The accent of her current customer was pounding against Lotus' ears. It was so heavy... in fact, her own accent could never match the one that peculiar mare possessed. Given the current situation with that armored stallion from before, it wouldn't be much to cause cerulean mare to suffer from headaches. Though in reality, it would take much more to break her mood once she had gotten into her element. She listened the story patiently as they've went past the large tub filled with water saturated with various minerals. As Lotus led the pony into a secluded, separate room decorated with various plants and stones which were supposed to resemble natural hot springs, Ballad inquired about the previous 'incident' which had taken place. Miss Blossom had to bit her tongue in order not to say something she'd regret in an instant. Especially that she noticed that hidden implication of her damaging the door in anger at once...[colour=#3399ff]"[/colour][colour=#ff99ff]O[/colour][colour=#3399ff]h..."[/colour] - she stopped in front of the spring and turned around to face the customer. No matter what had happened, she didn't want to hurt her own reputation, nor the reputation of that stallion anymore. Not after what she had overheard in the sauna. That proved to be quite hard though, and she didn't have time to come up with a story on her own... - [colour=#3399ff]"[/colour][colour=#ff99ff]W[/colour][colour=#3399ff]ell... it turns out not all ponies are fine customers who know how to respect others and behave in public places. There was a little incident which involved third side in there, which was responsible for the door damage. Please do not bother yourself with this."[/colour] - she explained calmly before approaching one of the walls and opening one of the lockers, cleverly hidden as a part of the wall. [colour=#3399ff]"[/colour][colour=#ff99ff]T[/colour][colour=#3399ff]hese here are hermetic, so feel free to place anything of value, clothing or different items inside, to make sure steam doesn't damage them."[/colour] - if one looked a bit closer, he'd see that there's actually a row of similar lockers next to this one. Inside of the opened one was a bathrobe, two towels and a few basic cosmetics. Lotus trotted aside, heading towards the doors. There were different issues which required her attention, even though she was more than anxious to hearing more about different parts of Equestria... [colour=#3399ff]"[/colour][colour=#ff99ff]P[/colour][colour=#3399ff]ardon me, but I must take my leave. We're experiencing quite an unusual amount of customers this morning, I hope you do understand. Take your time and relax. It's quite satisfying to know that our spa was recommended by somepony. Feel free to tell your friend that he, or she, may drop in again whenever they want! Hopefully, I'll find some time to drop in and check on you soon."[/colour] - once again, Lotus really wanted to learn who this friend was... but duties called. She trotted out, gently closing the doors behind. As Lotus emerged from behind the tub again, she spotted her sister servicing that crystal mare from earlier and, afterwards, taking care of Miss Hooves. It took all of her strong will not to burst out in laughter after hearing the "cucumber" part. She wouldn't expect ANY less from Miss Hooves in fact. Not saying a word and simply throwing a conniving glance at Aloe, twin sister made her way towards the sauna. It was highest time to check on their first customers. She wouldn't like them to boil inside now, would she? As she trotted towards the sauna doors, she risked a glimpse from afar into the waiting room. She could have sworn there were more ponies than earlier, though she couldn't see precisely who were the new customers waiting. It certainly was going to be a busy day. Mare grabbed the door handle with her teeth, smiling to herself in mind. More customers meant more prosperity. It couldn't be bad in the end. As she pulled the doors, a cloud of steam burst out. She looked at it precariously. It seemed to be a bit... too much of it coming out. But she wasn't even there to regulate its flow this time, how was this possible? Lotus trotted inside with concern closing the doors behind, allowing the steam to settle on her coat and mane slowly. [colour=#3399ff]"[/colour][colour=#ff99ff]H[/colour][colour=#3399ff]ello again."[/colour] - she started hesitantly, throwing a smile and a prolonged wink - [colour=#3399ff]"[/colour][colour=#ff99ff]I[/colour][colour=#3399ff]s everything all right? Would you like me to add a bit more steam?"[/colour] - as if the amount wasn't surprisingly high already ... - [colour=#3399ff]"[/colour][colour=#ff99ff]O[/colour][colour=#3399ff]r perhaps you'd like to try different services? You may also decide to finish your visit anytime as well, although..."[/colour] - she attempted to look as if she was addressing each one of them individually. There was not a sign of earlier anger in her anymore, quite the opposite. Lotus behaved as if she was possessed by the most friendly ghost one would ever have chance to encounter. [colour=#3399ff]"[/colour][colour=#ff99ff]I[/colour][colour=#3399ff]'m glad to see you've managed to locate the towels. And I'm sorry I couldn't have come earlier, we're dealing with a bit more customers at once than we've expected we would."[/colour] - she made an apologetic face before taking a step back and checking the temperature on the thermometer positioned on the wall. It was at least 4 degrees too high. Of course, it wasn't doing any harm, it was a sauna after all, but still she'd have to fix this later on. [colour=#3399ff]"[/colour][colour=#ff99ff]T[/colour][colour=#3399ff]he choice is yours of course."[/colour] [colour=#9966ff]"[/colour][colour=#ff66cc]A[/colour][colour=#9966ff] [/colour][colour=#9966ff]subtle, rare sound of a hoof hitting the occasional stone echoed between the walls of Ponyville. The town was honored to guest nopony else but one of, if not the greatest, Equestria's supermodels, Fleur de Lis~"[/colour] - she liked the sound of these words, referring to herself with implication of not being the greatest was so... humble! She also adored this refreshing morning, with sun already shining on the horizon and fresh air reaching her nostrils. But what she didn't enjoy was yesterday's return trip from Fillydelphia and the night she had spent here. First the train which was supposed to take her back to Canterlot came late. Upon its arrival (finally), she discovered that the first class snacks did not have strawberries at all! It was simply unimaginable. Due to delay, she was forced to spend a night in this town named "Ponyville". And Celestia be her witness, it didn't have a single, quality, comfortable hotel to stay at, what forced her to sleep in some kind of inn... HER. Fleur of Canterlot! Outrageous! She'd surely exchange a word with her agents as soon as she'd reach the royal city. Of that they could be sure...Still, she was stuck here for few hours before the first train to Canterlot would leave. And last thing she wanted to do was to stay at this... despicable inn even a minute longer than it was required. At least the ponies there were conscious enough to appreciate her stay and tried rendering it as pleasant as possible. Even though they've failed, Fleur knew how to appreciate an act made in good faith. That's why she paid twice the price for renting. Still, after such a horrible day and night she felt extremely exhausted. As she gracefully trotted between the buildings, she could hear occasional whispers and see ponies pointing at her. It wasn't a nuisance, it wasn't anything outstanding. Just a regular daily basis in supermodel reality. All of her luggage was waiting for her at the train station already, but she had no idea how would she spend this excess of *free* time yet. Few minutes and an autograph later she stumbled across something that sparked her curiosity. [colour=#9966cc]"[/colour][colour=#ff66cc]O[/colour][colour=#9966cc]h my..."[/colour] [colour=#ff66ff]"Ponyville's Spring and Summer Spectacular! All treatments and products at fifty-percent their normal price!"[/colour] Fleur was throwing a bit confused stare at the banner. Just what was that in front of her? Products and ... treatments? Was it possible that it was a... [colour=#9966cc]"[/colour][colour=#ff66cc]A[/colour][colour=#9966cc] spa, n'est-ce pas?"[/colour] - she allowed a rhetorical question to slip before steadily making her way towards an entrance. Whoever owned the place, was lucky that she didn't manage to spot the damaged doors, otherwise she'd probably turn away in an instant. As she took a step inside, her horn nearly poked the doorbell hanging above her. [colour=#9966cc]"[/colour][colour=#ff66cc]M[/colour][colour=#9966cc]MMMmmm..."[/colour] - a hum of appreciation indicated that although the interior wasn't as rich as most Canterlot spas, it still met her positive reception. It had its own, unique elegance. And both uniqueness AND elegance were what Fleur understood perfectly~ After making her first judgment and deciding she may risk staying here, snow-white mare noticed other customers waiting. Her face became a mask of sheer surprise. She had never yet seen a waiting line in a spa. It took her seconds to shift the blame for that on Ponyville itself. She couldn't expect Canterlot service quality here, could she? [colour=#9966cc]"[/colour][colour=#ff66cc]E[/colour][colour=#9966cc]xcusez-moi, may any of you endearing ponies or you mighty griffon enlighten me? What kind of institution have I just honored with my presence?"[/colour] - her voice was as usual prepossessing, adult and mysterious. Another thing she was proud of and loved about herself.