Two Beasts, One Gift

[Terri Nutkins]

This Hollow scene follows on immediately from Late Night Shopping

Once the evening had wound down and Terri had seen off the last of her customers, she had removed her heels so as to tidy up her stall barefoot, quite happy to feel the wooden floorboards under each delicate step. Gloves were replaced, scarves folded neatly and cash locked away. Her notes on certain potential clients were zipped in her portfolio and as she waited for Malory Grey , Terri got out her notebook and a pencil, before tying back her hair into a bun, readying herself for work. It was always exciting when it came to the challenge of designs, especially when it was hedgespinning, which was was Terri's forte and full of surprises every single time.

[Terri Nutkins]

Terri looked up as Mal returned, and couldn't help but chuckle at her puzzlement. One foot raised up to rest without any effort on the counter. Five toes wiggled.

"Removed my shoes," she chirped, lowing the foot once again. "I love fashion but it can be a painful adoration. Want to try them on?"

Eyeing up the coffee, Terri didn't grab one immediately. For all she knew, the Sacramento's grumpasaurus might just be really thristy. The note pad was adjusted as the pencil spun between fingers.

"So, a Christmas present for Ava? What kind of gift were you thinking of?"

[Terri Nutkins]

The concern that Mal had for her friend was heartwarming, a sign that there was more to the Iron Adjutant than the attitude she always threw about. Perhaps it was a defence mechanism, a way to get over what had happened to her in Arcadia. Seeing this side of Malory is why Terri went out of her way to ensure she was nice to as many people as she could. To save one soul, to give hope and to open up even the toughest nuts to crack was what the Blackbird's were all about.

A smile of understanding and for a moment it looked as if Terri was about to place a comforting hand somewhere on Mal's person but instead she accepted the coffee and took a sip. Too early for that.

"I'm pretty sure I can come up with something to help," she began, placing down the cup and making a note on the pad. It said protection. "Naturally, armour would be a good start but with Hedgespinning, it must actually look like what we want. So, if you wanted Ava to be protected just in case, then the design would have to be armour-ish."

Armour-ish? Is that a word? Terri pressed on regardless.

"However, if you wanted a piece of clothing to help protect her, then a leather coat would help. Otherwise, I could make a pair of pants that helped her move more impressively or even a pair of gloves that would encourage her to act faster when in danger. How does that sound?"

For now, Terri did not make any comment about Ava's odd behaviour. That was a more pressing matter but for now, she focused on the gift, working backwards towards the problem.

[Terri Nutkins]

More notes are made, a smile on her face at Mal's idea. She knew her friend better than Teri did, so if she wanted a poncho, a poncho she would get. With a Terri-twist, naturally.

"Awesome, that's a great start! Now, I know that this is a weird question but what colour do you think would suit Ava? The reason I ask is when it comes to ingredients, it's not an exact science. The end effect will have to come from the ingredients and the overall recipe but when it comes to colour, it helps to blend in dyes that won't get in the way."

[Terri Nutkins]

"It's perfectly fine, Mal I get the idea." Indeed, there was already an image building in her mind. Simple cotton, brought together with mist from a pre-dawn morning, cloaking Ava in a fog that obscures her from the senses.

Her pen darted across the notepad, sketching here and there.

"I'm thinking mist, grey and damp, capable of covering Ava when needed. If need be, it could also be used to instill some fear, to ward off potential attackers. Think serial killer in the fog!"