Its a quiet evening in the city, the tension before the storm can be cut with a knife. A cake knife. Which there is a plenty of here in the gallery. There are pieces of arts scattered around, some have been in the Bee for years but many are new. There is also a map of the Oathlands with toys of each house representing different locations. Mabelle herself is clad in honeysilk, standing under an arbor of roses, a piece of art on its own merit.

Mabelle has joined the An arched arbour covered in honeysilk roses and satin flowers.

Sabella breezes in as if the tension were nothing because what could possibly keep down the People's Princess? She's indomitably cheerful! And today is no exception! She has a dazzling smile when she spots Mabelle. "Lady! Oh, how spectacular, I do love an art gallery. I cant wait to look at every single thing. But first!" She reaches her hands out to Mabelle, looking to take the other woman's hands in hers. If given, she squeezes them gently. "Congratulations. Are you excited?"

Mabelle smiles warmly at Sabella as she marches in, all happy and cheerful. Its amusing, alarming and consoling all at the same time. "Welcome, Princess Sabella. I really should not have waited that long, some people created beautiful items". However, Sabella's question throws her off and she looks confused, "About.. the invasion?"

Sabella... Blinks. Invasion? Now she's confused. Then she starts laughing. "No! Oh, no no!" Her smile flares even brighter. "Your betrothal!" The princess /loves/ weddings. And she loves art. She gestures to the pieces on display. "Which one should I start with?"

Mabelle regards her with widened eyes, "Oh the engagement. I should really work on a wedding gown, should I not?", she quirks her lips and then notes, "The one that has no theme has all the newer items and I'm quite fond of the toys map", she directs her instead.

"I think you should find a seamstress to do it for you," Sabella opines, while her gaze moves toward what Mabelle has indicated. She nods. "Let's get drinks, and then I'll look. Hm. It'll be autumn by then, won't it? Maybe something with really gorgeous sleeves. Sheer?" The sleeves, not the whole dress. Her plan of attack for the impending invasion seems to be to pretend it isn't happening and make plans for after.

Mabelle admits, "I do enjoy stitching my clothes, to honor Jayus, I do not see why my wedding dress should not be one of those occasions, with Petal's help of course", she moves toward the drink cart with Sabella, "I'm uncertain if to use honeysilk, brocade or smokeweave", talking about it feels weird to her.

It seems Sabella can accept this reasoning and nods. "I never did learn to stitch more than the usual needlepoint they teach us as girls. My art was always in stories. But! I do so appreciate others' abilities." She grins and collects up a glass of somethibf sweet to drink before gliding over to the map. "This is a marvel! Who made it?" Her eyes flick from figure to figure, delight growing.

Mabelle moves toward the map, "The map was just a sketch of one of Artshall's map sketchers made. The toys were a project of Master Claude, he made one for each fealty and I made a point to collect them".

"Oh, he's quite the craftsman, look!" Sabella seems especially pleased to see dragons. She's pointing to the water dragon. "So many fine details." Then, the princess does look over to Mabelle. She sighs softly. "Do you have a safe place to store these things, when the time comes? So they might be preserved?"

Mabelle takes a deep breath when Sabella asks her that question. She folds her arms over herself, "My laboratory down in our cellar. The door is heavy and made of iron, because of my... experiments. It will likely be there".

Sabella allows herself a moment to study Mabelle. She nods. The laboratory is likely as good a place as any. She then focus her attention back on the map, cooing over the baby stag and otter in particular. "This reminds me of a thing I'd bought for Victus' children, when he was my patron. Someone, oh I forget who now, had created a vignette of mice fighting off a cat-dragon."

Mabelle admits to her, "There are not enough toy makers in the city. I always adored the carved toys. I wish there were more of those and antique traders. There was this shop, storied history? I think? The owner left the city far too early."

"It started with a K. An... Eccentric fellow." Sabella shrugs, unable to remember exactly. It was years ago! Before the horrors that befell Bastion. She glances away, letting herself focus on the map again for a moment. She seems to be steadying. When she looks up again, her smile is in place as usual. "I don't know if I recall that one. It's been a while since I did any furniture shopping." She points over to the art on the walls. "Which is your favorite? I won't tell anyone you said so!"

Mabelle curves her lips a moment, "There are many pieces I like, but I always felt more exposed by this one", she indicates a painting titled 'The Monster' in the gallery side that seems disarryed, "Prince Sebastian painted it after meeting me. Little did he know", she chuckles.

Sabella moves to study the indicated painting. A small frown can be seen at the name of it. "Oh. That's hardly flattering, is it? When just meeting someone?" But then she takes a moment to really look at it. She's lost in the details for at least a minute, silent. When she speaks again, she's soft and delicate. "Isn't it strange to see yourself through someone else's eyes?" As if she has had that experience before.

Mabelle regards Sabella thoughtfully, "It is odd, but if it means someone thinks of me as a monster, its better than someone who sees me as a wallflower, is it not?"

Mabelle takes a large wooden beehive.

Sabella isn't sure which she would prefer to be seen as of the two. "I don't know. I think I'd prefer... To be seen as me." She shrugs, and drifts along looking at more of the art while talking to Mabelle about the different pieces.