“A painter?” Kaiya asked. “Like in the museum? I didn’t know people did that anymore. Except for houses and stuff.”
“They don’t,” Jonathan said. “Not really. It’s pretty useless, and not many people care. I’d never make money, but I think I’d like it. I’d have to come to Nymosen. Or anywhere but Astino, at least.”
He smiled, but it seemed to Kaiya the gesture hid a great deal.
“I thought you said Astino is nice as well,” she said.
“In its own way,” Jonathan corrected, but he offered no further explanations.
Kaiya tried to imagine him as a painter, though she couldn’t remember ever having seen one before. Perhaps he would dress like a holographer?
“How long have you been in the army?” she asked.
“Eight years serving,” he said, “since my eighteenth birthday. Three years training befor
