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[color=a6c4ff][b]Time:[/b][/color] Sunset
[color=a6c4ff][b]Location:[/b][/color] Ember Grove University - Art Exhibit
[color=a6c4ff][b]Interaction with:[/b][/color] Clarice
[color=a6c4ff][b]Mentions:[/b][/color] Remy, Alexander
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The orange hues of sunset were beginning to fade from the sky, gently transitioning to nightfall’s dark blues. As they walked to the exhibition venue, the cool autumn air carried the scent of wine and cheeses that Ava could sense even before they arrived. It confirmed that her decision to go to this frivolous event was a good one, if she could nab some delicacies off the snack table.

Upon arriving at the exhibition hall, Ava immediately noticed that the crowd was rather mixed. Half of the audience seemed to be what the host expected and wanted - expensive gowns and suits, classy, done-up individuals enjoying the exquisite artwork. The other portion of attendees appeared to be there by convenience - they heard about the event, and decided to attend on a more impromptu basis, much like Ava herself. It was fair to say that since the event happened on a university campus, a number of underdressed students in attendance would’ve been expected. Ava’s level of dress stood somewhere in the middle, as she usually adorned some form of business casual for her daily attire.

[color=a6c4ff]“Very mixed crowd,”[/color] Ava noted to Clarice, once they stepped through the doors. The edges of Ava’s lips pulled upwards into her signature slight-smile, before she excused herself to her companion. [color=a6c4ff]“I think I'll start off at the refreshments. If you’d like to see the artwork first, please feel free.”[/color]

Ava paid very little attention to the artwork as she made her way to the refreshments. Wine and cheese were among her favourite foods, ever since she was human, and the preference stuck for 400 years. Even if she didn’t need to eat, Ava still enjoyed alcohol, maybe too often than most. She took one of the clean glasses and filled it with pinot noir, ignoring the presences of others at the table. She spent a good few minutes blatantly snacking on the available cheeses while sipping wine, and used this chance to look around. The exhibit appeared to feature almost exclusively portraits of beautiful women - some almost seemed familiar, in a way. They carried melancholic expressions, but their eyes carried what looked like fear. Ava appreciated the skillfulness that the artist displayed in capturing such nuanced expressions.

Amidst Ava’s alcohol and cheese consumption, there was some commotion starting up further into the venue. A kid whooshed past her in a skateboard, spewing grandiose remarks about herself as she went. Children made Ava uncomfortable, to say the least, and she instinctively turned away from where the young girl was headed. She preferred to stay away, and purposefully never fed on children either, for reasons she never liked going into.

Peering into the venue, Ava spotted the domineering man that had strolled out of a Rolls Royce accompanied by bodyguards earlier, at the cafe. Given his interactions with the gallery staff and her previous impression of him, Ava figured he was the one in charge. She let her eyes fixate on the man as he walked around the room, and tried to stifle his rage when his bodyguard informed him about the vandalised work. He carried himself well, despite how young he looked. Not to mention, he was exceedingly handsome. Ava wasn’t ignorant of the nature of crime in this town, so both observations made him a little suspicious. She overheard a guard calling him ‘Mr. Drake’ earlier, so she committed his name and appearance to memory - which wasn’t very hard to do. 

Ava’s thought process was interrupted by a burning in her throat, which had appeared gradually, though she only noticed just now. It had been close to 36 hours since her last ‘meal’ and the symptoms were beginning to surface. Thirst was always accompanied by anxiety for Ava, and although she didn’t quite have the facilities for it, she felt as though her heart was racing. She took a few deep breaths, [color=a6c4ff][i]I’ll eat after this,[/i][/color] she reassured herself. Removing her attention away from Mr. Drake now, Ava refilled her glass to its rim again, and approached one of the paintings nearby.