Work Text:
A quiet evening rests within the atelier, Qifrey making preparations for the next day’s breakfast, Olly, Tetia, Agott, and Richeh out getting supplies for the winter journey. Coco sits at her desk, a pile of crumpled papers surround her as the sound of frustration and frantic scribbling become louder and louder as she scribbles out another half drawn sigil. This awakens brushbuddy who was peacefully napping on her lap as he leaps in surprise wiggling frantically at this sudden commotion.
“Sorry, Brushbuddy!” Coco squeaks, releasing him to writhe around on the floor in irritation. “I guess I’m getting a little too worked up.” she sighs as she scoops up the scattered papers and smooths them out. “I could probably use a break anyway, hmmmm, lets see what master Qifrey is up to little guy.”
Coco allows the slightly disgruntled brushbuddy to make his way onto her shoulder as she walks to the kitchen, with the scents of spices, yeast, and sizzling chrythanonions beckoning her into the warm cozy space. Qifrey looks up from slicing up some gem tomatoes and horncaps and he quickly removes his focus from his chopping to his student as he puts his knife to the side.
“Oh! Coco! I heard a bit of commotion, is everything alright?” Coco looks a bit embarrassed and says “Oh, no, Master Qifrey, everything is fine, I’ve just…” she lets out a sigh “I’ve been trying to get inspiration on what new seals to draw to prepare for our journey this winter, with the weather getting colder. But I can’t find the motivation! I’ve tried all my usual tricks to no success.”
Qifrey looks at her kindly “Well, we’ve got a bit of time before we need to set out on our journey so there’s no rush, but I’m glad you are being proactive.” He puts a finger to his chin and knits together his brows. “Well, whenever I’m feeling stuck I always seem to find inspiration in the kitchen, so maybe doing a hobby will help you take your mind off it so you can find some inspiration?” He returns to chopping the horncaps “I’d love to assist you once I have these prepared for our flatbreads tomorrow morning, but in the meantime maybe think of other hobbies that could help us on our journey.”
Coco takes in his advice, talking to herself for a moment. “Something to help us on our journey…I don’t know…I haven’t really done a lot of hobbies before…I don’t know what I could even do to help…” As she ruminates, Brushbuddy begins to impatiently wiggle around her neck. “...maybe I could help Agott with checking our supplies? No I don’t want to get in her way…” She squirms picking Brushbuddy up off her neck “Brushbuddy! Quit that! You’re making me all hot…” Her face lights up suddenly looking at Brushbuddy in her hands. “Master Qifrey! I just realized! We all have our winter outfits for our journey but Brushbuddy doesn’t have one!!! I need to make him one so he’s all warm too!!”
Slightly confused Qifrey tilts his head then laughs “I guess he doesn’t, so it seems like this is the perfect opportunity for you to practice a hobby.” He smiles “You know where we keep the fabric and sewing, do you need help finding anything else Coco?” Coco begins jumping up and down, Brushbuddy still in hand “Nope! I think I’ve got this!” then she skitters off to grab her supplies.
After carefully removing all of her drawing work from her desk she lays out her fabric, scissors, thread, needle, chalk, and measuring tape. She gently grabs Brushbuddy and takes the measurements of his length, his head size and his circumference, petting him so he doesn’t squirm. Once she has her measurements written down, she lets him wander as she begins to sketch out a rough design of his outfit, a matching hat to the girls of course, but also a soft lined cloak with some Frillram wool along the trim that will keep the snow off his fur.
To start, she cuts a length of muslin to create the mockup, so as to not waste the good fabric on her first attempt. She marks the fabric with the chalk and takes long straight cuts with her scissors.
The tears fall on the muslin before she even realizes she is crying. Thoughts of long hours spent watching her mother cut fabric and mark intricate details onto her work only to make them into even more stunning garments flood her mind. The ache swells as she puts down her scissors, grabbing the bunch of cut fabric into her hands, tears streaming down her face. She curls up, hands still bunched around the fabric as her tears devolve into strained hiccups as Brushbuddy worms his way over to her, gently nuzzling her face. In the kitchen a spoon clatters to the floor as footsteps rush to Coco, Qifrey crying out:
“Coco! Are you hurt! Did you cut yourself!” His tone is both gentle and with a rising panic within it. Between gasps of air and tearful hiccups Coco says “No…I’m ok Master *hic* Qifery…I…I..just” Qifery gently rubs her back and grabs a glass of water from the desk “Shhhh, it's ok Coco, take your time, I’m just glad you’re not hurt, but you are obviously upset. Take as long as you need, I’m right here.” Coco’s sobs slow as she breathes more steadily, still hiccuping as she uncurls herself from a ball, one hand clenching the fabric still as she sniffles and takes the water cup from him, gasping deeply in between sips, her nose clogged. She puts down the cup and begins stroking Brushbuddy who has curled up against her lap.
More composed, she begins to say “This is really the first time I’ve realized I’m sewing by myself without my mom. Like, I did some for the wingcloak with Tartah and when I made some extras for the silver eve festival, but I was so focused on the task I didn’t even realize it was my first time.” She sniffles “I can’t stop thinking about her making all those wonderful clothes, and…and now she can’t”
Qifrey listens to her, still rubbing her back “Oh, Coco. I didn’t realize letting you do this would upset you this much, I know these memories are painful, but they just mean that you are full of love for your mother, and I know she’d be proud of all the work you’ve done and will do.” He starts gently brushing her tears away “That’s why we’re doing this, for her, and I know we’re going to save her.” She leans into him as he soothes her “Now, if this is too painful, you don’t have to do this, I’m sure Brushbuddy will stay plenty warm in your cloak.”
Coco sniffs and rubs her nose with her sleeve. “No, I can do it, I want to do it. For Mommy.” She wipes away her tears and finishes the water in the cup, as a look of determination lands on her face as the spark returns to her puffy eyes. “Don’t worry Mommy! I’m going to make the best outfit for Brushbuddy and I’m going to show her it when we save her!”
She begins to straighten out the rumpled muslin and determinedly drawing marks as Qifrey sees she is ok and lost in the art of creation he takes her abandoned cup and goes back to the kitchen, trying to quell the feeling of branching ache in his heart.
When Olly and the other girls return from their trip, hands full with supplies and food, as well as a couple of treats for dessert, Qifrey greets them and tells them Coco has prepared a surprise for all of them. Once they put down their burdens, they settle in the living area, cozy with the lit fire warming their frost nipped fingers as the scents of baking flatbread and willowgrape tea, waft through the space as Qifrey hands a cup of steaming tea to Olly as he exclaims: “Coco! They’re all ready! Bring him out!”
In dramatic fashion she marches out of her room down the hall, holding Brushbuddy like a royal on a repurposed throw pillow, as he stands, fur bristling, looking like he would rather be doing anything else. She enters the living space and with a flourish displays her handiwork: A winter outfit for Brushbuddy, a hat which matches the turquoise and white of the girls, with a little pompom capping the top and a matching turquoise cloak, lined with fluffy and warm frillram wool. All the girls squeal as they see him in his little outfit, Tetia picking him up and twirling him around “HE’s SOOOOO CUTEEEEEEEEE” she squeals as the girls begin crowing around her looking at the details of his little outfit. Olly barks a laugh “Now girls, don’t crowd the poor thing! He looks uncomfortable as it is.” as Brushbuddy flings the cap off as he writhes around. “Awww but he’s so handsome” Richeh says softly. “Yes, very regal.” Agott nods in affirmation. Now realizing he is the center of attention, Brushbuddy squeaks and begins to strut and show off his cloak.
“I think he’s liking it already” Qifrey chuckles as he turns to Coco “You did a wonderful job Coco, you should be proud.” Coco smiles “Thank you Master Qifrey! I couldn’t have done it without you!” At this Olly gives him a queer look as Qifrey mouths “I”ll tell you later.” as he sits next to the girls giving Brushbuddy the royal treatment as he struts confidently across the floor. “We got ourselves a little stitch witch here Olly, that’s for certain.” He muses as they all settle in for a calm evening with the sweets they brought and the entertainment of a very proud Brushbuddy.