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// Chapter 8: The Calm Before the Storm 
// Story: How I Became My Mother 
// by Halira 
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Haven stood in the scaffolding, looking in the mirror, applying her makeup, and doing her best to keep her thoughts from her face. 

The search for the book had revealed somepony else had already taken it. Haven could easily guess who. Zephyrina was definitely up to something; whatever it was, it had to do with that earth pony and unicorn. 

Haven didn't want to confront her daughter about it directly, but she was worried. Zephyrina was strong, intelligent, athletic, and was far more talented than Haven had been at that age. However, Haven still fretted because Zephyrina was other things too, things that she had also been at that age— inexperienced, idealistic, perhaps a little naive. There were good ponies out in the other tribes. Haven had first hoof experience dealing with one, but there were many bad ones too. This wasn't a slight against the other tribes. If she were completely unbiased in her assessment, she could admit that she expected that many, if not most, of her citizens would treat that earth pony and unicorn no better than the unicorns or Phyllis had treated her back in the day. It was shameful to admit, but it was the truth. 

And I've only served to perpetuate that because making them feel safe keeps them from lashing out. she thought bitterly to herself. I'm not the idealistic filly I once was; I'm just trying to maintain the uneasy peace. I've become my mother. I keep the problem going the same way it has been going for centuries because I'm too afraid of it getting worse. I lost my father to it getting worse, and I could count my mother too, due to the toll everything took on her. I don't want to lose anymore.

She was terrified that her daughter would get hurt while out beyond their borders, and she was also afraid her daughter was getting ready to have her sweet idealism crushed. This needed to be headed off. After the celebration, she would go down to the prisoners and bring Zipp with her. Then she could talk to them all about the cold hard realities they faced. That might hurt their spirits, but she didn't want to see anypony get hurt, not that earth pony or unicorn, and not her daughter. Maybe something could be worked out to maintain communication somehow, give the other ponies cell phones or something, but they couldn't see one another again after today. It was too risky for all of them.

Although it would be nice to get a chance to hear how Argyle was doing. If that earth pony had his journal, then that earth pony must at least know him. For one night, she could be reminded that there were still ponies that dreamed of a better world without the fear, lies, and deceit. Maybe someday it would come, but not today. Hopefully, they would forgive her for maintaining the lies and understand why it was necessary, at least for now. 

"Your highness, if I could have a word with you. There's a delicate matter that needs to be discussed," Pully, one of the family of wire operators, said as he came into view in her mirror. 

She turned and faced him, concerned. "Yes? Is something wrong with the system?"

He shook his head. "No, highness. Everything will go well tonight. We have stress-tested the system repeatedly to make sure your daughter's movements are perfect. This is more a long-term concern, one that we don't want to be misconstrued."

She raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

Pully nervously shuffled his hooves. "We have been monitoring Pipp's progress as she has matured, and we have concerns. The wires are exactly that, wires, and can only maintain so much weight while still being able to maintain them being hidden. We are not implying your daughter is overweight, but it has become increasingly obvious that her natural body type is not as light as you or the crown princess. We should still be able to keep her moving well as she grows into her last few inches and can accommodate the extra weight that would bring, but if something were to happen where her weight increased outside those projections, then the system could become less stable."

She nodded. "You are saying that a wire could snap if she lets herself go. Is that correct?"

Pully looked down. "We do not mean to imply that she will. She is an excellent acrobat and gymnast, better than you and almost on par with her sister, but it has become clear that she has a different body type than the rest of the family, and though unfair, there is less room for unexpected weight increases in her case. The higher level of movement she does compared to you and the crown princess and the resulting extra strain on the system makes us need to monitor it more closely. We mean no disrespect to her."

Haven gave him a reassuring smile. "No disrespect is taken. You and your siblings continue to serve the royal family faithfully, as they have for generations, and I know your first concern is for my daughter's safety.  I would be upset if there was a safety concern and you did not bring it to my attention. I'll speak to Pipp about it and see to it she understands it in the correct context. As long as she maintains her current level of activity and current diet, she should be fine, even if she does add a little weight as she finishes growing, correct?"

Pully nodded. "That is correct, highness. Thank you for understanding our concerns. We were afraid it would be taken the wrong way since we haven't had to address it since your father. The princess seems to have a similar frame and build to his."

Haven kept her smile in place, but her heart missed a beat. Her father had been a bigger pony, not fat, but very well-muscled, and when the wiring system attached to the airship had been put to the test during the war with the earth ponies, the wires had snapped. Pipp's performances might not be on a battlefield, but a fall from one of the higher elevations she reached could be just as deadly. 

Even in maintaining the lie, there is danger. Haven thought ruefully. 

The pony of the hour came up the stairs at that very moment. 

"Hi, Mom!" Pipp chirped, prancing as she came in. "Tonight's the big night; I'm so excited!"

Her daughter's joy brought an honest smile to Haven's face. She would wait until tomorrow to discuss the safety concerns. She didn't want to risk dampening her daughter's spirit, and they were concerns involving the future, not for tonight. She also wanted to make sure she framed her discussion, so Pipp did not take it out of context and get a bad body image. Her daughter had a perfect body she should never feel ashamed of, and her confidence was one of her best traits. 

"The whole kingdom is excited as well," Haven replied. "I saw your selfie. The prisoners seemed to have been in surprisingly upbeat moods for being behind bars in the picture."

Pipp blinked. "They seemed nice enough. The earth pony noticed that nopony was flying. I guess they aren't as stupid as everypony makes them out to be. I had to tell them that only royals could fly. I'm sorry, I didn't know what else to do, and Zipp wasn't helping."

"It's alright. I already knew that earth ponies were brighter than everypony thinks," Haven reassured her. "So, your sister was there, despite my orders to stay away?"

Pipp nodded. "Yeah, and she gave them back that book you had confiscated. I saw them with it. I think she was questioning them about it, but they hushed up when I arrived."

Haven pursed her lips. "Well, Zipp has always flown her own course. I'm not angry. I was planning on returning it anyway. I had just hoped to look through it first. Maybe I'll still get a chance when I go to question them later."

"You're planning on letting them go, aren't you?" Pipp asked, smiling smugly that she had figured it out. 

Haven blinked. "Yes, I am. How did you know?"

Pipp fluffed her mane and grinned. "You moved them to the nice cell. You didn't worry about my safety when you sent me down there, and you just said you were going to give them back their book. That makes me think you don't really think they are dangerous, and I don't think you want to keep them as prisoners. I don't think Zipp has figured it out yet."

Haven sighed. "Your sister doesn't have the same instincts for subterfuge that you and I have, so she is less inclined to see through it. Your sister thinks she is sneaky, but duplicity is not in her nature. I'm glad she will have you to support her when she is queen. She has her strengths, but she also has her weaknesses— you two complement each other well. That's why I don't worry about how things will go once I retire."

Pipp's smile dropped as her face went serious. "Are you considering that, retiring? You've been making us show up to more and more things."

Haven looked away. "Not yet. In a few years, maybe. I think it is time I start prepping your sister, and since you're her primary support, that means preparing you as well. Don't worry. I won't die young like your grandmare, but it is best to have a smooth transition of power rather than a rushed exchange where she feels unprepared. She needs to put aside her foolish notions that she can fix the world and focus on making sure it doesn't fall apart. We have a duty."

"I understand, Mom," Pipp replied. She then smiled and hurried to the prep area. "I need to get ready. Wish me luck!"

"You don't need any; you have this!" Haven said with a fond laugh. "Now, if only your sister would get here."

Pipp waved a wing absently as she walked away. "She said she was going to make a formal entrance on the red carpet. Let everypony see her arriving for my show."

"Aw, good for her. Maybe she is taking putting on a show for the public more seriously," Haven said thoughtfully. "Go do what you need to do. You're going to blow the crowd away tonight."