Just Taking a Look

[Aaliyah nó Eglantine]

I was pleasantly surprised when Mathieu moved closer and put his arm around me. I probably shouldn't have been, but sometimes I don't always pay attention.

I instinctively moved a little closer, to be able to stand with him more comfortably. I looked up at him and smiled and then looked at the near by paintings for a moment, trying to discern which one he would be interested in. One obvious contender showed itself, though I did not know a lot about the painting. I figured Mathieu wouldn't care about that too much.

Looking back at him I said, "I think I know a painting you will appreciate, over this way." I pointed slightly toward the left. About three paintings down was a good sized painting of a dark haired woman dressed only in a thin sheet of silk.

[Mathieu L'Envers de Montegue]

I felt her shift toward me and as usual was pleasantly surprised by the way the male and female forms fit so precisely together even when one considered my rather extreme height. I then let my gaze shift in the direction she indicated and took in the painting and moved that way with Aaliyah in tow.

"Ah, she is s rather fetching woman" I looked a bit closer. "I cannot place her though do you care to enlighten me?"

[Aaliyah nó Eglantine]

"The mystery of the woman is the fun of the painting," I said, adding some drama to my voice. Then with a smile I added, in my normal tone, "I don't really know her identity. She is either someone who is not shy at all, to allow herself to be publicly displayed, or someone who has yet to realize she has been."

I shrugged slighty and then added, "apparently the artist has only left this one painting and n0 others. I have tried to find another one since I first saw this one but with no luck. Whoever it is, is a very good artist."

[Mathieu L'Envers de Montegue]

"I would say around here there probably is not a shortage of those who are willing to pose as such" I lightly wriggled my fingers against her hip to punctuate my words. "I also seem to note that many artists prefer provocative poses but that could just be the impression of one who is not knowledgeable and is easily impressed."

When she explained this was the only painting by the artist she knew of I asked "So I take it you are interested in his or her work?"

[Aaliyah nó Eglantine]

I nodded in agreement, I had painted my fair share of nude or close to it paintings. "But, being painted and having your painting put in a gallery for all to see are two different things."

I was wondering if he was trying to hint at something specific with his fingers, but he asked another question, so I answered. "I admire any good figure painter," I said, "no matter what the subject. I am not shy of such paintings, I have done a few of them myself under contract."

[Mathieu L'Envers de Montegue]

"Well, being painted and having your painting put on display in a gallery I reckon might put the artist and subject on display more than a little bit. Mayhap two sides of the same coin. In the case of the artist they might be criticized for their use of color. In the case of the subject it might be for a large stomach."

And I really should not have but she made it so easy I had to. I let my hand trail down to her behind and with a broad smile answered her last statement of sorts even if it was not really in the form of a question "And I must say I admire a good figure myself." I conspicuously left the 'painter' portion off but thus is my nature.

[Aaliyah nó Eglantine]

Criticism was part of my world, at least when it comes to paintings. Thankfully I did not receive a lot of criticism when it came to my bedroom skills. While I took more pride in my paintings, it was natural to want to be good at making love. "I can't speak for the subject," I said, "but if you can't handle criticism then you can't be an artist. It just comes with the territory."

I giggled, both a little flirtatious and just a little bit embarrassed. I have always felt that way when someone made mention to my form. I smiled and said "I am glad to hear that," then holding back another giggle I said, "it is good to know that there is someone who enjoys art other than me."

[Mathieu L'Envers de Montegue]

I looked down at her and inclined my head though to keep the flirtatious moment light I gave her behind a little squeeze "Well there is criticism in all walks of life not just art." I then rubbed her behind a bit and let my arm trail back up to her waist and tug her body closer "Though I reckon we might be speaking of differing kinds of art as I told you I know nothing about painting. Though I do like to think I have an educated appreciation of a woman's body."

[Aaliyah nó Eglantine]

I had guessed at what he was getting at, and he confirmed it. I smiled, glad to have had some correct intuition, at least once. "Art is in the eye of the beholder, if you see art in a woman's body and see it in mine than I am quite flattered."

[Mathieu L'Envers de Montegue]

I inclined my head and smiled "Are there any other works that particularl interest you around here?"

[Aaliyah nó Eglantine]

"There are a couple," I said, the fact that I really enjoyed talking about my work coming out in my voice. I thought for a moment, thinking of one real good one in particular that I could show him. "I know," I said thinking of the best one. Well at least the best one in my point of view. "right over here," I said pulling him toward the other side of the gallery.

[Mathieu L'Envers de Montegue]

I let her lead me in the direction she wished to go as truth be told I was about lost in such a place as this. "I can certainly tell you are passionate about your interest. That is rather refreshing actually."

[Aaliyah nó Eglantine]

I looked back at him, a big happy smile on my face, "really?" I asked. I could not help the pleasent surprise in my voice. I usually feared I bored people, but it seemed I was not boring Mathieu.

I walked over to a very large painting, it was kind of in a corner but stood out, at least to me. First, ts size, it was a good 4 by 5 feet. The painting featured a beach scene with a large crowd. I loved the painting because there was so much going on. There was a young child playing with his mother, a canine chasing a another kid, this one a girl. There were lovers, people alone, and a couple of people who seem to be flirting and looking to end their lonelyness. I liked the painting because I almost always found some new little part I had not noticed before.

I looked at Mathieu and asked, "what do you think?"

[Mathieu L'Envers de Montegue]

"Really, it is refreshing to see someone passionate about something. It does not really matter what the passion is about just that there is passion." I got willingly pulled along and studied the vigorous painting a moment before answering. "It is an active painting and that seems to lift the spirits. From what I have seen many are simply dour and rather depressing to look at. This one is not."

[Aaliyah nó Eglantine]

I liked Mathieu's assessment, he was right. "I also like it for the detail," I said, "most paintings in here show one thing, a person, a house, or whatever. This one features so much! I can't imagine how much time the painter put into this, but I bet it was a lot." My rambling became a little excited as I spoke about the picture. I did not really notice though and just smiled up at Mathieu when I was done.

[Mathieu L'Envers de Montegue]

She became more and more animated and I grinned "Yes, it is a very busy work." I stole a glance at her "Not unlike you when you are properly motivated."

[Aaliyah nó Eglantine]

I paused for a moment, trying to decide if it was a compliment or not. I decided I would take it as one regardless, better than being lazy I suppose. Smiling I said, "its a old character trait, quite a silly one but at least I can say that I love what I can do. I know not everyone does."

[Mathieu L'Envers de Montegue]

"True" I responded and then ever so slowly traced the line of her spine with my finger tip while looking down at her "I happen to like energetic people they seem to pep up those who happen to be around them."

[Aaliyah nó Eglantine]

His fingers on my spine sent a little shiver of pleasure through me. Mathieu was quite cute and I wondered if he found me as such. He did seem to like me, which made me glad.

"I hope that I am pepping you up," I said. "I would hate to think that I got anyone down. It is good to keep a positive outlook on life, even if at the moment that everything is against you."

[Mathieu L'Envers de Montegue]

Ah gods her words made my mind dive straight into the gutter not that it did not tend to reside there most times anyway, but I did do my level best to at least put on a somewhat civalized face. “Ah yes you are doing an excalent job but I reckon I shall endeavor to make you work harder for it.” Noting the little shiver I raked my nail back in the opposite direction retracing its steps.

[Aaliyah nó Eglantine]

His hand felt good on my back and I was more than hapy to stand there, in front of the large painting, and have him caress my back. "Make me work harder?" I said, smiling though I spoke as if I was not keen on the idea. I paused for a moment trying to think of something clever to say and then added, "I do enjoy a challange at times, I shall have to take you up on this one."

[Mathieu L'Envers de Montegue]

“Oh you shall?” I asked as I let my hand slide back up her back to lace loosely in her hair and guide her face to up turn and look at me. “Are you very good at hard work and challenges?” I asked with a quirk of my brow as I peered at her like she was a tasty little morsel which in truth she was.

[Aaliyah nó Eglantine]

I smiled, though a little less silly this time, "I would like to think that I am." Then, letting my smile be a little more seducing I said, "it is best to let someone else be the judge of how well you are doing."

[Mathieu L'Envers de Montegue]

I made a show of considering "Yes, it is probably best to let someone else decide. So tell me do you have anything in particular in mind?" I asked while leaning in a bit closer our noses just barely brushing in the process.

[Aaliyah nó Eglantine]

I would have leaned into Mathieu, but then our noses would be touching and I was afraid the move would make me giggle. He wanted me to think of something interestng to do, not get distracted and act silly.

I stayed close to him, not moving away and looked up for a brief moment, thinking. I had originally came to just to see the gallery and had not planned for a turn of events such as this. Though I was more than glad that they had happened.

Someplace fun would be in order so I asked, "have you ever been to the Laughing Parrot?"

[Mathieu L'Envers de Montegue]

"On occasion" I purred back "though should we make some more formal arrangements before such an adventure?" I raised my brow "I do not wish to get you into difficulty" and before she could respond I let the tip of my tongue protrude and delicately brush her nose.

[Aaliyah nó Eglantine]

I was a little surprised when I felt his tongue on my nose and giggled. I then raised my brows a little but replyed, "they are having a show tonight, we probably should get a contract before." Then with a smile I added, "it should be very entertaining though!"

[Mathieu L'Envers de Montegue]

“Well I am all about entertainment” I replied and let my lips ever so slightly brush hers. I was keenly aware of the small but feminine curves pressed against me. “As for the contract feel free to lead on. We can take my carriage or walk which ever strikes your fancy.”

[Aaliyah nó Eglantine]

"A walk would be nice," I said. I rather liked seeing the sites, people, and everything else. It was good for future insperation. The inside of a carriage had a pretty limited view, though at times that was not a bad thing. I was enjoying Mathieu's presence but it would be good for me to behave myself and get a contract before doing anything to personal. I did not always follow the rules, but I tried to be a good girl most of the time.

"How about a walk?" I asked.

[Mathieu L'Envers de Montegue]

“A walk it is then” I replied as I offered her my arm. “One never knows but mayhap the excersize can do some wonders for my girlish figure.” I added the quip just to keep the moment light. An Eglantine was something I had never considered before but one never knew when such experiences might come in handy.