Real beauty is to be true to oneself
..o0o..
"Twilight, darling. Could you tell me what this one is about?"
A purplish glow enveloped several tall, swaying stacks of books and shifted to reveal Twilight Sparkle, her horn alight with magical energy. She glanced briefly at the book Rarity held in her hooves, frowned, then shrugged and went back to her work.
"I'm not sure," she said, rearranging another stack of books. "A lot of these are new arrivals. To be quite honest, I've received so many donations lately that I haven't really had the time to read them all." She levitated a small volume in front of her face and briskly flipped through its pages. “I was only able to recover a few books from the library.”
Rarity set down the book and offered Twilight a weak smile. "It is terrible, is it not?" She maneuvered around a small multicolored mountain of tomes to put a comforting hoof on Twilight's shoulder.
Twilight sighed. "I know.” She looked up at the towering bookshelves that adorned this particular room of her castle. "I really do want to read them all, but there's just so much work to do lately that I can't keep up!" She returned Rarity's smile, then turned her attention back to her work.
"I was referring to the loss of your former home, dear," Rarity clarified.
"Oh. Right," Twilight said.
Twilight’s home may have been destroyed, Rarity thought, but at least she had received a magnificent castle in exchange. Perhaps not being caught up in her reading was the greater tragedy after all.
A moment later Twilight all but confirmed that this wasn't the case when she said, "I guess I haven't really thought much about that."
Rarity knew a falsehood when she heard one, but she decided not to press the issue. Instead, she reached down and retrieved the book she had set aside. It was heavy for its size, bound in some kind of green leather that shimmered when held under the light from the windows above. She shuddered slightly at its texture; it was common knowledge that certain lost cultures once used such barbaric methods of book-binding, but that didn't make holding such a thing any less unsettling. Grotesque history aside, it was the title printed on the cover that originally caught her eye.
Allure.
Printed in a soft, flowing script, it was the only thing to grace the cover save for a few of what appeared to be decorative symbols at the very top. The word drew her in like a moth to the flame, piquing her curiosity as to what treasures might be found hidden within the book. Rarity glanced up and saw that Twilight was busy rearranging a pile that she had just sorted through a moment ago. She looked back down at the little marvel in her hooves and opened it up to the first page.
Everything has beauty, but not everypony sees it. Some are blind to the subtle details that everything possesses which, if magnified, suddenly become obvious. Others have lived too long to give such things more than a cursory glance. They have grown old and do not appreciate that which is in plain sight. But youth... youth is happy because it has the capacity to see beauty, and those who hold onto this ability shall never grow old.
Rarity closed the book and studied its cover with newfound appreciation. It was just like what was printed on the page! To some ponies the book’s leather cover would be an abomination, but not to her. She saw the potential for beauty within, and oh had she discovered it! She opened it again and flipped through a few of the pages, confirming what she had suspected: it was a time-lost manual on beauty, from its preservation, to creating it where none might otherwise exist. She snapped the book shut and looked back up at Twilight.
"Twilight. You simply must allow me to borrow this! I cannot believe that it was just sitting around collecting dust!"
Twilight peeked her head around a stack of books and raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
"This book!" Rarity said, clutching the old tome to her chest. She continued, her eyes glittering with intensity. "It's called Allure, and it's all about lost customs concerning youth and beauty. And look, it even has illustrated tutorials on antiquated makeup techniques. Can you imagine the kind of inspiration I could draw from such knowledge?" She held the book out and tapped its cover with a hoof. "This here is genuine, Twilight. The chance to learn from some of the first to even acknowledge beauty and fashion – you have to let me to borrow it!"
Her pleas were unnecessary, however. During Rarity's little speech, Twilight had listened silently, but a small smile appeared on her lips. "Rarity, if it means that much to you, why don't you just keep it?"
Rarity took a step back. "Oh no, dear. I couldn't!" But her grip had unconsciously tightened around the book, and she added, "Are you certain? I wouldn't want to be a bother, I just happened to come by this and–"
"Yes, Rarity," Twilight said. She giggled and pointed a hoof to her own chest. "I didn't even know it existed until you showed it to me. Besides, I don't really see myself having much use for such a text. You can take it with my blessing."
"Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!" Rarity squealed. She trotted over to Twilight and hugged her. "You really are too kind." She looked over at the piles of books on the floor. "And now, I do believe we have some sorting to do."
Twilight grinned and levitated a book with her magic. "We certainly do," she said. She set the book on one of the piles, and together the two ponies got back to work.
..o0o..
The rest of Rarity's day played out just like any other. She had a late picnic lunch with the girls, spent some time with her little sister, Sweetie Belle, and put the finishing touches on her latest batch of fashion designs. Now she was at home in bed, tucked under the soft, embroidered duvet, ready for some relaxation. She reached over to the bedside table and picked Allure up.
"Time for a little inspiration!" she said. Her cat ignored her and began a thorough grooming session in the corner of the room.
Rarity opened the book to a random page and giggled. "Look at this, Opal. Can you believe these illustrations?" She held the book outwards to reveal a detailed sketch of an amaryllis belladonna flower. Opalescence paused her grooming long enough to look up, then went right back to where she had left off as if completely uninterested in anything the book might have to offer. Rarity rolled her eyes. "Well at least I can appreciate them," she mumbled, then turned her attention back to the book.
The page offered a wide variety of uses for the flower, from using it to accent one's mane, to making a dye out of its crushed petals that could either be used in clothing, or as a form of makeup if diluted using the methods and materials shown. While Rarity was already familiar with these particular tips, she was still impressed with their presentation. No detail was spared, yet each instruction was written in such a way that even a fashion novice would understand exactly how to make the most out of what they read.
Rarity flipped through the pages to another chapter. Here it provided information on a rare type of rose, from its description and location, to the use of its thorns as a way to eliminate wrinkles on an aging body. A few pages further on provided tutorials on various stitching methods, and details such as which methods held together the tightest, and which were used simply as fashionable accents. Rarity was surprised to find several she had never seen before.
She rolled onto her back and held the book in her hooves over her head to read. The shadows within the room grew deeper as time passed. Minutes turned to hours, and before she knew it Rarity found it difficult to keep her eyes open.
Perhaps one more passage, she thought.
Rarity turned the page and paused, frowning. She flipped forward to the next page, then back to the previous one.
Had there been a printing error? She stared at the blank pages, trying to make sense of them. Everything else about the book seemed fine; it was just this one small section that was missing.
She sighed. How could such a thing be overlooked? What kind of information or advice was meant to be there?
Then something caught her eye. She inhaled slightly as words formed where none had been before, materializing in an emerald green ink as if being written on the spot by an invisible quill. Her eyes followed each of them as they appeared.
Oh, great admirer of the elegant, seeker of the winsome ways. You truly are a rarity,– Rarity's eyes widened –for only one with the deepest appreciation for beauty and grace could find the true glamour hidden within this text. There is power in finding beauty where others turn a blind eye, and it can be yours, should it be your desire.
"What is this?" Rarity said quietly. She looked towards the corner of the room where Opal lay, but the cat was fast asleep. The appearance of the message was somewhat unnerving, but also exciting. A hidden passage meant only for those most devoted to beauty and fashion? How could she not be excited? She eagerly read on.
To hold onto that invigorating youth and allure that it may never fade, what cost might one deem fair? To extend one's natural beauty by even a year... ah, but one can, if one but offers in return an equal share of their most tired and aged years. Merely cast the spell below, as many times as you wish, and you shall extend your beauty and grace each time by one year–
"–in exchange for one year of your life!" Rarity's eyes widened as comprehension dawned on her. In that moment, she snapped the book shut hard enough to wake Opal, then practically tossed it onto the bedside table and swiftly extinguished the light, plunging the bedroom into darkness.
Rarity turned her body facing away from the book and pulled the duvet around her more tightly. What a ghastly thing! To think that anypony would be so wicked as to conjure up such a spell. It had been quite a lovely and useful guide, but now her entire experience with it was... was tainted by an offer that was absolutely sickening. Well, she wasn't having any part of it! She would take the wicked thing to Twilight Sparkle first thing in the morning and be rid of it.
..o0o..
Rarity stared into the candle's flame as it flickered and danced. She knew the truth, though. Sooner or later the flame, no matter how beautiful it might be, would extinguish. Her eyes wandered to the base of the candle, and she contemplated what difference it would make if it were but a fraction shorter.
Allure lay closed on the desk, its textured cover gently shimmering in the candlelight, inviting Rarity to come give it another chance. She found herself staring and was forced to look away.
Sleep had not come for Rarity. The secrets of the book beckoned, and she was uncertain if she could continue to resist their call. She had lain for hours before scrambling out of bed and clutching the book to her chest. A moment later she had hurled the book away, repelled by her own fragility, where it landed upon her desk and had not been touched since.
She could not understand her paranoia. It was only a book. That it had been written by some powerful practitioner of magic was of no consequence; he or she would be long gone and forgotten by now.
One year.
How much could she accomplish within a year? It would matter little if, during that year, she was struggling to hold onto the last vestiges of her life. What kind of life is there to live at the end of one's years, anyway? She would no longer be young and beautiful, but old and uncomely. Her prime would have long passed into her memories, and even those would be eroded by time. What value, then, could be placed upon the final year of her life?
Very little, she thought.
All the book asked of her was to remove what, in all likelihood, would be the very worst year of her life in exchange for another year of vibrance, youth, and luster. The more she thought about it, the more she realized that the deal actually worked out heavily in her favor.
Her eyes wandered back to the book. Surely there would be no harm in casting the spell just once. A single year would hardly be missed, especially if it meant less suffering toward the end of her life. Nopony else would ever need to know.
The candle's flame flickered just then and caught Rarity's attention. She stared at it for a moment, then closed her eyes.
It wasn't noticeable just by looking, but she knew that the candle was shorter now than it had been only moments ago. It could never again be as tall as it once was.
Rarity opened her eyes. She blew out the flame, turned around, and headed straight for her bed. The hour was late, and tomorrow was another day. She would have plenty of time to think about the book then.
..o0o..
It was still early morning when Rarity arrived at the pond by the forest's edge for a bit of relaxation. She came here often, especially on days which she knew were going to be more stressful than usual. She lowered herself into the cool water with a sigh.
Now this is life, she thought. There was something about the peace and solitude of this place that made her feel alive. She dipped her head beneath the surface of the water and exhaled slowly, watching the bubbles as they drifted upwards. There was a kind of beauty to them, but each of them lasted mere seconds before bursting into nothingness.
Did beauty always have to be so fleeting? A mere drop of elegance in the cauldron of life?
Rarity resurfaced and closed her eyes. This was who she was. She felt young, beautiful... perhaps a little naughty. She didn't want to be anything other than what she was at that very moment. Years from now, would she still feel this way? Can one truly feel alive if the remainder of their days are spent struggling to maintain a life that ended long ago?
Of course not.
She decided then that she would cast the spell. Just once, when she got home. It would do her no harm whatsoever, and the benefit would far outweigh the consequence...
...But why stop there? She could have another five, even ten more years of days like this; days where she was in the prime of her life, full of elegance and wonder to all who beheld her. They would ask what her secret was, but nopony would ever figure it out. The stallions would be lining up at her door, for who wouldn't want to court a mare who remained gorgeous and vibrant well into her later years?
Rarity's mind was on the many things she might teach those young stallions when another thought occurred to her. Just how many years would she be able to enjoy such a life? She opened her eyes and looked at the clouds floating overhead. If she extended her attractiveness by ten years, her life would be shortened by an equal amount. How long was she destined to live without magical interference?
The clouds became difficult to see through the tears that welled up in Rarity's eyes. Those clouds were yet another reminder of something that was beautiful, yet short-lived. She saw it, too, in the trees, whose leaves would become brilliant with color for a brief time before they gently drifted, dead, to the ground below.
Her tears flowed freely now. Was she truly so narcissistic as to actually want such a thing? What of her family, her friends? Her shoulders shook as she cried, and she raised her head up and shouted towards the sky, "Why should I be denied what I want just because it's considered selfish?"
A flock of birds took flight from a nearby tree, frightened by the sudden noise. She would find no answers here. As she struggled to bring her gentle whimpering under control, she knew that there was only one place to find them.
She would have to confront the book.
..o0o..
Allure lay on Rarity's desk where she had last left it. It occurred to her then, as she slowly approached, that it almost resembled a horrible green spider whose eyes were locked onto some unfortunate thing that had become entangled in its web. She knew the danger within its corrupted pages, and yet the beauty of its silken strands was captivating.
"Why did you come to me?" she asked quietly. She began to pace back and forth, never taking her eyes off the book. "You offer me everything I could ever wish for," she stopped suddenly, "but at what cost?"
The book offered no reply.
She sat down and stared at the floor. When she spoke, it could have been to herself or to the book. "I want to cast the spell. I want to cast it ten times. Twenty!" she hissed. She loathed her weakness as her eyes glistened with tears once again. Her voice became loud and strained. "I want to be beautiful until the end of my days, consequences be damned!"
Still, the book offered no reply.
Rarity stared at it for a long moment, then looked away. "What kind of monster would you have me become," she said, her tone even, "that I should not even care about how anypony else feels about this?" Allure's continued silence brought to the surface the anger that had been simmering within her.
"Why are you doing this to me?" she screamed. "Why can't I just have this one thing?" Her hooves shot forward and snatched the book up. She had made up her mind. She would cast the spell, just this once. She turned around to go sit on her bed and chanced a look into her mirror.
Her mane, normally vibrant and luxurious, was dull and dishevelled. The whites of her eyes were flecked with red lines from lack of sleep, and her mascara had smudged and run down her cheeks where she had been crying. The sight gave her pause, and she dropped the book to the floor.
"I already was a monster," she breathed. She stood motionless, staring ahead at nothing, before finally closing her eyes. "I must do it," she said. She used her magic to pick Allure off the floor, then took it to her desk and found the blank pages.
..o0o..
Twilight Sparkle was just getting ready to settle into what was likely to be a thrilling text on the nuances of griffon body language when a green leatherbound tome dropped onto her desk from above.
"Take it," a voice said.
Twilight turned to see Rarity standing in the doorway. Her mane was a mess, her eyes downcast. "Rarity, what are–"
"Please?"
The tone of Rarity's voice gave Twilight pause. She looked at the book, then back to her friend. "Okay, I'll take it," she said. She raised her eyebrows. "Now, what happened?"
After some more prodding, Rarity finally told Twilight of what she found in the book. Twilight had listened with great interest, and soon found her concern turning to horror. Finally, she asked, "Rarity, you must tell me... did you cast the spell?"
Rarity stared at Allure for what seemed like eternity before she answered.
"I wanted to," she murmured. "I-I still do. I didn't care who it might hurt!"
Twilight studied Rarity's face, then put a reassuring hoof on her shoulder. "You do care," she soothed. "Or else you wouldn't be here right now, and you certainly wouldn't have given up the book!"
Rarity's eyes were intense as they held Twilight's gaze. "You don't understand. I would do anything to cast that spell." She looked beyond Twilight to Allure. "Every part of me wants to rush over there and cast it. Now." She trembled and sighed. "I am a monster, Twilight."
But Twilight Sparkle's attention was now on the book Rarity had brought her. She studied its cover for a moment before frowning. "Rarity..." She indicated the symbols at the top. "Rarity, this title has been mistranslated. These symbols are from an ancient draconian language. The actual title of the book is A Lure." Her eyes widened. "It's some kind of magical trap! Rarity, you must have been caught within the book's spell. That explains why you've been acting this way. We have to get this book to Princess Celestia. It is far too dangerous to leave where anypony else could stumble upon it."
Rarity sighed and shook her head. "That won't be necessary. I burned the pages that contained the magic. It's just a harmless book about beauty now." Twilight's mouth opened, but Rarity continued. "But the spell has nothing to do with it, Twilight. The magic is gone, and yet still I want to cast the spell. I-I think about it now and wish I hadn't burned those pages. Don't you see? It wasn't dark magic that buried these feelings within my heart."
"And yet you still didn't cast the spell," Twilight said. She reached out and pulled Rarity into a hug. "Should you shield the canyons from the windstorms you would never see the true beauty of their carvings. Yes, you're flawed. So am I! It's what makes us who we are." She looked Rarity in the eyes. "Real beauty is to be true to oneself, and that's exactly what you have done here. I couldn't be any more proud to have a friend as truly beautiful as you are."
Rarity smiled as her eyes began to glisten once more. "Did you find that quote in one of these dusty old books, the one about the canyons?"
Twilight blushed. "Actually, Big Macintosh said that to me once." She shrugged, then looked Rarity up and down. "You know, you really could use a good makeover right about now."
Rarity giggled and sighed. "I guess I could use a bit of a touchup..."
"Day spa?" Twilight asked.
Rarity's grin widened. She may as well enjoy it while it lasted.
"Day spa!" she cried.
The End
Author's Note
For additional insights into the story, please click here.
If you enjoyed this story, perhaps you will also enjoy Imaginary.
