Classy, Controlled Chaos - The STEAM Team Adventures

🛟 Asphyxiation [4/4] 🛟

Tia's POV:

Painting with Arthur is a very immersive experience.

It's like dropping a duckling into a pool of water; They know what to do when their tiny, cute little feet touch the surface and break into the waves.

Same thing for me, but when I place my paintbrush on the canvas.

"Smooth but long strokes," My mentor mumbled from beside me, painting on his own canvas. "Like you're swimming. Cut through the waves like butter, and don't waste your energy on being quick. Art isn't about rushing."

I acknowledged his statement with a nod, deep in focus.

Today was a little bit of a free day.

Since the knights were taking a break, we did, too. It's not like they'd get to know what we did in here.

"You're gripping your brush too tightly." The king warned me, patting me on the shoulder. "Relax. There's no consequences if you make a mistake."

I looked down at my white fingertips, loosening my grip. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be." He replied, dipping his brush into some yellow ochre paint. "Again, Tia, relax. You're always on edge for some reason."

"Who wouldn't be after nearly drowning in the waters you call home?" I scoffed, my orca tail tensing up.

"Are you giving me attitude?" Arthur gasped, feigning anger. "Young lady, you shouldn't be talking to your elders like that."

I played along with the act. "You? An elder? Nah, that's a serious understatement."

"Ow," He rolled his eyes. "I'm in my mid-forties, I don't think I'm ancient."

"That's also a serious understatement." I snorted back, and he seemed genuinely surprised.

"Okay, that actually kinda hurt." My mentor chuckled. "You just gave me a serious emotional boo-boo. How are you gonna pay for my medical bills?"

"Easy, I don't." I yawned, earning a laugh from him. "Anyways, what are you painting?"

We focused back in on what we were painting. "Well, for starters... I need some inspiration. Maybe a simple landscape."

His eyes darted to meet mine, mirroring our gazes.

"Your eyes have hints of evergreen and ochre," I commented, catching him by surprise.

"You mean irises," Arthur corrected me. "Yours have hints of milky white. That's why you look so intimidating with your eyes alone; You're constantly glaring people down even though you probably don't mean to."

"I do?" I squeaked, watching him pull out his hand mirror, holding it up to my face.

I wasn't surprised to see what he was talking about.

Staring back at me was this menacing, feral-looking woman, her eyes blazing through me like white-hot flames.

The true cherry on top was my signature x scar, that made me look and feel cool.

"Yep, I look scary." I confirmed, receiving a gentle tap on the nose from my mentor. "What?"

"Small, too." He added. "Y'know, I'm pretty sure someone here fancies you, Tia."

That lasted statement startled me. "Someone likes me? I mean, they have good taste, but still!"

The king smiled. "Let's just say it's one of our greatest, toughest knights. Maybe he might ask you out for a date tonight, who knows?"