Opportunity... Taken!


The Start of the Cat's Haven Artist Guild

You purr, "Just for the log, please state what spot you are auditioning for, Asha, and why."
Asha blinks and nods, feeling awkwardly stuck in spotlight and grins. "Well, just to run the Artist's Guild because, ..was hoping to bring the few artists on here together and start activities to include them."


The summer afternoon is hot. Very hot for this late in the season. Many of the vendors have set up canopies over their stands while shop owners find ways to make their stores nice and comfortably cool. One such stand, set just out a known artist supply shoppe. The stand owner, a lanky mutt by the name Aesop, stands argueing over the price of some items stacked neatly on the wooden counter while a few curious onlookers watch from a polite distance. "Madam, I must insist on 10 bronze for all of this. These are fine quality goods."

Standing with her back to the onlookers, a silver feline returns the mutt's firm gaze uncertainly. Expression neutral and arms folded, Asha apprehensively gazes over the table, then to Aesop, pondering slipping away into the more familiar store. "Oh? Then what are they made of?" she evenly returns, blue-grey eyes flickering.

Aesop motions to the different things he has on display and grins, "Why, they are made from the best materials found, or conjured, madam. You have to expect to pay good money for good art supplies." The mutt seems to know his business, but some of his items for sale don't quite reflect his boasts.

Asha's expression barely shifts, but she seems to be wryly amused by the answer, regarding the dog for a moment with her head slightly tilted. Offering no reply, she dubiously 'uh-huhs' softly and stares down again, pretending to look obliviously interested. Should have gone right in the store's doorway. "That doesn't quite answer the question..." she softly notes, absently picking up one of the brushes and runs a finger over. Pondering, a corner of her muzzle tilts up as she peers at it, keeping the same soft, uncertain voice. "It looks cracked..."

Aesop hmmms softly then smiles, one of those that is remeniscent of a used car salesman, "Oak and maple brush shafts will crack during shipping, ma'am. I asure you, the bristles are clean and won't shed in your paints." He's insistant, though apparently he doesn't know what each type of wood looked like. The pale colored wood on the brush's shaft is pine, with its distinctive scent still clinging.

Asha continues to look faintly amused, but her eyes narrow a bit as she gazes at the canine. Wrong answer. Long tail flicking behind her, the feline simply stares in hesitant annoyance and exhales, firmly setting the brush down where it was. "You -do- realize we're right outside an established art store?" she speaks up, stifling shyness as she notices one or two furs looking over. "I'm friends with the owner, and I don't think an artist like him would appreciate knowing what you're doing."

Aesop blinks, not too put off by the observation then nods and grins, "Why, yes, I do know I'm located just outside an artist's shoppe. I'm here by his permission." Truth... somewhat, but still the truth. His ears flick back while the brush was set down, but only one ear returns to its upright position, though the tip flops over on its own. The smile he gives is tinged with nervousness only an observant person would see. Little does he know that the shop's owner is standing in the doorway, listening in on the coversation with an amused smirk of his own.

Asha listens to his answer in uncertain, dubious amusement, glancing over the table as she searches for a reply. Arms folded again, the cat grins wryly and shifts her weight on her feet, gazing up and pauses. A familiar look is caught out of the side of her gaze, eyes glancing over to see the fur in the doorway and broadly grins, eyes dancing amusedly and smirks. "Brer! Hello!"

Aesop flicks that ear back once more as he follows the cat's gaze then really starts to look nervous. He gives the hare a respectful nod while trying not to tuck his tail. Instead, he steps behind the makeshift counter and manages a smile, "Good afternoon, sir." The reply the shop owner gives is curt, but still has some cheer in it, "Afternoon, Aesop." then smiles warmly to Asha, "Miss Asha, how are you today?" The rabbit pushes off the doorframe then ambles over to join the young artist, though he gives the few chosen supplies a cursory glance, already he knows the quality isn't up to his standards.

Asha's face brightens at seeing and returns the smile, straightening. Breifly glancing over at the stand as they greet, she turns her attention back to the hare and thoughtfully shrugs, lightly gazing over. "Well enough, thanks. Just running errands for El and I..." she offers, unsure what to say and mutters as an afterthought. "And looking out for artists..."

Brer nods, chuckling softly, "Always looking out for more potential artists, eh? Found any yet?" he asks amiably. For a moment, the older hare looks the mutt over, then sniffs and returns his attention back to Asha with a fond smile, "You look hot, my dear. Why don't you come inside, cool off, and look over my new inventory. Perhaps we can discuss that new project you mentioned last time you came to town." Aesop just watches as the hare takes over his sale, then starts to put away the items resting on the makeshift counter.

Asha gazes over as he speaks, ears tilted. At the first words, she wrinkles her nose and rrfs, shaking head slightly and turns towards him. Nodding at the offer, she slowly steps behind, unable to resist a last glance at the canine, arching a brow and grins a bit.

Aesop doesn't notice the last glance towards him while he puts the last of the brushes away in their canister, then returns to trying to lure another patron to his stand. Without a backward glance, Brer leads the feline inside where it is much cooler. Everything inside the shop is neat and orderly so they can be found easily. Near the back, stacks of new paper is found along with a few smaller boxes of new supplies and a few easles propped next to the door.

Asha slowly follows him in, ever the wanderer with looking around. Running a finger along the edge of a shelf, she mrrs softly and walks over to where her friend picks up some things from the main counter. "Have any canvas?" she purrs, trying to lead into conversation.

Brer nods, and motions towards the backroom, "Just came in this morning, my lady. I haven't been able to bring it out yet. There are also some new paints, and some charcoal sticks like you were asking for last time." He then leans against the counter, folding his arms lightly to support himself while watching his feline friend, "Is there anything else you would like?"

Asha hesitates and nods, occupying herself on the other side of the counter, fingering through a canister of various pencils. Despite the level of familiarity, she's still a bit shyly awkward, unsure of thoughts and slowly glances up to meet gazes, exhaling softly. "Don't suppose -you- run into more than passing hobbyists?" she wonders, ears perking and slightly tilts a shoulder. "Just...wish it was easier to find others, to...work, or...let them know of dogs like him, or...something."

Brer hmmms, thinking for a moment while he tracks the young feline with his eyes, "I've seen one or two come along." Of course, he's exaggerating a bit, there have been several, or else his store wouldn't be doing so well. His buck-toothed grin spreads across his muzzle as he straightens with a bit of effort, "Well... you could always start some kind of club or something for artists only. You can advertise here first to get their attention."

Asha nods a little as he first speaks, shifting gaze a bit and tilting the pencils all to one side of the canister. Quickly glancing up as he straightens, her rounded silver face is blank for a moment, slowly shifting in expression as he speaks to uncertainty, to hesitant interest, to wonder. Faintly grinning, she shifts up, watching his face. "You...you'd let me do that?" she purrs, grinning.

Brer nods, grinning wide, "Sure, why wouldn't I? You're one of my best customers." Slowly, he comes from behind the counter, one paw sliding along the surface lightly while he gestures with the other, "If you find enough artists, interested, why not start an artist guild. There has to be a lot of people out there wanting to get together over art, and share ideas, and not just in this town, either."

Asha nods, expression shiftly quickly from uncertain hesitation, to thrilled interest, then back, probably looking silly in the process and bites her lip, grinning. "Maybe. But, I...." she sheepishly mrrrs, tail flicking as her face brightens and nods. "I'd, love to. I think I know of one in the other town, and... oh, thank you Brer!" she grins and quickly hugs, stepping back towards the front. "I promise I'll be back this week with stuff! Can do it!" she rattles off, brushing long strands of fur behind her ear.

Brer blinks in surprise from the hug then chuckles and hugs her return before Asha can step back. He nods to her, grinning broadly, "I'll still be here, my lady. Just let me know if you need any help."

Asha grins helplessly, already reaching the door and gazes back at him, eyes bright. "Thanks! Take care!" she purrs, opening the door to slip out.

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