The Investment
The door chimed, and like clockwork, Mabel Able leaped at the first opportunity to make a good impression. It wasn't like Sable was honestly going to compete for it anyway. Her paws gently guided the cloth pattern under the whirring pressure of the needle, stitching with precision and, of course, compassion.
"Hello and welcome to The Able Sisters! How may I help you?"
Sable smiled. As focused as she could be with her own work, she appreciated the outgoing extroverted personality of her younger sister. It was all she could hope for, being a quiet little wall flower herself. At least Mabel found enough courage in her to keep constant motivation without a moment of doubt. It was refreshing to be around such a soul. Especially when she could keep the customers entertained while Sable worked on development.
It was an absolute lift off her shoulders the day Mabel was old enough to interact with browsers and truly found her calling as a sales associate of their family's shop. Raising a young one (mostly on her own) took a lot out of her...not to mention keeping their store running just as reliable as their parents had done. An extra pair of paws was always a blessing...unless that pair decided to up and leave responsibilities for a fancier title-
Oh goodness, the fabric was ruching. No, no, that wouldn't do.
She patted the cloth firmly, pressing her elbow along it to sturdy it. A golden swirled design, just along the edges. It would make for a lovely holiday dress. The leaves outside were barely changing their colors, but the brisk winds and fallen temperatures were a firm warning for the changes ahead. It was never too early to prepare for Toy Day, anyhow. Many villagers threw parties in anticipation for Jingle- She was sure someone would love this as a dress or skirt. Classy, pretty...cute.
She was living her dream...and Mabel managed to keep the customers within the front range of the shop. As long as her sister did her part, Sable could work peacefully with the lulling hum of her trusty old machine in her private little corner. Mother's corner.
"Oh, we're visiting from out of town. I was curious about the shop. Your window display has the cutest dress!"
A tiny smile.
Yes, she had rather fancied that dress herself. One of her favorite designs. Label would have thought it too...country, but what was wrong with that? Everyone had a different stroke about them, why not be proud of it? After all, there was no denying that their quaint little village was a far stretch from city life. The city had its own rules about how things should be done...its own pace...its own dangers. Label would come back transformed with bit of that city flash trailing along her quills...if she came back.
Well, that was her business.
Mabel was old enough, and pleased enough, to lend her own two paws, and that's what mattered now. At least, Sable felt so. They could still be a family. The family Mabel always knew. Just...the two of them.
Everyone had dreams they wished to achieve.
And well, that customer had called her dress "cute" hadn't she?
Her smile grew, even if not but a shadow.
Yes, achieved dreams were wonderful to behold.
"Oh, there's a little area down this way! Maybe they'll have a sun hat to go along with that dress!"
"Feel free to browse! I can help you pair any accessory to your perfect outfit!"
Sable nodded to herself gently. Yes, Mabel could match anything. She truly had an eye as a decent saleswoman, and a bit of fashion to boot.
Sable's paws tilted the swatch to the side, carefully guiding the design. It was a little trickier than most, but a challenge of fabrics was not something Sable confronted with a timid heart. Her brow knit steadily, shoulders squared firmly for the moment. Absolute focus.
The door chimed once more, and like clockwork, Mabel turned and took the floor once more, "Hello and welcome to-"
But strangely enough, Sable lost out on the end greeting, even with the occasional pause of her own sewing.
Mabel never stumbled or fumbled her words, especially with a customer. It was the one thing she was quite proud of.
How odd.
Her voice seemed uncertain, until she phrased the words with dainty curiosity rather than a seller's flare, "Hello, and how can I help you, uhm, ...Mr. Nook?"
The sewing machine clattered most noticeably as the finite design crunched in on itself and stitched into a near accordion. Yanking her foot off the pedal, Sable stared down at her pattern. Scrambled on half of its swirl, by her own accord. Had her foot really slipped so forcefully? What clumsy paws. Lifting the needle, she reached into her drawer, freezing for a moment at the tool she currently required. And with the quickest of peeks, she glanced up from her work, an awkward tension haunting her belly as her humble eyes linked with his crystal blues and immediately tore away, a fierce heat filling along her cheeks.
What was he doing here?
Wait. Was that photo still hanging behind her? Surely that wouldn't seem amiss, would it? After all, they had been childhood friends. It was he who had grown distant...scurrying back into town without so much as a how-are-you. His presence discovered through the gossip of passerby customers, and still, she had been entirely doubtful. He would have written her, surely. He would have announced himself, whistles and bells, and bells galore. He was Tom Nook, after all. The dreamer of Dreams that could not be contained.
The city was a spider...offering hopes to anyone who was willing enough to sacrifice it all. And then it consumed them...leaving nothing more than a husk of broken dreams.
He had come back less than that.
She sighed timidly, tugging a few threads with her paws.
He had barely spoken a word to her upon his return…
And to think she had missed him dearly…
"I-uhm...well, you see…"
Her eyes remained focused on her design, mind running a faster pace than usual. Tom fumbling? Tom never fumbled. Ever.
Her chest clenched as the memories of him shattered for the moment, the Tom she knew, fading with every passing second.
Oh! Oh, what was she doing? She had work to complete! Brushing off her apron, Sable adjusted her seating, pulling the fabric from the machine and slipped it onto her lap. The orange scissors slid perfectly into her paws, but hidden from any and all views, aside from her own.
She couldn't be distracted by such...trivial things…
She assumed Mabel could sense the tension, as the machine was quiet for the moment and her smallish feet paced a bit before her paws clapped together, "Was there something specific you were looking for? A sweater or scarf, perhaps? It's never too early to prepare. As Sable would say, seasonal change is upon us!" Her voice held a tender happy tune, until she realized she had ousted her sister into the spotlight. Her paws clapped onto her mouth as his attention immediately darted for the back again, finding the eldest sister exactly where she was.
"If it wouldn't be too much trouble...could I speak with her, hmm?"
A quiet tone, as if safe keeping from prying ears.
But Sable tugged and tugged at the threads, doing her best to at least drown out everything under the comforting hum of her mother's old machine. It was far too quiet now. "Uhm, well...I-" Mabel began, glancing back at the scenario to read her sister's movements, but leaped at once to the side of their first customers who had waved her over for a question, "Oh! Yes! I'll be right there!"
And right there she was...leaving him free range of the shop.
His footsteps seemed to echo in the cozy little establishment, mannequins failing at cushioning the blow of every padded step. Her paws fumbled and fumbled, snagging at the threads until, finally, with a great swoop from her scissors, the scrunch was free, and back into the drawer they went. Hidden away. And the humming resumed.
A soft sigh of relief escaped her, the thick tacking lulling her into a sense of false security, but it set her jumping nerves at ease. The pattern would be fixed. Not a problem.
It was only when she glanced up to turn on her table light did she pop in her seat, the soft and saddened crystal blues gazing deep.
Her head tucked in, nose wiggling as she adjusted the swatch for edit, "...Rather busy today…" she managed, unsure how to shoo him from her presence, even if he was who he was. She couldn't be particularly rude...at least, not in front of her other customers. And perhaps that was why he chose to come now. He knew her to be a quiet soul, but if prodded enough, she could surely hold her end of an argument and then some. And why wouldn't she? Was she not quality when it had come to their friendship? She hadn't agreed with his departure, but hadn't she supported him? Didn't she write to him often, and he in return? Why, she...she still kept...the very first…
Her head shook for a moment, waving away the worries. The past was the past. And her future held quite a bit of work. The pile leaning alongside her proved it. And if not that, the scheduled order list on her desk spoke volumes...or at least Tom noticed it.
"Yes...I see…"
She stitched a few notches, unsure if it was rude to continue on or not before he spoke again, the tips of his paws tapping in sync, "Sable, I wanted to a-"
The machine whirred loudly, drowning out any attempt at a sentence before she paused for but a moment, tilting her head, "Mabel? If you could attend to Mr. Nook?" She sank back into her work without another word.
His paws curled into the other, a bit of silence passing them before he nodded gently, accepting her cold return, "I see." he replied quietly, and he turned to the rushing Mabel, missing the tiny glance Sable had stolen.
"I'm sorry, I was helping-"
"Oh, no, no! I do apologize, I hadn't realized I picked a prime time to waltz in. The shop seems to be doing very well for itself. I commend you, Mabel! Quite a business lady, indeed. I'd feel threatened if I wasn't in the common trades." the tanuki flattered lightly, and the worried face the young one wore melted into a healthy glow, patting off her apron with a shy smile. "My mistake, I'll return during a quieter time. Time is bells, after all." he waved, and his footsteps seemed lighter and lighter until they faded away completely with the chime of the door.
With a tiny smile still etched, Mabel turned gently to the back corner, where the machine remained quiet. Sable seemed fixated on the front door for the moment, blinking and burying her paws back into the fabric. Mabel's soft beady eyes observed her older sister, fully aware how much Sable kept to herself, how much she refused to share. How much pressure she held over her head, and how she was determined to do it all herself. But most of all, how much Sable refused to comfortably speak about Tom Nook. Whether it was awkward...whether it was sadness...whether it was nerve wracking, heartbreaking, or even, perhaps, love...she refused to touch base on it.
And when Tom managed to scurry on by, time always seemed to stop between them, until something, or someone, broke them apart. A passerby friend. A moment of silence. It didn't matter. Brows knitting in worry, Mabel tucked her paws into her front pockets, head tilting ever so gently. They might have been a decade apart, but Mabel was old enough to understand the damage of betrayal. Old enough to notice the wounds.
"Sable…?"
But now wasn't the time for consoling, for they still had customers browsing their store, and possibly a few purchases on the way. Sable nodded toward them, then ducked back behind her machine, the clacking echoing within her own mind.
"Time is bells…"
The previous day had completely slipped Sable's mind by the time she found herself back behind the old sewing machine, threading a fresh bobble of royal red atop. Mornings were often quiet just before opening hours, but Sable worked best in the company of no one.
Mabel was finishing up her breakfast upstairs and would soon be down to open and greet and fold and sweep like the hard worker she was. Presentation was key, and thankfully, Mabel more than enjoyed her share of the shop. It was fascinating to her that villagers of their town would drop in, purchase an item or two, and wear it like a true designer label.
Of course, there was no comparison to competition like that of Gracie, but their humble little town was much too out of reach for the average soul to bounce so eagerly between the two just for a shopping spree. Trains cost money. Clothing cost money. And Gracie originals cost the average buyer a pretty bell on a good day. But that's what Mabel loved about their little shop. It wasn't an exclusive club.
The top tier of the village could swing by and pick out anything of their choosing just as easily as the lowliest of passerby. Their clothing was fashionable (at least in her opinion), but reasonably priced. Everyone deserved to own clothing, and everyone deserved to look cute in them. It was a firm rule Sable stood by, no matter how long the hours seemed to pull. It was the principle, not the profit. With high principles, even a beggar could be a king.
And as long as the bells were paid, they even accepted custom orders. Anyone could be a designer. Or at least an inspiration. It was a wonderful feeling, owning a shared creation between the Able sisters and their customers. It was something Mabel was proud to be apart of. Thank goodness.
The quick uneven thumping of Mabel's feet thudded through the walls until the door on Sable's left opened, and the youngest sister yawned, closing their stairwell behind her, "Another day, another morning." Her paw nudged at her eye, straightening her apron and tying a bow along her back, "Did you manage to sleep any?"
"Oh, yes. Sleep's important if I want to get these orders done on time. But if I keep on schedule, I might actually finish with an hour to spare. I might use that to mark inventory…"
"I can take inventory! Besides, you ought to have a moment to rest your paws for once."
"Well, it would be nice to work on my own personal patterns for a while." Sable muttered thoughtfully, collecting her pin cushion and sticking a few new ones in, just in case. Her private mannequin looked a dreadful mess with swatches pinned all along its torso, but rarely had it been used to make a one of a kind outfit for the eldest Able sister. Time and bells were hardly on her side, and after all, one could only spoil themselves so much. Just where would she wear any form of elegance to anyhow? She could just imagine herself, sitting behind her old sewing machine, a lovely gown draped to the floor, looped with pins and threads.
She chuckled lightly. Much too foolish a uniform for a simple seamstress like herself, but it was always nice to imagine. Sometimes wonderful ideas came from her silly daydreams from time to time, and even became full outfits. For customers, of course.
Her apron would have to do.
Practical and comfortable. She hardly minded. It helped her blend into her atmosphere.
Her ears twitched as Mabel unlocked the front door, opening it for a peek outside. A firm gust of wind snuck through, filling out the nearest clothing before dying off.
"Looks cloudy…"
"Storm's a brewin'."
Mabel poked her head back into the shop, rolling the curtain back, "You smell it, too?"
With a gentle nod, Sable adjusted the black fabric along her table, extending the panel to support the sleeve. The air felt oddly warm, fidgety and stark. Perhaps a late summer cloud that hadn't had its last hurrah before the autumn winds swept it away. One could only wonder.
"I hope it doesn't flood...you think we should move the valuables upstairs?"
Positioning the hem and pinning it, Sable glanced up in thought. It was a decent idea (if not the best option) in a worst case scenario that would save all her hard work, and keep their customers happy. But admitting this proved difficult in the midst of the two eyes peering through the little window...eyes she knew too well.
"Sab-"
The bell chimed.
"Oh! Good morning and wel-"
Mabel paused, caught herself and continued, "-welcome to The Able Sisters! How can I help you, T-uhm...Mr. Nook?"
Drat. She would never manage proper etiquette with fumbles like that. All customers were to be treated respectfully so, regardless of her personal history with them. But the tanuki didn't seem to mind at all, a quick smile curling as he shut the door behind him, "There seems to be less of a crowd today, hm?"
Eyes gazing about, Mabel chuckled lightly, "Well, we did just open. You're the very first to show."
His gaze shifted toward the back corner where Sable was working away, purposefully busying herself with the most intricate of designs along the sleeves. Tips of his paws tapping nervously, Tom tilted his head toward Mabel, eyes drifting toward the door, "I...I understand Sable is rather busy...but when –if she manages a free moment, I do have a rather important bit of business to discuss with her."
He stood awkwardly, almost wearily in place, paws tucked along his apron, nothing more. Mabel held her cheek in thought, eyes suddenly sparking with life.
"If you wouldn't mind coming back later today around sevenish? We'll be having tea as I do inventory, and she'll have a spare moment then." Her eyes darted over her shoulder as her sister kept to her corner, "But you didn't hear that from me. We're simply very dedicated workers. Service with a smile." she whispered lightly, straightening up with a nod.
A sense of relief seemed to pass through the tanuki, eyes closing with a blissful curl along his snout, "Of course! I suppose that will...some time. Yes, well. Sounds promising," he murmured, gaze drifting along the small window display, "I'll be on my way, then. The weather looks rather unsettled, and I'll not have my inventory be swept away in a flood."
Paw gripping the handle lightly, he offered a slight nod before letting himself out, crystal blues casually sliding over the image of the hedgehog sewing away in the corner before clicking the door shut. The sewing machine did not waver in its clatter among the cozy workshop. The air remained awkwardly quiet between the two sisters as Mabel glanced toward the back, deciding a chat was in order, as soon as possible. Her footsteps were drowned in the rhythmic clicks and whirs of the old machine, Sable's paws practiced to near perfection against the dangers that lied within the skill.
Perhaps one day Mabel would be sitting in her sister's seat, attempting a stitch or two to a complete frock, but for now, she was simply too young to handle it, or so Sable said. Mabel often felt that wasn't necessarily the best reason, nor the most honest. She was more than positive the direct link to the old machine filled the void their parents once held, for no matter how many times the old machine jammed, stuttered, or knotted, Sable refused to replace it. Bells were always necessary for any store supplies, but their income more than provided for them. Sable's wears were fairly well known in their quiet little town, and between the speed and quality of the clothing, they barely kept any true competition around.
Not to say they were anywhere near the point of retirement, but they lived humbly enough with very few splurges on the side. It was all either of them could ask for.
But with a second set of paws, Mabel was sure they could increase production by twice its current send out...maybe even triple!
But, to Sable, ten was simply too young.
Well then, she'd have to start by hand and teach herself! It couldn't be all that hard. After all, seaming was in their blood. She would figure it out, eventually.
Her paws settled into her pockets as she sighed, debating on the best way to start the conversation. Sable's nose was still sunk into her work, as usual, but Mabel knew all too well when work was work and when a distraction was exactly what it was meant to be.
"So I told him to shoo off."
The machine went abruptly silent as Sable's head bobbed, paws lifted from the fabric in sheer shock. "Mabel! I surely hope you weren't so rude as to –"
"Oh! So you're okay with him around. Well, that's good! He'll be arriving later, then." the young one stated cheerily, brushing a thread off her arm.
Sable's paws rested on the workbench, unable to gather enough thought into a proper sentence before her sister could, gently guiding the fabrics once more. Her actions were nearly as robotic as her machine.
"Unless...unless you don't want him to…?" Mabel noted curiously, searching for any kind of hint she could possibly assemble. Her sister said nothing, and the machine clacked once more.
"He said it was important." she sighed softly, seating herself on a patterned stool near one of the mannequins. Still far too early for most customers. Their chat was safe from prying ears, but she spoke gently regardless, as if cradling the situation with her voice.
"You always act so weird around him. It wasn't like that before...I remember when I was little, we all used to go on picnics, and go fishing, and draw pictures in the stars...and we'd always have so much fun..." Her beady eyes softly lifted, cradling a fragile pain within, "And you would smile."
Turning the sleeve over for a cross stitch, Sable's brows knit ever so slightly.
"I just haven't the time for such things, Mabel. This process requires quite a bit from me, and if I neglect any part of it, our shop will suffer. We simply can't afford that." the homely hedgehog noted quietly, adjusting the thread, brows suddenly knitting, "And for the record, I don't need Tom Nook to make me smile. I can do that perfectly fine on my own."
Plopping her cheek into her paw, Mabel gazed toward the front of the store, focusing on the little droplets lightly passing along the window panes, "No..." She slowly stood, figuring now was as good a time as any to start moving boxes upstairs, "But he always knew how."
Sable's head ducked low into her work, focus firm and stoic. She needn't be lectured by her little sister on such things. Besides, they both had work to get done. But with the sudden change in the weather, she doubted any hope for a possible distraction later on was out of the question. He would be back. And as slowly as she could choose to work, she would still be done early, with time to spare and a spot of tea set out for the three of them.
Sevenish on the dot, or even perhaps a few seconds before that.
The clocktower's chime overpowered the Able's homely little coocoo, beautifully jangling the hourly tune and announcing their reluctant guest of the evening.
Angled before her was her schedule, every possible task done for the day, and even with a triple check, Sable Able could not find a single thing to deter their meeting. Well...Mabel had passed on that this was to be important. And important it seemed to be, seeing as this was his third attempt at conversing with the shy seamstress, regardless of their awkward situation.
Well, perhaps he was here to...discuss the situation?
A tiny knot filled her belly.
How would such an attempt even begin to rectify?
No, she hadn't sought out for him prior, but...well, he could only blame himself for that!
She gave herself a small nod in agreement, straightening out the apron across her lap. She hardly dared to lift her eyes just yet. The anticipation of this meeting had been eating at her all day, barely able to truly focus and enjoy her craft at the workbench. Mabel had barely spoken to her. She had been too busy moving items around, lifting valuables and supplies to higher shelves and off the floor, but a good portion of the silence had been from awkwardness. The sisters hadn't exactly fought, but the tension was still there. Mabel believed she was helping, bless her little heart.
Sable wasn't sure what to believe, but either way it was happening.
And with the sloppy, squishy plops that thumped toward her, she only begged that Mabel would hurry down with the tea and intercept the interaction.
Wait-
Had her ears deceived her?
Her soft brown eyes lifted, quick and skittish, meant only to peek, but her gaze remained longer than she would have liked, and even longer than that.
A sorry sight for sore eyes indeed, Tom Nook rubbed along his muzzle with a weary sigh, the weight of rain dragging his fur with a few extra pounds. He seemed a darker version of himself: miserable, hopeless, and desperate, but at the sight of her, he seemed to shake himself free of his haunted thoughts, head holding high as the Nook of earlier.
And then he appeared to remember where he was, in his condition.
The door to the upstairs loft opened abruptly before he could speak, revealing the blue hedgehog balancing a tray of goodies, "A bit of honey and some warmed muffins! I think that should do-"
The three remained quiet for a moment, rain pittering roughly outside.
"Don't you have an umbrella, Tom?" Mabel managed to blurt, setting the tray down for an immediate towel swap. She hooked the mop into her grip from along the wall, marching over to his every step, "Goodness, you're soaked to the bone!"
With a few apologetic nods, Tom Nook capped his head within the towel, voice muffled, "So sorry! I was in such a rush, I completely- Yes, well, I mustn't dawdle, I really shouldn't. Uhm, to business, yes? If I may?"
Plopping the mop at his feet, Mabel tilted her head curiously, glancing back at her sister for a moment before gazing at the tea set on the modeling stand. "Er...would you care for some tea?"
Ringing his apron over the mop, Tom yanked the towel from his head, fur stuck up in all sorts of ways. Mabel had never seen the tanuki so unkempt, or flustered for that matter. He looked rather worn compared to this morning. She could only imagine the kind of business he must've had that that day.
"My sincerest apologies," he sighed, rubbing along his cheek, "I'm truly pressed for time."
With a small nod, Mable leaned the mop along the window frame and crouched to collect a footstool tucked away under one of the display tables. She led him directly toward Sable, assuring him that the water trail behind him was completely harmless, unless, of course, someone slipped and fell (despite his rather skittish behavior, he found a moment to chuckle at the joke). With the gentlest clear of her throat, the youngest Able sister clicked the stool on the floor beside the sewing machine with enough table room to be somewhat comfortable in their discussion...whatever the topic happened to be.
Tom quietly shook the towel out, folding it somewhat neatly on the seat of the stool as his own personal (and somewhat chilly) cushion.
And with a tiny pat to her paw, Mable leaned toward her sister with a soft smile, "I'll bring your tea. You sure you won't have a cup, Tom?"
As she straightened, she realized he was fumbling within the pockets of his apron in search for something. "I could have sworn I had...don't tell me I forg-oh! Ah! Yes! Here it is. Mmm-what? Tea? N-No, thank you, I'll have to take a raincheck for the next rainy day." his voice trailed off in thought, unfolding a wad of paper, his own hand scrawled sloppily within. A bit water logged, but not so much damage that it was unreadable. Perhaps he should have cleared his head before rushing out so hastily, but he did have someone waiting back at the shop...and the meter was ticking.
However, it wasn't the cost of their stay that had him on edge. After all, the recent merchandise he had come across was rather fragile to say the least. It unnerved him to think another soul was handling it all. He scooted his stool a little closer, pressing his chest against the propped end of the sewing desk and flattened the paper out as best he could with his dried paws, "Yes, yes...now to business…"
Sable found herself suddenly alone with one Tom Nook. When Mabel had decided to slink away was beyond her, but Sable could now avoid his contact no longer, and found the knot in her belly twisting uncomfortably, especially when he finally set his attention on her, the crystal blues curious, but cautious.
"I...wanted to ask you...if you possibly have time to work on a larger kind of order? A set, if you will."
Her eyes gazed at him silently, the soft browns shifting as the question registered.
He…
It truly was business.
How silly of her to think otherwise.
He was no more than a customer...not that a customer wasn't valued.
Daydreams were nonsense things. Honestly.
Her tongue poked before hiding away, adjusting her seating to gaze at the paper, "...Well...I can propose a turnaround time, if that's what you're asking."
There seemed to be a sense of relief in the tanuki's eyes as he brushed a corner of the sheet flat, "So you can. Wonderful. These are what I'm looking for...I wasn't positive what the warmest material for these kinds of things would be. I trust your expertise."
Sable refrained from any negative thoughts to retaliate his flattery, and instead tilted the sheet toward herself, albeit gently to prevent any ripping from the wet bits welding onto her table. The familiar handwriting tugged at her memories, but she shooed them away. This was business, nothing more. Now, then.
Her nose scrunched as she read through the desired items, a tiny bit of confusion lining her thoughts. Blankets...pillowcases...sheets...towels…
"Can it be done?"
His voice held a certain uncertainty in response to her gaze, but Sable's head tilted as it often did when she pondered the logic into something. "Yes...it's definitely a bigger order. The towels will take some time, the material is a little tougher to work with and tends to jam the machine. You have a few sets here...so four orders in total...It can certainly be done-"
The tips of his paws prodded awkwardly, "I don't mean to interrupt, but this is an emergency order. The towels can take as long as you need them to, same goes for the others, however the blankets are most important. If there's any way I can rush order them? I can safely assume it affects the price substantially. That is no concern of mine. I simply need them as soon as they can possibly be done."
Again, Sable stared at the tanuki, more baffled than anything. Price did not matter?
Was this truly Tom Nook sitting before her, ragged, soaked, and desperate?
He nearly looked half himself.
She closed her popped lip (realizing it had been open) as she gathered her thoughts, clearing her throat lightly. "I-uhm...yes. That's an option we offer. Turn around for a rush custom order would be about three days, possibly two if I work without hitch in progress."
He nodded firmly, glancing back at the paper, "That must do then. Now for the materials, something warm. Very warm."
Taking out her little pad from her drawer, Sable flipped the cover over to a blank page, scribbling neatly at the top: Tom Nook, rush order. "Well, wool is always superb at keeping away a good chill." she noted lightly, but he clutched his cheek, leaning into the table, "Yes...but it's also itchy…"
He had a point.
"Well, I can always sew a wool interior lining to the blanket to encase the warmth, but the material of the blanket itself would need to be different. Fleece is a decent material to keep warm. Faux fur as well." she hummed thoughtfully, startled when Tom pointed in agreement, "Both then. Double sided faux fur, soft fleece stuffing and a wool interior lining. That'll just about do it."
Jotting down the materials, Sable winced, noting the prices of each piece. "Uhm...Tom, aside from the rush order...the blankets themselves will cost-"
"It's fine. Spare no perfection on these, if you'd please. They're very important."
They must be, she thought, for Tom seemed entirely different tonight. Perhaps it was the rain. Perhaps it was the storm. Perhaps it was because Mabel hadn't yet brought her tea. But Tom merely brushed himself off, leaving the paper on the desk. "If you could make the other orders half green and the other yellow. A minty green, please."
The stool scooted across the floor behind him as he stood, flattening fur bits that had stuck up funny along his arm.
Mint green.
Yellow.
Her eyes lifted slowly to her customer, the pencil thudding against the paper in tiny taps. This was quite the order. This would shift her dresses a bit further along in her schedule, but it was nothing she couldn't handle. Aside from that minor inconvenience, the Able Sisters would be profiting a pretty bell from this one order alone. But what could possibly be so urgent that it would have Tom Nook dish out an unreasonable amount of bells? Tom had learned his lessons from the city and applied them in their humble little town. He wasn't the kind to be taken advantage of. Tom only dabbled in promising investments that would end in success. This, he had sworn.
But he only baffled her further when she quietly uttered a change in the measurements of the garments, more so to herself than anything, and he spun on his heel, "No, no. Those measurements precisely. Excuse me, I must return to my shop. I have someone waiting on me. Two-three days, yes? Send an invoice with Pete, he'll deliver the payment then." he nodded quickly, making a light jog to the door. He paused, glancing back for a moment before his gaze fell to the floor alongside him, "...Thank you."
The door clicked behind him.
The gentle rattle of chinaware clinked softly and Sable blinked, gazing down at her freshly poured cup, with a muffin on the side. "That's quite the order." Mabel whistled, taking a bite out of her own muffin, "So, how'd it go?"
Scooping the notepad, Sable stared at the notes, mind pondering the locations of the materials for such a blanket stored in the shop. "It was...simply business." she replied, standing for a moment to stretch the knots in her back. So much for a free afternoon.
Such flaunting orders always took Sable twice as long to complete. It wasn't for a lack of experience, for she had more than enough to sew simple bedding, but for the price that came with the quality…-well she had to make sure every stitch was perfect. She couldn't afford a single mistake. A customer was a customer, regardless of who they were.
The following day began with an early start, a decent breakfast, and a list of the quality materials she would be needing to fulfill the order. And once gathered, she sat at her machine and crafted her art.
Sewing here.
Stitching there.
Hemming an edge.
Cutting the excess.
Hours passed her by and it was only when Mabel peered over her machine did she give Sable a start, for she was so lost into her work that lunch had come and gone without a morsel. "Brought you some apple oatmeal. If you won't eat when you're supposed to, you might as well stay full longer." the blue hedgehog scolded lightly, waving her sister over to the empty stand where the food tray rested. Rubbing along her eyes, Sable yawned, patting her wrist for a watch that wasn't there. "Oh...what time is it?"
"Nearly 4:30."
The brown paw clutched along her own chest with a soft sigh. She had thought she lost time the way Mabel spoke.
"Oh, I'm still early. Don't do that! I nearly thought I had lost the day. I've barely made a dent in this blanket. It's so…"
"Expensive?" Mabel suggested, her voice muffled with oatmeal.
Seating herself in the stool Tom had the day previous, Sable took her bowl and swirled her spoon lightly. "It's not that...I honestly don't like working on these kinds of orders. I enjoy sewing and creating outfits...not bedroom ensembles. But I can do them, so turning away these kind of orders would be foolish. It's fairly easy money, all considering. But I do suppose handling the materials makes me a little anxious. Any mistake will come out of our budget to supply any extra needed materials. And Tom had to choose the most expensive materials we offer…"
She popped a scoop of oatmeal into her mouth, chewing thoughtfully.
Leaning along the stand, Mabel gazed up toward the ceiling, listening to the pittering of rain once more. It seemed the rain was here to stay for at least a few days; the winds rattled their window panes somewhat roughly and it was enough to keep Mabel up at night. They would need a bit of insulation. There was no doubt Tom carried at that his shop. Best get that done before the winter reared its beautiful but temperamental head.
"I can't say it really surprises me. Tom and expense go hand in hand, right? The true sign of a businessman. He's looking to expand and upgrade his shop. I overheard him with a customer when I picked up the mop and bucket the other day." Mabel uttered, scraping along her bowl.
Knitting her brow, Sable lowered her spoon, "The true sign of any business person is maintaining good communication. Otherwise the business collapses and threatens you into bankruptcy. Good luck to him if he thinks he can single handedly run a massive shop. It's the two of us here and sometimes we're barely on schedule without a decent day off."
Resting her plate on the tray, Mabel took a sip of her tea, allowing the warmth to comfort her paws, "Well, if you'd let me help with an order or two, we wouldn't always be so behind."
"We only have one machine and you don't know how to use it. I haven't the time to teach you, and you're too young to be handling customer orders anyway." Sable muttered, finishing up her meal.
"We could always buy a second machine, but you never want to! If we bought a better machine, you could use the new one and I could use that one, and we'd get twice as much done! But you never have time for anything! And you were younger than me when you first started to sew! You told me yourself!"
"All of my time is occupied by these orders that earn us bells to keep the shop open and food in our bellies! Everything we own has cost us bells. Nothing is free! It's earned through hard work and results! I didn't work on actual orders until I was fifteen and even then I was still clumsy with a needle and thread. You hardly have experience to set a pair of paws on someone's paying order, and we can't afford to waste good materials on experimentation-"
The door bell chimed and with a quick glare to her sister, Mabel took the tray and hid it away on one of the stools before marching to the front of the store, fixing her mood slightly before welcoming the customer in, "Welcome to the Able Sisters…"
Sable sighed grumpily, placing her empty bowl on the tray. She had more important things to do than to argue with Mabel. This fancy blanket wasn't going to make itself. Seating herself at the machine, Sable eyed the measurements and dove back into her work. Leave it to Tom to want the most expensive kind of throw. It would keep his feet warm at night. That much she could guarantee.
They were a pair of handsome blankets, that much she could proudly claim. The seams were all double stitched to perfection and inspected mercilessly. The faux fur was brushed and groomed accordingly. The fleece was fluffy and the wool assured it's warmth. The sandy hedgehog gazed at the items in a daze, the focus of her own eyes going in and out the longer she stared.
Three days, it took.
Three days of nonstop cutting, and stitching, and measuring.
Three days of pinched paws and three nights of a cramped back and a wrinkled nose.
The machine had jammed on day two, much to her horror. She hadn't thought the wool would have pushed the needle over the edge, but surely enough, she had to remove the materials and perform a bit of mechanics before it was up and working again. After a mini heart attack, a cup of tea, and four hours of tinkering later, Sable somehow managed to coax the machine back to duty, and daintily she resumed her order. Only, with a hefty delay.
And now, on day three, she had only but to wrap the blankets in a nice red bow and package them.
Her arms stretched and cracked with her gentle yawn until the coo coo startled her, and Mabel giggled, setting down a cup of tea. "Those came out perfect! Tom will have no choice but to love them." She watched as her sister nodded in a slight doze, head bobbing until she firmly shook herself and held out the scarlet ribbon, tucking over, under, around, and swirled into a bow atop. "I've done my best, I suppose…" Sable mumbled, holding her arm in another slight stretch before moving on to the next blanket.
"So does Pete deliver this late?"
Sable glanced up, tweaking the bow, "It's only six; it shouldn't be too much of a hassle."
Taking a small sip of her tea, Mabel tilted her head, "...It's nine."
Paws freezing in place, Sable's eyes darted for the clock that had recently chimed, true to her sister's word. But that was impossible! She had only heard the clock chime at three! How could she have missed something so obnoxiously loud?
"You rested your head down for a moment, remember? I asked you if you wanted to rest upstairs, but you said you had to finish and would just rest your eyes for a little bit. You napped for about an hour and a half and then you woke up and went right back to work. You said it was fine." Mabel answered, noticing the horrified confusion on her sister's face, but her answer provided no comfort. An hour and a half lost. And aside from that, Pete would not be able to make the delivery. It was after hours for him, and nearly closing time for the Able's shop.
And Tom had paid for rush service -three days max!
The sleepiness had been frightened right out of the eldest Able sister, for now she had her professional reputation to uphold, and it was being threatened all due to a silly, but necessary nap. "I can't believe this…" she heaved, scooping the blankets into a steady pink box, capping it air tight. "This has to be delivered tonight! Ugh! And it's still raining!" Sable huffed, rubbing at her face.
"Well, here you go!"
The sandy hedgehog glanced up at the clear umbrella handle dangling before her, brows pressing sourly.
Taking another slow sip, Mabel leaned along the counter, "I'd offer to deliver it, but I'm too young to do anything proper around here." She scooped up Sable's cup, placing it back on the tray and marched toward the upstairs door, "I'll keep your tea for you. And if Tom is carrying those window covers, that would be great."
Sable stabbed the umbrella tip into the floor as Mabel went up, grinding her teeth.
Not that she would have allowed Mabel to make the journey, but pouring salt into the wound was hardly appreciated in addition to her exhaustion.
Her brows slowly knit as her eyes fell onto the package, ready to be delivered as soon as the messenger was. Brushing off her apron, Sable stood there awkwardly, knowing time was against her, but finding the urge to perform the task more troubling than anything.
It was rather late.
-but she couldn't ignore three days, the latest-
It was pouring.
-box would surely protect the blankets bundled within-
They needed window casing.
-surely Tom's store would still be open at this hour regardless-
Shaking her head firmly, Sable scooped the box to her chest and huffed, marching to the front of the store and away from the safety of her own little nook. No more excuses. She had a simple order to deliver. No more. No less. What nonsense was this that she couldn't even think straight about a silly delivery? Anyone else and she would have hurried off at the last stitch. But now only her conscious seemed to weigh her feet down as they slowly slipped into a pair of shiny red rain boots.
Slow, but still moving.
Her paw looped into the sleeve of her yellow slicker, wrapped along her back and buttoned down the front. Her umbrella, firmly clutched. The package, tucked against her chest.
She was ready. And yet, she still waited another minute before closing the door behind her.
The brisk walk from her small shop to Nook's Cranny was not for the faint of heart. At least, not in this weather. The clarity of her umbrella provided no help as the droplets heavily attacked and drizzled off the fabric, creating small waterfalls rushing about her feet. She sloshed as quickly, or as slowly, as she could, doing her best to arrive at Tom's in one piece with the least amount of mud scattered across the box as possible. To lose balance on the muddy trail was not an option. A pristine box slatted with mud would look horribly unprofessional, not to mention a head seamstress. No, it was best if she maintained her footing.
For the best interest of the client's merchandise, of course.
She wasn't certain how long it took her to finally arrive at the familiar crook of Nook's. She might have even passed it the first time, and completely ignorant of the fact, much to her dismay. It was rather unusual for Tom to have the lights to the shop completely off at this hour. He often kept shop rather late into the light, and tidied up afterwards. But all the lights were off. All except the one upstairs.
Perhaps he deemed the weather too daunting to keep the shop open?
It wasn't like anyone was out traveling these roads.
Well, anyone aside from Sable Able, but she was out here on business and that was completely different than a bargain hunter or a casual visitor. Did Tom have casual friends who stopped by late at night for a game of cards or dominoes? Did he throw parties and entertain business types or future customers? He certainly had the land to do so, being so far from most residents to be much of a disturbance. Sable couldn't remember the last time she had been out around these parts. They almost felt foreign to her: dark, cold, and lonely. Also wet.
Why was she just standing out there?
Silly girl. Daydreams were distracting.
Clearing her throat a bit, Sable adjusted the umbrella along her shoulder and trotted to the door, peering into the window and finding nothing much but shadowy lumps and shapes. With a firm knock, she waited patiently, shifting from foot to foot as the rain dumped onto her quiet little town. When this was all over, the greens would look greener, and the skies would be lovely and clear, but until then, she was forced to endure the rains face to face. She knocked a little more firmly. And waited once more.
Sable Able wasn't the kind to snoop into the business of others. It simply wasn't who she was. She respected the lives around her and found no entertainment in meddling with their personal affairs, but rather, hoped she could dress them for it. She and her noisy little machine. And Mabel, of course.
But Sable wasn't quite sure who it was who decided to check the handle on the shop door, or who realized the door was unlocked, or who even decided to slip in, rain and all. Perhaps her instinct to survive had been trying to warn her to take cover or the rains would surely drown her? Perhaps the chill had gotten to her? Being sick was no fun, nor was it something she had time for. Tom wasn't the only one with orders. But regardless, the hedgehog had found herself creating quite the puddle on the wooden floors of Nook's Cranny. Strangely enough, she found herself oddly at peace with the thought. Perhaps they were even steven in distributing puddles.
Though, she couldn't help but feel her scenario a tad bit creepy. She had never been one for dawdling in the dark during a storm unless she was cozied up in bed with her own comfortable (but less expensive) blanket. Her earlier assumption had been correct.
It seemed the shop had been closed early this night. But not sealed shut. How strange.
Clearing her throat, Sable found her nerves suddenly scrambled, as if waiting for anything to suddenly burst at her, "Delivery! From the Able Sisters!"
She waited a moment.
And a moment longer.
And a moment still.
Nothing.
Shaking her umbrella a bit, Sable leaned it against the door, peering over the counter and to her left, taking a few steps in. "Tom? I'm awful sorry for the late disruption- I've brought your order! Hello?"
Heavy pilling of rain.
A rush of wind.
Nothing.
Surely there was someone here. She had seen the lights on outside. At least the upstairs ones, anyway. Oh, but she couldn't just barge into his loft...that would be rather ridiculous of her, not to mention rude and invasive…
But to drop off his order without confirming it…
Or leaving his shop, aware that the door wouldn't be locked behind her…
Their town was a safe town, but no town was perfect. What if something happened from her carelessness? Goodness forbid the shop was ransacked, or, or even worse? Brushing a few water droplets from her slicker, Sable sighed wearily and glanced about, shadows playing tricks on her eyes and the like. But only one light source scattered across the floor from a sliver under one of the doors -the door that led upstairs.
She would simply check on him.
There was no harm in that, was there? Besides, she had to confirm the delivery. Three days, and not one moment more. His bells had been well spent.
Hugging the box close, Sable's boots thudded lightly on the wooden floors until she paused at the door, gazing at her feet. Muddy and wet. She couldn't possibly go up with them on. Her paw curled in a gentle fist, delivering a soft blow to the door. Once. Twice. Three times.
Nothing.
"Hello? Your order is here!"
She found the sound of her own voice haunting in the dark. Her eyes darted about before tugging her boots off and leaning them against the wall. Another knock, just to be safe. "Tom?"
Her paw slipped along the handle, carefully twisting it and found no resistance.
So odd.
And now she was worried.
Tom would never have retired upstairs without locking the shop, and certainly not without his own front door for safety. Her belly knotted as she tugged the door open and peered up the stairwell, perfectly lit with warm and welcoming light. She stepped in, closing the door behind her and locked it for the moment, hugging the box even tighter. She could only see the open slanted ceilings of his tin roof, the wooden beams holding steady above in horizontal waves. Attached to each one was a track light, filling the entire upper floor with a showroom sense of security.
She approached the steps with caution.
They creaked lightly, as all wooden steps do, but her nerves were hardly eased.
"Hello? Tom? Are you alright? I'm terribly sorry for intruding- the shop was unlocked, but the door was undone. It's not like you to-..."
As her foot reached the top, Sable found her voice had left her, strangled somewhere between disbelief and awe.
Safe and sound, nestled in a wooden chair was Tom Nook, head pressed into his chest as his battle with the sandman appeared long lost. But Sable's observation bypassed him in an instant for the company he was keeping at the moment.
And to her nerve rattled surprise, they observed back.
Tucked in each of his arms was a tinier Tom Nook-
-or, or at least they seemed to be. Same kind of fur. Same pattern. Same wiggly nose. Even their eyes focused on her in interest, as if she had something potentially valuable (which she did). They sat quietly in his protection, fully alert but relaxed in his cradle, nestled with their tails wrapped about themselves in comfort, and each a sole diaper from necessity. They stared at her curiously as she fought herself to inch closer, swallowing away the dry throat of shock.
Who...who were these little ones? Was-
Was Tom a…
Sable found the painful knot in her belly grow more twisted with every passing moment-
Well, no! This was wonderful news, wasn't it? Young ones were a blessing-
And...their mother? Well, that wasn't any of her business- oh! Business! Yes, she was here on business!
Rubbing her nose lightly, Sable gently reached over and poked his shoulder, just above one of the young ones' heads. Their eyes followed in dedication, but both eyed Tom when his head lifted with a start, his own eyes groggy and riddled with exhaustion. "Ah-wh...S-Sable?"
They sat in silence for an awkward few seconds, the little ones clutched in his grip, and the box clutched in hers.
"The shop was unlocked. I...just wanted to...deliver. It's your order."
Sable shifted from side to side, placing the package down on the table next to her, but couldn't help but glance at the two glancing back, her curiosity giving her away.
Standing from his seat, Tom rested the two in their own makeshift beds, a basket base with a fluffy pillow within. "I- Uhm...Has it been three days so soon?" he uttered quietly, straightening his apron before taking a deep breath.
"Not a day more." the hedgehog replied just as quietly, her gaze darting to the floor once Tom turned to face her.
She stood there awkwardly in her bright slicker, and at one point wondered if that's why the little ones found her so fascinating, even from their baskets they gazed at her so intently. But her thoughts became a jumbled mess when Tom reached for the box and tugged the ribbon off, popping the top. And with a half hearted yawn, the tanuki scooped the blankets and untraveled them, nodding at first sight. Without a word he bundled the young ones in their own blankets and watched as they settled in, nuzzling the soft furs with a light sleepy purr.
"Yes, I suppose that'll do." he sighed wearily, rubbing his paws along his face until he remembered he had a guest. His paws froze in thought, slowly falling to his sides with a bit of a slump, and Sable could not think of a time prior where Tom Nook had looked so worn and ragged.
Worn and ragged, but not broken.
No, there was something else to his eyes as they locked with hers briefly, something very sure and solid. Something...hopeful.
"I believe the orders are a success. Hardly a surprise there. Down to the very last inch." he noted quietly, eying the two curled up snugly, though very much awake. His paws tucked into his apron as he leaned back into the table, heels rocking in thought. It remained quiet all throughout, though Sable hadn't made her move to leave, and this was something he appreciated, regardless of how late it was.
"I've never seen them so alert before. And quiet. A solid night of sleep has been robbed of me for the past few weeks or so. But look at them, so focused...perhaps the yellow…" he rambled, rubbing between his eyes for a moment before sighing deeply. "Or perhaps you're simply someone new."
Silence…
"The city changed quite a few things about me, I'll admit. Things I had to learn on my own, things I never expected I'd encounter. It wasn't all that long ago I returned to this little town, finding comfort in its shadows…"
Sable's paws fumbled in her grip, her thumb twisting tightly in her palm as her eyes fell on the little ones once more. "It's-...Well. I can see you seemed to have a lot on your plate…" she shrugged awkwardly, tilting her head curiously when Tom's head shook tiredly, rubbing his nose.
"I couldn't have had any less on my plate before I found them."
The tight grip Sable had on her own paws became numbly loose as she processed his words, brows knitting for a moment.
"F-...You...you found them?"
"Chilly, dark, and drizzly, not unlike this night, but far less windy. The buildings block out those things, you know. And I was taking a stroll to clear my head. Bad thoughts haunt when you haven't a distraction, and so I felt a walk was best, even in the rain." His tail bounced behind him as he slowly made his way to the chair, leaning into it before he toppled, gazing lightly at the little ones. "Rustling about in rubbish, the two of them. Trying to keep warm and chewing on scraps. It was no way for anyone to live, never mind smallish Nooks."
Clutching her slicker firmly, Sable remained speechless.
Smallish Nooks indeed.
The resemblance was unusually uncanny, if Tom's words were true.
The only true difference was the darkness of their eyes, stormy seas compared to his sleepy crystal blues.
"Of course, I spoke with the authorities on the matter. I had hoped the guardians of these two would have seen the error in their actions, but nothing ever came of that. The boys were medically checked, and aside from a bit of malnourishment, they were perfectly healthy. Two of them, left to fend for themselves in hardly a few weeks time of coming into this world. The city reminded me how cruel life can be. Not only for my luck, but for the luck of others." Tom mumbled, leaning his cheek into his paw.
He sighed.
"The city wasn't a terrible place. My personal experiences aren't what make a place what it is, but it ruins my perception of it. Everything there was...too fast. Just as quickly as success could come, it could leave. Passing glances became blurs. And had I not gone for that walk, they would have been blurred into the background until the worst possible moment."
To think what could have become of the two young ones nearly broke Sable's heart. Upon the passing of her parents, Sable had done her absolute best to keep Mabel safe and sound, educated and well rounded. To make sure there was always food to eat, and a roof over their heads. To let her know she was loved and always would be.
But someone had thought abandonment was the answer for these little ones.
Sable did not judge a potential unfit parent for their inability to provide for their children. Circumstances came in all shapes and sizes. Like Tom, she had learned long ago that the world could certainly be a cruel place. She didn't need to travel to the city to learn that. But what Sable did disapprove of was absolute abandonment without even a sliver of care behind the action.
A police station.
A firehouse.
A hospital.
Even an orphanage.
But not where one would toss their garbage. Not a dirty alleyway where no one would find them. Not someplace you would try to forget and make them pay for it.
They hadn't asked for this.
And as they gazed as Sable so intently, she knew they would forever be stronger for it. They were gentle little souls, found and rescued by a soul perhaps even gentler than she gave credit for. Her brown eyes lifted gently, finding his weary self half slumped in his seat, heels keeping him from sliding off completely.
"You'll be expecting them awhile." she noted quietly, and he jumped, eyes popping before shaking away the dreariness. The orders. All of them...the measurements…the double sets...it all made sense now. It was for them. All for them.
And the most expensive of blankets…
...an attempt to replicate a mother's nestle. Warmth. Fur. Coziness. Comfort. If they couldn't have the real thing, then Tom Nook was second best. And if Tom Nook was absolutely exhausted from cradling twins for a few weeks, then a top quality blanket would offer them comfort whenever they desired it.
And offered him a sense of relief.
Rubbing the bridge between his nose, Tom yawned, adjusting his seating a bit, "Yes, I suppose I will...They required a foster home, you see. And aside from the crying, and the feeding, and attention they need...I feel a bit responsible for them. I did find them after all, and I won't have someone else finish anything I start." His eyes fell sleepily on the two, both peering back. "...I couldn't leave them like that. They're destined for so much more than an empty shell of a trash can."
A small smile curled along Sable's snout, leaning gently against the table beside her, until a small thought crossed her mind, pulling the smile away into a frown.
"Tom...fostered children will eventually be moved to another home."
"Yes, I'm aware." he mumbled wearily, waving a paw as if dismissing the idea, "I contemplated for some time before I moved back if that was something I wanted to haunt me. A good deed is all well and good, but is it worth it if you remain hurt in the end?"
Cupping her paws gently, Sable gazed at him with soft eyes, ears twitching, "Of course it's worth it. They're worth more than either of us could ever imagine. There isn't a price you could place on either of their heads. A life is priceless, Tom."
He nodded, eyes falling heavy.
"Sounds like a prime investment. Good. I feel more at ease with my decision."
Shoulders slumping a bit, Sable winced. He spoke of these two as if they were a deal of some sort made to make or break his business. Honestly.
"You've done well to rescue their lives and offer them a home during crises, yes. They are living beings, not real estate. Do remember that." she added briskly, arms crossing as he nodded, barely able to lift from the dip.
"Yes, yes, of course."
His ears perked for a moment, brows knitting. "Real estate...clever Sable. I must look into that when I have the time." His paws ran along the edges of the armrests in thought, a tiny pout forming, "If I ever have the time. Young ones collect quite a bit of time from the day. And the night. Feeding, and diaper changes, and naps, and not all in the same order. I had to call over a sitter from the city the day I met with you for the specs, and even then I hardly felt settled until I was back here and could see them myself. Strange...I couldn't trust another to simply watch them as they slept. And I suppose it was then that I truly felt my decision had been finalized, and so all the proper procedures have been tended to. Yes."
Blinking curiously, Sable tilted her head, unable to fathom his incoherent babbling. She couldn't imagine the last time he had truly gotten a full night's sleep. He was practically competing with her in all nighters pulled this week. But she couldn't be stoic with him. Not when he was like this, and certainly not now that she knew why. Why he had been so stand offish all this time. He had other worries, other concerns. And she approved them all. Tom could be greedy at times, but never by the suffering of others. He had opened his home to these orphans, and had bonded with them. Never had she thought Tom Nook would assume the role of a guardian over little babes, but here he was, and there they were, all peas in a cozy little pod.
"Tom?"
"Mm?"
"You really mustn't sleep while they're wide awake. They could get into mischief. Especially with these stairs." she noted, taking a step away from the banister, "You ought to have some form of safety feature, at least until they're relocated."
Stretching his arms out, Tom leaned forward, shaking his head roughly to jolt his alertness. It hardly helped.
"There will be none of that. Hmm...where do you suppose? Perhaps the city would have safety features for homes?"
"I-...you do want safety features, or don't you?"
"Well, they're quite a necessity, yes?"
"Yes. But-" Sable shifted her feet, "Sorry. I misunderstood. You sound very tired, Tom. You aren't making much sense."
Taking a deep breath, the tanuki sighed, glancing at the little ones. They appeared to find the entire interaction quite entertaining, as not a single peep had been uttered from either of them. Tom deemed that a blessing. Often when one yelped, the other joined in. If only he could shut his eyes for a moment, but Sable was a voice of reason and experience in child raising. If anyone would know a sound bit of advice, it was her. He was to be awake as long as they were. But how long would that be? He nearly felt sick from exhaustion. He could only imagine how he looked to his guest.
He'd rather not think about it.
Honestly, he'd rather not think at all.
And just like that, without rhyme or reason, he stated the very obvious, if not to completely clarify any doubt or confusion.
"...I'm going to adopt them."
Not a sound could be heard aside from the orchestra of rain tackling his roof, but he doubted Sable could even hear that, or even focus on it. The shock in her eyes said it all. And with her silence rose the tension, if not from the power of his words, then from the immediate concern she held for the twins.
"T-Tom, that's-...I mean, adoption is...that's quite a leap, you know? You've lived a single life, and children are an entirely different way of living. They aren't something you can grow bored with, nor are they something you can trade away. Adopting means merging them as family, and that you're willing to provide whatever it takes to assure them health and happiness. To build a business and a family together...I promise you, it's no easy task. I speak from experience, and even then, Mabel was older than they are now. I'm not saying this because I don't believe in you -I just...It's a very big responsibility." she blurted, ringing the edge of her raincoat.
But Tom was neither frazzled nor strained by her speech. He merely gazed at the boys, sleepily so, but proudly.
"I believe you, Sable." he whispered, "But, I believe in them more."
Leaning forward, Tom stepped toward the two, scooping them into his grip and nestled quietly back into the chair, just as they had been before Sable arrived. Immediately, they rested their heads against his chest, and one of them closed his eyes, finding comfort in the careful touch of his guardian, protector and provider.
"I thought it over countless times...Countless sleepless nights. I believe we all have a purpose in this world, but who's to say we're only meant to have one purpose? This situation will not halt my ability to build my dream here at home. And my business will not halt my desire to raise these two with a good home and perhaps even a smallish legacy. Who's to know?" he chuckled lightly, patting the alert one softly on his head, "Why can't both purposes become one dream? I believe it's possible."
Sable watched as he spoke with newly found pride, and how he held his head as he analyzed his hopes for their future, and held them securely with a smile. She watched as his sleepy eyes filled with light as he thought on these things, and the tune of his voice carried a gentle song of success.
But she also noticed when the light dimmed out for a moment when he gazed off, and his brows gently knit, growing quiet for the moment.
"I once dreamed of success in the city. I had thought that would have been possible, too."
She found herself disliking that tone very much. And she found her own voice to counter it.
"This won't be like the city. This is possible. If you put all your heart into it, it will be possible."
His glassy blues tilted toward her, weary and worn, "Hadn't I put my heart into my dreams the first time?"
And the fear that didn't belong in his eyes found its way back, threatening to change the Tom Nook she knew into a foreign entity once again. She gazed from him to the twins nestled firmly in his grip, and she nodded gently, taking a few steps closer, "You did. One hundred percent, you did. But they aren't something you will fail at. I promise. They have something the city couldn't offer anyone." she placed a tender paw along one of the boys' heads, feeling the soft baby fur tickling her paws with a soft smile.
"...Me."
Tom's hazy look of confusion popped into one of nervousness, "S-Sable, I couldn't -wouldn't expect you...anything of you when it comes to these two, the responsibility is mine to bear-"
Plopping a paw on his head, Sable waited for his fumble to die away, rolling her eyes.
"You can't expect me to ignore the fact that you've no experience with babies and hope to raise two of them on your own. If you are opening your home to them, and promise to give them a proper Nook upbringing...then I will make sure you know what to do along the way. There aren't any solid rules on raising young ones. I can help if I so please. After all, they deserve the best you can offer, yes?"
The tanuki allowed the words to settle into his thoughts, his crystal blues observing the young ones in his grip.
The best he could offer…
Sable was never one for ego, but her words rang true. She had the most experience of anyone he knew when it came to dedicating one's self to a double life: proper business owner and guardian. She had to learn everything on her own. Figured out what worked and what didn't. And survived.
She was right. What did he know about raising two young pups? It wasn't like he hadn't thought about having his own family before, but never so soon, and never before his idea of success had come to play.
But what was he to do?
The boys were already here, and they already expected things from him like meals and warmth, and he couldn't help but admit he had already grown rather fond of them. His eyes lifted to her for the moment, head nodding lightly, "Yes...they deserve the very best. They are a prime investment, after all. Nook is a proud name to carry." he yawned, leaning himself to his left.
Shaking her head, Sable offered a tiny smile. Of course, he would compare anything to business. It was his way of understanding complicated things, she supposed. They could work on parental etiquette eventually. Placing a paw to her cheek, Sable tilted her head, "Hm...proud Nooks. Speaking of which, I haven't been properly introduced. What are their names?"
Silence.
Her ears twitched, realizing Tom had nodded off.
Tapping his shoulder, Sable tried to be gentle as possible, not to wake the sleeping tot using him as a pillow.
"...Tom? You really ought to put them to bed so you can rest. -Tom." She prodded his arm firmly, and his head dipped up, nearly knocking back,
"Y-Yes! That's a fine name. Tom it is…"
With a heavy sigh, Sable scooped up the sleeping twin as Tom Nook stretched his neck, looking rather confused. His paw waved around for the missing babe until he realized Sable had already tucked him into his basket, blanket and all. She turned to collect the other, but the tanuki had already stood, rubbing an eye firmly. "Goodness, if I could just get a few hours rest...and a very large coffee in the morning."
Chuckling, Sable took a step back, watching as he gently set the other tot into his basket with a light pat to his head.
"I know you're not processing too well at the moment, but I'd like to know their names at the very least. Mabel would love to meet them at some point." Sable noted, resting against the railing.
With an awkward stare, Tom scratched along his ear.
"Honestly...I haven't a clue. I mean, I suppose they may have names, but...that information is missing, if so."
Brows knitting softly, Sable glanced at the two nestled in, "Oh, Tom, that won't do! Surely you must've thought of something by now?"
The rain rattled the roof like rice from the skies, but it kept the loft in a gentle hush, lulling them all into a secure nook of comfort.
Stretching his arms out, the tanuki crossed them over his chest, eyes closing for a moment. "Not particularly," he whispered, opening a single eye, "But another Tom Nook could do the world a load of good. Thomas...Hm. Sturdy and dependable."
"Well, there can't be three of you, now." she sighed sourly, but Tom sleepily tilted his head, poking a finger, "Timothy."
Sable's eyes gazed along to the side before lifting in realization.
"Your father?"
"Another hardworking Nook."
The boys slept soundly in their makeshift cradles as their elders watched on quietly, one nearly asleep on his feet as the other simply soaked in the moment.
Never had Sable thought that a miserable delivery would result in the discovery of a lifetime. Not exactly a birth, but a rebirth of hope, dreams, and perhaps even the turning of a new leaf, leaving the wild world of old behind. Tom would raise these boys right. She would make sure of it. But for some reason, she knew he would do perfectly fine on his own. Tom was a dreamer of Dreams, and he would share his dreams with these two...and learn of their dreams as well. And together...she could foresee great things in their future. She was no Katrina, but she could feel it in her bones. Great things would come of these...Nooks.
"Timmy and Tommy." she smiled kindly, and though it was softly spoken, Tom arched a brow, glancing her way.
"Lacks in polish, don't you think?"
Her brows immediately flattened, "Tom, they're children. You can sculpt their professionalism when they're able to appreciate it. For now, simply guide and guard them as a father."
His eyes popped open, perhaps the most alert he had been all night before leaning alongside the railing with her.
A father.
Is that what this town would think of him? A father to two newly born Nooklings...and without a mother to claim as their own? Tom was well known around these parts, but his social life, not so much. And he wouldn't want to impose unnecessary rumors about these young ones before they could even sell their first lemonade. He would do all he could to protect them...from all the dangers that threatened their quiet little lives. He would make sure of it.
That much, he could promise.
"...Fatherhood isn't quite for me…-in this situation. I'm not here to replace anyone who already has their place. They require a guardian, and I accept the offer. Perhaps more, but no less." the tanuki noted subtly, his paws curling along the rail, and Sable glanced at him curiously, gazing back toward the twins.
"A proper uncle, then." she suggested, tucking her paws into her pockets.
An uncle…
He felt himself be led to his wrinkle free bed, still made up and pristine from the days of old, but he couldn't remember when he had actually sat and rested his face into his pillow, or if he had even removed his apron before crawling in. He couldn't remember if he had shut off the lights or if he had even pulled his own blanket over himself, but the slight shadow following him might have had something to do with something or other. His mind mixed in and out of focus, unsure if Sable had gone or not, or if she had even said anything to him afterwards. All he could remember was his guardianship over the newest additions to the Nook household…
Timmy and Tommy…
His nephews...
A small smile curled along his snout, and with a tender yawn, Tom Nook closed his eyes, his nod dipping low, but firmly all the same, "Yes...I believe that will do."
Author's Note: I love origin stories, and I feel like there aren't enough of Timmy and Tommy stories around here anyway. This is actually the first chapter of a little series I'm going to do that focuses on the Nooks and Ables. Not sure when the next chapter will be up, but each chapter will be its own self contained little story.