"You want what?!" Lotus Blossom could hardly believe her ears.
For one thing, today was the busiest day of the year. Most mares, and a few gentlecolts, would make bookings months in advance. Hearts and Hooves Day was a very special occasion, second only to weddings. Furthermore, Lotus never thought the request might come from Bulk Biceps. Ever since he had become her employee, the pegasus had hardly taken a day off, and most certainly never on such a busy day. If anything, he was always over enthusiastic in his duties.
"I want the afternoon off?" Bulk Biceps asked again, his muscles tensing as he did so. "The evening too."
"But all our patrons," Lotus felt a headache coming on. "The schedule... And three masseuses are already on leave to be with their special somepony. It's not like you are going to ask anyone out."
"Err, maybe," he looked to the side, two parts annoyed, one part uncomfortable.
The answer, however, had enough of an effect on its own. Lotus' jaw dropped, along with every other pony's in the spa. Had he really just said that? It had to be a mistake. The huge white pegasus was likable in his own unique way, but too much of a haystack to be regarded as dating material.
"Ok then," the spa pony managed to mutter, still trying to come to grips with this new information. "Have fun."
"Yeah!" Bulk flexed his muscles victoriously, then made his way past the multitude of gaping ponies, and went outside. Several moments passed in total silence and stillness.
"Aloe," Lotus managed to say as shock loosened its hold over her. "Come here, please."
On the other side of the room, her sister swallowed. "Please" at the end of a sentence meant only one thing - Lotus was upset. And seeing how hard they would have to work to make up for all the day's absences, she had every reason to be.
"Yes?" The pink blue-maned pony was quick to respond. "What is it, sis?"
"Did you?" Lotus gave her an accusatory look. At first Aloe didn't understand, but moments later the suggestion dawned upon her.
"Oh, no!" She shook her head violently. "No, absolutely not! I just find him funny. He's definitely not my coltfriend!"
"You are sure?" The other narrowed her eyes.
"You know me better than that!" Aloe said defensively. "We're just friends. If there was anything more, I'd tell you."
Lotus gave her sister a long piercing stare. She definitely wasn't convinced.
"Alright," she said, still somewhat skeptical. "But then, who is his special somepony?"