//------------------------------// // Chapter 28: Banana run // Story: The Reader // by GnollReader //------------------------------// There was an awkward silence as Celestia tried to divert her gaze away from the gnoll. "Remember the ten steps..." she whispered to herself, "Don't let it control you..." she was starting to sweat, "I don't need this... I don't need this..." she closed her eyes and concentrated. Her eyes snapped open again and focused on the gnoll, "I deserve this!" "Celestia alright? Is very quiet." Scar gave her an inquisitive look. "Why, yes, of course..." she said with a strange smile, "Captain, I'm afraid I have to steal Scar for a moment." "Uhhh, okay?" Purple Haze wasn't sure what to make of Celestia's behavior. Had her cheeks always been that red? "Don't worry, I'll return him later." there was a flash and both the princess and Scar were gone. The ponies in the library remained silent after the princess had disappeared, all except Rainbow Dash, "Can somepony tell me what the buck just happened?" --- Scar shook his head as he tried to orient himself. He hated teleportation. "This Celestia's room. Why did Celestia take gnoll here?" he thought for a moment, "Does Celestia not like banana?" Celestia chuckled as she lowered her crown onto a small table and walked towards him, "Quite the opposite, I love bananas very much." There was a predatory look in her eyes. "Now Scar,... " she got uncomfortably close to him, "There is something I have been craving to try out for a very long time now..." he gulped. --- Princess Luna was enjoying her morning rituals. Eat a light breakfast, read the morning news or a good book and enjoy the early day. The fact that it was already afternoon wasn't unusual, she reigned over the night, her sister over the day. When the sun rose she would go to bed. In the afternoon she would wake up and start to prepare for her duties. In the light of the current events most of the guards had been stationed at key points of the Equestrian border meaning that the castle was surprisingly empty at this time of day. It was a pleasant change not being watched by guards with every step for once. Satisfied with her meal and ready for a new day Luna got up from her table and went to the door. She felt fresh and full of energy, everything was as orderly as she wished it to be. She opened the door, and saw a giant banana shoot through the main hall and down the corridor followed closely by a laughing and prancing Celestia. Somewhere in the gardens, a lone stone statue shed a single tear of joy. Luna looked after them for a moment, decided her sanity wasn't worth asking and started her second breakfast this day. The few guards and servants on duty that day had a similar policy, don't ask, don't tell. Princess Celestia's obsession with bananas was a known fact to those that guarded and served her and her sister though nopony would dare mention it. She was the deity of the sun. She could banish ponies to the moon or worse. If she liked bananas, then that was that. --- The huge costume constricted him in his movement, but he still made good speed as he shot past doors and windows. Scar had almost reached the end of the north corridor when he was tackled from behind, "Got you!" He laughed as he got up again, "Celestia is much faster than gnoll thought. Was good chase!" Celestia laughed with her whole heart for the first time in what felt like decades, it had been a long time since she had the chance to do something she wanted to do for herself. "I must say, I haven't had this much fun in years. It is nice to do something silly once in a while." she was breathing faster than usual, "It seems though I am not as fit as I used to be." Scar had been surprised when she had told him she had always dreamed about chasing a banana. It was a silly game, but it was fun and challenging for him though he had made her promise not to use her magic before the hunt started. He got a small head start and started hobbling down the corridors at increasing speeds. He hadn't actually expected her to be this fast. He actually had to put up an effort to keep his distance. "Scar plays this game with the tiny ponies too. Good practice for hunt. Now is banana's turn to hunt." --- Luna had finished her second breakfast that day. She had calmed down and felt in control once again. Everything was in perfect order. Sound of shrieks, laughter and rampage could be heard coming closer even through the closed door. She gave a sigh of annoyance, "Oh please no..." The doors to the dining room burst open as her sister ran through them closely followed by a giant banana. "HAHA! Banana will catch Celestia!" "Is that you Scar?" Luna asked as he was chasing Celestia around the table. He stopped for a moment, "Yes, is banana gnoll!" Luna cast Celestia a blameful gaze, "Really? You put him in a costume? I know you like bananas, but isn't this taking it a bit far?" The gnoll shook his head, "Is Scar's disguise for Mare Night!" "Your disguise?" the gnoll nodded, "For Nightmare Night?" he nodded again. She turned to Celestia, "I pray none of the nobles saw you two. Don't you think you're a bit too old for this?" "Oh lighten up Lulu, we all need to have some fun from time to time." Celestia laughed, "The nobles aren't scheduled for another two hours anyway." "Lulu wants to play too?" the gnoll asked. "And he finally learned my name..." Luna cast Celestia an annoyed glance, she only smiled at Luna's discomfort. "Thank you Scar, but no. I'm just going to sit here and wait for my sister to regain her senses." Scar gave Celestia a measuring look, she was still panting, clearly she didn't run that much. As long as she didn't make a mistake and with him wearing his costume... He turned to Luna, "No worry Lulu, Scar won't need long to catch Celestia." "She just snuck out." Luna stated flatly. Scar snapped around, she was really gone. Right under his nose. Nothing was able to sneak past a gnoll. "Gnoll may need more time than it thought..." he shot off after her. Luna remained behind in the dining hall. A servant appeared at her side, "Another breakfast, princess?" "My sister is being chased through the castle by a gnoll dressed up like a giant banana. And he now calls me 'Lulu'." Luna said stoically. "Dessert then, princess?" "Indeed."