//------------------------------// // Chapter 4-Preparations // Story: Abstract Helps Kyo Date Gilda // by AbstractThought //------------------------------// Don’t worry, readers, I didn’t just laze about and play games all day while Abstract did all the work for me. I had done plenty of that yesterday. No, I went out to prepare my ace in the hole, the one thing that was sure to win over Gilda: I was going to learn how to give her a massage. I knew Gilda wasn’t the type who was into the more mushy stuff like poems or love songs or junk like that, so that was out. I also knew that showing off my collection of video games and talent at them wouldn’t get me a girl, especially since it didn’t work on the last girl I had a crush on three years ago. However, I did know that people loved massages, and what better incentive for Gilda to stay with me than so that she could have her own personal massager willing to do whatever it takes to make her happy? After all, isn’t that what love is? So I headed over to the one place where I knew I could find somepony with massage skills to share: the spa. I entered the spa building, went up to the front desk, and asked the lady there, “Excuse me, who can I talk to about learning how to massage?” “You want to learn how to massage?” the lady said in surprise, “I don’t believe anypony’s requested that before.” “Please! True love is at stake here!” I urged, “Could you please make it happen?” “Okay, well, I’ll see who’s willing,” the lady said, “Excuse me a moment.” She got up and went to the back, leaving me alone. I went to a chair, picked up one of the magazines on the nearby table, and leafed through it absentmindedly. Nothing really caught my interest, just gossip about celebrities and junk like that. I couldn’t help but think that the spa would have more customers if it had magazines about stuff that ponies would actually be interested in, like video games or extreme griffons. Maybe I could talk to the spa ponies about it after my lessons. “Excuse me,” the lady said, interrupting my thoughts, “Lotus Blossom is free to see you.” “Ok, thanks!” I put the magazine back and walked toward the back. “By the way, have you ever thought about expanding your collection of magazines?” I added. “Sorry, but I’m not responsible for what magazines are in the lobby,” the lady explained. “Oh, no worries,” I responded, “I can deal with that after I’m done with my lessons. Don’t miss me too much!” With that, I left and entered the massage room. “Hello, Kyo, is it?” an attractive blue pony with straight pink hair and a white headband and neckband standing by the entrance asked me. I had to admit, if I hadn’t already pledged myself to Gilda, I’d be sorely tempted to put the moves on her. Oh well, her loss. “Hello, I am Lotus Blossom,” the pony greeted, “You wanted to learn how to massage?” “Yep!” I replied eagerly, “It’s for a very special lady.” “Ah, say no more!” Lotus said in a heartfelt tone, “I’d be happy to teach you the ways of massaging.” “Alright!” I cheered, “So how will this work? You’ve got someone I could practice on?” “Well, I don’t have any spare staff, and I can’t let you practice on customers,” Lotus admitted, “but I’m free to let you practice on me.” “Really? You’d let me touch you intimately?” I asked in surprise. Lotus winced and responded, “Only if you promise never to phrase it like that again.” I smiled sheepishly and said, “Will do.” ---------- I sat in front of Lotus, who was lying on a massaging table with her hooves outstretched, which I stared at nervously. “So, uh, where do I start?” I asked her. “Let’s start with the hooves,” Lotus offered, “Pick a hoof to massage.” “Uh, okay,” I said, grabbing one of her hooves with my front hooves. “Now,” she instructed, “rub my hoof firmly but gently.” “Okay.” I pressed my hooves against hers and rubbed them roughly. “Ah! Not so rough,” she chided me. “Whoops!” I yelped, easing the pressure of my hooves, “Sorry, but you’re kinda sending mixed signals with ‘firmly’ and ‘gently’; they don’t exactly mean the same thing.” “It’s okay; this is the sort of thing that requires practice to truly understand,” she reassured me, “Just keep it at that pressure.” “Okay.” I massaged her hoof in a circular motion, being careful not to apply too much pressure. “How’s this?” “Oh, that’s definitely an improvement,” she said with a content sigh, “Now, try to feel for tense muscles and focus on them.” “Alright.” I moved my hooves around her hoof, searching awkwardly for some tense muscles on her hoof, but nothing felt different to me. “Sorry, I don’t feel anything tense.” “Don’t feel bad, Kyo,” Lotus assured me, “I do both yoga and pilates every day to keep my muscles loose. Why don’t you try my back now?” “Okay.” I went up in front of her back and stared at it. “So, now what?” “Now, step onto my back,” she instructed. “Uh, what?” I asked in surprise, “Are you sure that’s safe?” “Excuse me, who is the teacher here?” Lotus retorted. “Uh, you?” “Exactly. So just trust me and follow my instructions.” “Fine.” I climbed onto the table. “You want me to step on with all of my hooves?” “Yes, all of them,” Lotus confirmed. “Alright.” Slowly, I placed all of my hooves on her back. “I’m not hurting you, am I?” “No, you’re doing quite well,” she assured me, “Now, lift up and press down your hooves one at a time.” “Okay.” I lifted my hooves and placed them back down on her back uncertainly. “Like this?” “Oh, yes, very good!” she replied, “Just keep doing that!” “Alright!” I cheered as I continued my massage. This is great! I’m a natural at this! If I use these moves, Gilda will have to fall for me! I was so happy that I got carried away and danced a little on Lotus’s back, until I heard a cracking sound. “Aah! My back!” Lotus cried out. “Oh, dear Celestia!” I burst out in panic, massaging frantically, “It’s okay! I can fix this!” “Agh! Get off of me!” Lotus yelled. “Okay, okay!” I quickly hopped off of Lotus and turned to her, meeting her pained expression with an embarrassed smile. “So, I guess this means a massage from you is out of the question, huh?” End of Part 4