Chapter Text
Isabeau had slowly but surely been getting more comfortable sharing his interest in fashion as you all made your way to Bambouche. It had started off with him opening up about his inspirations and his ambitions but it had been inevitable that he would ask you all about your preferences, not even pretending that he didn't want to try and make something special for each of you.
Mirabelle was happy to discuss potential outfits at length, equally keen to hear Isabeau's ideas as she was to offer her own. And she had, of course, also taken courses in sewing, dressmaking and other related subjects which only fueled the conversation further.
Bonnie, in their opinion, had already found the perfect outfit but they had very generously still volunteered to quality check and stress test any shorts or big hats that Isabeau could cook up.
Odlie played coy, content to make Isabeau guess at what she would like and making him sweat as she raised an eyebrow or hummed noncommittally at all of his suggestions. She was, however, willing to answer what she could when he asked about Ka Bue fashion, both traditional and modern.
You had tried to avoid drawing any attention to yourself, face already slightly warm at the impending teasing that was going to be directed at you when it was your turn. After all, you had been forced to admit that your wish, your non-"trapped us all in a time loop" wish at least, had been to wear clothes that Isa had made for you.
And sure enough, pointed grins, knowing looks and snickering all came your way when Isa, with a blush already staining his face, asked what type of clothes he should make for you to try on first.
All the attention on you and the yet-to-be-fully-addressed something between you and Isa made your insides squirm. But you had at least one sure fire trick up your sleeve to save you from such a mortifying ordeal.
Almost immediately, everyone recognised what the smile on your face meant and it was met with trepidation by everyone but Isa, who's eyes instead lit up with gleeful anticipation.
Who were you to disappoint?
Gesturing upwards for emphasis, you delivered your line, "How about something spect-hat-cular?"
Not your greatest work admittedly but it did exactly as you'd hoped - soliciting groans and boos from one party and joyous laughter from the other.
After Isa had calmed down, he brought a hand to his chin and posed thoughtfully as he considered the empty space above your head, "A hat, huh?"
Mira wasn't on board, "A new hat? Oh, but you look so nice without one - especially now that you brush your hair."
You couldn't say you were a big fan of brushing your hair, but you think you might do anything to avoid Mira deciding she needed to take matters into her own hands again. It wasn't really her fault it had been such a harrowing experience, you're the one that let it get so bad that she'd needed to wrestle with your head to get the knots out, but you do still feel a little traumatised by the whole thing.
Enough to at least run a brush through your hair once a day of your own free will.
Your hair does feel nicer though, even if there's a little less of it now thanks to Mira's efforts.
Bonnie saves you from having to awkwardly respond to the compliment by all but shouting as they point at your head, "No! They're naked! They need a hat! Me and Frin are hat people! We need our hats!"
You fight back a smile as you nod sagely, "It's indecent for hat people not to wear their hats."
Bonnie was delighted that you agreed with them, although now they couldn't stop snickering over how naked you were.
Odile huffed fondly, "Well, it would do nothing for our reputation for one of us to be wandering around naked, would it? Tell us then, Siffrin, how would you prefer to cover up - could you be tempted to try a new style of hat? Or are "hat people" obliged to commit to only one?"
The answer to that is more difficult than you think it should be.
On one hand, you do miss your old hat - it was comfortable, familiar... Traditional even, maybe? Connecting you to an identity you can't remember. But on the other hand, you have appreciated the improved vision no hat has given you and after the loops, experiencing new things has brought you a certain level of comfort too.
You don't realise how long you've quietly been agonising over such a simple decision until Isabeau chimes in, "Who's to say he has to choose? Sif, I'll make you as many hats as you want! You can have a hat for every occasion!"
That was too many hats!
But you don't get out much more than a startled, "Hold on! Wait-" before suggestions for hats are flying back and forth.
Bonnie eagerly demands that one of your many hats be modeled after theirs, Mira excitedly recalls numerous fashionable hats that she'd seen back at the house and Odlie, clearly just stirring the pot, feels compelled to mention that there were a number of fetching hats popular in Ka Bue that would no doubt suit you.
To make matters worse, Isabeau is cheerfully writing down all these suggestions while adding his own to the mix - citing various fabrics, patterns and shades he thinks will compliment your favoured outfit.
You feel yourself getting a little overwhelmed by the imaginary weight of all these hats piling up on your head but thankfully Odile saves you before you're buried under a mountain of them, "Alright, I think that's enough hats for now. Isabeau is going to be making hats from now until the end of time at this rate."
Isa doesn't seem at all upset with his potential future career as a milliner and in fact looks quite pleased with all the notes he's taken but he has one last question for you, "Say, Sif, if you hat to choose - what hat would you want me to make first?"
You couldn't have stopped the small grin that came to your face even if you had tried to and you were endlessly endeared by how proud Isa looked to have successfully made you smile. You tap your chin thoughtfully as you think, "If I hat to choose..."
More hats were almost certainly coming your way so you feel a little less under pressure to choose the right option. Perhaps playing it a bit safe you try, "How about your take on the Siffrin Classic™?"
Isa happily jotted something down in his notepad as he exclaimed, "One wizard's hat, Isa-style! You got it!" A little sheepishly, he then added, "It, uh, might be a while before you get it though. That goes for everyone's outfits actually. I'll really only be able to sketch up designs while we're on the road."
Odile hummed, "I don't think any of us expected anything else. Although perhaps we'll find somewhere on our travels where we can stay long enough for you to make a piece or two."
Mira looked thrilled as she was struck with a realisation, "Of course! We're not rushing to save the world anymore! We can take our time and actually enjoy travelling! We don't have to leave every town or city right away! Oh, I was so focused on getting to Bambouche, I didn't even think about what came next!"
You notice that Bonnie doesn't seem to share her enthusiasm and you think you can guess why.
There was no knowing what would happen when you finally reach Bambouche and find their older sister - it could very well spell the end of their time together with you.
It was a thought that weighed heavier on you with every step you took forward.
Thankfully, however, Isa also noticed their pensive expression and he ruffled their hat as he declared, "Well, the first place we don't have to leave right away is Bambouche. I don't know about all of you but I think we've all earned a break before we do anything else."
Odlie nodded solemnly, "You have no idea what this adventure has done to my back. I plan to do nothing more strenuous than lying down for at least a week before I even think about doing anything else."
Mira caught on quickly, "Oh, of course! And I want to see everything Bambouche has to offer! After we've heard so much about it - how could I not? You'll show us around, won't you, Bonnie?"
Strangely, Bonnie turns to look at you and it's only once you offer them a small, reassuring smile that they seem able to shake off their anxiety and loudly declare, "Uh, yeah, I'll show you around! No one knows Bambouche better than me! I'll show you all the best places to fish and to eat and to hang out! Everything! I'll show you the best of everything!"
Isa chimed in, "And don't forget that you need to introduce us to your sister too! You'll put in a good word for us, won't you, Bonbon?"
They threw their hands up with an enthusiastic, "Yeah!" before almost immediately rethinking their answer, "Wait! No! You don't get a good word!"
Isa was understandably shocked by this response, "What? Why? What did I do?"
Bonnie crossed their arms and turned their nose up at him, "You didn't like my pakoras."
Waving his arms about in distress, Isa responded, "They were too spicy! You know I can't handle spicy food! But they looked and smelled amazing! Forgive me! Please! I'm sorry!"
You can see Bonnie fighting a smile as they turn their back on him, "No."
Odlie tutted, "Our chance to make a good first impression on Pétronille, ruined by your weak palate."
Bonnie laughed, "Yeah! Nille won't be impressed by your "weak palate"! You need to toughen it up! Only spicy food from now!"
You think Isa's dramatic tears might have suddenly become a little more genuine at Bonnie's threat. Mira was starting to look a little nervous too, "Wait, now, hold on a second..."
You watch on with a smile as Isa and Mira try and talk Bonnie down, while Odile does absolutely nothing to help the situation. The whole thing makes you feel warm and you don't even panic when they all turn to you to pick a side, easily swearing your loyalty to the Opposite Sides of the Age Spectrum Alliance, much to Isa and Mira's horror and betrayal.
It's all in good fun, you know Bonnie won't actually subject them to a gauntlet of heat, as do they. Although, perhaps you and Odile can help them play a little prank at dinner to make them think otherwise.
You're grateful that talk of hats and clothes are all but forgotten for the moment and instead get to enjoy the conversations about food and Bambouche that accompany you all the way to the next town on your journey.