-by Ajora Fravashi
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Title: Valkyrie
Pairings: None, unless you squint really hard and turn your head
sideways.
Character: Takato (Ruki)
Rating: General
Word count: 300
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Oil painting takes patience. Takato is generous with his paints, even when he can't afford replacement tubes, because art cannot be rushed. Daub a bit of oil paint onto the palette, thin with turpentine, mix to get just the right color and begin.
Oil painting is a bit like creating stories. You have a sketch of what the end product is supposed to look like, start with applying the base colors on the canvas, and add layers to it. Layer after layer and the picture takes on texture and personality. Looking at it at one angle is a bit different than looking at it at another angle.
A few more strokes with his brush and he's done for the day. It is always this way: apply a bit of color, leave it to dry for a day. Repeat until the work is finished.
This one took a few years.
A shade of a wrinkle between the brows and at the sides of the mouth, a glint of defiance sparkling in her eyes, and Takato thinks he's closer to doing justice to the valkyrie he paints. Juri was a good subject, but he could never quite bring himself to finishing her portrait. This one, however, drives him to work, challenges him to do better and work harder. She's proud, independent, and won't back down when the going gets rough. She's angry, determined, and doesn't take well to childishness.
Yet, he thinks he has it now; a few brushstrokes later and he's pretty sure he can convey her love and acceptance of her friends even when they frustrate her. Not that she would ever admit to it.
The photograph of Ruki that he has pinned to the easel seems to glare at him for the thought. He smiles wryly and resumes working.