Aloe hummed a soft, gentle tune as his hooves moved up and down, gently kneading and massaging the muscle of his client until she was as malleable as putty. Each stroke and movement elicited happy, blissful cries from the mare as his gentle, soothing tones threatened to drop the poor pony off to dreamland.
“How do you feel?” he asked in a tone just barely above a whisper.
“Marvelous,” the dark pink mare said with a content sigh. “I don't know how I ever went on before I started making these appointments. I don't know how you do it.”
“It's in the hooves, darling,” he said, his thick accent helping to lull the pony into a gentle stupor. “Some earth ponies use their hooves to work the land, I use them to work the knots away. Oh dear, and I keep finding so many. Busy week?”
“Oh, you don't know the half of it.” The mare let out another soft groan as a particularly tense muscle was coaxed, rubbed and soothed into submission.
“The same three as usual?”
“Of course. A-ahhhhh...” She let out a happy moan after a gentle pop. “I love them to death, truly I do. But some days I wish they'd spend half the energy on their studies that they do on getting into trouble. I don't think I could have made it through today if I didn't have this to look forward too.”
Aloe chuckled softly. “You gift me with your kind words, but you and I both know that's not true. Being such a marvelous teacher flows through your blood, Ms. Cheerilee. You'd go to that class every day with a smile on your face, through wild timber wolves if necessary. Now, what did those young hoodlums do this time?”
“Well, they've been chosen to be Ponyville's flag carriers for the Equestria games. You really should see the routine they came up with, if I didn't know how clever those three are when they try, I'd be certain they had a team of professionals working on it.”
“Oh? That sounds simply marvelous. Darling, you're tensing again. They didn't try another love potion, did they?”
“No. They've just been practicing it constantly. Normally I wouldn't mind, however... they've been practicing in the classroom.”
“Is it difficult?”
“They are constantly making messes. They need a full stage to perform such a routine, but they keep racing down between the desks. I've had to wash glue out of Scootaloo's hair three times already, not to mention the number of times I've had to race to ensure they didn't end up crashing into anything harder than themselves. Today I left the room for just a few moments, a few moments! I come back, the desks are all lined up and they're performing the routine on it!”
“Oh dear...” The massage was technically done, but Aloe kept his hooves going so the mare could continue her story without feeling awkward.
“Oh dear is right! I come in right as Scootaloo's scooter hits a bump between the desks. The wheel falls through and gets locked up, and off she goes! I don't care what they say, that girl can fly! I only barely managed to catch her, rammed my side into the desk on top of it. I was this close to yelling at them. This close.”
“But the fact you didn't is what makes you such a good teacher, no?”
Cheerilee sighed, but nodded. “Yes. I took a deep breath, counted to ten, then the three of us had a very long, calm talk about what is, and isn't okay to do in the class room. Sometimes I worry these children will be the death of me.”
“Nonsense. I've never seen a mare take quite as much pleasure in her classes success as you do. Or one who raves so energetically when a pony you've taught graduates. You're a teacher at heart, and no amount of energetic children would ever break you of it.”
“Oh Aloe, you give me too much credit. I'm not like that at all.”
“Nonsense. In fact, this is the fifth time you've told me about your little children's flag bearing routine. Some ponies would think it was you who were bearing the thing, instead of your students.” He pulled his hooves back. “Fin. Your wraps will be ready in the next room, please enjoy.”
Cheerilee got up with a groan, stretching her body out. “Oh, that feels marvelous. I don't know what I'd... well, you know. I'll see you next week for the regular.” She trotted away, looking quite a bit more relaxed than she had before she fell under Aloe's hooves.
Unfortunately, as the stallion trotted towards the entrance, he was finding himself unable to become quite as relaxed. In fact, he was positively frazzled! Cheerilee was the last appointment he had before Rarity and her... friend were to arrive. He glanced at the clock as his stomach threatened to jump out through his mouth.
He took a deep breath and sat down at the front desk. He could do this. He knew he could. He had just spent almost an hour on top of Cheerilee, making her create noises that would have made most able bodied stallions stand at attention, in more ways than one, yet he had hardly noticed. All he had to do was the same exact thing to Applejack, then everything would be fine. He was a professional. He almost wilted as he remembered how long it had been since that particular earth pony had been here. It could possibly take him even longer than an hour. Maybe even an hour and a half. Of his hooves, stroking along her back, kneading the muscles, massaging every inch of her...
Lotus trotted into the room, smiling as she escorted a guest to the door, letting them deposit the coins on the front desk. It was there she caught sight of her brother. Fortunately, to most he would just seem to be deep in thought, only the slightest blush visible in his pink cheeks. However, she knew better. He might as well have been drooling on the ground, tongue hanging out like a dog with the way he was acting. “Aloe? Darling?” No response. She reached out and nudged his chin, but still no response. She finally sighed and moved up behind the stallion, leaning in to whisper in his ear. “Oh my, Applejack, you even left your hat behind?”
“What? Where?” Aloe squeaked as he looked around, before timidly turning to his sister. “I... I was just...”
“Oh, I know exactly what you were doing,” Lotus switched to Prench, though still talked softly enough she hoped no pony would be able to hear. “Fantasizing about a certain guest, I do not doubt.”
He gulped and guiltily nodded. He responded in gentle Prench as well. “I... I can't do this. I try, so hard, but I cannot. She makes me feel all... she is like no other mare. Take my place.”
“What?”
“Take my place. Tend to her. I... I can tend to another guest. Or get one of the others to help! We hired them for such things, yes?”
“We hired them so we could tend to all our guests, not so you could cower in your room like a foal from his first crush. We cannot tear them from their own guests and appointments so you can hide in your room.”
“But--” He shut up as he caught his sister's eyes. He knew it was correct. “Yes'm...”
“You have to face this hurdle eventually. You know this is true.”
“I already gave up. I'll be ready,” he said wistfully before glancing at the counter and getting to work on organizing everything. Started prepping some receipts as well as logging his last few guests and finally separating out the tips from the payments.
Tips were always split when multiple spa ponies dealt with a single guest. Namely because they'd found certain ponies were quite skilled at certain tasks, such as Lilyeye who could give a massage to a butterfly without ruffling a wing, but couldn't wrap a piece of plywood in tape to save her life, let alone the wraps for their mud baths. Fortunately, some tasks could be done, or partially done, by any pony. But those which required the extra close touch, were done only by those who Aloe or Lotus accepted. And they intended not to ever lose them to something as silly as not giving them the tips or wages they deserved.
On more than one occasion the twins had even given some of their own tips to help their employees in times of need and, to their delight, some of their employees had stepped in to help each other during particular bad times. It was a simple way for them to help each other out, without any pony feeling guilty or hurt. And in the end, employees in harmony made a spa in harmony.
He glanced to the clock once his work was done and, to his surprise, Rarity was late. Already five minutes. He quickly glanced towards the door, a nervous gulp released from his throat. As the clock ticked away, soon hitting the ten minute mark, any hope his nerves had that it would be Pinkie, and not Applejack, quickly vanished. Neither of their homes were far from the spa, so there was no reason for them to be quite this late.
Applejack, on the other hoof, ran Sweet Apple Acres. A farm could have any number of problems popping up, at any moment. It was entirely possible they would have to cancel. He was unable to be certain if he was heart broken or ecstatic at the thought. On the one hoof, it meant he wouldn't have to have a panic attack. On the other, it meant he would miss out on an opportunity to make her make the kind of sounds that could haunt any stallion's dreams, his especially.
It was this conundrum the door bell awoke him from. Rarity dashed in, the white unicorn mare complete in a radiant blue hat bespeckled with small pearls and a dress to match. She looked slightly paler and out of breath, a few drops of sweat dripping from her mane. “Oh dear, how late are we? Oh Aloe, I'm so, so soooo sorry! Something dreadfully important came up at the last moment. Then a second thing, and a third thing. Before I knew it, we were already late! I'm so, so, so sorry!”
Aloe chuckled, shaking his head. “Oh darling, it is fine. A few minor tardies will not lower yourself in my gaze. I take it your friend, A-applejack is coming as well?” To his relief, the mare seemed to not catch the slight stumble in his voice.
“What? Yes. Unfortunately, there was a slight change of plans. We have a third added to our party. Unfortunately he invited himself,” she said with a voice filled with distaste.
Aloe froze. A third member. A male. Some pony that Rarity didn't like, yet refused to deny her company to and, more importantly, Applejack's. He could think of two such reasons for this. “A... a family member?” he asked in a hope-filled tone.
“Hardly. He's... a friend.”
The hesitation in her voice made him tremble. A friend she obviously didn't like. His mane and tail wilted. Applejack had found a love. He struggled to keep the smile on his face. “N-no worries! A friend of yours is always welcome here!” It may have been unprofessional, but he decided then and there that this third stallion pony would 'accidentally' get pink dye in his shampoo. They'd be able to remove it, but a small prank of vengeance was better than none at all!
The door jingled a second time, revealing her. The most beautiful mare he'd ever seen. Powerful legs, a glorious smile, the way her cowpony hat... wait, why was her hat covered in polkadots? Before he could dwell on it, another joyous thing caught his attention. She wasn't smiling! In fact, she looked miserable, her lips curled into a frown. Perhaps this new coltfriend of hers wasn't quite as big a threat as he thought. Likely some crude mouthed pony who knew about lifting hay but didn't understand the gentle touches required to woo such an angelic mare.
He blushed when he realized he wasn't just thinking about Applejack in a romantic manner, he was considering trying to steal her from whoever her new love was! Was he really so subject to wanting what another pony wanted? Guilt flooded his core as he prayed to the soon to be risen moon that wasn't the case. Applejack deserved a stallion who adored her, not one who only wanted her because he couldn't have her.
The door opened one final time, revealing the third guest of the evening. Horror spread across the stallion's face before he fell from his chair, mouth hanging open.
------
Lotus sighed as she gently flipped through a magazine. She expected Rarity to arrive at any moment and her lovestruck brother to call her. What she didn't expect was a loud screamed, followed by a plethora of Prench curses and the sound of banging. She stood up in shock, only being shaken from her astonishment when she heard the sound of shattered glass.
She galloped to the front lobby, freezing in the doorway. Already a few guests and employees were standing by the back room, watching in amazement. A monstrous creature, seemingly composed of parts of pony, griffon, dragon, goat and any other number of things stood by the door. Discord, the spirit of chaos. Rarity and Applejack were on the ground, hooves over their heads as they tried to stay out of the line of fire.
Aloe stood behind the desk, grabbing everything he could find within reach and hurtling them at the abomination. If he could have lifted the register, she was pretty sure he'd have tossed that as well. As it was, shampoo bottles, trash, the desk's bell, a few tip jars, their contents and innumerable other things laid scattered across the ground as the spirit merely held up his arms and blocked the objects with ease. Throughout the entire barrage, her brother was screaming in Prench so quickly even she could barely understand it. However, she recognized a few choice words, such as 'leave' 'demon' 'not welcome' as well as words that would have made their dear parents blush.
Fortunately, when it came to lifting and throwing, her brother lacked endurance, so he soon tired out and sat there, panting and sweating. Lotus took a step forward, knowing if she moved quickly she could prevent things from getting worse.
Sadly, she was nowhere near fast enough.
“Tut tut, Rarity, Applejack, is that the way ponies treat your new friend? Hmph!” Discord said with exaggerated disappointment.
“Now, Aloe darling. I know Discord has done plenty of... horrible things in the past. Quite horrible. Dreadful even. Been a complete and utter monster even.” Rarity said as diplomatically as she could, ignoring the exagerated sigh from her 'friend' at her words. “But he's changed. Or, at least Fluttershy is certain he has. He's almost tolerable and has been doing a number of good things now. Like, err...”
“Helping the underprivileged by, ohhhh...” Discord said, seeming to be lost in thought. “Clearing away dangerous monsters, creating all manner of structures and, oh... giving haircuts to those who need them.”
Lotus took a step back, as she knew what was coming now. Aloe didn't disappoint. The flurry of angry words flew so fast she really couldn't make them out this time. However, after the stallion was forced to catch his breath, he gripped the desk and glowered at all of them. The next words came out in struggled Equestrian. “Out. GO! Never. Back! Any! EXILE! GO!” he screamed at the top of his lungs before turning and galloping away.
“My, such a touchy thing,” Discord said with a shake of his head.
“What did you do?” Rarity asked as she and Applejack turned to the creature.
“Moi? Why, nothing! Recently.”
Lotus sighed as she walked out from the back room, careful to step around the glass. “Rarity, Applejack, I'm sorry but please take your... thing, and leave. Once Aloe has calmed, I know she will lift your banishment. But for now, that monster will do nothing but make things worse. And you know exactly what you did, abomination! You should be back as stone, not as... as this!”
“Are you really going to let her talk to me like that?” Discord asked with a knowing smirk. The two mares looked between each other, struggling to decide.
“This would all be a might easier if we knew what was was going on,” Applejack said nervously.
“I merely performed a few harmless pranks on this establishment when I first awoke. Everything should have returned to normal and besides, I'm a changed pony,” Discord said with the most innocent of grins. None of the ponies were buying it.
“You caused hundreds of bits in damages,” Lotus said through gritted teeth when she finally made it behind the counted and pulled out the broom and dust bin. “We had to have almost all of our plumbing replaced after your little chocolate fountains.”
“Oh my, those were quite exquisite. What better treat to have at a spa?” the creature said with a chuckle.
“Then what you did to my twin!" Lotus whipped her head towards the inner door. "Get back to work and RELAXATION!” The employees and guests galloped away to the back room.
“I merely gave her a hair cut. It's hardly my fault she took it so seriously,” Discord said with a wave of his griffon claw.
“A hair cut? Let me guess, turned her hair into cotton candy?” Applejack asked flatly.
“Nnnope.”
“Cut off her coat?” Rarity asked.
“Nope. A normal hair cut. Mane and tail. Snip snip. Completely normal. Why, it was harmless,” he grinned and tapped his fingers together while he laughed.
“And you knew that was all it would take, didn't you?” Lotus asked with a growl as she glared at the monster. “You knew exactly how to crush her with the simplest of gestures, didn't you? Just take him and go!” the mare finally yelled, pointing towards the door before trotting out with the broom and dust bin.
Applejack sighed and looked down at the floor. “Listen, how about ah take care'a this here mess? It's our fault bringin'... him here. Rarity, yah think yah can take our... friend home?”
“I suppose...” Rarity said softly before glancing up at Discord who smiled as angelically as he could, while a soft hymn played in the background. “Come along or I'll have another talk with Fluttershy. You know, she is quite fond of these ponies as well. You shouldn't have hurt them so.” The door shut behind them.
“I have this under control, Applejack,” Lotus said with a grumble.
“Yah may have, but ah know what it's like when a siblin' runs off like that. Ah reckon Aloe needs yah a whole lot more right now, than this floor needs yah to clean it. Why don't yah leave it tah me an' go take care of 'im?”
The mare glanced to Applejack, then to the stairs. She dropped the broom with a grateful smile before galloping away. She heard the sobs long before she entered the room. Aloe was sitting in front of the vanity mirror, running a brush through his mane rapidly, tearing out small hairs with every stroke. The mere sight made Lotus cringe.
She moved up behind her brother and grabbed the brush, pulling it from his hoof before beginning to, gently, brush his mane back into its normal position. “It's okay, darling,” Lotus said in gentle Prench. “We're in Equestria now. Not in Prance. There's nothing to feel afraid, or ashamed of. We're no longer children.” Through soft strokes, gentle words and a protective presence, the sobs soon broke down to gentle hiccups and then nothing but a hurt, trembling stallion staring at his running makeup. It made her feel much better, for every sob made her deeply wish she had agreed to take her brother's place, perhaps he would have been in the back long enough for her to shuffle the creature away. Instead of waiting to face his crush, and meeting a demon. “Feel better, darling? All empty?” She asked with a gentle, comforting smile.
“Mm hmm...” Aloe said with a soft nod. She then turned him around and removed his fake eye lashes and set them aside. A moment later the collar and hairband followed. She finished by pulling out a towel and gently wiping the makeup away. Her brother now sat before her, not a single cover hiding what he was. Still, it would take a discerning eye to see him for what he truly was, if they even could. His face structure and coat always worked to his advantage, and few could notice the small imperfections that revealed his true gender.
“Good. Now, darling. You've had a rough day. I can't imagine what seeing that... creature has done to you. Especially stirring up those particular memories. I want you to go take a nice, long bath. Once everypony downstairs is finished, I'll come up and we can read a few chapters in Hugh's new book, okay?” The stallion merely nodded and she slowly leaned forward to give him a kiss on the forehead.
She almost made it out the door when Aloe softly spoke. “Can... can you tell Miss Rarity and Miss Applejack I'm sorry? I didn't mean to banish them.” She nodded and trotted from the room before letting out a soft sigh, the smile disappearing from her lips. She and her twin were similar in many ways, but sadly not all. For when Discord had first come to spread his chaos through their spa, she had known better than to try fighting and risk such a powerful monster's ire.
Her brother, unfortunately, had not.