Private Finished Encounter Of Ice And Angels

Art had always been anything but something to gain things from for Huilu. It was her therapy, her entertainment, her friend and her enemy. It soothed her when she was feeling sorrow and it inspired her when she hesitated. Huilu owed many things to art, and as payment she had dedicated time for it. Huilu had spent countless hours, days and weeks for just art, polishing her skills and making sure she could conjure her feelings to life as vividly and clearly and beautifully as possible.
And yet again Huilu ended up owing something for art, when it gave her reputation and riches.

Huilu's goal had never been to become this known in Manta Carlos' art world. All she had wanted was some extra savings, so she could properly and independently support herself and Eein. Her adopted son deserved to live a life free of any worries about material wealth. But Huilu's art had been noticed and liked by a decently well-known art collector and critic and that had earned her a lot of money, orders for more art and a place in this symposium.
Huilu was dressed in a simple deep blue dress with glimmer, that made it look like she was wearing the night sky. It wasn't an evening dress, and it reached around Huilu's knees. Over it she was wearing a white blouse, since the open hall was a bit chilly and it affected Huilu even more than the other people in the room. Huilu had been told to wear semi-formal clothes, and due to not being entirely certain what that meant she had dressed like this. It seemed to be the right choice, if not slightly too formal. Huilu's bright blue hair was loose at least, and it cascaded down her right shoulder in generous waves.

Many people came to speak with Huilu, and she made sure to smile kindly at everyone and answer any compliments or questions they had. She was standing near her own piece, although Huilu wanted to go see the rest of the symposium as well. But she had been told by the ones organizing this event that the artists should be available near their pieces. A shame, but Huilu understood. So she stayed put, gazing slightly longingly at all the art she could not see closer

In this event Huilu saw many kinds of outfits, each with their own unique quirks and features. To many they would've looked the same, just many formal casual outfits filling the room. But Huilu couldn't help but notice the different shades, how one woman wore pearls whe other wore diamonds, and how a man's cuff links were rose gold instead of old gold. It was fascinating to her, how the smallest changes were a possibility for each person to express their own identity.
And then a man came to her whose outfit simply screamed personality and identity and Huilu couldn't help but look at him all over and be very much fascinated. She nearly forgot her friendly smile, and nearly missed the man's compliment and question about her sculpting. Huilu's eyes snapped from the man's forearms to his eyes and she smiled her usual friendly smile, one that she had directed to many during this event.

"Inspiration is a force that often flows with no identity or definition. It is a power that brings out the essence of creativity, and the artist further on gives that essence the identity each work of art has. You speak of telltale signs, but in my own art what I attempt to express and stir are emotions."
Perhaps it was unnecessary to go this into detail to what Huilu's thoughts were to the matter, but it was all included in the process that was in work with the sculpting that stood behind her. Huilu turned her head slightly and looked at her sculpting, and the moment she did her smile softened a bit as the feelings she had channeled into her art sprung to her mind.
"I am not from this place, and when I arrived on this island everything was unknown to me. This piece is the tale of how this island has grown on me, with all its abnormalities, joys and sorrows. My life has changed immensely since I first set foot on this soil, and I am certain it will keep changing in many ways from now on as well."
And with that Huilu finished her rather lengthy explanation, one that she had told to all tonight that had asked her the same questions.

There were signs, that stated that touching the artwork was forbidden, and there was a small rail surrounding Huilu's sculpting that acted as a reminder for people to stay away from it. Both apparently weren't effective with this man, as he brought his hand close to the ice and traced the statue's shape. Personally Huilu did not mind, her ice did not melt upon touch and she thought art was meant to be experienced how the viewer wished, and especially with sculpting feeling the shape could be part of the experience. But Huilu was on the side of respecting the rules of the ones holding this event, and even though Huilu knew he wasn't actually directly touching the ice she looked at the man's hand and then at him and stepped a bit closer.
"Would you be so kind and remove your hand, please? The hosts of this symposium wish people do not touch the pieces."
Huilu said with a gentle tone and smile, but there was firmness in her voice that could be quite convincing.
"If you wish to experience my art through touch I have created many public art pieces in the Oceania park, and there are no restrictions or rules there. If you wish to feel or even embrace one of the statues that is allowed as well."
Huilu chuckled a little, trying not to let the mood get too serious or formal. Huilu could handle formal, but she preferred that when it came to gatherings of creative minds the discussion and mood should remain as free and flowing as creativity itself.

The man, after giving his thoughts on Huilu's sculpting, moved his eyes to her. Yes, after being interested in her art most usually were interested in Huilu next. She was just as exotic and curiosity-inducing as her art, or so her patron had said. All of Huilu's identity was a "selling point", and although Huilu did not like how that was stated it was the truth.
"It makes me happy my art was able to resonate with you. All I wish is for my feelings to reach the ones seeing my art, in one form or another. This is why I created a sculpting with such a theme for this symposium, the island is dear for many people here, and I am certain many have experienced their sorrows and joys upon its surface like me."
Huilu answered with a genuine tone and smile, as she looked at the man, showing she wasn't avoiding or scared of his curiosity.

Madam. That was a title not many had addressed Huilu with. Most went with Miss, or Mrs. if they thought such a pretty woman must be married. Huilu did not mind people assuming, as long as it was something as harmless as that.
"Not at all, I enjoy sharing and spreading the word of the place I call home. I come from the Alps, the mountain range in Europe. Our community of dragons, Akt'Anir, has resided there since the ancient times. I also must insist you call me Huilu, or Miss Huilu if you wish to add a title."
Huilu was impressed the man had been able to pronounce her last name more or less right, it had roots in Draconic so many got it wrong on the first try.

Huilu was familiar with many European languages, and could speak many of them fluently, but the form of Draconic they used in Akt'Anir was a version that had been born after 100 000 years of mixing with other languages and slangs and dialects. The Draconic they used was almost its own language at this point. So yes, Huilu did look at the man with slight confusion when he spoke words she did not understand. She did recognize it as Draconic, there was no mistaking it. Huilu chuckled as the man apologized and she shook her head.
"I appreciate your efforts, thank you. But the most I prefer to simply be called Huilu. That is how you assign me the least labels and we both feel most comfortable. And what can I call you?"
Huilu was interested in hearing this man's name, and she was certain she wasn't going to forget it anytime soon. He was an interesting individual.

It was a shame he couldn't touch upon the statue, when Huilu could see he really wanted to. She considered for a moment, and a small smile rose to Huilu's face as she got an idea. But first, she should concentrate on the man.
"Until recently we kept ourselves strictly separate from the human realm. We were lonely giants among the icy peaks for so long, but when my cousin became chief she demolished our old ways and allowed us to descent and see how the world we had been residing in truly was. The first step I took outside my community felt like the first one in my life."
Huilu let out a small smile, as she remembered that time, the freedom, the sorrow and joy and how it felt like shackles shattering.

The man's next question was surprisingly personal, Huilu had expected him to steer back towards this particular piece, or perhaps ask about the community as a whole. Either case Huilu was happy to answer, she was happy to spread knowledge about her home.
"I must admit arts have never been the most appreciated thing among our people. But we cherish our heritage, all parts of it, and art is among it. I have taught members of the community the art of ice sculpting, that is a great tradition in Akt'Anir. And I have been named the master of the craft, although my personal opinion is that when it comes to art skillset does not matter, because self-expression is about personal experience, not how good or bad other people view the result of it."
Huilu began babbling a bit again, and she chuckled and shook her head slightly.
"Forgive me, I steered away from the subject."

The change in the man was not missed by Huilu. She could see the intense focus, and she could see the thirst for knowledge in his eyes. Huilu knew that look, she had seen it on many people before and she was certain she had her own version of it. The Ehr'Shas were intelligent. They pursued intellect and knowledge, and "Knowledge is power" was a quote they lived and breathed by. Huilu was trying to separate herself from such a way of life, a life of acquiring knowledge like it was a drug. And seeing the man's expression made Huilu feel alerted, and her expression grew slightly more hard. Huilu began suspecting and theorizing quietly, was this man simply knowledge-holic, so to say, or should Huilu be worried about revealing too much information to him.
Nevertheless as soon as Irso snapped out of it Huilu relaxed slightly, but the caution remained as a slight coldness in her gentle eyes, as she observed Irso, or so he introduced himself.
"It's wonderful to meet another soul who appreciates art, Irso Vudemo."
Huilu said and curtsied just a bit as Irso bowed. At least Huilu hoped Irso appreciated art.

Huilu was frankly surprised and rather touched by what Irso said next. His depiction of her style and the statue were something no other viewer had realized, or at least they had not voiced it. Huilu tried not to be too flattered by all the praise she received, as that was not the reason she was creating art. But Irso's praise reached a part of Huilu she had not realized needed validation. And thus she genuinely smiled and for the first time in decades someone outside her family made the slightest blush rise to Huilu's pale cheeks.
"It is more of an honour for me to be able to hear these words. Their weight is greater than you think. You have my thanks, Irso."
Now it was Huilu's turn to bow her head slightly, and as she raised her head the blush was already gone.

To Irso's question Huilu nodded, and brought one of her hands with the magic ice fingers forward.
"Unmelting ice is a trait, that some members of our community possess. I was fortunate to inherit it from my father's side of the family."
Huilu was still suspicious due to earlier, and tried not to reveal anything crucial or what could be classified as a weakness.
"But the art itself is no magic, they are simply my emotions and experiences given form, and if they are delivered to whoever sees them that is in thanks of the expression and shape."
As Huilu spoke she started slowly forming ice between her hands, nothing big since she didn't want to disturb the other guests. The ice swirled, twirled and pulsed like a living being as Huilu gave it form with calmness that was like undisturbed snow cover after a blizzard. And after a minute or two Huilu was holding a smaller, about 4 inches tall version of the statue they had next to them, although this had small changes that further reflected her current state of mind, her gratitude and curiosity as well as slight suspicion.
"In this way I breathe life into ice, and the ice breathes life into me. It is a unique kind of relationship, where it would not gain life without me and I am alive thanks to it."
Huilu had a small mysterious smile as she held the statue out to Irso, implying he should take it.