Art sprouts and spring blooms

[serpentinthegarden]

Who: Anthony Crowley and OPEN
What: A grand Gala proceed the opening of KUSAMA: Cosmic Nature, an art exhibit that would take over the entire gardens featuring the work of Yayoi Kusama.
When: May 10 (Gala) and Month long Catch All
Where: New York Botanical Gardens
Rating/Warnings: None yet

The Gala - May 10th

The Gala was hosted in the Garden Terrace Room, a spacious ballroom with volume enough for the lavish floral displays that decorated each round table and left plenty of dance floor left for the three hundred guests dressed in their finest. The expansive windows featured breathtaking views of the gardens beyond and if one should wish to have a closer look the terrace was open for all guests to enjoy and catch a breath of fresh night air. This celebration of dinner, cocktails, and dancing kicked off the beginning of the renowned artist, Kusama's months long exhibition.

*****

1.) As the Director of Living Collections Anthony was here in a black tux, as was his duty, to greet each guest as they entered the ballroom. A gorgeous blond in a fashionable blue dress stood by his side helping him to welcome each visitor like the two were a pair of royals ushering in the nobility to a magical evening.
Later when the food was served and the music began Anthony would be found mingling or taking a turn on the dance floor with his date, Grace. - Wildcard Option

2.) The evening was beginning to wind down and the band was hushed as Anthony pulled Grace to the middle of the room. He had a microphone in one hand but Grace favored him with an entirely puzzled look as he spoke. Hadn't they been about to dance?

"Grace, you have been my everything. We've had five years together filled with both bad times, but mostly good times... and I'd like to make sure we have more of each."

As he dropped to one knee Grace's hands flew to her mouth as if holding her breath in might prevent her from crying. It didn't. The faint tears began to well up at the corners of her eyes even while a small box was produced from his pocket and held out to her.

"Will you marry me?"

It had been the perfect sort of evening to lay the foundations for their future and Grace responded with a warm squeal. Yes! Of course she would marry him! The band came to life then to play a soft sweet song as the newly engaged kissed and had their first dance as a soon-to-be married couple.


 

KUSAMA: Cosmic Nature - Month Catch All
The 250-acre New York Botanical Garden grounds would find themselves completely transformed by the 12th. Works by the renowned artist Yayoi Kusama were strategically scattered throughout the park and could be found by way of a map or by following the trail of trees whose trunks had been wrapped in festive polka dotted fabric for the event. Visitors would be treated to such works as Flowers that Speak all about my Heart Given to the Sky and Pumpkins Screaming About Love Beyond Infinity. Colorful portraits of the artist like Yayoi Kusama with Pumpkin, Flower Obsession, and photos of her childhood would be on display in the library along with her childhood peonies sketchbooks and several paintings like I Want to go to the Universe and Summer Flower. A special outdoor infinity room called Infinity Mirror Room -- Illusion Inside the Heart had been setup on the green and designed in such a way that it responded to the natural lighting conditions. Kusama also created her first obliteration greenhouse, inviting visitors to stick fake coral-colored flowers on the surfaces of the building’s interior. On the conservatory lawn a new 16-foot-tall sculpture titled Dancing Pumpkin rested. The piece was a monumental bronze sculpture that allowed viewers to approach the work from multiple angles, including having them walk under and around it. The piece was something like a cross between a spider and a pumpkin and in a sense was meant to give one the feeling like you were being obliterated by flowers. Inside the Victorian greenhouse a painting from Kusama's "My Eternal Soul", series called Alone, Buried in a Flower Garden has been recreated in a grand display of blooming flowers and dark gravel paths.

*****

3.) There was a lot of work to do on the opening day of a big show. Anthony's alarm had been set to wake him far before the sun had risen and he had been up and over the roads and fields in his official golf cart more times than he could count. Wearing an official green Botanical Gardens Polo he was prepared to answer any question those attending might have about the display but really... he was anxious to get a proper look at the installations himself! He can be found anywhere in the gardens. - Wildcard Option


4.) Anthony looked at the piece, Pumpkins Screaming About Love Beyond Infinity, with a head tilt and a thoughtful frown. Was this what love was, glowing dotted pumpkins reaching out into the infinite void? He imagined he could see love in their warm glow but what were they reaching for? It could have been that intangible 'love' that the universe was said to have been built on. Or maybe they were reaching out for another pumpkin just like them, a mate they could hold onto for all eternity. Beyond infinity. It made him think of his own situation. Was there anyone like that in his life. Grace? That other face that kept appearing in his dreams? Was there a love strong enough to endure infinity?

He could still feel the softness of the worn lapels under his fingers and the heat of the other man's chest pressed so very close to his. He had been angry, furious even when he had pushed the shorter man back against the wall, but even while he was yelling his rage the dandy had been perfectly calm, watching his lips and waiting for the fury to subside as if longing with some baited breath for... for what? What might have happened if that former nun hadn't appeared?

Anthony sighed and turned away from these deep thoughts to address the person who had slipped up beside him, "So... what do you think of the piece?"

Because asking such a normal sort of question seemed the best way to banish these odd thoughts.


5.) He had been in an odd mood since the exhibition opened but none of the pieces on the grounds gave him as much pause as the one sitting on the green.

Infinity Mirror Room - Illusion Inside the Heart... 

It looked fairly plain on the outside, more like an aluminum box, but once he mustered up the courage to step inside it burst upon him like a dazzling array of stars! Suddenly he was the illusion and his real life was out there in the cosmos helping God design the heavens. His white wings carried him easily between the gaseous giants and the nebula seemed to gain their stunning red colors from merely being touched by his long red hair.

The man himself was only a dream. A small insignificant lump who had collapsed to the mirrored floor and whose unconscious reflection echoed off between the artistic lights.

Comments

1.

[temptationaccomplished]

The Yayoi Kusama event at the Botanical Gardens had been on his agenda for ages, partially for work, well before the whole Bureau memory thing had began. It wasn't until the day before, sorting through the still raw images of a tender memory of Anthony from what seemed to be the 1960s, that it dawned on him: Anthony might be there. In a suit. Looking extraordinarily handsome. Perhaps they could find a moment to themselves to discuss the memory--

You go too fast for me, Crowley.

And its implications. Dining at the Ritz? Having a picnic together? Gifting Anthony the means of his own destruction just so he wouldn't pursue it himself? It was fragile, tender, perhaps even (in a certain light) a little romantic.

They needed to have that discussion. But he would rather not do it somewhere so public and certainly not in front of--

Her. Grace. Oh, she was very pretty, almost angelic. Aziraphale felt immediately frumpy and a bit dull in comparison.

He straightened up his suit, smoothed down his bow tie, tidied his hair, and squared up his shoulders. Putting on a bright smile, he walked over and tapped Anthony on the shoulder, then stepped around to his side.

"Anthony! Fancy meeting you here."

[serpentinthegarden]

He expected to see another dignitary, some one who because they had donated a few thousand to the park thought that they knew him well enough to use his first name and he had no intention of correcting them on that score as that wouldn't have been very diplomatic at all, but thankfully it wasn't.

"Aziraphale!"

His smile was nearly as bright as he took the other man's hand and gave it one of those friendly shakes one was slow to let go of.

"I shouldn't be surprised to see you here. An art exhibition like this must be your jam." Then because he did have Grace on his arm he gestured between the pair of them in introduction. "This is Mr. Fell, a professional art restorer I fell in with a few weeks back. And this gorgeous creature is Grace."

"Oh stop," she said with a giggle before playfully swatting at Anthony's chest and offering her own hand in greeting. "It's very nice to meet you Mr. Fell. Are you looking forward to the opening tomorrow?"

"He's probably got his tickets all lined up so he can be the first one in the door," Anthony agreed, after all what would an art enthusiast love more than a fresh exhibit.

[temptationaccomplished]

If only he could have held Anthony's hand forever.

"So this is the beautiful Grace I have heard so much about." He tried not to wince as the couple was sweet and playful with each other, fading instead into that neutral pleasant smile one adopted out of occupational necessity. "My dear, you do live up to your name."

And then, after shaking Grace's hand, onto easier discussions. He gave a guilty little laugh at Anthony's teasing. "Oh, yes. I actually had the pleasure of seeing another exhibit by the same artist during the early 2000s in Central Park. A series of mirrored spheres on the water--a reflection on narcissism, if I recall correctly. And as I haven't been to the Gardens in forever, it will be nice to see how she's integrated the works with the grounds."

"Will you both be attending?"

[serpentinthegarden]

Grace shook her head feigning a small pout over the inconvenient timing of her work. "Not on opening day. We have a C-section scheduled for sextuplets, can you believe it! The other nurses and I are going to have our hands full. But, I hope to see the exhibit soon."

"I'll be working too," Anthony's expression took on just of touch of wicked delight as his tease had gone over so well, "But, I work here. I will be able to see everything, maybe even before the gates are opened. The only problem is I might not really be able to enjoy it until after the rush settles down."

If he were honest with himself it felt a touch weird standing between Grace and Aziraphale. Nerves, Anthony decided as he sought out the nearest waiter holding a tray of drinks and spotted one just on the other side of the room. Liquid courage felt well in order here!

"Would either of you care for a drink?"

[temptationaccomplished]

There was absolutely no competing with an angelic maternity ward nurse, but damn if Aziraphale wasn't still weak to that wicked smile, charmed as always. It really had to stop. Anthony was a taken man here, and it didn't matter that 1960s memory Aziraphale was undoubtedly hopelessly in love with him.

"Oh, I would love something," he said with a happy wiggle as Anthony flagged down the waiter. "A nice red if they have it."

And, then once he had his drink in hand, and attempting to sound like he wasn't trying to set up some illicit meeting, Aziraphale suggested: "You know, Anthony, if you aren't too busy tomorrow, I was hoping I might have a word with you? Perhaps after the rush?"

[serpentinthegarden]

It was very casually done and never was there a suspicion that there might have been some hidden motivations behind the meet up.

"I'll have a lunch break around noon," he said as Grace was offered one of the glasses of white wine and he collected a red of his own, "Would that work for you? Things should be calmer then too. People tend to filter away from the gardens when it gets warmer out."

Anthony raised his glass in a small toast to the evening as he added.

"We could have a picnic."

[temptationaccomplished]

"Noon would be splendid." How lovely would that be? Lunch with Anthony and then maybe they would stroll the gardens and Aziraphale could pretend to admire the art while he told Anthony about the memory. It would be picturesque. It would be sweet. Maybe even a little romantic--

Aziraphale froze, glass raised for the toast. His face turned a little rosy. A picnic. Did Anthony already know? Or had he maybe had a memory of that future picnic?

He took too large a gulp and then cleared his throat.

"Yes. Right. That would be lovely." He had to remind himself that Grace was here and he was making an utter fool of himself over Anthony. Really. He was old enough to know better than to be tripping over himself daydreaming about picnics with an attractive man.

Oh, but it would be so very nice. "What would you like me to bring? Anything in particular?"

5- if this doesn't work for you lemme know. low level heal spell

[bearshermark]

The gardens were breathtaking. His first visit since discovering his passion for nature preservation bore an all-new appreciation for the explosion of color and life all around him. A part of him wanted to stay and never leave.

A lovely exhibition even with the scattered, eccentric art pieces, Elliott made his way through to what his pamphlet called the 'Infinity Mirror Room'. He took a moment to observe it from the outside, then stepped curiously forward- and felt his heart drop into his stomach.

"H-hey!" Elliott rushed to the man's side, only briefly stunned by the array of colorful lights hanging in the stretching vastness that he'd walked into before tearing his eyes away to its victim.

"Are- are you-" Unconscious, but alive. The man was breathing at least, according to the slow rise and fall beneath his palm.

But though he was desperate to help, he didn't know how. By no means was he strong enough to carry the man. He'd have to go get help, or call someone, or-

Elliott's eyes were drawn to the mark on his hand, which had begun to flicker with a light seeming of its own accord. A trick of the mirrors, surely some kind of light reflection, but a soft, green light engulfed his fingertips and pulsed over the unconscious man's chest with its own gentle glow.

Looks fine to me ^^

[serpentinthegarden]

He was in the dark now. That was his first sensation, that it was dark and he was no longer floating but laying down on a much harder surface than the vacuum of space had been. Anthony's head reeled, trying to force his return to that magical place but the warmth growing in his chest pulled him back.

He didn't want to go! He wanted to stay! Why did he have to leave! It felt cruel like some piece of him had been wrenched away when he suddenly he sat up with a gasp and almost violently grabbed the good Samaritan's arm just to give himself something to hold onto.

"Fuck!"

Anthony blinked, surprised that he had even thought to use such a vulgar word and made the attempt to slow his panicked breathing as he looked towards his rescuer.

"Wha... what happened?"

phew. my reading comprehension is not the best sometimes

[bearshermark]

Elliott drew in a sharp breath. The man was conscious again, and the glow had faded. Was it possible that..?

"I- I don't know," he stammered, not sure what had just happened himself. Another magic thing? "I just.. I came in and saw you laying here. ..Are you okay?"

No worries

[serpentinthegarden]

That was a question that took him far longer to answer than it should have. He was still sitting on the ground, nothing hurt so presumably he hadn't hit his head too hard, but he was feeling very rattled from the experience so much so that his hands were actually trembling.

Anthony's hissed the words in a sigh, "Damn... it happened again..."

Then as if realizing for the second time that he wasn't alone he made the valiant effort to recollect himself.

"It's um... yeah, it's nothing. I'm fine. Probably just had too much sun again."

In a cool room where there was no sun, the lie would have worked better outdoors.

"Who are you?"

[bearshermark]

Elliott watched his quaking hands, then averted his eyes back to the mirrors and the colored lights blooming in the darkness, reflected endlessly..

"I'm Elliott," he said, shaking himself from the spectacle, but making no move to stand. The man didn't seem to be steady sitting on the floor, let alone trying to stand for the sake of appearances.

"I don't mean to pry, but is there anything I can do to help?" If it's happened before, then he'd know how to handle it, probably?

[serpentinthegarden]

There was a feeling of dread rising out of all the confusion that sent Anthony's eyes searching about the room just to make sure there were only the two of them here.

"Oh, if its like the first time... hurry to the door and peek out? Tell me if you see any suits arriving? You'll know them if you see them, all wearing black and walking around like they have had too much starch in their briefs..."

[bearshermark]

Elliott did as he was bid, creeping to the door and peering through to see if anyone matched the description. What- was the guy on the run from the CIA or...

"..The Bureau aren't here," he volunteered from his crouched position by the door. "If that's who you're worried about."

OTA @ the Gala

[scotch_egg]

I. [he stands there looking uncomfortable in a cheap suit and a work tie that's not exactly formal but it's not informal either. He's also shaved.

For all that he stands around, giving wincing nods to whomever glances his way, and holds the champagne flute between his fingers. He wants to drink it even though he knows it will be a bad idea, so he just remains there trying to be invisible. Feel free to come bother him.]


II. [Locked to Fell]

[After some time of standing around he notices the man. Hard not to pick him out. He's like some kind of floating marshmallow, moving through the crowds being quaint and queer as all hell, and Alec faintly wonders if Anthony is really completely blind behind those sunglasses not to see what's going on.

But nevermind, it looks like he has to prevent a fucking crises again.

He hopes Fell won't cry on him.

He has the feeling he will.

So he goes to find him. Standing by his elbow as he chats to a lively looking man with obvious interest in his eyes. What should he say? How could he say it? How to start? Maybe with some tact and getting him away from this man who looks increasingly annoyed that Alec is standing on the fringes of the conversation]

Fell-- [Alec finally manages it after bolstering himself with a sip of a dangerous champagne. Words flit through his head about how to disengage Fell from this conversation while saving the man's face.]

I -- need to talk to you--

[not good, that sounds like the start of bad news. And it is, but no one's going to be happy if he starts blubbering right here in front of everyone. So what could he talk to him about?]

About-- your--

[what? bloody what?]


--snake.

[The man standing by Fell raises his eyebrows and his mouth twists into a smirk. Alec glares at him even as he feels his cheeks flush. Why did everyone have to turn the most innocent statements into something bloody suggestive?]


III. Locked to Anthony/Grace

[After the rush of happy people have finished their congratulations, Alec swallows the rest of the champagne and makes his way up to his beaming cousin and...fiancee. They look like a happy couple. He hopes they will be. He feels a faint stab of the old jealousy and envy but lets it go. They have no place here.

Finally he stands in front of them and braces himself for impact]

Congratulations. I filmed it for your Mum's sake. Bad enough she's going to find out about it second hand, but this way she'll have something to gush over and forget about gutting you like a fish.

[...maybe he should have stopped it at congratulations. He nods awkwardly to Grace, unsure of what even to say to a cousin-in-law]

Welcome.

[now he just sounded fucking stupid]

II

[temptationaccomplished]

[The man, whose name Aziraphale has discovered is Patrick, owns two pubs, is apparently "self-made" (for whatever that means), is a fan of Ai Weiwei, and seems to be very interested in Aziraphale's occupation. Or Aziraphale. He honestly isn't sure. Is he being flirted with? Kind of nice if he is, just to remember someone might be interested after all. Makes him feel a little warm around the collar--or maybe it's all the wine.

A moment later, Crowley scares the living daylights out of him.]

Crowley, goodness! How long have you been there?

[He takes a moment to process what's been said, giving a puzzled look and missing Patrick's smirk. His...snake? Creme? Oh. Oh, no of course...the snake they have in common. And while he's considering the hidden message-- He gets distracted, giving Crowley an unhappy frown.]

Oh no. [Tuts.] My dear, that is an unfortunate suit. [And it completely ruins the effort made by the shaving and all that. He reaches for Crowley's lapel with the hand not occupied by his wine-glass, to give it a unnecessary straightening, if permitted.] How did Anthony ever let you out of the house like that?

[scotch_egg]

[he doesn't answer the question because how the hell can he? And then the fluffy idiot has to mention his suit. The straightening sets him on edge a little, though gives him a flurry of tender feelings too that confuse things.

Carefully, Alec puts that to the side. And scowls a bit, looking more like his cousin, at the words]

He's not my nanny. I can leave the house however I want and what is wrong with this suit? It's a suit like any other suit.

[the flirting man smirks and looks as if he's going to say something snide]

Sod off. I'm having a private conversation.

[temptationaccomplished]

[He shakes his head. It's a terrible suit, and he's about to say so (and suggest Crowley try another tie, because he's pretty sure he's seen that same tie on him at a support meeting). But, oh, right, there was someone else here. He turns to Patrick and, nicely, but just a touch too saccharine to be sincere:]

Very sorry. Been so lovely talking to you.

[He nudges Crowley at the elbow to lead him away before either of them makes someone angry and so that their 'private conversation' can be held in something like privacy. Once they've drifted off from the crowd, and with a playful twinkle of his eyes and a smirk of his own, he teases:]

Now, what is this we need to discuss ~privately~ about my snake? Crowley, you must know how that sounds and the impression it leaves--not that I'm complaining, but, well, you know.

[scotch_egg]

Don't give me that. [he stuffs his hands in his pockets, shoulders angled]
Everything has to be a euphemism these days. It's a bloody minefield. At start of term orientation they gave us this whole lecture about an eggplant not being just an eggplant-- instead it's --

[he's not going to say it]

I'm not talking about your snake.

[change in topic seemed like the best bet... Unless...]

Unless it's being weird...

[temptationaccomplished]

[Oh, you precious naive thing. And Crowley looks so young enough like this, too, all clean shaven and put together, for that to maybe even be true.

He thinks he might be a little too drunk to talk to someone as serious as Crowley (Crowley, whose name is no longer his own by any means and who he should probably start calling Alec, but he won't. Because he likes the sound of the name even more now that he's heard it in his memory--and it can't very well be applied to Anthony right now), but he carries on.]

Now that's a conversation to have with one's doctor or lover.

[He takes a sip of his wine and tries to look properly serious and completely innocent of teasing. It's not very effective.]

III

[serpentinthegarden]

She wouldn't...

[ Was this a good thing or should he grab his cousin's phone and smash it on the dance floor? He stood there imagining the consequences of calling mum later tonight without the video footage to send... Then how distracted she would be if she did have the video to watch and replay over and over again.

She would be at it for hours.

And if mum were watching that she wouldn't need to keep him on the phone all night. Or the fish thing... the fish thing sounded unpleasant.

Alec was a mad genius.

He wouldn't be told this but he was! ]

Alec, how wonderful to see you again! You knew! The pair of you are so sneaky!

[ Grace was beaming from ear to ear and as she stepped to wrap Alec in a hug... Anthony stepped in front of her to collect it for himself. This was his thank you for watching his back. ]

Alec, send it to me later? Right now I think we have a little celebrating to do. Are you going to share that champagne?

[scotch_egg]

[he winced at the incoming embrace, but was relieved when Anthony intercepted it. He owed him that]

I left it with the rest of the drinks. Can't really wander about holding a bottle and looking like a lush. [he didn't want to be looked at at all really]

Do we have to celebrate?

[can't he just congratulate and leave?]

[serpentinthegarden]

Of course we have to celebrate, its like a rule. One of those engagement rules. Don't lose the ring, don't ask the wrong person to marry you, and make sure you celebrate afterward.

[ Both Grace and Alec were herded off towards a table where they could 'family' together. Though Anthony very nearly tripped and landed sprawled across the tabletop on his way to his seat. It seemed he had already had a few too many. ]

You're looking good, shaved, that's nice. I didn't want to say anything because we do have a duck pond on the grounds but... I'm really glad you came. It's good to have family around.

[scotch_egg]

[he somehow helps to keep Anthony upright before they get to the table. Christ how drunk is he?

He's never celebrated an engagement before so the hell he knows what to do. He sits beside Anthony and sets his hands on the table, trying not to fiddle with the place setting. Then to Grace he says]

You really sure you want to spend the rest of your life with this soppy idiot? [...maybe that's not the best approach but he's not entirely serious, even if nerves make him sound so]

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Nothing was going to dim that smile of hers. ]

Oh he's sweet really, deep down where it counts. You are his cousin so you must know that?

[ Anthony leaned forward on his hand and made a lame kissy face gesture at his betrothed. Wow, that was a big word! It sent his eyes wandering around the room in an effort to forget how heavy this whole evening was going to be. His whole life was about to change.

Grace meanwhile scooted just a bit closer to the sober looking cousin and held up her hand. ]

Have you seen the ring? I'm sure he spent hours trying to pick one out.

[ This was not confirmed as Anthony was smiling and waving sappily at Mr. Fell whom he had spotted across the room. Well... it might have been him. He was wearing a white suit too but the crowds were thick and the gentleman never turned around to actually see the gesture, but he reminded Anthony of Fell and that was enough to inspire the sappy wave. ]