Artistic Awakenings

Writers: AL, Ames
Date Posted: 17th May 2011

Characters: Wirnan, Kaya
Description: Wirnan wakes up to find Kaya drawing him.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 1, day 28 of Turn 6

Wirnan

Kaya had awoken early and managed to slip out of the embrace of Wirnan
without waking him. Not every morning was like that. There were some where
they remained back to back, or she on her stomach, him on his back and the
like. But most mornings when she awoke, during the night they had come
together and his arms were around her. She found herself loathing to move
more and more. But she couldn't remain that way. She had to keep her
distance and besides, what they did in their sleep, it was just in their
sleep. It wasn't like they _meant_ to let that happen.

It was early yet, the girl awakened before her normal time for who knew what
reason. She quietly tiptoed to her trunk and set about pulling one of her
every day dresses from it. She stood and turned, glancing at the sleeping
form of Wirnan and paused. She tilted her head and watched him a moment.
There was something about that angle, the way he looked so peaceful, the
strands of hair that fell over his forehead, the splaying of his arms. She
stood there a few moments, then finally hung the dress over the foot of the
bed and went back to her trunk. This time, she pulled parchment and
charcoal from it, then settled on the small chair that she pulled over from
the corner and began to draw. Her eyes drifted up to him, then back down,
her hands making strokes over the parchment.

He rested far longer than usual, enjoying the opportunity the restday
provided. When he did stir, it was the absence of her warmth that made him
awaken. Opening his eyes, he noted she was gone. A frown formed on his face,
for he'd wanted nothing more than to breathe in the scent of her hair. It
was like its own form of klah to him these days. He couldn't get enough of
it. He'd kept to his promise at all other times, but in those wee hours of
the mornings, if he'd awaken before her, he couldn't help but just hold her,
and allow her presence to wash over him.

Hopefully she hadn't gone far. Shifting on the bed, he happened to glance
over and see her hard at work on something he couldn't make out.

At that point, Kaya was bent over her parchment. She'd gotten most of the
basics, the outline, the curve of his jaw, the angles of his arms. Next she
worked on filling it in, the shadows and light making it more dimensional,
more realistic. This was what she had been missing his presence that would
allow her to capture more vividly. She was so wrapped up in what she was
doing, that she didn't even notice that he had awoken.

He was watching her intently, though he daren't make a sound. She was so
focused. Slipping quietly from the bed, he padded over to stand slightly to
the side of her. His jaw slid open at what he saw depicted on the parchment
before him. "By the stars that is _amazing_!" He declared with genuine
enthusiasm.

Kaya jumped. Wirnan had caught her before, but there was still something
that made her cringe whenever she heard anyone while she was drawing. She
dropped her charcoal which split into three pieces that rolled briefly
before coming to a stop. Her hand went to her heart, then dropped as she
calmed. "You startled me!"

"I'm sorry," he stated simply, bending down to pick up the piece that had
rolled to him. "I didn't mean to." He stepped closer and handed her the
charcoal. "You really are very talented Kaya," his eyes admired the work she
had crafted. It looked almost alive, it was amazing, and she'd drawn _him_.
"I wouldn't have expected me to be the subject of any great works of art."

Kaya bent down and picked up the other two pieces, cradling them to her
chest. "It's not a great work of art." She protested with a shake of her
head. "If any harpers saw this, they'd probably cringe. But...I just
wanted..." Wanted what? Why _had_ she drawn that picture? He just
seemed...so peaceful. She had been spurred, but she couldn't say exactly
why.

"It's pretty amazing to me," he murmured. "I don't think I've ever had
anyone draw me before, especially not like that." He cleared his throat a
bit. "Perhaps, one day, you'll draw me a picture that I could keep. Perhaps
that's a silly request. I should just get dressed and go about my business
for the day."

"I...I guess I could." Kaya didn't think he'd really want a picture he
could keep. But then why would he ask for one? "But...not of you
sleeping." That might be a bit _too_ intimate for him to keep. Something a
bit simpler. Definitely a bit more innocent. Besides...she kind of liked
that picture.

"That would be fine. Whatever you imagine would work." He paused a moment,
then added softly, "You don't have one of you, do you?" He hoped his
question would not set off another bout of arguing, for he had enjoyed the
silent truce they had established between them of late.

That made Kaya's brow furrow and she shook her head. "No, I don't. I've
never really tried to draw myself." Could she? It would be an interesting
challenge, but she'd have to find something to reflect her image. "I don't
have a mirror anyway."

He knew it had been a rather silly request, but he found he wanted to have a
small piece of her with him if he could. "That makes sense," he replied,
contemplating the fact that perhaps he could gift her with a mirror in the
future, but not just any old one, something unique and special, just like
her. Wirnan had to pause in his thoughts at that moment for he realized that
he no longer just considered her a person he shared his rooms with, but
rather someone he was growing to care very much about, someone he wanted to
see happy.

"Perhaps I should leave you to your work. I wouldn't want to be in your
way."

"I...need to get my own work done." There was laundry to do, something
she'd taken on herself even though there were drudges that could do it for
her. Kaya felt...a certain responsibility to make sure it was done
properly. "And...well, tonight I'll have some other drawings to share with
you. If...if that's okay." But they weren't portraits, rather of
their...his rooms. Designs to make it better. At least, she hoped he
thought it would be better.

"Oh," he replied, surprised but not upset. "I would be honored to see them."
He replied, wishing he could move closer to her, to run his fingers along
her back, but Wirnan had vowed he would not touch her. Clearing his throat,
he turned and stated. "Time for me to get ready and be about my day." He
moved through the rooms quickly, slipping into the bathing chamber and
emerging dressed and ready for the day.

"Anything you need before I go, Kaya?" He inquired, wanting that one last
moment of contact.

Kaya shook her head. "No. Thank you." She managed, though softly, eyes
darting up to him, then away, as if...nervous. Afraid. Why? She didn't
know. She just...she needed him to leave. This was awkward, she felt
uncomfortable. "Have a good day."

Last updated on the May 20th 2011

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Artistic Awakenings