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The Touati gallery is having a small event tonight to unveil new works by a queer Jewish photographer, Rachel Klein, in a series called "This is My Community." The gallery is certainly not packed, but is peopled tonight, by members of the Jewish community, by patrons of the arts, and by those who enjoy being seen at such events. And of course, off to one side, taking in the event with a thoughtful smile is Shiri Touati, owner of the gallery, a champagne flute in their hand. They're sitting in an electric wheelchair, wearing a pair of dark jeans and a red blouse, with a pair of stiletto heels on their feet.
Annie's been looking forward to the event, especially with the chance to take her enbyfriend on a date. The Nymph's dressed fairly nicely tonight: a light green knee-length dress, wedge heels, and a magen david pendant.
Eugene was glad to be invited and just as glad to attend when they received this invitation from Annie. They even dressed up for the occasion, in Eugene fashion. They have on black slacks with a masculine cut and a blood red silk blouse in a feminine one; it's more color than they frequently wear, but it also bares their extensive tattooing. Their eyes are made up almost as smoky as their mien, and they come in hand in hand with Annie, smiling a faint smile and eager with anticipation. "Have you been here before?" they ask.
The murmur of the people mingling is a warm friendly sound. Yes, of course, there's some people who are here mostly to be noted for their presence, high society movers and shakers, but fewer than one might expect. A server walks by with a tray of canapes, offering them to Annie and Eugene--blini with small red pearls of caviar, cucumber cups with a cream cheese filing of some sort. There doesn't appear to be anything meat-based on the tray.
"No, this is my first time. You?" Annie answers as she takes one of the blini, since both the caviar pearls being red and the fact it's being served at a Jewish-focused event mean they're likely to be kosher.
Eugene takes a couple of things with a grateful smile and murmur of thanks to the server that they manage to make not feel perfunctory. "Mine too. I enjoy art and still know nothing about it. Do you know who any of these people are?" they ask before trying the cucumber cups.
Among the crowd are a few recognizable faces. Taylor Jennings, for one, dressed in a deep dark purple skirtsuit, is standing beside a Hispanic man with his hair in a low ponytail. And a perpetual student Annie's run across before known as Esty is looking at the photographs with a broad grin. And, of course, there is Shiri, in their wheelchair. There's a sense of watchfulness in them, as if they're as much overseer of this party as host.
"Know of is probably more accurate?" Annie shrugs slightly. "Mx. Touati was on the news a while back, but that is not the same as actually having met them, of course." She smiles at Eugene, then. "I have run into Esty over there a few times, though." A nod at the student.
"Which one are they?" Eugene asks with a curious glance around after which they ask Annie, "do you want to take the lead here, or would you like me to? I realize we've never been to an event like this together, so I don't know how you like to socialize. Or if you'd like to go check out the photographs first."
"Mx. Touati? They are over there," Annie says, gesturing towards them before returning her attention to Eugene. "I have never been to an event like this at all, so maybe socialise first? Then again, if we go talk to Esty we can do both at the same time."
At the nod from Annie, Esty offers a grin and a wave, before her eyes slide over to look at Eugene curiously. Her lips curl in a bit of a smile as her attention returns to Annie. "Date night?" Mouthed more than said aloud.
"As you wish," Eugene says with a smile that gets shot Esty's way once they're notice. "Let's go say hello," she tells her girlfriend before offering their arm, elbow out to be taken.
Annie takes Eugene's arm, leading the way over to her fellow student. "Hey, Esty. How have you been?" Beat. "Have you met my enbyfriend yet?" She kisses Eugene on what's probably the cheek. Not that she can tell the difference, being unable to see their Mask.
"Oh, don't think so, not yet." Esther is dressed in a long-sleeved floral dress with a high collar, hair wrapped up in a coordinated scarf that brings the colors of some of the flowers into the outfit more. "It's really nice to meet you. How'd you and Annie meet?"
Eugene helps when it comes time for the cheek kiss, leaning and turning their head to make sure lips end up in the right place. "A pleasure, Esty. I'm Eugene," the say, extending a hand with short, neat nails painted in a glittering polish with rippling patterns. They look at Annie. "I think we first ran into each other at a place owned by someone we both know, and then again at the bar where you work?"
"That sounds right," Annie nods, smiling softly. "I did not even realise they were interested in dating me at first, though. It took a mutual acquaintance's meddling to get us together."
"There's nothing wrong with a little well-meaning meddling." Esty's laughter comes easily, as she accepts the offered hand to shake, her grip firm, but not aggressively so. "I'm not sure I was even aware you work at a bar, Annie. I've only ever seen you on campus. And what do you do, Eugene?"
"In my defense, we only ran into each other a few times before she meddled, and I wasn't going to ask you out while you were working," Eugene responds, playfully defensive. "I was planning to!" They answer Esty's question with, "I'm a psychologist, primarily focused on the LGBTQ+ community. What are you studying?"
"Oh, I am certainly not complaining. About her meddling or you not having been going to ask me out while I was working," Annie teases, glancing at Esty. "Really? Feel free to swing by Vertigo, over in the Gayborhood some time, then. I am behind the bar there most nights."
"Currently, emergency management. I'm working my way through just about every degree or certificate I can, to be honest. Call me a perpetual student, I guess." Esty laughs, and starts to say something further before across the room, there's the sound of a feminine voice being raised above the crowd. "I have told you repeatedly, ask before taking pictures of anyone in my gallery."
"I can understand that temptation," Eugene answers in a way that says there's more to come, but there's the sound of a raised voice and they turn to look. "Uh oh," they say. "Someone seems to have trouble following the rules."
Annie is also turning to look. "Sounds like someone who should have known better, too," she observes, craning slightly to try and see better.
Shiri Touati is speaking to a young man in a suit that doesn't really fit him right, with black hair in a man bun. He's holding a camera in both hands, biting his lower lip. "Uh. But...I'm a lifestyle reporter, this is my job?"
That argument seems to not hold any water with Shiri. "And if you think you'll be able to maintain that job if you disrespect courtesies like asking before you take a picture, you're sorely mistaken."
Eugene looks at Annie with an expectant look. There are raised brows, but that's not really so visible in a face made of smoke. "They don't seem too happy."
"Indeed not. Do you think we should intervene?" She glances at Esty. "I do not suppose you recognise this photographer?"
Esty shakes her head. "I don't know him, no. But if he messes with Shiri, he's sure to have a bad night. They seem to have a lot of connections in town." With a loose gesture at the everyone else here.
"I...um. Okay, it won't happen again. Okay? Okay." The poor reporter's shoulders are up to his ears, posture defensive, looking like he's been slapped. In a sense, perhaps he has, given that threat.
Shiri's expression has a sort of fierceness to it. "If it does, you won't only be removed from my gallery."
"Yeah, I guess that happens when you have so many friends to invite to your parties," Eugene tells Esty with a faint smile. "I was going to suggest we should say hello to the host, Annie. I wonder if it would annoy them to have random people come say hello, or brighten their mood?" They look at Esty, as if she might have an opinion too. "As long as we don't take photos."
"Seems reasonable to me," Annie nods. "Not that I was intending to take any photos, permission or not. My artistic talents lie elsewhere, and I definitely understand the desire to preserve one's privacy."
Esty considers the situation, her expression a little like a spectator examining a chessboard in the middle of a game. "The opportunity to talk to someone more respectful, and people who actually appreciate the work we're all here to admire? That might be something that'd help, I'd think,"
"I wouldn't mind taking some selfies with you before we go, but we can do it following the rules," Eugene notes to Annie before offering their elbow again. "It was nice to meet you, Esty. Hopefully we'll swing by and see you again before we go."
Annie nods again. "I will see you around even if we do not, of course." She takes Eugene's elbow, then, accompanying them over to Shiri.
The reporter slinks off with his head hung low. Shiri pauses to take a slow calming breath before they lift their gaze to Annie and Eugene. "I apologize if that was overly loud. It's not the first time this week I've had to ask people to respect me enough to ask before taking a photograph."
There's a pause, as they consider the pair, before offering a hand to shake. "I don't think I've had the pleasure of meeting either of you yet. Shiri Touati."
"I can deal with a bit of noise, and I can only find myself approving of someone defending their clearly set boundaries," Eugene says as if the whole thing is no real fuss. They take the offered hand. "I spend a lot of my time teaching people to do a better job of that. I'm Eugene. They/them. It's a pleasure to meet you. This is a lovely gallery."
"Anneliese Kiel. She/her. Pleasure to meet you, Mx. Touati," Annie says, taking the hand after Eugene and shaking it firmly but not aggressively. She glances towards the photographer, then. "It may have been loud, but that does not make it undeserved," she agrees. "Everyone should have their boundaries respected, whether in a space like this or anywhere else."
They nod, the last of the exasperation draining from their expression. "I try to ensure this space is safe for those who often find that their needs, wants and boundaries aren't respected within the art community. But I hope beyond this...momentary unpleasantness, that your evening is going well?"
Eugene's briefly still while Annie and Shiri are having their moment to speak, and when they're asked a question they respond with an enthusiastic, "quite! I've only been in the city a month or so, after moving here from Chicago. I'm still making connections, meeting new people, making new friends. This is a great opportunity for that." They look at Annie. "Plus, I like to support Anneliese in her faith, even if it's not one I share."
Annie beams at Eugene. "It is a pleasure to have such a supportive enbyfriend, yes." She glances at Shiri, then. "The community here can be very welcoming, I have found, even if some of the freeholders are less than pleasant." Who doesn't love working code words into conversation?
Shiri's eyebrows both raise, and they tilt their head to one side slightly. "You said 'freeloaders', yes?"
"That's a partner's job, isn't it?" Eugene asks, but they don't answer the question for Annie, since they're not putting words in anybody's mouth.
"One would hope so, but working in a bar you see all sorts of things," Annie answers Eugene, before turning her attention back to Shiri. "Hm? No, I said freeholders. I suppose there are plenty of unpleasant freeloaders as well, though." She shrugs one shoulder. "Many landlords fall into both categories, of course."
Shiri's gaze lingers on Annie for a moment, before they carry on. "Which bar is it that you work at, Ms. Kiel?"
Eugene lets themself fall into the background of the conversation. There are times they don't mind letting Annie lead, as much as they can sometimes be more of the take-charge sort of person.
"Club Vertigo, over in the Gayborhood. Do you mind if I ask why?"
"Curiosity, that's all. You might be an interesting person to speak to again, when my mind's not on trying to host an event." They smile, glancing between Annie and Eugene. "Out of curiosity, are either of you two artists as well? Eugene, did you design any of those amazing tattoos you're wearing?"
"I wish that I could say I did." Eugene turns so that their arm is more visible for Shiri. "They're my designs only in the conceptual sense, not at all in the execution. I'm not a terrible artist, but I'm not talented, either. I went into psychology instead."
"Only if we are including the performing arts, not merely the visual," Annie answers, smiling softly. "I sing and play the violin, but my talents have never extended to more concrete forms."
Shiri's eyes light up. "I've heard someone mention a busker playing the violin around one of the local parks who matches your description, Ms. Kiel. Do you perform around town?"
"Uh oh, Annie. You've been made. Scatter!" Eugene says with a smile that flickers in the smoke of their face, or just shows faintly for everyone other than Anneliese. The statement comes with no emotion in the words or movement to do any scattering.
Annie chuckles at Eugene's words, but then glances back at Shiri. "Occasionally. Mostly that and open mic nights so far. I played one over at Meow a couple of weeks ago, you might have seen me there."
"I'd be interested in hiring you to play at future events here at the gallery. If you'd have time in your schedule for gigs like that."
Eugene just gives Annie their best supportive look.
"That could certainly be arranged, assuming they would not clash with my attending medical school." Beat. "Do you have a business card handy, so we can arrange a time to discuss terms and dates more privately later on?"
Shiri nods. "They're available at the desk near the front of the gallery. Though I can be easier to reach by email or text--during the day, I'm often very busy, so I prefer asynchronous methods of communication. And most of the events here are in the evening. If you're working at a bar, performing here would be on a similar schedule, I think."
Eugene is over here proudly smiling, but not interjecting in the conversation.
"Understandable enough," Annie nods. "Having a record of what was said will be good for us both, too." She grins at Shiri, then. "I will be in touch later, but for now I think we can leave you to enjoy the rest of your night."
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