Private High Art Society

[Persephone Dashiell]

NEW VERTICA CITY

Persephone navigated the city streets with ease. Born in the undercity of Taris, Nar Shadda seemed no different. One had to have a bit of smarts to walk around - it also helped her bodyguard droid, Zee, was behind her. Zee was also carrying a small wrapped item, roughly eight by ten, firmly in his hands. Wiser that the droid kept on to the potentially costly possession. They were heading to a local art dealer with a galaxy-wide reputation. A reputation that rivaled some of the big name art galleries in the Core Worlds. Not that it was wise to visit such worlds in this time without caution.

Moving to an upper level of the city, the teenager soon found the gallery she was looking for. Ran by Mauve du Vain , known for a collection of unusual and hard to come by items. Persephone had considered becoming an art dealer and was still toying with getting a second degree in Art History. Still had to get that first one however, so for now it was just a nebulous thought.

Hand touched the handle of the door, a small chime sounding as it was pushed open. She was greeted with amazing sights of art and various art-adjacent items such as sculptures and pottery. Head craned up, everything in the space was filled but not in a cluttered way. Very deliberate. Very haute. It was a place she could get lost in for hours.

​

 

[Mauve du Vain]

A thud came from a back room and a Zeltron appeared from a doorway, peeking through an array of ancient pottery.

“Who do we have here?”

Mauve rounded the corner, her deeply purple hair a little disheveled, flyaway strands stuck to her forehead. She wore a simple carmine dress, which may have clashed with her magenta skin or complimented it depending on the taste of the beholder.

The information maven’s light violet eyes studied the young girl before her, then moved to her droid companion. A brow arched at the bundle it carried.

“Can I help you?” Mauve asked, not unkindly, though she did wonder if the child got lost somewhere. Couldn’t recall the last time she’d seen a teenager enter her gallery. Willingly, at least, and not dragged in by parents or school.

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

Having been staring at a painting of a woman laying on a chaise in a stylized fashion, Persephone found herself a little startled when the woman emerged. Then immediately star struck. For her, this was like meeting a celebrity. Miss Mauve du Vain was a celebrity in her own right, but not one anyone would just immediately recognize.

Realizing she was standing around like an idiot, Persephone stuck out a well manicured pink-nailed hand.

"Persephone Dashiell. A pleasure to meet you Miss du Vain. I've read all about you in High Art Holomag. "

Okay Persie, dial it back. You're sounding like stalker. A small flush came to her cheeks at her own internal embarrassment. For someone who met nobility and politicians on the daily one would think she would be better composed. Taking a deep breath, she continued on her spiel about the wrapped item.

"I have acquired a painting done by Doctor Isabella Draellix. An amateur work, but one of importance given her status at one time in the Ashlan Crusade. I hear she has taken a hermitage in the Tingel Arm."

 

[Mauve du Vain]

"The Ashlan Crusade," Mauve repeated, raising both her brows. "Well, you certainly know a thing or two about a thing or two."

So, this girl read all about her? Mauve knew she had... fans. But they typically took the form of obsessive bounty hunters, anxious to acquire the million credits on her head. This was a first.

The Zeltron, perceptive of emotions in the way other species might see colors beyond her own spectrum, saw the purplish tint of embarrassment glowing around the girl, but she could also see others. Eagerness. Excitement.

And wow, look at those nails. Pink polish. Hm.

Mauve shook the offered hand, a slow smile curving up her lips.

"Pleased to meet you as well, Ms. Dashiell. Don't tell me you came all the way out to New Vertica just for me?" Her smile grew teeth in a flash, "Well, let's see this painting."

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

"I did come all the way to New Vertica just for you, Miss du Vain. This is not my usual....area but it is well worth it."

Persephone already had her eye on a few pieces in the gallery. Plus, it was exciting to visit another gallery that wasn't in the Core. This was just as upscale as any Coruscanti one - perhaps better. The style of art and artifacts reflected more unusual pieces from the Outer Rim and Wild Space regions, something Core worlds often turned up their nose at.

"Zee, go on."

The large droid unwrapped the painting. A more abstract piece of art and clearly done by someone as a hobby. It was more the name associated than the subject. Perhaps once the subject was deceased the value would increase as was nearly always the case.

"According to my research, Doctor Draellix painted this during a trip to Dra III while the Admiral was on a trophy hunting expedition. It appears to be the cliffs overlooking the Barosa sea, but I am not sure. I have never been to the planet and had to rely on holos and third hand information. I find the movement and colors of the piece quite dynamic myself."

Mauve du Vain​