(Hebe) Of Artists and Patrons

[Yumyumcrow]

The gallery was small but intimate. A modern, minimalist space of glass and multiple layers, well lit by creamy light that complimented the stark walls. On this night the darkness that pressed upon the window panes was tinged blue with the hints of summer. On this night the space of the gallery was filled with muted whisper, the light of bustle of a select group, and the heady scent of predation. Apex predators moved betwixt one another in a serene dance, as some of Sacramento's finest enjoyed a viewing of up-and-coming artists.

For the kine, it was a chance to gossip and politic; a place to be seen at the start of the summer season; perhaps even, an opportunity to patronise the arts. For the gallery owner, it was a chance to shine and show off new talent that they could tap in the future. For a few well placed individuals, it was an opportunity to squeeze more donations for the respective war chests - the ceaseless grind of the electoral cycle was a particularly demanding hunger.

For Velma Star it was all that and more. She had hungers of her own: the Ravager had its own needs and hissed its lust for the Kine laid out before her; the Harpy - and an Unconquered Harpy no less - required the necessary props to symbolise her power. Sometimes the props needed renewing, and a potential trove of new art works was just the ticket. So was the chance to sink her talon's deeper into the city's glitterati.

@Wod.Infant this sis your story Lets assume she hears of this event through her contacts.

[Velma]

Velma was at the gallery.

Part curiosity, part business, part meal, part passion.

On one side she was aiming to patronize one of the talented artists, on the other the Succubus was after that quintessential feeling, that spark. As she looked to some of the paintings she understood, it was never about how they looked but about how they made you feel when you stared into them… and a part of her was feeling hungry.

She traded a few words with a few select individuals, made a few remarks… most were faces she had seen at The Lily, others at Club Ember, her contacts had brought her here and if necessary she could have their undivided attention.

As for what Velma was dressing, she was wearing the odd trousers, not her usual registry but sometimes she felt like changing pace, casual chic, or rather expensive casual chic. Her hair was tied back, she seemed to be wearing only a single earring. On her shoes she was wearing a pair of ballerinas, no less odd than the white trousers.

The Ravager kept walking and observing the paints and the ambience, listening to conversations and open to any who would eventually approach her...

[Yumyumcrow]

The Succubus hunts in a quiet part of the gallery, haunted by three paintings and a bare handful of Kine. Like Velma, they are more interested in the painting than in conversation. The heart of the party is on a mezzanine level, behind her, where a spread of cheese and wine has been laid out. Laughter and the bubble of multiple conversations cascade down from it.

Of the paintings: one is a study of light through a desert landscape; one is an heir to the pop art of Warhol. The other is a curious female nude in a thick brown paint or paste, applied to a cream coloured canvas.

A squeel of delight announces new arrivals - a small tanned woman wearing preposterous sunglasses and her entourage.

[Velma]

I guess I missed the memo on the sunglasses at night… must be a fan of Tiga!

Velma approaches the Warhol inspired, out of the three it was one she would enjoy for sure and would probably go with the one she has in her office.

She looks to one of the other quiet patrons closer to her and inclines her head in the direction of the newly arrived entourage plus small tanned woman as if inquiring: Who are they? Who is she?

[Yumyumcrow]

Without taking the time to deeply appreciate the heir of Warhol, the Succubus cannot decide for certain the quality of the work. As an enjoyable painting the work is just fine. It would certainly complement the painting in her office.

One of the quiet patron's notices her silent enquiry and responds with a slight smile, voice low in a conspiratorial whisper. "Oh that? That must be Luisa Peron. Supposedly a classical prodigy... but I get the feeling she has been manufactured as much as she is a genuine talent. The entourage gives it away doesn't it? There is her manager, Martin Yuan... and her publicist Kelvin Knox - they work predominantly in L.A. but together they can generate some pull in San Francisco." A beat. "Ah! There we go! Luisa knows some of the artists exhibiting tonight. Hmmm... Yuan is introducing them. I wonder if he is the man behind them both?" Another beat. A double take. "Now that is interesting," he purrs. "What is Marvin Stax doing here?" The patron isn't looking at Luisa or the artist anymore; his critical eye is fastened on the lagging tail of the entourage, where a mullet bobs head and shoulders above the crowd.

[Velma]

Velma listens with attention, as much as she stares at the man she opens her eyes at the mention of Marvin Stax. As in Marvin from Marvin Gaye and Stax from Stax records? Those were her only two connections but she doubted they made any sense…”Marvin Stax? Something tell’s me I’ve been missing a lot of cocktail parties…” She smiles and shrugs after whispering in the man’s hear, hopefully he would indulge her one more time.

[Yumyumcrow]

Velma's response earns her a raised eyebrow.

"I take it you don't travel much to San Francisco? Or is the music scene perhaps not to your taste? He's a musician. Clarinet player, mostly, but does enjoy mixing styles. Lately he's been trying to boost his profile and bought himself a club. I'm told he has some sway at the grass roots level of the industry. Very interested in street performers and aspiring musicians. Shuns the limelight. Which is what makes this all so delicious... What is he doing riding Luisa Peron's coat-tails. Or maybe he's here for Yuan or Knox?" A pause. "Well... seems like he is known. Now this is worth gold - if only I knew how to use it." A feigned sigh. A knowing look.

While the patron spoke Luisa Peron and her entourage flooded up the stairs to the spread on the mezzanine. There was much noise as the artist met with "friends", who then proceeded to commandeer the buffet. As that went on, the mullet artfully disengaged from the entourage, swirled round a waiter and gathered a glass of champers in a wonderfully fluid movement.

A perfectly timed movement.

Velma stares. The Ravager hisses and lunges violently within its gilded cage, sensing a rival.

Mullet - Marvin Stax - is a Kindred. For the moment, the advantage is her's for his back is to her and he is engaging two dapper ladies in conversation.

[Velma]

The Ravager can barely hide the satisfaction, as Velma hears the words and wonders if this isn’t her lucky night?

But kindred? That might put a dent in her plans but it might also provide other sources and equally gratifying opportunities. She just needed to be more careful.

As she regained control of the atavistic beast that inhabited the deepest recesses of her conscience the songstress decided to shadow him a bit more closely, she was aiming at being recognized by the kindred once his eyes lay on her.

”Interesting! Excuse me for a moment.” The Succubus strays a bit away from her conversational partner.

In the meanwhile she kept observing Mullet man with renewed interest, who was this new kindred entering so carelessly and navigating the same circles that she did? What did he want? Was he just passing by? And an artist, had he managed to keep his heart beating after the embrace? A sea of more interesting question begun to rise, hopefully she wouldn’t scare him away… she could have that effect if he thought that she was after him for his supposed poaching…

[Yumyumcrow]

Velma Star begins her hunt. The gallery was her jungle and Marvin Stax was her prey.

Velma will need to make an extended [Wits + Socialise] roll to successfully mask her presence and observe Marvin. I'm going to keep the "duration" of each roll fast and loose here. Time is not of the essence but information is. Where Marvin goes; what he expresses an interest in; and who he interacts with - that is important.

[Velma]

  5 successes for wits + socialize

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2015-06-17 16:31:15		Velma Star rolls 5 to [Hebe] follow Marvin: Wits + Soc (10 Again)		10, 3, 10, 6, 9, 10, 10, 7, 3		5 successes

Her jungle. And like the huntress she was Velma traversed her territory with predatory grace. A whisper here, a smile there, a gentle touch in the elbow and a swift movement to catch a flute of champagne she wasn’t going to drink. She stalked the source of her curiosity and heard his words and made the right questions to the right people.

It was information about Marvin Stax that Velma was after… as well as hearing a bit of his own words.