Life is a Canvas

Posted on Sun Dec 3rd, 2023 @ 8:26 by Claire Cavendish & Rebecca McMillen
Edited on on Sun Dec 3rd, 2023 @ 8:43

Chapter: Winter's Crest Festival
Location: Rebecca's Classroom (Art)
Timeline: Tuesday, 15th of December, 1992
1425 words - 2.9 OF Standard Post Measure

The mousey professor moved around the room, several easels set up and several canvases were set up. Waiting to capture inspiration. At the front of the room were several large photos of the castle from various angles. Optimal light, optimal angles, for optimal inspiration. Palettes, brushes, and access to water to wash off brushes. Oh this was going to be so much fun!

There were a few canvases off to the side, hanging and drying. Some of the students were already satisfied with their work, while others wanted to come back to put a second layer down. Detailing and shading, advanced techniques. Rebecca didn't plan on stopping them one bit. She looked at the photos, at the paintings, at the castle, at the riot of people storming the bridge, screaming and shouting as they threatened, as they hurt, as they...

Rebecca's heart raced as she panicked slightly, stabilizing herself on a table. When it was just her, in an empty room between classes, she could allow herself this moment. This concern. This memory. She reassured herself, this place was safe. This place is safe. She was safe here. As long as she was safe, so were the children. Her class. Her students, and all the others. This, this safety, this opportunity was why she was here, and why she did what she could.

Claire walked around the halls of the institute as if on clouds, life had settled a bit more after the upheaval of the Rangers attack. The different workshops around the classrooms were taking the kids' minds off the realities of the world. She'd heard good things about the preparations for the art auction and wanted to check in with Rebecca offering some help if needed. She didn't have much time in between the prep they were doing for the stage show.

"Miss McMillen," She called from the entrance to the art room, different paintings around the room in different stages of completion. She slowly started to walk around the different pieces "How is the gallery coming along?"

Rebecca perked up as she heard Claire. Exceptional hearing wasn't needed with the way these halls echoed. With a smile the blonde turned, "Claire, hello!" a cheerful greeting was a good way to start the report, "We're making excellent progress, not to mention some of the pieces are really something." Rebecca offered, walking to even show off some of the pieces. "I chose the castle as the centerpiece, so that everyone could explore what the castle meant to them, and to put it into their interpretation. For some, it really let their emotions out from, well, what happened." she motioned to a few of the more vibrant pieces, and then those with more aggressive strokes. Some were calmer, more withdrawn in their assault on the canvas. In all of them, however, one could clearly see the subject: The castle.

"I could put one aside for the entryway if you want." she teased. Rebecca was pleased with the work so far, and it showed. Not just in her smile and her cheer, but in the literal tattle tail she had behind her. The tell tale tail twitch.

"I think I'll try my luck at the auction." Claire wanted to give everyone equal opportunity to place bids on the art made by the kids. The idea was of course to get some experience running that sort of stuff but also to get some money for the institute. "Do you need anything for the display or auction itself?"

"I'll need some spare easels, or at least something to display the pieces. I'm doing good now hanging them on the wall but, I mean, do we have anyone on hand that can just make a wall?" she asked, half-joking. "Unless we're hosting the show indoors, then it's easier." she asked, also looking to clarify how the event was going to look. "But other than that I *think* I'm alright. I'm worried that I won't know what I need until about ten minutes before I need it but, I'll make it work." a pause, "WE'LL make it work."

Rebecca got a little quieter after that. "But no, I think we're going to be alright. Hey, while I have you here, mind if I ask a question, not at all related to the auction."

"Never. The master key of knowledge is, indeed, a persistent and frequent questioning." Claire seemed to rattle off dusty old philosophers as if by reflex when faced with certain situations. She smirked a bit realising how much she had become like her professors and some of her philosophy major peers trying to outdo each other with quotes and attributions.

Rebecca took a breath. Okay, this was nothing compared to what you just went through. "Christmas." she started, "What's it like here? Is there just a secret santa, or is it a gift giving free-for--all? I don't want to sound like The Grinch here, but... Christmas was never a fun time for me. I always got doll stuff." she turned back toward Claire, "Just wanting to get that out there. I know you can't control Christmas or anything like that, just, a preference." she offered. "And thank you. I very much appreciate the open door policy."

"We arrange a Christmas eve for the kids that stay behind over the holidays. Big meal. Valjean really gives it his all." Claire recalled last year's holiday season. "I make sure the kids get something nice. Among the staff there wasn't much of an exchange last year. Perhaps it might also be a bit late to organise a Secret Santa type carousel, but if you're up for taking that on, by all means throw all the names into a hat. I'm sure I have an old top hat laying around somewhere."

She gave a gentle shake of her head, "Too short of a notice, we'll just see how things play out. As for the kids, one hundred percent. Lemme know if you need help with anything. Decorating a tree, running lights or garland. I'm your girl." she volunteered. "As for the auction, honestly I think that's really all I need to make a space to set it up." she thought, trying to mentally picture if she was missing anything, and upon coming to no further conclusion, gave a definite nod. "Which just means we'll need something last minute, but I'll do my best to keep that from happening."

"I didn't mean to shoot down your suggestion, I think it's a lovely thought." Claire felt like she was raining on Rebecca's parade slightly, "perhaps I can ask Admin to come up with something?"

Rebecca thought for a moment, just full chin-in-hand thought. Was it really that big of a deal? Was it really something important?

"Why are you trying to leave before you settle?"

"You are not a problem but you cannot keep running here."

Something seemed to come together, and Rebecca gave a nod, "You know what, you're right. Let's see what we can come up with." a pause, "I'll need to borrow that hat."

"I'll get it to you post haste." Claire was about to leave before she realised the actual reason for her coming over. "Before I forget. The auction is scheduled for 21:00 hours on Friday. Do you have someone that's willing to run the auction, or will you be doing that yourself?"

Rebecca thought on the matter. Who could she get? Who else knew as much about these pieces of art, the artists behind them, the passion, the pain, the path to improvement? Who else? She gave Claire a nod, "I think it would be best if it were me, so I'll do my best to make it happen."

There was a moment where Claire wanted to give a thumbs up at that, but she decided against it. "Very well, Miss McMillen, in that case, I'll count some beans and be looking forward to your auction."

Rebecca gave a nod, "I'll keep you posted if I need anything. For now, though, the only thing I think is on the list is the hat." she half-shrugged, not in defeat or despair, but out of lack of knowledge. It was a good place to be, in a spot where she didn't know what she needed, but wasn't scared of it. It was okay to be scared, but she had to stop running from her problems.

"Thank you." she felt she was saying that a lot. Probably because she had a lot to be thankful for of late.