Work Text:
Rain pattered on the house as Abby the Bluejay leisurely walked from her kitchen to the living room where a bamboo basket pack sat on her coffee table as her apple shaped tv played a random game show. She wasn’t really paying attention as she cared more about getting the stacked bamboo lunches she packed to the basket in one piece.
The Girl with the Star Earring quietly stared at her from above the tv as she carefully deposited the freshly made food in the basket with bamboo water bottles. Abby didn’t pay much attention to her either as she pulled out an old cloth shoulder bag and placed it next to the basket, though being above the tv and not being able to watch it may have been a little boring for the painting ghost.
Mental note to move Star Earring to the opposite wall so she can see the tv.
She propped the top of the messenger bag open, and picked up the blue ancient belted robe that had been laid on top of her modest leather loveseat, next to the brand new navy blue parka undercoat. She had seen them in the Able Sisters shop the day before, and knew what she wanted to do.
She ran a wing over the ginko leaf embroidered on it, it hadn’t taken long to make the small adjustment considering she can make entire outfits, but she anxiously lingered on the extra design element. No real reason why.
With a soft chirp she folded the two sets of clothes when a soft set of knocks came from her front door. She set down the clothes, and answered it to reveal Tom Nook holding a Nook brand umbrella over his head.
“Mr. Nook? Come in it’s cold out there.” Abby quickly waved him in, and closed the door behind him.
“I meant to make this quick, but if you insist.” Tom lowered his umbrella, and left it by the door as Abby scurried off to the kitchen.
“It’s fine,” she chirped from the next room, “I like it when you visit, it’s nice.”
Tom scratched his head sheepishly, and smiled. “Thank you, I appreciate that a lot.”
He wandered over to the small couch, and sat down his attention quickly turned to the things on the table.
“Are you planning a picnic? Or sending some gifts to your family?” He looked over the items, his gaze caught by The Girl with the Star earring staring directly at him.
He frowned at the unpleasant reminder of why he had come to her home. Much like today Redd had come by selling his wares on the water parked in the now not so secret beach. He had heard from Abby’s friend Whitney the Donkey, that she had purposely bought the haunted painting. Tom had offered to excise the thing, but she refused saying how she liked her new house mate.
Abby walked back in with a warm mug of hot chocolate in a small towel to hold the cup, “I had the idea to make a care package the other day. Chirp.”
He raised the cup to his mouth to drink as she sat next to him to continue packing.
“It’s for Redd.”
Tom nearly spit out his drink, and turned to face her as she nonchalantly continued her task. He swallows the drink, and set the cup down.
“Redd? Are you ok? Did that crook say something to you.” Tom smoothed his shirt, and took a closer look over the clothes noticing the ginko embroidery.
“Oh, it’s nothing serious. I just had a gut feeling.” She packed the clothes as well as a stack of peaches in the messenger bag setting it beside the bamboo basket, and steamer basket.
Tom looked her in the eyes, “You know he’s just a con right?”
Abby nodded, as went to the umbrella basket pulling out a peach umbrella to bring back to the pile. “Of course.”
“He’s a crafty fox Abby, I would advise against it. He’s swindled many people.”
“Yes he has.”
Tom frowned, and rubbed his face. “Do you want to be his friend?”
It wasn’t unusual for well meaning earnest villagers to try to befriend the fiend, and try to “reform” him.
“Not particularly.”
Tom scratched his head in confusion as she looked over the pile again. “ I suppose if you really want to I can’t stop you. Still be careful.”
She smiled, and nodded with a cheerful chirp. “Don’t worry I have all my tools.”
Of that he had no doubt. The first day Redd has set foot on the island Abby had immediately assaulted him with a net surprising the other villagers. Not that being beaten with a net stopped him from establishing his “business” with the island.
“Can I ask why?” Tom picked up the mug again to continue drinking.
“Doesn’t he seem kind of, pathetic?”
Tom mulled over the question with another sip. Pathetic was a word that could be used to describe Redd.
“Yes, but it seems like it’s an act to me.”
She nodded, and sat down next to him looking at the tv. “I wouldn’t be surprised, I never bought that “cousin discount” line myself.”
“But?”
“I don’t know, I just have a feeling in my gizzard.” She patted her gut with a shrug.
Tom finished his drink, and stood up followed by Abby back to her front door. “Thank you for the drink, i just passed by to check up on you since you live next to the secret beach.”
“Oh that’s right, I forgot to tell you. I named the beach.” She preened at her work.
“What did you name it?”
“Rubicante Beach, I’m also the one that planted all the red lillies.”
“I’ll be sure to tell everyone.” And with that Tom waved his goodbye, and left the home leaving Abby with her thoughts again.
It didn’t last long as she was quick to put in the bags, and balance the steamer basket with one wing and the umbrella with the other. Wasting no time she left her home, covering the bags and herself with the peach patterned umbrella heading straight for the beach with her loot.
Normally when she would go to Redd’s boat she’d have to hold her breath so she didn’t breath in the noxious black smoke from the cheap fuel, but the rain kept the air clean enough as she walked down the stone stairs down to the beach.
Taking a moment to adjust the weight after stepping off the last step she marched her way into the rusty tub that passed for a boat.
“Cousin!” Redd belted cheerfully before dropping the tone, “What’s all that for?”
Abby dropped the umbrella, and gently set the bags down. “It’s for you.”
“For me?” Redd paused for a moment confused, but quickly jumped back on beat. “Oh I see what this is? You clever little cousin, you think you can butter me up?” He raised a paw to his head, and another to his chest as he leaned back. “Well it’s working~”
“You look hungry, and cold.” Abby closed the umbrella, and leaned it against one of the boxes pushed in a corner of the room.
“I saw you didn’t eat the bento I left for you in the picnic area so I decided to bring lunch to you.”
Redd lowered his paws, and silently watched her trying to find out her angle.
“Thank you, I appreciate that a lot.” He scratched his head “bashfully” as she leisurely walked over to the paintings to stare at them closely.
“I’ll take this one.” She pulled out the required bells, and pointed out the Mona Lisa bulldozing through the tone he was trying to set with ease.
He took the bells gladly, though with thinly veiled irritation. That didn’t phase her as she walked right up after he set the sold card down.
“I also left some clothes, and other small things. You can do whatever you want with them, Chirp.” She graciously smiled, and walked up the metal stairs and out of his boat leaving the peach umbrella behind next to his broken black one.
“You better eat this time old man.”
“Old man? I’m not old.” Redd grumbled before slapping his business face back on. “Oh, uh, Thank You for your purchase today cousin! You won’t regret it.” He stammered as she left without a backward glance.
When she stepped off the boat back into the rain she raised a wing to her beak, and silently sniggered.
With a practiced motion she pulled out her phone and tapped on screen. “Hey Whitney... do you.. want go to theeee.. museum.”