Ancient Art - Royal Museum of Antiquities (Leiden) (Open)

[Kresimir]

The night had slowly started falling, cloaking most of the city in a dark shadow draining away most light. As if in a wave the lights of the city turned on and illuminated the gloomy streets that would soon be inhabited by the students of the town. Leiden is and was, foremost, a buzzing location for all the young and aspiring students to educate themselves and get drunk after. Even though it has a reputation as an university city the place has a rich history to be admired. Looking at the many events in which Leiden had a particular role to play there was more than enough to tell. Such was the purpose of the Royal Museum of Antiquities (Rijksmuseum van Oudheden) right in the middle of the city.

While normally closed at night it was today that a special occasion was being hosted on the account of the 'Egyptian Book of Death'. The night being the perfect moment of time to reveal some new additions to the collection, host a seminar on the details of the book and generally offer interested individuals an unique perspective on this delicate piece of history. An Egyptian museum had offered some of their more precious discoveries to be put on display by the curator of the Royal Museum of Antiquities, greatly expanding the already rich exhibits. The event itself is mostly public but requires a fee to enter. A small 'donation' in aid of the museum and its future projects.

Due to the moment of the actual exhibit most of the attending people were either curious students, art collectors, historians and like minded individuals. All there with their own reasons and intentions. Some of them to look at the new exhibits, some to simply pass the time and catch up on the new 'stuff' and others to build a network. Kresimir was not here for any of the sorts. He was here simply for amusement and the actual context which was buried in between the lines of the 'Book of Death'. It was not all just enchantments spread by the priests to aid in the journey towards the underworld. Some of the incantations actually meant something to the mind of a sorcerer. A new perspective and way to view the ancient magical ways.

The man, angelic in appearance, had arrived just a little before midnight had come to pass. Dressed in a dark blue checkered suit. Allowing it to stand firm against his pale skin and matching his nearly raven black hair. He was sure to receive some looks as he allowed his emerald gaze to pass from human to human, intrigued by their discoveries. As he strode into the museum and passed the reception some of the attending audience could not do anything but marvel the perfect vessel he had in his possession. Only when his personal assistant, Luxuria, came to follow behind was their attention diverted. An equally gorgeous lady had joined his side in a similar dark blue colored dress, fitted with jewelry to match a certain standard of class. The dress was designed to still be more than practical and took away some of the sensation that whatever event they were at was predominantly for celebrities.

Luxuria paid the entry fee for them both before joining once more at Kresimir's side, escorting him to the upper floor where the exhibit on the 'Book of Death' had been stalled out. "It is marvelous. Magnificent even, my lord." She whispered underneath her breath as the entered through the doors leading into the main hall of the upper floor. "The Egyptian arts are something so unreal. To think they were preserved for such a long time boggles my mind a little.." The man at her side stopped for a moment to look at her and smile. "And here I thought we had already proven that beauty can be eternal." Without a further word he made his way towards the first cabinet containing a page of the book. Luxuria staying close but allowing her gaze to wander across the other available contents.. And more importantly: the people present.

[Fleur]

On the right side of the room there is a hair colour that looks oddly fermiliar. The red curls are tied up in a elegant knot. But still, could it be?

The woman turns around and it is clear that it is not her, only now the many grey hairs stick out from the red.
She is about 60 years old, maybe 1.70 long but the high heels she wears make it hard to guess.
The dark suit she is wearing fits very well and it is clear that this woman knows what she likes and dislikes.

The museums curator is talking to her and seems to get on her good side? Maybe a wealthy invester?

But still...the hair, the eyes, even the way she moves...could this be?

[Kresimir]

Had it not been for the crowd of people coming towards the exhibit he had been appraising the man with the raven black hair would have stuck around for a long while longer. There was, however, no time pressure to deal with as is. With a few swift steps through the room he found himself face to face with a sphinx which loomed over him with intimidating grandeur. It had been here for a while but was now posing as a guardian for the pages of this ancient book. Unsuccesfuly so as no one had thought about asking a sorcerer to truly turn this stone into an actually functioning entity. The only security it gave was the beady eyes that were installed. The cameras watching people’s every step through the museum as the high end items on display were worth not just money but an extensive amount of knowledge.. And power to the right individual.

Kresimir swiftly danced in between the audience of yet another page of the book until he found himself a more quiet corner that provided a display of something that was dubbed as the ‘Reliquary’. A thin, stone box set with copper colored metallic bindings leaving only the pretense of a secure container. Several hieroglyphs had faded away enough to cast a sense of mystery about its contents... For those with a shred of knowledge about history however... There was no such mystery. This ‘Reliquary’ contained the the finger cone of Bastet. The Egyptian deity of fertility. But for there to be an actual finger cone of such a religious icon was, of course, only a fairy tale meant to get the dumbfound citizens to venerate her even more.

A clever ruse and most likely one that was staged by one of the more supernatural aspects of the past. It was not an unlikely theory as there were many kindred who had claimed the name, or even introduced such, to the mortal of this world. The train of thought was, however, but a ruse of his own as the slavic man turned yet another eye to the lady that he had been watching for a few moments now. Taking another stance and position to regard her. Feeling the sense of recognition yet no name or direct connection that can be made with certainty. Not shying away from conversation the man awaited an opportune moment to approach.

With a brief signal Luxuria meets him up on his side, sliding an arm underneath his to lock them together and pose once more as a couple of intrigue. After a few more strides and steps they close in on the woman in question and offer a curtious cough along with a charming smile and words laquered in an accent resembling that of someone who had only his childhood in the slavig regions. “Pardon my intrusion, madam. I feel a spark of recognition upon meeting your person yet I am ashamed to admit that I do not recall the details. Have we met?”

[Fleur]

The woman looks at him with bright blue eyes. The exact same colour as Fleur has. The only diffrence, hers are cold as ice, they do have the same loneliness in them.
She smiles, but no warmth comes from it.
"Unfortnally I don't know who you are. I am afraid we haven't met before. But that is something we can remedy quite easily"

She sticks out her hand to him "Mrs van Beek, my late husband invested quite alot in this museum, I am considering to continue his work"

[Kresimir]

A faint glimmer passes through the man's eyes as he takes her hand and raises it, lowering himself to place a gentle kiss. He doesn't allow it to linger but instead releases her and straightens once more. A small smile crosses his face and remains there, offering a warm and welcoming entry into further conversation. Luxuria does not flinch or speak as of yet but simply moves along as to not interrupt Kresimir, slowly slinking out of the connection they had with their arms locked. Only to resume the same gesture and position the moment returns to her side proper. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mrs van Beek." The man seeks to peer into the cold eyes, admiring the blue and especially the ice. "The museum is a true testament to his legacy, if I may be so free. An admirable collection and a beautiful location." Once more he lowers his head just slightly as he introduces himself, only to position himself in a way where the lady has full view of him and Luxuria. "My name is Kresimir Voronin and this is my protégé, Vesala Slava Luxuria."

It hit him the moment the name was introduced and while he had a hidden hope to meet her again.. Meeting her mother would suffice for now. Yet there was never a mention of connection in the past coming from the younger lady herself. Not a recent connection to say the least. "It is only fair to state that you and your daughter share incredible similarities, Mrs van Beek. I am acquainted to Fleur. A distant friend if you will."

[Fleur]

She accepts the hand kiss and simply nods to Luxuria as in to say hello but not disturb the conversation she is having.

"Well thank you, it gives me pleasure that there are still people who can admire the art of the olden days."

When he introduced the both of them it is clear that she is good with names. She repeats them without flaw and snips one time in her fingers. A boy with a try full of glasses with champange approaches.
She takes one of the glasses and makes a open suggestion with her hand, asin to invited them.

Then he talks about Fleur and her whole strong and stern attitude is gone. It is if a balloon is deflating and her mouth is open just a tiny bit.
"how do you? I mean" she clears her throat and takes a sip of her drink.

She stands up straight and seems to wipe away the subject of her daughter. Without noticing she puts her hand on her belly where once the little girl grew. "Thank you for the compliment, good to know she has a distant friend as yourself. Can I interest you in a view of the rare jewels? It might even be possible to ask the curator to bring out some ancient texts. We could not display all of them unfortnally"

[Kresimir]

Kresimir flows along with her in conversation, ignoring the subject of Fleur for now, moving along to take a glass of champagne for both himself and Luxuria. He flaunts it a little in his hand by natural reflex and gazes around at the surrounding exhibit. The man allows his eyes to fall on the people present and those paying attention to the museum and those paying attention to the people like himself before answering her proper. "A less public collection? Your proposal is one accepted with gratitude and curiosity. Jewelry is one of the aspects of the olden days that I truly admire. The complex administrations of nature's gifts is an astounding one."

To realize that there are so much more options available to his already browsing imagination is something that does not stop at just his thoughts. The expression of the man changes to be one of intrigue and polite joy. His lips curl into a honey sweet smile as if the prospect of seeing such antiques excites him like a kid would at seeing a theme park. "I would be delighted to witness such."

[Fleur]

"Well ofcourse, please"

She moves her hand to lead the way for them, the curator had been listning in and was already at the door. Ready to open it for Mrs van Beek and her obvisouly special guests. He wanted to follow them but with one look he stayed in his place and left them alone.

The walked through an empty hallway and then a few doors with all diffrent codes to open them.

The final room was filled with vitrines(glass shelves). Filled with ancient treasures all behind glass doors which seem to be quite high tech on closer inspection.
There is a high table, a desk and two comfy chairs.

""Please enjoy. Touching is not allowed because we are with to many people in the room. It could destroy the pieces"

The woman seems bored and not very intressed in the art herself, she sits down in the big chair behind the desk.
It gives her a small pleasure to make these young people happy, and in privat without prying ears he might give her the adres where Fleur is right now, maybe her current cellphone number even

[Kresimir]

With a slow approach Kresimir enters the room, keeping his hands symbolically behind his back as he respects the wishes of his host. Being invited in to her own area was, of course, quite the honor for a Tzimisce like himself. The man's eyes flicker eagerly across the displayed content and he offers the lady a solemn bow of his head before he moves towards one of the areas holding content. Staying well away from touching distance but not far enough away to be unable to read text or admire detail. "Quite inspiring, Mrs van Beek." The slavic man states briefly as he checks one glass cabinet before the other. "What may I provide in return for this occasion? What do you desire?" His words flow with warm eloquence as if stating the knowledge of the upcoming trade.

Luxuria did not enter the room like Kresimir did but stayed at the door instead. Waiting for her master to give her any further boundaries to adhere to or possible actions to take. She did not move but simply stood there, admiring the pieces from afar, instead of in detail. Her long, golden blond hair, lay gently on her shoulders but nearly seemed to move on its own.

The Vampire turned to look at the lady behind the desk, offering her a wide smile, lips curled. "I would offer you an exposition of art dated back to the late medieval era of Kiev. Slavic themed sculptures and much more."

[Fleur]

Diana looks how he moves through the room and her eyes keep on Luxuria for a mere moment.
She doesn't understand why the girl doesn't enter the room any further, but maybe it is some kind of habit where he is from.

A simple nod as a thank you to his kind words and surprise when he asks what she would desire.
For a moment her daughter comes into mind, but then he comes with something more interesting.

She leans forward onto her desk and looks at him with her cold eyes.
"How do you envision this exhibition taking place? A grand event like this, with lots of publicity, or more a small gathering of those who really appreciate the arts?"