//------------------------------//
// Supply 
// Story: Her Eyes Reflect The Stars 
// by Lynwood 
//------------------------------//

Even though few ponies from our town ever left it, we all knew the dangers of the outside world. The traders and travelers would tell stories on the rare occasions that they visited Snowhaven. We knew all about the Ash Wastes, the Children that prowled the world, and the machines that ruled it. Better than that, we knew all the strategies to use if a pony wanted to have the best chance at surviving.

First, the Rarity would need to be able to breathe and run. With a little luck, she'd need to eat, too. The next day we stopped by Peachy Breeze's cobbler's hut. She gave the Rarity her favorite set of snowshoes and her spare mask, free of charge, despite the Rarity's resistance. "Oh, no!" she kept saying as she waved her hooves, "I would never charge an Element. You all are going to fix this someday, and that'll be payment enough."

That only made the Rarity look queasy, but we kept going.

When we stopped by Willow's place, she insisted that the Rarity take a share of dried carrots and hay. "I'm honored, truly," she said. "I'm surprised I actually got to meet an Element! I mean, wow!" 

Next, Rarity would need to be able to navigate. That took us to Sextant, our resident navigator and the only pony in town brave enough to regularly travel to the old places. His expeditions were the reason Snowhaven boasted an array of magical plows and saws enchanted with pre-Event quality. He greeted the Rarity as boisterously as ever before helping her find a compass and a set of maps. He even helped her read them!

"Now listen," he said, showing her his biggest chart, the one he kept hung on his living room wall, "after you finish your Element business, you're gonna want to find a town, and I'm not sure you'll be able to come here." He pointed out a spot to our southeast. "The next closest settlement is right here, Hollow Shades. We get trades from them 'bout once a year, and they're kind folk. They'll keep ya safe as long as you need." Again, when she tried to compensate him, he refused and sent us on our way. 

As we walked to Hammerhoof's forge I noticed that the Rarity looked pensive, so I asked about her thoughts. 

"It's strange," she said, "I'm supposed to be the Element of Generosity, and yet here I am, accepting and accepting and giving nothing in return. What about you all? Your town is in danger!"

I shook my head. "Believe me, between you and us, we have the easier job." 

The Rarity had the most trouble with the pike. I'd like to think of myself as a pretty good teacher, but she just couldn't get the hang of it. Her magic kept flickering out.

"I-I'm sorry, darling," she said, staring at the pike laying on the snow at her hooves, "but I— I don't think I can stomach it."

"You're going to have to, I'm afraid," Hammerhoof said in his usual gruff, raspy tone, "it might just save yer life." 

That was when we heard it: a moaning on the wind, coarse and hollow and full of pain. I looked at her, trying to act as calm as possible. Judging from the way her eyes widened and she took a step back, I didn't do a very good job.

"Miss Rarity," I said, "I think it's time for us to get you out of here."