Portrait

With each stroke of the pencil on the paper came another wave of mild frustration. It was either one thing or another- her eyes were off, something was crooked, or she pressed the graphite too deep and now it was difficult to erase. But such was the learning process. Loralei, despite being immortal and lacking the true need of a degree in anything, still possessed that very mortal yearning to find a purpose or calling in her life. So in efforts to narrow whatever that was down Loralei found herself picking up more electives, constantly dropping in and out of various courses offered at the academy. Thus far, she could properly say that art like this was not her strong suit.

With a grumble of a simple ‘shit’, Loralei crumpled up her third attempt and started over. Maybe she was just having a bad day, or simply didn’t want to do the assignment. Whenever that happened her will to perform well was decreased sufficiently, as she would go on to do whatever else she wanted. But no. This time, she wasn’t going to give up. No way in hell, because now she took it personally like the paper or pencil had it in for her. She would have gone and taken a break (aka skip the period and work on this on her own time) but at least she wasn’t alone in rebelling. The girl next to her, whom she had talked with a bit during periods, had too decided eff the rubric and go as she pleased.

A cyan glance was cast to her paper, and with it came a chuckle in her voice. "You kidding me? As long as you’re being quiet and not eating the damn paint like that kid over there teach will at least give you a B." Loralei laughed as she began her pencil strokes once more. For a lot of students it seemed this class was a joke. It was one of the few that allowed students of any and all grade levels to participate, even college students such as herself. Chloe’s art on the other hand went leaps and bounds over hers. Even if it wasn’t accurate, in terms of the subject now. "Looks good though. Can’t wait to see her reaction with it." Now that would be worth her time. Despite her joking Loralei did see a bit of a deeper meaning… Or, at least, had interpreted as such. But the genie shook that thought off. Her picture was being irritating again, as she couldn’t get that one line right… Gah! She sighed, shaking her head before looking at her again. "’...Man, how do you do it?"
​

Practice. Go figure. Unlike her magic there was no shortcut or easy way. It was years of buildup and some talent that created a good artist. Like Chloe. She did at least follow the assignment somewhat and use her face to model the creature’s… To which had Loralei concerned slightly. Hopefully that wasn’t what she saw herself as.

Nevertheless Loralei kept better vibes going. No need to make this class boring and awkward. She listened as she explained how she got her skills to be this way, and became relieved when she said that she was just making a statement. Getting a reaction was probably a perk. "Bet so. But hey, at least it makes the class more bearable, right?" She chuckled, as she began to sketch the outline of her own features. A little bit better this time. So, she was right. A little practice seemed to do the trick. But as the two worked on their individual projects, that question buried in Loralei’s mind began to resurface again. This time, it was harder to ignore as the details fleshed themselves out on her paper. Plus, Loralei was a curious individual, and it was getting harder to not ask the inevitable. So finally, that intrigue got the best of her as she leaned in to ask her a question.

”That’s not supposed to be you, is it?” She asked, before looking back to her own paper. ”If so I think you’ll totally throw off the teacher. She’d never guess it was supposed to…. Not like it matters, like I said.”
​

Initially, the hint of a frown touched her face. Was this what she thought about herself? Was there something she didn’t know? Well, Loralei honestly just knew what she observed when they chatted in classes. She hadn’t hung out afterward school with her before, even though she was someone she considered friendly towards. When she did bring this up though Loralei possessed a sense of confusion mixed with intrigue. There were all sorts of people who were different here, so much so that Loralei never really noticed unless someone pointed it out. Even then, she shrugged it off. Just like pretty much everything else, honestly.

"Well, can’t argue with that. You’ll definitely get an A then." She chuckled as she thought of her own previous attempt. While Chloe looked like a modern Van Gogh with her art style, Loralei could barely maintain her deformed sad potato art. Even too Chloe had a backstory and purpose behind her own piece. All Lori could do was give her a bravo. "Well now ain’t that something." She mused, thinking about what she said in a pensive tone. "And I gotta say, that’s probably pretty relatable to a lot of people." Her silver-toned shoulders shrugged as she continued to sketch. "Even me. But I just try to shake it off. The people who mind don’t matter and the people who matter don’t mind. Or some shit like that." She smiled a bit, hoping to at least lift up her perspective a bit in terms of the statement she made in her artwork. Loralei herself had some experience, and though it took a bit she lived with confidence. She hoped the other would find that as well in her future.
​

"Ah." Loralei stated simply, as Chloe explained her motivations behind her artwork. While Loralei usually was aloof to these sorts of things with other people, she came to like her classmate. And honestly self doubt was something she wanted most people to avoid if possible. A lack of it is what got her this far. "Just making sure is all. And if anyone tries to mess with you tell me so I can slug 'em." She smirked, holding a fist. Thing was she wasn't kidding.

Soon though she lowered it, and went back to her artwork. Honestly though, Loralei didn't see why she thought of herself this way. Loralei looked different, too. Not in the same degree, but she wasn't at all like the way she was born. Her thoughts though were interrupted by her confession. To which, Loralei found herself chuckling.

"Damn if you don't sound convincing enough." She admitted, before glancing up to look at the teacher. Who was merely reading a book, not paying attention to the class. "I wish I was more creative with creating excuses for my work. Guess it's because I didn't have a basis in reality for them. The art of the Bullshit was a hit or miss for me back in grade school." Her hand grazed over the paper to outline her thick mass of black hair. Nuisances like this made her want to chop it off, but she ultimately decided against it. "If I had my powers back then things would be a little different... Oh well." She muttered to herself, louder than she anticipated.​

Her powers? Well, that was a question that often brought a grin right across her face. After all, it was her profession, her passion, and what allowed her a lot of opportunities. As well as strife. "Ah, no problem. Happy to answer." Now, whether or not she'd believe her was the next question. Then again, she might go along with it considering that in actuality they were both supernatural, it seemed.

"I'm a jinn, or what westerners dub as a genie." She looked at her, smirking. "I can make things appear out of thin air, cast illusions on others and myself... Oh yeah, and grant wishes." Her hand put down her pencil as she raised it to make a small cloud of smoke in her palm, akin to the color of her skin. It floated in a small aura above her skin. "I don't necessarily need a wish to grant things, though." Soon she whisked her hand, which in turn caused the mini cloud to turn into a single white rose. To which she placed against the ledge of the easel. "So as you could imagine, it makes my life a hell of a lot easier."

With that white elephant addressed, she was now curious of her. Or, she had been before. But now she had an appropriate time to ask just what she did. "What about you? You have any powers?" Loralei asked, before lifting the rose to turn it into a pencil. Just so she could keep sketching as she was prior.​