Hello all, I'm sorry about the delay in getting this chapter up, it's been hectic. Thank you all who have reviewed the story, I love hearing your thoughts and feelings! Keep it up with chapter 8
DISCLAIMER: I do not own The Adventures of Tintin
"Tintin!" The voice was rushed and seemed full of excitement.
Tintin stood on a small stool on the far side of his office. He was gently replacing a framed editorial he had published a few years ago; he'd only just shown it Aurora. Looking down, he smiled at the dark redhead, who knelt on the floor, roughing around with Snowy, who seemed to thoroughly enjoy the game. Laughing, Aurora looked up at Tintin, she too had heard the voice and knew exactly who it was.
Both laughed as they heard the front door crash open. Outside of the office, Haddock came stumbling into the room, instantly collapsing into one of Tintin's lounge chairs, completely out of breath.
It had been a several days since the dinner at Haddock's and both Tintin and Aurora had been making good on their promise to be friends. Tintin had shown Aurora more and more of the little town, taking lengthy excursions to the open market, including the various flea markets and even a scenic walk around the docks. Even indoors, Tintin showed off all he had; a collection of stories showcasing his various solved mysteries. Aurora had been enthralled with them, the danger and adventure filling her wanderlust. He had even let Aurora read his own little story. She had heard parts of the story of Red Reckham from Haddock and loved Tintin's take on it.
Aurora would not be outdone by her charming new companion and had shown Tintin some of her larger painting. Several of which were depictions of pirate ships, shiny new aircrafts and even a hot air balloon. Tintin had raved over them, making Aurora blush time and time again. The two were becoming inseparable friends and could not be happier with each others company.
By the time Haddock had caught his breathe, Aurora and Tintin had pulled up the kitchen table chairs and sat around Haddock, waiting for him to explain his excitement.
"Well now, how are you miss Aurora, filled up with Tintin's little newspaper yet?"
Aurora giggled into her hands as Tintin scowled at the Captain. Slapping his knees, Haddock laughed along with Aurora until Tintin cracked a smile. Aurora shook her head, catching Tintin's eye.
"I don't know if I'll ever get tired of it, Haddock. Tintin's full of adventures and I can't get enough of them,"
Tintin raised an eyebrow playfully at the Captain, who waved him off.
"Aye, that's all well and good, until you've been at sea!"
"Haddock, why don't you tell us why you're here," Tintin leaned forward expectantly, as did Aurora. Haddock settled down long enough to take a deep breath.
"Ah, you'd be right there. I came to tell you Tintin. I sold another ship this morning and thundering tycoons did the man ever pay forward!"
Tintin stood up, full of sudden excitement. Aurora looked up at him, confusion in her eyes as she did not completely understand the sudden mood shift.
"That's incredible Haddock, I knew you were good for something!"
Haddock stood up with him, rubbing his hands together gleefully as Tintin ran back into his office. Aurora slowly stood as well, looking curiously at Haddock.
"I didn't know you were selling your ships Haddock,"
Haddock nodded absentmindedly, not catching on to Aurora's obvious curiosity.
"Well of course, miss Aurora, Tintin's working and as must I. Blistering barnacles, we'll get there together!"
Aurora smiled despite herself, coming to stop to confront the Captain directly.
"Get where?"
Haddock caught his breathe again, sighing gently as he sat back down.
"Has Tintin not told you? We're building up a fund him and I. We plan on sailing out near on next spring. In search of Red Reckham's treasure!"
Aurora's mouth dropped open and she stood frozen, shocked as Tintin returned into the room, holding a stack of papers. He did not seem to notice Aurora as she stood staring as he scooted his chair closer to Haddock, looking over the papers.
"Alright, well because of your other sale and my last editorial, we're about a half a month ahead of schedule. What was your total?"
Haddock looked up at the roof, as if trying to remember. Aurora was about to speak when he smacked his forehead.
"How could I forget. It was near on three hundred and fifty pounds!"
Tintin smiled happily and scribbled something out on a page.
"Great snakes! That brings us ahead to a full month now," Tintin had a wide grin on his face and a wild smile across his features. His excitement was contagious. Finally Aurora cleared her, catching both Haddock's and Tintin's attention. She looked down at both of them, her smile vanishing for a frown.
"You're sailing out to find the treasure?"
Tintin looked back at Haddock, raising his eyebrow pointedly at him; his smile had lessened. Haddock held up his hands, shaking his head vigorously. Tintin rolled his eyes and set down his paper. He stood up, looking calmly at Aurora.
"We are, we've been planning this voyage ever since we arrested Saccharine and found the coordinates in Marlinspike. We originally planned to take the Karaboudjan, but it was…" he leaned in and whispered. "destroyed by the officials on the dock," He leaned back and cleared his throat. "Fixing up your flat actually was a job I took to earn money to buy our own ship. That's what we're doing, trying to earn enough to get a ship and sail out next year for the treasure,"
Aurora opened her mouth, but words did not come out. There had been an adventure in the making right under her nose and Tintin had never told her about it. She was frustrated, but still confused. After all their talks of adventure, why had he never mentioned this to her? It seemed strange as if there was a reason he hadn't said anything about. It still did not make sense, but as she stood facing him, an idea began to form in her mind. It was a long shot and she knew it could easily fall apart, but if she played her cards right, there may be a chance. She could give Tintin and Haddock their adventure this year. And if her plan worked, she was sure to able to tag along. She would finally get to live her dream and be on an adventure of her own.
She thought all this in a span of a minute or two, standing still and staring straight ahead. Tintin stood looking at her, his gentle face creased with worry, his blue eyes unsettled. Aurora tok a breath and smiled, barely containing her excitement now.
"Tintin, if you need a ship. I know how to get you the money you need!"
Tintin blinked and stepped back; he had not expected a response like that. Aurora had sounded upset. Of course she should be, he knew how much she wanted an adventure. But his plan was for a year away, he had never thought it important to bring up in their friendly conversation. He had been thinking of asking her to come along, but not until he had a ship in his name and could promise her a real adventure.
"You what?" Tintin was not sure he had understood her clearly.
Aurora nodded her head, hands in front of her as she walked up to Tintin and Haddock.
"I can get you the money you need for this ship. You could be sailing out in no less then two months!"
Tintin turned and looked down at Haddock, who was staring blankly at Aurora. Looking back at the darker haired girl, Tintin squinted at her.
"How would you do that?"
Aurora rolled her eyes, as if she thought Tintin was silly to ask such a question.
"My father! He's one of heads to a large export company, the largest in western Europe. If you give him a convincing business plan, explain how the treasure will boost economy and increase export/import frequency, he'll be sure to consider it, if not fund the project! I know my father, he's a real business man and never turns down an offer to increase his business. Trust me!"
Aurora's eyes were full of excitement and her hands waved around in front of her. Tintin felt overwhelmed, sitting down as he looked up at Aurora, confusion plastered on his face. He didn't deal much in the business side of the world, unless you count the time he interviewed a few wealthy businessman on the other side of town for a story he was covering. He wasn't convinced that she was right about her father, but didn't know enough to argue.
"Are you sure?" was all he could manage.
Aurora sat back down, leaning in to both Haddock and Tintin.
"I'm sure! In fact, he's in town this weekend, he's meeting some people for a monthly report or something. But he was going to visit me anyway. If you can write up a good business plan for him, he'll be sure to consider it. And I'll vouch for you. I know it will work! What do you think?"
Tintin, still feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of having another adventure closing in on him. He looked at Haddock, who had barely spoken. The captain met Tintin's gaze, excitement twinkling in his eye.
"It's worth a try, Tintin,"
Tintin nodded, he knew that. He just didn't want to get his hopes up too soon. He looked back at Aurora.
"We can try it,"
Aurora clapped her hands together and stood up.
"Perfect! This will work, trust me," Aurora squealed gently. "Oh, I'm so excited, I'll write my father immediately," She skipped to the doorway, Tintin scrambling behind her. Stopping, Aurora nearly ran into Tintin again at the doorway. Tintin grabbed hold of the door, Aurora right under his arm; he looked down at her as she tossed her hair out of her face. She looked worried.
"You'll take me with you, right?"
Tintin smiled.
"I wouldn't dream of leaving without you,"
He smiled more as she lit up like a Christmas tree. Opening up the door, Tintin leaned against the frame as Aurora stepped out and ran up her stairs, waving back at him.
"Thank you Tintin! You won't regret this. Just have that plan written up for Saturday and this will be a done deal by Monday!"
Tintin watched her until she disappeared, closing the door behind him. Excitement coursed through him as he turned back to face Haddock, a bright smile on his face. They could be sailing this year after all!
Saturday dawned with it's own prospects and Tintin was nervous. He still had no clue on how to write up his own business plan. He'd never done anything like it before.
It was early and Haddock was pacing back and forth in Tintin's living room, brushing off an excited Snowy as Tintin sat as his desk, running a hand through his rusty hair. He was still staring at a blank page, pencil in his hands.
"Crumbs, how does one go about this? I have less trouble solving cases," groaning, Tintin leaned forward in his chair, scribbling out what he thought he should ask a man as important as Aurora's father about a ship. Aurora had said something about the frequency of export and import, but Tintin could not think on how to word any of what she had said. Frustrated, Tintin added a few more details before flinging his pencil down and leaning back in his chair, looking out at Haddock. The Captain had finally sat down and was looking at nothing in particular; Snowy was snuffling around the flat, having lost interest in Haddock. Tintin got up, taking his business plan with him.
"Have a look at this Haddock, tell me what you think,"
Haddock jolted and looked up at Tintin, as if only noticing he was there. He took Tintin's paper and started scanning it.
"Ah, import of the treasure… build the economy… increase… money for a ship and crew needed… ,"
Haddock looked up at Tintin, who shrugged, a half frown on his face.
"She said to ask for money,"
Shaking his head, the Captain stood up and slapped the paper.
"No no, a business plan. Thundering tycoons, we need a plan!"
"That's what the ship and crew is in there for!" Tintin pointed it out and Haddock shook his head.
"This isn't enough Tintin!"
Tintin threw his hands up, walking back toward his kitchen table to sit down.
"You write it then! I can't add more,"
Haddock sat back down, grumbling as he read it over once again.
"I'll need a stiff old drink if I have a chance to fix this up,"
"No drink!"
"Ah, go boil your head in a bucket, you pesky barnacle!"
Tintin rolled his eyes and leaned his head back against the window sill. He knew his plan was terrible, but he didn't have a clue of how one was supposed to look like. There was a time in primary school when he knew more about the types of business and how the world of finances worked, but he'd had a much larger interest in journaling and nothing more had come of his knowledge for a business. He could only hope Haddock had some experience in it from all his days at sea and dealing with trades.
Feeling even more frustrated at the thought of his dream slipping away once again, Tintin closed his eyes tightly and rubbed his forehead. After a minute, he felt his muscle start to cramp and opened his eyes, rolling his head to the side to look out the window. His heart sunk when he saw Aurora walk into the building with a taller man, dressed in a black suit and tie.
He was here
They couldn't do anymore to the plan now.
"Haddock! They're here, I hope you've got more on that paper then I have!" Tintin was about to get up to peruse the plan once more when he stopped. Something on the other side of entrance caught his eye. Leaning in behind his chair, Tintin twisted so as to see better; what he saw increased his adrenaline levels.
It was the dark skinned man, skulking in the corner, the same hat and coat as before. He was definitely hiding, although he did not seem to talking to anyone this time.
"What is he doing?"
Before he could think to do anything else, there was a knock on his flat door and Haddock jumped, nearly dropping the paper. Tintin, having turned his head at the sound, looked back out the window once more.
The man was gone.
Tintin pounded the window sill as another knock rang louder on his door. Nearly tripping over the chairs behind him, Tintin scrambled back into the living room, chasing after Snowy as he ran barking at the door.
"Come here Snowy!"
Tintin scooped him up swiftly, jerking his head at Haddock.
"Get the door," he hissed under his breath, releasing Snowy into his study, closing the door as softly as he could. Haddock reached the door, just as a third knock landed on the wood. Turning the handle, the door was swung open.
Aurora stood awkwardly, her eyes wide as she saw the flustered stare of both Tintin and Haddock. She was about to open her mouth when the man behind her pushed her in and made his entrance.
Mr. Stanton was very tall and quite sturdy, despite his thin frame. Although his hair spoke to Aurora's dark highlights, it was clear that he was no ginger; more of a sharp chocolate hue. His piercing eyes were ice chip blue and Tintin found it hard to meet his gaze. With a hand in his suit pocket and an arched eyebrow stare, Mr. Stanton's eyes swept over the room and landed non-to hurriedly on the two males standing nervously in the middle of the living room.
"Are these the two men you said had a business proposition for me, Aurora?"
Aurora stood at her father's side, looking at Tintin, practically screaming at him for the state of the situation. Tintin could do nothing but stand still as Aurora forced a bright smile and addressed her father as calmly as she could.
"Yes father, this is Mister Archibald Haddock and Mister Tintin,"
Mr. Stanton looked the pair up and down once more.
"Indeed,"
So here it is, I left it as sort of a cliffhanger. I hope you all enjoy! Thanks for reading