Entry tags:

!complete, niklaus mikaelson, regina mills (evil queen)

Who: Regina & Klaus
What: Randomly meeting, discussing art
When: Before Regina's wedding
Where: Art Gallery
Rating/Warnings: Nope!
Status: Complete!

Niklaus had been checking out local art galleries ever since he arrived. For one it was one of his favorite past times. But now there was more of a purpose to it. With the dreams, Marcel arriving, and Freya deciding to stay, Klaus had also made the decision to stay in Orange County. Mikael and Esther be damned. If he was going to stay in Orange County, it was time to start thinking about opening up a new gallery.

Today he was at a gallery the featured pop art. It wasn’t exactly Klaus’s style. He preferred impressionism, surrealism, and some abstract art. Still it was important to observe all different kinds. Take note on what people in the area seemed to appreciate. His gallery would feature a bit of everything. He was currently observing a piece that featured a set of lips in a square setting, each set was a different color with a different background behind it. It was interesting to say the least but not something Klaus would want for himself.

It wasn’t Regina’s favored style, either. Trendy, no doubt - vibrant with an endearing vintage quality, and she could appreciate it while also knowing it wouldn’t have a place in her own home. She hadn’t come here to shop for herself, anyway. Often times she visited galleries to see if certain pieces could be produced in mass numbers, as walls did beg for artistic decor.

Her appointment with the owner had run late (not on her behalf - she was painstakingly punctual, always) and she’d grown particularly irritated. But she’d feign professional politeness out of fucking necessity, tucked a lock of raven hair behind her ear, and approached the one only other person that looked comfortable in his element of the gallery. Someone who worked here, perhaps?

“You wouldn’t happen to be an employee here, would you? I’ve been waiting for my contact and he’s running late - and I’ve got to choose a couple a couple canvases for production.”

Klaus almost scoffed. Like he would actually work here. For one he wasn’t a fan of pop art, but more importantly Klaus didn’t work for anyone. He was his own boss, and would have a gallery again soon enough. “You insult me,” Klaus replied although his tone was light, there was even a playful smile on his face. “I would never allow anyone to be late for an appointment in my gallery,” he continued. There was truth to it too. If Klaus had to guess, this gallery might not make it much longer. Better for him. Maybe he would even buy the space. On second not, probably not. He wouldn’t want his gallery to be confused with one dedicated to pop art.

“What pieces?” Klaus asked curiously. He didn’t see why anyone would want copies of the works. However, he wouldn’t insult the woman’s taste. Art was subjective after all.

Hm. Somewhat awkward, but nothing that bothered her. “Well, my mistake,” she confessed, allowing the faint, sheepish smile across her mouth before shrugging. “I’m here to order some pieces for a client that wants a couple of these as wall decor - we were supposed to discuss numbers, cost, delivery, that sort of business.”

Hence it not being her taste at all, but it was all professional courtesy.

A client. Well that certainly piqued Klaus’s interest. Clearly this woman worked in the art world. A good contact to have. “Client?” he asked with a raised brow. “Are you an art dealer?” He had dealt with a few back in New Orleans.

“Oh, not at all,” Regina shook her head and crossed her arms, surveying the art displays on the wall ahead - might as well, while chatting up a stranger. “I do interior design. Finding artwork to go with the theme of the home or business is an essential part of it, so I tend to work closely with local galleries. Business for them while promoting their works. Why, are you?”

Interior designer was also a good contact to have. “Admirable profession,” he commented. He certainly couldn’t go around purchasing art for others. He would either want to keep it for himself or disagree with the client’s taste and refuse to help them acquire it. “An art dealer? No. I owned a gallery back in New Orleans.”

Admirable profession, hm? Perhaps it was, considering it involved taking the reigns in making sure homes and offices didn’t look fucking hideous. “You’re an artist,” she deducted. “And new around here, then?” Poor dear - hard to determine whether or not he was on the same banana boat as the rest of them, but surely he’d find out soon enough if he was.

Regina fished a business card from her pursh. “I’m Regina Mills - soon to be Jones. If you ever open one up again and I’d love to come by and see, assuming you’re the real deal?”

“Sort of,” he replied on both the artist comment as well as being new. “I have family here.” Grew up in the county actually but no need to go into that much detail. “Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials.” She did say soon to be Jones. But then there was a chance she was already married and going back to original name as well. Hopefully Klaus’s assumption was correct.

“Oh, I’m the real deal,” he replied taking her card. Niklaus didn’t have business cards at the moment. Which made sense considering he didn’t have an actual business yet. “I’ll be sure to give you a call.”

His assumption was correct - no awkward moment to stem from that, thankfully. “Thank you,” she smirked. “I’m wrapping up last minute business before I take a leisurely hiatus to celebrate all these milestones, but after that I’ll be ready to pick up where I’ve left off. Welcome back to Orange County, though. I hope this place hasn’t given you much trouble. It’s changed in the last couple of years.”

If he got the reference, then it was safe for her to make the assumption of dreamer.

Oh, he got the reference. He had had dreams now. Survived that demon attack. It was a lot to take in. that was for sure. “I’ve noticed,” was all Klaus said. “But thanks for the welcome,” he did have manners despite what other’s thought. That was until you pissed him off, of course. “Enjoy your wedding and hiatus. I’ll be in touch.” It would be a few months before he got his gallery up and running anyway.