Chéri shrugged “Looking for more models, I am sure you could find something interesting. But then again, very few people are as beautiful,” they stated that as a plain fact and not one they had particular feelings about. Chéri chortled “Do you want an appointment?” they asked, curious if Darius would dare even imagine visting Chéri there. “I was under the impression you weren’t very eager. Is there something there that disturbs you?” Chéri played games, yes, but also often didn’t realise how blunt they were to people.

Chéri shrugged “You don’t pay me enough to lie about that stuff. And I don’t care to lie for free,” they answered with absolute conviction “and if you like to think yourself my friend, you’d better believe I wouldn’t lie,” Chéri stated that plainly, as if no other option was possible.

Chéri approached the canvas. While they lack refinement when it came to painting and had had no formal schooling, they had seen many coming to life. It was a life experience they had simply collected, like many. “You like rich tones. And thick impasto?” they tried to guess, though, again, they weren’t an expert. They turned with curiosity to Darius and tilted their head on the side “I would have thought you’d prefer to work with less contrast, this is bold…” Chéri commented, stepping a little closer to Darius, almost brushing shoulders with him, while fixing a lock of their hair.