COUSINS
Chapter 9: It's Art!
A depressing morning greeted Veltron: the sun's rays were blocked from the countless clouds covering the sky and the grass dropped, making it look almost two-dimensional. The stench of rain hung in the air, although it had yet to begin raining, which was forecast for the evening hours and the following day's morning hours.
Cupcake was looking at the house's front garden from the doorstep. "Rain is coming and here I am tending to the tulips," she commented as she pulled weeds from the soil. "I should really learn what my boundaries are. I feel as though I'm accomplishing this for nothing!"
The front door opened and Olive walked out. "I can hear you from indoors, Cupcake," she said. "If you continue talking to yourself, the neighbours are going to be under the impression that you're insane. So please do us the favour of watching yourself and knowing your limits." She intentionally yawned and stretched her arms.
The pink bear turned to her younger cousin. "Oh, learn to keep that mouth of yours closed! I was merely expressing how I feel... but I prefer using the word boundaries rather than limits, which suggests that I can touch the sky instead of corner myself when it's most-required. Plus, I'm sure you've talked to yourself before. Now why are you out here anyway? Can't you see I'm busy?"
Flicking her hair back, Olive responded, "I was ready to go to Vesta's. Today is a special day because we're going to help prepare for the Museum's upcoming Gallery Pleau Week, where the most exquisite paintings are on display. There will also be ancient artifacts, which has resulted in a week-long entrance fee! The Museum has never done this before. I can't wait to see the artifacts and paintings of all—"
"Paintings?" Cupcake interrupted angrily. "You're not kidding, are you? It has been nearly ten years since a new piece was shipped to any museum in the country. Olive, what in the world is the meaning of this?" She looked as though she was about to self-destruct.
Olive ignored her cousin. "I didn't say that I was going to paint. Please don't make yourself mad like that; Vesta and I know what we're doing."
Cupcake failed to react. She resumed tidying the weed-infested garden for a couple seconds before choosing to turn back to Olive. She said, "Okay, fine, maybe I retorted irresponsibly. You don't need to hold a grudge against me now. Just be on your way and I'll see you later. By the way, could you drop by Tom Nook's later and pick up some carrots? We're making stew tonight."
The grey bear nodded. "Of course."
Olive left the house ten minutes later. The gloomy weather did not bother her and she was happy that they would not have to water the garden for the day; although it was very likely that there would be an excessive amount of weeds by the following morning. As she approached Vesta's house, she began skipping the remainder of the way and sang one of her favourite recording artist's songs.
Art was a large part of Olive's life. She had always dreamed of becoming a top-ranking artist throughout the country, but since high school graduation, she hadn't painted nearly as well as he had before. Olive was a hands-on animal and she enjoyed simple things rather than complicated assignments. While it was a possibility, she didn't expect to regain her former ability after the Museum's exhibition.
"I'm a girl and in this world, I've got no respect for my peers. Loneliness is everybody's fool and I feel like I've been the fool. Keep dreaming, then your heart's healing... all that you've endured. Taste the water so pure. I'm telling you there's no other way, and I know we'll make it someday. I want you to be more than happy, 'cuz you are my morning glory."
Olive stopped singing "Morning Glory" as Vesta's house came into view. The garden was gigantic and every flower sold at Tom Nook's was blossoming. The windows were recently painted a thick beige and the roof was a duller colour than it had been two weeks before. Vesta's welcome mat was no longer at the door's base and was replaced with a round carpet with a picture of a tea cup and several tree leaves; the sheep said she enjoyed "experimenting". Olive rang the doorbell and admired the whimsical household.
Vesta smiled as she answered the door. She was wearing a Peachy Shirt, sold exclusively during the springtime and was a mixture of more than fifty hues that complemented each other. In her hands was a book titled The Semester, written by her favourite author, and she placed it on the table next to the door, welcoming her guest and immediately offering her a cup of tea. Olive was reminded of the new doormat.
The house was not as big as the majority of the town's residents had assumed. The ranch series furniture set was scattered about the first room and Vesta's bed was in the north-eastern corner. The entire set was not assembled though: the sofa was on the room's western end, next to the kitchen doorway and the tea table was in front of it. The bookcase was in the north-western corner and the dresser in front of her bed. An armchair and table chair were in the south-western corner beside the table Vesta had placed her book on. The matching carpet and wallpaper were in the room, but Olive could not help noticing that she was missing the ranch hutch and wardrobe.
"Ah, your house is missing something, but it distinctively reminds me of my grandparents!" Olive exclaimed seriously. "Your house is a work of art in its own right."
Vesta closed the front door. "Thank you, I'm a sucker for country-themed interior design. I don't know what I'd do without it," she said placidly and walked into her kitchen. "Anyway, it's in fact not missing pieces from the ranch series, if that's what you're referring to. I figured that the hutch would be better-suited for the kitchen and the wardrobe is in my closet. I'll place it in my bedroom after rearranging my furniture because currently it's untidy. But thank you for your concern." She smiled brightly. "Now would you like some tea?"
The grey bear nodded. "Please."
After the kettle whistled, Vesta poured two cups of tea and returned to her front room, handing one to Olive. They started casually socializing about the town's financial condition and government-related topics, including the apparent decision to decrease taxes, but raise the train ticket sales significantly. Because they were not entirely fond of Tom Nook, they had no shame in cracking jokes about his figure or tendency to forget common words, such as "cozy". Two hours later, Vesta looked out her backyard window and noticed that it had begun raining; she looked at the clock, which indicated that it was quite late in the morning.
"I think it would be best if we started working on the Museum's layout. We don't want to get behind in our scheduling," she explained as she walked into the kitchen and placed the empty cups in the sink. When the sheep returned to her room, she continued, "I have a funny feeling that this is going to be a long process. The one thing that's for certain"—she sat down on the couch—"is that the entrance fee is going to be rub some animals the wrong way. Since it was founded, the Farway Museum has never done this. I wonder what persuaded them to enforce it at a time like this."
Olive shrugged and wryly mused, "All the tourists would attract a lot of money."
Vesta crossed her legs. "Of course, silly me," she whispered almost silently. She rose her voice an octave and looked at her friend. "After all, many famous artists and sculptors are going to have their work exhibited. Yes, these will be fairly old paintings since the country hasn't permitted new work for some ten years, but it'll be worth it, don't you think? My favourite artists—Arpantha, Huragä, Ilédinêz—will be on display. It's been a long time coming and I have been eager to see those masterpieces again." She turned to watch the falling rain outside the back window. "At least Veltron will be raking in some extra cash!"
"An absolutely splendid idea if you were to ask me," Olive said whilst grinning. "Besides, let's put our monetary burdens behind us. My family's still got a large loan on our house, even with your help." She shrugged again, though this time less earnestly. Sometimes the bear thought that they would never finish paying off their debt, which was still in the hundred thousands.
"Time is of the essence, as they say," sympathized Vesta. She rose from her seat and walked over to her dresser, where she withdrew three large diagrams that Olive failed to distinguish from the couch. When the sheep reassumed her position on the couch, she realized that it was for the Farway Museum: the implied design that Vesta had drawn the night before, as indicated by the date on the sheet's bottom-left corner. Olive commented on the luxurious affair her friend had put together.
There was a moment of silence. Suddenly, Vesta laughed softly. "Don't praise my work, Olive. You know that you're the real crème de la crème and I'm just a struggling platform for your success!" Laughter continued to fill the room's otherwise still ambiance, and Olive couldn't help but mourn her previous status as her town's most-promising artist. While it had been difficult for her to commit to a new career after her "miserable" attempt to have her paintings showcased at the Farway Museum back home, she pushed herself into believing that her life had corrected itself.
"Thank you," Olive said passionately. "I still think that this... art has left me permanently. I can't draw or sketch the layout, Vesta, I'm sorry." She sighed and cupped a fist, resting it on her leg. "As far as I'm concerned, the life I used to lead vanished before my very eyes and now all I can do is follow what my heart most desires today."
A slow nod came from Vesta, who was no longer laughing and instead listening attentively. She said, "What your heart most desires today is for you to draw, paint, whatever you want to call it."
Olive snorted edgily. "If you honestly think there's something deep behind that, then don't get your hopes up."
As if Vesta had predicted what her friend was going to say, she cleared her throat. "I want you to tell me the whole story. That day when we were at Violet Meadows, you mentioned some odds and ends, but I've been wanting to know... everything. I'm sorry if I'm imposing or being utterly avaricious. Olive"—she took the bear's hands in hers—"what is it that drove you away from such artistry? You can't just go and abandon what you need."
The clock was ticking. Olive failed to respond for five minutes and finally stood, but chose not to look at her friend.
"Please tell me," reiterated Vesta. "Tell me."
Olive caved in. "When I was six-years-old, I was fascinated with anything that was artistic because it allowed me to explore all my creativity, all that stuff... after learning that crayons emitted a rainbow of colours, my interested blossomed and I was hooked. My hands were my pride and joy since they were responsible for controlling anything and everything I became infatuated with. An everyday pencil alone drove me up walls. With some effort and, like you said earlier, time, I improved... uh, what's that word? Oh, darn—Tom Nook moment! Ah, considerably; I improved considerably!"
Expectantly, Vesta was humored at the mention of Tom Nook, but tried to remain focused on her friend's story.
"Awards, so many awards. I was the recipient of my elementary's school Most Inspirational plaque, which I haven't taken my eyes off all my life. Then there were all those certificates, oh, I was afraid that my room back home would be the most clustered in the country. My friends were either empathetic of me or feverously jealous. I tried to put two and two together, and I did. Some of my friends were wasting my time and others were true to me, especially those from my childhood days. Finally the day came when I was offered a scholarship, one that would permit me entrance to the doors of Animal Art University. I was the best in the country at the time and after graduation, I was decorating rooms for the Prime Minister and corporation chiefs and managers. For me, it was the typical day."
Vesta's jaw was slightly hanging and her face was flushed; Olive assumed that she was shocked to learn about her past and chose not to spare her another moment. The bear's eyes quickly darted around the room as she assembled the next part of the story that she wanted to detail, without forgetting any critical portions. She turned to look at her friend before sitting on the couch again.
Although Olive knew she was afraid to, Vesta nudged a small smirk. Olive continued, "Yes, I was exceptionally-skilled, according to my family and friends. So it was about two years ago when I knew my career was ending. Not just was I becoming more dependent on repetitious interior designs, I was also somewhat clumsy in proportion and symmetry art, my two enemies. I continue to call them that today. The Farway Museum in my hometown was looking for upcoming talent and they had heard about me; really, I don't think anybody hadn't. Because they were looking for those two artistic aspects, originally I thought I was doomed. The day they were revealed to the Museum, my abilities were questioned and the staff decided against displaying both pieces." She breathed heavily. "I resigned my post afterward and when Cheri and Cupcake told me that they were buying a house in a 'middle-of-nowhere' suburb, I took the offer to follow them and hide out. Here I am now. Pathetic, isn't it?" Vesta watched as tears began trickling down the bear's face.
Within seconds, Olive was sobbing and Vesta retrieved a tissue box for her.
"Oh, Olive, I understand what you're going through," the sheep said supportively. "Listen, um... when I was in secondary school, I had this undying love for travelling. A few years ago my father and older brother went on a cruise, which was going to take them to many different places in the world. My younger brothers were unable to go because they were too young at the time, and I said no for reasons I've never comprehended. I loved travelling, so why was I suddenly rejecting what I'd always wanted to do?" Vesta could feel tears in her eyes and closed them hastily. "My mother received priority mail a mere five days later informing those that didn't go on the cruise that all its passengers were killed after the ship capsized when it ran into a gigantic reef. I lost my brother and father."
Olive was no longer crying and instead listening without looking her friend in the eyes. She attempted to occupy herself with the portraits on the wall, but she couldn't resist the tragic tale that Vesta was narrating. At the same time, the grey bear pitied herself for being so reliant on her own miseries when others had more depressing and malevolent stories. Finally she summoned the courage to look at her friend without turning away. She asked her about the aftermath.
"We all tried our hardest to forget," Vesta said. "I had travelled all around the country, but when I was offered the chance of a lifetime, why was my reception so negative? I said that school was more important since this cruise indeed overlapped my final semester, but it's still something I cannot comprehend. I use that word a lot these days." Vesta looked at the diagrams on the table and she shoved them off irritably. They hit the floor with a small thud. "Don't worry about the Farway Museum's layout. I think... the staff will come up with something."
The town bell chimed twelve times. It was noon.
As if on cue, Vesta moved toward the kitchen and asked Olive if she wanted lunch. The bear said yes and requested water as a beverage. A platter of tiny cheese, ham and turkey sandwiches (which she had prepared earlier) sat on the counter and Vesta filled one of the glasses with tap water and the other with her homemade lemonade, which she referred to as "a very convincing taste"; in reality, it tasted like sour water with an assortment of indescribable fruits. The majority of the town's residents had tried the drink and it had garnered mixed reviews.
Olive acted surprised at the large plate that entirely overtook the coffee table; Vesta laughed and said that while she had owned the table for more than a year, most of the townspeople that had entered her house were not particularly smitten with its presence. "I, of course, having much better taste than somebody like that foul pig Susanna Ester, opted to follow my own instincts and leave it right here. She felt insulted the next time I invited her over, which was only to collect a dress I'd sewn for her." The friends laughed amidst proposed a toast to each other and clanked their glasses boisterously.
"You remind me of the sister I never had," Olive said to Vesta, who handed her a couple napkins. "Of us three cousins, Cheri's the only one with siblings. Both are, in fact, a lot younger and much wiser than she is. Her mum was very difficult on her even before her brother and sister were born, and after they began succeeding in school, lovers and work, Cheri was shunned. Coming here was like an escape for her, but she knows that her mum loves her dearly. Every time one of my aunt's children went on a school trip for a long time, she morphed into a wimp, crying exceptionally at the train station. I swear that those were some of the most entertaining moments of my upbringing!"
Vesta sipped her lemonade. "There's a lot of love there."
Olive contemplated before continuing to chronicle her family's history. "Cupcake is the oldest of us three. She's also an only child, like me, because her mum was almost unable to give birth to her. She suffered incredibly, from what I've heard, and she explained to my uncle after the birth that she didn't want to have more children. My uncle protested, but ironically, he died the following month. Cupcake never knew her father. Her only role model was her mother, who had landed a job at Fauna magazine some months later, which was... well, what we considered her major influence; you know, the clothing and all that stuff was Cupcake's getaway."
"I see, I see," Vesta responded. She had nodded her head several times throughout Olive's story and called it a "gem" of olden times. "So what you're telling me is that the reason the three of you came to live in Veltron was because of issues you hadn't been capable of resolving on your own. Relaxation and peace away from home was your sweet escape? Did your mother allow you to move here?"
Olive rolled her eyes and tapped the coffee table. "Like a hole in the head," she mumbled. "Originally she insulted us and accused us of wanting more than we could afford. No, she was definitely upset with what Cheri and Cupcake wanted to do and when I got involved, she thought of it as a curse. You could say I was in it for the sweet escape and Cheri was in it for the sweet escape, but for her it was leaving the pressure behind. Cupcake has always loved fashion and that's never going to change. I felt like an outsider since I was very certain that I wouldn't be coming, but my aunts persuaded my mother quite well. I packed my belongings in three hours and two days later, we arrived here in Veltron."
The remainder of the meal was eaten in stony silence with nothing but the clock ticking every second. Vesta gestured to take her friend's plate after they had both finished and she returned to the kitchen to place them in the sink. For a few minutes they pondered thoughtfully in the separate rooms, but Vesta sensed the need to see Olive again, walking into her front room to a large grin on the bear's face.
"Do you have faith in me?" Olive asked.
"Faith? What do you mean?" Vesta seated herself on the couch.
"Should I try drawing again? Art in general, I mean?"
The sheep smiled too. "You just made my day ten times happier than it was when I was in the kitchen. Olive, I have more faith in you than anybody else at this moment in time. All you've got to do is believe and I'm positive that you'll think of something amazing, perhaps something even more delirious than you did five, ten, fifteen years ago." She took the bear's hands in hers again and shook them recklessly before apologizing. "I want you to do nothing else and nothing more. I want to know what made you think of art again and what swayed you to return to what was once your common ground?"
Without hesitating, Olive responded, "My cousins: Cheri's delicate, yet strong; Cupcake's snotty, yet precious. I want to be known as shy, yet colourful. I'm getting that Museum job!"
They squealed excitedly and jumped for a couple minutes before Vesta said, "You're not all that shy, you know. After that picnic in Violet Meadows, you abandoned that shyness. You need to concentrate on being a very loving and open girl, Olive. That's what I love about you and while someone like Susanna Ester might not—have you even met her?—there's no reason to hurt yourself because of a view. Their view is not yours. Only yours matters."
Olive retained her smile. "If that's what you love about me, that's what you're going to get."
Vesta chuckled. "Spoken like a true artist."
Tears started dripping from Olive's eyes again. "I can't remember how long it's been since I used my artistic talent, that talent I thought had been long gone. Friendship's really worth more than anything else in the whole world, and you've opened my eyes. From the bottom of my heart, I can't think of much more to say than 'thank you'. It may not mean much now, but I bet that someday you'll see how much that 'thank you' really inspired me."
The two friends shared a warm hug.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: One of my cuddlier endings for a chapter. It's not what I was originally going to write, but it just happened. I hoped you liked it!