<div align="center"><strong>Shawn Albert Pierce (http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=84632.msg3724861#msg3724861) - Basement Auction | Buying a Piece &amp; Conversing with Matilda</strong></div><br/>Again the way Matilda responded made Shawn smile, she was someone he was growing to like on a rather large scale; her cute and innocent ways adding to the entire setting. Really the pieces mattered little at this moment but as piece number eight came into view and was up for bidding with the one that had his own attentions wondering, he figured a purchase was in order. Matilda’s attentions seemed to be changing from painting to her own hand then back again; back and forth like she was confused which she wanted to see but that could very well have been Shawn’s imagination and mind playing tricks.<br/><br/>Artwork number eight (http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/9/9d/Counterbalance_by_mastertouch.jpg) sold for almost four hundred dollars at the rate others were bidding and finally ended upon, but that was not much for most of the buyers who sat around the room of Waxing Rhapsodic. However it was a wonder why none of the staff even tried, many brought out of impulse rather than thought when it came to auction of new art, one could easily bluff their way into a piece had they the stance to back it up.<br/><br/>Here it came, piece number nine (http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/9/9e/Asturianinatelarana.jpg) ready to be sold. Before Aline even stated the starting bid, Shawn raised his hand and smiled; when something had his eye, he was going to get it, end of story. Be that artwork or a woman, eyes shifted to Matilda with that same smile on his face but as another bid came in for HIS piece Shawn hesitated none in raising the pamphlet once again. Another bid, whoever that man in the back was had a bit of nerve. Screw it. “One thousand,” Shawn stated bluntly though with that hint in his voice he was not messing around. No other bid came, this is exactly what one means by bluffing their way into a piece, and soon it was officially his.<br/><br/>Whispering to Matilda, “Pardon the showmanship, but I do try my hardest to get the things I want.” His smile now sweet and loving, “And the things those I enjoy the company of may want as well, just speak your mind.”