Ashlynn and Nyrielle lingered over the meal, savoring not just the food but the comfortable intimacy of eating together, and sharing the fruits of their collaborative labor. The fire crackled softly beside them, and the room was warm with more than just the heat from the hearth.
When the last of the dishes had been set aside and Ashlynn had arranged them on a tray to be carried away when she left in the morning, Nyrielle rose with a smile that held a hint of mischief.
"Now," she said as she moved to one of the large trunks in the room, opening it to reveal several trays of neatly organized art supplies. The trunk held everything from brushes and pigments to blank canvases of various sizes. There were even jars of oil and turpentine, along with palettes and rags, all packed away neatly in exactly the right place. "I believe it's my turn to teach you something."
"You're going to show me how to paint?" Ashlynn asked as her eyes widened with delight.
