She Watched Him With A Lingering Wariness To Her Gaze That Only Softened When She Caught Something Akin

She watched him with a lingering wariness to her gaze that only softened when she caught something akin to sympathy in his expression and heard an apology. It comforted her that he understood where she was coming from; it made her feel that perhaps, he could keep this entire conversation a secret.

And now that he knew, maybe it would be okay to let him know a little more when he asked her that question. What difference would it make? It wasn't anything revealing,

Plus if she were to be perfectly honest with herself, some part of her did want this side of her to be known, too. She lost one of her only confidants months ago, and she was tired of having no one to go to each time Rafayel unknowingly undermined her knowledge of the arts. It's her own fault he didn't know, but it didn't do anything to assuage her annoyance.

"In any sort of serious manner?" she answered, relaxing a little as she thought about it. "In my second year of highschool, so for about... Six, seven years?"

She watched as his expression betrayed that he'd realized something else about her, and she didn't like that she wasn't sure what.

Then as he continued speaking—ah.

Maybe she really was flying too close to the sun. Now she wasn't sure how to get down.

"Well, yes, of course," she answered, brows furrowing together. "Why do you ask?"

❦ a reintroduction to shape and color

closed starter | @thomasicism

—

Perhaps Dolasach should’ve known better when she agreed to be play bodyguard for a rather… eccentric personality.

She wasn’t a stranger to world-renowned artist Rafayel’s odd quirks, or to his occasional apathy towards coming off as unreasonable. Whispers of those facets of his personality made rounds among her circles in university and never failed to be mentioned in his interviews—artists are stereotyped as strange and anti-social for a reason. Even in her brief encounters with him prior to the arrangement, she could already tell that he wasn’t an exception to the trope.

So why then, she asked herself, did I agree to be his bodyguard?

The answer echoed in her mind in the form of a coral stone and a dark blue envelope. She sighed and kept walking along the city sidewalk, paying little mind to the passing cars or passersby.

Almost as if in mockery, today’s weather brought a slight drizzle, too. The soft pitter-patter of the rain making contact with Dolasach’s umbrella did little to soothe her mood.

Nearing her destination, Flux Arts, she pulled out her phone and reviewed her conversation with her employer from last night.

Noisy Oarfish: im still saddened by the fact that my own bodyguard cant identify my work at a glance. if word gets out and youre called “incompetent,” ill be devastated

Noisy Oarfish: you need to improve your artistic sensitivity

Noisy Oarfish: tell you what. ill leave those forgeries at flux with the original and you need to tell me which one is the real one

Noisy Oarfish: but not only do you have to pick the correct painting, i need you to analyze. no point in this if you just get it right by guessing or asking thomas

Noisy Oarfish: think you can get it done by friday?

Me: Fine.

Something about the whole situation sparked such a deep annoyance in Dolasach that had her determined to get the assignment done as soon as possible. Rereading the messages rekindled that flame, and she felt all the more eager to get started as soon as she entered Flux Arts.

Thomas better be here.

The sudden shift from noisy city sidewalk to quiet white cube gallery made her feel a little too aware of how upset she was. After taking a moment to try and collect herself, she approached the receptionist.

“Excuse me.” Her tone was calm and even. “Is Thomas around? I’m here to run an errand for Rafayel.”

leafing through flowers - daniel ost (2000)

Anaïs Nin, Delta of Venus, originally published: 1977

Pendant

c. 1860-1880

Enamelled gold scent flask pendant, in the form of a cat on a cushion set with an emerald, rubies and pearls

Victoria and Albert Museum

[decides against voicing out her disbelief that it's the simple and sweet nickname that got him--just knowing that that's what it was was enough. she's definitely smiling to herself.]

[pulls him closer with her free hand before it travels up to his head to play with his hair]

Mmm... We have all the time in the world for those possibilities, and I do look forward to them. Though... whether we spend the day like this or on some crazy adventure, so long as I get to spend it with you... I'm happy.

[takes his hand and kisses the back of it, soft, and peppering a few more until she kisses his palm. eyes glint with mischief for a second then—

bites his wrist.]

Not fair, Dol.

*Holds her wrist with the hand she bit and tugs her into him, matching her gaze of mischief*

You only have animosity because your feelings for me are soooo great, aren't they? Am I mistaken?

---

Send my muse a kiss