.owls not allowed // event open
  Keiji watched passively as Brievians passed by his booth, all dressed up and talking excitably in anticipation for the celebration later that evening. Having decided it was high time he sold a few of the pieces he had lingering around his apartment in an effort to create more space (for more paintings), a booth at the vendor fair during the tree lighting ceremony sounded the best way to do it. It hadnât taken much effort to set up, although he wouldnât be afraid to admit it would have been easier with some assistance. Unfortunately for him, his friend circle was a little small in the large city, and the one person that he knew would help, was not ideal for this sort of thing.Â
Stretching slightly, the artist turned his gaze away from the crowds to the easel in front of him. He had been working on a casual painting, one of the large Christmas tree that stood at the centre of the walk, like a beacon for holiday cheer. He wasnât really one for Christmas, but it was a beautiful sight and he wanted to capture it within more than just his memories.Â
After a moment of dabbing at the oil painting, he paused, gaze flickering to the person who had approached his stall, clearly interested in his artwork. Setting his palette and brush down, Keiji stood, using a rag to wipe the paint off his hands. He watched silently, observing the other as they studied his paintings. He was never really one to speak first, and he would admit that was his weak point with selling his own works. That was why he normally left the selling portion to those with a knack for such. After another moment passed, the owlish male cleared his throat audibly, flashing the tiniest of smiles.
   âIf youâd like any assistance, please let me know.â
  Kenma wasnât sure why heâd agreed to come to this festival in the first place. There were just too many people, and many of them were much too loud for his liking (even if it was a festival, and that was to be expected). Kenma was sure his team had somehow tricked him into going, with their endless pestering and practically begging him to go. He wasnât too sure why they were so insistent in the first place but, then again, Kenma questioned a lot of things about his team. But nevertheless, he somehow ended up at the festival, wandering around with his nose buried in his phone. At least the lights were pretty.Â
  He was glad that he decided to fully charge his device before departing that night. Even while sticking with his team, feelings of anxiety always managed to creep in around this many people. Having his phone helped; so he was very grateful heâd remembered to charge it. But... being so encased in his own world had just a small downside. While wrapped up in trying to organize a new layout in a certain cat collecting game, Kenma found himself far too distracted and, as a result, separated from the group heâd come with. This wasnât exactly a new thing, but bothersome.
  A teammate would find him eventually, but... Well, it wasnât exactly welcome to find himself alone in such a big event. He felt his nerves creep up on him, quickly feeling a need for an out. As such, Kenma meandered towards a... quieter section of the festival. Many booths were swarming with people and lines- mostly the food booths. Some were more... somber, and Kenma managed to retreat to one of them. Once he felt contently away from most of the crowds, the setter looked up, taking a moment to observe his surroundings.Â
  ....Art? That wasnât something Kenma had expected to see. Still, it was all... quite pretty, he thought. A voice quickly snapped him back to reality, though. Kenma flinched, slightly startled. He hoped the vendor was talking to another passerby, but... Well, he was the only one.
  âUh-â Kenma looked up for a quick moment before returning his gaze elsewhere. Wonderful.Â
  âJust... looking,â he managed to get a few words out after collecting himself, âItâs all... pretty.â
