"Light in Nature creates the movement of colors."

-Robert Delaunay

The rain was like a wave, cool and together, and moved across the window only to be replaced with a larger wave when the tide turned. The wind shuffled closely, just on the other side of the wave, like a lover, waiting for kismet. The moan of the waves and calling of wind...such loneliness, but from what? Were they forbidden to be together, separated by disaster, or was it a tragic one-sided love?

Ib blinked again and turned away from the window to face Garry, who was looking nervously at the deck of cards in his hands while glancing at her.

When he realized he had her attention, Garry apologized, "sorry, but I was wondering if you wanted to play Old Maid to, you know, pass the time?"

Ib wasn't too sure if she should. Was it strange that they just met and he wanted to play cards? The taxi driver had told them it would be a long ride, so maybe he was bored. There was nothing outside the window to really took at due to the rain, and Ib really didn't want to say no.

Garry had grown more fidgety and uncomfortable the longer it took the brunette to answer, but it dissolved when she finally nodded yes. He nearly sighed in relief, but covered it up by shuffling his cards, which elicited a strange noise. Being used to the sound, Garry wasn't phased by it, but Ib payed rapt attention to the unfamiliar actions. She drank in the details: the cards' worn look, the way the numbers flashed before her eyes at an unreadable pace, and how each movement was thoughtless, a subconscious action that he had become accustomed to performing. It was captivating, though Ib wasn't sure why, and her fingers itched to sketch the scene; however, her sketchbooks were inside her suitcases which were located in the trunk.

After he shuffled the deck a few times, Garry passed out the cards and explained the rules, which were fairly simple. The only problem was that Garry had the old maid and, in cards, had a nonexistent poker face, but he chalked it down to Ib just being lucky. Denial.

Almost an hour later Garry decided to stop playing after losing every game of Old Maid and Go Fish (but he had won two rounds of War). Ib didn't mind, his expressions and outbursts were comical, and even the driver laughed a few times. Slowly they drifted into a comfortable silence, something Ib wasn't used to, but couldn't bring herself to break. How does one make friends anyway?

"Hey, kid, what's your major? My primary focus is culinary, but I have a few other classes." Garry, even though he had just met her, had noticed that he had to give a little for her to respond.

"Advanced art classes. I didn't know they had culinary." Ib replied, surprised that he cooked, but chided herself for judging based on appearances.

"Yup. Culinary, arts, music, and they even have photography." Garry replied, "Every student has a major and takes a class or two in another category. Do you only have art classes?"

Ib nodded, "That's what the letter told me. All my classes are for art."

"Well, don't worry. I'll go with you to the office to see if there's a mistake." He offered, and Ib was awed that he knew she was worried. Not even her parents could usually tell when she was nervous. She was about to voice her surprise when their attention was claimed by the cab driver, who was announcing that the school was just down the path.

Ib shifted her attention to look out the window to see the school grow closer. From what the brochure had said, the school was near the outskirts of Nivis Alba, surrounded by the forest. The path they had driven on was asphalt, and then dirt, but now it was cobblestone. A path of stones that led to the school. Charming.

Ib first saw the stone gate way, an intricate iron one, but she couldn't make out the designs due to the waves of rainwater. The building was next and even though the sky was dark and it was raining the building was beautiful. It was older Victorian style with a hint of Gothic. There were a mix of bay-windows, casement windows, and regular windows evenly spread across the front. There were columns that created something akin to a barrel vault attached to the building. The building was made of goldish red stone and wood.

It was silent as the cab pulled up, parallel to the building. The two stepped out of the cab and anxiously moved towards the door to get out of the rain, before remembering their luggage. The driver laughed as he handed them their bags and bid them goodbye.

The two hurried into the building and Ib couldn't help but marvel at the entrance's high ceiling and the intricate designs that laced the wooden beams. It was all so lovely, but Ib couldn't help but notice that the style of the architecture were things she'd seen before, such as the cut or the fancy chandelier design.

"Ib, we should head for the office." Ib turned to him and nodded, following him since he seemed to know where he was going.

They walked in silence, their step resounding off the floor. The light coming through the windows were dim and Ib checked her watch, surprised that it read 7:15 since she had thought it would be earlier.

"Uh, Ib, do you know where we're going?" Garry asked, turning to look down at her.

Ib just looked at him blankly. "Weren't you leading?"

"We're lost." He said miserably, dropping to his knees on the floor and Ib couldn't help but find it comical, but composed herself.

Now she was faced with a problem. Garry had started all conversation thus far and now wasn't talking. Should she comfort him? What if he didn't want her sympathy? This was such a dilemma. Finally, Ib decided to just bend down and stare at him. It probably wasn't the greatest thing to do, but she wasn't comfortable in touching him and the words were lost to her. Maybe she could portray it through her eyes or body language.

It either worked, he realized he was the older one, or Garry just internally got over it because he smiled at her and stood up, "Don't worry, we'll find someone." Ib only nodded and stood up and followed him.

They knocked on doors and walked down a ton of hallways, but no one was there. They even found the office, but like the building, it was barren of people. While walking down the hall Ib paused to stare at a paintings of a woman dressed in red from the chest and up. She furrowed her brows, unsure of why the painting felt familiar to her. Ib took a glance at the plaque, which was located beneath the painting, that read The Red Lady. It was a simple enough title, something that shouldn't have stuck out to her, but Ib had to pull her gaze away from the painting, and then noticed that Garry was no longer with her.

Thinking rationally, Ib began to walk down the hall where they had headed to earlier. He probably kept walking, not noticing that she'd stopped to stare at a painting. Ib made sure to keep an ear out for the sound of Garry's footsteps when she heard something crash behind her. She jumped and turned around, but didn't see anything. Against her better judgement, curiosity won out and she began walking to where the sound came from.

Cautiously she can across a shattered window. She looked down the corridor for the source but didn't hear or see anyone. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a shadow pass by the window and snapped her head forward to look, but didn't see anything. Ib took a step back and was ready to just say it was her imagination when she saw a black hand reaching through the window.

A/N: Bwahahahahahaha, cliffhanger! Sorry about that, but it had to be done. I won't set a date for the next update but it may not be until sometime later this week depending on how school goes.

Anyway, I've looked up some basic architecture-y words and have tried to describe them the best I can. I really suck at architecture.

On another note, THANK YOUto all the followers, the favorites, and the two reviews. I was really surprised and I even teared up a bit. You all are amazing and I hope not to disappoint. BTW, if any of you have any ideas or questions just drop a review or a message and I shall answer these things to the best of my ability without giving too much away. :D
Anyway, chapters should get longer (Normally my stories-the ones on my other account-are usually over 3000 words and some even reach over 5000, so look forward-or not-to that!).
See ya all next chapter!

P.S. If anyone could recommend quotes pertaining to art or really anything. Thanks :)

Edited: 2.08.2015.