Arkco is slowly breaking me from my writer’s block.
As Coco began to settle into Master Qifrey’s atelier, she found her days filled solely with her studies of magic. For awhile, this was fine, however in time she realized she needed another way to spend her time. An outlet to turn to when learning new magic proved to be too frustrating.
Of course, Master Qifrey’s was very encouraging of this. He wished for all of the girls to have a hobby or two to indulge in.
So Coco decided to pick up seamstress work. It reminded her of her mother and brought fond memories but also allowed her to utilize her magic in other ways. She began to develop her own little spells for different stitches. It was a good way to practice her magic while doing another thing she loved.
Of course, she began making things for the other atelier residents.
All the pretty dresses Tetia stared at in shop windows, Coco made note of. Collecting the fabric and materials to make them for her.
Using Riches’s ribbons, Coco would craft elaborate scarfs, belts, and headbands for the blue-haired girl. Occasionally attaching broaches or charms to them.
One time Coco heard Qifrey and Olruggio bickering quietly to each other in the kitchen. They were arguing about how Olruggio didn’t get any sleep because Qifrey hogged the blankets all night.
After getting over the silly giggles about her two masters arguing over such domestic matters, Coco decided to make them a large and fluffy quilt, big enough for them to easily share.
Throughout all of this though, Coco failed to come up with any ideas of what she could make for Agott. She would wrack her brain every night trying to think of what such a talented and determined and….beautiful person such as Agott would want.
It finally came to her that she had been asked to repair her roommate’s coat buttons many times in the past. The garment was old and worn, but Agott refused to take the time needed to shop for a new one.
Of course, Coco could make a coat for Agott! Something to keep her warm in the colder seasons and replace the one she had been using since she arrived at the atelier. It had grown too small for her anyways, and memories of the girl’s past life clung to it as well.
Coco proceeded to spend a month searching for the right fabric, thread, and buttons when they went into town for errands. Then another two weeks stressing over the design of the coat. As winter approached though, Coco knew this was the universe telling her she needed to hurry up.
So finally, after many scraped attempts, Coco had a deep purple trench coat hanging in front of her. All her design details were accounted for. There were two large pockets on the front as well as one specifically made to hold a pen that clasped shut. The buttons were perfectly space to allow for enough space for movement, yet not enough open space when buttoned to let chilly air in. She admired her work and felt a pang in her chest that her mother couldn’t be here to see it.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Agott came rushing into her room, alerting her that Master Qifrey had finished dinner.
Coco watched as the girl’s eyes caught on the coat with its quality fabric and small black heart-shaped buttons.
“Did you make this?” Agott asked, pausing in the doorframe
“Yes! I did! It’s actually for….for you…” Coco replied, lowering her face sheepishly
The floorboards of her room creaked as Agott stepped forward to properly admire the coat.
“For me?” Agott questioned with surprise
“Yes, I figured you could use a new coat. Since I’m always having to repair your current one.” Coco explained
“What a….thoughtful gesture.” Agott admitted, her tone unreadable
Coco noticed a flush on the girl’s pale face.
“This way you won’t have to go out shopping for one!” Coco lightly cheered
Agott narrowed her eyes at Coco as she inched closer to the coat.
“Why would you do something like this?” She asked skeptically
Coco froze for a moment…why did she do this? Why did she put months worth of thought into a garment for this girl? Why did the thought of Agott smiling brightly at receiving a gift make her willing to sew even the most complicated garment?
“Because…..I care about you.” Coco confessed honestly, a small smile on her face
She watched as Agott’s eyes widened, and the tips of her ears turned red.
“Well…thank you for the gesture.” She said, not quite meeting Coco’s eyes
“If you don’t like it I can re-do it. I just thought you might—“ Coco began to ramble, putting her hands up defensively
“I like it, very much in fact.” Agott interrupted her, not a hint of doubt in her statement
Coco felt her heart grow warm at the girl’s praise.
“Haha, glad to hear it.” She replied, nervously scratching the back of her head
Coco took the coat down from where it had been hanging. Stepping closer to Agott with intention to pass it on.
As she handed over the garment, her hand brushed against Agott’s. Coco felt her heartbeat skyrocket at the brief contact.
“Agott.” Coco said, her body frozen
“Yes?” Agott asked, also seemingly frozen with Coco
Coco let herself hold the girl’s gaze for many moments. She studied the way her eyes sparkled the prettiest purple. They were more gorgeous than any gemstone broach.
What was it Coco had been going to say again? Was it that she cared for Agott so much that she wanted to be near her all the time? She couldn’t remember, all thoughts had been cleared by the calling of Agott’s hands over her’s.
“One of the buttons may be a bit loose. Let me know if you need me to fix it.” Coco blurted out
It was a lie, one her brain had fashioned in its on-the-fritz state.
“Oh.” Agott replied, not moving away
Was Coco imagining things? Did the girl sound disappointed? Was she expecting Coco to say something more?
“We should be getting to dinner. Before Richeh and Tetia eat all the best toasted yams!” Coco insisted, moving away from Agott
The girl blinks a few times and slightly shakes her head as if attempting to regain focus.
“Yes of course.” She agreed
Coco would need to make Agott more garments. The shining smile she had imagined in her mind didn’t hold a candle to the girl’s hands around her’s and the flustered expression on her face.
