//------------------------------//
// A Competition  
// Story: Mixing Colors 
// by Lyssa 
//------------------------------//

Fun. Sure, real fun, I thought as Sassy ruffled her light orange mane and stared me down with a gaze of jade. 

"Why of course, Artsy! I'm sure we will get along quite nicely." She said, sucking up to him harder than a vacuum. 

"Quite! Now, girls-erm, you aren't included in this," he said, gesturing towards Braeburn, laughing heartily, and turning his attention back to us, "I've deemed both of your artworks absolutely exceptional, so I've decided to put together a little competition. You have a deadline of two days to create the most beautiful, dazzling piece of work you can put together. Since we are always expanding, I need to know who I can count on to give me cathedral-ceiling worthy artwork in the least amount of time. The fastest piece will be put up, but only if it is as good or better than the pieces you have shown me. Is this alright with the two of you?"

We agreed and were forced to shake hooves. Her magenta hoof was perfectly manicured, polished and conditioned, while my turquoise one had been barely more than washed. Because of this, I grinned. An artist that works with their hooves are the most exceptional and rare, like Moneigh. Unicorn artists were a dime a dozen, because they lazily float their paintbrushes or chisels, while more skilled and dexterous earth or pegasus ponies do the work by hoof. My smirk must have gotten on her nerves, because she ended the shake promptly. 

"See you soon, Artsy!" She called over her shoulder on her way out, paying no attention to me and Braeburn. 

The curator turned to me. "I understand you had a few complications in transport and such?" He asked politely, handing me my bag. 

I nodded, carefully positioning my bag on my back so it wouldn't rub against my wings. "Yeah, my wing was broken by some gang member. Thankfully, though, it led me to my wonderful stallionfriend, so it's really not so bad. It'll be healed soon."

"Well, as long as it worked out alright in the end, I suppose. I do look forward to seeing what you will have to offer. Knowing you, something wonderful, no doubt!"

I chuckled. "Thanks, Artsy. I'll be back in two day's time, or less!" We waved goodbye and headed out the door. As soon as we were out of range of the curator, I groaned. 

"What's wrong, Splatter?" Asked Braeburn, concerned. 

"It's just, I poured all my creativity into those paintings and now I have to make another? I don't even know where to start!"

His brows creased, worrying for me. "Well, Ah know it seems pretty bad now, but things will look up soon, because you ARE the better artist, Ah just know it!"

I smiled at his optimism as we walked out the door. Our meeting had taken much longer than I realized, hours even, although it didn't feel like that long at all. "Thanks, Braeburn. You're the sweetest. Where do you wanna eat today? I'm in the mood for Chinese."


***


After a delicious meal of stir-fried daisy and fried rice, I set up my easel and a canvas to use later-good thing I had bought a couple extras in Apploosa!-we settled down to watch a movie. 

"What do you wanna see?" Asked Braeburn, flipping through the great hotel channels. "There's The Avengers, Manticores on a Plane..." He trailed off, letting me read the guide. 

"Ooh! That one!"

"What? The Zebra King? Really?"

I nodded. "I used to love that movie! I haven't seen it in forever!"

Braeburn sighed and rolled his eyes. "But isn't it a foal's movie? Ah've never seen it for myself."

I gasped in mock astonishment. "Then that seals it, we have to watch it now."

Chuckling, he selected the movie and set the remote aside. At first he kind of dismissed it, but as it went on he really seemed to be into it. He even got a little emotional when Scar pushed Mufasa off the cliff. 

When the movie finally ended, I realized Braeburn had stayed awake the whole time, although he usually tended to doze off during movies. 

"What did you think?" I asked, pleased he had stayed conscious for the full experience. 

"Ah think you're very good at picking movies," he stated lazily. 

I grinned warmly at him. Did he have a single flaw? I didn't think so. "Thanks for watching the whole thing with me, Braeburn."

He smiled, his eyes closing rapidly. "It's no problem, sugar cube, but Ah'm plumb tuckered out. Ah think Ah'll hit the hay."

Giving him a soft, quick kiss on the lips, I shimmied out of bed. "I need to work on the painting. I'll join you in a sec." I trotted over to where I had set up the easel and canvas. Sighing, I dabbled my brush in both the pink and orange, making a brilliant salmon. Painting a few strokes of the color I created as well as a few other blends of yellow, red, orange and pink, I coated the top half of the canvas with bright swirls and radiant patterns. When I saw it, I surprised myself with the beauty of just the top half, but I wasn't exactly sure how to continue it. Oh well. I still have two days to continue it, if I can...

Rinsing my brush and palette, I put my art stuff away and snuggled up to Braeburn. He was warm and smelled of apple spice, as always. Cuddling with him always made me feel better, no matter the circumstances. I heard his heart beat and felt his muscles under his bright yellow coat, eventually falling asleep to the rhythm of his peaceful breaths. 


***


Okay, so I drew Dasher and Sassy. They're not the best, but here they are:


And



Tadaa. Watcha think? Tell me in the comments :3