Chapter 1: The Quiet Hours
211 Words
The glow of the monitors was the only light in the studio, casting long, rhythmic shadows against the walls.
Aspen sat hunched over her tablet, the stylus moving in precise, fluid strokes.
She was lost in the minute details of a new character design, adjusting the line weight until it felt just right.
To anyone else, it was just a digital sketch, but to Aspen, it was a world waiting to be born.
The door creaked open, breaking the silence.
A soft scent of vanilla and rain drifted in, followed by the steady sound of footsteps.
Cersei didn't say anything at first; she simply stood behind the chair, resting her hands on Aspen’s shoulders.
Her touch was warm, a grounding force that pulled Aspen out of the digital ether and back into the room.
"You’ve been staring at that same layer for twenty minutes, darling," Cersei murmured, her voice a low, soothing hum.
Aspen leaned her head back against Cersei’s hip, letting out a long, shaky breath.
"I just wanted the shading to hit the right mood. It’s almost there.
Cersei leaned down, her dark hair brushing against Aspen’s cheek as she pressed a lingering kiss to her temple.
"It’s perfect because you made it. But the artist needs to breathe."
- Writer
