Beauty in the Darkness

Chapter II - The Sketchbook and References

I cracked open my last crate of items. I'd had to open every box I'd brought, and I decided to unpack them as I opened them. Finally, I got  to the last one, which had to be the one with my sketch books and art supplies. I grabbed a pencil and my latest sketch book, knowing I'd unpack that box as I lived. But first, I needed to my hand moving.

But despite my productivity, I had no ideas. I wanted to scream and curse, but I feared disturbing the neighbors.

I decided to go for a late night stroll. Assuming we weren't allowed to leave the house at night as well.

I walked down the street, watching as the last of the sun light faded from the sky, letting the stars have their time to shine at last.

I smiled, walking around the town. It was so much better this late. The light wasn't nearly as bright, the street wasn't nearly as crowded, the town wasn't nearly as loud. It was dark, peaceful, and quiet.

Humming, I opened my sketchbook. I flipped to the first open page I saw, stopped in my tracks, and stared up into the stars. I looked for any shapes my mind decided to make a drawing.

Soon, I found myself sketching, instead, a very Victorian man with a galaxy and night theme. I smiled to myself, not hating the concept.

I breathed another breath of cool night air. It was nice to get out of the house, after a few hours of cleaning and unpacking and all of that. And after a week of mental exhaustion and lacking motivation to do anything but find another place to lay down.

Quite a few shops still had candles lit. The bakery, the blacksmiths, the doctors clinic, and, of course, the town guard and vampire hunters building. I chuckled at the thought. Surely, it was an elaborate on-going inside joke that I'd catch on to.

I glanced in from the doctor's office, noticing there were only two very interesting characters inside.

I flipped to another page, starting to sketch them.

The first man I noticed wore an actual top hat, pressing down his dull brown hair. He had a suit on, and fancy shoes and everything. And from the look of his coat rack, he'd have more to wear usually. His tie was undone, and his shirt was slightly unbuttoned at the top. His tired silver-blue eyes stared at the other man, never tearing away from them.

The other man was completely different. He wore a matching navy blue hat and vest with stitched stars on them. He had a light orange button up shirt underneath his vest, and rather nicely fitted black pants with deep pockets.

I watched as this short man practically  danced around the office talking with passion that shone in his galaxy like deep blue eyes. He threw off his cap at some point, releasing his messy golden orange locks. His freckled cheeks were pink with excitement about something I couldn't hear.

I glanced down at my sketch book page, at loose sketches of dancing and running excitement from the yellow man, and much more detailed drawings around of the blue man, just sitting there as he watched him. I could only catch the movement of the yellow man, of his messy curls and having to add his star-light freckles afterwards. But I had enough time to get correct placement of the stubble of the blue man.

I looked up at the window, seeing the excited star boy finally stood still, facing away from me. I couldn't help but notice his gifted legs. I drew his thighs on the last area of free space on that page.

What? He had a nice tush.

I stood up, looking down at my own tightly fitted pants revealing my scrawny legs. I wished I had a butt like that.

I grumbled a little at the thought and started to head home, before hearing a door open. I jumped into the closest alleyway, deciding to keep myself out of the way in case of anything bad.

I watched as a man, decked in silver armor. He had a rounded helmet with a blue tuff at the back and a bird design in front that led down his nose. His cape was dark blue, and his shoes were worn, being held together by tape.

I gulped, noticing his large sword over his shoulder.

The soldier trudged over to the blacksmith's shop, opening the door and going inside.

I slipped out of my alleyway, about to sneak home before I got into some trouble for breaking whatever rules there were, but I heard laughter.

I snuck up to the slightly open door, looking in through the little window.

The knight was taking off his helmet and cape, grinning gleefully as he spoke to the red-haired blacksmith. He grinned when he turned back to see the knight, putting his leather welding gloves on the table.

"Oh Sir Rufous! I think I broke my sword again!" the knight called, letting down his tied up hair, strolling up to the blacksmith.

"Again?" The blacksmith, Rufous, grinned, revealing his sharp replacement tooth, and crossing his arms. "I think it's time to retire it. It keeps breaking."

"Oh, but Sir Rufous! I love my sword!" The knight giggled, hugging the other, starting to sneakily untie his black apron for him. "Please fix it again! I'll pay anything!"

"I don't think even town guard pays enough to fix this old thing." Rufous hugged the man. "Maybe you can pay me some other way, Sir Azure."

"Maybe?~" Azure giggled.

I watched, giggling a little at the couple. The seemed so cute, and happy. And not alone.

I doodled down some drawings of them before quickly leaving, not wanting to invade on their privacy more than I already have.

Satisfied with the word I've done, I began on my way home.

Encre.

I looked back. Something was calling me.

Encre.

I looked toward the forest. It was calling me. Inspiration was calling me.

I grinned, tucking my sketch book under my shoulder and my pencil over my ear. I ran towards the woods, jumping in head-first.

When inspiration calls the artist, the artist follows.