'The tickets were free...' You reminded yourself constantly as you walked through the exhibition. Within the off-white gallery and cold lights were paintings strewn across various walls. If you could call them that, actually. They were as if someone threw paint from the bucket onto a piece of cardboard and called it a day. What type of excuse is "modern" for art? Modern never meant better. Just newer.

As you rounded the corner, you expected to see something bizarre. Perhaps buckets full of sand stacked, falling to symbolize... fuckin' government? Honestly, it was baffling what excuses they could come up with.

But no. No. You saw one of the most beautiful paintings of your life. A vibrant and mellow flower field, peaceful and calm. A few clouds in sight, the sun hanging high in the sky; a perfect day. But there was this... shadowy figure centered in the flowery meadow. Shrouded not in the exquisite summer day but its own shadow. And despite its appearance... it seemed sad.

Alone.

And for some odd reason, it stuck with you. For about ten minutes you'd been off staring at this piece. You were entranced by this art. That was until someone pulled your attention away from it, that is.

Pivoting, you saw a woman with brown hair in a neat, high ponytail. Her features were soft, displaying a smile at your behavior. Proud, even. The paint stains on her hands and a smear on her cheek told you all you needed to know. She created this.

"I'm Yu Bachira... the one who created this painting. Is it to your liking? How's the backdrop? Shadowing? Can you see the-" Yu caught herself, finding that she may have come off as irritating. She coughed to clear her throat as if restarting the entire conversation.

"...Sorry about that. It's a lil' habit of mine." Yu extended her hand, dried paint scattered around it. "Can I have your name? It's been a while since I saw someone so genuinely caught up in my work. It's flattering, really."