The Finest Arts (D9 LA, Arali's Apartment, Closed)

[Arali Zian]

"Hey, now; I don't go all out for just everyone. Just the ones who are worth it," she smiles, but decides not to mention that she was thinking of Arsele when she grabbed the sunfruit preserves.

"But it's something I enjoy, and I like expanding my repertoire. Master Lorne was a meat and potatoes kind of man, which is kind of hard to cater to without the meat, so I've learned some weird tricks."

[Arsele Girard]

Arsele chuckles lightly, ''Certainly comes across that way on the news. Though I suppose you can't always tell someone's eating habits by their personality. Speaking of things you enjoy though..."

She sat up straight, at attention, "That reminds me; I thought the main reason I'd come, besides seeing you of course, was to see your paintings. And hopefully get painted or sketched myself."

[Arali Zian]

"Of course!" Arali chirps as she takes the dishes over to the sink to soak. She can actually wash up later.

"Now is actually the... well, the second best time to look at my work." She heads into her room, and pulls a rack half full of paintings out of a cabinet. "Right before HuttCon would be the best. I don't normally keep a lot of my work on hand. I did good business at the con, but I still have a lot of product that didn't move. I do a lot of pulp holo inspired landscapes for the occasion."

She flips through the paintings. Grand, dramatic landscapes with harsh shadows, dire fortresses, and nonsensical streams of glowy stuff in complimentary colors. Vibrant fields of flowers leading to white, radiant castles gleaming in the sun. One cutaway oceanscape shifting from a brilliant blue full of happy little fishies to a deep, dark murk and a mysterious cave veiled behind dark, ominous, obscuring kelp.

[Arsele Girard]

Arsele stood and followed, bare feet patting gently on the floor as she walked up behind Arali. Her hands went to Ari's upper arms as she peered over her shoulder.

"Wow... Now I really know I should have seen your booth at the Con. Where'd you learn so much about landscape composition from?"

[Arali Zian]

The answer is immediate. "Master Lorne." She gives any disbelieve a moment to settle in.

"He talks about painting as a form of meditation, training patience, as well as studying terrain and tactics," she explains. "I think he just needs an excuse to have a hobby he enjoys."

[Arsele Girard]

Arsele chuckles softly, "Not what I expected as an answer, but I actually believe it. He wouldn't be the first person I've met with a secret hobby. You painted together sometimes then?"

[Arali Zian]

Arali nods, "That sums up... most of the quiet moments between us. The war consumed our lives back then, and when we weren't tied up in that, well... there isn't a lot we agree about. But when we were painting, it was... well, it was almost like we could actually get along."

[Arsele Girard]

"I'm glad to hear that."

Arsele smiles at Arali before turning her eyes back to the art, "...I don't see many characters or animals though. Not as a judgement, just a curiosity."

[Arali Zian]

Arali shrugs, "It's just what I'm most practiced at; landscapes and architecture, not people and creatures. I can do it, it's just not my specialty. And for HuttCon, I keep to theme. Actually, at HuttCon, I got... I'm not sure whether 'commissioned' or 'press ganged' is the right term, but I did a portrait for Darth Xevious and his daughter."

She taps a holo-projector and brings up memory of the painting. Serani is lovely and dignified, easy to capture in Arali's highly realistic style. The Sith lord, on the other hand, is depicted with the greatest care. Angles and lighting and pose carefully constructed to cast his significant bulk in the most dignified light, as large and commanding instead of fat and sloppy.

[Arsele Girard]

"Huh... I guess it really does take all types..."

Arsele looked a moment longer before standing up straight, hands letting go of the ends of Arali's shoulders. "Anyways... I don't suppose you have any you'd want to... loan to an old friend perhaps, Arali dear?"

[Arali Zian]

The decision is easy; Arali picks up the painting of the white palace on the flowery field, "Every princess needs her castle." She smiles, though in the back of her mind, the question of what will happen to the rest of her paintings when she leaves disturbs her. She can't really take them, but she doesn't like the idea of throwing them away.

A worry for another time.

Then again, she's running out of other times.

[Arsele Girard]

Arsele isn't expecting the quick answer, but the painting Arali chooses is wonderful regardless. "...huh."

She lets out a chuckle, her surprised expression melting, "Thank you... You're probably right, and my tiny little apartment probably doesn't count. This wil add a lot of colour too."

[Arali Zian]

"I'm glad you like it," the twi'lek smiles. "And I'm glad it found a good home," she chuckles lightly.

"You know, it's funny. When I came here, I thought I'd hate every second. Master Thun helped me find my feet, but I figured after that, I'd leave. I never thought I'd call the ultimate urban wasteland home, but... I'm going to miss this place."

[Arsele Girard]

Arali gave a slight smile, "Well... home is definitely more than just an environment; It's more about the people you meet and the memories you make. I mean, Alderaan was a beautiful and peaceful place, but the people I knew were very superficial or judgemental. I've found worse here, but also better."