The Eye of the Beholder [Stefano Valentini]

The Fifteenth Portrait: Ever Watchful

As strange as it would seem to 'normal people', Obscura has become my best friend. Gavin was something close to a 'good friend', but I wouldn't say that he was the one I would willingly tell everything too; he was assigned that role after all, so it wasn't like he was my best friend by choice. Isla hardly new the me her brother did, so she would only be considered a good friend as well. Tyrion was my guardian, so I can't tell him my best friend either. Stefano is my creator, so he is something more to me than a best friend. Death is a presence, so I cannot have conversations with my constant companion. But Obscura? Well, I suppose she is my best friend. Despite not being able to form real words, she is able to understand and comfort me much more than any human did; second to Stefano, of course. I felt absolutely comfortable around her, and took to spending my free time in her presence. If I was working on a new creation, she would be there, watching over me and giving me little signs of encouragement. The two of us have taken a liking to sharing hunts, and she seems to really enjoy scaring people almost to death. If I am called away by Stefano, she waits patiently for my return; sometimes I can see her face poking around corners to catch a glimpse of us to make sure we were in the same room. We dance together, we talk together, we wander together, we even sleep besides each other... I've never had a best friend before, but I know that Obscura is the physical representation of the term. Stefano doesn't seem bothered by our closeness. In fact, he seems rather intrigued by it. He sometimes works with us in the same room, taking glances at us whenever she would 'say' something funny or if I curled up beside her to rest.  Yes, I can understand her if that is what you can call it. It's hard to describe, but the way she moans and groans sometimes have different meanings; she can speak clearly without having to talk at all. Stefano found this fascinating the first time we had a conversation, asking what she had said. I told him that she wanted to play with someone, and he lured in another victim. The way she pounced on the man, moaning delightfully at his screaming... It reminded me of a puppy.

She really is my best friend.

The two of us were huddled together in one of the many red rooms of the Artist's Domain, watching Stefano work his magic. I was nestled underneath Obscura, one of her legs bent and pointed like a cage with only one bar as she sat behind me, her face resting on my shoulder as best as it could. I rested my head against her's to make myself comfortable, watching all of Stefano's expressions as he looked through his latest photographs. The way his eyes narrowed in thought, the way his brow furrowed in confusion, the way he smiled with delight... All of them were absolutely breathtaking. Obscura moaned lightly as if she was purring, and I caressed her long neck with my hand lazily. Stefano grimaced, which is an odd expression that I hardly ever see, and he paused his work. His hand reached up to touch his damaged eye, and I frowned, wondering if the irritation was growing worse. As God of this new world, he shouldn't have to suffer with anything less than perfection, but he adores that eye of his so much because it was the doorway to his visions. It would not fit to take it away from him, so what to do? This world is full of possibilities, so perhaps I could show him my appreciation by thinking of a way to thank him. As I thought these things, Obscura's leg drew me closer to her chest, and I found that I was quite sleepy. I yawned, cuddling into her as her leg embraced me to her, watching Stefano vanish into darkness as my eyes began to close. A little nap may be what I need to think of something spectacular... 

I awoke to Obscura moaning quietly in concern, and I saw that Stefano had taken a seat in one of the lounge chairs I had brought into the red room. His right leg was over his left, and he was holding the right side of his face; his eye must have been bothering him more than I thought. I shifted away from Obscura, kneeling beside his knees and taking his cheeks into my hands. I brushed my thumb underneath the eye that bothered him, doing my best to massage the annoyance away. Stefano simply watched, uncharacteristically quiet. I brushed his long hair from his eye, and saw that it was rather dull compared to his other; its liveliness lost to shrapnel. But it was still reflecting my face, and I smiled at how beautifully flawed it was. Stefano continued to let me observe his eye, not minding the tips of my fingers touching along the bottom of it. It is so perfect, and it would be such a loss and sin to lose something so wonderful. "It looks... like a camera lens." I murmured mostly to myself, and he chuckled lightly at my words," It captured the most wondrous thing, and opened the door to all possibilities..." As these words left my lips, my eyes widened and my fingers left his skin. That's it. I knew how to help him. I moved away from Stefano, searching through the racks until I found what I was searching for. I nestled next to his legs again, an old Vertias camera in my hands. He looked to the camera, and then to me with a small frown as if questioning my movements. Then, slowly, his face start to lit up with understanding and I smiled sweetly. His smirk returned and he chuckled once more, his gloved hands running themselves against my cheeks as he pulled me in for a brush of his lips," ...Such a bother, such a wonder."