Skye's the Limit

“I’m scared to see what you’d do if you actually tried.” Jacques chides in response, examining with her work with finality. In his many centuries, Jacques collected fine pieces from famous painters. Yet none ever trumped those with significance. Although she came to him later in life, Skye was practically a daughter to him. Surely that trumped a passe, Spanish rendering of Picasso. Without missing a beat, he steps towards the mantle of the fireplace. His fingers pull off the Picasso, immediately swapping it with hers. “Looks wonderful.”

“To be honest, I’m afraid to try hard at something of my own. I can replicate the greats, down to how to make it look just as aged as the original. But my own art...it’s different it’s mine and it could be crap. And in an instant my dreams could be done and over.” What she didn’t say was that it had to pass a test, that test was if Jacques liked it before she’d even think of showing it to anyone else. Yet he said it was wonderful. “You know I think you’re bias. You’re practically my dad so isn’t that a requirement of parents to say art looks great? Even if it’s stick figures?” she asked jokingly. 

Lennox raised an eyebrow. He couldn’t think of a reason to create legendary paintings except to sell them. He wasn’t one to judge about such a thing, considering everyone in the city was a little shady, but her unknown motivation still intrigued him. He poured fresh coffee into her cup, careful not to let even a drop spill. “That’s interesting. I’ve never had any artistic talent - at least, not when it comes to painting or drawing or anything like that. Are you looking to recreate them for your house or something?”

“I’m great with painting, drawing, but also just creating. I used to make my own jewelry in high school. I have a ton of them already, but they’re flawed the color is a bit off, the canvas a bit too new. I’m working my way up to my favorite Starry Night. But this one in particular I was asked to make. So I’m not keeping this one.  Though if a stranger walked into my house to the untrained eye, they’d think they walked into a mini art museum.” Though her best works were rarely kept, she did keep the trial and errors that were close.

Grey cast only a cursory glance towards the girl, it was dark in here and she was wearing more clothes than the dancers. “Close enough. Tell you what, you bring me a beer and I’ll buy you a drink too,” he offered, figuring it was better than getting up to try and find a server.

“You know...everything in me right now wants to say get your own drink and call you an ass, but I’m a lover of free things. So I’m going to get it.” She saw one of the servers and she headed their way, making sure to put her drink on his tab as well. She came back with a beer for him and a whiskey sour for her. “I should probably say thanks for the drink. So thanks. I’m Skye.” 

“Did you at least get up to anything fun after you left?” She sipped her drink. Candy couldn’t complain about her evening, she’s gone skinny dipping, explored the manor, and finished the night with an epic bang. “I’m sure you can do it, if you put your mind to it!” She laughed with amusement.

“I always try to do something or someone fun if I didn’t find anything exciting at the party itself. So I threw my own little rager at my place. What about you?” Skye laughed. “Yeah...I’d have to make quite a few forgeries and put in a lot of overtime at Wicket Whims to make that work.” 

“Never?” Cal repeated, quite surprised. Even he, someone who frequently had one night stands, had only recently mated, and had engaged in activities with sex workers many times had meaningful conversations during sex. Her revelation too him off guard. “Sorry, that just really surprises me. I wasn’t in a serious relationship until recently…and I’ve had my fair share of nights at places like Wicked Whims, and I’ve definitely had my fair share of meaningful conversations during sex…If you don’t mind me asking, how old are you? Maybe it’s just my age….more time on the planet, more opportunities to chat.”

“Never, not at all.” Skye shook her head, “Oh don’t worry about it, I’m an anomaly. I know I grew up hiding who I was from most people, so meaningful conversations felt like a lie to me. I’m thirty. It could be that or I could just be sorely lacking in meaningful connections with people.” 

“Perks of having known the prick during his lifetime. He smelled foul, but my God was he a talent.” Jacques reminisced with a nostalgic smile. He long stopped debating what life would be like as a mortal being. Instead, he’s come to find the beauty in having lived through history. “Thank you. Now more than ever, we need to ensure the safety of our clan.” While she did not share their immortality, Jacques has welcomed her services to the fold. The world was changing, and so their clan had to as well. “As it stands, vampirism is seen as the most impure of the species in Shadowfalls.” Jacques comments with a roll of his eyes, as if ungodly witches or vicious werewolves were any better. “I want to ensure my kind’s safety, should the other covens or packs get any wise ideas. I’m thinking of putting a protection spell on the marketplace.”

“Damn, sometimes I forget you’ve lived so much life. I’d love to hear more about your life and the people you’ve met that I’ll only ever read about in books. That is if you have the time to entertain me a little.” Skye would absolutely love to hear those tales about the people he’s met in his lifetime. “So we’re looking at threats all around covens, packs, the whole gang. I can definitely do it. I might have to take some time to recover, but it’s definitely doable. You know anything you ask me to do I’d do. You and your clan kind of give me a little bit more purpose and I feel less alone coming to this city.” 

“One refill coming right up,” Lennox nodded, then headed for the counter, glancing over his shoulder to chat as he walked. “Vincent Van Gogh, really? I don’t have many people coming in here to look at books about artists. But yeah, I think I do. I’ve got a whole art section somewhere in here. What’s your side project?”

“Thanks, I appreciate it. I know that’s kind of a weird subject matter. I actually debated if I was even going to ask or just keep meandering around looking myself. “I’m trying to recreate one of his self portraits. Eventually I’m going to work my way through all of his works. But that’s going to take some time.” She left out the part where she planned to sell, but that wasn’t relevant to the subject in her opinion. 

“Clearly not poking around where you weren’t supposed to be,” Candy replied unapologetically, she had been all over that manor, and spent very little time in the designated party zones. “No one needs a sex dungeon, it’d just be nice to have one.” She joked, the closest Candy had was the stripper pole in her bedroom, but that was mostly for practice. “You know, for emergencies.”

“Clearly I wasn’t. It would have saved me a lot of random conversations. I probably wouldn’t have left so early if I knew there was a sex dungeon. I’d even be happy with a room. For emergencies. These days all I have is a corner. I might work my way up to a dungeon though. I’d have to really put in some work in all my somewhat shady endeavors to make it a dungeon.” 

“He looks worse for wear. I wasn’t about to let him leave without showing him why it’s not smart to mess with me.” At her next comment, Cal raised a brow. “Sex can involve meaningful conversations - even at Wicked Whims. Granted, I generally bring my own guest and play with them and other patrons…but, still. I wouldn’t say having a meaningful conversation is a part of a failed night there.”

“See I was hoping someone with minimal damage had done some damage to others. Especially since someone came into your place unwanted and unexpected.” She shook her head at his words. “I don’t disagree, but that wasn’t my point. My point was more if conversation was all I was giving, and not was what expected. But I’ve also never really done the whole meaningful conversation during sex thing, so I’ll have to take your word that it doesn’t equate to a failed night. If I try it and it kills the mood I’m going to remember this conversation,” she joked.  

“Catticus is a special breed,” Lennox admitted, shaking his head. He shelved the last book from the stack in his arms and dusted his hands on his jeans. “Can I help you with something else? I can get you a refill, at least.”

“You named the cat Catticus. That’s awesome actually. I don’t want to be too much trouble I actually have a side project I’m working on and was wondering if you carry some books on Van Gogh. And I never pass up anything free so hell yeah I’ll take that refill.” 

In his lifetimes, witches were invaluable in providing clan’s an extra layer of protection. Luckily, Skye had come into Shadowfalls’ mix at the nick of time. “I’m sure it’ll be your best yet. Although you really should take my suggestion and re-imagine the Rembrandt I have in my kitchen.” Jacques replies cordially, a humored nod as he wipes away the red stain at the corner of his lips. “I’ve put together a list of concoctions in short supply.” Jacques makes his way behind his desk, pushing it in Skye’s direction. “But I have another matter to discuss with you.”

“I definitely hope it is. Van Gogh is one of my favorites. So trying to master that one will be very kick ass. But the Rembrandt is next on my list. I still find it cool as fuck that you just have a Rembrandt in your kitchen.” She would practically die and come back to life having an authentic and real Van Gogh in her home. She picked up the list that he slid over to her, nodding as she read over the potions that he would need. “I can definitely whip them up tonight and have them ready tomorrow.” She put the list in her purse, her full attention turning back to him. “Sure, what’s up?” She didn’t know what the other matter could possibly be, but her mind was racing to guess at the moment.