Troy's oversized wings tore across the clear skies, drawing him closer to the horizon as the day came to a close. Whilst the wind blew past his ruffling grey feathers, the gryphon started to feel anxious when he saw Ponyville take shape. He was just getting back from Appleloosa when he heard from Rainbow Dash that the pony he saved had been released from the hospital. And despite not knowing much about the stallion himself, Troy was glad to finally be able to talk to him face-to-face.
When he landed on the hard, cobblestoned streets of Ponyville, it didn't take long for Troy to hear the clamoring of ponies near the center of town.
Meanwhile, back at the fountain, Canvas was hard at work drawing the next pony in line: a pale yellow mare with a poofy orange mane and carrying the image of a carrot on her flank. While the mare named Golden Harvest―or Carrot Top to her friends―spoke with Canvas about her gardening, the stallion's mind was focused on the sketch in front of him.
By this point, Canvas was in his own world, his hoof and mind working together in unity to transform the lines and shades of graphite into the pony sitting in front of him. While his shrunken piece of graphite traced along the page and his drawing took better form with each passing stroke, a rather large crowd was forming behind Canvas as they watched him working. Some conversed with each other, but most of them kept silent as they watched pony after pony take shape on each passing page, fascinated with seeing the blank sheets turn into masterpieces.
Canvas wiped the sweat off his forehead with his hoof, seeming satisfied as he held his pad out and looked at the finished product. Glancing up, Canvas gave a quick, "Here you go," before showing her the sketch, feeling a great sense of accomplishment as her face lit up at the drawing.
"That looks amazing! Thank you so much, Canvas!"
"Not a problem, Carrot Top. Have a great day!"
The mare stood up and tossed five bits into a near-full change bag in front of him before walking back into the crowd with her sheet. Canvas gave her a quick wave before a navy-blue stallion took his place on the stool.
When he picked his pad back up, Canvas' smile dropped. The pad was now completely empty (save for the two cardboard pieces that served as the covers). He just went through his entire pad of paper in less than a day. He was unsure whether to feel disappointed or impressed by such a feat. Canvas started to feel bad as he noticed how many ponies were still around, either waiting to be drawn or to watch him draw some more.
After taking a deep breath, Canvas held up the empty pad for the blue stallion in front of him to see. "Um… I'm really sorry, but I kinda ran out of paper."
Canvas cringed as he heard the groans of disappointment sweep through the crowd. He sheepishly looked back at the pony in front of him, but was slightly relieved to see that he didn't look too upset―although the bandages over Canvas' eye might have helped a little bit.
As he stuffed the empty pad back in his art bag, Canvas tried to think of what to do next, and came up with one possible question to ask. "Ummm… Does anypony know where I can get some more art supplies?"
When Canvas looked around the crowd, he noticed that the sky was getting much darker than expected. He was so surprised to see how long he had been drawing, that he almost didn't notice when a mare spoke up from within the crowd. "There's a stationery store next to the library, but I think it closed an hour ago. It should be open at eight tomorrow."
"Oh! Thank you,” he said, nodding in the voice’s general direction before closing up his bag. "Well, I guess I'll be here tomorrow as soon as I get more paper."
Canvas was relieved when the ponies around him smiled and walked off; a few even gave some polite goodbyes. He then stretched his legs out on the bench, happy that they weren't feeling so sore anymore.
Troy waited until the crowd dispersed before he finally came into view and walked over to the pony. He couldn’t help smiling in relief when he got a good look at the stallion for the first time. Canvas didn’t instantly see the gryphon, and hopped off the bench to walk over to the fountain. It may have not been the most hygienic method to wash the thick layer of graphite off his hooves, but it seemed to do the trick.
Not wanting to scare the pony, Troy simply stood by the bench as Canvas continued washing himself. Troy was impressed by how much better the stallion looked now in comparison to a week earlier. His hooves looked completely healed, his body didn't show any major bruises anymore, and aside from the bandages on his face and knees, the pony looked healthy.
Troy decided to let himself be known by the time Canvas dropped his clean hooves back on the ground. Coughing lightly, Troy waited. Canvas finally faced him, and blinked a few times in realization. While Canvas' eyes did widen a bit, the pony didn't falter. Instead, he walked over to the gryphon, a nervous blush creeping across his muzzle.
"Are you…” Canvas bit his lip, his heart racing as he walked up closer. "Are you Troius?"
"Uhh....yeah, that’s me,” said Troy meekly, scratching the back of his neck. “Just ‘Troy’ is fine, though." Troy then held out his right claw. A smile grew on the pony's face.
"M-My name is Canvas." While shaking the gryphon's claw, Canvas’ smile started to shrink a little from uncertainty. He felt his heart growing heavier in his chest as he looked up into the piercing golden eyes of the gryphon who saved his life. His blush grew even heavier, but he continued.
"I… I found out from Princess Twilight what you did to help me, and… I just wanted to thank you for what you did." His grip became tighter, his voice shakier. "I mean… you had no idea who I was, and you still went out of your way to help me out like that, and… I just don't know what I can say. You… You saved my life..."
Tears began to well up in his blue eyes, but Canvas tried his best to hold them back. "Thank you. Just… thank you so much."
Troy didn’t know what to do as he listened to the stallion, and could only nod while the pony held onto his claw. He wasn't exactly the best when it came to situations like this. But seeing how close to crying Canvas was, Troy tried his best to calm the pony down. The last thing he wanted or needed was for anypony to think the big, bad gryphon had hurt him.
"It-It’s alright, Canvas. I mean, you were really hurt out there and needed help. I would've done it for anypony." Troy let go of Canvas' hoof before resting his claw on the pony's shoulder and giving him a reassuring smile. "Seriously, it's okay. I'm just glad to see you're not dead or anything."
Appreciating the gryphon's sentiment, Canvas nodded his head as he brought a foreleg up to his bandaged face and wiped his uncovered eye. "Thanks. And if… if there's anything you need, just let me know. I mean… I owe you big time."
Troy held his claws up in protest. "Hey, come on now. You don't owe me anything. I mean… thank you for the offer, but I don't think there's anyth―"
A large noise that sounded like the muffled roar of a manticore rumbled from his stomach, cutting off Troy and catching them both off-guard. Troy tried not to look too embarrassed, and gave a sheepish laugh as Canvas started looking around the town.
"Say, Troy... you know of any good places to eat around here?"
Troy shook his head. "No, I don't. Honestly, this is the first time I've ever been in this town. Although…” Canvas' ears raised up as Troy tried to think. "I think Rainbow Dash told me of a café around here called the Corner Market or something. I think she said it was by Sugar Cube Corner."
"Great!" said Canvas as he picked up his art bag from the bench. "I know where that is. I walked past it on my way here." Canvas wrapped the strap over his shoulder, and then picked up the change bag before looking back at Troy.
"Let's go!" Canvas held up his bag of bits with a big smile. "My treat."
The gryphon held his claws up and shook his head. "Whoa! No, no, I couldn't accept that!" Despite the pony already trotting off in the direction of the café, Troy tried to get out of Canvas buying him dinner. "I mean, you just got out of the hospital, and I'm sure you need that money for other things. You don't have to do this."
"I know,” replied Canvas as he looked back with a smirk. "And you didn't have to run over seven miles through a thunderstorm with me on your back."
Clenching his teeth, Troy could only sigh. Canvas made a pretty good point.
"Seriously,” the pony continued as paused, his smile dropping. "You saved my life, Troy. Despite what you might say, I do feel like I owe you for that. It… It just wouldn't feel right to leave it as it is, and buying you dinner is the least I can do."
Troy could only keep his beak shut at Canvas’ overwhelming insistence.
"Please. Just… Just let me do this for you."
Knowing that Canvas wasn't going to give up, Troy groaned under his breath. "Fine. I… I am pretty hungry, I guess."
"Great! Let's go!" Canvas' smile came right back up. He resumed his trot, and Troy started to follow.
The sun left sight of the skies, and the streetlights around Ponyville flickered to life. Only the sound of hooves and claws on cobblestones could be heard as they walked side-by-side, moving under the twilit sky on their way to the café.