The Heart of Pleasure
By Haunter Rayne
Chapter 6 - Setting Roots

- Meanwhile, in the Castle of Friendship -

Everyone who was gathered around the friendship table suddenly jumped in their seats as there was a loud slam from the front castle doors being kicked in. “WHAT IS IT?!” Shouted the rainbow haired pegasus who just burst in. “Is it a mission?! Did the table call us?! Is the town under attack?!” She shouted frantically.

“RAINBOW DASH!” Twilight Sparkle bellowed out disarmingly. The blue pegasus suddenly calmed down and walked quietly to her seat by the map of Equestria. “How many times have I told you NOT to kick my doors in? I don't care if my castle IS made of crystal. One of these days you are going to break something!”

Rainbow Dash chuckled softly. “Sorry Twilight, it won't happen again.” She said to the princess for the hundredth time. Then she looked over to Pinkie Pie who seemed to be rocking back and forth anxiously in her seat.

“Um Twilight? Do you know if this will take very long? We have a new pony in town and I am Really Really looking forward to throwing a welcome party for him.” Pinkie pleaded.

“Oh yes, hehe.” Rarity giggled. “I saw him today too. Quite the hunk and oh such a charmer that one. I definitely wouldn't mind running into that Mr. tall, dark and handsome again.”

Twilight spoke up authoritatively as she pointed to the map. “I'm sorry girls but we don't have time for all of that right now. We might have an Equestria wide crisis here.”

“Ooh alright. I suppose I can always throw a party for him tomorrow instead.” Pinkie pouted.

Now that a sense of order had been restored in the room Twilight announced, “Something new is happening in Equestria and it seems to be affecting the friendship table. As for now no one has officially been called. You might notice that none of your flanks have started glowing. However, the map has been displaying cutie marks on and off in different areas before disappearing again. This has been going on all day.” Frustration was evident in her voice.

“What do you suppose it means Twi?” Applejack asked.

“I don't know. I thought that maybe by calling all of you here that we would have a better chance of figuring it out.”

“Oh my, well, um, maybe it's a new kind of friendship problem that we haven't faced before? Our tasks have seemed to be getting a bit more complicated of late.” Fluttershy offered bashfully. Speaking up with a suggestion of her own still felt a bit uncomfortable but had become confident enough in herself to voice her ideas anyway.

“Hmmm. A new type of problem. That's probably it Fluttershy. But what? And new how?” Twilight debated. “Hmm this is going to be one of those things that gets harder before it gets easily isn't it?” She sulked, collapsing against the table.

“Oh well darling, our missions get any easier. But it's usually the hard work that makes it truly rewarding in the end.” Rarity commented before asking, “So tell us, what are the facts that we know of so far?”

Twilight lifted her head from the table as she got back down to business. “Spike has been keeping a record of the table’s activity. Mr Assistant, will you please share with us your findings?” Twilight then stepped to her seat passing the attention of the room to the purple dragon sitting nearby.

Carrying a roll of parchment with an extensive bit of writing on it Spike began reviewing the highlights of his intell. “Thank you Twilight. Now as it was mentioned, the map is pointing out different locations all over. Some even lay outside of Equestria.” Spike paused as the ponies murmured to themselves. “But it seems there are four places that the map keeps referring back to the most. These locations include the snowy wilderness outside of the Crystal Empire, Gryphonstone, the Changling Village and,” he hesitated for a moment before saying, “Tartarus.” As would be expected all of the ponies shouted in surprise to these locations.

“Well darn tootin, I would sure hope there would be friendship problems in Tartarus. Them varmints don't deserve the magic of friendship if you ask me.” Applejack proclaimed stubbornly.

Rarity chimed in next, “While I do agree with your lack of sympathy there Applejack, I say it would be just awful for whichever pony that would have to travel so close to the glorious Crystal Empire but then turn away to wander through that dreary ice country instead!”

“Ladies, ladies, please.” Spike jumped in before anyone else had a chance to complain. “Nothing seems for certain because the cutie marks keep changing as well but…” He stalled not wanting to go on.

“I don't like it either but you have to tell them Spike.” Twilight urged reassuringly.

“Tell us what? There's more?!” Pinkie chimed in nervously.

Spike took a deep breath before listing off, “Applejack, yours is the cutie mark that it has been showing the most hovering around Tartarus. Also Rarity it's been showing you and Princess Twilight to go near the Crystal Empire.”

“What in tarnation?!” Applejack shouted angrily.

“Uuuhhhgggg!” Rarity yelled, feigning to pass out from shock in her typical, overdramatic, fashion.

Knowing that she was fine Spike ignored Rarity’s outburst and quickly skimmed through the rest of his list. “Fluttershy and Pinkie are being sent to the Changeling Village and Rainbow Dash is being sent to Gryphonstone along with another cutie mark that I don't recognise.”

Rainbow yelled out, “Ugh but I have already been sent to Gryphonstone! What am I, the official Gryphon ambassador now?” All of the ponies seemed to have one grievance or another with the information given.

“Girls, please listen!” Twilight pleaded. “I know that this is upsetting to some of you but the map knows what it's doing and which of us is the best pony to go for whatever is going on. At least I hope it does.” She said, still concerned about the current inconsistency. She was met with unassured glares by her other friends. Shaking it off she said, “Dash, do you recognise this other cutie mark? I had Spike draw a picture of it for you.”

Spike held up a little sketch pad for everyone to see and suddenly the blue Pegasus exploded with excitement. “Is this for real? The pony with that cutie mark is supposed to go with me on a mission?! That... is... So... Totally… AWESOME!” She jumped from her chair and did a somersault in the air.

“What? WHAT? Who's cutie mark is that?!" Twilight shouted.

Rainbow Dash was trying to hold back tears of joy. “Why, that is the cutie mark of none other than Daring Do of course!” She ended with a high pitched squeal before landing neatly in her seat like a well behaved school filly. “Okay, I've changed my mind. I totally want to go now.”

Twilight huffed feeling a little disappointed in herself after snatching the sketchbook from Spike. “Oh that IS Daring Do’s cutie mark! Awww, I should have been able to figure that out.”

“Um, excuse me. Girls?” Fluttershy called meekly. “But are we supposed to go now? I mean, the table looks pretty quiet at the moment.” She pointed out.

Twilight gave the sketchpad back to Spike before returning to the mystery at hand. “That's just it Fluttershy, I don't know. Normally the map would signify the location of the friendship problem and it would stay marked until it was resolved. However this time the table keeps showing an issue and then it goes away. I don't know what kind of problem could do that.”

“Ooh, ooh! I know!” Pinkie Pie shouted out excitedly making everyone turn towards her. Reaching behind her she mysteriously pulled out a dark cloak and spoke in her spooky Madam Pinkie voice. “What if… there will be super duper friendship problems that might happen but the details about them remain uncertain? What if there were some mysterious visitor destined to travel all over Equestria who might influence whether a friendship could occur in these areas or not? And instead of the map knowing with absolutely certainly that somepony can for sure solve the problem, it is showing who could have the best chances even though they could also utterly and completely fail!”

Twilight, Rarity and Fluttershy gasped, frightened by the prediction spoken in such a creepy tone. Applejack just huffed, not impressed but not interrupting either. Pinkie took a breath before finishing with, “The map can sense these upcoming events because each one could change the face of Equestria depending on how it plays out! But for now, the map waits… Waits for the mystery somepony to be ready and fulfill their destiny!”

“Ah shucks, what a load of hooey Pinkie pie!” Applejack laughed not buying into her tale at all. The chuckling from the earth pony was enough to break the tension causing them all to laugh along with her.

- Hours Later in Ponyville Adjacent-

Rayne woke from a gentle stirring which brushed against him. Upon rising he was confused as to why he was feeling a hard surface under him instead of his soft mattress. Looking around he was bewildered by the sight of a large open space covered in sparkling colors of every kind. It wasn't until his eyes focused on the rushing waterfall that recent events began to catch up to him. “Nnnmmm. Uhh, so... it looks like I'm still here.” He mumbled groggily."I guess it wasn't a dream. I really am in Equestria."

Laying beside him rested a gray mare whose hind hoof kicked softly in her sleep. Her violet mane was a bit disheveled from sweat. Rayne smiled recalling the three consecutive times she had allowed him to mate with her in the last few hours. “Hmm, what time is it?” He thought, now wondering how long he had been in this cave for. Taking in his surroundings once more he noticed that the luminescence in the cavern never seemed to change. Upon attempting to move he found his body to be sluggish and heavy. "Whoa, I'm still pretty tired. Those potions of Zecora's really do a number on me. I didn't dream at all. I don't remember the last time I slept so peacefully."

As he began lifting himself to his hooves the mare next to him also began to stir. “Are you leaving?” Maud asked looking up to him. Rayne shook his head and leaned his snout down to hers. She was happy to reach around his head and kiss him deeply for several moments.

“Hehe, you couldn't possibly be ready for a fourth go around so soon?” He chuckled to her.

Her eyes looked up to his as she whispered, “I'd like to… but no. I'm actually getting pretty hungry.” She replied.

After stealing one more kiss, Rayne then helped Maud to stand on her hooves. “I've been wondering something. How is it that you keep track of time down here?” He asked while watching as Maud stretched.

Once she had finished she trotted over to him but then walked passed to the cave tunnels. Turning over her shoulder she answered, “You can't, it's impossible. We are underground.” And then waited for him to catch up.

The sheepish stallion chucked. “Oh I see. So back to town then to see what's going on?” The mare nodded and they walked together back through the caves.

The trip back to Ponyville was a quiet one. Morning was just breaking as far off in Canterlot Celestia began raising the sun. The scent of evening dew burning off in the light of day filled the air. Maud stopped just on the outskirts of town and spoke to Rayne. “I am going to go track down my sister and stop her from mauling you with questions as soon as she sees you. She'll most likely still want to welcome you with a celebration but I can talk her into postponing it at least until this afternoon.” She blinked looking back from him to the town and back again. “Also, I just want to say thank you for last night. I didn't know that I could experience anything like that. I really enjoyed myself.”

“It was my pleasure Maud.” Rayne happily replied as they stepped into Ponyville together. “How about I meet you in the center of town by the fountain around noon and you can guide me to whatever fate your sister has in store for me?”

The mare nodded. “I would like that.” After that Maud headed off towards Sugar Cube Corner while Rayne looked out at the rest of the town.

The streets were mainly empty with most ponies still in bed or just waking up. A few shop owners were setting out their wares and opening their doors to the public. Seeing that he had a moment to himself he took the opportunity to review his situation. “Hmm ok so let's see. As long as Discord behaves, then I shouldn't have to worry about anypony having a way of finding out about my past. My dreams are secured and there is nothing else that should link me to not originally being a stallion. There is still my cutie mark to figure out but I'll worry about that later. I now have a place to live so that's not an issue. I'm going to need money though. I think Equestria has a rather easy going economy but I still don't want to be a bum like Fluttershy’s brother.”

Rayne looked from establishment to establishment considering his options. “Hmm I was always fair at cooking but now I don't have any thumbs so that's out. I don't think that farm life would suit me. Physical labor was never my forte." Pausing for a moment Rayne glanced back to consider the colorful design on his flank. "This sure doesn't make things any clearer for me. What am I supposed to do with a heart? I doubt I can make money by loving every pony and I'm pretty sure gigolos aren't a thing here.” He chuckled to himself. Just then a fancy purple building with steam rising from it came into view around a corner. “Oooh, well, that might work.” He smirked to himself.

Stepping inside he saw a spacious reception area. There were several seating cushions and magazines on end tables for ponies to flip through. There at the welcoming counter was a pony whose coat was a light cerulean with a pale rose colored mane. Looking up as Rayne walked in she eagerly said, “Hello there and good morning to you. Welcome to the Ponyville Day Spa. What can we help you with today? You are our first customer for the day so there are no wait times for any of our services.”

Rayne glanced up to a board overhead which listed various specials such as Hoof and Mane Massage, Coat Shinings, Steam Rooms, and other special services with fancy names to entice big spenders. Rayne tried to sound charismatic and professional as he stepped up to the counter. “Hello there, my name is Rayne. I am new in town and I am actually looking for work.”

The mare seemed surprised and a little that he was not a customer. “Oh well, alright then. So what exactly are you good at?” She asked, looking at his heart shaped cutie mark quizzically.

“Do you have any need for an experienced massage pony?” Rayne knew he had spent years honing his techniques and felt confident that much of his knowledge he could carry over even with hooves.

“Eh, I'm sorry but we already have plenty of massage ponies and our establishment usually tends to hire mares for such things.” She awkwardly told him, trying not to offend the stallion.

“Mmm then what about a chiropractic specialist? Do you have one of those on staff? There's not usually a problem with stallions filling that role.” He asked hopefully. He was surprised to see the confused expression on the receptionist's face.

“I'm sorry, do we have cryo-what-now?” Soon another pony came up behind the receptionist curious about what was going on. She seemed to be an almost opposite coloration from the first pony. Her coat had the pinkish hue while her mane held the same shade of blue.

Rayne smiled thinking this might be his chance. “Chiropractic specialist. It's the art of realigning ones core structure so that the rest of the body can move and flow the way that it is supposed to.” The day spa ponies looked at him skeptically but were at least hearing him out. “Have you ever had a pain in your neck hurt until you pop the joint and it feels better? Or if you have had an injury of some kind then the art of chiropractory can help alleviate the pressure in that area of the body.”

"We... have never heard of this technique before." Suddenly Rayne noticed how the mare in front of him shifted her position from sitting upright to leaning forward.

He smiled, having worked in an office before and knowing all about the aches of sitting at a desk. “It can be a little complicated to explain but I would be happy to give you a demonstration and then you can decide if you might want to open a new service in your establishment?” He was pleased hearing other workers hiding out in the back whispering to themselves excitedly about a new prospect.

The pony at the desk frowned and stepped into the back to usher her coworkers back to their other jobs. Then she returned to the desk to address Rayne professionally. “Alright, I'm not saying you're hired but we'll give you a shot. A new service does draw in an excited new crowd. We'll just have to figure out how to find somepony for you to give your demonstration on and then-"

“How about you?” Rayne interjected as he offered to have the receptionist test out his skills first hand. “Come on, I bet you could use it after sitting at that desk everyday.” He said trying to appeal to her personal interest.

“M-me? I don't think I would need it. One couldn't possibly get injured just working at a desk.” She said doubtfully.

He chuckled at that as he leaned in towards her. “Oh you think so? Do you think it would be healthy for your body to be sitting in one position in that chair all day every day?” He suggested to her mind.

“Hmm well when you put it that way, maybe not.” She guided him into a massage room as she continued, “My back does get sore by the end of each day. Are you saying this chiropractic service can help with that?” Rayne nodded and patted the massage table.

“That's right. Now go ahead and lay down on the table. There isn't anything you need to do to prepare. Just relax with your face down and stretch your hind legs straight out below you.” She did as instructed and several of the other staff peaked in to quietly watch what the stallion was capable of. “Alright now I am just going to examine how your joints are positioned. You're going to feel me moving your legs and rubbing your back along your spine for a bit. This will tell me if any part of you might be in misalignment from how it should be.”

She simply nodded, “Alright then, whatever you say. Just watch where you're putting your hooves or we'll have to toss you right out.”

“Not a problem,” he reassured, “Just try to relax and loosen up your muscles.” She took a deep breath and calmed down, trying to make sense of what was happening. He took hold of her ankles and tugged them both down a bit. Then he seemed to press forward on the bottoms of her hooves back and forth. She felt concerned finding it a little invasive as he took one leg and stretched it out sideways before returning it back. Then he did the same to the other leg. “Just as I thought. You always lean to your left side while sitting in your chair, don't you?”

“Yeah, so? What about it?” She asked, not sure why that would matter for anything.

“All that pressure on one side of your hips affects your posture and one of your legs reaches down longer than the other as a result.”

“What?!” She gasped as Rayne raised his hooves trying to calm the startled mare. She looked to her side seeing the other staff nodding as Rayne brought her hooves together down at the end of the table. “You're saying that my body is crooked?!” She shouted feeling mortified to discover this about herself.

“Yes indeed. But not to worry because it's going to be something we will fix for you right now.” He told her as if it were no big deal. “Now eventually I will have proper tools for this to make things go a bit easier but for now we'll go about this the old fashion way.” Rayne placed his hooves at the base of her spine which made her jump from being touched just above her rump. She blushed a little but settled as his touch moved upwards and not any further below. He seemed to be feeling the joints in her spine, rubbing certain muscles this way and that way as he proceeded upwards through the middle of her back.

“Alright then. Flip over onto your back for me please.” He said stepping around beside her shoulders now. “I want you to cross your arms so you are holding your shoulders. Just like you're giving yourself a nice big hug. Good, now I want you to keep your back straight but bring your right knee up over your left leg as far as you can.” She followed his instructions and watched as he leaned over her hips taking hold on her raised leg in both arms. “Alright now I just want you to rock with me here a bit,” he said gently rolling her hip back and forth. “Okay now take in a deep, deep breath. Good now let it out slowly, breathing out, good, breathing, three, two...” he counted as he rocked when suddenly he pushed firmly down on her hips causing a loud series of cracks and snaps to fill the room from the pony’s spine. The onlookers screamed as they watched her whole body fall limp and her eyes seem to lull a bit. “Good, very good. Now put your leg down and just relax.” He said as the mare instantly fell loose on the table.

“What did you do to her?!” Screamed another staff pony angrily.

“Oh don't worry. She's ok.” Rayne stated as the receptionist continued laying there. “Okay now cross your arms again and this time I want you to bring your left knee over your right leg.” Rayne stepped around to the other side of the table so that he could repeat the process from the other side. “Okay deep breath in, in, in. Ok now let it out slowly, that's good, two, three…” Then another series of cracks flooded the room from the pony’s bones. Now she collapsed on the massage table seeming unable to move at all. Her friends panicked watching the the process happen for a second time. “Now don't you worry,” Rayne said addressing them as he went back to the end of the table to check the length of her hind legs. “She is just fine. Go ahead and tell them how you feel.” He called out to his volunteer.

The receptionist flopped her head over to their direction and mumbled out, “Uhhh, oh my. Tha-that felt… soooo good. Like uuhh… so good.” She slurred her words unable to process the experience she just had. Rayne chuckled seeing their surprised faces.

“But your bones cracked so loud! Didn't that hurt?” They asked. She just rolled her head loosely back and forth indicating that she wasn't in any kind of pain at all.

“What you heard ladies,” Rayne began to explain, ”was not her bones cracking but just pressure in her joints popping free. Now she is receiving much better blood flow throughout her body and her hips are no longer carrying the pressure of being imbalanced. Some ponies can find the experience to be a bit euphoric at first.

It was about this time that the mare lifted herself from the table and then was amazed as she tried standing. “My back… it doesn't hurt. It, it feels great!” She exclaimed and Rayne just smiled proudly.

Then while laughing the other staff ponies rushed into the room shouting, “Oh do me!" "No, me next!" "Me, me!”

Rayne chuckled, “Ladies, ladies, please. This is a professional service that I offer. If you would like to experience it for yourself then you have got to take a number like every other customer will.”

He allowed just a tad bit of smugness to shine through as he attempted to retain a professional composure. Rayne was certainly pleased when the receptionist looked him right in the eyes and said, “Oh you're hired!”

Author's Notes:

So who remembers when Rainbow Dash flew over Rayne's head in the previous chapter? The meeting in the castle takes place while Rayne is traveling underground with Maud. There will be lots of simultaneous events in this story. Also it worked out that both Pinkie and Rayne got delayed so nopony had to miss his party. Furthermore let me just add that while I do know a lot about massage, in real life I am not a trained or licensed Chiropractor. But I have gone to see one several times and am familiar with the practices that have helped me.

Also there has been new input about the cutie map activity. A few ideas are tossed around but nopony has any answers yet. I would love to hear what you think in the comments. Pinkie Pie did have a brief Deadpony moment there but the others laughed it off. I call Pinkie by the name Deadpony sometimes because she occasionally breaks the fourth wall or speaks with meta knowledge like Deadpool does.

Anyways, chapter six is done and so concludes Rayne's first day in Equestria haha. And as always, thank you for reading!