//------------------------------// // Chapter LV: Spa // Story: Memoir of Misery // by Silvak //------------------------------// "I can't believe that Rainbow can be that rash. She can be rather uncouth at times, but to do something like that? That mare needs to learn to think before she acts,” Rarity stated as Aloe, one of the owners of the spa that Rarity and Sapphire were in, applied a facial mask onto Rarity. After Twilight had finally calmed Sapphire from the panic attack that Rainbow caused, Sapphire immediately declared that she was going to spend the rest of the day at her home alone, despite whatever protests the two mares had. The next day, as Sapphire was leaving her home, she encountered Rarity, who offered a day at the spa with her. Snorting as Lotus was massaging her back, Sapphire replied, “She’s lucky that I’m so forgiving, but I hope she learned her lesson. I don’t want her to be pushing her luck with me. I’ve had enough scares to last the week.” “I believe that the reaction you had would be sufficient enough to deter her from trying something like that again. We may be friends darling, but one mustn’t push a pony too far, especially when said pony is a princess,” Rarity said as Aloe finished up the facial mask. Pulling one of the cucumber slices off her eye as she looked at Sapphire, she commented, “I would recommend that you would get the full treatment still dear. With all the stress you’ve been having lately, you’ll grow wrinkles before you hit... your fifties.” “Considering that Celestia is over a thousand year old and doesn’t appear to have any wrinkles, I’ll just stick to the massage,” Sapphire replied. As Rarity opened her mouth to respond, a loud pop was heard as Lotus was working on Sapphire’s spine. This caused Lotus to look at Sapphire in alarm, a look that was shared by Aloe, until Sapphire let out a sigh of relief. As the spa ponies returned to their work, Rarity asked, “It sounds like you really needed that massage. Don’t you go to the spa when you were in Canterlot and Vanhoover?” “Not really. I’m usually busy with my studies and the duties that Celestia and Luna would trust me with, and I normally spend my free time going to restaurants. So... the closet thing I had to a spa treatment was a hot bath," Sapphire stated with a shrug, causing Lotus to frown a bit at the movement. "Then I recommend that you request for some time at the local spa, or manage your time so that you could visit the spa once a week. It would do you wonders in helping you to relax, something that you apparently need," Rarity stated as Aloe had moved onto filing her hooves. "I'll think about it... though I do have a question for you Rarity, about my former career," Sapphire stated to say, causing Rarity's ears to flick towards her fully, indicating her curiosity. "It's been some time after my reveal as an alicorn, so I'm curious about how ponies are handling that part of my past. Even if its recent, I still wonder if it has an impact on anything." “Ah, then in that case, your old ‘unicorn’ model shots have been floating around the fashion market. They’ve become a priceless item for collections of anything related to the princesses, not to mention that they could print out more pictures of you whenever they desire. Though, the mystery behind your thin appearance has finally been answered, resulting in any fashion models that were on the thin side to be... bothered by the press who believe them to be alicorns in disguise. But that died down after the first few weeks,” Rarity answered as Aloe was applying hoof polish on her hooves. “Oh... I hope nopony was too bothered by that,” Sapphire stated, only for Rarity to giggle at her. Looking at her in confusion, Sapphire asked, “What’s so funny?” “Darling, I’m certain that the mares would find being accused of alicorns in disguise amusing, or perhaps even flattering. Though I will admit, it might get a tad annoying after some time, but it still passed relatively quickly. So there is no reason for you to stress about that when you have enough from being a princess,” Rarity explained while spinning a free hoof around in the air. “Oh, alright then. If that’s what’s happening, I guess I don’t need to worry about it,” Sapphire replied as she closed her eyes to enjoy her massage. “I really needed that massage, and that bath helped too,” Sapphire stated as she shifted her neck about, feeling her joints slightly popping as she felt like a weight was taken off her shoulders. It was late in the afternoon when Rarity and Sapphire were walking out of the spa, where Rarity had more beauty treatments while Sapphire was treated to a scented spa bath that the spa owners have treated with a secret recipe to help relax ponies. "Then you should really consider having your own private spa in your castle, though I do find it odd that you're having a castle made out of limestone instead of marble like Canterlot Castle. It may be nice that you're not trying to delve into the Royal Treasury for the construction of your home, but from what I heard, limestone can easily be eroded by rain, which would be ironic for a princess of water to be living in such a home," Rarity pointed out as the pair was walking down the streets. "Unless I find the means to prevent it from happening. As you said, I am the princess of water, so maybe I'll just keep my castle intact and in pristine conditions. Besides, the funds saved from the cost of material itself would allow me to get a bigger castle if I want. Besides, a marble castle would just be copying Canterlot, unless you want me to be a copycat," Sapphire countered as she gave Rarity a mock look of shock. Rolling her eyes, Rarity replied, "Alright, I'll admit that having a marble castle wouldn't make yours stand out from Canterlot Castle than a limestone castle would. Though, if you don't want a glamorous castle, how about you let me create a dress for you? One that would suit your tastes and represent who you are, instead of one that I made for the coronation?" Glancing at Rarity, who had an expression of barely contained glee, Sapphire withheld her sigh as she answered, "Well, it would be nice to wear something that was actually about me instead of screaming 'I'm a princess' at everypony. So I guess you can make me one if you want, Rarity.” Letting out a squeal of glee, Rarity exclaimed, “You’re going to look so fabolous at the next gala you go to! Your coronation dress did brought some attention to my store, but adding this one will put me on the map of the fashion industry. Rarity: the designer of Princess Sapphire’s wardrobe!” before she pointed a hoof into the air as she smiled with a sense of victory. One that started to fade when Rarity saw the unamused expression Sapphire had, causing her to lower her hoof to cough into it. Blushing, Rarity said, “Sorry about that dear. Just got excited about the opportunity.” “Alright... so I guess we’re heading to your Boutique for some measurements?” Sapphire asked, causing Rarity to look her up and down. “I’m afraid so dear, you have... grown in the time since the coronation... which means that whatever dress I make now would be the wrong size within a few weeks,” Rarity states with disappointment in her voice. “It seems that making you a dress while you’re still growing rapidly would be an impractical thing to do.” “Couldn’t you just alter it everytime I outgrow it? Or make it bigger to give me some more time with it?” Sapphire asked as she tilted her head in confusion. Shaking her own head, Rarity answered, “No, the dress would be ruined by the first size adjustment, so only a new dress would work. As for your other idea, it wouldn’t work because you might develop something different than the size adjustment, making part of the dress too tight while another part might be too loose. Ultimately, I have to wait until your growth comes to a halt, or at least matches a normal pony’s growth rate. Unless...” as she tapped her chin in thought. Feeling a bit of dread creeping up her spine, Sapphire replied, “What do you mean... ‘unless’?” “Oh, just an idea that came to mind. One that is rather simple in planning, though it would be quite the effort for me. Yet, it would be worth it in the end, and help me secure the spotlight in the fashion industry!” Rarity declared as she stood up to strike a dramatic pose with her hoof pointing at the sky once more. “...Care to clue me in on what you’re planning, Rarity?” Sapphire asked as she grew a bit irritated with the vague answer she received. Coming back onto her forehooves, Rarity answered, “Oh, sorry about that dear, just got caught up in the moment. My idea is actually quite simple in design: whenever you have an event that you would need to be in the proper attire, specifically one that includes a dress, you simply send Twilight a message directed to me so I can travel to Vanhoover to take your measurements. Or, you could come to Ponyville as a day off if you desire. That way, you would always have a dress that would be designed for the pony you are instead of for a princess, and my fame as your dress maker would be assured. That is, if we’re to accept all of that.” As Rarity was giving Sapphire and look of expectation, Sapphire had a skeptical one as she asked, “But wouldn’t that be a lot of time and effort for you to do? I mean, you do have to run your shop.” “There’s no need to worry dear, for I could spend my time on the train creating new designs to make when I get home, and I might even gain some inspiration from the sights I would see on the way to your castle and possibly from Vanhoover itself. Besides, knowing you, you would tried to avoid such formal events as much as you can, so at most I expect to only have to come over once a month or so. Or you could use this as an excuse for a monthly trip to Ponyville,” Rarity answered, causing Sapphire to blink as she looked down at the ground in thought. “This could lead to me having that break, even if it might be just for a day or two. And I doubt Luna or Celestia would argue against it since it would be preparation for any events they may want me to attend. So, I guess we can do this,” Sapphire replied, only to her ears back as she saw Rarity drawing in a deep breath. “Yes! Rarity’s princess line is going to be the hottest dress on the market! I will be Equestria’s next big fashionista...” Rarity started to exclaim until she saw the frown on Sapphire’s face. Putting on the smile that one would expect from a goal that was caught with their hoof in true cookie jar, Rarity said, “Excuse me for my behavior darling, that was a bit unbecoming of me.” Rolling her eyes, Sapphire replied, “It’s okay, you can’t help yourself since you’re just being who you are. Just... don’t get too carried away with it, okay?” “You have my word as the Element of Generosity that I won’t let my ambitions get in the way of our dear friendship, your highness,” Rarity stated with a bow. As Sapphire let out a sigh, Rarity asked, “Though I’m utilizing about one thing, do you remember enough of your old self to know how she might have reacted to this request?” Rubbing the back of her head with a hoof, Sapphire replied, “Umm... I’m not too certain about who I was to say for sure, but if I had to guess... she would have considered this a waste of time unless it had some kind of combative feature to it.” Scrunching up her muzzle, Rarity replied, “Well, then it may have been a good thing you gotten amnesia, otherwise we might not have became friends. Even if I was offering you room and board, no offense.” “None taken... cause, to be honest, I think the old me might have shredded some of your dresses,” Sapphire admitted before letting out a laugh, Rarity shivering at the thought before joining Sapphire in her laughter.