Because of these expectations the two can only truly treat other as ponies, or rather as lovers in private, while in public they have to adhere to the proper expectations, least their fates become far worse than ever before. Can a stallion stay loyal and true to his mare when he is forced to degrade, abuse, and treat her as little more than a common slut in public, as well as going on the occasion orgy or cheating spree with his fellow stallions? Would he be a coward for not doing so and therefore putting his mares life at risk? And how can a mare such as Octavia expect to stay pure of heart and body when after all she has went through, she must suffer more abuse and humiliation at the hoof of the stallion she loves? How can she truly love such stallion, even if what he does is out of pure necessity?