Drama Queen walks off in a huff when I pay attention to her sister

I adopted these lovely 2 year old sisters 2 wks ago from a shelter. The first week, - I could cuddle and play with both at same time though Cat#1 was clearly "in charge." Cat#1, larger & more outgoing was the leader in seeking affection and wanting to pounce on a popular feather toy,etc.  Cat #2, quieter and shyer, would look on with a "I'm in second place" attitude, would watch with interest but wouldn't share play with the same toy, would seek affection but slink away if cat#1 gave evil eye.

Total change. Now cat#2 has gotten more confident & very adept at feather toy.   When I bring it out, the minute cat#2 starts to play with it & me cat#1 stalks off in a huff.  When cat#2 asks for affection & approaches, cat#1 also goes off in a huff. No growling or hissing, just walks off with attitude as if to say "it's her or ME." They used to sleep on the same bed, now it's only one at a time. Sheesh. Jealousy at work here but what is best way to deal with my charming little drama queen, cat#1.   Do I really have to commit to separate "play" sessions in separate rooms?  (LOL) 

I too have two cats same age they are brother and  sister.   What you are describing is quite normal to me. My big boy is the dominant alpha cat, he demands attention first at all times. My little girl is Beta, she comes second. What I would suggest to you is to enforce the alpha cat in your pair. Once you do that everything will come back to normal. 

It's quite normal for human to feel compassion for Beta cat, but you have to realize this is a animal and does not have the same human emotions as you do. Alpha cat must be acknowledged. 
I feed my boy first, when I take out a toy I play with him first. It works great. My girl gets the same amount of attention, Just she gets it second. 

My boy is an amazing Lap cat, the most attentive to me and to his sister. They sleep together, groom each other it's a wonderful bond. Their status does not change their relationship but like I said, you have to enforce it.

My girl is the one that sleeps next to me at night. She truly loves me and I really love her. It's amazing what little reinforcement will do to keep stable relationship in your home.

Good luck.

I agree with RarePuss, although it may seem a little cruel... I have 3 cats, Skittle, my oldest that is 6.5 is the alpha, then there is the middle cat Littlefoot who is about 6 years old and then youngest Toby who is about 4... Toby is pretty much a feral that after months and months of feeding him he finally allowed me to get close to him and actually hold him, unlike the other feral kittens he was with. Skittle has always slept on our bed right next to me on my right side, well about 2 months ago Toby jumped on the bed to lay with me on the left. Which is crazy! This has never happened before so I was pretty excited and started giving Toby all the attention... Skittle got up and hissed at me and Toby and ran out of the room, which scared Toby and made him run off... Well this happened for a week... Finally one time when Toby jumped up, I ignored him and kept petting Skittle, Toby still laid down with me and Skittle didn't mind at all... Now they do it all the time and just purr and purr and I can even pet Toby. It's really weird how these things work, they seem to all know their place and it makes them happier when things are in order.

I sure appreciate these two answers,  RarePuss and Littlefoot and think there is wisdom in what you say.  Sorry to take so long to answer, my computer is about to fade out and I have a lot of trouble with the internet the last few weeks. 

I have partially solved this problem: (I think) My "toy" solution was to hold toy#1 in my left and toy#2 in my right. It works pretty good.

Not so easy to solve is the bedroom drama taking place each night  I'm sure you can relate to that.  Cat#1, Apricot goes on "bedroom patrol" starting at 9PM and if cat#2, Pepper dares enter the bedroom, she chases her out and intimidates her over and over till she doesn't come back.

I have tried leaving the bedroom door open but I get almost no sleep that way because of all the competition.  Even when it calms down momentarily it will stir up again.  Apricot is very easy to have in the bedroom because she is quiet and changes sides easily when I roll around  Little Pepper on the other hand is difficult - she perches on my knees, ankle or feet, prevently me from moving and I get little sleep that way.

I also tried closing the door to both of them which also results in Apricot still  intimidating Pepper, since she blames her for the closed door.

The only peaceful solution I've found is to close the door with Apricot inside, spend a quiet night and then give Pepper alot of affection in the morning and other times of the day.  Apricot is not very demanding except at bedtime, she's just got the idea that cuddle night time with me is her one goal.  I know this hurts Pepper's feelings though so I'm kind of betwixt and between on this one.

Any bedtime insights gratefully appreciated.  I love lthem both

I separate my cats at bedtime.  My situation is different from yours (I have an elderly cat and a kitten), but the situation seems to work.  Alafair (old kitty) sleeps in the living room/kitchen area of my apartment, and Stella (kitten) sleeps in the bedroom/bathroom area with me.  They have separate food/water/litterbox in these areas, and it works out great.  Alafair gets a break from the irritating kitten, I don't have to worry about them getting into trouble with each other, and they both seem content with the situation.  Alafair does not seem miffed at being "banished" to the outside (she used to sleep with me, but stopped when I moved out of my parents' house), but she is very happy to see me and get fed in the morning.  Just do what works best for you.  It may take Pepper some getting used to, but she will adapt.  Give her plenty of love once morning comes around and she'll be fine.  You need sleep, and this seems like the most peaceful situation. 
 

Thank you so much for your answer, I have been feeling so guilty keepintg the bedroom closed against one of the kitties and I am glad someone else has worked out a peaceful solution that also honors the secluded cat. Looks like you have good reasons, too.

 I thought when I adopted 2 siblings it would be good for both of them and have no experience with rivalry but am learning fast!  I do give Pepper tons of morning love and also during , but of course it is shorter than the 8 nightime hours.