As the floo spell dissipated, Salvatore adjusted his neckerchief and looked across at his fiance as she too experienced the effects of arrival. This evening would be fun, a night away from Britain to savour the sights and sounds of Milano, already Italian music filled the air, coming in through the cracks of the wall from the floor station. It was a very short walk from here to the art gallery that he wished for them to attend.
He had been planning this jaunt for a while, a lovely art exhibit to treat his beautiful aesthete. The show was primarily various life paintings and some of the billed names had raised quite a stir amongst the artistic community, or at least so he had heard, his own understanding of art was entirely founded on knowing just enough to be a fulfilling partner to Cordie. No doubt upon finding out the plans Cordie would have her own information on the artists, or perhaps not, Salvatore had keenly sought a set of more obscure artists in order to provide something new for her enjoyment.
"Here we are, shall we make our way to the gallery or do you need a moment?" There would be fine art, fine wines and then of course, Salvatore had booked two private rooms in a boutique hotel opposite the Duomo. He privately hoped that an evening in a lovely place far from the prying eyes of victorian society might at least allow a nightcap in a shared room, but his wife to be was a woman of morals and he would expect her to honor them.
He would allow Cordie the time she needed to prepare before he made the correct motions to exit the floo station and join the bustling pedestrian traffic on the main street towards the gallery. This should be fun.
Oh My, Milano
In an instant, Cordie had been engulfed in a swirling vortex that splashed lots of colors and lights, feeling as though she was being pulled through a tunnel at breakneck speed. She felt her heart beating in her chest as she had hurtled through time and space to get to where she and Salvatore needed to be.
She would blink in astonishment for a moment, continuing to comprehend how traveling such a distance can happen in the blink of an eye. Cordie would look around in awe, taking in the location that she and Salvatore were in. Her eyes would gaze at her beau when he asked her a simple question.
"I may need to fix my hair a bit, and possibly my dress as well," she said with a slight chuckle. Cordie would take the time as needed to prepare by fixing her hair and her dress. She wanted to look at least a bit presentable before stepping out and explore the marvelous wonders of the paintings that may share a story.
![[Image: Cordie-Middlemiss-Signa.gif]](https://i.postimg.cc/hG99MJkL/Cordie-Middlemiss-Signa.gif)
Salvatore laughed as his fiance commented on her hair. "Well I for one think you can pull off the windswept look. You look beautiful tonight." his eyes sparkled as he gave her the complement but allowed her time to address herself.
The streets were busy but the pait easily picked their way across the short distance to the gallery. There was a well dressed gentleman on the door who Salvatore quickly addressed to confirm that their names were on the list. He said their names and a quick check later and they were handed a small pamplet each regarding the details of the exhibit. He took Cordie's arm in his and walked in, giving her a smirk. "I am quite excited by the fact that it won't be "tickets for Howlett and Middlemiss," for much longer"
The atrium of the venue opened up in front of them and they were assailed by the warmth and relative opulence on display. "Alta Langa per mister e miss?" a man asked in Italian, holding a tray of sparkling glasses from which Salvatore took two. "sì grazie." He replied, not knowing Italian but picking up a few etiquette words just in case.
In the centre of the room was a large statue of some southern Italian gentleman leaving very little to the imagination. It put him in mind of the statue of David, but this one's pose seemed a little more military. "What do you think he is thinking of?" Salvatore asked, glancing at the small open window that the statue had been postponed looking out of.
The rest of the first room was circular and lined with lovely paintings of various places around Italy. The main exhibit was through a grand double door at the opposite end of the atrium, but it was worth taking the time to enjoy all of the sights rather than just racing through to the main event.
"Thank you, my dear," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Cordie took Salvatore's arm, her hand placed neatly on his elbow. The dim lighting and the soft hum whispers created an air of reverence as if the paintings on the walls were sacred relics rather than mere works of art.
To Cordie, Salvatore's arm was strong and solid under her hand, a comforting presence that made her feel safe and protected at all costs. As she walked through the gallery with her beau, Cordie couldn't help but notice Salvatore's smirk at her. She felt her cheeks flush, her heart racing, as she momentarily forgot about the other people around her.
"Me too," she said. When she heard Salvatore speak a little Italian moments later when she saw him take the two glasses, her eyes widened in surprise, and she couldn't help but feel impressed. "I didn't know you speak a little Italian, love," she told him.
Cordie saw the statue of David, her eyes taking in the intricate details. "Hmm..." Cordie started. "...perhaps the weight of his responsibilities?" Cordie awaited his answer as her gaze continued to take in the atmosphere.
As always, his fiancée was a breath of fresh air and having her on his arm was lovely. He let out a little laugh when she complimented his Italian skills. "Si..." he laughed again "Just a little, enough to not come across as the rude englishman. And with a name like Salvatore, it seems fitting." he led the woman away from the first statue and towards the main gallery.
"I'm not sure how I would feel about displaying a grand statue of me dressed in the all together, it would be quite the conversation starter when we have dinner guests." he grinned as a gentleman opened the next door. He was momentarily startled as a pair of performance artists in the next room appeared, clad head to toe in body paints and ribbon, miming out something fairly incomprehensible. It flustered him a little and he found himself instinctively taking a step away from them to protect his fiancée from their advances, but would of course let her see if that was what she wanted as this was her domain. He looked at her apologetically then gave a little grin. She would protect him, then they could finally immerse themselves in the lovely paintings just a paces ahead, he almost felt he could see the woman in the nearest portrait teasing him for how out of place the artists suddenly made him feel.
It wasn't long until Cordie noticed Salvatore's body language; she wasn't sure if he seemed nervous or bothered, but she didn't want to assume. She would continue holding on to his arm, gazing at him. "It's alright, love," Cordie would say, trying her best to reassure her husband-to-be. "I'm still here with you, and I'm not planning on leaving anytime soon."
A smile had appeared on her face as she told him exactly this. The love she has felt for Salvatore is rather strong, and the spark that she has had for him does not plan on fading.
He relaxed as Cordie reassured him and placed his other hand on her arm. "Thank you, my love, just a little shocked by how forward some of the artists are here." he laughed, feeling a little foolish now but glad to have his fiancée to protect him.
They carried on walking to safety and the comfort if more static artworks "How long do you think a work like that might take an artist? Magic notwithstanding?" he asked as they approachd a particularly lovely picture. The painting was easily the size of a billiards table that had been turned on its side, a grand vista of the Italian coast was the backdrop to a portrait image of a young lady with her hair swept up by the wind. It was relatively new too, the signature was followed by the year 1891.
He looked closer at the features of the woman "I think I would like this man to paint our wedding portrait." The detail was lovely and the subject had an almost ethereal beauty.
So far, Cordie seemed to have enjoyed her time with Salvatore; everything she could ever want was right at her fingertips. As they continued to walk, her eyes gazed at what Salvatore was looking at. She thought about his question briefly before answering, "Magic notwithstanding, it could take any Artist quite some time to make an art piece such as this; maybe within a day, or even a week or longer."
Cordie softly sighed, feeling content. Being in Italy with the man she was bound to marry was rather pleasant as she took in every moment that she was able to spend with him and him only. As she heard Salvatore say that he wanted the man who did the art piece they looked at to paint their wedding portrait, her brown auras gazed up at him.
She couldn't help but smile. "I think that's a rather brilliant idea, darling," she said. "I'm sure hee would do a wonderful job, should he have time."
Salvatore nodded, artists had as much of a commitment to their work as his colleagues did, it was a quite different skill set but leaving the "patient" half way through would never do. It would likely be a bit of a pipe dream to expect a galleried artist to paint them, perhaps out of their budget, but it didn't hurt to ask. He took the name down on his notepad.
He squeezed the arm of Miss Middlemiss and they moved along. "What is the longest you have ever spent on a single work if your own. I seem to remember you telling me the piece you did for your parents toom quite some time." The lavishly decorated gallery was filled with interesting pieces and the man was feeling a little lost what to look at next. This was his Fiancé's domain though so where she led he would happily follow. "Your eyes look so pretty when you concentrate on the works." he said affectionately as they admired the next piece. Placing his chin on her shoulder as he held her closely. He might even steal a kiss on the cheek should she allow.
"Well," she started, her voice soft but audible enough for Salvatore to hopefully hear her over the crowd of people that were still present. "I'm not quite sure. I sometimes get lost in the moment, though if I had to give a roundabout, maybe more than a week's worth; I like to take my time."
As Cordie continued moving along, she couldn't help but feel lost for a while as she was surrounded by the vibrant colors and intricate designs of the paintings that were presented. When she heard Salvatore's compliment, however, she couldn't help but feel her cheeks turn pink. He was a man of many words in a good way.
Before Cordie could even get a word out, if she ever planned on it, she couldn't help but feel a warmth on her skin. She didn't know if Salvatore had placed a kiss on her cheek or not, but it was obvious that Cordie felt her heart race. There was no doubt that by every passing second, minute, hour, day, week, month, and year she was falling even more in love with Salvatore every day.
Powered By MyBB, © 2002-2024 MyBB Group.