“Twilight !” Rarity shouted, interrupting the princess reading session as she entered the castle’s room. “The royal treasure. We need it now. Every single bit if necessary !”
Twilight sort of recovered from the surprise and instinctively asked :
“For what ?”
“To blarghl !” Rarity replied.
A little silence ensued, during which Twilight looked at Rarity and Rarity looked at Twilight, both feeling like a stone wall had appeared between them all of a sudden. And finally, Twilight broke the silence :
“Oh no… » she said with a frightened tone, « The creature has infected you, hasn’t it ?”
“You don’t understand…” whispered Rarity, realizing how hopeless it would be to try to explain it.
She knew it was hopeless because she had been in Twilight’s position two days ago and couldn’t have understood either until it was revealed to her and the whole world would have suddenly changed its face.
It all began in her boutique, while she was serving Lily Blossom. She had made her try a most unique and superb piece of art made from pieces of fabric in the form of petals, but forming an altogether classical dress.
“I’ve never seen anything like it.” Lily had summed it up, and rightfully so. “It’s beautiful.”
Rarity had only blushed and tried to stay humble, even if she was very proud of her creation. But then, the attention of both mares got attracted by the ring of the doorbell as another pony entered the boutique.
The mere sight of that pony created an uncomfortable feeling in the room. Not that there was anything really wrong with the newcomer. She looked just like a normal pony in appearance. She had four hooves, and a mane, a tail like any pony should. There were even colors as well as a cutie mark. To complete how normal she was looking, she also had nostrils and two big fascinating eyes.
But still, despite how normal she was looking, there was that deep disturbing feeling, almost impossible to shake away, that the mare was merely just having the look of a pony and nothing more. Like an empty shell.
“I’m sorry to bother you.” the newcomer said with a sad but hopeful voice. “I was wondering if you had any bit you could give me to blarghl.”
Rarity and Lily looked at each other in the hope that the other would know what was going on and how to react in such circumstances.
“Oh!” Lily suddenly understood, or thought she had understood. “You mean you are in need of money. Well, I’ve got something even better. I know that Filthy Rich needs a new employee, that should solve your problem, shouldn’t it?”
The reasoning was logical, but the newcomer’s reaction proved it wrong.
“I’m sorry if I gave you a false impression.” the strange mare said. “I already have a job. I’m asking for bits to blarghl.”
“What do you mean by blarghl?” asked Lily, who wasn’t ready to give away her hard earned bits without a good reason.
The weird mare began explaining, and the more she explained, the less Rarity and Lily Blossom understood.
“It’s because of the Fliglerively and the Ropronublishu. When sinisinrodu and ornifulisofulou wishnigortol bigarticali…”
Rarity, at this point, thought it was all just a bad joke. Or a very good one due to the ability of that mare to keep such a straight face while saying those senseless words. Altogether, it had to be a joke. But deep down, in her generous heart, a new feeling appeared, one of compassion that told her she had to listen, that it was very important. Crucial even.
“…Whipitibo slapiti wapiti wargl bargl and slurpiti wapiti woo…” kept on explaining the weird mare.
The words were empty, but Rarity wasn’t really listening to them anymore. She was looking at the mare’s eyes. She had literally plunged inside of those two big black pupils into a world that was reminding her of something she felt she had forgotten a long time ago. All around her the world was dark, frightening. There were tears raining from above and screams of pain from below. Everywhere just sadness and misery.
And then Rarity discovered the light, an overwhelming light bright and warm as the sun, that chased all the shadows away, leaving only the green of the grass, the blue of the sky and over anything else a feeling of peace. No, not peace. This wasn’t the right word. It was another feeling Rarity had only felt a few times in her life, while using the elements: harmony.
“… and that’s why I’m asking you for bits.” concluded the weird mare.
Rarity looked around as she was in her boutique again, at Lily’s side who had clearly not understood one word, just as Rarity herself for that matter, of what the mare had said. The unicorn noticed that the mare herself was conscious her explanation hadn’t reached its goal but she was still waiting and hoping that maybe, by some miracle, it would work somehow.
“I’m sorry.” Lily Blossom said. “But you aren’t making any sense. Go to Filthy Rich if you need the job, otherwise I don’t think there is anything more I can do for you.”
Lily was feeling kind of ashamed saying those words, because she might have had a few bits to spare, but at the same time she couldn’t just give away money like that without a good reason. She needed it herself.
So, wanting to escape the sight of the weird mare as fast as possible, she paid for the dress, took it and disappeared almost trotting away.
“Excuse me miss.”
Rarity felt a shiver in her back. The weird mare was still there. She had waited during all the transaction and was now speaking directly to her. Instinctively, Rarity hid away the bits that had served to pay for the dress and turned back to her interlocutor.
“Would you be kind enough to give me bits to blarghl?”
Rarity tried to find a way out of this predicament. Of course, she could always just ask the mare to go away, but she didn’t want to look rude. That, and she remembered what she had seen in the mare’s eyes.
“I’m not sure why you need those bits for either…” Rarity said. “But it seems so important to you... I can hardly refuse.”
Sometimes, being generous can be a real burden. Still, it was just a few bits. So Rarity gave some to the weird mare, thinking it would all stop there. And suddenly, without any explanation, the mare literally ate every single bits right under her eyes.
“Thanks you very much.” the bit-eating pony said.
Her voice was filled with so much heartwarming gratitude that Rarity felt forced to reply:
“You’re welcome.”
The weird mare thought of going away, to Rarity’s relief, but then asked:
“Would you by any chance have more bits you could give me?”
Rarity turned pale. She had to refuse right away, she had to flee, she just had to do something to stop everything right this instant. The unicorn was feeling threatened by that request and frightened by that bit-eating thing's stubbornness. The truth was Rarity felt she was falling in some sort of a trap where she would lose everything. She felt like the mare in front of her was actually some sort of a nightmarish creature that had come to suck the life out of her body.
The truth was Rarity did have more bits she could give.
She gulped.
“Just how many bits do you need?” she asked the weird mare.
“As many as you can give me.” The mare replied.
It was clear now that it wasn’t really a pony Rarity was dealing with. Nopony would be so cruel as to put her into such an impossible situation. Only a creature, or some sort of weird spirit thingy would act in such a way.
As if it was able to read her thoughts, or her face, the mare creature thing looked down for a second but didn’t back down in its request.
Of course Rarity could have refused. Nopony would have blamed her for that. But there were those eyes, with both the sadness and the hope, that were simply piercing through her soul.
“Wait here…” Rarity said.
And she quickly went to grab her accounting book. She made a few calculations and found out just how many bits she could give away without endangering the boutique’s business or her own needs. By chance, the last months had been very profitable, so she actually had quite the margin to work with.
She went to the back of the shop and took out of her safe the exact number of bits she had calculated, which was a lot, and then went back to the creature to give them to it.
But Rarity felt forced to close her eyes as every single bit she had given was being eaten by the creature.
“Thank you so much!” the creature finally said, while finished eating all of Rarity’s hard earned bits.
“You’re… welcome…” Rarity replied, almost about to faint from the loss of a few months of profits, her vacation at the beach and Sweetie Belle’s extravagant anniversary gift.
“I mean it.” said the creature. “Few ponies are as generous as you are.”
Rarity didn’t reply, but she could easily imagine that not many ponies would give so many bits away to be eaten by some sort of weird spirit. It had been very unpleasant to say the least, but it was finished and she could always find some comfort in the very grateful look she was receiving.
And then a spark appeared in that look that revived all of Rarity’s fears.
“I’m sorry to ask, but…” began the creature with both embarrassment and a lot of hope.
Rarity refused to hear it. There was no way she could accept to hear it. It was all over just a second ago. All she had to do was to close her ears. Or ignore the words. Or become crazy and trot away as far as possible until the nightmare would finally end.
“… You wouldn’t by any chance still have some more bits you could give me to blarghl?”
Rarity fell on the ground like if she had been hit by an anvil. The creature came to her to see if she was feeling okay, knowing very well, in Rarity’s opinion, that she wasn’t and that all because of her. How that creature had dared to ask for more bits, Rarity couldn’t imagine. How it had been able to ask for them with the same hopeful, cheerful and innocent voice, she had absolutely no idea. More than anything, Rarity was wondering how the creature could know that she had, indeed, more bits she could possibly give.
It was at the bank, sleeping into a safe. Years of savings and the inheritance from her grandmother. A little fortune. Nothing spectacular, but a little fortune nonetheless. Rarity’s little fortune. One that she had accumulated for whenever hard time would hit, or to come to the help of her relatives or friends if they were to need some help of that nature. It was her safeguard, the insurance everything would always be okay.
And now, she was considering giving it all to feed that weird creature.
“I do have more bits I could give you.” Rarity faintly said. “But I don’t want to.” she added.
She began to cry while saying those words, because it was true. She didn’t want to give the bits away, even if it meant to be eaten herself by that spirit thing or whatever it might mean altogether. Those bits were more than just bits. A part had been given to her by her grandmother who had done so to ensure Rarity’s future. The unicorn didn’t feel like she had the right to use those bits against her grandmother’s wishes. As for the rest, they had been saved over the course of years for the sake of everypony dear to Rarity, because sometimes a pony has to rely on others when times are difficult and Rarity wanted to be able to be there to help them in such times. She didn’t feel like she had the right to indirectly endanger them by giving away the possibility to help them.
“I’m sorry.” Rarity repeated through her tears. “But I don’t want to give all my savings to you. They are very important to me, I just can’t abandon them.”
“I understand.” the creature replied to Rarity’s surprise. “You’ve already given me more than most ponies. I’m sorry I had to ask that question. I just had to, I hope you understand.”
Rarity didn’t understand. To be honest, she was surprised the creature wasn’t eating her for refusing to feed it. This was all feeling very surreal for the poor unicorn. But as fear was going away from her, it let its place to a form of pity.
Whatever the reason was for that creature to eat bits like that, it had to be pretty important. And at that moment, Rarity felt like she had to try to help it any way she could.
It struck her. Of course! She wouldn’t give all of her savings away, but she knew a pony that was incredibly rich and could certainly help in such circumstances. Not only that, but she was friend with that pony. And the pony was a princess whose duty was to help those who seek assistance.
Rarity noticed the weird creature had begun to leave.
“Wait!” she shouted, making it turn back. “Give me a second and then we will both go see somepony that can help you.”
Rarity quickly went to the bathroom, corrected her makeup as she couldn’t bear the idea of going out with any trace of tears on her face, and then came back to the creature.
“Come with me!” she told it.
And grabbing the creature’s hoof, she took her directly to Twilight’s castle where she was told, very conveniently, that the princess was in the treasure room for a monthly inspection. Both Rarity and the creature went there and were greeted by the alicorn that was very happy to see her friend and her friend’s friend.
“So, what is it you wanted to see me for?” Twilight asked.
“It’s a long story. But I need you to help that creature.” Rarity replied.
Twilight’s curiosity suddenly woke up. Having the mare at Rarity’s side be described as a creature was enough to open a lot of possibilities. She immediately noticed something weird in the look of the subject, but wasn’t able, at that point, to figure out what it was. A deeper study would certainly reveal some interesting elements.
“Glad to meet you your majesty.” said the creature. “I wanted to know if you could give bits to me.”
“Well, that is an unusual request.” Twilight began, suddenly realizing it wasn’t that unusual given how many times Spike had been bothering her with his allowance raise requests.
She looked at Rarity who was clearly trying to make her understand she should give the bits.
“Of course I can give you some bits.” Twilight finally replied. “Just by curiosity, what are you going to use them for?”
“To blarghl.” the creature replied.
Surprised, Twilight turned to Rarity who was still keeping her smile on as to say: “Everything is normal, just go with it, I’ll explain later.”.
“Well then, let’s go upstairs so that I can fetch a few bits to give to you. How many do you need?”
This time, it was Rarity who was surprised. She decided to intervene.
“Do we really need to go upstairs?” she asked. “It would seem way easier to settle things right here as my friend here requires a lot of bits.”
“But my bits are upstairs.” Twilight replied.
And then she understood what Rarity was expecting, being so close to the royal treasure and the mountain of bits it was formed of.
“I’m sorry.” The alicorn replied. “But those bits here aren’t mine. I can’t give them to you even if I wanted to. They belong to the citizen of Equestria and as long as the citizens don’t want me to give bits to… blarghl, whatever it might mean, I simply can’t use the treasure in such a way.”
Both Rarity and the creature felt disappointed by that explanation.
“I understand.” the creature said. “I was given the same answer by princess Celestia. I will take whatever you can actually give me.”
Having promised to give the bits, Twilight went upstairs with Rarity and the creature, then found some bits, gave them and then watched as the bits disappeared in the creature’s mouth. This made the alicorn understand how special that creature was as well as made her want to study and understand it.
“What… are you?” Twilight asked.
“I’m a pony your majesty, and a loyal subject of yours.” the creature replied.
“What is your name?” the alicorn asked again, not ready to let it go that easily.
“It's hard to tell.” the creature said. “I’ve been given so many I’m not sure which one is mine anymore.”
“Why is it you eat bits?” Twilight kept on asking.
“I do not eat bits your majesty.” the creature patiently explained. “I use the bits to blarghl.”
“I’m sorry to ask, but…” Twilight began.
She was about to ask if she could study the creature in details as she was very curious about it. She gave up on that thought however, recognizing she had no right to ask for such a thing in those circumstances.
“… Oh forget it.” she continued. “Just by curiosity, how much bits do you need to blarghl?”
“As many as I can find.”
“Can’t you give me a number?” Twilight asked again, as the creature’s answer was a bit vague for her.
The creature looked at Twilight, and then at Rarity. It was clearly trying to figure out if it should try to comply with that request, or deny it. Even more, if it were to comply, it was trying to figure out what number it should give. And finally the creature said:
“About six hundred billions for this year your highness.”
A long silence ensued after that revelation. It was so big there was just nothing to do with that number. It seemed to come from another world.
“I’m glad I could meet you your majesty. Thank you for your time and the bits you gave to me.” the creature said, before turning to Rarity and adding: “Thank you too for your time and generosity. I’m glad I could meet somepony like you.”
Having said those words, the creature began to slowly walk away, very probably to go ask somepony else for bits that it would eat right away to... blarghl.
Rarity thought of stopping it for a moment, as she still had her life savings that she could give. Not entirely, but maybe just a part of it. Half of it. Or a quarter. Or even a tenth of it. She could maybe find a way to make up for it.
She chased the thought away. Even if she were to give all her bits to that creature, it wouldn't come even close to how much was needed and would just be eaten like the rest for no better reason than to blarghl, which was admittedly no good reason at all.
“That was quite a strange creature.” Twilight said.
“I wish I could have helped it.” Rarity replied.
As she was saying those words, she felt a little pinch in her stomach.
“I wonder why it disguises as a pony when no pony eats bits. At least no normal pony. Do you think it may be a curse?” Twilight thought out loud. “Or maybe a sickness, in which case I hope it’s not contagious. I wouldn’t want to have to spend the rest of my days eating bits.”
She had said those last words as a joke, to tease Rarity, because she wanted to forget about the incident and come back to her daily life. But she noticed Rarity wasn’t seemingly in any mood to joke right at the moment. In fact, she seemed deeply touched by all that had happened.
“Are you feeling alright?” Twilight asked, suddenly concerned.
“Oh, I’m quite alright.” Rarity lied.
She then found a pretext to take leave and escaped back home where she quickly took some medicine against the stomachache that she could feel was developing inside of her.
A good night of rest didn’t help much and she woke up with the same pain inside of her. She decided to give it some more time, took some more medicine and spent the whole day and night in her bed to try and heal.
The next day, as things weren’t improving one bit, she decided to go to the hospital to ask for the advice of a doctor.
“You’re in very good health miss Rarity.” the doctor told her. “I think the cause of the pain you’re feeling might be psychosomatic.
He explained the term to her and she accepted to take an appointment with a psychiatrist later in the week to see what was wrong with her.
On her way back home, Rarity suddenly noticed a lot of ponies in black outfits going to the cemetery. The reason was clear and in other circumstances, she would have never gone near such an event. But the sight was making her stomachache feel different for some reason, which was weird enough to catch her attention.
So Rarity went with all the other ponies, trying both to ignore the fact she had no right to be there and to ignore how stupid it was for her to want to be there anyway.
And as was to be expected, she found herself facing the coffin. To make things even better, it was a very small coffin and the photography of the deceased filly let no place for doubts on the age of the one inside.
Rarity decided she had to leave right this instant, but a voice called to her:
“Hey, you!”
Rarity tried to hide as much as possible in the hope the call was for somepony else. In vain as a mother and her little son approached her. As every looks turned back to the mother and Rarity, the latter understood that she was facing the mother of the deceased one. Now she was in trouble.
“I can’t believe it.” The mother said. “A unicorn, white coat, three diamonds for a cutie mark. You’re Rarity, aren’t you?”
“Yes. I’m sorry.” Rarity replied, hoping her apologizing would let her escape without too much shame, as she had no idea how she was supposed to justify her presence there.
“Why?” asked the mother, before looking at the coffin and interpreting Rarity’s apology the way she wanted to. “Oh… thank you. I wish she could have been saved too. But it is certainly not your fault. After all, you’re the one who provided the means to buy the cure that saved my son. And for that you’ve got all my gratitude.”
“Thank you very much miss!” said the little foal at the mother’s side.
Rarity looked at the little foal, and then at the mother, and then at the coffin, incapable to understand what was going on until the connections finally happened in her brain. The realization completely changed the way she saw the world. Red became blue, yellow became violet and all the ponies suddenly had a different exact same shape as before.
The unicorn knew what she had to do now.
“Twilight ! » Rarity shouted, interrupting the princess reading session as she entered the castle’s room. « The royal treasure. We need it now. Every single bit if necessary !”
Twilight sort of recovered from the surprise and instinctively asked :
“For what ?”
“To blarghl !” Rarity replied.
A little silence ensued, during which Twilight looked at Rarity and Rarity looked at Twilight, both feeling like a stone wall had appeared between them all of a sudden. And finally, Twilight broke the silence :
“Oh no… » she said with a frightened tone, « The creature has infected you, hasn’t it ?”
“You don’t understand…” whispered Rarity, realizing how hopeless it would be to try to explain it.
Tears had begun to run down her cheeks.
“It’s because of the Fliglerively and the Ropronublishu. When sinisinrodu and ornifulisofulou wishnigortol bigarticali…” she told Twilight, conscious that none of the words she was saying would mean anything whatsoever to her friend.
She stopped trying to explain and just said, as a last resort:
“The mare… the creature, that wonderful pony! I learned what her name is.”
“And what is it then?” Twilight asked back, eager to know more about everything that had happened.
“Her name is Charity.”
THE END
Author's Note
... yes, it's basically "the ignored statue" all over again. I wanted to write that very badly though just because the challenge and the ambition behind the story are just way different.
Here I had to find a way to make the reader adopt a point of view that I consider illogical, but is logical depending of the philosophy of life you have (isn't that redundant?).
Also, the subject isn't just beggars, but the whole concept of charity altogether, which I wanted to write about for a very long time.
I did a very poor job in that regard as I still have a lot to learn about the subject, but the introduction convinced me the story would be fun enough to write anyway.
