The chime over the door tinged softly as StarStep pushed his way into The Tiger Lily Spa. He flared his nostrils at the sudden wave of scents ranging from perfumes to mane-care products. Shaking his head clear of the overwhelming smells, he noticed a few mares sitting in faux leather chairs, glance up from their gossip magazines. He returned the smile of one young filly who eyed him a bit longer than the others and made his way to the counter.

A lilac earth-mare with forest green mane was scribbling into an appointment book. As her quill halted, she looked up with a welcoming smile, “Good afternoon, sir. I'm Willow Shade, Welcome to Tiger Lily's. How may I fulfill your needs?”

He smiled back and ruffled his wings a little nervously. He'd never gone to a place like this. Never been pampered or whatever else the treatment entailed. He remembered hearing rumors from fellow guards about 'special' services at some of the less reputable spas around town. Shaking that thought off, he cleared his throat, “Yes, I have an appointment. I think it's under StarStep?”

She nodded and flipped through her appointment book, “Hmm...I'm afraid I don’t see anything here, sir. Who did you schedule with?”

“I'm not sure. Princess Luna set it up.” At that the mare's eyes widened and she smiled apologetic.

“OH, in that case, please wait one moment, sir.” She wandered through a curtain behind her. He could hear her muffled voices from behind the fabric. He looked around the room while he waited, noting every single mare in the lobby was now staring at him. That was a little weird.

Slightly creeped out he turned back to the desk. Behind him the lobby mares were whispering excitedly. Shortly thereafter, Willow returned, smiling just as warmly as before with an another mare close on her heels. The latter was a vibrant orange unicorn with black mane, highlighted with white. “Sorry to keep you waiting, sir. This is Tiger Lily our owner.”

Tiger Lily looked the colt over appreciatively and smiled, “Good day to you sir.” Her accent seemed slightly slurred, and a little haughty. “You are StarStep, no? The Princess made the arrangements for me to take care of you personally. I promise, you are in good hooves, Mister Star. Now, per her request, we can provide you with any treatment you like.” She floated a light blue sheet up and set it on the counter in front of Star.

Star smiled to the bright orange unicorn and looked down at the sheet. Unfortunately, besides things like massages, mud-baths and preening, he had no idea what half the stuff was. He did see the mint-oil treatment on the list, it was under preening options, so at least that was easy. But no where on the sheet did he see the 'Lunar Treatment'. Flipping the page over he found it blank. Feeling awkward he raised his head and tapped his fore-hoof lightly.

“I'm really new to this thing. I don't know what half this is. I wouldn't even be here if the Princess hadn't insisted.”

The mare nodded, still smiling very warmly. At least they were welcoming to a colt in this establishment. He'd been a little worried they'd think him weird. “Oh, not to worry Mister Star. I would be happy to explain everything if you'd like. I expect that after today, you will become a regular.” She nodded, rather sure of herself.

He sighed, remembering the Luna suggestion on the note. “Well...what the heck. I didn't see it on the sheet, but, I guess I'll take the 'Lunar Treatment'.”

The two mares behind the counter blinked in surprise. Lily turned to Willow and they started whispering to each other in a language he couldn't place. After a few moments of conferring, Lily looked back at Star, her smile had shifted. She seemed slightly confused. “The...Lunar Treatment?”

He nodded, “Do you not have it? The Princess recommended it.” He was starting to feel silly. Maybe it was just a prank by Luna to make him look bad.

The two mares exchanged another worried glance, “Oh no, Mister Star. I assure you we do. It's uh...well...you're not an alicorn.” she explained like she was saying the sky was blue.

“Well yeah, I get that. Are you saying you can't give me the same treatment, minus things like...” He glanced down on the sheet, “Horn filing?”

They shrugged at each other. Lily's smile returned, “Well Mister Star. If that is what you wish, we shall most certainly give you as much of the Lunar Treatment as is possible. You are right of course. It would remove things like horn filing, but perhaps in it's place, something for your wonderful mane and tail? Seeing as how the Princess can do nothing for hers.”

“Sounds good to me. Give me everything you give Princess Luna. I'm in your capable hooves Miss Lily.” He beamed a smile.

“Worry your head not, Mister Star. If that is what you wish, you shall receive it. Come, let us work our magic upon you. You will walk out feeling like a new pony!” Willow held the curtain for the two of them and Lily led the pegasus down the hall to the first stage.

The treatment started out simple enough. Lily showed him to a large tub set into the tiled floor, clearly big enough for an alicorn. Steaming hot water was circulating in the tub, little lilac flower petals swirling about in it's flow. Lily gestured for him to get in while she tugged on a tasseled rope against the wall, sounding a bell somewhere down the hall.

Star tested the water with a hoof, it was really hot, but when he looked at the mare with concern, she smiled and gestured to the tub. Cautiously he slid in, gasping as the water seemed to sear his flesh. After submerging to his neck, he found it wasn't so quite so painful, his body adjusting to the heat and in short time, found it soothing some aches he didn't know he had.

While he settled into the water, a pair of unicorn mares trotted in from the doorway, a pleasant smile each for the soaking colt. One a light green, the other a pale yellow. Lily was quick to explain that the Princess always required more than one pony to tend to her needs and wanted to give Star the full tour of what Luna received. They used their magic to pick up sponge brushes, then lathering them in purple tinted gel. It was about then Star realized the pretty mares were about to bathe him. It was an odd concept for a pony who was used to doing everything himself, but if this was what Luna liked, he'd give it a go.

Giggling at his slight nervousness, the two new mares got right to work, rubbing those brushes held in their magic, all along his neck and shoulders and down his back. Lily slipped into the tub beside him to help balance as she lifted each leg in turn for them to be cleaned. The soap had a very faint scent of lavender and he was grateful it wasn't something heavily perfumed. While the two assistants lathered up his entire coat, hoof to ears, Lily used her hooves to work a thicker gel into his mane, and then his tail. He was couldn't help blushing as she worked his tail and kept his excitement well under control. None of the three seemed awkward at lathering and cleaning a colt so meticulously, even being very gentle with the wings.

When his upper body was well washed, mane and tail glossy clean, Lily turned a dial, lowering the water level so it was resting just above his knees. The two assistants began to gather up towels, wading into the tub to rub dry his mane. While they were busy, Lily lifted his tail causing him to jump a little. He tried to look back but the assistants glared, busy as they were rubbing dry his mane and neck.

“Mister Star, my apologies, I did not mean to startle you. I was just about to wash between your thighs and flanks. You did wish her highness' full treatment, did you not?” Had she not said it in a flat, no-nonsense tone, he would have thought she had alternative motives. With a heavy sigh he nodded.

As she personally saw to cleaning his more sensitive areas with a lathered washcloth, he looked up at the ceiling, keeping himself thinking un-sexy thoughts. “So um...this is something the Princess does every time?”

Lily nodded, working the cleaning cloth between his flanks, being incredibly gentle and as professional as could be expected.“Why yes, Mister Star. There is no shame in wishing to be clean from nose to tail. There are spots that most ponies have very hard times getting thoroughly washed.”

“Uh...isn't this a little EEP...intimate?” She was soaping up his sheath, then using another wet cloth to wipe him down.

She laughed lightly, “Well, yes. I suppose so. And I must say, for your first time in a spa with this level of cleaning, you are handling yourself quite respectfully. Often with this treatment, we are forced to pause to allow our customers to...shall we say, relax again.” She scrubbed his inner thighs, causing him to bite his lower lip. “Almost done, Mister Star.” She splashed water up between his legs, rinsing away the soap. She turned the dial, draining the rest of the tub and the three unicorns patted him down dry.

As Lily worked on drying out his tail she toyed with a few strands in thought. “You know Mister Star. Your mane and tail is quite wonderful. If you would allow, I would style it. Perhaps a little highlight on the tips to bring out your eyes? Something fashionable for your Princess, no? I suspect your favorite color is deep blue, is it not?”

“You're right, it is. Well...I guess if you think it'll make me look good. Yeah, ok.” At his agreement the mare clapped her hooves in delight.

“Oh, splendid! After the sauna, we shall trim and put in the dyes.”

Once he was patted dry, Lily led him to the sauna room as her assistants cleaned up the towels and washrags. The orange unicorn explained how to use the hot rocks pouring a single ladle of water onto the hissing stones as an example before giving a warning about over doing it.

A few short minutes later, he was reclined out on a bench near the stones, eyes closed and relaxing in the steam. He mused that while it was just as hot as the bath, it was making his skin feel more refreshed. His wings didn't mind it either, despite how the feathers were drooping. His only complaint was that he had to roll over to put more water on every so often.

Before he knew it, the door swung open and Lily beckoned him him on to the next treatment. She led him into a small room with a large padded chair like table. Lily explained it was a massage table for ponies so they could sprawl out all four legs on their bellies and be supported in just the right spots as not to overstress joints. She also noted it was not the same one Luna used, her's was far too big for other ponies. So he climbed up, laying out his forelegs in front of him, resting his face into a little padded cut-out, and with Lily's help, pulling his hind-legs back so his hooves rested in the proper notches. She put on some soothing background music, coastal waves and thunderstorms at his request, while the assistants filed into the room.

The next thirty minutes were some of the best of his life, moaning in absolute delight as two earth-mares gave him an incredible massage. Their hooves were magic, rubbing and forcing out kinks as he hissed through gritted teeth. And when not focusing on one spot, patting down limbs and body with quick little rapid hits. It kind of hurt at first, but when they destroyed a spot of tension he wanted to cry out in delight. Which he sometimes did, much to their amusement.

While those two massaged him, another unicorn pair were filing and cleaning his hooves, chiding him for allowing such poor treatment. During the small talk they learned about him being a guard and warned him bad hoof-care could cause him serious harm while standing for so many hours a day.

Once his hooves were properly cared for, they set aside their tools, cleaning their hooves for hygiene and then gently pulling his wings out from his body. Thinking nothing of it, while still being massaged so wonderfully he gave a gasp of surprise as he felt something cold and tingling drizzling down the leading edges of his wings.

“Shhh, Mister Star. It's ok. It's just mint-oil. Relax, relax.” He could see Lily's oranges hooves walk around the table and stop in front of his head. He felt her hooves stroke his ears, making him moan in delight. “See? You're in good hooves. Relax.” He nodded dumbly as the unicorns at his wings began to rub the oil into his feathers, the tingling substance seeping into his skin, making him shiver in pleasure. If his body wasn't so relaxed and his mind so zoned out, he was certain he'd be very aroused by the work on his wings. He could feel himself slipping into a very light sleep here and there as all the mares pampered, and soothed his body.

At some point, Lily lifted his head from the little padded cut-out and rested his chin on a padded bar. Through his daze he could feel her work her hooves around his jaw and ears, caressing his eyebrows. He even laughed a little in his daze as she tickled his cheeks with a brush. He could feel her massaging his lips with her hoof tip. Odd as it seemed, it still felt nice. Then light petting of his eyelids, and she relented her facial caressing. She moved on to brushing out his mane, the soft swish of scissors not long after as she tugged and pulled it into style. He could feel the faint tingle of magic in his hair, figuring it to be the highlights she talked about, he mumbled a thanks through his daze. They weren't kidding about nose to tail treatment.

Lily was mumbling words to him, but he was so far gone, he couldn't make out a single one, just letting her and those wonderful spa mares do their fantastic work. Once the massage was finished, they all pulled out brushes and began to brush him down till at last he dozed off in absolute contentment.

There was someone shaking his shoulder gently.

“Mister Star?”

“Mmmmmhh?”

Tiger Lily giggled softly and shook him again, “Mister Star, it's time to get up”

He blinked, his eyes open lazily, looking into the beaming face of the bright orange unicorn, “Oh...um, I must have passed out. Sorry about that.”

She helped him climb from the massage bench, “Oh not at all, Mister Star. A short nap is part of the treatment. It's the Princess' favorite part. A short time away from everything, her body pampered and relaxed. I cannot say I blame her.”

He gave a little yawn, noting just how absolutely fantastic he felt. Every part of him tingled and sighed in relief. He lifted a fore-leg, noting how his blue-grey coat seemed glossy and vibrant, his hooves polished and filed to a handsome clean appearance. “Say, Lily. Usually mares talk about mud-baths and cucumbers on the eyes. Did we skip that?”

“Oh no. Luna is simply not a fan of them. Claims she can't relax with all the mud in her...strange mane and tail. She does like to eat the cucumbers though.” She giggled, “Sorry if we forgot to give you some.”

“Ah no, it's quite alright. I feel fantastic.”

“Oh and you LOOK fantastic, Mister Star. Would you like me to fetch you a mirror?”

He paused in thought, “You know what...no. If I feel this good, I must look that good. If it's good enough for the Princess. It's good enough for me.”

The unicorn blinked and blushed, “Oh, I am very flattered at your trust in me, Mister Star.” She coaxed him towards the curtain at the front of the spa, “And I very much look forward to your return visit.”

Star paused, one hoof on the curtain edge, “Is it ok if I recommend the Lunar Treatment to others? This wasn't at all what I was expecting. I guess for once, the Princess was being serious. I should get every guard down here to give it a try.”

Her eyes brightened, “If they like what we've done with you, of course! Though, do warn them this is a professional establishment. We don't tolerate...well...you know. Now if one of those handsome guards wants to ask us out after...” She grinned, “That is another matter.” She pulled open the curtain and beamed a final smile, “Thank you for coming, Mister Star.”

StarStep stepped into the reception room, feeling full of vigor and confidence. The expression on the mares in the waiting room was priceless. Their jaws dropped and their eyes seemed to bulge. Every one of the fillies watched him trot out the door without taking their eyes off him.

His head held up, steps high and tight, he cantered down the main street. Pleased with how he felt. It reminded him of when the guards would get into dress uniform and parade in all their splendor for certain events. Down the street he marched, grinning as he noticed mares eye him in surprise, even a few colts did a double-take. And it wasn't just the common ponies, even the nobility he passed here in Upper Canterlot, pulled their noses out of the air long enough to watch him pass. Lily must have did one hell of a job on him.

Not long after he left the spa, a unicorn colt matched pace beside him, “I really hate to be a bother,” The colt began, “But just where DID you get that look. It's fabulous!”

Star grinned and nodded his head back the way he came, “Tiger Lily's Spa. Just ask for the Lunar Treatment. I can't tell you how great I feel.”

“And you look super! OH, I must go make an appointment at once! Thank you very much handsome.” He gave a wink and peeled off.

Star shrugged and grinned. It was nice to be the center of attention for once. He bet Rarity would flip. As he approached the main castle gates, the front of his spiky mane bouncing in front of his eyes, one of the guards held up a hoof, “Sorry sir, do you have an....wait...” He tilted his head and glanced over at his partner, “StarStep?”

Star nodded with a grin, “Yeah, it's me. The Princess treated me to a spa trip for tomorrow's little griffon party.”

The two guards were wide-eyed as they again looked at each other. The first coughed into his hoof before speaking, “Uh...well...you look...something.”

Star smirked, “Ah come on, you act like you've never gotten cleaned up for a special event before. You don’t have to be all jealous like that. They seemed to like guards, I'm sure you can get the same look.”

The first guard raised an eyebrow, “Uh...alright, I'll take your word for it. Carry on.”

As StarStep vanished into the castle, the first guard turned to his partner, “What the buck was that?”

The second sighed, “When Princess Luna's involved, it's better not to ask.”

_______________________________________________________________

StarStep wandered the halls, soaking in the stunned expressions from the other guards and the interesting mix of looks from the mare-maids. Some seemed to approve, some seemed amused, some seemed, well...made kissy faces at him, so he wasn't sure.

As he passed by one of the Royal sitting rooms, the doors wide open and two guards on post. The grey earth ponies' eyebrows climbed into their helmets, watching him pass the archway. He glanced in, noticing Princess Celestia on one of the massive red velvet couches, a book open at her fore-hooves. She happened to look up as he wandered by, smiling warmly, before returning to her tome.

“StarStep dear. May I see you for a moment?” Star froze in mid-step as Celestia called for him. Backpedaling, he leaned his head back to meet the sun-goddess' eyes.

“Yes Princess?”

She smiled softly, tilting her head slightly, a bit of amusement twinkling in her eyes, “Come closer dear, I'd like to have a good look at you.”

He couldn't help but grin. Even Princess Celestia thought he looked awesome. He trotted in, happy as a lark till he was before her couch.

“Oh...my little pony.” She placed a golden shod-hoof to her muzzle and giggled, “I suspect foul-play ahoof.”

He blinked, “I don't understand, your highness.”

She sighed softly, while she still smiled, there was a hint of pity in her expression. She took his chin in one hoof and turned his head to face a massive mirror on a nearby wall.

He froze...a terrible rock of ice settled in his gut. Then it thawed in a sudden burst of white hot super-nova rage.

“LUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNAAAAAA!!!!!”

________________________________________________________________

Five minutes later, StarStep was fuming, he stalked the floor, and swore he could feel steam rising from his red-hot cheeks. Luna meanwhile, was rolling about on the sitting-room rug, legs kicking in the air as she howled with laughter. Her fore-hooves clutched at her chest as she choked between fits of giggles, snorts and all out bawling, the cycle repeating every time she glanced up at the angry colt.

Celestia on the other hand, remained on her couch, a hoof to her lips as she fought off the contagious laughter, careful to avert her eyes from the source of amusement.

Star stomped back over to the mirror, glaring at the sight. His eyelids were covered in a royal blue eye-shadow, complete with false lashes. His blue-grey cheeks, slightly dusted with blue rogue and a glossy dark blue lipstick applied in just such a way it made his lips seem to pout. Not only that, but there was a satin blue ribbon tied up in his mane out of his field of vision. He tried in vain to rub off the make-up, but it only smeared and made Luna howl louder.

At last, he gave up and slumped to the floor, letting the moon-princess ride out her fits of tear-streaming joy. Which she did in time. Choking back snorts and giggles she composed herself, returning to her hooves, “Oh...oh *snerk* oh Star. I dost apologize. I did not suspect thou *giggle* would leave the spa in such a state. Did thou not request a mirror before exiting the establishment?”

He glared, gritting his teeth, “Do I look like I did?”

She bit the end of her hoof, eyes watering, “Oh...such a pretty pony...” She lost it again, clutching her chest in overwhelming laughter.

“Lu-Lu...” Celestia warned firmly, yet could not hide the mirth from her eyes.

Luna caught her breath and took a few long breaths, “I am sorry Tia, and my pretty pony.” *snerk*

“That's quite enough Lu-Lu. He is not a toy for your amusement.”

Luna sighed and smirked at her sister, “Very well. I hath had my fun.” She stood and stepped over to the slumping colt, “Oh, Star. Mine prank was not to go quite so far. I had expected it to end before thou hath left the spa. Though I must say, thou wilst be the talk of Upper Canterlot for days to come.”

“Lu-Lu!” Celestia glared at her sister.

“Yes, yes, Tia.” She sighed, biting back a laugh and clearing her throat as she gently took Star's cheek in her hoof. He flinched and jerked away.

“I see I hath wounded thy pride much. A lesson in humility is never an unfortunate thing. However I may delight in mine pranks, even I know when I hath gone too far.” She sighed softly and took his cheeks in both hooves, forcing him to look in her direction. He refused to meet her eyes, shame and anger simmering in his belly.

“Such pain. For that, I am truly sorry.” She sighed, “Star...Star. Thou must lookth to me.” Reluctantly, his eyes flicked to hers. “Wounds that dig so deep, art often the hardest to heal. I fortunately know of a cure-all for such aliments. Wouldst thou like to know what it is?”

Star paused, struggling to keep his eyes on hers as his mind reflected on all the looks from the the ponies on the streets. It all had terrible new meaning and his shame deepened.

Then Luna leaned forward, his head between her hooves, and lightly kissed him on the lips.

His breath was taken away. Time staggered and his body was suddenly screaming for air. He gasped at it greedily as his vision refocused on the alicorn looking down at him sweetly. The rage and shame that had tore at his guts was gone. All he cared about was how sweet her lips tasted, how soft they were to his. That look of compassion in her teal eyes melted and washed away any lingering resentment he had towards her.

She released his head and softly tapped him on the nose with her hoof, “The wound will still be there, but now but a scar and a memory. To remind thou that no pony is above being humbled, and no pony is above making mistakes. Not even thy Princess.”

She stood, her horn glowing for a moment and Star could feel his face tingle, “There, all clean, my pretty pony.” She giggled sweetly as she regally walked to the exit and looked over her shoulder at the stunned pegasus, “By the way, StarStep. I very much approve of thy new mane-style. Dost not forget, tomorrow evening at seven at my quarters.” With that, she left to attend her duties, leaving Tia to return to her book and StarStep with a goofy smile on his lips.