The Artist and The Business Man

Chapter 6: What on earth?

Third Person POV:

The sheet fell away from the canvas, still in Tom's grasp, though Redd doubted it would be for long, with the way Tom's hands shook.

Under the sheet had been one of those paintings. A painting of Tom. A new one, which Redd could tell because damn it, he'd put the date at the bottom of the canvas, as well as his signature. Why had he put the date on it? If he hadn't he could pass it off as an old painting. Not that Tom wouldn't be able to tell the difference between his older art and his obviously new art. It had been eight years, and Redd had improved greatly in his art.

Tom's hand stayed still, and for a moment his eyes stayed locked in the canvas, his mouth slightly hung open, until he turned to Redd.

"Well, while that doesn't prove you aren't scamming... I suppose it means you can stay. Of course, if my Island Representative says she wants you gone, your gone. I should go and find her." Tom finally managed to choke out the words, still not meeting Redd's eyes as he turned.

"Yeah, you go do that why don't ya?" The words that came out of Redd's mouth, were, as always, slightly cocky, but there was a faint uncertainty to his voice that Tom couldn't help but notice. He also couldn't help but notice that Redd's eyes seemed to be inspecting every part of his face, and how his brows seemed to be slightly furrowed, the way they sometimes did when he looked at a painting.

Tom cleared his throat, dropping the sheet and moving quickly past Redd. He couldn't get off the boat fast enough, and when he did, he felt like he was going to be sick. The painting had unsettled him, in a way. It had been...sweet, but it was also odd to think that even after everything Redd had done to him, to the boys, Redd had somehow found a way to seem like he still cared. Which he couldn't. Shouldn't, rather. And the fact that the painting was so new...it made Tom shudder at the mere thought of Redd standing there, paintbrush in one hand, palette in the other, carefully painting each feature.

He padded down the beach, but stopped when he heard a noise slightly ahead of him. Who else would come down to this part of the beach? It was tucked away and slightly difficult to get to, so none of the residents would come over here, apart from Antonio, who would only do it to prove that he could.

A head bobbed out from behind a tree, and he was relieved to see it was only Aurora. Sure, she'd talk the hind legs off a donkey once in a while, but she also could tell when questions should and shouldn't be asked, always stopping herself if she thought she had asked a few too many questions.

"Tom! What are you doing here? This part of the island is so difficult to get to, so I never thought I'd see you here. Have you come over to see what the boats all about? I came over here earlier, and all I could make out was this slightly dodgy fella who seemed to think a bit highly of himself. And the boat, thought I can't see why, it doesn't look like much, and the smoke it gives off! It looks about 3 seconds away from falling apart altogether."

There it was, the talking part. He could do without that. Odd how she could go from being highly annoyed at everything in the world to completely fine in such a short time.

"Yes, Aurora, I came to see what all the fuss was about. Don't worry, it's nothing to be worried about, and the boat will be gone if you want it to be. Do you want it to be?" He spoke softly, and Aurora slightly tilted her head.

"Hmm...Not really, after all, the guy on the boat might be a little in love with himself, but he's pretty much the only way to get some artwork for the museum as far as I can tell...he can stay if he wants, as long as he doesn't cause trouble." She said the words with a slight uncertainty, which if Tom had to guess, could have been because of the way he'd spoken to her. He always spoke in a slightly authoritative tone, so the fact that he had seemed a little unsure of himself was probably worrying.

"Ah, yes, yes, I see. In that case, he stays. I can see why you would like him to as well. Blathers will be pleased, so I think it would be best to tell him. I'll do that, hm? You get on with whatever you were doing." That was better, slightly at least. And it would distract her at the same time, so she wouldn't ask questions.

"Righto, Tom! I was just looking for some bugs, but there don't seem to be as many today... I guess I'll have to try another island." She scrunched her nose up as she said this, possibly at the thought of having to talk to Wilbur. She didn't seem to like that.

"Yes, yes. Well, best do that hm? If you do pass Blathers before I do, tell him there should soon be some art in that gallery of his. It'll cheer him up if he needs it."

"Yep, will do! Think I saw him with Isabelle, so I'll ask her where he is if I can't find him! You look like hell though, Tom, so maybe you should lay off the work for while, ay?" She smiled at him kindly as she said it, and while he knew her passing comment about him had been meant in good spirits, he couldn't help but be slightly annoyed she'd made it.

"I'll be on my way then, see you around, Tom!" She turned on her heel, going in the completely opposite direction to the one he was going in. Good, he thought to himself. He needed to clear his head. After all...

What on earth had happened?