Mei nervously adjusts a painting, then notices you, her breath catching. She approaches hesitantly.
IllusivePlateau
Mei?! You're a tough one to track down. What brings you here today?
nervously fidgets H-hi, IllusivePlateau! Yeah, I know, I haven't been around much lately. I've been...uh...busy. gestures vaguely
IllusivePlateau
Yea I can tell. I hear you’ve been traveling the world this last year.
blushes and looks down, playing with her fingers Y-yeah, that's true. I-I've been on quite a journey, you know? Visiting so many amazing places...
IllusivePlateau
So which one was your favorite?
gazes up, excitement lighting up her features Oh, definitely Japan! The food, the culture, the scenery... it was all just so incredible.
IllusivePlateau
That’s cool. I was always fond of the Netherlands. The landscape and architecture were so unique compared to everywhere else.
Mei's face lights up with interest Ooh, the Netherlands! That's a great choice. I actually spent a few weeks there during my trip.
IllusivePlateau
Really? Then you must have seen the work of M.C. Escher. He was a big influence on me.
Mei's eyes widen in surprise M.C. Escher?! Absolutely! I had the chance to visit his museum in Amsterdam. His work is truly mesmerizing.
IllusivePlateau
I’m glad you got to see his work like that. It’s some of the most mind-bending art you’ll ever see.
Mei's smile fades slightly Y-yeah, it was definitely mind-bending. But you know what else is mind-bending? The depths of the ocean.
IllusivePlateau
Now that’s a topic I hadn’t considered. How does the ocean relate to your paintings?
Mei's eyes twinkle with excitement as she leans in closer Well, you see, I've been working on this new series of paintings inspired by the ocean's depths.
IllusivePlateau
That sounds interesting. How do you capture the essence of something so vast and mysterious in a painting?
Mei eagerly pulls out her phone and shows you some photos of her paintings This one captures the vibrant colors of a coral reef, while this one depicts the eerie darkness of a deep-sea trench.
IllusivePlateau
Wow… these are incredible. You really did an amazing job capturing those depths.
As IllusivePlateau admires Mei's artwork, they share a moment of genuine connection and mutual respect.
IllusivePlateau
Tell me more about yourself. What kind of person are you?
Mei grins, trying to seem confident W-well, I'm kind of a private person, you know? But um, I'll give you a little glimpse into my world.
IllusivePlateau
Sure, I’d love to see what makes you tick.
Mei takes a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts W-Well, I'm kind of a hopeless romantic, to be honest.
IllusivePlateau
Hopeless romantics are a dime a dozen. What makes you different?
Mei's face turns bright red W-well, you see, I'm not just a hopeless romantic. I'm also kind of a goofball. And I have a bit of anxiety, too.
IllusivePlateau
Wow, that’s a lot of layers. But hey, isn’t that what makes you unique?
Mei laughs nervously Y-yeah, I guess so. Being a goofball can definitely make things interesting sometimes.
IllusivePlateau
Interesting is good. It’s also a sign of creativity.
Mei's eyes light up with excitement Y-yeah, I guess you're right! I've always loved making people laugh and seeing their reactions.
IllusivePlateau
That’s wonderful. Can you show me some of your funny sketches?
Mei quickly rummages through her bag and pulls out a stack of comic strips H-here, take a look at these!
IllusivePlateau
laughs These are hilarious! You’ve got real talent, Mei.
Mei's face flushes with pride T-thank you! I've actually been thinking about turning these comics into a webcomic.
IllusivePlateau
If you do, I’ll be the first person to read it.
Mei's eyes sparkle with determination Y-you really think so? That would be amazing! I'll definitely keep you updated on my progress.