2D and 3D

It's our second day today, and I woke up a bit late because I waited for Iseul until midnight. She didn't show up. I wonder if it's because I'm here in the South, or because she just didn't want to show herself. I hope she's not in trouble, knowing the fact that she appeared on a big screen yesterday. 

I just wore a button-down shirt and a pair of casual slacks, then my white shoes. I grabbed my sling bag, went outside my room, and knocked on Sai's door.

"Good morning! How's it going?" Sai greeted. She's wearing a strawberry bucket hat now; that's the first thing I noticed.

"Sorry, I woke up late."

"It's fine! I was also busy watching an animated show. Geez, their television has premium access to the animations here! They're so lucky!" she said, as we were walking towards the elevator.

"I think the animation production company here is open tomorrow." 

"You mean the Dreamy Studios?"

"Oh, so that's what it's called."

"That's where my aunt works. I haven't been there before! But let's go there tomorrow!" she said and clapped her hands.

We ate breakfast first at the hotel's dining area before proceeding to the itineraries. Our first stop is at a 2D Gallery.

"I want to walk," I told her.

"But I want to fly!" she complained, then laughed so hard that people on the streets started looking.

"Then fly."

"Just kidding! I also like walking here even if the destination is far. We can enjoy the beauty of the streets!"

We were about to cross the same street where we stopped yesterday. I glanced at the big screen, where Iseul appeared. I pursed my lips and looked away.

"Did you talk to her last night?" Sai said. She was always skipping beside me like a kid heading to her adventure.

"No, she didn't appear."

Her eyebrows rose. "Is there a problem?"

I shrugged. "I have no idea, but I hope she's safe."

I felt Sai slightly tap my back. "I know she's doing fine! She'll appear any time soon, don't worry." She was trying to ease my worries.

"I hope so."

We entered the 2D Gallery, and the walls were painted with 2D characters. The place was free to visit, which is why we entered the premises immediately after logging in our names. 

"These are characters from a show," Sai said, pointing at the printed digital art that was displayed on a wall.

"I'm not familiar with them... but their technique and art style look cool." I looked at it intently too.

"I was about to say they look cute... Have you tried drawing things like this?" We started roaming around. 

"Yeah, when I was in high school. I would always scribble random 2D characters on my notebook and tablet." I said.

Sai and I went in different directions since she wanted to take pictures of the place with her camera. This place has 2D artwork in the form of paintings, photographs, prints, and drawings. All of these have varieties of lines, shapes, textures, colors, and forms. 

"Ara Brent..." I read the artist's name under an artwork. It's a digital art of a 2D character. I was about to ask Sai if she knew the artist, but she already answered my question when she approached me. 

"That's my aunt's character from her 2D animation! It looks so cool, right?" she said, admiring the piece.

I nodded. "Have you watched this show?"

"Yup! The Mystic Mantra Ray is one of the classic shows made by Dreamy Studios. My aunt designed this main character. You should try watching it too!" She told me more about her aunt's stories while walking.

I saw several artworks that were made by artists from Dreamy Studios. Most of them are characters from different shows. In fact, those series are streamed worldwide, making the production company legendary. I'm looking forward to our visit there tomorrow.

I shook my head when Sai snapped a picture of me while looking at an artwork. After more than an hour, we decided to go to the next museum. 

"Which is better? 2D or 3D?" Sai asked randomly while we were waiting in line to buy tickets.

"Neither."

"Why? I think 3D is better." I heard her from behind. I was already talking to the cashier.

"Two tickets, please." 

The cashier looked at me and Sai. "We have a discount for couples, are you two a couple?" 

I was dumbfounded. 

"Yes! We are! Right, my love?" Sai hugged my right arm and looked at me intently, as if she were signaling me to talk. 

"Y-yes, we're a couple."

I pursed my lips while paying at the cashier. A staff member placed a stamp on my wrist, Sai had already moved forward. She's skipping towards the entrance like a kid! Like she didn't lie to a cashier a while ago. 

"Oh my goodness! Look at that!" she pointed upwards. There were realistic birds flashing, and they were flying.  

We're now in a 3D digital art museum; the place was like the digital art museum that we visited... but the things displayed here are 3D animations. 

I felt like I was inside a 3D movie. It was fun watching various characters, I can also interact with some. 

"After looking around, don't you think 3D animation is better?" Sai asked as we were walking towards the exit.

I let out a sigh. "I don't think one's better than the other. It depends on the audience's preference if 2D or 3D animation is better for them."

"Why do you think nothing's better?" Her eyebrows raised, she was very curious about my answer. 

"I also consider how both of them were made... 2D is a traditional art, as far as I know, there are 24 drawings needed per second, it's time-consuming, and animators should have great knowledge about anatomy and physics. 3D art is complicated and more volumetric. Animators should also be professionally skilled, plus it's also expensive since it uses technology that can carry out the work like programming and stuff."

"Although the production procedures vary, they are fundamentally the same. One draws each frame using computer software, while the other does so manually... oh there's a restaurant here. Let's eat lunch." I didn't notice that I was talking too much. My bad.

"Wow... alright, you sounded cool!" she commented.

"It's just my perspective; you can like whatever you want." 

We entered the restaurant located here at the museum. It's also a bit late for lunch, and I'm starving. 

"What do you want?" I was looking at the menu. 

"Chicken Caesar Salad!" 

"Your drink? Seawater?" I grinned.

"Orange juice!"

"Wait here."

I went to the counter to order. I ordered Sai's salad and her orange juice. I ordered baked orange chicken with rice and a carbonated drink for myself. I went back to the table and waited for our orders. 

"I just remembered! I lied to the cashier a while ago?" 

"Well, good for you." I scoffed.

"It was for the discount! No biggie... Hey, don't misinterpret my actions, alright? I don't look at you that way." She rolled her eyes at me. 

"It's not a big deal for me either."

A waiter placed our orders on the table, and we started eating. 

"Aren't you annoyed when people think someone's your girlfriend or something?" she asked while stuffing her mouth with salad.

"I got used to it." I answered. "How about you? Are you annoyed when people think I'm your boyfriend?"

"Nah! You're not that bad," She scrunched her nose like a kid. "But still! Not in a romantic way."

We were able to visit the famous 2D and 3D digital art museums here in the South today. I found nothing that's associated with Iseul again. We decided to go back to the hotel afterwards. 

I waited for nighttime so I could summon Iseul. After almost twenty sketches, she never showed up for me. I'm starting to feel... tensed.

I went outside my room, and it's almost midnight. I just brought my wallet and phone with me. My feet dragged me outside the hotel. I went to the nearest convenience store and bought a pack of cigarettes. I need to calm myself.

I took my time to draw Iseul, just like last night.

I did it right... Maybe something's happening on the other side. I shook my head. This is not the right time to be pessimistic, Yohan.