The Proscenium; Thomasicism - Tumblr Posts
Oops. Seems like she made the wrong call.
But such blunders weren't completely new to Dolasach, and her response to his next question was one she'd given a few times before. It's just that now, she knew Thomas was much, much sharper than the typical curious stranger. It made her a little warier (even more so as she listened to him speak), but she reeled it in before it could make Thomas even more suspicious of how much she had her guard up.
She played it casual by giving a nonchalant shrug before answering his question.
"I... Suppose you can say that? I used to spend a lot of time around the art majors back in university, joined a workshop here and there. Even attended some of Rafayel's lectures when he was a visiting professor," she said, turning to him briefly. She continued to take down notes for an excuse to not make too much eye contact with him.
That's good enough, right? I even gave him some sort of reason for her to be a little more familiar with Rafayel's work than he might've expected.
"I've also read a few books and frequent the museum too—it's all really fascinating even if I don't have it in me pursue it as a career." Which wasn't a lie, and she hoped that came through enough for him to buy it.
Though maybe she was a little too sincere, a certain wistfulness so briefly tinting her words.
"I mean... you get it, right?" She turned to him again, properly this time, gesturing at him with her stylus. "I'm sure you've got clients like that. Fascinated by theory, but not enough for application. Too busy being a doctor, or a CEO... In my case, a Hunter playing bodyguard for an actual artist..."
Take the bait. Bite.
❦ 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.”
"Pfft. You said that, Thomas, not me."
She allowed herself to relax and have small chuckle until she realized that that wasn't the end of it with Thomas.
No, she could tell that he was thinking over everything she'd told him, and just that by itself had her raising her guard. Mentally, she prepared herself; surely there would still be a way to explain everything away?
Yet the moment he began pacing around her and started laying out his thoughts, Dolasach knew she was done for before he even reached his conclusion. She realized much too late that the only way she would've avoided being found was out if she'd simply refused him, but a combination of overthinking and ego got the best of her.
Damn.
Once he finished speaking, all she could do was sigh--half in annoyance, half in defeat.
"Alright. I suppose I shouldn't have tried my luck with fooling a man who's been navigating the professional art world for at least six years," she said, crossing her arms as best she could with a tablet still in hand.
"But to answer your question... Um..." She glanced around the room. "I... I like acknowledging that I know a thing or two about art, but I don't let letting people know I'm an artist. Does that make sense? It's just more peaceful if people don't know."
❦ 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.”
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.”
Tapping the pen did manage to get her full attention on him—not that she wasn’t already hanging on to every word he said in a bid to find any sort of hidden objective. She’d just been avoiding his gaze, not wanting anything in her expression to give too much away.
But looking him in the eye as he spoke turned out to be more reassuring for her than she expected. The sincerity in his words reflected in his eyes and it was hard to ignore.
She paused.
Then she thought about it.
So far since meeting him, Thomas has only ever been nice and helpful. As paranoid as she was that she was just buying into a businessman’s charisma… So far he seemed like a genuinely good guy.
And, well, Rafayel certainly seemed to think so, if he’s still keeping Thomas around as his manager. And that guy barely has any patience for anyone he catches even a whiff of insincerity from.
She sighed. The overthinking doesn’t ever end, but at least it’s heading towards not being so suspicious of Thomas now.
“I’m sorry for being so defensive.” She took another deep breath and let it go just as slowly. “I’m just… Really unsure of how to handle this. The last time I gave sharing my work a shot didn’t exactly go well.”
This should be fine. He seems like a trustworthy man.
(But he’s closer to Rafayel than he is with her, she reminded herself.)
“I… Don’t really post my work anywhere. It’s all private and only a handful of people know about any of it. But if you want to see a little of I’ve done, here—“
If he makes any more connections… Then maybe she’s really the idiot for trying her luck like this.
(Yet some part of it was still so enticing, being known like this—artist to artist, right? For once?)
After a few swipes and taps on her tablet, she offered it to him, watching his expression. Her digital sketchbook was open and contained pages and pages of concept sketches, color explorations, studies, and notes. None of it was too revealingly personal and there were no signs of any of the finished work that came out of this miscellany, but it was enough for her style and meticulousness to shine through, and it was clear she had a fascination with Lemuria and the sea. Some of the studies were even of Rafayel’s own work.
“I normally prefer mixed-media and fiber art for finished work, but a majority of what I make are sketches and paintings to save time and space.”
Her cheeks turned pink as she waited for his reaction. Why did this feel so… Embarrassing?
❦ 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.”
"Yeah, I... I guess I do admire him a lot..."
To say otherwise was a complete lie, but to agree didn't quite feel right. But to explain how exactly she felt about Rafayel seemed all too revealing, and all the more that she'd rather not explain when it was Thomas she was speaking to.
So she just smiled and gave a sheepish grin that softened into something more genuine and moved as she took in his compliments, all of which hit her harder that she thought they would.
It was one thing to have her work be praised, but the way Thomas's words instilled her with a sense of validation unlike any other took her by surprise. Though on some level she knew she shouldn't be, not when the man in front of her is someone who handles Rafayel's work on the day to day, with a keen eye for art and aesthetic that she knew surpassed her own.
(Then again, all the more that praise from him would warm her heart and melt her walls a little, wouldn't it?)
The rush was addicting, and enough to distract her from noticing any hint of realization that dawned upon his features. She could really only respond with a shy smile and a pink dusting of her cheeks that she tried to hide behind her hand while the other accepted her tablet.
But it didn't last too long, because his unexpected question suddenly rendered her a little lost regarding his intentions and even more surprised by the new tidbit about himself he'd just revealed to her.
"You... Play Kitty Cards?" she looked him up and down--he certainly didn't seem like the type, but humans are complex creatures. "I.. Well..."
She looked back at the paintings then to her tablet before shrugging.
"Sure. I can always come back for Rafayel's little challenge later, and I think I've had enough of looking at those things for a while."
❦ 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.”
It would really benefit Dolasach to simply be normal and let go of all her little worries and concerns, and habit of overthinking everything. Take a few notes from her employer, see how much it’ll benefit her.
Thomas really is just a nice, friendly guy.
The explanation was a perfectly mundane, normal one, save maybe for how she didn’t quite expect Rafayel to have been the one to introduce Thomas to Kitty Cards. But really, with how much of a wild card he can be, she shouldn’t be shocked at all.
“I was just surprised. You don’t seem like the type to be into Kitty Cards, let alone stop by Meow Cafe for it.”
She accepted his hand and stood back up, smoothing out whatever wrinkles had formed in her clothes once upright.
“Oh, actually… The deadline for this isn’t due for another few days, so we’re good with not having it done right away,” she explained with a brief laugh. “Now that you know that I do know a few things about art… You have better context as to why I was so upset about Rafayel’s challenge. It's really not that urgent.”
With one last glance at the paintings, she slid her tablet back into her bag and nodded to his offer. A chance to make a new friend wouldn't hurt, and one that she didn't have to hide who her most recent employer was too.
If anything, now that she wasn't so wary of... Everything, she had a good feeling about Thomas.
"Let's go."
❦ 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.”
She answered his question as they walked and made their exit from the gallery, grateful for the bit of distraction as she was immediately reminded that yes, of course Rafayel's agent can be just as cheeky as him.
"The sort of person that would be too busy for Kitty Cards," she answered, opting for something safe. "Or the kind of person that would prefer the company of an actual cat."
Looking at him as they walked along the sidewalk, she could picture him with a cat or two. Though now that he mentioned not knowing her that well, she realized all the more than she didn't know him well either. Even her comment on him being a person fond of cats felt quite topical and unfounded on anything other than... Vibes.
His honesty had her humming in thought, brow slightly furrowed—thought this time, it's lighthearted curiosity sparkling in her eyes instead of the analytical scrutiny from earlier.
"What makes you say that?" she asked earnestly. Then she added in a more joking tone, "Aside from, I suppose, whatever gripes we may have about our mutual employer."
"You've... Honestly struck me as someone who'd mostly talk to me if you needed something about Rafayel done," she sheepishly admitted. "But I suppose that's mostly because we've only really spoken because of business and errands..."
She sighed. And all that still mostly revolved around Rafayel...
❦ 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.”
"He does?"
Dolasach's brows furrowed, not having expected that Rafayel would talk about her enough times that it stood out to Thomas, or felt enough to bring up.
She wasn't sure how to feel about that. But judging by the the context around it even being mentioned...
"What does he say about me? Nothing bad if you're bringing it up with me, I hope?"
Her expression lightened into a grateful, polite smile as she thanked Thomas on her way inside the cafe. Once inside, she scanned the tables for any vacant ones. Luckily, there was one that had three empty seats.
She took mental note of his confirmation that he wasn't just an agent, but a former artist as well. Curiosity made her want to ask, but perhaps later, when they have their drinks.
"Oh... As far as I can tell, Rafayel doesn't know," she answered. "I prefer that he didn't, though it gets annoying he starts talking down to me like I don't know anything."
"Do you want to sit there, by the way?"
❦ 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.”