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He wasn't shy in the least, but he also knew better to look a Haka full in the face when they were paying attention. He'd been taking curious peeks when he was sure it wouldn't be easily noticed ever since he hadn't been snubbed or laughed at for his explanation of collecting colors. It might seem quite pathetic to those outside of the art world, and he'd been laughed at before for things like collecting weeds for a pale green. Now that he was given express permission, his blue eyes slowly swerved to rest upon the smaller form, followed by a soft dusting of pink against his cheeks. That was quickly gone, of course. He was supposed to be the escort here.

"I love art," Were the words that snaked from between his lips almost immediately. "Honestly, if I didn't the paint wouldn't be half as nice. As you've seen, collecting some of those colors isn't the most becoming task. I could certainly sit behind the counter in the shop or be haggling over prices in the market instead." He paused, checking his tone in this to make sure it hadn't sounded spiteful. Alright, it was fine. "I... appreciate art, though I don't always get to see as much as I'd like. If I was working in a profession other than art, I don't think I'd be quite as useful. It seems hard to produce anything good without any inspiration behind it; I'd get bored." Well, how was that for bold? Maybe he stepped a little far with that and, now that he was allowed to, he was checking Reizo's expression for sign of annoyance. Had that answered the question? That and more, perhaps.

Oh, good, the excess answered hadn't seemed to perturb Reizo. He paused at the other's glance down the side-street. "Do you want to go that way, Akimatsu-sama?" He offered before he'd answer the question.

"I... have never really thought about it, actually. I suppose I could have done something while I was out collecting, but I never really have. I don't have materials, and my mother keeps a log of everything sold. It's not as if I get paid to buy anything either- all the money I might make goes to him and my family. I can sketch, but I haven't been able to practice. If I'm not collecting -which are on rainy days like this- I'm making colors, dusting, or carrying in imported materials. I guess.. I always thought making things that would make someone else's art possible was my art." He shrugged slightly. "I'm more of a critic, I guess."

And he was damn honest about it, too, should he have the chance to say something.

Did he mind being a support? A soft, bass note stirred in the back of his throat. Laughter? Strained to one note so he didn't make a scene of himself. Now, what sort of a question was it to ask a Gehaka? He was amused, of course, and had managed to compose himself, passing a rare smile Reizo's way. "I don't crave any sort of fame or distinct recognition, if that's what you're asking. Not all of the things painted with what I've made are all that great," Like that one he'd passed earlier... "Seeing things made possible by what I have done is its own reward. When I see a painting that has done my paint justice, that's all I really need. It's like a private joke, I guess you could say, and I don't need to share it with anyone else to make me feel better. I like art, so I enjoy contributing to it." Another shrug, as if he were trying to pass it off as no big confession.

That was true. Like how Kei refused to waste formalities on Gehaka when they were on the same social standing as he, and only used the bare minimum with Haka. He minded that sort of thing, but it was never as if he truly meant or committed to it. If he could get away with being disrespectful or casual -he was almost the latter at the moment- he usually seized the opportunity. You didn't tell a Haka that, though. Gehaka weren't the smartest, but he at least knew that. Besides, it didn't seem like a bad idea to stay on the good side of one of the family members of the best, well-known galleries around.

There was silence, which Kei upheld for a bit while he observed a blush he might have just imagined cross Reizo's face. Then, characteristic of his bold nature that had been reassured by this pleasant-enough conversation, he offered a question to the musing artist. "Do you like art as well, Akimatsu-sama, or is it just something your family expects of you until you are own?" Now that was rather out of place for him to ask, but he didn't apologize should Reizo not notice. If he was reprimanded, be most surely would, though, and return to submissive silence.

Kei nodded his head slightly, the arm that did not have to stay firm for Reiko to hold onto relaxed. He felt better, for some odd reason. That was pretty much his own thoughts of art- if you had no real devotion to it, it'd be a waste of time. The Gehaka was silent from then on, leading them both along the street and taking paths free of puddles even if it was a bit more time-consuming to do so. That was the only question he'd really wanted to ask, and now that it had been answered, he could go about being respectful and whatnot once more. How close were they to their destination now?

The Gehaka also remained silent. Even if he didn't want to be respectful, he'd still have nothing appropriate to say. The store caught his eye as well and he had to really work to keep from looking forlorn. Gehaka were supposedly the more emotional of the two, after all. Would he get to take a peek in the gallery or would Reizo just wave him off at the door? He had no business in being in such a fine gallery, right?

He might have just walked in long ago if it were just any old shop, but the high paranoia of being banned from a gallery was what kept him content with just trying to take peeks when he walked by. Maybe later his mother might send him there one day, and if she did he didn't want to be regarded in that shop as a pompous -or maybe an unlearned- being that needed to have an eye kept on him.

As they neared the entrance, he glanced towards Reizo and slowed his pace, wondering what would happen next. His eyes lowered, however, just in case someone inside happened to notice that he looked the Haka square in the face -or what he could see with the artist's head turned.

Ah, yes, shame on you Kei. The Gehaka tipped his chin slightly at the chiding look as if apologetic, black hair spilling over his face for a moment. Really, his eyes had widened significantly for a moment and this was an effective way to hide it. They were going in? He got to go in? The collector pinched the inside of his cheek between his teeth to compose himself. "Yes." He agreed in a tone that was openly subservient, his next step putting him back into a normal, steady stride.

He successfully kept his fingers from trembling when he reached out and touched the door frame of the shop, but he was really quite elated. He tipped his head back to glance over his shoulder, as if looking for some unspoken danger at their back, before he faced forward again. Wings tightened just a bit as he stepped in, eyes sweeping the gallery almost hesitantly. Kei inhaled slowly as he began to take everything in, trying to keep up an image of nonchalance even though the corners of his lips twitched in a threat to betray him. Now they were in the shop- what more did the Haka have for him to do? Trying not to seem as if he weren't paying attention to the other, he lowered his eyes again, digesting what he had glimpsed so far.

His restraint was good enough, being that he was a Gehaka. Of course, most of the time he chose not to exert it... Kei perked slightly as the command was given, receiving it wordlessly and without motions to signify he'd even heard. However, when the Haka began to walk, he followed behind, glancing around for signs of other life in the gallery with his eyes only. He wasn't given too long to inspect the paintings but if he was disappointed with it, he didn't let on. After all, when he left he could always walk slow enough so he got enough of an eyeful to satisfy him.

The sitting room was glanced over as they passed through, but given not a second thought when he could tell what sort of room they were to enter next. He only got a quick glance at the sketch before he remembered his role and lowered his eyes to Reizo's feet. Coming to a smooth stop not too far from the Haka, he stood still while awaiting further instructions and did his best to keep his eyes from wandering. The question as to if Reizo wanted something more of him was already answered. Truthfully, he'd expected to be sent away a little while ago. Asking what his new task was was pointless- he'd know in a moment, perhaps.