//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1 
// Story: Our Principal Is A Belly Dancer 
// by mayorlight 
//------------------------------//

It was a typical Monday evening at Chiffon Veil's dance studio. Across the dance floor, the women of the adult belly dance class stretched and warmed up their bodies. They were a motley mix ranging in age from their twenties to their forties. Some were lean and athletic. Others sported curvier physiques. All of them were ready to forget the outside world and its troubles if only for an hour.

Among them were three women affectionately dubbed 'The Teachers Three:' Cadance, Dean of Crystal Prep Academy, and Luna and Celestia, Vice Principal and Principal respectively of Canterlot High School.

Cadance inhaled deeply as she stretched both her arms to the ceiling. Nearby, Luna and Celestia both sat on the floor facing each other with their legs stretched out as wide as they could. Luna slowly pulled Celestia's hands forward until her sister gave her a light squeeze. They held their position for ten seconds before gently releasing it.

"You're getting more flexible," said Luna.

Celestia smiled. "Thanks to you."

"We only showed you the door," said Cadance. "You were the one who walked through it."


***


For Celestia, it all began three months prior. For some time, she had noticed Luna consistently disappearing Monday and Wednesday nights. One evening, she decided to confront her sister about it over dinner at their favorite bakery cafe. As an extra measure, Celestia asked for a booth in a corner of the restaurant, away from the other patrons. They ordered their usual; grilled cheese on sourdough and cream of tomato soup for Celestia, garden salad and cream of broccoli soup for Luna. Halfway through their meal, Celestia sprang the trap.

"Would you like to watch a movie Wednesday night?"

Luna hesitated as she swallowed a mouthful of soup. "Not on a Wednesday. Another day perhaps."

"Except Monday." Luna froze at her sister's words. Celestia knew that look - it was the same one Luna wore whenever she had caught her borrowing her clothes and makeup without permission. Celestia raised an eyebrow as she added "Right?"

"I thought it was odd for you to even consider going out on a school night," Luna said dryly as she lowered her spoon. "Well, there's no fooling you, sister. I've been going to dance class."

"This is a surprise," said Celestia, already picturing Luna in the arms of some debonair dance instructor. "Ballroom? Jazz? Swing?"

Luna hesitated a moment before whispering "Belly dancing."

Celestia blinked. Did she just mishear her sister say 'ballet dancing'? No, there is was no mistaking it - Luna distinctly said 'belly dancing.' Suddenly, Celestia's mind flooded with images of her sister clad in a skimpy diaphanous outfit dancing before a hookah-smoking mystery man seated on a cushion.

"Better you see for yourself," said Luna as she fiddled with her phone and slid it across the table. The video playing on the screen showing her in what appeared to be a dance studio, clad in a striking midriff-baring black and silver outfit.

Celestia watched enrapt as her sister shimmied and undulated to an entrancing percussion and string instrumental playing in the background. A tiny part of her felt as though she should feel scandalized at what she was watching, yet she did not in the least. While Luna's outfit definitely showed a lot of skin, there was nothing raunchy or lascivious about the way she moved. In fact, the Luna in the video seemed an entirely different person from the sister sitting before her - the sister she had always known. A few minutes later, Luna concluded her performance with a grand flourish.

Celestia struggled for words as she returned the phone to her sister. "That was...incredible."

"Wait til you see Cadance."

Celestia nearly spilled her water bottle. She now recalled a few times when their Crystal Prep colleague had also been unreachable on Monday and Wednesday evenings. 

"Who else is in on this?"

It was then that Luna told the story of how she and Cadance enrolled in the belly dance class at Chiffon Veil's dance studio. Celestia listened intently as her sister told her about Twilight Sparkle and Shining Armor happening upon their quarterly recital. Afterward, Twilight expressed an interest in learning belly dance, as did Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy shortly after. Luna then spoke to Chiffon Veil about offering a junior class. As luck would have it, one of Cadance's students from Crystal Prep Academy, Sugarcoat, would also join the class after watching Cadance give a public demo performance. On top of their own practice, Luna and Cadance were now assisting Chiffon Veil with the junior class.

"I've been wanting to tell you; I just didn't know how you would take it."

"Understandable," Celestia said solemnly. A moment later, she sheepishly added "Truth be told, I'm a little jealous. I cannot boast having some deep, dark secret..."

Luna nearly choked on her salad. "You make it sound like I wrap myself around a pole!" she sputtered defensively. A few of the other patrons glanced over at her outburst.

"It's just that...you're the last person I'd ever imagine taking up belly dancing." It was true. Celestia had never known Luna to show off her skin, and could only recall a handful of times ever seeing her sister wear a bikini or otherwise bare her midriff.

Luna's demeanor softened at her sister's words. She paused for a moment before gazing out the window at the evening sky. "A year ago, I wouldn't have imagined taking it up either. I don't know how else to describe it. For the first time in I don't know how many years, I don't feel like some old fuddy-duddy." She then reached for the large chocolate chip cookie that had come with her meal. "Ready for dessert?"

Celestia looked down at her own cookie, the sandwich in her stomach suddenly feeling much heavier. "I'll, uh, save mine for later."


***


The following day, Celestia and Luna went back to business as usual.  As much as Celestia tried to take her mind off it, their conversation that evening was never far from her thoughts. She could not put her finger on it, but watching her sister's performance had also stirred something primal within the very core of her being.

Both of them had attended and graduated from Canterlot High School and had since dedicated their lives to educating new generations. To that end, they had made every effort in their personal lives to avoid anything remotely scandalous, especially with the ever-increasing ease of spreading gossip. While preparing their students to chase their dreams was indeed its own reward, every day, they were surrounded by reminders of their bygone youth.

One evening, Celestia took a good long look at herself in the mirror. Her years as principal of CHS had yet to take any visible toll on her. The faint lines under her eyes were only visible upon very close inspection. While her waistline had gained a few centimeters over the last decade, she was still physically fit. She was in the prime of her life, and yet she felt far past it.

You're not getting any younger, she thought to herself.

After two weeks of deliberation and soul-searching, Celestia walked into Chiffon Veil's dance studio and enrolled in the adult belly dance class. Luna and Cadance were surprised and ecstatic when she showed up to class the following Wednesday. They introduced her to all of the women in their class. Some were still in college. A few were professionals such as an accountant, a biochemist, and a software developer. Some danced for exercise. Some did so just for fun. All of them were welcoming and supportive. Chiffon Veil herself proved to be an enthusiastic and inspiring instructor, motivating each of her students to keep learning and pushing themselves further. These were qualities that Celestia always looked for in a teacher.

Celestia left each class with her abs and thighs burning, but she savored the feeling. Soon, she was making her daily rounds at CHS with more energy than she had ever had before. For so many years she had been a teacher that she had forgotten what it was like to be a student. In a stark reversal from their professional lives, Luna and Cadance were now her mentors. With their help, she quickly mastered the basics and was preparing to make her belly dancing debut at their quarterly recital a mere two weeks away!


***


When it came time to begin class, Chiffon Veil emerged from her office. This evening, however, she did not radiate as much of her usual youthful exuberance.

"Good evening ladies," she said in a rather somber voice. "Before we begin this evening, I have some unfortunate news."

All of the women drew closer to their instructor.

"As some of you may have already heard, there was a fire in Old Town Canterlot earlier today. Among the buildings damaged was our longtime venue, the Old Town Theater." Several murmurs rippled through the class. Chiffon Veil continued without missing a beat. "I am currently searching for a new venue for our quarterly recital. I will keep you all posted. But for now, let us begin!"

With that, the class went underway. The evening's program focused primarily on footwork. Celestia was still getting the hang of traveling steps; it was a challenge keeping her hips moving in rhythm as she walked. Even with the news of the Old Town Theater's destruction, the women spent the last fifteen minutes enthusiastically working on their recital solos.

Afterward, as the other women left for the changing room, Celestia, Luna, and Cadance went over to Chiffon Veil's office. Lining the wall were several nature-themed inspirational and motivational posters. Off to the side was a small bookcase filled with books on belly dance, yoga, self-improvement, and nutrition. Chiffon Veil glanced up from her desk, now looking much closer to her actual age.

"Is everything okay?" asked Cadance.

Chiffon Veil sighed. "I don't know if I'll be able to find an open venue within the next two weeks."

"What about the Canterlot Inn?" asked Luna.

"With convention season, the hotels are completely booked through the next two months. If I cannot find a new venue soon, we may need to postpone the recital."

The four women spent a moment in pensive silence. Celestia's mind raced. At that moment, she wanted nothing more than to help Chiffon Veil, especially after she had opened up a whole new world for her. Ideally, the venue for their recital would have to be someplace highly visible (for safety reasons) with both ample parking and easy access to public transportation. Then it dawned on her.

"I might know a place..." said Celestia.