girl with a pearl earring (book, though movie is very close to it)

[stillherself]

[Her face, unreadable.]

Pieter will be displeased. Who will help with the butcher's if I am gone?

Comments

[herr_niemand]

Ah well, art history was masturbatory material for scholars, anyway!

[stillherself]

[Griet doesn't even try to mask her surprise. With the camera obscura, she was only frightened until it made sense to her, even if it took a bit. The "image" was upside down and reversed, but it was still what she could see before her, if only with more scrutiny.

But this being was like nothing she had seen before. Instead of saying anything, she takes a step back, hardened hands wrapping her shawl around her tighter, though it was certainly tight enough. Her head dips slightly as bright eyes dart for a moment.

It is clear that Griet has no idea what to say. Though, if she did, she had long ago learned from Maria Thins that, sometimes, even if she knew the right words, speaking them could be a downfall.]

[herr_niemand]

[This doesn't seem to deter the nonentity from speaking at all.]

Yes, I know I'm that stunning. But if we're going to do a calendar shoot, you'll need to work with me~

[stillherself]

[It's like some bizarre painting has come to life. Like one looked through a milky glass with a bad eye and saw the human figure in sharp angles, but also blurred. It makes no sense to her.

She forgot her manners in front of her former master's painting. But this character was nothing like that, so she would blame it on surprise and unfamiliarity, rather than beauty and wonderment.]

I have never seen anything like you, sir.

[herr_niemand]

[The notional man strikes a dramatic pose. If he could grin, he would.]

I think you mean nothing like me, either way it's a new experience! We all need new experiences like a wine jug to the face!

[stillherself]

[Wine jugs.

Griet knows plenty about wine jugs.]

I'm afraid I don't understand.

[herr_niemand]

Understanding? Reason is nothing but the invention of clock workers and factory washers!

[stillherself]

[Workers. Washers. She knows those, as well.]

Are you...are you saying that only those who labor are capable of inventing that which can be understood?

[herr_niemand]

What I mean is understanding is a lobster in the hayloft: best not to try petting it.

[stillherself]

Lobsters are creatures of the sea; they do not mix with hay.

[herr_niemand]

Lobster are creatures of the plate; they mix with butter. And where do you think cows eat?!

[stillherself]

Cows eat in fields or in stables, not on plates.

I do not understand what point you are trying to make, sir.