CHAPTER THIRTY – THE COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION

By the time the witching hour arrived, the studio was awash in the proud, effervescent energy of their rallied accomplishments. Yes, tangible streaks of damage remained - but they'd been reclaimed and elevated into something undeniably more poignant, more triumphant than ever before. "It's...magnificent," Agnes breathed, pulling off her smudged glasses as she beheld the sprawling, wholly reborn masterpiece in awe. "Even more emotively rich and dynamic than we'd originally conceived." Diego let out a rusty chuckle, caked in sweat and pigment yet beaming with a beatific, childlike wonderment. "Yes...yes, you're quite right my dear! Our humble community fresco has been unexpectedly elevated into something...transcendent." His amber eyes found Jasmine's across the swirling center of activity, gleaming with profound gratitude and respect. "Gracias, senorita - for your steady vision, moral courage, and refusal to let the forces of negativity diminish our fire. I finally understand the