Chapter Text
Prior to Caleb’s colonel pinning ceremony, he was just a normal pilot like most of his colleagues. This meant that just like the average Joe, he didn’t get to choose where he was stationed.
Of course Skyhaven was ideal for naval aviators like himself, but the Ground Forces needed pilots for their specific gravitational tasks and just general emergencies as well. And that’s how Caleb ended up stationed here, at Whitesand bay. It was supposed to be a short-term arrangement, a Temporary Change of Station as they called it. But when a coworker got caught with marijuana, their positions were swapped and the dishonorable dismissed instead of Caleb to receive proper punishment.
So Caleb was here. He didn’t hate it, he actually really missed the beach. He never had time to visit it when he came down for vacation. He always visited his granny and sister instead of taking time for himself. He deserved this, he thought.
Which led him here;
Today was his day off and he decided to wander around the local museum. This week the gallery had a showcase featuring local artists. Unfortunately, it seemed many people decided not to visit since the artist who was supposed to do a presentation canceled. Therefore, it was empty… and Caleb felt pitiful for the museum's desolate acrylic donation box outside.
He didn’t expect to really love the pieces, he’s never been one to be emotionally moved by the arts. Though, he could (and did) still appreciate the work that went into creating it and what it meant. So that’s what he did, examined the strokes of the brush on the oil paintings and followed the tagged artists of each piece on their socials. They mostly seemed to be retired, 60-year-old men, but he figured they needed the occasional ego boost from follower numbers as well.
Eventually he came across a piece that was, based on the name, supposed to be a stormy sea. It used reds, unexpected for a sky or ocean painting, but that made it unique.
“The greens and reds work together alongside the blue to make the dramatic effect of a raging sea.” A young man said from behind him, startling Caleb.
“Oh. You the artist?” Caleb turned around and held out a hand.
The blonde man chuckled, “Far from it, though I do know him. I’m Thomas, his manager.” He gave Caleb’s hand a firm shake.
“So this is Rafayel’s work, the one everyone wanted to meet?” He said as he squinted his violet eyes to look at the tiny print under the label that read a name.
“Yes, that would be him, but alas, he’s never been known to come to his art shows… or anything really…” Thomas sighed as he combed his fingers through his hair back in distraught.
“That sucks. He seems to be a creative guy. Woulda been cool to hear him talk.” Caleb took a picture of the piece, avoiding a glare from the light, thinking about using it as a screensaver.
“I wish you could have.” Thomas pulls out his phone and shows the taller man Rafayel’s instagram. “Don’t depend on it but I run this art account and post when he’s supposedly going somewhere for his job.”
“Oh, sweet. I’ll try and come to an event sometime.” Caleb follows him, a faceless account. Maybe someday he’ll see the infamous artist.