The guard didn't care for him; reading faces was something that Nicholas was good at out of necessity, every little change in how one's expression formed had a tale to tell, and it was in those subtle expressions that his art set him apart from several of his contemporaries. It rankled him that the other man would dislike him so; but then he had pulled him from the background and made him an object of interest, perhaps that was the reason. Regardless he sketched, charcoal moving; only ten minutes, perhaps fifteen of their hour together had passed but he could draw Atticus from memory now if need by. A live model was preferable but not if they were apparently going to be so disliking one another. The barb wasn't missed.<br/><br/>"I would think you have more learning then myself, at least in the important things in life." Came the knight's guarded reply, showing that the blow had not gotten under his skin overly much. Perhaps skill should hurt as Atticus said, it made more sense then the entitlement and grandeur so many sought. To express thing, to give them life one had to live life. And he could readily admit that his art had more depth in it since his time with Mariel, however far behind him that was now.<br/><br/>"Its perfect." He approved of the pose, it was a good one, and hopefully the last one he would need. His fingers flew over the page, charcoal and his wrist flexing and turning, capturing broad strokes. For several long moments he worked, a slight furrow in his brow, no words coming from him. If Atticus fell asleep then that would simply be worked around. He flipped to a new page and set about recreating his last drawing, the same pose, his attention to detail more full here before he finished and signed the bottom corner. He tugged the sheet of paper out of its binding and place it on the low table between the two of them.<br/><br/>"Be careful with that, the charcoal might smear but it should be fine if its framed or just placed between two blank pieces of paper. Take it as a thank you for the inconvenience I've caused. " He tucked away his charcoal and pencils, dusting his hands off on a chamoise little coated with a solution that pulled the charcoal off his skin. His sketchbook he flipped shut, reaching for his bag next. "If you would be so kind as to direct me to Adi's room I'll join Lady Florence and you may go back to your duties, you will be paid for the full hour as promised, I simply have no need for more, nor to further annoy someone."