Zephyrina Storm sat in her room. It was something she did every day, usually accompanied with slouching, sulking, or just pacing around the room, waiting to find some clarity on the constant problem that permeated her brain. Right now, she was looking at a small makeup mirror on a table strewn with supplies. Zipp had tried them, and every time she did, she had to ask herself one question.
Was she really happy?
Happier in terms of her body, sure, but there was something about the name she’d chosen— Zephyrina— that made her feel a little bit glum inside.
It was flowery, like her sister’s, and ponies were treating it as if it were normal. But that was exactly the problem, it was too flowery, too long, and just a touch too feminine. It was no surprise to her or anypony else, that she insisted she be called—
“Hey, Zipp!”
That was Pipp, busting into her room for some royal business or another. It was probably for the royal ceremony, probably Pipp reminded Zipp to not screw it up. I can’t keep living a lie, she thought, regardless. Well, sometimes she just wanted to talk, but now was not one of those times, it usually wasn’t with Pipp.
But still, Zipp turned to Pipp’s voice, and was immediately assaulted by a barrage of flash photography. You’d think that Pipp had got that phone yesterday instead of a few months ago.
Pipp got up close to Zipp, and showed her all the photos which Zipp didn’t care all too much about.
“You’re practically a ready-made Instamare model. You’re going to do so well at the performance tonight!”
Well, Zipp couldn’t care less, but she had to let her younger sister have the moment.
“Anyways, Mommy sent me to tell you that the wires need outfitting again.” Pipp fluffed out her wings, uselessly albeit, but sometimes you just wanted to stretch your appendages. “We’re both growing mares and she wants to make sure you look extra beautiful today.”
Right, Queen Haven was supportive, but it was to an almost insane degree. Zipp had to tell her multiple times that she didn’t want to get all dressed up in frilly clothes and powdery makeup. She’s started listening… mostly.
“I mean, beautiful may be one way to describe it,” Zipp muttered.
“Oh! I can do your makeup, I’ve been getting real good at it!”
“Pipp—“ Zipp attempted to inturrupt.
“Can’t wait to start appearing to the pegasi like we’re flying again!”
“Pipp!” Zipp responded, a little more forcefully.
“And— what?” Pipp finally responded.
“Aside from the wires being a terrible idea, as they’re going to get crossed, snap, or some other disastrous thing someday, as well as being a flat-out lie, I don’t want you to do any of that stuff Pipp. Sure, take a picture of me and post it on Ponybook or Instamare, or whatever, but I don’t want makeup or any of that.”
“But ever since—“ Pipp attempted to retort.
“Since I came out as a mare, yes… I know you all fully support this and all that, but there’s just been something bugging me.”
Pipp, shocked to silence for probably the first time in her life, responded, “What?”
“What is a mare? I never feel like one that fits in with all the others. I’m not into marelike things, logically, I know that not all mares are like that, but it always feels like they’re into things I’m not. I know that this is the right identity, I feel better in my skin, knowing people treat me as a mare, but I wonder if somehow, my calculations were wrong. I don’t see any mares so into flying,” Zipp said, all at once yet slow and deliberate.
Pipp sat down on her haunches, tipping her head in such a way that her normally fluffed up hair fell flatly across her face. She was silent for a moment, all the while as Zipp started to sink lower and lower in her own sitting position.
Pipp put away her phone, to wherever she usually put it when it wasn’t glued to her hoof, and sat down next to Zipp.
“Zipp, if there’s one thing I’ve learned while on social media…”
Zipp immediately perked up. It was unlike Pipp to put somepony other than herself first.
“Why—“ Zipp began, but Pipp busted in with her own interruption in response.
“We’ll get to that. Now, I’ve been exposed to so many stallions and mares, and even after seeing all their stunning profiles, I’ve learned that there’s more than one way to reinvent yourself.”
“That’s fine and all, but how does that apply?” Zipp responded.
“I’ve seen trans ponies who are more in-tune with their birth sex, more in-tune with their identity, most are somewhere in between. The long and short is that you don’t have to be a feminine trans mare. As long as your good with being one, that’s all the matters, and you’ll always be my sister.” Pipp said, pulling Zipp close into a hug.
“I suppose, but will other ponies actually be able to tell the difference?” Zipp responded, trying her very best to break free.
“If you tell them, they will. As long as you feel like this is the right identity for you, you’ll be perfectly fine.”
Zipp gazed beyond Pipp to the empty hallway behind her. “That makes me feel a little better, but once again, what’s in it for you?”
“Well…” Pipp began, “I’m glad you asked! This is a very important royal announcement, so don’t throw it this time. It is instrumental that the public actual thinks we can fly. The royal tradition deserves to be upheld, what will happen if it’s not? What will the common ponies think?”
“It probably wouldn’t be that bad, but I didn’t have much choice in the matter,” Zipp responded.
“Also, come on, Zipp, I need to update my Instamare feed,” Pipp told Zipp, holding her phone to take a selfie.
“Don’t pictures with me always get a ton of dislikes?” Zipp asked. “You know…” she gestured vaguely at the air.
“Who cares what they think. Say Zephyr!”
Zipp complied, and soon, Pipp was pulling away from Zipp, and prepared to upload the photos.
“It’s gonna say, ‘Preparing for the royal ceremony with my sister’!” Pipp said as she started to head out of the room.
“Hey, Pipp,” Zipp said.
“What is it?”
Zipp absentmindedly looked at Pipp. “Thanks.”
Pipp nodded, then waved with a wing and left the room.
Author's Note
I was trying to think of ways to make this story better, but sometimes you just want to write some plotless, completely SoL fluff, and well, I did.
After writing Me and Poppy, I feel I deserve it.
