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Post by Sarah Talnip on May 19, 2014 2:04:40 GMT -5
All have various reasons for hiding in a crowd. The innocent, who find only anxiety among others, and the guilty, hiding from someone or something. Others may contain both, those similar to Sarah, who was prepped for the outside with an old, faded black robe wrapped around her entire body and over the head, which was already cast downwards. She hoped no stranger struck up small talk about the Headmistress of Hogwart's death, nor ran into even the slightest acquaintance from the magical world. However, she required a hearty meal and brisk air upon her cheeks for under an hour, call it a day, and remain in solitude for the remainder. Another year of schooling had only just finished, and her few weeks vacation back in Hogsmeade was guaranteed to be more spent in bed than awake.
Hesitation at the doorknob persisted thirty second prior to Sarah twisting it, then soon after pulling it close as lightly as the quietest mouse. Two floors down and out to the streets twenty five after one, the cafe around the corner beckoned her. She gripped a brightly colored novel in her hand, one finger firmly grasped on a small satchel, the clankity-clank of knuts, sickels, and galleons clanging through the air. Price had no meaning just this once, she would help herself to any taste, be it the price of a brand new Thundercloud.
Pointing straight at the menu item, Sarah avoided communication and waited for her roast beef sandwich with a side of casserole, downing butterbeer hastily in time to get a refill before departing. She was once more outside within five minutes, sliding pieces of roast beef out of the sandwich and container to nibble at while strolling. She avoided returning to her room at first, moving slowly and taking a long route out of the way, in a more residential, less crowded area of Hogsmeade. One would think she was at calm with the universe, appearing placid, although it not entirely true. She had zoned out, intent on observing the surroundings. Colors of buildings, chirps of birds, that jagged stone laying across the street. The past year had exhausted her physically and mentally, her wits were not about, but her feet knew the way, currently having turned right to lead back to her destination.
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Post by Chloe Brennan on May 19, 2014 20:07:43 GMT -5
To say that Chloe was stressed was an understatement. Her sisters' bakery, Brennan's Bakery, had been awarded their first big order; the cake and pastries for the upcoming nuptials of two professors at the school. While both had arrived late into Chloe's schooling, her sisters had spoken highly of them, and it was a great honor to be recognized with this wedding. Still, Professor Benoit was a first-time bride, and an indecisive one at that. She had decided on three different types of cake, only to change her mind at the very last minute. After the last one, Chloe had excused herself to the back room to take some deep breaths to try and calm down. When one of her sisters came in to see what was the matter, they had suggested she take a walk outside to cool down.
Being who she was didn't naturally leave her, so Chloe had brought a scroll of supplies she needed to post an Owl order for that afternoon. Frowning, she pulled it out now as she walked down the streets of Hogsmeade. "Aha, brown sugar that's what I forgot!" she uttered under her breath. She took the scroll out of her face in time to see a younger girl coming right at her. She gasped, but it was too late to avoid collision. She knocked into the girl, and her own things fell to the ground. " I am so sorry," she exclaimed, quickly stooping down to pick up her things. She stood back up with a friendly smile. "I must have just not been watching where I was going," she said politely.
TAG - Sarah Talnip
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Post by Sarah Talnip on May 21, 2014 16:26:05 GMT -5
It was all instinct, Sarah was quick with charms and her mind reacted before the body. Without uttering an incantation, her small body easily thrown back and stumbling for what felt like minutes, she had thought the charm to cease her drink, food, and book from splattering to the sidewalk. She had to grasp out quickly for the cup, already leaking hanging upside down. The other items were soon back in her possession, clutched close, footing stabilized. Her heart still beat rapidly - contact with another person, on top of fear of losing her belongings and of falling - and her eyes narrowed at Chloe, who was already sputtering out polite apologies and cordial engagement. Let the stranger take blame, the two would never come into contact again. She was not one to take on unnecessary guilt.
On the other hand, the woman had forced Sarah into an awkward situation, who was only unsocial, not rude. She had to develop quickly how to, without speaking, let the woman feel reassured no harm was done, no obligation to make small talk. One side of her mouth turned to a partial frown. She stared, devoid of any emotion, at Chloe for a time longer than typical, still caught off guard. Finally, she turned that same part of her mouth into a half smile, expressing no grudges held, and shrugged. It was then she lowered her stare, taking a moments interest in the scroll held by the baker. Upside down, tilted away and in the sunlight, it was nearly impossible to read. Yet, it took not much deduction after 'baking soda' and 'brown sugar' that the list was for baking. If only there were a name at the top, plenty of bakeries had established themselves here; would she now have to avoid all of them?
tag/Chloe
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Post by Chloe Brennan on Jun 18, 2014 21:12:13 GMT -5
Chloe couldn't help but notice that the girl she had bumped into seemed incapable of human speech. She wondered, briefly if the girl was simply mute, or just didn't like to talk out loud to strangers. Both scenarios were entirely possible, and she did have a habit of being too bubbly for her own good. She gave the girl a half smile and smoothed out the crinkle in her long robes. "Well, I'm sorry again for bumping into you. Have a nice rest of your afternoon," she said brightly. She began to walk away when something occurred to her and she stopped. She looked back over her shoulder; the girl hadn't begun to move yet. Perhaps she didn't have any friends, and didn't know how to talk to people.
Making up her mind, Chloe turned around and tapped the girl on the shoulder. "Listen, I feel badly that I made you drop all of your things just now, so why don't you stop on over to my bakery in about an hours time? I'll be back from running my errands then, and I can whip you up whatever you like, free of charge," she said with a grin. Fishing into the pocket of her robes, she handed the girl a card that read BRENNANS BAKERY with her and her sisters' names underneath in smaller print.
"Just ask for me, Chloe, and you'll be all set. See you later!" she instructed, then with a final wave wove through the crowds to the shop to finally pick up her groceries.
TAG - Sarah Talnip
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Post by Sarah Talnip on Jun 21, 2015 18:13:18 GMT -5
Another Summer, and Sarah once again was in the streets of Hogsmeade. She no longer lived here, but the place eased her thoughts. In her school years, she had never once missed a trip; it was a magical oasis to escape into for a few hours. Yet, she still had a residual feeling of ambivalence. She was unsure what really was most pressing to her at current: the family frustrations, occupation with her final year of school, or reevaluating her approach to life. All had in common that she was already stuck in her ways - stubborn, silent, and detached - and very unwilling to change, perhaps even fearful to do so. Sarah knew what she enjoyed, and avoided what she didn't. Was that too complacent an approach?
She gave these thoughts only a few minutes before pushing them away. A satisfying distraction was required. Suddenly, a memory came to her of this time last year, on another street. She stood in front of Brennan's Bakery, simply by chance, recollecting a girl a few years older offering a free treat. Sarah did not like favors nor interaction, both factoring into why she had not followed through on Chloe's kindness that day. Now, however, Sarah felt a craving as a savory smell filled her nose. She could not resist.
Bloody hell, what is the name though? Sarah could not think of a single female name likely to fit the shopkeeper. In vain, she felt her pockets, for perhaps the card had lingered in some crevice. Nothing. She felt that if she just saw her, and maybe even a name tag, she could maneuver from there. What about her lack of talking? Sarah would stick to small phrases, if necessary, but maybe she could give a moment for the other girl to backtrack in memory too, and spare her. If the offer even still, stood, that was. It took all her determination, but she placed one foot in front of the other and quietly entered, steering clear of any other customers, sights set on her vague memory of a girl from last year...
Chloe Brennan
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Post by Chloe Brennan on Jun 26, 2015 12:19:50 GMT -5
One year later, the bakery was thriving and the customers were flowing constantly from open to close. Their cupcakes were the talk of the village, and their specialty three chocolate chip cookies had wait lists for orders that were three weeks long. Chloe would not have had it any other way though; this idea had been a dream for her and her sisters for the longest time since they began baking cookies with their mother at a young age.
Today was Chloe's favorite day; testing day. There were a few new cupcake flavors they were trying before they were being released to the public; the maple sugar one that was a prime candidate for the fall collections. She took a deep inhale of the baking cupcakes before heading back out to the front of the shop to see how the customers were doing. She caught a flash of blonde hair and a glimpse of recognition passed through her memory. Where did she know this girl from? Just then, she remembered; last year when she had knocked a girl over on her way back from grabbing supplies. She had invited her to come try a free treat but had never shown. She supposed better late than never, and what better day to come?
She made her way past the crowds of people and tapped the girl on the shoulder. "Hey! I remember you from last year, I'm glad you finally decided to come!" she said with a smile. She took her by the elbow and began to lead her towards the back. "You picked the absolutely perfect day to come, we're trying some new fall inspired cupcake flavors, and it'd be lovely to have an outside opinion," she told her jovially.
TAG - Sarah Talnip
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Post by Sarah Talnip on Jun 28, 2015 22:02:52 GMT -5
Sarah was steadily becoming overwhelmed. She had no business being among a crowd, by instinct she felt threatened and edgy. Her wand was gripped so tight she had to focus on not letting off a charm, she knew anything might accidentally make her set a disaster in this noisy, although very pleasant, bakery. A sneaky Slytherin disposition came to her in her desire to get what she wanted but also to make a swift exit. Her plan was almost fully devised in under a minute, this abhorrent group of people almost not even a worry any longer, when she was touched. Her whole body went stiff, Sarah was ready to lash out, but smartly Chloe had spoken up nearly immediately. She still did not reveal her wretched name, however...
Awfully, the girl was a touchy one, and suddenly Sarah was swooped by the elbow towards a backroom. Eyeing the cupcakes, she felt perhaps she could deal with it for one moment. The jovial manner, though, would likely have Sarah leaving the establishment with a mild headache. How did anyone possess such genuine friendliness?
Sarah raised her look from the cupcakes to Chloe, and in this instance for her it wasn't just that she refused to speak, she was unsure what to say. For one, she was dreadfully out of sorts, and berating herself, despite her salivating taste buds, for putting herself into a social situation. Forget holding a conversation, finding a phrase that fit in response was struggle enough.
Unable to speak and look at Chloe at the same time, Sarah showed particular interest on an object in the distance. "Yeah... I'm willing." As short as the sentence was, her voice cut in and out throughout, but a response was made. Sarah showed more through her eyes, and she made a point of giving Chloe a hard, meaningful look that expressed gratitude, and for a daring moment, a light of excitement.
Chloe Brennan
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Post by Chloe Brennan on Aug 29, 2015 9:30:06 GMT -5
Chloe gave her a warm, genuine smile; she had gotten the impression last year that the girl was not much of a people person or frankly got much social interaction at all, so she was pleased that she had actually followed through and come to visit the bakery. Truth be told she had forgotten about the girl up until she saw the blonde head of hair come through the shop, but once her memory was jogged she remembered all the details of their last encounter. What was her name again? She wasn't even sure that the girl had given her name to begin with, which she supposed was in tune with her personality."Great, let's get started then," she said with a clap of her hands. She beckoned her to follow her into the back room where one of her sisters was just frosting some of the test cupcakes in the fall flavors.
"Normally, we do all of the taste testing ourselves, but I'm excited to have an outside opinion for once as we can be a little biased," she said with a laugh. With a wink to her sister, she whisked three different completed cupcakes onto a small white china plate and held them out for Sarah to see. "This one on the right here is a cupcake with homemade cream cheese frosting, this one on the left is an apple cobbler cupcake with a caramel frosting, and finally this one in the center here is a maple sugar cupcake with a maple frosting as well. It might be a bit rich but I do love maple for the fall so hopefully you like them!" She paused, hesitant for a moment. "I'm so sorry, but I don't remember if I ever caught your name?" she asked apologetically, hoping the girl didn't take offense.
TAG Sarah Talnip
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Post by Chloe Brennan on Nov 9, 2015 10:27:57 GMT -5
bump!
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