He was still manic with it when he reached Marian's gallery. He had kicked a predator! Right in the face! And had gotten away with it!

He bounded up the stairs to where the huge canvas hung and took out his paints. He needed to put what had just happened into the painting. It was nearly finished, but there was space enough for a few more things.

The palette was loaded with black and red, as it usually was. Andrew felt a sudden wild urge to add rainbows, splashes of bright pastels, and other cheerful colors. He restrained himself, however. His next painting he would try more colors. This one needed to match the others in the show, that was important. As he sat cross-legged and looked up at the painting, palette in hand, he suddenly noticed that there were stains of rust on his hooves. He stared at them for a moment, then laughed. That was what he would do. He got out a tube of red and squeezed a massive blob onto the palette. Then he set it on the floor and dipped one hoof in it. It was a bit awkward, but he could lie on his back and put his foot on the canvas, leaving a red hoof-print behind. He repeated it for the other foot, then again and again until the lower parts of the canvas were covered in red tracks.

He was still grinning when he cleaned his feet off and got up. It was perfect!

“Andrew?” Marian stepped hesitantly into the room.

“Marian!” He had a sudden wild urge to sweep her up and spin her in a circle. He couldn't quite bring himself to do it, he was sure she'd be upset. But he felt exuberant. The fierce triumph of having kicked his attacker was still with him. And he was going to have an art show! His life-long dream was finally being realized.

“Hi Andrew.” She smiled at him. “Looks like you're about done with that one.”

“Yes. I think I have enough for the show now.” He grinned at her.

She chuckled. “You sound pretty excited.”

“Yes! I've always wanted to have a real art show, in a real gallery. I never really thought I would.” The wild exuberance was fading a bit, but he still felt amazing. This is what being happy feels like. I used to feel like this all the time. That was almost a sad enough thought to pull him down from that dizzy high. How many years had been since he'd been happy more often than depressed? Well, I was that way once, I can be that way again. I've taken the first steps to having a better life. I can be a better person too.

“I'll leave you to finish this then,” said Marian. “You're staying here again?”

“Yeah. I... uh, actually will have to stay here for a while, at least. I can't go back to where I was living anymore.”

She blinked at him. “Something happened?”

He laughed suddenly. “No. Well. Almost. But I escaped. And I'm quite happy to not go back. If you don't mind, that is.”

“No, I don't mind. And if the show is as successful as I hope, you may be able to afford an apartment of your own when it's done. At least for a few months.”

“Wonderful! Thank you so much, Marian.”

“Thank me when the show is over.”