//------------------------------// // Chapter 55- Masterpiece // Story: Reformed Unicorn Group Podcast // by Quoterific //------------------------------// "So then Lyra and Sunset," Starlight started out, "What are we going to do together again?" "I thought we would start doing some more painting and artwork again," Sunset replied with a smile. They were all spread out around the studio, each with their own white canvas and a spectrum of paints to choose from. "And no, Trixie, I am not going to do a another short deadline of posters for you." She rolled her eyes "But the Great and Powerful Trixie cannot command an audience without posters to show how great she is!" Trixie whined. The others just rolled their eyes at that. Lyra just stared at the canvas with a blank face. "So you want me to paint with you all?" Lyra tilted her head in confusion. "Exactly," Starlight said, "Another part of your bonding session." Lyra looked to the brushes and paints before smiling. "Okay, I'm willing to give this a go," Lyra smiled. "Great to hear," Sunset smiled, "Just paint whatever tickles your fancy. Inspiration can come from all around us. One time at CHS, I was painting some sunflowers. Sunflowers always makes me happy in the way they always turn towards the sun, as if they are trying to reach out to it. Shame Pinkie went crazy next to me and spoiled a good painting, but then again, it's Pinkie." Tempest already made a start, she worked the brush and mixing with ease before applying the colours to the canvas. She worked with the a content smile. "This sure is relaxing," Tempest reflected, "You certainly get lost in your work." "You sure do," Sunset smiled, "May I ask where you're inspiration is coming from?" "I'm hoping to paint the firework display that I put on during the Friendship Festival with Songbird Serenade's performance," Tempest smiled. "And why are you painting that moment?" Sunset asked. "It was where Twilight and her friends accepted me as who I am. It holds a special place in my memories and I hope that I can show it with my work," Tempest replied. "I'm sure you will do a great job," Sunset smiled at that. Then came the sound of what appeared to be sobbing. What they didn't expect is for Starlight to be the one crying. "Why are you crying?" Trixie raised a brow at her friends. "I'm paining Phyllis," Starlight answered with a strained sob. The others looked at each other in confusion, but Trixie, knowing what she was going on about, sighed and rolled her eyes. "And who is Phyllis?" Tempest asked hesitantly. "My potted plant which Trixie threw in the trash, never to be watered or see the sunlight from the window again!" Starlight gave a sad point. Everypony just looked at each other. "You named a potted plant?" Sunset asked in confusion. "I have problems, okay?!" Starlight gave a sad shout. What they didn't expect next was for them to be assaulted by a wave a paint. With point-covered bodies and groans they all turned to Lyra. She was attacking the canvas with her brush with great speed, sending paint flying all over the place. They quickly turned their works away, saving them from the attack of flying colours. Lyra had a crazed look on her face, tongue out of the corner of her mouth in concentration. After several minutes of attacking the poor canvas, she gave a satisfying nod and turned her canvas to the others to show them what she's done. "Well, that's certainly interesting," Tempest said slowly. "It looks...Nice?" Starlight gave a strained smile. "The Great and Powerful Trixie is now confused," Trixie tilted her head to the side. Sunset facehoofed. Hard. What Lyra drawn, given her habit, was a pair of hands, fingers stretched out wide. Though her shading and colour mixing was something more impressive. "It's...Progress," Starlight turned to Sunset. "Define progress, Starlight," Sunset groaned. "I'm going to hang it up in my house and show Bonbon what I've done! She's going to love it!" Lyra hugged her masterpiece. "I think she will get a different reaction," Trixie sighed, causing Starlight to jab her with a hoof, "I mean, I think she's going to love it!" "Well," Tempest looked around at the now paint-covered studio, "How are we going to clean this mess up?" They turned to Starlight, who sighed and took hold of a paint-covered microphone, "We're going to take a break here, every creature, just to clean the mess. Be sure to stay tuned for more from us."