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Prince Dream Rose
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“Well, your illusion magic fades away, right?” I say. “Art sticks around. And it takes focus. Humans respect people who can draw well. It’s very impressive. Have you seen what a skilled artist can do?”
Dotti blinks. Her eyes glimmer, and she suddenly glances to the floor. “Yes, I have. It… It was nice. I wish I could draw like I make illusions, you know, from the heart?”
Landi suddenly sees what I’m getting at, and she bobs up and down affirmatively. “Yeah! It’s really hard! And it takes a lot of practice. And concentration. Deep, quiet concentration far from me.”
“Do you know how to draw?” Dotti asks.
“Not very well,” I say. “But it’s important to draw what you see first, then you can draw from the heart. What do you want to draw?”
“I want to draw people,” Dotti says firmly. “Nice people. People that make me happy.”
“Then draw people,” I say. “I’m sure the adventurers here will let you draw them if you ask nicely.”
“But they’re all gone!” Dotti says. “Who am I supposed to draw?”
“Not it!” Landi declares.
“Oh, come on, Landi,” I say. “She can’t harass you if she’s just drawing.”
“I doubt that,” Landi says, but she seems to consider the idea. “What if she wants to draw me naked? Or worse, dustbusted?”
“Why would I want to draw you naked?” Dotti gags. “I can think of a hundred people I’d rather draw naked. Wait, Serah- is Landi making fun of me again? Do humans draw each other naked for fun?”
“Yes, but you can’t just walk up and ask someone if they’ll get naked for you,” I say. “People will sign up to model for new artists. They get paid.”
“Yeah!” Landi says. “They have jobs. Unlike some foxes.”
Dotti sticks out her tongue.
“Well, I have some time before I have to get back to the lab,” I say. “You can draw me.”
“I can?” Dotti asks, beaming up at me. “Thank you!”
“Do it naked!” Landi cheers. “Send sexy pictures to your boy toy from poker night!”
“Landi! Shush!” I wave my hand at her. “We do not talk about rumors like that where people can gossip!” I sigh. If word got out about Franklin… no, it just won’t get out.
“Do models have to be naked?” Dotti asks.
“No, they don’t!” I say, exasperated. “Landi is being ridiculous. But yes, models can be naked. From what I understand, a good artist has to understand how poses work, and clothes get in the way sometimes.”
“So drawing naked people will make me a better artist?”
“Well… yes.”
Dotti looks up at me pleadingly.
I walked right into that one, didn’t I?
“Fine,” I sigh. “If you’re really interested in being a good artist, you can draw me naked if you really want. But only if you mean it, and promise not to use your drawings to bother Landi. If you’re drawing in your sketchbook, that means you’re NOT bothering Landi.”
“I promise!”
“THANK. YOU.” Landi breathes.
I am the best party leader.
Maybe, just maybe, if Dotti is good enough, I might have something for Franklin…
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