Colin's posts

It was a warm spring day, and a young girl was in her backyard enjoying it. Her parents were in the house, but they were keeping an eye on her at times, but they were sure she was fine.

After all, she was mature for her age, and none of the animals from the forest on their land ever came close to the house.

However, as things would have it, she WAS being watched from the forest.

Some unknown presence was watching her... waiting. Waiting for her to lower her guard. Waiting for her to get closer and closer. Waiting for the opportunity.

It kept itself low to the ground, hiding in the shadows and bushes, remaining completely silent and nearly motionless... almost coiled like a spring.

Sure enough, the patience was rewarded, as the girl got close enough that it considered its chances of hitting its target to be more than adequate.

With that, it crouched down even lower, before springing out of the bushes right towards her.

"RAWR!" was what the girl heard, before she turned and saw what was leaping right for her.

Ash chuckled lightly when she said that.

"I got it shortly after I adopted you, it just never really comes into play." he told her.

"Just when we need to keep up appearances. Like tomorrow." he said further.

"Guess both of our girls are growing up." Lindsay commented.

"Kalin's going to be a lawyer, and she even says she plans to open up a nightclub so she can let herself loose every so often." he explained.

"...that'll be hard." Ash responded. "I mean, she'll need some serious entertainment to draw people in, considering the competition." he said further.

This just caused Lindsay to smirk.

"I think she has an idea for that." he said cryptically.

"But that's in the future. Years from now. For now, let us celebrate our victories as they are, and make sure Casey here can actually make a living on doing what she loves." he suggested.

"A very good idea." Ash agreed with a smile.

"I'll make up Casey's fave cupcakes to celebrate!" he added, which resulted in approval from the other two.

They weren't sure what their far futures held, but they knew their immediate futures were bright... and maybe they couldn't help but wonder how things could have been... what sort of futures they may have had if things had gone differently...

Ash just smirked.

"Yup." he said.

"That about sums it up." he told her.

"I'll drive you out there tomorrow." he said further.

"What time do you want to go there?" he then asked.

Lindsay accepted the card, and looked it over... and then whistled.

"I know this name." he said.

"Hm?" Ash asked.

"He's very good at spotting talent, and knowing who can make a name for themselves." Lindsay responded.

"If he wants to showcase your work, then he must think you're destined for great things." he told Casey further.

"Hm." Ash mumbled.

"You want to?" he asked Casey.

"Ah, an art collector, and sounds like an avid one." Lindsay responded.

"If I were to wager a guess, they were taken aback by your raw talent and skill, and wanted to have one of your early works, as they may think you'll be a big name in the art scene." he guessed.

"I can see why." he went on.

"The raw emotion in some of these pieces is... amazing." he commented.

"I can almost feel the passion and energy that went into them."

"....huh. I see." Ash responded.

"Something going on out here?" Lindsay asked as he wandered to where they were.

"Taking a bit, Ash." he commented, before stopping.

"Oh! Didn't realize Casey was here." he admitted.

"Hello again." he greeted her with a warm smile.

"...these paintings your work?" he asked, eyeing them.

Ash raised an eyebrow when she returned with the box.

"Eh?" he muttered.

"All right..." he said, opening it to reveal paintings that she had done.

"...woah." he mumbled.

"You did all these?" he asked her, looking at them one by one.

"There's a lot here."

"$750!?!?" Ash exclaimed.

"Holy hell." he muttered.

"Wait..." he then said. "Wait, wait, wait." he repeated.

"Painting?" he asked.

"He bought a painting?" he asked her.

"What does that have to do with YOU?"

".............." Ash was silent as he heard that.

"Ah..... huh." he said.

"Sounds fishy." he commented.

"Almost fraud-y." he went on.

"So he just... GAVE it to you?" he asked.

"And what's... 'hefty'...?" he asked further.

Ash blinked a couple of times.

"A bank account?" he asked.

"I mean, sure. I can do that." he said.

"Why?" he asked.

"Why the sudden interest in such a thing?"

When she got home, she immediately heard people talking. One sounded like Ash, and the other sounded like Lindsay.

Seemed Ash's brother was here for a visit.

The talking then died out, and she saw Ash making his way to the kitchen, before pausing when he saw her.

"Oh! Casey." he greeted her.

"Welcome back." he said.

"I'd expected you to be gone for much longer, seeing as you tend to draw out your little outings."

"I showcase all that I find interesting or worthy." he replied.

"So feel free to bring whatever you like." he told her.

It was at that point, a device went off on his person, and he checked it.

"It seems I must go." he said.

"Urgent business." he told her.

"Was lovely meeting you." he finished, extending his hand.

The man nodded.

"Of course." he replied.

"The hours are on the back of the card." he told her.

"Seriously. I would greatly love to showcase your work." he assured her.

"Discovering new talent and getting in on the ground floor is very exciting and rewarding."

As she grabbed the painting, the man was scrawling something down on a small rectangle of paper, before ripping it off the book and putting the book away. He then grabbed something out of his wallet.

When Casey handed him the painting, he handed her the two things in return.

One was a cheque for $750 dollars.

The other was a business card. HIS business card.

"I own a gallery and often host auctions and sales." he told her. "Please do bring some of your work there, as I would love to curate it and get your name made known." he added.