Later that day, a reception was held on the other side of the space station in a space converted into an art gallery for the week. Nothing betrayed what it had been before, and King had not been there before. A wide open space hosted numerous paintings and sculptures. Several rooms to the side contained video and musical installations. No holographic items were in sight, this gallery was dedicated to old-school creativity.
The design was Carbon Age. Clear lines, geometric forms, subdued colors. It was sleek and functional and, most importantly, did not draw attention away from the art or the guests.
Because as all events of this kind, the guests were the main attraction and the exhibited pieces of art more the occasion than the reason for the guests to come together. The room was slowly filling up with the powerful and the wealthy, with the occasional socialite, artist or journalist in between.
There was, of course, chronos cuvée being served at the entrance. The bar at the back even had, for those nostalgic of pre-space times, champagne. King had just picked up his champagne flute and paid the exorbitant price from his expenses account. He had switched to an elegant, more classic suit and had paid the barber a quick visit to get freshened up. The freshly trimmed hair and beard complemented the suit and gave him a refined appearance. Good thing the station had robot barber shops, human barbers had become almost as expensive as the champagne.
Sipping only rarely in order to make the costly liquid last as long as possible, King observed the guests, slowly walking around the room in a seemingly random fashion. His eyes were wandering, and amidst an event that most went to for the usual „see and be seen“, he fit right in.
After a while, he approached one of the paintings, oil on glass with a backdrop of real moss, all framed by a dark wooden frame that in places twisted as if it wanted to break out of the rectangular shape. A young couple in designer clothes and ostentative jewelry. She in a dark-blue dress, a dark-red ultra sheer inset running down the right side from the hips to the feet. The black mini-skirt and top underneath were visible just enough to identify them. His suit was a shiny black, crisp and unwrinkled, looking as if it had never been worn before.
Everything about the two shouted nouveau riche. Their taste in art included. The piece in question was the second most expensive in the entire exhibition.
„That Havango Astralis… absolutely breathtaking, isn't it?“, King began after slowly walking up to the painting next to the couple. „The way she captures the sheer energy of the stars, the layers upon layers, all grounded in a grand theme. It's almost… musical, wouldn't you say?"
„Indeed“, the man replied almost instinctively, „An amazing piece.“
King nodded slowly, contemplating both the couple and the painting. „And such a rare opportunity to see one in person. Makes it worth the journey almost by itself.“
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
The women turned half towards him, a warm smile on her perfect lips: „You are an art aficionado, I take it?“
King gave her a faint smile of his own in return, careful to not create the impression of having an interest in her. „Just someone keeping his mind open for other arts as well as my own.“
The man of the couple raised an eyebrow, barely perceptible: „You are an artist yourself? Sculptor?“
„No no“, King replied quickly, now fully turning towards the couple and making eye contact for the first time, „I’m a musician. Just relaxing a bit after a long tour of the galaxy core. I share only an interest in the stars and the universe with Havango.“
„Fascinating“, the woman said, „what kind of music do you play?“
„Perform, please.“, King replied, „A successful live performance is much more than just playing an instrument. I’m the lead singer and song writer. My band plays a modern mixture of classical music, mostly metal and EBM, and modern aetherial wave. But our signature piece are the songs set to an antique analog instrument, a real violin that was made back in the industrial era on Earth.“
„That must be worth a fortune.“, the man said.
King laughed. „You can’t imagine the insurance cost for it.“
„What’s the name of the band?“, the young woman asked.
„Voidwave“, King said.
The man suddenly stepped forward and extended a hand: „How rude of us not to introduce ourselves. I’m Winsjen Dasun, this is my beautiful wife Shaili.“
„Pleased to meet you, Francis King.“, King said while taking the hand and shaking it.
„There he is!“, someone from nearby said loudly while approaching them with quick steps, „Francis! Glad you could make it.“
King turned around, smiled broadly and then opened his arms. „Gavin. Hey. Oh, let me introduce you to the Dasun’s. We were just admiring this wonderful piece. Madam, Sir, my agent mister Gavin Kronfel.“
Gavin had reached them now and shook hands with all three of them. „I see you’ve already met our resident superstar. I hope he hasn’t yet bored you with tales of travel and solar systems? He always speaks more about that than the actual shows. Well, he has me for that I guess. Sold out every show on the last tour. He is a legend among five different alien races.“
The couple was speechless for a second and there was a pause in the conversation just long enough for discomfort to begin. King broke the spell: „Gavin exaggerates. You’ve probably never heard of me. My star, if there is one, seems destined to shine more bright outside human space.“
The couple’s faces softened and their eyes opened slightly wider, indicating an increased interest. They exchanged a few glances and nods, and Winsjen turned back to King with a wide smile: „We would love to hear more, but would not keep you from enjoying the exhibition. How about dinner today or tomorrow? Le Château d'Argent?“
King smiled back: „It would be a pleasure. Today at nine? Gavin already forces me to meet with producers tomorrow evening.“, he added with a friendly wink to his agent.
They exchanged a few more pleasantries and goodbyes and then each continued their walks through the exhibition, soon talking to other guests.