Art Gallery

Rahya spent the last few nights transforming the Mesuem to look more like the art gallery she needed it to be. She had hired some people to work on it during the day and had even closed the mesuem for a few days to make the preparations. Now, all was ready and she admired the pieces of art that had been set up for viewing as she did one last walk through.

Satisfied with the results of her labor, she finally opens the doors for the citizens of Sacramento to enter and enjoy.

Derek Noble arrived at the art show's opening only a few minutes after it was scheduled to begin. Although drama was more his forte, Derek has an interest in all sorts of art, and it was always a good thing to show an interest in the work of aspiring talents and to support arts venues of all sorts. He hadn't gotten a chance to ask Adrienne West if she was going to be attendance, but he would be surprised if she didn't show.

As usual for such events, Derek didn't bring a date. Through his years of teaching at the Wagner Academy of Visual and Performance Arts, Derek knew and was known by a lot of people in the local arts community, so he didn't think it likely he'd be lacking for conversation. Besides, a good part of the fun of such occasions was seeing who one might meet, and the possibility of a chance meeting turning into something more.

Open to that possibility, he'd dressed to make an impression, in perfectly-polished leather shoes, loose-fitting black slacks, a smoke-grey Armani jacket, a pale lavender shirt and a tie in black, grey, lavender and purple geometric shapes. Although Derek couldn't complain about his salary - the Academy paid excellently - his taste in clothing strained his budget, but Derek felt about fashion as he did a great many things: If you're going to do it, you might as well go full out.

After exchanging greetings with a few people he recognized, including a graduate of the Academy and the parents of one of his current students, he decided to check out the gallery space proper, while also keeping an eye out for any other art lovers that might catch his attention.

Mrs. Scotts arrived early for Eva's show, her checkbook and pen in her handbag. Entering, she saw Mr. Feiran, and headed over towards him.

"Mr. Feiran." She greeted him with a smile. "so good to see you again."

Eva stands wearing plain black pants and a black hoody with an E on the chest in an odd script. Her art is hung as plain canvas, no frames around the art black shroud like cloth draped around them.

She stands meekly by a dark painting, near the center of the grouping, near the front of the somberly lit area is a small box with the "What will you leave behind?" pamphlets and little descriptions of each piece. She has nearly forty paintings displayed, all in a variety of media, some in a tight illustrative form, some wildly painted in the heat of the moment. Most of the paintings follow the theme of skeletal remains, but some are subtle, something that Kine would not understand, a dark shadowy figure watching the aura of a person, someone's gaze boring into another, dominating them, etc. The pamphlet is simple.

How lucky are those who leave something behind when they meet their death? Even the basest of animals leave behind their bones to tell a story eons from now, what would you do if you knew that nothing would be left behind but your legacy? Would you live differently? ~Eva Carino

((The works below are credited to their respective artists in the file name... This is just a small sampling of the paintings Eva has at the show.))

Eva nods to Mister Carpenter, smiling that soft smile of hers topped by morose amber colored eyes.

Eva waves when she sees Jayant enter, smiling at a fellow family member.

She then sees Mrs. Scotts and waves as well, smiling brightly if just for a moment before returning to her meek pose, grateful to the woman for all she has done for her.

Derek takes his time looking at each exhibit and greeting the artists. Eventually he comes to a themed exhibit of works by a woman named Eva, who is standing by her display. He acknowledges her with a smile and a nod, then focuses on her paintings and the exhibit pamphlet.

"The paintings themselves are quite skillfully done, though the content is rather morbid," he notes. "She'd probably be an Autumn or a Winter." Next he takes some time to read the pamphlet and consideer the question asked within.

"What would I do? I'd probably do everything I could to assure the best legacy possible. I think I'm already doing that, though." Giving the matter more thought, Derek feels comfortable in the legacy he is creating through his work as a teacher, helping his students develop their talents to their full potential. "I can always do more of that, though," he concludes. Next he thinks about other areas of his life, which leads him to consider what he might do to create a positive legacy among his kind and within the local freehold.

"I'll have to give that more thought," he muses.

Noticing she is exchanging greetings with an acquaintance of some sort, Derek waits patiently, hoping to catch her attention and speak with her for a moment.

"I am a huge fan of Miss Carino's work; I keep one of her paintings by my desk. She has such striking things to say to us all through art." Mrs. Scotts smiled at him. "excuse me, but I should speak with her."

Mrs. Scotts then heads over to Eva "So good to see you again. I love what you've done here. I hope though, that I will still be able to throw you another showing of my own yes?"

Marius arrived at the gallery just as it started to open, a few early guests mingling already.
He wore a perfectly tailored suit, but instead of his usual leather shoes, he had decided to go with a more practical - and comfortable - pair of black Nike's. Only someone with a keen eye would notice the abnormality, but then he didn't really care. He was here to work.
His hair was lightly gelled back, as to not fall into his face as it usually did.

He walked up to Rahyna with a warm smile.
"Absolutely marvelous. You have really outdone yourself with the gallery, Lady Rahyna."

Theo wasn't sure what to expect at the gallery. His tastes ran towards the art and styles of post impressionism and earlier periods. Alot of current art seemed to be rebelious for the sake of being rebelious or too abstract to gain any meaning from.
The paintings of Eva Corino satisfied his expectations though. He didn't completely agree with the message they sent, but the way it was conveyed was compelling. More interesting to him, were the pieces that broke with the skeletal theme. Not just because they were different in subject matter. Yes, they still had a morbid feel to them but they were more... how would he describe it... haunting.
Taking a pamphlet, he walked past the paintings, reading what their creator had said about them.

Rahyna smiled at Marius "Ohhh good im glad to see you made it what I would like you to do is walk around, blend in, and just keep an eye on things myself, Dr. Brady, and Mr. Clarke will all be in attendance this evening plus yourself included a few other notable people and Ishani is taking the night off."

Rahyna looked lovely tonight. He would have liked to get to know her better, and such events were usually a great place to do just that. But he didn't mind keeping an eye on things; at least it meant she would be able to relax just a little bit more.

"Understood, and just let me know if there is anything else." He gave her another smile, then turned to 'blend in', as she had put it.

He focused some of his powerful blood, and his eyes started to see even the quickest of movements. With it, he wouldn't miss a thing, and still have time to enjoy the paintings.

After completing what he needed to do, he made his way to the Museum, wearing a pairs of jeans, stock shirt and a simple black overcoat. He walk about the museum glancing at the painting as he looked for his clan head. He took a moment to look at a couple of painting that caught his eye before he moved on and locating Rahyna, whom was speaking with Mars.

"Good evening, Madam Rahyna, you ask for some assistance?" Reed greet when there was an opening between the conversation.

Noticing Reed, Marius waited. Perhaps Rahyna would make them go on the rounds together; that way he might get to talk to Reed, and get to know the guy a bit.

Kyle shows up in a black suit, a pink shirt and a red silk tie that definitely suited his temperament. He didn't go to art shows very often, but since he had heard that the theme was apparently mortality.. Well, he couldn't really let a chance like that go now could he?

The art was very... well, morbid was a fitting word. There also were just a little to many S&M overtones (albeit extremely subtle ones) than he was strictly comfortable with, but he put that off as a part and parcel of the whole mortality aspect. He was a firm believer that art was a very personal thing, and while he may not be able to fully appreciate the subject matter any more, it obviously meant a great deal to the artist. Bravo indeed. Necessary viewing gotten over with, Kyle starts to look for any attractive, unattached people to pick at. There were a bunch of them all over the room. Eeny, meeny, miny, m-oh my god tiny sandwiches.

Kyle starts following a server carrying a tray of Hors d'œuvres around.

Spoiler:

Rahyna smiles at Reed as he approaches "Mr. Hyland it is good to see you this evening. If you could please just blend in and keep any eye on things with so many people within our family in once place and Ishani taking a night off I would just feel better if things were being watched." she thought to herself for a moment "Perhaps you and Mr. Devlan can walk amongst the guests together that way if their is a distrubance between the two of you it can be contained with out much of a scene." she smiled at the both of them and then looked around at all the guests that were arriving very happy so far with the turn out.

Eva looks over to Derek and tilts her head, smiling gently to invite him to speak, everyone seems to like her paintings and she is quite happy.

She turns her head towards Mrs. Scotts to answer her, but keeps her shoulders pointed at Derek to let him know she is not ignoring him and most definitely wants to hear what he has to say.

"Oh Mrs. Scotts I am so glad that you like them, I am very honored you came and of course I accept your offer." she smiles that haunting smile of hers.

Reed allow himself a small smile, "Of course, Madam Rahyna, I'll be happy to keep an eye on things." It would give him a chance to take a momentary break - sometime to give him some time to contemplate about things - and to enjoy a moment of life as it were. He turned toward Mars, "Ah, Mr. Delven, let's have a smooth evening."

Once he has Eva's attention, Derek holds up the pamphlet emphatically, then uses it in a sweeping gestuer to indicate her paintings. He smiles as he says "Your work here tonight has given me some things to think about, and if that isn't the definition of good art, I don't know what is. So, well done." He extends a hand. "My name is Derek Noble."

She would blush if she could, her smile meeting her eyes for the first time that night as the very handsome Mr. Noble befriends her.

"Thank you so very much, I try to be thought provoking," she smiles, giving him her hand, her accent Italian and soft.

"Thats very generous of you Miss Carino. I'll leave you to your well deserved admireres. Mrs. Scotts looks out over the crowd. Quite a few more kindred here than she expected. She saw Carpenter, and meandered towards him.

"Mister Carpenter, its good to see you again. What do you think of Miss Carino's artwork?"

Eva turns to Jayant as well and smiles at him widely, quite fond of her friend, "thank you so much for coming Jayant, and that is perfectly okay, I am sure you and Valencia will find time someday soon, I am so glad you came," she smiles at him.

Derek lightly lifts Eva's hand so he might lightly kiss the top of her hand while maintaining eye contact.

"Then you have succeeded, and most admirably," he replies. He then lowers her hand slowly, though still holding it lightly. "I try to remain aware of the local arts community, but I don't recall having seen you or your work before. Have you had others showings locally?"

As Derek asks that question, it occurs to him that he recognizes relatively few of the people in attendance, and that a fairly diverse subset of the crowd seems to be acquainted with each other, and with Eva. "Some subculture within the general arts community?" he wonders. "But I don't see any particular sign of shared identity, even though their demeanor and greetings would suggest some degree of familiarity."

He always got a little vibe of disrespect when someone didn't call him by his proper title, Primogen, especially on official gatherings, but perhaps he was just old fashioned.
"Agreed, but please, call me Marius." he said with an inviting smile. His own politeness would stay intact however.

"I haven't seen you since the last Daeva meeting. How have you been?" Marius asked pleasantly, as they started making their rounds.

She looks just a little flattered and flustered by the handsome Mr. Noble, biting her lip for a moment.

"Oh no, not locally, I just moved here a month or so ago..."

Reed returned a polite smile, "I believe I would be overstepping if I went by first name basis."

Of course, this place wasn't an official gathering and it had mortal within their mist - it was a reason why he kept the titles simple. As they walk, Reed turn in his own power, keeping a mind's eye on his surrounding while taking a moment to study a couple of paintings, keeping his voice low so other people couldn't listen in, "I been investigating the recent disturbance that is plaguing us. Of course, the disturbance leaves very like to go on.. but I found some small clues.. but I'm sure that other probably have covered what it was."

As people are looking around the gallery they will also notice some of the following paintings.

"In that case, then, welcome to Sacramento. I hope to see more of your works in the future."

Derek reaches into his suitjacket and hands her one of his business cards, which reads:
Derek Noble
Instructor and Drama Department Chair
Wagner Institute of Visual and Performance Arts

The card also lists his phone number.

Derek presses the card into Eva's hand, then releases her hand, sliding his fingers lightly along hers as he does so.

"I'll be watching for any upcoming shows, but much as I try to keep up with such things, I have to admit that sometimes I get too involved with my work to keep track, so I'd very much appreciate a call when you've next got an exhibit."

He waves a hand around the gallery area. "I'm going to continue checking out the works of the other artists. Meanwhile, it was nice to meet your acquaintance, and I wish you an excellent evening."

She bites her lip, those amber eyes glowing in the dim light.

"I... Thank you so much, yes I believe my dear friend Mrs. Scotts will be hosting another show for me very soon, I would be glad to call you and inform you when... If there are any pieces that interest you for purchase you can also set up a meeting at my studio," she smiles gently, and takes the card, the piece of cardstock dissappearing into her hoodie pocket.

Derek notices Eva's shyness, and while he finds it - and her - charming, he doesn't want to cause her any discomfort, especially not on the night of her local debut. He smiles and says, "I'd be honored to receive that invite."

He holds up the exhibit pamphlet. "Perhaps I missed it earlier, focusing on the work itself ... is the phone number or address for your gallery listed on this?" He punctuates the question with a slightly-raised left eyebrow.

"Ah no, I recently moved to a larger studio space, here," she says, pulling two cards out of her back pocket and handing one to her friend Jayant with a smile and then to Derek with another lovely smile.

"That is my current location, I am there every night, you can feel free to visit," she says to Derek and then smiles to Jayant and says "and you and Valencia are of course still welcome, now go enjoy yourself Jayant," she smiles.

She then looks back to Derek, her gaze holding a lingering interest there, right beside the haunting sadness and intelligence.

Derek smiles warmly as he accepts Eva's card. He thanks her, studies the card for a moment, then meets her eyes again. "I like tonight's selections, but I was wondering if you currently have other finished works at your studio, or any works in progress that you would be willing to let another view? I have to admit, I'm at least as interested in the creative process as I am in finished results. Naturally enough, given what I do for a living, I suppose. I also love seeing an artist's workspace."

Noticing the interest in Eva's eyes, Derek decides to try to find out a bit more about that.

Spoiler:

Reed pauses as a couple of painting catches his eyes - he turns to look at them for a moment - like there could be something there.

Spoiler:

Kyle returns, hair slightly mussed, but none the worse for wear. He sees a bold-looking man looking intently at some pictures, and steps in fairly close to him, trying to look at whatever he's looking at.

Spoiler:

As Reed studies the painting, at first, there seem that it was nothing - just a very good realistic painting of a massacre. It was something that Reed would have to note and ask the painter about if he ever got a chance to speak with. As he was studying the painting, he didn't notice another gentlemen step beside him - looking at the painting - which was when it started to move.

Reed blink and turned toward the voice - he could feel the beast within him stirring at the presence of an overtly powerful beast. He smiled - just to keep control on the beast - it was the first time that he had such a strong beast - but these nights all the bogyman were coming out to play. "Just admiring the painting here." Reed replied - finally smashing down the beast to his will.

He wanted to continue studying the painting to see if there was any hidden meaning to it.. or if he was just wasting his time. But, it did move.. didn't it?

Eva casts her gaze shyly down, finding Derek quite handsome and intrigued by him for not only his interest in her art, but his willingness to speak with her.

"Yes, of course, why dont you come by tomorrow evening? I will be working there after sunset, the light is better in the warehouse." she replies.

"Excuse me," she murmurs softly, stepping around him to pull the shroud off of just a couple more paintings, this an old tradition of hers, to wait until the show is well and going and then add to it, so those who think they have seen it all are compelled to stay longer.

Derek smiles and nods happily. "I will be glad to come by tomorrow evening, and thank you for the invitation."

He waits as Eva unveils more of her works. He finds the one focused on the skeletal pelvis intriguing, and is rather jarred by the next one she reveals. He studies all of them, but feels drawn back to that one.

After she has revealed them all. "Please, feel free to tell me if you're one of the many artists who prefers to not talk directly about her art, letting the art instead speak for itself, but if that's not the case, could you tell me a little about this piece." He points to the piece in question.

Kyle swivels himself around to meet the newcomer, and he smiles when he sees the outfit and the hair. His smile is like the first sight of dawn after a long night. He sweeps his hand in the direction of the exhibits, pointing out one of the pieces in particular. "Oh, I just saw him looking at one of the pieces here and wanted to see what was so interesting. It's very realistic, don't you think?" Kyle extends his hand to the newcomer in introduction. "The name's Kyle."

Amy and Matilda arrived at the gallery about twenty minutes after the show opened. Amy was dressed in an expensive-looking-but-not-too-flashy little black dress and low heels. She wore demure dangling earrings made of gold with a matching golden necklace . . . neither of which were very flashy. And she carried a tiny black purse, that was just big enough for her phone and a few other essentials. In matching nothing-too-flashy fashion, she wore her red hair down, pushed back behind her ears.

Amy looked around the gallery as they entered.

"Well, look at this," she said, noticing the rather macabre nature of the paintings. "Unexpected . . . " she mused. "I like it."

Eva smiles, finding herself more and more attracted to this Derek gentleman, wondering if he they will become friends... or perhaps morem his interest in her artwork the most interesting thing about him so far.

"No I do not mind... I dream of that place... often... It's dark, and alarming, but it is one of my most frequent recurring dreams," she nods to the dark room in the painting.