//------------------------------//
// Scratching an Itch: 3 
// Story: My Little Changeling, and Dating 
// by Ponyess 
//------------------------------//

	Just a few days after I had picked her up for our date, I found her on the street.  I certainly had enjoyed the date with her, so I figured I should see if I could build on the relationship with her.

“Hi, Silver!” I exclaimed.

“Hi, Ditzy.  I enjoyed the concert, it was great.  I never experienced anything quite like it!” she responded in an uncharacteristically excited tone with a smile all over her face.

“It was great.  I loved every instant of it.  Even if I would have loved to, just to be close to you!” she responded, not ready or able to explain the details.

“Certainly worth every bit of it.  The seats were great.

She just stared at me, wide-eyed, not quite comprehending, but couldn't confess or explain it.

“I am not sure what it cost, but if I could do something for you, I would love to do it!” she put forth.

“Right now, how about a lunch at The Scratcher's Inn?  I sure could enjoy the company and I am starving right about now!” I responded.

“If that is where you want to go and you want me to be with you?  Then I am there.  I just need a job and a steady income in order to fully repay you for everything!” she responded with a slightly unsure and insecure tone to her voice, not just for holding something back, but the embarrassment of me paying everything for her.

“Since the daily mail is delivered and Dinkie is in school, It isn't just because I like the company, but I want your company.  It's a great spot to enjoy the noon!” I pondered.

“At least I know where it is, it was clearly marked on the map Pinkie Pie gave me the day I arrived here in Ponyville.  Guess I have a sense for direction, at least!” she responded as we took off in the direction towards the Inn I had mentioned.

I am not entirely sure, but I think I see something to her smile as she thought of it.  Is it just Pinkie Pie's gift, or more of recognising who she was?  Knowing what kind of a Pony you are is deeply rooted in Equestrian Pony culture.  Something every fillie and colt learn in school, Dinkie mentioned it some time ago, as it was in class.

“Ah yeah, she certainly made sure you found your way to the home she suggested for you to move into.  She always goes out of her way to make us enjoy ourself, smile and laugh!” I pointed out.

“I have noticed as much.  She doesn't hide it, just as she doesn't even make a point out of it, she just makes us all happy.  As if our smiles are payment enough for her efforts.  I have this strange notion about her in this regard.  She just gave me the map, with no thought of any gain or expectation of ever getting it back!” she responded.

“The Pies are a kind all of their own.  It is beyond me.  You should have seen when her sister Maud was around.  She was the talk of the town for a while.  Apparently she turned a boulder into dust in order to save her sister Pinkie Pie.  Not that I wouldn't do anything to save my daughter Dinkie, but I still can't stop a falling boulder, no matter what!” I concluded.

“She may be an Earth Pony, but still.  I never heard of any Pony who could do anything the like.  Even if everypony know Celestia is raising the sun every day and Luna is raising the moon.  The little I have seen of the Pies baffles me.  I guess it is better not to ponder it.  I leave these things to others who are specialised to handle these kinds of things.  For now, I merely scrape the day to go by.  If anypony enjoys my company, I guess I'd make due!” she pondered in a quiet voice with a worried expression and a weak smile.

“Yes, but Celestia and Luna are Alicorn Princesses who has been around for centuries.  The rest of us has only been here a decade or a few.  Pinkie Pie and her sisters are no older then we are.  Doesn't mean we can't have a royal time, for all I care!” I put forth.

“That's the place, the Scratchers Inn.  Isn't it?” she pointed out.

“It is!” I stated, as I approached the door, silently sliding to the right and left for the two of us, as we entered the Inn.

“You have a table?” the girl enquired politely in what was to pass for an amused tone of voice as she beamed at us as we entered the establishment.

“No, but there is a table for two available, preferably in the VIP section?” I responded with a somewhat worried smile on my face.

“Yes.  There are a few tables for two in the VIP section available at this time.  Right this way!” the waitress explained as she started to lead us towards the VIP section and the small room in secluded privacy awaiting us.

“Thank Celestia and Luna!” Silver whispered secretly in my ear as we followed the girl towards the room she had promised us.

“You are new here.  You are in for a treat, I can tell you as much, I promise!” I half by half whispered back, the waitress wouldn't mind me saying, but I did not need to let on what I had been responding to.

“Uh, you know that, you were on my party, for Celestia's sake!” she blurted out.

“Yeah, I was.  But so was half of Ponyville, and a few others.  It is how Pinkie Pie throws her parties!” I pointed out.

“Here you go, a VIP suit for two!” our waitress announced as she pulled the double doors open with a quiet whoosh and lead us into the small room with a table and two chairs.

I could clearly see the two menus on the table, one in front of each chair.

“Have a seat.  I'll be picking up your orders momentarily, once you made your choices!” the girl stated.

“Thanks!” I responded as I looked at the cherry wood table and fancy looking padded chairs before us.

This is a VIP suit, but it still impressed me, mainly because I rarely went out on a fine establishment like this, living alone with my daughter and all that.  The walls and floor were also cherry wood panels, even if the walls had structure, while the floor is polished and shines luxuriously.  This suit had no window or paintings.  It was intended for a couple sitting face-to-face, so there is a single white candle on the top of the table.

“There are four faces on the menu?” Silver spoke in a questioning, but curious tone of voice with a silly smile on her face.

“These are the Scratchers!” the waitress explained in a warm voice, hiding an inner smile as she maintained a professional smile, while in our presence.

“That's why we are here, Silver!” I whispered.

“Oh yeah.  I see.  Just didn't realise what the name was suggesting until I saw the menu!” she pondered quietly, almost as if embarrassed.

“I am sure you will come to enjoy it, before you have even started your meal.  This is what we are known and loved for!” the girl stated with a clear hint of pride on her voice, without sounding boastful.

“I know I did enjoy it last time I was here.  That's why I came back.  Even if the food was superb as well!” I pointed out in acknowledgement.

“So you wanted to share the experience with me, Ditzy?  Thank you, very much!” Silver pronounced in a joyful tone with a smile spreading out over her face.

“It is what I like to do with my friends, or when I go out on a date.  If I enjoy it, I like to share it.  Maybe you have a nice place to share with me eventually?” I suggested.

“I haven't been to all that many places. I know I enjoyed the Sugar-Cube Corner, where I met you, then I enjoyed the party, Pinkie Pie threw me.  After that, I certainly did enjoy the concert you brought me to.  I seriously need to go out and see more!” I responded.

“I have been to all these before you came, even if Pinkie Pie fixed both the breakfast cake and the party.  Ponyville would never have been the same without her.  There are a few other things, but she seems to be everywhere you can enjoy yourself.  Even if it isn't her place or her responsibility, she has introduced me and several of her friends to both this place and several other places she knew we enjoy exploring!” I pointed out.

I had seen these four faces numerous times before, they represent the Scratchers I had to choose between.  Two are female, two are male.  Two are pure Humans, two are some kind of Anthro hybrid, walking on hooves, with tails and equine ears.  For some reason, I generally prefer my Scratcher as female.

“That female!” Silver stated as she pointed at the image, an icon of a human female.

“I take an Anthro female!” I continued as I pointed at the option on the menu.

“They'll be here in a moment!” the girl confirmed, urging us to open the menu and choose the meal.

“Orange Juice!” I responded, before I turned the pack to the salads.

“I'll have Orange Juice too!” Silver added.

“Two Orange Juice!” the girl concluded.

“A Carrot and Apple salad!” I added.

“The Clever Daisy salad for me!” Silver continued.

“A Carrot and Apple salad and a Clever Daisy salad!” she responded as she slipped out the door, thus leaving us alone for a moment.

Just as the Waitress had promised, the Scratchers entered our suit in a mere minute, they even did hold the glass of juice we had ordered before our Waitress had left us alone.

“We are here to give you a good scratch!” the girl pronounced with a smile playing on her lips.

I had noticed that my Scratcher has the same colour as the frame of the image of her face had on the menu.  Her Top, skirt, nails and hooves are all the same metallic electric blue, even if the exact colour never comes out in print, or do they?

The girl is red, but otherwise, the hue is basically the same.  Only instead of hind hooves, she had toe nails in the same colour.

Their fingernails are thick, semi square, which is for them to be the best Scratchers they could possibly be.  From what we could see, it wouldn't hinder them in their daily lives, which is good.

They are both petite, but just just about as tall as they need to be in order to scratch us comfortably, where they are supposed to scratch. The girl had very small feet and she is very light on them, leaving next to no sound to let on where she was, although my scratcher still leaves the most curious, joyful little noises as she moved into the room, before they placed the glass on the table before us.

The top and skirt are both looking decidedly comfortable, tight enough to fit just right, without being so tight they became uncomfortable.  Only instead of cloth, their suits are made out of a smooth, shiny fabric that is stretching with them as they move, making it look almost as if they had been painted on, aside from the thickness made this less than credible.

They both move freely, as if it is how they were raised and comfortable to be.  The top covers the entire rib cage and a few inches down the arms or up the neck, while the skirt covers the entire hip and half way down the thighs.

I had found it interesting and amusing to see the girl walk, although I had come to enjoy the little noises of hooves the Anthro made as she moved about.  I can't quite express why, I just enjoyed them the way they are.

Once the glass had been placed before me, I lift it to my face in order to have a sight sip.  It is just as good as I had expected, which I notice my friend Silver soon realised as she sampled hers.

“I guess I could get used to drinking this!” she announced as she put the glass back on the table before her.

“Sure is worth every bit!” I responded with a smile on my face.

Apparently, they did not care about what we said, they are merely here to scratch, which is their job.  I guess I couldn't blame them.  Just as I did not feel like saying something stupid to or about them, since it is rude on my part.

“You are in for a treat!” the girl suggested playfully with a light tone of voice and a pleasant, but sincerely joyful smile on her face.

“Yes, I think so!” I responded to her playful words.

“I wish I had been here earlier and tried this!” Silver just added.

I noticed the girl had placed her hands on the top of my head, as her nails slowly scratched away in a teasingly joyful manner, making me feel just as great as I had expected.  I am not sure, but I could ask if she was the same girl I had enjoyed earlier, since I still did recall her name.

“You are Chizuko, right?” I asked my scratcher.

“Yes, that is me.  I was wondering how long it would take you to recognise me or if you would recall my name!” she responded.

“I may not be particularly good with name, nothing like Pinkie Pie who introduced me to this place and what joy you could give me, with such a simple looking performance!” I responded.

“Pinkie Pie?  The pink mare?  The insanely hyper friend of everyone?”Chizuko enquired.

“I guess I should have expected you would know of her, if not knowing her.  Pinkie Pie is everywhere something fun is going on.  Something about the pink Earth Pony, alright!” I replied.

“Oh yes.  We all know Pinkie Pie, not just know of here.  She is a legend to us.  It is a special honour to scratch her.  Just that most of us never has the chance, she seems to know whom to ask for at any given time.  I had the joy to scratch her on my birthday.  I was delirious the entire week after that, just for the chance to be scratching her head!” Mononoke pointed out in her girlish fashion, where she stood, scratching Silver's head, while feeding her the salad she had ordered.

“Pinkie knew what it would mean to you, Mononoke, then she gave it to you on the very special day!” Chizuko pointed out.

“Does Pinkie Pie know everything about every pony, or just in Ponyville?” Silver pondered.

“Not even Celestia or Luna may ever know the extent of her knowledge!” I put forth.

Not that I doubted either Celestia or Luna, but there is no way of knowing or understanding Pinkie Pie fully. I had heard a rumour that told that Twilight Sparkle once had tried to investigate her, but eventually gave up in a rather spectacular manner.

“As grand Princesses as they may be, they couldn't know everything!” Mononoke proposed.

“They sure are great at it.  Everything works, to the best of my knowledge, but you rarely hear about how or why.  Even though we do hear about them, like when Celestia raises the sun, or Nightmare Night.  They know when and where they need to be seen, or needs to leave us live our lives!” Chizuko pointed out.

“We know all we need to know of them and what they do, but not really much else.  I don't need to know when or what Celestia had for supper, or any other similarly pointless details!” Silver suggested.

“Not really.  They allow us to live our lives, largely undisturbed, to the best of our abilities.  I love my job and my life.  I enjoy what I do, why do I need a Princess to proclaim how good, or wrong it is?” Mononoke pondered.

“I love your work, even if I may not enjoy performing it.  Still would be great to find myself a job and a place in the community.  A stable income!” Silver explained.

“We're all different!” I teased.

“As it should be.  I don't want to be exactly like numerous others.  If it had been my place, I could have been a Mail-mare, or a Scratcher.  It is all the same to me, I just need to find my place and my job!” Silver interjected.

“Not everyone could be a Scratcher, as easy as it may come out, when you see me doing it!” Chizuko explained.

“Just as not every Pony could be a Mail-mare, or a Party Pony!” I extended.

“At least I am scraping by, it isn't all that bad since I at least have a home and friends.  I even have a few interests and likes, in great part thanks to you, Ditzy.  I guess I will make a life for myself eventually!” Silver pronounced proudly.

“I'm only too happy to help you with that.  Not just because I have enjoyed it and your company.  Maybe I am not Pinkie Pie or a Party Pony, but I still enjoy to see my friends smile happily around me, knowing I did something good for them makes it all the better.  At least I am good at something!” I pondered.

“We're always here to help you having a good time.  Making you feel Royal for the short time you are here with us!” Mononoke continued.

“Thanks.  You truly did make me feel special!” Silver pointed in response.

“I know.  Couldn't help but notice how good I made you feel.  This is part of why I love my job, even if scratching you makes me feel good and special all on its own too!” Mononoke confessed.

“I like who I am, not just because I do enjoy scratching you Ponies so much, but also because what I was given in order to please you.  For some reason, these hooves made me feel just right, just as I enjoy how my nails came out, in order for me to make my job just right.  I love how it feels to walk on my hooves and how it feels scratching your head!” Chizuko added to the confession.

“I kind of which I could feel like that, though I doubt it is my place or line of work!” Silver pondered, considering how it would feel, walking around with these tiny feet instead of hooves, how her nails would make her feel.

“I have no idea how the magic works,  And signed up for my new job here.  I was told my hands had to be adjusted, while the feet was optional, since I am not really using them in my job, even if I need to walk around.  I was told I had the choice, since it would change how I was seen and how I would feel about myself!”  Chizuko pointed out.

“I leave the magic to the Unicorns, I'm a Pegasus, I fly and deliver mail.  Aside from that I am just a regular Pony even if my eyes make me stand out!” I responded.

“Every Pony wants their mail delivered, and on time.  I like to be just a bit different in my very own and special ways!” Silver pointed out.

“Yeah, I noticed.  I guess it may be what I love you the most for, even if I enjoy sharing my interests and passions with you too.  Just like I enjoy coming to this place, from time to time.  Who doesn't love a good scratching?” I pointed out.

“Funny, I can't recall I ever saw any Pony who didn't!” Mononoke offered.

“That's who!” Chizuko beamed.

“Pinkie Pie certainly was right, when she introduced me to you, Ditzy!” Silver pointed out with a smile on her face.

“I don't want to see the day she is wrong.  As much as one may find such an occasion amusing.  Just that it is a sign of something far more terrifying than I want to think of!” Chizuko suggested.

As slowly as they had been feeding us our respective salad, it was bound to run out eventually, just as the juice we had been sipping on, on and off, during the entire treat.  Not that it had stopped them from scratching us, right away.  I think they may have been doing it for the better part of half an hour.

The salad had felt and tasted just as fresh throughout the entire meal.  Although I guess I had ordered a refill of my juice, somewhere along the process of our scratch.

“Thanks!” I expressed as I rose to my hooves.

“You are quite welcome!” Chizuko responded as she stepped back, pulling the chair out for me as I rose to my hooves.

“I will be back soon enough.  Hope you are available again!” I pronounced.

“That would be great!” Chizuko responded.

“By the way, is there by chance an open spot for a Hooficure or at the SPA?” I asked.

“No idea, I don't keep track of the booking service, but I could check for you?  Monoloke suggested enthusiastically.

“Thanks, that would be great.  I am in the mood for it right now.   I guess you did put me in the mood!” I pondered in a teasing tone as I beam off a smile.

“It isn't as if it is the first time I have heard of it or seen it happen!” Chizuko pointed out as Mononoke run out to check if there was any open spot for either Hooficure or SPA today.

“Incidentally, there is a spot in about ten minutes for a Hooficure!” Mononoke explained as she came back, after she had checked the bookings.

“Great, if you lead the way and we would be there just in time!” I suggested.

“Right this way, then!” Chizuko responded as she opened the door and walked out.

“Thanks!” I replied as I followed her out, as she lead us to a new door with an icon for Hooficure.

The door quietly slid close behind us as we walked into the room, only to find a line of comfortable seats where we could sit while waiting for the Hooficure we were looking forwards to.

“I took the liberty of booking two seats in the Hooficure as I checked, mainly by the expression on your face and how you inquired the service!” Mononoke pointed out.

Chizuko and Mononoke quietly left us for a moment, heading off to their next assignment.  A few minutes after they had both left, the door opened and a face came out.

Ditzy Doo, and Silver Mane?” the girl inquired, as she held the door up for the both of us.

“Yes, that would be us!” I responded.

“You made a reservation for Hooficure?” she continued.

“Sounds just about right.  Mononoke was kind enough to place the order, a few minutes ago!” Silver pointed out.

“Ah yeah.  She is most helpful, such a nice girl.  I have heard she is quite popular a Scratcher amongst the Ponies who enjoy pure Girls!” she offered as we rose to our hooves and walked in, in order to claim our respective seats.

“Riku and Risa will hand you the treat!” she informed us.

A moment later, the two girls entered the room through an inner door we had managed to miss.  Apparently they wear the same suit as every other girl wear here.

The two girls look identical to a new Pony like me.  Thankfully they have different colours on their suits and a name tag on the right side of the chest.

“I am Risa!” said the girl with green suit, as she pointed at the left chair.

“I am Riku!” continued the girl with a yellow suit as she pointed at the other seat.

Apparently I had chosen Risa's seat, not that it would make me any difference as far as I knew.  They are supposed to be professionals and give a treat on that level.  I expected them to give the same quality.

Silver had consequently chosen Riku.

“Lean back and enjoy yourself as we handle the details!” Riku suggested generously with a wide smile on her face.

“Thanks!” I merely replied.

I noticed them choosing a clear gel, to start off the Hooficure.  If it is as a base coat, or more of a foundation one may use in a make up?

As I sit in my chair, my hands on the armrests on the right and left, she moves forwards, starting to coat a miniature finger hoof at the time, starting with my thumb of the right hand.  I noticed she started from the upper rim of the hoof at the centre and drew the brush down in a careful, swift and gentle stroke.  Then she continued left and right alternating.  As she reached the right and left edge, she started over from the centre under the hoof and repeated the process, moving ever outwards.

Once she had completed the first hoof, she moved on to the next and started over, repeating the process.  Only to start over with the hooves of my left hand.  From there, she moved on to my hind hooves, starting with the right and finishing with the left one.

From there, she continued with the second coating, only now she used another, thicker and more shiny gel, covering only the top of the hooves.

Once she had applied the gel on the top of my hooves, she started over with the next gel, a medium thick and just slightly shiny, but more glowing looking.

I guess I wasn't surprised to notice she went back to the thick, shiny gel, coating the top of my hooves once more.

She had been working in silence, never uttered as much as a word, but she had done a very good job with my hooves.  She had been right, not to apply a coloured coat onto my hooves, even if neither she or I had asked or mentioned it.

Once she had finished the Hooficure, or applying gel, she slipped out of sight for a moment, maybe as much as five minutes before she was back.  Then she holds my right hand in her left, slowly, gently and carefully pressing a finger on my hooves, one at a time in the same order as she had painted or lacquered them.  She had moved from hoof to hoof, on the right and left hand, then used the two fingers in her work with my hind hooves.  If it was due to the larger hooves, or requiring more pressure in order to acquire the same effect on the larger hooves, I have no idea, she did not say and I did not ask.

“Done.  You can sit still for a moment, before you leave!” she suggested as she left the room.

I noticed how Silver had been given the same treat by the other girl.  She apparently had enjoyed the treat too.  It is the impression I got from reading the smile on her face.

A few minutes later, we rose to our hooves and walked out of the room.  On the way, we passed the desk and I paid for the services, before we left the establishment.

“You certainly are spoiling me.  I loved every instant of our date!” Silver pronounced with certainty to her voice as she smiled at me.

“Maybe.  Just that I doubt you have had enough of it just yet.  I'll be picking you up again, one of these days.  Maybe we can enjoy something else.  If you don't have an idea what you would like to do, I will have an idea