Welcome to the Hourglass

Laura Fontaine | 32 | Wix | Urga Proud mother of Henri. Guillaume clan member. Proprietor of The Hourglass. [Dependent APH Belgium for Hetopia]

[astridtheseamstress-blog]

“If I had a dollar for every time someone said ‘there’s no price so it’s free right?’ I would be rich.”

Astrid nodded with a sullen face and let out a sigh. “Yeah, same here, I get what you mean.” She crossed her arms. “Just because there is no price tag doesnt mean it doesnt cost anything at all, its so annoying when customers dont get that. I tried putting a sign for the things I can’t put a price tag on but that didnt help a lot.”

She tilted her head slightly while looking at Laura. “How do you deal with that?”

[sabliermagique]

Laura sighed as she shook her head slowly at the audacity of some of the customers, apparently this sort of thing was a problem all over. “The nerve of some of these people, I swear. Especially when it is something that your time and energy went into making?”

She hummed and tapped her chin thoughtfully. “I also take items for trade as well since I pretty much sell what catches my eye so usually when a customer makes that joke I ask them what they would have to trade since they obviously want to haggle. Sometimes it works and I get something interesting and other times they ask what the price is after that. Some things though I’m firm about only accepting money for it. It does help that a lot of the more problem customers don’t have magic of their own so I may... play up... the idea that it isn’t a good idea to shortchange someone with magical abilities.”

[justmorerpmemes]

Retail Removed Starters

“I’m gonna have to ask you to leave…”

“We do not put things in our pockets before we buy them.”

“It only took one shelf of perfume bottles to get me banned for life.”

“I will drag you out of here myself, if you demand free food one more time.”

“Well when I came to pay, I didn’t expect there to be a show as well.”

“This is not an appropriate use for spoons.”

“You! Out! Now!”

“Well now, that bag is suspiciously full isn’t it?”

“There was a list of things I needed to get and now… well…”

“No this is- no you don’t get to decide to be ‘Ryan’ today- that’s not yours!”

“All I can say is that it involved pots, pans, some spray foam and a wild cart ride.”

“You can’t make me leave! Only I can make me leave!”

“We can’t go back there anymore because you threw your coffee at the poor barista!”

“No, we don’t accept that as a form of payment.”

“If this belligerence continues, you will be removed.”

“I take it you aren’t paid enough for this huh?”

“Someone confused the cafe for a bar and… we don’t explain that story any further.”

“It was only a bagel? Why all that for only a bagel?”

“If anyone asks, I’m not associated with you, I’m just sitting here.”

“It was a simple drink mix up, you didn’t need to climb over the counter!”

“There might have been an argument over coupons…”

“If I had a dollar for every time someone said ‘there’s no price so it’s free right?’ I would be rich.”

“Can you go out and get me a drink? I’m not allowed in anymore.”

“Drive-thru does not mean through the menu boards.”

“Hey how are- uh-uh no. Not today.”

[dancingwiththepixies-blog]

“Whoever said that life was easy?”

“I wish I knew.” The blonde pixie replies as she wipes the sweat from her brow, she didn’t mind working hard. It was nice to be able to use her hands for things, but sometimes she did wonder what it would be like to simply be able to have what you wanted and what you needed without having to break your back over it. 

However, she found, and she was sure that Laura would agree, that hard work helped to shape the character of a person. Those who did experience hardship tended to be more kind. Those who knew what it meant to struggle tended to be more giving. 

“Do you think that person experienced a better life? I like to think that those of us who have had some hardship, well, we just may be better off. Can I help you with some more things Laura? It is no trouble.”

[sabliermagique]

dancingwiththepixies‌:

“I would imagine that can be a bit stressful for you, the whole idea of a child putting something in their mouth that doesn’t belong there. I am glad to hear that he is at that age where he has an idea of what not to place there, as well as how to ask for things first. I will make him a treat though, as long as you are alright with it.”

Looking around the shop one more time, Lara looks back to the other woman. “Now, something else I can help with? Before we grab Henri and take him out?”

Laura laughed quietly, a hand moving to lightly touch her lips as she tried to contain her giggles. “It definitely was stressful. But I’m more talking about how this shop is filled with various magical items and who knows how they could react with a young but still powerful wix child touched them? Making him a treat though is perfectly fine.”

She paused and glanced around the shop as well before she shook her head. “No... Everything here is fine for the moment.”

[sabliermagique]

audacioustenacity‌:

It could have been said, very easily, that Olena seemed to light up upon seeing Laura. It wasn’t just her eyes, though they seemed to gain new life; the happiness seemed to spread to every corner of her face, which was perennially in need of something to rejuvenate it, her typically serious demeanor and sun exposure seemingly aging her youthful skin.

“Oh, we were just having some free time today, that’s all!” she replied cheerily, now taking the basket from Symon who seemed happy to be rid of the task. It wasn’t exactly a lie–she had made time in her schedule, but it was because Olena was feeling alone and needy. Oh, how she hated admitting that to herself. It sounded so weak and childish. Regardless, the way she felt with Laura brought new energy to the pixie–surely it was something contagious that the younger woman just gave off.

“I am hoping we are not getting in the way right now,” she continued; though even if it had been a bad time, Olena probably would have just waited, now that she had felt the difference. “We bring a gift to you, I am hoping you two are liking it…” She went to set the basket down on the front counter and opened it, pulling out a fresh homemade pie. “Made with fresh cherries!” she announced proudly as she presented her work, hopefulness shining in her eyes now. The social interactions she had grown up among were not conducive to teaching her what was actually good; but she had since figured out that things, especially food and most especially homemade food, were always well-received. And oh, how she just wanted to remain well-received in Laura’s life and keep a special place in her heart–her dear friend was that important to her.

Laura’s heart warmed at the sight of the older woman’s smile lighting up her face. Olena seemed so serious sometimes, something that the wixen could definitely understand, and it made her happy that Olena obviously enjoyed visiting with her just as much as she did. Her heart gave a little lurch at the thought and she brushed the thought to the side for the moment, there would be time to examine that burst of feelings later.

“Oh, no you are not in the way at all!” Laura exclaimed as she gestured around her empty store. “It is a quieter part of the season and I was just doing some inventory... but it is something that I can finish up later. I’m glad that you came all the way over here though. All of you are definitely a sight for sore eyes.” She curiously glanced at the basket that Olena retrieved from Symon and gasped in surprise when a pie was removed and sat on the counter, clapping a bit.

“Oh my it looks absolutely gorgeous, Olena! You spoil the two of us here, you really do. Thank you!” Laura beamed, almost lighting up around the older woman. It wasn’t just the pie, although she was getting addicted the the treats that the pixie provided, but it was the thought and care that went into the dish as well. “Would you like to come sit down? Put up your feet? I can just close down the store and we can go relax while the children go amuse themselves...”

[dancingwiththepixies-blog]

“Whoever said that life was easy?”

“I wish I knew.” The blonde pixie replies as she wipes the sweat from her brow, she didn’t mind working hard. It was nice to be able to use her hands for things, but sometimes she did wonder what it would be like to simply be able to have what you wanted and what you needed without having to break your back over it. 

However, she found, and she was sure that Laura would agree, that hard work helped to shape the character of a person. Those who did experience hardship tended to be more kind. Those who knew what it meant to struggle tended to be more giving. 

“Do you think that person experienced a better life? I like to think that those of us who have had some hardship, well, we just may be better off. Can I help you with some more things Laura? It is no trouble.”

[sabliermagique]

dancingwiththepixies‌:

“I have to agree. It is nice to be bonded with the family that is your blood, especially because you are related, but it is just as nice to chose those who you are friends with to become a bit of a family unit.” She makes a soft humming noise. “Especially when it is someone that you can relate to, or someone that you know is really going to be there for you, when things get tough.”

She seems pleased when the comment is made about Heni, and she clasps her hands together. “I do hope that I am. It would be nice, to be able to hang out with him a bit. I’m sure he loves it when something, or someone new is around.”

Laura’s mind drifted to Olena for a moment as the two of them talked about found families and she nodded. “Yeah. I know someone like that and I admire them a great deal. And I know that I definitely would do my best to be there for them however they may need me to be there... you know?”

She grinned. “Oh, he does. He is a curious one and really enjoys it when someone new stops in or something he has never seen before gets added to the shop. I’m just glad he knows to ask before reaching out and touching anything new to see if it is safe for him to do so... There are some things that I try to keep out of reach that should definitely not be in the hands of a six year old.”

[dancingwiththepixies-blog]

“Whoever said that life was easy?”

“I wish I knew.” The blonde pixie replies as she wipes the sweat from her brow, she didn’t mind working hard. It was nice to be able to use her hands for things, but sometimes she did wonder what it would be like to simply be able to have what you wanted and what you needed without having to break your back over it. 

However, she found, and she was sure that Laura would agree, that hard work helped to shape the character of a person. Those who did experience hardship tended to be more kind. Those who knew what it meant to struggle tended to be more giving. 

“Do you think that person experienced a better life? I like to think that those of us who have had some hardship, well, we just may be better off. Can I help you with some more things Laura? It is no trouble.”

[sabliermagique]

dancingwiththepixies‌:

Even as a young adult, Lara had to agree, she found that she did more stumbling, and less gliding through gracefully than she was willing to admit, but, that was life. She was glad she was around to live it, and to experience it first hand. She was glad that the other seemed to have the same mentality. “I agree with you, it is important to have family, I do find they are the one thing that can get you through when there are times of trouble and despair. Especially, since when you are close, that bond is strong.”

“She does seem like she is a nice woman, and I am glad that you have befriended someone of her nature, it’s nice to have friends, and I am sure that she is lucky to have you.” Her eyes crinkle slightly in the corners when she smiles at the thought of trying to convince a child to eat something that wasn’t dessert. “Not to worry, I will try not to bring them too often, or, well, I can bring small ones.”

“Family doesn’t always necessarily mean blood either,” she murmured quietly. “I know people who have created families out of their friend groups when sadly their blood family wouldn’t be as supportive. And I always marvel at their courage and strength to forge their own path and family bonds. They can be just as strong if not stronger than if the connection is mere DNA.”

She nods, chuckling quietly when Lara said that last bit. “I think I am lucky to have her so it all probably evens out in the end. And thank you. I also have a bit of a sweet tooth so either way, it will be eaten up. You may quickly make the list of Henri’s favored visitors though.”

[sabliermagique]

audacioustenacity‌:

A running theme in Olena’s life seemed to be friends and visitors attempting to convince her to take a break from working, even for a day. She had stonewalled just about everyone; after all, she didn’t have employees helping her, and much of her work tended to involve her very specific magic and skill set, so what good would somebody else do? Besides, she liked to be the one in control of everything so that she knew exactly what was going on at all times.

Just this once–when she was feeling lonely in a way that snuggling her children or dogs wouldn’t fix–she set aside a Saturday to load herself and Kalyna and Symon onto a horse to go make a visit to someone she missed.

The form on her chest that didn’t match the other colors of her skin had been weighing particularly heavy on her mind, no thanks to the revelations Lutz had provided. Something about it made the pixie incredibly anxious. What if it was somehow a mistake? What if she got it but there wasn’t anyone with a matching one? It would make her feel lonely and solitary all over again, most likely.

Arriving unannounced, Olena chewed a plump lip as she had second thoughts, spurred on by the sight of her destination. What if Laura didn’t have time today? The younger woman had never been rude towards her, but Olena and the kids were coming during business hours. Though the ride over wasn’t terribly long, it was too late as they had already arrived, and it would have been stupid to just turn back around without at least saying hi.

Hopping off the saddle, she led the horse up to the post upon which she was tying it, then helped the children down, Symon still being very careful with the basket he had been tasked with carrying on the way. Without any further ado, she approached the storefront of the Hourglass like any other customer, shepherding the children along, and entered, looking around but attempting not to be too obvious about it.

@sabliermagique

Laura hummed to herself as she sorted through the various items on the shelves of The Hourglass, taking inventory. The day so far had proven to be rather slow, not that she was too surprised with it falling in the middle of the season when her more regular customers, her fellow clan members, would be on the other side of Urga. She had regular enough customers to not feel the pinch financially but there were more quiet days to let her get ahead of the inventory she had been meaning to do for a few weeks now. She was finding all sorts of treasures she had forgotten that she had and was thankful the spell she had cast to ward off dust in her store seemed to still be working as she intended it to, although she would recast it again when she was done.

Henri was outside playing in the garden. It wasn’t a a day when she focused on giving magic lessons to the boy and he had quickly grown bored of watching his mother write down everything in the store. Laura wasn’t worried though, Henri knew to not leave the garden and she had a spell cast to alert her if anyone approached the property. She trusted her more immediate neighbors to keep an eye on the rambunctious six year old but it was still nice to get an alert when she was doing something inside.

Henri has been full of energy lately and Laura suspected that the two of them would need to make a visit to go see her dear friend Olena when the store was closed for the day. He adored her two children and she honestly missed catching up with the other woman. It always made her day better when she got to see the pixie.

When the magic pinged her and said that someone was approaching the storefront, she finished writing down what she had been working on and rose from her seat on the floor, stretching and smoothing out her clothes. Henri could be heard excitedly running up to the wall, chattering a hello and a glance out the window told her that the trip over to Olena’s wouldn’t be necessary after all. She grinned as Henri followed the family in after all three entered and was probably complaining to the children about how she was being boring and doing inventory.

“Hello! What brings you to my corner of the world? I was just thinking about stopping by when I closed up for the day. How are you?”

[dancingwiththepixies-blog]

“Whoever said that life was easy?”

“I wish I knew.” The blonde pixie replies as she wipes the sweat from her brow, she didn’t mind working hard. It was nice to be able to use her hands for things, but sometimes she did wonder what it would be like to simply be able to have what you wanted and what you needed without having to break your back over it. 

However, she found, and she was sure that Laura would agree, that hard work helped to shape the character of a person. Those who did experience hardship tended to be more kind. Those who knew what it meant to struggle tended to be more giving. 

“Do you think that person experienced a better life? I like to think that those of us who have had some hardship, well, we just may be better off. Can I help you with some more things Laura? It is no trouble.”

[sabliermagique]

dancingwiththepixies‌:

“I imagine that must have been very hard.” Lara had never been that in love with someone, so in love that she wanted to marry them, and she imagined that it must have hurt her very deeply. Standing, she walks over to the other woman to give her a hug. It was nice to have someone else who was motherly, someone who was very kind to her. “I think that is a good way to look at it. I do believe that family comes before anything, and you are a good mother for it.”

“I am glad that you have help, and I have never met Olena, but she sounds like she is nice. i would like to meet her sometime, her and her kids. The world needs more kind people.” She thinks for a second before her eyes light up. “Hey, do you and Henri like cakes? I like to bake when I am stressed, but I do it for fun as well. I can make you one!”

“It was, I know I would not be where I am today if I didn’t have my family at my back and Henri to focus on. They were my rocks in that turbulent time,” Laura admitted softly. When the pixie came over to give her a hug, she hugged back gently with a soft smile. “Thank you. Sometimes I feel like I’m just guessing my way through everything... But I have come to discover that most adults are just sort of stumbling through life and just pretending everything is put together.”

A bright smile crossed her face. “Oh, she’s wonderful. She has faced so many challenges and is one of the strongest people I know, and yet she is still so kind. I always enjoy when I get to see her and she really does not live too far away so perhaps you will get to meet her one day.” The question took her off guard and she nodded, tilting her head a bit. “I know I enjoy cakes and... with Henri the difficult thing will be convincing him to eat other things besides cake. But I can see how stress baking would help. And you get something delicious out of it!”

[dancingwiththepixies-blog]

“Whoever said that life was easy?”

“I wish I knew.” The blonde pixie replies as she wipes the sweat from her brow, she didn’t mind working hard. It was nice to be able to use her hands for things, but sometimes she did wonder what it would be like to simply be able to have what you wanted and what you needed without having to break your back over it. 

However, she found, and she was sure that Laura would agree, that hard work helped to shape the character of a person. Those who did experience hardship tended to be more kind. Those who knew what it meant to struggle tended to be more giving. 

“Do you think that person experienced a better life? I like to think that those of us who have had some hardship, well, we just may be better off. Can I help you with some more things Laura? It is no trouble.”

[sabliermagique]

dancingwiththepixies‌:

Lara was glad that someone seemed to understand her logic, and that someone was understanding to the situation that she was in. It did cause a pang in her chest to hear that the other had suffered the loss of her partner, that was hard, and she was sure it wasn’t something that one just got over.

“I am sorry to hear about your husband, even if it happened some time ago, but I am glad to hear that Henri is doing well. It seems that he is growing up nicely, but, I am sure that he keeps you on your toes, speaking of, do you have anyone that helps you around here?”

Running this place seemed a big undertaking to Lara, especially since it seemed to do so well.

Laura smiled softly when the pixie expressed her condolences. “Thank you. It was all rather sudden and looking back, while he was a soulmate it was definitely a love that burned bright but was extinguished much too quickly. Now... I am open to looking for companionship again but something more down to earth. Either way, my son comes first and whoever my future partner may be must get along with him.”

The question about who helps her made her laugh quietly. “Sometimes I can wrangle my siblings, Iris or Christiaan into helping out but they are still nomadic and don’t like to stay around for too long. There is also Olena, A pixie woman with kids of her own around Henri’s age who owns a farm not far from here. I’m quite close with her and Henri gets along with her two fairly well.”

[dancingwiththepixies-blog]

“Whoever said that life was easy?”

“I wish I knew.” The blonde pixie replies as she wipes the sweat from her brow, she didn’t mind working hard. It was nice to be able to use her hands for things, but sometimes she did wonder what it would be like to simply be able to have what you wanted and what you needed without having to break your back over it. 

However, she found, and she was sure that Laura would agree, that hard work helped to shape the character of a person. Those who did experience hardship tended to be more kind. Those who knew what it meant to struggle tended to be more giving. 

“Do you think that person experienced a better life? I like to think that those of us who have had some hardship, well, we just may be better off. Can I help you with some more things Laura? It is no trouble.”

[sabliermagique]

dancingwiththepixies‌:

Lara grins when she asks her about the book, this one was just on basic anatomy, something that Lara liked to keep up on, should she need to set a bone, or to know where a vein was located. “This? Just some anatomy, there isn’t anything to, too interesting about it, but I do like the notion of knowing how to make sure that I can treat anyone who needs my help.”

“As for me, my mother passed recently, so that means that I have been seeking the company of anyone who will have me.It is nice to be able to have someone around to speak with. About many things. How is Henri doing?” She didn’t know a lot of Laura’s son, but she was always thrilled to hear about him. 

As she read the title and heard the explanation, an understanding look crossed over the older woman’s face and she gave a smile. “That makes sense. I’m sure the magic helps with any injuries but it’s also good to know how things are supposed to work and what connects to where. Why make things more difficult if knowing a bit of anatomy will save you trouble in the long run?”

Her eyes softened when she heard that Lara’s mother passed recently. “I’m sorry for your loss,” she said, quietly. “I lost my old husband quite suddenly shortly after having Henri. So while it’s not the same things do get a bit easier with time. Henri though... Henri is great. He is precocious and gets into all kinds of mischief but there is definitely a good heart under there.”

[dancingwiththepixies-blog]

“Whoever said that life was easy?”

“I wish I knew.” The blonde pixie replies as she wipes the sweat from her brow, she didn’t mind working hard. It was nice to be able to use her hands for things, but sometimes she did wonder what it would be like to simply be able to have what you wanted and what you needed without having to break your back over it. 

However, she found, and she was sure that Laura would agree, that hard work helped to shape the character of a person. Those who did experience hardship tended to be more kind. Those who knew what it meant to struggle tended to be more giving. 

“Do you think that person experienced a better life? I like to think that those of us who have had some hardship, well, we just may be better off. Can I help you with some more things Laura? It is no trouble.”

[sabliermagique]

dancingwiththepixies‌:

Lara just smiles, shaking her head, all she had been doing was reading, and it wasn’t as though the book was that interesting anyway. Well, okay, it was, but Laura talking to her was more fun than just reading her book. She was thankful for the company of the older woman, especially since the passing of her mother.

“No, you’re fine to chat away, I have read this book a few times, to be totally honest with you. By all means, we can keep talking, how have things been going for you?” Lara was curious, she wanted to know more about anyone that she met when she was traveling around. 

Seeing Lara close her book made her tilt her head a bit. She had felt guilty before about interrupting the other woman’s reading time with her random thoughts but if she wasn’t going to be a bother then she was glad to spend some time relaxing and talking. “What book is it anyway?” she asked, trying to get a peek at the cover.

“Things have been going alright though. Henri keeps me on my toes pretty often and juggling the tasks of running a business and being a mom is challenging but rewarding. I’m honestly thankful that I have the chance to spend some time in adult company though. What about you?”

[dancingwiththepixies-blog]

“Whoever said that life was easy?”

“I wish I knew.” The blonde pixie replies as she wipes the sweat from her brow, she didn’t mind working hard. It was nice to be able to use her hands for things, but sometimes she did wonder what it would be like to simply be able to have what you wanted and what you needed without having to break your back over it. 

However, she found, and she was sure that Laura would agree, that hard work helped to shape the character of a person. Those who did experience hardship tended to be more kind. Those who knew what it meant to struggle tended to be more giving. 

“Do you think that person experienced a better life? I like to think that those of us who have had some hardship, well, we just may be better off. Can I help you with some more things Laura? It is no trouble.”

[sabliermagique]

“I guess I was raised with the mentality that if something is worth doing, it is worth doing well, and that things mean more if you actually put effort into it as opposed to it just being handed to you,” she mused as she stretched her arms above her head. Her traditional Urgish nomadic upbringing meant that things were not always easy anyway.

“I mean, I am pretty happy with how things have turned out so far so I would hesitate to say that the person who said such a thing had a better life... if that makes sense? Yeah, I have had heartbreak and hard times... but I have come out stronger for it too. So I am inclined to agree with that statement,” the wixen realized that she was rambling so she trailed off in a sheepish chuckle. “I don’t want to distract you too much from what you were doing with my random thoughts...”

[splattermemes-deactivated202007]

small / tall starters

requested by anon. Feel free to change pronouns or anything else !

small

“Get down here!”

“Wow…I’d want to climb that tree, if you know what I mean.” / “Do birds ever sit on you and get confused?” / “Hey, Groot.”

“I’m not short. I’m fun-size.”

“Good, adorable, wonderful things come in small packages.”

“I don’t appreciate your height.”

“I CAN REACH FOR IT MYSELF.”

“I’m not short, you just have the height of a Transformer.”

“I KNOW you can see me.”

“Fear me!!!”

“Uh…you’re blocking me.”

“Can you lift me for a second?”

“Slow down! I have short legs.”

“I have a super power. It’s called, my head never hits the ceiling.”

“Have you seen him/her/them? He’s/she’s/they’re like a mountain.”

“I always win at hide and seek.”

“I’ve always looked up to you…literally. Actually, can you sit down?”

“Heels make me feel powerful.”

“Do tall people have…big..hands..?”

“I might be short, but my ego is huge.” / “I might be short, but I will drag you down to my level.”

“I can’t reach your face, but I can kick your junk.”

“You don’t know the struggle when all shirts/dresses/pants are too long on you.”

tall

“I’m afraid of you because short people are closer to hell.”

“”How is it ironic that I’m afraid of heights?”

“Does my height offend you?”

“Let me reach that for you.”

“You can’t slap me if you can’t even reach my face.”

“I’m not tall, you’re just the size of an Oompa Loompa.”

“Huh? Who said that? I can’t see anyone.”

“It’s impossible to hide from you.”

“No, I don’t play basketball.”

“I’m not slowing down because you’re short.”

“You’re like a cute little fairy.” / “You’re like a small, terrifying gremlin.”

“My legs are long and sexy.”

“I’m not looking down on you. Except literally.”

“Aw, you look like a kid. How cute.”

“Being small makes you optimal for carrying.”

“You know what comes in small packages? Grenades.”

“All the cool presents come in big boxes. Like bouncy castles.”

“Why are you standing on the counter?”

“I may be tall, but my temper is short.” / “I may be tall, but my feelings are small. And fragile.”

“You don’t know the struggle when all pants/skirts/dresses are too short on you.”

“Let me block the sun for you.”

“Hey, short stack.” / “What’s up, shorty?” 

[sabliermagique]

udholdenhed‌:

Kristen had just finished giving some emergency healthcare to a poor yak that had somehow manage to twist her ankle while out grazing. He was on his way back to the farmhouse when he noticed a buzz in the field of corn he was passing by. Something– someone– was running through them. They were all very excited about it, what with the new face and all. It was most likely a child, if they were able to move through the stalks without pushing them to the side to get past. He might as well wait here for the kid to surface on the other side. From the sound of the kid’s footsteps (now that he was aware of the sound he was looking for he was able to focus his hearing), they were heading in his direction pretty quick. He sat on the short dividing fence with his hands on his knees, listening.

Henri could hear the sounds of someone working up ahead with some kind of animal and after a brief debate with himself he decided to go see who it was. The field that he had been running through was bigger than he expected and he had not run into anyone else yet and he wanted to at least meet someone new here. He had already gotten to know everyone that he and Maman were travelling with even better than before. He peeked his head out of the corn and blinked when he saw the man sitting on the fence. Did... did he have antlers? That was so cool! He could hear Maman’s voice in his mind reminding him that it was rude to stare so he gave him a smile and a small wave. “Hello...”

[sabliermagique]

Henri was incredibly excited, this was the first time that Maman had agreed to go with the rest of their family to the mysterious place known as The Mountain. Maman said that it was important that he behave and listen while he was there and that how he behaved on this trip would affect if they would make this trip again in the future. He sure hoped so, while he liked living at home with Maman and seeing all the people stop in the store and learning new bits of magic, anything new was an adventure and deserved to be treated as such.

But it seemed to be taking forever to reach this mountain place that they were apparently going to! Maman didn’t seem to be too worried although he heard her muttering about being away from the store for too long but she was usually distracted by Aunt Iris when she got in a mood like that. He was happily told that he was not slowing them down at all when he cautiously asked Uncle Christiaan if the reason things were taking so long was because he had not come before so that was a bit of a relief.

As they were getting close to the end of their journey, according to what he heard the others say at least, everyone seemed to be making a stop once again. They had stopped a few times already but this stop seemed to confuse Maman and she asked Aunt Iris what was going on. He didn’t care though, it was a new place to explore and stretch his legs! He was getting tired of riding for so long. As the grownups went to go over their gear and make sure nothing needed replacing, he heard Maman say that he could explore but not to go too far or cause any trouble. And to mind his manners.

Excited for the chance to explore, Henri happily went into the fields, mindful not to wreck any crops. His visits to Miss Olena’s house had taught him to be careful about that.

@udholdenhed

[sabliermagique]

It’s been a long time since this blog was active so here is a quick summary of what changed with Laura if you don’t want to read her about once more.

For the most part everything stayed the same, except that Laura initially had plans to go get an actual teaching degree so should could help her clan and be qualified to teach more than just magic. There was a slight delay when she met Benjamin and fell in love but once they were married she was going to go once again... and then she got pregnant. Life seemed to have it out for her. Once Benjamin died she sat aside that dream for a while and eventually opened up The Hourglass, setting down roots for her son. She is considering trying to still get her degree at her own pace to help better teach her son, and maybe some other local children, but nothing is set in stone yet.

[sabliermagique]

audacioustenacity‌:

Nodding along, Olena started putting together herself a mug of tea so that it could start steeping. “I am not having much experience in the area, but I imagine…you are feeling it inside of you when someone is right for you, when you are wanting them. And nobody can be forcing that with someone by random. You are only knowing it in your heart. I am sure someone was paired with someone they were originally interested in to begin with; and maybe a new relationship or two was being created. But nobody could be expecting all of this to be ending up perfectly.” She looked into her tea that was currently brewing. “Could you bring me some sugar please? Or honey if you are having it. I am not much of a tea drinker usually so I am needing it a little sweet…”

The request was a simple one so she grabbed both honey and sugar to set down on the table for Olena to choose from before she sat down. Laura agreed with the older woman’s words as she began to let her own tea steep in the mug. “I think you summed it up quite well. That at the end of the day, only we can know for sure if someone is right for us or not. No one knows our hearts better than ourselves. It will be interesting how many of the pairings that they tried to create will actually get together.”