Apologies for the Troubles [Crafting/Artisan/Solo]

[Eniko]

Eniko has a lot to do for this week. Not only he just temporarily changed his crafting subclass to Artisan, but he also spent the whole yesterday just to buy art supplies just to make some paintings. While he wanted to use his drawing skills other than creating maps to earn some gold, he wanted to make up for what happened with Ren by making a birthday gift for his mother. After what happened back in Windsor Greatwood a few days ago, he felt he should help the young boy out with his gift after what he been through being kidnapped by an Iron Golem-like monster. And with the budget he currently have, he knew he can't stay in an inn forever. He need a house or else, he will be sleeping at the streets.

Entering the workspace he reserved just for this, the first thing Eniko had in mind was to work on his drawing and painting. It has been a while since he drew and ever since the Catastrophe, he didn't have time to draw since he was busy on leveling his Assassin and Scribe class and feared the results will be low in quality unless he sharpened up. To started it off, he decided to work on landscapes, which he usually love to draw as he pulled out the canvas he just bought and started sketching the basic shapes he needed with his pencil. The concept for his first painting was a forest on Windsor Greatwood, which he can able to memorized the details since he visited there the whole time.

As he drew on curved lines, circles, and other shapes, Eniko visualized the forest clearly, as if he was in the Windsor Greatwood hiking around to train. This allowed him to draw more details despite he was still in a concept stage of his painting. Regardless, Eniko knew he felt like he was drawing with his parents once more. As he saw the whole sketch, he then said, "Looks like a good start. Good thing my drawing is still okay. But I'm just getting started." Retaining his cool and determination, he started sketching in the details of the forest for his painting, which he will call it, "The Light of the Greatwood".

INGREDIENTS: Level 1 Canvas

CRAFTING PROGRESS: Painting (The Light of the Greatwood) 1/?

WORDS: 376

GOALS: To work on his drawing and create a painting just for Ren's mother's gift.

NOTES: As you can see, it took place after Hiding Rescue. So... That's all I can say...

[Eniko]

After he sketched most of the canvas with trees, bushes, and other details, Eniko put down his pencil and pulled out some paint, now ready to paint his first painting. The first thing he did was to mix some random colors for the painting since he wanted to find the right shading and color for it. As he prepared the paint, he remembered the first time he painted with a help from his mother as the first time he did, he often gotten messy with the paint due to his inexperience. But as time passed, he managed to master it along with his drawing skills as it turned into a hobby of his. But after what happened after his parents' passing, he didn't have time to paint and instead sketch whenever he was feeling down about missing them. But now, he was able to paint without his step-parents pressuring him about the studies.

"Okay, that should be the right colors." Eniko thought as he put the mixed paints onto his easel and started painting on his sketch. "Now I should paint the background first. A clear blue sky and a sunny background should do." He then used a sky blue on the background while he carefully stroke them with his thin paintbrush. He knew the key of any painting is to paint the background before the details so he can work on it's details first. After that, he painted the clouds the top of the trees next with a combination of white and grey paint and painted the sun with orange and yellow paints. He then stopped after he painted them so he can check for errors. And upon taking a closer look, he noticed some paint that crossed his sketch lines, much to his dismay. "This is gotta be a lot tougher than I thought. But it's a good start though." He then took care of the mistakes he made by rubbing them off with tissue and after that, he then started painting the tree trunks with brown paint.

INGREDIENTS: Level 1 Canvas

CRAFTING PROGRESS: Painting (The Light of the Greatwood) 2/3

WORDS: 341

GOALS: To work on his drawing and create a painting just for Ren's mother's gift.

[Eniko]

Still painting the tree trunks of The Light of the Greatwood, Eniko tried his best on keeping it realistic while correcting errors along the way. And after he painted the base color of it, he moved on painting the shadows with darker colors, which he thought out where the light should shine on in it. As he continued to paint, he heard a knock in the entrance, which the door opened to reveal Ren, now curious and worried about Eniko. "Uh, sorry for interrupting you... I'm just worried that you haven't started on the painting." He sheepishly said as he twiddled his thumbs while he looked at the young Assassin painting. "Don't worry, I won't mind." Eniko said to his Lander friend as he continued working on the shadows. "So what are you doing here anyway? Aren't you supposed to be in your home by now?"

"I can't wait about the painting you've promised. Tell me you're working on it." Upon he heard his voice, Eniko knew he can't wait about the painting. "I haven't started on it yet. I still need to work out my drawing and painting skills before I'll start on the present. I know it will be not perfect, but I can't let you give your mother's present that is very messy." His words are true that although his paintings will be amateurish, he didn't want a low quality and messy painting as a present. Eniko wanted the painting to be very loved as this was not only his present for forgiveness, but as a present on Ren's courage on sticking by his side no matter what. "I see, I'll wait in here so I can see it. Plus, I want to know what you are painting anyway."

Then finished with the tree trunks, he switched to the leaves of the trees and bushes as he dipped his paintbrush with green paint before he said, "I'm painting Windsor Greatwood on a positive side. Despite the forest has some dangerous monsters, at least I have to show the beauty of it." As he continued painting, Ren looked closely at it, which he was awed at the said beauty of the painting despite Eniko's first time on painting something. "Wow, I can't believe you can paint like that, Eniko!" He said in awe, impressed at his work.

"I learned it from my parents before they passed away from my old world." Eniko said as he moved on painting the shadows of the leaves. "They often let me draw the trees, animals, and even ourselves to express my feelings. And despite they are not here right now, I know they're still with me in my heart as long as I keep drawing." Ren not only became surprised at how he learned drawing and painting, but he was also surprised that his parents passed away, which saddened him a little. "But, are you sure you're okay being alone? Without your Mommy and Daddy, I mean."

In truth, he wasn't alone after the accident before the Catastrophe. But he disliked his step-parents on pressured on becoming something he didn't like as well as not allowed him to have friends. But he can't tell to a young Lander like that, not until he reached his age, though. "It's okay. Besides, I still got some friends, including the Adventurers and People of the Land I've met like you." And as he made the ground and the final touches of his painting, Ren became touched at what he said. Despite he didn't have his parents anymore, he still got him and the others supporting him without losing the memories and love from his parents. "Thanks, Eniko. You're the nicest Adventurer I've ever met."

"You're welcome, Ren. And speaking of which..."

He then wrote the name of the painting and his name on the bottom right of the painting with his thin paintbrush before he put down the brush, which he now managed to finish his first artwork. "There. "The Light of the Greatwood"." Eniko declared to his Lander friend as both of them stared at the finished painting in awe. "You know, it would be great on my house. If I can only afford a house." Ren became confused at what he just said, which the Assassin decided not to talk about his living problems right now since he was still 12 and telling him that would be awkward. "Uh, never mind what I said. Now let's work on that birthday present."

INGREDIENTS: Level 1 Canvas

CRAFTING PROGRESS: Painting (The Light of the Greatwood) 3/3 (Complete!)

WORDS: 748

GOALS: To work on his drawing and create a painting just for Ren's mother's gift.

[Eniko]

As he brought a new canvas, he started to sketch a new drawing, this time a rough draft of Ren and his mother. As he continued to sketch with his pencil, Ren then became curious at his new painting as he remembered his promise after the golem incident. Yet he was more curious at Eniko's personality. Despite he looked like a scary kid, he somehow has a heart to help out others and return the favor. And volunteered to help him for his mother's present just to apologize what happened. And when he saw his determination over working on the painting, he wondered how he managed to never give up in anything, including where he protected him from the monsters.

Then when he finished working on the rough draft, Eniko then thought about his mother's appearance. He did met her before, she was the one who asked for his on helping him in finding Ren. This actually a good move for him. If he refused, Ren would have been killed and after what happened to one of the tomb robbers, he knew there was no way to revive him. Luckily, he was not the type to say no and his determination and courage managed to save him at last. Not only that, he made a first Lander friend ever since, so he really wanted to make this a perfect painting to make Ren's present feel very special to his mother. Speaking of Ren, he realized he haven't got a name for this painting yet and what better way to decide one was to ask him. "Ren, this painting is for your mother's birthday gift, right? How about you decide on the name of this painting then?"

When he knew he wanted him to name it since he wanted to give this painting to his mother, he thought about this for a few seconds before he said, "How about "To My Guardian Angel"? Because she often protect me everyday?" Eniko smiled at that name, which he knew it was appropriate since he cherished his mother a lot and she returned her love to him just like his parents. "That sounds perfect." With that, he started on the details of portraits of Ren and his mother hugging each other.

INGREDIENTS: Level 1 Canvas

CRAFTING PROGRESS: Painting (To My Guardian Angel) 1/?

WORDS: 377

GOALS: To work on his drawing and create a painting just for Ren's mother's gift.

[Eniko]

After he finished his sketch, it was time for him to paint, which Ren asked him not to paint too dark so he and his mother can see clearly. Eniko gladly accept his request. If he didn't, his mother might not able to see his present what he can expect. As he started to paint Ren first, Eniko then asked, "Ren, other than playing with your friends you've mentioned, what do you do before I got in this world?" Ren was surprised at his question, which he thought of the Adventurer as a quiet boy. But nevertheless, he decided to answer them for his sake. "Well, um... I often help out on my mother on some chores. I also tag along with her on shopping for food."

"Well, what about your father? Where is he?" Ren then became a little worried about that question as he said, "He... He left us with another lady." Eniko became a little surprised at this. Does that mean his father left him with another woman? That must be very hard for Ren to endure that revelation. "I-I'm sorry to hear that, Ren." However, the young Lander nodded "no" and said, "No, it's okay. He didn't like me back there anyway. He always shouted at me whenever I asked him to play with me. He even punched me whenever I begged him to stop fighting with my mother." He understand what he had been through. In fact, it reminded him of a certain Adventurer who've just told him of his same situation as Ren's. The main difference to them was that it was not as severe as that Adventurer's.

"Mom on the other hand stayed by my side and she promised not to leave by her side anymore. She didn't broke that promise that day and I want to give her something in return." Eniko smiled at his gratitude to her mother. He didn't left by her side back then and she did the same for her son as she desperately asked anyone's help when he was lost during that day. It's because of this that he will work hard on the painting. And speaking of which, he started on the shading for Ren in it.

INGREDIENTS: Level 1 Canvas

CRAFTING PROGRESS: Painting (To My Guardian Angel) 2/?

WORDS: 371

GOALS: To work on his drawing and create a painting just for Ren's mother's gift.

[Eniko]

As he continued painting, Eniko continued his conversation to Ren while not losing his focus on it, which he learned more about the Landers' hobbies, friends, and anything he learned, something that didn't have back then due to his step-parents. In return, he told him about his own hobbies back in his old world, more about his parents, and his life back then. With the first part of the painting done, he moved on with Ren's mother when Ren himself asked, "So Eniko, how did you do those awesome moves back there when you saved me from those bad guys and that monster?" In Eniko's honesty, he only learned it due to this world's system similar to Elder Tale's gameplay. Yet, his knowledge of similarity of the system that he played on RPG video games and his accidental discovery managed to let him fight efficiently despite his lack of experience due to the Catastrophe.

"I don't know, I wasn't a fighter back then. I only learned how when I arrived in your world. In fact, I was supposed to train my fighting skills until your mother asked me to find you. I wanted to treat that as my training, but your safety was the only thing I ever think of." It was true, he wanted to train to level up, but he didn't want Ren to be killed or worst. He didn't want to see death in this world, even if most of the population, namely the Adventurers cannot die. That's one of the lessons his father taught him, to never abandon someone in need nor someone in danger. "It was an intuition that you're in danger, but I never knew it would come true. Still, I was able to respond to your mother's need of help back then."

Ren smiled in gratitude at what Eniko's thoughts are for that event. Instead of training himself on that day, he postponed his plans just to save him. This made him idolized the young Adventurer as he finalized the painting. "Yeah, thanks again, Eniko!" Then, an idea has struck on Ren's head. After a few minutes, Eniko sighed with relief and said, "Done. Your painting is ready, Ren. Give this to your mother before her birthday is over." The Lander then thanked him for his hard work as he accept the painting from him and to Eniko's surprise, the young Lander gave him some gold in exchange for the painting. "Uh, I won't accept these. I just did it as an apology for what happened to you in the past."

"It's not that. It's my thanks for what you did for me. If you haven't saved me, I didn't survive and met you back there." Eniko smiled at his kindness as he unknowingly shed his tear. It was the other way around. If he haven't accepted his mother's help, he wouldn't met Ren right now. Because of him, he made a friend he can be with from now on. "No, I should thank you, Ren. You helped me by being my friend and that's the thanks I should get." Ren smiled back at his words as Eniko noticed his tear and wiped it off. "Thanks. But don't worry, you should keep the money. Mom will give me some tomorrow as my allowance."

After that, the two parted ways outside the station as Ren waved him goodbye to Eniko while promised him to call him again if he needed help before he left with the painting in hand that the Assassin made. And as Eniko waved back, he realized something. This world based on Elder Tale isn't what he imagined when he realized this. The People of the Land are like them and just like them back in his world, if they died, they died for real. And with that revelation, Eniko realized his goal that he was searching for and that is to protect the Landers from harm as they are now real people to him and the other Adventurers.

INGREDIENTS: Level 1 Canvas

CRAFTING PROGRESS: Painting (To My Guardian Angel) 3/3

WORDS: 668

GOALS: To work on his drawing and create a painting just for Ren's mother's gift.

NOTES: And with that, thread complete and Eniko just found his new goal!