2020-03-12 - Winter's Art

Right now there are no classes in the art gallery, but the owner is a bit busy. People come and go at times which means that there's always a need for something to be cleaned up. Hera gets to it and as she does Queso, the golden tabby cat, rubbbbbbbbssssssss up against the black easels because they 'are' his for the claiming. Hans, the dutiful guard dog, just watches the cat and whines. "I already took you out for a walk." She tells him, obviously his alpha got the wrong message. The poor canine is under appreciated apparently.

But a mess here and a mess there, she picks up some stray trash and then goes to get a broom. There can't be too much trust here as Hera's main nemesis is the snow outside but might as well keep things in order. "Summertime." she sings a bit to herself, "Come here summertime. Give me the right weather."

Maybe someone is not a fan of the cold?

And in to the gallery walks Oren- though the young priest is not in his usual get-up. No sign of his collar or the black shirt and pants that usually mark his office. Instead he's in well-fitted jeans and a flannel shirt, buttoned up and with a white undershirt beneath. His concession to the cold is a nice woolen coat, a blue so dark it may as well be black, and a pair of black gloves just peeking out of one of the pockets. There is the glint of gold from a small crucifix showing around his neck. He seems to be in a lovely mood, chatting amiably with Kass as the two of them arrive. "You'll have to be my guide- unless it's religious art, my knowledge is pretty thin.", he's telling her, with a warm chuckle.

Laughing lightly at the commentary, Kass grins up at Oren and shakes her head, "Don't look for deeper meaning in what you see, just go with what you like. Look for the pieces that speak to you. In the end, it doesn't matter what was intended, or even what the artist was trying to convey. Its what YOU feel that matters. If the painting speaks to you, makes you feel something? Then that's all that matters." The young woman with the bright red hair is dressed rather counter to the man she walks in with. An used army overcoat covers a bright blue sweater from the local thrist store and a pair of darkwash jeans tucked itno an untied pair of bright yellow reflective Chuck Taylors. She's got an arm hooked through his and is leading him into the gallery with a bright smile and wave for Hera. "Hi! I came to get my new friend some culture!"

Hera pauses from cleaning and looks over at the two as they come in. "Oh hello!" she greets. "Please please, come in, make yourself at home." Her disposition is a cheery one. "Would you like some coffee or I can see about making some tea? I can also offer wine but, I'd recommend Gluhwine with how cold it is outside. It will get better." She slowly gestures toward some of the shelves holding a variety of pottery and there's also a few paintings on display. "Enjoy!" she says, "And there's plenty of places to sit." All in all, the owner seems quite hospitable.

Leon tries his best to seem unimposing as he walks in the door, really he does, but the big locksmith can't really help his size. Hands tucked in the pockets of a clean looking black wool coat, he's actually without his parka today, figuring a social call wouldn't be the worst, even if part business. It'd been a few weeks, and he wanted to see how Hera was getting on with the new system he'd installed. His eyes of course check the locks on the front door, and he spots each fixture he'd installed unobtrusively to see if they were still lit. He knew that Kim girl was going to be making some camera improvements, but he had left that to her as he moved on to other jobs.

One hand is already drawn from a pocket, held gently to hang at his side as Leon catches sight of Hans, a slow grin coming onto the locksmith's face as he makes a little motion with his fingers to welcome the dog to him if he wanted.

Oren gives a slightly crooked smile as Kass refers to him as her 'new friend', but it softens and warms as he looks over to Hera as greetings are made. "Thank you!", he replies to Hera, and gives a tiny bow of his head. "Some coffee would be pretty lovely, actually." He looks to Kass curiously to see if she wants something for herself.

"Coffee would be -great-, thanks. I love this space, its really open and light!" Kass responds with a grin towards Hera before tugging Oren towards the pottery and paintings. "See, eventually I want a loft space sort of like this, only I want skylights, just... all the skylights. I would have all kinds of stuff up. Paintings, chalk art, maybe even some tactile stuff." Offering a wave towards Leon, she looks towards the paintings and smiles, "I love seeing other peoples' work..."

Hera grins at the coffee orders but when Leon comes in she seems thrilled to see him. In fact, the squeeeee she makes if offered with a bit of a hug for the locksmith and she exclaims, "This is one of my featured artists!" Yes, someone is proud! Maybe Leon is embarassed? Maybe he doesn't have time to think about it as Hans gets to his feet to go over and properly greet the man. The four legger wags his tail as he comes closer but he seems to behave. "Coffee coming right up then!" She does seem to be in a mood to please. "It's nothing too fancy though but I offer cream and sugar. Please" she continues, "Look around, enjoy. There's many pretty things here."

"I'll take both, and plenty of the latter, thank you!", Oren calls, looking amused at Hera's reaction to the new arrival. Noticing Leon and the dog himself, he smiles warmly and nods in the stranger's direction. Turning his attention back to Kass, he chuckles. "That does sound pretty amazing- I'm a fan of the skylights myself, admittedly. Though I suppose my tastes run a bit more in the direction of, ah, stained glass usually.", he tells her, with a self-deprecating smile.

Leon just lifts a hand and gives Kass a small friendly smile. What else can you do in this situation but be polite. He didn't know either of them. But then he's got a redhead on him and he has to return a hug. His life was so hard, yaknow? Yes, he was absolutely just as embarrassed just like every other time Hera, shit. She really could not lay off. He suffers it all with a chuckle, then steps forward to start to scratch Hans gently around the ears, "I was just stopping by to see if you've had any issues with the stuff I installed." he admits, then, after a moments thought, knowing a question was probably going to follow, "I'm still developing some stuff from Vegas. Sorry. The Saint Patty's Day planning has kept me a little busy."

"Black coffee for me!" Kass calls out before looking back to Oren with a chuckle. "Now now, none of that. We're just having a nice outing to look at some art and maybe grab some food on the way back. So no bagging on yourself, kay?" She bumps him lightly with her hip and smiles warmly at him. Turning back, she looks to Hera and calls out, "Are you still looking for people to display in here? I could probably bring some of my canvasses by if you're interested. I work mostly in acrylics and spraypaint, and I do some sketching on the side." She glances curiously over towards Leon, perhaps curious about a fellow artist.

Hera oohhssss for a moment at the mention of stained glass, "Now that is art, real and wonderful art. You can do so much with it too." The coffee is made and she goes to get a tray. Of course, she has to tease Leon a little, "Everything works great, and you don't give yourself the right credit you know. Many people love the image of the lighthouse you took." At the mention of featuring more art she nods eagerly, "Oh definitely. I'd love to see your work. Hopefully sometime in the next few weeks I'll host a charity event of some sort and that would be a good opportunity for more people to see the amazing local talent." The coffee is offered to both Kass and Oren. She asks though, "Did you want something to drink Leon?"

"I'm not!", Oren half-protests, grinning at Kass. "I like stained glass windows. There's something... sublime about them. The way they transform light." Hera's return with coffee and praise for his love of stained glass art brings a wider smile to his lips. "See?", he tells Kass, before reaching for his coffee with a sincere "... thank you.", given to Hera. He sips his coffee, looking between Kass and Hera as mention is made of possibly getting some of Kass' artwork on display. "She really is amazingly talented. Though as her, ah, friend, I suppose I may be biased."

Leon holds up a hand to wave off any drinks. He'd had his coffee today. "Nah, thanks though. Really just wanted to check on you." There's a slight roll of his eyes with all of Hera's bluster about him and Kass curiosity. He points in the direction he thought the pieces had been hung the last time he was in for the duo's benefit. "My uh... Maggi made me bring a few pieces in. I take pictures. Hera has not let me live it down since." He stage whispers toward Kass, "Run now." but follows it with a chuckle. He eyes Hera, though something pinches around his eyes. Something was very different about her since he'd seen her last...

"Excellent! I'll bring some pieces by later this week, you can see if any of them appeal," Kass responds to Hera with a bright grin, her hand tightening around Oren's arm in excitement. She chuckles and turns that grin towards him, "I don't have anything against stained glass, its beautiful. But I saw that smile after. This is why we're here, to broaden some horizons and see what else you might like! Man can not live by stained glass alone." Accepting the coffee, she blows a bit of steam away and takes a welcome sip from the cup, sighing after. She offers Oren a softer smile and chuckles, "Biased you may be but I appreciate the vote of confidence either way." Nodding to Leon, she smiles, "The photography is amazing, you're very talented. You should be proud of that, sir, not everyone can be an artist."

Hera winks over at Leon and says, "Yes, you should be proud of yourself, very very proud of your work. I think I met another photographer recently. Julia is her name. Mabe you know of her? I hope she comes b to show me her work too. It's all about timing. Speaking of stained glass, I will have to look into getting some for display if nothing else."

"I know I can't. If I have any talent for art, it's not one I've found yet.", Oren adds to Kass' comment to Leon, grinning at the man. "You should definitely be proud." He takes a sip of coffee, and looks around curiously, taking in the art around them. "Is... most of this local talent?", he asks Hera, curiously.

"I feel like there's some sort of joke I can make here about how you just expect all photographers to know eachother." Leon quips at Hera, he is still holding up hands in a warding gesture, all the praise really just not what he wanted. "Thank you, all of you, really. I just take pictures, please stop." he chuckles, looking to the gallery owner, "Text me if you've got any problems Hera. I don't mind coming to visit Hans." he says, a final joke, dropping to a squat to really give the dog all the love and affection he can before he's pushing to his feet again. He'd wave, he'd turn to go. He'd pause at the door for... just a minute, looking back at Hera. Then he'd go.

"It was nice meeting you, Mystery Photographer!" Kass grins and waves towards Leon as he heads off. That pause sets off a brief shudder in her and has her peering towards Leon a bit more closely. Running her tongue over her teeth, she grins to herself, "Nice." Looking to Oren, she smiles brightly, "Your talent lies with people. Its why we get along so well! You're strong where I'm weak, and vice versa." Turning towards Hera, she tilts her head in the departed Leon's direction, "Who is that guy? He's pretty fun."

Hera replies, "Yes, much of what is on display is celebrating the local talent." She then tries to cast Leon an affirmative look and says, "Everything is great. Thank you for setting it all up." At the mention of Leon though she says "Really good guy, smart one too. Security expert. I'm glad to know him."

"It's a poor priest that can't relate to his flock, true enough.", Oren quips at Kass, tho he watches after Leon when the other man leaves, his head tilted slightly to the side like a dog that just heard a strange noise. He gives Kass a slightly questioning look when he notices her reaction to that whatever-it-was, but Hera's words quickly draw him back and he smiles at the gallery owner. "That's... impressive. I'm, ah, honestly surprised to see so much excellent talent in a small town like this." His smile softens. "Another sign that I've come to the right place, I suppose."

Hera bows her head politely and then stands back up the greet the two. "I'm truly glad you both stopped in. Please return whenever you can. For now I need to check on something in the back. I'll leave Hans with you in case you need something." The working dog is always that...working.

"You relate to people as a person, Oren. That's what makes you so good." Kass murmurs with a smile, squeezing his arm lightly and leaning in close, briefly. She looks to Hera next, grinning, "Definitely talented. I'll look forward to talking to him again another time. I'd love to get his input on a few things." To Oren's look, she gives a small nod and smiles softly.

"It was a pleasure meeting you!", Oren calls to Hera as she heads off, then smiles a bit sheepishly at Kass. "I do try.", he replies, then turns to walk along with her, looking at the various pieces on display with open curiosity. He may not be much of an art critic, but he seems to enjoy looking, giving each piece an appreciative look. "It really is unusual, though. I wonder if the place attracts talented people as much as... well, you know."

"Honestly? I think the two are pretty closely entwined. A lot of us end up being savants of a sort. Electrical geniuses, poets, painters, tech gurus, Mr. Fix-Its... it just sort of goes with the territory, I think." Kass answers Oren with a smile, looking towards the artwork on display with a smile. She sips at her coffee and nudges him lightly, "So. Now you're out into the city itself.. what do you think? Want to try meeting some more people?"

Oren nods thoughtfully at Kass as the two walk around the gallery, arm in arm, looking at the art and sipping their coffee. "... I suppose it does make sense.", he murmurs, but blinks as whatever thoughts he was having are derailed by the redhead's question. "Well, I haven't spent all my time cooped up in the chapel, you know.", he says, with a warm laugh. "But, yes. Of course I want to meet more people." After a pause, he adds, in a softer tone, "... I suppose I should start getting used to not spending as much time in the chapel, really."

It was the best place to find a picture, probably, when one was redecorating. Faith walks into the gallery and shivers, still cold from the chill outside. She is bundled up even if the bulk of the winter is over, but there are flurries! A scarf hides half her face, ice colored blue eyes peek out from beneath a knit cap. Snow boots, jeans and a thick marshmallow like parka also assist in keeping her warm. Stomping her feet on the rug by the door, she glances around to see what all was on display for sale. Catching sight of people, she lowers the scarf and offers a friendly smile.

Kass draws him over to one of the seating arrangements, smiling up at him, "You should try to get out more anyways, Oren. Socialize, make friends in the community. You're going to be here for awhile." Turning at the door opening, she offers a bright smile and wave towards the newly entered woman. "Hello! I'm afraid the gallery owner had to step away. We're just patrons taking in the art." Looking to her companion again, she smiles, "See? Meeting more people already."

Oren joins Kass as she sits, and chuckles softly. "You're right about that. I've got no intention of going anywhere." A pause. "The company is rather nice, after all." He sips his coffee. "It's just a bit of an adjustment. I'm used to the community coming to me, at the church.", the young priest says- not that he looks much like a priest at the moment, dressed in just jeans and flannel and a woolen coat, no sign of his collar to be seen, only a small gold cross on a chain around his neck as a sign of his faith. Well, that, and the aura of warmth and caring he seems to emanate. As Kass turns to greet the newcomer, he glances over curiously, and smiles warmly, welcomingly at Faith, raising his coffee cup lightly in greeting, before giving Kass an amused look. "Imagine that."

"Oh thanks, I was mostly just coming in to look around. Redecorating my loft since my sister moved out and was looking for something that just spoke to me. I don't mind just window shopping for now and leaving my number." Faith returns with a friendly smile for the both of them. "I've never been here before, but it looks interesting from outside so I figured I would stop in." The scarf is unwound to just hang around her neck on both sides. The coat is unzipped but left on. "So many things to explore in here, I wonder if any is local art." It's mostly rhetorical, but she smiles again at the pair. "So either of you shop here often?"