(Dominic’s P.O.V.)

As I opened my eyes, I felt groggy and still relatively tired. I knew as soon as I got something into my gut I would be fully awake, yet it was still tough as hell to drag myself out of my slumber, and even tougher when I realized Dash was still sleeping on top of me. The warmth I was getting from her body was intoxicating and felt good enough that all I wanted to do was roll over and fall back asleep. Yet years of military training and my personal etiquette won out as I worked to move her body off of mine.

Doing so was surprisingly easy, as the moment I started to move her, she made not a peep of protest or sign of awakening. It was a slow but steady process, yet it was still getting done. I didn’t want to possibly wake her, but I still needed her off of me so that I could prepare for work.

Once she was on the bed beside me, I was free to go, but I couldn’t find it in me to leave just that second.

She looks even more beautiful when she is sleeping...

As I stroked her shoulder and part of her neck, I leaned forward and planted a gentle kiss on her cheek. I held it for a few seconds, before pulling away to see a small smile stretched over her muzzle. I felt a smirk stretch a bit over my lips as I pulled myself away, and carefully got out of the bed with little more than a light tug from the blanket, and as soon as I was standing, I noticed that she was entirely uncovered.

Leaning over the bed, I grabbed the top end of the blanket and pulled it up and tucked it under Dashes fore hooves. Sleep well my beautiful little mare...

...

(Princess Luna’s P.O.V.)

Cutting off my magic and looking into the mirror across the room, I observed my reflection and smiled happily as I brought a brush from my dresser over to me, before I began to use it on my fur. My smile dropped for the briefest of moments, before I shook my head and closed my eyes as I lowered my muzzle with a near silent giggle. I'm just going to talk with him... no flirting... and no kissing. Letting out a soft sigh, I did my best to focus on the talks I had shared with sister, and did my best to put that at the forefront of my mind as I continued to bring my fur to a crisp sheen with my brush. He is merely a friend that I am going to visit after I speak with Fluttershy. After we speak... then I shall depart and return home in time to meet with sister for noon tea.

Raising my gaze and smiling towards the mirror, I saw everything looked acceptable from my recently polished tiara, from my pristine Regalia, all down to my hoof adornments. Yet I myself looked perfect. From my sparkling mane, my soon to be beautifully brushed fur, and as I unfurled my wings, I was able to behold my perfectly preened wings. Everything was in order, and the only thing left to do was go visit my friends in Ponyville. The only difficulty I would face in accomplishing such a task would be sneaking out of Canterlot without my sisters’ knowledge, but like all things I learned while returning from my banishment; some things were easier when sister didn’t know.

...

(Dominic’s P.O.V.)

Running my hands down the mares’ fur while simultaneously kneading, I heard the mare purr happily as she remained completely motionless as I worked. Business had been busy, but compared to the first day I had been here, it was comparatively slower, as Lotus and Aloe had managed to even snag breaks at intervals throughout the day, and as soon as I was finished with this mares massage, I was going to take a break myself.

Flying was my life, yet now I give massages for a living. From Ace pilot to Ace masseuse.

...Jack of all trades...

Blinking out of my personal thoughts, I looked down and moved my hands over to the front left hoof and began to kneed along it upwards, working out any kinks that may have worked their ways into the muscles. I made sure to keep my movements slow and steady, yet firm and gentle at the same time. I have no idea what I am supposed to do to be a masseuse for ponies, and I still haven’t received any tips or help on what to do other than where to not touch. Yet somehow my technique is all I need. And all I'm trying to do is focus on where the muscles and joints are.

Once I reached the top of the leg, I switched over to the mares other front hoof and repeated the process. While I continued to work, I felt my mind latch onto a new thought, and it was actually one of great concern that I hadn’t really thought of much since waking up. Now then... what the hell was wrong with Dash last night...? She was perfectly normal before dinner, yet as soon as we finished eating, she started to act worse than usual. I didn’t mind the kisses, or even the playful flirting she would use before compared to what happened to last night. She strangely was acting just like my previous girlfriend when she got drunk, yet Dash didn’t drink anything... nor did she even smell remotely of liquor. So what was her problem?

Shaking my head slightly as I moved my hands to the mares hind legs, I knew I had to stop thinking of matters that didn’t pertain to my job, as I didn’t want to end up embarrassing myself. Even if one of those matters was actually interesting and did indeed need some answers.

While I did the same to the hoof as I had to the front two, I made sure to go no higher than the thigh part this time, and I made sure to not let my fingers knead too firmly where it would prove uncomfortable to the mare. I also took care to measure the time it took to complete this task, as just how my drill instructor had said in boot camp, ‘If you don’t do it right the first time you will need to do it again’.

Once I was finished, I smiled as I pulled away and cleared my throat before saying, “All done miss.” One full body massage finished, break time ready to commence. Heh... and then two hours before I'm finished for the day.

The mare opened her eyes and just laid there with a smile, before she said giddily, “Best, massage, ever.” When she turned her eyes towards me, she said, “Thank you for that! I think I need be back sooner next time!”

Smiling as I inclined my head a bit towards her, I had to hold back the urge to chuckle even the slightest as I said, “You’re welcome. Have a pleasant day.” Turning around, I made my way towards the back room as Lotus made her way to the front desk, and Aloe was finishing up with another mare that had come in earlier. As I passed by Aloe, I made sure to tell her that I was going on break and that I would be back in twenty minutes.

As I went into the back room and collected some bits from my bag, and slid them into my pocket before heading towards the front door. As I walked out the spa, I couldn’t help but think of what I would eat today... I had already promised myself to try something other than a dandelion club again...

...

(Rainbow Dash’s P.O.V.)

Cracking open an eye slowly, I felt my body cringe as a stab of pain raced through my head, and my gut clenched unpleasantly. The pain in my head was undeniably one of the worst things I had ever dealt with... and the sunlight was enough to draw a pitiful whimper from my muzzle.

It hurts so bad...!

My throat felt dry, my stomach felt unpleasant, I needed the bathroom, my hooves and wings felt stiff and sore, and my headache was stopping me from doing anything about anything about everything.

Why does it hurt so bad?

Pulling the covers slowly above my head, I at least knew where I was as the pleasant smell of Dominic was all over the blanket and bed I was in, but try as I may, my stallion was nowhere to be found.

Where are you Dom!?

Whimpering again as a fresh bolt of stomach sickness ran through me, I felt myself shiver violently as I held back the urge to throw up where I was lying. Despite the discomfort from my stomach and pain at my forehead, I forced myself to my hooves and cantered as quickly as I could to the bathroom. As soon as I got into the room, I rushed to the toilet and forced the top up and let my stomach empty into the bowl.

Is that the soup Dom made...?

It was very little, but what did come out was still disgusting, yet that didn’t help me with why I felt so sick in the first place. My mouth felt even dryer, yet my stomach still churned angrily as I stood there. Closing my eyes, I shook my head as I brought a hoof up and flushed the toilet.

It’s too early for this...

As I moved to the sink to rinse my mouth, I felt myself freeze in place, before I felt confusion, and a bit of trepidation cloud my mind.

Why can’t I remember anything past finishing that first bowl of soup...?

No matter how hard I tried to remember something... anything, I could only recall flashes of memories from the previous night. I remembered eating some more... then lying on top of Dominic, and I remembered the familiar sensation of Dom’s lips on my own... but no matter what, I couldn’t remember anything else other than that. Everything else was a bleary grayish haze of fog, and the few memories I did have were too few in between to tell exactly what had happened.

It was comforting to at least know that whatever had happened in those grey memories was that I was with Dominic, and if I was with him, then I knew I was safe from whatever mishaps surely occurred.

Now I'm hungry...

Shaking my mane, I knew I needed to first deal with some more pressing manners before seeking out food. Wincing again as the headache made itself known once again, I let out a silent groan as I closed the bathroom door, Maybe I can crawl back into bed and wait for Dom to come home...

...

(Dominic’s P.O.V.)

Walking into the Spa so that I could resume work on the next patron, I found myself instead greeted by Fluttershy and Rarity conversing with Aloe and Lotus, with Princess Luna standing not too far back. When the ring from the bell above the door reached their ears, I saw Aloe and Lotus look over towards me with smiles, and the other three mares looked over as well. As soon as Luna’s eyes took notice of me, her slightly bored expression changed to one with a wide smile, and I felt myself stop as the door clicked closed behind me. There was no sound for a few seconds, and I found myself looking to each of the three mares in confusion.

Yet it was the princess that my gaze lingered on, and it was a bit of confusion as to why she was here, and more of how she was able to get here without me noticing. If the entire town was abuzz when I had first arrived, I would almost expect the fact that a princess coming to town would’ve spread like a wildfire too then. No matter how much that wasn’t the case, and with how she had acted during all those other times, I knew it would look bad if I remained silent.

Clearing my throat as I put on a partially convincing smile, I asked, “Hello ladies... how are you all doing?”

Rarity smiled all the wider as she glanced over towards the princess, and Fluttershy smiled timidly, before Aloe said cheerfully, “Dominic, glad that you made it back so soon. Princess Luna requested that you be the one to give her a massage since she has heard you are so skilled.”

Looking towards Luna in particular now, I saw her smiling towards me with the faintest signs of a blush beneath her dark blue fur, but none of the others seemed to notice. It was no secret between us that I knew she did have her crush on me, but she had refrained from even visiting my dreams in the past few days, and she hadn’t sent me any letters after the first one either. Giving her the briefest of nods, I could only take it that Celestia really had shared a talk with her sister, so that would mean this surprise visit really was just for a massage.

After clearing my throat, I smiled as I walked past Luna and said, “Well then, right this way Princess.”

The sound of hooves following close behind was all I needed to know she was behind me, and it was then that I heard the other mares, specifically Rarity, saying something about having the usual. Looking over my shoulder, I took note of how Princess Luna seemed to be without her crown or chest piece today, but her fur seemed to shine in the light unlike before. That left a sole thought bouncing around my mind, Did she go through the pony version of getting dressed up just so she could get a massage?

Looking back forward when I noticed my gaze lingering longer than I originally intended, I made my way over towards the massage tables. I hadn’t exactly massaged an Alicorn before, and I could only hope that I wouldn’t touch anywhere that was as sensitive as Dash’s wings. I had only touched up on the subject of erogenous zones, and it had been solely about Pegasi, nothing else.

When we reached a table, I stood off to the side so that she could climb on and get comfortable, and I felt myself actually looking her over. If I just treat her like a Pegasus, I should do fine, and I figure I just need to mind the horn is she expects a head rub. She is basically a Pegasus with a horn, so I should be fine with standard massage therapy.

“Are you comfortable Princess?” I asked when she stopped moving around, and she looked over and gave me a smile and a nod. Since she was ready, and I didn’t want to appear to be stalling, I knew I needed to start my work least I myself make it awkward. Raising my hands and setting them down on her back, I rolled my hands to the side a bit as I applied pressure over her muscles. I would roam around her shoulders before moving up her neck, and once I was finished there, then I would move onto the rest of her body. It would most likely take me longer as she was at least twice the size of a normal mare, but as I looked over my shoulder; I could see Rarity and Fluttershy were about to receive a mud bath. I hope she keeps that flirty attitude to herself this time at least as I don’t want to have to explain what isn’t happening to those four...

Looking back down in front of me as I moved away from her shoulders and onto the lower portion of her neck, I saw Luna’s eyes were closed in what I could only assume as bliss; as Dash had the same expression the first massage I had given to her as well. Speaking of Dash, I will need to have a talk with her later about her behavior last night. She was acting extremely... well, different to say the least. I only hope she doesn’t act that way again tonight. I damn near love her, but she was coming on way to strong last night...

Looking up in thought, I felt myself actually force a chuckle to remain in my throat, but I did feel a small wave of fear roll across my back as a single question popped into my mind. Do mares go into heat...?

That sole thought was enough to make me want to laugh, but I knew that since the ponies were technically animals, that there was a high possibility that heat would be a very real thing I would encounter later on, and I wasn’t sure how intelligent these ‘animals’ would act when in heat. That’s actually an interesting thought now that I think about it... maybe it would be best to find another book about the local populace.

Looking back down as I heard a near silent groan come from Princess Luna’s muzzle, I saw it was caused because I had reached the back of her head and below her ears. This caused a small smile to spread across my lips, and I actually indulged her pleasant feeling for a while longer, before I went to move on to her upper back. Yet as I raised my hands and set them on her shoulders, there was a bright flash of golden light from the lobby along with a pop like sound, and when I looked up, I saw the slightly frustrated gaze of Princess Celestia looking towards Luna and I.

“Princess Celestia, nice to see you again... would you be liking a massage today?” I asked in as pleasant a voice I could as I remembered the anger she had once held in her eyes; an anger that had been directed towards me.

I felt Princess Luna actually jump a bit at the sound of my voice, and when she looked up to the side, that was when Princess Celestia spoke, “Though tempting, I must refuse as I am here to collect my sister as we have important matters to discuss.” When her gaze dropped from my own and she seemed to be looking at her sister, there was another flash of light, just this time a deep blue color, and the feeling of fur beneath my fingers vanished as suddenly as the light.

Princess Celestia nodded to me, before she turned around and started to make her way back towards the lobby, before she stopped and looked back at me. Instead of frustrated or even anger, I saw she appeared to be in deep thought as she said, “Mr. Wild... it would be in your best interest to acquire some decent dress attire within a weeks’ time.” And with that, she too vanished with a flash of light...

(Rainbow Dash’s P.O.V.)

“Dom you mother bucker...” Giving the bottle of salt a nudge, I barely felt even the tiniest bits of remorse as I knew I was going to put my stallion through a good amount of pain today. “Didn’t even care to leave me medicine...”

Grabbing the bottle of salt in my muzzle, I made my way to the trash can and opened it with my hoof, and as I went to drop it, I felt myself think of a new solution to this blasted salt. I wonder how he will like eating so much salt he can’t remember anything... but I am still going to slap him when I see him.

Closing the trash can and making my way towards one of the cabinets near the floor, I opened it up and found pots and pans stored inside. Smirking to myself, I dropped the salt and reached forward with a wing and eased a deep looking pot out towards me. I had to push it back as it wasn’t as deep as I thought it was.

Repeating this process a few times until I found one that had been near the back of the cabinet and was deep enough to conceal the entire bottle of salt, I smiled as I picked said bottle up again and hid it in the pot. I would keep that for later, and I would watch Dom more closely whenever he said he was going to cook...

“Maybe it is time I start that prank war on Dominic now rather than later...”

Turning around and making my way to the bedroom so that I would leave through the window, I knew exactly where I could find Dominic at this hour. If anything, I could give him a quick knock around that would fix of him enough to prevent another incident like this...

...
(Dominic’s P.O.V.)

“Dear, you must stop by the boutique later, and it would be best if you did so today after you finish with work. If the princess really was the one to recommend you to get something nice to wear, then it would be best if you got it now.” Rarity said as Lotus continued to massage her back.

Looking over as Fluttershy let out a happy sigh from Aloe’s massage, I saw she seemed quite content; unlike how I was feeling. Princess Celestia out of the blue suggests I get myself something decent to wear, and if I could expect anything, it would mean I would need to get myself something more along the lines of a suit. Though she didn’t say as to why, like Rarity was suggesting, it would be better to have it made before the time came.

Giving Rarity my attention once more, I saw her eyes had since closed, and I looked down as I tried to think about what Princess Celestia had said from every angle. The first fact was she suggested I get myself some decent dress attire, and that could be interpreted as formal clothing, which in turn would be a suit. It would be better if I knew exactly what the princess had in mind, but as for what it would be I wouldn’t know until the time came.

“Rarity, are you sure you would be able to finish a suit in less than a week’s time though and what about your other orders, won’t you get backed up if you stop working on them just to make my suit?” I asked as the issue came up again.

Rarity smiled as she cracked an eye open and looked towards me, “Darling, there is no need to worry. I will just use my measurements from before to make your suit.” She closed her eyes again as Lotus seemed to hit a tense spot, before she resumed speaking again, “Besides, you’re a friend, so my other orders can wait.”

Smiling a bit as I leaned back against the mineral bath, I heard a ding sound from the lobby, and I looked over and saw the last mare I expected to see here today. Smiling as I brought a hand up, I waved over to her, “Hey Dashie, how you doing?”

My smile faltered along with my waving hand as I saw a flash of anger cross her eyes, but I saw a false smile over her lips as her eyes moved over to the others, who also greeted her. She waved to the others without saying a word, but when her eyes shifted back to my own, she asked, “Dominic, can I speak with you alone real quick?”

What did I do wrong...?

Feeling a nervous smile replace my other one, I nodded as I pushed myself off the bath and walked towards her. I saw her eyes flash back to the other mares for a brief moment, and then she turned and walked back into the lobby of the spa.

When I entered the lobby and saw Dash staring at me with a glare, I knew I was in trouble for something I wasn’t aware of. Stopping in front of her, I knelt down in front of her so I could ask what was on her mind; when instead I felt stars flash across my eyes and pain erupt from the side of my face.

Finding myself looking towards the chairs that lined the wall of the lobby, I opened my jaw as it suddenly felt stiff, and I felt a wave of pain starting to throb from my cheek to the back of my skull. It honestly felt like the aftermath of a bar fight I had during my third year at my base. Blinking a few times, I looked back at the perpetrator that threw the punch, and I saw her giving me a neutral look, if with a small amount of smugness, and I felt a wave of anger shoot through me as I asked hotly, “What the fuck Dash!?”

Her cheeks erupted in the form of a blush, but I didn’t give two shits worth as I worked the soreness from my now hurt jaw. Her eyes narrowed nonetheless, and I heard her hoof stomp as if to accent what she said next, “That was for putting so much salt in my food.”

Rubbing my jaw a bit as I looked at the mare in front of me, I had to remind myself that Equestrians wouldn’t use the same standards as humans, but if the market was selling salt, then I knew it was for the exact same thing any other human would use it for. “Are you allergic to salt?” She shook her head, and I asked, “Then why are you complaining that I put salt into your soup? Seems a little obvious, doesn’t it?”

Dash now glared at me as she raised a hoof, and as I was now prepared to block another hit, she instead pressed it against my chest while saying angrily, “You put enough salt in my soup to give me a hangover Dominic! You don’t do that to anypony, much less your friend!”

Feeling myself freeze at that, I felt a chuckle leave my throat, and despite the angry growl that came from her throat, I asked rather curiously, if not loudly, “How the hell do you get a hangover from salt!?” Moving my hand from my jaw to cover my mouth, I had to keep myself from laughing, but Dash made it clear how unfunny the situation was as she jabbed my chest with her hoof.

Looking up, I saw the dead seriousness in her eyes, along with no doubt anger as well, and then I felt the dots connecting by themselves. Then I asked to confirm my suspicion, “Ponies get drunk when eating salt?”

She gave me a look that screamed ‘idiot’, before she said, “Dominic, that is just crazy. No, salt only affects ponies when you use a lot of it, and you used half a bottle. Of course it is going to give me a hangover like that... and I know you knew this already, or else why didn’t it affect you?”

Bringing a hand up and rubbing my forehead, I shook my head as I said more to myself, “This is just fucked up all the way around.” Looking up, I saw the blush came back full force to her cheeks, and I gave her an apologetic look as I said, “It would seem salt affects you ponies in a way that it doesn’t to humans. I put so much salt in the soup because that was my first time in a long time cooking, and I assumed whatever I made would taste like absolute crud... so I put salt in it to try and cover up any bad taste.”

Dash gave me a confused gaze, and as she did, I couldn’t help but mutter to myself, “That would explain your behavior last night...”

Instantly her ears perked up, and she lowered her hoof to the ground as she asked, “What was my behavior like?”

Chuckling as I could only remember all too well, I felt my heart pick up its pace as I shook my head and merely raised a hand and ruffled her mane. She glared at me, though with less hostility this time, but I still said quietly, “I will explain later...”

Her expression showed how confused she was, but I shook my head as I reached forward and pulled her into a hug, but she still took this opportunity to say, “You owe me for this Dom...”

Letting go of her as I shook my head, I then said, “And you owe me for punching my face.”

“That was a slap.”

“Sure felt like a punch...”

She glared at me once more, before she turned and walked out the lobby door. When I went to smile, I felt a dull and painful throb from the lower right part of my jaw, and while I couldn’t check it, I was sure there would most likely be a bruise by the end of the day. Standing up and making my way back into the spa part of the building, I looked over and saw four sets of wide eyes greet me, along with blushes on all pairs of cheeks. Oh right... forgot they were here after that ‘slap’. Seems like I have some explaining to do...

Author's Note

Alright Everyone, I apologize for my lapse in activity here, and I have no excuses other than I'm not sure where to finish this story, only how to continue it...

1. Military food is, in my opinion, fucking DELICOUIS! Yes, it does need some salt, in some cases, it looks disgusting (slop), but it is overall pretty healthy and tasty. Then again, this was at the Camp Pendleton and at the Sea-bee base where I live near, so my overall knowledge isn't that expansive.

2. If you're gonna hate... please leave some constructive criticism as well, not just overall BS...