Princesses' Day Out (Bellosh & Steel)

[Bellosh]

 

“You’ll see,” Princess Cadence answered Twilight’s question, trotting towards the weathered-out front door. Now was the time for the big reveal; the answer to all the riddles! Cadence knocked on the door, and then waited for a few seconds... and then waited some more. Growing more concerned, the pink princess gave the door another knock. “Huh,” Cadence mumbled to herself; “There should have been a response by now...“ No way the secret business could have been closed, could it? Or maybe they were preoccupied with something else. Who knows?

[SteelEagle]

Twilight had every belief in the world that whatever it was that was here, it was something special. Nopony knew the ins and outs of the Empire like Cadance and would know how to tickle the fancy of a mare like Twilight like Cadance, at least regarding where to go for it. That was why it was only a little alarming that the response wasn't immediate. She wasn't a silly mare- she had picked the right place, after all. Twilight's confidence in Cadance was thus very high, even if there was that small twinge of concern. Just small, but there nonetheless. It only grew when the door wasn't answered as time went on, prompting even Cadance to comment.

Well, this would be the shortest sisterly trip of all time. It would stand to reason that every time they got together something had to intervene and sap their good times roll. Discord had done a wonderful job of it when Cadance had been to Ponyville. Events had transpired otherwise to steal their attentions from each other. Now, of all shockers, it was Cadance who had picked out a location that looked run down and possibly abandoned for their trip and had perhaps missed, causing them grief. Of course if it was just a block, it was likely they could get there soon regardless. 

Just then, a slit in the door rocked opn and a single eye scanned from within.

"Password?" the smokey voice rasped out of the slit.
"Password?"

[Bellosh]

 

Princess Cadence made her way to the front of the door, answering the doorpony’s challenge; “Hooficure.” With just one word, the slit closed only for the door to open, revealing a smiling usher; “Right this way, ladies.” In stark contrast to the run-down exterior, the inside was a roomy, luxurious spa; the Elite Equine Spa in fact. “It’s been so long since we’ve last seen you, Cadence,” another mare welcomed; “It looks like you’ve brought a friend here today!”

“Yes,” Cadence affirmed, taking off her dirty robes with a smile before hoofing it over to an attendant; “This is my sister-in-law Twilight. Twily, this is the staff of the Elite Equine Spa. They’ll be taking excellent care of us this afternoon.....”

[SteelEagle]

Oh, a spa treatment? This was more fun than a run down building by at least a few mane-hairs. The door opened, revealing a luxury-themed interior, and with some very friendly mares to boot. It seemed an odd location for such a wonderful spa and that was probably by design. The name and how they got here struck her a bit odd, however. It was so...elitist. Why did a spa in the city have such a desire to hide themselves from the public? The royalty already had access to some of the best facilities and care, and the nobility had their high-end districts around Equestria in major cities. Why did a spa have to hide itself, need a password, all of this- unless they not only didn't want the 'common pony', but didn't even want them to have the 'privilege' of knowing they existed?

Still, Twilight bit her tongue. It would be unconscionably rude to tell them how she felt about the business model and very selfish of her considering everything Cadance had gone through to set this up. She would allow the concerns of a pony born of the proletariat to pass for now and enjoy the trappings of the society she now belonged to. Besides, being pampered was always nice. "Wow, this place looks remarkable, Cadance. Thank you for bringing me here!" Twilight said as she hook the hooves of and spoke with the employees. "This place has a unique location. Why does the Elite Equine decide to run itself from a building that looks abandoned and decrepit? And need a password?" She asked, the questions burning her inside almost as much as the sensual aromas were.

[Bellosh]

 

“We run this spa,” the Spa Manager stepped forward to shake Twilight's hoof; “To serve celebrities who don’t wish to be swarmed by admirers every time they step out in public.”

“You know; celebrities like Princess Celestia,” Cadence interjected as she inspected the establishment, remembering the layout from her last visit. “She first brought me here back when I lived in Canterlot, and now... I’m treating you Twily!”

“Come this way, Twilight Sparkle,” the Manager gestured for Twi to come on over; “Let us give you and Cadence the Royal Treatment.....”

[SteelEagle]

So her intial suspicions were mostly correct. This was a spa made for the elite- the elite who already had just about everything, designed to remove perhaos the only true downside to the spectre of celebrity, the attention that publicity gave you. She couldn't fault the ponies running it of course. They saw a business model that could work and applied themselves. For that, they deserved a great deal of respect. It wasn't easy being business owners no matter the business or to whose clientelle it appealed to. That didn't mean she didn't find the caustic nature of celebrities in culture and their coddling to be any less vexing.

But a spa was always nice.
"Well, that sounds wonderful. Thank you very much," she said to the Spa ponies, taking a look at the spa around her. It was a sight to see even under the best of cases. The Ponyville Spa looked rural and old-fashioned in comparison. She had to see about getting them better funding...n any case, it looked great. "This is a great place. When did you start?" She asked, wanting to understand just where this place fit into the tapestry of the Empire, made up of as it was by many fine threads. "When did Celestia show you? Oooh, what's that do? And that? This looks rather neat..." she said, trailing off into a seris of questions to both Cadance and the spa ponies.

[Bellosh]

 

Princess Cadence chuckled as she reminisced about times past with her Auntie. “I think Princess Celestia first brought me here just before the first time I attended the Grand Galloping Gala. Gosh, that seems like a lifetime ago.....” The spa ponies were nothing but friendly and courteous as they explained everything that the Princess of Friendship asked about. As for the pink alicorn... considering all the trouble she went through getting here today, that’d just make the mare’s spa session all the more relaxing. Between that and Twily’s new rare map, this day was a most remarkable one indeed.....

 

*THE END*