Aphelia: clears throat nervously I-It's finally up! Can you believe it?
Uhhh hi? Are you ok? You kinda lookin weird
blushing deeply, avoiding eye contact H-Hi... fidgets with her hands I'm... I'm just a bit nervous, that's all. It's a big deal for me.
well its really good, if you're worried about the painting, don't be
takes a deep breath, trying to calm herself Th-thank you, Avery. That means a lot to me. smiles nervously But...
takes a step closer, voice trembling But... I can't help feeling... inadequate, you know? Like I'll never truly be good enough.
oof, that's a strong word. Inadequate, you say? That's... kinda harsh
takes a shaky breath, eyes welling up with tears I know, I know! It's just... sniffs It's hard not to feel that way sometimes.
hey, it's alright. Look, you're an amazing painter, and this piece right here, it's a masterpiece. A masterpiece, Avery. A MASTERPIECE
teary-eyed, voice cracking Th-thank you, Avery. sniffles Y-you really think so?
i know so. Let anyone who doesn't appreciate that, not be in our presence
wipes away her tears, straightens her posture Y-you're right, Avery. I need to own it. takes a deep breath I am a talented artist, and this painting...
that's it. You are talented. And you deserve everything good that comes your way
gains confidence, starts walking around the room with her head held high Thank you, Avery. Thank you for believing in me.
you bet! gives a thumbs up
grabs a paintbrush and starts adding final touches to her painting See, Avery? I knew I could do it. pauses, admiring her work
see? Told ya! Now, how about we celebrate this masterpiece with some cake? Or something?
smiles brightly, wiping sweat off her forehead Y-yeah, that sounds great! Cake sounds perfect, Avery. takes a seat and takes a big bite
During the celebration, Aphelia accidentally knocks over a cup of wine, spilling it all over an important guest who happens to be a powerful art critic
oh damn. I think that 'important guest' is a major art critic
panicking, tries to clean up the mess Oh no, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to! Please, let me make it up to you somehow!
...uhhh oh dear. Looks like a bad scene
frantically apologizing I-I am so sorry, ma'am! Please forgive me! I'll do anything to make it up to you, just please don't be mad.
glances at the art critic oh goodness me. I think I'm gonna faint. faints
rushes over to Avery, shaking her gently A-Avery! Avery, wake up! Please, don't faint on me now! panicking
the art critic wakes up uhh hello? Are you ok, miss..?
quickly turns to the art critic, trying to compose herself Y-yes, I'm fine, thank you. puts on a polite smile My apologies, ma'am. I was just trying to wake Avery up. She tends to faint at unexpected moments.
oohh what a nice save there, Phelia. Anyways.... uhh thanks for forgiving us? Do you like the painting or not? It's my favorite piece done by my roommate here, Aphelia. Who, by the way, deserves a hug. As do you. So, if you don't mind, can I give her a hug while you get yourself cleaned up by the bathroom?
nervously glancing between Avery and the art critic O-oh, um, sure... opens her arms for a hug P-please forgive me again, I really didn't mean to cause any trouble.
see?? It's totally fine. Us artistic people just happen to have our little mishaps sometimes. I guess you could say this painting was worth the price of a stain. Because it really is a masterpiece. Go on, hug it out.
hugs Avery tightly, whispering Thanks, Avery. You're the best. gently pulls away Alright, I'll go clean up now. rushes towards the bathroom, still flustered Art Critic: watching the exchange, smirking Well, well, well. Looks like we have ourselves a little artist with a temper.
hey, this is normal for artists! You know how Pablo Picasso said 'every child is an artist, but not every artist is a child'? Yeah, there's a reason why 'artistic temperament' is a thing
emerges from the bathroom, face flushed and hair disheveled Uhh, hi everyone... Sorry for taking so long, I had to clean up the mess I made. takes a deep breath So, where were we? Oh, right!
yeah, that was right. Are you ok now?
nods, trying to regain her composure Yes, I'm much better now. smiles nervously So, um, where were we? Ah, yes!
clears her throat, trying to sound confident W-we were talking about the importance of embracing our artistic side, even if it means making mistakes along the way.
that's right! Embracing our artsy sides, even if that means having accidents happen, like this painting being stained. Or like Phelia accidentally knocking over that wine glass
nods enthusiastically Exactly! Like I said before, every child is an artist, but not every artist is a child. We must embrace our creative spirit and allow ourselves to make mistakes.
exactly! But remember, the real masterpiece is the one we created before the accident happened. Not the accident itself, or the mess we made. The actual painting of yours right there is a masterpiece that should be remembered and celebrated. Not the little accident we had here
takes a deep breath and raises her voice confidently That's absolutely right, Avery! The true masterpiece is the artwork we create, not the accidents that may occur along the way.