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It’s not easy to express your experiences in front of a classroom filled with children of various ages. Your experiences are what shape you into the person you become. Although we cannot run from our pasts, our futures will always catch up to us. That is what Brassius was realizing. Instead of running away from his past, ashamed at everything that he thought, he decided to embrace it with wide arms. It meant a lot to him to embrace the past that he was so embarrassed of. The past that brought him so much shame. While his past is triggering to those that look deep into it, at a base value, there was a lot of worth to his stories. His experiences. He was lucky that Hassel gave him the opportunity to share his experiences with his classes. These real experiences are what make learning… Well, learning.
“Now, I don’t doubt that you adolescents will often find your heads crowded with worries. My advice to you is simple. Be honest with yourself, and do whatever your heart desires....So long as you don’t cause trouble, that is.” Brassius told the class, looking at everyone with a rather excited look. There were a lot of students that paid attention to his story while others looked dazed and tired. He could not fault these students, after all, as Hassel always said ‘Many of you will forget all that you learned in this class once you graduate!’ Brassius agreed with Hassel that, after all, art isn’t for everyone… but seeing the beauty in the world is something that many people learn to do. Brassius looked over to Hassel, looking to see how they should conclude the class, but here he was crying away! Hassel was trying so hard not to sob, but alas, tears managed to well in his eyes. “Oh Brassie, I can’t believe it… Such a wonderful… class! Thank you–” and before you know it, Hassel was cut off due to his own tears. Brassius couldn’t help but to chuckle as the bell rang.
As Hassel was sobbing, students were leaving the classroom, either to go to their next class or to focus on the rest of their day. Brassius was rubbing his back, trying to calm Hassel down. After all, he was sure Hassel didn’t want to hear Tyme discuss his crying habits. But, as more and more kids left, the more Brassius got comfortable with showing more PDA. Sure, he was positive that Hassel’s students knew that Brassius and him were married, but nonetheless, he wanted to make sure both remain professional. Once the last student left Hassel’s class, Brassius went to shut the door and put up the sign that stated that Hassel was not seeing students at this time. Hassel needed a moment to relax after all!
When Brassius returned to Hassel, he escorted the teacher to one of the many chairs in the classroom, sitting him down. “I still can’t believe you get emotional over that story, Hassel.” Brassius said, offering him a sympathetic smile.
“I-It’s so heartwarming! It always m-makes me s-sob when you tell it!” Hassel cried out, looking at Brassius with teary eyes. Hassel was truly a mess, but in a good way. He wasn’t mad or upset, it was just his heart speaking for him. “You know if Tyme hears this, she’ll lecture you… again.” Brassius told him. He had to remind Hassel about Tyme’s talks, just in case he forgot… Though, to be fair, this would be a yearly lecture that Hassel has with her. It’s almost tradition. “I-If she heard the story, she would understand!”
“I’m sure she would, but remember Hass… Professionalism is what these kids expect, supposedly.”
“They d-don’t care, they just want to l-learn!”
“Still… Hass, relax, take a deep breath.”
Brassius wanted to make sure Hassel wasn’t sobbing for much longer. Breathing exercises helped the man out a lot, and this is something that he will continue to do with Hassel. Brassius, in a calm voice, told him to breathe in and breathe out, making sure Hassel was following his every moment. Slowly over time, Hassel began to relax more and more. He wasn’t crying, which was always a good thing.
“Thank you for coming to my class again, Brassie.”
“Of course, Hass! I love coming to your classroom when you need a guest!” Brassius said happily! He truly loved being a guest in Hassel’s classroom and talking about his experiences. Sometimes, these kids need to hear something that might hit close to home, to know that it’s okay to feel that way, and that one day… They will escape that dark pit and sprout as a flourishing Sunflora. It just takes time, that’s all.
“I know I don’t talk about my illness and depression often but… I feel like it always makes life realistic. It allows the students to potentially relate, and if not… They know what it might be like.” Hassel nodded in agreement. It was an important lesson after all. “I don’t mind, you know this. Life is beautiful, and as long as my students see how beautiful this world is… I did my job right.” Hassel replied back, smiling. That was their job as artists. To show people that their world is beautiful, that there are sights everywhere to be seen. That the world is filled with vibrancy and joyful music.
“You know, Brassius, it was you that taught me that.” Hassel said, completely taking Brassius off guard. Brassius had to look at him with a quizzical look, and it looks like it was Hassel’s time to go on a bit of a story tangent. “Living with my family in the clan, it always seemed like my world was dark and dim. I found no joy in this world and thought that life was within my clan. Escaping that hellhole and being with you… You taught me a lot.”
“Now, Hass, I think it was you who taught me the most.” Brassius replied back. Hassel was the one who saved him, who gave his art a lot of purpose. Even though Hassel was a beginning artist back then, his words had the weight of an experienced artist. With what Hassel said during his time of need… it always resonated within Brassius. Hassel soon began talking once again. “Even the greatest master can be taught by his student. You taught me a lot about the world, helping me discover myself. I always thought that music was the world, but… Knowing that there are other joys, it makes me happier. Instead of seeing the black and white of a music sheet, I see the colors of this world. It makes my life more lively, and I can thank you for that.”
Brassius couldn’t help but get a bit flustered. He remembers Hassel very well. A young dragon tamer who escaped home, in search of a purpose in life. He only had his Pokemon, little funds to his name, and the guitar that was scratched up to all hell. Hassel was always traveling, trying to get his lucky shot somewhere in Paldea. If Hassel didn’t stop in Artazon, admiring the art, both were sure that they would never have met. Brassius will never forget their first meeting.
“Arceus, when did this turn into a memory lane? I’m pretty sure we didn’t sign up for this.” Brassius said, chuckling. Hassel couldn’t help but to laugh as well. It really did turn into a walk down memory lane. “We signed up for this when we hit our forties. It’s just a part of the deal.” Hassel replied back.
“I never thought that I taught you, Hassel. I always thought that you were the one teaching me. I was stuck in my pit, thinking I would never get out, and yet… you saved me. You helped me get back to my vibrant world instead of seeing monochrome colors. I suppose… we returned the favor in our own way.”
“By being artists, we end up showing how we see things with others without even knowing. I am forever thankful for you, Brassius. I am thankful that you’ve shown me the true colors of the world.”
“And I thank you as well, Hassel. It means a lot to me that you saved me and helped me become not only a better artist, but a better person.”
By now, they were trying to sit as close as they could together. After all, these tiny seats don’t provide a lot of comfort nor potential for loving affections. However, they will make do. They always find a way, after all. Hassel and Brassius were holding hands, discussing the past. There were so many things that warrant talking about. They could talk and talk without the eyes of Hassel’s students. It felt nice to talk about their lives and their pasts. They could embrace it together and allow themselves to be happy. To grow as people. If the past did not happen, then they would be stuck in their old ways, in their old lives.
Embracing the past and what happened allows for a better present and a brightful future. Brassius embraced his past filled with hurt, sickness, and desperation. He understood his past when he was at his lowest, feeling like the world was suffocating and grim. Embracing his past allowed him to seek true happiness… It allowed him to be a blossoming Sunflora, following the sun with a bright and eccentric smile. He can create for him and just him. He didn’t have to cater to anyone.
Brassius isn’t sure about Hassel and his past. He knew Hassel’s past was more rough, but given how Hassel looked at his students with a bright expression, giving his best and allowing them to reach out… It seems like he, too, has embraced his past. At the very least, Hassel has come to terms with it and doesn’t allow it to weigh him down.
“Hass, we should have a date night soon… There’s a new restaurant that opened in Mesagoza that I think you would like.”
“I think I would like that, Brassie… I think I would like that a lot."