Colored

Hellooo and now I'm back to drawing again ^w^ I honestly wanted to color it in but I didn't bring the good color pencils to the dorm

"This is trash!" A tired Linda said in frustration as he observed the new creation she had managed to finish for that day. As an artist trying to thrive in France, any art that can't manage to make an appeal is as good as trash and quite frankly, Linda had been in quite a slump.

Sure, the few gigs she would get for painting aristocrats and making quick sketches of people on the streets were enough to pay the rent and put food in his mouth but it wasn't what he'd call living the dream. Paris, France. The home of many artists that came before him. The city of colors they say yet all she could see was grays.

As she was walking back to her apartment from a rather uneventful day of looking for something to paint, a familiar figure came into view

"Hey Linny, you still going to the pub?"

It was Noel, the first and probably only friend she had managed to make in her entire stay in Paris. Of course it goes without saying that the man was an artist too. One that could always share his troubles with him from experience but their friendship might even be deeper than the bonds of artists but almost that of brothers.

"Yeah, I'll be there. Just need to take my stuff back" She offered a smile and raised the items in her hold, including her stilt, the small trunk of his materials and also her newly finished painting that was still on the process of drying

"Oh just bring that along, not like tha manager would care at this point" Noel grinned rather cheekily and took a step behind Linda. The next think she knew, Noel was already pushing her to the direction of the pub they would often spend their nights in.

"Hey, hey! Okay, I'm going- just be careful! That paint is still wet" she said with a grumble before just trailing behind Noel who had already taken a bit of a lead.

The moment they arrived and settled themselves at their usual spot near the counter a rather tired manager made her presence known

"So what'll it be for the both of you? The usual? Or you want the special?" She was all set and ready to write down their orders with notepad in hand

"The special for tonight. I need a boost" Linda said as she was still finding a spot to put her new painting in

"Oh, you went into the woods today?" The manager was already approaching the new piece, her ever criticizing eye, ready to guve the best tips she could offer "still in a slump, dear?" Her eyes scanned the dull look of the trees that clearly showed the entrance to the forest just on the outskirts of town.

"I think it looks good though. It just needs a little lovin touch is all" Noel offered as encouragement before turning his attention to the pub manager "and I'll have the usual with a side of something sweet"

Once their orders were jotted down, she turned back and hung the strip of paper over the kitchen window before busying herself again with the other customers.

"So Linny, what's with the slump? Haven't sold enough again?" Noel leaned back in his seat, stretching a bit before easing into a comfortable position.

Linda nodded then gazed back at the landscape she had made "Or maybe I'm out of inspiration again" A soft sigh escaped her and she propped her head up with her hand.

The ambiance was as vivid as ever in that pub. The red lights, the booze, the cheerful folks of their town just enjoying their night with songs and stories. It would seem like a sin not be able to enjoy. Yet her she was sulking and brooding over things. But what had snapped her from her thoughts was the mysterious man clad in black clothing. Someone that didn't quite fit the ambience the pub had to offer.

As he seated himself on the upright piano and began playing, the entire pub grew silent. Much more so when an angelic voice had passed from his lips.

Linda abruptly came to a stand and took a few steps forward to observe the man playing "I found it"

"Hey Linny, the food is here, get your tushy back here"

Linda did return to her seat but never did her gaze part from the mysterious stranger that continued to play. She couldn't even tell how many rounds of liquor passed by their table yet she still kept ordering for the sake of being able to stay a little longer.

By 10 the performance had ended and the manager came to greet the man and offered food and the payment he so deserved " I'm glad you begged to be allowed to play. This night was surprisingly busier with you around. Feel free to drink up, you deserve it"

And so he did. He settled himself on the table across the one where Linda and a now tipsy Noel sat.

The night proceeded as such where Linda couldn't even muster the courage to approach the man. She could only stare from afar and by the time she had already gone home, she didn't bother sleeping. She picked up her charcoal and pad and sketched the man to the best of what her blurred memory could offer

She hoped she would see the man again because no matter how good her memory was, the darkness of charcoal wasn't enough to justify how red suited the man beautifully.

Chapter 2

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WIP

Last is my very dirty hand because why not.

And now I might end up with another series I won't even finish ;;-;;