Open for business! [Open!]

[Splattershade]

Splattershade took a deep breath, she was amazed that she was feeling this nervous, after all, her artwork was meant to be seen by all... but at the same time... She still doesn't like the idea of parting with her paintings...

"Come on now Splat, you can do this..."

The paint-splattered unicorn sighed as she walked over to the front door, turned the “closed” sign to “open” and stepped outside to unroll the banner hanging over the small building.

Ponyville Art Gallery: Grand Opening!

Splattershade smiled happily. As usual, she's ignored the fact that she's covered in paint, but has decided to try to make a good first impression with a new, clean beret in her hair. She waited outside the front door for any prospective buyers and admirers to show up. She silently hoped that there would be more of the former than the latter... but then again, running the gallery isn’t free....

"You can let just a few go, Splat... Just think how much they'll like it..."

The nervous little unicorn continued to coach herself nervously, trying to hide the fact that her hooves were shaking.

[maximum speed !]

" you know i dream in color, i do the things i want.
think you left me broken down,
think that i would come running back?
baby you don't know me, 'cause you're dead wrong. "

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Max softly sung the words, her voice almost a whisper. Though quiet, the sounds that escaped her throat were beautiful, melodious; any pony that knew her knew that she possessed a great singing talent. She stopped, realizing that others were staring at her admiringly, listening to her quiet singing. Silly me, she silently chided herself, singing is what made me leave Cloudsdale in the first place. I don't want to have to leave Ponyville.

It wasn't that Max had wanted to leave Cloudsdale, nor was she forced to. But after the stress of everyone trying to make her a big-shot celebrity, she had convinced herself to leave. Soon after, she found a home here in Ponyville, where she lived a much more peaceful life. She had just left the cafe, where she currently worked - it was a small job, but easy, and simple. Simple was just how she liked it.

Max's wings fluttered, and she pushed them back as a strong gust of wind ruffled her fur. She sighed, stopping to smooth her golden-blond mane down. Her green fur glowed in the sunlight - a strange color for a pony, but it was oddly pleasing to the eye on her. Her yellow mane, with darker orange-yellow highlights, showed up well on the greenish-yellow fur. Her bright yellow eyes blinked, and she turned her head away from everyone to rub debris from her eyes.

"Stupid wind... always gets dirt in my eyes.." She grumbled. When she opened her eyes again, they immediately brightened at what they spotted. It was a large banner; but it was not the banner that intrigued her, it was what was written upon it:

Ponyville Art Gallery: Grand Opening!

Max smiled. It was a well-known fact that she was a creative pony - if the sharp contrast of colors on her body and the unique gray "X" earrings on the edges of her ears didn't say as much in the first place. She adored art of all kinds (especially music) and would love to buy some for her home, or just look at it.

She quickly walked up to the front of the building, met by a unicorn she had never seen before. Which was strange, because Max knew almost everyone in Ponyville. This unicorn's fur color was difficult to place without confirmation; the splatters of paint, new and old, covered her from head to toe. Even her long, black mane had paint in it. The only thing left unscathed was her cutie mark, which was a paint palette with a multitude of colors on it. Of course, this pony must be the artist.

"Hello," Max greeted. Although her singing voice was harmonious and graceful, you would never have guessed that a pony with her voice could possess such singing talents. Her voice wasn't necessarily unattractive, but it was just so different from her singing voice. It was semi-high-pitched, rough, and a bit boyish. But it wasn't unpleasant; rather, just a voice you would expect from a trouble-making type of pony, or a tom-boy (both of which Max isn't... entirely).

She smiled warmly, trying to ease the nervousness in the other pony's eyes. "So is this a new art gallery? I've never seen it before, and I think I've seen just about everything there is to see here in Ponyville... I'm Max, by the way." At this, she gave a small wink, hopefully letting the unicorn know that she wouldn't bite.

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[Splattershade]

Splattershade's nerves don't fade in the least over time. Her legs shake quite a bit nervously, and while most ponies seem interested, they all seem a bit too occupied today to pay the gallery a visit. Splat looks a bit downcast, starting to slowly trudge inside sadly.

This was a bad idea... she mumbled to herself.

But the sound of somepony's voice pulls her out of her slump in an instant. The paint-splattered unicorn smiles warmly as she turns to greet the first pony to come to her gallery. She almost jumps in surprise, having never really seen a green pony before... well, not counting herself that one time she painted that huge grassy field...

"Oh! Hi there. Umm... welcome!" she greets, not really sure how she's supposed to address customers or patrons. "Yes, this is the new gallery. I just got settled here a few days ago, myself. I'm hope everypony likes my art. I just got here from Canterlot." She grins sheepishly, deciding not to elaborate too much. She suddenly realizes that she hasn't even introduced herself. "Oh, I'm sorry. I'm Splattershade, nice to meet you Max" She grins broadly.

[maximum speed !]

Max blinked at the relief that entered the unicorn's eyes. Poor gal... must've felt like no one would look at her gallery. Well, I'm here now, and I'm determined to get something. She knew the unicorn was surprised by her appearance, but paid no heed to it. Max was used to other ponies staring at her.

"Really? I've been here for about two years now, from Cloudsdale. Always wanted to visit Canterlot myself, but it's too formal for a pony a like me." Max shrugged indifferently. There were always snobby ponies, calling her rude, or thinking of her as a "country bumpkin." Well, so what? Just because she liked to have fun didn't mean she was rude!

"Well, nice to meet you, Splattershade." She grinned again. Without waiting for a response, she entered the gallery, eager to see what lay in store for her. She had some money saved up; perhaps she could come back later to buy something. "I don't have my money right now, but I'm sure I'll find something and come back later to buy it. Got any suggestions for me?" Her eyes excitedly ate up the gorgeous paintings in the store. Beautiful; this pony has some real talent.

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[Splattershade]

"Trust me, no you don't." Splattershade stamped her hoof, realizing too late that she let her memories of Canterlot get the best of her. "Oh... um... sorry about that..." She sighed. "Canterlot's just...like you said. Way too formal. All those rules and manners they hold so dear? Total creativity killer. Don't even get me started on their art...."

She suddenly realizes that she was starting to rant, and glances away, as if trying to hide a blush. Not that one could show through all that paint in her fur. "Sorry, have a look around..." she backs off just a bit to let Max explore the gallery. Her horn glows slightly as a paintbrush floats off the ground and into her mouth, effectively shutting her up.

She was just about to walk away, when she heard those magic words, the thought of parting with her paintings left her mind the moment Got any suggestions for me?. In a flash, Splattershade is at Max's side again, bouncing excitedly when she sees that glimmer in her eyes. "Oh yes! I'd say something earthy for you, I know most pegasi prefer clouds and skyscapes and stuff like that but it would totally suit your fur, it would also be such a nice contrast and-" the paintbrush goes back in her mouth.

After a moment to calm herself, Splat tries again. "Well, if you like, I also take requests? With colors as unique as yours, maybe a portrait?" She smiles hopefully.

[maximum speed !]

Max blinked as the unicorn quickly appeared by her side. She listened closely as she prattled on about what she may be interested in and stifled a chuckle. This unicorn really liked her line of work, apparently. "You sure are dedicated to your art," she mumbled. But she didn't doubt the paint-splattered unicorn's ability. Several beautiful paintings lay strewn out before her on the wall, proof of Splattershade's ability.

Max's ears twitched. A portrait? That would be nice... but standing still for so long would be so tiresome. However, it would be fun to have a painting of herself, to see how she looked in other ponies' eyes. "Well... I don't have my money on me right now..." she said uncertainly.

Max thought for a minute. "A portrait would be cool; maybe.. I could get it done, then while the paint dries, I'll go get my money and come back to pay for it? I promise I won't scam you." She smiled jokingly, her eyes bright and cheerful, as usual.

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[Splattershade]

A huge smile crossed over splat's face. "That's great!" she giggles happily. "And of course it is, my art is my life." she smiles. "Like I always say: Anypony can see the beauty in the world and appreciate it, but it takes an artist to make it look even more beautiful and share it with the world!" She grins from ear to ear.

"Oh, don't worry about the money, you can just pay me back another time. Consider it a favor for my first customer!" she gives a smiling wink to the pegasus. "I've already got so many ideas! What kind of pose would you like? I promise I won't stick you in place for too long." Yes, she's had that complaint plenty of times before, when she tried to feed her painting desires in Canterlot.

The overexcited artist tries to calm herself, going into business-pony mode, a place she's never quite comfortable with. "That is... *ahem* unless you'd like some time to think about it? Otherwise we can get started today, but I realize that this isn't a spur-of-the-moment thing..." she chuckles softly.

[Pound Cake]

"Up you go Pound Cake." Mrs. Cake smiled as she lay her son in his carriage. "Take good care of the shop Pinkie Pie! We'll be back in awhile!" she called out as she shut the door to Sugar Cube Corner. Today was one of those days where either one of the twins spent a day with their parents so they could bond and form relationships. On this afternoon's agenda? The art gallery.

Pound Cake however had no idea what an "art gallery" was, but it certainly sounded interesting to him. "Art means coloring maybe there's that there!" he thought as he bounced along in his carriage.

Pushing Pound Cake along, Cup Cake smiled as she walked before coming up to the store's entrance. "Here we are!" she told him as she took him inside. "Hello? Anypony here?" she called out while waiting for an answer.

[Rarity]

Rarity wrapped her Winter coat, fresh for the season, around her body and fluffed her curls before slipping into lightly heeled boots. Sure there was snow on the ground, but the new art gallery was walking distance from her own boutique. And she wanted to look nice, after all. She bat her eyelashes indifferently at her purse, "No, I really shouldn't bring any bits with me. It may seem unprofessional if I'm too willing to make a purchase...though I don't want to seem catty..." a worried hoof met her chin, "I can always come back and get it if need be." she rationalized, stepping out into the cold.

Trotting carefully across the slick roads, she smiled at all of the passersby. Rarity was more than pleased at the prospect of an art gallery here in Ponyville. Slowly, but surely, this town was raising it's standards. (And, they were just a museum away from having an actual "art district.") She gleamed at the thought.

It took mere minutes for her to reach the gallery, and with a loud gasp, she made her entrance known. "This art! It is simply marvelous!" she squealed, zooming around to see the various illustrations, not even noticing Mrs. Cake, nor the artist and her companion. "Oh why didn't I bring my purse." she lightly scolded, "I would love to have pieces like these in my boutique!" she froze, her eyes brightened, and a sing song-y, "I~DE~AA!" broke her momentary silence. She spun on her hooves, "Who is the artist? I simply must commission you!" She straightened her coat and smoothed her curls, hoping it might be a handsome stallion, and prepared herself as best she could.

[Pound Cake]

Who on earth was this pony with the dark pretty hair? Pound Cake had to find out, but he figured he might find out later. She seemed a tad distressed about something important to her. Luckily his mother was looking at paintings so that gave him time to get up out of his stroller, that is if his dark blue snowsuit would let him. Bucking his small body against the seat buckles, Pound Cake began to loosen them being able to finally squeeze out.

His small delicate wings began to move back and forth as he practically fell to the floor sitting there staring at the room wondering what he would play with first when something caught his eye. Paint.

"That looks like fun!" he mused as he began to crawl towards the buckets and sat down staring at the metal surface letting out a smile. His small neck craned to get a better look at the colors within the pails and his smile grew even wider when he dipped his hoof into a red colored bucket followed by a blue then a green. This was an absolute blast! Both hooves dipped into cans and began to splash the surrounding area with laughs of joy erupting from the little colt.

[Splattershade]

"Actually, just keep thinking about it and let me know whatever you'd like to do. I've got more...customers... to greet." The word seemed odd for her to say aloud like that, but Splat merely shrugged and trotted over to the next ponies to enter the gallery.

She came to a stop in front of Mrs. Cake. "Hello there! Welcome to the Ponyville Art Gallery! I'm Splattershade, please have a look around and feel free to call me if you need anything." She chirped in greeting. An amused smile crossed her face as she noticed the the little pegasus that got into her paints. "Well aren't you the cutest thing? here, why don't I get you some paper, and you can paint all you want." Her horn started to glow as a small stack of paper gently floated over to Poundcake's side. "Have fun, and try not to make too big of a mess, little pony." She smiled, knowing that he probably would anyway.

She was about to return to either Mrs. Cake or Max, when she heard the excited gasps of another guest. She started to casually walk over, hoping to mask some of her excitement... that is, until she heard herself being called for, specifically for a commission!

That got the young mare running, and in an instant, Splattershade was at Rarity's side. "That would be me, miss. I'm Splattershade, welcome to the gallery!" A huge grin was on the paint-splattered pony's face, not realizing until it's too late that a large drop of bright blue paint dripped from her horn onto the ground in front of her. "Oh! Um... heh. Sorry, I'll clean that up. What can I do for you?" She asked, that smile never leaving her face for an instant.

[Rarity]

There was a momentary silence, in which Rarity was left standing by herself, observing the other ponies in the room. Little Pound Cake in particular, but her ogling was cut short by a messy, wound up thing running to greet her.

"That would be me, miss. I'm Splattershade, welcome to the gallery!"

There, before her, stood a paint splattered glob of a pony, "Your name.....is Splattershade....?" she asked quizzically, "How....fitting!" her voice ended on a high note, hoping not to offend this...artist...

They stood there for a brief second, smiling awkwardly. Splattershade was a bit more confident, and highly unaware of Rarity's personal bubble. But, even she, a graceful and poised pony, could not contain herself when a huge dollop of cobalt paint came barreling onto the ground in front of her. She watched in silence as it dripped off of Splattershade's horn, and released an unpleasant squeal when it hit the tile. She quickly raised her front hooves off of the ground, narrowly escaping the splatter of the paint.

"Phew.." she breathed, a calmer expression took over her face as she moved a few steps away from the paint.

"Oh! Um... heh. Sorry, I'll clean that up. What can I do for you?"

"Heh...what can you do...oh...I don't know where to start..." She giggled nervously, biting her lip to keep from suggesting a bath. "Well... I just, I own the Carousel Boutique and was thinking perhaps a mural or....a few paintings would look rather nice around all the clothing..." She stopped, if getting something painted meant allowing Splattershade into her shop... she may have made a very poor choice in coming here today.

"But, darling, you look so busy! And I'm sure you are focused on selling all of these paintings! Not looking for a commission!" she laughed a few times more, trying to back around Splattershade, "I really should come back...another time... I-I didn't even bring my purse! Silly me!" She waved a hoof playfully.

Busy? Really... It was the best she could think of without hurting the poor girls feelings. She was just so...so unkempt! The very idea of her anywhere near Rarity's shop, why- it was enough to make her sick. Why....why did she come here![/size][/color]

[Pound Cake]

There was paper here too?! This place couldn't possibly get any better. A grin of pure joy spread across Pound Cake's face as he dunked his hooves into the paint cans once more and just placed them on the floor again while tilting his head in confusion. Why didn't any paint show up on the paper like all the other colorful paintings around him? Deciding to come back to it later the little colt began to crawl around, his attention fixated upon the beautiful white mare that was in the room with them, namely her long and luxurious tail.With his brown eyes lighting up in fascination he made his way towards Rarity and sat down behind her, raising his small cream colored hooves he grasped her tail getting reds, blues, and other colors upon it. A small laugh escaped him as his hooves came together and clapped at his accomplishment. She looked so beautiful! At least to him she did.

[Splattershade]

This... is... Wonderful!
She'd only just opened, but she already had a potential portrait, guests with a little colt painting off in the...

Huh, where'd the little guy go? Oh well, his parents are probably watching him anyway...

And now, this unicorn, clearly a fancy dressmaker, wanted to COMMISSION her! This day couldn't get any better for the overexcited artist!

"I own the Carousel Boutique and was thinking perhaps a mural or....a few paintings would look rather nice around all the clothing..."

"A commission? A mural!" the artist practically bounced with excitement. "Oh, I'd LOVE TO! Murals are my specialty! Such a big canvas, so many options! Oh, it'll look incredible in your botique, I promise you!"

"But, darling, you look so busy! And I'm sure you are focused on selling all of these paintings! Not looking for a commission!"

"Are you Joking? I prefer comissions, why focus on something I've created when a new creation is staring me down? Besides, you seem like a prominent pony in town, if you don't mind my saying. If people come into your botique and see my work... why, it could only HELP my business!" The unicorn looks like she's about to leap out of the paint that clings to her fur in pure excitement.

"I really should come back...another time... I-I didn't even bring my purse! Silly me!"

And just like that, her smile dropped to a look of worry. "W-wait! You won't even need your purse! I wouldn't DARE charge somepony until they're one-hundred-percent happy with their work. I'm an artist after all, not a scam artist" She giggled a bit at her own joke. "There's no need for you to go, I'd love to discuss-" her voice trailed off to a giggle, seeing Poundcake's antics. "Aww, how cute. Looks like you're his masterpeice." She smirked. "Though I think less blue and more red would look better on her." she winked with a smile to the little colt.