Space Ponies
By Boss Hoss
Chapter 13, Stallion in a Spa?
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After leaving Lyra and Bon-Bon’s place, Scott made his way to the spa in just a couple short minutes.
Still in awe at just being in the locations for real, he looked at the elegantly shaped building for several minutes before he walked on in, noting the sweeping shapes and wondering if it was concrete or stucco like some of the similar odd-shaped tourist traps back on Earth. “I really must thank Twilight again for the amazing job she did on this map…”
Inside, the foyer was decorated in varying shades of purple, white, and black, with the reception cubicle painted a light ivory and framed in polished walnut with ivory inlays.
Sitting behind the counter, the sky-blue Earth pony receptionist was busy applying hoof polish to a forehoof with the cap-brush held in her lips.
Glancing up to see Scott was there, the mare dropped the cap-brush aside onto a tray holding the bottle and ran the other hoof through her short, spiky purple mane to make sure it was still groomed. “Excuse me, may I help you?”
Putting a black hoof on the counter, Scott nodded “Yes, I am Mr. Skybright. Miss Twilight Sparkle and Miss Rarity would have arranged for my arrival…”
Something about this mare was familiar…
Scott suddenly did a double take, blue eyes going wide as he looked at her. This was one of Photo Finish’s entourage from “Green Is Not Your Color”! He looked her over from head to hoof before speaking again “Say! Aren’t you one of Photo Finish’s crew?”
Her eyes went wide at actually being recognized “Oh wow! Good eye dude!”
Beaming a smile, the mare offered her hoof for either a shake or a kiss. -She never knew with the fashion fans. “Yeah, I’m Roxie, by the way. I work here between sessions with “Goggles” and her discovery of the week. Since she only does her sessions when “Die Magiks” moves her, this job is a lot more steady at paying the bills, if ‘ya know what I mean.”
Since he was still getting used to using his hooves, he opted to give her unpainted hoof a quick peck “I hear you. I’m an artist so I know what it’s like to have “eccentric” clients and their unsteady paychecks.”
As she blushed a light plum on her cheeks, Roxie nodded “I see, what form of art is it you do, then?”
Casually crossing his forelegs like he had seen Applejack do in Episode 1, he smiled “I do various media, mainly pencil and inks…”
There was a soft “Ahem!” causing both ponies to look over at a pink earth pony with her blue mane slicked back and held in place with a white hairband. As she turned part way to reveal her white blossom Cute Mark, she flashed a teasing smirk at the receptionist. “Please, Roxie, flirting weeth the customers es on your own time. Ees this the colt Mees Sparkle es waiting on?”
Blushing brighter now, Roxie nodded quickly “Oh, ah, y-yes Miss Aloe, this is Mr. Skybright! He just came in!”
Smiling brightly, Aloe trotted over and grabbed a hoof to lead him on “Oh yes, Come on! Mees Quake ees waiting on you! But first we loosen your muscles up!”
Quickly, the carnation pink earth pony popped him into a bath to get him cleaned up and give them a clean slate to work with. All Scott had to do was lean back and relax as the hot water soothed his legs while Aloe gave him a good scrub over several minutes. Even listening to it in person, he still could not quite place the charming accent of Aloe, tentatively pegging it as Northern or Eastern European as she chattered on to keep him at ease.
Twilight and Lotus Blossom were waiting when Aloe finished the bath, with the unicorn mare in a soft terry cloth robe. Lotus smiled brightly as she wrapped a towel around Scott and another around his long mane like a turban. “Oh my! Eet es sadly rare we get a Canterlot Unicorn bred colt en our spa. Such fine conformation and lines! Mees Quake can hardly wait to get her hooves on you!”
Twilight put a hoof to her mouth in concern “He will be all right, wont he? Dr. Stable was quite concerned about his legs this morning.”
Smiling brightly, the Spa Twins quickly moved to closely flank the stallion on both sides and propel him along. Aloe waved her hoof in a reassuring manner to Twilight “Oh, Mees Sparkle, he weel be just fine. A leetle time in the Sauna to loosen up for Mees Quake and soon she weel have heem good as new.”
In moments he was sat down in the sauna on a wooden bench he guessed might be cypress wood. Gentle strains of sitar music were playing from hidden speakers to complete the soothing ambiance. As he got his bearings, the sky-blue mare, Lotus poured a dipper of water on the hot rocks before him
Breathing deep of the steam and feeling it opening his sinuses, Scott closed his eyes just a moment…
•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•
…His hooves thundered through grass as high as his back as he ran for the sheer joy of it. Sweat darkened his red-brown hide as he tossed his head in magnificent display, feeling the weight of his sharp horn.
Flashing in the sun, his raven back tail swished and tossed as he broke through the gap between two mighty rocks to find the water hole, frightening away a small herd of brightly colored deer.
Grinning, Scott pranced and reared like a heraldic tapestry image, His fierce whinny trumpeting his status as a Herd stallion to all in earshot like a feral horse. The water hole was safe from predators for the moment.
Galloping hooves made him turn expectantly, waiting to see the mare that was his counterpart in the herd, the Lead mare. A sweet whinny came a moment before her silhouette appeared in the grass. A moment more and his beautiful unicorn mare would grace the clearing with her beautiful face…
•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•
…Sudden gentle prodding snapped Scott awake, leaving him looking into Lotus’ blue eyes from up close. The mare gave a soft giggle “Oh my, we relax you too much, yes? You are more than ready for Mees Quake. Come!”
Shaking himself to fully wake back up, Scott followed the mare to the doorway where she had him stop while she brought out some incredibly fluffy white towels.
As she started rubbing his hide down with practiced ease, his mind went over that dream. It had been a while since he had dreams of being equine like that, but dreaming he was an MLP Unicorn was a definite first. He hoped it was a good sign that he belonged here…
After that quick, firm rubdown with towels, Scott had been put back in the robe and led into a large central chamber with the ornate wooden hot tub from the show sitting right in the center. Massage tables were arrayed along the sides, wheeled like overly comfy hospital gurneys.
Smiling, Aloe pulled an empty one up between Rarity and a purple Pegasus mare with a shamrock green and sky blue striped mane. He noticed her Cutie Mark seemed to be a shooting star while Lotus Blossom helped him up onto the table “Up here please, Meester Skybright.”
Raising an eyebrow, the Pegasus pulled the cucumber slices from her dark purple eyes “A colt? Here? I thought they all say this is too frou-frou! This I gotta’ see!”
Sighing happily, Scott stretched out after the robe was removed and a towel laid across his flanks. Aloe smiled and adjusted his position “Yes, just relax, and Mees Quake weel take care of you.”
She then turned to the Pegasus and started on her wings “Oh, so tense Mees Starshine Dash. Long week?”
Sighing happily, she nodded as the stress was kneaded from her muscles. “New patrol circuit, Ma’am. Very long and very boring…”
Meanwhile, a shadow loomed over Scott, making him look up to a tan mare with a sandy-blond mane. She was about Big Mac’s size he would guess and spoke with a thicker accent than the Spa twins, a German-analog or points north. “Goot Afternoon, Mein Herr! You are te’ patient Herr Doktor sent? Goot! Just relax now; und all will be better…”
Thick, heavy hooves prodded him from the nape of his neck to his tail dock, and down each of his legs. The telekenetic field of her hooves made his flesh tingle as she felt him over and started to rub in a liniment that went on cold but quickly felt hot.
It was all strangely relaxing as she kneaded his sore flesh, and then began to firmly thump her hooves on his back, hard and fast. “O-o-o-oh-h-h…y-y-e-a-h-h… T-t-t-h-i-i-s-s… f-f-e-e-l-l-s… g-o-o-o-d-d-d…”
Rarity gigged “Oh my, do we have a convert to the spa life? Hmmm?”
All the mares in the room giggled when the stallion made various pleased noises and nodded quickly. A giggling Twilight made some more notes as she observed the procedure.
Suddenly, Quake stopped and kneaded around his shoulders, then prodded down his back a short way and stopped. “Oooh there is a deep knot of tension. Much emotions… Much care und worry on your shoulders, eh? When was your last massage?”
Blushing, Scott looked back at the huge mare and spoke in a small voice “Ummm…. Never…”
Quake’s eyes went wide while the mares in the room gasped in horror! “ACH! Silly colts! Nefer’ taking care of themselves!”
She looked down at him sadly and shook her broad head “Tch-tch! Poor colt! This will not feel pleasant, but you will feel all te’ better for it. Years of bad emotions to break loose…”
Raising an eyebrow, Scott started to turn his head “What? Are you seri..OOF!”
Firm, strong hooves pushed him back down flat “Nein! Be still for this!”
Before he understood what was happening, she put his face back forward and placed both her forehooves together on his upper back. Channeling her Earth magic, she focused it into the knot of tension as she gave a mighty push. There was a loud *CRACK* that made Twilight gasp, worried that Quake had just killed him. Rarity cringed and turned her head away, unable to watch.
Back on the massage table, Scott’s eyes went wide and his mouth hung open in a silent scream. After a long moment, a drawn-out Fluttershy squeak escaped him and he flopped down on the table, limp.
Tears ran down his fuzzy cheeks while Quake rubbed the last of the knot away. In moments, a feeling of peace swept through him he had not felt in years, if ever. Twilight leaned in close, looking him in the eyes. “Scott! Are you okay?”
The bay stallion nodded and lay unresisting while Quake started on his legs. It was like everything that had been the bane of his life simply did not matter. He felt like he had been carrying bags of cement and only noticed when the burden wasn’t there anymore.
Looking up to Twilight, Scott spoke in hushed tones of wonder “I feel…. Good! I…I… I don’t have words for this!”
.
Shaking her head in confusion, Twilight looked to the large Earth mare. “But… but our tests? How could he have such a big knot like you said? His muscles are… well, new!”
Flashing a knowing smile at Twilight, Quake kneaded the stallion’s limbs as she spoke “Ah! Fraulein Librarian, not everything is in a book. Emotions can hurt the body as much as this running you mentioned. Bad feelings… Deep, deep tension… Worries… I released the tension, ja? Now? A good listener he will need later, or he will be back sooner than I like.”
Leaning closer to the stallion’s ear, Quake spoke “Now when I am done, please take care of yourself. Relax! Do not undo all I haff done so quickly, ja?”
Stifling a groan as she worked on his left foreleg, he nodded to the sand-colored mare. His head was still reeling from the flood of endorphins coursing through his body. “Y-yes! I promise!”
Now assured she had driven her point home through his obvious daze, the towering mare grinned and patted his back “Goot!”
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“Right, Dahling! Now here is the Curry comb, this removes all that icky dirt and dander from one’s coat before the real cleaning begins. Next is the stiff-bristled body brush if you’ve been out in the mud. …A must for stallions it would seem… Here is the soft-bristled brush for the fine cleaning of one’s coat, and it feels just divine! ...Are you listening?”
Scott snapped his head up at the sharp question from the mare tapping her hoof on the floor and glaring at him. “Er, Y-yes Miss Rarity!” This serious endorphin buzz he had going was making it hard to focus, but his health depended on paying attention.
Rolling her eyes, Rarity gave a well-practiced sigh “At least you remember your manners… Oh well, it cannot be helped I suppose. I was reeling like a drunkard after Miss Quake helped relive me of my tension knots. Oh yes, it was after that near-disastrous week making Gala dresses for my friends and myself…”
After the massage had come the rather intense lesson by Rarity and the Spa sisters on how to groom himself using his hooves and muzzle in place of hands.
First had been showing him a dizzying array of grooming and Mane-care products & gels more common for show horses than the more casually raised horses he had worked with.
Now that the review on the various brushes and combs was over it was time to do it. Frankly, it was an odd sensation grooming a pony from the other side of the brushes…
Rarity and the Spa sisters took turns assisting him, helping him slip his hoof into elastic bands Rarity had added to the implements as if it was a “Foals First Grooming Kit” and the Spa sisters did a light tease to that effect. Scott chuckled and shook his head. He didn’t care if it looked foalish, as long as it worked. Now Aloe took his hoof and helped guide it behind his back.
“Like this Meester Skybright, now reach back as high as you can and brush downward weeth the lay of your coat… Yes, like that!”
As an Equine Fur furfan, he had been certain that an equine society would make grooming a large part of its lifestyle, and it was a good, triumphant feeling to find he had been right. This Lyra-like enthusiasm and “I-was-right!” ego boost was a great aid in carrying him through these lessons.
At first, it had been like trying to clean himself while wearing boxing gloves and a fursuit costume, and would have been completely impossible had he been jointed like a horse of his world. Eager, helping mare hooves were so quick to assist, that he began to feel a bit embarrassed until Rarity put her hoof down. “Girls, he really must learn that move by doing it!”
Finally, he had performed well enough to be allowed to pack the grooming kit back into a blue canvas bag, sized to fit the average saddlebag or hang around a convenient neck.
Stomping their hooves in applause at Rarity’s hoof signals, the mares gave encouraging smiles as he stood with his new grooming kit, hide gleaming like a show pony.
Taking a few experimental steps in a strut, Scott looked at himself in a full length mirror and turned this way and that to see himself and grinned at the handsome unicorn he saw reflected back. At least now, he now did not need someone to assist his grooming all the time or it could get expensive very quickly.
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As the three Unicorns trotted out the door, Starshine Dash stepped into the foyer. The Pegasus looked at the trio’s waving tails as they headed into the street, then turned to Aloe and Lotus as they finished waving good bye. “Excuse me girls, what was all that about? Why did that colt need to learn how to groom himself, if you don’t mind my asking?”
Smiling, the twins looked to each other, then back at her. “Oh! Mees Starshine, You were not en town for Mees Pinkie’s Party for the Space Pony! Both Mees Rarity and Twilight say Mees Pinkie brought heem here somehow from another place. Such a Gentlecolt too!”
Rubbing her chin in thought, the pegasus mare nickered “I see… So they claim he’s not of this world? “ When they nodded “Yes”, she gave a thoughtful “Hmmm…”
After paying her bill, Starshine Dash quickly leaves the spa and takes off for her duty station near Ponyville. “Sounds like I’d better have a talk with this Skybright when I see him. Bet he thinks he’s the only one…”