Legolas likes to state the obvious. (sonofthranduil) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2014-03-06 20:15:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, legolas, mary poppins |
Who: Mary and Legolas.
When: Mid-February.
Where: A shop.
What: A chance meeting.
Rating: G.
Status: Complete.
While Legolas enjoyed the home he’d gotten when he moved to Orange County, he was starting to feel like it lacked a more personal touch. Or, truthfully, a part of him did miss his home back in England, so he was hoping to make this one feel more inviting. After a bit of searching around, he found a locally owned interior decorating store that sold more unique pieces than a larger chain might. He’d been looking at some bookends when a lamp that had a sort of woodsy, branchey look about it caught his eye. Maybe his dream aesthetic was catching up to him, but he liked it.
Mary found herself in that same store for the same reasons. She had managed to clean her flat to the appropriate level, but felt it needed a little more to it. She had bought a few planets to liven the place up, but wanted some artwork to go with her decor as well.
She had been looking at a rather beautiful, yet generic painting of the skyline in London. It had the Tower, London Eye...everything a tourist would go to see, yet it was home. She was stepping back to get a better view, wondering if was too silly for her to hang into her apartment when she bumped into someone. Mary seemed to be very clumsy over here in the states.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” she said, turning around to apologize to the person. “I was just trying to get an idea of this print.”
Legolas stumbled a bit but caught himself quickly, and glanced over at the young woman that had run into him.
“Oh - It’s no problem,” he told her, giving her a slight smile. “There’s never much room in these places.”
Mary smiled, nodding her head in agreement. “Yes, they do pack these shoppes rather full don’t they?” She turned back to her painting, biting her lower lip, before turning back to him. “Sorry, but could I bother you for a tick? What do you think of this painting? Too cliche?”
Glancing at the painting in question, Legolas tilted his head. It was definitely not unique, but he shrugged a little. “The colours are rendered nicely, and, I think, in the right frame, it might actually be quite nice.”
Mary looked back at the painting she had selected, tilting her head and trying to imagine it in various frames. She took another minute before she nodded her head, picking up the painting. What did it truly matter if she liked it? It would belong in her home and it was something that brought home back to her.
“Thank you,” she said, a smile on her face. “Trying to add a little more decorations to my apartment. It’s sadly empty at the moment.”
“I understand,” Legolas told her. “Well, mine’s not exactly empty, but it doesn’t feel … Very homey, I guess.” And, apart from boarding school, he’d never been away from home for long, or ever this far. It was certainly an adjustment. “Hopefully I can find something to perk it up a bit.”
Mary nodded her head, understanding how this young man felt. “It’s always hard to try and find those perfect items to furnish your home with. I’m a tad on the picky side, but there are pleasantly many quaint shoppes such as this and I’ve had a rather fun time going through the aisles.” She smiled and held her hand out.
“My name is Mary by the way.”
He gave her a smile in return, polite and nice but really only a slight quirk of his lips, as he shook her hand. He wasn’t much of a smiler.
“Legolas,” he replied. “I agree. If you take the time to look, there are actually quite a few good places around here. I certainly like it more than a big name department store.”
“A pleasure Legolas. I couldn’t agree with you more. I like the unique styles you can find in the smaller shoppes. That’s why I was wondering about this piece. I didn’t want it to feel too commercial, but I thought it was a nice piece. And it reminded me of home.” She smiled, glancing back at the canvas. “I think I will be getting it.”
“A good choice.” Legolas cracked another smile. “My father was always a fan of paintings. He likes the classic feel. I’m more a photography fan myself. He never quite understood it.” There was a fond sort of look on his face, then he glanced back at the lamp.
“I should go find someone to help me with this. And help you with your painting, too, while I’m at it.”
Mary glanced at the lamp he was looking at, giving a small shrug behind his back. It didn’t speak to her in any way, but it must have found meaning to him. “Do you happen to do photography yourself?” Mary always held artists of all sorts in very high regard. Photography was perhaps the only type she could try to do herself, but had never taken the opportunity to explore it.
“Oh no, that’s quite alright. I’ll come with you for assistance.” She smiled, nodding her head towards the front.
“I don’t. I’m sure I’d be all right at if I tried, but it’s never found its way into my hobbies.” Legolas motioned to the front, insisting Mary go first and he’d follow behind her. “I like the idea of having a single moment captured. Not that I’ve anything against paintings, but there’s an organicness to a photograph that I appreciate.”
Mary smiled her thanks and started to make her way to the front, listening to him along the way. “I can completely agree with that,” she said. “A photograph can capture the exact moment in time. Not only the experiences and instances, but the emotions as well.” She placed her hands on the counter, finding no one behind it, and glanced around for assistance.
“But a painting can also bring out the artist’s imagination and how they see the world. Everyone who speaks of wanting to step into someone else’s shoes only has to look at a piece of art to see the mundane transformed into something more.” Mary certainly had an appreciation for all forms of artistry, always sad that she had never tried one.
“Yes, a painting is more a journey. It starts off as one thing and ends differently, but when you look at it, you certainly get the sense of growth. Or regression. But art’s always been subjective, hasn’t it?” He gave her a bit of a smile, then glanced around a moment before reaching over the desk and dinging the little bell.
Mary was enjoying her conversation with Legolas very much. It was rare for her to find someone to actually talk to about art or things of this nature. She was usually surrounded by kids no older than 10 and art...well, it was more of comic books and video games at the moment. I really need to get out more.
“Do you know of any good art galleries around here?”
Legolas looked thoughtful for a moment, then shook his head. “I can’t say I do. I’m sure it’s on my mental list of things to find, though. Come to think of it, it’d be nice to find one. My walls are so bare.”
Mary nodded her head in agreement when a sales representative made their way over. “How can I help you today?” Mary flashed the girl a smile, nodding her head in greeting. “My friend and I are interested in a few items we would like to purchase. If possible, I would like to arrange to have mine dropped off at my residence.” It was easy for Mary to get around without a car, save for large purchases such as these.
Legolas glanced at the sale’s girl and smiled, then motioned to Mary. “I’m in no rush, you can see to her first. I certainly don’t mind.” He gave Mary a nod. “It was a pleasure to meet you. I hope you find the perfect spot for your painting.” With a slight wave, Legolas wandered a bit to the side, leaving Mary with the associate.