Serendipity [Sylph]

[Carmine Rihl Haerow]

Things were pretty festive around the capital city. Without a horse, it had taken Carmine a lot longer to get there than he'd anticipated. He'd stopped at every little town along the way, doing odd jobs to earn food and a place to sleep. It was a lot harder than he'd thought it would be, especially because he was always so clumsy. And twice he'd gotten lost on the road, once even getting ambushed by bandits. He didn't have anything valuable on him, so they beat him up instead. It had taken him a day to recover from that.

Now, as he finally came into Ingril, it was already the second day of the winter festival. The sight of the decorations and cheery people lifted his weary spirits. With the last of his coin, he bought himself a few fresh pots of paint and some canvas and cleared himself a spot in which to set up his rickety old easel. He got right to painting.

Several minutes later, he had the beginnings of a painting featuring Nero and Lilith walking hand-in-hand through a snowy landscape. He knew some people didn't care much for Lilith, but he had always thought of the deity as beautiful. And the story of the two gods were one of his favorites, even if it was somewhat controversial. He hoped someone would agree with his sentiments and buy the painting when it was finished. He knew he should probably make something more widely appreciated, but he could never bring himself to paint for the masses. He had to enjoy it for himself, or it just never came out right.

[Sylph'n Jtmyr Y'rkln]

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Sylph wasn't finished with his festivities. Certainly, just a few weeks ago he'd found the most beautiful boy he'd ever seen on these streets, but he was growing restless. Now, with the festival in full swing, he knew that the new and upcoming painters would be there. Not all would be good or great, some would earn some coins for the coming year, some would leave empty handed until their skills had progressed.

He did in no way envy their unpredictable lifestyles, and considered himself very fortunate to have had his own set in stone since birth (though he regrettably was the head of his estate at such a young age.)

He nodded to a few, and bought some pottery off a young woman selling them on the corner. He sent his butler off with the porcelain and told him to catch up with him further down the street. He needed the vases, now that the large dining table was in use again, and he wanted to gift Lyeyden with flowers.

His mind was so caught up in his lover that he almost walked past a stunning painting. He stepped back and almost backed into someone- who seemed irrate until they recognized him. It was strange. It had been his fault, and yet they were suddenly apologetic just because of his title. Sylph would have rolled his eyes if he hadn't fixated them upon the man's painting.

"That is a portrait of Lilith and Nero, isn't it?" he asked, stepping close enough to initiate conversation with the man.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

^{TAG - Sylph
WORDS - 300ish
NOTES - EEE PAINTER!
TUNES - None
CREDIT - template by MUNZTAR * of caution 2.0}

[Carmine Rihl Haerow]

Carmine was in his own little world, filling in details with his brush, bringing the figures on the paper to life. He took particular care with the soft shadows and light cast over the white snow, the way the two deities seemed to glow in its midst, how their hair floated away from their faces in the wind. Though not quite finished, the painting was taking on an ethereal quality.

"That is a portrait of Lilith and Nero, isn't it?"

He was startled a bit by the man who spoke, having been caught up in what he was doing. He turned to face him, brush still in hand. The sight of the well-dressed young man of obvious nobility made him painfully aware of his own unkempt state. He scratched at his nose, accidentally smudging blue paint onto it.

"Uh, yes, it is," he answered, unsure whether the other man had a good or ill opinion of the deities. Still, the words tumbled from him before he could think whether it was a good idea or not. "I know it's not very popular these days, but I always like to paint them together. I mean, I'm not particularly religious, it's just that I find them fascinating. They make interesting subjects. Sometimes it's much easier for me to paint what I see in my mind than it is for me to try to duplicate what's in front of me."

He fidgeted with the frayed edge of his sleeve, realizing that he'd been talking very fast and hadn't let the man speak.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to ramble on like that."

[Sylph'n Jtmyr Y'rkln]

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

You are very skilled. Sylph didn't believe in either of the deities, but he at least respected the religious and artistic. And the painting itself was exquisite. Certainly, there could be refinements, but Sylph knew that with more practice and better tools, the man would be a genius, not that his promise was dismissable.

"Is it for sale?" Sylph asked. He didn't have a painting of the two deities- separate or together. This would make an excellent first piece, should it be purchasable. He stepped a little closer to further examine it while the other spoke about why he had chosen them as subjects. "... May I commission a piece from you?" he said after the man had finished. Sure, he had said it was easier to paint what he could imagine rather than what he saw, but Sylph didn't want him duplicating an image infront of him. He wanted the man to use his imagination for this piece.

He would wait to hear what the other had to say before he continued. He had already opened his home to one guest, and while that had been a fortune in of itself, he couldn't be so sure that his luck would continue to be favorable.

And he didn't feel comfortable having another set foot inside his home without listening more to what he had to say. Lyeyden was special, Lyeyden was his- but this man was a simple painter, and he had had things stolen from him once before. He wouldn't make the same mistake. And even if he was to be trusted, he most certainly was not going to let him wonder the corridors alone- at night.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

^{TAG - Sylph
WORDS - 250ish
NOTES - EEE PAINTER!
TUNES - None
CREDIT - template by MUNZTAR * of caution 2.0}

[Carmine Rihl Haerow]

Carmine laughed a little at the young noble's praise, scratching the back of his head in his embarrassment. "Th-thank you! And yes, it is for sale." He didn't often hear that, at least not from anybody with this man's social standing. The times he'd tried doing portraits for them in the hopes of gaining a patron he had always disappointed them somehow. Accurate representations just were not his forte, and that's usually what they wanted him to do. He was lucky that his master had kept him on so long, or he would have been off on his own, a true "starving artist," for much longer than he had now.

"A commission? Really?" His face, dirty though it was from the long days of travel, lit up like the morning sun. It was more than he had dared to hope for, especially so early after arriving. Making the journey all the way to Ingril was turning out to be the right decision after all. He put down his brush before continuing, a smile across his boyish face.

"Well, like I said, I'm not too good at copying things exactly, but I'm always willing to try. What did you have in mind?"

[Sylph'n Jtmyr Y'rkln]

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

"Ah, Excellent." Sylph kept his eyes on the painting for another moment longer before smiling at the man. He was modest, and he certainly wasn't faking it. Of course, he would have to see the man paint still-life or a portrait to see just how far his skills carried him in that department.

"Then I would like to purchase it from you. I think 10 Brokun should be enough," Sylph raised an eyebrow to see what the man would say. He doubted he would be selling it for such a high price, but without a marker on it, he had no way of knowing. But those who were struggling and didn't have big heads often underestimated the value of their work, which was why he was prepared to offer him the amount he'd offer a master painter for the same painting.

"The subject of the painting is currently back at my estate asleep. However, if you would drop by later, I'm sure we can arrange something. I will give you the details of the painting then, is that alright?"

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

^{TAG - Sylph
WORDS - 200ish
NOTES - EEE PAINTER!
TUNES - None
CREDIT - template by MUNZTAR * of caution 2.0}

[Carmine Rihl Haerow]

At the man's generous offer, all Carmine could do was stare for a moment with a shocked expression on his face. 10 Brokun was far too much for the simple painting he'd just completed! That was more like the amount you'd pay for a masterwork, and Carmine was certainly no master. He hadn't even covered the whole canvas in paint, letting its natural whiteness suffice for much of the snowy background.

"That's too much for this! I can't... A-are you sure?" He had been about to refuse, but he didn't want to appear rude. Plus, the more he thought about it, the more he realized he did actually need the money. He didn't have any left over from travelling and buying supplies, so if he didn't sell this painting, he would be stuck out in the cold tonight. And later, he would need more supplies to keep painting. Still, it was a little unsettling to be offered so much money.

He tried to gather his wits and calm down a bit when the nobleman told him about the commission. Asleep at his estate? Would the subject be a younger sibling, then? Or perhaps... a lover? It wasn't his place to ask, but it made him slightly curious.

"I can come along now, if you'd like," he said, making a move to gather up his things but catching himself, realizing that maybe the man had other things to do right now. "Er, if you're not busy, that is. I don't mean to be presumptuous..."

[Sylph'n Jtmyr Y'rkln]

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

"Why don't I present it this way... if your were famous, I would pay the same amount for this work. However, you're not famous- but that doesn't mean that your skills are lacking. I see no reason to penalize you just because you've remained obscure." Sylph'n raised an eyebrow, watching the man as he gathered his supplies.

Excellent, the sooner the painting could be started, the better. "Yes, I'm free now. You may accompany back to the estate," he motioned for his butler to help the man gather his supplies- they'd done this same routine before, and Sylph's butler knew the routine. He also knew that certain things like brushes and paints were special to an artist, so he didn't make for those- just the canvase and easel.

The journey back to the Y'rkln estate was a short one. It was located just on the outskirts of the city, but close enough to the market so that Sylph could come browse whenever he so liked. He was perhaps one of the few nobles who went out amongst the people to talk to them- even if his goal was to obtain services such as paintings or clothing.

"I will fetch the boy I wish you to paint. Wait here." Sylph left Carmine in the lavish foyer, but no sooner than he'd disappeared up the lavish staircase then a woman came out to the artist's left.

"Ah! You must be the young master's guest. Welcome. May I get you something to eat or drink?" she was Sylph's maid, a woman who couldn't be older than her mid-twenties, very pretty and petite, her clothes simple and plain, but obviously well-made. Sylph didn't spare an expense for his staff, all of whom were like family- to a degree.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

^{TAG - Carmine
WORDS - 300ish
NOTES - EEE PAINTER!
TUNES - None
CREDIT - template by MUNZTAR * of caution 2.0}

[Carmine Rihl Haerow]

The man was too kind. Nobody had ever offered to pay that much for any of his work before. And certainly nobody had ever paid him such a compliment before. He knew from the heat rising to his face that he must be beet-red.

"Th-thank you," he stammered with a slightly embarrassed smile, gathering his paints and brushes as the nobleman's butler got the rest of his things. He glanced briefly over at his rickety old collapsible easel as the man carried it. Everything else was fairly new, having been destroyed in the fire, but that old easel he'd had practically since the beginning of his apprenticeship had somehow survived, and had been through plenty since then. He was a little amazed it still worked, actually. He knew he should probably replace it, but he just couldn't bring himself to do it.

Carmine's eyes widened as they approached and entered the manor. He'd been in big houses like this before, but each one was different, and they always amazed him with their sheer opulence. He nodded as Sylph left to go get the subject for his painting, setting his small bundle of supplies down on a little table and looking about. He caught a glimpse of himself, slightly dirty with a smudge of blue paint on his nose, in a mirror and blushed. How could the young nobleman have offered someone like him such a sum? It made him shake his head in disbelief.

"Ah! You must be the young master's guest. Welcome. May I get you something to eat or drink?"

He jumped just a little, having not heard anyone enter the foyer, and turned to see a lovely young woman in servant's clothing. She was a pretty thing, and he smiled shyly at her.

"Actually, I am kind of hungry. It's been a while since I ate. Do you have, uh, a little sandwich or something?" He didn't want to impose, but he was actually rather hungry.

[LYEYDEN MYEKELL D'AMORELE]

Sylph made his way up to the extravagant suites in his manor- of course, Lyeyden would be in his own. Actually, the boy hadn't not slept in his bed since arriving. He smiled a little to himself as he opened up the door. "Lyeyden?"

He's woken not too long ago and was doing some morning stretches, while wondering where his lover had gone off to. Lyeyden wasn't nosy enough, however, to go find a servant and ask them. When Sylph opened the door, he was about to do a backward stretch, and was half through it. After slipping out of bed he'd put on one of Sylph's loose silk shirts and nothing else.

Sylph felt his breath hitch in his throat. He'd have Lyeyden later... but now wasn't the time for that. "I have brought a guest to the home, Lyeyden. I wish for you to meet with him- he is a painter, though he specializes in conceptual art."

Fluidly he leaned out of the stretch until he was standing upright, dark blonde hair spilling over his back in waves. "Hmm? A painter?" He could never think of painters the same again, they always reminded him of the first day Sylph had taken him to his bed. A hint of colour went to his cheeks and he smiled walking over to Slyph, greeting him with a chaste kiss. "I should get dressed then."

"Yes, I would like for you to. There is a particular piece I wish him to paint for me- though he will need to see your face to get an idea," he pulled the boy close to him and pulled him into a deeper kiss, unable to resist the temptation.

The boy nodded, then happily accepted the deeper kiss, slipping one arm around the other's neck. Lyeyden would happily spend the day here with Sylph, but his lover wanted him to meet this painter, so he would. Reluctantly he pulled from the kiss, winked and went to get dressed in a silk shirt of his own, cream in colour, and black pants with knee-high leather boots. Lyeyden would leave his hair loose today, simply pushing some of it behind one ear, "Is this alright?"

"Beautiful... as always," he smiled, keeping himself from looking too much just yet. "Come, we don't want to keep him waiting," he took Lyeyden's hand and led him out of the room.

Downstairs, the maid had brought Carmine a meal to eat so that the man wouldn't be going hungry.

[Carmine Rihl Haerow]

The pretty little maid had come back with a tray of food for Carmine. He eyed her shyly as she left again, thinking she would make a good subject for a painting, before tucking into the meal. He hadn't realized quite how hungry he was until he tasted the first bite. Either the cooks here were incredibly talented or he was just famished. Of course, he supposed it could be both. The nobleman who'd brought him here seemed like the type to enjoy the finer things in life. Why else would he be interested in a painter? Not to mention, the house was lovely, and he'd only seen the foyer so far.

He realized with a start that he didn't know the nobleman's name, nor had Carmine introduced himself. He colored slightly as he took his next bite, making a mental note to remedy that as soon as the young man came back with the subject for the painting.

He wondered again who the person was. The noble had said it was a boy. Certainly he was too young to have a son yet... wasn't he? He did have a sort of boyish face. But then again, so did Carmine, or so he had been told on occasion. Both of them were so tall, though, they couldn't be mistaken for being too young. And the young noble was even taller than he was. All in all, it made it quite hard to judge the man's age.

The painter didn't have long to contemplate this line of thought, though, before he heard footsteps. He stood up from where he'd been sitting to eat, licking his fingers.

[LYEYDEN MYEKELL D'AMORELE]

His eyes landed on who had to be the painter he was to meet and he felt himself freeze. He was handsome. Very handsome. The contortionist barely kept from looking up and over at Sylph. Was this to be his replacement?

Sylph realized he had not yet gotten the man's name as he began to attempt to explain what he wanted to get out of his stay. "This is the boy I wish for you to use for your inspiration," he told Carmine. "Lyeyden this is... well, I seem to have failed in forgetting your name. Do forgive me. I am Archduke Sylph'n Jtmyr Y'rkln. And this is Lyeyden, my lover."

At hearing the words 'this is the boy...' he nearly cringed. This had to be it...Sylph would get one more painting of him, then send him on his way. A part of his mind was telling him to stop thinking this way, that he was being very stupid. But that voice was too little to hear clearly. Some of his fears were eased however when Sylph introduced him as his lover. A hint of colour rose to his cheeks, and resisted the urge to pull the taller male to a dark corner and... "Lyeyden d'Amorelle. It's a pleasure..." He tried to keep his tone friendly, hoping that none of his unease could be heard.

Sylph nodded. "I would like the painting to truly show his beauty- but in your way of interpreting it. Use him to inspire something... and I will pay you for what you come up with. But do be warned that I will know if I'm being conned," he said in a very, very serious manner.

[Carmine Rihl Haerow]

The painter's mouth nearly flew open when he saw the boy the nobleman brought for him to paint. If he hadn't been told beforehand, he might have thought at first that he was a girl. He had such a lovely, soft-featured face and long, slightly wavy hair. Though Carmine had no interest in men, he could see why someone might fall for this one. He was, to put it bluntly, pretty. And Carmine loved to paint pretty things. He would have painted this boy for free, especially in light of how much the nobleman had paid him for his other painting.

He was glad when they finally exchanged names, though he was a little embarrassed at the admission that the two were lovers. His cheeks went pink at the idea. "I'm Carmine. Sorry, I probably should have introduced myself earlier; I'm a little scatter-brained sometimes. It's very nice to meet you, Lord Sylph, Lyeyden."

An Archduke, hm? No wonder he could afford to pay him so much. Now knowing the nobleman's status, he was a little intimidated, but he had done so much for the painter already he could hardly let that bother him. He nodded at what Sylph told him about what he wanted in the painting. He was glad the other didn't want him to try to copy Lyeyden's likeness exactly. And he was delighted his subject was so pretty; it would be easy to draw inspiration for this painting. He almost felt a little guilty getting paid for something like this.

Sylph's warning made him a little nervous, but he didn't know how he could possibly con the man. Despite the archduke's boyish features, he seemed the type that didn't allow much to escape his notice. Unlike Carmine, who could be a little oblivious at times.

"Should I get started, then? I can start sketching right away. Lyeyden is so lovely, I should have no trouble with this at all," he said, smiling.

[LYEYDEN MYEKELL D'AMORELE]

"It's quite alright," Sylph had been absent minded himself. A noble had no excuse to not introduce themself- they were all taught better etiquette than that. And when proposed with the question he looked at his lover. "Would that please you?" he asked. He would like to have the painting done, but he didn't know if Lyeyden was ready or in the state of mind to pose for a painting- or sketches, rather.

While maybe it wasn't Sylph's intent to find another lover, Lyeyden also had to think of what the painter's goals were. With enough knowledge, the other man could attempt to seperate Lyeyden and Sylph, and then take Lyeyden's place. His eyes narrowed a little at the thought, but then relaxed when he looked up at Sylph's question, "Yes, I don't mind posing..." He gave his lover a smile, then brought his eyes back to Carmine. He would not trust the painter...

Carmine grinned happily and scrounged around in his little bag of supplies for some pencils, an eraser, and his sketch book, leaving the rest of his things there. He didn't think Lord Sylph would be the type to bring him here, only to take his stuff, so it was safe there. He was so excited to get started, he could hardly contain himself. "Where do you want us to do this?"

"The lounge. I believe that would be most suitable," he also wanted to be able to keep an eye on Carmine and Lyeyden. He may trust the long haired boy, but he wouldn't let him get swept away by some artist. He was jealous, yes, but he was good at keeping that under the surface.

Lyeyden nodded, the lounge sounded like a good place. He almost wanted Sylph to go somewhere and take care of some of his business, so that Carmine couldn't look at him. But at the same time, he wanted to keep Sylph as close to himself as possible. When had Sylph become such a weaknes...?

"Sounds good to me," said Carmine, still grinning. He couldn't believe his luck landing a commission so soon after arriving in Ingril! He tucked his sketch book under one arm and looked to Sylph, full of enthusiasm. "Lead the way!"

Sylph let them through the archways that led to the lounge, a relaxed room with a nice view of the gardens behind his estate. "You may set up anywhere you'd like:" he gestured to the room before taking a seat in his chair- the largest in the room with the best view so that no matter where Carmine chose, he would have a view

He walked alongside his lover, then looked around the room. His gaze then locked on the painter, "Where do you want me?" He wasn't trusting the other man's compliments, calling him pretty and such. The painter was likely trying to get on Lyeyden's good side, so that he would be an easy targer. Well, things would not go Carmine's way.

Carmine looked around the room, putting the back end of one pencil in his mouth as he chewed on it thoughtfully. "Um..." The place was so lovely, he couldn't decide on any one spot right away. He went toward one side of the room where a window let in the afternoon sunlight and a couch sat in one corner. The light didn't quite reach the seating, though. He looked over at Lord Sylph with a questioning glance. "Could I move this sofa closer to the window?"


[MISSING A SYLPH POST HERE ;O;

He basically told Carmine that he could move the sofa.]

Lyeyden's eyes were on Carmine, though he couldn't help glancing over at Sylph on occasion. It was most important however to stay with his focus on Carmine.

Carmine put down his art supplies on a chair opposite the window and pushed the little sofa more toward the window with some effort, so the lighting would be just right when he started sketching. Good thing that particular piece of furniture was fairly light, or he might not have been able to move it, weak as he was. He smiled up at Lyeyden and gestured for him to take a seat. "If you'll sit here, please?" Then he sat in the chair opposite the sofa and window, readying his sketch book and pencils.

Sylph sat back, ready to relax, and had his maid bring him a glass of kwondi wine. He wanted to take the edge off his nerves so that he wouldn't inadvertantly comment and reveal his jealousy.

The boy nodded and took a seat on the couch, then forced himself to lounged in a relaxed manner. He moved nothing but his eyes, letting the occasionally move over Sylph's form adoringly. There was hardly a moment when he didn't want the taller male...

Carmine's eyes went from his paper to Lyeyden and back a few times before he figured out how he wanted to start drawing. Then he put the pencil to paper and started sketching, almost excitedly. He was so happy to have such an aesthetically pleasing subject! Though he knew his finished product would not look exactly like the young man, he hoped he could capture that air of carefree and unassuming beauty. "Feel free to talk and even move a bit if you want, just don't move from the sofa," he said with a smile, then looked back down at his sketch book again. "I'll tell you if I want you to pose a particular way."

The instinct in Sylph knew that he wanted to be the only one to give Lyey orders, but well, he did suppose the boy needed to be instructed in how to pose from time to time just so that the artist would be able to capture his form. "Carmine, how did you come to the city of Ingril?" the young Arch Duke asked curiously.


[MISSING A CARMINE POST HERE omg I fail x___x

Carmine explained about the fire that burned down his master's studio, and after that he decided to wander and look for work. *SIGH*]

"Fire..." Sylph's whole disposition changed at that, and he suddenly looked a little uncomfortable. "I see then," however, he didn't feel it was Carmine's business to know that he had lost his entire family and estate to a fire- this one was more recently built, and he'd grown up under the care of the servants in their country home.

Due to watching Sylph, Lyeyden caugh the subtle change in his lover when fire was mentioned. Was there some dark secret related to fire that Sylph was keeping? Lyeyden didn't want to know out of curiosity, but rather because it would help him to better understand the man he loved. He felt the need to wrap his arms around Sylph and just hold him close. Love was making a fool out of him...

Carmine shifted in his seat just a little when Sylph said the word. "Yeah, I uh, I don't like fire." He didn't really want to talk about it right now, when he was so focused on drawing. The mood might start showing in the picture. He looked up at Lyeyden again, noting the way his hair fell, the line of his nose and cheek. He really was lovely to look at. Then he put pencil to paper again and drew some more. This one would be a head study.

TO BE CONTINUED...