Funky Little Socks

[Billie Breckenridge]

Billie had rarely thought of a complaint about her relatively new profession as it had provided her a creative outlet to experiment with her odd fashions. She absolutely loved to make her own clothing and even more so to show all of her pieces off - the fabrics used were not necessarily of the highest quality and often looked disheveled, but they nonetheless provided the girl a lengthy smile for the duration of their adornment. In all honesty, she couldn't have done much more to perfect her creations as she believed them to be in such a state already.

This inventive energy transferred itself to Gladrags and, soon after she arrived to begin her shift, she pulled out her personal sewing kit along with a few ornamental socks she had been working on for a prospective customer in Pennyworth. Per request, they had little kittens sewn directly on the fabric and a rather large cat head towards the front. Billie thought they were quite endearing and something the woman would surely enjoy.

After a few stitches, she apparently had been too busy to pay much attention to the threshold just steps away that separated the woman standing within it to her by only a few meters length. As her eyes caught notice of her, she jumped in her seat and completely forgot about the socks which were simply lying right on the table, though a wave of relief passed over her as she realized it was just her coworker. "Oh... Miss Thurstan, I didn't see you there! You are very... light footed." She managed to pull out in between breaths.

Tag: @'Eireann Thurstan'

  

[Eireann Thurstan]

Eireann was enjoying her walk down to the shop she worked. The air was beginning to turn more brisk in the mornings now as autumn was beginning to settle in. Everyone was on the move and bustling around in the different shops and catching up with their neighbors on the street. Eireann waved here and there to a few people she passed as she wondered what the day would be like at Gladrags today. Everyone will be preparing for all the festivities that we coming up this month, especially the masquerade ball Hogwarts would be hosting. Eireann was excited to work with some bright and fun colors for dresses.

Eireann had finally reached the shop and went inside. Billie was deeply focused on some socks in front of her. She saw how Billie jumped and let out a small giggle. "Hello, Miss Breckenridge. What creation are you working on now?" she asked, eyeing the pair of socks on the table with cute kittens. She touched one, feeling the soft fabric. "They're so adorable," she complimented. "So," she said, looking around the shop with her hands on her hips, "what's the plan for today?"

  

[Billie Breckenridge]

A short session of shocked nerves quickly passed her as she observed Miss Thurstan actually touch her socks. She appreciated the compliment wholeheartedly and adorned her face with a gentle smile. "They are for a neighbor of mine; she has expressed her love of cats previously and I thought I would surprise her with a pair of warm socks!" She stated, subtly dragging the pieces of cloth off the table and onto her lap to keep them out of site. "And thank you!" Billie supposed the activity wasn't at all bad, but she was there to work and not fool around, so she decided to drop it for now.

"I think Mr. Alden has a few tasks for us, though I am not sure exactly what." Her tone had steadied, thankfully, and had an air of curiosity to it. While she was typically one to get a task done, not knowing what they were provided her with a certain amount of stress. "To be fair, I have just arrived myself."

  

[Eireann Thurstan]

Eireann nodded, looking around thinking of where to begin. Deciding there was still time for catching up before actually getting to work, Eireann began hanging up her light shawl on the coat rack by the door. "Are you planning on going to Tinker Farm next weekend? It sounds like lots of fun!" 

Eireann was getting excited about going to Tinker Farm and meeting more of the townsfolk. Eireann always kept to herself so she didn't know very many people, but she was hoping to start coming out of her shell and get to know more of her neighbors. "And the ball coming up! Do you think you'll go? I've been toying with some dress ideas, but it's so hard to find the time these days." Eireann realized she probably was getting a little too excited, and acting like a schoolgirl and not letting Miss Breckenridge get a word in edgewise. Eireann pressed her hands against her stomach, smoothing wrinkles that weren't there. "Sorry," she apologized. "I didn't mean to get so carried away."

  

[Billie Breckenridge]

The barrage of questions certainly provided Billie somewhat of a relief. She was thankful that Miss Thurstan wasn't bothered by her previous slacking off and even found the thoughts unrelated to their profession to be more than welcomed; the mention of finding a dress more so. "No worries!" She exclaimed, lifting herself from her seated position as she worked her way around the table.

"I did plan on visiting Tinker farm, yes! Though I am unsure if my brother or sister are joining me. I do know, however, that I will be attending the ball - I spent little time at Hogwarts myself and I would love to see the castle again!" Pleasant memories of her half-year at the school rang throughout her mind. She had disappointed herself by leaving but knew it was necessary to do so for the sake of the entire family. To think she'd have an opportunity such as this years later was certainly overwhelming and hopefully something she could share with her loved ones.

  

[Eireann Thurstan]

"Yes, seeing the castle up close again will be nice," Eireann agreed. "I went to Hogwarts for a bit, too. Just my first year, but it was so wonderful, isn't it?" Eireann had memories of the great hall all lit up with flickering enchanted candles and a warm sense of belonging when surrounded by her housemates. 

Eireann didn't know the reason why Miss Breckenridge would have left Hogwarts, but she could wager a guess. Most of of the lower class were lucky to go to Hogwarts for a while before being pulled out either due to money concerns or needing to help out back home. Eireann was lucky enough to complete her first year completely before her mother broke the news she wouldn't be returning. The family's money was just stretched too tight having a child in school, and a mother who couldn't work as much as before, since her sister would have been about two at the time--leaving just her father to support everyone. Now everyone is just working to make sure her little brother will get his full education at Hogwarts and "Rise this family up," Eireann's father would say. "At least just a tad."

"So," Eireann looked at Miss Breckenridge, smiling mischievously. "Are you hoping to be dancing with anyone at the ball?" Eireann was a hopeless romantic and loved hearing all about who was chasing after who, and how so-and-so met, and how they knew they were in love. "Most of the town is sure to be there, anyone you have your sights set on?"

The following 1 user Likes Eireann Thurstan's post:1 user Likes Eireann Thurstan's post
   Billie Breckenridge

[Billie Breckenridge]

Billie registered her co-workers words into her mind as she pondered the possibilities associated with the return to Hogwarts. Sure, she could make her own dress, get gussied up, and mingle with old peers, but to what end? The witch assumed they may even judge or laugh at her for not returning initially, however may do just the same if she didn't attend the ball at all. Still, she couldn't argue with Miss Thurstan about the beauty of the school and its innards; she wished the same could have been said about its inhabitants.

"Yes it is very lovely! It seems to leave an ever-lasting impression on us all." She stated happily in an attempt to rid her mind of her previous negative thoughts. It wasn't healthy, so she believed, to constantly plague herself with thoughts of failure or inadequacy and knew the people she truly cared about valued her more for her present efforts than those of her past.

Billie had remained confident thus far, though was taken aback by the woman's question that followed. Not quite experienced with the men-folk, the seamstress really had no other way to respond than to awkwardly laugh and attempt to avoid the subject. "Not particularly, but I really only wanted to go for the experience." She mentioned dreamily, adding "Think of all the decorations they must be setting up. Surely they will be more attractive than the patrons."

  

[Eireann Thurstan]

Eireann smiled, "Well of course the experience and the decorations will be wonderful!" She thought back to some of her favorite books with all the grand romance in them. Eireann mentally kicked herself and reminded herself again, 'life is not like what's the those stories.' "Sorry," she apologized. Eireann realized the question was probably a little personal, especially to ask it right out of the blue. "I didn't mean to over step, Miss Breckenridge."

Eireann walked over to one of the body forms in the corner of the shop. The body forms held different projects in various stages of completion. Eireann went over to the one that was nearly done; men's dark grey wizard robes. There was a hem line to finish and the order had requested a matching tie as well. Eireann slide a little stool next to robes and sat down. She began pinning the hem up, eyeing how even the hemline was and stopped. "Do you think this is even, Miss Breckenridge? Do you think the length is right?" She furrowed brow and smoothed the already smooth robes down so Miss Breckenridge could see the full length. "I'm always worried I'm doing something wrong," she explained with a half smile. "I'd hate to have a talking to from Mr. Alden."

  

[Billie Breckenridge]

Billie shook her head as the woman before her attempted to apologize. She knew her dodge at the question would have elicited some type of response and prepared herself accordingly to reply. "No apology is needed, Miss Thurstan! I just thought I would enjoy the experience over my company is all." She stated plainly as she began stitching the last few details on the pair of socks. The stores reputation at least provided some cover in this endeavor of hers, but she still had reservations about publicly showcasing her talents lest it was intended for the shop to actually take credit.

A slightly lifted head followed her co-worker to the body forms as she took her seat to finish one of the pieces in the back. Billie thought an occupied mind would have warded her away from further personal questions - both a beneficial and relaxing thought to the seamstress. Miss Thurstan had, at least, changed the subject to something of a more professional nature and caused Billie's head to whip towards her to observe the hem. "You needn't worry, that looks absolutely fine! Mr. Alden will take pride in showing this piece, surely." She reassured the woman, hand weaving in and out with her needle.

With her attention drawn, Billie began shifting her focus from the sock to the robes and, consequently, stabbed her thumb with the needle. "Merlin.." She mumbled as the sock was thrown to the desk in a forced manner. A droplet of blood appeared to which she began searching rather hectically for some type of clean rag she could use to halt the bleeding.