The university encouraged students to fully immerse themselves in their practice. They were granted the privilege to join an atelier, or, for further advanced students – they could rent a fully equipped personal studio. Studios were available on a 24/7 basis so students could stay overnight if they so desired, whilst ateliers were run on shifts for both day and night classes. 

The last class for the night had only just concluded, and most students were already making their way out the door. Ayan removed his apron and folded it neatly, charcoal streaks strewn over his arms and face from where he had absentmindedly touched it. He glanced at the other two remaining occupants across the room – Lyra hovered next to their lecturer, a broad grin on her face. Whilst he didn’t wholly approve of her pursuit, he had to admit he was impressed by her dedication. Returning his attention to his own affairs, he gathered up the multiple sheets of paper around him – charcoal sketches of a figure with no face on each one. He pondered talking to Lyra before he left but figured she wouldn’t want to be interrupted in her attempts to become Adina's tail. He settled for leaving her a text that he would be staying on campus tonight. A slight smile crept onto his face as he pulled out the business card he had received earlier today, twirling it in his fingers. Confidence and excitement ran through him as he made his way to his studio. After all, he couldn’t disappoint his mentor now, could he? 

The click-clack of heels against the tiled floor resounded loudly through the empty hallway at night. A silver-haired figure made her way, stopping to check that the doors were locked and the lights switched off. The school adhered to strict security measures. These classrooms held works that students poured their all into, and they were given utmost attention and care. Lyra trailed closely behind her, both hands filled with materials they had used for their class earlier. Her eyes followed every step Adina made, never once gravitating elsewhere, a slight smile on her face. 

Having completed her patrol, they made their way out of the building and across campus to the faculty housing. She paused at the entrance, finally turning her attention to the person behind her. 

“You can give me those now” came her voice low and soft as she motioned to the materials in Lyra’s hands, her face expressionless and eyes cast down.

“No, I insist I'll see you to your door,” was Lyra’s retort, a playful grin on her face. Her eyes focused on the red tint creeping across Adina’s ears illuminated by the light above them.

“That’s inappropriate!” Adina’s response was curt and louder than she intended it to be. 

“How is it inappropriate?”  Lyra stressed the last word of her question. And although she wasn’t looking, Adina could hear from her voice that she was smiling. “I'm just helping my teacher bring her materials back to her room.”

The red on Adina’s ears had stretched across to her cheeks. She swiftly turned and stormed inside, ignoring Lyra’s laughter as she followed steadily behind her. Passing the main lobby area, they made their way to the stairs. Lyra cast her eyes on the figure in front of her before averting her gaze. They ascended the stairs to the second and top floor of the building. 

Walking to the last unit, Adina pressed her ID badge to the sensor on the door. 

“I'll leave your things at the entrance,” Lyras voice broke the silence that had settled between them. Adina’s hand on the door paused. 

“I don’t want to intrude.”

As Adina opened the door and hurried inside, Lyra stepped into the entryway, placing the materials on the lower shelf of a console table to the side. As she set down the last item, she rose and turned to bid her farewell but paused at the absence of someone to bid it to. She could hear distant footsteps coming from another room and figured her welcome had long been expired.  Sighing, she turned to leave, calling out behind her as she opened the door.

“Have a good night,” came her voice, her tone the lowest it had been for the night.

“WAIT!”

Adina shouted, and there was a sense of panic in her voice. Nevertheless, Lyra didn’t need her to repeat. With widened eyes she promptly closed the door and stood in the entranceway, making her presence known.

“Ok I’m waiting!”

After about 15 minutes of her curiosity boiling over, Lyra heard footsteps shuffling towards her, and Adina appeared once more. Her hair was now loose over her shoulders – thick, curly tresses that bounced as she walked. She came to a halt in front of Lyra, shoving her hands towards her.

“Here!”

Stunned, Lyra looked down – in one hand Adina held a takeaway cup with the tag to a tea bag hanging out, whilst the other held a small bag of biscuits, golden brown in colour.

“Thank you for your help tonight,” Adina spoke softly, “I don’t have much to offer you. Have a good night.”

Lyra held the back of her hands briefly before gently taking her offerings. And as she looked up at her for the first time that night, Adina heard and saw the blooming smile on her face as she returned the gratitude.

____________________________________________________________________________________

A figure fleetingly made its way through a forested area. They moved with agility, weaving easily in between the trees. The figure, a teenaged boy in simple robes, slowed his gait as he exited the forest, and the path opened up to a wide expanse. The bright shine of the midday sun revealed a large village. Small, circular, wooden huts with thatch roofs sat sturdily on each side, lining the area. Young children ran wildly, chasing after each other and screaming with delight. He greeted the older teens and adults he encountered as he moved past each hut. In the centre of this village was a large area encircled by small stones, tall wooden posts stood erected around it with torch heads. Crossing the centre, he made his way to the last and largest house in the village. Unlike the others, this structure was rectangular in shape and featured a small front porch. 

“Bibi! I’m back!”

He pronounced loudly as he entered. Walking through the main hall, he made his way to the back of the house. Sat cross-legged on a straw mat was a woman, small and stocky in stature, her hands quick at work shedding ears of corn. Her hair was a sleek black, combed neatly into two long braids that stretched to her waist. Without looking up at him, she pointed at a large heap of unshed corn still in front of her. He quickly made himself comfortable next to her and joined in the effort. They sat in comfortable silence, working rhythmically until two large baskets were filled – one with the shed corn and the other with the husks. With rapid movements, he put both baskets away and returned to her side, an excited smile on his face. 

The woman chuckled and stretched out her hand. Fumbling with the sackcloth pouch at his waist, he pulled out a jagged piece of stone – a bright shade of amber and the size of a baby's fist. 

“This is beautiful Ayan.” Holding it up to the light, the woman marvelled, her voice was smooth and gentle. “What do you want to make with it?”

"A pendant! One just like mine,” he responded, pointing to a small, round disk of gold with a hole in the middle that hung around his neck. 

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously, “Who are you making this for?”

Laughing sheepishly, he avoided her eyes, “It’s a secret!”

“It must be someone important then.”

“It is” he agreed, his expression soft and voice tender. 

Sighing, she relented, “Fine, fetch me my tools and I’ll help you carve it.”

Beaming, he launched up and hugged her tightly in gratitude before running off to gather the tools.  

As he stirred awake, Ayan realized that he had unintentionally fallen asleep. Sprawled over his work desk, he rose and stretched his sore back. Reaching for his phone, he noted the time – 4:00 am, an hour had passed. Opening his memo app, he jotted down the details of his dream. He was familiar with the youth's mother, a stern woman who led a disciplined lifestyle but was as loving as her husband in her actions. He didn’t need to guess who the pendant was for, but the colour of the stone as the light reflected through it stayed in his mind. It reminded him of something. Pulling out his sketchbook, he quickly sketched it before shifting his attention back to the piece he had been working on all night. 

A tall figure stood in front of him, one hand outstretched and the other comfortably at their side. The folds in his robe were carved delicately. He traced the outstretched hand with his fingers, the details so fine they seemed life-like, but the cold touch reminded him that it was nothing more than stone. Staring at the still blank slate of marble that should have been a face, he sighed. He didn’t think he would make any further progress at the moment. Shedding off his apron and the safety goggles that were still snug atop his head, he packed away his materials and climbed the stairs to the loft area of the studio. Plopping onto the twin-sized bed, his mind drifted back to the colour of the stone, pondering its familiarity. As he drifted off to sleep again, the answer came to him. A pair of eyes that colour had stared at him just earlier today.