12 ♦ I'm walkin' round singing the blues

[rhapsody_in]

[Private to her friends (if you think you’re on here…)]
I know this place. Come with me.

[Bleu knows Amsterdam – or at least she knew how it was 150 years ago. Some of the city remains unchanged from the last time she was back here, but the modern touches make it fascinating. She’s strafed by several bicycles before she learns to keep herself in check on the sidewalk, and modern taxi cabs make her laugh in delight whenever she sees one. Some things never change and, as she appears to have normal coloring here, she’s still able to charm and flirt her way into most places.

On day one she checks out the Van Gogh Museum. The entire place makes her partly giddy, partly sad – both reactions from memories she is hesitant to share. Vincent had been beautifully insane and beautifully brilliant, and as Bleu studies his paintings again she absentmindedly fingers the pendant hanging around her neck. It’s a desiccated human ear on a leather thong. She tears through the Rijksmuseum, acknowledging and smiling at artworks like she’s greeting old friends. For a very long time she stands before Vermeer’s The Milkmaid, staring at it with a serene smile. At one point she places her hand right against the female figure’s blue skirt. Her touch doesn’t set off the museum’s alarm.

Day two is when she explores the newer parts of the cities, checking out coffeeshops and the Red Light District from a mostly touristy perspective. (Drugs do not interest her although the newer methods of coffee preparation do. Prostitutes and displays of sexuality are nothing new to Bleu, but it still tickles her to see the world’s oldest profession accepted again.)

On the morning of day three she sends out a question to Motorcycle Boy:]
How do you rob a museum?

[Day four she strides through the city, confident and powerful like the goddess she is. She ducks into shops, takes her place in restaurants and bars, and demands what she wants from various merchants. There is little refusal.]

Comments

Day Two

[americasdirtiest]

[Mickey's already found himself a comfortable little spot in the Red Light District, as much to his own surprise as it would be to anyone else's. He's not a social person by nature, but he and the sexworkers down here have something in common. And frankly, the fact that they largely speak fucking English instead of yammering at him in Russian is inclined to make him a lot friendlier.

On their end, they'd laughed when they first heard what he wanted -- to talk shop -- but he'd bought rounds and taken a serious interest in what they'd had to say, and before long... Well, when Bleu walks by one of the more crowded bars, she might notice Mickey out on the curb outside, smoking and chatting amidst a huddle of what is pretty obviously a group of window girls and pimps.]

Day Two

[rhapsody_in]

[The district is nothing short of a feast for the eyes and Bleu takes her time appreciating the lights, the display, the presentation; it reminds her of the sacred whores who danced for worshipers when she'd been Aphrodite and Venus, but with neon. She almost passes over the little bar and would have moved on to the next window show, but she catches sight of Mickey and saunters up to his group, greeting them in perfect Dutch.]

[Then she turns to Mickey and grins, motioning to his cigarette.] May I?

Day Two

[americasdirtiest]

[He brightens when he spots her, although almost immediately looks embarrassed to have done so. Still, he smiles, rolling his eyes a little at her greeting.]

Speak fuckin' English, okay? They all do.

[He hands over his cigarette.]

Day Two

[rhapsody_in]

As you wish. [This is directed toward Mickey's new acquaintances along with a good-natured smile which doesn't change as she turns to Mickey himself.] Ass.

Thank you. [She accepts the cigarette and takes a drag, then passes it back to him. (Few women smoked when she came from, but after spending time with Motorcycle Boy she enjoys it now and then.)] I hoped I'd run into you. Busy evening?

[americasdirtiest]

What tipped you off? [He draws on the cigarette himself, then nods to the group as he exhales.]

Doing a little business, sorta.

[rhapsody_in]

I always had a hunch, and you confirm it daily. [Her smile briefly spreads into a grin.]

Oh?

[americasdirtiest]

Yeah. Just--

[Wait. He glances at her, then at the group, who have gone back to talking amongst themselves. He squints, puzzled, and lowers his voice.]

You're still blue, uh, Bleu.

[walkthedarkpath]

Where do you want me to meet you?

[ He's not questioning it, its an excuse to get out. And he trusts her taste. ]

[rhapsody_in]

I assume you can find the Royal Palace?

[walkthedarkpath]

I can, and I am on my way.

[rhapsody_in]

I'm in front of the gate, in the tiny coat.

[And she is; she picked the Palace not due to any interest in it but because it's a site to which nearly everyone in the city can direct a visitor.]

Action

[walkthedarkpath]

[ Vergil did not keep her waiting long. It was not hard to find the palace and he was not only bored but close by so he made his way to meet her. A nod given when he caught sight of her.]

Action

[rhapsody_in]

[Bleu whistles at Vergil as he draws near, taking in his outfit with a bit of envy. She's stuck in sneakers, ill-fitting slacks, and a too-small denim jacket, all of which were stolen from other passengers.]

It's been a long time since I've been this jealous. How'd you end up with that outfit?

[spam, day one!]

[punched_hitler]

[Steve just stopped into the Rijksmuseum for a little while - he wants to get the ship resupplied before he really takes any time for himself, but he couldn't help it; so it's funny, he's looking at everything with a mixture of awe, appreciation, and guilt, like he's skipping out on school to do something he knows he shouldn't.

He spots Bleu, and smiles - although that's right when she reaches out to touch the painting. He starts - but nothing happens. That's when he makes his way over, offering a rueful, if not curious, smile.] If I did that, there'd probably be armed guards escorting me out of the building.

[spam, day one!]

[rhapsody_in]

[Steve's voice breaks Bleu's reverie, and she turns to look at him before smiling and withdrawing her hand.]

Then don't. There's a lot more to see.

I was hoping I'd run into you.

[spam, day one!]

[punched_hitler]

[He smiles apologetically, though it's probably good that no one saw her touching the painting.]

This place is packed with good stuff. [Now that smile turns into a conspiratorial grin.] Although I can't say I never thought about touching it.

Oh yeah? I guess you know me pretty well. I couldn't pass the place by.

[spam, day one!]

[rhapsody_in]

How much have you seen? [She returns the grin, offering her hand.] Then you'll have to settle for the hand that touched it.

Well enough to know you have a good eye.

Re: [spam, day one!]

[punched_hitler]

Not very much. I admit, I told myself I wouldn't stay long, but... [It's distracting. And it's not like he won't finish his shopping later.

He does take her hand, though, with a smile.]

I guess a little better than some, yeah. [But he does look pleased at the compliment.] I'd always wanted to get over here, but I never had the money - and then I never had the time.

[spam, day one!]

[rhapsody_in]

I'll take you to some of my favorites. [She grins.] If you show me some art from the 20th century, that is.

Even after you woke up? Were you fighting on a campaign at home?

Day Three hijinx!

[velocette]

Is this a riddle, or a practical exercise?

[Either way, he's down.]

Day Three hijinx!

[rhapsody_in]

If it were a riddle, I would know the answer.

Day Three hijinx!

[velocette]

I have an idea. Are you after specific pieces?

Day Three hijinx!

[rhapsody_in]

One in particular.

I know just where it is, but not how I'll get it.

Day Three hijinx!

[velocette]

Show me a picture of it and where it is. I think I can figure the rest.

Day Three hijinx!

[rhapsody_in]

Museumstraat 1. It looks like this.