[Jango: I don't get why people don't like me. I'm not the bad guy in this story!]
Sector 7 of the Phoca Gigas system, Space Station Isis. The sector is the home of the Artisan Guild. Painters, sculptors, bakers, writers, and various workers from metal to wood to cloth and so on. The Artisans, in a lot of ways, are the backbone of the sector. There is no solar system here, just a collection of colony worlds and space stations. It's neutral territory for various warring warlords, all fighting for the right to take the Solar Throne and become master of the universe.
On the 7th day of the 7th month of the cosmic calendar is the day every Artisan looks forward to: Auction Day. Where Artisans do everything in their power to sell the best of their crafts. Some sell pieces, others try to market themselves to sell their services. The only rule - an unspoken one - is that the Artisans never know who will be there. After all; who rules what pieces of space can change at the drop of a hat. One year, you're dealing with the God Emperor of the Red World. The next, he's been dethroned by his second cousin, who was assassinated by his wife, and she was conquered by her neighbor and is the accompanying slave of the God Empress of the Gold World.
[Jango: ...Okay, so I'm not the good guy in this story either. But I'm not a drug lord or war profiteer.]
Jango Fox had a lot of paintings on display. As a member of the guild, he also looked forward to this day. He had many displays in his section. But there was one piece he made special. With information slipped to him by a broker he was good friends with.
[Jango: ...Hey. Don't look at me like that. You can't break a rule that's unwritten. Shishishishi~]
And then, she appeared.
Sesuna Of The Summer Court, a Sylvan of Planet Carver. The Sylvans are a peculiar people; according to them, they evolved from a giant tree on their homeworld. In essence, they're humanoid trees, with bark-like skin. The Sylvans used to be seen as peaceful people, but never weak people. In fact, they have been mostly left alone due to offworlders going to Carver and never coming back. In fact, they were savage, tribal people before these ignorant visiters were slaughtered and their tech salvaged, kickstarting their space age. They have been big players on the world stage since.
And Sesuna was their current ruler.
"Hmm..." Sesuna mused as she looked at the painting displayed. "A depiction of Agape, The Tree of Origin, in the colors that match my leaves." She put a finger to her chin. "If I didn't know any better, Artisan, I'd assume you were trying to pander to me."
"Well~" Jango shrugged his shoulders, "is it working?
"Admittedly, it is." Sesuna answered.
