Private Art Comes In Many Forms

Diam was in the workshop molding the limbs of a recent project. He had removed his suit jacket an rolled up the sleeves of his shirt in an attempt to keep the clay off his clothes. He was careful with his craft, but precaution was never a waste.

A small copper bell above the shop entrance alerted him to his visitor. His hands stopped for a moment as he listened for Nathan's footfalls before setting the piece down on the workbench. He grabbed a towel of a hook as he exited into the reception area of the shop, wiping the clay from his fingers.

The smaller vampire glanced at Nathan over the reception desk. He was barely a head taller then the grandiose piece of furniture, he would really have to get someone with a stronger presence to manage the front room soon. Winding past the desk Diam came up behind Nathan. He raised a hand to his mouth, about to gently clear his throat to get his visitors attention before Nathan turned on his own.

Diam paused for a moment before letting his hand fall back to his side. He recognized the way Nathan was looking at him, the usual misunderstanding, but responded to it with only a blink. "Greetings and welcome." He said, tilting his head a bit. "Was there anything I might be able to assist you with? Or are you simply indulging your curiosity at the moment?"

Diam's face would turn upward in a smile for a few moments before returning to it's neutral state. "It is not an unusual occurrence. I carry no illusion of what I look like. You may experience a similar misconception before much longer." He'd shrug "Though perhaps you already do. Another of immortality's many curses."

The smaller vampire would chuckle twice. "You grant me high praise. but I would not deny it. My creations are no mass production as many children are fond of these days. They carry with them memories and sentimentality."

Diam would tilt his head again. "You seem a tad hesitant for someone simply browsing. Is it perhaps the femininity often associated with doll? I would suggest you rid yourself of such constructs if you do not wish your own craft to suffer from it."

Diam nodded, "That will be an easier age for you to explain. Though I suppose if you have already found Manta Carlos You will have less difficulty explaining it."

The small vampire would pluck a doll from a lower shelf, turning it in his hands as he examined it. "My sire was the one to teach me the craft; I've been practicing it for the better portions of my existence." He would pull a cloth from his pocket and wipe some dust away from the porcelain before replacing the doll on the shelf. "I cannot deny being something of a master. Any art could shine just as well. Perfection is impossible, but devote enough time to finding it and you will realize the flaws have become significantly smaller."

Diam would smile and shrug again. "Appearances are sometimes important. I have found it is often better to remove any reliance on them rather then attempt to live up to them. However, an awareness of perceptions is never invaluable."

Wandering away for a moment, The doll maker would turn on a small kettle on a cart behind the reception desk. "Would you care for some tea? Coffee perhaps?"

Diam nodded once. "She. But yes, she instructed me. I understand that is a tragic rarity nowadays. I endeavor to rectify that wherever I can, but it is also a problem that many youths are far too stubborn. Requests for advice are few."

After spooning a few doses of tea leaves into a teapot, the smaller vampire turned to face his guest again. "'Agreed.' I would not call that much the case. It is truly difficult to protest whilst an iron rod is puncturing your diaphragm. there were times that I have loathed her for saving me from the accident, but I have come to recognize her kindness."

Diam turned and removed the kettle almost before it had begun whistling. He took some time to poor the water into the tea pot and settle two cups with saucers on a serving tray. Picking up the tray, the small vampire nodded towards on of the tables.

"I have grown accustomed to questions of my age, there is no offense. I have long since lost careful track, but I am a couple thousand some years now." He would settle the tray on the table and serve Nathan his tea before pausing for a good moment and blinking twice. "Oh dear, It seems I have been terribly rude. Forgive me." He would bow slightly, drawing one hand across his chest. "I am Diam, the owner of this establishment. A pleasure."

Having recovered his slight, he would sit down in the chair opposite Nathan with his own cup of tea. "Two years is perhaps more respectable then you think. I have seen many fools come to their end because the simply forgot they can no longer brave the sunlight."

"That is a shame." Diam said, gently twirling the teacup beneath his nose. "There is so much disdain between our kind. We live far too long to carry so many grudges." He paused to sip his tea. "I have begun to wonder if they might carry so many in an attempt to shorten their lingering."

"That is the case, yes." He said in reference to his turning. "A cart filled with weaponry and the like toppled and impaled myself and a young girl. My sire decided I should continue to live. I... I won't pretend I haven't questioned the wisdom of those decisions. I suppose I am only afforded that luxury because they were made."

"Well met Nathan." The small vampire nodded a couple times. "That is for the best, I think. Far too many come to an end without knowing why." Taking another sip of his tea, he shrugged slightly. "I am afraid the senses don't get much less overwhelming even at my age. We simply learn to manage them better, not to have them active so often. It is only so many times you will blind yourself before you learn to recognize when someone is likely to engage a light switch."