Work Text:
After what seemed months of Roguefort trying to commission Butter Pretzel, it finally happened. With her easel settled and her paints premixed, canvas primed, the sun and stars aligned above them for this moment, she couldn’t believe she’s painting a commission for someone who swore to steal her painting.
Despite how easily they could get under her skin, she found humor in the idea that a thief that wanted to steal her painting is paying her for a painted piece.
The muse being the thief of course.
There’s nothing that Butter Pretzel could not do under the realm of art. At times, she can be a bit of a perfectionist, which causes her to be strict on how things need to be done, otherwise, she’s always very cooperative.
Regardless of how she presents herself, she’ll never disappoint a customer. She knows how to manage and can be cooperative.
On her palette, her pre-mixed colors laid a display of all hues of yellow. Colors that she feels gravitated towards. Colors that speak to her.
In order for her to get immersed in her paintings, she too has to be immersed in the subject as well.
“Take it as a compliment you will”
Was having your painting (soon to be) stolen be the highest form of compliment, maybe her first reaction was to be defensive.
Who would want to steal a self portrait to begin with…
“Ugh they’re such a tease! “
“Worst client yet.”
As annoying as she thought they could be, something about them was charming. The way they approached her rather curiously. Interested not only in her art but her as well. People only tend to see artists as an extension of their paintings.
It’s the way they were able to leave an impression on her after every itching visit. It was the small flattering things they left that stayed in her mind. The way they’d leave simple gestures, such as having their hands behind her shoulders as they peer closer into her personal space. The way they’d compliment her in a very unusual way, it almost felt too genuine.
It’s what has been pushing her. She couldn’t understand them, who could?
That’s what’s so charming of them. They’re so irritating you just have to know more of them, until you realize you’re obsessed. She has fallen for them. She feared that she was slowly understanding why everyone is so fascinated with them.
She was tense, her mind running at high speed at this realization that something about them flicked a heart string within her chest.
Maybe they realized the look on her face, the face she makes when she’s focused on perfecting. She looks stressed. Roguefort promptly starts moving around slightly… not too much but subtle enough, and then their movements become more annoying.
After many attempts to stop the muse from moving, she came to a halt and stopped asking. A bit unusual behavior for the muse. They know how rigorous and difficult it is to capture the pose within a painting. Though, they can’t help but play a few games.
Maybe it was the muse’s way to test the water.
They noticed how Butter Pretzel can quickly adapt to their movements. They noticed how she eventually stopped asking for them to hold still. They notice how bashful she looks the moment their eyes lock, she has been taking quicker glances now.
After all, as the muse held their pose for much longer, their body began to ache just a bit. It wasn’t irritating enough, but rather just an itch that needed to be scratched.
Roguefort would start off by rolling their neck before returning their head back. At times they would roll their ankle, perhaps flexing their calves or quads… or even raising their hand in the air to roll their wrists. Their sleeve rolling down their arm from gravity would reveal a nice contour of their arm.
The muse to Butter Pretzel’s surprise was a bit toned, something she would not notice if she wasn’t staring so much.
Of course a thief who would make infamous heists would need to know how to pull up their own body weight, be quick on their toes, and maintain stamina.
Who could blame her?
How normal would it be for a notorious thief to be posing right in front of her?
Remaining still? They’re so vulnerable inside her studio…
“...How much longer can you hold the pose? I don’t want to keep in for too long.” She peeped
“Don’t worry about me, dear.” Their lips pursed into a thin-lip smile.
“This is nothing like being chased on a rooftop.” They lean their head to the side to give out a light-hearted laugh.
Oh how she hated how they laugh and how she hated how she wanted to hear their voice again. Are they always this sociable?
“Just let me know when you’re too tired, we can continue this secession another time.” She added on a few moments later.
She could sit there and paint for hours. A part of her wants to deliberately slow down as she paints. She was near to a finish. Maybe if she can drag the painting a little longer, she’ll be able to see them for one more session.
Though, having her muse be a cunning thief, she wasn’t sure how cunning they could be. Will they notice how significantly slowly she has been painting? Will they notice if she stops the secession right now (which she rarely does, she prefers to paint as long as the muse can hold their pose) is just an excuse to see them again?
She tried to act natural. She took a few steps back to examine the painting and the muse. Her fingers lightly grazed at the bottom of her chin. Her lips almost pouted to look as if she was pondering. Classic Bp.
Returning back to the canvas, she leans in to slowly add in the meticulous details that no one would bother looking for.
She successfully was able to stall enough to where they would be able to meet again one last time.
Her grace period between now and till their last secession was spent mulling at the thought of Roguefort. She was starting to lose sleep.
While doing the most mundane things throughout her day, her mind would wander thinking about them. The second she realized who she was daydreaming about, she’d let out an indignifying yelp in frustration and try to focus on something else.
It felt foolish to have feelings for a client, especially one that threatened to steal her painting.
Just maybe… she’d justify letting them steal her painting if it meant she got to see them again.
She was searching for excuses to justify how she felt.
On the last day of their secession, the time they had together felt shorter than she expected.
Why did feel a dreadful feeling rising in her stomach?
Most of the time, she would be much more excited about a painting that’s finished than her actual clients are.
She pushed the feelings away to deliver the finished painting to Roguefort.
Upon seeing the final piece finished, the client remained silent. Their eyes gazing all over the piece, absorbing every mark making, the colors, and the composition as a whole.
It felt unusual to see them this quiet. Whenever Roguefort watches her paint, they always have some kind of commentary to give her.
They were left speechless. The painting was stunning.
“Wow…” They finally spoke, taking a step closer. Their hand propping onto their cane as they leaned forward. Their other hand was adjusting their monocle.
They had such a gentle smile on their face, their eyes glinting in glee.
“Ah.. my apologies for staring too long.” They sounded genuine. Fixing up their posture, before returning their attention back to Butter Pretzel.
They paused for a moment, their eyes staring deeply into Butter Pretzels. Her heart starts beating faster again.
“I don’t know how I can thank you. This is the first time I’ve ever seen myself depicted in such an artistic way… Oh it’s a dream come true to see myself in your style,” They looked away, dreamingly staring at the piece. They sigh lightly, incredibly satisfied with the painting.
“It’s unusual to see myself in anything but ridden in newspaper headlines or on television…” They murmur, walking away from the painting to be facing Butter Pretzel.
Oh. That’s right. When's the last time their face was not written criminal all over it when you find a photo of them being broadcasted.
“It’s an honor to be painted by you,” they reached out to shake Butter Pretzel’s hand. Butter Pretzel’s eyes watched how Roguefort’s other hand caressed the top of her hand.
Her voice was caught in her throat, she tried to subtly cough before speaking. “Of course, it was a pleasure to paint you.” She smiled.
Roguefort returned a charming smile. “Well..” They spoke. Roguefort’s grasp has loosened, taking a hold of Butter Pretzel’s own hands to fold them open.
How long have they been shaking hands?!?
“You really need to raise up your prices, no amount of jewels can ever account for such marvelous pieces like yours.” Their voice were alluring, almost hypnotic.
The kind of words that maybe only a poet would say. Compliments that are not from the usual ones that are often said always catches Butter Pretzel off guard.
Her eyes squinting, and words again were caught in her throat before she could deliver a proper interrogation, a small pouch was placed on the palms of hands.
The size of the pouch was deceiving, the weight of it sank into her hands. Whatever it is, it felt expensive.
“Thank you once again, but I must take my leave now. I will come again!” The thief waved, cape wrapping around their body moments before they fell from the balcony.
“Wait-” Butter Pretzel blurted out, her feet almost sprinting to catch up to them, but it was too late. They disappeared with the painting.