In a well-lit room with ample space, a tall man stood All his focus was on the canvas mounted before him. He held a brush in his right hand and a flurry of colors adorned the thin wooden sheet on his left. The easel that held the canvas was as black as his hair and a stark contrast to this brightly lit room.
"So this is what the kid looks like huh." Rosa commented as she looked at the figure portrayed brilliantly on the canvas, a feat made possible by the incredible artistry of her brother.
"Yes. This is he." Kahn nodded at her words, not even bothering to turn towards her, his focus still on the painting. He applied the finishing touches with extreme deftness of the fingers. Such delicate movements was a strange sight to behold, when one recalled that its originator was a burly and rough looking soldier. In fact none of the soldiers in Kahn's platoon were aware of his hobby. His skills with the brush was a secret only those close to him were privy to.
"Done." Kahn gently set his tools on the bench in his workspace and stared at his creation, very much like his sister was doing. The figure on the canvas had his back to his observers. Even in a painting his hair seemed to be flowing brilliantly in the wind, a testament to the artist's excellent skills. The color of his hair complimented the golden rays of the sun, which for this masterpiece was merely a spectator and 'co-star', a position wasn't a possibility in reality. He had his head turned slightly to the left, making his blue colored left eye visible.
Although there was no one else in that painting, it was no difficulty to tell that its star was a child. Yet he did not give off such an aura. The hand of the boy in the painting was raised nonchalantly in greeting, his back upright, and his head held high. Even without seeing his face, the aura of a warrior and king could be felt on him. No, this wasn't the aura of a king that ruled over a people. It was the aura of a Warrior King, one who hadn't met his match and was without equal. The pressure the boy gave off was not great. However, the more one looked at the painting, the more one felt lost in wonder at what one saw. A feeling Rosa was currently experiencing.
"Your skills have improved dramatically. You are even able to capture his very essence on canvas." Finally able to tear her eyes away from the painting, Rosa immediately praised her brother. It was a well-deserved compliment considering that only Masters of the Brush were able to accomplish such a feat.
"Not necessarily sister. The impression and vibe this kid gives off is difficult to forget and hard to shake off. It was no problem recreating it. I just made myself sink into that feeling whilst I painted." Kahn shook off his sister's praise and proceeded to wash his hands, with Rosa's help of course.
"It is still a great feat. No matter how simple you think it is, one must have your level of sensitivity to feel and retain such an experience. Then again, your most useful bloodline glow is 'The Sense'. I guess it gives you that advantage." Rosa's words were spoken as she gently poured the bowl of water over her brother's hands. Because they did not want to be disturbed, the job of the servants had become hers- not that she seemed to mind. She gently handed him a cloth, which he used to wipe his large hands.
Once again, her words were right. Although Kahn made it seem like it was a simple thing, it in fact was not. It was just like having an eidetic memory, or let us even go lower, a photographic one. It will be easy for you to just see (or hear, in the case of eidetic memories) something and reproduce it entirely, as long as you had the skill. This is not so with someone who does not have such excellent memory. This was the reason why many artists are unable to draw something from memory.
Even for Master Artists, observing the individual in person as they painted to capture their full essence wasn't a rarity. This was a feature that Kahn's bloodline glow, 'The Sense', gave him. Under this glow and his excellent memory, it was extremely difficult to hide from him, even when a person is completely concealed. As long as you have met him before, and left a solid impression, he would recognize you. This was why he was not as excited to meet Mane as Max was. This was why Max could freely ask for his name without any care and Kahn couldn't. Max did not feel what he Kahn felt when he looked at the kid. Max saw talent, Kahn saw a king.
"Did he give you a last name? If he has access to a teleportation circle he must surely come from a good family." Rosa asked as she turned to admire her brother's handiwork once more.
"No. He left only his first name behind." Kahn replied as he shook his head. Kahn didn't think it was necessary to inform Rosa that he hadn't even asked for his name. He was certain that if Max was not there that day, he would have just let the boy go without any further questions.
"Even so the color of his hair is uncommon. There are few high realm families with blonde hair. And fewer with such deep blue eyes." Kahn calmly stated as he placed the hand napkin down. Rosa nodded at his words. The boy had peculiar features that made him stand out. A little research would be enough to get a clue on his origins. And she knew just where to search. She was just reluctant to go there.
"You know we have to go there right. I know you don't want to but we don't have a choice. Besides, there is no way that man would give me access unless you are with me." Kahn smiled wryly when he saw his sister's exhausted expression.
Their family was a great one. But their father's temper was even greater. The older man had burned down the family library a few months ago in one of his fits. No part of the great room was spared, and the restricted section was no different. Till date, the library was being repaired. The books that adorned the shelves were all gone- along with the shelves.
There were only two other places they could go to get such information- the other two great houses amongst the Greater Celestials in this city. Max belonged to one of these houses. But Kahn knew he wouldn't be allowed in since Max was not around. He knew this for a fact, since he had left his mate saddled with all the paperwork as he rushed home. Of course, they could wait for Max. It wouldn't be long until the taller boy returned, but none of them had that level of patience. As for the other great house? Well, it is an uncomfortable location for his sister.
Rosa gently grabbed her horns and sighed, "Let's get this over with then."