//------------------------------// // Paintings // Story: Great // by Broadway //------------------------------// Great Hoofbeats and cheers drowned out all other sounds. A white unicorn, the center of everypony's attention, blushed bashfully. Behind her hung a magnificent painting of the princesses sealing the tyrant Discord into his stony prison, a crowd of ponies cheering their leaders on at the picture's base. A much larger and louder audience copied the scene. Embarrassed, the mare hid behind her curly lavender mane, her face a vibrant cerise. This had been her first art show, and she most certainly had not expected it to go so well. Suddenly, microphones were thrust into her face as dozens of ponies clamored to find out everything they could about this brilliant new artist. "Miss Meadowlark, please, what was your inspiration for this piece?" shouted one crimson mare. "Well," began Meadowlark shyly, "I love stories, especially old legends such as this one. This was my favorite growing up, because it spoke of the sisters working together. I always did like the stories about Luna, and this one puts her in a better light than most others nowadays." "Does this mean you'll be making more paintings based off of old pony legends, such as Princess Luna being banished to the moon?" "Perhaps, but I just tend to paint whatever happens to inspire me," replied Meadowlark. "Miss Meadowlark, we have just received word that Princess Celestia herself will be here to view the painting. What are your thoughts on that?" "Um, well, I hope she likes it and doesn't think I made her look too fat," Meadowlark laughed, causing everypony around her to laugh as well. "Miss Meadowlark?" She looked to find the pony who had addressed her in the raucous crowd. Gazing back with a smile was a cerulean unicorn with a blue-grey mane. His eyes were the color of storm clouds, though they looked back at her warmly. "Yes?" she responded. "Would you be so kind as to accompany me tonight for dinner at Salt?" Meadowlark blinked in surprise, as did several other ponies around her. Salt was without a doubt the fanciest restaurant in the entire city of Maredrid, not to mention the most expensive. Only the elite ponies ate there. Obviously this stallion, whoever he was, was somepony of great importance. With a start, Meadowlark realized that every pony in attendance had gone silent, waiting to hear her response. Standing up straight, she replied, "I think that sounds like a pleasant idea indeed." --- Meadowlark giggled hysterically, causing some of the ponies nearby to give her an irritated look. She didn't care though. The unicorn had never dreamed of being in such a high society setting, much less with a charming, attractive stallion like the one seated across from her. She was a simple mare, and she found all of the lavish, unnescessary things in the restaurant extremely amusing. "I'm sorry," she told him, still laughing. "I'm sorry. Give me a sec." She took several deep breaths that made the stallion smile. "Meadowlark, I must say I have been thoroughly enjoying myself this evening," he told her. "Likewise," she replied, beaming. "Thank you so much for all of this, Sea Breeze." Sea Breeze waved a hoof. "Anytime." He leaned across the table. "You know, I'd really like to see you again." "Really?" He nodded. "Yes. You are quite entertaining." She blushed. "I try." "So? Is that a yes?" Meadowlark looked at him. He was extremely handsome. And charming. And funny. And handsome. How could she possibly say no to this wonderful stallion? "I'd like that very much," she replied with a nod. --- "Meadow! Hey, Meadow!" Meadowlark looked up as a white pony with a purple, blue, and pink mane came bounding up to her, her blue eyes wide with delight. The earth pony grinned broadly. "Meadow! Congrats on the engagement!" "Thank you, Kite Runner," Meadowlark replied with a smile. "I'm glad you could make it to the party." "What? Miss my best friend's engagement party? Meadow, I wouldn't miss this for the world! Especially with all of this delicious food." Kite Runner licked her lips with a dreamy smile. "Seriously, did Mr. Fiance teach you how to cook or something? 'Cause last time I checked, you couldn't cook worth crap. Remember when you tried to bake that chocolate cake for my eighteenth birthday?" "Oh, stop it, will you," laughed Meadowlark, giving her friend a playful shove. "If you must know, Mr. Fiance hired a chef for the occasion." Kite Runner's eyes went wide. "Ooh, so what everypony's been saying is true then, huh? He really is loaded?" "Kite!" "What? Oh come on, Meadow, lighten up. It's a party, for Celestia's sake. And it was just a question." Meadowlark sighed. "Kite, it shouldn't matter whether or not Sea Breeze has money. I'd still love him regardless of his social status." "Well, that's good, I guess. Also, it true that he's moving in with you?" "Yeah." "Why?" "I asked him to. He lives out in Vanhoover, and I didn't want to leave Maredrid. I love this city too much." Kite runner nodded. "I understand. Oh hey, I wanted you to meet my daughter. Where is she?" Kite Runner looked around her before fixating her eyes on some distant point. "Serendipity! Serendipity, can you come over here for a minute please?" A small pink with a lavender mane filly came trotting over, a goofy grin on her face. "Meadow, this is my daughter, Serendipity. Serendipity, honey, this is Meadowlark." "Hi there!" chirped Serendipity. She looked up at her mother. "Mommy, can I go back and play with the other fillies now?" "Yes, go ahead." The two ponies watched as the filly sprinted off into the throng of ponies around them. "She looks just like her father," mused Kite Runner. "But she acts just like her mother," observed Meadowlark with a playful grin. Kite Runner laughed. "Ain't that the truth." Meadowlark looked up as Sea Breeze came over to her, a charming grin on his face. "Hello there, Meadow." "Sea Breeze! I want you to meet my best friend, Kite Runner," said Meadowlark. Kite Runner stood a bit taller, puffing her chest out a little bit. "Kite and I have known each other since we were fillies." Kite Runner stuck her hoof out. "It's really nice to meet you, Sea Breeze." Sea Breeze gave Kite Runner a once over, bland look upon his face. "Charmed." Kite Runner's face fell a bit, but she held her smile up. "So, Meadow tells me you're a writer. I'm not really that into books myself, but I'm sure you write some great stuff." "Mhm, yes. Excuse me." Sea Breeze walked away, leaving two wide-eyed mares in his wake. Meadowlark put on a supportive smile. "Don't worry Kite Runner, he's not usually like that. I'm sure he just has a lot on his mind right now. You know, getting engaged and all." Kite Runner nodded, clearly crestfallen. "Uh-huh. Yeah, sure. Hey, um, I'm gonna go, okay?" Meadowlark's expression fell. "Oh, okay. Thanks for coming, Kite. It was nice to finally meet your daughter." "Yeah, I'll see you later, Meadow." She began to trot away. "Kite!" Kite Runner turned around. "You know you're gonna be my bridesmaid, right?" Kite Runner smiled. "I do now." --- Eventually, as is the case with all couples, the two were faced with one of life's big questions - whether or not to have a foal. The decision wasn't too hard, though. Sea Breeze was all for it, and Meadowlark had always wanted a foal of their own. They tried, and soon the mare found herself expecting. On a bright spring day, the foal came. Meadowlark gazed dreamily out the window at the gorgeous scene taking place just beyond the glass. She sighed. She had done it. She redirected her gaze to the tiny foal in her forelegs. The tiny bundle slept peacefully, oblivious to anything and everything. Her coat was a soft white, like a crisp December snow, her mane a deep, royal blue. "You're beautiful," whispered Meadowlark in adoration, lightly placing a kiss upon the foal's horn. Meadowlark looked up as Sea Breeze stepped inside the room, a grin spread across his cerulean face. "Feeling better?" he asked her in a deep tenor. She smiled. "I am, now that you're here." Sea Breeze walked over to her and gazed down at the minute bundle, his grey eyes softening. "She certainly is something, isn't she? She's going to be a beautiful mare one day, that's for sure." "She already is," said Meadowlark. "What are we going to call her?" He pondered upon this for a moment or two. Finally, his eyes lit up. "Vanity. For her beauty." Meadowlark smiled, her lavender eyes glowing. "That sounds like a wonderful name. My little Vanity..." --- About two years later, the two were back in the same room for the same reason, though that was as far as similarities went. The wind howled as rain bombarded the windows without mercy. Meadowlark looked at the crying filly in her forelegs, trying to calm the young one. "Shh, it's alright," she cooed. "Don't be afraid. It's just the rain. It won't hurt us. Mama's here." The sniveling foal nestled herself into her mother's pale white chest, quivering with fear. For the first year of her life, Vanity had done nothing but impress her parents day in and day out, already showing signs of being a talented unicorn. The happy couple had decided to try their luck again, hoping to have similar results. What they ended up with was the wailing mass Meadowlark held. "Meadowlark, can't you make her stop?" begged Sea Breeze. Meadowlark cast him a helpless glance. "What does it look like I'm trying to do, Sea Breeze?" she replied shortly. "And it's not her fault. She's just frightened, that's all." She looked back down at the foal. The filly had a light blue coat with a white and pale blue mane. She by no means had the raw beauty her sister had, but there was something there, something unique about her, though Meadowlark had no idea just what that something was. "Trixie. . ." "What?" questioned Sea Breeze. "Trixie," Meadowlark replied, this time a bit louder. "That's what I want to call her. It's. . . different. Like her." Sea Breeze nodded absentmindedly. "Yeah. . . Trixie. That sounds. . . good. Listen, I'm gonna go run to the pharmacy and grab some aspirin or something. I'm getting a headache. I'll be back in a few." And with that, he walked out. With a sigh, Meadowlark looked down at the weeping foal, her lavender eyes soft. "Shh, it's okay. It's okay," coddled Meadowlark. "It's okay, little Trixie. Mama's here. Mama's always going to be here." --- "Daddy! Daddy! Look at what I can do!" A bright orange sippy cup levitated towards a five-year-old Vanity, her white horn glowing. Beaming, the filly brought it towards her lips and took a healthy gulp. "Good job, Vanity!" exclaimed Sea Breeze, who wore a broad smile. "I am so proud of you!" he swept Vanity up in his forelegs and swung her around, much to the young one's delight. Trixie watched from afar. She turned to look at a building block in front of her. Squeezing her eyes shut, she concentrated with all of her might. Sadly, when she opened her violet eyes, the cube was still in the same exact place. Defeated, Trixie looked back over towards her father, who was still laughing and swinging her sister around. Trixie sighed. "Why can' I use magic?" she huffed. During a unicorn foal's first years, spontaneous bursts of magic were common occurences that later became more and more frequent as each foal grew and learned how to wield their magic effectively. However, at the young age of three, Trixie had shown not one sign of any magical abilities, be them purposeful or not. "Are you alright?" Trixie looked up to see her mother's kind face gazing down at her. She frowned. "Why can' I use magic like Vanny, Mama?" The mare shook her head. "I don't know, honey. I'm sure you'll be able to use it soon." "I don' wanna use it soon, I wanna use it now," pouted Trixie. "I know it's hard. But all good things come to those who can wait." Trixie looked over at her father, her eyes full of longing. "Daddy doesn' like me." "How can you say that? Of course your father likes you!" "He always plays with Vanny. He never plays with me," explained Trixie with a frown. "When I try to make magic, he gets really mad at me. He calls me names like 'stupid'." Meadowlark studied Trixie's face. That didn't sound at all like the Sea Breeze she'd married. Grimacing, she lowered herself down to Trixie's level and hugged the filly. "You are not stupid, Trixie. You are an intelligent, loving, wonderful young filly. I don't know why your father would say things like that to you, but don't you believe them for an instant. Don't let anypony ever put you down, understand?" Trixie nodded her blue head, a few tears escaping her eyes. "Yes, Mama." "Good. I love you so much, Trixie, and don't you ever forget that." --- "Sea Breeze? Sea Breeze, what are you doing up so early? Why do you have those bags?" The blue stallion spun around at his name, his visage grim. In the bedroom doorway stood his wife, a questioning look upon her face. "Sea Breeze?" "Meadow, go back to bed," he told her in a gentle voice. Meadowlark's lavender eyes narrowed. "No, I will not. Tell me what you are doing now." Sea Breeze sighed, closing his eyes. "I'm leaving." Meadowlark's eyes widened with shock. "Wh. . . What?" she questioned in disbelief. "I'm leaving, Meadow. I'm sorry," he repeated softly, opening his grey eyes to look at her. Meadowlark swallowed. "Come on, honey. Let's get back to bed, okay? I'm sure you'll feel much better in the morning-" "Dammit, Meadow, I'm serious!" She recoiled in fright, her eyes beginning to water over. "B-b-but why?" He let out an exasperated sigh. "I just can't do this anymore." "Can't do what? Honey, if there's something wrong, let me help you with it, please." "I can't live with that failure anymore, dammit." It took Meadowlark a moment to realize what he meant. ". . . Trixie? You're leaving me. . . us. . . because she isn't as talented as her sister?" she asked in disgusted shock. "She's your daughter, for Celestia's sake! What should it matter how skilled of a unicorn she is or not?!" "It's why I married you." Meadowlark went silent. ". . . What?" "Your paintings are some of the most exquisite things Equestria has ever seen, something only a truly talented unicorn could accomplish," he raved, smiling at her. The smile was not returned. "I knew our foal would have to be as skilled as their parents at the very least, and boy was I right. Vanity is a unicorn prodigy, Meadow! She's absolutely astounding! That's why I wanted to have another in the first place. Unfortunately, our luck apparently ran out. But that's okay. We don't need Trixie. A unicorn who can't use magic isn't worth anypony's time. After all, we unicorns are the greatest of all the pony races, save alicorns. We can just be a happy family of three--me, you, and Vanity. How does that sound?" Meadowlark just glared at him, an utmost look of revulsion upon her face. "Get out of my house," she whispered menacingly. Sea Breeze studied his wife's face for a few seconds before finally sighing in defeat. "I had rather hoped you would see the reason in my logic. Very well. I'm truly sorry things didn't work out." He leaned in to give her pale white face one last kiss, but she jerked back, preventing him from doing so. His eyes narrowed somewhat. "Goodbye, my little Meadowlark. I wish you the best in life." He picked up his bags, turned away, trotted over to the door, and left, gently closing the door behind him. That would be the last time she ever saw him. He was gone. For the longest time, Meadowlark just stood there. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she slowly padded over to the fireplace. Above the hearth was a painting of Sea Breeze. With a small burst of magic, the picture was removed from its place on the wall and tossed into the fireplace, a flame erupting from the slightly charred logs upon impact, engulfing the portrait. Meadowlark watched as the flames licked hungrily at the portrait. It had been one of her better works. There had been a time when she had been quite proud of it. Now she looked on with a sense of grim satisfaction as it was burned to ashes. When the last of the painting had burned away, Meadowlark made her way over to the living room couch, crawling slowly up onto it, and cried herself to sleep. --- "Mommy?" Meadowlark slowly peeled open her tear-stained eyes to see both Vanity and Trixie gazing back at her with equally concerned looks. "Mommy, why are you sleeping on the couch?" asked Vanity, a mixture of worry and genuine curiousity in her voice. "Where's Daddy, Mama?" questioned Trixie, tears starting to well up in her violet eyes. Meadowlark's eyes softened. "Come here, girls," she said, gathering her daughters up onto the couch with her and nestling them in her forelegs, Vanity in her right, Trixie in her left. "What's the matter, Mommy? Why are you sad?" asked Vanity, her sapphire eyes sparkling. "Girls, I'm afraid Daddy isn't going to be with us anymore." --- Life, as it always it always does, went on for the three ponies. Things were never quite the same, though. Meadowlark kept painting, though her pieces took on a noticeably darker tone. Vanity was unaccustomed to not receiving praise for every magical nuance she made, and thus began to grow jealous of her sister who seemed to have her mother's undivided attention. And Trixie, for some strange reason nopony could understand, was miserable, missing her father's presence every waking moment it seemed. But, for the most part, the three adjusted to their new way of life. A year or so passed with them living like this. Trixie was now four, Vanity six. One morning, Trixie awoke in her bed, yawning obnoxiously. She sniffed the air, a gleeful look upon her face, trying to guess just what it was her mother had prepared for breakfast this morning. Haycakes? No. . . . Strawberry muffins, perhaps? No, no, not that either. . . . Cereal? Trixie soon realized she could not smell nor hear anything coming from the kitchen. But why? Her mother always got up early to make breakfast for them. Something wasn't right. "Vanny!" Trixie cried to her older sister who was still asleep. Vanity groaned, not pleased at being woken up. "What?" she mumbled with frustration, sitting up in bed. Trixie lept up out of her bed and trotted over to Vanity's. "I don' smell Mama cookin' anythin'!" she said in desparation. Vanity let out an exasperated sigh. She was about to give Trixie a reprimand when she realized that her sister was right. "That's odd. . . " murmured Vanity. "Mother's always up by now." "What do you think's goin' on?" Trixie asked with worry. Vanity pondered this before finally shrugging, a puzzled look upon her face. "I have no idea," she replied, jumping out of bed. "Come on. Let's go find out." The two sped out of of their bedroom and into the den where Vanity stopped, her expression growing even more confused. "Serendipity?" Lying on the couch was the sleeping form of the young earth pony Serendipity, the girls' sitter. Meadowlark had asked her come over to watch them while she went to an art show the night before. Upon hearing her name, the pink pony jumped in surprise, fully awake. "Huh? What?" She took notice of the two fillies standing before her. Flustered, she pushed a loose lock of wavy purple hair behind her ear with her hoof. "Girls, I thought I told you, it's time for bed. Go on now." "Serendipity, it's seven in the morning," said Vanity. "Where's Mama?!" demanded Trixie, butting past her sister to look the sitter head on. Serendipity blinked her pale green eyes. "Wait, what? No, that can't be right." "What?" inquired Vanity. "I was supposed to leave when your mother got home. If I'm still here, then that means. . . " "She never came home," finished Vanity with a look of terror. "So where's Mama?" asked Trixie, her voice small. "I don't know," replied Serendipity, worried. "But that's what we're going to go find out. Come on, girls. Where was the art show at, Vanity?" "Um, I think she said it was going to be in the gallery on fourth street. Or maybe it was fourteenth. . . " A look of helplessness washed over her. Serendipity swallowed. "Don't worry. We'll find it. We'll just ask around. Somepony's bound to know. I bet your mother had a piece on display that everypony was talking about. In fact, they were probably talking so much about it that they just talked and talked all night long, and that's why your mom isn't back yet!" Vanity didn't seem to buy into the story, but Trixie lit up with delight. "Mama's paintings are the best! Everypony loves her paintings!" "Well, come on you two. We'd better get a move on. I'm sure your mother is anxious to see your bright and smiling faces rather than those of some art schmucks." Serendipity opened the door, preparing to step outside, when she came to an abrupt halt, gasping audibly. Quickly she bowed, Vanity copying the gesture. Only Trixie remained standing, confused beyond belief. Were they going or not? She looked at the entryway and saw a large white alicorn with a flowing rainbow mane gazing somberly back at her. The alicorn sparked a memory in Trixie's brain. She had seen this pony before somewhere. . . but where? Finally, it dawned upon her. Standing before her was Princess Celestia herself.