A Work of Art

Tag Along

“So… what do we do now?” Seraphim asked, leaning back on her chair, boots on the kitchen table.

“Unless our activities lie on the darker side of the law,” Alexandra said. “I'd imagine we go about business as usual. Let this whole thing blow over, as they say.”

The group stayed quiet for a minute. The only noise was the television show that was put on for background noise. Alexandra and Eden sat on the couch, only half paying attention. Reikas shuffled between rooms, gathering a few miscellaneous items and storing them in a backpack. Eventually, Eden's curiosity got the best of them.

“Alright, I'll bite. What are you doing, Rei?”

“Gonna go make art?” Reikas responded, confused. “What, just because we made a few month’s rent in this glorified studio apartment, that means I can just sit around?”

“...yeah. It kinda does. Besides, you heard Alexandra. We don't want to get any more attention than we need.”

“Pffft. I'll be fine. I always am.” Reikas smiled and rolled his eyes. He began walking towards the door before being yanked backwards. Turning around, he saw Seraphim, still holding his sweater’s hood.

“Don't be stupid. You know me n’ Eden are usually behind your little graffiti outings, but this is serious. You're risking your own safety, and ours. Do we mean that little to you?”

At first, Reikas couldn't respond. His mouth opened, but nothing came out. Of course Seraphim was right. It wasn't even a year ago that all he had to worry about was himself, and now there's 3 others that would go down with him. It was scary. But at the same time, it was nice to know that he had people to lend a helping hand. He sighed.

“...I won't go far. Just a 5 minute walk to do some art, then I go back. I won't even call the police this time.”

Alexandra sat up. “Excuse me? What do you mean by that?”

“Rei’s a fucking idiot,” Seraphim said. “He graffiti’s a place and then calls the police on himself to make them chase him.”

Alexandra's face buried itself in her palms. She muttered something in French, and although Reikas couldn't speak the language, the word “imbécile” translated easily. “Go, then.”

“Really?” Reikas looked up, the embarrassment on his face being hidden with surprise.

“Don't expect us to help you when you get caught, and don't dare drag us down with you.” She paused before continuing. “More than you already do.”

With renewed confidence, Reikas grabbed his bag and walked out the door. He was quickly followed by Eden. “Hey, mind if I walk with you? I should probably keep the shop open today.”

“Oh yeah, the cyber repair thing. Sure.” Reikas smiled and turned towards the women remaining inside. “What are you two gonna do?”

“Do not worry about me,” Alexandra said. “I have plans of my own.” A small smirk crept onto her face. Seraphim didn't respond to the question, already focusing on a sheet of paper in front of her.

“Hey, would silver be too big a stretch to rhyme with pilfer? Or should I scrap that line?”

“We'll be back soon,” Reikas answered, closing the door and turning to his partner. The two walked leisurely towards the commercial district of Daybreak City. Despite the noon sun and clear sky, it was a frigid day. Their backs were turned to the mostly-abandoned blue-collar district, venturing instead towards the actually maintained area. Even then, however, calling it “maintained” implies a level of quality that this area was sure to not meet. Potholes littered the road every 100 feet instead of the norm of 20. Buildings stood with a mishmash of decaying original materials and newly installed ones, peeling paint contrasting with vibrant new signs advertising food or rest or whatever you can think of. Several people passed by them as they walked on the sidewalk, paying them no mind.

“So, uh… how's the shop?” Reikas asked.

Eden shrugged. “Eh, same as usual. Got an appointment today for some guy that wants pheromone releasing cyber.”

“Don't pheromones… not really work?”

“Yeah, not really. But he says it's for some high class thing. Plus, he's paying good money, and it lets me get some mods I want. I can't believe I've gone this long without night vision eye implants.” They cleared their throat. “Hey, Reikas. I kinda wanna ask you something.”

“Make it quick.” Reikas began removing the backpack. “This alleyway is my stop.”

“Why… why do you do graffiti in the first place?”

He froze. Staring down into his bag, clutching a half empty can of spray paint, he thought about the question. With a sigh, he stood back up straight and looked Eden in the eyes.

“Dad was an art kinda person and spread it to me. I liked the pen and pad style of art, sure, but I was fucking around outside one day and saw someone tagging a building and… I don't know. It felt like my mind was blown. I wanted to be like that. I wanted my art to be seen by everyone. I just… want to be cool.” Reikas looked down, a smile forcing its way onto his face. He looked up in surprise at the feeling of Eden's hand on his shoulder.

“I think it's cool that you're honest with me about this. It means a lot.”

“But do you think my art is cool?”

A moment of hesitation said all Reikas needed to hear. “...Rei, love. Do you know anything about graffiti?”

“Y-yeah, ‘course I do! It's not like there's much to it beyond just… spraying stuff.”

Eden sighed. “I love your passion behind all this. But if you want to go down this route, you can't just throw things at the wall, hoping it sticks without knowing why everything else is stuck there. Have you ever studied other people's art?”

“...no.”

“Maybe that's a good second step after starting.” Eden gave a tight squeeze to the artist, who only gave a weak hug in response. “I have to go to work now. I'll see you at home.”

“Yeah. See ya soon,” Reikas whispered, the tears in his eye smudging the makeup that created his fake eye scar.