Chapter 5: Casual

Luna had been tending to her usual morning routine of freshening herself up, only this time it wasn’t for court or any other miscellaneous royal duty. This time she was to go out with her new friends… in public. She had to admit, she had been enjoying all of their company so far, save for a few unwelcome moments here and there. But, judging on how best friends act around each other, sometimes they get on each other’s nerves. Hell, sometimes they prod each other’s nerves just for the hilarity of the reaction. It’s what friends do, right? Besides, being the victim of jests wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Either way, it builds up her exposure to others, and that, in the end, is what really mattered to Luna.

Luna was in the shower right now, calmly trying to get herself oriented in the day and letting the steam percolate through the bathroom. One thing Luna always indulged in was ridiculously long showers. During heavy sessions of royal duties, she found that the shower was the sanctuary away from her own quarters; using ten percent of her time actually bathing herself, and the rest thinking about life and how to approach her duties. It helped get her through the day, and even now, she was enjoying every minute of it. Doing her thinking first, she had been contemplating and adding mental feedback to her progress over the last day or so. Overall, she had great things to say, but tonight was going to be the ultimate test for her. Deciding to face it when it was needed, Luna then decided to be productive and actually bathe herself. As she was washing her body down, she thought she had picked up the sound of the door opening. Thinking nothing of it, she continued to rinse herself off, facing the showerhead, until she now was certain there was a presence behind her. She froze in place.

“Hey Luna, you were taking forever so I decided to consolidate and share the shower with you. We’re all girls in the end so…” the Rainbow haired intruder said suddenly. Luna tensed up immediately and slowly turned around, too shocked for words and just glared at the other nude girl in the shower with her. Turning around, Dash was now able to get a full look at the Lunar Princess in her most vulnerable state.

“DAAAAAYUUUUM Luna! Look at you rockin’ that body!” Rainbow Dash shouted with glee, tracing her eyes up and down Luna’s generous form, completely oblivious, or indifferent to the fact that she was digging her own grave deeper and deeper.  Luna continued to say nothing, her glare hardening and still somewhat in shock, the only difference being that she turned a shade of red. Being introverted, Luna was somewhat self-conscious of her physical self, feeling that it had something to do with her being accepted into society. She took pride in working herself out quite nicely. Not used to the very shrewd compliment, she continued to stare daggers at Dash, her last warning to the runner that she had better get out now. Unfortunately, things did not progress in the most desirable fashion.

“I’m not sure what team you play for, Luna, but damn I wouldn’t mind test driving the product if you catch my drift,” Rainbow Dash added. At that moment, Luna’s eyes flared a bright blue.

“Alright, everyone ready so far?” Twilight asked the rest of her friends who were gathered in the common room.

“Seems like it. Just waitin’ on Luna and RD,” Applejack added. “Speakin’ o’which, I know Luna is finishing her shower, but where the hell is that Rainbow-haired tool?” she inquired.

“Indeed, where is Rainbow Dash?” Rarity echoed.

“Oh oooh! I know! She said something about Luna being too slow in the shower, so she was going to share it with her to save time,” Pinkie added in her usual tone of voice.

“She said WHAT?!” Twilight asked, almost fainting on the spot.

“Oh dear…” Fluttershy added in softly, burying her face in her hair as if feeling Luna’s embarrassment.

“Oh lord… this cannot end well. Pinkie, when did she go in?” Applejack asked.

“About a minute ago actually,” the curly-haired party girl answered. Twilight only sat down and buried her head in her hands.

“Three… two… one…” she counted down. At that instant, a small space in the middle of the common room ruptured, revealing an instantaneous portal. Right as it opened, a nude Rainbow Dash was thrown out of it with great force, colliding with a bookcase, and the portal closing instantly.

“uuuugh… my head…” Rainbow Dash said, clutching her head.

“Serves yah right, ya dumbass. What were’ya thinkin? Put yer damn clothes on,” Applejack said in a reprimanding tone, throwing her clothes at her, which Dash complied and put on.

“Hey, someone’s gotta test her limits, otherwise she won’t get comfortable. I was expecting good things!” she defended herself.

“Then you’re an idiot,” Twilight said in a monotone.

“By barging in on her nude?!” Rarity asked, horrified.

“Well yeah! What better limit than when one is naked? Besides… getting thrown out of a portal for getting a look at that… totally worth it,” Dash replied with a smug smile on her face, now fully dressed.

“You… dense… bitch! Yah don’t invade people’s showers! Yah just don’t do that!” Applejack scolded, flailing her arms in the air to make a point.

“Like I said… after seeing that, totally worth it!” Dash responded with her ever confident smirk on her face, causing Pinkie to get enveloped in a giggle fit over the situation.

“Yeah, I’m sure she appreciates that compliment,” Twilight added in.

“She turned another shade of red, that’s for sure,” Rainbow replied.

“Oh shut your hole,” Twilight responded, walking towards the stairs.

“Oh I know a way you could shut it, Twily,” Dash retorted in a sultry tone and with a wink. Twilight glared at her while Rarity facepalmed. Applejack socked her in the stomach.

“OW! What the heck was that for!” Dash asked, rubbing her stomach.

“Fer bein’ a twat,” Applejack scolded once more.

“Works for me,” Dash said.

A little while later, Luna mad her presence known when she finished her shower, still wrapped in a towel.

“Sorry I took so long, but a certain someone decided to try their luck with me in the shower,” Luna said, glaring once again at Rainbow Dash, who in turn gave her a sheepish smile.

“No worries Luna. We’re just waiting for you to get dressed and we’ll be off,” Twilight said in her usual soft manner.

“Indeed, but there’s a problem. As you know, I am not in possession of casual wear for outings,” Luna admitted, a little bit embarrassed. Pinkie’s eyes twinkled.

“Oh! I’ll help you with that Luna, come with me!” Pinkie shouted. Not giving any time for Luna to respond, Pinkie ran by and grabbed her by the hand, dragging her into the guest room along with a suitcase full of clothes that no one else knew where it came from. Pinkie being Pinkie. The door shut immediately after they entered. The rest of the girls decided to listen in. Nothing was heard for a small amount of time, but then silence was shattered:

“NO! NO NO NO NO NO! I am NOT wearing this out in public!”

“Oh Luna, it’s only temporary until we get you something you’ll like which is the whole reason we’re going out today. You’ll attract more attention wearing your royal stuff!” Pinkie replied with a happy tone.

“Oh good lord I feel so… exposed! It’s just… I… I mean… Look at this! This is a top?? Before I was banished we used to call this a sportsbra!”

“Now you’re being overdramatic, it’s not that bad. Just bear with me for a couple hours. Once you find something of your taste, you can burn these immediately if you choose!”

“Ugh, oh very well. Let’s just get this over with,”

The door unlocked and Pinkie came out first, smiling as usual. Luna, however, did not exit out of the room.

“Luna, come on out!” Pinkie urged her.

“No.”

“Luna! You ordered us to treat you like you were one of our great friends, which you are, rather than royalty. So I’m gonna act on that, and so help me if you don’t get out here this instant I will come in there and drag you out here by your ti-”

“Okay! Okay! I get it… just… gimme a second please,” Luna conceded, interrupting Pinkie’s little tirade and further whetting the curiosity of the other girls. Luna then emerged, slowly coming into the light of the common room. She had on tight, formfitting white work pants that, well… fit her form very generously. This was complemented by a tight and very pink top that came down to her belt line. The top had the right shoulder cut out, effectively exposing Luna’s shoulder and a small piece of her blue bra strap. In the eyes of the other girls and by modern standards, this was actually quite casual wear amongst girls their age. She’d fit in perfectly. However, Twilight could understand how she would be feeling exposed, considering she has worn formal her entire life. Nevertheless, the look went amazingly with her figure. Luna, however, did not think so. Not always thinking highly of herself in the physical appearance department, she subconsciously waited for a rejection or mockery from her new friends.

“Wow Luna… you look amazing!” Fluttershy, surprisingly, being the one to say something first, her bright blue eyes gleaming at Luna.

“I simply… well actually, more than agree with Fluttershy! You look spectacularly marvelous! The colors contrast perfectly and you have the ideal figure for such wear!” Rarity commented with her fashion sense. The other girls only nodded in agreement, and Dash looked like she turned a small shade of red.

“I have to agree, Luna. Although it may not be your color preference, the look definitely fits you!” Twilight added last with a very genuine smile. Luna was taken aback internally, but not in a bad way. What she did express on the outside, however, was a very deep blush. She had not considered herself relatively good looking, yet she was receiving so much genuine praise. Luna could not help but feel incredibly grateful for their feedback and support.

“Thank you… thank you all…” was all she could muster, looking like she was trying to hide behind her hair much like Fluttershy.  

“Well then, I say we are all set to go. Let us get Luna some magnificent clothes! To the Ponyville Mall!” Rarity yelled with delight as she led everyone out the door. As Luna followed the girls out into the bright, pre-noon day, she found herself performing feedback on her temporary clothes. Granted, they were not her color, but she found them rather… unconstricting. She smiled a bit at this, and out of instinct tugged the right shirt sleeve over her shoulder, only to have it fall back into place again, leaving her very lightly tanned shoulder ever exposed.  She shrugged and continued to walk by Twilight as they ventured to the mall.

“Cannot win them all, I suppose. But I guess I can get used to this look. Quite comfortably nonrestrictive if I might add,” Luna said to herself.

“I have to agree with the girls. You look absolutely hot in that, Lulu,”  another voice echoed in Luna’s head, causing her to roll her eyes.

“Good morning, sister. No raunchy comment to start the conversation as per always. I’m impressed,” Luna added, sarcastically. At that moment, the group passed a young man going about his day. He casually glanced at Luna, who caught his eye first, and he smiled at her. Luna immediately became flustered and turned red, completely unused to being looked at in such a way. Of course, on the situation of a raunchy comment, she spoke too soon.

“See that young man you all just passed? He shot you a look that simply screamed that he wanted to do terrible things to your-”

“Shut the fuck up, Tia.”