//------------------------------// // 2nd Movement // Story: Entombed by Vanity: A Tale of Vampirism in Equestria // by Robotlegs //------------------------------// The Earth Pony Farmers Market was in full swing by the time Rarity arrived. All of the booths were set up and ready for business. There was much clamor in the form of bartering, bargaining and haggling at nearly all of them. Everything was being sold, from fruits and vegetables to trinkets. Many of the other ponies had the same idea as Rarity. The market was bustling with activity and the throng of ponies was daunting to her. Over the din of the crowd, Rarity faintly heard her named being called. “Hey Rarity, over here!” It was Applejack. Rarity turned her head and saw Applejack smiling and waving her over to the booth. Rarity smiled back and made her way through the crush of ponies. The sight of the Sweet Apple Acres booth was a credit to the bountiful riches it produced on its farm. All types of produce from the obvious to the obscure were on display and on sale. Granny Smith was also working alongside Applejack, selling her renowned apple pies. “Heya Rarity what brings ya’ here so early?” Said Applejack. “Morning Applejack. I thought I’d do a bit of shopping today. By chance to you still have those apples I simply adore?” “Why of course I do and their sellin’ like hotcakes! How much would you like?” “Let me have two pounds please.” “Hey, did you have fun last night at that frou frou dealie you were tellin’ me and the gang about?” Said Applejack as she bagged and weighed the apples. “Oh yes. It was quite delightful, but I’m still a bit fatigued.” Said Rarity as she gave Applejack five bits. “Wait till ya’ get to my age dearie.” Granny Smith interjected. She cracked a smile and limped towards Rarity. “There are days I get so wiped out, I need a nap to recover from taking a nap!” Rarity turned towards Granny Smith. Rarity knew Granny Smith ever since she and AppleJack were fillies in grade school. Granny Smith was a kind and loving figure, but Rarity couldn’t help but take note of how much Granny Smith had aged. Each line on her face was chiseled in by time and appeared to grow larger the longer Rarity stared. Granny Smith’s eyes that once shone with youthful radiance had grown dim and dull. Rarity also observed Granny Smith’s slow, hobbling movements and wobbly joints. It was obvious Granny Smith’s body was betraying her. Will Granny Smith’s fate also befall me as well? What am I thinking, of course it shall. Why must it be this way? Rarity’s mind conjured images of herself, old and ailing. The moment felt like an eternity. “Um Rarity? Your apples are ready.” Said Applejack as she gave Rarity her bag. “Oh yes, why thank you kindly Applejack. I must have drifted off for a moment.” Said Rarity as she put the apples in her saddlebags. “It was great to see you as well Granny Smith.” Said Rarity. “What was that dearie?” “I said it was great to see you Granny Smith!” Said Rarity in a raised voice. “Oh likewise hun! This crowd is getting a bit much for me, oh well. One more thing Rarity—” “Yes Granny Smith?” “Whatever you do, don’t get old!” Said Granny Smith with a laugh. I would if I could! Rarity nervously smiled at Granny Smith as she backed away from the Sweet Apple Acres booth. Deciding there was no more shopping to be done, she started to make her way back home. Rarity felt her hooves throbbing with pain with every step from standing for hours the night before. On her walk back to the Carousel Boutique, Rarity found herself daydreaming again. Both she and her friends have seen wondrous things that defy logic on numerous occasions. Equestria is brimming with magic. Surely, youth extending magic would be a mere trifle. The answer must be out there. Twilight must have some sort of spell in one of her books that can help. Oh, but it would be silly for me to ask her to look one up. She would think it so shallow and trite of me. There must be another way! Oh, sometimes I wish things were black and white and not so complicated! Wait a moment! Black and white! Zecora! She must have beauty secrets, why she looks so young herself. I’m sure she can make me a potion and nopony will be the wiser! I bet she would accept my apples as payment. Rarity, you clever pony, you’ve done it again! Rarity had her plan set out at that moment and it couldn’t be any more perfect. All she had to do was to Zecora’s hut, request a specialty potion, pay her fee and that would be all. It would be Rarity’s and Zecora’s little secret. The only difficulty Rarity was hesitant about was walking through the Everfree Forest. She remembered the way through it to find Zecora, but it would be fraught with danger. Rarity knew she had to move quickly. The more time spent in the Everfree Forest, the greater the chance of running into peril. The sun setting in a few hours made matters even more urgent. Rarity knew the potential hazards, but felt the benefits greatly outweighed the risks. Her mind was made up and there was no turning back now.