Princess Luna's Days Off

Chapter 1

A Run Around Castle Grounds

Sometimes, you just have "one of those days." That phrase carries so much weight and empathy from others, yet its meaning can be completely ambiguous should one prod for elaboration. Often times, the only explanation one can offer is merely "... just one of those days." This particular day happened to be one of "these" days for both rulers of the nation of Equestria.

As of recently, both Princesses Luna and Celestia would hold a combined court rather than two separate Day and Night courts conversely. This was the result of Luna aligning her sleep schedule to that of Celestia’s, which was a rather interesting development yet nevertheless it proved more efficient than the previous system, of which: Day Court by day, Night Court by Night.

It also served to alleviate the stress and sorrow that saddled itself with Luna with the feeling that her subjects never cared nor appreciated her. With a simple five minute conversation between her and Celestia it was found that further complications could easily be avoided by altering Luna’s sleep schedule, as few of her subjects really visited her during the late hours of the night. As well, the change proved more efficient in the sense that both voices of power could keep the Combined Court running smoothly throughout any given work day. Usually the two would take turns but once in a while a major issue would arise which would necessitate both Princesses observing the court procession. Luna was positively thrilled to have a greater role, more of what she considered equal in the government alongside her sister. As well, it was easily seen that her subjects appreciated the effort, some coming in just to speak with her personally.

Indeed it was a grand time to be had. A happy Luna and Celestia meant an overall happy kingdom afterall.

The last session of the Combined Court ended for the day as the guests filtered out. Last to leave were both Princesses. The two figures exited the large double doors which lead to the throne room.

“Well, I’d say that went fairly well,” Princess Celestia offered the first words of the evening. She stood a bit taller than her sister, fair complexion accentuating her ethereal, multi-colored hair perfectly and donning a white, regal dress which was fairly form-fitting. She squinted her eyes, partially shrouding her magenta irises as she stretched her back and arms, undoubtedly tight from sitting for a long period of time.

“Normally I am inclined to agree yet I feel this time our definitions of ‘fairly well’ differ if only slightly,” Princess Luna responded with mild sarcasm, rubbing one of her eyes and staring at her finger immediately afterwards, frowning in dis-amusement as she accidentally rubbed off her navy eyeshadow. Like her sister, Luna was fair-skinned and her own ethereal blue, sparkling hair complemented her perfectly. The younger of the regal sisters sported a similar bodily build to her solar sibling, albeit more toned and defined in certain areas. She was currently clad in a two-colored navy-blue/violet sleeveless dress with a (rather antiquated in style) corset underneath.  A small, single sash acted as a semi-sleeve over her right arm.

“Oh come on, Luna, it really wasn’t that bad today! Besides, I saw that Guard totally checking you out,” Celestia alluded teasingly, knowing full well that it got under her younger sister’s skin. The two sisters were more than comfortable with talking about more common subjects and using more raunchy language when they were amongst themselves. Celestia nudged Luna in her side as they strode down the hall.

“That is precisely why I felt this day was subpar, dear sister,” Luna deadpanned, feeling some blood rush to her face and heart rate increase in mild discomfort. Her attempt to shrug off Celestia’s teasing failed miserably.

“I really don’t understand why you’re put off, Lulu… especially with that corset you wear,” Celestia prodded more, her grin getting wider by the second.

“And just what offense has my corset committed?”

“Nothing really… If I didn’t know you better I’d think you were trying to show off…” the solar princess accentuated her innuendo by flicking her eyes to her sister’s chest.

“Do. You. Mind?!” Luna harshly muttered as she elbowed Celestia in her side, causing her to laugh as Luna instinctually attempted to adjust and pull the top of her dress upward. Luna felt quite hot in her attire at the moment and it definitely showed through her embarrassment. The reddening in her cheeks definitely wasn’t due to the blush she applied.

“Well… anyway,” Celestia began, deciding to cease annoying her little sister. “Just in case you’ve forgotten, there’s no Court tomorrow.”

Luna felt a small grin etch itself onto her lips. That meant she could get an early start on her day off.

And boy, could she use one.

“I see that smile worming its way onto your mug… got something planned for tomorrow?” Celestia asked. The two made a left into the royal quarters section of the castle, footsteps resounding from their white and blue respective heels in perfect synchronization.

“Not as of right now, no… which also begs the question of what to do now…?” Luna answered and followed up with her own thoughts out loud. She lightly grasped her chin between her thumb and index finger subconsciously, as was her habitual thinking-pose; her lips resumed their usual stoic form. Celestia lurched her upper body forward and stretched her arms out, yawning at the same time.

“Well, I don’t know about you, but I didn’t sleep as well as I’d have liked to last night so I think I’m gonna catch up on some shuteye,” Celestia revealed as they stepped in front of her large chamber doors. Luna stopped with her, her thoughts never faltering. “What about you? Think of anything interesting yet?”

Truth be told, Luna hadn’t done much in the last week in the way of anything physically strenuous. She prided herself on keeping in good shape but her exercise regimens had to be put off due to flare-ups in royal matters. As a result, she found herself with a surplus of energy that she just realized she needed to expend at this instant.

“I think… I shall go for a run,” Luna decided resolutely, clicking her tongue against the roof of her mouth and adding a small “Luna grin” for good measure. She turned to her older sister.

“A… run?” Celestia asked for confirmation, as Luna’s resolution seemed a bit out-of-the-blue.

“But of course! I have too much energy right now, and I feel it shall be a grand way to expunge it in entirety.” Luna then donned a sly smile. “It would be nice for you to join me once in a while, for I feel you could use it,” Luna quipped. Celestia raised her brow as she removed her golden tiara from her hair.

“And just what is that supposed to mean, Lulu?”

“Oh nothing really… just looking out for you lest you add more curvature to your rear,” Luna pressed her teasing.

“Implying I’m opposed to having a curvier rear. Don’t knock what you don’t have, Luna,” the solar sister rebutted with an equally sly grin. Luna merely chuckled as she turned and got ready to start down the hall.

“Celly, I feel there was a reason that that Guard was treating me as eye-candy and not you,” she finished. Celestia could only scoff, not having anything else clever to say. “Goodnight, sister. I love you dearly,” Luna added while already walking down to her own quarters, eyeing her sister over her shoulder with a most amused and victorious expression. Celestia only shook her head, chuckling to herself as she closed her doors.

Luna finally reached her room and delicately opened her doors, letting herself inside and shutting out the outside world temporarily. Just giving a quick once over, she looked all the way up to spy the ceiling of her bedchambers, covered magically by a background of deep space, stars twinkling with various luminosities and galaxies spinning. She took a deep breath and breathed out a sigh.

The Lunar Princess strode to her dresser and delicately removed her garments: placing her tiara on a marble bust and gently laying her dress on the bed as she stripped out of it. Next gone was the corset, leaving her bare to no one but herself. Turning back to her dresser, she removed the ideal clothing for her activities: violet mesh shorts, running shoes, and a navy blue sports bra and tank-top. Her last step entailed restoring her hair to a lifeless state, leaving it a normal blue with silky locks that she could run her fingers through.  

Eager to get outside, she performed a shortened version of her warm-up routine, which consisted of lots of hard stretching with some elements of yoga. Once she worked out that light burn in her legs and little sheen of moisture on her brow, she knew she was ready. Satisfied, Luna teleported herself out to the castle courtyard.

A few Guards were stationed and they glanced in her direction yet paid her no mind. They were used the Princess performing such activities. Luna cracked her knuckles, relieving some stiffness in her joints before taking her running stance. On her count, she was off.

She started with a little jog, letting the air fill her lungs and evacuate at a very even pace and ensuring that blood rushed to her legs properly. She could probably run for hours at this pace, but that wasn’t good enough for her. Once Luna rounded the first corner of the castle (her route was the castle perimeter) she pushed her legs faster. She felt the burn instantly but it subsided as fast as it came, her legs and lower abs quickly adjusting to the new speed. Her breathing intensified yet she pushed onward.

Rounding the next bend, she grunted a little bit in exertion as she pushed herself even harder. Now she was in a full-fledged run. She could hear her heartbeat in her ears… feel the wind pass through her now lifeless hair.

Just how she enjoyed it.

Luna wore her determined grin as she pressed forward, sweat slowly making its way to the surface of her face and offering a cooling sensation when combined with the air.  Her breathing was more labored, yet she wanted more.

Rounding another bend in the castle perimeter, which happened to be one last, long straightaway before she ended up where she started, she delved into a full-on sprint. She leaned forward a little just to add that extra leverage as she never lost her form. Her legs were begging for a break; her lungs pleading for more air. Luna pushed herself that much harder, her entire lower body screaming in agony, and only finally did she reach where she started. As she passed her marked starting point, she expended the last of her surplus energy by launching herself into the air, somersaulting once, and landing on her feet perfectly, bouncing a few times.

Her breathing was deep and rapid. Sweat made its presence known from her hairline down to her legs, of which Luna wiped her brow with her forearm and then placed her hands on her exposed sides. She could feel her abdominals extend and compress with every breath she took, the light definition she had on her exposed stomach making itself known every time she exhaled. Finally, Luna chuckled and a nice smile formed on her face.

“Just what I needed…” she said to no one in particular as she decided to turn and make her way back inside, preferring to walk rather than teleport.

The Lunar Princess decided that a shower was a great necessity at the present moment and only after could she get started on her much needed day off. When she finally reached her room after twenty minutes of a cool-down walk through the castle, Luna peeled her workout attire off her body and proceeded straight to her bathroom, eager to wash off the dried up sweat from her sore body.

Next Chapter: 2. Swing Estimated time remaining: 14 Minutes