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Cho double-checked that her comm badge was securely attached and her pointed ears were straight. It was her first time vending at this Con and she was nervous. It didn’t help that the neighbouring stall was filled with absolutely gorgeous artwork; she worried that her amigurumi looked a bit naff in comparison.
She smiled at the woman at the booth across from hers selling felted witch hats. A few looked like something only Luna could pull off, but there were others that looked cute. Maybe she’d take a peek later.
Circling to the front of her display, Cho straightened a couple Sulus and Picards which had fallen over.
“Why am I not surprised that a Ravenclaw chose to dress as a blue-shirt?”
She whipped around in surprise, finding a familiar face grinning down at her.
“Dean!” Cho exclaimed. “It’s so good to see you!”
He enveloped her in a quick hug. “Likewise—it’s been too long.”
“Are you a vendor too?” she asked.
“I’m right next to you,” he said, pointing to the art she’d been admiring.
“You’re so talented!”
“Thanks, so are you! Look at these little guys! Cho’s Crochet Creations,” he read from her banner. “What does the flower in your logo mean?
“It’s a peony. In Chinese culture they represent prosperity and good fortune—it felt like an auspicious choice for starting a new venture.”
“I like it. I think you’ll be very popular today. These will sell like mad,” he said, stroking a fuzzy Tribble keychain.
“You think so?”
He nodded. “Definitely! In fact, I’ll be your first customer. Five quid, yeah?”
“Free for all DA members.”
Dean mock-glared at her. “I insist.”
“How about a trade?” Cho proposed, gesturing at his sign that read ‘Request a Sketch, £5 for 5 minutes.’ “Draw me something.”
“Deal.”
“So which series is your favourite?” he asked as he unpacked art supplies from his satchel.
“Next Gen,” she said immediately. “Closely followed by the original series.”
Dean nodded, smiling affably. “I’m more of a Deep Space 9 fan, myself.”
The hall doors opened and people dressed in all manner of costumes spilled into the event space.
“Looks like the hordes have been unleashed,” joked Dean. “Maybe we can grab a drink later to catch up more?”
“I’d like that,” Cho agreed, a faint blush gracing her cheeks.
The day sped by in a whirlwind of sales and fleeting glances, increasing Cho’s anticipation for later.
She noticed Dean packing up his supplies out of the corner of her eye while she explained how to read a crochet pattern to a chatty customer. By the time the customer had paid, Dean was gone.
Disappointed and confused, Cho almost missed the scrap of paper at the edge of his table which bordered hers. She gasped softly when she picked it up for a closer look—a peony in full bloom. Flipping to the reverse side, she saw Dean had scrawled his phone number beneath a message:
Live long and prosper!
Call me :)