[Action] (backdated to the 18th)
[Since this happened, Asch hasn't been entirely sure what to do with himself. He eats breakfast, he reads a little. He wanders through the village for a while, aimlessly and calm despite the bad news. It's a normal day. A nice day, even. Luceti is blissfully aware of his loss, and he likes it that way. There is no house to burn, no alcohol to waste
( Read more... )
And out from the roots of the largest cherry tree, perhaps just a few feet from Asch, bounds the Lucky Mallet. It bounces around the girl in a circle, like an excited animal greeting its master, before bouncing ahead of her, back toward the tree. She'd need to shrink down once she got closer to her house.
She hadn't noticed Asch yet, shoving her meatbun back into her mouth as she inspected her foodstuffs. Good, the eggs made the trip okay. Looking up, she spies a familiar someone. And, muffled through her food, she blinks.]
Apphf?
[What are you doing at the cherry tree hill?]
Reply
Reply
Wuf-- [She puts a hand to her mouth, swallowing the bite in her mouth.] What are you doing here, Asch? ...Is something wrong? Are you okay?
[Because, bro, you never come to visit her.]
Reply
...and he doesn't want to say.]
How do you get so skilled at art? Is it something you've practiced for a long time?
Reply
I've painted since I was able to hold a brush in my hand, and maybe even before that, with my hands. We poncles are taught to love art in every form...and we're taught by a skilled master. [Ishaku was the sixth Celestial Envoy. Even if he was pretty strict sometimes, he was a very good teacher.] We practice until he deems us good enough, or when our paintings, our art, can instill strong emotion into the hearts of those looking into them.
I've been alive for many, many years...and I'm still not good enough. My paintings don't do that...and now--
[Oops, too much. Clamming up now.]
Reply
And now?
[That might give him a moment to ponder the rest of what she said, at least. Still not good enough? So she's overly critical, then? Maybe it's an artist thing. He's never satisfied with what he draws, either, but he knows why, at least.]
Reply
[Her smile, brief as it is, is deceptive. And final. Miyabi's not willing to talk about her penalty right now. Even if she painted some, it's still strange and kind of scary for her. Her margin of error increased tenfold, and the anxiety of screwing up made her uncomfortable even speaking about painting. But when she did, moments ago, there was warmth in her voice - passion. Miyabi missed it.
But this isn't about her right now. She goes to sit on one of the huge roots of the towering cherry tree, finishing off her bean bun.]
Why are you really here, Asch? Are you interested in art now? [Because, man, she does not believe that completely.]
Reply
I can draw. But I can't draw like you. There's no life in what I put on paper.
[Usually, he doesn't care. Truth be told, he doesn't even notice.
Not today, though. Not this time. He needs this to be special, just once.]
Reply
Somewhere, somewhere...ha! There. Unfurling a cloth on her lap, she takes out a stick of charcoal, well used so it has a slight point.]
...I'm not a teacher, and I'm not a master. I'm still learning myself, but...there isn't life here, you're right. What I can say is that the body, the face, everything has a certain fluidity... [And she begins scrawling in the lower, unused corner of the picture. It's a similar picture, but at a different angel, with more movement and life.] You can't just look at the world and expect it so stand still for you. You capture the world as it is - moving, breathing...living ( ... )
Reply
Reply
Reply
Didn't he do this in Daath, before the coldness and the apathy set in? Before he started to kill people? Maybe he stopped caring about the life around him because it was no longer an important aspect of his own.
It's... something of a revelation, that.]
Reply
Miyabi flips through the sketches, making only very subtle changes. There aren't many, and when she sees the doodle of the branch, she tilts her head with a smile, then looks back up to Asch.]
...Can I keep this? It's very good, you're very good, Asch. You learn quickly, and...and I think I learned something, too.
So, thank you. Very much. [And in the deepest form of thanks and respect, Miyabi bows. Maybe she'll start painting again. One color, or even just black ink. She just wants to paint.]
Reply
Should he ask? Probably not. He has a feeling she won't tell him anyway, which suits him fine. She's smiling now, so...
...Augh. This is hard. Better to just ignore the whole issue.]
Reply
[And that is a promise. Miyabi's kept every piece of art she received from people safe in her room. Inside a leather bound folio of sorts. She even has ones others would consider terrible (like Luffy's art skills). Miyabi doesn't care about skill, so long as there's heart there.]
So, why are you sudden;y taking an interest in drawing like this? ...You want to draw something special, don't you? [Because, well, like she said once before - you are rather easy to read, Asch. And the pieces fit together.]
Reply
There's no reason, don't be stupid! What, I'm told I need to get a hobby and when I try all I get is questions?
Reply
Leave a comment