//------------------------------// // Chapter 11: The Daspah // Story: Fire and Brimstone, Book 1 // by BluePhoenyx //------------------------------// The sun crept on the horizon and snuck through Rarity’s drapes in her boutique. Crimson lifted his hoof and covered his eyes from the bright light that filled the room. His eyes opened and he blinked a few times, as his irises worked to adjust to the morning sun. He took a breath through his nose while rubbing his eyes with his hoof, then he stood up. Rarity slept on the cushion she used to catch her when she fainted and Twilight spelt on the floor, using Rarity’s cloth materials as padding. Being used to wearing and sleeping in the heavy armor, Crimson snuck throughout the room and out of the boutique without making a sound. Then, he started to run away from the city. * * * He ran passed the gate to Sweet Apple Acres to see Applejack harvesting apples. He trotted up as she bucked a tree. Apples fell from the tree and into buckets as Crimson approached her. Applejack noticed Crimson approach her and she gave a friendly smile. “Howdy, Crimson. Yer up mighty early.” Crimson greeted Applejack with a bow. “Greetings, Ms. Applejack. I have come to ask for assistance.” Applejack picked up a bucket. “Sure, what’chya need?” Crimson leaned down and picked up a bucket as well, then the two start to walk toward the barn. "I would like to express my gratitude to Ms. Twilight Sparkle. However, I do not have currency to exchange in your lands.” “Will ya just spit it out. What can I help ya with?” “I hate to impose on you, but I would like to borrow some apples to feed Ms. Twilight when she awakens.” Applejack and Crimson reached the barn and Applejack put down her bucket. “Tell ya what, hun. Why don’t ya just take that batch, since you already brought it up here.” Crimson looked at the bucket on his back. “I… I cannot accept such a gift.” “Sure you can, and ya will.” Applejack turned Crimson around and shoved him off. “Now get back to Twilight. She’s an early riser, just like you.” Crimson turned his head to look at Applejack. “An early riser?” “As in she’ll be awake in no time. Now get!” She again gently nudged Crimson toward the exit with a bucket of apples. Crimson turned around and bowed. Applejack lightly blushed. “Yeah, yeah. Now get go’n!” Crimson turned and ran back towards the boutique. * * * Twilight awakened, stiff from sleeping on the floor. The padding did little help for a comforting sleep. She winced and stretched, then opened her eyes to a plate of apples beside her. “What the..?” She looked around and noticed another plate next to Rarity, who was sleeping peacefully on her panic pillow. She continued to look around and realized Crimson was missing. “Where did Crimson go?” She whispered to herself and stood up. Twilight looked outside and saw Crimson sitting down on the grass staring at the sun. Twilight smiled, went and grabbed the plate of apples using her horn’s telekinesis, then walked out of the boutique to greet Crimson. His ear lightly twitched as he turned his head. “Good morning.” Twilight said, closing the door behind her. “Oh, Ms. Twilight.” Crimson stood up and bowed. “No, no. It’s alright.” Twilight telekinetically put the plate down next to Crimson. “Sit back down.” He sat down and continued to look at the sunrise. “I have never seen such a powerful yet majestic and humble entity as your sun.” “Sunrises are beautiful.” Twilight sat down next to Crimson. “You brought the apples, didn’t you?” “Yes, I retrieved them from Ms. Applejack’s orchard.” Twilight looked at Crimson with a hint of surprise. “You ran all the way over there just for apples for us?” “Yes. I wished to express my gratitude for you and your friend.” “Oh. Well, you didn’t have to do that.” She looked back at the sunrise. She grabbed an apple and handed it to Crimson. He smiled, something he wasn't used to in his previous life, and they both started to eat apples while watching the sunrise. * * * Rarity woke up a little bit later. She looked up at her hair then gasps. “Oh my.” She stood up and looked around in a panic. “Phew, they’re not here.” She looked down to the plate of apples. “He’s such a gentlepony.” She grabbed the plate and started to head upstairs to her room. Rarity started to wonder as she looked around her shop at the various pieces of intricate and beautiful jewelry they made all throughout the night. Rarity stopped, then looked behind her at the doors. She walked up to the window and saw Crimson and Twilight talking while sitting on the grass. She looked at the plate of apples, then back at Crimson. “Oh my.” She watched Crimson and watched his behavior. She looked at his mane that was brushed and groomed with care, his coat that is washed and cleaned, his straight posture, and other miscellaneous details. Rarity started to blush lightly. “Ohh my~” * * * Crimson and Twilight saw on the grass watching the sunrise. Rarity walked up behind them, groomed and pristine, wearing some of the various pieces of jewelry the three made the night before. Crimson’s ear twitched and he turned his head. “Hello darling.” “Ms. Rarity.” Crimson stood up and bowed. “Good morning, Rarity.” Twilight greeted as Crimson lifted his head. “Wow, you look great with those.” “Thank you, darling.” Rarity lifted her head with pride. “I must say they do look fabulous on me.” “Did you see the apples Crimson left for you?” “Apples?” Rarity’s posture faltered. “Oh, yes. The apples.” Rarity looked at Crimson with a light blush. “Yes, I got them. Such a gentlepony.” “I have some errands to do. Would you mind watching Crimson until I get back?” Rarity looked surprised at Twilight. “What? Alone? With him?” Crimson looked at Rarity with that unusual comment. “Did I do something wrong?” “Oh, no. No, no.” Rarity stuttered, looking at Crimson. “I mean, sure! I’d be happy to watch over Crimson.” “Great! Thanks.” Twilight turned around. “I’ll be back in a few hours.” “Farewell, Ms. Twilight Sparkle.” Crimson saw her off with a bow. “It’s Twilight!” Twilight shouted as she trotted off. “Twilight… Of course.” Crimson said. Rarity walked up beside him. “So… Darling. How about I show you around town?” Crimson looked at Rarity. “It will be an honor.” The two started to walk together. * * * Time quickly past as Rarity showed Crimson all around Ponyville. “Come on. I know a place where we can relax.” Rarity said as she led him toward a building. Rarity was greeted kindly, but they look at her companion with distrust. “The usual!” The light blue pony behind the counter smiled in excitement and vanished. Crimson looked concerned at what Rarity had in mind as they get escorted to the back. The two get separated and put into different rooms. “You may remove your… uh, ‘clothes’ and put them on the counter.” Crimson’s escort said. “I’ll be back for you in a couple of minutes.” She hung a strange white texture similar to what Rarity had in her shop on a door hanger and exits the room. He looked around in suspicion, then started to slowly take off his armor. Then he walked up to the hanging piece of texture the pony hung on the door. He reached his hoof out to touch it, but before he touched it, a knock sounded at the door. “Are you ready?” “Uhh…” Crimson had no idea what was going on. Then the door opened and the light blue pony peeked her head in the room. “Here.” The pony grabbed the robe and tossed it over Crimson’s body. Crimson’s knees started to buckle as the soft and furry texture hit his skin. He never felt such comfort before, and his sense of touch went crazy over this new feeling. “This way.” The light blue pony walked out of the room, trying to get the scarred stranger to follow. Crimson felt the robe with his face as the pure ecstasy of the comfortable and exotic cloth. Moments later, the pony poked her head back into the room. She cleared her throat. “Uh-hem.” “Oh, uh…” Crimson was at a complete loss at what he was feeling. “Follow me, please.” She said and took a step back. Crimson slowly walked out of the door trying to keep his composure from the cloth’s effect it has on his senses as the light blue pony waited for him. She led him through the hallway into a sealed door. She opened it and steam burst out, filling the hallway. Inside the room was a bench and hot stones beside it. “Is this torture?” The blue pony looked shocked and baffled at the strange question. “What? This is a-“ “Daaaarling!” Rarity walked down the hallway. Crimson’s eyes widened as he looked upon a lavender purple texture on top of her head as she wore a similar type of cloth on her body. She walked passed Crimson and into the small wooden room. Crimson stood at the doorway speechless. Rarity sat on the bench and looked at the motionless Crimson. “Come on, darling. I won’t bite.” Rarity patted the bench beside her with her hoof. Crimson stared at Rarity and gulpped. Then, he started to slowly walk toward her. The door closed behind him and steam quickly filled the room. Cautiously, he sat next to Rarity as he observed these strange pony’s customs. “So, how are you liking Ponyville?” “Uh, it is… Um… Beautiful?” Crimson diverted his eyes, expecting the worst. “Oh, isn’t it?” Rarity leaned back and relaxed. The two sat quietly as the steam filled the room. Then, Crimson looked at Rarity. “So… Is this a mating ritual?” Rarity’s eyes quickly widened and she sat up in a deep red blush. “What? Heavens no!” She grabbed her robe and held it tighter against her body. Crimson bowed in embarrassment. “I am sorry. I-“ “How on earth did you come to that conclusion?” Rarity asked in a raised voice. Crimson lifted his head and looked around the room. “You brought me to a room where they removed my armor.” He then looked down and touched the robe with his hoof. “Then I was put me in some sort of ritualistic garment with some sort of mystical euphoric enchantment.” He lifted his hoof and pointed to the room. “Next I was led into a room alone with you with steam and-“ “Oh, dear.” Rarity said to herself as Crimson continued. “… now I am sitting here with no foreknowledge on what this ritual is or this ritual’s purpose.” He looked at Rarity, who was looking down in shame. An awkward silence ensued as Crimson sat up. “I am sorry.” He said with a bow. “I did not mean to upset you.” “Oh no. You didn’t upset me. I had no idea you didn’t know what a day spa was.” “Is that what you call this place?” Crimson looked up and around. “A Daspah?” Rarity smiled and looks at Crimson. “Not a ‘daspah.’ A day spa. It’s a place of relaxation and luxury.” Crimson looked at Rarity with a hint of confusion in his eyes. “Trust me, darling. Just follow my lead.” She sat back and relaxed, and took a deep breath. Following suit, Crimson sat down next to her, closed his eyes, leaned back, and then took a deep breath. Then, he peeked over to Rarity, who was just sitting back and enjoying the steam. “Eyes closed.” Rarity said without looking. “Just relax.” * * * A couple of hours past as the two walked out of the day spa. Rarity chuckled in thought of the misunderstanding in the sauna, but felt totally and utterly relaxed. “Ms. Rarity, if I may...” “Hmm?” Rarity looked over at Crimson. “What does a room full of steam, a mud bath, mud face paint, getting beat on by another pony, and sticking our hooves in the water have to do with relaxing?” Rarity stopped in her place. “You didn’t like it?” “I feel as if I was weakened.” Crimson said, trying to think. “As if my mind was distracted and I was unable to focus.” “How are you feeling?” Crimson tilted his head in thought. “I do not know. I… Do not know.” Rarity smiled. “I think you just had your first taste of relaxation and luxury.” She continued to walk. “Relaxation and luxury?” Crimson caught up to Rarity. “I think I could get used to that.” The two smiled and continued walking together through Ponyville. * * * “There you are!” Twilight Sparkle shouted from afar. Crimson and Rarity looked toward Rarity’s Bridal Boutique as Twilight ran toward the two. “I’ve been waiting here for hours. Where were you?” “Darling, hi.” Crimson greeted Twilight with a bow. “Greetings, Ms. Twil… I mean, Twilight.” Twilight smiled. “I see you remembered.” Crimson lifted his head as Twilight looked at Rarity. “Where were you two?” “I was just showing him around.” “We went to a... day spa for relaxation and luxury.” “You took Crimson to the day spa?” Twilight slightly chuckled. “Oh, stop mocking.” Rarity rolled her eyes. “We had a fabulous time.” Twilight looked over Crimson. “Well, you do look more gorgeous than normal.” Rarity took a few steps towards Twilight Sparkle. “Crimson, darling. Can you give us girls a moment to talk?” Crimson gave a light bow. “As you wish.” He took a few steps backwards, then turned and walked away. “It worked!” Rarity tried to hold in her excitement. “What worked?” “You setting us up.” Rarity restrained her bouncing urge. She turned her head to look at Crimson. “He’s such a gentlepony. So gorgeous, kind, noble, a fabulous eye for fashion… Did I mention gorgeous?” “Rarity, I didn’t set you two up.” “What?” Rarity whipped her head around. “Where did you get that idea?” “Well… The jewelry and his manners and his fabulous mane and…” Rarity gave a worrisome look in her eyes. “And the signals.” “What signals?” “Like the apples in the morning.” “What about the apples he gave us?” “He got me… Wait.” Rarity looked at Twilight. “Us?” “Yeah. Crimson got both of us a plate of apples from Applejack’s farm before we woke up.” “He got you a plate too?” Rarity started to pout. Twilight nodded. “Yeah. I shared the plate with him while watching the sunrise.” A hint of jealousy filled her eyes. “You did?” “And the jewelry… Well, I thought you’d like it. So I brought him over for you to see.” “Oh…” Rarity looked down in near embarrassment. Twilight walked up to Rarity and turned around so they were side by side. “But I think he’s a good pony.” Rarity looked up to Twilight. “I just think he needs to learn about friendship, just like I did when I first got to Ponyville. That’s why I’m introducing him to everypony.” “Oh. Of course you are.” Rarity frowned. “I feel so embarrassed, I could just hide under a rock and die…. Well, maybe behind a rock so I wouldn’t get dirty.” Twilight smiled. “He’s a good pony. You’ll see. I was just going to take him to see Fluttershy. Do you want to come with us?” “Oh, no. I can’t.” Rarity looked up at Twilight. “I, uh… I have a huge order to do and… And it’ll take all day.” “Okay then.” Twilight turned around and started to walk toward Crimson. Rarity looked at the two blankly. “See you later, Rarity.” She said as she walked up to Crimson. “Let’s go. I have someone else I want you to meet.” Crimson turned around and looked at Rarity. He courteously bowed. “I enjoyed our time together.” He said as he lifted his head. “Until next we meet…” He turned around and walked with Twilight. He lifted his head in the air. “And hopefully not like the sauna ritual.” He yelled with a smile. Rarity heavily blushed, her lips cracking a huge smile, as she watched the two walk away and out of sight.