Roses Aren’t Always Red

Vincent The Artist

Queenie had spent half the evening with Jay and was rather woozy when she woke.

And after fighting through her serotonin comedown, she managed to get to work in time. They were meeting at a central location in town on a rooftop setup that apparently was where V, one of August's personal projects he swore would revive the issue, worked from most of the time. And August had asked her to accompany him to the site, along with other colleagues for a briefing on how magazines should be done.

It was a seriously romantic idea that that's where V created art - on a rooftop out in the open air.

Queenie prepared herself and was soon out and on her way. She arrived at the building soon enough and entered the foyer. After buzzing in at reception, she took the elevator all the way to the top.

And stepping out she was greeted by hustling and bustling and by August who was standing oddly still.

She walked up to him, "Hey you,"

He turned to her. He had s scarf on and a sweater. And Queenie was dressed warmly as well, jacket and scarf. It was a cloudy day and was actually quite chilly.

"You good?" He asked

"Yea yea, just a little chilly, but great hey."

He nodded.

"This setup is really pretty." It really was. There was a chat pit across the building and a refreshments setup. Otherwise elsewhere where vibes frowing on high rise areas and plants all over. Paintings where dotted all across the place and there was an interviewing section with lights and all and the hustle and bustle of people getting ready. It was a rather peculiar setting.

Still thinking about the unusual setup Queenie asked, "What's this V guy about anyway?"

He breathed in and a cloud escaped his mouth when he began to speak, "Well the guys sees art in everything. I swear he lives in his own world. I just didn't think his shooting would be on the rooftop though..."

"So you're well acquainted?" She asked,

"Oh yeah very." He nodded while saying this

"And he's good?"

"He's excellent." He slid his hand back in his pocket, "See, he sees beauty everywhere. From 2D to 3D and beyond. We've got some of his work back at the gallery I wish I'd have shown you earlier actually."

He turned his body towards the setup, "But basically you should understand he's very modern with his approach, very contemporary, loves the modernity of life and people but that's because he's an old soul."

"So his rustic nature is the reason for his contemporary take on things."

"Yeah." He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "I mean a lot of people who are into antiquities let's say, tend to find and collect for them. But all things past tend to be limited. But what's not is the contemporary. V's unlimited in many ways, because he's so invested in a rustic and vintage culture he sees how everything has come to be. Not only that but he appreciates the journey of art, where it is and where it's going. And he's forever showing that in what he does."

It was a very amorous idea about V, but Queenie just wasn't quite there yet, "Okay...But what exactly does he do?"

The corner of his mouth twitched upwards "He's a spontaneous one that kid. He's an artist. He's got several filled up and blank canvases, he's a really good saxophonist though he doesn't do that often anymore, dude's got an awesome voice and is fashionable."

Queenie pursed her lips.

He shook his hands in his pockets, "It's very hard to define him really. He's just waking art." He shrugged.

"He's the perfect guys for this first part. 'Walking Art'. You can't define him cause he's everywhere. Well well, we've got ourselves a wanderer."

Queenie gestured to a pit chat, "Let's go sit down," She grabbed his hand but he slid out of her grip off.

She frowned, "Is...is something wrong?"

"No no, I'm good here. I'm gonna stay here." He gestured at the interview section, "Wanna see everything."

"You'll still see everything over there c'mon," she tugged at his sweater.

He didn't budge. She huffed and began to drag him but he resisted again.

"Dude?" She said slightly discerned and raised an eyebrow at his odd behavior.

He frowned, "It's just so out there."

"Huh? Out there? Boy what's goin on with you?" He was tapping his foot as he looked over at a pit chat across the place.

Then realisation dawned on her.

"Are you afraid of heights?"

He just looked away. Having him this fearful was very inconvenient. It'd be impossible to work like this.

"So you mean to tell me you haven't moved from this general area until I arrived? Wow. But we're not even doing anything risky. This is no different from being inside a building Yoongi." She gestured all around her, "What blizzard thing could honestly happen right now?"

He pouted and mumbled, still not showing any signs of movement.

Then she had an idea.

"Hey, King," she said cheerfully. His eyes shot back to hers, they were filled with suspicion of her choice of tone.

"If you come with me, I'll give you a kiss later." She grinned. It was a bribe in poor taste. But a bribe nonetheless.

He laughed. "Whether or not you promise me that I'll get it anyway."

She huffed then a moment after she gasped, "Mhm. How about two kisses..." he rolled his eyes, "...on our second date?" His head jerked back,"Wha- okay now you're just playing unfair." he still wasn't moving.

"Mhmm I guess you don't like kisses...or dates either." she began walking away.

She heard footsteps behind her and she smirked, "Okay okay but wait up though"

She turned around as he waddled after her and put his arm round her shoulders.

"You owe me big time Queen. And you have to take me out. Surprise me." He teased

She laughed out loud.

_____________________

"And that is why I've chosen to freelance over anything. Because I'm free and my work has aided my freedom."

"Okay and cut."

The camera guy gave a thumbs up to V who had just finished his interview. It had been two hours worth of shooting and August and Queenie had been sitting and watching.

She had leaned into him somewhere through the shooting, he then nudged her shoulder as everyone was taking a break.

"C'mon." He said, gesturing towards V.

Everyone was moving about and V now had a cup of tea in his hand.

He immediately smiled as he saw August walk towards him,"Hey man, it's been a while," he greeted

"Yea man, you don't come by the gallery anymore,"

"I wish I could, been busy lately, but maybe I'll come in for a quick session sometime."

He noticed her and turned to her,"Oh I'm sorry, hi,"

He put his hand out to shake hers, "Hi. I'm Queenie Jackson."

"Nice to meet you Queenie," he squinted at her, "You look very familiar. Have we met?"

She shook her head, "Not that I remember."

"Huh. I swear I know you,"

And she just shrugged in awkward response

"Hey! Jackson!" She turned around, "Jay says to answer your phone, he's been trying to get to you. About the general budget and stuff for this."

"Oh I had forgotten, thanks Dan-"

V gasped and clapped, "Lyrica Jackson!" Queenie whipped around.

V was staring at her smiling. "No way. No absolute way," he laughed. August gave her a confused side eye. "Hey, little princess!"

She was still looking at him. Little princess is what her sister called her.

"What a small world," he said. For a fraction of a moment her eyes darted to August.

Clearing her throat, she hugged herself, "You know my sister." It wasn't really a question.

August put his hand round her arm, "Um, I'm gonna go over to Andrea and see what's up for the rest of the day, that ok?" He furrowed his eyebrows.

He was trying to give her space.

"Okay" She nodded. He squeezed her arm and walked away hands in his pockets.

Queenie turned to V, "Is she okay? Lyrica."

"Yeah! Great. Talks about you all the damn time, little princess this, my princess that, it's like you're all that's on her mind, you should probably go and see her someti..."

His voice tethered off. Queenie looked... off.

"Oh, I'm sorry are you two not talking or something,"

She sucked her lips in.

"Look, my bad I didn't mean to intrude I just was excited to meet you, and she was supposed to work with me on this project but she refused -"

"You're a really great artist, Vincent"

So this is Lyric's Vincent.

His mouth opened and closed, he didn't know what she meant by that.

"Really, this is phenomenal, what you do, sharing your art hoping to heal people. I love it."

"Queenie-"

"It's okay, V, nothing serious." She smiled, "I can see why my sister likes you so much"

Pointing at his drink, she said, "Drink up before it gets cold."

She smiled at him once more and walked up towards the drink station to get a coffee.

Tossing in in two teaspoons of coffee she filled it up. "Black coffee, no milk, no sugar - well someone's having a moment."

She exhaled and shook her head.

"Mhm." He looked across to the next building. "So. You have a sister?" He was still staring at the building across. "A lot of people have siblings, August, ain't nothing surprising."

"And yet you looked ever so surprised when V talked about yours?"

His eyes drifted back to her.

"It's a story for another day I suppose," she blew on her coffee."Are you promising me your time...again?" August's eyebrows were raised in clear amusement.

"What? Looks like you're gonna be stuck on me for a pretty long while." He grinned at her. They stood in silence for a minute. "Poor V though, bet I made that pretty awkward." She suddenly exhaled over her coffee.

"Glad you noticed," V responded from behind her by the station

Her eyes were wide in surprise,"What the he - Have been listening in?! And Where did you come from?" She out her hands on her waist.

He tapped his cup, "No I have not been eavesdropping, I just came for more tea until you said my name. Coincidence, right?" he grinned.

She narrowed her eyes at him.

"Cool, grab one, we need to talk about your art more," August shifted attention. V smiled a wide boxy smile, "Of course." He turned to refill, sh looked over to August who winked at her.

She made a childish face as dismissal and began to walk away towards one of the paintings.

The rest of the afternoon was spent rather professionally - on V's work and the scenery; It was inspired by Lyrica he mentioned very casually and briefly. And the whole afternoon, everything reminded Queenie of her sister and she couldn't get her out of her mind, and occasionally couldn't help the thought of the rest of her family creeping up on her; and she nearly shuddered every time it did.

But one thing she hated though was the fact that all her moments of melancholy did not go over August's head as he kept by her side all afternoon and gave her curious looks.

She knew she had a lot of questions coming her way, and for once, she was looking forward to sharing.