"Zipp, stop being such a puss!" exclaimed the younger sister.
Pipp's wings were fluttering noisily, matching the level of her speech. She didn't usually shout, but it seemed as though her sister knew just how to press her buttons.
The pearl coated pegasus stood in front of the large doorway that seemed to go on as if it were a sky scraper. Her hooves were spread and she wore an agitated expression.
"I told you Pipp! If you step one hoof out there, they'll mob you right there!" retorted the older pegasus.
Her wings were spread out blocking the tall doorway behind her, her hooves were firmly planted on the floor and her expression remained unshaken. She was used to the screaming, she herself had that role in their fights, she was the one more prone to exclaiming her statements or shouting her points. No matter what she tried though, her sister had never listened. At this point in their sibling rivalry, it was expected that neither listened to each other.
"No they won't! My fans are nice! They'll listen and cooperate!" huffed the pink princess. "Not like you'd know anything about that" she mumbled.
The pearl princess merely rolled her eyes at the statement, "And like you're any better?" the pearl sister pounced back.
Her words were tinted with annoyance but showed nothing more than disdain. Letting out another huff, Pipp, took out her phone from under her cloud-like wing and trotted off, mumbling incoherent words under her breath as she did so.
That fight was the one from earlier that day, not one of their worst as it had ended early. If it had gone on longer, it likely would have stretched through the night, probably forcing castle guards to come split them up. Fights were a part of their routine. Like every younger sibling, Pipp never seemed to listen to her. No matter how right she may be, Pipp always blew her off as if she had nothing worthwhile to say.
Her sister, Pipp, and her never got along. Pipp was alright with the lie they had to live with, while she was not. Their mother had tried to break the two's fighting streak, but failed within a week or two. Zipp hated the lie they lived with. She hated pretending, hated faking what she was. Hated everything they did! If she had the power, she would announce their lie to the world and be free from of it. Nopony could hate her for wanting the truth over lies.
But alas, she was not in control of such an action, if she were to be saying such things in public, one of the two were sure to play out; either they didn't believe her and moved on with their lives, or they hate her and her family for the secret they kept. Hate was not something she feared, she never minded such a feeling. Such a feeling was even natural in her home. But her sister was not the same. She would freak at a single hate comment or insult, saying that her reputation was on the line. Claiming that she was not going to live it down, ever. She kept each and every one of those comments saved at the back of her mind, never forgetting it, and trying to improve off of it. Now that was something Zipp actually admired about her sister; her ability to improve from insults rather than to deflate upon hearing such words.
That being said, Pipp still disliked coming across such things, and had rejected the option to come clean about their lie.
Zip, too, had her issue with the idea. She loved the thought of telling ponies about her lies, but who could she trust with such information? Who could be willing to hear her out completely, and genuinely care for what she had to say? Genuinely care about her issue? Care about her, in general? Not the whole world, that's for sure.
She had come across plenty of ponies who claimed they cared for her, but just ended up abandoning her when times got tough. She didn't want that to repeat. She didn't want to have to deal with that feeling. A feeling of hurt and sorrow. A feeling that made her want to tear herself apart. A feeling she wished she never felt. A feeling that told her that she was alone, and that nopony could be trusted. That she had to fend for herself, and that she was never going to make a true friend...
A weak sigh soon left her lips. A few guards eyed her pitifully, but she soon vanished out of view as she trotted into her bedroom. She closed the massive gold-colored doors, with a groan to make up for the weak sigh from earlier. She then collapsed on bed and brought her hooves up to her eyes, rubbing them anxiously. Thinking about her issues had been wearing down on her, she wished so badly to speak with somepony about it, but she just couldn't trust random ponies with her feelings. Especially if they were going to throw them right back in her face, claim they didn't care and trot out of her life, just as they came, quietly and unseen.
It was not that she wasn't open to the idea of interacting. She was willing to talk to anypony on a first name basis even. She was willing to make associates and was willing to protect ponies from the harsh reality. But she was not willing to trust anypony with her problems, that was just not in her.
These thoughts reappearing in her mind were the result of a day filled with tiresome fights, negligent watchers, and unfaithful words. The kind of day she hated. Though most of her days were like that.
She grabbed her fluffy white blanket and wrapped it around her pearl white figure. Her wings flinched at the connection but soon relaxed and adjusted themselves against her side as she found her place on the bed. She stared up at the ceiling, searching for something, but just couldn't place it. She let a soft sigh escape her lips as she closed her eyes to rest them for a little. They soon shot open as a slight realization hit her, the lights. She facehoofed, and slowly drifted out of bed, with her blanket still wrapped around her. She placed one hoof on her chest, to keep the fluffy white fabric from falling on one side of her. She made her way to the light switch. While on her way to the other side of her room, she heard a quick buzz from beside her. She shot her head toward her computer to see a few notifications go off. She scanned through them, none seeming to catch her interest in any way, except for the last one.
A private message, sent to her? Why would ponies be sending her messages? She read the title, 'Just popping a hi:)'. Nothing special, right? Well yes, it should be, but there was this nagging feeling telling her to give it a try. She soon found herself sitting on the chair, her hoof on the keyboard. She clicked on the message, and sure enough, it was for her.
???: Hi there! I know I'm quite randomly appearing on you, I'm sorry for that. But I just wanted to ask, how's everything? When we do see you outside of the castle it doesn't look like you're enjoying yourself is all. I wanted to make sure that you were alright. Again, I do apologize for appearing so abruptly, and I hope you have a wonderful day, Zipp.
She hesitated for a long while before actually typing back.
Zipp: Hi, do I know you? And I'm doing just fine thank you.
The message took its grand old time, sending itself to the other user. The pony on the receiving end of the text didn't to answer straight away. Zipp sat there, staring at her computer, unsure as to what was happening. She had come across plenty of ponies who used her, and she trusted little to no one, not even her own family. But why this stranger? Why did she feel the need to reply? Why this pony? Plenty of ponies have reached out to her to get a picture or something... but nopony's ever cared about how she's been doing herself.
???: Oh! Nice to hear then! Fine is better than nothing. And you don't particularly know me, I don't want to say I know you, either, but being crowned princess in Zephyr Heights, sort of means that your name's plastered all over, and it's kind of hard for me not to know of you.
Another long-hesitated reply was in order. This pony didn't seem so bad, but neither did any of the other ponies. She gulped, if she replied, this would probably escalate into something bad or turn into something enjoyable. She decided to reply.
Zipp: Ok, if you know me, can I know who you are?
She tried making sure she didn't come off as annoying or bratty or spoilt and such. She just wanted to come off as herself, Zipp.
Cinematic: I don't see why not. My name is Cinematic, and I work with movie production staff, and hope to bring one of my own stories into the cinemas one day. I mainly do and wish to produce cartoon movies for a younger audience. Oh, and yes, I am very much a he, don't be intimidated, I can't even manage one wing-up without loosing breath. I suppose that's all I have to say, not much to know if I'm being frank.
Cinematic, that didn't seem so bad, right? I mean he doesn't seem to have any bad intentions. No! That's what he's putting on! He wants her to think this, and then he'll get on her good side, get information out of her, and leave just like everypony else! She was not going to fall for that, not again.
Zipp: Well, Cinematic, this was a nice chat and all, but I have princess things to take care of, I have to go.
She ended their conversation nice ad quickly. Had that come off as mean? Was that what he'd think of her now, that she was mean, and rude? Why had she made that last reply so rude?
Cinematic: Oh! Understood, responsibilities and all. If you need to talk, I'm all ears!
Was his last reply before logging out. She saw the words on the top right of her screen turn from green to red as the words changed with it; Online -> Offline.
She slammed her hooves on the table. What had she done?! Could she take another heartbreak!? She wasn't going to reply to him, never again! She made up her mind, and went back to bed, this time, after turning off the lights.
"Never Again"
"Ugh!" groaned the pink princess from her side of the table. Queen Haven was eying her top to bottom, and she was getting uncomfortable.
"Mom! What are you doing?!" she exclaimed, flailing a hoof in the air to exaggerate her exclamation.
While that was going on, Zipp sat on the other side of the table, eating away. She had her phone placed next to her plate, eyeing the black screen every now and again, for what seemed to be nothing. She had completely tuned her sister out at this point, when you get to a certain point in a relationship you can just not listen to their nonsense.
Ever since the night prior, she had been anticipating a new message from Cinematic, even though she had no clue as to why this was. She didn't trust this stranger with her life or her secrets, but feeling as though she had somepony to fall back on was a nice feeling she wanted to hold on to.
"Mom! Stop it!" exclaimed the pink princess yet again, seeing no end to her mother's scrutiny.
This time her statement got through to the queen, and she gazed away from her daughter. She had been awaiting a confession from the pink princess, she knew there was something the Pegasus had been hiding. She then brought her motherly gaze onto her oldest daughter, Zipp. She watched as her daughter turned her gaze back and forth between the plate of food in front of her, and the black screen of her phone. Trying to figure out what her daughter was up to, she remained quiet, hoping something would answer her question. Alas, this was not the case, she sat there eying her daughter while she ate, but she didn't even receive a mere glance from her daughter. Frustrated with her daughters secretiveness, she cleared her throat, earning the attention of both sisters. Both sister looked up at their mother.
Finally having gained their attention, she gave herself an approving smile before begining her statement.
"Alright, what have you two been up to?" The queen asked, wearing a very evident smirk.
Both gave her expressionless looks. Neither uttered a word, and both remained quiet. After the question had sunk in and had completely evaporated from their systems, they returned to their original tasks.
The queen shook her head,. Why had she bothered, neither of them were willing to talk to her about anything.
Once their plates were emptied both princesses rushed off to their own rooms, lost in whatever task they had on their minds. The queen turned her head about to see the tail end of their rush. A sigh soon escaped her lips.
"Why do I bother?" she asked, leaving the table for the cleaners to finish up.
Making her way to her room, Zipp had set her notifications to go of, if, and only if, she received a text from Cinematic. Having breakfast with her family had shown her just what she was looking for, connection. More precisely, connection with a pony she could trust. She had so desperately wanted to speak to her mother about it, but Zipp's lack of trust was clouding that action.
Ding!
Went her phone. She shot her head toward her wing, pulled her silver-cased phone out, and sure enough, it was him.
Cinematic: How are things going? Any good? Princess-hood must be a bore, I mean from the movie I've seen, it sounds sooo overrated.
Zipp: Tell me about it! Dealing with snobby dignitaries, making hard decisions! It's so boooring! Mom's been making me take lessons in how to be QUEEN, and those haven't been any better! I really don't know how she does it!
She found herself typing. She couldn't resist the urge to interact.
She made it to her bedroom not long after and rushed in with a gallop. She shut the doors behind her and collapsed on her bed, wrapping her fluffy white blanket around herself. She found a nice, comfy spot on the bed, and laid down. She placed a soft pillow under her head, and stretched her wings out, letting them relax as well. A small, content smile grew across her soft, pearl-colored muzzle.
She placed the phone atop the fluffy pillow for easier access, and read the latest reply.
Cinematic: Oh really? Dignitaries are the worst! I mean they can make a meeting last so long, and just drag it on for much longer than it should be! You should try this: clear your throat every time they go on some rant. They hopefully won't be too dense, and they'll just figure out that you're not interested
Zipp: You know, that might work, I'll give it a try next time I'm stuck in one of those!
Thanks!
This was a good start, right? He still doesn't seem so bad; most ponies would have shown some red flags by now, right? He just seems so sincere. He doesn't' seem all that bad. She could trust him, at least to talk when she's down in the dumps, right? He could listen to her, and maybe give some advice on what she should do, right? For now, no personal stuff, just some basic conversation.
Cinematic: Give it a shot, works like a charm!
Zipp: Hopefully! Don't want to sit around in another meeting talking about basically nothing, even mom says it's pointless talk, I don't see the need for it, but eh.
From there things cooled down and they got to talking. He asked her about her day and she told him basic nonsense that she thought up right then and there, as not to tell him too much. He told her about about how his boss had given him a raise and that he had just moved out of his parent's home that day, and plenty more from his life.
He seemed to be a pretty alright stallion. Nothing to worry about, but she couldn't help but wonder why he had reached out to her. That nagging feeling of questioning everything around her had come into play and now she was regretting it. She wanted to just let loose and trust this pony, let him know how she was feeling, tell him things she never told anypony else, but she couldn't. Her instinct to protect herself was too strong. To try, she'd have to completely give up on her beliefs, which in itself was a no. It was either that or she just had to not let anypony in. None. Not a single pony had managed to get through her shield, and nopony was going to, ever. This one was no different, he had just... found an off day to squeeze in, and besides he didn't seem so bad. He didn't seem like the kind to break one's heart, not at all.
But then again, she didn't know him well at all. She only knew of him from what he had said, and that wasn't much. Why had he said so little? Did he not want to give too much away? Is his name even Cinematic? Did he even like movies? Was he truly who he said he was? How would she know for sure? Could she possibly know for sure?
She wasn't getting an answer that satisfied that hole in her chest. She just wanted a friend, was that really so much to ask for!? Why couldn't her instincts just let her be, and not make her worry about every last thing somepony does!
"Why!?" she spoke aloud, though nopony could hear it but herself.
Their chatter filled the day for Zipp, from Morning to Mid-Morning to Noon. Zipp had found herself smiling on multiple occasions that day. She was enjoying their chatter more than anything else in the world. She had been enjoying the sensation of comfort, be it from a long distance or not. Whether she truly trusted him or not, she definitely savored their time together, even if it was an unconnected sort of time together.
Things remained this way for nearly two months. She would go out pretending to be what she wasn't, she would argue and bicker with her sister, she would try her hardest to speak with her mother to no avail. But once the night had finally fallen she would rush to her room, lock the door, and pull out her phone to start talking with Cinematic. He was always there, waiting for her, as if he knew she had a horrible day. They had become closer and closer as the days passed. Though this was surely the case, Zipp never found it in herself to tell him how she felt, or about the secret she kept, or of her relationship with her family. She had never found it in herself to properly talk to him. She never trusted ponies, that was, until he came around, something about him just radiated good signs. Nothing out of the ordinary at least.
Had she been searching for somepony to trust? Yes, definitely. But had she expected to find said pony? No, not at all.
"Hurry up, Pipp!" exclaimed the pearl princess, a look of urgency plastered on her face.
"I am, I am!" came the pink princesses voice.
Zipp was standing in front of the gold0coloured door while her sister stood inside the room it led to. On one side were the hallways leading to every other room in the palace, and on the other was their single most comforting and relaxing bathroom in the castle. Both sisters adored this bathroom over their own, for the peace it brought them. Though Pipp had always used it first and had declared that she would take as long she wanted. This had gotten under Zipp's skin plenty of times, and this time was no different. She tapped the door one more time, her agitation becoming evident on her face.
Soon, with no prior warning, the doors flung open to reveal the pink coated Pegasus mare, wearing her purple locks up in her towel. She too had a look of pure irritation. She gave her sister a huff, before trotting away, head held high in annoyance.
The pearl sister merely rolled her eyes, and trotted into the bathroom. Looking around, she took in the joyous aroma of the room. It had a tint of cloud dust but was mostly fragmented with a rosy sent. The room in itself was a place of beauty, everywhere in the palace was, but this place was a lot more than just pretty. It had a sensation of relaxation; the cool, chill breeze the room offered was one she never received when out an about in public, if she could ever manage such a thing. A comforting blanket of warmth wrapped around her as she made her way to the bathtub in the middlemost part of the room. It was no small tub either. Though, the size never mattered, what did was the sensation it brought.
She eyed it for a mere second before turning on the tap and letting the water gush in. She reached over and picked up her favorite bottle of soap and squeezed it into the tub. She watched as the water began rising from the tub's floor all the way up to where she had placed her hooves to check. Once the water had grazed her hoof, she quickly turned the tap off and climbed into the tub. She had already gotten herself completely prepared. She made sure her phone was laying on the tiles of the tub, rather than under her wing. She swept her mane up in a towel and let it remain untouched by the warm water. Her head was all that remained above the water, the rest of her body was enjoying the warmth of the water.
She remained quiet as she sat in the tub, letting her worries slip her mind. She closed her eyes and let the day's stress wash away with the warmth she felt right then.
Unfortunately for her, a dinging noise alerted her back to existence. She shot her head toward her phone, which laid peacefully on the tile. Just as she'd left it. She reached out of the tub, and brought her phone close that she could still use it without it getting soaked.
The dinging noise was caused by the phone telling her she had received a new message from Cinematic. As soon as she saw who it was that had interrupted her, a smile graced her muzzle. She had enjoyed each and every second she shared with him, and she couldn't be happier to see a new message.
Cinematic: Hey! How are things?
Zipp: Good, they're good for the most part
She answered as truthfully as she could. For the most part things were alright.
Cinematic: Oh? For the most part? Why for the most part?
Zipp smiled at the message. He cared for her wellbeing, that was a nice sensation, wasn't it?
Zipp: Well, I guess things with Pipp haven't been the most exciting, nor have things with mom, but I suppose the princessy things haven't been any fun either., but other than they're alright
Cinematic: Pipp's not the best at being a sister? Who knew? I always thought she was the best at everything, considering that's what she keeps repeating.
Catch the joke?
A giggle echoed through the bathroom after she read that text.
Zipp: I guess she isn't the best sister out there.
She replied with a smile plastered on her face. He really did get her, didn't he?
Cinematic: Hey, so I think I mentioned this on our first chat, I wanna shoot a movie, and I need a little help with the actresses, do you mind helping me out?
She smiled, of course she was willing to help out, why wouldn't she? Of course she'd help him out, she'd be more than willing to do it, after all, he had been helping her for that last month or so, that be knowingly or not.
Zipp: Of course I'd be willing! Though how'd you get me over there without any guards noticing?
She playfully questioned, she didn't want to leave her castle for that... not to live a lie, that just never was her. Besides, would he ask her to do some part where she needed to fly? What if that happened? That wouldn't be good, would it? Then he'd realize she was fake... and she couldn't take that. Not the humiliation, but the rejection.
Cinematic: You can send these shots from your castle, they're best taken in a regal place, anyway.
Zipp smiled, if she could help him out, of course she'd do anything for him. All she needed to know was what she had to do.
Zipp: Sure I'd be willing, just tell me, where I'd need to take them, how I'd need to act in the clip, and all those movie making things ;)
Cinematic: The first one is easier than the others, its just a simple pose, could you do it in your bed, and pretend that you've just woken up, take a picture with yourself like that
Seemed easy enough, though she'd have to wait a little before sending him the photo. She informed him of this, and the next text he sent her, scared the princess.
Cinematic: Perfect! One scene requires you in a bathtub, just make sure the water is clear enough to see your whole body. Can you keep the camera above you from the front while you take the photo
Why did he need a scene with her in a bathtub? The bedroom one was reasonable enough for her to believe, but in a bathtub? Was he using these photos for something else or was he just using them for the movie he wanted to put together? She couldn't get upset over that, right? He was just asking for something he required, that's it, nothing more.
She convinced herself this before quickly typing an 'okay' and taking the picture. She had to try a few times to get it just right, but she managed it on the third or fourth attempt. She made sure that it corresponded to his request, as much as she could. After checking and rechecking and re-rechecking her last photo, she swiftly sent it to him.
She lightly tapped the phone ridges, anticipating his reply. She hummed a nice tune while she waited, sinking herself a little more into the water. A nice, content sigh escaped her lips. She closed her eyes, gaining a relaxed posture, and a peaceful train of thought.
Her phone buzzed, indicating the reply she had been awaiting.
Cinematic: Yes! This'll do just perfectly, thank you for this Zipp!
A soft smile stretched across the pearl princess's muzzle.
Zipp: My Pleasure, Matic.
She teased, her playful nature shining through.
After that, things remained quiet. Zipp merely brushed this off to business, as it was more than likely.
She spent another, long, half an hour in the bathroom, but once her sister began banging on the door, she knew she had to leave. Her sister was merely wanting to relieve herself, but she still had to make such a fuss, didn't she?
"Finally!" Pipp exclaimed, irritatedley, before skipping blissfully into the bathroom.
The princess had an unusual bounce in her step, but she was still acting relatively the same.
Zipp rolled her eyes at her sister and trotted toward her massive sleeping quarters. On her way, her mind raced through the little interaction she and her new friend had.
He had wanted that picture cause he wanted to bring his movie to life. That's it, She told herself.
There's nothing shady going on. Nothing whatsoever, She repeated to herself,
Nothing. At. All.
Cinematic was his name, so it would make sense why he'd be working on a movie...
…but if his name is...
She paused in her tracks, a little sweat dripping from her forehead. She pulled out her phone, opened up the message app, scrolled all the way up to their first conversation, and what she read nearly made her heart stop.
Cinematic: I wish to produce animated movies for a younger audience.
Animated movies. As in movies that are only animated, not with actual ponies in them.
A small, gasp of realization slipped out of her.
He couldn't, could he? Maybe he just wanted to make a live action movie, yeah, that's it. He could just be making a special movie, featuring her. That has to be it.
But what if it's not, She asked herself.
What if I trusted him too early? What if he's just trying to use me for fame? Or maybe even worse?
Her mind came up with all sorts of different ways to rationalize this, very few were good things. Some were mediocre, while most were bad.
Buzz!
Went her phone. Her head quickly shot down, and she hoped with all her might that he had something that might help make sense of this.
Cinematic: So when can you send me that other one? I sort of need it quickly.
Why would he need it so quickly if he was making a movie, why would he need a picture of her standing in her bedroom, and in her bathtub.
She shook her head and gave a quick reply before bursting the doors to her bedroom wide open. She swiftly shut the doors, trotted over to her bed, and collapsed on it with no second thoughts. Her phone gave her another buzz.
Cinematic: Alright, thanks for doing this
Maybe he's not a bad pony, maybe he truly is just filming a movie and needs my help.
She gave him an ok and switched her phone off. That was enough thinking for one day. No more she declared.