<TIAMAT> *About the same time Kender and Jarod were down visiting with Clarra, Sol is setting the majority of her students up with a still-life for the next several hours. When she's done, she slithers quietly to Jansk's private room, knocking quietly. "Jansk? Are you ready?"

<JETMODE> *Jansk flinches at the knock and doesn't answer, gathering his supplies together.

<TIAMAT> *Sol waits patiently outside his room, her tail swishing back and forth slowly.

<JETMODE> *When he feels it's unsafe to put it off any longer, Jansk finally pulls the door open and steps out, looking even more sullen than usual.

<TIAMAT> *Sol smiles a bit at him. "Ah, Jansk. Good. We have to go, or we're going to be late. *she starts back down the hall and toward a back door that leads out of the art center.

<JETMODE> *Jansk trots after her, looking gloomy. "Why do we hafta do this?"

<TIAMAT> *Sol glances over her shoulder without stopping, a dark look crossing her face. "You ask me that every time, Jansk, and every time, the answer is the same: because I say we must. And I know best, mm? You needn't ask questions now."

<JETMODE> <Jansk> *stares at her mutinously for a moment, then mutters* It's still not a good reason.

<TIAMAT> *Sol probably heard him, but she gives no indication that she did as she continues toward the nearest staircase.

<JETMODE> *Jansk continues to follow her, but he doesn't say anything else.

<TIAMAT> *A few floors up from where they already were, Sol pauses in the hallway outside a door and glances down at Jansk. "This is it. Are you ready?"

<JETMODE> *Jansk stares at the door for a moment. "I don't want to."

<TIAMAT> *Sol's gaze turns cold and impatient. "I'm growing tired of this, Jansk. You can do this, and you will do this. *she knocks a few times, taking Jansk's arm in her free hand.

<JETMODE> *Jansk squirms for a moment, then goes obediently still, as usual.

<JETMODE> *An irritable voice from within calls. "It's open -- let's get this over with."

<TIAMAT> *Sol opens the door slowly, gently pushing Jansk in ahead of her. "Dame Shardis. *she closes the door quietly.

<JETMODE> <Shardis> Lady, if you must. I'll settle for Amelia, if you ask politely.

<TIAMAT> *Sol smiles a bit at her. "Very well, my lady. I am Sol, from the Riverrun Center -- allow me to introduce my apprentice, Jansk. *she places a hand lightly on Jansk's shoulder.

<JETMODE> *Shardis tosses her long, blond braid and glances down at him. Jansk stares back at her blandly. "He'll be doing the painting?"

<TIAMAT> *Sol: Yes, he will. Give him just a moment to set up, and we can get started -- where would you like us?

<JETMODE> <Shardis> Oh, I don't care. Isn't it customary for him to place me, anyway? *paces a little*

<TIAMAT> *Sol: Only if you don't have a preference. Jansk?

<JETMODE> *Jansk looks around the room for a moment then picks a spot and starts setting up. After a few minutes, he points to a place several feet away. "There."

<JETMODE> <Shardis> Articulate, isn't he? *takes her place* Don't suppose I could do this sitting down?

<TIAMAT> *Sol: It won't take long, my lady, I assure you. Jansk has a quick hand.

<JETMODE> <Shardis> I certainly hope so. This is a damn fool idea, and I wouldn't do it if it weren't for --

<JETMODE> <Jansk> *a little annoyed* Stand still.

<TIAMAT> *Sol smiles faintly. "I do apologize for the inconvenience, Lady Shardis, but we are, like yourself, under orders as well."

<JETMODE> <Shardis> *struggling not to fidget* Just so.

<JETMODE> *Jansk sketches rapidly, capturing Shardis' militaristic impatience with his usual talent. He does manage to lend her a little dignity in the process, though.

<TIAMAT> *Sol settles herself a little ways behind Jansk, arms crossed and watching his progress closely.

<JETMODE> *Sketch finished, he starts to paint her, sullen expression fading into something slightly more wooden as he works.

<TIAMAT> *A cool smirk crosses Sol's face as he gets closer and closer to being done. This kid has power, and he's all hers.

<JETMODE> <Shardis> *fidgets again* How long is this going to take? I've got an inspection down below soon.

<TIAMAT> *Sol: Not much longer now, my lady. He's almost done, aren't you, Jansk?

<JETMODE> *Jansk grunts non-committally. He's putting on the finishing touches now. A flare here, a touch of color there. His enthusiasm appears to be wavering, though.

<JETMODE> *After several minutes, he stops and puts his brush down, hesitating.

<TIAMAT> *Sol glances at him and the painting, frowning a bit. She nudges him gently in the back with the tip of her tail.

<JETMODE> *He slouches a little, scratching at his bandana, then his eyes go glassy. Shardis has opened her mouth to speak again, but nothing comes out. Instead her face goes slack about the same time Jansk's shoulders give a jerk.

<JETMODE> <Jansk> *resentfully* It itches.

<TIAMAT> *Sol murmurs, "Wait until we get back to the studio. *she looks up at Shardis. "How do you feel, my lady?

<JETMODE> <Shardis> *perfectly composed, if a little glassy-eyed* Quite all right.

<TIAMAT> *Sol: Very good. I believe we're done here. Gather your supplies, Jansk. I'll take the painting.

<JETMODE> <Jansk> All right. *starts gathering his things*

<JETMODE> *Shardis stands there a little vacantly for a moment, then ambles over to a chair and sits down.

<TIAMAT> *Sol takes the painting gently, studying it as that cold smile crosses her lips again. When Jansk's done packing his supplies, she goes over to the door, holding it open for her apprentice as she glances back at Shardis. "I trust there will be nothing else, my lady?

<JETMODE> <Shardis> Of course not. Please, be on your way. *begins thumbing blankly through a nearby book*

<TIAMAT> *Sol gives a half bow, ushering Jansk out the door and closing it behind her as she exits. She leads them back down toward the studio. "Very good, Jansk."

<JETMODE> <Jansk> *flatly* I don't like it.

<TIAMAT> *Sol: You've made that quite clear, Jansk. If you'd rather not work -- and stay -- at the studio any longer, I suppose that can be arranged.

<JETMODE> *Jansk clamps his mouth shut before he can answer, scowling. He scratches at the bandana again.

<TIAMAT> *Sol continues silently toward the studio, pausing outside the door. "You're free for the rest of the day. *she holds the door open for him.

<JETMODE> *Jansk stalks inside to put his stuff away. "I'm gonna go down and see the gypsies."

<TIAMAT> *Sol sighs a little, her wings rustling gently. "Very well! You may stay later tonight, if you wish, but be back before bed time.

<JETMODE> <Jansk> Fine. *goes to his room and shuts the door a little harder than necessary*

<TIAMAT> *Sol sighs again, this time more sadly than before, and shakes her head a bit, returning to see how the still life's coming.