Leaning back in his folding chair, Nicolas looked with a thoughtful frown at the large sketchpad in front of him, wanting to be sure that it was done before removing it and setting it aside for sale. Every year the city organized a fair, with rides, food, a stage for music, while making room for the city's independent crafters and artists of all kinds. So it went without saying that Worick had talked him into doing it again. Sure, it did get his name out more, and with prints, sketches, and a few small sculpture replicas marked for a lower price, they could often make more money than when selling or leasing one or two pieces to a gallery.
Of course it would also have nothing to do with being front and center for every attractive woman who came by to get a closer look of any of the pieces they had set out. Nope, nothing at all. If only Nicolas had it in him to play that stupid for longer than half a second. Deciding he was finished with the sketch, he tugged it out of the large pad and set it on the table Worick used as something of a desk for the event, needing to tap on his shoulder to get his attention on him rather than the low-cut shirt of the well-endowed woman he was talking up. [This one's done and signed. It can go in the book.]
"Hey, nice one pal. Mm...thinkin' maybe forty-five since it was a quick one on site. Sound good?"
[Just as long as it doesn't end up going for less and carried out in her cleavage.]
"Aw, come on Nic. What kind of manager would I be if I let that happen every time?"
[One that still owes me fifty bucks for the last time it happened.]
"I thought we agreed to wipe that clean since I was able to talk you out of doing that ridiculous workshop thing at the community college!"
[It was, before you tried taking home the administrator. People are gonna start thinking I'm pimping you out rather than doing what I actually do.]
"You mean I haven't been pimping myself? Damn, I must be losing my touch..."
Rolling his eyes with a pout, Nicolas playfully shoved the blond's head, crossing his arms over his chest as Worick laughed at the banter. "Hey, come on pal. It's a fair! There's fun all around us!"
[Maybe for everyone who isn't working...]
"Hey man, I ain't holding you here you know. Why not walk around a little and find something to eat? We've been at it for a few hours already anyway. Go on and grab some lunch."
[You're suggesting this knowing I could just not come back?]
"You wouldn't really leave me to do all this by myself, we both know this..."
[From where I'm standing it looks like you wouldn't be lonely long...]
"I'd still be able to sell shit though."
Rolling his eyes with a smirk at the banter, Nicolas took Worick's offer and headed out to wander the fair for a bit, feeling a little better now that he wasn't in the back of the small, confining booth. Glancing around as he walked, he had to admit that things looked good that year. Not far from the area where his booth and other local artist vendors were rows and rows of games and food, and there even seemed to be a stage toward one end where people were playing music.
People at least seemed to be really happy with things though, everyone going around with large smiles on their faces, children dragging parents by their hands as they ran to the next thing that caught their attention. Coming to a large booth cluttered with all manner of metal sculptures, he spotted Connie in the back as she spoke to what looked like a potential customer. While he wasn't surprised to see her there, he looked around curiously, knowing that if Connie was there, Alex more than likely was as well. Of course, this wasn't the first year Connie had set up a booth at the event, but it was where she had a large corner booth next to the food vendors, something she had been fighting for the last few years and had never been able to get.
"Nicolas, hi! Isn't this great? They finally gave me a space big enough to have more of my stuff on display!"
[I see that. Business been good for you?]
"Been amazing! The larger space makes it a lot easier, too. I don't have to have so many of the others in my book since they won't fit and have to only have pictures."
[That's good. Marco help you set up again this year?]
"Yup! He's been in the back and doing all my cash handling since it's been hard to see each other lately."
Nodding at that, it was good to hear that those two were able to make it so they could spend the day together. It wasn't either of their faults that Marco had a job that kept them apart more often than not, but the two of them seemed fine about putting in the extra effort that distance often left them with. Bringing up his hands again, Nicolas wasn't able to say anything else as a large hand slapped over the back of his shoulder, the force making him lean forward and stumble a bit. With so many people around, it was hard to tell whenever someone may be coming up behind him. "Yo! Nicolas! Been a while!"
[Hey Gal. How's the tat studio?]
"Got a convention in two weeks actually. A few of the girls with my best work will be going with me too."
[Good for you.]
"Isn't it? But hey! You need to spill! Heard from Worick you've gone and found yourself a girlfriend!"
[Goodbye.] Nicolas wasn't one to speak on private matters when it wasn't related to his supposed lack of a love-life, or anything resembling one, so like hell he was sticking around for any of Gal's digging. Taking off, he didn't have to turn around to know that the man was hot on his heels. Turning down a few isles, he ducked between some of the food and shop vendors. Waiting a few moments once he was sure he'd given Gal the slip, he poked his head out, checking each direction before coming back out.
Reaching up to scratch at the back of his head, Nicolas finally glanced around at his surroundings, not having realized that he had apparently made it to the amusement side of the fair. Games, a few more food vendors, and rides were all around him as people passed, each with smiles and the occasional treat or stuffed toy that had been won. Wandering down the isle, he flinched when he felt a tap on his shoulder, worried that Gal may have found him again and turning quickly with his hands up. "Ah, Nicolas, sorry if I scared you..."
Blinking at seeing Alex there, he relaxed, rubbing at the back of his neck now that he knew he didn't have to worry about it having been anyone else. Waving to let her know that it was fine, he took a moment to take in her image, not having seen her in the few weeks since Nina had stayed with him since they had both been busy. She'd left her hair down, the faint evening breeze catching the long strands and shifting them over her shoulders, the lights around them flashing over her favorite jade earrings and nail polish. A clingy, black tube top hugged her delicate curves, showing off her slim waist and generous cleavage, while a pair of bright white jean shorts showed off her long, shapely legs. The outfit was simple, but even then she managed to make it bring out her features wonderfully.
Flushing slightly as he recalled what else happened the last time they'd seen each other, he looked away for a moment, glad that when he faced her again that she had the same smile on her face as last time. [It's fine. Was getting away from someone annoying.]
"Aw, an overzealous fan of your work?"
[No, fellow business acquaintance. Surprised you aren't helping Connie.]
"Oh yeah, she gave me the day off since Marco had the time to help her out in the back. She doesn't get to see him very much, so I figured it was alright. Were you just here on your own too?"
[I have a booth. Worick's there now. I was bored, he told me to go for a while.]
Nodding to him, Alex pushed a bit of hair over her shoulder as another breeze came down the aisle, glad that the glow from the lights around them would most likely hide the slight flush on her cheeks. "Then...if you're not doing anything, would you maybe like to come around with me? I never got the chance to visit one of the fairs before...not really."
Still a bit on the nervous side, he hid it well as he nodded, flushing slightly when she reached out to take his hand and tugged for him to follow her. It was strange, knowing that she had modeled for him quite a bit recently, but that even the times his hands may have brushed over her skin, he had always been in business mode. Other thoughts were always phased out during those times, nothing else mattering in the moment but somehow managing to reproduce the visions of dancing color in his mind. Now though, he could feel the cool touch of her skin, her thin fingers wrapping around his hand, and the sharp contrast of her deep, cinnamon skin against his own lighter complexion.
Nicolas managed to relax a little as he let Alex lead them around, stopping at a few of the games and random food stalls, a faint smile coming to his face as she grew frustrated at being unable to time the game correctly and knock the stuffed with into the plastic revolving cauldrons, keeping her from winning a large, stuffed frog toy. So distracted by the glow of her smile as they went along, he'd never noticed that the sun had long since begun sinking low in the sky. Following Alex as she tugged on his hand, he frowned when she stopped, carefully squeezing her hand to get her attention back and tilting his head questioningly.
"Hm? Ah, sorry Nicolas. I was just listening to the announcement just now. The fireworks are going to start soon, should we go see?"
[Sure.] He couldn't say 'no' to that excited smile on her face. Well, that wasn't true, he could, but it would only have been in jest. A simple tease to frustrate her as he did with Nina and others. Walking with her to the nearby field, he sat down with her in the cool grass, tensing slightly when she not only sat so close, but also slid her arm around his to take his hand again. It was true that compared to Worick, Nicolas was by far more innocent of the two of them, but even he had to wonder at all the sudden contact. His cheeks flushed again as Gal's words came back to him, glancing down at her from the corner of his eye as that word rang through his head again. Girlfriend...
Trying to clear his thoughts from his mind, he turned his head up to watch the bright flashes of light spreading through the sky, shining colors sparkling before fading away against the stars. Seeing so many brilliant colors, it somewhat reminded him of when he first started really noticing them as a child. Vivid reds and golds, shining whites and silver, the cool calming feel of blues, purples, and greys. Each one in their own way helping to ease the dreary life he'd started in that dark and cold orphanage. Color had been his entire world before that day, the one where he'd met Alex, his muse who lived and breathed colors back into a life that had lost them over time.
Catching a bit of movement from the corner of his vision, he turned his head to look over at her, surprised at just how close she really was. The brightness from the fireworks lit up her eyes every time they went off, tranquil blue illuminated with multiple colors, her rich, dark skin highlighted each time another color bloomed in the sky. Losing himself in those swirling colors, he never noticed just how close they were until he felt her soft breath against his lips, thoughts stopping completely when he felt her gently press shining lips against his own.
Soft, warm lips pressed against his, colors dancing, swirling, and shining in her eyes, across her skin and in her hair. His eyes drifted shut, reveling in the softness and strange feeling of calm that settled over him at the intimate touch. It was odd, to have such a feeling like that, the feeling that even if nothing else ever came of this moment, he could still be satisfied with having been able to receive this much. He had his colors back, his drive and inspiration to craft and create once more. Alex had given him so much in such a short time, and if she let him, he wanted more than anything to have the chance to give some of it back.
Slowly blinking own his eyes when he felt her pull back, he smirked slightly at the blush that came to her face, amused as he watched her try to find words and apparently reason away the last few seconds. Coming back in quickly to silence her, he held the sweet contact a moment, pulling back far enough to be able to see her lips, his voice rough and grinding in his throat. "...be with me?"
"...okay."
