Day 3: Parting For Now
Fluttershy awoke from a dreamless sleep with the first rays of dawn peeking in her window. Wandering into the washroom, she found water, currycomb, and brushes laid out, with a towel hanging just behind the door. Completing her morning grooming, she made her way back the main room, to find Artis there hard at work on breakfast; the homey smell from the pot of muesli porridge bubbling away on the stove setting her mouth watering. The imposing figure of the gothic-hued alicorn was softened a bit by a patchwork velvet housecoat, its fabric a riot of colours for which she could discover no discernable pattern. As he worked, he whistled a curious but entrancing tune that did not sound like any music Fluttershy had ever heard.
"Good morning, dear Fluttershy," said Artis, not turning around, "the porridge should be done shortly, in the meantime, there's cream on the table, and bread, and honey. No fresh fruit I'm afraid, but the porridge has dried apples and cherries. Please have a seat and I'll be right there, help yourself to the bread and honey."
"Oh, this is all so nice," remarked Fluttershy, seating herself on a large overstuffed hassock by a table laid out with stoneware bowls and silver cutlery, accompanied by crystal goblets filled with sparkling spring water. Fluttershy nibbled daintily on a slice of bread with honey, while inspecting the bowls, the outsides of which were painted with a collection of brightly-hued flowers she failed to recognized.
"I see you're admiring my crockery," noted Artis as he levitated the pot of muesli porridge to the table, settling it in a round wooden stand. "I painted them myself, shortly after I moved here," he continued as he lifted a ladle in his magic aura and proceeded to dish out the porridge. "Most of the flowers are those of my homeland, so you're probably not familiar with them, and at least one species is likely extinct by now. Cream?"
"Oh yes, please."
Artis poured the cream, and took a slice of bread, soaking it thoroughly with honey before taking a large bite. "I have a bit of a sweet tooth," he explained after swallowing his mouthful. Fluttershy just giggled, and commenced upon her porridge and cream. Not fancy, no exotic grains or fruits, but it was tasty, hearty, and quite filling. She took another bite of her honeyed bread, washing it down with the spring water.
"So," she began, "should we be heading back to the flutterspiders?"
"There's a cool mist drifting in this morning, they won't be out for a few more hours, so we have time. And since we do," he continued in a softer, contrite tone, "I want to apologize for last night."
"But, there's nothing to apologize for, you were quite the gentlestallion, and, well, I did find your offer quite flattering." Fluttershy started to blush, not for the first time this trip, and turned her head slightly, hiding her reddening face behind her flowing mane.
"Nevertheless, it wasn't fair of me to spring it on you so quickly, particularly after the wine. It's just that, having lived so long, and seen so much, well, awfulness in the world, I want to reach for every good moment that life affords me. I shouldn't let that overrule my manners and good sense, however, and I hope I haven't offended you."
"I... I'm not... I do think you're a very interesting pony, Canvas, but... well... I'd like to get to know you better first?" Fluttershy looked expectantly at the alicorn, surprised that she no longer felt the undercurrent of intimidation that she had on the previous two days.
"I suppose I have been prying into your life quite a lot, and not talking much about myself. What would you like to know?" he asked, taking another large bite of his honey-soaked loaf.
"Well, I know you were... reluctant to talk about it, and... but perhaps I shouldn't..."
"You're asking about my appearance." Artis' voice took on a somber but not unkindly tone. "Yes, it is something of a sore spot for me, I'm afraid to say. But no matter." Taking a deep breath he continued. "I am not sure how much of it you want to hear. It happened during the Dragon Wars." He smiled sadly as Fluttershy put a hoof to her mouth. "Yes, it's not a pleasant story, and I would rather not revisit the details, they're still too painful, even after all these millennia; nor would I care to subject you to its horrors. It was a dark and brutal time, far moreso than even the most unexpurgated histories will tell. There was a great deal of dire and dreadful magic employed by both sides, and neither escaped unscathed. Many of us were altered, in ways both visible and invisible. This," he pointed a hoof to his forked, metal-flecked horn, "and this," he waved a steely hoof before laying it on the table, "were there result of a profoundly misguided attempt to enhance my own power, gain a magical advantage over our enemies. The attempt succeeded, for a time; though ultimately it turned out to be entirely superfluous, as we had already discovered the means of our victory. It was a foolish thing I did, and although they no longer pain me physically, the reminder of that foolishness pains my memory still."
Fluttershy said nothing; but looked up into Artis' eyes, and laid her forehoof gently on his cannon. They sat gazing into each other's eyes for a long moment, neither daring to speak. Finally, Artis smiled and turned toward the window. "The mist will be lifting soon, we should get you back to your flutterspiders," he said softly.
Artis gathered up his case and the half-finished painting, and the two ponies made a leisurely flight back to the clearing, wisps of mist leaving kisses of dew on their coats as they rode the freshening winds. As they circled around the clearing, Fluttershy could see Angel standing near its edge, sticking his tongue out at a large silver fox that pawed at the invisible barrier separating them. The fox darted away into to the woods as the pair landed, and Angel hopped over to his mistress, keeping a wary eye on Artis as he did so.
"Good morning Angel," called Fluttershy, "did you have a good night?" Angel shrugged, tilted his head, and cocked an eyebrow at her. "Oh, I had a wonderful night." Angel's eyes went wide, his ears perked up, and he leaned forward eagerly. "Oh yes, we had a very pleasant conversation, and I slept like a foal in his lovely guest room." Angel put a paw to his face, shook his head, and bounded back to the woods to nibble the newly-opened wildflowers.
By the time Fluttershy and Artis had taken their respective stations, the glittering arachnids had started to rise and begin the next leg of their journey. Fluttershy picked up her sketchbook, and paused. "Canvas?"
"Hrm?"
"Would you... I mean... I'd like to hear more about your life, if you'd like to talk about it."
"I'm not normally one for talking about myself, but I doubt I could refuse you anything." As they watched the flutterspiders take wing, Artist regaled Fluttershy with stories of his childhood and youth, and apologized for not having led a more interesting life. "It's just that, even before the war, I was always something of a recluse; and afterwards, disappearing from the world appealed to me greatly. Particularly as I was no longer needed." Looking over at Fluttershy, he paused a moment, considering his words. "Meeting you has made me reconsider that attitude."
Fluttershy smiled and blushed, but this time did not attempt to hide behind her mane. "It looks like the last of the flutterspiders are leaving."
"So it does, and like them, I expect you will be leaving shortly as well." He looked at the sky. "It's nearly noon, and you'll be wanting to set off soon to make it down the mountain before nightfall." Artis gazed out over the valley. "I've very much enjoyed our time together, and I believe you have as well. I'd very much love to see you again, dear Fluttershy."
"I'll be busy for the rest of this moon," replied Fluttershy, packing away her tent, "helping the animals prepare for winter hibernation." She looked up at Artis, a solid figure of shadow and flame in the autumn sunlight. "But I will have a good deal of free time after that, and I would love to see you again, too." She giggled happily. "And I want to see my portrait finished."
Artis turned to face the smaller pony, eyes bright and sparkling. "In that case..." He levitated a small red jewel on a fine silver chain out of his case, and fastened it around Fluttershy's neck. Raising his head, he dissipated his barrier spell from the previous day in a shower of orange-red sparks. "You know the way to my cabin, but as I'm often out painting, you can use this to summon me. Simply touch the jewel and speak my name," he leaned his head down closer to Fluttershy, "my old name, and I will know that you are coming to see me."
Fluttershy did not speak, but simply stepped lightly to the ancient alicorn, reached up her head, and nuzzled his neck. Artis returned the friendly gesture, and stood watching as Fluttershy packed up her remaining supplies, gathered Angel, and with a sunny smile and wave of her hoof, trotted away down the wooded trail, casting the occasional glance behind her as she went. Returning to his painting, Artis Donum, formerly Blank Canvas, Giver of Art and Slayer of Dragons, sat down at the canvas, took a deep breath, and with a passion greater than he had felt for longer than he could remember, picked up his brush and pallette.
The End