InsaneJournal

Who: Rapunzel and Lomea
What: Running into each other
Where: Local pop culture art gallery
When: Backdated to before Christmas
Rating: G
Status: Complete


Rapunzel was currently wandering around an art gallery and trying to just relax after a long day at work. She liked to go out to different gallery shows to see what other people were doing and discover more local artists. There was a pop culture-centric gallery up in the LA area that she really enjoyed going to so that’s where she ended up this evening. She was wandering through the hallway looking at the different pictures before some interesting Gremlins inspired artwork caught her eye and she moved over to look at it. It was one of her favorite movies because it worked as Halloween and Christmas movie and it didn’t hurt that Gizmo was the cutest thing alive. She felt someone approaching and moved over slightly so they could view the art if they wanted.

“I’ve always wondered what evolutionary process led to such a creature,” Lomea said. She carried a glass of wine, and looked intently at the painting as if she couldn’t quite figure out why anyone would want to do art based on Gremlins of all things.

While she had shows and movies she’d be embarrassed to admit she watched, Gremlins was not one of them. Though, it was this woman with some sort of power that interested her, more than the art. A fortunate coincidence, though even the Force was unable to tell her much beyond there being something there.

“It’s a pretty interesting evolutionary idea, to be honest, a small defenseless creature that develops a new genetic trait that allows it to turn into a crazy monster,” Rapunzel commented with a small chuckle. It wasn’t often that people waxed poetic about Gremlins, but Rapunzel did find it really fascinating that this tiny thing could turn into that crazy evil thing in the picture next to it. All it needed was some food or water to make it happen. She turned to look over at the woman who was standing there and gave her a smile, “I definitely prefer the Gizmo version to the Gremlin version.”

“Still, interesting to wonder what sort of evolutionary niche such chaos might be required to fill.” Lomea glanced at Rapunzel out of the corner of her eyes, and raised one eyebrow before turning to face her entirely. “Somehow, I am not surprised. I think most would agree with you.”

She glanced around, then leaned in like she was about to divulge a state secret. “Tell no one, but that is true, even for myself.”

“That one I don’t have an answer for,” Rapunzel admitted with a laugh. There was probably some kind of crazy reasoning for it, but definitely not one to ever be explained in the real world. Rapunzel couldn’t help but chuckle a little at the woman’s admission about how Rapunzel’s response was not surprising.

It was when the woman leaned in to whisper conspiratorially about how she also agreed and Rapunzel couldn’t help but let out a real laugh at that. Her cheeks blushed slightly and she turned towards the woman with a smile. “He is just the perfect combination of things that make him adorable. Big eyes, giant ears, a mischievous smile, and fur that looks so soft,” it was pretty hard for Rapunzel to imagine why anyone wouldn’t think he was adorable, “What brought you into the gallery tonight then, if not Gremlins?”

“There were a few other exhibits I was interested in,” Lomea replied, clasping her her hands behind her back as she regarded the blonde who had some of those traits that made one adorable. “But mostly I wanted to be around people in sane setting. Where I work is hardly sane, and I was not in the mood for the club.”

“Ahhh, that makes a lot of sense,” Rapunzel commented with a small smile on her face. She often went to art museums or galleries if her life was getting a little crazy (which happened a lot in college) to relax herself. There were a lot of other great pieces of pop culture art in this gallery as well, so she understood appreciating things other than Gizmo, “Did you want to talk about it or just want me to stop talking too much?”

“I believe you are doing enough talking for both of us.” Lomea’s tone was amused and even a little teasing. She wasn’t put out by it, not really. The woman was entertaining at least which was better than could be said of most people, and Lomea did need to work on her public perception. She’d been much better at not judging people before the dreams, and now it was almost all she wanted to do when she met someone.

“Typical,” Rapunzel commented with a small blush and a slight shrug of her shoulders. She usually talked far too much and for no real reason other than that was just her personality. She had assumed that maybe a stranger speaking to another stranger would be a good way to get whatever weight was on your shoulders off, but this woman didn’t seem that interested in baring her soul, which Rapunzel respected, “I tend to do that. You can certainly tell me to shut up at any point since you don’t really know me.”

Entertaining and adorable, Lomea thought. She clasped her hands behind her back, smiling lightly at Rapunzel. “There are two kinds of chatty people; those who are very annoying and those with something to say.”

She inclined her head towards Rapunzel. “So I could be convinced to talk about it.”

Well, that was a good step in the right direction. Rapunzel gave Lomea an easy smile; at least she didn’t think Rapunzel was a completely annoying by any means. She took a beat to ponder how to probably broach the subject without overstepping any bounds. “Have you had a rough day then? That would explain wanting to be around sane people. I know I tend to seek out quieter places when things are going crazy for me.”

“Unfortunately, my job requires being in the presence of adults who act much like children. Politicians, you see,” Lomea said. “Complete with a lot of shouting. I could find something else, but I rather enjoy the parts of my job that help people.”

She turned to face Rapunzel. “Some of my colleagues in the state senate can just be exhausting to deal with.”

“Oh goodness. I don’t think I could ever deal with politicians. I try not to get too involved in politics in the first place, it’s confusing and causes a lot of anger,” Rapunzel was far more flower child when it came to politics. She didn’t have that bright eyed child-like hope that the world would have peace, but she did feel strongly on issues, “I can completely understand why you would find solace in a place like this. They should give you guys free massages or something to help with the stress.”

“If only murder was legal,” she deadpanned. “It would make things go much easier. I could certainly push through my agenda. For some reason, some people don’t appreciate my efforts to lift up the less fortunate and provide a voice for the voiceless.”

It was part stump speech, but it was a stump speech that Lomea actually believed in. More so, now that she’d dreamed of the Sith Empire and her own meteoric rise from slave to leader within the empire’s highest echelons.

At least, in the empire, murder was legal if you did it right. Lomea had a list of the rich and powerful that she’d dearly like to go full Dark Side on.

Her eyes drifted across some of the artwork. “And some of my colleagues do not appreciate the benefits of art…”

As all rainbows and sunshine Rapunzel could be she certainly understood the urge to murder someone that was a thorn in your side. She couldn’t help but let out a giggle at Lomea’s comment and then stopped when she heard her platform, “Well, I certainly support your efforts if I was able to. Am I able to?” She had never really looked into helping anyone with their political issues and support (campaigning?) for them. But what Lomea was saying was something Rapunzel certainly supported.

“People that can’t support the arts aren’t worth it in the end,” Rapunzel commented. It meant they really had no depth about them and most times those people ended up just being complete narcissists. Even if they didn’t appreciate drawings or paintings Rapunzel wanted friends who supported something artistic (music, movies, etc).

“If you are old enough to vote, you can,” Lomea assured her. “And even then, there are ways to support someone, if one volunteered. My interns are always paid.”

Keeping this adorable ball of sunshine close wouldn’t necessarily be the worse thing in the world.

“They lack imagination, and an understanding of human nature.” A slow smile spread across her face, “ Gremlins aside.”

“Definitely old enough to vote, volunteering might be fun. Not sure I’d have time to be an intern, but I can probably show up at an event or two and hand out flyers,” Rapunzel commented with a chuckle. Her job was a bit too full time to consider being a political intern, but she could probably help do some volunteer work.

“Ha,” Rapunzel gave her another smile, “Well, I think it’s time to move onto a non-Gremlin area for the gallery.”

“The worst case scenario is you help get at least one person to vote, and that is an admirable goal,” Lomea assured her. While she knew their government had a lot of similarities to the corrupt Old Republic, she also knew it was better than her Empire.

Even if getting things done would be a lot easier, once one got rid of the whole murdering each other for promotions thing. She nodded at Rapunzel, “Lead on.”

“That is a pretty good goal. You can keep convincing me as we walk on,” Rapunzel didn’t think it would be a horrible thing to help out at a few political events if the cause was something she stood behind. She was more than happy to listen to Lomea explain it all to her as they turned to head down the hallway and see what else was in the gallery.
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