Chapter 63

The bell jingled, announcing a new client.

"Welco-" Ginna swallowed her greeting after noticing who the clients were.

"Nice to see you again." Isabelle smiled. "I came to buy a nice light blue Poplin fabric you had." Her light and bouncy steps quickly took her to the shelf with the fabric she saw last time. 

Because she was angry with Ethan and Joseph at that time, she only bought fabric for Lucas and Felix. Brown for the pants, and dark red and blue for the shirts for Lucas; black for the pants, and light green for the shirts in the case of Felix.

Knowing Ethan was hired, or put in a trial period as he told her, Isabelle decided to make him a couple of clothes. He had no good clothes to wear to such a place as Mr. Dodds' restaurant. And! She was even going to implement her idea with his new clothes. 

She couldn't wait to go back home and try her new ideas out!

"Two yards of this light blue." Isabelle pointed at her chosen fabric. She had wanted to buy it last time, but she had no more money. 

She, then, eyed the other colors and pondered. She thought shirts were better in colors, the pants could easily be black. She looked at the helpless Ethan who stood behind her and looked at everything except the annoyed Ginna. 

"Come here, Ethan." She beckoned at him. He did as told and let her guide him to stand next to a bolt of fabric. "This auburn is nice, too. I want two yards of this one."

"Anything else?" Experienced with the last purchase, Ginna didn't immediately start cutting the fabric Isabelle asked for. Sure enough, Isabelle considered the other fabrics.

"I bought blue for Lucas..." Isabelle mumbled. "Maybe..." Her ramblings halted when she saw a dark blue. Not the same shade as the dress she embroidered. It was close to black, yet the light coming from the opened windows allowed her to see it was blue. "And, two of this one. I think that is all." She nodded.

Ginna waited for a few seconds, and after making sure no new order was going to be made, she put herself to work. She did send a pointed look at Ethan who completely ignored her. Huffing, she kept working. 

Ethan took that moment to lead Isabelle away. "You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?" He seriously inquired. He had promised her his past would not disturb them, yet Isabelle herself was jeopardizing the peace she asked for.

"I trust you to not get involved with her or her sister." Isabelle felt as bit guilty to have brought Ethan to that shop, however… "I really am going to patronize this shop. The fabric is varied and with a good price. If you want to keep your distance from her, I will not come with you in the future."

Ethan sighed. It was nice to hear he was trusted. He just feared Isabelle would get in trouble for what she was doing. He guessed that as long as she only kept an employee-customer relationship with Ginna, then it would be fine. 

The jingle of the bell interrupted their conversation. They turned to look at the newcomer but only saw a pile of fabric entering. 

"Ginna! Help!" A muffled voice cried out. Ginna stopped her task and helped the person by carrying a few bolts of fabric, uncovering a middle-aged woman behind the pile. "I had good luck this time! I was able to cheat out some good fabric from my cousin!" She cried out in victory.

"Mrs. Attile..." Ginna gestured with her eyes at the customers in the shop.

Mrs. Attile turned to look at the couple and reacted. "Well, welcome! Can I help you?" Ginna sighed. 

"No, we're already-" Ethan was about to say they were about done with their purchases, yet Isabelle cut him off.

"Is that sateen!?" Isabelle quickly approached and reached for the fabric in Mrs. Attile's arms. Though, she was able to stop herself from touching.

The middle-aged lady didn't mind. Her eyes even sparkled in enthusiasm. "You know the good stuff! I see, I see. I found a peer in this out of the way place." She nodded and appreciated Isabelle. She even noticed that the clothes she was wearing were different from the one the ladies in town wore.

Not only the cut, the fabric, too.

"How much is this?" Isabelle cut the chase and asked the important question.

"Hm. This fabric is a bit expensive even in cities." Mrs. Attile pondered out loud, placing the bolts on a nearby table. "But, salaries in cities is higher than towns. Way higher than this town, that's for sure. Anyway, I got this for free, so I can give you a discount because you'd be the first to buy. 3 coins the yard."

Ethan and Ginna were shaken by the price. 3 coins! Both came from villages, so they knew earning 3 coins was not that easy. Only Isabelle thought it was a good price. Her eyes looked from bolt to bolt to decide which to buy, or if she could buy more than one color. She had money, after all! 

However, she calmed herself and started thinking with a cold mind. She had money, yes, but there were many things she could use the money at. She could not splurge it just on fabric.

"1 yard of black, then." She still wanted it because another idea came to her mind.

"Right away!" Mrs. Attile beamed. Ginna reached for some scissors to let the owner of the shop cut the new fabric. It shimmered and flowed as it was extended, capturing everyone's attention. "Here. Anything else?" She amiably asked.

Isabelle eyed Ginna, silently asking if her other fabric was ready. "I… yes, I'm almost done." Ginna hurried to resume her task. With the owner there, she could or say nothing. 

"Are you from around here?" Mrs. Attile off-handedly asked Isabelle as she led the couple to the counter. 

"From Yellow Leaf Village." The first thing she learned was the place she was at, so it was something she would not forget.

"Oh? Could have sworn you were from this town or a city." Mrs. Attile commented. Neither Isabelle nor Ethan replied. Luckily, they didn't stay silent for long as Ginna returned with the cut fabric. "Six yards of Poplin and one of Sateen. 6 coins and 6 dimes." 

Isabelle took out her purse and took out the 7 coins Mrs. Priddy had given her. The rest were bills. Isabelle also remembered she had yet another bag of coins given by the Commissioner. She would check that at home.

"Your change." Mrs. Attile smiled at Isabelle, giving her 4 dimes. "Come back again!"

"I sure will." Isabelle smiled, took Ethan's hand and both exited the shop.

"She's definitely not from here." Mrs. Attile commented. She eyed her employee, who had not stopped glancing and trying to get the man's attention. "Don't try anything, Ginna. Just work honestly." 

Mrs. Attile hired Ginna because both were in need. Mrs. Attile had just opened her shop in Basin Town once her husband settled in his new post as a camp trainer, so she needed someone to look after the shop while she went out looking for fabrics.

Or, to go beg her cousin in Silver City to give her some bolts of fabric. 

Ginna was looking for a job in town once she realized she could not depend on a man like her sister did with Ethan. Mrs. Attile hired Ginna because the latter had good memory and was well-mannered.

Though, if she started creating trouble with customers, then Mrs. Attile would not doubt in looking for another person.

Like that young woman who knew about fabrics.

Ginna just pursed her lips and nodded.

Meanwhile, Ethan and Isabelle still roamed around town. This time looking for shoes.

People in the villages tended to use sandals or clothe shoes, whichever they could afford. In Basin Town, most people used sewn shoes made with very resistant fabric, or leather shoes. 

Leather shoes came in different styles and quality. Isabelle had seen many used some simple style of leather shoes that didn't need to be tied. It looked like one only needed to put the foot in. She was searching the shop that sold them. 

"I don't think they're necessary." Ethan tried to protest.

"They are a must, Ethan. You cannot go to your new job looking less than your best." Isabelle rebuked. She finally found a shop that sold shoes and entered.

"Welcome! How may I help you?" The male attendant greeted them. He did a once over at both, but still kept an amiable smile. 

Isabelle looked around, searching if those shoes she wanted were on display. "There!" She exclaimed, walking towards the shoes. They were a bit ugly from up close and smelled rather weird. She immediately put them down. "Do you have a similar style but better?"

The attendant fluttered around, collecting different shoes. "We have all these. All come in average size and are unique, meaning, we don't have another pair in another size. Unless you place the order."

"Come look, Ethan. Which ones fit you?" Isabelle waved at the silent Ethan. 

He looked down at the shoes with a really difficult expression. He'd always thought the man providing for the woman was the norm, that's what he always say in village and in town. To have a woman provide for him was rather novel and a bit embarrassing.

There was no other choice, though. His Isabelle had money, he didn't.

He grabbed one of the shoes and compared the sole with the clothe shoe's sole he was wearing. The shoes were a bit bigger, but he thought it was better that way. He heard once a man complain about his wife buying him shoes that exactly fit his feet, but were tight when he wrapped his feet.

Apparently, you couldn't use leather shoes without wrapping your feet.

"This one." Ethan said. Isabelle looked at the black shoes that were still a bit ugly, but since they didn't smell weird, she thought they were fine.

"How much for the pair?" She asked the attendant.

"10 coins." Ethan sharply inhaled. Isabelle only nodded.

"We'll buy them." The attendant nodded and grabbed the shoe from Ethan's slack hold, picked the other shoe to form the pair and walked to the counter to wrap them up. Isabelle used a bill to pay. 

After thanking the attendant, she led the still frozen Ethan out.