[Ariyah – Henry Art Gallery – Buffet – BoL – Fame 2 – A]
Ariyah grabbed two empty plates, passing one to Iris and filling her own with a selection of meats and cheeses from the buffet. When she was satisfied with her choices, Ariyah scanned the room for an empty table to sit at.
When Iris warned her about the Tremere being unwilling to share the secret of liquid in the goblet, Ariyah didn't hesitate, “But I'll never know if I don't ask. Maybe it's a price I'm willing to pay.”
Ariyah didn't know if she had anything that the Tremere would be interested in, but she was willing to do a lot for access to human food again. It would undoubtedly make keeping the masquerade easier. And when she spent time with Jacob or Robert, it wouldn't feel like such a sham…
The younger Toreador was about to suggest that they take a seat at one of the tables by the wall when Iris asked about her art submission.
“Oh, yes, I did. I put in a painting – although you would have guessed that from my profession.” Ariyah gave a laugh and a shrug, “They were hanging it up when I came in. I didn't want to see people's reaction when they looked at it, so I came in here.”
Ariyah was used to working by commission. Painting other people's ideas, even if it was using her style, was less “exposing” than creating a piece entirely on her own. And the rosetail betta was all her. She didn't think she could face the rejection or accept the admiration.
“You submitted something? Can we go see it?” Ariyah was wondering whether they could take food into the gallery area when the Tremere staff approached Iris. When Iris told Ariyah the price her piece when for, the younger Rose was shocked silent.
“Now, I really need to go see it,” Ariyah said, after a moment. She tugged at Iris' sleeve with a free hand while gesturing back at the gallery with her plate-wielding one. “Show me yours, and I'll show you mine.”
While crossing the room, a thought came to Ariyah, and she turned back to Iris with a cheeky grin on her face, “Maybe a major boon would get you the secret to the liquid in the goblet.”
She didn't think the older Toreador would spend her major boon on something like that, but if Ariyah got anything near that kind of offer on her painting, what would she spend it on?