Duo slammed down the paintbrush in his hand. The midnight blue paint splattered everywhere—on his black shirt, the easel, the couch, everywhere. The young man that was handsome in a dark way glared at the sheet of blank drawing paper in front of him. His blacker personality was taking over at the moment.

“Damn it, why can’t I do anything? What’s wrong with me?” he ran his normally dirty but now clean hands through his chestnut brown hair.

He tore the paper down, crumbled it into a ball, and threw it away. Then he grabbed a black trench coat and stormed out his dorm. The frigid winter wind outside calmed his anger. Or was it desperation? He didn’t know anymore. Art wouldn’t come to him; without art Duo believed he was nothing.

A blond girl standing uncertainly in front of the prestigious art school caught his eyes. Strange, she doesn’t look familiar. Is she new? Must be. She looked at the scrap of paper in her hands and then looked back up at the Victorian building. He coughed, making her turn around to face him. Her beauty was breathtaking. There was no one in the school that could compare to her features.

“I’m Duo, a student here. Are you lost?”

“Hello, my name is Relena. Could you please help me find Westing House?”

“Sure I can. That’s where I live. Just follow me.”

“Thank you.”

They walked to the place Duo had just minutes ago left in a huff. Coincidentally, her room was just three doors down from his. She unlocked the door and he followed Relena inside. She gasped as she saw the little snow covered park with a frozen pond.

“Wow, the view is wonderful.. You must love living here.”

He shrugged. “It’s ok, I guess. So, you’re a new student? What classes are you taking?”

“For art, I’m taking water color with Mr. Lamars at two on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.”

“Oh, really? I’m in your class then. Stick with me and you won’t get lost..too much. I’ve only been here for a year. Do you have any boxes or luggage you need to bring up here? I’ll help you.”

“Would you? I’d be really grateful. They’re in my car.”

Duo spent the rest of his Saturday afternoon helping Relena settling in. He glanced at her every now and then, marveling at her pretty face. She would make a great model. Pale skin against dark clothing.. An idea came and he abruptly stood up, startling her.

“Relena, would you be willing to be the subject of my paintings? Please?”

“I-I uh...um, sure, I guess.”

“Great! Thanks so much. I’ve been having so much trouble finding something to paint these days...I almost thought my dream as an artist was fading away.”

She smiled comfortingly. “Duo, an artist’s talent never, ever slips away. I believe it is a natural skill. Don’t worry, you just need something to provoke your imagination. I’m flattered you chose me. Can I see your portfolio?”

“Why not? It’s nothing great though.” (AN: exactly what I say..well, close enough anyway)

They walked down the hall to his room. Duo quickly went over in his mind how messy his room was. A few shirts on his chair, sketchbook on couch, and pencils and Prisma colors on the coffee table. Nothing too bad. That’s what everyone else’s room looked like anyway.

He opened the door for Relena.

“You don’t lock your door?”

“No one does. This being an art school, the only things likely to be stolen would be art supplies. And even then since most of the students come from “honorable” families, they wouldn’t degrade their name with doing something as low as thievery.”

“I see...” she peeked into his bedroom, and her aquamarine eyes widened, “did you paint this?”

He glanced at his black ceiling with silver stars. “Yeah, they let you do anything you want with the rooms here. They even supply the paint removal stuff. Oh, there’s my portfolio.”

Relena gently pulled out his works and studied them one by one. There was one she stared at for a specially long time. It was a picture of a handsome boy holding a girl with raven black hair, done in Prisma color.

“Duo...who’s he?”

“That’s Heero Yuy. Do you like him?” he laughed as a light rose-pink spread across her cheeks. “Half the female population here like him. Those who don’t like him, like me. You’d expect us to be enemies but we’re not. How’s this, I’ll introduce you to him tomorrow.”

“Oh, no, that’s ok. I’m sure you already have plans.”

“Not really. On Sundays our little group gets together and does whatever. Not exactly what I would call a plan; more like a schedule.”

“Alright then...”

“Now, here’s what I have in mind for your painting. Since you have a really pale complexion, black clothing would look wonderful on you. It’ll give you a seductive and mysterious look. And we can dye the ends of your hair strawberry-red if you don’t mind. What do you say?”

“Seductive? I’ve never done anything like this, but, sure.”

“Thanks for helping out. We’ll take you out tomorrow to do all this.”

“Won’t they mind?”

“No, they’ll be happy to help show you around town. I’m really good friends with Hilde—she’s one of Starlights’ best employees—so you can get your hair done for free.”