12th Dawn - A Step Forward

"May I see your hair tie, Miss?"

I blink at Felicity in surprise. It just came out all of the sudden, catching both Madeline and I off guard. I'm even more baffled when she complies with no hesitation, swiveling around and showing off her hair. It's only then that I notice she's still using my scrunchie, which makes me smile despite my confusion. While Sol and Felicity stares at it intently, I remain standing there in silence. But then, I'm getting more and more puzzled by the second as they appear like they are laying eyes on it for the first time.

"I understand you, though. Everyone in our neighborhood has the same reaction," Madeline mused out loud before swerving back around, much to my surprise.

"May I ask where did you get it?" Felicity inquired in evident zest.

"My friend here made it!"

Madeline then suddenly pats my shoulders, a proud look splattered on her beaming face. I only stare at her in daze until her words finally click in my head. By neighborhood, she probably means the women that have been flocking around the diner for a while now. Flummoxed, I turn to survey our surroundings. True to my guess, the crowd outside is now watching us and has gotten even more boisterous than earlier. Their eyes are all set on Madeline's hair tie in particular. This is just probably my imagination, but it gives me the impression that their sole purpose here is to behold this humble adornment.

"Lillian made it?" Sol asked to which Madeline just nodded eagerly.

I don't know what to make of their reactions at this point. I don't even get why they'd bother with such a small thing. Then again, this only added roots to my assumption that scrunchies haven't been sold in the market yet, or at the very least, aren't really that popular around here. It's quite dumbfounding, considering that I've always known them since ages ago.

"It's really pretty, Lillian! I've never seen it before. Same with your hat the other day!"

Felicity is praising me a bit too much, though. She looks like a little girl who has seen a doll for the first time. I really can't believe how much a hair tie, which I'd frequently use back in my village, can garner this much attention.

"If you want, Felicity, I can give you one. Here, I made a few more when I sewed Maddie's," I offered, drawing out a white scrunchie with pink polka dots from my pocket before handing it to her, which she gladly accepted. She then tried to give another jewel in return, but again, I refused for the hundredth time, reasoning that seeing my friends smiling because of my creation is more than enough for me.

"You're amazing, Lillian…" Sol remarked out of nowhere, a gentle smile gracing his features.

All three of us only gawk at him, surprised at how sudden it was. The effect of those words didn't only catch me off guard, however. It sends me wanting to pump out a thousand scrunchies just to hear them over and over again. At that, Madeline has to shove me off the spotlight since I'm already as stiff as stone at the moment. Not wanting to combust there on the spot, I tried my best to hold my squeal back and ended up looking like a statue as a result.

That night, Madeline and Ruben haul me to a private discussion.

I initially thought that it's solely gonna be about Sol, which somewhat turns out to be half true. For a while, they tease me and even mock me for being an unsuitable partner to such a gentleman since I, according to them, am maybe manlier than him. I try talking them out of it, emotionally suffering from their bluntness and indelicate contrast. Fortunately, their skit didn't last long and they eventually move on to their next topic.

"Well, it's about these scrunchies... They've gotten quite popular ever since I went out to shop the other day. Our neighbours and a few acquaintances of mine at the market had pestered me to know where to get it. I don't want to name you without your permission since they might go and convince you instead. That's why I'm now reporting the situation," Madeline confessed, making my eyes widen in flummox.

"So, that's what that fuss earlier is all about. I don't understand, though. Is it really that unusual?" I asked, tilting my head in bafflement.

"Remember your friends' reactions earlier? It's their first time seeing it, which means even in the upper class side, it's probably unheard of."

I can only gulp at how firm her voice is. Even then, however, I remain befuddled. There's something obscurely strange in this situation. It really is surprising that no one heard it before. After all, scrunchies have already debuted as far as I know. It was patented by a woman who wanted to make a gentler version of metal hair ties and had been a famous decorative hair accessory since then.

But now that I think about it, I'm suddenly not sure where I caught wind of that. I try to trace my memories in an attempt to recall the whole detail but to no avail. Then again, I can just be mistaken. Besides, no matter how advanced Ellicht is compared to the other cities, it's still somewhat secluded and a bit indifferent to other cultures outside of the border. Now, thinking that I might only be dwelling on my musings too much, I just decided to put this peculiar misrecollection at the back of my mind.

"With how popular it got, I think you should finally pay attention to this. They'll be coming to ask us often," Ruben blurted out, glancing at Madeline's scrunchie with a wary look.

"I guess you're right, but I can't possibly hand them out like that."

"What about selling them? You'll get something in return for your hard work."

I then peer at Ruben's amused expression, completely taken aback. Sure, it'll be an extra source of income. With its unprecedented notoriety, I can probably sell a ton. Even Ruben who has a knack in handling a business recommends it. But then, I'm not sure if I can accept another responsibility while I'm still stumped about my apprenticeship.

"Come on, don't burn yourself out! You're looking for a passion first before an apprenticeship. You might like how this will turn out. Just try it!" Madeline enthused all of the sudden, much to my surprise.

"She's right. Just give it your all like you always do," Ruben encouragingly added with his thumb up.

I remember how diverted I was during our outing at the town square. At one point, I even caught myself fascinated at the shiny ornaments, the flamboyant decorations and other intricate crafts. They all happen for a reason, perhaps. This might even be a tiny voice of my much-awaited calling. Therefore, taking it upon myself to test myself out, I'm eventually convinced to comply to their suggestion.