<@Grysar> [Date: Morning, Wednesday February 25, 2004.] <@Grysar> [It's studio day for Katie's introduction to painting class, one she shares with Naoki and Doburoku.] <@Grysar> [The teacher is a grey haired gentlemen with a thin mustache, notably on the shorter side. He's already addressing the class when Katie arrives. She's a minute or two late, but other students are also filtering in.] <@Grysar> [Start] * Katie glances at him, and around the class, then sneaks quickly to her seat, probably next to Naoki. <@Grysar> * Toyokuni continues his lecture. "So thank you for bearing with us despite the surprise, but outside events often interrupt scheduling. I know you will all handle yourselves politely as you did when we invited our first model back in december." <@Grysar> * Naoki gives Katie a curt nod as she arrives. * Katie nods, then looks to Toyokuni, trying to gather what he's even talking about. <@Grysar> * Doburoku organizes his paints, he's got a case he carries with him and has more than he fits on his easel. He spends a few minutes picking his palette at the start of each session. <@Grysar> * Toyokuni gives a quick look around. "So remember, as before, the assignment today is realistic anatomy. You are welcome to work in any style you like for the remainder of your lives, but it is my job to ensure that you can first depict actual humans in their entirity." <@Grysar> * Toyokuni gives a pointed look or to with that comment. "Any questions before I go get our model?" * Katie folds her hands. She's not about to, nope. <@Grysar> [Toykuni leaves, there's nervous tittering in the class, but mostly people are preparing.] * Katie leans over to Naoki and asks, softly, "Nude model?" <@Grysar> * Naoki whispers back. "The one for March fell through and the session had to be moved up." * Katie nods. She starts unpacking her supplies. <@Grysar> [Toyokuni returns leading a gentleman a year or two older than you who wears a simple yukata for the moment. The teacher goes to close the door and hang a sign as the model approaches the stool at the center of the front of class.] <@Grysar> [The model looks to Toyokuni for guidence and then disrobes, sitting at an angle to the class.] * Katie glances up to see that, then she's looking back down at her supplies. She takes a long breath. <@Grysar> [He's got a toned but thin build with fairly developed leg muscles. He seems a trifle nervous but is surpressing it.] <@Grysar> * Naoki blushes slightly but focus on her materials and works on an outline. <@Grysar> * Toyokuni patrols among the students. Watching as people begin. * Katie isn't blushing. If anything, she's more pale than usual. Her hands are shaking, but only slightly, and she lingers a bit longer on prep than she strictly needs to. <@Grysar> [The work continues. Everyone is being fairly quiet. It's a female heavy class and the mood is a bit more serious than for the distaff model last December.] <@Grysar> [While a few of the young artists seem to lose their technique and get softer than usual corrections from Toyokuni, Katie is able to bring her usual skill with anatomy to bear.] <@Grysar> * Naoki looks pensive as she work and keeps a bit of color in her cheeks, however before long she's absorbed into her work. <@Grysar> * Doburoku is actually a bit ahead of the class, although he's painting slightly outside of his usual style and Toyokuni did have to nudge him once to keep up the realism. * Katie got her trembling under control, yes. Her eyes are a bit distant, and she's working mechanically - almost on auto pilot, though this *has* to be the first time she's ever worked with a male nude model. Still, Katie defaults to detailed realism, and she has a very solid background in anatomy, so that's what she's producing. <@Grysar> We'll give our model a break shortly. After that a new pose, be sure to capture any details for later completion. <@Grysar> * Naoki does glance over at Katie's easel from time to time and frowns, working to step up her game on musculature. * Katie doesn't seem to notice Naoki or their professor. She's painting here. <@Grysar> [And the break comes Toyokuni happens to be standing near the two of you after he gives the model leave. "Andrews, well done. Almost... textbook." He then looks over at Naoki's work.] * Katie starts slightly, blinking as she turns to see Toyokuni. "Thank you," she says, a little confused, and then she looks at what she just did. <@Grysar> Arai, this is a good adjustment here, try to incorporate that from the start in the second half. <@Grysar> [Katie's portrait is not necessarily complete to her liking, but she's captured enough to take it from here. The depicition isn't photorealistic but it captures the natural flow of the young man's form in both flattering and sometimes unflattering ways. His pose was not especially exposed but she did not shy away from capturing what was visible nor did she give typically hidden parts special focus.] <@Grysar> * Naoki sighs. "I've worked off model books before, but it's not quite the same." * Katie squeezes her eyes shut and opens them again. Okay. She looks over at Naoki and Toyokuni, not wanting to interrupt. <@Grysar> * Toyokuni smiles. "Which is why this is a required class and not just a series of challenging opportunities to showcase your talent. Don't be afraid to make more reference sketches and start over. It's better to acknowledge in experience than to merely overcome it." <@Grysar> [Toyokuni then heads off again.] <@Grysar> * Naoki makes a face at that once he's gone. * Katie actually looks over at Naoki's painting now. <@Grysar> [Naoki did a very good job of capturing his facial expression and hands, but while her perspective was good on his midsection and legs she was getting detail and perspective right without quite having a sense of how all the parts fit together as an organism. That said, there's a vibrancy in her piece, capturing the tension in the model's muscles that became more apparent as the session went on.] It looks like you need to know how it all fits together, that's all. The musculature's really good. <@Grysar> * Naoki purses her lips and stares at her work for a moment before nodding definitively. "Thank you." She then leans over and whispers. "I think I recognize him from a ballet show. That makes it easier and harder." * Katie raises her eyebrows. "Yeah? He had..." She glances at her own picture. "He looked like a dancer, or maybe a runner." <@Grysar> [By then Naoki is already lost in small adjustments as she tries to take Katie's advice to heart. Before long the model returns, this time taking a more active pose at the teacher's encouragement.] * Katie looks up, and like Naoki's situation, she finds it's better and worse. On the one hand, she feels more aware and more in control. On the other hand, this doesn't really make her feel *better*. <@Grysar> [He raises his class-facing leg at a near 90 degree angle, resting it on the stool. He then leans down grabbing his foot with both hands. While he is not gaunt, he is quite thin and this does more accentuate his backbone.] <@Grysar> * Naoki does focus more on her work this time. She makes a few complete but simple diagrams of his entire pose before settling into the detail work. <@Grysar> * Naoki does seem a bit more at ease, whether it's greater experience, good advice, or knowing that her discomfort is shared, who can say? * Katie loses focus for a second before she remind herself that this is a model, and for class, and *mandatory*. It's much like dissections in lab, only it doesn't smell bad. Still... * Katie gets to work, anyway, and as she does, she gradually zones out again. <@Grysar> [The time seems to pass quicker this for the second go round, although that might be Toyokuni not entirely trusting his model's ability to hold the pose. This time he has no specific comments, just nodding approvingly at the rivals work.] <@Grysar> * Doburoku has captured the action of the raising of the leg and the arching of the back. His work is a bit less precise at the result, but not bad at all. * Katie 's work is much like the previous but not quite - she starts less textbook, with more attention to various parts of his body and things she finds interesting (or better) to focus on, but gradually she ends up in the same sort of place she was before. <@Grysar> * Naoki eases her serious expression as she finishes, washing off her brush and then twirling it her in her hand before she rises along with the rest of the class to bow and thank the model for his efforts now that he's again wearing his yukata. * Katie doesn't rise, at least not right away. It's only after nearly everyone stands that she realizes what's going on, and she stands up. <@Grysar> * The model smiles for a moment and then returns the bow before blushing slightly and following Toyokuni's gracious lead to get out of there. The teacher does mention your upcoming assignments on the way out, but otherwise, it's class dismissed. * Katie barely thanked him! The nerve! She looks down at her work, kind of in a daze, and then starts putting her supplies away. <@Grysar> * Naoki looks over Katie's work. "Technically perfect, although..." * Katie glances at Naoki, but she doesn't say anything. <@Grysar> * Naoki flips her brush around, making small motions with the wooden end giving a fastforward reconstruction of the work before stopping at the face. "You play here a bit with his look of determination, but after that, it's all capturing physiology. Certainly passes the assignment with flying colors." * Katie nods slightly. "Yeah." She's even quieter than normal. She goes back to packing up. <@Grysar> * Doburoku quickly works through his elaborate putting away paints ritual. Afterwards he deliberately walks over by the two of you, "Katie-san, Naoki-san." Meanwhile the other students finally relax and chatter excitedly on the way out. * Katie puts the last lid on her paints and looks to Doburoku. "Hi," she says, keeping her face carefully neutral. She tries to check Naoki's status in her peripheral vision. <@Grysar> You aren't trading off sentiments earned by a different artist for once. You should try that more. <@Grysar> * Naoki is packing up her picture, but only once most of the departing students are passing it by. This time she still captures the tension in the muscles but she also captures, in the model's face and posture, a definite sense of pride masked by surface embarrassment. <@Grysar> * Doburoku lets out a slow breath before shrugging. "That's practically high praise from you." Treasure it. <@Grysar> * Naoki snorts. "If that's what you think, you weren't listening close enough." She then looks over to Katie. "What? No. Squander it, then work to earn more." <@Grysar> * Doburoku looks over at Katie's painting. "Wow, you've really got this body stuff down." * Katie grins at Naoki, and she's about to reply something when Doburoku says that. "Thanks," she says to him instead. "Anatomy class is good for something." <@Grysar> * Naoki folds her arm and shakes her head. "You don't encourage her either. She's very good, but she's more than just a biological draftsman when she wants to be." She stares at the piece again. * Katie feels her fingers twitch when they both look at her work, but she waits. <@Grysar> * Doburoku looks indignent. "A biological draftsmen? That's not--" Naoki silences him with a glare. "An extrordinarily talented one. Fine. Don't perster me with details. I am trying to figure out how to draw the best work out of my rival and you are distracting me from that." * Katie folds her arms. "I'm right here, you know." <@Grysar> * Naoki rolls her eyes. "I could hardly bait you if you elsewhere, now could I?" You're not going to bait me with *Doburoku*. <@Grysar> * Naoki lets out a sigh. "Point, you." * Katie smirks slightly, and she checks Doburoku, trying to see if he's actually offended or not. * Doburoku doesn't really seem to mind, being around banter is just part of the hero's burden sometimes. That said, from his pose, he seems to have something he wants to tell Katie and is getting worried that he's going to miss his chance. * Katie looks to Doburoku. "Sorry about that," she says, obviously apologizing for Naoki (because Naoki). And then, while the other girl is likely rolling her eyes, she asks, "Did you need something?" <@Grysar> I found out a little more about that thing we talked about earlier. * Katie blinks. He has her attention. "Yeah?" <@Grysar> Uh, should I say it here? <@Grysar> You are a terrible spy. <@Grysar> And to be clear, her apology doesn't cover me. <@Grysar> * Doburoku brings a hand to his head but still doesn't actually seem scared off. This is roughly how he thought this would go. * Katie keeps herself from laughing. "Yeah, it's okay." <@Grysar> So, I get accounts on all the new social networks, because you never know what's going to take off. <@Grysar> * Naoki just glowers at him more. These kids today and there digital art schemes. Right. It's kind of random. <@Grysar> So I found Kagome-san's portfolio on a new one. He was apparently commissioned for some book promotion. Some of the people look a bit familiar, although that might just be using people around him for models. Really? * Katie glances at Naoki, then goes to get a notebook and pencil from her bag. "What kind of social media thing is this?" <@Grysar> * Naoki glances back, she looks intent and as if she might have something to say, but also as if she considers herself a slightly better spy than Doburoku. <@Grysar> The name is actually something random. It has features to help you find friends, but it's in an invitation only beta now. But I got a few codes. <@Grysar> * Doburoku rips out a tiny notebook page and hands it to Katie. "The name is Shuffle." * Katie takes it! "Thanks." She looks at the page. "Shuffle, huh..." How'd you get the codes if it's invite only? <@Grysar> Oh, I got an invite from a friend. Once you're on you get five codes. <@Grysar> Oh, fake exclusivity to drive interest, I get it. I should do an invitation only art show. * Katie laughs. I'd go. But only if I'm not invited. <@Grysar> You'll be the first off my list. * Katie puts her hand over her heart. "Aw, thanks." <@Grysar> * Doburoku chuckles and then realizes he's laughing to himself more than involved in some group amusement thing like he was hoping for. "Uh, so, I guess I should go?" If you want? Thanks, really, I... um. Actually. Did you actually give out all of those codes? Is there any way I can get one from you? <@Grysar> There's a few on the back of the page. * Katie probably noticed, but she smiles at him. "Thanks. Let me, um. If there's any way I can repay you later, let me know, okay?" <@Grysar> * Doburoku eases up and gives a slightly too wide grin. "Your thanks are enough. Good day." Naoki waits until he leaves and then looks over to Katie. "You've got minions now? Troubling." * Katie asides to Naoki (once she's sure Doburoku is out of hearing range), "Better keep up." She folds the notebook paper into quarters and tucks it in her pocket. <@Grysar> * Naoki scowls. "But then I'd have to deal with people more than I already do." Life is full of difficult choices. * Katie goes to her paintings, now, and looks at them for a moment. Then starts to pack up. Finally. <@Grysar> * Naoki packs up as well. She glances around the empty room before asking quietly "So you aren't comfortable yet with the slightly more worldly subject matter? I would have figured you'd have an edge over me there, with your boyfriend that's worth it and all." * Katie winces, almost imperceptibly. "There's... I..." She stops, then says, "I'm okay. I did it." It's obviously mostly a lie. <@Grysar> * Naoki shakes her head. "You don't have to be comfortable. Art isn't about comfort. But you obviously pulled back, just with considerable skill." * Katie tries not to look at the picture, even as she's putting it away. "I couldn't *think* about it," she says before she stops herself. <@Grysar> It? It. Whatever... * Katie gestures, vaguely. "It," she settles. The picture's covered, now, and she seems less annoyed. Or bothered. Whatever that was, too. <@Grysar> * Naoki lets the silence hang there for a moment, glances at the now covered picture, and then back at Katie. * Katie sees Naoki's look, and she knows she's not convinced. Not that Katie was very convincing. "Look, I..." She sighs. "I don't know." She picks up her things. <@Grysar> * Naoki nods. "Art isn't necessarily about knowing either. Particularly not before you're done." <@Grysar> You want to go somewhere a little more private? * Katie glares at Naoki. "It's not *art*. It's..." She shakes her head. "Yeah. Sure." <@Grysar> [Naoki leads Katie to a somewhat obscure balcony off the library building. "It's cold, but I like it for its views of campus and because nobody comes out here." * Katie allows herself to be led! She looks out over campus for a bit, letting Naoki restart the conversation if she wants. <@Grysar> * Naoki give sher a minute before continuing. "Yeah. I know art doesn't mean quite the same thing to you as it does to me. But it's often how I work through, no, how I express things that are important but that I don't really understand." * Katie frowns slightly, but she doesn't look back at Naoki. "So, what? Doesn't that mean I'm expressing it now?" <@Grysar> No. You were showing your craft. Your best art tends to mix play and unflinching perception. * Katie glances at Naoki for a moment, then looks back out over campus. "Yeah." She lets out a breath, trying to calm down, and debates what to do next. Eventually, she says, "I didn't mean to do that." <@Grysar> * Naoki nods. "I suspect if you really meant to evade, we wouldn't be having this conversation." <@Grysar> Despite my utter mastery of social manipulation. * Katie snorts a little laugh. "No." I don't- I don't really know why, either. I just started to think about it, and then I couldn't. But I had to, so I did. <@Grysar> Would it be different if you were in a safer place when you did the work? No idea. I... * Katie pauses, thinking about it, and then she shakes her head. <@Grysar> It's scary even then? * Katie blinks. "Scary?" <@Grysar> * Naoki stops and thinks about her words. "Right, you didn't say fear. It's a block rather." I think so. Yeah. <@Grysar> * Naoki sighs. "I'm sure it's nothing so plain. But this boy of yours, he's treating you alright?" * Katie looks surprised. "Kyon? Yeah. He is. It's... if it's anything, it's nothing that recent." And then she smiles, a little. "Thanks for checking, though." <@Grysar> * Naoki smiles back. "Well, I haven't seen him for myself, so I had to ask." Maybe you will sometime. <@Grysar> * Naoki then stares out over the campus. "Sure. Just be warned, my high school rival never introduced me to his girls after that first time. Would have saved him a lot of trouble if he did though." * Katie looks to Naoki. "What happened?" <@Grysar> * Naoki waves a hand dismissively "90% standard high school drama. But we're not really rivals anymore. And they're not dating anymore, at least not last time we talked. No good all around." Sounds like everyone loses. <@Grysar> * Naoki nods. "After that, I definitely prefer to face things head on. Maybe everyone still loses, but..." Yeah... avoiding that kind of thing can only make it worse, in the end. * Katie seems to consider something, then shakes it off. "Do you want to get somehing to drink? Coffee, or something? I'll pay." <@Grysar> * Naoki nods. "A fitting tribute." * Katie laughs, a little. "All right." <@Grysar> * Naoki stares out for another second or two before joining Katie and heading somewhere that warm drinks are available. <@Grysar> [End!]