the "p" doesn't stand for pretentious, FYI. [art gallery, may 6th—??? ]

[theearth]

[ Welcome to Locke's very own Taste de Louvre, everyone! Predictably, the unveiling of the new set of statues at the magnificent Hugh P. Thadson Gallery of Fine Art has turned out to be a rather fanciful affair. The upper echelon of snobby society, in their snobby society attire, has come to mingle amongst one another—and is endeavoring to ignore you, fair citizen, as much as possible—and discuss this fantastic addition to our city's fair culture.

The first statue is a touchingly metaphorical piece, the prominent carving of a snake coiled around a human heart that looks so real you can almost hear it beating within your ears. This statue appears to be the most popular; the crowds drawn around its base simply can't stop going on and on and on about how wondrous it is, along with the rest of the works on display tonight.

The second statue also depicts a snake, but has its blush-brushed scales cut dramatically open to display its own wicked black heart. The Thunder Corporation and its latest line of tacky memorabilia is the primary subject of discourse here.

The last statue is strikingly different from the other two, and features a wolf howling at the open sky,* dying in apparent agony with a sword driven through its chest. You get a distinctly unsettling impression from it that the other, ordinary folk don't seem to notice—that perhaps your adventure to meddle in recent affairs is ill-advised. Inscribed below the pained wolf's paw is a link of sorts to a peculiar forum that, when accessed, bears only the topic "Let's Negotiate" with the same message enclosed within. Strange, but since no one else is talking about it, you wonder if you can't have just imagined the whole ordeal... and yet stranger things have happened, right? Perhaps it's worth looking into, in any event.

There's plenty to do with the statues about and the gift shop buzzing, with lots of familiar faces to run into. So what's your agenda for the evening? ]

(( General mingling post for the plot as related to art gallery affairs! There will be base threads for OPEN INTERACTIONS, open to all as implied, CLOSED INTERACTIONS, for planned out one-on-one interactions between player characters, and a general purpose EVERYTHING ELSE, for characters who wish to explore the gift shop, just mull about. Just as a general reminder:

1) Touching one of the snake statues will grant you one (1) Echo, for two (2) Echoes max. However, touching a second statue will definitely arouse suspicion, so be prepared for that. One safe Echo, two potentially risky ones up for grabs here! No Echoes from touching the wolf statue, though, so slither your way towards the snakey-snakeys for those.

2) If you'd rather not touch the statues themselves, hanging around them for awhile -- about an hour or so -- will grant one (1) Echo.

3) Accessing the webforum will not grant an Echo, but posting a reply to it will. It will be possible to get a second during conversation, but as for how it happens... it's a secret to everybody!

4) Little statuettes are available for purchase in the gift shop, but do not grant an Echo themselves in any way.

You may also handwave the mingling NPCs being snobby snobs at you, just for fun. Because why not.

As before, please wait for all base threads to go up before posting. OPEN FOR BUSINESS! In your character's subthreads, please put your character's name, the day, and optionally the time you are visiting in the title so things remain nice and neat. Remember, open to all interactions in the open section and one-on-one time in the closed section. Everything else goes in Everything Else. This post will remain stickied throughout the entirety of the plot duration, for easy finding.

The plot post for this week, detailing about the art gallery and more, can be found here.

*This awesome picture drawn by our very lovely Lucas-mun! Thanks, MC! ]

Comments

Souji | May 10 | Afternoon

[deathcough]

[He wasn't quite sure why he was back again, but, well, there he was! Big surprise that Souji couldn't keep his nose out of anything for too long, especially if it might mean trouble for him.

He bought a little wolf statue (at least, one hopes he bought it), and seems to be trying to compare the little one to the real one and growing bored.

He takes a step back, holds up the mini-statue, aims as if he's about to throw it... And tosses it so it completely misses and meets the ground on the other side with a crack. Souji tosses his head back with a loud laugh at the startled expressions and dirty looks, before sauntering over to pick up his mini-statue, still chuckling to himself]

[masterofbling]

Well if it isn't the man of my dreams.

[Don't mind him slowclapping at you. He's a little drunk. Good show, chap. Scare the mortals.]

[deathcough]

[He turns and bows low, scooping the statuette up as he goes. The wolf's tail broke upon impact it seems, but Souji can't be bothered by that. He angles his head up and smirks.]

I've been bouncing around dreams so much it's hard to keep them all straight. Were you the one with the harem, or the one with the riding crop?

[masterofbling]

Both probably. Who says you can't use the latter on the former?

[deathcough]

Ahh, you're one of those types. A man after my own heart.

[He winks and walks over, tossing the little statue carelessly up and down] You know, you should buy me a drink. [He says this like it's very obvious and Richard would be a fool not to follow through]

[masterofbling]

Slow down, sweetheart. Damn, don't I get any over the shirt action, first? Besides, the booze is free.

[Souji's just going to get a scoff in response. Dick knows how to play the bullshit game. It's his favorite. A lot more fun than Battleship for sure.]

[deathcough]

[And scoff Souji does. There are times when Souji's moods can be wildly unpredictable sometimes, but other times...] I meant for us to go somewhere quieter where we could be alone. Sheesh, you're terrible at this.

[But he grins and gives an easy shrug] For the best probably, the last thing this place needs is for me to get drunk. I'd be banned forever and who'd entertain the guests then?

[masterofbling]

Already want some alone time, huh? Sorry, I'm not exactly keen on it. There's money to be made tonight. What kind of entertaining are you going to be doing anyway? Dancing up on the statues?

[deathcough]

The high society here doesn't know how to have fun--I think they'd just be scandalized.

Keeping them on their toes is more my style. [He casts a look around, his gaze lingering on nothing for long in apparent boredom.] But making them jump and get annoyed is only fun for so long.

[masterofbling]

That's why I play the long game. Making them jump is all well and good but the real fun comes with making them pitch themselves off cliffs.

[deathcough]

Takes too long, I'm not that patient. [He shrugs as if to say 'oh well!' and inclines his head] Can't lie though, I can't definitely appreciate your style.

...Name's Souji. What's yours'?

[masterofbling]

Prince Charming to some. Maybe you.

[Seriously Souji he's been following you around the network. He's disappointed you don't recognize him from Facebook. :c]

Though I prefer Big Dick.

[deathcough]

'Big Dick', hm? A nickname and an advertisement, I hope.

[He taps his lower lip thoughtfully with a low 'hmm~' noise] Why does that sound so familiar... [Is he being playful, or does he really not remember?

~The world may never know~]

[masterofbling]

[Sure play your games. He likes games.]

Maybe you've seen me on the cover of GQ...

[lmao he wishes.]

[deathcough]

[Souji stares a moment, expression completely flat.

He looks Richard up and down and then, with a nasty little smile, says:] You look like you're more likely to get on the cover of Playgirl before GQ.

[masterofbling]

Been there, too.

[Again, he wishes.]

Your mom keeps back issues from the nineties?

[deathcough]

[Souji just smiles, all bright happy sunshine and puppies and double rainbows are oin all the way across the skkyy--]

Oh, my mom's been dead for a while, so I don't think so.

[masterofbling]

That's sad.

[Smiling right back at you.]

Hope you buried her with some Playgirl.

[deathcough]

[Souji makes a low hiss noise like he just remembered something unpleasant] Ooh, no, I forgot to throw some in her coffin to keep her soul entertained.

I'll be sure to call the people up first thing in the morning and ask them to dig her up so I can throw some in.

[masterofbling]

Sounds like a great plan. I could probably autograph a few.

[Look at all the fucks we give. :U]

[deathcough]

I'll be sure to call you up.

Your size won't disappoint, will it? I don't want to give her anything inferior.

[They're going to hell.]

[masterofbling]

[Warm climates!]

I'd show you but then I'd have to kill you. It's a fate worse than death to go around feeling inadequate about your equipment for the rest of your life. Wouldn't want you to suffer.

[deathcough]

[Souji can't help it. He just starts laughing-- he can't even pretend to be offended]

Ah, Big Dick! It's all coming back to me now! [He laughs again and grins] Nice to know you're exactly the same offline as you are online!

[masterofbling]

Of course. I'm a lot better in 3D though.

[deathcough]

I can vouch for that. [His laughter subsides and he grins broadly, casting a casual glance around] What brings you around here? The culture of the art gallery?

[The immense sarcasm indicates that he doesn't believe he's here just for art for even a second.]