Aronne's brushstroke moved across the canvas as an extension of his own body, not as a tool, but as an appendage. While he could truly focus his energy into something like this, one of his many outlets, the world seemed to fade into the background, similar to the background of the painting itself. This was a simple enough piece of art, only a standard nature scene, but an important one nonetheless. As he finished the last stroke on the glistening sun's distorted reflection in the water, he let out the breath he didn't realize he'd been holding, and took a step back to examine the work he'd done so far. Almost done, but... something was missing. He took a short break for now, not wanting to risk ruining the still-wet section of the river he'd been working on. As he stepped away from the canvas he felt the weight he'd let off his shoulders come down on him again, not all at once, but as slow, creeping thoughts. Thoughts of his friends, those he cared for, constantly being put in danger, thoughts of those he'd lost already, and thoughts of everything he could've done to stop it, to help them. Every insecurity every doubt, and every worry was making its way into his mind, forcefully and rather abruptly. He left the house quickly after that, needing something to occupy him.
"This isn't the place to help you feel better, you know." Aronne stayed silent, swirling a straw around his cup with melancholy. "Aronne, no one can help you if you continue hiding this. A drink of wine will not, and the painting is simply coping with the problem, not solving it." The last bit seemed to get Aronne's attention and he gave her a momentarily glance.
"I don't have time to solve my own problems when coping works fine for the time being. Bigger fish to fry, and other things to do, Carlotta. Someday you'll understand that." She shook her head and was prepared to speak when she caught Aronne's sad smile. "I know you're trying to help, and thank you, but please don't." Carlotta gave a frustrated shrug, then shook her head again as she stood and left. This wasn't over, but for now there was no changing his mind.
((OOC: Thanks for reading my story! It's a bit of a new type for me, so it's not exactly my best writing but any constructive criticism or other feedback is always welcome! This story serves to explain Aronne's slightly erratic behavior and to introduce Carlotta, Aronne's youngest sister. Tag list in no particular order - @RedSentinel @Nudibronch @Gabauchi @Friendly_Gal @Spectriel @Puagrace @AtticCat @Metallum_ @Daekon @KiddingAround @RandomTheChosen @Ghirko @Ellimairy))
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Later in the night, Aronne found his way back to the canvas and took up the brush again, and with every stroke of the brush, a worry seemed to dissipate, fading away like the flecks of paint on the brush when dipped in water. The difference, Aronne thought to himself, being that the rinsed paint will never come back. With a sad shake of his head, he finished the last of the painting, stepping back to admire the finished piece. Tomorrow, he decided, he would bring her the painting. For now, he needed a drink. As he sat at the bar downstairs in the midst of the other patrons, his sister recognized the look of despair on his face. She sat down next to him, a slight frown on her face.
"This isn't the place to help you feel better, you know." Aronne stayed silent, swirling a straw around his cup with melancholy. "Aronne, no one can help you if you continue hiding this. A drink of wine will not, and the painting is simply coping with the problem, not solving it." The last bit seemed to get Aronne's attention and he gave her a momentarily glance.
"I don't have time to solve my own problems when coping works fine for the time being. Bigger fish to fry, and other things to do, Carlotta. Someday you'll understand that." She shook her head and was prepared to speak when she caught Aronne's sad smile. "I know you're trying to help, and thank you, but please don't." Carlotta gave a frustrated shrug, then shook her head again as she stood and left. This wasn't over, but for now there was no changing his mind.
((OOC: Thanks for reading my story! It's a bit of a new type for me, so it's not exactly my best writing but any constructive criticism or other feedback is always welcome! This story serves to explain Aronne's slightly erratic behavior and to introduce Carlotta, Aronne's youngest sister. Tag list in no particular order - @RedSentinel @Nudibronch @Gabauchi @Friendly_Gal @Spectriel @Puagrace @AtticCat @Metallum_ @Daekon @KiddingAround @RandomTheChosen @Ghirko @Ellimairy))
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