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[duchess]

Evelyn had struggled with this piece of art. Regina Mills had tasked Evelyn with finding a specific painting and it had taken a bit longer than she had hoped. It wasn't unknown that Regina could be a bit unreasonable when she didn't get her way, but Evelyn thought she'd be happy that the price had dropped even if the time to get it increased. It really was a pretty painting, she mused, as she moved to place it on the counter up front. Someone was going to come get it and she wanted to be ready for whomever it was. Evelyn tried hard not to waste anyone's time, she was efficient in what she did and that's what she got paid for. The woman tucked a white strand behind her ear as she moved away from the painting, eyes flickering up to inspect her shop. It was clean and pristine, filled with sold and unsold paintings and pottery along with a few random items.

She reached for the cup that was sitting on a spare counter, lifting it to her lips as she decided on what to work on next. There was a consult that she needed to do, a museum wanting her to authenticate a painting. She had a good eye for things like that, could tell the difference from a painting made years ago and a painting freshly made. Forgery was one of the things that Evelyn couldn't stand, to lie about an art piece just to get money from it? While she made a good living doing what she did, Evelyn did not do this for the money. She did it for the sheer pleasure of handling all sorts of art. She was good at seeing the differences and catching subtle changes.

Evelyn found herself making her way into the back again, to the little fridge that she keeps in the back. It was about time to sit down and eat some lunch, before she met with another client and then moved on to her second job. She loved teaching piano, especially to young kids. They were a doll to work with, always so happy and eager and when they got something right they were so terribly excited. Evelyn liked working in that environment. The stresses at this job would melt away when she went to teach piano to those in town. She found herself lost in thought as she nibbled on her sandwich when the bell that hung on the door rang out, informing her of someone entering.

She rose from her spot and made her way out of the back to smile politely at the person who entered. "Mr. Humbert! What a pleasure to see you." The woman welcomed him warmly, all smiles and soft looks. She was always welcoming and polite to every person that walked through that door. "What's brought you here today?"

Graham Humbert

[Graham Humbert]

TAGGED: duchess WORD COUNT: 306 NOTES: PRE SEASON 1!

Graham was just parting ways with Regina for . . . well, reasons that were less business oriented. As always he felt rather, unfulfilled despite their activities and he had just grown used to it. For it seemed as if he was numbed from all emotion and left with little choice. After all, who would dare go against the Mayor of Storybrooke? Before they left one another's company, she had asked him to pick up a painting for her, one that she had been waiting for, for quite some time. He of course agreed to do so -- again, not wanting to go against her wishes. It was what brought him on his way to the art dealer's shop, parking his vehicle outside. Clad in his uniform he made his way inside and smiled at the woman's greeting. As Sheriff, it was his business to know everyone in the town and she was no exception. Besides, he was incredibly hard to forget with her beautifully unique white locks. Ones that were clearly not reflective of her age, yet somehow, suited her quite well. "Hell Ms. Farraday," he greeted in return, a smile remaining on his lips. "The pleasure is all mine," he responded. "I was just nearby and thought I would check in to see if all is going well." He paused, knowing that he couldn't play off his real reason for being here, even if he was saying that he had just casually droppd by. "Actually, I'm here to pick up a painting for the Mayor. She's in a meeting for the next little while and seemed rather excited to get her piece so I thought I would deliver it for her." It was best to say it that way rather than explain the intimate nature of their . . . whatever their relationship was.

BY SKYLARK'S FOLLY

[duchess]

Evelyn was slightly surprised to see the Sherriff in her shop. He personally didn't seem like the type to enjoy the art she had in the shop, he seemed far more earthy and natural. Which was, she supposed, appealing in it's own way. The slightest of pink tinged her cheek as she cleared her throat and brushed the light blue fabric of her dress. He was the Sheriff and probably here on business, it wasn't her place to poke her nose where it didn't belong anyways. She offered the man a small smile in return for the one that he offered her. Her head nodded with his words, appreciating his apparent concern. "They certainly are, I have to say I'm a bit surprised by the amount of art fanatics in Storybrooke." She moved from behind the counter, stepping towards the other person in a pair of soft white flats. Evelyn was a bit odd in the fact that she always wore dresses, she had exactly one pair of jeans and they weren't worn very often. Perhaps it was that proper lady mind frame that Eveyln had been brought up in.

The woman hesitated when Graham mentioned that he was actually here for something. She wondered why he would try to stray from the truth in the first place, running an errand for the mayor was a kind thing to do. Why would he hide it? Once more, Evelyn reminded herself that it wasn't her place and she only offered him a brilliant smile. "Oh! Well perfect, I had been feeling terrible over the fact that it had taken so long to get" She told the man, little feet taking her to the counter that held the painting on it. She glanced at the man over her shoulder, offering him yet again another smile. "It's terribly kind of you to retrieve this for you, I am sure she will be happy to have it finally."

Slim, pale fingers reached out to touch the edge of the painting, depicting a deep emerald forest and a castle far in the background. It was a very pretty piece, it reminded her of something. The fairytales her parents used to tell her when she was young. She was always enthralled with them all. "You must apologize for me, I hadn't meant to take so long in getting it." She offered yet another soft smile, eyes flitting up to the man's face as she picked the painting up and turned to him.

Graham Humbert

[Graham Humbert]

TAGGED: duchess WORD COUNT: 3433 NOTES: PRE SEASON 1!

He continued to smile when she expressed her surprise that there were so many art fanatics in Storybrooke. "Well then it's a really good thing that we have somoene like you to cater to those people's needs," he told her genuinely with a bit of a nod. He wasn't among them. He didn't have an eye for art of the same appreciation for it as other people did. Nor was he going to pretend to. That would just make him look even more foolish in her eyes he imagined. Her bright smiles only continued to encuorage his own, finding an aura of kindness emanating from her. It made it easier to be in her company and less awkward explaining that he was here, running such an errand for the Mayor. "It's quite alright," he told her with a reassuring smile. Perhaps it was a good thing after all that he had come in Regina's place. He knew of her, intimidating and at times threatening nature. If she did express impatience in retrieving this art piece then he worried for how Evelyn would be spoken to by her. "I'm sure you got it as quickly as you could," he added on, not wanting her to feel guilty for the length of time . . . but also did not know of any past exchanges between her and Regina. "But I will send your apologies," he added on, because she asked him to and he wasn't going to ignore such a request. When she revealed the painting he looked intently at it, rather itnrigued -- or perhaps entranced was the better word -- by the green forest within it. He realized that he was just starin at it in silence for a few moments before he broke his gaze and rested it upon her once more. "It's very nice." He paused after saying thees words, smiling with a hint of amusement and slight bashfulness, though the former was more evident than the latter. "Forgive me. I'm not a connoisseur of art. Which, I'm sure you can tell pretty easily," he added on wtith the same expression on his face. But even he had to admit that there was just something rather beautiful about the emerald green colors, and the trees. "Do you have the receipt, so that I can pass it on to the Mayor to fulfill any remaining payment." It would at least distract him from just staring at the picture any more . . . or saying something more reflective of his lack of artistic knowledge, especially in front of an expert.

BY SKYLARK'S FOLLY