//------------------------------// // Chapter 39- Paint Me A Picture // Story: Reformed Unicorn Group Podcast // by Quoterific //------------------------------// "So Sunset, apart from video games that you showed us, your other hobby seems to be artwork as well," Starlight asked Sunset with curiosity, "Your friends from the other dimension-thingy say your a great cartoonist and painter." Sunset blushed a little at her friends' praises. "It's nothing much. It's pretty much how I got by when I turned away from Celestia and went to the other world. I got into painting when practising my magic in Equestria, learning to control the brush with levitation and doing shapes. It kind of grew on me and got me to start a hobby. When I was in the other dimension, I got by in perfecting my skills. Got me to start on commissions for Canterlot High, despite my past," Sunset went into details. The others were impressed. Then Starlight went into the store cupboard and levitated out an easel, canvas and several paints, paint knives and brushes. "Why don't you show us what you've got?" Starlight said, "It will be different in as a pony, but with magic, I think you will do well." Sunset smiled a big smile and went straight to the canvas. However, just as she was about to pick up a brush, Trixie stopped her. "I command you, Brush-set Shimmer, to paint me, the Great and Powerful Trixie!" Trixie demanded in her usual flourish. Sunset giggled. "You're wish is my command, oh Great and Powerful Trixie," Sunset chuckled, but turned to her with a stern face, "Plus, do't call me Brush-set Shimmer again." "You're wish is my command," Trixie smiled slyly, "Wink." Starlight facehoofed. "Now what pose shall Trixie go into. Something that screams great and powerful? Something that reflects how good of a street performer I am or-" "Just get on with it already!" Tempest groaned, "We don't have all day and Sunset needs to set up everything." In the end Trixie settled to a flashy lying position on a nearby sofa. Sunset got to work mixing the colours and getting into the zone. "Every creature can get into something like this. It's all about getting some inspiration. There's always something to look at, if only you open your eyes to it. Isn't that right Tempest?" Sunset teased. "Yeah, Yeah," Tempest chuckled, "I get what you mean." "Inspiration can some from anywhere really. Everyday objects, people you admire or something you hold dear," Sunset continued whilst she worked." "You should totally come and teach some art at the School of Friendship," Starlight encouraged, "Rarity does a lot of crafts with her fashion demonstration, but we're a bit lost in the fine arts department really. Applejack and Rainbow are good in the sports, Fluttershy in animal science, Twilight with all the academic stuff and Pinkie in, well, whatever Pinkie's in. Probably the music area. Just don't ask her to play that dreaded thing from Yakyakistan." Starlight gave a small shiver at that. "I would be happy to help out when I can," Sunset smiled as she continued with her work, "The best things in life can't be rushed either. A masterpiece cannot become a masterpiece overnight. Each stroke of paint is done in love and knowing where it should be on the canvas. It blends together, just like friendship. Overtime, it becomes something special." "Now you're sounding like a teacher," Tempest chuckled. "The Great and Powerful Trixie is feeling restless here," Trixie said through gritted teeth. "You wanted to model in the first place," Starlight shouted over to Trixie, "You got yourself into this." "Don't worry, I'm already done." "I know the girls from your world won't know this, but you're a secret artist in your world as well right?" Tempest asked Sunset while she continued to work. "That's right, another way I made a living," Sunset smiled, "I made a secret identity called Flanksy. I also helped Rarity design her set in secret. Though I may have hinted it slightly." She chuckled at that. "Almost done?" Trixie asked, "I have an itch I need to scratch." "Just need to finish your hat," Sunset smiled as she finished off, "And done!" Sunset levitated the canvas so everypony in the room could see her world. They all stared at the canvas in awe. "Amazing," Tempest said under her breath. "Ditto," Starlight smiled. "Trixie approves immensely," Trixie said with enthusiasm, grabby Sunset with a hoof, "Now I'm thinking big show posters and prints. I need at least eighty flyers for my next performances around Ponyville. What do you say, Sunset? I need them done in three days time" Sunset looked at her dizzily. "Eighty paint-printed flyers in three days?" Sunset said with a stunned face. She looked slightly dizzy before she fainted on the floor. The others looked at her unconscious form and Tempest and Starlight turned to Trixie with a small glare. "What? Too much?" Trixie shrugged sheepishly.