Snippet #1852456

Clochette turned her head slightly toward the Altresta, raising an eyebrow at the question.

"Are we not allowed to be here?" she asked in a clipped tone, one that seemed to promise that if she did not like the answer, he would be regretting it. Cedric shook his head quickly.

"No," he began, pausing to choose his words carefully before speaking again, "I am... merely curious. As you know, Jiender is a village that not many know about," here, he looked around at the amount of people walking the paths, noting that some of them stared curiously at the two Jesfahlts or were following them, "Despite the large amount of people coming in, it is nothing compared to that of the larger cities, such as Haubenor or Amet."

"True," Clochette responded, nodding for Cedric to continue. The traveling mage cleared his throat.

"So, I was wondering. What brought you two here to such an out-of-the way village?"

The watchman was silent for a moment, looking down at her brother who stared back. "Actually, Clo. I also want to know why you're here," Sevrannis said curiously, "not that I don't mind, of course," he added at his sister's raised eyebrow. "I mean, you're usually off busy doing your job or training new recruits or something..." Clochette smiled at her brother.

"Isn't it obvious? I am here merely to look after you."

"W-what!?" Sevrannis exclaimed, staring at his sister in mild annoyance and outrage, "Sis! I'm not a dog!"

"But you get into trouble like one," she responded coolly, a smirk on her face, "like just a few minutes ago."

Sevrannis looked away. "I... I could've handled it..."

"Right. I'm sure having the crowd crush you until you lost consciousness was a perfect way to get them off."

The painter sputtered. "I... well..." Unable to find the words to say, Sevrannis merely turned his head away from his sister and pouted. Clochette let out an uncharacteristic giggle.

Cedric chuckled at the exchange, finding it humorous that a renowned painter could make such a face and be defeated so easily in an argument. Schooling himself, he addressed the painter, "And you, Mr. Jesfahlt? Why are you here?"

"Me?" Sevrannis said, turning his head toward the Altresta, or at least tried his best to, considering his position, before continuing, "well, I'm on a bit of a vacation, actually."

"A vacation?" Cedric questioned.

"It was on my sister's recommendation," the painter replied, looking up at Clochette who lightly smiled back. Sevrannis returned the smile, but his lips slowly fell into a thin line, eyes turning sad. "I'm... uhh..." he mumbled quietly.

"You what?"

"Um..."

Clochette, seeing her brother's discomfort with the topic, turned on the Altresta. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't pry, especially in business that doesn't concern you." she interrupted in a commanding tone, glaring at the man, a slight snarl on her pretty features. Cedric took a small step back at the sudden animosity displayed by the elder sibling, gulping in slight fear. It was stopped when Sevrannis pinched his sister's cheek, causing her to look at him in surprise.

"Clo, be nice," he said, lowering his hand.

"Sev, you..."

Sevrannis shook his head, "It's alright..."

Clochette was quiet for a moment, looking at her brother as if she was searching for something. She sighed. She turned to Cedric and gave a small bow, an achievement considering the weight on her arms.

"Forgive me for my rude display, Sir Altresta."

Cedric shook his head slowly. "N-no, it's fine. I was being insensitive. If Mr. Jesfahlt does not want to say anything, then..."

"No, it's fine, I'll tell you..." Sevrannis assured. He paused for a moment, trying to find the words to say, "I'm... in a slump right now..."

Cedric adopted a look of confusion, "A slump?"

Clochette continued for her brother, "It's been half a year since Sev has been able to paint properly."

"Really? But I just saw you with two new paintings..."

"For master painters, it's easy to paint what you see," the watchman replied, "You've seen his works, haven't you?"

Of course he has. A man of the Altresta family, or any wealthy family really, has seen the young painter's works. His own family even commissioned a few paintings from him.

'House on a Rainbow Sea, Island Beyond The Skies, Mirror's Viewing,' Cedric recalled, a slight calm filling him as he remembered each painting, 'it's like each painting is a completely other world... ah!' His eyes widened in realization.

"That's right... Mr. Jesfahlt paints mainly fantastical scenes," the Altresta said slowly.

Clochette nodded slightly, glancing at her brother.

"I paint through inspiration from my dreams, whether it be a good dream or a nightmare," the painter began, eyes staring at the sky as he recalled those days, smiling lightly. His voice, however, was filled with melancholy. "But one day... I stopped dreaming," he continued, a pained look etched onto his face, "For months, I just sat and stared at an empty canvas. It's... pathetic, and... I know that most people would think it's foolish, but it hurts me so much being unable to paint."

"I could not bear to see Sev in such a depressed state," Clochette followed, "I had to do something. That's when I remembered Jiender's annual festival was coming around, so I recommended that he come here to unwind."

"Ah, so you've been here before?" Cedric asked.

Clochette gave a small nod, "Only once. It was last year, during the festival. I stayed for a few days."

Cedric perked up at this, "Really now? What did you think of the festival?"

Clochette shrugged, "I cannot say. I was here on business, not pleasure."

Cedric deflated at that. "I see..."

The group fell into silence after that statement as they continued their walk, Sevrannis occasionally pointing them in the direction to the inn. The walk did not take long, but they had to stop quite a few times due to some of Sevrannis's fans badgering him for autographs and painting requests. Clochette scared them away with a mean look accompanied with threats of bodily harm. Sevrannis could only blush and hide his face in his hands in embarrassment, quietly apologizing for his elder sister's attitude. It took about half an hour before they finally reached the inn the painter stayed in.

"This is it," Sevrannis said, pointing to one of the windows on the second story, "My room is up there."

Clochette merely nodded as she stepped toward the door, Cedric following behind her.