Artis' Model

Chapters

Day 1: Unexpected Encounters
Day 2: Something In The Air
Day 3: Parting For Now

Day 1: Unexpected Encounters

Artis' Model

Day 1: Unexpected Encounters

"Oh Angel, this is just perfect! We should have an excellent view from here." Setting down her saddlebags just inside the tree line, Fluttershy stepped forward into the clearing. Looking around, she could see a long, steep slope drop away a few dozen yards in front of her, overlooking a shallow, sparsely-forested valley nearly carpeted with hoof-sized blue-and-purple flowers; numerous small clouds of of tiny green flies clustering around the blooms. "The flutterspiders should be easily visible from up here, and we won't risk interrupting their migration," she observed to the small white rabbit riding on her back. The Iridescent Northern Flutterspider was the rarest and most beautiful of all the flutterspiders, and there was no way Fluttershy was going to miss their first major migration in just over twelve years. Three days were all she had to observe the colourful airborne arachnids, and she was going to make the most of them. With Angel's assistance she pitched her tent, and erected her viewing stand.

Finished with the last of her preparations, Fluttershy quietly took her position on the top of the ridge, just above the downslope; her binoculars mounted and ready, sketchbook and small box of oil pastels near at hoof. It was still early morning, and the migration wouldn't truly start until the sun's rays had sufficiently warmed the flowers, attracting the larger insects that fed on the tiny flies, which the flutterspiders in turn preyed upon to build energy reserves for their arduous journey south. In the meantime, she enjoyed the coolness of the morning, nibbling on a granola bar and a few pieces of dried fruit. As she sat, she felt a gentle, rhythmic thumping on her right hoof. Looking down, she found Angel looking back expectantly, and pointing off behind her to a clump of dense undergrowth near the treeline a short distance from their tent.

"Oh, yes, I guess that would be okay," Fluttershy remarked to her companion. "It looks safe enough here. Just watch carefully, and don't eat any unfamiliar plants without asking me, and don't eat so much you make yourself sick." She watched as Angel bounded off to his expected breakfast, and returned her gaze to the valley below. The flowers were finally beginning to open, it wouldn't be long now.

As she watched the valley, she was startled by a heavy breeze from behind, and the sound of hooves lightly hitting the ground. She turned, tense and ready to bolt, but the sight that met her widening eyes froze the blood in her veins and paralyzed her with panic. Between her and the protection of the treeline stood an enormous alicorn stallion, nearly as tall as Princess Celestia, powerfully built, with a coat so black that it appeared to absorb and imprison all light striking it, leaving little to highlight texture or curve, and a mane and tail which seemed to glow with every shade of red from fiery crimson to the near-black of dried blood. Colours which spoke of quiet sunsets over distant mountains, raging infernos, and secret places under the earth. The alicorn took a few steps toward her, trailing in the air behind him a large wooden case, and an enormous flat panel of a pristine white material Fluttershy did not immediately recognize. She took a deep breath and prepared herself for a mad dash around the intruder to the trees, when the alicorn smiled at her, a gentle and somewhat sheepish grin that defused much of the tension between them. As he continued to move toward her, she could see a little of her own tension and fear reflected in the huge pony's eyes, eyes that commanded her attention not only for their mismatched green and amber hues, but for a feeling of great age and... loneliness?

"Um... hello?" Fluttershy barely squeaked out the greeting, timid and trembling.

The black and red stallion's smile grew wider, his case and the white panel coming softly to rest on the ground beside him. "Greetings young pegasus," he replied, stentorian voice booming in the still mountain air; his tone surprisingly gentle despite the volume. "I apologize if I have startled you, I was not expecting anyone else up here." He looked her over, taking in her binocular stand and sketch pad. "I assume you've come for the flutterspider migration?"

Fluttershy relaxed slightly, but continued shaking. "Oh um yes, sir. I... I'm here to observe the flutterspiders. My name is Fluttershy. Who... what... are you?

The imposing stallion jerked his head back slightly, ears twitching forward. "Oh! Where are my manners? I do apologize again, it's so rare that I have visitors up here that I tend to forget the social graces." As the alicorn made a low, graceful bow, sunlight glittered on silvery metallic threads twisted through his forked, ebony horn. "I am very pleased to meet you miss Fluttershy. My name is Artis Donum, and I am at your service." Artis smiled sadly, "Please do not think I mean you any harm. I realize some ponies can find my appearance... intimidating. I myself find it woefully dull and insipid. Particularly next to a pony of your radiant colouring."

As the alicorn stallion proffered his name, Fluttershy's eyes went even wider, and she started into the air, hovering a few hooflengths above the ground. "Artis Do- but you... you're..."

"A myth? A legend?" he replied with a chuckle. "Yes, I suppose I would be by now. Although I'm surprised that you know of me, not many ponies do these days. But yes, I am that Artis Donum, scion of the First Alicorn, and giver of the Magic of Art to pony-kind in the elder days." He recited the titles as if reading a school lesson, a note of self-deprecating boredom in his voice. "But your name is familiar too..." Artis peered at her intently with his eerily mismatched eyes.

"Is it?" asked Fluttershy as she settled back down on the ground. "Oh, my, I can't imagine how someone like you would know about a simple pony like me. I'm just-"

"The Element of Kindness!" declared Artis, throwing his great head back and laughing heartily. "One of the bearers of the Elements of Harmony, responsible for reclaiming Princess Luna from Nightmare Moon, reforming the mad draconequus Discord, and oh so many exploits great and small. Isolated as I am, Princess Celestia keeps me apprised of goings-on in Equestria, and I have learned much of your heroism, yours and your friends'." Artis held out a glinting, steely hoof to the lightly-blushing pegasus. "But, surprisingly, none of the letters I received spoke of your great beauty."

Fluttershy startled back slightly, her blush deepening. She reached up a hoof and touched his, very briefly, in greeting, then pulled away again; head turned to hide behind her mane. "Are... are you you here for the flutterspiders as well?"

"In part," the alicorn replied, "although I'm often here, for the flowers and the trees more than anything. 'Tis one of my favorite places to paint. And now that the flowers are warming, I suppose we should take advantage of the light while we can."

Fluttershy, still blushing, nodded and turned back to to view the flowers. They were nearly open now, and the first of the large insects were beginning to appear. A series of noises caused her to turn. Behind her and a short distance to her left, she could see Artis settling the white panel on a long, low easel. Next to him, the case was open, displaying a collection of paints in an impressive array of hues and shades, numerous brushes and knives, and a pale-coloured wooden pallette. Artis himself was facing away, setting up a camp stove and table. She smiled and turned back to watch for the first emerging flutterspiders, and soon heard the scratching sound of pencil on canvas drifting over from her left.

By midday, there was still no sign of the flutterspiders, and with a sigh, Fluttershy put down her sketchpad, and rummaged in her saddlebags, soon producing a pouch of mixed nuts and dried fruits, a small wedge of hard cheese, and a bottle of Sweet Apple Acres apple cider. Catching Artis out of the corner of her eye, Fluttershy turned and noticed him staring at her intently, and she shrunk down into herself. "Is... is something wrong?"

Artist just stared several moments longer, then started as if he'd only just heard her. "Oh, um... no, I was just... the light... I see you've started lunch, that sounds like a good idea. He arose and stepped away from his easel, toward his camp stove, where a pot simmered slowly. As he bent to sniff at the pot, Fluttershy noticed his cutie mark for the first time, a simple plain white rectangle. Artis glanced back at Fluttershy who, caught staring, quickly turned her gaze to the ground. A soft chuckle came from the massive black alicorn, "Is something wrong?" he asked, amusement colouring his voice.

"Oh, no, I was just... that is... I just now noticed your cutie mark."

"Ah yes," sighed Artis, "dull colouration, and a dull cutie mark. I think that's part of why I became an artist to begin with, to make up for my own personal blandness."

"But," continued Fluttershy, "what is it?"

"A blank canvas," replied Artis as he levitated the pot over to the camp table. Out from a pouch nearby floated a wedge of cheese similar to Fluttershy's, and a small bunch of green herbs, which he tore up and sprinkled liberally on the soup. He turned back to Fluttershy. "Mushroom soup, with wild herbs. You're welcome to some if you'd like, It's quite good if I do say so myself. He poured out a mug of the soup, and set it on the table. "I would be honored if you joined me for lunch. You and your rabbit companion."

Fluttershy picked up her food, and wandered over to Artis' camp table. "You're very kind, and the honor is mine, Mr. Donum," she said with a small bow. "It smells wonderful." She called out to Angel, but he seemed content to keep his distance, casting a wary eye the massive black and red pony.

"It's the herbs up here, they're wonderfully fragrant, although they can take some getting used to." Artis bit off a large mouthful of cheese and ruminated upon it slowly.

Picking up the mug, Fluttershy took a careful sip of the hot soup. The herbs were indeed pungent, but quite pleasant, with a light spiciness she found invigorating. "A blank canvas doesn't seem dull to me," she said. "To me, it seems like.... like it's hinting at... um... possibilities? Like it's waiting for somepony to fill it with their imagination. I think-" Her thoughts were interrupted as Artis' canvas caught her eye. She could do little but sit and stare, so caught off-guard was she by the sight. Instead of the landscape she had expected, the entire right third was dominated by a sketch of a pegasus pony with flowing mane and butterfly cutie mark. Although clearly still a rough portrait, she was surprised by the degree of detail, almost as much as by the fact that she herself was the subject of the ancient alicorn's painting. "Oh... my."

Artis followed her gaze, and chuckled again. "Yes, I had intended to paint the valley and flutterspiders as I have before; but I unexpectedly discovered a much more fascinating subject. I hope you don't mind."

Fluttershy pondered for a moment. While she would normally have found the attention a bit scary, she also felt unusually flattered by the artist's focus on her. "I don't mind at all," she replied bashfully. Looking back at the canvas, her eyes were drawn magnetically to the sketch. "It's really very nice, the line work is quite... elegant, as my friend Rarity would say.

"Rarity, the Element of Generosity I believe, and herself something of an artist with cloth and needle as I understand."

"You seem to know a lot about us."

"Yes, I do try to keep in touch with the world, despite my self-enforced seclusion. I suppose it's only fair that I tell you something about myself, something that's not in the history books." He regarded Fluttershy for a moment. "Blank Canvas."

"I... um?" Fluttershy threw the dark alicorn a confused look.

"That was my name, my original name. Blank Canvas. Before I was became Artis Donum during the Gifting of Magic."

"That was when the ancient alicorns gave the various types of magic to ponies after the Dragon Wars?"

"Yes," said Artis. "As I said, I gave the magic of art." He chuckled. "A pony like me becoming the Muse of Art. Perhaps it was the disappointment of my own dull colouring that inspired me to appreciate the myriad colours of nature."

"But you're not dull. Maybe a bit... dark and imposing. And your eyes are certainly not boring. I don't think I've ever seen a pony with differently-coloured eyes before."

Artis said nothing, just gazed downward for a moment, then attempted to cover a look of embarrassment with a long sip of soup.

"Oh," replied Fluttershy, ears drooping. "I'm sorry if I've said something wrong. I just thought they looked so... interesting. Like your horn and hooves."

Artis' face fell even further, and he said nothing.

Fluttershy felt a tightness in the pit of her stomach. "I'm really very sorry, I didn't mean to offend, I'll leave you to your painting..."

"No," replied Artis, his normally booming voice nearly a whisper, "please don't go. You didn't offend me. It's just... One doesn't like to be reminded of the follies of one's youth."

"Um..."

"Oh it's all right, you'd think I'd have gotten over it by now. The heterochromia is not natural, my eyes are not their original colour. When I was very young, I had a mad idea that I could magically improve my coat, mane, and tail, endow them with brighter, more eye-catching tints. Needless to say, I failed, and the eyes were all that changed. I can't even remember their original colour anymore. I seem to recall them being a pleasant shade of celadon, but..." Artis' words trailed off as he gazed into distant space. "But it looks like your flutterspiders are finally here." Artis pointed off into the valley, where a pair of the winged arachnids were swooping down toward the buzzing clouds of colourful insects.

"Eee!" squealed Fluttershy, everything else forgotten. She quickly downed the last swallow of soup and trotted over to her viewing stand. Picking up her sketch pad, she peered through her binoculars at the sparkling creatures, noting the way they'd swoop down on the bees and dragonflies and other flitting insects, snatching them up with little nets of spidersilk spun between the tips of their legs. She sketched away busily, almost oblivious to the similar sounds behind her as Artis engaged in his own artistic endeavours.

The hours passed by swiftly, neither pony saying a word, content to watch and sketch and paint. As the sun began to drop to the horizon, the scintillating flying spiders sought hideouts for the night, and Fluttershy stretched and yawned, imitated almost immediately by Angel. She began packing her binoculars and sketching supplies in their respective cases; while Artis did the same with his paints and pots.

Just as Artis picked up his equipment, he turned to Fluttershy. "Will you be here for the entire migration?"

"Definitely," said Fluttershy as she pulled a small wrapped sandwich out of her saddlebags. "I'm staying until they've moved on. I don't want to miss a moment of this."

"And you have a tent, I see," the alicorn continued.

"Yes," replied Fluttershy, "I love camping. It's so relaxing being outdoors, enjoying nature."

"In that case, miss Fluttershy, I look forward to seeing you in the morning." Artis bowed, and flew off into the dusk, trailing his canvas and equipment behind him in a dark red magic aura.

Day 2: Something In The Air

Day 2: Something In The Air

Fluttershy awoke early the next morning to the sound of rattling and clinking. Peeking out of the tent flaps, she could see Artis already at work setting up his easel and paints, a kettle hanging over the camp stove, his little table set for tea with two services. She crawled out of her tent, stretched, and took a deep, slow breath, enraptured by the scents of grass and tree and flower that mingled in the still morning air. Trotting over to her viewing stand, she began setting up her own gear again, as she had done the previous morning.

"Good morning, miss Fluttershy," called Artis, his basso profundo voice rumbling across the valley. "Would you care for a cup of tea?"

"Good morning Mr. Donum," the pegasus' musical voice lilted back. Angel crawled out of the tent yawning, and hopped to the treeline to begin breakfast. "Tea would be very nice, thank you." She nibbled another granola bar from her pack.

"Hrm... Mr. Donum," mused the fiery-maned stallion. "Sounds a bit formal, doesn't it? You're welcome to call me Artis if you like. Or..." he paused for a moment, "Canvas. That sounds friendlier. Funny, you're only the third pony to learn my old name in over a century. I don't think anyone else besides the princesses remember it now."

Fluttershy smiled at the powerful stallion. "Blank Canvas is a very nice name for an artist." She walked back and looked at the canvas that was her new friend's namesake, no longer blank. Artis had blocked in colours for the valley, as well as a preliminary composition for the portrait of Fluttershy, and broad details were beginning to take shape. "How long does it take you to finish a painting?"

"Well, that depends on the subject and size, of course, as well as the style." Artis levitated the kettle over to the table, setting it on a small flat rock. "I find myself particularly inspired for this one, and want to capture the details as thoroughly as possible." He scooped two heaping spoons of tea leaves into a small stoneware pot, and poured in a small splash of water. Swirling the pot briefly, he poured the water out again, placed it back on the table, and proceeded to fill it with more water from the kettle. After a minute or so, he poured the tea into wide, shallow porcelain bowls, floated one over to where Fluttershy sat opposite, then picked up his own bowl and gently inhaled the steam arising from it.

Fluttershy imitated the elder alicorn's ritual with her bowl, the scent of distant lands and exotic perfume filling her nostrils. She took a small sip of the golden liquid and sighed contentedly. "Oh this is just lovely."

"It is rather nice, isn't it?" remarked Artis pleasantly. "It's from a tiny village far to the east, beyond Griffonstone. Ancient tea plants tended by a secluded Antelope village. It grows high up on misty mountainsides, and only the Antelopes who live there can navigate its steep slopes to reach the tea without disturbing the mists the way a pegasus pony would. Mists that water the tea and protect it from the sun's glare, allowing it to develop such fine and delicate aromas. Very rare and very secret." He took another sip and leaned his head down close to Fluttershy. "Not even Celestia knows where I get it," he confided in a conspiratorial whisper. "She's been pestering me about it for centuries."

"Your secret is safe with me," Fluttershy whispered back, giggling. The two ponies laughed together as they sipped the fragrant tea.

Soon, the air was full of buzzing, and Artis pointed out the first flutterspiders waking up and setting forth on their hunt. The two ponies painted and sketched in silence all morning, as the flocks of flutterspiders grew, blanketing the valley and hillside with brilliant flashes of colour. Fluttershy had completed several sketches and was preparing to start on a fourth, when she heard a polite cough from Artis. Turning to look, she saw him nod his head at her, then peer pointedly into the valley, just down the slope in front of her. Followed his gaze, she beheld a dark red magic aura dislodging a rough ball of earth supporting a blue-and-purple flower, an enormous flutterspider perched on top. Her eyes remained fixed on the plant as it slowly levitated it's way up the slope towards her, stopping scant feet away, the spider intent on his meal of a recently-acquired bee. She sat frozen in awe, before another polite cough broke her trance, and she slowly began to sketch. A few minutes later, finished with its bee, the arachnid flitted into the air, circled the watching pegasus several times, then settled onto the top of her head. Fluttershy held stock still, not daring to even breathe, for what seemed both an eternity and a fleeting second, before it again arose, and fluttered its way back down into the valley. The flower followed close behind the flutterspider, and was firmly re-planted from where it had been dug.

"That was beautiful," Fluttershy said breathily. "Thank you so much."

"It was most assuredly my pleasure," responded Artis, his deep voice strangely shy. "A beautiful scene, for a beautiful pony." He chuckled lightly. "I remember doing something similar for Celestia when she was just a filly, at the annual monarch butterfly migration. Only she ended up covered in them." His laughter boomed down the hillside. "She stood for nearly five whole minutes, afraid to twitch even a hair for fear of hurting them. I finally had to shoo them away so she could breathe again. She spent the next ten minutes bouncing and squealing giddily."

Fluttershy laughed gently along with Artis. "I cannot imagine Princess Celestia squealing like a filly. I can't even imagine her being a filly. You really knew her when she was young?"

"I certainly did, her and Luna both, from the time they were born. They were quite the handful, those two, inveterate pranksters. I imagine they've grown out of that by now," Artis remarked, ears drooping slightly, a note of wistful sadness in his voice.

"Oh no, they still like pranks," replied Fluttershy. "Twilight says that when she was Princess Celestia's student, they even had a little bit of a prank war going."

"I can only imagine," said Artis, chuckling quietly to himself. "The stories I could tell you about those two... Why don't we break for lunch, and I'll tell you more, if you'd like."

"I'd like that very much," replied Fluttershy warmly.

Artis smiled, and brought out a picnic basket. From it he extracted a large dandelion-green pie, a jar of rhubarb compote, a crusty baguette, and a jug of sparkling mountain spring water. Two sets of celadon porcelain plates followed, accompanied silver cutlery and crystal tumblers. Fluttershy's eyes grew large as Artis started dishing out the pie, and tore two small hunks off the baguette. "I hope everything is to your liking, my dear Fluttershy," he said when he had finished serving. "Please help yourself to the compote."

"It's all so... exquisite," replied Fluttershy, in a tone she borrowed from her fashionista friend. She picked up a wide-handled fork in her hoof and pastern and took a bite of the dandelion pie, and it was like a whole garden exploded in her mouth, the slight bitterness of the dandelion greens perfectly balanced by a creamy white sauce, and the pungent mountain herbs. "Mmm! That is so good!"

Artis' eyes sparkled. "I'm so glad you like it. It's one of my particular favorites. I may have overdone things a bit with the place settings, but it's so rare I have any company up here, let alone someone so charming and lovely. I'm afraid that I'm showing off a bit."

"Oh, I don't mind at all," replied Fluttershy, "and you're quite the handsome gentlestallion yourself."

"Well then," said Artis, surprised to discover that he could, after all this time, still find himself blushing (thankfully hidden by his jet-black hide), "you were asking about Celestia..."

The two passed a long lunch trading stories about the princesses, Equestrian society, rare and exotic animals, and whatever else happened to come to mind. They laughed easily and lightly, and when they had finished eating, continued their conversation as they sketched and painted, until the sun again dipped toward the horizon. As Fluttershy began packing her things for the evening, the alicorn turned and fixed her with an odd, soft look she had trouble interpreting.

"My dear Fluttershy, I find myself enjoying our time together more than I have enjoyed the company of anypony else for many a decade. My domicile is not far from here, just a short glide to the north, and I have a guest room that has not seen use since well before your time. If you would care to fly over with me, I would love to continue our conversation over supper.

"I, that is, I'm not sure I could. Not that I don't want to, but I'm not a very strong flier, and my equipment is rather heavy, I had to hike up the mountain on hoof..."

"I see," replied Artis. Lifting his head and closing his eyes, the dark alicorn mumbled a quick incantation. A shower of deep red sparks fountained into the sky from his horn then rained back down, the cascading magic spell encompassing a wide circular swath of the clearing and nearby forest, briefly encasing it all in a soft crimson glow. "There," he said, looking back down at Fluttershy, "everything should be perfectly safe for the night. And of course, you're welcome too," he said, looking down at Angel hiding behind Fluttershy's back leg.

Angel shook his head, and hopped over to the open tent. "I'm not sure I should leave Angel alone," said Fluttershy, looking over at the white rabbit. Angel gave her an exasperated look, and made a shoo-ing motion with his front paws. "Oh, okay, if you're sure." She turned back to Artis. "Thank you Art...Canvas. I'd love to."

Artis took to the air and Fluttershy followed closely behind, both ponies riding the updraft that rose from the valley, circling around the mountain to the north. Fluttershy marveled at the imposing alicorn's grace and poise as they soared through the open air between the peaks. Before long, she found herself following him down to a small plateau on the east side, finally landing on a lush green field near a large sprawling cabin. As they approached the door to his cabin, the ancient alicorn stopped, cleared his throat, and gave a short speech in an ancient tongue, which Fluttershy responded to with a quizzical frown. He smiled down at her. "It's an ancient welcome ritual," he said, answering her unspoken question. "It's hard to translate into modern Equestrian, but it essentially means that as long as you are in my house, you are under my sworn protection, and should feel as free of my home as you would be of your own."

Fluttershy blushed again, and bowed. "I am honored, sir, and I thank you very much for your hospitality."

"The honor is most certainly mine," replied Artis, dipping his head to the small yellow pegasus pony. He held the door open for Fluttershy, following her inside. "It's a bit spare, I have little desire for luxuries, 'though I daresay you should find it comfortable enough." He showed Fluttershy to the guest bedroom and washroom, and, bowing again, left her to her ablutions.

When Fluttershy returned to the main room, she found Artis had prepared a heaping plate of assorted greens, several small wedges of cheese, and a bottle of wine. She seated herself on a cushion opposite him, and nibbled hungrily but politely on a leaf of arugula. Artis poured the wine, taking a slice of cheese for himself.

"So, you've told me much about your friends and about Ponyville," he began, "but little enough about yourself."

"Well, I'm not really all that interesting..."

"I beg to differ, my dear. You're the most interesting pony I have met in some centuries; and I would love to learn more about you."

Fluttershy began talking, timidly at first, but more freely as the wine took effect. She spoke of her work with the animals, of meeting (and sort-of abducting) Celestia's pet Philomena (which greatly amused Artis), her adventures throughout Equestria, of growing up in Cloudsdale, discovering her cutie mark, and anything else she could think of. Artis in his turn regaled Fluttershy with tales of his land before the founding of Equestria, and the various artists he had known throughout his life. As the hours wound on, eventually Fluttershy found herself yawning.

"Oh dear, I've kept you up too late," said Artis suddenly. I suppose it's time we both turned in for the night. There's still one more day for the flutterspider migration, and I don't believe you'd want to miss it." The two ponies stood, but before Fluttershy could turn and leave, Artis spoke again. "I..." Artis cleared his throat, and briefly glanced away from Fluttershy. "I've been away from pony society for a very long time now, and I'm afraid I've lost touch with modern custom. I apologize if I am being too forward, but, well..." His voice took a slightly more formal tone. "If you're interested, you're welcome to stay with me tonight."

Fluttershy looked stunned for a moment, one hoof sliding back and forth lightly across the floor. Artis... no... Blank Canvas was a very attractive pony, despite his gothic appearance, but... "I, I'm sorry, Canvas, but... I just..."

Artis smiled warmly at her and held up a hoof, "No apologies or explanations are necessary. You are my guest; and, I hope, my friend. I would not dream of pressuring you. I will simply leave the invitation open, with no expectations." He held out his hoof to Fluttershy, who pressed her hoof to his. They smiled at each other, walked off to their respective rooms, and were both soon fast asleep.

Day 3: Parting For Now

Day 3: Parting For Now

Fluttershy awoke from a dreamless sleep with the first rays of dawn peeking in her window. Wandering into the washroom, she found water, currycomb, and brushes laid out, with a towel hanging just behind the door. Completing her morning grooming, she made her way back the main room, to find Artis there hard at work on breakfast; the homey smell from the pot of muesli porridge bubbling away on the stove setting her mouth watering. The imposing figure of the gothic-hued alicorn was softened a bit by a patchwork velvet housecoat, its fabric a riot of colours for which she could discover no discernable pattern. As he worked, he whistled a curious but entrancing tune that did not sound like any music Fluttershy had ever heard.

"Good morning, dear Fluttershy," said Artis, not turning around, "the porridge should be done shortly, in the meantime, there's cream on the table, and bread, and honey. No fresh fruit I'm afraid, but the porridge has dried apples and cherries. Please have a seat and I'll be right there, help yourself to the bread and honey."

"Oh, this is all so nice," remarked Fluttershy, seating herself on a large overstuffed hassock by a table laid out with stoneware bowls and silver cutlery, accompanied by crystal goblets filled with sparkling spring water. Fluttershy nibbled daintily on a slice of bread with honey, while inspecting the bowls, the outsides of which were painted with a collection of brightly-hued flowers she failed to recognized.

"I see you're admiring my crockery," noted Artis as he levitated the pot of muesli porridge to the table, settling it in a round wooden stand. "I painted them myself, shortly after I moved here," he continued as he lifted a ladle in his magic aura and proceeded to dish out the porridge. "Most of the flowers are those of my homeland, so you're probably not familiar with them, and at least one species is likely extinct by now. Cream?"

"Oh yes, please."

Artis poured the cream, and took a slice of bread, soaking it thoroughly with honey before taking a large bite. "I have a bit of a sweet tooth," he explained after swallowing his mouthful. Fluttershy just giggled, and commenced upon her porridge and cream. Not fancy, no exotic grains or fruits, but it was tasty, hearty, and quite filling. She took another bite of her honeyed bread, washing it down with the spring water.

"So," she began, "should we be heading back to the flutterspiders?"

"There's a cool mist drifting in this morning, they won't be out for a few more hours, so we have time. And since we do," he continued in a softer, contrite tone, "I want to apologize for last night."

"But, there's nothing to apologize for, you were quite the gentlestallion, and, well, I did find your offer quite flattering." Fluttershy started to blush, not for the first time this trip, and turned her head slightly, hiding her reddening face behind her flowing mane.

"Nevertheless, it wasn't fair of me to spring it on you so quickly, particularly after the wine. It's just that, having lived so long, and seen so much, well, awfulness in the world, I want to reach for every good moment that life affords me. I shouldn't let that overrule my manners and good sense, however, and I hope I haven't offended you."

"I... I'm not... I do think you're a very interesting pony, Canvas, but... well... I'd like to get to know you better first?" Fluttershy looked expectantly at the alicorn, surprised that she no longer felt the undercurrent of intimidation that she had on the previous two days.

"I suppose I have been prying into your life quite a lot, and not talking much about myself. What would you like to know?" he asked, taking another large bite of his honey-soaked loaf.

"Well, I know you were... reluctant to talk about it, and... but perhaps I shouldn't..."

"You're asking about my appearance." Artis' voice took on a somber but not unkindly tone. "Yes, it is something of a sore spot for me, I'm afraid to say. But no matter." Taking a deep breath he continued. "I am not sure how much of it you want to hear. It happened during the Dragon Wars." He smiled sadly as Fluttershy put a hoof to her mouth. "Yes, it's not a pleasant story, and I would rather not revisit the details, they're still too painful, even after all these millennia; nor would I care to subject you to its horrors. It was a dark and brutal time, far moreso than even the most unexpurgated histories will tell. There was a great deal of dire and dreadful magic employed by both sides, and neither escaped unscathed. Many of us were altered, in ways both visible and invisible. This," he pointed a hoof to his forked, metal-flecked horn, "and this," he waved a steely hoof before laying it on the table, "were there result of a profoundly misguided attempt to enhance my own power, gain a magical advantage over our enemies. The attempt succeeded, for a time; though ultimately it turned out to be entirely superfluous, as we had already discovered the means of our victory. It was a foolish thing I did, and although they no longer pain me physically, the reminder of that foolishness pains my memory still."

Fluttershy said nothing; but looked up into Artis' eyes, and laid her forehoof gently on his cannon. They sat gazing into each other's eyes for a long moment, neither daring to speak. Finally, Artis smiled and turned toward the window. "The mist will be lifting soon, we should get you back to your flutterspiders," he said softly.

Artis gathered up his case and the half-finished painting, and the two ponies made a leisurely flight back to the clearing, wisps of mist leaving kisses of dew on their coats as they rode the freshening winds. As they circled around the clearing, Fluttershy could see Angel standing near its edge, sticking his tongue out at a large silver fox that pawed at the invisible barrier separating them. The fox darted away into to the woods as the pair landed, and Angel hopped over to his mistress, keeping a wary eye on Artis as he did so.

"Good morning Angel," called Fluttershy, "did you have a good night?" Angel shrugged, tilted his head, and cocked an eyebrow at her. "Oh, I had a wonderful night." Angel's eyes went wide, his ears perked up, and he leaned forward eagerly. "Oh yes, we had a very pleasant conversation, and I slept like a foal in his lovely guest room." Angel put a paw to his face, shook his head, and bounded back to the woods to nibble the newly-opened wildflowers.

By the time Fluttershy and Artis had taken their respective stations, the glittering arachnids had started to rise and begin the next leg of their journey. Fluttershy picked up her sketchbook, and paused. "Canvas?"

"Hrm?"

"Would you... I mean... I'd like to hear more about your life, if you'd like to talk about it."

"I'm not normally one for talking about myself, but I doubt I could refuse you anything." As they watched the flutterspiders take wing, Artist regaled Fluttershy with stories of his childhood and youth, and apologized for not having led a more interesting life. "It's just that, even before the war, I was always something of a recluse; and afterwards, disappearing from the world appealed to me greatly. Particularly as I was no longer needed." Looking over at Fluttershy, he paused a moment, considering his words. "Meeting you has made me reconsider that attitude."

Fluttershy smiled and blushed, but this time did not attempt to hide behind her mane. "It looks like the last of the flutterspiders are leaving."

"So it does, and like them, I expect you will be leaving shortly as well." He looked at the sky. "It's nearly noon, and you'll be wanting to set off soon to make it down the mountain before nightfall." Artis gazed out over the valley. "I've very much enjoyed our time together, and I believe you have as well. I'd very much love to see you again, dear Fluttershy."

"I'll be busy for the rest of this moon," replied Fluttershy, packing away her tent, "helping the animals prepare for winter hibernation." She looked up at Artis, a solid figure of shadow and flame in the autumn sunlight. "But I will have a good deal of free time after that, and I would love to see you again, too." She giggled happily. "And I want to see my portrait finished."

Artis turned to face the smaller pony, eyes bright and sparkling. "In that case..." He levitated a small red jewel on a fine silver chain out of his case, and fastened it around Fluttershy's neck. Raising his head, he dissipated his barrier spell from the previous day in a shower of orange-red sparks. "You know the way to my cabin, but as I'm often out painting, you can use this to summon me. Simply touch the jewel and speak my name," he leaned his head down closer to Fluttershy, "my old name, and I will know that you are coming to see me."

Fluttershy did not speak, but simply stepped lightly to the ancient alicorn, reached up her head, and nuzzled his neck. Artis returned the friendly gesture, and stood watching as Fluttershy packed up her remaining supplies, gathered Angel, and with a sunny smile and wave of her hoof, trotted away down the wooded trail, casting the occasional glance behind her as she went. Returning to his painting, Artis Donum, formerly Blank Canvas, Giver of Art and Slayer of Dragons, sat down at the canvas, took a deep breath, and with a passion greater than he had felt for longer than he could remember, picked up his brush and pallette.

The End