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Disclaimer: I don't own Axis Powers: Hetalia. It rightfully belongs to Himaruya Hidekaz. I merely own the AU plot and setting. Additionally, I'm not an expert on teaching and blindness. All information is from observation and speculation. Please do not reference.
Enjoy!
Nihilism
"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."
—Henry David Thoreau
In the beginning of art class on Monday, Arthur stood up to make an announcement of sorts. With Francis graciously stepping to the side, Arthur took out the sketch he had found in the trash on Friday morning.
"I've been noticing an increased amount of crumpled paper in the wastebasket lately," Arthur started as he carefully unfolded the sketch. "Now, I'm not here to lecture you about recycling the paper instead, since you all should know that we should reuse resources when possible, but more so about not tossing out your drafts. They shouldn't be tossed out; they are a mode to measure your improvement, and you can always refer back to them if you'd like to add something to your final draft that you had in your rough. I know they won't look extraordinary, or aesthetically pleasing, but they are only drafts, and they're for you rather for anybody else."
He flattened the sketch. He was hesitant to lift the sketch up, glancing over to Francis to see what the other was thinking about this demonstration. Unfortunately, the expression was unreadable through the thick sunglasses, and Arthur turned back to the class, presuming that the "indifference" was an approval to continue.
"Thus, I would like to bring your attention to a draft I recently found in the waste basket." Arthur lifted the sketch to show, and saw the students' eyes widen and whispers filter through the relative silence. "As everyone can see, it's a stunning emulation of Michelangelo's depiction of God and Adam in the Sistine Chapel. Each line and shadow was drawn with skill. Of course, like all drafts, there are flaws especially in the degrees of darkness and in proportions, which can easily be fixed. I don't know why anybody would deem this right for a trash bin." Then Arthur slowly folded the sketch up again. "So I would like to know who drew this sketch and discuss it with him or her. It has great potential, and I would like to help him or her unlock this potential. So if anyone knows who he or she is, please tell me."
Arthur stepped off his "podium" and took the seat beside Francis. All the students were whispering amongst each other, asking around about who this mysterious artist was. The responses were a resounding shrug or a shake of the head. Arthur turned to look at Francis, but the arts teacher was still. With a scowl, Arthur nudged Francis into movement, beckoning him to go back to teaching, but Francis turned to Arthur, smiled, and told him that, with a "speech" like that, he should probably teach the students for a day about drafting. So Arthur did. He got to his feet and began to teach the class, much as he did the year before. Francis straggled behind, sitting in the seat Arthur normally sat.
Francis remained oddly silent.