Chapter 5

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Max sat by the fountain, wallowing in his hunger. He couldn't remember when was the last time he ate something... maybe yesterday, or even three days ago. He was so into his photography that he paid no mind to his own needs till the last minute.

A loud growl erupted from his stomach, earning a wry smile. He would've gone and bought something, but that would be only if his personal items hadn't been pilfered from right under his nose... maybe some sleep would probably glaze his hunger...

Contemplating this, Max didn't realize who came near him. Not until the last minute. "This seat taken?"

Startled, he looked who had spoken: a young brunette woman. She didn't wait for his reply as she sat down beside him. Max was surprised at her behaviour, she wasn't the usual that would act all shy and embarrassed around him. He tilted his head, giving her a smile. "Who are you, young lady?"

"Yer saviour," Was all she said as she handed the bag in her hand towards him. Taking it, he found that inside was a luxury take out from one of the mid-class restaurants in Charles. The sweet and sour aroma of the unmistakable marinated chicken wafted towards his nose, causing him to drool.

"Isn't this yours?" He can't act like he was not a gentlemen in the presence of food.

She gave a shrug, taking out some pastries from her own bag and began eating. "I already had my fill, no point in stuffin' myself further,"

"If you insist," Max thanked her for the food and began eating. The flavours washed over his dried tongue, rehydrating itself. After some time, he spoke up again. "what's your name, young lady?"

"Nothing ya should be worryin' about," She deflected his question. "we're jus' casual strangers, is all,"

"Then do you live in Charles, young lady?" Max wasn't going to give up in trying to show his appreciation towards his saviour.

"Nah, I only come here from time to time to eat out," She shot his offer down. "I head all over the place for a good meal,"

"So you're a travelling connoisseur?" Max asked in curiosity.

It took a while for the woman to answer. "Nah, I had aspiration for it, that's for sure, but I ain't up there enough to eat classy,"

"Then would you like to go to one?" Max blurted out, earning himself a look from his companion. "For letting me eat this fine cooking, I'd like to repay you,"

The stare from her hazel eyes unsettled him but he persevered. She looked away, causing him to deflate. "Thanks for the offer, but I'm good,"

She then pointed at the camera between them. "Ya do photography?"

Max immediately brightened. "Yeah! I find it exhilarating when I take a good one!"

"May I?" She picked up the camera, turned it on and looked through the photos taken. Her expression gave nothing away as she gave a nod. "Yer not bad, though..."

She hesitated. Max didn't push her as he waited what she was going to say. After a few seconds of debate she spilled her thoughts. "Though ya gotta learn how ta focus on the subject."

"The subject?" Max questioned.

She turned the camera so he could see, it was the field of flowers he had taken in Oriens. "This one here is beautiful, but there ain't any focus, yer servin' the whole scene as the subject."

Strangely, Max could understand what she meant so he gave a nod. "Then what should the subject be?"

"The flowers', ain't that obvious?" She tapped lightly on the screen. "All their beauty comes from the various colours, it's be a waste not to bring them out more,"

"I suggest ya go back and take another, so ya can see the difference with the subjects," She places the camera down gently. Rummaging through her pockets of her hoodie, she placed a battery beside the camera. "A gift ta a fellow cameraman,"

Before Max could call out to her, she was gone within the throngs of the crowd. He looked down at the battery, noting that it was the same kind he used, and smiled. "I'm a lucky man!"

Three weeks later, he met up with the others at Nobel Michel. Max was walking with Kuon. "Thanks for letting me use the flower field again!"

"Don't mention it," Kuon huffed.

"What's this? Max took a date to Oriens?" Oliver joined in on the conversation.

"Nah, nothing so extravagant," Max laughed. "I just wanted to practice my photography,"

"He's been there for an entire two days," Kuon commented.

Oliver was taken aback. "Two days?! And all you took is flowers?!"

"I recently received some advice, so I wanted to try it out and see if I could utilize it." Max gave a shrug. "I think I've gotten the hang of what they were trying to say,"

They arrived in front of the conference room, their conversation dying out.

"May as well get this over with," Kuon sighed.

"Aw, it can't be that bad!" Oliver cheered as he gave a pat on Kuon's back before entering the room.

"I hear it's supposed to be shorter today," Max gave his two cents in as he followed Oliver inside.

"If it was short, we wouldn't have had to come down to Nobel Michel." Kuon muttered as he entered the conference room. The doors shut behind him.

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