Days Go On

100 Fablehaven stories to get you through the day

Constructive Criticism

Seth Sorenson examined his sister's painting—she was getting better and better every day—with a thoughtful expression. She had painted the pond on that day when Patton Burgess and Broadhoof had fought; even the naiads' heads were above the surface, watching in annoyance at Patton 'coming back from the dead', but also curiosity, as everyone else had in their eyes. No one knew it was possible to have a centaur in the position that he was in the painting. Patton had a smirk on his face, and Broadhoof's tight face was wincing and grimacing as Patton threatened to break him, one bone by one.

Kendra walked into the room, followed by Bracken.

"Wow, Kendra, you painted this? It isn't a paint-by-number?" Bracken exclaimed.

She nodded, pride dancing across her face. "Yeah, I did. They don't make paint-by-numbers for scenes that only a few people have seen."

"I think you could've done a better job on Patton's face—his face was a bit scruffy from not shaving, and—" Seth began, but Kendra's exasperated sigh cut him off.

"God, Seth! I paint an amazing picture, and you just have to criticize!"

He grinned. "It's called 'constructive criticism, Kendra. All I'm saying is that you should've done a better job."

"Seth, I can't believe you stared at this painting for half an hour and all you can do is find the worst things about it. Only you can do that," Kendra growled.

He shrugged, then pointed at the Fairy Queen's island. "I'm pretty sure that astrid wasn't there."

Kendra closed her eyes and face-palmed. "Seth, I noticed him, even if you didn't. Can't you just be happy with my skills?"

"Don't worry, Kendra, he's just jealous," Bracken said, setting an arm around her shoulders and winking at Seth.

She flips back her hair. "Whatever," She said, strutting out of the room like a model. Bracken stayed behind, smiling knowingly at Seth. He pointed at the painting. "So what do you really think about it?"

Seth gave in. "It's amazing! I seriously wish I had that kind of skill, but exploring adventurers don't have time for painting." He said 'painting' as if he was saying eating sewer rats with extra slime.

Bracken laughed. "Wow, Seth. I didn't know you had it in you to compliment your sister, unless, of course, she just killed the Demon King."

Seth laughed, too. "Okay, Kendra, you can come out now!" He called.

Kendra, along with Warren, Vanessa, and Mom and Dad, walked out from a few stairs below. "You get less idiotic every day!" Kendra gasped teasingly.

Seth rolled his eyes. "I still don't like it."

"Why not?"

"I'm not in it. Newel and Doren aren't in it either."

Kendra walked over to the painting and pointed at a cluster of fingers coming from the side. "I put you in it, see? There're your fingers!"

Seth, being the mischievous boy he was, poked the still-drying paint that made up Kendra's face. Then, with the slightest flick of his wrist, he slipped the paint away so that a space the size of his finger was smeared. "There. Much better!"

Kendra gasped. "Do you know how long it took me to paint that?"

Seth glanced at the clock. "Um, an hour?"

"No. Three! God, Seth, you are SUCH an IDIOT!" She exploded, storming out of the room and down the stair. Her little crowd follows.

Seth pulled a piece of what looked like tape off of the painting where Kendra's face was supposed to be. The original face appeared again, nervous yet enticed.

"Thanks again, Bracken, for that weird fairy stuff," Seth laughed.

"Anytime. I used to do that to my sisters all the time when I was a few hundred years younger. Ah, the glory days."

Warren walked into the room, as he also was filled in on the prank. "Now that is what I call constructive criticism."