[Stray Kids FF] Seraphina is a warrior. She's certain in her abilities and knows why she does what she does. But when strangers bring the so-called "east wind" with them, things are bound to become dangerous. [Contemporary Fantasy / AU]
~Yuánfèn~ It...
I had set the alarm for six o'clock, I only hit 'snooze' once and woke up startled an hour later. Drowsy, I wobbled through my room and grabbed around the wall for the light switch, but only found the curtains. Only slowly did the wedge in the gears of my brain loosen. First, I pulled the curtains aside because I wanted some light. Then I opened the window and the air, which was far too warm for this time of day, left a sticky sensation over my sweat-drenched body. There was a full water bottle next to my messy and slightly damp bed. I took one deep breath and emptied the bottle. After a quick shower, I stood in front of the closet and thought: The gallery opened at eleven o'clock and would be open until seven. It took me a good half hour by car with little traffic if I was lucky. Finding a parking spot and then grab something to eat.
"Oh, for duck's sake! I'll paint until half past ten, then change, then drive off!"
Sometimes it helped me to speak my thoughts out loud. So that they can take shape and become tangible, Gerti often said to me. She thought I was in my head way too often.
"It's called introversion," I countered, as if she were here with me.
For later I chose an outfit with a 'casual business look'; Black trousers and blazer, sleeveless V-neck top with lace trim in turquoise, plus pumps with a very flat heel. I neatly laid everything out over the desk chair.
The tranquility of the resort never ceased to amaze me. If I didn't know any better, I would think there were no guests here. Just staff to keep up appearances. I didn't necessarily consider myself a social person, but you'd usually always run into someone here. The South Koreans behaved decently too, if only they didn't feel so scary. Better to keep my distance and enjoy life.
With my arms folded, I examined the painted mountain; The color had dried well overnight, black and violet harmonized wonderfully. I sat on a low rolling stool and painted the outline of the waterfall.
A deep breath. "Wow, that looks so great already."
I turned around, it was Marie. Today she wore her brown hair in tight curls that bounced up and down with every move she made.
"There's a letter for you, should I bring it to you?"
"What?"
"A letter for you."
I mumbled something in response, why should I care about a letter, when the brush in my hand glided effortlessly over the wall.
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Sunbeams announced their presence whenever someone used the main entrance, the reflected light hitting my eyes like lightning. Dust shimmered in the air like small diamonds, and I watched the spectacle with fascination. And then I felt like someone was watching me. What would happen if I rolled the stool away from the wall a little bit - of course turning in circles, like I did when I was a child.
I heard a breathy laugh. I didn't want to turn around yet, I suspected who was standing there, but this time the initiative wasn't mine. I looked at the painting as if I was thinking about something, stretched my arms, drank water from my bottle. My heart jumped as I heard quiet but approaching footsteps.
"Hello, I hope I'm not disturbing you," said a gentle voice.
I turned around and recognized him as the one from yesterday. Up close he looked incredibly beautiful.
"Not at all," I said with a smile, standing up and holding out a hand to him. "Seraphina, my pleasure."
"Hyunjin, the joy is all mine."
He had an impressively firm handshake, and soft palms.
Hyunjin looked at the painting, his eyes slowly moving from top to bottom.
"I like how the cool pink accents highlight the deep black of the mountain. The purple shades give it a stately presence. The beginnings of a waterfall... I can't wait to see the finished work."
I blinked at him, speechless. The way he expressed himself, with that choice of words. Hyunjin was only a head taller than me - and I usually never felt intimidated around tall people - but in that moment I felt rather small. His praise caught me off guard. I felt my cheeks getting warm.
When he looked at me, I couldn't say a word.
"Where did you study?"
Suddenly I had myself under control again. I cleared my throat.
"Oh, I... I took a few courses at the art university in Vienna, but I've been painting since I was a child and have never stopped improving. Hyunjin, thank you for your words. That's more praise than I deserve."
I bowed slightly at the last sentence. As soon as the beginning of a thought formed, the words flew out of my mouth.
"Hyunjin, I can tell that you are an art enthusiast. What do you say about accompanying me to a vernissage today?"
Hyunjin's eyes widened, and I noticed the gears in his brain working. He looked like he was about to break out in a sweat.
"It... it would be an honor."
I checked the time on my phone, just before ten o'clock. I asked him if eleven o'clock at the reception was too late, he said no, and after a few pleasantries I ran to my room.
