Chapter 9: Applejack's "Day" Off
One day at the Ponyville Spa, Rarity was enjoying a steam bath as she sat comfortably wearing her specialty bathrobe and had a towel wrapped around her eyes. For the moment, she had the steam room all to herself when Aloe opened the door and stepped inside.
"Um...Miss Rarity?' said Aloe, "Eh, how much longer are you planning to stay in here darling?"
"Oh, dear," said Rarity as she sat up with the towel still over her eyes, "Is somepony else waiting?"
"Oh, no, no," said Aloe, "I just don't want you to get all...What is word? Pruney."
"Oh. Uh, well," Rarity answered as she removed the towel from her eyes, "I'm just waiting for Applejack. It's been so long since we've had a relaxing day at the spa together. Especially since she now has Clay in her life. I'm quite certain she'll be along any moment."
Aloe just smiled and shut the door as Rarity used her magic to put the towel over her face as the steam hissed and filled the entire room.
It was hours later and Rarity was still sitting inside the steam room. Applejack finally entered the room wearing her own bathrobe and a towel wrapped around her mane.
"Hey. there, Rarity," said Applejack as she took a seat across from the marshmallow mare, "I really tried to get here earlier. I just can't believe how much time my chores are takin' up these days, especially when Clay is helping me. At least we'll finally get to spend some quality spa time together. Right?"
It was then Aloe opened the door.
"Okay, fillies, that's it. We are closing up for the day," Aloe told Applejack and Rarity and closed the door.
"Aw, shucks, Rarity," said Applejack, clearly feeling disappointed, "I guess I missed the whole day. I sure am sorry."
It was then Rarity removed the towel from her face. Due to being in the steam for so long, her face, mane, and horn were now very, very pruney.
"Me, too," Rarity replied as she looked at her personal pocket watch.
Applejack cringed at the sight. She didn't need long to know that she left Rarity waiting in the steam room for far too long.
*Main theme*
The next day, Twilight, Spike, Chase, and Nyx were heading to Sweet Apple Acres. Spike was carrying a very tall but slightly wobbly stack of pie tins. Chase was given word from Clay about Applejack's chores lately. Twilight also noticed that Chase looked rather worried.
"Cheer up, sweetie," said Twilight, "I'm sure we can get to the bottom of this."
"I hope so, honey." said Chase worriedly, "I mean...why wouldn't Applejack not ask us for help if her chores were overwhelming her? We all made sure she learned her lesson about letting her pride try to manage things alone."
"We'll nopony's perfect," said Twilight, "We all have our bad habits. At least we know how to handle her when she gets like this."
"Do we?" Chase asked worriedly, "I heard from Clay that he feels like he's talking to a wall when she enters stubborn mode. That's a sign that he's losing a fight."
"Unlike you lose a fight to her, Daddy." Nyx said with a smirk, making her parents chuckle in agreement.
"Well, if it comes to that, we simply go over her head," said Twilight. Chase smirked.
"Works for me," said Chase as he nuzzled the side of her head, making Twilight smile contently as she giggled and nuzzled her husband back in return.
As they continued their trot down the path to Sweet Apple Acres, they found Rarity heading there as well.
"Hi, Rarity!" said Twilight and Chase together.
"Morning, Twilight, Chase, Spike," said Rarity and noticed the stack of tins Spike was holding, "Good heavens, that's alot of empty pie plates."
"Uh...yeah," Spike replied, rather sheepishly, "We were just heading to pick up some fresh pies. Heh. I don't know why we keep running out at the castle." Spike gave a nervous laugh as Chase, Nyx, and Twilight exchanged smirks and eye rolls with each other.
"Yeah, I wonder who." Nyx said with a knowing smirk, causing Spike to glare at her.
"What are you gonna get?" Spike asked Rarity, getting back to the subject.
"Applejack actually," said Rarity, "Although, I'm quite sure she'll be too busy once again."
"What do you mean?" Twilight asked curiously.
"Oh, nothing," said Rarity in a rather dismissive tone, "It's just that Applejack and I haven't had one of our spa days in ages. Especially with Clay being her husband, she's spending more time with him than ever."
"Because since they are more inseparable than ever?" Chase asked as Rarity nodded in reply.
"You two really should set aside some time," said Twilight.
"Darling, I have been trying for moons!" said Rarity, "But Applejack is so busy these days, it's next to impossible."
"Wow, I didn't realize Applejack had so much to do," said Twilight.
"Well, we'll just have to see if she and Clay aren't too busy for today." Nyx said to the adult ponies.
Chase and Twilight nodded in agreement as they walked through the main entrance gate.
Inside the barn Applejack and Clay were busy making the farm's famous apple pies. Applejack was stirring some batter as Clay was cutting some apples when the timer buzzed. Applejack went to open the oven to show the four pies she and Clay had been baking had finished cooking. She used a mitten to pick up the tray and set them on the counter behind her. After, she took one of the pies and placed it next to another that was sitting on a very thin window still to cool down.
Clay took a sniff at the scent and breathed a heavenly sigh.
"Wow, honey. These apple pies are smellin' mighty good." Clay said with a smile.
"Ah'm glad ya think they smell delicious, honey pie." Applejack replied back to her husband as they shared a loving nuzzle.
"Hey, Applejack and Clay," said Spike from outside the window, "Another order of pies, please."
"Sure thing, Spike!" said Applejack as she took all the empty pie tins and then gave him the exact number of pies in a very tall stack.
"Aah! Dah! Whoa-oa-oa!" Spike yelped as he struggled to keep the pies from toppling over.
"Careful you don't fall, Spike!" Clay said with a smirk as Applejack chuckled with a pig snort.
Rarity then approached.
"I don't suppose those pies are the last chore on the schedule for today?" Rarity asked as she walked up to the orange pony.
"Gah! Land's sakes!" Applejack retorted as she face-hoofed herself, "Is it time for our spa day already? Rarity, why don't ya go on ahead and I'll meet ya there?" Rarity had an annoyed but also disappointed look on her face.
"Oh! Please, Applejack," Rarity retorted, "let's not kid ourselves!"
"Well, it ain't cause I don't wanna," Applejack told her, "But the work on the farm has just been takin' more and more time of my time."
"I hate see you two not spending time together," said Twilight as she, Chase, and Nyx walked next to Rarity. "Can't you two get somepony else in your family to take over for a bit? My husband wouldn't have a problem helping you out?"
"Atleast one of them has to be here to help out around the farm." Chase said as Nyx nodded in agreement and Clay sighed.
"Wish we could," said Clay, "But Granny Smith, Big Mac, and Apple Bloom all have chores of their own. And today, they're all busy takin' the harvest to market."
Twilight then smiled as she got an idea.
"I know we're not farmers, but I'm sure Spike, Nyx, Chase, and I could handle things for a little while." said Twilight,
"Maybe..." Applejack pondered as she tapped her chin with a fore-hoof.
"Is there one chore we could do?" Nyx asked.
"Well...I suppose if you four got started on feedin' the pigs," said Applejack, "I could maybe leave for an hour."
"Oooh!" said Rarity excitedly as she pressed her fore-hooves to her cheeks, "An hour of spa perfection? I can work with that!"
"Wait a minute!" said Clay, "You said only four could feed the pigs. Don't you mean five of us?"
"Actually, honey…" said Applejack, "I wanted to ask, if it's okay with Rarity, if...you...would join us at the spa?"
"Mind?!" Rarity exclaimed happily, "Not at all! Clay, you have been overworking yourself lately and I think you need a spa break just as much as your wife." Clay just blinked and was left speechless for a moment.
"I...um..." Clay stuttered.
"Come on, Clay." Chase said. "You've earned it."
"Well… alrighty then." Clay said, smiling.
"Perfect!" said Twilight, "You three head out to the spa, and Chase, Nyx, Spike and I'll take care of things here."
It was then Spike's stack of pies got dangerously wobbly.
"Whoa! Dah! Whoa!" Spike yelled as he walked backwards and was about to fall over and drop all the pies.
Twilight then uses her magic to catch the little dragon and all the pies from hitting the ground.
"Uh, yeah," said Spike, "We totally got everything covered."
Everypony smiled, except for Applejack, who had a rather nervous look on her face.
(Scene changes)
It wasn't long before they were all standing just outside of the pig pen. Applejack sighed as she held a scroll in her fore-hoof.
"Okay," said Applejack, "This list pretty much covers everything you need to know to feed the pigs." Twilight went to grab the scroll with magic when Applejack grabbed it back.
"But, uh, maybe, I should go over it with you just to..." Applejack tried to retort.
"Applejack, please," said Twilight as she grabbed the scroll, "If there's a list involved, I am one hundred percent on top of it."
"Uh, right," Applejack replied nervously.
"Don't worry too much, honey." Clay said as he held his wife close to him, making Applejack smile in reply. "As long as Chase, Twilight, Nyx, and Spike have everything handled, things will be fine."
Applejack smiled a little before she frowned a bit with concern.
"Alright, you three, go have fun at the Spa." Chase said.
Applejack just nodded as she, Rarity, and Clay headed on their way.
"And don't worry about things here!" Twilight called out to them, "Spike, Chase, Nyx, and I have totally got this! I mean, it's feeding the pigs. How hard could it be?"
"Uh, Twilight?" said Spike with concern.
"You and Daddy are gonna have to look at this, Mommy." Nyx said wearily as Spike rolled out a very long list of instructions.
"Whoa," said Twilight wearily. I don't remember pig feeding needing anything this detailed!
Just a few yards away, Applejack, Rarity, and Clay were walking side by side together.
"I'm glad we're doin' this, Rarity," said Applejack, "And I'm glad Clay is joining us. I've been puttin' work before our spa time for too long. I know we've only got an hour, but I can't wait to have a steam."
"A steam is just the start," said Rarity, "I know exactly what we'll do, and an hour will be perfect."
"And as long as Ah am right beside my loving wife for a steam, it's all that matters." Clay said as he kissed Applejack on the cheek, making his wife giggle as she kissed her husband on the cheek in return.
"Lucky you." Rarity muttered to herself in jealousy.
"What was that?" Clay asked, making Rarity flinch in surprise before she said quickly.
"Nothing!" Rarity said with a nervous smile.
Clay and Applejack shared smirks with each other.
Meanwhile, Twilight had finally recovered from her shock so they could get to work.
"Okay, Spike, Chase, and Nyx, ready with that list?" Twilight asked the little dragon, her husband, and her daughter.
"Ready," said Spike.
"All set!" Chase said.
"Ready when you are, Mom." Nyx said.
"Let's do this!" said Twilight with determination.
"Step one: open the gate," Spike read aloud. Twilight then used her fore-hooves to open the gate.
"Okay," said Spike, "Step two: close the gate."
"Huh?" said Twilight, puzzled.
"Are you serious?" Nyx asked in confusion as Chase shared the same look with his family.
"Mm, that's what it says," said Spike as he pointed at the list with his free claw. Twilight just had a skeptical look on her face before she closed the gate.
"Step three: walk away," said Spike.
""Walk away"?" Really?" Twilight said, feeling more confused than ever.
"Mmm," Spike shrugged with a clear "I don't know" emphasis.
"Okay, what kind of list does Applejack need for feeding the pigs?" Chase asked, thinking this was ridiculous.
(Scene changes)
In town, Rarity, Clay, and Applejack were making their way to the Spa. But Applejack was still worried.
"I just hope Twilight, Chase, Nyx, and Spike can handle things until I get back," said Applejack to Rarity and Clay.
"AJ, give Twilight and Chase some credit," said Clay to his wife, "Feeding the pigs is not a difficult task for anypony to learn how to do, especially since you left them instructions. Let them, Nyx, and Spike help you out."
"If you say so, honey." Applejack replied back nervously.
"Now, Applejack," said Rarity, "if we are really to enjoy this time together, you simply must give yourself over to the idea that you are off-duty and try to relax."
"And I know that is easier said than done," said Clay, "Since I struggle doin' that too, but clearing your mind is the key to findin' true relaxation."
"I know," said Applejack, "you're both right. I really am glad we're doin' this. And as long as it's only an hour, I'm sure everythin' will be just fine."
"Exactly," said Rarity as she guided the orange pony and Clay to the Spa building, "Now kindly step this way. Relaxation awaits."
Rarity, Applejack, and Clay walked inside to see the lobby was filled with various ponies looking to get their own spa treatments. They were given quite a surprise when they saw Rainbow, wearing her purple bathrobe and tortoise slippers on her hind legs, reading a book at a nearby sofa. Rarity got her attention when she gasped loudly.
"Rainbow Dash!" Rarity exclaimed, making the blue Pegasus flinch, toss her book away, and then looked around nervously, "What are you doing here?!" Clay chuckled as Rarity and Applejack giggled.
"Yeah," said Applejack as the other ponies smirked, "I didn't think spa treatments were your thing exactly."
"Especially after the Gabby Gums incident Ah've been hearin' about," Clay added slyly.
"What?!" Rainbow interjected as she quickly pulled off her bathroom and tossed her slippers behind her, "Oh, they're totally not. At least, not the froufrou kind."
"Ah," said Rarity, smirking.
"Huh," said Applejack, smirking.
"I see," said Clay, smirking as well. Neither of the three ponies believed Rainbow, but that didn't stop the blue Pegasus from trying to come up with a cover up story.
"Yeah, I, uh, I think I tweaked something at Wonderbolt practice the other day," Rainbow explained as she rubbed the underside of her back that was usually covered by her wings, "I just came in for a deep tissue sports massage."
"And what about your coltfriend Soarin?" Clay asked with a suspicious smirk, making Rainbow's eyes grew wide before she chuckled nervously.
"Well, my stallion is taking care of a few things with Spitfire at the Wonderbolt HQ. Uh, he, uh, gave a few bits to… come here." Rainbow feebly explained with a nervous smile.
Clay chuckled as Rarity and Applejack giggled.
It was then Lavender Essence, another one of the spa patrons appeared.
"Ah, Miss Dash," said Lavender Essence, "I am so sorry, but we are running just a tad behind, and we are not quite ready to start your pampered muscle massage and indulgent hooficure." Clay's smile widened.
"And I remember a time when Rainbow was too chicken to let anypony file her hooves," Clay said quietly to Applejack and Rarity, who both snickered.
"Oh!" Rainbow chuckled nervously, "I-I'm pretty sure that wasn't what I signed up for."
"But they are your usual," said Lavender Essence as she checked her clip board.
"Her usual she says," Clay remarked in a teasing tone.
"And it seems like you're really busy today anyway! I'll just come back tomorrow! And speaking of Soarin, I gotta go see how my coltfriend is doing!" said Rainbow before turning to Rarity, Applejack and Clay, "Uh, see you threelater!" She quickly hovered over to Lavender Essence.
"But put me down for the same thing," Rainbow whispered to her. Lavender Essence then had a smirk of her own and just nodded as Rainbow zoomed away.
"Too bad Rainbow Dash just hates those "froufrou" spa treatments," Applejack chuckled, "She could have joined the girls when we have a nice steam. Hoo-wee! I can't wait."
"I don't see why Dashie makes such a big deal about liking those spa treatments," said Clay, "And Chase said all the Wonderbolts on the main team enjoy them, even Soarin." Rarity laughed.
"Indeed," said Rarity, "Although, if they couldn't fit Dashie in, I wonder just how far behind things are running. Obviously, we're on a very tight schedule."
"Hmm...maybe we should find out," said Clay as they entered into a hallway and then bumped into the back of another pony.
Rarity gasped dramatically when they found a very long line of ponies standing before them. Most ponies had a bath towel or headband around their manes and a number of them were wearing bathrobes.
"Oh, it's going to be one of those days," Clay groaned.
"Well, maybe not everypony is waiting for the steam room," said Rarity.
"Oh, no," said Caramel as he turned around to speak to them, "No, that's exactly what we're waiting for. Oh, I hope you're not in a hurry."
Applejack and Rarity looked at each other and winced. Clay let out a long sigh.
"Yeah, it's definitely goin' to be one of those days," Clay muttered.
"So everypony here wants a steam bath?" Applejack called out. The other ponies mumbled and grumbled in agreement.
"Well, the solution is obvious," said Rarity, "We'll simply have to start our short time at the spa with something else."
Clay and Applejack scoffed.
"Nothin' doin'," said Applejack, "We came here to have a steam, and that's just what we're gonna get!" Applejack then turned away to pout.
"I agree!" Clay nodded in agreement.
"But, but, it'll take most of our hour just to get through this line!" said Rarity.
It was then Aloe appeared.
"RRRRarity!" said Aloe, "My favorite customer! Mwah! Mwah!"
Aloe then gave Rarity some air side kisses.
"And Appleyack and Clay?" said Aloe as she gave the Earth Pony couple a hug, which Applejack and Clay awkwardly returned, "Well, it certainly has been a long time since you three were here together! So lovely to have you back."
"Well, I wish I could say the same," said Rarity with a glare and showed the spa pony the long line.
"Yes, the wait time for the steam room certainly has been getting worse lately," said Aloe, "But I'm sure we'll be able to accommodate your usual treatments."
"Not without my steam!" Applejack and Clay said sternly as they continued pouting.
"Sorry, Aloe," said Rarity with a huff, "Apparently, Applejack and Clay won't consider starting their time at the spa without their steam, and we only have an hour."
"That is a problem," said Aloe. It was then Applejack and Clay stomped forward.
"Applejack, Clay, where are you going?" Rarity asked.
"To find out what the heck is going on that's what. Even if it means we have to cut in line." Clay responded back firmly.
Applejack didn't answer as they turned a corner and found the front of the line. The ponies in line were all scoffing and groaning.
"Um, why are y'all standin' here?" Applejack asked the ponies in line, one of which was Spoiled Rich herself. Rarity, and Aloe had also caught up with the Earth Pony couple.
"Ugh!" said a pony named Buddy, "Just waiting for the steam to build up."
"Without steam, a steam room's just a room," added Spoiled Rich, "and I've got plenty of those at home. Because I live in a mansion."
"Don't we know it," Clay muttered as everypony else rolled their eyes.
Applejack then walked up to the gauge that measured the steam pressure. It was clinking and hissing and the needle was creaking slowly as it moved about.
"Hmm," said Clay as he stood beside his wife, "That don't sound right..."
"It has been taking longer for the steam to reach Ponyville Day Spa quality," Aloe told the two ponies, "We even had to add a warm towel service. So sorry for the delay, everypony. Please help yourselves."
A male spa patron, named Birch Bucket, appeared rolling a cart filled with fresh towels. The ponies in line swarmed the towels and in seconds, the fresh towels were gone and were replaced by the cold ones. One cold towel landed in Birch Bucket's head. He used his magic to put the towel into the dirty pile and walked away.
"So if you're not gettin' enough steam, that must mean there's not enough hot water," said Applejack.
"That either means the water pressure is weak," said Clay, "or there might be a problem with the furnace's pilot light or central heating unit."
"Guess it's time we found out," said Applejack as Clay nodded in agreement.
"Ooh, Applejack, honestly," said Rarity as she walked up to the two ponies and checked her pocket watch, "can't we just start with a hooficure? We're going to run out of time! And I can't believe you're encouraging her, Clay!"
"Rarity, this is serious," said Clay, "The Ponyville Spa appears to have some sort of plumbing related problem. Plus didn't you know that Applejack and I have skills in plumping?"
"On that, we both have our skills in use." Applejack agreed with a chuckled.
"Eeyup." Clay said, making Applejack giggle as she and Clay shared a loving nuzzle.
Rarity just groaned and rolled her eyes. Applejack then pointed toward a large pipe from the ceiling. Clay noticed it as well before they exchanged nods and decided to follow the pipe to see where it went. Aloe and Rarity soon followed, the latter rather reluctantly.
Applejack and Clay turned a corner while keeping their eyes and heads looking upward to follow the water pipe. Rarity and Aloe were right behind them, the former had a bitter look on her face while the latter had a worried look on her own face.
"Hmm," said Applejack to herself as she and Clay followed the pipe down another hallway with Rarity and Aloe still following them. As the Earth Pony couple trotted along, they passed one room where one pony was getting a very relaxing massage and then a second room where Bulk Biceps was giving another pony a rather...intense...message.
Clay cringed at the sight of the second room before refocusing his eyes back on the pipe. Applejack then opened a door that led to a lower level of the spa. They both gasped quietly and shared looks with each other before they headed down the stairs.
Aloe and Rarity peeked in before following them. Applejack and Clay then heard a loud whirring in the distance and picked up their pace until they reached a T intersection. They looked down the hallways when Clay noticed.
"Look!" said Clay as he pointed down the hallway to their right.
"Ha!" Applejack exclaimed, "Now what do we have here?"
"The laundry room, of course," said Rarity as a matter of fact, "And at this point, I'm considering soaking my hooves in one of the machines so my time here isn't a total loss!"
"Don't be a baby, Rarity." Clay said sternly. "I did that once when I was two years old. Let's just say detergent isn't kind to one's horseshoes."
Clay winced painfully at the memory and Rarity cringed as well.
"I'll...take your word for it," said Rarity nervously as Clay went to catch up with Applejack as she examined the machines.
"The Ponyville Day Spa prides itself on sanitary conditions, and fresh linens are an integral part," Aloe explained in all.
"Well, sure," said Applejack, "but have you always run every single one of these new machines full bore all day, every day?"
"The answer is no," said Birch Bucket as he collected the warm towels and folded them into a stack inside of his rolling basket, "But ponies sure do love the warm towel service."
"Warm towels are fine and all," said Clay, "but if ponies are demanding a higher than usual need for them...which in term increases the usage of the washing machines..."
"Hmmm..." said Applejack to herself, "y'all might be on ta somethin' there, honey. C'mon!"
Clay nodded as he and Applejack followed Birch Bucket from a short distance away. Rarity just eyeballed the stallion skeptically, hummed irritably to herself as Clay and Applejack walked past her. She and Aloe then followed after them once again.
Birch Bucket continued to do his work as he gave the two ponies getting their messages a towel each. He then looked back to see Applejack and Clay behind him. Applejack just smiled sheepishly and waved hello. Clay just looked away and started whistling innocently. Birch Bucket then went back to work and turned a corner and headed back to the ponies still waiting in line for the steam room. He already knew the four ponies were still following him.
"Eh, you are all wanting towel?" Birch Bucket asked timidly.
"We love one," said Clay, "but..."
"Looks to me like you don't have any left," Applejack pointed out. Birch Bucket turned and found that all the fresh towels were gone and the dirty towels were tossed into his basket and another one landed on his face.
"Well, like I said, warm towels are a big hit," said Birch Bucket as he walked away.
"Hey, sweetie, look at this," said Clay as he pointed to a nearby pipe that was hissing and blowing out steam.
Applejack looked at it as Clay blinked and whispered something to her. Applejack's eyes widened in realization as she looked at the pipe, then saw ponies waiting in line for towels, the towels being washed, and then the gauge showing the steam pressure was low.
"Clay and I have figured the problem," said Applejack, "As my husband pointed out to me just now, you've got a small leak, and that means the steam takes just a little longer to build up. And while ponies wait, they get cold. Cold ponies start wrappin' themselves in towels, and all those dirty towels have to be cleaned because Ponyville Day Spa prides itself in cleanliness."
As Applejack explained, a visual showed the slow moving steam gauge, ponies getting cold standing in line as their towels cooled down, then ponies were grabbing the hot towels at a fast rate, the dirty towels being put into the washer, one of the machines is washing the towels, and another has some hot dry towels ready to be used, and Birch Bucket returned with more fresh towels.
"Eh, what?" said Birch Bucket, looking rather clueless. Rarity and Aloe looked just as clueless.
"It's really quite simple," said Clay.
"Basically, losin' steam makes you use more towels," Applejack explained, "That means you do more laundry, which uses up the hot water you need to make more steam, so the problem just keeps gettin' worse."
Clay nodded in agreement. Birch Bucket suddenly felt rather uncomfortable and slowly backed away with his cart loaded with fresh towels. The others all chattered in agreement and understanding.
"Ah! I had no idea," said Aloe in realization.
"Wonderful, " Rarity remarked, not hiding her sarcasm, "Now that we've solved the great steam mystery, we can finally get back to our..." Rarity looked at her pocket watch, "...significantly less than an hour of relaxation." Rarity the pulled the bottom of her eyelids with her fore-hooves in frustration.
"Rarity, are you kidin'?" Applejack retorted as she and Clay walked up to the steaming pipe, "I can't just leave things like this."
"Neither can I," said Clay, "Not when my wife and I have the skills we need to actually fix this problem."
"I'm gonna need my tools," said Applejack.
"Good thing your husband has a set of everything we need in his saddle bags," said Clay. Applejack smiled.
"Thanks, honey." Applejack said as the two shared a kiss on the lips.
Rarity stared, huffed, and rolled her eyes.
"Et tu, Clay?" Rarity pouted indignantly.
(Scene changes)
As some surf rock music began to play in the background, Applejack and Clay both stood on their hind legs as they attached at tool belt around their torsos. Then they each added a wrench, some tape, and a hammer to their belt pockets. Each pony then put on some safety goggles over their eyes and posed side by side with a green dynamic background behind them and shared a hoof-bump and quickly got to work.
Applejack the tapped the steam valve and used a magnifying glass to examine it. Clay used his martial arts skills to climb on the ceiling and check the pipe on the ceiling for any additional leaks or any other additional problems. Rarity just gave them both the stink eye and stomped off with huff.
Rarity then decided to get herself a facial by herself. Applejack and Clay were busy tightening some bolts, which helped the steam pressure build up a bit. Rarity was getting a hooficure as Applejack and Clay used some duck tape to seal off any additional leaks to pipe where the steam was leaking out. This brought the steam pressure to rise its proper quality level.
"Ahh!" Rarity sighed as she got her eyelashes brushed while the Earth Pony couple were finishing their work.
"Whew! Not that that leak's fixed," said Applejack with Clay at her side and Rarity walked up to them with a bitter look on her face, "ponies won't get so cold they use up all those towels! And without all that laundry, there'll be plenty of hot water for all the steam anypony could want!"
And I only have to be doing vash once a day!" said Birch Bucket excitedly as he went into the steam room and closed the door since the line was now gone.
"And I also ordered the replacement pipe for this one since it had so many holes an cracks," said Clay, "And don't worry about paying me for it. It's the least I could do to make sure you don't have to worry about anymore leaks. Just let me know when the part arrives and I can install it for you."
"Wow, Appleyack and Clay!" said Aloe, clearly impressed, "Have you both considered a career in the spa industry? I'm sure I can find something for you." Applejack and Clay chuckled as they removed their gear.
"I've got enough work on my plate to help my wife on the farm, but I appreciate the offer." Clay said with a smile.
"No, thanks for me too," said Applejack, "I'm just relived I can finally relax in the steam. What do you say, Rarity? How about you, honey? Heh...after us of course." Clay smiled.
"Works for me, sweetie," said Clay as he and Applejack nuzzled each other's noses. "We've earned it."
"Uh, I'm sorry, Rarity," said Applejack, "We'll just have to do this another day. Twilight, Chase, Nyx, and Spike should be done feedin' the pigs by now."
"Twilight and Chase are very capable ponies," said Rarity, "I'm sure she can figure out what to do next."
"I don't know about that, Rarity." said Clay, "It doesn't sound like they've been following the list we gave them."
"Look, we know Twilight is a princess and Chase is a jiu jitsu master and both of them are alicorns, but they aren't farmers. And they also have Nyx to take care of." Applejack agreed. "We've been doing farm work my whole life, and I'm not sure it's somethin' you can just "figure out"."
Rarity was taken aback by the remark.
"Of course," said Rarity in a rather reluctant tone and then gasped, "Why don't we pop back so you could explain to Twilight and Chase what to do next, and then we'll come back here and pick up where we left off?"
"Would that make you feel better, honey?" said Clay to his wife, "I can honestly say you wouldn't want to pass up that steam bath." Applejack didn't resist a chuckle and then pondered quietly to herself.
"Well, I supposed I could try..." said Applejack reluctantly, "assumin' everythin' went well so far."
"Oh, Applejack, honestly!" said Rarity with a chuckle, "How could it not?"
(Scene changes)
Back on the farm, Twilight, Chase, and Nyx weren't handling the situation very well at all. Twilight was now being dangled by a rope that was connected to a pulley and the other end of the rope being held by Spike. Twilight also had a bucket of slop in one fore-hoof and a fishing rod with a piece of corn cob attached to a string in the other fore-hoof. Chase and Nyx were making sure things won't go sloppy for the matter.
"Wouldn't it be easier to just fly?" Spike asked the purple pony.
"I told you, Spike," said Twilight firmly, "We're following Applejack's list to the letter and Applejack doesn't fly."
"I just hope we're doing the right thing." Chase said with a doubtful look.
"We're doing just fine, honey." Twilight assured her husband.
Twilight then strained as she tried balancing herself using a single hind leg, but she lost her balance and yelped as she fell over, dropping the items.
Spike's foot then got wrapped around the other end of the rope and nearly pulled him into the pulley, but he managed to grab the edge of the picket fence to keep his foot from getting jammed into the pulley. At the same time, he managed to stop Twilight from belly-flopping to the ground and was stopped in the air mission impossible style.
"Okay, maybe this wasn't such a good idea." Nyx said, not liking this one bit.
Twilight just groaned to herself wearily when she turned to see that Applejack, Rarity, and Clay had returned to the farm. She then looked at the pigs, who were still fast asleep.
"I'm sorry, Rarity." said Applejack, "but I think we're gonna have to finish these chores by ourselves."
Clay nodded as Rarity grumbled bitterly under her breath before speaking to Twilight.
"Twilight, darling!" said Rarity as she, Clay, and Applejack walked up to her and her family, "How in the world did you end up there?"
"What does hanging from a rope have to do with feedin' some pigs?" Clay asked.
"Spike, Chase, Nyx, and I were just trying to follow Applejack's list as closely as possible," Twilight replied as she hovered out of the pig pen and freed herself and Spike of the rope.
"Mmmh...Maybe not the best plan," Spike added.
"I'm sorry, Applejack and Clay, but we never even got started feeding the pigs," said Twilight sadly as she, Chase, and Nyx hovered over to the three ponies before they landed in front of them. The pigs just snorted lazily in agreement.
"That's alright, Twilight," said Applejack, "I know you, Chase, and Nyx did your best. I guess a list can't really capture all the ways I have of doin' things."
"I kind of want to know what exactly you wanted us to do feeding the pigs," said Chase, "If you don't mind show us?"
"No problem!" said Applejack as she grabbed the slop bucket and headed toward the pig pen.
"At least you three got to spend some time at the spa together," said Twilight as Spike walked over to her, Rarity, and Clay.
"Well, if watching Applejack and her husband fix plumbing counts as relaxing, then yes," said Rarity bitterly as she gave both Applejack and Clay a glare.
"What about your hour of spa perfection?" Twilight asked.
"As it turns out, the Ponyville Day Spa had a few problems with their steam room," Rarity explained and then shot a glare at Applejack and then at Clay, "but somepony refused to relax until she had fixed them. And her husband encouraged her!"
"How many times do I have to defend myself about this, Rarity," Clay spat out irritably, "I couldn't just walk away from that type of problem. I felt the need to help Aloe out with the problem and Applejack felt the same way!"
"Exactly," said Applejack as she grabbed some rope, "I'm sorry, but I couldn't just let those spa ponies go another minute puttin' up with a problems they didn't even know they had!"
Rarity just rolled her eyes annoyingly. Chase was looking rather firmly at Applejack and Clay since the orange pony was doing her "routine" as she spoke.
"Somehow they just got used to a huge bottleneck of ponies standin' and waitin'," said Applejack as she opened and closed the gate quickly, "An' I took one good look at the spa jam, as well as my husband, and we both knew we had to do somethin'!" She and Clay then walked away from the gate. Chase hummed curiously at the fact Applejack had done that and never went inside the pen at all.
"Sometimes the simplest things can just derail a whole operation," said Applejack as she and Clay leaned over one side of the fence as they made funny faces and babbled before they walked away.
"You don't say?" Chase asked plainly as he continued to observe them.
"Whether it's a leaky pipe or doin' too much laundry," Clay added as he and Applejack stood on their hind legs, "You can't just stick to the same old way of doin' things and expect them to get better."
They began posing and clucking like a chicken.
"Sound advice," said Chase bluntly with a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
"We mean, thinkin' you can is just plumb ridiculous, right?" said Applejack with a short laugh as she bent down to pick up the rope and ran off. Spike, Rarity, Chase, Nyx, and Twilight just shared looks with each other.
"It's funny when you realize the extra work they were doin' was actually makin' things worse!" said Applejack as she stood on a tall extended wooden beam above the pig pen and jumped down and dangle from the rope as she held the slop bucket and pole with the cob of corn on it. Twilight, Rarity, Nyx, and Spike were shocked as Chase just had a neutral look on his face.
"The key word is realizing that extra work was unnecessary," Chase muttered to himself.
The pigs than woke up to the smell of the corn and started stampeding about the pen. This made the bucket of slop sitting on the edge of the fence fall right into the feeding trough and the pig started eating.
"I mean, I guess it's possible to get stuck in a routine where you're doin' all this extra stuff and not realizing it," said Applejack as she continued to dangle from the rope, "but I can't for the life of me think of how!"
It was then they found Spike, Twilight, Rarity, Nyx, and Chase all giving them unamused glares.
"Why are y'all starin' at us like that?" Applejack asked as the group shared looked with each other.
"AJ, ever heard the old saying: Look at yourself first, before looking on to others?" Chase asked.
"Yeah? But what's the got to do with anythin'?" Applejack asked in confusion.
"What Chase means is...um..." Rarity said slowly, "Are you certain everything you just did is entirely necessary to feed the pigs?"
"What? Of course!" Applejack replied in a rather defensive tone as she tossed the stick away and untied herself, "Why would I be doin' it if it weren't?" Twilight, Rarity, and Chase all shared skeptical looks with each other.
"Possibly for the same reason the spa patrons were wasting steam washing and giving out fresh towels," said Nyx, "But...I'm not gonna judge...tell us why you would feel all this is necessary."
"Fine, I will," Applejack answered as she walked up to the gate, "See, before I met up with Clay a while back, this gate here used to squeak so loud, the pigs would run to the other side of the pen and never come out! So I can open and close it to let them know it's safe."
"But it doesn't squeak anymore," Twilight pointed out.
"Of course not!" Applejack retorted, "I fixed that ages ago. Then I realized puttin' a little fright into 'em got 'em all hustling out of the pen." Applejack then rushed over to demonstrate her waving and funny faces as she explained.
"I see," said Chase simply as he noticed the pigs didn't seem to mind her faces at all.
"They don't look scared to me," Spike pointed out.
"Ya sure it's not a problem anymore, honey?" Clay asked his wife curiously.
"Well, no. They got used to it," said Applejack, "Which is why I started doin' the chicken dance! To show 'em that if they didn't get to eatin' their food, the chickens would." Applejack started chicken dancing for a few seconds.
"I think even Fluttershy would say that last statement makes no sense at all," Chase whispered to Twilight and Rarity, who just nodded in agreement.
"Course bein' a chicken," Applejack continued as she stood on the wooden beam with the rope tied around herself and jumped down again, "I couldn't very well open the gate. Gettin' the food bucket to spill into the trough was just a happy accident because one time I left it there by mistake."
"Oh Boy," said Chase with an eye roll, trying to find his words before speaking to Applejack, but Twilight beat him to it.
"Uh, Applejack?" Twilight said to the orange pony, "It seems like everything you and Clay are doing is to fix things that aren't really problems anymore." Rarity, Nyx, and Chase nodded in agreement. Applejack opened her mouth to retort, but then closed it.
"Well, I'll be..." said Applejack, realizing Twilight was right.
"Hmmm...Maybe is isn't so hard to get stuck doing extra work after all," said Rarity.
"Huh," Applejack pondered, "I wonder if I've been doin' that around here with anythin' else."
"Well, there's only one way to find out!" said Rarity.
"Can you both show us anything?" Chase asked curiously.
Clay nodded in reply.
(Scene changes)
As some surf rock music began to play, Applejack and Clay took the group to the chicken coop. Applejack then dropped some feed before one chicken so it would get up to eat and Clay could collect the eggs from its nest. They then repeated the same tactic with another chicken and then a third. Twilight, Rarity, Nyx, and Chase exchanged looks with each other.
Nyx then smiled and got an idea. Outside the coop, Spike dumped a huge pile of chicken feed on the ground. Twilight then opened the doors so all the chickens could leave the nests and their coop to feed.
Spike flinched at the oncoming hungry chickens. Rarity and Chase then showed Applejack and Clay that they could collect all the eggs now without any interference. Applejack and Clay just smiled and nodded in approval.
(Scene changes)
Next chore was watering the vegetable patch, which various pipes had been placed to represent a sprinkler system. Applejack stood before the master water valve before she walked over to one of the smaller valves, turned it, then turned the master valve to water that section of the garden. Applejack then turned the master valve off as Clay went to twist another smaller valve and Applejack turned the master valve back on to water another part of the garden.
Chase couldn't resist face hoofing himself as Twilight and Rarity shared annoyed looks with each other. Twilight, Nyx, and Chase then used their magic to turn all the smaller valves at once. Then Rarity turned the master valve to allow Applejack and Clay to water the entire garden at once. Twilight couldn't help but flinch as the oncoming water and Spike was jumping for joy. Nyx then got a little mischievous and put a fore-hoof over one of the pipe holes and made the water squirt Twilight and Chase in the face, soaking them.
Twilight and Chase glared at their daughter, who just smiled innocently until her parents smirked as they did the same to Nyx. The three continued their water fight and then they laughed. Rarity just smiled as Applejack and Clay chuckled and nodded in approval...for the watering, not the royal family's water fight.
(Scene changes)
The next chore involved Applejack and Clay trying to fix some holes in a chicken wire fence. Applejack cut a piece of the fence the same size at the hole and Clay tried to jam it into place. Spike just stared as Twilight, Rarity, Chase, and Nyx gave each other annoyed looks and rolled their eyes.
As Applejack and Clay continued to struggle filling in the hole her way and finally do so as they each wiped their brow, Rarity used her magic to removed one section of chicken wire that had holes on it. Nyx used her magic to cut some section of chicken wire and Rarity put it into place. Applejack, Rarity, and Clay exchanged smiles with each other.
(Scene changes)
It was still early afternoon when Applejack and Clay surveyed the area and found that the day's work was done and now streamlined. They sighed contently.
"Thanks, y'all," said Applejack, "I guess we just got so used to doin' everythin' a certain way, we didn't realize there were any problems."
"Having a friend look at what you're doing with an outside eye can really help!" said Twilight.
"And as long as they are by your side, they're always there to help you out." Chase added.
"Mm-hmm!" said Rarity, "and I suppose if it weren't for our unsuccessful time at the spa, none of us would've realized it."
"And the irony was that Applejack was able to identify the issue long ago without even realizing she had the same problem when she was working on the farm as a single pony," said Nyx.
Applejack just blushed in embarrassment as the others chuckled to each other.
"Well, now that your chores are streamlined," said Twilight, "what are you gonna do with all the extra time?"
"I think Clay and I have a few ideas," said Applejack as she and Clay gave Rarity a smile.
Rarity knew right away what she had in mind and smiled excitedly. She even invited Chase and Twilight to join them, but they declined since they had to go back to relax a bit.
(Scene changes)
It wasn't long before the three ponies arrived back at the Ponyville Day Spa.
"Think you can come up with enough things for us to do now that we have more time to relax?" Applejack asked Rarity with a sigh as she rested her head on Clay's shoulder.
"Oh, please," said Rarity, "I could plan a week's worth of treatments!"
"Heh. Well, let's just start with the rest of the day for now," said Applejack, "After all the work we just did on the farm, I am ready for some serious relaxation! How about you, honey?"
"You bet," said Clay, "and I think somepony wants a cuddle time too?"
Applejack blushed as she pulled away from Clay's shoulder. Rarity giggled.
"Well, before you came into my life, I was really worried about getting all of the chores done at the farm." Applejack said modestly before she smiled. "I'm just glad to have ya in my life, Clay."
"Me too, honey." Clay said as the Earth Pony couple shared a loving kiss on the lips.
It was then they saw Rainbow Dash come into the lobby wearing her bathrobe and slippers with Soarin right beside his marefriend wearing a dark blue bathrobe.
"Thanks for letting us know there was an opening," Rainbow told Aloe, "I don't know if we could make it without our pampered muscle message."
"Don't vorry about it," said Aloe, "Shall I put you two down for another one tomorrow?"
Soarin chuckled.
"Anything that might make my girl happy. Besides, I need a nice relaxing massage from time to time some day." Soarin said as he turned to Rainbow Dash. "Right, Rainbow?"
"Oh, absolutely, sweetie!" said Rainbow to her coltfriend, "Sometimes a girl just has to pamper herself, am I right?"
"You certainly are!" said Rarity.
"Even us boys like a little pampering as well," Clay added. Rainbow and Soarin turned to see the three ponies smirking at them. Rainbow gasped.
"Oh! Hey! We were just, uh, uh..." Rainbow stuttered.
"Gettin' a "sports" pamperin'?" Applejack suggested as she gave the blue Pegasus a nudge and giggled.
Rainbow just smiled sheepishly as Soarin smirked while holding his marefriend close to him as she smiled contently.
"So, Clay. How are you and Applejack doing?" Soarin asked Clay with a smile.
"Doing good, being married to her was the happiest moment in my life." Clay said as he nuzzled Applejack's cheek, making her nuzzle her husband in return.
"Don't worry, Rainbow Dash," Rarity giggled, "We were just heading in for some pampering ourselves. You and Soarin could always join us."
"We wouldn't mind at all, Rarity. What do you say, Rainbow?" Soarin asked Rainbow with a smile.
"Uh...I suppose I could take it," said Rainbow, "You know, for you ponies."
The five ponies all laughed and headed in for their own pampering session.
