“No ghouls,” the Tenpony guard said, pointing at the sign stating as such. For a moment I thought our stalker was behind us, but soon realized he was referring to me. Clover pushed past security undeterred, not bothering to explain and they wisely let him through.

“He’s not a ghoul, just filthy,” Gale explained, grimacing at my appearance, again.

“You think I'm stupid?”

“I do now.” Gale levitated a piece of bandage out, wiped away some of the grime covering my coat, and brought the soiled bandage in smelling distance of the guard.

“By the Goddesses.” He gagged and stepped back, still blocking our path but keeping a distance. “I don't think our showers can handle that.” He called over another guard. “Escort him to the spa, their drains are better equipped.”

“Spa?” I repeated. I had no idea what the word meant.

Nibble gave a sultry moan. “Oh yes, I'm going too.”

“Saunas are excellent for muscle recovery,” Gale said, focused on the barely standing Mangle. She rolled her eyes but gave a reluctant nod. Mangle appeared to be recovering faster from her self described “number one move” than after using the cannon, but was still exhausted.

“Saunas?” I asked.

Gale took in a breath but Nibble shoved a hoof in his mouth.

“No explanations. This time you need to experience it versus- ow!” Nibble pulled her hoof away, “Did you just bite me?”

Gale smirked and trotted away. Nibble shook her head and pulled me along.

The guard took the stairs instead of cramming into the elevator with me. A wise decision.

Once we arrived, the guard waved us into a tiled store, the air rich with scented oils and flowers. The white tiles reflected the lights inside making the place glow. The pink mare behind the counter winced at our approach and repeatedly tapped at something under her desk.

“Hello,” she said cheerfully. “How can I help you today?”

Nibble read the deals above the desk. “We will have four ultra strength rejuvenation specials.”

“I assume you have the caps to cover the costs,” a teal unicorn stepped out from the back. She looked down at us despite being shorter than Mangle. I assumed she ran the spa based on her suit and heightened snootiness.

I checked my Pip-Buck and compared the amount on me to the price on the board. Not even close.

“Here you go.” Gale levitated out a massive sack of caps and let it clatter on the receptionist’s desk.

The unicorn pursed her lips. “Very well, mares to the right, stallions to the left. Please disrobe once you're back there and we will see what we can do for your... garments.”

The spa appeared deserted but based on the prices coming here must have been a luxury even by Tenpony standards.

Gale and I trotted into the back area, a corner of the room dedicated to a tub full of bubbling mud. An ivory stallion stood politely to the side holding steaming towels.

“Please place your clothes in the designated hamper,” he said politely.

I tensed up as a hoof softly ran along my underbelly. Gale leaned over me. “I know these battle saddles can be tough to take off alone.” His touch lingered for far longer than necessary before finding the latch.

Trying to embarrass me huh? Gale had gotten away consequence free for messing with me since I first found myself in Elpis. How will he react if I try playing along for once? I relaxed and removed my barding.

“Thanks,” I said, “need me to do you?” I brought my hoof over his stomach without touching.

“I don't wear a battle saddle,” Gale teased.

“That's right, my apologies.” I winked. Gale’s grin grew wide enough to reveal his sharp teeth.

“Ahem,” the unfortunate bystander in the room coughed. “If you would please wash off before proceeding.” He waved over the shower stalls as Gale levitated our barding into to the hamper. By Luna. I took note of my leather armor that looked more like a beaten rag, riddled with countless holes and cuts. Is it even protecting me at this point? I might have worried about it a little longer if the shower in front of me hadn’t stolen all mental priorities.

I darted into one of the stalls, slammed the door behind me, and turned the shower handle. Glorious, pure hot water rained down. The water ran nearly black on the floor as it washed through my coat, large clumps of muck sloughing off away and sliding down the metal grate. The guard made the right call, if I had attempted this in our room I would have clogged the drain. Even after the shower my coat still had a black tint to it that persisted through vigorous scrubbing.

I stepped out of the stall where the spa worker sat with a comb in his mouth. He stepped to my side and ran the comb through my coat and mane. Unsure of what to do, I just stood there.

“It will have to do,” he sighed. He wrapped a steaming towel around my mane. “It's time for the mud bath.”

“Mud bath?” But I’m finally clean.

“Come now Ardent, what did Nibble say?” Gale said. Nothing but his face and toweled mane stuck out from the mud.

No explanations, just experience. Right, I can do this. I placed a leg in the mud and a warmth enveloped it. Not as sticky as I expected. I crawled in and copied Gale’s position, laying on my back and sinking down. The warmth soaked into my core, like being surrounded by a giant heated blanket.

The worker came over and smeared our faces with a mint colored mixture, and the scent of cucumber filled my nose. I took a deep inhalation of the fragrance and on the exhale every muscle in my body relaxed. No thoughts entered my mind, I simply enjoyed the experience.

“Sir?”

“Excuse me, sir?” A pony brushed my forehead.

My eyes shot open to see the white stallion standing over me.

“Sir, it is time to move on,” he said, trying to be patient. Never been called sir before... I like it. I stepped out of the mud and surprisingly it barely clung onto me, most of it slipping off leaving behind a thin gloss. The stallion led me to a small tub thick with oils and motioned for me to get in. I bit down on my lips keeping all questions to myself as I dipped into the tub. The oils coated my whole body and caused the mud to dissipate. The black tint that remained through my shower finally disappeared, revealing the dust brown color of my coat again. After a minute the spa worker nodded and motioned me to follow.

“Next is the sauna,” he said. Another word I didn’t know but sure as hell wanted to based on the treatment so far. I chased after the worker, trotting down a hall lined with mirrors. I paused as I caught sight of myself.

The pony in the mirror did not look like me. He had multiple scars where my coat would have covered, he stood taller with defined muscles, and appeared intimidating. It had to be me though; we had the same sparkly tome cutie mark, the same copper eyes, the same Pip-Buck.

“Sir?” the spa worker said.

“Sorry... I’m coming.” I turned away and from the corner of my eye saw the reflection in the mirror actually change. My coat tuned black with white stripes, my cutie mark replaced with a foreign symbol. I jumped back and focused on the mirror, but it must have been my exhaustion, or the lingering effects of radiation sickness, maybe a trick of the light, because only I stared back at me in confusion. Huh. I scratched my head. Or I’m really going crazy. Not wanting to delay the spa worker any further I trotted into the door he held open while keeping the mirror out of sight.

Wooden benches lined the room, Gale lounging on one. Hot steam rushed out of the center structure which held a stack of tall black rocks. The door closed behind me and I took a seat next to Gale.

“This is by far my favorite treatment,” Gale said. He poured water onto the rocks, causing it to hiss and spew balmy clouds of steam. “It walks a fine line between relaxing and uncomfortable.” Gale reached over brushed my mane back. “Do you know that line?”

His voice lacked the playfulness from before and sounded all too genuine. Gale had certainly mastered the ability to hide his true intentions in sincere dialogue.

“No,” I purred, attempting a sultry tone, “But I'm sure you could show me.”

“That I could.” Gale gave a soft chuckle. He rested his head and closed his eyes.

I wiped away the sweat building on my brow. I could feel the heat working at my muscles and forcing them to relax but it truly was uncomfortable. The high temperature burned my throat with each steam filled breath.

Somepony tapped at the door. “Your masseuses are ready when you are, sirs.”

Another new term. A few minutes in the sauna were enough for me. I saw Gale start to get up just as I closed the door to leave.

The white stallion gestured to the back to the shower room. “This will be your final rinse off. Please use the soap we have provided, then join us up front.”

The third shower of my life had to be the greatest. They provided liquid soap, and one small drop could be spread over an entire limb. The scent it emanated was that of an entire garden of flowers, almost overwhelmingly sweet The soap cleared off what oils remained after the sauna, making my coat glisten and making it soft as silk.

I finished around the same time as Gale. After another round of flirting as we dried off we joined Mangle and Nibble up front. Both of them were resting on short beds while spa mares kneaded along their backs. I laid down on one of the soft, unoccupied beds.

“Be with you soon, monsieur,” one of what I guessed would be a masseuse said in a strange accent.

“Why wait?” Gale said placing his hooves on me. Now that he had an audience no doubt he planned to make his final move soon. He rubbed along my back sometimes branching along my legs. I moaned whenever he hit a tense spot, partially to play along with his game, but honestly he was pretty damn good with his hooves. The scene drew the attention of almost everypony in the spa.
Gale flipped me over after a particularly sensual moan and crawled on top. “If I didn't know any better, I'd say you want me?”

Without any delay I replied, “Took you that long to notice?”

Nibble's face turned bright red. The entire spa silenced, except Mangle who whined at her masseuse for stopping. I hated to admit it, but this was fun, even if Gale had a tendency to take it too far, like threatening my life or not telling others about serious medical conditions. I could never take it as far as he did, but I saw the appeal.

Gale held his ground, unaffected by my reply. If anything his grin grew wider. If I wanted to turn the tables, I would have to go all in. I closed my eyes, and lifted my head to offer out a kiss. And the winner is-

Gale’s lips intertwined with mine as his tongue slid into my mouth. My eyes flashed open and I tried to pull back but Gale followed me down, lips still interlocked with mine, as my head hit the mattress. I struggled to escape, trying to get a hoof under him, but he pressed his body against mine making it impossible to get free. In my wild struggle Gale caught both my forehooves under one of his and held them above my head.

Without any way to stop him Gale’s tongue explored every inch of my mouth. He slowly caressed my tongue, beckoning me to return the favor. When I failed to do so Gale pushed in deeper. I gasped as I stretched to accommodate.

I gave up trying to escape. I’d tried playing his game and lost. The best response would be to take this defeat as humbly as possible. When Gale beckoned for my tongue again, I obeyed. Admittedly, I wondered how his teeth felt and I hoped this would be my only chance to find out. The tip of my tongue touched one of Gale’s teeth starting at the gums and slid downward along the smooth curved surface until reaching the pointed end. I pushed my tongue against the sharp point feeling the slight sting.

Satisfied, Gale finally broke the embrace and took in a deep breath. I crawled out from under him, spitting along the way.

Gale turned to Nibble, “Nope, he's definitely into mares.”

“Unlike yourself.” I said, wiping off my tongue.

Gale acted offended. “That's ridiculous, I would never limit myself to one sex or even one species, for that matter.”

“Wait.” Why did he tell Nibble?, “Did you put him up to this?” I pointed an accusatory hoof at her.

She held back a smile and stared at the ceiling. “After Furlong I thought... you might be… you know. So I asked Gale to find out.”

My jaw hung open.

“Excuse me,” the owner of the spa said. “but if your cannot keep your displays of affection private, I will have to ask you to leave.”

“Won't be an issue anymore,” Gale said. He took his seat and patted the spot next to him. “I'll keep my hooves to myself.”

“See that you do.” The owner humphed.

In a daze I stumbled over to my spot. The masseuses massage technique were better than Gale’s, but soiled the treatment by talking about the… embrace.

“Wish my stallion kissed me like that.”

“I've never seen such passion.”

“Are you sure you're into mares?”

I buried my burning face in the seat for the duration of our visit.

“What is a show without dinner?” Gale had commented as we passed a restaurant on our way back to our room. The slogan read “Fresh flower petals with every order.” Red silk covered each table illuminated by ornate candles. I tried my best to ignore the prices and hoped Gale planned on paying. I couldn't believe how many ponies were eating here, or understand how they could afford it.

Clover managed to track us down shortly after we ordered, probably using the Pip-Buck tag. He took a seat, the bags under his eyes had disappeared and his coat was grime free. He must have found time for a nap and a shower, maybe both at the same time; Clover is efficient like that. He waved down a waiter and stole a menu from the table next to ours.

“How much is this costing us?” Clover asked.

“Not half as much as the spa treatment,” Gale replied cheerfully.

Clover winced as he glanced over the menu options. “Maybe I can get it reimbursed.” He rubbed his temple.

The waiter arrived and Clover pointed to his choice. Once the waiter left Clover went into mission mode.

“We leave tomorrow morning. I've arranged a trade outside of Manehattan for new transportation. Given our current situation we might need to do some scavenging on the way out.”

“So until then we can relax?” Nibble asked.

“Yes, but no more spending.”

“That'll be easy since I used all our caps,” Gale said, somehow without fear of Clover’s reaction.

“Dammit Gale, again?” Clover growled. “Ardent, congratulations. You're going to be holding our excess caps from now on.”

“Woo!” Nibble clopped her hooves. “Promotion is cause for celebration. Could we hear the story about how you handled the dragon?”

My ears perked up. I had almost forgotten… Well not forgotten but life moves so fast in Elpis, the fight with Lazuline feels like it happened ages ago. I wondered if Nibble asked to make up for siccing Gale on me or if she was actually interested.

“I'll second that,” I said.

“Fair enough,” Gale said with a shrug. “Let's see... after you two escaped-”

“Excuse me,” an aqua colored mare with a blue-and-orange-streaked mane asked as she approached our table, “Did I hear your name right? Ardent? Ardent Fable by chance?”

I didn't recognize the unicorn. “That's me,” I said, trying to figure out who she could be. She examined me carefully, pausing when she reached my face.

“You have your mother's eyes.”

My blood ran cold.

“Not too bad for your first time,” Shot Chaser said. He moved through the bar, nudging a seat in place or cleaning a smudge I missed. “You’ll make a wonderful barmaid.”

“I’m a boy,” I nighed. Shot Chaser whinnied.

“We open at eight AM so I expect you here at seven thirty.” Shot Chaser opened the main doors and waited for me.

“Would you mind if I stayed here?” I stared at the ground, too embarrassed to tell him eye to eye. “It’s warmer than outside.”

“Don’t you have a place here?”

I rubbed my forhoof. “I did, but some ponies showed up and said it wasn’t mine anymore.”

“That Derpy,” Shot Chaser mumbled. “You can stay with me, but I’ll have to dock your pay.”

My head shot up. “Really!” I bounced around, unable to contain myself.

“You realize I’m hardly paying you at all?”

I grabbed on to Shot Chaser’s leg and hugged him, he stiffened, but eventually relaxed and patted me on the back before pushing me off.

“To see through the eyes of a child again, that’d be something.” Shot Chaser held the door open, “Come on.”

I ran ahead of him pointing at each house we passed. “Is it this one? Is it this one? This one?”

He kept quiet. I knew the answer was no when he walked passed me. Eventually he stopped with me. After he unlocked the door I ran about the place taking note of everything. Only the basic amenities filled the place. Raggedy bed, broken fridge, decent couch, and a closet.

“You sure are a bundle of energy for it being so late,” Shot Chaser said. He opened the closet and pulled out a spare blanket. He laid it over the bed. “Couch is mine, and trust me you're not getting the better deal.”

I jumped from the couch onto the bed. One of the broken springs poking into my stomach. I rolled over, sticking my tongue out, pretending I had been fatally wounded.

“Told you.” Shot Chaser flopped himself onto the couch. “Goodnight Ardent.”

I rolled up the blanket into a pillow; simply being in a house made this my warmest night in recent memory. My mind went wild as I lived through the memories of the day which only added to my excitement. No way could I go to sleep. I giggled hearing Derpy’s voice, relived the shock when I was told I could have the job, and fidgeted as I recalled the feeling when Shot Chaser said I could stay with him. I searched my memories for more happy memories. When I failed to find a memory of my parents my mood spoiled.

“Shot Chaser,” I whispered. Silence followed.

“Yeah?” he replied with a sigh.

“Where do you think my parents are?” I waited as Shot Chaser stayed quiet for awhile.

“Ardent, when you ask me questions I am going to answer honestly, and the truth can hurt. So are you sure you want me to answer that?”

“Mmhmm.”

“They're most likely dead.” He took a moment to let it sink in. “Or they don’t plan on coming back for you, so they might as well be.”

I grasped at my stomach. Shot Chaser was wrong, the truth did more than hurt. I stopped sniffling when I felt the warmth of another pony press against my back. At some point Shot Chaser had left the couch and rested against me, facing away.

“I'm a hypocrite for saying this,” he whispered. “But the best thing to do is move on... don’t let them ruin your future too.”

“You... you know my mother?” I asked. All background noise in the restaurant died off as I awaited her answer.

“Yes,” she answered as if it were no big deal, “Your father too. We worked together for a long time. I remember back when-”

“Where are they!”

The mare stumbled at the intensity in my voice. She brushed her mane back into place before speaking again. “They were sent to investigate a Stable and never came back. They weren't the only ones either. If you want, I could give you the location.”

“Please, I-”

“Enough,” Clover interrupted. “Ardent, you stay put. I need to have a word with our new friend.”

The mare resisted as Clover shoved her outside of the restaurant. He brought her around the corner out of view. Not going to stop me. I fell into my trance, following them with my hearing.

Clover went first, “As a friend of DJ Pon3 I'm guessing you're one of them.”

The mare took a moment to reply, “I have no idea what you're talking about.” She sounded vicious compared to earlier.

“Right, I'm sure normal Tenpony residents are off investigating Stables. Does that mean Ardent’s parents are… doesn't matter. What do we get out of finding them for you?”

“Excuse me?”

“I know you're not doing this to reunite a boy and his parents. You're trying to get him to do your work for you.”

The mare scoffed, then sighed. “What would you want? I can't promise anything on behalf of the Society-”

A sharp pain forced me out of my trance. My thoughts caught up with my emotions. Clover is turning finding my parents into a job! The fact the mare tried to do it first only added to my rage.

“How interesting,” Gale said as he and Mangle peered at me. Nibble stared in shock at my hoof, I glanced down to see a broken off chunk of the table clutched in it. Beads of blood ran down where the splinters pierced me. What the! I dropped the wooden chunk, cleared my throat, and moved the tablecloth to cover the damage. I wanted to listen in again but the throbbing in my hoof would stop me from staying in my trance.

“Did you see his eyes?” Mangle asked.

“Going to explain what that was about?” Gale prodded.

“Oh look foods here!” Nibble said, derailing the conversation.

The waiter came out assisted by others to lay down our plates. Each meal molded and shaped to give a unique variety. As promised each meal had colored flower petals sprinkled about it. Clover returned without the unicorn as the waiter left.

“Where did she go?” I said, trying to keep calm.

“She had other matters to attend,” Clover replied.

“I had more questions for her!” I slammed my uninjured hoof on the table.

Clover held his Pip-Buck up. “I have the location of the Stable your parents visited right here. We’ll make plans to find them later, and until then maybe you should figure out why you care so much about finding the ponies that abandoned you.”

I flinched back.

“Clover!” Nibble spoke up. “That's uncalled for.”

“Really? Because according to her Ardent’s parents only disappeared a few months ago.”

Nibble didn’t understand, but I did. “Meaning they could have come back for me for years.” I accepted the truth and slumped down. Might as well be dead. I took a bite of my meal, it tasted foul.

I attempted to burn holes into the ceiling with my stare. I wanted to sleep but my mind just wouldn’t quit. My parents are alive. Why did they leave me? What will I say to them? Who cares, they left me! What do they look like? I rolled over, wrapping my pillow around my ears in a vain attempt to stop the mental commotion.

My bed sheet lifted and fell as a pony moved underneath it.

“Dammit Gale, I’m not in the mood for-” I flipped the covers to reveal a mess of auburn hair and amethyst eyes. Nibble brought her hoof up to her lips.

She wiggled her way up and brought her muzzle right next to my ear. “I figured you could use a distraction tonight. Also I can’t handle myself after the show at the spa.” She nibbled on my ear and wrapped her back legs around one of mine, an intense warmth burned against my leg.

“What about the others?”

“They’re asleep. If not, I can be quiet.” She rotated herself, sliding her hips over my own. “Can you?”

Footnote: No level up.

Author's Notes:

Special thanks to NyxOs for editing up this chapter, another FoE author with skill in grammar and description that far outranks my own which you can see in the work of Fallout: Equestria - Of Shadows.