Why Should I Care to Restore at all? (Kethavel, private)

Crimson · October 21, 2009, 10:41 PM

Continued from here ...

The renown museum and historical landmark personified the heart and desire of every Jaedaxian for the arts and their significance. Men, great and weak, fell and were eventually forgotten; pages of parchment yellowed and burned. But the arts, non, not so. They were the spirits of genius, the testament to mortal's significant over even the gods above and below. Who could ever rival the great minds of the past centuries? Who could admire them more but those who were yet with us? There were so many lessons to be learned from the arts. Every stroke, every chisel, every line and curve dedicated to a principle invisible and visible at once. This was why the museum drew crowds consisting of actual art lovers and those pretentious fools masquerading as sophisticated elites.

Among the regulars of the famous Chateau Mavloix was the oh-so-very famous Yosef Shoushani. The snowy-haired gentleman now crooked with age leaned heavily on a maple wood cane with an ivory top. He always wore a delicately tailored suit with a matching cloak, which servers and attendants always collected and stored in the nearby cabinets reserved for guests. At that moment, however, the fates were testing his very patience. He was contemplating the juxtaposition between the clashing colors of the small, but priceless painting before him when a strange young man approached him.

A foreigner, no less.

"Pardonez-moi" he began in meek Jaedaxienne "but 'ou lost me after zee ... erm, 'ou wish to become an apprentice? Of vhat exactly?"

A smile formed on the old man's features, one of sincerity and utmost politeness. Motioning toward a nearby bench (for the hallways seemed endless and people occasionally needed to rest their feet), he continued added "Je suis Yoself. Erm, I am Yosef ... et toi?"

Kethavel Tamaral · October 22, 2009, 05:41 PM

Keth smiled a little apologetically, it had been so very long since he'd been home he had stopped noticing the lack of his accent for some time. "Pardon, monanimy." He said, trying to revive his old Jadexian. It was less then fluid, it must be said, after to many years traveling the world, the only language he had used to any substantial extent had been common. He made his way of with the ol man to sit. "Oi, je suis Kethavel Tamaral." He said, with smile. His Jadexian was rusty, but he was able to hold a conversation.

OOC: My French has now been exhausted. :-p So I'm going to move back to english, but he grew up here before moving away for a long time so would be able to speak Jadexian fairly well.

"I got caught up in the beauty of this place, it really is fantastic." He said gesturing around the very hall in which they sat with a look of pleasure on his face. "I've been dabbling in the arts for some time now, but would like to begin a vocation in art restoration." He looked around them again. "So much art work here, it must take allot of looking after and I'm sure some of the old pieces need continuous care?"

Crimson · October 22, 2009, 08:29 PM

OOC: we'll just type in Eng and assume it's Jaedaxienne (French), k? :-p

Yosef's smile brightened at the young man's words. "Ah, yes. It is nice to meet a man with love for the arts" he nodded thoughtfully. "But, this apprenticeship. You wish to work for the museum?" He quirked a single eyebrow in amusement, perhaps entertained by a young man's dreams so akin to his own once. "I know some people, but I can't save you during the interview process" the older gentleman chuckled softly.

"Which ones are you most familiar with? I am especially in love with the portraits of the famous nobles" Yosef motioned toward the opposite wall where four square portraits of different extravagantly dressed women were positioned. "Some of the curators here whisper that these were not even the nobles' wives" he grinned "but they are the only portraits remaining of the four original Houses of Jaedaxia. Priceless, these ones are. Ironic that not even the Houses' lords' portraits were saved. Either these women were extremely blessed by the fates, or they had admirers willing to risk their lives to save their likings drafted with oils on canvas, hmm?"

Kethavel Tamaral · October 23, 2009, 07:25 AM

OOC: Thanks!

Keth's spirits lifted a little as a cord was struck between the two of them and the old man softened a little. As the old man chuckled Keth shared in the moment with a light smile. "Oh yes, quite positively. I can't think of anything more worthwhile then helping to preserve the legacy left to the care of the ages by so many long lost artists of the past. Some of these pieces will never be seen again if lost to ruin." He said very genuinely. "And of course, all I ask is the opportunity to prove myself." He said with his best cheerful grin.

Keth looked over at the portraits the old man highlighted fondly to see if he recognised them at all. He was the son of the Tamaral family and spent much time in those circles in his younger days and, though it was most likely a co-incidence, his family home was lost to a fire.

Art was such a speculative thing and portraits as a whole, were not his most favourite of pieces, but portraits of women struck upon a cord in his life that made them an exception. As the old man went on with his story of the painting, a cheeky grin spread across his face and he let out a light chuckle. "Yes indeed, you are right." He said, turning to the old man with a twinkle in his eye. "If a beauty were to be saved, what better beauty then these lovely ladies." He said, his voice laced with an undertone of unspoken pleasures. "They make my own work look like crude scribbles." He chuckled again. "But then perhaps they just are." He offered in reflection.

"Personally I'm a lover of the small hidden works of the unsung artists." He began. "There are so many amazing creative minds out there, unseen by the world, locked away in cupboards, Inns, homes or even inside the minds of a poor genius not able even to afford the canvas, making art of what others discard. Perhaps there is something in the excitement of the search as much as the art itself." His words were a little wistful as he continued thoughtfully. "You have a great many lovely pieces here, but one I particularly liked was...Sorry, but I don't know the place very well or the the art it might have." He went on to describe a piece he had spotted as he went around the Musium in awe. It would be a discreet piece with some quirk to it, something on a subject that when described might seem quite mundane but in the piece itself had a sensation about it for those willing to take the time to take it in.

He looked back to Yosef's preferred portraits, considering the subject for a moment.

Crimson · October 27, 2009, 07:25 PM

OOC: that's the beauty of the museum. It has a little bit of everything

If we were to include them all in write-ups, it would ruin the theme of the location.

As the odd pair continued to talk in delighted and amused tones, a lanky gentleman with cone-shaped hair and sharp features approached them. He wore a very form-fitting black suede suit with a silver cravat and matching buttons. From afar, he looked to be a very modern statue of some terribly inflexible object. He cleared his throat in an obvious effort to excuse himself, save for the fact that he didn't actually both to say 'excuse me'. "Monsieurs" he began in terse tones "I couldn't help but overhear." He smiled a little thinly at Keth, then at Yosef.

"Monsieur Director" Yosef greeted the man in return.

"Monsieur Shoushani" the Director inclined his head briefly, then continued. "We are actually looking for assistants here in Le Mavloix." He afforded Keth a glance, then added in Yosef's direction, "would you be able to recommend anyone in particular?"

The older gentleman chuckled, enough to sway lightly on his cane. "Too much formality for my taste, Gilbert" Yosef said "of course you already know that the young man before me is interested in exactly the job!"

The Director regarded Keth coolly, perhaps even critically at that point. "Is that so?" he asked Keth, as if speaking to a small child "when will you be available? I assume you've had training?"

Kethavel Tamaral · October 28, 2009, 10:52 AM

Keth turned an inquisitive glance at the rather trimly dressed individual as he intersected their conversation. He remained politely silent as the two conversed, keeping his vaguely interested expression deployed in the event he was addressed.

*The director? Bingo!*

He smiled brightly as Yosef prompted that Keth was interested in the job. "Yes, very much so. Yosef was just telling me a little of the museum." He said, only barely holding his excitement. "Training? Yes! I can paint, draw and clean, but you were referring to restoration, yes?" He said, hoping this was in fact where he was heading. Whether or not the director replied, Keth would continue. "I have to admit that I've not had very much experience with restoration, per say, but I'm a quick learner and a hard worker. As I told my good friend Yosef here." He said, patting the man on the shoulder. "If you give me the chance I promise you won't be disappointed." He concluded brightly.

Crimson · October 31, 2009, 04:54 PM

"A painter?" the Director asked with a quick quirk of his brow.

Painters were a crown a dozen on the boulevards of Jaedaxia. And some of them actually had talent, if not only slightly insane. But occasionally, true talent manifested itself in the darnedest things. Sometimes it was a little boy who seemed to know just what colors blended with which to produce an astounding effect; other times, it was an old man who had been hiding his masterpieces for decades before someone discovered them. But the Director prided himself to be a connoisseur for talent.

Before Gilbert could ask more, however, Yosef chuckled then added, "I can mentor him. You know I'm good for it." He winked.

"Monsieur Shoushani, everyone knows that you are the premiere expert in art and restoration in the city!" The Director was actually using his arms, spreading them to emphasize that perhaps it was Yosef who personally inspected and maintained all the masterpieces of the Mavloix.

"Then you will give the boy a job?"

"Better!" the Director cried, raising a finger toward Keth "consider yourself hired. Tentatively. Probationary status, per se. 35 crowns a cycle. I do, however, wish to see some of your paintings ... if you have them?" The man seemed to be fishing for something, but what?

Either way, Keth seemed to have landed the job. Not to mention a mentor.

Kethavel Tamaral · November 17, 2009, 12:15 PM

OOC: Sorry for the long delay.

Keth watched with an engaged expression on his face as the two of them went through their little conversation. He was bubbling with a little subdued excitement as he tried to suppress himself some what while they discussed his potential position in-front of his very eyes. He plaid with his hat between his hands as they did so.

As the revelation of Yosef's position was revealed, Keth's eyes lit-up with a little more excited surprise.

*What luck!*

As the job offer was made any restraint he had faded... rather explosively. "Oh really?!" He tool the Director's hand in his, placing his other, hat in hand, on the back of his palm and shook it with glee. "Thank you, monomie! Really, this is amazing." He turned to Yosef and took his hand in an excited shake, beaming at him as well. "I promise, I won't let you down, I'll work day and night, study anything you needs me to!" He let out a shortened giggle, the thick locks of dark hair falling from side to side as e nodded enthusiastically.

He suddenly began patting his person furiously. "Oh! Of course, yes..." Hi puled open his waistcoat and plunged his hand into a large pocket, then turned to a small satchel handing in the small of his back. "I'm sure I... just a minute... Ah, yes, here it is..." He produced a little battered looking collection of sheets of paper that were apparently a collection of his ideas and concepts, not finished be any respect, but covered in potential pieces of work.

He shuffled through the first few quickly and then turned the sheets to the two of them, brushing his hair from his face quickly as he continued. "Please, please. These are just some drawing I've done since I've been here, the gardens are lovely and there's a few from my travels that I did not get a chance to put onto canvas fully, but... well, I can bring some completed work if you wish." He said, realising he was whittering some what.

The sketches were, from a skilled perspective, quite crude. He did clearly have some basic training with a pencil and chalk, but it was not as good as many that might be found on the boulevards. Having said this, it was not the quality of the drawing that might catch there eyes, were he looking for a deeper impression of this particular artist's style, but the subjects. Kethavel had a unique way of looking at life, which those that knew him might liken to that of a child. If they looked through a few of the drawings and proposed paintings, this unique way of looking at life would come into view.

However limited his current ability with the medium, he definitely had an eye for an interesting subject matter, an innocent eye, plucking out of what most think of as mundane an element of fascination. His choice of scenes included things less often noticed by most, overlooked or perhaps just not taken from a particular view. The potential of the scenes selected might stand to be substantial if worked with correctly.

He watched with deep anticipation of what they might say. He was quite used to his work being scoffed at, it was something an true artist had to get used to if they wished to share their work. "I know allot of them are a little scratchy..." He said with some considerable understatement. "...but I can not help but put the things I see around me down on paper in some form or another."

Crimson · November 22, 2009, 09:06 PM

OOCAren't you happy I didn't post last week? :p

The Director studied Keth's sketches for a few moments, his demeanor neutral. He must have had plenty of practice looking uninterested because he played the part particularly well. "Hmm" was all he had to say before passing the parchment back to its owner. "You have work to do" looking back at Yosef Gilbert passed the elderly gentleman a curt nod. "Monsieur Shoushani."

"Monsieur Director" Yosef replied in turn "Au Revoir."

When the Director was a good distance away, Yosef chuckled shaking his head. "He looked quite impressed. Though, obviously, he wouldn't make that evident. The mere fact that he studied your work is a grand compliment, young man. But I'm sure you must be eager to begin your training" he paused, then returned his attention toward the rumored mistresses of the great lords and barons of the once-sovereign Kingdom of Jaedaxia.

"Notice the oil on those paintings" Yosef began "all art is sensitive to temperature, humidity, and exposure to light. We at the Mavloix pride ourself in preserving and, when absolutely necessary, restore artwork. Some do not exactly agree with our procedures. They claim that we are tampering with history when we add lost pigments or add protective layers of chemicals from the Socrates Institute to save pieces. Alas" he sighed "we cannot please everybody. At least, we can please those countless souls who come here to partake in the history and the story each of our pieces represent."

"Your duties are my apprentice will range from cleaning the frames of particular pieces, to studying the various compounds and procedures the Mavloix employ to preserve and transport priceless pieces of art. Tell me, young man, what do you know of the story of Borthanas the Gold?" He smiled.

Kethavel Tamaral · November 25, 2009, 04:31 AM

OCC: Hehe, quite.

Keth was quite used to screwtiny from he 'audience, but whatever the Director's apparent thoughts of his work, he was delighted that he took the time to look and even offer him a job.

He bid the Director a fond Adue with a bow and looked to Yosef again as he spoke. "Indeed. I am ready to work!" He said, as if posting a status report. As eager as Keth was to help and do as good a job as he could, the exuberance with which he lived life was often allot for some to deal with.

He looked at the paintings, studying them as closely as he could from their location, looking for the oils Yosef highlighted.

He was right about pleasing people and Keths agreement could be seen in his expression as he listenned, not wishing to interrupt his new mentor.

"Borthanas?" He said, in such a way that would suggest he was confirming some unexpected rather then unknown. He nodded, he had not expected his father's lessons in such things to ever be of much use as a child, but as maturity came, the stories of the past grew in interest as well, even for an individual that liked to live so much in the present. "Oh yes, The Dragon protector of Jaedaxia. In it's time, it watched over the city, protecting it and it's people and allowing they to live their lives under it's layer. As a result of it's acts and power, it in now worshipped by the..." He paused thoughtfully for a moment. "Borthanians?..." He half stated half asked. "With their rather virulent disliking of the Dracon race, but these organisations always seem to have these kinds of tenants somewhere." He said before his mind could filter the thought from the pathway to his lips in case Yosef was in fact a religious person himself.

He smile. "The history Jaedaxia is a fascinating story." He sighed a little wistfully. "What I'd give to meet a proper dragon. That would be a painting worth making." He said in bright conclusion as he passed the conversational baton back to Yosef to see where he was going with it.

Crimson · November 27, 2009, 04:09 PM

Yosef nodded, impressed. "You see, the Dragon God was known to be many things -- but no more than his impressive collection of artifacts and art. Some even said that House Mavloix" he lowered his voice and leaned closer to his apprentice "procured most of their collection we see today in this very gallery from Borthanas himself. Very few could have collected this much work, from a great enough time frame, and still be what we consider 'mortal'." The older gentleman grinned.

"I mention the Golden Dragon because unlike the timeless races and the immortals, we cannot hope to outlive our collections" he looked longingly at the artwork before him. The Mavloix truly was the heart of civilization in the West. No other private museum could boast as much, second perhaps only to the galleries of Prime where every Kingdom and Empire took root from the beginning of the historias. "That is our purpose here. We must ensure that future generations be given the same chance we did to examine and enjoy these masterpieces."

So for the next cycle, Yosef showed his apprentice the various mixtures and procedures that either sealed cracks in the oil, small fissures in sculptures, and how to polish and clean frames ranging from bronze to gold. It was hardly expertly work, but it required patience and a delicate hand -- all of which Keth appeared to possess. At the end of his training each brightening, he was allowed to stroll inside the arched halls of the chateau and study its collection free of charge. It was truly a wish come true for the young man.

Kethavel Tamaral · December 21, 2009, 06:59 AM

Keth listenned intently as his new mentor spoke and leaned in as he shared the note concerning the potential origins on some of the art in the rather conspiratorial fashion. He quite enjoyed to sentiment and smiled as the idea, not just that the art was of some untold origin, but that there may be some secrecy to this tickled his cheeky nature.

He shared in Yosef's moment of appreciation of the pieces around them as he paused. "A truly worthwhile purpose." He commented. "I think in a life-time's effort to find a small modicum of immortality in the art one creates, if a piece does outlive you, it takes a little of yourself with it and if I ever create something worthy of such preservation, I would hope that it could be given a home somewhere it could live on and be appreciated." His words had become a thoughtful as he spoke and then suddenly became chirpy once again and he added. "It's the least I can do to help maintain the small elements of immortality left by the artists of these pieces if I wish the same to be done for myself some day." He said with a smile and a nod to Yosef.

With this, his work began. While under instruction he gave to his work the same level on enthusiasm that he gave to all elements of his life. Nothing was too much effort for Keth as he set about absorbing as much of his wisely mentors experience as he could. Keth knew all to well this was perhaps a calling that could take a lifetime to master and was quite happy to give the details of the founding elements all due attention as he carefully polished and treated whatever he was given charge of. He was happy to spend as much time as was required if only to be able to study the work so closely and even when working with less interesting work, he gave it the same level of attention, should it be any less interesting did not mean it was any less important.

It was a treat he could not give words to as after each day of careful and deliberate work, he could wonder the halls and reward himself with an exploration of a different area of them each day. Over the cycle, for all his efforts, he only saw enough to establish that he could wonder them for a further few ordinations and still not see everything of what there is to see and this prospect excited him and fuelled his understanding of the importance that these works or art be given the chance to go on for further generations to explore.

Crimson · December 22, 2009, 07:11 PM


	Congratulations! Training Thread Complete! Rank: Novice Attained! + 2 Experience Points in Art Restoration & Preservation Attained! - Keth is now employed by the Mavloix and earns +40 crowns/cycle - he has unlimited access to the museum during its usual hours - you may assume that Yosef (NPC) continues to be your mentor - to prepare for your next level up training thread, please consider doing some self moderated threads to practice your new skill - It is recommended that you develop this location, include details of some works you envision within the museum!