your heart thundered in your chest, threatening to burst as you hyperventilated.

“Please please please, Master, please come get me,” you whimpered into the dark.
“Please I’ll be a good pony. I’ll do whatever you want. Just touch me, hold me, look at me. Anything but this.”

>There was no answer.
>You felt like you were suffocating.
>And then, as if to punctuate it all, you felt two icy, wet raindrops tap against the side of your face.
>Your ears perked up and you looked towards the sky.

>And it began to rain.

--

>Anon walked out of his back door as the sun peeked over the horizon.
>A fog had rolled in, blanketing the world in a thin mist as he looked over at you sipping his coffee.
>It was almost like nothing existed here save for you, the yard, and him.

>You lay there, fur damp and stuck to you, eyes stinging with no more tears to cry.
>Each breath was a fight as you lay there, unable to move, to say a word.
>Everything was numb, from your throbbing head to your useless little hooves.
>Anon just stood there, a neutral expression on his face.
>Would this be enough?
>Were you a good girl now?

>He took a step forward.

>It was all you could do to keep your eyes on him, to keep them open as he came over to you.
>He gently brushed the backs of his fingers against your cheek.
>You hadn’t the strength to raise your head.
>You went to call out to him, to call him your master like you know you should, but all that left your lips was the hint of a breath.
>He picked you up.
>He held you like he always did, your torso facing over his shoulder, bottom cradled in one, strong arm.
>You flopped over his shoulder like a ragdoll and let out a whimper.
>God it felt so good just to feel a living being against your fur again.
>You let out a shuddering breath and pressed into him with what little vigor you had left.

>”It’s okay, Charmy. You’re all done,” he said, rubbing you gently on the back.
>”Let’s go inside now. I’ll make you some breakfast.”

>A wave of relief crashed over you as he walked towards the house, and you felt your eyes moisten with tears once more as you nuzzled into his neck.
>Your name is Moonlight Charm.
>Your Master calls you Charmy.
>It makes you feel tingly when he does that.
>And you’re one of the lucky mares.
>You have a master.

>And you love him so much.