//------------------------------//
// Retirement 
// Story: Retirement 
// by James Pwyll 
//------------------------------//

"So...you remembered your sunscreen this time, sister?" Celestia asked.

Luna sighed. "Yes, Tia. I did."

"And the right strength too?"

"Yes, Tia."

"And you're sure that new parasol of yours will keep out the sunshine from you properly?"

Luna was understandably getting miffed at that point. "Tia! I assure you I've taken every precaution necessary! The sun won't burn me this time."

But rather than be put off by her younger sibling's snap, Celestia merely smiled. "Just looking out for my baby sister. You'd do the same in my place."

Luna smirked to that. "I'm old enough to be a many-times great-grandmother, Tia. I think you can leave 'baby' out of your descriptions of me."

The two shared a laugh, ending with a contented sigh as they both reclined into their respective deckchairs. The sun was shining brilliantly today, and Celestia was sure to make a mental note to tell Twilight how lovely she'd done raising it since she took on her role. The beach was largely vacant today, save for one or two families who had come here for a vacation. All in all, the place was perfect for some warm relaxation for the two sisters. The quiet really got to them, and as they listened to the gentle breeze and the slow and small waves of the sea, they closed their eyes, happy and sure that things were good right now. "Hard to think of us like this, isn't it?"

Luna didn't even turn to her for ask for clarification. She knew already. "Not ruling anymore?" Seeing her sister nod, Luna continued. "I do not blame you. Looking forward and seeing naught but clear and empty days, filled with only what we want to do, and not what we're expected to do...it'll take some getting used to."

Celestia smiled to her. "Well, at least we were properly practised for it with that little vacation we took beforehoof."

Luna grimaced slightly. "But here's hoping our retirement doesn't go that badly."

Again, the two laughed together, and when it was over Celestia looked along the beach. "You know, I hear there's a lovely little restaurant right at the end over there. Best salad this side of Canterlot. Think we might partake there for our lunch today?"

Luna considered that, smiling. "I'd hardly say no. Though I will want to nap out here for a touch longer, if it's all the same to you."

Celestia nodded. "Of course. There's no rush." Her smile widened. "And you know, I honestly never thought I'd reach a point in my life when I'd actually be able to say that."

Luna turned to her. "I'm not surprised. I may be proud of the work I've put into our nation, but there's no question that you had the greater share of the responsibilities. I imagine there were days when you felt like the work would be all there ever was to your life."

Celestia sighed. "It got difficult sometimes, there's no denying that. Ruling alone was especially hard. I'm honestly trying to think just how many days rest I had during that time. Spike could probably count them on one hand and still have claws to spare!"

Luna cocked an eyebrow. "I'm sure you must be exaggerating."

After a moment, Celestia sighed. "Perhaps I am. But still..."

Her younger sister nodded. "I know, Tia, I know." They sat in silence for a time, enjoying the quiet. It helped to calm them a great deal. Every once in a while, Luna would cast a glance in the direction of some of the children playing with their parents further along the beach, and as she did so, she began to ponder. "You know, for all its faults, I think I'll miss it."

Celestia looked to her with curiosity. "Miss what?"

Luna shrugged as she looked back to her. "My role. Guarding the dreams and sleep of Equestria. I'd always look forward to seeing the dreams of the children. So much joy and fun in those little heads of theirs. It..." Her smile grew a little. "It brought me comfort. To know that, even after all the dark times in our land's history, the young could still think and dream of happy things so often." Her eyes met those of her sister. "I'm sure I have you to thank for that, Tia."

The elder alicorn blushed slightly. "Oh, I did my part."

Luna shook her head. "You do yourself too little credit. Equestria prospered for many centuries thanks to you. While I was gone, you gave ponies an era of peace and harmony. Thanks to you...the children could sleep easy."

A silence between them, and Celestia thought long and hard about it. "I wanted...I wanted so much for the young to live happily in our nation. I remembered well how terrible things could be in the past. A past so far back that none remember it but you and I. And I swore to myself...never again would our people know those dark times. Times of chaos. Times where the callous and the wicked held sway."

Luna nodded firmly. "You did well. When I returned, one of the first things I did was ask what Equestria has been like during my absence. There was not one soul who didn't praise what you'd done. Your rule will be remembered well and fondly even into Twilight's reign."

At the mention of her student, Celestia's smile returned. "I truly hope she will cope in that throne. It can be...quite lonely, at the top."

Luna reached out, giving her sister a pat on the shoulder. "Fret not, Tia. If there's anypony who can mange a place as crazy as Equestria, it's Twilight. Besides..." She started to smirk. "She'll hardly be alone, will she?"

Celestia giggled a little. "No, I suppose not. Still, I do wonder how things will go for her."

Reaching to the side, Luna took some sunglasses and placed them over her own eyes. "I doubt it'll be long before she sees you again. If I were a betting mare, I'd say she's already trying to schedule a day to come and visit us here."

Celestia reclined further into her chair, looking to the bright sun above. "I'd look forward to it." Then, after remembering something they'd been talking about before, the eldest sister nudged her younger in the side, prompting Luna to look to her with some uncertainty, before speaking up in a confident way. "You know...if you ever want to visit dreams again, you're probably still free to do so."

Luna seemed unsure of that. "You think so? It's hardly my place now."

Celestia waved her off. "Oh, you might not be officially doing it. But that doesn't mean you have to stop entirely. I'm not saying you fight off nightmares or anything, but...you know...just go out and look. It always brought you such happiness to be a part of that world."

Luna considered that, nodding slowly. "Perhaps...I could." Then her smile returned. "If nothing else, perhaps I could teach Twilight a thing or two about it, since she'll most likely need to take on the role herself."

Celestia's smile grew even further. "That's the spirit! Maybe the two of you could visit the dream world together? Maybe take her on a training course and..." Then she stopped, realising what she'd been saying, and started to laugh. Luna looked to her with understandable confusion, which eventually led to Celestia explaining herself. "Oh, I'm sorry. Just...listen to us. Here we are, retired and finally trying to walk away from the role of rulers...and we're still coming up with ways to try and be involved."

It took little time for Luna too to laugh. "It's hardly unexpected, sister. We were involved for so long. Walking away was never going to be a clear and simple thing to do."

Celestia smirked to her. "Old habits die hard?"

Luna matched her expression. "As the young might say."

Staring up at the sky again, Celestia allowed herself a bit of relaxation. "I always knew this would be a difficult transition...but have we really worked so long that we can no longer fathom our lives without it?"

Luna sighed. "It appears so."

Here, Celestia looked to her firmly. "Well, we're going to do something about that! For the rest of the day, you and I will do nothing but doze on this beach!"

Luna too nodded, stretching out her hoof to offer to her sister. "As ever, I follow your wise counsel, Celestia."

Giggling, Celestia bumped her sister's hoof with her own. "Very well then...let the lazy afternoon commence!"