n

n

nNot long after, Emilin was back at the studio she had been at just yesterday.

nThe lobby was the same as yesterday's, yet it felt somewhat different.

nPerhaps it was because it had been packed full the previous night, but it left Emilin the impression that it was missing something.

nIt was more spacious, more desolate.

nEmptier.

nEven the walls felt whiter.

nThere was just Lico, still at the front desk.

nLico was looking at Emilin intently as if trying to figure something out with no results before putting up his polite receptionist smile.

n

"You're here early! The boss has already told me that you would be coming, asking me to inform you to head to the second room on the right side of that corridor,

" Lico had a smile brighter than usual, probably due to the amazing meal they had just eaten the night before.

nOr perhaps something else entirely.

nEmilin hummed, going in the direction she had been told, knocking on the designated door.

n

"Come in!

"

nA male voice sounded.

nAnd so she did.

nInside was Mason's office.

nEach wall was filled with various clippings of varying magazines, photos of different models in differing scenes wearing different clothes and even with a simple glance, there wasn't one that failed to amaze the greenhorn novice.

nEmilin's eyes widened, finding each photo more stunning and captivating than the previous.

nShe walked into the office, looking around without making a sound, but Mason could tell what she was thinking just from her reactions, especially when her gaze landed on his display case.

nThat was where he kept both his awards and the photos that got him those prizes.

nThere were trophies, both big and small, awards that ranged from the regional level all the way to some internationally recognized competitions, with each shelf holding a different picture.

nAll in all, there were just around a dozen.

nThis was his office in Opaque city after all, though he came here quite often, this wasn't his main studio.

n

"I have these here to remind myself of how amazing I am,

" Mason said from behind Emilin, who was staring at the contents of one shelf in particular.

nA small, palm-sized trophy next to a photo of a woman of pitch-black skin, and no hair in sight. There was not a flaw on her smooth skin and the light accentuated her dark full lips and pretty nose.

nThe background was blurred, and in the end, there was a single thing that popped out more than anything, even the woman's outer countenance, which was already shockingly beautiful enough in itself.

nAnd that was her amber eyes that shone like gold.

nThey looked like they could see through you, peer into your mind, and look into your heart through the photo.

nAbsolutely stunning!

nAmidst all others, this one caught Emilin's eyes instantly.

nIt was only later, that she noted some other details, such as the white greek chiton that adorned her body, used as just that, adornment.

nIt was clearly not the focus of the photo, nor was it meant to be, nor would it ever be able to become the focus, at least not with the presence of this woman in it.

nThat piece of cloth clearly looked like silk, as valuable as any other garment found in ancient times used to dress the most beautiful of the emperor's women, yet somehow, in this photo, Emilin couldn't help but feel like it was an eyesore.

nNot in an inappropriate way, but rather as if this piece of cloth, or any other piece of cloth for that matter, wouldn't ever be able to do her any justice.

nInstead, Emilin imagined this very same woman, with these piercing amber eyes that peered into one's soul, clad in heavy metal armor.

nThe most beautiful piece of armor that would shine with her brilliance, contrasting against her at the same time to accentuate all of her beautiful flaws.

nThe more she thought about it, the more Emilin felt this photo to be unsightly, yet she wasn't able to peer away from it.

nSuddenly, she felt as if this single adornment ruined the whole ascetic of the photo in question.

n

"What do you think?

"

nEmilin had been staring for an abnormally long time, at least in Mason's eyes.

nHe wanted to know just what she thought about it, though he had heard many compliments over the time, so much so that it became a little repetitive, having lost its original taste, it still wouldn't feel bad to hear some praise once in a while.

n

"An eyesore,

" her clothing was an eyesore.

n

"Hah?

"

n'You seemed to be staring quite intently young lady, you can't say such blatant lies without blinking like this.'

nThough there were bound to be critics in this world, this was really the first time someone had said just a thing to his face.

n

"Her clothes, they're annoying.

" Emilin clarified.

nShe nearly said that they were a disgrace before toning it down.

nBut that clarification didn't do anything to help Mason.

n'???'

n

"Could you elaborate? Do you like the photo or not really?

"

nMason couldn't tell.

n

"The photo is captivating, magnificent, even my unqualified vision can tell that it's one of a kind...

" Emilin's voice trailed off a little.

nShe didn't know how to explain it, but she just felt like there was so much clashing in this photo.

nThere was this dominating fierceness, yet it was as if someone was trying to force some mellow elements down her throat, anything but pleasant. But that didn't mean that Emilin could turn away from the resulting sparks.

n

"I don't know how to explain,

" Emilin concluded.

nAnd in the end, Mason could only brush it off as well, though such confusing words left a sour taste in his mouth, it wasn't as if he could force her to talk.

n

"Shall we start talking about business then?

" Mason moved on from this uncomfortable topic, but if he had the chance some other time, he would ask again.

nMaybe then Emilin could give him an answer.

nThey both moved from the display case and then to the office table, making themselves comfortable in their own seats.

nIt was also then that Lisa came in, offering some refreshments.

nMason sipped on his coffee, which Emilin rejected since she had already had some earlier that day. Instead, she drank some warm water.

n

"We didn't have a chance to talk about what we were supposed to discuss yesterday since things cropped up rather spontaneously, but seeing as you are already all the way here in Opaque city, I am assuming you are taking me up on my offer?

" Mason asked without a questioning tone, well he had good reason for being quite certain.

n

"Ah, yes.

"

nEmilin was a little short of words...

n

"Then we can work according to your schedule for the following week seeing as Owen and Margo's side will take a while longer, after that, however, I'll have to put my focus on them so I won't be able to work with you, I hope you can quickly set a suitable date.

"

nMason, Owen, and Margo had already gotten familiar with each other over drinks last night, not to mention Mason was in fact older than the other two, but not by a significant margin either.

nThey were still from the same generation and age group so they weren't lacking in things to talk about despite walking completely different career paths.

nThough Emilin found the word choice 'set a suitable date' quite strange, she quickly theorized that he meant that he would take one day out of his schedule to teach her the ropes.

n

"If it's okay with you, I would also like to watch from the sidelines while you are at work,

" Emilin added a condition.

nMason didn't think too much about it before agreeing, even if she watched, Mason could make sure things wouldn't leak through various measures.

n

"For how long?

" He asked back.

nThough he could allow for the models to watch every once in a while, after a long period of time, it could become inconvenient.

n

"For as long as I am welcome, I would like to learn as much as possible.

"

nEven though they were in fact talking about two separate matters, that didn't seem to affect the coherence of the conversation.

nIt wasn't unnatural for a newbie to learn from the seniors in the industries, only, though Mason was thinking that Emilin was trying to learn more about the modeling industry, praising her for being resourceful in his heart, Emilin was really talking about learning from Mason about photography, inwardly praising him for being kind-hearted, willing to let her watch even though they barely knew each other.

nThe two of them were really in two different ballparks, one playing basketball and the other baseball, both talking about how pretty, round, smooth, and hard the balls were thinking that they knew exactly what the other meant, not knowing that they weren't even in the same playing field.

n

"We can talk about that later, you can come for as long as you would like, but you'll have to stop whenever I tell you it's no longer convenient.

" Mason was quite strict when it came to this matter apparently.

nHe came off quite strong, but Emilin didn't mind too much.

nIt was only normal that he would call the shots since it was his studio, not to mention that she was the one taking advantage of his kindness, he was letting her watch him do his thing, which was already good enough.

nThey continued this conversation, which was going as smoothly as ever, each one of them in their own worlds, not knowing that the other hadn't gotten a word of what they meant.

nBut not for long.

n