The most beautiful lady in Spain [Hyde]

Hyde was staring at the painting for quite some time. It was like a vortex of red that he found himself falling in side of. “…..” He didn’t quite understand why he was drawn to something as simplistic as a color, but he thought the painting was really nice. “Oh….” Hyde blinked a few ties and rubbed is eyes before looking back at Nagisa. “Sorry about that, I was just… thinking about something. Just the texture of red reminded me about the color of my cape. It all brought back a few memories. Not to say I’m not fond of them, but I wasn’t expecting to be reminded of them. Something so…..” Hyde would say before turning to the picture….” Familiar……ever had the feeling of déjà vu before? Even if it’s something that shouldn’t be familiar? Based off of that feeling alone?”

Nagisa examined the painting once again, she wondered why it had such an effect on Hyde, sure it was an interesting paint with a fine choice of colors but still. He spoke about it bringing back memories of his cape, both good and bad. Perhaps Hyde also had similar experiences like Jack and Blaez, the alternative worlds were savage places and things didn't always go as planned there. She placed her arm on his shoulder. "Art is a mean for someone to express their feelings. Perhaps the artist felt the same thing you're feeling now. That's the point of art, it's meant to inspire and to remind us of things we might have forgotten, I think that this painting is inspiring you as well." She said, she would have asked him about the memories it brought to him but it wouldn't be possible to expect an honest answer while they were surrounded by so many people.

Masahiko was still conversing with Shunnosuke when he realized that his fiance would be looking for him. The boy in frond of him didn't seem particularity seemed to care about business, at least not at the moment, but still gaining a friend from a powerful family could be beneficial. "Then I will make sure to send you an invitation since you have so much free time, it would be a waste not to take advantage of it." He said as he grinned to the younger man. "Now if you excuse me, I have to take care of some business, it was a pleasure talking with you mr. Kurosawa I hope our next meeting wont be as brief as this one." He added before he politely left the future heir of the Kurosawa family and went looking for his fiance.

Inspiration…right….. maybe you’re right. “ Hyde took the time to think about what Nagisa said. Before he could say anything in addition to that, Shun was back. “ Oh Hey Shun, did you have a nice talk with Nagisa’s brother?” Though the accusations made him scratch his head a bit. “Well, I could kind of tell by the tone of your voice and mannerisms that you was going to be flirtatious in some way shape and form, so I figured that ill let you too chat and look at some paintings. See?” Hyde would say as he point at the painting. This one is like….swirls of red. I couldn’t stop staring at it at some point, I was talking about it with nagisa. “ Though this gave Hyde an idea. “How about you two show me a painting that speaks to you the most. I know you have one in mind..right? “Hyde would say as he a friendly smile.

"Ah pardon me for abandoning you but my brother tends to be rather talkative when he meets a person for first time, especially one that fascinates him so I didn't want to disturb you." She apologized before she turned her attention back to Hyde. She didn't think much about Shunnosuke flirting with her brother, after all Masahiko knew how to handle that kind of conversation easily, he was truly a person Nagisa aspired to be. "I like your idea Hyde, but I believe I have already found the painting I like." She said eager to change the subject. "Do you see the one over there. The one with the black figure of the ballerina dancing in the white background. If I could buy a painting then this would be my first choice. Look how delicate she is and how she fills the painting despite her small frame. It's absolutely gorgeous"

Hyde gave a sheepish smile when Shun continued to deny the fact that he had been flirting with Nagisa’s brother, whose name Hyde already forgot for some reason. Ok, so maybe hyde didn’t forge, it’s more like he registered his name is “nagisa’s brother” in a literal sense. After the two showed the paintings that they were fond of in the room, Hyde’s eyes narrowed at each one. “ They say that in a painting there’s a little bit of truth to the person that’s attracted to it that they share in the illustration. Though I just made it up, I don’t know if it’s true or not. “Hyde would give a friendly smile as he started “critiquing ” off if his statement. “So from Nagisa’s pick, was there ever a point that you wanted to be a ballerina? Admire them? Went to see the nutcracker when you was ten?”
Afterwards Hyde turned to Shun with a devilish grin. “Ahh, from what I think of your pick. It could be a man whose identity true is hidden from society, as the blurred images from the background is nothing more than the basic instruments of my lifestyle or the world he’s in? Or on a smaller term, he’s posh and handsome like you are, he’s currently surrounded in his element, hypothetically speaking, like you are, and he has a mask on, but I’m not sure about the last part. “Hyde would say with a puzzling look. I wouldn’t consider you as acting, because you get like this sometimes and you enjoy who you really are, or learning to day by day. “Afterwards, Hyde laughed it off. “Ok, maybe I’m not much of a critique person after all. But I guess this painting can relate to all of us, in our current society, we all have a mask for what we want to hide, right?

Nagisa was shocked by Hyde's sudden brilliance, she didn't expect him to form such a kind of speech. Has she ever wanted to be a ballerina? Perhaps she did when she was taking ballet lessons back in middle school but the most important critique wasn't the one he made for her choice but the one he chose for his friend. Unlike Nagisa Hyde knew Shunnosuke well, she wasn't sure how close they were but the friendly teasing made it clear that they were on friendly terms, perhaps he also knew about shadows and the alternative worlds but Nagisa wasn't going to take a chance with that. "Wow...Hyde you are more clever than you look. I wonder if you were always hiding this part of yourself or if it's the party and the rich people walking around who inspire you. Either way I'm impressed." She replied as she felt a smile forming on her face.

Hyde blushed and rubbed his head when Nagisa complimented him. “Well I wouldn’t say all that. Guess there is a rare occasion when it happens I guess. It’s just as much as my personality as everything else id like to say. Some parts of your personality are more dominant than most, if I acted like that more, I think I would be a different person. “ He didn’t know what to say when shun brought up th masks part. “Not at the moment, no. This smile is real, and I’m enjoying my time with you two. It’s usually in uncomfortable and cringe worthy situations where it’s a bit forced, it started to give me migraines so I think I might stop doing that. But yes, I have one too, but no mask is the same as everyone else. Maybe my envy? There are some things that you guys have that I don’t, like a family. There is no chance to run into them randomly either because I’m not from this world. I came from a portal… maybe my frustration when things dont work out with others, as much as I would want them to. I’m just saying that right now, I don’t need one ” Hyde would then put another cracker in his mouth and bite.

Nagisa wasn't sure how to feel about Hyde's words. He couldn't mean that he was actually from one of the alternative worlds, could he? It must have been a metaphor or something, still she couldn't ignore it perhaps she ought to ask him later about it for the moment she decided to stick to the masks dilemma and she had a lot to say. "Most of us a liars, I know I am. I can't even remember how many times I faked a smile or pretended to like a person I loathed. However, there's something that I have made sure to keep my own sanity and not get caught in my own spiderweb. I'm honest with myself, many people here don't even realize that they are liars, they find excuses and craft stories in their minds. In the end they believe it themselves and that's when things turn sour. Wearing a mask is important for success but it's equally important to know when you should take it off. Without realizing Masahiko appeared to Nagisa's mind, she couldn't help but wonder if her brother failed to learn this lesson, was he unable to separate his mask from his true self? She always feared that this could happen.

Hyde shook his head and smiled. “Nothing important Shun, I was just rambling about the past and stuff like that. I guess another story for another time.” He then looked at Shun and Nagisa and had a mischievous grin. “Lets do something fun, maybe we can a few sips or two of the wine since were here in this fancy party. Things might even get interesting afterwards. “ Hyde never tasted wine before, so this might be a pretty good chance as any for him. “Sounds pretty fun right? Up for it? “

"Yes let's do that. It doesn't hurt to try new things from time to time. I will be an adult next year so I don't there's any harm in tasting some wine." Nagisa replied glad with the turn of the conversation into a more light subject. Serious topics were nice to discuss from time to time but they could easily turn awkward or embarrassing, especially since she and Shunosuke had just met for first time. "Come I'll lead you the bar I'm sure that since we are dressed like that they wont even realize that we're still in high school. What about you, Shunosuke? Are you going to join us?" She said to the other boy. He has been friendly so far but, considering where they were and how people of his status usually behaved, his friendly smile could be an act.