Stories Without Slumber

Zipp woke up shivering. She didn't know what time it was, nor did she know how cold. It must have been almost midnight, so she checked her sister's phone, trying her best to keep quiet.

1:30. I can't sleep. Maybe I should take a stroll.

She got up, quietly walking away from the other ponies, until she heard a yelp, and she gasped, looking down to see what she stepped on. It was a green tail, and she gulped.

"H-Hitch!" she whispered, roughly, "I-I'm so sorry!"

"It's okay." He rubbed his tail. "Don't worry about it." He grew concerned when he noticed the pegasus' expression, showing a mixture of discomfort and anguish.

"Hey, are you okay?" She hated that look. His amber eyes shimmered, his full attention on her. Care and confusion as Zipp's mind raced with thoughts.

"Nothing, nothing. Just go back to sleep."

"I can't now. Since you didn't look for my tail." They both chuckled. "You don't have to tell me, it's okay. Gosh, I wish we had blankets, it's freezing." He rubbed himself, Zipp frowning.

She then stared at the sky, the stars twinkling as the silence fell upon the two. Hitch looked at her after some time, then said, softly, "Your sister is, quite a pony, I'll say."

She turned back to her, chuckling, "Yeah, all my family is, honestly." She then frowned, sighing, "Guess I'm always gonna be the odd one out."

Hitch grew pity then. As a colt, he was taught that pegasi were brutes, always wanting to pick up fights.

They were violent, distrustful, and liars, and would even bargain, which would end in negative outcomes, but, that was just a short theory.

Not Zipp though. They had only met a few hours ago, and his feelings toward the pegasus made him begin rethinking the ideas forced into his head. She wasn't at all like the stories say. She was brave, outspoken, confident, and most of all, she cares for everyone she holds dearly.

Of course, he didn't know how everyone else would feel. Being the sheriff of Maretime Bay, the pony who is supposed to keep peace over the earth ponies, his kind, would have a friendship with a pegasus. It was outrageous. But, all those opinions, they were half of what he was thinking about. His main concern was Zipp herself, and how she was feeling.

"That's not a bad thing though," he replied. "It's good to stand out."

"If only that was what everyone else thought. I guess, I just, I'm tired of living a lie. I'm tired of-" She stopped herself. "No, you don't need to hear this. We've been on a long journey, the last thing you need is me venting."

"I don't mind, honestly." He gave a sincere smile, showing his integrity.

Zipp gave a deep breath. She never listened to the lessons and news about the two other pony races, it never felt correct to her. Ever. She hated being forced to agree with her mother, and she also hated being the heir to her throne.

"No. You're a sheriff, you've got a thousand other things to be worrying about."

"Those I can later. Please, Zipp. I just wanna look out for everyone."

"Even if they're not earth ponies?" she smirked.

"It's my duty as sheriff to protect everyone. And, I know, you're not an earth pony, but, I've been thinking. I think my job can stretch to unicorns and pegasi as well."

Zipp felt a certain spark grow inside her. "Really?"

"Yeah. If you guys ever need help with maintaining peace. Or, just a visit, I wouldn't mind. But, I'll have to get permission from the queen, 'cause, you know-"
He flustered a bit when Zipp placed her hoof on his lips.

"It would be an honor to have you visit, Hitch."

"O-okay!" he said. "I hope I don't mess up. I really don't know the ways of the pegasi."

She shrugged. "Well, most of us are glued to our screens 24/7. Since we can't fly, it's our way of communication, honestly."

He nodded his head. It would be a while before, and if it happens, he would custom to the traditions of the unicorns and pegasi. For Zipp's sake, however, he would do it.

"Do you...think we have a chance?" she asked, softly, her turquoise eyes meeting his once more.

He shrugged, "I hope so. Sunny's been dreaming of it since she was a filly."

"I mean, do you?"

"Well, yesterday, not really. Now...I think I do." He smiled, to which she returned.

He yawned, then said, "Well, we have a big day tomorrow, so, we might as well go back to sleep."

She nodded her head, both deciding to be close to each other.

There they slowly drifted off again.