Gertrude (the post lady): The post lady wanders around outside the last drop, ignoring everyone around her as she fiddles with the ribbon on the package in her hands. She makes her way to a side alley, not entirely knowing where to find who she was looking for
"Little lady?" She jiggles the box in her hands as if she were trying to entice a puppy, then thinks better of it and awkwardly clears her throat and stills the box. "isha? I got stuff for you!"
Isha (the coolest kiddo): Isha had been squatting down on the floor, playing around with some beetles before feeling a slight tremble beneath her feet. The sensation seemed to alert the bugs too, since they quickly scattered away.
Upon realizing someone was approaching, she turned around to look, tilting her head off to the side slightly as she saw the post lady. Her eyes widened slightly and she perked up clearly upon seeing the box being jiggled in front of her... It was a tactic used for dogs, but if it works it works.
Gertrude (the post lady): The post lady grins down at her, opting to sit cross legged at her side. She plops the box down between them and carefully unwraps the red ribbon. "some sucker got his girlfriend some late Valentine's chocolates, it's a whole story"
I say with wide eyes, recalling how entertaining trying to drop them off had been "anyway, girl didn't want them so I figured it's an excuse to hang with the coolest kid in the underground!"
she removes the lid to reveal some slightly beaten up chocolates
Isha (the coolest kiddo): "Ooh!" Isha quickly reaches for a little piece of chocolate, rolling it around in her fingers before plopping it in her mouth, her eyes fluttering closed as she enjoyed the flavor. She liked all sorts of sweets, but she'd be lying if she said chocolate didn't hold a special place in her heart.
She opened her eyes again to stare at the post lady, nodding along as she tried reading her lips. Her skills weren't perfect, but she understood enough of the story to let out a giggle.
Gertrude (the post lady): The post ladys smile widens, if that were even possible, as she watches Isha giggle "i also... Well I wanted to ask you something. If that's ok?"
she asks gently, taking one of the chocolates herself
Isha (the coolest kiddo): Isha continued to stare with wide, almost unblinking eyes at the post lady, tilting her head when a question came up.
"Mmn?" She hummed in an inquisitive tone, nodding along to show she didn't mind the questioning, before taking another chocolate.
Gertrude (the post lady): "I-i just wanted to know if it's ok for you to communicate this way? I want you to be comfy and all..." She trails off, watching isha's reaction carefully
"It- well- sorry" she laughed awkwardly, feeling a little nervous and flustered at having to be so straightforward with her request "would it be better for you if I learned sign?"
Isha (the coolest kiddo): Isha stared for a moment before responding, trying to think of how to express herself. She did prefer being talked to with sign language, but it's not like she couldn't understand at least a little bit when people tried speaking.
She just nodded at the suggestion, smiling happily before moving an opened palm to her mouth, then lowering it towards the post lady to say "thank you".
Gertrude (the post lady): a near silent sigh left her as she laughed excitedly "i know that one! That's thank you, right?"
she tried to hide the slight shake from joy that wracked her, not wanting to overwhelm isha but feeling quite proud of herself that she already knew something "Isha, I'm gonna learn all the words and next time I bring you stuff I'll sign to you!"
the promice likely wasn't going to come true, learning a whole language in what would likely be a short time was going to be tricky. But she could always try for the little lady's sake! She plopped another chocolate into her mouth as she nodded to herself in agreement with what she'd said
Isha (the coolest kiddo): She nodded eagerly, clapping her hands together to confirm the post lady's guess. "Mm-hmm! Ya!"
Isha looked excited for the post lady's promise. Truth be told, she didn't expect anyone to learn sign language that fast, but she was still happy the kind lady was willing to try.
Gertrude (the post lady): she giggled at the shared excitement, instinctively reaching into her breast pocket to pull out a lolly. She paused and hummed in thought "i think the sensible thing to do would be not giving you a lolly... on account of the chocolate I've let you have"
her eyebrows furrowed as if she were seriously considering something "do- do you want a pen instead?" she asked nervously, having not revealed her little hobby to isha yet and realising how strange the question probably sounded.
Isha (the coolest kiddo): She giggled at the comment regarding the lollipop. It's not like she wasn't used to a sugar rush, she was Jinx's daughter, after all.*
"Mm-hm!!" She nodded eagerly when the post lady suggested a pen. Given her lack of speech, Isha was always keen on depicting her thoughts in other ways, and a pen would help with drawing or writing. Plus any gift is good enough for her so long as there's care put into it, and she could tell the post lady had that to spare.
Gertrude (the post lady): she carefully pulled out a wodden pen from her pocket, the outside roughly carved into patterns with jagged edges. It was noticeable in the cuts that littered the post ladys fingers that she had been the one doing the carving "it's just a sort of hobby I guess"
she muttered, handing the pen to isha "I've been trying to get better at doing stuff, I realised I don't really have any hobbies and-" she paused, noticing herself ramble and feeling a little inconsiderate "yeah, anyway"
she offered the pen to isha with a nervous laugh
Isha (the coolest kiddo): If Isha's eyes could somehow sparkle more than they normally do, then they'd probably be literally glowing right about now. She examined the wooden pen carefully, taking in the little details before proudly moving to write something on her own palm.
She showed off her hand to the post lady, the words "Thank you!!" written on her skin with some doodles of hearts, smiles and other such marks. Isha then tucked the pen away on a little patch of cloth on her jacket, smiling widely.
Gertrude (the post lady): she visibly relaxes and sighs out a little laugh. "I'm glad you like it, little lady" the post lady glances down at the cracked watch on her wrist, crunching up her features in irritation
"Time flies when your having fun-" she mumbles, standing up and adjusting her bag strap."i gotta go, have a pretty lady to see." she freezes slightly, having not thought about what she was saying before it came out of her mouth. The postlady hissed through her teeth and decided to completely ignore it and hope for the best.
"uh- make sure you don't eat all those chocolates too quick ok? I don't want your mamma mad at me" she shivers at the thought
Isha (the coolest kiddo): Isha didn't really react to the post lady's embarrassing little confession, but she did pick up on the flustered look, which led to a small giggle all the same.
"Mm-hm!" Isha couldn't quite see the post lady's mouth, but she could tell it was some sort of request or order, so she just did what she usually did with commands... Smile and wave before disobeying them.
Gertrude (the post lady): "Ok" she grinned "well I'll see you later ok?"
@askisha ❤
