“Ugh,” Sweetie Belle groaned. “Why are you dragging me to the spa?”

Rarity rolled her eyes yet again.

“You are the one who insisted we do something together today.”

“But the spa is so boring,” Sweetie Belle said. “I wanna do something fun—something that can earn me my cutie mark!”

“You’ve never even been inside one, Sweetie Belle,” Rarity said patiently. “Perhaps you will be inspired to be a spa pony by the end of our visit. I would certainly approve of that more than your attempts at making dresses.”

“I doubt it,” Sweetie Belle said. “Who’d want to be a spa pony? All they do is deal with snooty ponies like Diamond Tiara all day.”

“Well, I hope that’s not the attitude you’ll be taking with you when we get inside,” Rarity said with a hint of severity. “I only find time to go to the spa a few times a week, and I don’t want you embarrassing me in front of Aloe and Lotus.”

Sweetie Belle sighed but kept the rest of her thoughts to herself. Before long they made it to spa and stepped inside.

“Welcome to the Ponyville Day Spa,” a voice called at the sound of the bell.

Sweetie Belle watched as a pair of beautiful mares stepped into the room. They looked like they’d just stepped out of one of Rarity’s fashion magazines. More surprising than how flawless they looked was how friendly their smiles were.

“Hello, Aloe,” Rarity said cheerfully. “Hello, Lotus.”

“Good day, Miss Rarity,” Lotus said as they both bowed. “What can we do for you today?”

“I’ll take the usual,” Rarity said casually, “and do you have something suitable for my little sister here?”

All eyes fell on Sweetie Belle, who quickly froze in place.

“Oh, of course,” Aloe said with a pleasant smile. “I am sure we have just the thing for her.”

Sweetie Belle relaxed just a little bit. Maybe it was the way the light caught her mane and smile. Maybe it was the warmth in her voice. Whatever it was, this pony had a way of making her tension fall away.

“What is your name, little filly?” Aloe asked with a tilt of her head.

It was then that Sweetie Belle realized how long they’d been waiting for her.

“I-I’m Sweetie Belle,” she finally managed.

“It is very nice to meet you, Miss Sweetie Belle,” Aloe said with a small bow. “I am Aloe, and this is Lotus. We are going to take good care of you today.”

“O-okay.”

“I’m afraid Sweetie Belle here has a terrible misconception about the spa and spa ponies,” Rarity said as they started walking deeper into the establishment. “I was hoping you could enlighten her on just what it is you two do.”

Aloe and Lotus giggled in response, a sound that Sweetie Belle could only compare to the jingling of chimes in the breeze.

“We would be happy to,” Aloe said. She gestured to a pair of raised, cushy platforms.

Sweetie Belle followed Rarity’s example and climbed up. Her mouth fell open as Lotus began filing away at Rarity’s horn.

“D-does it hurt?” she asked nervously.

“No more than getting your mane cut,” Rarity calmly answered.

Aloe set down her file. “Miss Sweetie Belle, it is important for a young unicorn to have her horn filed. It helps make sure it grows properly and can even help with your magic.”

“Really?”

Aloe nodded and gave her a warm smile. “I assure you, you are in capable hooves.”

Sweetie Belle closed her eyes and tensed up. There was a soft grating sound, but she hardly felt a thing. Sweetie Belle slowly relaxed until she felt Aloe blow at her horn. As quickly as it had started, it was over.

“There,” Aloe said. “How was that?”

Sweetie Belle peeked an eye open and smiled. “That wasn’t so bad.”



“Ho-o-o-o-ow do you feel, Swee-e-e-e-tie Belle?” Rarity asked, her voice vibrating from Lotus’s massage.

“This is nice,” Sweetie Belle admitted while Aloe gently rubbed her back.

“I am glad you are enjoying yourself,” Aloe said with a smile. “You see, Miss Sweetie Belle, it is a spa pony’s hope that everypony they treat feels happy and relaxed during and after their visit. Your smile is our pleasure.”

“Mmhmm,” Sweetie Belle said slowly. She felt like she could fall asleep right then and there. “Rarity?”

“Ye-e-e-e-s, Sweetie Be-e-e-elle?”

Sweetie Belle smiled as she melted beneath Aloe’s touch.

“I like the spa.”