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

[orumad]

No. Should I be? [ She rubs her head, glancing back at the statues. ] They're creepy. I mean, I know they're supposed to be a metaphor for something, but still. Creepy.

[11ady]

Touching them might lead to something adverse. But if you're deadset on it, I'm here on standby.

[orumad]

Right. [ And now that she's here to do it, well, she's hesitating. Dahlia rubs her hands on her slacks, moving closer to the first statue. Thankfully, most people are looking elsewhere, so when she reaches out, no one really sees her.

When her hand connects with it, there's that... feeling. Like her body's been emptied out and her head is ringing. ]

[11ady]

Anything?

[Her eyes don't leave Dahlia for a second. She watches the girl with a perceptive stare, noting any change in body language.]

[orumad]

[ She tries to take a breath, but it feels like she can't. Like something is sitting on her chest. Her eyes water and when she blinks, tears start to roll down her face. The memory, the feelings, aren't hers but they're both still there.

She turns away from the statue, moving back to Elle as she wipes her face with the back of her hand. ]

That was... that was fucking intense.

[11ady]

There's a bench outside. I can take you to sit.

[Extending her hand, she offers to lead. Best to get out as soon as possible before anyone else takes notice. Women in distress are like catnip to sleazy men.]

[orumad]

[ She nods, taking Elle's hand. She isn't worried about being noticed, but if the other woman thinks it's best, why not. As soon as they're close enough, she drops down onto the bench. The tears have stopped, but she still feels shaky. ]

Thanks. That was just so strange.

[11ady]

You're free to disclose what you saw at your discretion. If you'd rather not talk about it, that's all right as well.

[Elle's fine with just sitting here and keeping the girl company. Better than leaving her alone when she could be emotionally fragile.]

[orumad]

You're way more patient than most people. And nicer, y'know that?

[ Dahlia takes a deep breath, closing her eyes. It's easy to see it again this way, if even sitting there with her eyes closed makes her feel like she's going to fall forward or backward. ]

I was laying on .. train tracks. Waiting for the train. And there's this... [ She huffs. Swallowing thickly, trying to get past the lump that's forming in her throat. ] It's not enough. I'm not enough and he'll never see me or notice me, not with them. This is the only way.

[11ady]

[The compliment goes unacknowledged. One doesn't need to be recognized for the simply doing the right thing. Instead, she rests a hand on the girl's shoulder, keeping herself open if Dahlia needs someone to cry on.]

A morbid sight then. A memory of death? I won't say more if it causes you further distress.

[orumad]

[ Typically, she doesn't care to be touched unless she initiates it. But it's soothing and right now she needs it. ]

I don't know. It didn't get that far. I can--I can remember thinking that he'll always remember me if I died for him.

[ She opens her eyes, cringing at what she just said. ] God, that's a fucked up thought.

[11ady]

A man then? Someone you've met here?

[orumad]

[ She frowns. ] No, I can't see him. I don't think it's someone here. [ She takes a breath. ] Maybe if I touched one of the other statues.

[11ady]

You really think that would be wise? After what you just experienced? Do you think I can just sit here and let you do that in good conscience?

[orumad]

I don't think anyone could ever accuse me of being wise, Elle. [ She's trying for self-deprecating, and instead, just sounds slightly pitiful. ] But there could be more answers. Maybe I'd see the rest of this.

At the very least, it would get the taste of this out of my mouth.

[11ady]

Have you considered at least waiting awhile? Don't let curiosity cloud your better judgment.

[orumad]

Sure. Should wait one hour after experiencing one of these freaking whatevers before going back for seconds. Works for swimming, at least.

I think I need something to drink. [ And before any conclusions can be leapt to-- ] Water, I mean.

[11ady]

I can walk you to a water fountain if you're well enough to stand.

[orumad]

Only one way to find that out. [ Putting her hands on the edge of the bench, she scoots forward and plants her feet on the ground. Right about now, she's regretting the heels, but taking her shoes off in public falls under the 'not a good idea' category. She pushes herself up, waiting a moment to see if she's going to drop in a heap. ]

We have achieved vertical.

[11ady]

You can't hear it by I'm mentally applauding.

[Standing next to Dahlia, she gestures forward.]

Ready when you are.

[orumad]

I'd bow, but I think that would be spitting in the face of karma.

[ She starts walking, taking careful, small steps. It's a bit like trying not to fall on your ass when you're smashed, which she has experience with. ]

How many times have you been here?

[11ady]

Once. The first time didn't exactly encourage me to make a return trip.

[Turning a corner, they spot the water fountain in the distance.]

Just a few more steps.

[orumad]

I'm guessing you didn't touch anything, so... you got something from just hanging around?

[ Elle seems the type to be smart about stuff like this. But patience is a virtue Dahlia doesn't possess.

Feeling more comfortable, her steps become more regular as she moves. ]

[11ady]

Yes. I didn't really feel comfortable laying hands on anything. I brushed against the wolf statue though.

[orumad]

And what happened with that? I was more distracted by the snake things to really look at it.