Evelyn did a playful pout, those eyes on the verge of tears though she was stabbed through the heart. It was the giggle that sold it, hinting that the vampire was being playful.

“There’s no better way to get to know someone,” Evelyn.

“Yes… exactly,” Breanna said nervously.

Evelyn adopted a smile reminiscent of a cat who just ate the canary. She won’t know what hit her. 

Breanna grabbed her Orange Crush and took a few sips before smirking. She motioned to Cecil for another and Evelyn motioned for the same.

It was a risk, but her own passions for the arts ran away on her. Evelyn hoped to be rewarded for her authenticity, and that her muse would say yes. The fun we would have.

“Why don’t we start with some drinks?” Breanna asked.

“What does this have to do with me?”

“I want to recreate that feeling for a viewer,” Evelyn said. “When you and I look at that statue we’ll know what will elude others for millennia.”

Breanna took in a sharp breath, and did not resume breathing for several seconds. Once her mind regained control of her faculties, she grabbed the menu to fan herself.

“Good gravy, is it me, or is it hot in here?” Breanna asked.

“Does that mean you’re interested?”

Evelyn often struggled to get that level of mystery from her works. Aelred had a flawless technique, reproducing a person so perfectly on canvas that a part of their soul remained.

Still she felt that her works did not breathe life or speak to the viewer like the Mona Lisa did. If this worked, then Evelyn would entirely change how she recruited models.

“Go on,” Breanna said as though hanging on every word.

“The truth is likely mundane,” Evelyn began. “Only the artist and model truly know what was going on that day. It could have been indigestion or the aura of someone who was truly in awe at being so close to a master.”

“The Mona Lisa,” Evelyn replied while purposefully leaving it vague.

“That’s a painting?”

Evelyn giggled, with her eyes positively glowing. She had no idea what a Georgian would know, but this saved her some explanation.

“It’s considered a masterpiece from Leonardo da Vinci. The woman has a suggestive smile, and there’s something in those eyes the casual onlooker can’t quite place. It gives her a sense of mystery, forcing the viewer to speculate which further draws them into the work.”

“M-m-m-me?” Breanna asked.

“Bien sûr,” Evelyn said. (Of course.) “You’d be perfect, but before that I’d have to get to know you…”

Evelyn knew that she was pushing a bit hard, but the potential was there. As a precaution, she would slow things down, and already had a reason lined up for doing so.

“Why’s that?”

“The Mona Lisa,” Evelyn replied while purposefully leaving it vague.

“That’s a painting?”

There was a suggestive smile on Evelyn’s lips which persisted even as Cecil approached quietly and left the bill of fare on the table.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Breanna said while appearing to be visibly warm.

“Aphrodite,” Evelyn said as though waking up from a dream.

“I don’t follow.”

“You’d be perfect for her!”

Breanna’s jaw figuratively dropped to the table. Evelyn imagined it splintering the wood as it slammed down.

“That was you?” Breanna said. “I pass it on the way to my lab(oratory)—room.”

That particular suite bordered the restricted area of The Grand and the wing open to the general public. The goddess chosen was not by accident, it detailed the purpose of the room. Other than drinking to excess and orgies.

“I’m glad it caught your eye,” Evelyn said.

There was a suggestive smile on Evelyn’s lips which persisted even as Cecil approached quietly and left the bill of fare on the table.