(open) feed your artists.

[sketchedout]

Who: Yusuke Kitagawa and you!
Where: The diner & the gardens
When: The beginning of May
Rating: PG-13-ish
Summary: A starving artist wanders off on his own to explore parts of Wonderland that would grab his interest. Hijinks ensue.
The Story:

A. the diner

[ The idea that there were a number of options for food — none of which actually required any real form of currency, apparently — was almost overwhelming to Yusuke at first. With the key word there being "almost," naturally. He'd made his way down to the dining room to glance over at it briefly — charming, of course, and it certainly meshed well with the aesthetic of the rest of the mansion but in a way, it seemed like it was missing . . . something.

So after a bit of wandering, Yusuke makes his way to the diner (one floor up from his own room, he notes — far more convenient, at least). He steps in quietly, glancing around briefly before making his way over to a booth in the corner. It was, of course, a perfect place for people watching, after all. Settling in, he takes a moment to really examine his surroundings, then tilts his head to one side in consideration before he speaks to no one in particular. ]

It really is quite charming in here.


B. the gardens

[ Sustenance is all well and good but after a bit of dithering about, Yusuke is just about ready to get to work. After all, what sort of artist would he be if he let such lavish and detailed surroundings go unsketched? Surely the inspiration he'd been looking for could be found somewhere within Wonderland's various pockets. So first? Back to where he'd started off, now that he's managed to procure a sketch pad and a decent set of pencils from his closet.

Anyone passing through the gardens may find a young man standing near the fountain with said sketch pad, brows furrowed in deep concentration as he glances from the lilies back down to his pad, hand gliding across the page and etching out neat strokes. Occasionally, he stops and chews at his lip briefly, tucking the pencil behind his ear and the pad under his arm as he lifts his fingers up as if to frame it in his mind.

. . . at least whatever it is he's drawing looks nice. ]

Comments

B. Because artists are precious creatures.

[theothermrgray]

[Of course, Dorian Gray finds something familiar about the artist at work. Perhaps it's due to the familiar guilt surrounding an old friend, or maybe a tiny reminder of some dark secret he'd rather leave behind?]

[Either way, his first impulse is to approach the artist and greet him with a friendly, gentlemanly air.]

Good day, sir. That's a remarkable painting you've started, there.

[sketchedout]

[ He looks up from his sketch pad at the sound of the newcomer's voice, pencil stilling on paper, and then gives him a small nod in turn. ]

It's . . . simply a sketch now, of course, for something much greater in the future. But thank you.

[theothermrgray]

[He smiles back. Yes, this does remind him of that old friend. Perhaps things might turn out better this time?]

You're welcome. As someone who has modeled for an artist like yourself, I understand the time and effort that is put into these things.

[sketchedout]

Ah, I see.

[ That explained a lot — the manner in which he'd approached, how he spoke about it, all seemed to stem from a certain sort of knowledge. ]

A model certainly would have some experience with that.

[theothermrgray]

[Dorian smiles and nods, looking ever so pleasant.]

... You know, we do have an art gallery in the mansion. Maybe you can submit your finished work there?

I'm sure your work will be appreciated.

[sketchedout]

There's an art gallery in a place like this?

[ He pauses, considering. There were a number of questions to ask about it before he'd even consider submitting something, but the fact that it was an option . . . well. Perhaps it could help him with a certain block he'd been stumbling over lately. Perhaps. ]

I was not aware of that.

[theothermrgray]

Yes, there is. You'd be surprised what sorts of places you'll find in that mansion.

[Funny, he actually woke up in that gallery.]

I'd be happy to show you where it is when you have some free time.

[sketchedout]

Perhaps, yes. What floor is it on, if I may ask?

[ He'd explore later and track it down at his own pace, in all likelihood. ]

[theothermrgray]

Third floor, room four. It's the one with the glass door.

[He happens to live across the hall from it.]

You can't miss it.

[sketchedout]

The glass door. I see. Truly fitting for a gallery.

[ He can practically envision it already. How marvelous . . . ]

[theothermrgray]

[It truly is. You have to see it yourself to believe.]

Indeed. I'm sure you'll love it.

[sketchedout]

I hope so. Thank you very much for the information, Mr . . . ?

[ Did he say who he was? Admittedly, things like that tended to go over Yusuke's head. Oh well, he was asking now. ]

[theothermrgray]

Gray.

[He smirks, almost apologetically.] My name is Dorian Gray. It's a pleasure to meet you.

[He's kind of hoping Yusuke doesn't recognize that name.]

[sketchedout]

[ If he were to think more on it and even consider it to be a possibility, then it might sound familiar. As it is though, it just goes over Yusuke's head. ]

I see. I'm Kitagawa Yusuke. It's a pleasure to meet you as well, of course.

[theothermrgray]

[There's a blessing.]

Thank you, Mr. Yusuke.

Now then, if you have any questions about where you ended up I would be happy to help. I have been here for quite some time, now.

[How long has it been? Months?]

[sketchedout]

I don't believe I have any at the moment, actually.

[ The pamphlets had been informative and what they hadn't covered, many other people had. It helped that his friends were much more social than he and more inclined to hear about that stuff from other people. ]

[theothermrgray]

Ah. Fair enough.

[Well adjusted, are we?]

What about a room? I suppose you made yourself comfortable in one of them?

[sketchedout]

I have, yes. This place seems rather generous in that regard, at the very least.

[theothermrgray]

Good to hear!