-2 Hours Later-
Hitch and Zipp were hitting up a few stops til they found a fairly decent cafe just beside the main beach.
It wasn’t anything to fancy. But they wanted something casual.
“Ooho boy. Zipp I gotta say this is the life.” Hitch was laying back in his chair smiling as the 2 gave a toast. “Oh yeah. Just a regular meal where nothing big happens. It’s the best.” Zipp was always used to having the big elaborate dinners at Zephyr Heights. This was the simple life she needed to get her mind off of bigger things in her mind.
Though little did she know. Sometimes the simple things are all you need to figure yourself out. “These Hay Fries are just delicious. Where do they come up with this?” Zipp said. “Well, this is my personal favorite. At least in terms of Hay Fries.” Hitch said, drinking up his smoothie.
Zipp knew he was right, but she couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Only Hitch could make a constructive review of Hay Fries across Maretime bay. She still remembered when Hitch suggested the idea to her. “You are such a dork I swear. But you’re not wrong.” She smiled. “Course not. I knew you would like it. I figured you needed a break.” Zipp put a hoof in her forehead. “Hitch. We honestly both needed one. Glad you’re here with me though.” Zipp ate the last of the Hay Fries.
“Actually, I meant from Royal Duties, Celebrity Duties & Hero Work. And I might be wrong. But it looks like there’s a lot on your mind lately Zipp.” Hitch corrected.
Zipp leaned back in the chair. “Oh yeah. That.” Ever since Maretime Bay Day. So much had been happening to Zipp. The thought of being the future Princess of Zephyr Heights made her shudder. On top of having fans of her own. And it was not because of Pipp that she had fans. She was one of the 5 heros that brought magic and unity back to equestria. It couldn’t be helped.
“You’re ok though, are you? The fans aren’t too overbearing? Or do you not want to talk about-“ Hitch was cut off.
“No, no. It’s fine. I just…” Zipp sighed. And place both hooves on her forehead as they slipped over her eyes. “I’m glad that we bought magic back, I’m glad we could bring pony kind back together. Like, it’s one of the best things I could’ve ever done, especially meeting you all. And actually, getting to know my sister for once, getting to know all of you… I just didn’t know that I was starting to know myself too.” Zipp said as the events of Maretime Bay Day played back like a film in her mind.
And then she thought about her past. Her mother’s attempts to raise her as the princess of Zephyr Heights. It was not exactly the most pleasant experience. “Hitch. I had to pretend like I could fly. For years. I was living a lie, I thought I was fine with all of this, until you came along. I lived a lie for so long that I feel like I don’t know who I am anymore. I just want to figure out who I really am inside. I just…I just…”
Hitch held up his hooves. “Hey, hey slow down. Now look at Zipp, I’m not going to pretend like I completely understand this. But is it really bothering you that bad?”
Zipp composed herself and said. “No. Usually I have you guys to keep me from feeling like that. I try to keep figuring out who I am separated from whenever I have a great time with you guys. But I just… I don’t know who I am yet. And I don’t want to think I’m just another pony that just hangs with you guys.” Zipp finished.
She knew she wasn’t. But like everything else it wasn’t easy. And it obviously couldn’t be ignored.
And Hitch knew this too. Zipp was not just another pony in this circle of friends. And he knew this couldn’t be ignored either.
“Zipp, you don't have to know who you are to be with us. Especially me, I mean we literally decided to be ‘best’ friends tonight.” Said Hitch. After that his tone softened a bit. “You’re honestly one of the coolest friends I ever met. And I can’t even imagine how sad I would be if you left Maretime bay.” This made Zipp lighten up a bit.
“Thanks Hitch. There’s just been so much going on. And I didn’t want to interrupt our time together either. You’re all seriously the best. And I always feel like a part of me breaks down at the idea of having to go back to Zephyr Heights and le… well you get the idea.” Said Zipp. She was really hesitant on that last part.
Zipp’s smile disappeared as she continued. “Hitch. Remember how you said you were hyper focused on making sure everything is in order?” Hitch remembered. As he was making sure of it every day. “Yeah.” He replied. Zipp continued. “Well. I’m dealing with the same thing. But I honestly feel more guilty about forgetting it than I should be, because I know what it’s like. Back when I was alone. I felt like I didn’t need other ponies, and I didn’t have anypony else to give me a 2nd opinion on things. And well… some of those ‘things’ were not my best choices. And I can’t thank you guys enough for helping me out of that. I feel so much happier now than I did back home. And so, I hate it! I forgot about that trip, it was supposed to be a fun time for all of us when we were so busy, and I just forgot I was supposed to go. I feel like a complete jerk for that! You get what I’m saying Hitch?”
“Yeah. You don’t want to be a hypocrite, right?” Said Hitch.
“Yep. That’s it. I just…I just hate feeling all alone. And I hate being abandoned. So how am I supposed to show that when I forget these things? I-I am just terrified of being abandoned by all of you. It’s seriously the worst thing ever.” Zipp was struggling to speak by now.
“I don’t want to abandon any of you either I don’t want to make anypony feel bad or left behind!
I don’t want to have to leave all of you behind to become a pri…a…a…” Zipp struggled with that last part. Hitch was watching all of this unfold. And he knew what was coming next.
Zipp’s face collapsed on the table, and she cried. “I-I’m so sorry Hi-tch.” Hitch walked to the other side of the table and hugged her. “You needed to let that out. I know how it feels. You put too much pressure on yourself. But you lose yourself.” Hitch explained.
Hitch continued to emphasize. “But Zipp you’re not a bad friend. And nopony would abandon you. You have my promise on that. Me, Sunny, Izzy & Pipp. We all love you. And hey Zipp.” Zipp looked up.
“I’m actually really glad we got to talk about these things tonight. We’re still learning a lot about each other. I think if we didn’t have tonight to just calm down for a bit. We probably would’ve been more sleep deprived than yesterday. You get what I’m saying?” Zipp smiled at that and nodded in agreement.
“You’re right. What do I have to worry about? If I did, I'd probably be up for the rest of my life.” Zipp said with a chuckle. What started as a break-down. Was now filled with laughter and happiness she had not felt before. “And hey, thanks for listening in on this Hitch.”
“Anytime. Bestie.” Hitch said with a grin.
The two finished up. And were about to head out into Maretime Bay to find the others.