As if he knew what I was thinking, Xander asked, “Should we go change that?”
I smiled. “My thoughts exactly.”
The girl, who was probably in her early twenties, held still expectantly when she noticed us approaching. She had black hair that was pulled into a ballerina bun, round glasses, and lips painted bright red. The sign hanging off the front of her table read ASHLEYRIDDLE.
“Hey,” Ashley said, sitting up straight when we stopped in front of her. “How’s your con going?”
“Pretty good,” Xander answered, already paging through her portfolio. “Yours?”
“As good as can be expected. This is my first time.” It wasimpossible to miss the longing in Ashley’s eyes when her gaze momentarily flicked over to Blue Hood Graphics. “Cool mask, by the way.”
“It’s actually prosthetic makeup.” Xander jerked his thumb at me. “This one here did it. She’s pretty talented.”
Her attention shifted to me. “Wow, that’s incredible!”
Heat pooled in my cheeks. “I had a lot of help, but thanks. These are fire too,” I said, nodding at the prints displayed behind her.
“Thank you!”
“Do you have time for a commission?” Xander asked, even though the sign-up sheet in front of her was empty. “I don’t need anything elaborate. Just a quick sketch.”
She beamed. “Yes, of course! My prices are listed here.”
We both glanced down at the sign she pointed to.
Headshot, pencil, 7” x 10”: $30
Headshot, inked, 7” x 10”: $50
Headshot, color, 7” x 10”: $70
Half figure, inked, 9” x 12”: $100
Half figure, color, 9” x 12”: $130
“How about a half figure, inked?” Xander said after considering the list.
“Awesome choice.” Ashley pulled out a drawing board. “Do you have a specific character in mind?”
“He wants a mashup of an Oken warrior fromGalaxy Riderand the lead guitarist from the Heartbreakers. What’s his name again?Xavier something?” I rubbed my chin, pretending to rack my brain. “He’s the one with the glasses.”
“You mean Xander Jones?” Ashley supplied.
I snapped my fingers and pointed at her. “Yeah, him!”
Her eyebrows squished together. “Um, okay, but I’m not sure what an Oken warrior is. Do you have a reference picture?”
Xander glared at me before turning back to Ashley. “Just ignore her. She’s being a smart-ass. I want a sketch of myself.”
“Because he’s conceited like that,” I added.
This time, Xander jabbed an elbow into my ribs to shut me up, and I stifled a giggle.
“Don’t worry. Lots of people request sketches of themselves,” she said, waving a hand to dismiss my comment. “Will you be paying cash or credit?”
“Cash,” Xander replied, presumably because he didn’t want her to see the name on his credit card. He extracted a wallet from his jeans and pulled out two crisp fifties.
Once she received the payment, Ashley took a picture of Xander to work from and told us the commission would be done by the end of the day, so we wandered out of Artist Alley and into the Funko toy section. I bought a Jack Skellington key chain, which I promptly attached to my bag, and a Pop! Vinyl Thor for Sofia, since she was obsessed with all things Chris Hemsworth.
