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Dear Diary, I faced my fears today. I did it!
I'm so proud. The castle was magnificent. I mean, it's a work of art in on itself. I can't believe that I, of all Ponies, have been chosen to be the one to paint a portrait of Princess Celestia herself for her Winter Wrap-Up gift!
Fresh out of school and into the streets, and here I am... at the castle.
It was fantastic, such a rush! I walked in meekly, I can't say I would have done otherwise. She has guards everywhere, it's like... the most secure place in the entire world! They had big shiny helmets, and stern gazes. They really strike one as a no-nonsense kind of fella. I wouldn't want to mess with any of them.
One of them, for some reason, had a sort of vegetable on his helmet.
I'm not sure what that was about but he didn't even break pose to remove it.
That's what I call training! It's like... through wind and rain and hail of roots, the Royal Guard delivers!
There was so many... so many other ponies who showed up to the interviews. I swear my mood sank fifty paces already. Gathering in the main hall, they had us register with the nice lady at the desk who gave us a number, and we would go in and introduce ourselves and show off our work.
I brought nothing but the best of the best of my portfolio with me today! You can't spare a single inch with such competition, no sir.
Oh what a rush. The countdown was like a tick of a clock. A slow second that passes by with every number called out. I was number 25. I even kept my ticket as a souvenir, you see? It has a Royal Stamp on it. How cool is that?
When it was my turn I went in and saw Princess Celestia herself, sitting there with two of her... uh... well, I don't know who they were. Royal Art Advisors, maybe? Judges? They were there regardless, flanking her on either end, watching me stroll uncomfortably into the middle of the room.
I was shaking in my horseshoes.
I was sweating so much that I thought my paintings would streak.
And then Princess Celestia said something to me that was like a bolt out of the blue.
"Calm Down, and don't worry," she said.
There was a calmness in her voice. This commanding calmness. Authoritative, but gentle. I had no choice but to listen.
I gave my best pitch. I showed my best work. I think they were quite impressed with my ability to handle light and empty spaces, and Celestia actually said that she had something of a bit of respect for me for trying at my early age and with my lack of experience.
I told her that I would never know unless I tried, and trying was the only thing that matters.
She then deliberated for a short while with her assistants and then said.
"Brush Dancer, I think I like you."
She likes me! Haha!
Well she gave me the chance because I'm not too bad, and I actually had the nerve to try.
Just goes to show. But man, I still can't sit still. I gotta go out and get ready!
There's this new paint shop that opened down the Market Square with these new special pigments and magical oil paints. I've always wanted to try and I think this is the best time to do it!
Oh, Princess, I won't let you down!
You'll see!