//------------------------------// // Prologue: The Opportunity // Story: Love (and other things) in Prance // by Phoenix Heart 27 //------------------------------// Prologue: The Opportunity The sun was rising slowly across Ponyville. A few ponies were up and about while most were still asleep. One such young stallion, who went by Paint Smear, was very awake and anxious. He just couldn't believe this day had come! In order to truly understand why he was so excited you’d have to go back to 2 months ago… Flashback to 2 months prior… 2 months prior... The stage area was full of ponies, graduates and family members alike. All the young adult mares and stallions were anxiously waiting for the signal to throw their caps. Two such colts, Thomas “Tommy” Hayfield and Paint “Paintball” Smear were the only two out of 60 students that weren't actually anxious. In fact, they were positively chilled. Then Tommy looked up and saw the blue flag signalling it was time and he nudged his best bud. A sea of navy and sky blue caps flew into the air and cheering voices roared throughout the open-air stage area outside the high school. Paint Smear and Thomas got together with two more friends and walked over to their families. Thomas went and hugged his parents and their two friends to their families, Paint saw his older brother deeper in the crowd and went to talk to him. “There’s the graduate I was looking for!”, his brother, Blueberry exclaimed as he nearly crushed his baby bro in a hug. “Aww! Gee…*wheeze*...Thanks Blue.”, Paint Smear replied once he could breath again. “Well you can’t blame me ‘paintball’, I’m just so happy.”,Blueberry responded. As they were talking with some teachers a mare happened to look up at the senior mural and she was amazed by what she saw. “My goodness! Who were the students who did this?”,She asked in a very thick prench accent, to no one in particular. A passerby noticed it too and replied. “You mean ‘student'. This was painted by Paint Smear. I swear he earned that easle on his flank and this is proof!”,The filly replied and walked off. At once the older mare went off in search for this ‘Paint Smear’ colt. ………………………………………………………………………………………… Paint Smear had just picked up his diploma when a strange mare approached him. “Excuse me Monsieur. But you wouldn’t happen to know where I can find a colt by ze name of Paint Smear would you?”, The mare asked. Paint Smear chuckled humbly and replied, “Why Madame you are looking at him.” The mare gasped in surprise and then started talking rapidly in Prench. She spoke far too fast for Paint. “Woah There! I apologize but you are going far too fast Madame.”, Paint exclaimed. The mare noticed this and stopped briefly before starting again in plain Equestrian. “Ahh...my apologies monsieur. I was simply complimenting you on your work with that mural over there.”,She said and indicated to the mural of the senior class in front of Town Hall. Paint Smear blushed and thanked her. She then continued to speak. “You see, I work at a prestigious art university in Paris, Prance and I think-NO! I feel that you should truly consider attending there in ze fall.”,The mare stated. “Well...That sounds lovely Misses…?” Paint started but fell off. “Oh! Excusé moi. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Madame Honeydew and I work for Le Collège des Arts Créatifs en Paris, Prance. If interested, I would like it if you would come and take a tour of our campus.”, Madame Honeydew responded. “A College scout. I see...Well if I may, would it be alright if I talk this over with my legal guardian and older brother, Blueberry?”, Paint Smear asked as his brother came back over. “Hey Paint. Oh. Who’s this?”, Blueberry asked his brother. “Monsieur. Might I introduce myself, my name is Madame Honeydew. I represent a prestigious art school in Paris, Prance. And If I may say your petit frère has some true talent, judging by that mural I saw. Now, if interested I would like him to take a small tour of our main campus in Paris.”, Madame Honeydew said. Blueberry smiled as he pulled his brother aside and quickly discussed the matter. They turn back and head back towards the scout. “Well...Madame Honeydew, It does sound tempting and all but to confirm things it would be my pleasure to show you a sample of my portfolio of artworks.”, Paint Smear suggested. Madame Honeydew thought this over for a bit before agreeing to seeing a sample. “Excellent! Thankfully for you, Madame I almost never leave home without it or a sketchbook.”, Paint joked as he shows her a few samples of his works. Madame Honeydew looked upon them in awe before giving them back to Paint Smear. She smiled, hoofed the portfolio back to its owner, gave the two stallions some information about the school and said that they’d be in touch within a few days. Then she left the family of two to celebrate. 2 months later… The day had come. After a few dozen or so letters concerning a scholarship, here Paint was all packed up with Blue about to head onto the 6:10 train to Paris. “Now, are you sure you’ve got everything? Clothes? Bits? Art supplies? Stationery?”, Blueberry asked rather nervously. Paint Smear chuckled and replied, “Yes Blue, I’ve got everything from toothbrush to paintbrush. Remember we’ve gone over this stuff practically all of last night.” “I know...it’s just...I can’t believe it. You’re all grown up and travelling Equestria. Going to the very place mom and dad always talked about going….”, Blueberry stopped before he started to cry. Paint Smear turned to his 29 year old brother and hugged him tight. Then he heard the train whistle and let go. “There’s my train. I gotta go.”, Paint said. “I know. Be safe. Learn alot.”, Blue responded as his brother boarded the train. “I will. Love you blue!”, Paint Smear called out from his window. “Love you too paintball. Have fun.”, Blueberry waved as the train pulled off.