A Distant Memory

The first meeting

After a restless night of rolling around in bed wondering whether I'd find new inspiration or not I finally woke up. I rolled back over, my light brown hair falling over my eyes, and sighed. You'd think someone who's been painting his whole life would be able to find inspiration in almost anything. Rolling onto my back, I thought of how much I envied the commoners ability to find joy in the simplest of things. Though they're beneath me, they still manage to make a mockery of my talent.
After roughly ten minutes of deciding whether to get up or not I finally managed to sit up and look around. On my right I saw cups filled with dirty paint water sitting on my bed stand. They had been sitting there for god knows how long. I stood up and slid on my slippers, careful to not let them get caught on the ends of my pajama pants. Despite my efforts the plaid patterned pajamas got caught on my foot. I grunted as I shook them off and made my way to the kitchen.
"Edgar you've finally woken up, hurry now your breakfast will get cold." I turned to see that my maid, Merida, had already prepared breakfast for me. As usual, I sat down and she took the lid off the platter, revealing a tray of the same thing I always eat. Eggs, toast, and a bowl of fruit salad were arranged in their designated spots of the tray. To the side of the bowl was a cup of sweetened green tea and two forks. "You know, Merida, you always make the same thing. Have you ever stopped to consider the fact that I'm tired of being fed the same shit every day?" She looked at me, shocked. Whether it was from my foul language or me being snappy once again, I couldn't care. "I'm so sorry master I promise it wasn't my intent to upset you!" She paused for a moment before speaking again, "You know your father wouldn't appreciate hearing you speak as foul as that." I raised an eyebrow at this remark and thought to myself, A lowly maid is trying to speak back to me? "You should remember who you work for Merida, unless you want to be fired I don't recommend speaking back to me." She scoffed and walked away towards my bedroom, I assume she's going to clean it but I can never trust her. "Merida wait until I leave to clean my room!" I called after her. In all truth I just didn't want her to go into my room while I was here, the thought of someone else seeing me being uncleanly disgusted me. I sighed as she walked back towards the living area to begin cleaning.
Once I finished my fruit I looked down at all the other food. My appetite hasn't been very strong lately so I got up and headed back to my room. I looked on the walls along the hallway to see hundreds of pictures. I took interest in one specifically as I saw that my family picture had one head carved out. I grinned and opened the door to my room. Bloody hell it's a mess in here. Canvases and paint spread themselves over the floor, only a small walk path remained towards my closet. I walked towards my clothes, careful to not step on any of the unfinished works. Pulling open the closet door I saw all my capelets and button ups neatly hung. Next to them were a few other suits, jackets, and plain T shirts. I grabbed the red capelet and my button up and looked down at my dresser. On top of it was a stand of assorted berets and ties. I opened one of the drawers and grabbed my usual pair of black jeans. I quickly took off the pajamas I'd been wearing for two days and dropped them to the floor. Just as quickly as I took the pajamas off I slid my jeans and button up on. After I finished buttoning my shirt I grabbed my capelet and threw that on as well. Grabbing my beret, I walked into the bathroom that was connected to my room. I looked around for a few minutes before realizing my hairbrush was in the drawer in front of me. I chuckled at my own stupidity as I brushed my hair and put it into the usual low ponytail. I put my favorite red bow on it and then put my beret on. I looked up at the bathroom mirror and stared at myself. Will I find inspiration among the commoners? I had been holding back on the idea ever since my first trip to the cafe. I figured it would be fine to just sit there and paint but everyone always stares at me. Whether they're staring out of admiration of my talent or hate for my position, I'd never ask. I left the bathroom and grabbed my boots. The one on my left foot was much taller than the right one. I find it a neat touch of style but my father doesn't agree with me. After lacing them up I grabbed my art bag full of medium/small canvases, paintbrushes, pallets, and other various art supplies and headed down the hallway.
"Master, It's only morning time where are you going?" I turned behind me and saw Merida staring at me. Ah hell she's gonna try to tell me to stay isn't she. "Just a walk so I can find something to paint." She perked up, it was obvious she knew I was lying but as she's just a maid there isn't much she can do about it. "Hmm, alright. Remember to stay safe sir." Her voice was monotone and she frowned, perhaps she had finally realized that she's powerless. Once she walked away I turned back and stepped outside.
The cold wind hit my face as soon as I shut the door. Despite the wind protesting that I go, I continued walking to the nearest cafe. I looked around as I walked and observed everything around me. The city was loud, the sounds of cars and people filled my head as I kept walking. I could hear many people, the majority of them were complaining about the weather. I thought to myself, Shit, I should've grabbed a jacket it's freezing. The cold made the bag I was carrying feel ten times heavier than it actually is. My arms were aching as I constantly switched which hand was holding the back but I continued further. I looked down and saw a small cat had been following me for who knows how long. "Oh my, hello there little one." I crouched down to it and smiled. It's beautiful white fur was soft while I pet it. "Are you lost?" Instead of answering the cat simply rubbed itself around my leg. Last time I went here I saw another cat and since then I've carried small cans of tuna for them "Here you go." I said as I popped the lid off and set it down for the cat. The cat licked me and then happily ate it.
"Well she certainly likes you." I heard a voice speak behind me and jumped, startled by the sudden noise of someone else. I looked around and saw a man standing at the gate of the house I was stopped at. His hair was a beautiful shade of brown, darker and shorter than mine. When I looked close I could see his hair was also tied into a short tight ponytail. "Oh my I'm sorry sir was I blocking your path?" He chuckled after I spoke and then crouched down to me and the cat. "Sort of, but I'm more interested in whatever you're doing here than what I was about to do." As the stranger said this I realized my cheeks and nose were growing red. Though I knew it was from the cold; he probably thought I was embarrassed. "Oh I was just stopping to feed the cat." I paused for a second and then spoke again, "Is she yours?" He smiled, revealing a pointy right tooth and spoke, "Not technically but she does hang outside my house all day." I smiled softly and then he spoke again, "So where were you headed?" I raised my eyebrows, surprised that this stranger was interested in talking to me. "Why does it matter?" I questioned sourly. "Ah, sorry did I say something wrong?" He stood back up, obviously disappointed at my bitterness. I stared at him for a few seconds before deciding that he was trustworthy enough. "I was just headed to the cafe so I could paint." His frown quickly turned into a smile once he heard my destination. "Really? I was about to go there to get some breakfast but I'd love to accompany you." It took me a few moments to process what he was proposing and then it hit me. Is this guy seriously trying to flirt with me? Even as a child I've had difficulty understanding social cues. Though I was certain that's what he was attempting to do I decided to ignore it and accepted the invitation. "Fine, but don't touch any of my supplies." I stood back up and he playfully put his hands up, "Alrighty sir, absolutely no touching from me." I pet the cat one final time before we continued to walk together.