As per instructions, I arrived at the ‘Pavillion des Eaux’ at half past five in the evening. The exposition centre, of which I had not heard in my previous life, was true to its name, as it was located amongst an artificial marshland (for lack of a better word). Hundreds of tiny islands were linked among themselves by wooden and brick bridges. These paths were lined with art-deco lamp poles, each of them carrying a tiny fairy-like creature inside of a glass cage. As soon as I noticed that detail, a shiver ran down my spine and I picked up my pace, heading towards the central building.

The walk from the teleportation circle, and the parking lot behind it where most people seemed to be coming from, was actually quite short. Although most other visitors preferred to take the scenic route, through the islands and the perfect photography spots they offered, I headed straight towards the entrance.

The ‘Pavillion des Eaux’ was meant to look like the sail of a boat, attached to two upside-down narrowboats that came together at the sail, forming a ‘V’. And perhaps it did, from some other angle. To me, it looked more like a narrow pyramid of glass and metal, doing an excellent job of concealing the massive underground facility behind it.

As I entered the building, following the sound of gently piano music accompanied by some brass instrument I could not quite place, I immediately spotted a group of five people in black, military-like, uniforms. Chloe had sent me a list of the names of these bodyguards, but I had been more focused on studying about art and how to blend into high society to memorize any of that. Of course, I had a skill I could rely on if I ever needed to.

As I approached the group, I spotted the man they were guarding. Gerard Grostas was a tall and rather large gentleman. He wore an elegant beige two-piece suit, with bright blue shoes and a matching tie. Currently, he was standing some distance ahead, admiring a marble statue suspended in mid-air.

“Sir, mademoiselle de la Sablonnière has arrived.” One of the bodyguards spoke as they noticed me.

They turned towards me and gave me a warm smile as if we’d known each other. I reciprocated the smile, making a note to use ‘memoire’ if they were to start a conversation. For now, I preferred to spare my MP.

“Ah!” Gerard Grostas turned around to face me. Once our eyes met, his face immediately lit up. “Laura! What a brilliant surprise!” he exclaimed. “I was expecting to see your sister. I see she called you in as a substitute. Brilliant. We’ll have an even better time together.”

Dragon Eye

A

Elementalist

Transition of Earth and Air

Flat Well [Ac]

Eternal Fall [Ac]

Revelation of heavens [Ac]

Runes of Jericho [Ac]

Appraisal (€) [Ac]

Before I had had the time to reply, he approached me and energetically shook my hand.

“Truly, what a surprise,” he continued speaking, “When was the last time we saw each other? You were what, five? No, younger, it was before …” he paused, briefly breaking eye contact, “Well, it doesn’t matter, does it. Have you been to any of Madame Pendu’s shows before?”

I tried to interrupt him, to at least try and reply to everything he’d mentioned so far (I had prepared answers and all), but he saw my somewhat perplexed expression must have encouraged him to continue.

“Ah, silly me, you must have been busy with your paintings. Vincent did show them to me, you are quite talented. I hope you brought one with you, to show to our hostess?”

I politely smiled in response to the joke, as I slowly lost all hope of being able to say even a word this evening.

“Ah, I’m glad you can appreciate some good comedy. Chloe was a tougher crowd.” Gerard continued. “But enough waiting in the hallway, let us head down where all my future sculptures are.”

Suddenly Gerard paused and glanced around as if looking for something. I was so surprised by the fact that he’d stopped talking, that I forgot to use this chance to ask the main question that had been on my mind in regards to him and this whole situation.

“Or,” he continued “would you like to see some of the commonfolk paintings beforehand? I suppose we aren’t in a rush…”

I glanced at the bodyguards, hoping to get a read on them. I noticed how one of them kept watch of the door, as two others focused on the hallways leading to the exposition halls.

“I do recall them having a brilliant surrealistic scene depicting the death of the fourth Lord-”

“Perhaps we should head ahead.” I interrupted him. “Downstairs.” I added, repeating his indication from earlier.

“Ah, that we should.” He agreed with a broad smile.

It seemed he wasn’t too keen himself on exploring the ‘commonfolk’ part of the exposition as he’d put it.

We headed towards the ornate glass staircase that ran around an empty space at the centre of the sail-wannabe pyramid. There were several sculptures, all floating in mid-air at different heights, so as to be admired as one rose to the top of the pyramid. Gerard and I, and the bodyguards following us at a distance, did not head that way, however. We headed under the staircase, towards rune-like patterns engraved into the floor.

A steward appeared out of nowhere and placed a red gem at the centre of the floor pattern. It lit up with dull lighting, before opening up onto a broad metal staircase spiralling downward.

During this whole ordeal, Gerard had been talking about one of the sculptures, but I was too much in awe to pay any attention. As we began our descent, I grabbed a hold of the railing while picking up a fold of my dress in my other hand. The last thing I wanted was to triple down an upside-down replica of the glass pyramid above us. I didn’t fail to notice that one of the bodyguards stayed behind.

“Don’t you worry Laura, it’s merely a formality.” Gerard suddenly spoke, as f suddenly remembering that I was there, and trying to start a conversation back up by reacting to what I was doing.

Seeing this as my chance to speak, at last, I asked:

“I have been meaning to ask you, as my sister has been a tad stingy with details, why exactly have you requested for such an entourage for a simple art expo?”

Gerard smirked.

“Well, I wish the answer was simple. Unfortunately it is not. It involves a long history between me and several other people in attendance. Worry not, it’s nothing you will be involved in. Come.”

He gestured for me to carry on following him, as he continued to talk.

“You, or as it was originally intended, your sister, are only meant to be seen by my side as we enter the room, to discourage any of my business adversaries to try anything ‘funny’. Hence, if you wish, you may be on your way afterwards, and make friends with the other artists. Although I would request that you remain within the exposition hall. I didn’t lie, I will introduce you to Madame Pendu, and a few other house names you might have already heard of. Juliette Roswin was on the guest list if I recall. And the brilliant painter Hayden Laroux.”

I nodded when I heard those names. Thanks to my research I had at least a vague idea about their respective occupations. Although I still had no idea who this ‘Madame Pendu’ was. And the fact that I was only here because of my family name did reassure me, to an extent. Of course, I hadn’t forgotten what kind of trouble this family name had gotten me into only a few months prior, but I did get the feeling that those kinds of incidents did not occur in these kinds of high-society artsy circles.

Gerard carried on talking as we continued our descent. He went on and on about other guests, their achievements in the art world, and some anecdote from their personal lives. At one point I stopped listening and instead started paying attention to the painting on the wall lining the stairway, and the shifting mosaic that covered the steps themselves.

Where the top, or surface, part of the expo centre had been full of windows and light, this inverted pyramid was dark and somewhat reminiscent of a deep stagnant lake. The paintings depicting various kinds of aquatic monsters, as well as metal ornaments along the wooden stairway ramp only added to that feeling.

“Fascinating, isn’t it? If it had been up to me, I would have held this exposition in one of the Brussels expo palaces. They are less thematic, not as much anchored in history and certain styles.” Gerard changed the topic of his monologue, having no doubt noticed that I had stopped listening. “But Madame Pendu likes the reputation of this place, and, just between you and me, I do too. Although had it been my event, I would not have centred the theme around flowers. But then again, there is sense behind that, when considering her class and sub-class.”

I nodded, vaguely remembering that the reason why green was prohibited at this event was because it was centred around plants. The event proper was titled ‘Tulipes Vertes’. And now that I thought about it, it was strange that there had been hardly any information about it online, nor signposts in the gallery itself. But, before I had had the time to think more about it, we had finally arrived at the bottom of the stairs, and I realised no signposts were needed to find the location of the event.

Flowery vines crept from within one of the two hallways to the bottom of the stairs. Distant chatter, faint music, and a strong aroma of exotic flowers were coming from that direction. Gerard straighten out his back, readjusted his bright blue tie, and invited me to follow him there.