//------------------------------// // Diary of Rarity // Story: Dracula // by Lynked //------------------------------// Diary of Rarity Sunday, March 7, Dusk Twilight! Confound that headstrong mare! She’s gone back to the ruins and didn’t even stop by to tell me! While I am normally a cool, level headed mare, I must claim how much I detest this course of action. Why, she’s gone in the middle of a storm, and left Fluttershy all by her lonesome. Well, she has Spike of course, and he’s quite the dear. Perhaps she will be fine, but Twilight? She has no right to make me worry like this! I do hope that mare is alright. She’s tough, I’ll give her that much, and she’s smart too. She must have some reason to risk being stranded in that creepy place... but it had best be a good one! Applejack has gone on her search for Rainbow Dash a while ago, and we have yet to hear back from either of them. I fear I will worry myself sick soon. Ah, but Pinkie is doing better, and this is very good. In fact, she was over for tea just a little while ago, and I could see that Pinkie pink back in her cheeks already. Oh we spoke of many things, a good bit of gossip here or there, and a bit of word around town was shared between us. Though, when the disappearances were brought to light, I felt myself pale a bit. I’m very aware of how many ponies have disappeared. It is rather disconcerting to hear of the strange happenings, especially with the guard clueless as to their happenings, but I advised her that we both simply stay indoors while Twilight does her hunting. I personally did not see anything suspicious, nor did I hear any disconcerting noises, so I am a little left out on the fiasco. Which is fine by me, of course; it sounds absolutely dreadful. What concerns me the most, though, is my own sister! Sweetie Belle is off to Sweet Apple Acres with Applebloom and Scootaloo. We (Applejack and I) discussed it over when Twilight had departed us a few days back, and we both agreed that the fillies should stay there for now. But it’s no secret that their big schemes get the best of them, and it is worrisome that Applejack, who is quite the staple of order, has been gone for so long. Big Macintosh can only do so much before those three overwhelm him... Oh dear, I may have to schedule a trip there soon. First though, business! The boutique has been doing well recently, despite the happenings. I suppose ponies have already budgeted orders in, and so far, none have been cancelled so I am quite busy. I have thought about taking a break and seeing if Twilight needs some help with that research of hers, but she has only recently started packing away the books. When she returns, I will offer my time to her, but for now, I will sow. At least, this is, until I hear from Applejack or Rainbow Dash. Speaking of that devil, her name was mentioned in another section of the Ponyville Inquirer today. It seems that the weather team here can’t quite function without her, or perhaps, they need her simply for the looming storm. It is still out there, by the way, daunting black clouds that stretch in every direction. Even the wind stays, swelling and screaming just outside my door. These strange happenings only come at one advantage: the sun is not morphing the town into a blister, thank Celestia. Personally, I don’t mind the rain. When disappearances begin, however, I find myself thinking otherwise. There must be an explanation for it, but if Twilight hasn’t found one, then I am certainly not going to stumble upon one. I can only wait for her return and hope for the best. Until then, I’ll sow, visit Pinkie when the storm clears, run to the market, and get some sleep. Monday, March 8 Twilight has not returned. She told me explicitly in her letter that when she should return, she would visit me at once to keep my nerves at bay. But she has not returned, and the storm outside shows no sign of letting up. I worry for the dear, and I am sure that I am not alone. Fluttershy must be trembling by now. (Remember, treat her to the spa soon.) I do hope that the storm lets up. I’ve already started to plan to trek into the forest soon. I don’t want to do it, and I’ll admit that here. Through the mud and the swamp and the ick, I daresay I’d never go in there of my own accord. But for Twilight… well, we need her! And she is my friend, and I would do anything for a friend of mine. Rarity never lets a client down, but when it is a friend at stake, my life shall be on the line for her with no quarrel or hesitation. I will first contact the guard and inform them of the situation. I’m not sure if they are aware of Twilight’s absence, but with them at our side, we’ll be in and out of the forest without a problem. Then if Pinkie is feeling up to it, we’ll team up. First order of business then is to send a letter to the Princesses to inform them of the situation and see if they’ll send us a response this time. I still firmly believe that some sort of correspondence to the letters could have prevented this situation. Yet, all we can do is try again. But regardless, I think this is the best plan. Not much else to do now but wait until a pause in the storm to rush to the guard’s bunks. They’ve taken up in Town Hall, with Mayor Mare, which makes me feel much better for her. Poor dear has been running herself ragged, and had it not been for Twilight’s intervention, she’d be dead from exhaustion, I have no doubt. As for the guard, I’ve only seen a few of them out in the storm, which is a pale comparison to the previous myriad of them that was swimming around out there before. I wonder if they’ve been posted to Mane Street, or if they too are staying indoors for their safety. It wouldn’t surprise me. They made a public announcement this morning that all shops, stands, carriageways, and roads were closed until further notice. The only way out of the town is to fly or teleport, which forces everypony else to their homes. Surely the market will open again, hopefully under better weather conditions, because I seem to be out of celery. I feel like cooking something tonight, seeing as I’ll be dining alone again. I’m thinking some sort of stew, but without the celery, I can’t quite make it complete. I suppose I’ll have to substitute it with something else. Perhaps leeks, for a more savory flavor instead of something sweet. Not quite sure yet. Well I will just have to see what happens, won’t I? In the meantime, I plan on opening a nice bottle of wine and relaxing for a while. I also plan to write to the Weather Factory and see if Applejack has stopped by. It couldn’t hurt, I suppose. Tuesday, March 9, Dawn There was an urgent call from Mayor Mare last night, around two in the morning actually. She said that the guards were gone. While I found this strikingly odd, I reasoned that they too had had trouble getting in contact with Canterlot, and had therefore left to see if something had occurred. The idea, however, was soon disproved upon further thinking. Mayor Mare was soaking wet on my doorstep, but refused to come in. I was unsure whether her shivering was from the weather or something else, but she was definitely shaken. She told me of the guard’s disappearance and demanded that I come to town hall at once. So, of course, I went. Through that icky black whirlwind outside I could see absolutely nothing, but Mayor Mare led us straight to the town hall with no problem, other than nearly being blown down the road like a dead leaf. We rushed into the hall and she immediately questioned me on the whereabouts of Twilight. When I told her, I swear I watched every hue of color fade from her cheeks; she looked like a ghost. Without another word, she galloped into another room, where I presumed the guards were staying. I ran in after her, and she instantly exploded her theories and worries through the now-empty room. The green mats that lined either side of the tall once-office space were all empty, with some of the golden armor still there! I felt a chill creep up my spine as I inspected each mat. Some were overturned. Some were still warm. And, as I said, some still had the armor beside them. The room began to feel stale and cramped. Perhaps it was just the situation, but as far as I was concerned, it felt like my mother’s sepulcher. I instantly felt the need to escape. Cutting the Mayor off, I ushered her back into the main hall, and then asked where the guards had gone. She said she did not know, but she heard a great clamor downstairs (she was staying in the upper room, but is now with her sister). When she went down, she saw the regiment dashing into the storm as if in a chase, disappearing into the black storm without a trace. The thunder must have covered their hoofbeats. I’m more concerned than ever now. My plans for safety have completely diffused, and now I do not know what I am to do. Luckily, my wits were about me, as they always must be of a Lady, and I asked the Mayor to give my letter priority in the mail. She took it and dashed to her sister’s home, where I hope she is safe. On my part, I will be going back to sleep. After the incident this morning, I still smell the tomb-like scent that Town Hall smelled of, and it took sleep from me. I took a long rose petal bath, however, and I don’t smell of death any longer. I’ll decide what to do later on in the day, but for now, I feel like I may finally sleep. Tuesday, March 9 The guard has not returned. I have decided now that they must have chased something into the Everfree. It is the only logical course of thought. Twilight has not returned, either, which means that she’s in the forest with whatever dreadful thing the guards were after. I only hope that they get it before it gets to Twilight. The tempest outside shows signs of lightening up finally, and for that I am glad. I’m beginning to think that we may very well see the sun again soon. It may still be up there, but at least the risk of flooding will dissipate. So there is some good news. I just wanted to vent a few worries, and now, so long as the storm stays down at a light drizzle, I’ll run and visit Spike. It will be a good opportunity to try the Princesses again, so if there ever were a time to go, it would be now. Tuesday, March 9, Dusk We learned a few things on the state of things today because, thankfully, when I made it to the library, I discovered that Spike had a scroll in his hand, waiting to be read. He was expecting Twilight, and not me, but once I filled him in on things (and made sure that Fluttershy heard as well) he reluctantly cracked the seal. This part was interesting, however, because instead of a sun, the seal was a wax moon, and the writing was obviously not that of Celestia. I’ve copied the letter down on a piece of parchment, which I’ve then stuck in this diary. It is very, very interesting, but it makes me worry even more. Twilight must return soon, lest we be left completely leaderless. Oh, if only Dash were here, or even better, Applejack. One of those two would gladly assume role as leader and take things off my hooves. But for now, I... need a nap. Yes, a nap would do me well. Or perhaps I’ll just go to sleep. No need to eat tonight.