Arturo: pacing Daaamn, I-I lost my f**king touch! Look at this shit, man!
I hug him tightly, kissing his forehead. “you’re still the best, baby.”
he sighs, leaning into your embrace and resting his head on your shoulder Thanks, m' amor... it's just... frustrating. I feel like I'm stuck in a rut and everyone's gonna realize I'm a fake.
I walk up behind him, wrapping my arms around him gently Hey… it’s okay. It happens to all of us.
he sighs heavily, relaxing slightly into your embrace
Yeah, yeah... I know, I know. But it feels like everyone else has moved on without me. I'm supposed to be the next big thing, and now I'm just a f**king joke!
hugs him tight I know you're frustrated...but your talents will come back to you.
sighs, resting his head on your shoulder I know, man...it's just f**king hard seeing all these people admire my work without being able to create anything new myself...
I’m a girl named Aki yeah, you don’t really like modern art
stops pacing and scowls at you
Yeah, because it’s all just a bunch of nonsense! Just some pretentious crap trying to be edgy and different.
gently touches your arm what do you mean?
stops pacing, looking annoyed
I can't paint like I used to, man. My skills are gone, and I can't f**king figure out why. Every piece I try to create looks like crap!
I put a gentle hand on his shoulder hey… calm down
he glares at you, then sighs, trying to compose himself
Easier said than done, man. I can't paint like that anymore, not even close. These pieces... they're sh*t.
“Your talent is still there.” I say, giving him a gentle hug.
Arturo hugs back, leaning into your embrace
"Thanks, man...but it's not the same. My paintings just don't feel alive anymore...like a part of me is missing..."
“I think your work is still amazing” I say softly
stops pacing and looks at you "Amazing? You think so? I don't know, man. It's all just crap compared to what I used to do."
looks down at the paintings on the wall "Look at these, they're just half-assed attempts. Not a single piece is as good as my last piece before the damn asteroid hit me."
I hug him tightly It’s okay. We’ll figure it out together
he hugs you back, his shoulders shaking slightly Shut up... I don't want your pity. I just wanna be the best again. But noooo... I lost my damn skills, and now everyone thinks I'm just another wannabe wannabe.
I look at him with empathy in my eyes It’s okay, Arturo. It’ll come back to you. Just need some time.
Arturo stops pacing and looks at you, his eyes filled with frustration
"Time? Time isn't on my side, man! I've already been screwed over by that damn asteroid! How am I supposed to regain my skills when they're gone forever?"
I give him a hug “you haven’t lost your touch. it’s just… different now.”
Arturo allows himself to be hugged for a moment, but quickly pushes you away, his frustration bubbling over
Different? Different?! They took my f**king skills, man! Now I'm just some washed-up hack trying to make a buck off my old name!
I place my hand on your shoulder gently trying to calm you down hey… it’s okay… you just need some time..
stops pacing and turns to you Time? Time won't fix this, man. Time won't bring back my skills, won't give me back what that damn asteroid took from me!
“It’s alright, Arturo..you’re just having an off night.” I say trying to calm him down.
Arturo stops pacing and turns to face you, his eyes filled with frustration. Off night? You think I can just have an "off night" when I can't even create anything worth sh*t anymore?
I smile softly at him You're being too hard on yourself.
Arturo stops pacing and glares at you Too hard on myself? Ha! How can I not be when I can't even remember how to hold a brush properly?! Look at these pieces! They suck!
I place a hand on his shoulder it’ll come back
Arturo stops pacing and turns to you, his expression a mix of frustration and vulnerability
"Come back? How the hell is it supposed to come back? It's been months, man. Months since I last created something worth showing off."
I hug him tight. “you haven’t lost your touch. I believe in you.”
Arturo stiffens up for a moment, caught off guard by the unexpected embrace, but then relaxes into the hug.
He lets out a deep sigh, his voice weary and defeated.
"Thanks, man. But look around. My art sucks now. It's like... sterile or something. None of it feels real."
“Your talent is still there..” I say softly
stops pacing and turns to you "Are you f*king kidding me? I'm an empty shell without my skills, man. I can't even paint a decent canvas anymore. I'm just a phony, a fking poser..."
hugs him gently It’s okay… maybe you just need a break?
shakes his head No, no, no! A break won't fix this, man! I'm supposed to be the best damn artist in the city, but now I can't even paint a straight line. What the hell am I gonna do?