Peace of Mind

[berri]

His handstand brought back a few memories that she became determined to keep to herself. Granted, Berri had already admitted fully to having no sense of balance whatsoever, but the last thing she wanted was him laughing at her for something he had not even seen himself. Her last attempt at a handstand..well, that had ended with quite a few weeks worth of embarrassment. Needless to say that fact alone made her smile at the ease with which he seemed to perform the little maneuver.

A tiny hint of concern tinted her face when he raised one hand, but in a matter of seconds she could see he knew what he was doing, and her expression returned to one of awe. His following string of information was something she had to concentrate in order to memorize, but it was not all that hard considering he was both telling and showing her at the same time. When he finished the girl grinned, practically half skipping over to give him a hug.

"That was very awesome! And with only the floor and one bench..I'd probably have to take notes if you had anything else around here to use." She let out the signature, bell-like laugh before letting him go and taking a step back again. It was then the girl realized she had forgotten to ask the most basic question; "How long have you been skating, anyway?"

[Eric]

Tony smiled knowing he could make someone happy with something so simple to him. Then she ran and embraced him. It was a little unexpected but he hugged her back and waited for her to let go. He laughed at her little joke. Then he smiled as he heard her laugh, something very comforting to him. He would have to make her laugh more often. Then she finally let him go. He played around with her by breathing a little heavy after she let go. Tony replied to her question. It was an easy one anyways. "Ummm, well. I think about lets see. Since I was four so that would be twelve, no, thirteen years. Never quit. I love it so much, with a passion." He rubbed his board softly and embraced it. "So enough about me, what about you? What is your passion? What do you love to do? What are your hobbies?" He was very eager for an answer but waited patiently.

[berri]

She was a bit surprised to get a hug back, but not disappointed. He was warm, and it made her feel a little better. Berri playfully stuck her tongue out at his mock-panting. She knew she had not really squeezed him too hard, but it was still fun playing along.

"Wow, thirteen years? No wonder you move like you've had that board your whole life..you practically have." The girl smiled, thoughtfully tilting her head to one side while she set her hands delicately on her hips. Snow had begun to fall again despite the still remaining sunshine. The little swirling flakes were beautiful in her opinion, but she did not want to keep him waiting for an answer just so she could watch. "Well, I do like to draw..but I don't usually share my sketches with anyone. I guess I'm too nervous."

[Eric]

Tony looked at the snow falling ever so slowly and gently to the ground. "Well I havent had the same board all my life. They do snap eventually, especially if you pull big stuff. My board usually lasts me anywhere between a month to 3 or 4 months. Then I just get a new one and skate it. I actually still have all my past boards in my room. I've kept every single one of them." He smiled a warm smile and then was concentrated on the snow again. It fell so slowly. I wish I could fall like that, he thought to himself. Imagine. Me skating and I have that much airtime as I fall through the air like a feather. Now that would be awesome. His thoughts were interupted when Berri replyed to his earlier question. "Well I am not much of an artist myself. This is my art," he shook his board in his hand. "This is my passion that I will never give up on. I love it. But I do like interesting pictures. You dont have to show me your sketches but I would be glad to look at them. Put it this way. I showed you my talent so you can now show me yours." He grinned at her but had a hint of pleading in his eyes. Tony really wanted to see her drawings.

[berri]

She laughed as a sudden similarity between their two arts struck her, and only after a moment of fanning herself did she manage to stop. "Oh, I'm so sorry..I'm not sure why that was so funny. I guess because I thought we were so different? What I mean is that seems odd considering I run through a pencil in about the same amount of time."

Berri lightly scratched the back of her neck, cheeks tinted a light shade of red after her rather embarrassing fit of giggles. She thought for a moment, obviously taking into consideration his pleading eyes, but there was nothing she could do..or was there?

"I don't have any of my better drawings with me, but, " The girl started, fishing around in her many pockets for some folded scraps of paper. In the end she produced three drawings, obviously done while she was out and about since they were on photocopy paper and not sketch paper. She unfolded the first one to reveal a close up detail drawing of a swallow on a tree branch. How she had even gotten close enough to capture the details was a mystery only she knew the answer to, but Berri passed that picture on to Tony for his critique.

[Eric]

Tony watched very intently as she pulled a few folded pieces of paper out of her pocket. As she handed it to him, he snatched it before her hand had reached him. He wanted to see very badly. He eyed the drawing, amazed. He loved it. It was so very detailed and it was awesome. Tony wondered to himself, How did she get this close to draw this? He pushed the thought out of his mind and almost yelled, "This is awesome! You are very good at what you do. I love it. How long did this take you to draw, anyways?" He set his eyes back on the drawing still amazed on how very detailed it was.

[berri]

Her face burned, turning about four different shades of red. Of course people had always insisted she was an excellent artist, but they were her friends, and friends did have a tendancy to make you out to be better than you were. Hearing praise from a newly met stranger was certainly a little boost in self confidence.

Berri figured she would not get away with merely showing him one, now that Tony knew she had a couple more drawings with her, and so she handed him the other still folded papers. One, if unfolded, would reveal a bouquet of stargazer lillies and lavendar, perhaps even baby's breath flowers as well. It was peculiar, but made for a beautifully composed drawing. "Well, the bird..let's see I started at.." She held up one hand, counting across noon with her fingers, "Two ..no, an hour and a half. You have to sketch fast to draw birds." Her third and final drawing was of a strip mall, buildings lining either sides of the page. It was incomplete, and the sketchy undefined couples and families walking across the paper looked more like fading ghosts than real people.

"I'm sorry I don't have any of the good ones with me."

[Eric]

Tony sorted and unfolded one of the drawings that she handed him. It was a little thrift store with a few unfinished people walking around. It was an awesome drawing in its own way. Then he unfolded the other one to find a glorious boquet. Very beautiful, in its own unique way. Tony folded all the drawings back up and handed them back to her. I love your drawings. And what do you mean by none of the good ones? They are awesome. Are you saying you have better drawings, just not with you?" He looked to her now curious about the topic.

[berri]

She took the slips of paper back, sliding them back into her pocket. "Well, these are only rough sketches. They have minimal shading, no real backgrounds, and the focal points aren't very refined. I have fully finished pencil drawings at home, along with a few color pieces, but I don't like the colored ones as much. I like the ones at home better because I took more time on them, I guess."

The girl paused in her speech to think before smiling curiously up at Tony again. "Thank you, by the way. I'm glad you like them."

[Eric]

Tony looked at her a little confused by her small speech. "Ok, I dont understand what even half of that ment but I am guessing your saying you have better drawings. Thats awesome. I wish I could see them. I want to see the extent of your drawing. That would be cool." He looked down at the ground for a moment, thinking on what else to say. He could only come up with something simple. "Your welcome." And that was all he thought of. He waited for her to change the subject or say something else while he looked down at the ground.

[berri]

The girl grinned sheepishly and apologized for confusing him. Most of the time she did not explain at all for that very reason, but at least he did not seem angry at being confused. Berri slid her cell phone out of her pocket and flipped it open to check the time. Once she had it, the electronic device went back into her pocket.

She smiled up at him again, considering he was taller, and set one hand on her hip. "Tell you what. Why don't I treat us to some hot chocolate before I have to go to work, and then maybe sometime soon I can show you my better drawings. How does that sound?"

[Eric]

He made a little crooked smile. "Ok that sounds good. But if we are going out to get it, then I pay." He kept his grin on his face as he looked around. Tony knew most of this town by heart so he knew the best places to go. But she offered so it would be her choice. He looked back to her and said, "So, do you have a place in mind?" The grin stayed on his face.

[berri]

Berri raised an eyebrow playfully, leaning towards him with her hands on her hips. "Are you trying to be chivalrous?" The girl grinned, leaning back away from him again. "I would rather you at least let me help you pay, but I'm not sure I know you well enough to know how far I would get in an argument over that." She folded one arm across her stomach, resting the elbow of her other arm on that so she could tap her chin.

"Well, there is this small little corner shop..I can't remember what it's called. They always have a little chalkboard menu sign in the window with a flower border. It's almost cottage-looking..do you now which one I'm talking about?"

[Eric]

He looked at her, a little puzzled. "Umm, I dont think I am trying to be chi-chi-chivalrous." He struggled with the word until he got it right. "I dont even know what that means. I just would rather pay. Its just one of those guy things that I have to do or I dont feel right." He looked at her a little embarrassed this time. Then he looked to the direction of the corner shop she was talking about. "Yeah I know where your talking about. Its just down that way a little." He walked off in the direction of the cafe, knowing she would follow.