Meet the Painter

{if Meal = true} Lunch was a simple affair. Perhaps if the royal family was dining together, the meal might've been a lot more luxurious, but as it stands, the dining room remains vacant. Katherine had carried a simple tray of food to Alice's chambers for the two of them to eat. The princess had gotten dressed again, this time in a far more comfortable white dress, though it traded that comfort for fashionablility. After munching on some bread and downing the bowl of soup, Alice and Katherine debated the next step to take. There was plenty of time this afternoon, and the princess should be able to get a lot done, depending on how much time she spends with each task.{endif}

{if Meal = True} They decided that seeing the painter first made sense, as one can never go wrong with having more money.{else} She decided seeing the painter next made sense, as one can never go wrong with having more money.{endif} Plus, it probably wouldn't take too long. According to Katherine, the painter was an old man named Jyre, and he even showed her his portfolio of works to ensure that he was legitimate. Katherine had reviewed his work and credentials, and assured the princess that he had no ulterior motives. While Alice is normally distrusting of strangers like him, she was confident in Katherine's judgement, and saw no reason to second guess her.

Katherine had described Jyre as old, but that was merely an understatement. The man was practically a fossil, with one foot in the grave based on the wrinkles and the amount of white hair he had. Despite walking with a cane, he still stood up and gave Alice a respectful bow as she arrived.

"Your highness, thank you for taking time out of your busy day to humor an old man such as myself," he said as straightened his back. "I promise that this shall not take too long."

"If you're painting me, I'd rather have quality than speed," Alice replied as she led him into an empty, unused room within the palace. A perfect place to set up for a painter, without needing to worry about the occasional splash of paint.

The old man laughed as he followed her, nodding in agreement. "I see you are an appreciator of beauty as well. Indeed, there's nothing worse than a rushed work. Very well, allow me to amend my previous statement: I promise that I shall capture your magnificence within my painting"

"Better. I shall hold you to it then," Alice said with a confident smirk. While he was setting up the canvas and the easel, she took a moment to look through the other works that he brought with him, and quickly agreed with Katherine's assessment: this guy was the real deal. From portraits to landscapes, this man could do it all. Vibrant colors that blend in perfectly, and expressions that looked lifelike enough that she couldn't be surprised if they popped out of the canvas. Even the nudity seemed tasteful, rather than trashy. If she wasn't having financial issues, she'd have commissioned for a portrait of herself from him.

"So, what's the theme of the painting today? As I recalled, you wanted my likeness, so you're not technically painting me, right?" Alice asked, her curiosity piqued.

"That's correct," Jyre answered. "Far to the east, they worship a goddess below the tides. A beautiful yet fickle master of the oceans, bringing gentle winds and tides one day, but hurricanes and tsunamis the next. Capricious in nature, she is both beloved and feared. That is who I will be drawing, with your form as a baseline."

"Fascinating," Alice muttered, and it was true. She had never been that far east, and travelling the world had been one of her childhood dreams. Never to be realized now, but that doesn't mean she can't learn about other cultures from the safety of her home. This goddess seemed like she would have some fascinating myths surrounding her. As her thoughts wandered in that direction, a question popped into her head, reminded by the painter's other works.

"So, do I need to be naked then? Alice asked bluntly. He was a professional, so she saw no reason not to be direct. No doubt he's seen the bodies of hundreds if not more women, so he's unlikely to be fazed.

"That would be...ideal," the painter said slowly, watching her reaction carefully. "But it is far from a requirement. In fact, I intend to pay you the full amount of 300 gold regardless, so do not let that influence your decision. Do it purely because you want to."

Want.