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The city bustles as it always does at this hour- a bad habit it has taken to using over the recent centuries. People wander up and down the street each with a purpose but not one they share commonly amongst themselves. The grousing seems to have set upon at a rigorous pace upon one corner for an artisan has set up a chair before an easel.
That, alone, might not cause the normal level of irritation amongst the population but it doesn't help that the chair seems to be made out of several 2x4's put together with heavy carriage bolts and the painter in question towers above people, even though he is sitting. And did we mention he is silver? Well, sort of a matte luster of metallic sheen but most would say silver. What truly seems to have drawn consternation is one of those typical New York city buskers who has dressed up in silver clothing and painted himself silver. Seemingly sour for being so finely upstaged he has taken to doing his normal routine despite his competition's presence.
Colossus looks with assuaged discomfort as another passerby tries to put coins on his palette "Nyet, am not beink zat sort of… thank yew dough."
*
"Then what are you doing?" A voice questions him from the side. Should he look, he'll find a woman standing in winter coat and heels, her legs covered in nylon, and face painted just so. Ruby lips twist up into a curious smirk as she lingers, waiting for his reply. One gloved hand clutches to the front of her jacket, keeping the garment as snug as possible around her form, as the other reaches up and brushes away errant strands of brunette behind the shell of her ear.
A glance around, she clicks closer to the towering figure, giving him an obvious once over and whistling lowly. "Trust me, honey, they don't grow them like you in these parts." Then, she's trying to look at what might be on display on the easel. "Odd hour to be doing art, too. Are your eyes ok?" A pause, she beams anew and offers out a hand his way. "Name's Betty. I probably should have led with my name first."
*
Colossus looks curiously to the owner of the voice for a moment- gaze kind and curious despite the otherwise iron-ish appearance. He tilts his head just so before he smiles. The smile is one of those genuine smiles, the sort that dimples at the cheeks and his brows go up ever so faintly. "Allo. Oh, is getting late- da. Have barely noticink." He looks to the sky and the city scape then back to the owner of the inquiries.
Colossus starts to add something more to his statement but it stops on his lips. "Did not knowink dey growing zem like dat at all ‘round here? Oh! Is how you say, colloquial. I am Piotr." He holds up his hand in greeting- a kind gesture but one showing he’d shake hands if not for the mix of burnt umber and pthalo blue on his fingers. A brush is also between his middle and ring fingers, held askance. "Is good hour for capturink city. Sky is come alive at twilight."
*
"Nice to meet you, Piotr. And didn't you know? New York is the city of heroes and gods. We're of all sorts here." She promises, looking at his hand. Regardless of paint, she reaches out for it, and has them connect, even setting her other hand atop his own, using both to shake genty. Once done, she pulls off her gloves and folds them, slipping them away into the pocket of her jacket. "Suppose it is." Then, she gives his work another look. "This is really beautiful. It's so delicate." Her voice hints of surprise, given the man's size.
*
Colossus smiles- there is a brief hint of wan but it is swiftly overcome but genuine appreciation for the comment "Thank you. Have beink grown for enjoy work with small details. In city like dis, so many pe~ople overlook leetle tings. Err, am sorry for gloves. Here…" He fishes a few dollars people have stuck in his art bin. They… are just as painty though "Err.. might vanting be wrap dem inside gloves too. Am sorry, Betty. Is Betty, yes? I try not valk `round vit wallet vhen painting." He gives another warm smile.
*
"It really is beautiful. You have /some/ talent, Piotr. Hey, do you sell your works? Have you thought about showing them in a gallery?" At the comment about her gloves, she waves off the concern with her naked hand. "Oh, don't worry about it. I have more gloves at home. A little paint isn't going to hurt me, or them." Another nod, she smiles his way. "Mmhmm! It is Betty. I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess you're new to the city? What brings you here?" Blinking, she nibbles her lower lip and gives another glance about. "Hey, um, sorry if I'm bothering you by sticking around for a chat. I didn't mean to impose or interupt your work. You kinda stick out, is all, and I was curious."
*
Colossus throws his head back and gives a bright laugh. It is a wholesome sort, the kind that comes from the gut. He grins and looks to you with a brightening smile- a curious feature given the reflections that occur off metally skin "Da! Da, am new… hmm. And… havink thought `bout be artist for professional before. Have done portrait and like, for da vimen, for people who enjoy sort ting. Vould… liking dat very much. And is no bozzer, am think am losing light. Can finishink later. Ees take time, dah." He mmms and gets to his feet, the wooden chair groaning in thanks as he does.
Colossus looks about the city again at the question, gaze considering as he sweeps about with his gaze then breaths in and hmmms "Vell… tings change at home. People say, if can make it here, can making it anywhere. So try make it here. Ploos, ees no standink out as much here." He gestures at the silver busker who has begun to pack it in as well.
*
Elizabeth follows his motion, looking at the man painted silver, before returning her attentions to the man made of metal. "Oh, you stand out, but not in a bad way, I don't think." It's only then that she notices her eyes going up, and up, and up still. A sudden rush of being dwarfed falls on the woman's shoulders. "Christ, look at the size of you." She murmurs, more so to herself than to Piotr directly. "Oh! Yeah, so about your art. I know a few people around town that have some galleries. Maybe I can talk you up to them, or give you their contact info for a viewing? If it interests you, try it out, y'know?" She suggests, still grinning sweetly.
*
Colossus hmmms and offers a smile "Am liking dis, da, is can doink. Um, I am Pio-.. Peter Rasputin. Is good for meetink yew. Betty…?" He leads it as if hoping for a surname. The metal man seems to simply smile at the comment to his height- as if it is something he has grown accustomed to. He takes in a slow breath, chest filling out as they often do.
"And da, am knowink is not many like me. But … ees deed vat is deed and vould not havink any other vay. Vould love for beink real artist- von who puts ze paintings in galleries."
*
Elizabeth giggles. "You told me your name already. Would you rather I call you Peter instead of Piotr?" She inquires before offering another nod. "Brant. Elizabeth Brant, but Betty's fine." Watching him collect his things, she keeps to the side, allowing the flow of human traffic to continue around them. "It's a good outlook to have. I've met a few different people with powers, and changes to their lives. I'm glad they're all happy with them. In a way, I think I'm a lil jealous." Even so, her expression is kind and warm. "You bet! I'll get in touch with them once I'm back in the office tomorrow. Say, how would I get in touch with you after the fact? Maybe we can meet up for lunch or something sometime?"
*
Piotr gives that light smile again "Am keep forget, dey namink me Peter vhen I come here, but is Piotr. Ees all same name, no much mattering vhich is usink." He smiles genuinely still and offers "Goot! Vould treating, ees can making up for gloves. And da…" He cleans his hands off on a cloth, an act made far more simple for the Osmium he is mostly made up of. He then pulls out a spiral leaf notepad and a contractor's pencil sharpened to an angled point. It lends to some rather elegant calligraphy despite its humble intent "Here… ees phone noomber and address. Ees… beeg school outside city a vays but dey goot for deliverink mail."
*
"Whatever you like hearing more, I'll use that." Betty decides, as far as his name goes. Another wave off, she chuckles. "Don't have to buy me lunch, doll face. I'll buy it if you'd like, or we'll go dutch." She shrugs, accepting the paper and giving a few blinks. "Oh, wow. You attend school out there? Never been there personally, but I heard it's a ritzy place. Good going for that." She smiles once more. "Anyway, I should get going. Was just heading home from the office. Have to check in on my ma before that. I'll call you soon, ok, Piotr?"
*
Colossus gives a kind smile but he looks a touch confused "I am not Dutch, am beink Roossian… ees not problem, ees it?" He tilts his head just a little while hefting his gear into one of those olvie drab military bags- except for the canvas, that is strapped to the big wooden chair and carried as if it were made of cardboard and cotton.
*
"Huh? Ah, no, sorry." She's then laughing. "Going dutch just means you pay for yourself. Sorry. I didn't mean to confuse you." She smiles, her face overly apologetic. "No, sweetie. You're no problem at all. Be safe out there, ok, tinman?" A pause, she winks before turning and head off down the sidewalk. "Welcome to New York."
*
Colossus waves brightly "Being vell and spasibo, being vell!"
*