//------------------------------// // Chapter 15: An Equestrian Tour: Pt. 5: Homeward Bound // Story: Son of the Sun // by Buckeye49 //------------------------------// After a insightful relaxing secret tour of places within a short range of places known and close to Twilight and her friends, besides where I may know more as I live here it was time to head home; while we all began our wake up and after breakfast Rarity remembered we had one last place to visit to finish our tour. "I can't believe I nearly forgot the Spa!" Rarity exclaimed facepalming while shaking her head in self-disgust. "Chill Rarity, at least you remembered it before we left my place; we're still here," Rainbow said lazily. "We're in no hurry anyways Rarity," My mother said calmly. "I know; it's just I feel foolish," Rarity said consenting, "We planned this from the start, but after a little 'excitement' it made the spa slip our minds," she finished sitting on a couch. "No sweat Rar's; just use the time we have here to plan what you want done at the Spa," Applejack said now looking much better and fully recovered from her hang over. "While we wait too, if gives Luna time to come back; whenever she does," Twilight said leaning against a wall. "If aunt Luna is not here though in at least 30 more minutes I can massage her saying to meet us back at Ponyville if not then the spa," Sunset suggested. "Sounds like a sound idea Sunset," my mother complimented. "Makes sense; we have our plan set, now to chill for 30 minutes," I said sitting next to Sunset. "What do we do for half an hour?" Rainbow asked hovering in the air. "Nothing wrong sitting still Rainbow honestly now; you can hold still," Rarity remarked. "I hate sitting still," Rainbow said crossing her arms pouting in midair. "I am that way too but I do know when it is good to just sit Rainbow," I commented in some hope to appease the agitated prismatic mare. "Yeah yeah I know but that's still not who I am...Sitting still drives me nuts, how does Pinkie do it I have no idea," Rainbow retorted. "I just don't think about Rainbow, that's how; if you think about just sitting of course it'll drive you crazy!" Pinkie stated giggling at Rainbow like she did not know the answer to a silly question. "Well that's you Pinkie! You know how to do that...You defy logic itself," Rainbow countered. "True but she is rarely wrong Rainbow," my mother remarked chuckling. "I learned that the hard way last I challenged Pinkie," Twilight recalled, "Took me a while and exhaustion but I believed her, also atop that remember the 'Mirror Pool' incident?" she said in addition. "How could I forget...." Rainbow said shuddering. "No offense Pinkie but I can't imagine more than 1 of you let alone hundreds," Sunset remarked. "You had to be there Sunset, it was terrifying," Applejack recalled. "It was a bit much," Fluttershy chimed in softly. "Regardless it shows how Pinkie can be the master of sitting still; you should take notes like Twilight does," Rarity remarked giggling. "Fine...." Rainbow relented landing on her butt slowly onto the floor crossing her legs under her. "Just think about something else while you sit," Pinkie suggested, "That's how it works." "I got it," Rainbow said laying down now and relaxing. "There now; that wasn't so bad is it?" my mother said finding a seat. "I guess," Rainbow remarked staring off. Time passed a while with eventually us just lounging about, getting a drink or 2, and reading even; within 5 minutes til departure there was a knock at Rainbow's door of which Rainbow sprinted for it and opened, sure enough the midnight blue alicorn herself was there. "Apologies; I near lost track of time with Nathaniel," Luna said giving a small bow & curtsy as she entered. "Actually you made it with 5 minutes to spare Lu," my mother chimed getting up to hug her sister hello. "Well then! I guess my punctuality is maintained," Luna said smiling. "Now that you're here we can leave," Twilight said getting her things. "Uh...How do we get down?" I asked recalling how we came up. "Ah, that is why I brought my chariot, it shall work just fine for non-flyers," Luna said confidently, "So how is everypony? Did you all sleep well?" "We did actually; some were slow to start and some rough to start but over all good," I reported. "Excellent; now without further adieu we disembark toward home," Luna said motioning us to follow her of which we did. We now headed home with the flyers close by, on the ride down my mother & Sunset brought up what was discussed with me in the early morning. "I'm most proud of you David, you promise to do just fine as a prince of Equestria," Luna said smiling proudly. "Thank you; it was not easy to say or deal with," I commented. "I can imagine; this is maturity unfamiliar to you and is outside your comfort zone, yet the desire to put your country and family over your fears is a great step in a positive direction," Luna said warmly. "I hope to do my best; I am pleased your talk with the Prime Minister went well and you set my address of Parliament," I said looking to my left at Luna. "Indeed; Graceful-Pen seems very eager to see you and hear you speak, he reports that he has been working hard to adjust things in your favor and appease the skeptics," Luna replied. "I expect some resistance even though but it is nice to see it reduced," I replied. "That's for sure; I don't care for politics but nice to see that Parliament is working with you rather than against you," Rainbow remarked. "Let's see how long that lasts," Sunset commented. "Yes....I pray it lasts even beyond my public return," I said smiling; though inside? I was back to being the scared and insecure individual I was all over again, all because of the resistance I feared that I knew I would face before my great address to Parliament, my speech.... We returned home after a while in the air descending toward Ponyville Town Centre, once on the ground we disembarked and with the chariot under guard we walked to the nearest home of the Mane 6 so one by one they drop their effects before we head to the spa, each stop was brief with little words said before we then headed to Ponyville Spa. On the way to the spa Twi, Sunset, and Rarity had some info on the spa; reason? It was different from what I was familiar with....A few things different...Oh dear. "Hey look I know you have some idea how things are here but the spa is not quite what you expect," Rarity informed. "Oh? How so?" I asked interested in how this spa has something somepony needed to tell me about. "Well as you can guess it is a place you wear only bathrobes right?" Sunset asked. "Yes?" I asked starting to be a little concerned. "Well there is the changing room you need to know about," Twilight said blushing wildly. "There is only 1 on account of it being a small spa...now they are expanding the building for new customers, until the new change rooms are ready stallions & mares..." Rarity said trailing off blushing wildly. "You do not mean?..." I asked becoming pale as the realization struck me like a knife being driven into my heart, then I felt my face become hot as I imagined I was blushing madly. "Y-Yes Bold..." Rarity said rubbing her arm out of shyness and awkwardness, "They must share," she added. "Oh good Lord," I said feeling now more timid then when I thought about and was discussing my future address to Parliament. "I know it will be a challenge, but if you want you can wait outside if you want dear," Rarity suggested. "Miss out on the spa?" I asked perplexed. "No! Of course not, I meant outside the changing room until we're done," Rarity clarified expressing her wishes to see me join them. "That will help...If only a little," I said a little shakily. "We will try to make this as least awkward as possible," Sunset said caringly taking great notice for my embarrassment over what I and they knew I would face, the joke to be made I think is if I can attend a spa with all mares, then I can address Parliament. "I trust you sis," I replied as honestly as I could; soon we arrived at the spa as I sucked it up and made my entry, a few issues actually made it an issue more than the basic reasons, the 1 reason was 3 mares....my mother, aunt, and sister and being around them, they maybe blood but having seen them as other than family would be like trying now to see your girlfriend as a sister or in this case your mother and/or aunt. The inside was actually more luxurious than the show did it justice, it was definitely made to looking relaxing the moment you entered the door, it almost made me forget my anxiety completely as I looked at the very spacious building with the signature large tub, massage table beds, mud bath and sauna. The design included close to what the show had but some differences were carvings in the wall and pillars, paintings of tranquil scenery and ponies relaxing, potted plant and small trees decorated the spa floor, the paint color of the inside was not purple but made tropical greens, teals, and blues; all in all a fine and relaxing image of an ideal spa. "This is nice..." I said looking at the building's interior. "Glad you enjoy it; it's new," a mare said, it was Aloe the pink spa mare and wow....She is cute! she was short at 6 foot even and very shapely with a modest yet attractive bust. "You honor us being here your majesties," Lotus hummed with her German accent as she appeared beside her near twin sister. "The honor is mine," my mother said politely. "This is our party we brought with us," Luna informed the the two. "Excellent, come wit us pleaze," Lotus instructed; we did as told and made our way into the spa itself. Along the way I could not help but observe the surroundings, I tried to avoid looking and the other guests of course...but the eye does wander...'damn yer eyes' comes to mind. Soon we reaches the changing room and were all given robes to change into, I took the suggestion of Rarity and stood out to wait for the others to change, I leaned on a wall as I waited. "You're new here aren't you sir?" Lotus asked sounding kind and understanding. "Yes...I am," I replied sounding grateful that I had a kind heart caring for my discomfort. "It's actually a first we see a stallion stand outside waiting, most head in...some could have stood outside...I swear the nerve of some," Aloe remarked then looking disgusted at the memory of pervy stallions. "That and ze Princessez being here, 4 of zem including the rulers of Equestria," Lotus commented. "I know..." I agreed to both remarks. "So how are you with Twilight and the others Mr.?" Aloe asked. "Sunset and I are old friends," I said genuinely. "Ah that is something," Aloe replied looking impressed. "Quite ze friendz you made sir...What iz your name?" Lotus asked. "'Bold Heart-Stone'," I replied. "A pleasure Mr. Heart-Stone," Aloe said shaking my hand. "Likewise." "You strike me as shy one despite your name, you are a handsome stallion too," Aloe remarked giggling a little smiling with a hint of flirtation. "I know...I am told that by Rarity and Rainbow the handsome part maybe the shy too," I said shyly, "I am stubborn too and often depressed and moody alot," I added looking sad. "Oh dear that is not good," Aloe said. "I try to be positive I fight tooth and nail to be...I just get discouraged and unmotivated easily," I explained. "Sorry to hear dat," Lotus sympathized. "I guess it is because I may set me expectations, goals and dreams too high so I set myself up for disappointment," I added on. "Well then I would work on learning to find motivation in what seems to be a hopeless situation and adjust what goals you have to ones you know will work," Aloe suggested. "I know it iz hard for you I can tell but if you have the right motivation and think about zat you will succeed in whatever dreamz you have," Lotus said sagely. "Thanks ladies, each word of encouragement is a helpful nudge in keeping me going through life," I said smiling a little stronger. "Our pleasure Bold," Aloe said warmly. To be honest each word of encouragement I heard did in fact help build my confidence and self-esteem, upon entering Equestria and in days before was at a crippled level of self confidence and esteem, to say I was unconfident would be an understatement,I literally was and still to a degree is very insecure in my abilities and skills, I felt like on somethings depending on what it was I would fail if I attempted it or I would never get to do what I saw others doing so easily. Regardless I only hope by the time I address Parliament I will have confidence and self-esteem I never had in either a long time or never had before. After a while the mares exited now were in robes, this got awkward real quick and a long time ago as I saw the group in white bathrobes including my kin which was more awkward than the others....This got real. "You okay Bold?" Celestia asked, for some reason I hoped the three who talked with me before talked instead. "I-I am," I said trying not to be awkwardly shy and stammer while trembling. "Nothing wrong with being shy," Luna said trying to be as comforting as possible, "This is beyond what you are accustomed to." "It is..." I confessed internally sheet white and cold from cold sweat. "We'll be over there when you are done," Celestia said as she bid the others to follow which some did, leaving again Rarity, Sunset and Twilight. "It is fine dear, just show your modesty and mares will pay no mind or perhaps admire you," Rarity said as she left. "Admire sure, pay no mind? Better," I remarked. "I know David, but hey think of it this way; you may make a friend or better?~ That, may be a future sweetheart if things do go south," Sunset said trying to be encouraging while being positive giving a clear respect for my current girlfriend. "Thanks, that is a positive to look for, as hard as it is to see one in a worst case scenario," I replied. Go in and hurry up, the sooner you're done the better," Sunset said getting impatient yet being kind & sisterly about it. "Okay okay," I said moving into the room. "See you in a bit," Twilight said giving a thumbs up as she departed. This was it, no wussy-footing it; I made my entry toward the change room at first the near silence was encouraging, maybe it was empty and I made a big fuss over nothing? That now was an embarrassing thought as I now more comfortably entered the Change Room, This was a piece of.......Crap.... I soon learned it was a cruel illusion, the silence was not due to a lack of occupants, but because the occupants were in low whisper talking about the group that enters moments earlier, there for my innocent eyes to be singed by was mares everywhere! At least 15 mares by quick glancing count. Suddenly as I entered eyes shot toward me and near quiet fell as I shyly entered the room to change, what made matters worse for me was the design of the room, it literally was an open room with lockers on the wall like a school building hallway, like a Gym Room changing was public, counting on modesty on behave of the occupant using the room...That as Aloe made clear was a hollow rule as stallions still often entered intending on a peep show....I never felt so small as in that moment in that room as mares glared or observed me as a timidly made my way to a locker of my choice unused. "Oh great! Another stallion...Keep towels tight or up girls," One mare said barely trying to be subtle, not even whispering well; this made me wince and recoil like I had been shunned. "Hey! He can hear you," another mare whispered harshly, maybe the 1 of few kind faces here. "That's the point," The 1st mare snapped back, I only disrobed while trying to ignore the mean whispers and harsh judgement. "He looks nice; not even trying to peek, cut him a break he looks terrified," a different mare said sounding even kinder than the mare before. "He looks shy~" another mare observed sounding entertained. "Cute," another said. "Please~ They're all the same," the 1st mare remarked again, I hate her. "Quit it, leave him alone," A different mare not yet heard said; this was comforting to hear, I had maybe 3 friendly mares in here. "Why? I am not gonna give him a chance to be pervy, he's just acting innocent so we leave him alone, then when he gets the chance 'boom', he gets a peep show," 1st mare retorted. "How do you know? Huh Autumn Wind?" another mare returned fire. "See 1 you've seen all," Autumn fired back. "You are talking out of your ass you know that?" the mare who called me 'cute' said. I through it all was feeling isolated however...And more embarrassed each second caught in the crossfire of mares bickering over just me as I tried to undress. "Oh! Don't start somethin' with me Silver-Stream," Autumn snapped. "You're the one making a scene! You happy yet? You're scaring this guy to death with embarrassment!" Silver-Stream retorted. "Good! teaches him how peepers are treated," "You're being a nag Autumn," a rather familiar voice said. "Agh!" Autumn cried in disgust," Who asked you?!" "Back off and leave!" this mare demanded. "Fine!" Autumn said bitterly as I heard her leave, resulting in the mares talking among themselves, heading back to business and to my shyness, apologizing to me and asking for my welfare after the ordeal. After the chaos died I just kept up my task and soon was in my robe before ditching my last garment, before that I got some expected remarks, despite my protests I may have looked appealing as some mares made clear giggling to themselves as they hung around or eventually leave. I just kept up my task and soon was in my robe before ditching my last garment, before that I got some expected remarks, despite my protests I may have looked appealing as some mares made clear giggling to themselves as they hung around or eventually leave. After that I then made my exit, wishing not to be in here a second longer; as I made my what would be more a retreat than a exit a hand grabbed my shoulder, I jumped at the contact but the 'assailant' quickly made herself clear no hostile intent was meant. "Easy there handsome, It's alright," she said in a kind tone; the mare was a pretty one but all are here it was just she looked friendly was a better term, she was a unicorn, roughly '6-3" shorter than Rainbow and a mint green...Lyra Heartstrings....I thought I knew the voice that told off Autumn Wind. "Can I help you Ms...?" I asked playing up my uninformed side. "Lyra," she replied, "And no I just wanted to say, sorry about that back there," she informed; she had not spoken so it was interesting I was in the room with her. "Thank you Lyra," I said kindly being genuinely grateful for both her being a familiar face, and being kind. "No sweet; 'Autumn Wind' is a bitter nag, pay no mind to her," she informed. "How can I thank you regardless?" I asked eager to repay her kindness. "Maybe hang some time, I'm sure my coltfriend won't mind," she offered. "I love too, when I have free time," I said. "I'll give you my address, then drop by or write me," She said. "Sounds great," I stated, ha; Sunset was right. "What you busy with?" she asked; oh dear....Possible cover blow... "It is personal but maybe Twi & Sunset might let you know," I replied. "Wait, you know Twilight & Sunset?" she asked looking amazed. "Sunset and I were old friends," I gave for my answer, knowing immediately how she may react when told the real truth. "Uh-huh, no really how do you know them?" She asked thinking I was pulling her leg. "Come with me if you do not believe me," I suggested. "Sure thing, I could talk with her some more," She said walking with me; upon finding the group Rainbow spoke first. "Hey Bold! What took ya?" she asked getting her toenails done, see? Not a big tomboy is she? "Hey Lyra you met Bold here?" Twilight asked while on the massage bed. "I did; so you were telling the truth," Lyra confessed. "Was there any trouble?" my mother asked while she too received a massage. "A little issue involving a na-...I mean...a mare," Lyra said correcting herself; nag must mean 'bitch' here in Equestria....Wow Lyra. "Oh? A mare you say? What was her problem?" Luna asked having her nails examined. "She was giving Bold here a hard time thinking he would peep us in there, she left to who knows where after I told her to bail; Princess Luna," Lyra replied bowing her head respectfully. "I see; I am pleased you stood up for him," Luna complimented. "She was not alone; others did as well," I reported. "Well~ It appears you are a social butterfly aren't you?~" Rarity cooed from the Mud Bath. "Th-Thanks Rarity," I said shyly resulting in giggles and chuckles. "Take yer pick of what looks good Bold," Aj said herself getting a massage. "Want company?" Lyra asked. "Be lovely," I accepted kindly as I made my way to an area of my choice unsure in all honesty what I wanted. "You have a thing you want to do?" Lyra asked eager to see my choice. "I am new to spas," I confessed. "Hey it's cool, I know what works for you," she said leading me to the sauna first. "Really?" I asked. "Yeah, this is a nice first; you need to relax, and the sauna is the best way to do that," Lyra reasoned. "Sounds reasonable," I admitted. "There you go," Lyra said smiling as we then entered the sauna area. When we got there I was given a slight shock but was not too surprised; there was not just a sauna here, the was sauna for multiple regular customers, then there was these....'Couple's Saunas'. "Explain those," I said pointing at the saunas for couples, Lyra upon seeing my line of sight blushed madly as she then spoke. "As the name implies those are for couples only, meant to give some privacy to couples who...Well..." Lyra trailed off. "Can not keep it calm?" I near deadpanned. "Yeah exactly," Lyra said, "Me and my coltfriend sometimes use that one," she added blushing rather cutely. "That is your business; but thank for that, nice to know," I thanked kindly thinking in the back of my head whether I would ever use those....Dreading in a different way that I may not get that far with Jasmine... "Welcome Bold; something on your mind?" she asked seeing me clearing thinking about something upsetting. "My marefriend I have...I would rather not go into details but....Let us just say I am concerned for how strong a couple we are..." I confessed ears flattening out; 1 thing I had to get used to was how expressive my body is according to mood...being only yes my ears but my tail too and I can imagine one day, my wings. Lyra simply smiled kindly at me placing a hand on cheek which caught me off guard completely before she spoke again. "You look like a colt who had bad luck with mares, or one who is not as used to a relationship as you think, you are terribly shy with mares and act insecure about yourself," Lyra observed. "But you do looks sweet and you have a heart like your name says, and you may be bold more so than you give credit; you need to be strong regardless of what happens, have faith in the Almighty and her," She finished leaving me lost for words. "As hard as it is for me, trust issues and all with a foalish fear of breaking my heart, I can make the effort," I said admittedly feeling very encouraged from what she had said. "Good," Lyra said making her way to a sauna. "Your coltfriend is a lucky stallion, and Twi made a good friend in you," I complimented feeling very en-strengthened in after effect of the pep talk. "Thanks Bold; I think your marefriend is lucky too," she said over her shoulder as she waited for me to follow which was not long in coming. Once in the sauna the effects were fast and I did feel less tense and relaxed now for the first time since I got here; every muscle was lax and nerves calmed to a near blissful state as steam vented away all cares and worries pent up needing to be released. "You look much better now," Lyra giggled as she saw my what could be a relaxed expression on my muzzle. "Do I?" I asked lazily. "You do," she replied chuckling. "I feel better that is for sure," I replied. "This was all you needed to take a load off; just relax, remember what I said, and if Twi or the others you are with told you too, have confidence in yourself," Lyra said moving next to me and leaning on me, "Don't get ideas Bold," she said giggling. "I'm just using you in place of the wall," she explained, to be honest it was an honor. "You honor me," I retorted both sarcastically and genuinely. "You're funny," she giggled. "I have some sense of humor that others like," I explained. "Humor's good too, use it," she said before relaxing; this was a good start if there ever was one. "I intend to," I replied relaxing too. After a while Lyra and I left the sauna to do another activity, next she was going to get her nails done I went for the massage, Sunset was on a bed too when we returned. "Hey, you feeling better?" Rainbow asked now in the mud bath herself, "How was the sauna?" My mother asked, getting her nails done as was Luna. "He enjoyed himself, does he not look more chill?" Lyra asked chuckling a little. "He does look less jumpy," Aj remarked returning from the large tub. "Looking much more comfortable here," Sunset remarked, "Oo~ Right there..." she then said to her masseuse. "Now onto the next activity eh?" Lyra asked. "Sure thing," I said with genuine eagerness. After a while we all left the Spa and I had not felt this relaxed in a long time! I granted had moments of awkwardness even then but I got through it okay and with all enjoyment, my first spa visit was a good one; excluding that mare Autumn Wind I am glad I met Lyra, and had friendly mares defending me...This is a memory I shall cherish and be an honor to repay one day...Especial Autumn Wind, how she will be lost for words when she finds out who she belittled....Though I must take the high road is does not mean I cannot be tactfully vengeful. Soon we headed to Twi's Castle again to now officially end my covert tour of intimate places within striking distance and within the proximity to the Mane 6's homes, it was a good one, I saw what fans will one day fulfill in their dreams of visiting this place in months time, after all diplomatic affairs are finished and agreements signed. "That was a tour I will look back on," I remarked. "Glad it was enjoyable," My mother said. "I hope this was a pleasant respite...Because this is where the work begins..." Luna said almost regretfully. "I know...I have a speech to write and rehearse," I said my once jubilant mood shifting to one of semi-disgust. "I can help you with it David," Twilight offered. "I would love that, I can write it and you proof read it; after that mom and Luna can be a mock audience," I planned. "Why just them David? We might want to hear you," Rainbow said sounding classically mock offended I excluded her. "Indeed; I would love to hear your riveting address rehearsal," Rarity chimed in. "We all do," Sunset added; it was unanimous, all wanted to be my rehearsal audience. "I can use the support, I am glad I have it," I said warmly as I was deeply moved by this obvious love I had around me at my becken call. "Always David; always," Luna stated smiling warmly, I returned the smile feeling the warmth of the room. "When should we start?" Twilight asked. "Tomorrow sound good?" I asked. "Hmm..." Twilight hummed thinking; to be honest she could tell me she is free in weeks I would be fine...I still needed to write it out first, so unless we started together writing this out tomorrow I only see me writing it, then Twilight helps out, but that depends on Twilight's decision. "I am free for a week," Twilight said at last. "Oh okay; maybe sit and start writing tomorrow?" I asked. "Sounds perfect; tomorrow your Address Rough Draft will be written," Twilight said like a mock declaration. "I'm sure deep down you have an orator inside waiting to escape," my mother chimed with a soft giggle. "We shall see....I have no intention out doing any great speakers..." I confessed. "As far as we're concerned, you may be one yourself," Sunset encouraged. "Time will tell," I said contemplating what will be my speech, a prince's speech.....The Prince's Speech. TO BE CONTINUED.