Chapter 62, Siblingship in Paint

Chapter 62, Siblingship in Paint

Five minutes later and George was dressed up in a gaudy, dark blue thing that honestly might not have looked too bad on a handsome man. It really wasnt the kind of clothing that Kreig could appreciate on an aesthetic level. What were the little shiny buttons for? Why did he have a glittery top-hat? What tailor would stoop to this level?

Its not too modern, but, I assure you, I was the most popular guy at the prom, George said in all confidence, pulling out a cloth rose from Somewhere. Kreig really wasnt about to question any of this.

Someone else wasnt about to let his statement go unchallenged. -Really? Most popular? George, Ive got a photo of you that might prove otherwise, Sam teased, poking her head out of her room. She hadnt gone to bed. What a liar. Though, really, Ive gotta ask. Whatd you bring out your one suit for? Found a prom date after all these years?

-Hey, shut it! He doesnt need to know that! George shouted back, crossing his arms sternly. Besides, Ive got nothing better to wear. A man must always present his best side while having his portrait painted.

That got her attention. Oh? Is that-, is this-? Her face went through about five different expressions, beginning with pleasant surprise and ending with childish upset. Hey, how come I wasnt invited? I bet I could look fifteen times better on a canvas than he ever could!

Kreig stared at her strangely. Join us if youd like.

He didnt see why this was even a question. Fitting two people on a single canvas was as easy as a single one, although it did increase the time itd take him to complete it. As long as she wouldnt mind this, she could easily join. No issue there. In that sense, the only thing keeping him from getting straight to painting was Sam herself. After all, she just sort of stood there. Eyes slightly wide.

Is that an invitation? she asked. Kreig nodded. Of course it was an invitation, what else would it be? Oho? Really now? A competitive grin flashed across her face. Very well then! Watch me beat George out of the park as easily as a fly flies!

With that declaration of battle, she rushed back into her room. Going by her cackle and general demeanour, it was clear she was trying to out-dress her brother. Going by Kreigs lacking knowledge of these kinds of things, this might take a while. And so, after taking a peek at his brother and getting a sympathetic nod in turn, they went over to the living room. Together, they decided pretty quickly how theyd do this. Namely, George and Sam would sit on the couch while Kreig painted them, making sure not to get any paint on the carpet, even though Kreig assured George that he had cleaning skills that could clean such stains. George didnt trust him on that. A dirty carpet was a dirty carpet.

The star arrives! Sam shouted from down the hall.

Adding this to an already finished painting felt like an impossible, daunting task.

But he did it. He saw his siblings, where they sat, and he saw their humanity. Something he had thought he himself had lost. Compassion, patience, loyalty. He believed he only had one of these. But here, in them, he saw all three. He saw it, and he put it on his brush, and he put it on the canvas. He took their virtues and placed it into the painting. He took their humanity and made it visible.

And there There it was.

His greatest work.

Artistry reached Rank V

Artistry (V)

Rank V: Evoke opinion

Rank IV: Evoke emotion

Rank III: Greater anatomy, perspective, shading

Rank II: Greater colour and design

Rank I: Stable hands, smoother lines