8539/Gallery Happenings

Gallery Happenings
Date of Scene:	03 November 2021
Location:	The Thrones Art Complex
Synopsis:	Chas stops by to visit Las and things are good...until a kiss happens and visions kick in.
Cast of Characters:	Asariel, Chas Chandler

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Asariel has posed:
Halloween had been...interesting. Las had definitely not expected the evening to go the way it did. In the end she'd told Chas that maybe spending the rest of his evening with his child and others was the best course of action. Kids didn't stay young for long and honestly with the way of the world and her living across the pond spending the extra time was the logical choice in the white haired womans mind.

The sun has set this evening and New York is chilly and already showing that a harsh Winter was ahead of them. The artist is set up in the main work space and making a list of paints that she needs to restock as music plays over the speakers. Her phone is settled on the table so if there's any texts she's probably missed them. She's dressed in jeans, a baggy cream colored sweater and brown boots today. Her birthday gift from Chas is settled underneath the fabric of the sweater.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Chas had sent a text to see if the woman was up for some company but had already been in the area and decided to come over anyway. He could, at the very least, examine her works more closely without his daughter under wing.

    He enters the building and looks around. Without the press of guests it's a much more peaceful looking place. He's wearing a heavy turtleneck sweater, jeans, and his study steel toed boots today. The cap is absent, letting his long mane of hair cascade over his shoulders.

    "Las, you in here" he calls from the entry hall as he walks among the sculptures, his eyes admiring the smooth form and skill used in creating the works of art.

Asariel has posed:
Lasariel straightens when she hears the voice and there's a curious look to where she'd left her phone before she heads across to the door that seperates the main gallery for the workshops. There's a smile when she sees Chas looking around, "Hi!" she waves to him. "I'm in here, just getting some restocking lists made." she tells him.

"I didn't have my phone on me, so I'm guessing I missed a text from you?" she asks him as she holds the door open for him.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Chas brightens as he comes around one of the sculptures. "Yeah... I was in the neighborhood and decided to come by" he says with a chuckle. "Hope it's not too spur of the moment" he says, moving closer to her. Their height differences is almost staggering even with the woman in boots.

    "I wanted to tell you that I really appreciate what you said to me Halloween night. Geraldine loved your studio and get way more candy than her mother approved of..." By the smile he gives the shorter woman, he approved of it just fine. "Restock lists?" he pauses and looks around. "Oh... paint, canvases, clays. Right?"

Asariel has posed:
"No, it's fine really. I don't mind you dropping in at all." Las states with a smile. She didn't seem to mind seeing him again. She gives a look up to him and she listens as he speaks on his child, "It's no problem, if she's only in town for a limited time then I'd want you to spend the time with her. We live in the same City and it's easier to reach out." she admits.

"I hope that her mother wasn't terribly put out. They only stay that age for so long." she admits. "She's adorable. The next time she's around New York I'd love to see her." she tells him. "And yeah, just some things I'm running low on. White and black paint goes faster than the others." she chuckles.

"Did you want to have a seat and hang out for a few? I could order some dinner if you haven't eaten yet?" she offers.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Chas chuckles. "Oh, I can imagine, base coats take so much paint." He blinks at the suggestion and realizes that he *hasn't* eaten. "I... you know, that'd be nice, if you don't mind." He smiles. "What were you thinking?" he asks, as he looks around for a seating area.

    His expression falls a little as he doesn't see one in evidence. "Is there a place to sit?" he asks, chuckling at the open plan of the lower floor.

Asariel has posed:
"Yeah, thankfully black canvas' are becoming more of a thing these days. So it might save paint in the future." Las smiles to that. "Honestly I was thinking about Italian or maybe Chinese. I'm just wanting all the rice or pasta at the moment." she laughs at that. Then she looks around, "We've got tables over there or could go upstairs to the apartment." she offers.

"I mean, if you trust going into a strange womans apartment. I promise I'm not going to chain you to a radiator or anything like that." she points out. "Anything that you're craving food wise?" she asks him as she slowly turns to go grab her phone.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    "Italian sounds great" Chas replies smiling. "And... we could go up to your place if it'd be more comfortable." The radiator comment gets him to chuckle. "I trust you, Las." Which was rare for the man.

    He keeps the more rough statement in his mind from coming out... spending too much time around the younger people of the Night Brigade had rubbed off on him some. "And... I think seeing your apartment would be nice. I've never seen the place where a world class artist lives so... adventure."

Asariel has posed:
"If I miss anything about Rome it is the fresh made pasta. Just..." Las motions a chef's kiss to the ceiling. She did love her pasta. She grabs her phone and then heads back towards Chas. "So what do you like? Spaghetti or want something a little more exotic?" she asks him with a soft smile.

"Oh it's not really that lavish and I've got Halloween decorations still up...might just leave them." she chuckles. Then she leads him towards a service elevator that goes up to the other floors, "All aboard." she grins at him. "I won't keep you out too long tonight." she adds.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Chas steps in after her. "Spaghetti with meat sauce is plenty fine for me" he says as he looks at the surrounding lift. "Fancy" he says. "And I don't mind Halloween deocrations. The back room of the Laughing Magician could be written off as having Halloween decorations year round to the uneducated eye.

    He waves a hand. "Don't worry about keeping me, Geraldine was going to go to a show with her mom tonight so I wouldn't be spending time with her anyway." He pauses, and realizes the presumptuous nature of his statement. "Not that I was saying you have to keep me late... or..." He closes his mouth. "I'm just going to shut up now." He says, his face turning a few shades of red.

Asariel has posed:
Las gives a soft smile, "I'll get that ordered really quick." she tells him as she pulls up a website. Probably something she orders from a lot. "It is a little fancy. I really wanted to keep a lot of the old brick work for the character. The bedroom and the roof garden are the fanciest." she muses to that.

There's a look up from her phone, her eyebrow quirking at him as she gives an impish smile, "You could always stay the night and we can stay up talking and braiding each others hair." she winks at him. She settles down her phone on the counter in the kitchen when she's done order though. "You are adorable when you blush, you know that?" she asks him as she leans a hip against the counter and crosses her arms loosely over her chest.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Lasariel's comments only fuel the man's blush more. "I... I just don't know what to say a lot of the time when I'm talking to you so I... ramble." He says. "Like if you want me to stay and you want to braid my hair sure... but that... that implies... well..." He shifts.

    Changing the subject to something not as embarassing, he examines the layout and make of the apartment. "It looks really nice. And..." he looks at her. "You said a garden?" he asks suddenly. "You have your own private garden?"

Asariel has posed:
"I mean...if you want to spend time around me we'll have to get you out of the habit of blushing at everything I say." Las tells him with a soft smile. "That implies..." she steps away from the counter and crosses over to him, "Absolutely what I said. I'm not looking to force anyone into a situation too fast and if things are a bit bumpy for you right now in other places me being pushy wouldn't do anyone any good." she tells him. "My couch is comfy or if you promised to stay on your side of the bed you could sleep there." she grins.

Then there is a soft nod, "Yep, it's up those stairs over there." she points to the stairway to the roof. "We reinforced the roof so that it would bare the weight and things. Did you want to see it?" she asks him.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Chas swallows at Lasariel's implications. "Umm... that... I can do that..." he says. "But I wouldnt' want to impose on you or anything..." He takes a deep breath, his chest rising and falling heavily with the action. It had been some time since a pretty woman had come on to him and Lasariel was--as his daughter put it--super pretty.

    At the mention of seeing the garden he nods. "Oh... sure... it's a bit cold for garden walks, but seeing it won't take too long. So sure." He smiles. "I... don't see your bodyguard. I noticed him at the party," he says, giving the woman a bit of insight into his own obvservation skills. He looks around as if the big Italian could materialize from the shadows at any moment. "Night off?" he asks.

Asariel has posed:
Las gives a look up to him and there's a soft look, "Breathe, I'm not going to bite you, Chas. I promise." she tells him. She offers him her hand, "You're not imposing. I honestly would love to just sit and chat so that we could get to know each other more." she explains.

"We can take a quick peek and then come back down and get warm. I need to finish covering things tomorrow, but I can do that tomorrow." she states. "Giovanni had plans tonight so I was going to be on my own anyways." she grins. "I should have mentioned the bodyguard before now, I apologize." she offers. If he takes her hand she'll lead him to the stairs up to the roof.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Chas takes the woman's hand, his own almost enveloping hers. "It's alright. I don't mind. Your famous, famous people need protection" he says with a smile as he follows along.

    "And we can get to know each other more, sure. Especially since you're at least aware of John." He relaxes some, as he gets used to her proximity. "I almost *have* to stay here tonight then, esepcially if you're going to be without protection." He gives her a look. "I hope your guy won't mind if I fill in his shoes for the evening?" he asks.

Asariel has posed:
Las gives a look down to their hands and there's a soft smile as she opens the door to let them out onto the roof. It's kept locked most times from what can be seen of the locks and other things. "Yeah, sadly my fame means that some people like to stalk or be weird." she sighs at that. "You don't have to protect me. I'm handy with a baseball bat and other things." she muses.

"And yeah, I'm aware of John through the rumor mill that is the occult community. I tend to not get into it given I don't want to be hurt." she admits. "You can meet Pudge, it's almost time for his snack." she grins at that. Pudge is probably in the pond.

Unless it's a giant pigeon.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Chas looks around in awe. "It's... amazing..." he says, seeming entranced by the place. As she continues he nods. "I understand that. It's a dangerous world and one that I'm sort of in the midst of given my connection to Constantine." He shrugs. "Sometimes your friends pick you, right?"

    As she leads him deeper into the garden toward the pond he blinks. "Pudge?" he asks, with a grin. He was hoping it wasn't a giant pigeon, but if it was... he'd accept it. Wouldn't be the weirdest thing he'd ever seen, by a long shot.

Asariel has posed:
Las gives a soft smile to that, "Thank you, honestly it's good therapy." she tells him. "I might look into getting some patio heaters and coming up here during the winter and things. I like changing out the plants and making sure the greenhouse stays neat over the winter as well." she smiles. She lets his hand go after giving it a warm squeeze and heads for the pond.

There's a rather large orange and black koi fish that swims up to the surface, "That's Pudge." she points to it. She then crouches down to pop open a hidden compartment in one of the tiles around the pond, pulling out some fish food. "He loves his treats. I want to get him some friends in the Spring, but for now he's a big bachelor." she muses as she hands him the small bag of feed. "Best way to make friends is with food." she winks.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Chas hides his relief at the fact that it's a fish until he notices the size of the creature. "Wow... his name is... appropriate" he says. "Happy fish there." He watches her feed the fish with a soft grin of his own.

    "You're... exceedingly kind, you know that?" he says. "You create such peaceful works. Open your talents to others, invite massive men into your apartment without hesitation and tend to plants and fish in the winter." He beams at her. "Just... you're really something special and I am more than honored to have met you. I almost want to give that wayward bike messenger a thank you card. Right after I take away his liscence to ride a bicycle in the city."

Asariel has posed:
"I caught a stray cat up here playing with him a few weeks ago. Might try to catch it if she shows back up. I'm guessing one of the people that moved left her." she frowns. Pudge sees the feed bag and his tail slaps the water to swim faster. Fooooood! She gives the koi some pellets and then looks back to him, "Would you like to feed him?" she asks.

His words catch her off guard and she looks to him as she settles onto the bench next to the pond, "Most of us that have had so much taken from them before they are really even out of their childhood tend to be more giving...or they tend to hate very purely." she tells him. "Painting and sculpture are my loves. I also love kids so I started our outreach enrichment. I just want to make sure the world is a safer place for children and for mine when I eventually find some guy that might put up with my flaws." she smiles to that.

She stands up from the bench and takes a moment to look up into his eyes, "You don't give me any bad vibes, Chas." she admits to him. "Wait until I'm late for a gallery opening and I'm trying to run around here getting dressed and finding jewelry. Then it can be fun." she winks at him.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Chas bends down and takes some of the pellets before tossing them into the pond for the fish. He watches her for a long moment. "I find it hard to believe such a kind person has any flaws... at least any serious ones."

    He listens to her assessment and her wink about sends him into a laughing fit. "I think if I was around in a situation to watch you getting dressed the fun might've already happened." He slaps a hand over his mouth. "I... see what I mean, I open my mouth and just... the worst comes out."

Asariel has posed:
"I have a lot of flaws, sadly. It is something we'll have to talk about down the line." Las admits to him. "But for right now I am absolutely happy to enjoy time with you and your daughter if she comes back to town." she smiles.

His laughing fit makes her pause and then she leans closer to him, her eyes lidding halfway. She lets him finish his last sentence before pressing an eager kiss to his lips.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Chas wasn't expecting the kiss and so he stiffens sharply at the start of it. Then after a moment's hesitation he leans into it. Wrapping his arms around her, pulling her to his body. There's a need for the connection of the kiss. A longing and emptiness that hasn't been satisfied for him in this way for *years.*

    As he deepens the kiss something may flash in the woman's mind. A bright light, painfully bright--a light she might remember as all angels remember the light of their progenitor. There's a cross in an alley. And fire. So much fire. Cleansing fire, the flames of purification burning through the city.

Asariel has posed:
When Las feels the sharp stiffening she starts to pull back, but his arms wrap around her and she gives a contented sigh as she lets her fingers slide into his hair. There's been no talk of dating out loud but the kiss is searching and maybe something that was pretty impulsive on her part.

The the vision flashes through her mind and she yelps, pulling back from the kiss, her eyes a bit unfocused, "Sorry...just...my head is a little spinny at the moment." she closes her eyes and tries to shake that bit of vision away.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Chas blinks in surprise and stumbles back a step. "I'm. I'm so sorry. I didn't..." He looks perpelexed, frowning. "I... Do you want me to..." He looks at the door, seeming conflicted.

    On the one hand, the kiss was incredible. There was an electricity that he hadn't felt in such an act in... forever. Even his ex-wife, when they were in love, didn't have that spark to intimacy. But on the other hand, the woman was obviously rattled by... something. He wasn't sure what. Was he a bad kisser? He hadn't ever heard that from anyone, but he *was* rusty in the department.

Asariel has posed:
Las reaches out to take a gentle hold on his arm, "Chas, it's nothing that you did." she tells him softly. She breathes in for a minute, then out, trying to not panic. It was a bit of a process. "I don't want you to go. I just..." she breathes out.

"I saw something. I just need a moment." she explains. "We should go back downstairs, dinner will be here any minute." she states as she looks to him.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Chas peers at Lasariel. He can tell there is something more in her tone than simply using her eyes. "You mean... you have visions?" he asks. "You just had a vision?"

    It's not that far out of the realm of possibility, especially for someone like Chas who has seen such things before. "Oh... and it was... was it bad?" he asks, reaching up to place a hand on her arm this time.

    At her suggestion he nods. "Alright" he says, turning to head back down. "Do you want... do you want to talk about it?" he asks hesitantly.

Asariel has posed:
Las gives a nod to that, "Visions...more on the prophetic side. I don't really know what they mean half of the time." she frowns at that. "Though I have witnessed a few weird flashes from murders." she shakes her head. "But yes, I just had a vision and it's sort of weird given the talk the last few weeks. It felt...angelic." she lets out a sigh.

Why was she having it? "We can talk, yeah. I don't know if it's bad. It's annoying though." she muses.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Chas looks concerned. "That's... troubling." Angelic influence in the city could be positive or negative. They rarely had any regard for things that were outside the parameters of their missions. That included collateral damage and sometimes even human lives. He frowns and follows the woman down. "And... there's no direct trigger is there?" He put a hand to his lips. "Like... it's not caused by intimacy... is it?"

    It was something he should know, right? Escpecially if they were going to have any repeats of that impressive display... or more. "Let's sit and we can discuss more. Just... don't feel that you *have* to tell me anything you don't want to."

Asariel has posed:
Las gives a soft look to him, "Yeah, it is." she whispers. There's a soft smile to him though as he touches his lips, "No, intimacy doesn't trigger it...or well, it's the first time it's happened." she admits to that. She nods to him and then heads for the exit off of the roof.

"Should get warmed up and things, yeah." she grins. "How about we count this as date one." she comments to him as she waits for him at the bottom of the stairs. "I've got a lot of baggage, Chas. I understand if it is something that you don't want to get into. I know that you've got a daughter and other things to think of." she admits to that.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Chas nods. "I... didn't want to presume anything with regard to dating" he says with a slight grin. "I was just sort of seeing where things went. But if we want to make this official, I'm all for it."

    He meets her at the bottome of the stairs and reaches up to stroke at her silvery hair. "Las. I've got baggage of my own, I like to think that people team up--either romantically or otherwise--as a way of helping each other carry the load."

    He moves to stroke her cheek gently, the roughness of his fingers a stark contrast to her smooth skin. "If you're willing to let me help you carry yours, I'll let you help carry mine and we can move together... if that's what you want."

Asariel has posed:
"I mean...I just kissed you out of nowhere so I was thinking of dating." Las gives him a soft laugh. "I mean, we can still take things slow and steady. I don't want to muck anything up with rushing." she admits. When he strokes her hair there is a soft look given to him, "That sounds like a very mature way of looking at things." she nods to him. "Though...I think you should probably have an explanation before you decide that you want to help with mine." she tells him.

"I am all for helping though and to see where it goes." she nods to that.

Then the door to the apartment chimes, "Ooooo. Food's here. Want to take a break from...heaviness and chat over dinner?" she asks him.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Chas smiles looking at the door. "I think that would be a good idea" he says, placing a hand on the woman's back as he moves past her. "How about you set up where we're going to eat and I'll get the food."

    He reaches for his wallet as he passes her, either willing to pay for the meal or at least the tip for the delivery driver. Being one half of his profession was a driver himself, he was likely a good tipper.