French-Italian Relations

Who: Rey and Eva
When: Evening
Where: NMU art gallery

Between taking down one exhibit at the school's art museum and putting up another, Eva had been busy all day, staying hours past her usual day. It was something she loved, however, so she didn't begrudge the time. That didn't mean it wasn't hectic, however, and evening found her finally finishing up with the last few pieces of the new exhibit, the student-faculty exhibition. She had a few pieces on display, a necklace or two and a few of her larger wire sculpture and beaten metal pieces. All that was really left was to finish up the paperwork and she could leave for the night. Though she still managed to look as fresh as she had that morning, she hadn't yet met a woman (including herself) that could wear three-inch heels while running around for nine hours and not get sore feet. Slipping the rectangular, black-frame glasses on that she wore for detailed jewelry work and small print, Eva leaned a hip against the gallery's reception desk as she checked things off and signed where appropriate.

Rey was still trying, still working to keep himself from sulking in the house, drinking too many fine wines, and stewing over Rafael's frame of mind. He'd helped clean up some destroyed paintings, had seen others in the garbage. It wasn't something he usually minded, but the recurring themes in them were obvious to him. It was the same woman, probably the commoner Rey had seen him dancing with at the masquerade, and that bothered Rey. If his brother was getting infatuated? Well, that might mean there would be mistakes to cover up.

But Rey didn't want to dwell on it, so he'd gone out. He'd enjoyed a fine, solitary meal at Capers earlier, and had seen local fliers advertising a change of the displays at what passed for a gallery up here. It was university hosted, sure, but good artists had to start somewhere. Rey'd headed that way, intent on viewing some good art instead of his brother's gibberish and maybe buying a piece for his home if something passed his standards. Breezing through the student center, Rey frowned at the first few pieces on public display, then stepped into the small gallery space. His instantly narrowed on Eva's shapely shoulders as recognition set in, but Rey held back from approaching, choosing instead to browse opposite her in the space of the gallery. He smiled thinly as he regarded a pottery piece, deciding that this would be a good distraction no matter how it panned out.

Eva worked her way steadily through the paperwork, reaching the last sheet with a triumphant, if weary, flourish. Checking through to make sure it had all been taken care of, she handed the sheaf off to her one remaining student assistant, with instructions to drop it off in the art department's office while Eva checked the layout once more and made sure everything was to her liking.

The gallery was usually slow save for the debuts, which for this show was tomorrow; there were a few students meandering around, but Eva was surprised to see a stranger also browsing. He didn't look like a student, and she didn't recognize him as a faculty member - though the school was certainly too big for her to recognize all of the professors who worked there. She had to pass him on her way out; to her surprised, she recognized him as one of the brothers she'd spoken to at the masquerade. His name came to her a split-second later. "Reynald," she greeted as she paused beside him. "What a surprise to see you here."

His smile curled a touch wider as Rey ket his back to Eva, tamping it down before he turned. He feigned a look of surprise, nodding at her in greeting and grinning warmly. "Eva, yes?" he asked as though he wasn't quite sure. "And please, Rey is quite suitable outside of social functions." He glanced back at the pottery piece, nodding to it and looking to her again. "I'd just recently read of the new exhibit, and thought I should take a chance to see the old one before it was gone. Of course, the trip is much better with a somewhat-familiar face attached to it. Are you working?" he asked, waving a hand breezily at the space around them, "Or simply enjoying the surroundings?"

"Rey, then," Eva said with a smile. "I'm afraid to say you may have wasted a trip if you came for the old exhibit," she continued. "This one is the new one. The debut is tomorrow, actually; you're getting somewhat of a sneak preview this evening." She glanced around at the gallery, rather pleased with the layout and design of the exhibit. "Working," she answered, "though I believe I'm through - or close enough to it - for the evening. We have some very promising students graduating this year; it's a pleasure to see their work on display."

"I do not believe you can waste a trip to a gallery," Rey pointed out with a wink, "Even bad art is a lesson, yes? At least in which artists to avoid." He turned back to look around many of the new pieces, lips pursing thoughtfully. "I admit I feel privileged though, for an early glimpse. At a glance I must agree, it looks as if there's some real talent at work here." And of them, maybe one would actually become someone notable, so long as Rey or others of his kind didn't become involved. "The advertisement I saw said 'students and faculty'... are you counted in the ranks of the faculty taking part?" he asked shrewdly, curious to see if Eva's refined nature also meant she had some artistic sensibilities.

"I'm afraid I wouldn't be much of an art teacher if I did not produce a few pieces of my own from time to time," Eva said, with a small laugh at his joke. "I focus primarily on jewelry, but I have a few larger pieces. The faculty does, however, take a back seat to our seniors on display." She winked. "After all, we are the ones with jobs, and they are the ones about to embark on a firsthand experience through the world of 'starving artistry.'"

Rey smiled lightly, nodding in agreement with Eva's point. "Too true, perhaps one of them will gain their first recognition from this." He took a few steps along the wall he'd been facing, studying a small painting that was pedestal-mounted. "And where, pray tell, are your pieces?" Rey asked curiously, glancing back Eva's way. "Perhaps I'm being too free with the opportunity I'm afforded tonight, but I'm curious to see the skills of the professor herself." And even if he was likely three times Eva's age, such strenuous academia had never been his interest, so there was a small amount of real admiration in his words.

"A crueler woman than myself might make you search for them," Eva teased lightly. "But should you continue down this wall, you'll find my few contributions. It's nothing groundbreaking, I'm afraid; my focus the majority of the semester thus far has been in teaching, not working on any exhibition pieces, but I suppose I hold my own." Teaching and, of course, the various crises and emergencies that seemed to have cropped up with alarming regularity since moving to Marquette.

"Aha," Rey said simply, smiling slightly wider and moving down the row of exhibits. He leaned in, studying the metalwork with a critical eye and wishing he could touch the pieces. The art did seem well-crafted, and he had to at least give Eva credit for her skill. "Impressive," he murmured, "Especially if you lacked the time to develop your work as much as you might like." Rey breathed deep, bleeding off tension just from this bare exposure to some real culture. "Do you happen to take commissions?" he asked, figuring it'd be a better reason to see more of this woman.

"Thank you," Eva murmured. "And occasionally, yes. If the piece fits my aesthetic. It has been quite a while since I've taken one, however. Nothing since I've moved here, of course, and back home I'd mostly been working on my jewelry. It is my first love, after all." She raised an eyebrow, giving him a sideways look. "Was there a particular piece you were looking for?" she asked.

Rey shrugged, reaching up to smooth the lapel of his coat before answering. "Not particularly, no," he confessed, "But I have a small, personal collection of paintings and sculptures. Nothing too amazing, though I do have a personal masterpiece that crowns it all. However, I am always looking to expand upon my collection." He put on a gentle smile, turning away from Eva's work to face her fully with a masterful look of sympathy in his eyes. "And I must confess that since I have moved here, I have been rather apathetic. For the majority of my life I've dwelled in larger citites, places with plenty of culture and diversions. I admit, I feel arrogant even saying that much. But I thought this an opportunity too wonderful to ignore, a chance to celebrate some of the culture I've left behind. And if I were to commission a piece of your work? Well, that would prolong my exposure."

Eva had been given puppy eyes from more skilled people than Rey, but he didn't do a terrible job of it. "Is there a particular style you collect?" she asked, feeling that niggling little touch of curiosity start tickling the back of her brain. The sort of touch that usually led to her cutting out a window or roof tile at two in the morning, and she did her best to squash it. "I'd love to see what you've collected thus far. As for the commission... if there is a particular style or feel of the piece that you are looking for, then we could perhaps discuss it and see if I am the right artist for you."

"Everything outside of surrealism," he told her, "And as for sculptures or metalwork, I go case by case. I'm afraid that my knowledge of tactile artwork is more limited than my knowledge of the canvas." And as for surrealism? Well he had Rafael around to cover both that and abstract painting, on the rare times when Rey would actually give his brother's artwork much scrutiny at all. "I'd offer to show you my gallery sometime, but I do believe the offer would sound rather improper on my best of days," Rey added, chuckling softly and looking away from Eva, moving down the line to another piece she'd contributed for the exhibit.

"Well, perhaps if you find a polite way of asking," Eva said, "I might take you up on it." She smiled faintly, determined to wait and see if an offer would be forthcoming in future days before taking matters into her own hands. "For now, I might settle for the names of artists and pieces, should you have any notables you can recall."

Rey chuckled in dry amusement, more than happy to get into the specifics of his pride and joy. "Well, I have some early works of Balthus that many consider lesser works. A relative nearly purchased his 'Sleeping Girl' some years ago, as well, but I can only dream of owning it now. What else?" He feigned thoughtfulness, smirking a touch and pondering. In truth, this moment was plenty of enjoyment for Rey, and all he wanted was to prolong even the polite conversation. "Ah, yes... one of Spencer's self-portraits, a David Hockney, and the jewel I mentioned?" He glanced conspiratorially at the students lingering to finish setting up the exhibition, looking back to Eva and smiling. "You are familiar with Renoir, yes?"

"Very impressive," Eva said, learning a great deal about his particular artistic tastes from the artists mentioned. She raised an eyebrow when he asked her familiarity with Renoir, smiling despite herself. "I would be a poor teacher if I was not," she pointed out, amused. "He was, after all, only a star of the Impressionist movement, whose works are some of the most frequently reproduced in the history of art."

"Have you ever seen his 'After the Bath'? The first, that is; the red and white back view?" Of course the second was more famed; it was a gorgeous piece, a refinement of Renoir's already-sublime skills. "I am, of course, being deliberately rhetorical. Aside from textbook reproductions or prints, the original has been in my family for near a century now." He grinned proudly, nearly beaming at Eva with the look of one who just had to show off a little. "I generally place it on loan if I'm staying somewhere for an extended period of time, but I somehow doubt that any gala in the area may meet my standards of security and care."

"Unfortunately, I'm afraid you'd be correct," Eva agreed. "Which is a shame; it would be lovely to see the original." She knew the work he referred to, the first of his works to bear that title, done in red crayon and stunningly lovely in its simplicity. She didn't think there was a gallery in the area that she couldn't get into on her own with simple tools, and that meant that none of them were secure enough to house a work of such fame.

"It could be arranged," Rey baited, crooking his brow curiously at Eva. "Perhaps you would care to join me for dinner some evening? I'd relish the chance to discuss a commission from you, perhaps swap some ideas on what might be produced..." And give you the night of your life. Of course, that bit was improper, not to mention unlikely. Women like Eva were never easy marks, but that didn't mean Rey wouldn't try.

"That's very kind of you," said Eva with an urbane smile, "though I'm afraid I will have to decline. I'm currently seeing someone; I think perhaps any business discussions between the two of us would be best kept to my office or perhaps a local restaurant." If Rey were more of a friend, perhaps, but she'd only met the man a grand total of twice, and she wanted things clear from the beginning to avoid any miscommunication or misunderstanding in the future.

Rey returned the smile, all polite courtesies lighting his eyes and expression. "But of course," he agreed smoothly, "I would not dare to intrude in such a manner. Do you perhaps have a sister as learned as you?" he asked with a wink, chuckling dryly. "I jest, of course. And I would still be delighted to share a meal and some quality discussion, should you be so inclined. After all, it is far easier to pay than it is to cook, no?" Which made Rey smile wider as he nodded to himself, following the analogy. "Or, for that matter, to commission an artist instead of creating on my own merits."

"That sounds lovely," Eva agreed after chuckling at his little joke. "In my case, I believe it is far safer to pay than it is to cook. I would hate to agree on a commission only to pose a hazard to your health with my culinary skills. Or lack thereof."

"A lady of Italy without culinary skills?" Rey scoffed jokingly, patting himself down for something he could write on. He really needed cards, though his career wasn't the sort one could advertise. "I can only assume the nation exiled you to preserve its' image. Do you have a pen?" he asked, with a flash of a smile, "I think propriety would favor us both if I gave you a number to reach me at, and left things there." That way, the ball was in her court. And until she called, Rey could look into her, her life, her mysterious suitor.

"I am a master of both coffee and pasta," Eva declared, amused, "and that is all Italy truly cares about. Beyond that, I am an artist. I'm sure my country finds me indispensable. A moment." She returned to the desk where she'd been working, returning with a scrap of paper on a clipboard and a pen, both of which she handed over. "I think that is an agreeable solution."

Rey nodded in satisfaction, taking the clipboard and scrawling down his cellular number for Eva. "Well then, I believe this marks a new day in French-Italian relations," he joked, "What next? A cessation in arguments over wines? Or art? Or even classical music?" He hoped not; Rey was definitely of the mind that arguing with this woman could be fun, so often it led to... other heated pursuits. "In any case, I hope to hear from you soon, Eva. And I will leave you to the last of your work. But thank you again for the advance look at the showing."

"Never," Eva declared. "I will forever champion the superiority of Tuscany over Bourdeaux, da Vinci over Froment, and Puccini over Debussy. You are welcome to do your worst, signor, but you shall not prevail." She smiled then, teasing, and took the clipboard and pen back from him. "I'm glad you managed to stop by," she said. "You are welcome any time; have a good evening, Rey."

"I'm afraid my evening will be spent formulating debates to all your points aside from da Vinci," Rey admitted with a laugh, bowing curtly and taking a step back. "And I will be anticipating this clash of opinion, madamoiselle, you may see me haunting the exhibits in days to come. Until that moment arrives, take care. Adieu," Rey said in parting, turning to leave and curling a smile as he put his back to Eva. Boyfriend or no, this was promising to be amusing.