//------------------------------// // Part: 15 So Splashy // Story: Snails 1/2: Vol 2 The Perfect Stallion // by kitsy-chan //------------------------------// Part 15 “Don’t worry, we’ll get her.” Silver Spoon said. “She is such an evil conniving tramp.” Diamond Tiara said firmly. "She’s just been annoying.” So Splashy It was finally the weekend, a chance to relax and have fun. Escargot wasn’t needed or expected to be anywhere. Snails was free! He finally had a chance to do what he wanted, and he had plans. He was going to have a weekend full of action. Lying in bed, he held his grandmother’s pendant in his forehooves and examined it. He never knew his grandma, but somehow this made him feel closer to her. Gently he traced the outer sun on the pendent. Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. He had never considered going there- why would he? How could he? Yet now, holding the pendant, he thought about it. ‘What would it be like? Could I actually go? Should I? I think I’m starting to like magic.’ Closing his eyes, he thought of Sweetie Belle and Dinky practicing magic with him... well, with Escargot... under Twilight’s teachings. ‘Would it be like that? Would there be the fun and laughter?’ He perked his ears at the sound of the front door, as it was still early and Snips wouldn’t be over yet. Slowly, he got out of bed and opened his bedroom door. Carefully, he poked his head out of the door, seeing his father at the door facing Princess Twilight. “NO. On no accounts will I allow that.” Long Haul said firmly to the Princess. The abruptness and finality of his response making her take a step back. “Please reconsider sir, your son is a unicorn. Unicorns are very...” Twilight started, before he cut her off firmly. “I said no, and that is final. He may be a unicorn, but his cutie mark isn’t stars, or diamonds or rainbows, it’s a Snail. He is slow, but he is also tough and sturdy, able to take punishment. This house does not use magic, and while Escargot may be staying here, she is not allowed to use magic here either.” His father said sternly. “But-” Was all Princess Twilight managed. “And while you may be a princess in title, this city is not your private fiefdom. We have laws, as well as the town charter. You have no right to try and come into my home and tell me how to treat my family, or what rules to apply in my home.” His tone was final. There was no questioning it. Snails would not be allowed to learn magic. Ever. Twilight could do nothing but stand blinking as he closed the door on her. Frozen at the door, her wings spread in shock, the young princess was at a loss for words, plans, or ideas. Walking back into his room, Snails sighed… falling backwards on his bed, he looked at the pendant. ‘It seemed like the only hope for learning magic is as Escargot. What about the cure though? I can’t keep lying to everyone…' “The nerve.” Long Haul said, opening the door and looking at Snails. “Snails, I think you should get a part time job. Filthy Rich can always use another cart puller.” Snails blinked and gulped and looked at his father. “Umm, Rarity offered me a job hauling fabrics and sorting her stock room. It doesn’t pay much, but it’s heavy lifting.” “I see, that is acceptable but…” Stopping mid-sentence, Long haul looked sternly at the pendant. “What… is that doing here?” “Mom gave it to Escargot,” Snails said absently, “Escargot asked me to hold onto it till she got... hey!” He looked in shock as his father grabbed it from him. “I told her to throw this out years ago. It has no place in this house, it just shows you can’t depend on magic, just strength and stamina!” Throwing the pendant out of the window, he turned and stormed out. “I will not have it in the house!” “Yes, father.” Snails did everything he could to hide his emotions. A stallion shouldn’t cry. He bit his tongue as hard as he could. With a deep breath, he walked out the door. “I’m going to go spend some time with Snips." “See if you colts can get a game of hoofball going, or something.” Long Haul said. Trotting outside, the idea of playing sports was the last thing on his mind. He hated to disobey his father. It didn’t seem right but... He started searching for the amulet. He knew the direction his dad threw it, so he started there, criss-crossing back and forth as he searched. It wasn’t anywhere to be seen, it wasn’t even in the garbage. Sitting down, Snails wasn’t sure if he was angry or sad. He wanted to lash out, to cry, or to run. He didn’t know why though. He couldn’t figure out why it hurt so much. Standing up, he walked, head hanging, to the Carousel Boutique. He just felt so lost, but he opened the door and walked in anyhow. The store was relatively clean, though signs that Rarity was preparing for another big order were all over, including a new shipment of lusterdust. “Snails, you look just miserable.” Rarity said softly. “Are you here because of Escargot?” “Sort of, but…” Sitting down on the floor, Snails sighed softly. “It’s my dad.” “Oh, I see.” Carefully, Rarity got a glass of water and brought it back setting it in front of the colt. Sitting down, she tilted her head. “Want to talk about it?” “Dad found me with my grandma’s amulet, the one my mom gave Escargot.” Snails said, looking down and softly rubbing his hind leg. “He got upset and threw it out.” Gently Rarity hugged Snails, “Don’t worry, it’s safe.” Blinking, Snails looked up. “What? How?” “Sweetie Belle almost got hit by it. She knew it was Escargot’s, and is off looking for her to return it.” Rarity said. Snails breathed a sigh of relief. “Remind me to thank her so much.” “I don’t think I’d have to remind you or Escargot.” Rarity said, booping Snails nose softly. Scrunching his nose, he sighed, “Am I really that predictable?” “No, you’re not. That’s partly what makes you so special.” Rarity said, standing up. “Now, I have a spa appointment booked with Fluttershy, would you care to join me?” Snails blinked and looked down at himself. “I’d have to change, wouldn’t I?” “Not if you don’t want to. You can stick with the hot tub and sauna.” Rarity said with a smile. Perking, Snails nodded. “That sounds safe, and nice.” Looking up at Rarity, he smiled brightly to her. “Thank you so very much.” “You shouldn’t feel pressured to be Escargot, but at the same time, don’t take it for granted.” Walking out of the store, Rarity took her time leading the colt out to the spa. Looking up from the door Fluttershy waved, “Hello, Rarity.” “Fluttershy, I don’t know if you’ve met little Snails here. He needs some time to unwind, so I thought I’d bring him. I hope you don’t mind.” Rarity smiled, giving Snails a nod. Whispering softly, Fluttershy took a step backwards, “Hello Snails.” “What’s wrong, Fluttershy?” Rarity blinked and looked at Snails, then the timid pegasus. “He was helping Trixie when she took over the town.” Fluttershy said timidly. “I was being whipped and pulling around her throne.” Snails said with a sigh. “Oh, you poor little thing!” Fluttershy stepped forward quickly and pulled him into a hug. “I didn’t know.” Blinking, Snails looked between the two mares. He felt a little timid himself now, but followed Rarity inside. Rarity quickly talked with the spa twins before motioning to Snails. “He has a bad reaction to cold water. Please allow only the hot tub and sauna for him.” Nodding, the twins quickly assaulted Snails, washing him down with hot water, Aloe giggling softly. “For a colt, he is very well groomed. He also uses strawberry rose shampoo, I recognize the scent.” Snails eeped and blushed, looking down. He hadn’t thought about the smell of that carrying between forms. “I umm…” “He works at my store, and I expect standards.” Rarity said, nodding. Giggling, the girls finished their work, wrapping a towel around his head, before helping him into the hot tub. It was the first time in a while Snails felt like he could relax… Although he was doing something really mare-Oriented. Moving to sit beside Snails, Rarity relaxed as well. “Fluttershy, dear, remember to breathe.” “Sorry.” Fluttershy gasped and looked around until the spa twins were finished their work. When they were done she was able to get into the hot tub as well. “Sweetie Belle should be back at the store soon. We’ll get the pendant from her next time we see her?” Rarity said softly. Nodding slowly, he closed his eyes a bit, allowing the hot water to relax his muscles. Slipping a bit lower into the water, he let out a contented sigh. It might not be swimming, but it was still fun. He was so relaxed, he hardly noticed the jingle of the front door. He just stretched out his forelegs in the water, and let them float a bit. He always wondered why his legs were thinner than most males. The only colt he knew with a slighter build was Featherweight. Strange thing is, he never really paid attention to things like this before now. “Don’t worry, we’ll get her.” Silver Spoon said. Snails grumbled as his muzzle sank beneath the water of the hot tub. “She is such an evil conniving tramp.” Diamond Tiara said firmly. Rarity blinked looking at Snails then Diamond Tiara. “Excuse me, it’s very rude to talk about other ponies like that. Silver Spoon blinked, “Sorry Ma’am, she’s just been annoying my friend to no extent.” Diamond Tiara blinked, “And what is he doing here? Isn’t today girl’s day at the spa?” Aloe giggled, “He is here as a guest of Rarity.” Snails sighed, “I’ll go.” “Nonsense, you have every right to be here.” Rarity said. “I know, but I’d like to find your sister.” Snails said, he looked at Diamond Tiara. He more just wanted to be away from her. He did, however, want the pendant back, so it wasn’t really a lie. Getting out of the hot tub, Snails used towels to dry himself off. Honestly, he was getting too used to being clean. One little shake, and his fur puffed out. Turning,he nodded to Rarity. “Thanks again.” “Boys, always so splashy. This isn’t a swimming pool, you know.” Diamond Tiara huffed. Snails headed for the Crusaders’ clubhouse. It was the most likely place to find the girls- unless, of course, they were off trying to find a cutie mark. With luck, though, he would find them there. The city was pretty quiet today, and there didn’t seem to be any major celebrations. Sometimes, it felt like days without celebrations were the rare ones. Charging up the ramp, he opened the door. As he looked inside he smiled brightly. “Girls?” “SNAILS!” Sweetie Belle said and trotted up to him. “I found this.” She said, holding out the pendant. Taking it, he hugged it tightly and sat down. “I found out, it’s my Grandma’s. It’s all I have of hers.” Applebloom blinked as she saw the tears in Snails' eyes. Taking a breath, she walked over and sat beside him. "Ah think ah understand. Ah know that feeling to." Closing her own eyes, she touched her ribbon with a sigh.