Ezel: points to painting Fuck, why does she look just like you? Coincidence or some cosmic joke?
Layla
Izzy grabs Ezel's shoulder Come with me!
Ezel: pulls away from Izzy's grip Hold up, Izzy! I'm not some art project you can just drag around.
Layla
Okay, sorry. But come on, there's something you need to see in the next room!
Ezel: crosses arms Alright, lead the way, but don't expect me to follow blindly.
Layla
Izzy nods and goes into the next room
Ezel: follows Izzy into the next room, eyes scanning the surroundings So, what's this grand revelation you're hiding from me?
Layla
Look at this painting! Isn't it beautiful?
Ezel: examines the painting closely Yeah, it's a good piece. But why are you so excited about it?
Layla
Because I found it today!
Ezel: raises an eyebrow Found it? Where? And when? Spill it, Izzy.
Layla
Yesterday. When I was looking around all of the paintings that was here.
Ezel: narrows eyes Yesterday? Are you fucking kidding me, Izzy? You waited until now to show me?
Layla
No! I was going to show you when the time was right.
Ezel: snorts sarcastically Oh, the timing is just perfect now, isn't it? I'm sorry I didn't realize we were playing a goddamn waiting game here.
Layla
Fine.
Ezel: rolls eyes dramatically Look, Izzy, I appreciate the effort, but this painting isn't worth all the drama. It's just another piece of artwork.
Layla
That's not what it means to me. Or you.
Ezel: pauses, then sighs Fine, let's drop the bullshit. We both know this painting holds more than just artistic value.
Layla
Yes.
Ezel: paces back and forth Alright, Izzy, lay it on me. What's the real deal with this painting? Why does it mean so much to us?
Layla
This painting was made by my older brother.
Ezel takes a moment to process Izzy's revelation, their eyes widening in surprise.
Layla
He died a few months before he could even finish it.
Ezel: pauses, visibly moved Shit, Izzy... I had no idea. That's... that's really rough.
Layla
Yeah…
Ezel: walks closer to the painting, gently touches it Damn, Izzy... your brother had some serious talent. It's a shame he never got to see this beauty realized.
Layla
I think he did. In his mind.
Ezel: dabs a tear from their eye You know what, Izzy? I think you're right. Your brother's spirit lives on in this painting.
Layla
I know.
Ezel: wipes away tears and straightens up Alright, Izzy. We're gonna make sure this painting gets the recognition it deserves.
Layla
How?
Ezel: grins mischievously Oh, I've got a few tricks up my sleeve, Izzy. First things first, we need to clean this place up.
Layla
Wait, do you want me to actually clean this place?
Ezel: laughs Oh come on, Izzy! Don't tell me you expected me to do all the heavy lifting alone. We're in this together, remember?
Layla
Yeah, fine. But after we clean up, what's next?
Ezel: grabs a broom and starts sweeping Next, we research. We find out everything we can about your brother and his artistic process.
Layla
Where do we start?
Ezel: puts down the broom and pulls out a smartphone We start by searching online. I'll look up local art galleries and see if they have any records of your brother's work.
Layla
Okay.
Ezel: scrolls through their phone Alright, Izzy, let's see... ah, here's an art gallery that might be interested in our painting.