savetheearth | the "p" doesn't stand for pretentious, FYI. [art gallery, may 6th

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

[ 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! ]

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There was a certain sandy-haired teacher transfixed by the wolf statue, that evening. Not so much the sensation he was getting from it, but the expression on its poor, wolfish face. He might have been able to control his expression in the presence of the two snake ones, but the wolf one seemed to have hit him closer to home.

He didn't notice Chris and her companion immediately, too busy staring and feeling a little bit like he might be ill. That seemed to be far too common lately, but this time, at least, he didn't think it came from something he ate.

At least the wolf was different, if no less disturbing. Elian pressed his lips together, wondering how something so grotesque could pass here...

...at least they weren't the only ones who disapproved. That man looked all but stricken, really. In truth, Elian couldn't blame him. Statue or not, how pained the poor thing looked...

"They say art is suffering, but I can't commend this sort," he mused quietly, mostly to himself- though loud enough to be heard.

That startled Lyall out of the stare, and he winced a little at himself for being so obvious. Though if this stranger here didn't find them as amazing as everyone else, did that mean he was immune to the things it was sending out, too...?

"Art is supposed to be suffering for the artist, I believe," he managed in reply, pulling himself together. "Not the viewer. You don't like them much, either, then?"

"Not at all. The two snakes are tasteless, and this...well." He made a vague hand gesture at the wolf, still frowning. "I happen to like dogs. But even if I didn't, I don't think I'd like this."

At least it wasn't more graphic.

Though Lyall wasn't much of a dog person, this hit home rather more firmly than most dog art. He looked back at it, and gave a tiny shudder. "Why would anyone even bother... why would anyone think this was art? And better yet, why do everyone else in here seem to think it is?"

Well, he could guess why everyone else did. But he didn't know if this gentleman knew it, too.

"I wish I could answer that. As it is, I'm reminded of the Emperor's New Clothes. Being the only one in the room who sees it for what it is, rather than a lie."

Perhaps not precisely the truth of the tale, but close enough for these purposes.

"Though at least I know I'm not alone." He tilted his head in the other man's direction.

"No... you're not. There are-- others who feel the same way, as well." Not terribly many, but he could only assume, given the other one he'd spoken with so far was Bakura, it had to do with their strange network. Maybe this was another one.... "There just-- aren't very many of us here, it seems."

He shifted to face Elian more than the statue, though he kept it in he corner of his eye, and offered a hand. "Randall Lyall."

Others...

Perhaps it was just him, but Elian thought he heard some emphasis in those words. And with Christobel thinking the same - or at least along similar lines - did it mean, perhaps...?

"Elian Price." He reached to take the hand, grip firm even if he made no effort to truly squeeze. Far too old for such contests of strength.

"Is this sort of thing...common?" he asked after a moment. "I'm still trying to understand it all."

Lyall was a slightly dorky biology teacher. His handshake was good enough to get by with parents, but nothing particularly strong or engaging unless he was actually trying to seem imposing or difficult. Which was not now. So it was just a loose grip and a slightly distracted shake.

"That depends on what you mean by 'this sort of thing', I suppose. Random statues of snakes going up-- increasingly common. Everyone falling in love with them... this is the first time, to my knowledge."

"Any of this. All of this." Things he felt far too old to be partaking in, but partook in nonetheless. "I take it the wolf is a first, then."

Hopefully an only.

"After a fashion. It may be alluding to something else." Lyall wasn't sure whether trusting this strange old man was a good idea; he didn't know him at all. "But talking about it right next to them is probably not the best idea. Are you here with anyone...?"

Chris had been grabbing yet more champagne and also snacks. Old habits died hard. She was, perhaps, slightly tipsy when she returned.

"Oh! Lyall! Gracious, well, fine to see you here, and I do see you've met my great uncle Elian!" she said with a lopsided grin. "How marvelous. Elian, this is my friend Lyall. Champagne?"

She didn't really wait to see if either of them took her up on her offer.

The man had a point. Elian nodded slowly, turning to look as he thought he heard someone approach. "Yes, actually. I'm with-"

And there she was.

"...Christobel, how many glasses have you already had...?"

"Chris!" Lyall was surprised, and no little pleased, to see her-- especially as it meant this friendly gentleman who seemed like he might be a network-watcher as well was probably safe enough to be talking with. "No champagne, please, I'm fine without. It's good to see you, though."

He glanced back at Elian with a slightly lop-sided smile of his own for the question, mostly because it amused him that he'd had to ask. "At least someone is enjoying themselves here, even if we're not so much, I suppose."

"I've had..."

She started to count on her fingers, frowned, then gave up and shrugged. "Some? More than two. A few? And another. And now I'll have this one. Good to see you as well, Lyall."

Oh, for the immortal liver of youth. Elian can't help but smile - however strained it is - as he reaches to pat Christobel on the shoulder. "Luckily, you're not driving home. And she's had her own commentary on the art," he adds back to Lyall. "Though I must ask - does it look any different now that you're under an influence?"

Because if it does, he may or may not consider digging in to his suitcase. The smell won't possibly overcome the horrible perfumes and colognes in the area.

"I assume her commentary has been about on the level of ours," Lyall comments dryly. Yes, this fellow is defintiely on the network with them. It's the only thing that makes sense, and it reinforces Julien's nickname for him: Smallworld.

He's doubtful that a few glasses of champagne will change her opinion, but if it does-- well, then, they've learned something, haven't they?

"Nope, still ugly, still stupid, still hideously ham-handed," she says, swaying slightly. "Still begging for someone to accidentally elbow one off a pedestal. I think I might cheer!"

"You're not elbowing it off the pedestal." He knows you too well, Christobel. Get the thought right out of your head right now. "Nor are you encouraging anyone else to. Behave."

But he's smiling, despite himself. Why, yes, he's reminded of another outing when Christobel was younger. In fact, he'll just take that glass of champagne off your hand, and half-raise it in a toast towards Lyall.

"As you can see, she's very much of the same mindset. Which is good, because she can be quite vocal."

"Not necessarily that good, when we're in a crowded room full of people who apparently like the things," Lyall points out. Not to mention a room that may also be full of plants looking for people unhappy. Not that Lyall has really been very good at keeping his displeasure to himself, but that doesn't stop him from worrying, either. "Perhaps you'd be better off in a room where you at least don't have to look at them, Chris?"

"I can keep my mouth shut. More shut, anyway. I've been discreet," she said. "Mostly."

"I'll be fine."

"I was thinking more along the lines of if I have to hear it, at least it's something I agree with..."

Taking a sip, Elian arches a brow at Christobel. You? Quiet? To be fair...

"You've been doing well," he concedes. "From what I can tell, they've mostly been ignoring you."

"More shut," Lyall suggests, torn between amusement and worry. "Or more quiet, anyway. At least they also seem to have been ignoring me. I might not have been very vocal about it, I don't think I was very subtle, either. How long have you two been here?"

"Mmm, about... an hour or so, yes?" she said. "Enough to have too much champagne, anyway."

"An hour and ten," Elian corrects, after reaching in to his pocket and pulling out an intricate watch. "I'm not sure how much longer we were planning on staying, but I will say you'll have to still be able to walk." He can hardly carry her, after all.

That aside...

"I haven't trying to blend in, but I haven't been trying not to. Still, the greater majority seem inclined to sing the praises rather than...well."

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

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