Hey there everybody! Welcome back to Painter's Pallet!

So, as you can see, I decided on Gold as my next color. And when I sat down to write it, my previous idea, with Farina and Dart and treasure just slipped away.

*Poof*

And this came out.

I think it's because of severe lack of sleep. It makes me forgetful, and somehow ties things that aren't at all related together. Or maybe it's just because I like Serra and Matthew… Oh, who cares? Anyway, sorry if this seems to be absolutely unrelated to the color. I tried.

Thanks to Valorous Roland for all the tips on my previous ones.

Without further ado, here is Gold with Serra and Matthew

…

Gold

She was immature and irresponsible.

Everyone told her so. Hector, Oswin, Matthew… And it wasn't like she didn't deserve it. She was well aware of how tiresome she could be. But she hated the phrase "immature and irresponsible". Couldn't they put it in a nicer term like…"young for her age and strong-willed"? Yes…That would be a nice change. Almost sounded like a compliment.

"Maaatthh-yooouuu," she whined, noting his wince with a little regret. "Where are we going?"

"Weren't you listening?" he hissed. "There's treasure over this way. And now that you can use light magic, you can heal me while defending yourself if there are enemies."

She twirled a lock of hair around her finger thoughtfully, a bad habit she had picked up while she had been a child. She didn't need to look like a ditz.

"What kind of treas-" she started, only to have Matthew clamp a hand over her mouth.

"Shut up, Serra," he whispered in her ear. "I hear something."

Serra shut up quickly. Say what you want, but she had some sense of self-preservation. A strand of Matthew's sandy blond hair fell between her eyes. It was long now, for no one had much time for vanity in a war. Looking at it cross eyed, she distracted herself from the feeling of Matthew's breath on her cheek.

She lost track of how long they stood like this, but all too soon he relaxed and dropped his hand from her lips.

"They're gone," he murmured softly. "Let's move."

She struggled to keep up with his long strides while staying silent. Every time her foot came down too hard and made a loud thump, he would throw her a scathing look over his shoulder. She would merely mouth a "sorry" and redouble her efforts.

She didn't know why she tried so hard around him.

She focused so much on her feet that she didn't notice when he stopped, and she slammed into his back. She quickly retreated and came up beside him. He was patting his pockets and wearing a frustrated expression.

"Gotta be here somewhere…" he muttered, scanning the ground. His eyes found her feet and traveled up until they reached her hair. He stared at her right pigtail for a second before smiling.

"Perfect!" he exclaimed, reaching up to draw out a bobby pin. She yelped indignantly, but he just rolled his eyes and inserted it into the lock of the door. She hadn't noticed that it was there until now.

The door swung open with a small click, revealing a few treasure chests. Matthew grinned like a kid who had gotten some free food.

"Score!" he said, dashing forward. Serra, realizing that her work was done, retreated out the door.

She hadn't noticed how dark it was in the palace until now that she was alone. She glanced behind her, watching the torch reflections on Matthew's hair as he darted about, making it glow gold. Seeing him reassured her and she turned back around and began to walk.

Not long afterwards, she felt icy hands on her neck. She froze, eyes alighting on an enemy shaman she hadn't noticed. His hands were reached towards her with a spell, and she found she couldn't scream as she stayed in eye contact with the creature.

Because it was a creature, an "it", something not alive. Its hair was as black as the shadows around her. And its eyes were gold, glowing in the flickering light of the flames. Only, this gold didn't reassure her, didn't give her the strength to keep going like Matthew had. This gold rendered her immobile with fear, and she knew that she was not going to see the end of this battle. She closed her eyes in defeat.

"SERRA!"

Eyes snapped open just in time to see a red and gold blur cutting down her assailant. Matthew turned to face her, eyes wild with fear. He rushed to her side, shaking her shoulders.

"Serra! Serra, can you hear me? Serra!"

"Matthew…Stop shaking me," she ordered.

He stopped immediately, breathing out a sigh. He pushed his hair out of his face, now returned to its normal sandy blond in the darkness.

"You're so immature, Serra! Ordering me around after you just left without a word! Speaking of which, how could you just leave by yourself! You're so irresponsible! We're in the middle of a battle!"

She felt tears pricking the corners of her eyes. She had never been so happy to be insulted. When Matthew paused for breath, she leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his torso. He stiffened in surprise, but quickly relaxed and returned the hug.

"Thank you…" Serra whispered, letting herself weep in relief. She felt, rather than saw, him smile a bit.

"You're welcome."

And they stayed like that in the unsteady golden light of the flames.

…

Sorry for making you sit through that. Or, if you think it was awesome, sorry for seemingly fishing for compliments.

I only fish in Lost In Blue 2.

Thank you, Valorous Roland, for your suggestion of White with Florina. It shall be next. Although it might just be her, thinking to herself rather than talking with someone… or maybe not… I'll have to think about it.

Au revoir chicitas. Drop in a review while I'm gone wontcha'?