Aster carried a light burden on his shoulders, determined to avoid making mistakes, as they were inadmissible to him. He felt like a soulless villain, a treacherous and elusive being. The encounter in the car was like a magnitude Five earthquakes on the Richter scale.
The night had been pleasant and tolerable, or perhaps the correct word was "bearable." Aster considered himself a man of armor but upon further reflection...
He boldly attacked and had relations with the protagonist in the car. However, upon closer examination, he realized that the night hadn't been as pleasant as he initially thought. The response of "If I did, I don't remember" was strange, and pretending abstraction and a lack of sense was not an attitude that pleased him.
Despite that, Aster recognized that he possessed nobility and great potential, and from a certain perspective, it was good that he cared about the protagonist, a man who aspired to change the world, even if it seemed utopian. He had also fought to make his previous world safer.
For some, like Spencer Walker, he was seen as a demon, just as some people might see Callum in the same way. The book only mentioned that Callum was ambitious and desired to change the world.
There were no indications that the protagonist was associated with good or evil, just a focus on the evolution of that world.
Callum harbored no feelings or esteem for him; he only enjoyed the pheromones emanating from Aster. It was time to reflect. It wasn't a matter of self-sabotage, but rather facing reality.
Arriving at the building was a relief; Aster wanted to distance himself as much as possible from Callum, minimizing his involvement.
The next morning... Aster woke up and gazed at the bright sun, almost as if he expected its rays to dissolve him. He felt like the vampire protagonist in a "slapstick comedy".
Aster entered Damián's room, and his eyes were immediately drawn - to the silver papers scattered on the floor. He couldn't help but release an ironic laugh upon witnessing the mess left from some frenzied moment of Damián's.
With a playful smile on his face, Aster approached Damián and asked jokingly, "Damián, did a child open Christmas presents from Santa Claus? It seems like you masterfully recreated that scene here!"
"What was that, Damián? Have you turned into an adult, extravagant version of an eager child on Christmas morning?"
"No, it was a trace of hatred," Damián replied.
Damián, with a curious expression, asked Aster how the night went.
Aster, trying to disguise his slight disturbance about the night, responded in a relaxed manner, omitting some of the events that took place in the car, and began narrating his version of the events.
As Damián listened, he felt something, but in the end, he simply expressed relief and said, "Congratulations on the perfect night."
Aster looked at him with a certain nonchalance and deflected, waiting: "Why are you like this?"
Damián, dressed in all black attire and black boots, responded, "I chose to stereotype evil to the maximum. That's why villains dress in black and have exaggerated theme music."
Aster, reflecting on the response, replied, "So it's a version of yourself with yourself?"
With a determined and confident posture, Callum waited outside the building, his gaze fixed on the horizon. A mix of anticipation and apprehension pulsed within him as he reflected on the lack of concern he perceived in Aster, his new companion.
Despite understanding the importance of caring for a former partner like Clarice, who had a long history with him, Callum questioned his duty and commitment to the person now by his side. Was Aster truly committed to mutual protection and care? These questions echoed in his mind, igniting a desire to address the issue of initial vigilance and deepen the connection between them.
Aster spotted Callum from afar, walking in the company of Damián. A mix of surprise and curiosity took hold of him, as he hadn't expected to encounter Callum at that time or place. As they approached, Callum greeted Aster with a warm smile and a friendly greeting.
Damián, always irreverent, didn't miss the opportunity to play with the situation. "Ah, Callum, thanks in advance for the ride! You're a true savior today," Damián said with a touch of sarcasm, eliciting light laughter from Aster.
This brief interaction momentarily left Callum speechless, without room to initiate a private conversation with Aster. He observed the interaction between the two with a mix of curiosity and restlessness. It was evident that Damián was taking advantage of the opportunity to have fun and avoid any personal conversation, while Aster seemed calm and relaxed.
Callum felt a pang of frustration as his desire to talk with Aster was temporarily postponed. However, he maintained a neutral expression, disguising his true emotions in the face of this unexpected reunion.
In the car... After the unexpected encounter, a few minutes later, an awkward silence settled in. Each of the three individuals was immersed in their own thoughts, making the atmosphere uncomfortable and tense.
With his confident demeanor, Callum turned to Aster and said, "Aster, my grandfather is very interested in meeting you. Can we arrange a date?"
Surprised by the invitation, Aster responded cautiously, "I feel honored by your invitation to meet him. Please tell your grandfather that I'm looking forward to this meeting."
The conversation continued in a relaxed manner as the three shared and exchanged friendly comments. Although there was some discomfort between Aster and Callum, they tried to maintain a light atmosphere, leaving more serious matters for another time.
Damián confidently stepped out of the car, ready for another day of work at the gallery. After all, it was his field of expertise and one of his old passions, art. Callum, who had reluctantly accepted the ride, listened in disbelief as Damián didn't even say thank you before leaving without a goodbye. However, before Aster exited, he gently held Aster's arm, looking at him with a mix of affection and melancholy.
With a serene smile, Callum approached Aster and quickly kissed him in farewell. It was a gesture filled with meaning, expressing not only the desire to meet again but also a certain nostalgia for the shared moments.
"Wishing you a great day at work. Thank you for your company, Aster," Callum said with a soft voice and a touch of some emotion that Aster couldn't identify. Perhaps frustration, he thought.
Aster, somewhat surprised by the gesture, responded cordially, "We thank you, Callum. It was a pleasure to share that moment with you. Take care and see you soon."
They exchanged a brief look, filled with unexpressed emotions, before Aster exited the car and the driver closed the door. Aster walked away with slow steps and a pensive expression.
As Damián entered the gallery, he carried with him a Machiavellian plan, a meticulous strategy to destabilize Aster and Callum's relationship. He was determined to be the obstacle that would separate them, no matter the cost. In love and war, anything goes!
In the gallery, hours later... Aster, Damián, and Emeline were gathered to discuss the pre-production of an online art exhibition. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation and excitement as they shared ideas and planned every detail of the event.
As they debated the selection of artworks and the organization of virtual spaces, the question arose about the participation of renowned artist Finley McDermott. Aster suggested that his presence would bring an additional element of prestige and authenticity to the exhibition, as his paintings addressed relevant and thought-provoking themes.
Damián, always attentive to any opportunity to boost the gallery, readily agreed with the suggestion, recognizing the impact that Finley's presence could have on the visibility of the event. He mentioned that Finley's reputation and talent as a painter could attract even more interest from the public and specialized critics.
Emeline, drawing from her experience, expressed her admiration for Finley's work and shared stories about previous exhibitions in which the artist participated. She emphasized the importance of presenting a variety of artistic voices and perspectives in the exhibition, and believed that the inclusion of Finley would significantly contribute to this goal.
Finley McDermott, known for his paintings that address social and political issues, brought to light themes such as discrimination, the use of inhibiting medications, and the struggle of the extinct omegas. His works were a reflection on the analyses and value judgments imposed on art, ultimately recognizing and defining artistic products as such.
Aster, Damián, and Emeline focused on two or three carefully selected paintings, as they believed these artworks strikingly represented the themes addressed in the exhibition. One of these paintings was truly captivating, depicting a suspended hand overflowing with medications, descending like a delicate and light cascade. Every detail of the composition—the perfect symmetry, the angles seen from above and below—invited a critical and detailed interpretation of the artwork, revealing the depth of the message conveyed.
Another standout piece showcased a subtle gray background contrasting with the intense red cloth covering a central table. On this table, the scene unfolded provocatively: an omega wearing a white nightgown gently pulled the collar, exposing their neck in a blend of vulnerability and courage. At the same time, an imposing alpha in noble attire assumed a dominant posture, poised to bite. Meticulously painted facial expressions on both the omega and the alpha captured the palpable tension and complexity of relationships among the different physical castes present in the ABO World.
These masterpieces beckoned viewers to delve into the subtle and profound layers of the depicted world, instigating reflections on power, submission, inequality, and the intricate nature of social relationships. The artist's ability to convey such nuances and evoke contrasting emotions was a testament to the artist's exceptional talent and the significance of these artworks in the upcoming exhibition.
The meeting concluded with the sense that the exhibition and its virtual launch were taking shape and promised to be a standout event in the art scene. Aster, Damián, Emeline, and the possibility of having Finley McDermott involved in the project brought an extra dose of enthusiasm and anticipation for the exhibition's success, which would not only present impactful artworks but also create space for important discussions and reflections on reality. The contemplation of beauty within the domain of aesthetics fuels the formulations of art criticism and art history.