[012]

[fortune_sought]

[when Sophie turns on her CAT, her expression is neutral--very carefully so. on the surface, she seems normal, but someone looking closely might notice that her eyes are a bit red and puffy. otherwise, she has a blue shawl wrapped around her shoulders and is seated on the sofa in her townhome. as soon as she begins to speak, that neutral expression goes out the window, and her bitterness is clear]

Since they've so graciously given us some time to ourselves, I think we should use it wisely. It's been cold all day, and--knowing this town--that means it'll be worse tomorrow. I suggest everyone visit the stores and prepare for that. Also, I am going to knit hats and gloves with protective charms in them for anyone who is interested. If you'd like some, please stop by my townhome so I can take measurements.

[she pauses] And...to everyone who... [but her voice catches in her throat, and she lets it trail off. she swallows hard before adding, quickly, her voice thick:] Oh, nevermind! [she quickly shuts off her CAT]

[filtered to Kanaya]

[she takes a moment to collect herself before sending out another message, keeping her tone as businesslike as she can do] I know we met under rather...false pretenses. But if you do know how to knit, and you wouldn't mind, I could use your help. Would you like to?

Comments

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[chainsawspistice]

[What's up with that? But Kanaya won't pry... for now.]

Okay, I'll be over later today. See you then.

[And, true to her word, she'll show up on Sophie's doorstep later in the day with her new sewing machine in hand. Knock knock!]

[fortune_sought]

Oh, no, the flower shop was...[she pauses, thinking of how to describe it. later? unplanned? cover?]...recent. But my family owned a hat shop, so I grew up learning about the business, and I trimmed hats. I've always liked to work with clothes in my free time, too. I'm really much better at sewing, but I think I can knit well enough for what we need.

[she grabs a tape measure and a notepad] Can I get you anything to drink?

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie answers the door with a tentative smile] Oh, hello, Kanaya. Please, come in and have a seat. [she gestures toward the sofa, which has a tray of teacakes on the table in front of it. seeing the sewing machine, she adds:] Feel free to set that down wherever you like.

[desertdaggers]

[rubbing his wrist a little with the hand that's not holding the cake] …you don't need to call me Mister, if… if you don't want to.

[fortune_sought]

Oh. [she's surprised, but she smiles a little] All right...Hawk. I'm going to measure your head and hands, if you don't mind.

[desertdaggers]

[She's always seemed a little more responsible to him, and given events… being called mister by her doesn't sit well with him now.]

[He smiles back, shoulders relaxing, and nods, putting the cake back down for the moment.] Of course not. [and he holds his hands out]

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie takes some measurements, jotting them down] Is there a particular colour you'd like for your--

[she's interrupted as the kettle she left on the range starts to whistle]

Oh! Let me get the tea. [she writes down the last measurement, putting the tape measure back down before she hurries into the kitchen]

[desertdaggers]

Oh- sure. [Hawk nods, and reaches out for the teacake again, taking a bite this time, and contemplates his hands.]

[fortune_sought]

Was there a colour you had in mind?

[Sophie sets the tea to steep, keeping her mind on everyday tasks and firmly away from all the things she doesn't want to think about]

[desertdaggers]

I hadn't really thought about it until you mentioned it, honestly! [He finishes off the cake and offers her a sheepish grin, dusting off his hands.] But… I'm thinking maybe something that'd stand out a bit would be nice. Blue, maybe? What do you think?

[tactilekonesis]

You're still better than I'd be. [He smiles sheepishly.] Ma - my grandma - usually patched things up for me, so I can't sew beyond the basics.

It's fine, really. I don't need to drink. [He holds out his arm reflexively.] Not until this weather's gonna get any worse.

[fortune_sought]

[she looks him over briefly, considering] Yes, I think blue would do nicely. Perhaps a dark blue. What do you think?

[fortune_sought]

Well, if you ever need help, I'd be happy to.

[she gives him a curious look] I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean. Could you hold out your hands, please? [she unfurls the tape measure]

[tactilekonesis]

[He nods, holding them out for her.] My superpowers only work if the sunlight's strong. It's not dependent on the weather so much as the sun itself.

Judging from the fact that I actually feel cold, I'm not too sure how much sunlight we're gonna get.

[video to action]

[bonnypiperlad]

Aye, I could, at that. I'll be right there.

[Shortly after that, there's a brief knock outside Sophie's door. A look outside reveals Jamie standing there, hands tucked under his armpits. He's not quite up to the point where he's stomping around to keep warm, but it looks like he's considering it.]

[desertdaggers]

[he nods, and beams] Mm, just what I was thinking! Do you have any we could look at now?

[lamb_of_gold]

Anger is distracting. Get it off your chest.

[fortune_sought]

Oh... [she frowns worriedly, though she keeps her head down, watching what she's doing as she measures his hands. uncertainly, she asks:] Are you...injured...if there isn't much sunlight?

[fortune_sought]

[she nods] I picked up some yarn today. Just in case...well. [she wrinkles her nose] Just in case. [she rejoins him, holding two cups of tea. she offers one to him and sets the other on the table] Let me get those.

[and she disappears for a moment, returning with several bolts of yarn in various shades of blue, which she sets out on the table in front of him. she sits across from him, picking up her tea and cupping her hands around it, enjoying the warmth] Do you like any of these?

[fortune_sought]

Oh goodness, come in! [Sophie beckons him inside, ready to close the door as soon as he's through it] Would you like a blanket? I've just put the kettle on. [she gestures to her sofa, which has a tray of teacakes on the table in front of it]

[fortune_sought]

[snaps] I'll be angry if I like, thank you!

[but as soon as she says it, she realises that snapping at Mu is rather unkind. even so, she huffs stubbornly. after a brief pause, though, she asks:] Have you spoken to the person who answers Nathan's CAT?

[desertdaggers]

[his forehead creases for a moment, then smooths out, and he nods, reaching out to take that cup of tea.] …yeah.

[he sets the cup to one side for the time being, and leans forward, picking a couple of bolts up and comparing them.] Hmm… yeah, I think so. This medium one, or maybe this one. [he indicates a bolt a little darker than the first]

[lamb_of_gold]

[He had a retort, but the change of subject silences it.]

No. Has something happened?

[tactilekonesis]

Not exactly. [He laughs, though it's somewhat forced.] I'm just your average Joe without my powers. I think I've only been without them twice? It's kind of like being naked, but less fun.

[fortune_sought]

[she considers them] The darker one, I think. [she takes a sip of tea, letting silence stretch for a moment. and then she sighs. after all, her desire not to think about her own current worries isn't an excuse for ignoring his, and it's rather obvious that Hawk is preoccupied] Mister--erm, Hawk? Is everything... [she stops, pursing her lips again] Well. I'm sure "all right" would be an overstatement, but...is there anything else I could do for you?