Winter 5th, 512 AV You'll miss me when I die, right? Painting was a soothing practise, one that took her mind off the petty grievances that continued to tug troublesomely at her heartstrings long after they had been severed. With each swipe of a paint-laden brush, the Ethaefal sought to swipe away the ache of betrayal long since treated. It took her mind off words murmured during quiet hours and touches shared during tumultuous passions. She felt better for it. Pale green contended for space with sky blue and yellow. Buildings of coral pierced the sky with sharp peaks. The milk in the paint was meant to give the buildings the same surreal appearance the crystal buildings of Lhavit possessed, but that lay beyond Quiarinox's talents and the abilities of the people that mixed the paint. She had wanted paint bonded by milk today and had been given a pallete for a short while but every time she considered the expanse of canvas she couldn't help but feel disappointment. Determination kept her from starting anew but perfectionism kept her from being content with the colourful mess on her easel. She raised a paint-smeared hand to rub at the bridge of her fine nose. Her eyes closed and she sighed before she relented and returned her overly judgemental gaze to her work. A glass of water, made murky by the colours that swam in it, was disturbed as Quiarinox cleaned the brush. Once done, she wiped it carefully on a towel and went at the canvas again. The buildings were done and now she turned to the faceless blobs of colour she meant to make into renditions of humans. Because she had no love of the Sunborn, they did not feature in her art. All the faces were absent a pair of shimmering horns in every picture she did of the city unless night was the featured time. It wasn't an apparent detail but it was one she was adamant to remember. With a vengeance, she returned to painting. Until the noon rest, she continued, whittling down her stock until her brush was left scraping dry on the pallete and the canvas was this horribly wonderful abstract of Lhavit that she had tried to save by making it look even worse with sudden dashes of dark blue and silver, as though trying to fit the theme of night in with the delight of day. It didn't look good, she knew that, and she wanted to put it aside to dry quickly, but as she rose from her seat Nat appeared at her side as though summoned and cast her critical stare at the canvas. She was lucky it was a small painting for if it had been a large one, she might have caused her significant trouble. "It's not that bad, Nox. A little busy, maybe, and a little heavily done, but its not that bad." Nat had a kind word for everyone, but Quiarinox knew she meant well and took the compliment for what it was. She had painted it too heavily. The canvas was literally sodden with it and when she looked back to criticise it again, streaks of it had run down into other colours and dripped onto the floor. Her eyes found offending specks of paint on the fabric of her pants and shirt as well but she didn't mind that look. "I understand. Let me move this aside to dry and I'll see about another canvas and a lighter hand." The Moonborn said, the murmur of her voice just loud enough for Nat to hear. "Let it sit over the break on the easel. Once the paint is drier, you can move it then, but I'd prefer that after the noon break." Nat said quickly. She cast her appraising gaze to the window overlooking the peak. "Go on. Two bells should be enough time for it to stop running at least." Nat seemed to have an unnerving amount of patience for she maintained her kind tone. Quiarinox wasn't about to argue and as she got to her feet, she took her cloak from the back of her chair and clasped it. She needn't worry for her painting kit and the brushes because most would take advantage of the rest to get some time to themselves. She left the studio a handful of chimes later and burst into the street with a feeling of excitement. She avoided a near collision with a courier and her friends and bowed them away. She had two bells to herself now and could properly enjoy them in the city. |