City of Love and Lights

His hair finally dry, Matthew sauntered out from the glass doors of the Institute of Sports, his soggy swimming gear in a bag over his shoulders.
With a smile on his face, he brushed his hair out of his eyes and gently placed his earphones into his ears and switched on his MP3 player, a bright and happy tune crackling to life in his ears.

Just a snazzy, snappy little song of romance that he loved.
Feeling satisfied, he strolled through the streets, smiling at just about everyone who cast a glance at him.

Ciera was walking down the street singing ordinary day softly to herself when she accidently bumped into a boy. "oh no i'm so sorry," she said quickly collecting herself.

Matthew, who was quite lost in his music, barely noticed a girl in his path until the two bumped arms.
"Oh, I'm sorry." He apologised, removing his earpiece and placing it back into his pocket. Politely, he smiled to the young lady.

"I really must be more aware." He apologised once more, this time grinning widely, gently reaching for his pocket to switch off his music.

"oh [Hair-raisers, Batman!]!" Ciera muttered as she caught sight of her pad in a puddle. the first drawing was soaked but otherwise fine. "oh thank god, that gave me a near heart attack," Ciera muttered before turning toward the boy. "sorry, i was just looking for inspirations for my drawings," Ciera murmered looking at the ground.

Matthew watched as the young woman quickly rescued a book of sorts from a muggy puddle, tilting his head a little in confusion.

"You're an Artist?" He asked, somewhat mildly intrigued. He'd heard of Artists picking themselves up off streets, but he never really expected to meet any in person. Sure, lots of his Uni friends were taking Fine Arts majors, but that didn't count.

"Yes, do you want to see some of them?" she offered shyly.

Matthew thought over it for a second or two. His next course was in a couple of hours, he had plenty of time to stop and socialise with this stranger. Why not?
"It'd be a pleasure." He grinned merrily.

They were still standing in the middle of the footpath, with people idly brushing past them. There was a little Cafe just down the road, though.
"How about we sit down somewhere?" He suggested, looking at the passing people who seemed a little annoyed.

"okay, wanna sit on the bench, or we could go get something to eat at the cafe first," Ciera suggested.

Matthew quickly glanced around at the passing people before coming to a decision, a broad grin spreading across his face, as per usual.
"Why don't we get a bite to eat?" He suggested.

When he thought about it, he was actually a little tired and quite hungry. That particular swimming session had proven exhausting, but fun.
"There's a Cafe just down the road, over there." He pointed vaguely down the street were a dainty corner cafe was positioned.

"sounds good," Ciera said as she walked with him toward the cafe.

Matthew walked with the mysterious artist to the cozy Cafe tucked away inside it's hidden nook in the world, just upon the corner of the street.
As the two walked inside, a Waitress smiled sweetly and seated them at a table by the window, where the bustling city could be seen roaring by.

Matthew set his bag down on the floor, sitting back against his chair.
"So, your an Artist then?" He asked curiously, smiling politely.
"And, might I ask of your name?" Matthew added, as was proper courtesy.

"I'm Ciera, and yes i'm an artist, i usually draw from life so alot is of my late husband, Nick," she said blushing realizing how much she was obseesed with her dead husband.

Matthew nodded, watching the girl blush upon the mention of her 'late' husband. Dead. Poor fellow, he thought.
"May I see some of your work?" He asked, smiling brightly.
The subject of death was often a touchy one for most people, and Matthew didn't particularly feel like provoking tears for the poor young lady.

Ciera smiled and handed him the sketch book. "yeah go ahead," she said smiling brightly he looked almost exactly like Nick and it almost made her happy, she didn't feel like her smile was plastered.

Matthew opened up the young Artist's book of workings, watching with growing interest as the drawings gradually grew in wonder and mystery with every page he flipped through.
There were a significant number of one man in particular, whom he guessed was this 'Nick' the girl had been talking of. A light-hearted smile on the Man's face sent shivers down his spine as he noted the Artist's ability to capture the joy and life of an apparent moment onto mere paper.

With a smile, he sped through to the nearest blank page and set the book down in front of the young Artist and whipped out a pencil from his pocket.
"You're good," He mused, grinning warmly, "Would you draw something for me?"
Matthew offered the pencil to the girl, q quizzical look in his eyes, but a smile on his lips.

ciera smiled softly. "sure just stay like that," she said taking out her pencil and beggening to draw. she started with the booth making sure she had the exact lines and size of it then the portion of the table in front of him making sure to draw the scraps left that the busboy left. she then moved to his hands so pale, so fragile and delicate looking as she moved up from his arm to his sleeve before doing his entire shirt. Short, fadded, everything about him gave her a sense of peace. "I knew nick would never lie," she thought a smile coming through as she did the part of her pants that she saw. before doing his head. He had firm cheekbones that could be spotted through his partially tanned sking his gentle smile and inquisitve eyes made him hard not to like as a friend. "he's a player, anyone with those looks has to be," she thought trying to dismiss the warmness she brought to him. "here, tell me what you think," she said signing it like usual and handing it to him.