The tools of my trade. The best thing about working up here is that nobody "borrows" my stuff.
My tools.
I can only think of two things more depressing than a blank canvas.
Emma's really good with the holosculptor, and her imagination is so vivid. Good thing we're best friends, or I might be jealous.
It's Emma's contribution to the exhibition. I have no idea what it is, and neither, apparently, does she...but it looks absolutely beautiful.
Those are some of my most recent sketches. Unfortunately, they serve only as a barren testament to my lack of inspiration.
The fruits of my labor amount to...absolutely nothing at all.
Death and taxes.
It's a beginning. A beginning of what, I don't know. But it's a beginning.
Strange... It almost looks as if my painting has changed since the last time I was here. The colors are more vivid, more real... It's still got a way to go before it resembles anything, though.
Some books on color, composition and...duck hunting? Hmmm.
Those sketchbooks belong to some of the other students who share this space.
Acrylic and oil paints.
These sinks are as old as the building itself, but at least they've been renovated quite recently.
Art books, mostly. I've browsed through all of them, looked at the pictures, but I'd much prefer to see the paintings in real life.
I'm way past finger painting. I need a paintbrush and palette.
Nah, I've done enough damage for one day.
The old woman...Lady Alvane, was it? She said something about using my craft to focus my powers, to learn how to open a Shift at will...
I guess it's worth a try.
Who's there?
Oh...kay. That was not a dream. I think.
Saved by the bell...again.
I'm like the Incredible Hulk, except my powers only work when I'm scared silly. That's the second time I've opened a Shift by instinct alone when I've been in mortal danger.
The frustrating thing is, I still don't know how to do it when I'm not scared. Wait...didn't the old lady say I should use what I do best to focus my talents? Is running away really what I do best?
Come to think of it, why did the Shift dump me here? I wasn't even thinking about the studio.
Not today.
I'll just leave my brush and easle here before I go.
Hiya.
Yeah, from whom?
Believe it or not, girlfriend, but it's from Cortez.
Excuse me?
He said to tell you that he wants to meet you -- these are his exact words -- "where children visualize their dreams".
What's the message?
Believe it or not, girl, but it's from Cortez. He wants to meet you -- these are his exact words -- "where children visualize their dreams".
I really hope it's not from my Mom.
Not even close, girlfriend. It's from Cortez.
Cortez?
Yup. He said to tell you to meet him "where children visualize their dreams".
Did he say anything else?
Nope. That was it. Why does he wanna meet you? Oh, don't tell me -- you guys are having a secret love affair!
Oh yeah, we're eloping and flying to Africa tonight. It's all been happening...so fast! My heart's a flutter!
Ah, how romantic. I couldn't imagine a better catch than ser Cortez, the Latin lover.
What was that message again?
Cortez said to meet him "where children visualize their dreams".
Did he talk to you about nightmares?
No, why?
I don't know. It's just...my dreams are really starting to bother me...
There you go again with dreams. You're obsessing, April. They're just dreams! Sometimes a banana is just a banana.
(laughs)
Cigar.
Cigar? What do you mean, cigar?
Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. Not a banana.
What-ever. The point is, you're reading too much into your dreams. I'm sure they're perfectly logical.
Even a talking dragon? Is a talking dragon logical?
Especially a talking...dragon? You had a dream about a dragon? Okay, that's not logical, that's just silly. Still, this ought to be interesting. Go on..
And a dragon is just a dragon?
What's dragons got to do with it? Oh, don't tell me, you had a dream about dragons.
A dragon. A talking dragon.
I'm gonna regret this, but...what happened in your dream?
Do you want to hear about my dream, or not?
Sure, go on, like anything I say could possibly discourage you?
Even if there's a dragon involved?
Especially if there's a...a dragon? You had a dream about a dragon? April, that's pretty sad. Was it...a magical dragon?
It was a talking dragon.
I think that qualifies as a magic dragon. You know, I can't wait to hear this.
Well, there was a dragon.
I think we established that already. You had a dream about a dragon.
Not just any dragon, though. A talking dragon.
Yup, we been through that. Talking dragon. Covered. What did it say?
She. It was a she. A female dragon.
What, you could tell from the skirt, high heels and lipstick?
Don't mock me, Emma. She said something to me...something about being the mother of the future...
She probably said "time to get up and go to school, April".
If you don't want to take my dreams seriously, I'll just stop telling you about them.
Is that a promise?
Like you're in any position to make fun of my dreams. Have you looked at your sculptures lately?
Oh, that's low. I'd punch you out if I wasn't so hungry. You wanna go get some lunch at the Fringe?
No, I'm not that hungry.
I'll think about it. See you later?
Sure! Bye!
I'll drop by after I clean up around here.
I'll be there for a while, so...bye!
I don't think so. I just don't have any appetite.
You really should eat something, April. Today's special is tortellini, so think about it? I'll be hanging out there for a while.
Did you eat anything at all today?
Here, I scribbled it down for you.
Thanks.
Me neither. Are you busy?
Emma? Hi! I didn't expect to see you here today.
Nah. Well, I am, but I was about to wrap up for today anyway. Why? What's going on?
I have an important message for you.
"...visualize dreams"? What's that supposed to mean?
Me? I was hoping you would know.
