Spa Day the Lunar Guard Way (ATTN: Aloe and Lotus)

[Lux]

Night Watcher departed the train at the Ponyville station, gaining a sense of her surroundings. She reached instinctively to adjust her helmet but found it along with the rest of her Lunar Guard armor missing. For a few panicked moments she wondered where it was until realizing that there was no need for her to having. She wasn't on patrol or doing anything related to the Lunar Guard today. No, today, upon advice from a few mares that were in the Guard, she was going to treat herself to a spa day experience.

It was, as all new experiences a sense of apprehension and excitement mixed together as she approached the tent like spa. She did think there would be any danger, but the jet black Pegasus always felt like that her life revolved around serving in the Lunar Guard. It was a mindset that she needed to break the habit. After all she was a pony just like many others with her own unique personality waiting to shine.

Shaking off her her reluctance she pushed open the door to the spa and walked to the front desk.

"Staff Sergeant Night Watcher of the Lunar Guard reporting..." she started in her direct military tone but paused realizing that there was no need for this and it might be a little intimidating for the owners.

"I mean, Night Watcher here for my spa appointment," she said in her normal casual tone hoping that it softened her introduction.

[IceStorm]

"Alright, everything is set up, and the customer should be here any moment now," Aloe said to herself as she looked over the itinerary for today's first appointment. "Hmm, it looks like were on for a Deep-Tissue massage, a trip to the sauna, and a rejuvenating soak," she replied to herself noticing that there wasn't any mention of whether the mare wanted a full massage or the shorter one. It was a minor detail, but one that would be needed so that her and her sister knew what they were doing, and it was one that was easy enough to ask for once the mare arrived.

Of course it was almost on cue that the pegasi found her way back to the spa and made her way inside. Her Jet black coat, and short styled mane caught Aloe's attention immediately. the other thing that she noticed, at least if the start of her introduction was any indication, this mare had never been taught how to relax. This must be remedied!! Of course, when she mentioned being part of the Lunar Guard, she understood that she would probably be used to being up tight. If she was a member of Luna's guard, then she always had to be alert and serious for the most part. Today however, she was just a pegasi mare that needed some pampering! With a smile Aloe approached them mare. "Greetings Miss Night Watcher. It is an honor that one of the Lunar Guard would humble our spa with a visit, although I promise, it will be one you won't regret. Although there is one minor detail before we get started. It doesn't appear that it got wrote down, did you want the Full time for the Deep Tissue massage or the half time?" she asked in a gentle and polite tone.

[SteelEagle]

Lotus always found herself before the customers arrived looking over the shop with a bit of a lazy eyed expression falling over her face that belied the perfectionist nature that both sisters had deep inside. They expected nothing but the best from themselves in the service of their customers, from the moment they came to the store and tasted their hospitality to the shower they'd take the next day with their special shampoo and conditioner. While her sister was a bit more of the verbalist of the two herbalists, Lotus was more content just watching the minutes until open trail by as the store was clean and she was ready. A full breakfast went a long way towards making her prepared for the day but a half breakfast did even more for her slender figure and her innate dislike of the early morning. She was a night owl and being up so early, while a requirement, was hardly ever a fun time for her. Luckily, today they had some wonderful clients lined up. That made life easy.

First up was the Luna Guardsmare who had requested what Lotus affectionately referred to as the Trottingham Standard. Half on the side with a bit on the top of the shoulders, she assumed a normal half-massage was in store. The mare was a beautiful one, with a nice shimmering dark coat softly snuggled over her fine skin. Fine in the way of a guardspony, anyway. A bit tougher to the touch, the muscles wound tightly over their harsher skin. Once you realized that, you appreciated what they did to still look so wonderful a lot more. This mare had to deal with so much more on a daily basis than the divas she was used to playing with that working with Guards types was a pleasure. Plus, the massage seemed more of a treat than a demand and one she was far more joyously giving than to the often times loud and complaining divas who had specific demands. A guardspony would just allow you to do your job. Aloe did the brunt of the greetings, leaving Lotus to approach and bow respectfully. Her sister had asked the only real question worth asking already!

"It will be such a pleasure working on you, Miss Night Watcher!”

[Lux]

Having entered and made the slightly flawed introduction, Night Watcher saw that the two ponies in charge of the spa were actually sisters. Night was intrigued how the two appeared to be mirror images of each other in terms of their coloring. Even more interesting was the fact that one was more outgoing while the other a mirror in personality who didn't speak as much but still made it a priority to introduce herself and mention how much of an honor it was meeting her. The mare knew that her position came with prestige, but there were times that in doing so that she felt like a celebrity with the comments she received.

Interestingly enough the two looked her over as if admiring her beauty. Granted the two spa ponies knew about beauty as after all that was their job, but surely there were prettier ponies than her. Night sadly didn't pay much attention to her beauty side, mainly because she didn't seem to have enough time to do so. Beauty to a graudspony was a luxury after a days of drills, paperwork, patrols and meetings. Admittedly though Night wasn't some prim proper and pampered mare like those seen walking in town that looked ready for a fashion runway. This just wasn't her style but in avoiding it she completely missed the fact that she was pretty and that others did notice this fact when she didn't sport the armor. But now she had that chance to add a little beauty to her form, albeit not being too drastic.

"It is very nice to meet both of you," she said with a smile while realizing that she had made an error in not specifying the length of what she felt was the most important part: the massage.

"Oh I do apologize for not mentioning the time length. I'm usually more organized. I would like the Full Time one if possible."

[IceStorm]

A gentle smile could be seen on Aloe's face as the guard informed her that she was usually much more organized than what she was showing so far, and that she would like the full time for the massage after the exchange of greetings. She looked over to her sister and gave a gentle nod before turning back to Ms. Night Watcher. "Alright then! Everything is set, if you would please follow us, we will start with the massage first, the sauna treatment will be second so that it opens and cleans out the pores so that the rejuvenating soak can be as effective as possible," she smiled.

"Of course, I need to remind you that the deep tissue massage will be a bit uncomfortable at first, and could even be painful because we have to be a bit more aggressive to reach the deeper tissues. This can, and most likely will leave you sore for a couple days after the massage, but afterwards, you should feel completely relaxed and tension free. If the soreness lasts for more than three days, or the overall condition of the muscle aches don't improve from the treatment. Simply return to us and we will refund the bits for the massage in full," she told the mare giving the warning that she always gave to her patients that wanted the deep tissue massage. It wasn't she didn't want to do the service. Quite the opposite, it was one of her favorite massages to do, but she had to make sure that their customers understood the process of what they were getting into before they did the service.

[SteelEagle]

The difference between a half and full time massage was enormous, and not just for all the obvious reasons. She preferred during the full ones as those were the types of massages where she could actually show off some of her long-honed skill. It wasn't about the first touch or the last touch, but about the movements of your hooves a full three quarters in. Like a ballet or a symphony the working of her hoof on the breaking muscles of another were not the story of a single flick of the hoof but a concentrated selection of her most sincere efforts. When she was tired and reaching the end, that was when everything she was good at came on her like a flash of lightning. She would feel the stress and the strain on her hooves afterward, but she hit her stride near the end and that was the best way to leave a lasting impression. Her sister gave the boilerplate warning given to all customers and they approached the table.

A deep tissue massage required a lot of work but not much preparation. She had already cleaned herself before the start of the day and even though this was an important client, she didn't feel the need to spray the surroundings with perfume and get rose petals and drop them in her back. That would be silly and excessive and only four clients demanded such extravagant service. Lotus took her position, washing her front two hooves with a semi-thick and warm fluid. It would help ease the muscles into it and relax the body and hopefully the Lunar mare would like it just fine. Lotus nodded towards the table and smiled.

“Please lay on your stomach and stretch out, please. It will make it easier to get to the deepest of your muscles, madame,” she spoke softly, preparing herself for the job ahead,

[Lux]

Night Watcher was glad that the spa ponies had a plan in mind for her selection of treatments. The Lunar Guard picked three offerings that she felt would be best for her, but she didn't know which to start. Would it be a soak to start or a massage? This was one worry that the pony could set aside as the two brightly colored sisters were experienced and well prepared, something that she was quite pleased about.

Aloe then gave a warning about the deep tissue massage, promising not much comfort but the possibility of pain. Rather than renege on her decision, the mare knew that with moments of pleasure there were times of pain. The Pegasus knew that pain came with the territory of being a soldier, flashing back to the time when she was in basic training, that grueling time that molded her into what she was. She understood that it was not a deterrent but a good advice to clear up any confusion.

"I understand, but I think I can manage a little pain," she said looking over to the room where the massage would take place.

“Please lay on your stomach and stretch out, please. It will make it easier to get to the deepest of your muscles, madame,”

Night walked into the room as the ponies started prepping for what felt more like a surgery than a massage. She climbed up to the bed and lay her fact on the pillow in front, keeping her wings folded tightly on her side to avoid them hitting or disrupting the mares as they worked.

"Alright I'm ready," she replied and readied herself for the unknown.

[IceStorm]

"Just let us know if it starts to become a bit too much and we'll focus on another area while that spot recovers a bit," Aloe smiled as she retrieved the massage oils from the shelf. She instead of grabbing her usual coconut oil though she grabbed the grapeseed oil that she had made earlier this morning. She had made three doses for today as everypony had been wanting a deep tissue massage, and grapeseed was one of the better oils to use for a massage of that type. First of all, it was a high-friction oil that would allow them to get the grip that they needed to reach the deeper tissues, but it was low friction enough to where it their massage wouldn't damage or bruise the skin underneath or cause slight burns from the friction from their hooves gliding along the mare's coat and skin. That would most definitely cause much discomfort, and would cause more tension rather than relieve it. Of course, it was also one of the cleaner oils leaving almost no residue once it wiped away once the service had finished.

She brought the oils back over to the massage table and opened the tops of them, allowing it's aroma to fill the air before they actually got started with the massage itself. She then turned to the mare that was on the table, lifting the bottle and letting some of the oil lightly drizzle down the center of her back. they could spread it from there where they needed it. "Alright Ms. Watcher, we're ready to begin, if you would be so kind to tell us where our areas of focus should be. That way we can make sure they are addressed first in the order that you feel comfortable with," she said to the mare on the table. Of course they would cover the full body with the massage, but every client that had a deep tissue massage always had one area of their body that had more ache and tension than others. She wanted to make sure that this specific area of the mare got enough attention to make sure the tension in those muscles were releases so that she could be at one hundred percent after the massage, possibly sooner than most.

[SteelEagle]

There was a certain procedure that had to be followed, as clinical as it may look, before the deep tissue massage could start. The choice of oil for the massage was most important as each oil had its own unique quality. The grapeseed oil was a perfect choice as Night Watcher could handle the friction that would result from it while at the same time not being of unreasonably coarse quality. It was gentle enough for use on ponies who did not complain too easily, so no doubt Night Watcher would be just fine. It also had a superior aroma to others and did not start festering as easily, which was less of a problem anyway since Aloe had made new batches. Lotus nodded along as she brought it out, confident that this would be quite the effective solution to the neverending oil debate.

Lotus put some oil into the sole of her two front hooves, squirting the oil with her mouth and then giving it away. The oil moved ever so gently. Contained by the waterline of her hoof, she prooped herself across Night Watcher from her sister. While Aloe dripped it slowly onto Night Watcher's back from the bottle, Lotus slowly turned her hooves over. Two tiny streams of grapseed oil started to slither across Night Watcher's back as Lotus moved her hoof in the air slowly but with purpose, eventually draining her hooves of the grapseed oil. In truth it wasn't very much, but it would do the job and then some. While Night Watcher told them what areas needed help, Lotus started on the preliminary work by rubbing the oil in long, powerful strokes of her hoof.

[Lux]

It was a little unnerving lying down on the bed with her face obscured from the spa ponies. It wasn't that she had a trust issue as turst was a very important thing for her as a pony and with her job as a Lunar Guard. Yet Night was the type of pony that needed to be aware of all things at all times. But knowing that she was in a spa with the two ponies allowed her to sacrifice seeing the process over having it actually get done.

The mare then became aware of a strange odor, one that wasn't bad, just strange, like a combination of grapes and some oily product that she could only liken to cooking oil. This must be something used in a massage rather than just having a pony apply their hooves on her skin. She tensed slightly as she felt a liquid poured on her but quickly relaxed knowing i was probably the oil being poured on her back. It seemed like the massage was very organized even clinical in its process and this was something Night was happy knowing.

Then came the most important question: where did she hurt the most? A soldier's life was filled of minor aches and pains that usually went away with a hot shower or maybe some healing. There were of course injuries like sprains and breaks to be worried about, but these in the daily non-combative routine were rare. Yet there were places of persistent pain that Night knew too well of. The spa ponies upon lose look could make out the small scars and scratches on the mare's body from drills, patrols, and training.

"Where I have the most discomfort is here," she said moving slightly to point to the spot on her back where her body, neck, forelegs, and wings all joined together. Indeed this was a tender spot after much running and flying and made worse by the weight of the armor she wore. Thinking about where she pointed the mare needed to make a not of something that crossed her mind.

"I know that you two must have worked on other Pegesai like me, so I'll just say that you can massage my wings but being careful as they are fragile."

[IceStorm]

Aloe gave a nod as she watched her sister beginning to spread the oils across Miss Watcher's back when she told them that most of her stress and discomfort was coming from the center of her back right where her wings, neck, and forelegs conjoined together. That seemed to be a common problem area amongst their pegasi clients. Not that it was to her surprise. Pegasi had an extra set of limbs that no pony other than themselves and princesses had. It was understandable that they would have more complications in the upper back due to the added joints and muscle that was surrounding them. That being said, they were also given permission to massage her wings.

She gave the added warning that they were fragile, and Aloe nodded in response "Of course, we will be extra gentle on them," Aloe mentioned as she began to gently knead in circular motions along the main flight arm of her right wing, being extra careful not to apply too much pressure. "Let me know if I need to go any lighter or harder," she smiled watching her sister. Her own workings would be getting lighter as soon as her Lotus started working on the center of Miss Watcher's back as to not add strain to her wings during the process. That would lead to an increase of soreness, and possible injury which nopony here wanted.

[SteelEagle]

It only ever made sense that a pegasi would complain if pain from the center of their back, the joints, muscles, and bones in that area overworked to produce a stable flight. It was a fact of life that pegasi burned brighter but shorter than most and retired to a more quiet life earlier in general. Back problems weren't just an epidemic among them, they were a fact of life when you were older. Some were able to dodge this through sheer physical prowess or skill but no doubt spas and masseuse's were quite popular amongst Pegasikind. A good business model may one day be too open up a second shop, a floating one, in Cloudsdale. They would be able to make absolutely huge amounts of money! Back to the Guard.

Her back was sublime, as was expected from a Guard. The muscles were clearly defined as she went down to work, the difference between knot and muscle clear by pattern if nothing else. Clear knots were easy to work on and so Lotus went to work slowly but surely, preferring good and hard movements to slow and fast. It was all about the accuracy and strike of your movements on the knots and moving them out and right along the core. The lighter movements of her sister would work on the flight arm in conjunction with her harder movements, roiling the back expertly. They knew what they were doing and Celestia knew they did it well. Before long, they would have Night Watcher moaning for more.

“So Miss Night Watcher, where have you been recently?”

[Lux]

If there was one thing that a Pegasus needed to know from a young age, it was how their bodies are and why they worked the way they did. A Pegasus pony typically is lighter that other types allowing for easy of flight but at risk for injuries. Wings were especially powerful yet fragile, having enough force to carry the bearer of said wings and other weight as well. Why some of the strongest ponies could even carry another full grown pony with them! But wings were also delicate, susceptible to breaking and requiring much time stretching and preening them to keep them well maintained. Many Pegasus ponies in physically challenging work or lifestyles would often suffer more injuries until finally they were rendered unable to work or do what they loved. But those that took care of their bodies lasted longer and enjoyed their lives greater.

For a moment Night was shocked by the sensitivity of the pressure felt on her wing by Aloe. It wasn't pain but a increased sensitivity in the softness of the wings. But she kept her wings out so as not to startle the spa ponies.

"This pressure is fine actually," Night said as the focus of the massage turned to her back. She knew that her back area where her forelegs, neck and wings joined was a knotted mess as she could feel the little aches and pains and stiffness in that area. Like an iron to clothes, she felt her back being kneaded and things slowly started to loosen up.

“So Miss Night Watcher, where have you been recently?”

"I mainly remain in Canterlot where my barracks are, but I do visit places like Cloudsdale and Ponyville a few times. How about you two, is Ponyville where you were born or was it somewhere else?"

[IceStorm]

Aloe continued to massage the pegasi's wing paying extra attention to them in their sensitivity. She made sure that while her motions would easily be soft enough to not cause discomfort, they were firm enough to make sure that the massage itself was beneficial. She worked on her right wing a bit before moving over to Night Watcher's left, mimicking the motions that she had applied to her other wing, trying to work the tension smoothly out of them. After the massage, Ms. Watcher should be able to exceed her normal speeds in flight for a while because of how relaxed her wings are. It would require less energy to move them faster. Or at least, That's how Aloe thought that the flying part worked anyway.

The guard replied that she mainly remained in Canterlot where her barrakes were when Lotus asked how the mare had been recently. She added that she had visited places like Cloudsdale and Ponyville a few times. She also asked if they themselves were from Ponyville. "Actually, My sister and I both were born in Trottingham, but we've been in Ponyville for a while now. Quite a nice little place when there aren't any disasters going on," she said with a small giggle. "So, what do you do in the guard? Do you guard the Princess of the Night directly?"

[SteelEagle]

The rolling, roiling movements of Lotus worked well in conjunction with her sister. One soothed and the other sought and harmed the knots that persisted despite her early aggression. It was important to find them all. If you didn't then the bak could go right back to feeling terrible in a week, and they would have failed the client. There was nothing more terrifying to lotus than the grim specter of devastating failure involving a pony of character such as Night Watcher, so she made sure to close in and obliterate her targets with slow but hard movements. Then her sister switched position and so did Lotus, working with the new half of the back to do the job well. Slow and hard followed by soft and fast, very pleasurable and accurately placed to help the Guard as much as two ponies could possibly do.

"Yes, do you guard only the Princess? I know many Guards are sent out on missions on order of their Princess. I have always loved their tales of adventure, very exciting! Do you want us to work on the base of the tail?" Lotus asked, working lower and lower. The tail played a crucial part for supporting the arch of the back and keeping pressure even, leaving the base of it the scene of often times intense pressure and the source of a great deal of pain. Luckily the two sisters were there to help, should the Guard want that help. Before that, Lotus continued to work the back and wings. Lotus dripped more oil on the back in concentric circles, slowly allowing them to seep in before one of the two sisters got to work rubbing it in accordance with their movements in a loving ballet played for Night Watcher.

[Lux]

The feeling on her back and wings, once she got used to it, felt like somepony skating on her back. Sometimes there were wide quick circles, while others were quick presses. As one pony's set of hooves moved, another set filled in that void. It wasn't painful but strange like her muscles being kneaded like bread. The instant that the two ponies worked her wings it felt like all the tension and tightness released.

"Oh from Trottingham? I must admit that I have not been there either on duty or on vacation. Yes, Ponyville does seem like a nice place indeed. And yes I have heard about the... incidents here including a certain magic stealing creature."

The pony went silent as she tensed up recalling the event of how Tirek invaded Canterlot and not even the REA could stop him. Thankfully the questions the spa ponies asked helped her take her mind off of the near kingdom wide disaster.

"I mostly guard the city of Canterlot at night, making sure that all the ponies are safe in their house. There are some places open at that time, but not many. Other times I'm in the castle guarding.. I have not been sent on any missions yet, but in times where Canterlot was in danger I did lead a group to defend it. As for guarding Princess Luna or Celestia, I admit that I am not one of her personal bodyguards. This is a very exclusive position a pony can obtain, one that is considered higher that becoming a general. Admittedly I do one day want to be her personal bodyguard, maybe someday."

Her drifting thought about a future that she desired was interrupted as she felt a set of pony's hooves on her her flanks, tracing around and through her kite shaped shield cutie mark. She didn't know why it mattered so much, may be normally that that portion was always clad in armor. Then again her entire body was usually hidden by others.

"Hmm... oh yes working at the tail base would work. I usually keep my tail in a tail clip. It's kind of like a metal tube that opens up. I basically gather the tail and then clip the tube around it. It keeps the tail up so that it doesn't drag on the ground. So did both of you know that you wanted to work at a spa with each other the moment you got your cutie marks? I say that as usually sisters have different ideas about what they want to do with their lives."

[IceStorm]

Aloe just smiled and listened as the mare talked to them while she continued to work gently with her wings. She said that she herself hadn't been to Trottingham either on duty or on vacation. She had hoped not, at least as far as on duty was concerned. Trottingham was a relatively peaceful place so needing to send guards in seemed like something that would be an extreme event. One that she herself would have to question if ever happened. Of course, the fact that their parents still lived in Trottingham would be a major reason as to why, but still. She also explained that she usually just guards the city and that at the moment, she has not been able to guard the princess yet. She said to have that position would be like having a rank higher than that of even a general, but she hoped to become her personal body guard at some point.

She also explained that she used a special clip of sorts on her tail when she was wearing her armor, and then asked if this was something that they knew they wanted to do with each other. "Well, it was kind of an instantaneous thing, as we both got the same cutie mark at the exact same time. I don't think we were meant to do anything else," she said smiling to her sister in the process. If she wasn't currently working on the pegasi's wing, she would have given Lotus a sisterly kiss on her cheek. "Trottingham is really nice though. If you ever get a chance, I would recommend visiting it at least once. It truly has everything a mare could want there."

[SteelEagle]

The sisters continued to work the body, with Lotus now operating around the base of the tail It was a private, possibly uncomfortable, move for some. It was close to sensitive areas and could illicit some uncomfortable bunching of muscles if the practitioner wasn't up to snuff. Luckily she very much was up to snuff, listening intently to the trials and tribulations of the Guard while working her back as a cellist friend worked her instrument. It didn't hurt that the Guard was quite the interesting pony. She had been in many places, most importantly in Canterlot when It was under attack. A great deal of the REA and the Guards were there but even then they had been caught off-guard by events. Everypony had so as far as Lotus was concerned there was no shame to be had, but her friends in the service had thought differently. At least Night here didn't seem to carry any perceived failure around as a burden to bare. The fact that it was a position of honor above even a General was a surprise, though a pleasant one.

Then the subject turned to the sisters' cutie marks, which gave Lotus even more reason to allow a thin smile to print across her features. She loved their cutie mark story. Sisters were always close and the spa sisters even more so, nearly joined at the hoof from a young age. But getting their cutie marks that were the same exact mark, at the same time, doing the same thing, that was something else entirely. It was wonderful having a sister and partner you could rely on and even better to think that the reverse was truth in hard stone and laminate. “It was quite the jolt to receive our cutie marks together at the same time, especially with them signifying only slight deviations from the other, but where some may see a lack of individuality I see a great future to be shared with my sister. I do prefer it here rather than Trottingham, actually. Sure you have the occasional major event but otherwise it is mostly quiet and very pleasant.”

[Lux]

As the ponies moved their hooves slowly down her back night could feel an instant release of the tension built up in her body, especially in the places of her back and wings. A guard's life was not an easy one, a life of constant drills, patrols, and exercise to be a top notch soldier. This usually lead to a healthy life but it also lead to the possibility for injuries even permanent ones. Although she couldn't get regular massages this was a marked improvement even though it wasn't even over with.

Her mind was taken off of the relaxation as the pair explained that they discovered their cutie marks at the same time. It was a very interesting seeing a bond between twins, and both appeared to be comfortable with their talent and their occupation.

"Well, I'm glad that you both are happy working together. I must say this was the first time I met ponies getting their marks at roughly the same time. I have to admit getting my mark was kind of interesting. Not sure if you you two would want to hear about it though."

[IceStorm]

Aloe gave a long smile as she felt the mare under them begin to open up a bit. She always loved it when their customers would converse with them and tell them stories about what they've been through. They always had something interesting and every time they learned something new. Her sister gave a note that while some would think that their cutie marks may lack a sense of individuality, she and herself saw them as a great future to be spent with each other. Aloe nodded to this. "It was indeed a special moment for us when it happened. I can still remember mom and dad taking us out for Ice Cream, and asking it to be arranged like our cutie marks were, and that I ate it too fast and got a tummy ache... but that detail isn't that important," she giggled a bit as she lightly continued with Night's wing before she had gone over all she could with the wings.

Then Night had mentioned something about the story involving her cutie mark to be quite interesting, but then adding that they may not want to hear it. "Oh, we always love hearing stories from our customers! I can't speak for my sister, but I know I'm interested in hearing it!" Aloe replied with a bit of enthusiasm.

[SteelEagle]

Lotus continued to work the back and wing of the vaunted guard beneath her hoof. No doubt the knots were gettigleaner and smaller under the righteous assault that the sisters were unleashing on the back. The wing muscles were next and they were far more tricky, sinewy knows hidden amongst delicate bone structure that Lotus was familiar with due to experience but no more confident than she had been the first time. Doing it wrong could hurt their client and a pegasi's wings were one of the most shockingly fragile elements of the pony world. Nonetheless, she carefully worked her hoof around the bones, hitting the sinewy knots between and gently but firmly massaging them. As she went along the ridged curvature of the wing, working slowly but surely to ensure an even cut of her work, she giggled. Lotus couldn't believe her luck either, getting her mark at the same time as her sister and concerning the same subject.

“You also ate all mine. I think that may have been why you got the headache...and why I got the slice of cake afterwards,” Lotus winked before redirecting back to the Guard. After all, Lotus knew everything there was to know about her sister. And herself. And any combination therein. She was a stranger to this stranger and the strangerhood between them was where her curiosity was piqued. Little else could satisfy her desire for more information other than the total capitulation of the Guard! “Oh, I am very interested. In fact, I'm ordering you to tell us!” Lotus winked, more than happy to hear it.

[Lux]

Night couldn't help but laugh at hearing about the ice cream incident. It was fun learning about the two sisters and how they got their cutie marks at the same time. There were moments that Night upon seeing sibling ponies in Canterlot wondered what life would be like having a brother or sister and how that would change who she was. Well, she could at least live vicariously through the ponies she met like Aloe and Lotus. It was interesting that being so close the two ponies seemed to share a group mind, like one knew what the other was thinking. More mysteries to learn the Lunar Guard guessed.

He back felt like it was being kneaded like dough, bringing back the memory of her mother making bread. All that strain on her body from patrols and exercises, not to mention the comfortable yet heavy armor weighing on her body, melted away with each pound and roll. Then she felt the hooves move to her outstretched wings, one that were strong yet surprisingly fragile at the same time. As they carefully worked on her appendages she began her tale.

"Well, my parents were in the army actually. My dad was a Major General and my mom was an army medic. I guess that the military was in our blood. Anyway my parents were nice but strict, not willing to accept an ounce of disobedience. I guess you can say I was a rebellious child, not wanted to be controlled by anypony and certainly not willing to accept what I thought was my fate to be in the military. The military I thought was all about control and losing one's identity, and the last thing I wanted to do was have that happen to me my entire life. So I would constantly talk back and even run away for a time before cooling off and heading back home. Well one day I was walking at night and saw a colt with several ponies around him. They were teasing him badly and looked like they were about to hurt him. Well, I couldn't see anypony hurt so I got between the bullies and the poor colt and stood my ground until they left. Guess they weren't expecting a filly that was that strong. So the colt thanked me and left, and really I thought nothing about it. It was just my desire to protect others. But coming home I realized that this one event gave me my cutie mark!"

She paused to collect her thoughts before continuing with the next part.

"After that my dad received word that a certain Colonel of the army named Ironhoof wanted to see not him but me. When going there I learned that it was the Colonel's son I saved from the bullies and that he wanted me to join the military. At first I was reluctant, but he assured me that I had great potential to defend those in need and one day lead and that the military had rules and procedures not to take away one's opinions but to help to organize. Well, I joined and the rest they say is history."

[IceStorm]

As the massage continued through some of the middle portions, Aloe had pretty much switched places with her sister as Lotus had started to focus more on Night's wings as she began to focus more on her back. She repeated the same type of motions that her sister did except a bit firmer and deeper to try to get to the deeper tissue underneath. As she did, Lotus playfully ordered the guard to tell us her cutie mark story after stating it was probably the fact that she ate all of the ice cream, both her own and her sister's. She couldn't deny that probably had a lot to do with her sour tummy at the time. She listened very intently though as to how Night explained that her parents were good, nice parents, but then didn't tolerate an ounce of disobedience, which according to her was a bad thing since she was a rebellious one.

She explained that growing up she always thought that the military was where ponies went to lose their sense of themselves and their individuality. However, she found out after saving the colonel's son from a scuffle and not backing away from a group of bullies and getting her cutie mark, she found out that wasn't the case. They just organized ponies, and had many rules in place to make sure opinions were heard. Aloe smiled. "Well, I can't say that I know very much about how the military or the guard system works, but at least it doesn't sound like it was the horrible experience you were expecting as a filly. I will say that you are braver than I am at least. I can't say that I would be able to willing put myself in danger for a pony I don't know. I probably would have ran honestly."

[SteelEagle]

Lotus continued to work the client, her hooves working in between the muscles and bone. Getting the tough sinew to work under her was hard but worthwhile and it wasn't long before it started to work, the wing growing a bit softer under her touch as the unimpacted nerves eased up under the stressed muscles' collapse into blissful rest. The wing almost looked like it was flapping it became so malleable, even if Lotus was still being amazingly careful. It took only one wrong move for this blissful experience to turn painful and for an honorable pony to turn away from their services with negative thoughts trumping any other consideration. That would be the darkest timeline for sure. Especially when it concerned a mare who had been so rebellious as a teen only to become so upstanding a pony! Reminded Lotus of herself. She was such a rebellious teen herself. One time she forget her curfew was at nine at night and she came home at nine-ten. She had been a rebel without a cause, a wild mare! Thank Celestia she had left those days behind. Her self-imposed curfew of ten was reasonable as well.

“That makes sense. I am not sure I would have been so keen on following my faily path if it was in the military as well. I certainly don't have the bravery needed for that, oh no! Which is why I am happy it has all turned out so well and we have such fine mares such as yourself to guard our nation and leaders. Seems like you should qualify for a discount, no?” She offered sweetly, winking at her sister. They had some discounts for serviceponies lined up anyway and no doubt it would be used anyway, but making a pony feel special and unique was part of the business model. Speaking of the business model, the wing was done. Lotus stepped back, wiping her hooves on a towel. “We are done wit this portion of the massage. Your back had a great many knots madame, but hopefully that should help you. I must go wash up- Aloe dear, set her up for phase two. When I get back we can begin. One step closer to feeling better, Miss Watcher,” Lotus said as she trotted to a wash basin.

[Lux]

It was hard to gauge the reception of her story of how she got her cutie mark and ultimately her decision to join the REA as many ponies knew only the basics of meing in the military from what they saw like a guard on patrol or guarding a foreign dignitary. She hoped what she said made sense. To her delight the two spa ponies did understand as they worked their magic on her.

"I didn't have a horrible experience at all, and I knew after that day that my parents wanted to be the best I could be which is why they pushed me. Kind of like how you two look like you help each other to be each pony's best. Oh don't get me wrong boot camp was a lesson in torture and several ponies ended up quitting as I was there, but I stuck it through and ended up becoming a army member. It was interesting that only a year in the military coincided with Princess Luna's return. After she was able to take the throne again alongside Princess Celestia, the Lunar Guard which was halted after her banishment was reinstated and I became one of the first members to be part of this reformed group. I've been there ever since and am fortunate with the blessings in my life."

If she was any more comfortable Night Watcher would have fallen asleep on the massage table. Her wings were very loose and lighter than when she walked in and her back also had the aches and knots removed. Lotus them mentioned phase two which the guard pony wondered what would that entail. Was this a continuation of the massage or the sauna? She waited as Aloe would give her instructions to the next phase.