Chapter 13 (Tuesday Week 2)
"Momma! Mamoru's here, so I'll be home later this evening," she called heading out the door.
"Have fun, darling," Ikuko called back from the kitchen.
"Hey, Mamoru," Usagi greeted, sliding into the little sportscar. "Is this okay?" she questioned, gesturing to her outfit.
"I'm sure it'll be fine. She just said to not do anything with hair or makeup and wear non-descript clothing."
"Alright. How long of a drive is this?"
"About an hour; so, pick a radio station or CD and sit back and relax," he instructed.
She rustled around in the center console, looking at CDs. A bright smile crossed her face as she selected one. "I didn't realize you were a Silversun Pickups fan," she commented.
"Yeah, I like their sound for something different than my usual," he explained. "Got to have something for when I crave a different sound."
"Makes enough sense," she concurred before reaching up to crank the sound then relaxing back into her seat. "Plus, now I can borrow it," she added with a wink.
*M&U* *M&U* *M&U* *M&U*
"Usagi! Mamoru! Thanks for making the drive today," Ms. Meioh greeted. "Come on in."
"Hi, Ms. Meioh," Usagi greeted.
"Oh, please; Setsuna will do just fine. I didn't really expect a phone call so early to set this up, but I can't wait to get started. Let's start in the kitchen with refreshments while we discuss the set-ups I would like to do. Mamoru, did you remember the sketches we discussed?"
"I brought my portfolio." He handed them over. "Let me know what you think. There's actually five finished ones in there and a few that I can finish up if you're interested in them. Just let me know what you choose."
"Wonderful. This way please," she said, leading the way through to a kitchen. "If you want to step on through to the sun porch, I'll be right out with some tea and cookies."
Mamoru nodded a quick yes and propelled Usagi outside with a hand at the small of her back. They took a seat tighter on the small wicker loveseat.
"Your drive was alright, yes?" Setsuna questioned as she joined them.
"Oh, yes," Usagi assured her. "It was a nice day for putting the top down and hitting the open road."
"I bet. But, I'm not taking you away from anything important today, am I?"
"Not at all. My finals finished yesterday and Mamoru finished things up last week. It's actually easiest to do this now before I get set into my summer schedule."
"I see. Then, I suppose it would be easiest to do today and tomorrow?"
"Yes," Mamoru answered. "That would be preferable."
"Great. Now, I think I've settled on which three sketches I would like to keep, all of them finished ones, but can I return the others to you tomorrow?" she questioned as she poured tea for all three of them.
"Certainly."
"Wonderful. Then, let's discuss the settings," she said, offering the plate of cookies to her guests. "We'll start out with just the first one using it as the trial as we go. If we go through with the painting, I won't be doing the whole thing today. Mostly, I'm looking to get you two done and then I'll finish adding details later on. If it's not going to bother you, I'll probably snap a picture as well in case I need to reference later, for shading and such."
"Sounds fine to us," Mamoru answered after looking to Usagi to agree.
"Great! The first one shall be a bistro setting. I have a metal table set up in my studio for the scene. Your clothes are great – I'll only ask that you, Usagi, let me have you do something with your hair and add a beret. That okay?"
"Sure."
"Setting two has a couple different options, depending what you prefer. Now, my original idea would be my preference, but it all just depends on what you guys are comfortable with."
"What exactly are the options?" Usagi cut in. "We'll let you know if we aren't comfortable doing something."
"Well, my first thought was to do a second piece exploring the couple from the first. However, I wanted to show the subjects lounging in bed together, continuing to enjoy their vacation. You would still have clothes on, but the idea in and of itself is very intimate. The other would be a goodnight kiss – the couple kissing under a street lamp."
"Can we discuss it for a few moments and let you know which one we would rather do," Mamoru offered. "I know which I prefer, but I'd rather we discuss it between the two of us before letting you know."
"Of course. I'll go finish making sure everything is set up in the studio while you talk. Go ahead and enjoy the snacks and I will be back in a bit," she agreed, rising and leaving the room.
"Which one is it you prefer?" Usagi asked with a searching look.
"To be honest? Choice one. As much as it sounds 'intimate' as she puts it, I'm not willing to kiss you for the first time in such circumstances."
"Agreed, but, ah, you say that like you find that occurrence inevitable," she teased, angling her body away from him and leaning back against the arm of the loveseat, arm crossed.
"Oh, it is, Buns; and you and I both know it," he answered seriously. Wrapping his hands behind her knees, he pulled her legs over his lap and held them in place with one hand while the other captured both her wrists. "Too bad you can't get rid of me now," he mocked with a soft evil laugh.
She struggled lightly, laughing the whole time. "Oh, no!" she laughed. "And no one to help me escape. Whatever shall I do?"
With another chuckle, he pulled her up into a hug. "Seriously though, how about an actual date? You, me; tomorrow night? I'll plan everything."
Usagi blushed lightly and bit her lip. "I'd love to," she admitted softly.
"Great," he answered with a smile. Pulling her in for another quick hug, he then propelled them both off the seat. "Let's go find Setsuna so we can get started."
"No…cookie first…" she said, pulling back. "Besides, she'll come back for us when she's ready."
*M&U* *M&U* *M&U* *M&U*
"Leading them into her studio, Setsuna gestured to her set-up. "Usagi, if you could take the chair on the far side so you'll face me a little more straight on. Mamoru, just scoot your chair around closer and angle towards Usagi, not me. Perfect. Okay, let me grab the beret and, Usagi, if you do a quick, loose braid coming over your right shoulder," Setsuna directed. "Fabulous," she commented, producing the hat. "You mind if I…" she questioned, gesturing with the hat.
"Go ahead," Usaig told her.
Setsuna perched the hat on her head, just slightly off center, and stepped back. "Alright, you can use the glasses to actually drink while I work. And, feel free to chat with each other. Oh, it's water; is that okay?" At their nods, she headed to her easel. "Questions?"
"How still do you need us to be?" Mamoru asked.
"Fairly still, but you can move a little. Since I'm just working on general body shapes, it shouldn't throw me off too much."
The two chatted quietly about dinner plans with Usagi, Minako, and Motoki's parents at the Tsukino house that night while low music played in the background. It was comfortable as the artist worked and the couple began to forget she was there.
*M&U* *M&U* *M&U* *M&U*
"Are you ready to break for lunch?" Setsuna asked, interrupting their quiet discussion.
"Whenever you want," Usagi told her.
"I'm at a good stopping point, so let's break now," Setsuna decided. "Let me snap a quick picture and then lunch is on me since you made the long drive. We can pick up here later and use the picture to make sure that we get the same pose."
"Sounds good," Mamoru agreed.
*M&U* *M&U* *M&U* *M&U*
"Thanks, guys. You were great today!" Setsuna said, standing with the couple on the front steps. "Does the same time tomorrow work for the second setting?"
"Yeah," they agreed.
"Do you need us to bring anything tomorrow? Or dress a certain way?" Usagi offered.
"Come like you're dressed today, just bring a sundress if it's not too much trouble. I'm considering using it as part of tomorrow's sitting, in a way – I'll explain it in the morning."
Usagi waved again to Setsuna as they pulled out of the drive. "That was actually a lot of fun," she commented to Mamoru.
"I'm glad you had fun. Think you'll be up for doing again tomorrow?"
"I will be. I'm interested to see how tomorrow goes."
"Me too. So, subject change, but you want to do our question now or later?"
"Now, please," she requested. "What is the question for today?"
"What sound or noise do you love?"
"Oh, shutter clicks of a camera," she answered readily.
He laughed. "Glad to see you didn't have to think about it."
"What's yours?"
"The whistle of a tea kettle."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Before I lost my parents, I remember waking to that sound every morning. It meant my mom was up and making breakfast. While she cooked, she made a cup of tea for herself. I even still have the tea kettle she used to use."
"Oh, Mamoru."
"Don't feel bad, Buns. It's a happy memory and reminds me of her in a good way."
"I'm glad you have that then."
"Me too. Shutter clicks of a camera?"
"Did I ever tell you how mom and Miyako met? I don't think I ever told you, but they've been friends for longer than we've been alive. They actually met taking an amateur photography class together. The two of them were partnered up for a project, and they just sort of clicked. So, they planned a double date with their husbands and it just grew from there. They've both become amazing photographers and I guess I just associated the capture of memories with that sound. Mom has been using this SLR Auntie Miyako talked Daddy into getting her a few years ago. Mom loves it, but has held onto her old camera to use to teach me some things. I guess you could call it part of our mother-daughter bonding."
"I'd love to see the photos sometime."
"Yeah, I'll show you an album I put together, but really I want to show you some of Momma's pictures tonight."
*M&U* *M&U* *M&U* *M&U*
"Hey, Momma! We're home," Usagi called as they headed to the kitchen.
"Hello, darling," Ikuko greeted, kissing her daughter's head. "Hi, Mamoru. Do me a favor and take these out to Kenji?" she asked, passing off a plate full of steaks. "Darling, if you don't mind, Miyako and I could use your help with things in here."
"Sure thing," Mamoru agreed, taking the proffered plate and heading out the back door.
"Could you be any less subtle?" Usagi bluntly asked, hands on her hips. "Any particular reason you felt the need to get him out of the room?"
"So we can ask all about how your sitting went today? Duh!" Minako chimed in. "Plus," she added, "He'll be fine with Motoki and his dad, my daddy, yours, and Shingo."
"It was great. Where are Motoki's mom and his sister?"
"His sister isn't here," Miyako explained. "And, his mother is in the bathroom. Don't worry; we'll introduce you when she returns. Now, young lady, I want details."
"It was a painting sitting!" Usagi objected. "It's not like that has anything to do with our date tomorrow!" Realizing her slip, she blushed bright red as her hands flew to cover her mouth.
"A date!?" Minako squeeled.
Thoughts?