“Are you suitably relaxed my lady?”

Cherry Rose was fanning Rotunda, her blobby and fat master sweating somewhat in the heat of the day.

“Yes Cherry thank you, the fan is doing wonders.” She replied. Rotunda thought back to last week when she decided to take this trip. She didn’t often get off world but she had been lazing around as she usually did. It was unusual that she had nothing planned but she had managed to find a week in her diary with no commitments.

So she had booked a trip, off world no less. Well okay - she hadn’t booked the trip but she had passed the details on to one of her staff and they had sorted the rest. It had been advertised as a “Feeding Spa.” Something for those who could afford it as a way to really pig out. The brochure had listed multiple restaurants and dining facilities on the resort. Different ones, depending on what you wanted to do. Wanted to do nothing but gain as much as possible? There was a eatery for that. Wanted to enjoy something tasty but still filling? Another one existed for that as well. Even the activities were themed around food, eating competitions and the like packed the activity schedule.

The company offering this service was new however. Luxury Lard Spa & Cruise. They were in a few weeks expanding, quite literally into the pleasure cruise business where ponies could eat on the move. A new ship was being commissioned that was said to be one of the most luxurious of the space going ships available to book a place on. Pleasure stops at various famous eateries throughout the colonies were the highlight of being on board.

For now, Rotunda had arrived at the colony of Arion. It was a prime location for the spa, it’s tropical climate all year round and rather remote location towards the edge of the empire meant that the company had little to dissuade them from building their first resort here.

Rotunda had been relaxing here for a few days now after the rather long trip. Arion was located 7 jumps from Sleipnir's solar system. She had been suitably pampered on the way though, only the very best for one of the upper echelons of society.

The only problem she was finding was the heat, even with Cherry fanning her and the air conditioning turned up rather high she was sweating like a pig. The problem with sweating meant valuable weight was being lost she didn’t want to lose. There was only one thing for it.

“Cherry, I think it is time to make a trip down to the indoor pool.” Rotunda announced as she powered up her pad in preparation to leave the room.

“Are you sure ma’am? The outside pool and beach is shortly having its daily all you can drink cocktail happy hour coming up shortly according to the guide. Generally the temperature is cooler outside too, there is a breeze coming in off the ocean.” Her maid replied. She certainly had prepared herself well for the trip. Rotunda thought for a moment, she made a good point.

“That is a good idea Cherry, and will save sitting in another hot room.” She replied, her pad hovering towards the door. Her made waddled beside her down the super-wide corridor continuing to fan her. The complex designers had done a marvellous job making sure the place was big enough for almost any pony of varying size to get down. Rotunda passed a number of ponies bigger and smaller than her, either moving around on their own pads or waddling as best as their fat bodies could carry them.

“I’m sure there will be a few ponies round the pool from other colonies you can mingle with as well.” Cherry said as they waddled and hovered their way outside. It was a warm day but Cherry was right, a cool breeze was rolling in off the ocean. Rotunda found a nice spot by the pool and parked her pad. Her sweating dissipated slightly. “I’ll just fetch the bucket of sunscreen my lady and apply it.” Cherry said, disappearing for a moment back inside to fetch one of the customary massive tubs of sunscreen the resort provided for its guests.

Within moments a small waiter drone, rather amusingly dressed in a tuxedo hovered by and dropped a huge glass off at her pad, presumably this was the cocktail happy hour Cherry had mentioned. No choice of drink but it would be inexpensive, not that something like that would bother Rotunda. The drone had small arms attached which Rotunda started to wonder why they were needed, quickly answered when the drone pushed the straw for the cocktail inside her maw. It then hovered away, presumably to serve somepony else.

Cherry returned, a massive tub of sunscreen on her back. She set it down next to Rotunda and dipped a hoof in to begin applying it. A pony of her size would need quite a lot to cover all of her skin and protect her from the heat.

“Oh, are you here for the happy hour as well?”

Rotunda turned her fat head around and noticed a pony of roughly her size, but a little smaller had parked a pad by her at the pool. The same waiter drone dropped off another cocktail for the new arrival. Rotunda felt her body wobble a little as Cherry leaned into her lardy mass to apply the sunscreen.

“Yes, actually at the suggestion of my maid. I don't think we’ve met. You are?” Rotunda asked.

“Sundrop Surprise. I hail from Haizum colony. Just 3 jumps from here, I had to check it out. You know they’re doing cruises soon? No need even to make the trip.” She replied with a small smile. Rotunda surmised she must have been from a wealthy family too, a maid of her own, but a stallion appeared next to her with a tub of sunscreen and started to apply it to her as well. Both of the lardy mares jiggled ferociously on their pads as their servants made sure they were protected.

“Rotunda, Sleipnir colony. 7 jumps away. I wanted to get away for a week, I had a gap in my schedule. I did hear about the cruises. Sounds like a good idea. This resort certainly has it all.” She replied, taking a sip of her cocktail. It was rather tasty.

“Rotunda? That’s an interesting name. Really?” The other mare asked, her curiosity piqued. “Is that a title or your real name?”

“Well, between you and me it’s Comet Trail, but it’s a name I’m accustomed to amongst my friends. Besides I never much had an interest in the stars, just eating like so many others.” She said relaxing a little more. She was starting to like her new friend. Cherry was working lower with the sunscreen, she could feel her belly getting the treatment as her servants hoof slapped against it and spread it all over. It was rather nice.

“That’s a nice name, I’ll stick to Rotunda if you prefer though.” Sundrop replied.

“Comet is fine, I am on holiday. Sundrop okay for you?” She asked.

“Sure! Most friends call me that.” The massive mare shuffled herself a little. “Mmmm, a little lower Dewgrass....that’s the spot.” She said, instructing her stallion maid where to apply the sunscreen.

“You’ve had your maid long?” Rotunda asked.

“Oh Dewgrass has been in the family for a decade now. He knows exactly how to treat a mare, isn’t that right Dew?” The lardy mare giggled slightly as she blushed, the stallion using his hooves well to rub the sunscreen in.

“Yes, just over 10 years Sundrop.” He replied. He was clearly a stallion of few words.

“What about your own Comet? She looks rather nice, you feed her well I see.” Sundrop taking note that Cherry was about twice the size of Dewgrass.

“Cherry is a relatively new start but she has picked up quickly. She’s a literal wizard in the pantry. If you like you can join me in my room this evening and she can prepare something for us both. She makes amazing entrees for parties in particular. Can you make a note to prepare some for us tonight Cherry?”

“Of course my lady. I’ll make sure to prepare whatever you desire.” The mare replied, her own hooves working lower as Rotunda winced a little.

“Heaven isn’t it?” Sundrop said, loving the attention her blubbery body was getting. “I can tell you’re enjoying it as much as I am.” She said with a little pleasurable wince of her own. “Nice to meet another pony who appreciates a little pampering.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Rotunda said, just letting herself have all the attention of Cherry. “Anyhow, my room, tonight? We have some time now to relax and talk.”

“Sounds lovely.”

Happy hour was only just beginning for the two lardy mares, Rotunda smiling and listening to Sundrop talk as she relaxed.

‘This really is heaven.’ She thought.