~winter's bell~ || a harvest moon story

moffnat

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Spring 30 - Animal Festival
E
ach year, in the middle of Spring a festival comes around to which every animal in the village and surrounding looks forward to. A day where they get pampered with an extra snack and are at the center of attention. The Animal festival has arrived in Winter’s Bell!

With the gentle spring sun out and a soft breeze the weather is so pleasant that there is no excuse to stay cooped up inside. The meadow has been transformed into a makeshift petting zoo with stands between where snacks can be bought that pets, livestock and humans alike can enjoy. Workshops on animal-care and other fun animal-related activities are organised in which everyone can partake.

However, the biggest event today will be the Animal Talent show. The Animal Talent is all about showing off the beloved animals and attracts visitors and participants from all around. Separated into several categories the owners or trainers can decide to sign up their precious friends if they believe that their stock truly has something formidable! The day will end with a grand winner announced, which comes with a grand prize money and a year supply of bragging rights.

Though, of course it won’t be truly the Animal Festival if no effort is made in offering a new warm family to another fortunate animal. The petting zoo isn't only for show and adoration, but also for sale. Those who feel that their hearts has been touched by one of the critters can discuss a purchase and hopefully gain a new friend for life.
 
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──── soojin park.

She was only here for the animals. That's what she told herself, anyway. As a lover of cats, she'd come to the Winter's Bell Animal Festival in hopes that she might adopt one more. Her current cat, Misty, loved company. The three-year-old tuxedo mix was a playful little thing with a bright, jovial personality that Soojin thought would be fitting for a new adoptee.
What Soojin didn't anticipate was the people. All of Winter's Bell had turned up for the event, and while Soojin should have been interested in networking from a business owner's perspective, all she wanted was to find a cat and go home. She cradled a cup of strawberry punch in nervous hands. Everyone knew how to talk to each other. She saw a mix of familiar and unfamiliar faces; as the newest resident in town, she didn't know everyone, and the idea of having to introduce herself was terrifying. Instead, she watched. A chair near the outskirts of the festival suited her just fine. She noticed Cameron Elliot, the man who had fixed her sink a few months back, petting one of the farmer's llamas over a fence. The teacher, Mary Hernandez, was talking with the mailman and his children, their names among the many that Soojin couldn't remember.
She waited anxiously. Waited for the courage to ask about a new cat.
 
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Amber Becker

head baker & owner of becker's bakery




Amber had been up since the early morning. While some of the offerings for her stall later had been prepared the night before, there was still a lot of work left to do. This year, she intended to push the boat out a little and have some real fun with her creations. Cat and dog macarons, freshly baked tiger bread, cupcakes with bunny ears, and others decorated to look like sheep, and of course, a selection of animal themed cookies and pastries. She'd even spend a few days researching baked treats for the smaller animals as well, including bones for dogs and little fishes for cats. She had take home boxes of both, with the recipe printed on a slip of paper inside, as well as loose biscuits and treats for those who wanted to take a handful in to the animals. She decided against charging for the loose biscuits, writing it off as her offering to local animals.

It was a lovely day out in the meadow, which delighted Amber. The sun wasn't great for her creamier goods, but it was good for business and for the festival. She was in the business long enough to remember to have a cooler on hand for these kinds of things. Isaac had helped her set up her stall, as he'd taken the day off for himself. He wanted to chill and enjoy the festival, and maybe finally make up his mind when it came to adopting a dog. He'd also made off with a handful of the baker's homemade dog treats. Her cousin wasn't entirely above bribing a dog for their affection it seemed.

It had been a busy morning, and the baker found herself serving and chatting to a mixture of familiar and new faces. The carpenter, Máire, who Amber had barely seen since she'd finished the renovations in her apartment even made an appearance, buying a pig's ear pastry and a box of dog treats for her dog. It was beginning to ease up a little bit now, giving her a moment or two to stretch herself out and fix her hair back up into a ponytail.



 
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Emrys Jernigan
The long and playful cattails, the soft bunny tails, the orange of the monkey face orchids, today’s booth was all in the honour of the Animal festival. Plants that were usually sold in the shop under another name were playfully renamed for the day. Toad lilies, snapdragons, decorative, functional, they could all be found, as long as the plant had a name related to an animal.

Take for example the eremurus, today renamed to be the foxtail-lily. Pretty as it was the price was upped with a percentage of 5%. High enough to make double the interest, low enough for the festive mood to remain without being spoiled. It was all clearly a scam.

Yet Emrys helped in the scam, sitting at the booth as he waved around the cattail left to right. Down the booth a kitten sat, following the cattail that swished left and right, trying to catch it. The mute just pretended that he didn’t notice the little thing, but for the moment it was the only entertainment he had. The only distraction from an awful social event he was forced to sit at.

“How much?” an old lady asked as she picked up a seed pack of foxtail-lilies. Emrys shifted, straightening up as he gulped, his mouth dry and cramped. ’Five’ he gestured, pointing at the little card tucked at the box. Giving him a look the lady paid her five coins before heading off to the next booth, her smile from earlier already gone.

Sighing to himself the male turned back to the kitten, realising that it had already lost interest in him and was now pouncing over to its next target.

Pouting at the loss of the little friend Emrys contemplated leaving the booth to chase after it. However, as he trailed after the kitten he soon realised that it was going straight for another person. An unfamiliar yet familiar face, for she was the new tailor of the village: Soojin Park.

Emrys slowly backed up. That cat would come back on its own if it wants to. Hopefully without a human company.
 
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☆ ruby rycroft ☆
No one ever needed to ask Ruby how she was feeling.
It was impossible not to know, with the way she carried herself. One had to be both deaf and blind to miss how open of a book she was, practically skipping into the festival with her son in tow, labrador retriever running alongside them. She was ecstatic. A day off, and with both of her favorite boys? Miles and Pancake were the lights of her life and frankly, Ruby was determined to make sure they both had the time of their lives on this little holiday of theirs. The festival was buzzing with activity, gathering about as many residents as their little town could even muster and Ruby could not have been more pleased to be there to witness it.
Miles only really cared about dogs, so to him, the animal festival hadn't really been the most appealing thing in the world, but the sight of a stand sporting baked good seemed to change his mind. "Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom!" he was chanting as if she wasn't practically lifting him off his feet while sauntering along with their arms interlocked. "What? What? What? What?" she echoed back, following his pointed finger to the stand ahead.
Of course, he didn't have to sell it much to her, considering the fact that shoving food into her mouth was one of her favorite hobbies. The stall belonged to Amber, she knew, since they only had a single bakery in town. Practically flying to the stand, Ruby waved the woman hello, grinning brightly while her son decided to ignore any form of social nicety and stare at cookies intensely.
"Hey Amber! These look great." she greeted, already pulling out her wallet as Pancake circled around her legs excitedly. "How much for the cookies that my son is pretty much drooling on?"

 
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──── soojin park.

Soojin was surprised by the sensation of fur brushing up against her ankles. She looked down, a bright smile emerging where a look of confusion once was. "Oh," she cooed. "Look at you. So pretty."
The punch could wait. Soojin set her drink down on the little table beside her and reached down for the kitten. He was pure orange with bright green eyes, eyes that darted this way and that, though he sought no need to escape. Soojin cradled him against her chest. The kitten curled into her immediately, purring, sniffing her chin for signs of the fruit punch.
She was in love.
Soojin would have happily made off with the young kitten then and there, but she knew the little thing was likely up for adoption, meaning there were fees to pay. She stood from her seat, her newest family addition in her arms, and approached the animal vendor, a rich woman she didn't know personally.
"Um," said Soojin. "Hello. How much for him?"
 
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Edith Gerhardt
The urge to banish all of the ignorance expressed in one day once and for all was burning. Children who were too rough with the animals, pulling at tails, petting too harshly… Edith bith her lip not to walk over and tell them off. Her father had explicitly asked her to keep herself reigned in. 'Just today.' she repeated the words her father had told her, repeating it like a mantra.

Edith didn’t like the Animal Festival. Exposing all the animals to sudden human attention in big waves. The female had argued against the whole idea, but ultimately lost and given in like she did every year. However, like each year she had made sure to make her terms known as well, which had meant that she had been in the village for the week before the festival. Unusual, as the blondine was usually gone for most of the week and prefered not to stay around in the village. However, each year the same frustrations popped up again in which she promised herself fervently that she would fight the decision again next year.

In such a fashion the female stood near her booth, eyes dark and pointed and her posture impatient. Any moment she could have snapped, if it wasn’t for a voice calling for her attention.

Looking down at the kitten in the stranger’s arms Edith gave the woman a look, apprehensive on the thought of selling the animal to her. Though, as a businesswoman she couldn’t refuse the sale either. Not without making sure that the woman would take care of the kitten.

“Let me see,” she spoke, voice surprisingly gentle despite her appearance. Though Edith wasn’t speaking to the woman, which made all the difference. Taking the kitten in arms she examined the little thing, recognising it as part of the new litter she had taken in.

“Any previous experience with kittens?” Edith asked the female, her eyes still busy with examining the little one in her hands. “What will be your commitment like--- ooh, you are a mischievous one,” she continued, suddenly giggling at the kitten when it pounced into her chest, trying to crawl up closer to her face. Not that Edith would let it, she wasn’t done examining the little thing. However, the playfulness didn't remain for long as she turned towards the potential buyer once more, her expression and air serious once more.

“Edith Gerhardt, by the way. The local animal vendor, you can find me at the Gerhardt ranch in the village,” the blondine finally introduced herself, but didn’t bother to extend a hand.
 
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Amber Becker

head baker & owner of becker's bakery




Ruby Rycroft would never be able to sneak up on anyone. If one didn't hear her, it was difficult not to see her if she was in the vicinity at all. Amber grinned and returned the wave as the farmer and her family as the bounded towards her stall. Her brain told her that logically, this exuberance should be too much for her to like Ruby as much as she did, and there was a time when that was true to an extend. Nowadays, no longer bound to playing the edgy town goth, she was free to get just a little swept up along with the farmer. "Hey there strangers. Thank you very much," She smiled, biting back a chuckle as Miles seemed to ignore her completely to gawp at the sweets on display. "For two of my best customers, we'll say one each for the cookies,"

She pulled out two paper bags, handing one to Ruby for the cookies, and the other to Miles with a wink and pointing him towards the loose dog biscuits. "Make sure you get some of those for Pancake too!"

"Feels like I haven't seen you in ages Ruby, how are things?" Amber smiled, "You entering the show this year?"



 

Isaac Becker

owner & proprietor of the winter bell market




There was a benefit to having a cousin who ran the family bakery, and that was access to the pile of rejected cookies she'd taken her eye off of earlier. She wouldn't have minded had Isaac asked of course, and even if she spotted him, he doubted Amber would care, but there was childish delight at stealing fresh cookies that he couldn't pass up on. He chewed thoughtfully on one as he meandered through the meadow, taking in all the festival had to offer. He'd rarely visited this festival as a child, and since moving back to Winter's Bell he'd usually kept the store open or opened a stall with Amber. Exploring it today, while festivities were in full swing and not having to work was a real treat.

Isaac had had a ball at the petting zoo, even before he reached those looking for homes. Sure he'd seen a lot of the livestock and animals around, but growing up in the city, he'd never had much opportunity to get up and close with most of the animals. He giggled out loud as he petted a cow for the first time in his life, earning him some strange looks from some of the older, more old school folk. However, his excitement far outweighed any embarrassment. He needed to do this more often. He wondered briefly if he could ask Ruby to pet one of her cows sometime. However, the star of the show was a mutt of indeterminable breed looking for a home. A shelter from the city had brought some of their charges out in the hope they'd find new homes out in the country. There was no doubt as to why this particular dog was looking for a life away from the city. He'd spent the entire time running around the pen, barking excitedly at anything that moved - human, animal, or leaf. Not exactly city apartment material. When Isaac had finally caught his attention with a treat, the dog seemed friendly and gentle enough... until he took the treat and proceeded to do laps of the pen again, the biscuit still firmly between his teeth. Isaac had put his name down there and then. There was some paperwork and checks to be made later, but the nice volunteer had his details and his money and Isaac's primary concern now was choosing a name for him.

Armed with photos of his new best friend, Isaac was heading back towards Amber's stall to both show her the pictures and pick up some more treats for both humans and dogs. A familiar face caught his eye on the way, and a half forgotten reminder popped into his head. Business was booming, and he was renovating the store to open up some more floor space. He'd discussed most of the details with Máire, in which she'd spoken more than he thought she'd spoken to him in all the years he'd known her previously. On the subject of electrical matters, she'd simply held up her hands and admitted that she didn't touch the stuff. She wasn't qualified. Cameron Elliot was the man for that job. He hated to talk business of a festival day, but knew he'd forget again if he let it go.

"Hey Cam, how are you? Enjoying the festival? Lovely day for it, isn't it?" He smiled and waved at the local blacksmith slash jack of all trades. He'd wait for him to answer, nodding and smiling in all the right places, before cutting to the chase. "Actually, hate to talk business today, but while I have you here, I was wondering when you might be free to do some work for me. I'm doing some renovations in the shop, and Máire O'Shea said you were the man to help her out with the wiring and that kind of thing."



 
☆ ruby rycroft ☆
Amber had roots in Winter's Bell. Of course, Ruby hadn't interacted with her much 'til she'd become the official baker of the town, but hey, she was a talented gal and that smile of hers could not go unappreciated. Ruby sought out the happiness of others just as much as she sought her own, and a pretty smile was a gem worth polishing. Handing over a few coins for the cookies, she slid her wallet right back into her pocket. Miles, being ever so enthusiastic about food, took the bag with a word of thanks that was perhaps closer to a yell, quickly shoving one into his mouth. So much for chewing.​

"Thanks. I think the only thing Miles cares about here is the food." she chuckled as the boy leapt over to the dog biscuits, his own mouth completely full. The crumbs soon became a seemingly permanent fixture on his face, but hey, both him and Pancake seemed to be absolutely elated as he threw them in the air for the dog to catch.​

Leaning a hand on the table lightly as she watched her boys muck around, she shrugged at the other woman. "Orchard is pretty much fully ripe. Still working on an acre or two to get all the apples sorted. Miles is complaining about 'too much apple pie' again, whatever that means." she made air quotes, as if it the statement were completely ridiculous. "I've got nothing for the show. Pancake only knows how to whine 'til we feed him."

Shaking her head after seeing Mile tumble to the ground after Pancake jumped on him, impatient at the slow onslaught of treats, she grinned at Amber. "How about you? Making good money being the sugar dealer today?" she joked, eyeing the array of schoolkids nearby, all munching on treats.​
 
⚜ theodore ivankov ⚜
If there was anything Theo hated more than being around loud crowds, it was being in the sun. Of course, it was spring, so the mild temperatures really weren't anything to gawk at, but being the stick in the mud he was, the warmth did not please him. He was more of a 'winter-time, stay at home and read a book' kinda guy. Winter's Bell was alight with life today and unfortunately for him, being one of the town's main doctors (despite the fact that he was a biomedical engineer, not exactly a doctor...), he was stationed at the medical tent for the festival, on standby in case of emergencies. Emergencies here seemed to consist of old ladies losing their glasses or kids with cut fingers though, so really, his day had not been very action packed so far. His grandfather had insisted that he go, saying that it was vital for him to interact more with the townspeople but Theo was almost certain that it was simply so the other could nap for the rest of the day. Sigh.​
If only that were him. What he wouldn't do for nap...​
Sighing, he adjusted himself in his plastic chair, still leaning his elbow on the table in front of him. All he really had with him anyways was a first aid kit and a half-finished book of sudoku puzzles. As enjoyable as the latter were, he could not amuse himself with them for more than a few hours. The buzz of children and animals made it hard to concentrate anyways. Standing up now, he stretched out his limbs, frowning. How many more hours was this going to take? His stomach grumbled in protest.​
Ah. He hadn't eaten lunch.​
 
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──── soojin park.

Soojin was pleasantly surprised. Not only was the woman cordial and to-the-point, but she wasn't bothering to make any small talk, something Soojin found incredibly uncomfortable. Edith Gerhardt. She would have to remember that name, in case either of her two furry children needed any sort of help; surely an animal vendor would be able to supply a wonderful veterinarian.

"I-I have experience with kittens," stuttered Soojin. "I have a cat at home, actually. Her name is Misty. She's about three. She's a tuxedo." Soojin folded her hands politely in front of her, though she couldn't help but wring them. "My name is Soojin Park. I'm the new tailor here, but... I don't expect anyone to know that."

Think of your business, idiot, Soojin chastised. Offer her something! No one knows you're the tailor because you don't put yourself out.

"Um," said Soojin, fighting the rise of bile in her throat. She cleared it, taking a deep breath. "I could -- I mean, I could... offer you a deal? In exchange for his adoption fees, I could make you a dress. You look like someone who enjoys fashion. I'm good at what I do."

Despite her anxiety, it felt good to make the offer. She only hoped Edith would bite.




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──── cameron elliot.

Cameron loved llamas. He didn't care that they were smelly, he didn't care that they spit or were loud on occasion. He loved their long necks and their fluffy wool. He loved their personalities. Nobody knew it, but if Cameron could adopt an animal and take it home, it would be a llama. But he couldn't do that. He was content to admire them from afar. Forcibly separating something from it's family was cruel, no?
It wasn't long before someone disturbed him. Cameron couldn't say he was surprised. He couldn't walk across town without three different people asking for his help or inquiring about his day. Not that he minded, of course; he was known for his lack of complaint and complete absence of anger. A giant teddy bear, as it were. He was happy to oblige those who stumbled into his path.
Today, it was Isaac Becker. An attractive man, the grocer, someone who always made Cameron grin. He was good at talking, something Cam never got a grip on, and speaking to him was something of a learning experience. "Not too bad m'self," Cam replied in response to Isaac's question. "Just enjoyin' the animals. Think we all are."
Moments later, Isaac was mentioning a project. And Máire. Cameron rubbed his neck almost sheepishly, though he tried to pretend it wasn't so. "She did?" he asked in that deep southern drawl. "I see, I see. Sure, man. I don't mind helpin'. What time you need me at the shop? I can swing by on Thursday at ten, when I'm done fixin' Mrs. Willhoughby's toilet. That okay?"




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──── mary hernandez.

"Teacher, wait up!" cried the voice of little Caliope Thomas, the six-year-old daughter of the mailman. "Wait for me!"
Beside Mary, Caliope's two older siblings, Meredith and Juno, giggled in anticipation. They were to race. Mary had offered to buy them all lunch if they beat her. She intended to regardless of the outcome of their little bet, but one high school track champion against three kids under the age of thirteen? They didn't stand a chance.
"Now," Mary warned once Caliope had lined up, "I want a nice race from all of you. Okay? No tripping, no pushing, no shoving." Mary looked to the end of the field. Seth and Sarah, the Thomas parents, were waving to signify the finish line. "On the count of three. One... two..."
"Three!" Caliope cried, and all of the Thomas children started running. Mary didn't realize until they'd already gotten a head start. "Hey!" she called, rushing to follow them, her breath mixed with laughter. "That's not fair!"
Mary caught up to them quickly. As bright and sweet as Mary was, she had a damnable competitive side, even against children. Her sundress nearly came up around her thighs -- thank the Goddess for undershorts. She broke into loud laughter the closer she got to the mailman and his wife, her bare feet pounding into the dirt, curled hair blowing in the wind.
She didn't see the tree root. In a swift, clean snap, her foot caught on the bark and Mary fell face-first, her ankle cracking at a terrible angle. She wailed in pain. Burning, jagged sensations pulsed from her foot upward, and she rolled on her back, reaching down to her misshaped ankle with dread, and no small amount of regret.
 
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⚜ theodore ivankov ⚜

It was as if God himself had decided that Theo was being too sour to deserve lunch. ... Not that he believed in a god anyways, but that was besides the point. Mere moments into his thought journey, simply staring out into the various stands to decide what he felt like eating, a wail erupted near his tent. Okay, waiting all day and no one gets injured, then the moment he decides to get up, all hell breaks loose? Turning his head to observe the creator of the racket, he was quite surprised to see none other than the town's teacher, Mary. Then he was surprised that he'd actually remembered her name. That sure was different.​
Of course, now wasn't really the time to contemplate his successes. There was a woman screaming on the ground, after all. A brisk walk had him crouching at her side within the minute, frowning as he eyed the ankle. If the crying didn't alert one of her current status, the beginnings of a swelling patch over her ankle sure did. Gently, he put a hand on the lower half of her foot, just holding it in place slightly to observe, still not having said anything to her. ... Right. He should've probably started with that.​
Putting a hand out to help her up, another coming to support her back, he spoke, "C'mere. Gotta wrap that up."
... To be honest, talking to people wasn't really his forte. If that hadn't been obvious from the beginning.​
 
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──── mary hernandez.
"Goddess, I'm a mess," Mary groaned as she accepted Theodore's help. She stood on her working foot and slung her arm over the doctor's shoulder, a weak smile crossing her lips. "Thank you. I really appreciate it."
The two of them struggled to make their way back to the table Theo had been sitting at earlier. Mary fought tears the whole time. The Thomas children were weeping enough, blaming themselves for their teacher's injury when truly it was her own misguidance that led to her where she was. She found herself half laughing, half crying by the time the doctor had released her. She sat on the edge of the bench and wiped her tear-stained cheeks with the backs of her hands.
"I've never broken a bone before," she told him. "I must look ridiculous. Ah! It hurts so fucking--" Mary caught her tongue. The children were beginning to gather around her, all offering their innocent concern. She couldn't fail them. "So... flippin' flick flarning bad! Flarg!"
Little Caliope Thomas gasped. "She said flarg."
 
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⚜ theodore ivankov ⚜

The journey back to the table wasn't too difficult, considering the fact that Mary didn't really weigh much, but the weeping children following behind like it was some sort of sadness parade were... Something, to say the least. He was glad that their parents were here, mostly because he was not particularly fond of children (he had no idea how to handle the things, they were basically wild animals with pants on!). Crouching down beside her after setting her down on the bench, he hummed lowly to himself in thought, inspecting her ankle. "... Well. It's not out of place. Since you're in pain, I'm guessing it's just a sprain." he stated, elbows resting on his knees, "Unless you feel any numbness or heard a crack when you fell. Then it could be a fracture or a break." he shrugged, standing back up to rustle through the first aid kit. Well, looks like it was finally time to use something other than band-aids with Hello Kitty on them.​

Upon returning, he snorted briefly at the gasp erupting from the apparently new swear, flarg, but the humour wore off quick once he was crouching beside his patient once more. Finally meeting eyes with her, he spoke curtly, "I'm wrapping it now." A gentle hand held her foot still, circling the compression wrap around her foot snugly without pulling too hard. Fastening the clips once he reached the end of the wrap, he then stood up.​

"Gotta ice that once you're able to." he stated, before furrowing his brows in thought, "Ah. Need crutches too, I guess. I can walk you to the clinic. Crutches and ice there. ... Or drive you." It was a mere five minute walk from here but he didn't really know her pain tolerance. Considering the lack of pauses between his many short sentences, it seemed like he was talking to himself, so he stared at the woman, to prompt a response.​
 
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Edith Gerhardt
Edith eyed the female warily, her brow raising at the female as the tailor struggled through her words. Why people always felt the need to get so nervous over simple conversation went beyond the blondine, but she said nothing of it. Edith just stared, with her cold blues icing the new tailor down and her red lips pressed together.

“I appreciate the offer,” she clipped, her face stark. She didn’t appreciate the offer. Feeling that Soojin wasn’t taking Edith seriously as an animal vendor the blondine couldn’t help but feel judged by the tailor the same way as the rest of the village did. A pretty face, born with a golden spoon in her mouth and nothing more.

“My wardrobe and business are separated, however,” she continued cooly, scratching the kitten in arms between its ears. The way she interacted with the animal stood in contrast to the way she spoke, a feature of which Edith was known for and a trait that caused a great amount of misunderstandings. “If you can’t afford the kitten it is advisable you rethink your decision, it isn’t a single expense after all,” the female continued in one sweep.

Aware of the temperature drop she had caused and the nervous hand wringing of the new tailor Edith forced herself to let go of a smile. To soften the mood and the cutting words.

“I can drop by as a customer, however.” The female hoped that the metaphorical olive branch was enough to ease Soojin into better waters with her. After all, it would be a shame to chase away a potential customer and a new neighbour both at once.

@moffnat
 
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Sander Sudworth
Sander had almost forgotten what day it was if it wasn’t for the fact that the village had been empty. Having refused to own anything to keep the time with Sander often found himself clueless on what day or hour it was, or how many days even had passed. Not that it mattered to the man, for he had plenty of time to spend and waste no matter how he kept or calculated. In that he differed from the rest, which was a painful yet fascinating reminder.

The man had only arrived days before, fresh-faced and still clueless on the mechanics of the people here. However, he had enough experience to know that despite the small size of the village there was always someone to be met outside. Especially the elderly and he had encountered one such lovely lady that had been telling him all about the Animal festival, the destination to where all was headed.

“Oh dear,” the lady whispered, causing Sander to look up with a raised brow. Not too far away a young lady fell, her ankle twisting painfully as she screamed it out of pain. “Oh dear,” the elderly breath again, hand over her chest. A little worried for her ability to breath Sander leaned forward towards the wispy lady, hoping that she was just gasping at the situation.

“Grace the heavens for doctor Ivankov,” she continued, hand laying on top of Sander’s arm. “Though he can be so brash in his wordings...-are you sure you are no doctor, dear?” the woman continued, catching the worried expression on Sander’s face as he seemed conflicted whether to rush over to the doctor and the fallen lady to help or stay with his current company.

“N-no, but I have studied the medical field extensively,” he sheepishly admitted, memories flashing past of long bygone times. His knowledge was probably outdated, but he knew he could be of help anyway.

“Go. You want to help, not?” the lady pressured on, a smile gracing her features. In a flash her face appeared youthful, skin smooth and flushed with excitement, but with eyes filled with understanding and wisdom all the same. Blinking Sander returned the smile, kissing the elderly’s hand.

Turning around the male moved himself towards the doctor and the female. Catching the last few words spoken by the doctor Sander popped up, the kids surrounding them gaping at the stranger.

“I can help? No need to get a car out, two men will do,” he offered, offering a shoulder and an arm for the cause.

“Though, if it is icing and crutches I happen to have a cold compress with me?” Sander continued. Nonsense, of course, who carried a cold compress ready to go? However, the male could hardly walk up to the pair and claim that he could magic some cold out of thin air. Besides, it didn’t work that way and having to explain the finer details was a pain.

“I would hate for you to miss out on the festival,” he added with a wink, pulling out something from his pockets that was indeed a cold compress, ready to go. Giving the pair a look he grinned at the children that seemed to be curious at what Sander was pulling from his pockets. Even more so when he mischievously pulled out a single candy, catching all of their attention before slipping it back in his pocket. Sander didn't have the heart to give it to them, having no clue how old the sweet was and if it was still edible.

“No need to move around if we can just wait for the crutches,” he continued with a smile. As much as he would love to wizard crutches out of his pocket the man felt that he had done quite enough. Besides, how would he explain how the crutches fit in his pockets?

@moffnat @PavellumPendulum
 
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❀ hua jiang ❀

It looked like it was going to just be her and Pachelbel today.​

Hua had, of course, asked her brother, Jin, to accompany her to the festival today, seeing as they were both on the newer side as residents in Winter's Bell, but as she'd expected, he'd responded by eagerly leaving on his motorcycle. Ugh. He could be so childish in his ways, always running away from any expectation she had of him but... What could she do? Force him to enjoy this beautiful day? Be as heinous as to make him be witness to all the happy smiles and wonderful scents, ranging from flowers to sweets? Shaking her head with a click of brief disapproval at the thoughts, she continued her walk among the festivities. Well, it was fine. She could handle herself. Though it would have been nice to have some company, it's not as if she was here completely alone.​

The parrotlet upon her shoulder hopped closer to her neck, rubbing it's tiny head against her, making the tiniest of smiles warm up her expression. Yeah, she wasn't alone. She'd just have to hope that Jin was back home by sundown after brooding on his bike for the next few hours. Sigh.​

Her eyes scanned the various booths: one for the bakery, another for children's games, the medical tent, before her eyes stopped on the one teeming with flowers. Her eyes shone as she made her way over. She wasn't really one to interact with any animal except Pachelbel but flowers were definitely something she was interested in!​

The man stationed at the booth was pale, with nothing much to note lingering in his expression save for something that Hua could only describe as perhaps... Minor distaste. His posture didn't really say 'hey, hey, I want to have a conversation' so opted for eyeing the flowers on display after politely smiling at him with a nod of acknowledgement rather than initiating small talk right off the bat. Transferring her small purse from her intact shoulder to the hook on her prosthetic arm peeking out from the sleeves of her blouse, she leaned forward slightly to observe the plants more closely. Pachelbel, displeased at this shift in balance, flew off of her shoulder to perch on the table, chirping at her in a manner that she would assume was accusingly. "Ah, sorry love." she cooed apologetically at the bird, giving it a playful tap atop it's head.​

Turning her eyes back to the toad lilies she was stood in front of, she sighed in a pleased manner, smiling to herself. Those tiny little spots... Ah, they were gorgeous. Pachelbel, now off on her own journey, was hopping over to the florist now, curiously but cautiously approaching.​
 
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──── soojin park.
Soojin was immediately crippled by Edith's refusal. Hadn't she made it clear that she could afford cats, having mentioned that she already owned one? The thought of not bringing home this little bundle of joy saddened her greatly. She frowned but said nothing, having learned long ago to accept cold words with grace and silence.
"Oh, you don't have to do that," Soojin said. "I didn't mean to suggest anything by my offer. I just... tried to network, I suppose. I'm not very good at it. My apologies."
She wanted out of this conversation. Soojin curled her hair nervously behind her ears and pulled out her wallet from the crossbody purse at her hip. "How much for him, Ms. Gerhardt?"


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──── mary hernandez.
Mary had been so busy doing damage control over her slip of "flarg" that she'd barely noticed the stranger approach. He spoke, then, offering her a cold compress for her ankle. Where did he get that?
"Oh, geez. Thank you so much. Both of you." Mary accepted the cold compress, propping her leg up along the bench in a rather unladylike manner. "I guess it's a good thing I broke a bone in front of a doctor and a kind stranger, yeah? I suppose you don't have any painkillers in that pocket of yours?"
Even humor was painful. Mary sighed, pressing the compress against her broken ankle, cringing at the sensation. "I don't think I'll be much company right now. I don't mind leaving, if that's what Doctor Ivankov thinks is best."
She smiled warmly at both of them. No matter how much pain Mary would ever endure, she'd learned the importance of gratitude.
 
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