For Celestia's Sake, No Hooficures!
Rainbow Dash twisted and twirled in the air, practicing to refine her routine and potentially add some new tricks into the mix. Her wings flapped with intense power, propelling her with speed and precision that would make even the most seasoned WonderBolts member stare in awe. Everything she did was already refined to near perfection, spins, rolls, dashes, and all sorts of crazy maneuvers were the standard for her. She pointed her hoof to herself momentarily, gloating.
“Yeah I know, I’m pretty awesome,” she spoke to an imaginary Fluttershy, who’d usually cheer for her near the ground. But this time of day, she’s often busy tending to her pets and garden. “Now check this out!” She stopped midair, charged herself up and launched herself into the stratosphere, flying in the shape of an infinity sign.
The contours flared up with rainbow colors, electricity hung in the air and… Nothing happened. It was a trick that she'd came up with recently, having only practiced it for a few moons. She groaned, sweating a little bit from the exertion.
It’d been a slow week, Twilight was off doing whatever princess-y things that were required of her, and so far, nothing new has happened. There were no crises that needed her immediate presence in Canterlot, there were no big events or shows happening anywhere, and there weren’t even any friendship problems that needed to be solved in Equestria, much less the quiet town of Ponyville. Plus, she definitely wasn’t going to fly into the Everfree forest just for a kick. She sighed and landed on a nearby cloud. Clear skies for the rest of the week, the forecast said, so no weather-pony occupation for her either.
Mid-spring was oftentimes the most boring season of the year, Rainbow Dash found herself stuck, unsure of what to do next. Looming over the town, she’d see the same old activities of the ponies she’d see everyday. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were enjoying cupcakes from Sugarcube Corner, mares and stallions walked around the street absentmindedly, vendors waited patiently for any sign of business. Couples drank from the same cup of chocolate milkshake and stared into each other's eyes lovingly. Same old.
But-
She struck gold.
There was a filly near the town square, twirling and singing whilst holding an ice cream cone. On the other end was an old stallion, who was too engrossed in his morning paper to notice the filly. She swooped in and landed in between the ponies, wings spread. “Everypony stop!” She smiled triumphantly with her eyes closed, knowing that she’d just saved the day.
The filly scooted over to the side in confusion and carried off in a different direction, singing and hopping. Meanwhile, the old stallion was entranced by the very exciting piece of journalism and had already momentarily stopped in his tracks. He never noticed the mare with outstretched wings in front of him.
Rainbow Dash blushed in embarrassment and stepped away, a few rises of laughter came from nearby bystanders.
“Rainbow Dash, what in the hay are ya’ doin’?” Rainbow Dash snapped around to find a bewildered Applejack carrying a bucket of apples, staring at her with deeply perplexed eyes. She scratched her head and grinned, her flush turning even redder.
“Oh you know, just helping ponies and saving the day and being awesome! Am I right?” She said, still trying to save face.
“If ya’ say so Sugarcube, an’ by the way, ah’ve got these spa vouchers here if ya’ want one. Rarity gave these to me earlier, said that ah’ could go with somepony else since she was busy for the day,” Applejack pulled out 2 vouchers and placed them on her apple stand. “Been plannin’ to head right down to the spa after selling this lot o’ apples here,” she added, making a “phoo-ey” sound.
“Uh, Applejack, I thought you weren’t into this girly stuff? All those hooficures and mud baths and pampering massages don’t really seem like your thing..” Her words trailed on, thinking about it again, it didn’t seem completely horrible. If Rarity and Applejack manage to enjoy these sorts of things then there must be some merit to it.
“Well, ah’ ain’t, but all that applebuckin’ really gets to mah’ hind-hooves sometimes, a massage every now an’ then helps a mighty bit to ease the soreness. Although I ain’t so sore right now mah’self,” she lifted her hoof, rubbing it against the other. “Say, I don’t recall ya’ ever bein’ at the spa much. Think I could show ya’ around the place later today?” A bead of sweat dripped down Rainbow Dash’s face. She begrudgingly agreed.
“Fine, but don’t embarrass me or anything in front of the other ponies. And no hooficures!” She blurted, reminded of her last experience with receiving a hooficure. It didn’t go very well.
“Maybe,” Applejack smiled at her friend’s attitude. Rainbow Dash darted off with one of the vouchers, but got stopped before she could fully disappear. “Hang on just a second. We can go right now if ya’ prefer, ah’ don’t think this lot of apples ‘ere will sell out by the end of the day anyways,” she shrugged. She’d only managed to sell a dozen apples throughout the morning, and the bucketloads of apples that she still has wouldn’t go anywhere for a while.
“..Alright,” Rainbow Dash half-groaned, still quite uncertain. But regardless, they both made their way to the Ponyville Spa. It wasn’t busy this time of day, so the moment they stepped in, they received special attention. Aloe Vera ran to the entrance with haste to greet them both.
“Applejack!! It is so good to have you back!” She wrapped her hooves around Applejack before turning her attention to Rainbow Dash. “And Rainbow Dash! Ready to try some new things? Mhmhmhm! If you both could take a seat, I’ll be with you in just a second,” she trotted away excitedly.
“So uh.. What’s the plan here exactly?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“First, we’re gonna use the steam room, get ya’ all relaxed, then we’ll go get a pampering massage! I know your wings could use a little treatin’ to from time to time. Oh, and ah’ prepared a little surprise at the end for ya’,” Applejack said, giving Rainbow Dash a cheeky wink.
“I swear to Celestia, if it’s a hooficure, I will kick your head off,” Rainbow Dash crossed her hooves and pouted. Prompting a chuckle from Applejack.
“Just wait til’ ya’ see,” she smiled and put a hoof to her own mouth. Out of the corner, a cart stacked up high with hot towels was pushed out into view.
“Everypony! Help yourselves,” Rainbow Dash and Applejack took a steaming hot towel from the cart and wrapped it over their manes.
“Ahhh.. that’s the good stuff..” she placed her hooves on her head, her wings drooping down as she enjoyed the warmth coming from the fresh towel.
Rainbow Dash was never the type to admit to liking things that others would deem feminine, but in situations like these, she just couldn’t hide it. After all, is there anything more comforting than freshly washed and dried towels? Applejack opened the door to the steam room, it was completely empty inside, leaving plenty of room for the both of them. Rainbow Dash took a seat, wiping her forehead as the sudden heat from the steam engulfed her body. She melted onto the seat, but before she could lay down, she accidentally inhaled a big gulp of steam and coughed her lungs out.
“Gosh.. that steam is burning hot,” she wiped a small tear from her eyes and laughed at her own mishap, lightly hitting her own chest a few times.
“Well Dash, they don’t call it a steam room for nothin’,” a genuine smile spread across her face, it was rare that Rainbow Dash would feel comfortable enough to lighten up in such an environment. But, being seated across from her, Applejack could tell that Rainbow Dash wasn’t as tensed up as she usually is.
Periodically, more water would be added onto the pile of rocks, sending an outburst of steam into the air, the heat and moisture helping to exfoliate their coats. Rainbow Dash scooted a little over to the side, scratching her neck.
“Applejack, I think that’s enough for me right now- AACK!” She recoiled at the sudden release of steam, much hotter than the previous bursts, “..Plus, I feel pretty soaked,” she said, shaking away some loose droplets off of her wing. The heat and constant moisture had proven a little intense for her liking.
“Alrighty! Hopefully yer’ all ready for ya’ massage now, it’s right down the hall, I’ll be right there lickety-split,” Rainbow Dash went out of the door and wandered around, searching for the massage parlors. Applejack slipped past her and whispered a few words into Aloe’s ear, her eyes narrowed with a content smile.
Rushing back to where Rainbow Dash was, Applejack saw that she was sprawled out on the massaging table, having the pose of a hogtied turkey. She couldn’t help but to chuckle at Rainbow Dash’s predicament.
“Pfft, Rainbow Dash, are ya’ feelin’ alright over there?” Rainbow Dash glanced in her direction over her cucumber-covered eyes.
“I’m doing fine,” she replied, still adjusting herself to fit better on the seat. Applejack gave the masseuse a wink, “I don’t understand why anypony goes here, this is so uncomfortab- oOoOoOhH MyYy GoOoOoOdDdDd..” Her voice vibrated immensely as her back was pounded repeatedly by the steady hooves of the masseuse, her mouth opened and hung agape. She stretched her limbs out and laid limp, hooves hanging off the massage table.
“‘Yup, sounds like that’s hittin’ just the spot for ya’ Rainbow Dash,” Applejack took a seat near Rainbow Dash, it was about time that the most stubborn gal of the group got a spa treatment.
“No! Well, some parts of it, but I don’t like this one bit-woahhhhhhh…” Her wings were now outstretched, her primary feathers being personally massaged one by one. She planted her face onto the towel below here, letting out satisfied squeals as her wings relaxed. “Sweet Celestia.. I’ve never felt something like that before..” at least, that was what could be made out from her mumbling.
It was definitely a strange experience for Rainbow Dash, but she found herself liking it more than disliking it, and that made her just a little more susceptible to whatever surprise Applejack had planned next. The massage consisted of every part of Rainbow Dash that was sore. Her wings, back, and hooves were all tended to with amazing care.
“You know Applejack, this actually isn’t all that bad.. Thanks for taking me here,” she lifted her face off of the towel. Scratching her chin as she spoke, she chuckled. “I might have to take you on your offer more often from now on,” propping herself a tad on the table, she let out a sigh of relief and continued to receive her massage.
“Well of course sugarcube, just figured ya’d take a likin’ to it,” the massage carried on for a short while longer, Rainbow Dash now fully given in to the whole process. The masseuse stopped after a few minutes, tapping Rainbow Dash on her shoulder and pointing her hoof in the direction of the doorway.
“Okay Rainbow Dash, your massage is finished, please follow me!” She withdrew her hooves from Rainbow Dash, going outside to relay the message to Aloe. Rainbow Dash followed her, rotating her shoulder a little bit to feel her joints again.
“If you could lay on that chair Miss Rainbow Dash,” she directed her towards a red leather chair near the hot pools. Aloe stepped forwards to take over the reins, a file now in her mouth.
“Please lay down Rainbow Dash, I’m going to give you your Indulgent Hooficure,” she closed her eyes in a let-us-proceed manner, but her advances were untimely cut by Rainbow Dash.
“A-a hooficure?” She shot a dirty glance that pierced through Applejack, who was now smirking. “Applejack, you told me there’d be no hooficures!” She quickly retracted her hooves, deadly afraid of the nail-file.
“Now now, trust me, it ain’t as bad if ya’ just relax ya’self. I told ‘em to be extra gentle with ya’- ain't that right?” Aloe nodded, “trust me, you’ll like it just fine,” Applejack reassured Rainbow Dash, waving her hoove in the air. Rainbow Dash extended her hooves again, grimacing her teeth to brace for impact.
Scritch
Scritch Scratch
Scratch Scratch Scratch
The process had begun, the long dreaded Hooficure was now in full swing. It was a very unusual sensation to say the least, she felt itchy, even when the file wasn’t making contact with her hoof. The grinding noise of the file didn’t make it easier on her either, and she gripped her bed tightly. Her eye rapidly darted back and forth from the filing to Applejack, she would probably have freaked out if it weren’t for the presence of another pony around.
She continued to repeat the cycle of shooting glances a dozen more times, each time looking more and more like a helpless filly who’s trapped in a grocery line whilst their mother headed off to get that one last fabled item. Her teeth by now were practically grating against each other, it was just all a bit much to handle. Applejack shook her head gently and sighed.
“Listen.. D’ya want me to hold ya’ down or somethin’?” A rapid nod from Rainbow Dash told her all she needed to hear. She rolled her eyes and moved closer to Rainbow Dash, pressing both of her hooves down onto the squirming mare. “Tell me, how’re ya’ feelin’? Everything alright so far?”
“Um… Yeah, it’s just a bit… weird,” she cringed at the noises and wiggled her hooves, but soon, the filing drew to an end. Aloe moved on to polish her hoof, this time, it wasn’t as offensive on her senses, and she could finally relax for just a bit. “Woah, is my hoof shining or is it just me?” Indeed it was, the immaculate polishing had produced a layer of sheen on her hoof, and it was only becoming shinier by the second. She could see her faint reflection, and made funny faces at her own hoof.
This wasn’t her favorite thing in Equestria to do, but for what it was worth, she’d manage to at least get some entertainment out of her visit to the spa. Even that was more than what she expected herself.
“Rainbow Dash, I’ve done your hooficure! What do you think?” Aloe finished with one last flourish before stepping away, leaving Rainbow Dash to her own devices. She admired the product of the hooficure and reached out a hoof to touch the glimmering part, just to check if it was as shiny as it looked.
“This is totally awesome!” She beamed, hopping back again on all fours and greeting Applejack with a brilliant smile. “How’d you manage to do that?” She asked.
“Well Miss Rainbow Dash, here at the Ponyville Spa we provide the best hooficures and polishing services! I’m happy you enjoyed it so much,” Aloe smiled, sneaking a knowing but subtle nod at Applejack.
“Told ya’, even mares like you can enjoy a good spa treatment from time to time, ain’t that right?” She placed a hoof on Rainbow Dash’s shoulder, causing her to blush a little.
“Yeah yeah, I guess I can. But this won’t be a usual thing!”
“Sure thing, Dash. In fact, maybe ya’ can go with Rarity next time ‘round, she’s much more knowledgeable on the treatments here and can probably show ya’ a couple a’ new things,” as Applejack said those words, Rarity nonchalantly walked through the entrance, finding herself surprised at the presence of Rainbow Dash.
“My, my! Dashie, I never knew you were one to enjoy the spa treatments here!” Rarity and Applejack chuckled as Rainbow Dash hurriedly chucked off her towel, muttering as she tried to make an excuse.
“No! I was just accompanying Applejack to the spa because she had an extra voucher, I totally wouldn’t have come otherwise. Okaygottagobyee!” She dashed out of the entrance, vanishing in an instant and leaving behind her slippers.
“So Applejack, I assume that everything worked out as planned?” She said, a smirk of satisfaction.
“You’re darn tootin’,” Applejack said.
Hoofbump.
Author's Note
Hello everypony! Just a silly idea I wanted to turn into a oneshot.
All feedback/comments/criticism will be appreciated!
Thanks for reading :)
