Soon, all that Applejack could see was the soft, moist green of the sliced fruit - and shortly after that, nothing at all but damp darkness. Of course she felt the inherent discomfort at first, but she quickly overcame that and began to feel the soothing effects of the replenishing cucumbers, instead. The farm pony had grown accustomed to this silly act ever since her friend - who was, honestly speaking, still way too excited about this kind of thing - had fussed about her admittedly messy behavior, and had forced her to sit through a slumber party make-over. Applejack still shuddered at the memory. However, after the eye roll that accompanied the thought of Rarity and her prissiness, the orange earth pony never could help the pleasant, airy sensation that grew deep within her rib cage. This strange feeling at first had come as a surprise to Applejack; she hadn't felt anything as relaxing yet nerve-wrackingly fearful as it before. It was almost like the uneasy foolishness she experienced when she allowed her high-class friend to shroud her eyes with fruit, but it seemed so greatly more imperative than that.
"Oh, Applejack!" Rarity chimed from the plush reclining chair to the right. "That order this week was truly just wretched. I am so relieved to have finished it, and even more relieved to be able to celebrate it here at the spa with you!"
Applejack could have sworn the slight purr at the end of the unicorn's sentence was meant to emphasize her pleasure with celebrating with Applejack, regardless of location. At least, the earth pony realized, that's what she wanted it to mean.
She chuckled nervously before beginning to speak, aiming her words to her right though, unsure in the darkness, if they would even be heard. "Ah, shucks, Rare. I sure am glad I could help you cool down. And the spa's a good idea for a day as hot as this one."
"The spa is always a good idea, isn't it? I'm so pleased that you're more comfortable with it now. It's not so impractical as you claimed at first, hmm?"
Truthfully, Applejack did feel much better about the silly practices that went on in these chairs: the funny scented shampoos, applied by strange hooves - or those same strange hooves rubbing her sore muscles after a day at work in the fields. It was nice, sure. Strange, but nice.
She felt those hooves at her feet - buffing and shining, she supposed. "I reckon it ain't," she finally responded.
The two ponies laughed together, and over Applejack's low chortle, she could hear Rarity's gleeful, ringing giggle. The airy feeling returned then, and Applejack's laugh faltered as she succumbed to it. Doing this always invited interesting thoughts of Rarity, and Applejack decided to allow these thoughts to entertain her. Though the earth pony certainly would feel uncomfortable explicating the scenarios she imagined out loud, she saw no wrong in accepting them in the seclusion of her mind. She often did this when she was alone - out at work bucking the trees, or late at night, wrapped in the warmth of her bed blankets. It was actually a rare occurrence that Applejack let herself think of these things around other ponies, but the spa and Rarity's joyful presence applied that foolish facade of comfort and safety. It was a lie, and Applejack was about to understand this.
"Oh, dear! Ah..." It was Lotus Blossom's voice, coming from below Applejack. As soon as she heard the awkward reaction, she knew what the cause was. Even the cold cucumbers couldn't prevent Applejack's violent blush.
She stood up and felt the fruit slip off her face, as the white stickiness also slipped...down her hind legs.
"It's alright! Uhm...this happens all the time!" Aloe's attention had been drawn from Rarity's chair, and the beautiful white unicorn began to turn to see what the sudden commotion was about.
Applejack's eyes burst in fear and she started trotting in place, unsure of what to do, unable to accept the embarrassment. Not in front of Rarity. She couldn't let her see.
"What's going on-"
"Ah, sorry, Rare!" she nearly shouted. "I just remembered, I gotta...ah..." She felt another wave of liquid break through her and begin to make its way down her legs. She couldn't come up with an excuse in time. It wasn't in her skill set, anyway. As the Element of Honesty, she was a hideous liar.
"Miss Rarity! I think you're ready for your seaweed wrap!" Applejack whipped her head in Aloe's direction. The spa pony was turning Rarity's cheek and looking deeply into her eyes.
"Ooh, hooray!" Rarity cheered. During this diversion, Lotus Blossom launched herself onto the stack of towels a little ways from the girls' chairs. She threw one over and the teary-eyed Applejack caught it in her teeth, nuzzling it quickly against her crotch before tossing it aside and wiping her eyes. "But what were you saying, Applejack?"
"Oh, ah..." The two spa ponies rushed together and stared at Applejack, awaiting another sign for help. But the orange pony's blush was disappearing, and she was prepared. "I just remembered that I really gotta try that seaweed wrap, too! Seaweed's good eating, and that means it must be good for...your skin...or whatever, right? Just like these!" She knelt down and flipped the cucumbers into the air with her tongue, chomping them upon their descent.
This made Rarity giggle again, and Applejack smiled sweetly. Alarmed, Lotus Blossom and Aloe began pushing the two ponies toward the mud baths, not desiring of another awkward situation.
Safe in the mud, and wrapped tightly in the slimy seaweed, Applejack breathed easily. She smiled gently as her friend continued her weary recounting of the past week. Every now and then, Rarity would repeat how nice it was to be able to spend relaxing time with such a good friend, and Applejack would feel another blush creep onto her cheeks, though it was a different and much better blush than the first.
"Really, though, Applejack! I am so happy to be here with you. There is nothing better than a nice break from the pressures of travail, except one spent with a best friend."
"I agree with ya," she responded, rather quietly. Over at the counter, the spa ponies chit-chatted and absent-mindedly buffed their own hooves. A couple times, they glanced back toward their customers, and once Applejack managed to catch their attention. With a modest, embarrassed smile, she conveyed her immense gratitude. The two employees shrugged consolingly, as if this was actually something they dealt with frequently.
Turning her focus back to her friend, she thought about how she really did agree with her. She would choose time with Rarity over time spent alone any day. Deep inside, where that light feeling ignited every time she thought of Rarity's smile, she wanted nothing more than to spend more time with her. Deep inside, Applejack hoped that their relationship would soon become as comfortable as cool cucumbers resting on her eyes.
