A/N: Sorry for the extended wait, things have been... Hectic.
Sorry they're all so brief.
Also uploading via my phone at the moment, so hopefully the formatting isn't too goofy...
Another short blurb for ya, enjoy!
Crimson & Clover
Chapter 4
Jack and Nick meandered through the stands for a while, taking in the shops being run by fellow visitors of varying seniority, mammals selling beads, hemp string, wound, bound, wrapped, tapped and cast. You name it, there was a mammal selling it.
They decided to check out a stall being run by a dark male stoat with dreadlocks, who greeted them in a very laid-back fashion as they approached, his voice was both laid-back, and calculated, "Hey guys, what can ol' Adam do for ya?" he quickly caught and corrected himself, "Sorry, I mean Dreads. What can ol' Dreads do for ya?"
Nick Leaned onto the counter as he examined the small mammal's wares, primarily composed of braided hemp string, wound with copper wire, cradling assorted crystals and beads. "Crimson, pleasure." Nick replied as one item caught his eye, it looked like a polished crystal containing a small sprig of something. he lifted it with a question, "What's in this one?"
"Oh, yeah man. That's a 'forget me not' pendant." the stoat said with a smile, "Got a lady friend already?" Nick shook his head as he replied, "Forget me not? So... Rosemary?" Dreads perked up at the question, "You got it, not many mammals can identify 'em after I get 'em set, even the best crystal warps the perspective a bit. Scent's barely discernible to a wolf."
Nick chuckled, stating coolly, "Plant symbolism was a hobby, growing up." the stoat simply nodded, "That's cool man, go ahead and take it." Nick argued, but the stoat won out. "Just pay it forward if you run into someone that needs a hand, yeah?"
"Thanks, I will." Nick stated with a nod and a genuine smile, having deftly slipped a few bills in a corner where the stoat was sure to find them.
The fox and buck left the stand after Jack pawed through the items available, selecting a slightly larger pendant containing a bellflower petal and an almond leaf, forgetting within moments what it symbolizes.
Judy and Skye walked into a small shop being run by a kind-looking female mouse in a red parka, she was stitching a pattern resembling a grasshopper into a shield shaped patch, she looked up at the approaching females, "Hello!" she said with a wave of her tiny paw, her voice was gentle, but carried an air of strong determination, "What can I help you with?"
Judy was the first to respond, "Ju- err... Clover, and this is Snow. Pleasure to meet you, miss...?" the mouse gave a laugh reminiscent of tiny chiming bells, "Just call me Elizabeth, please." Judy gave a nod, motioning toward the patch, "Your sewing is beautiful." Elizabeth smiled at the complement, "Thank you, It's just a little hobby, I took it up after my husband passed."
Judy immediately went to apologize, but the mouse quickly intercepted her. "Don't worry, dear. He went out with his boots on, saved countless lives." she stated with a warm smile. "It's a proud memory, not a sad one."
"So! What were you looking for? Gift for a friend? Keepsake?" Elizabeth asked, motioning toward her wares, After a few moments looking over the various works on display, Judy pointed toward the patch the mouse was working on, "Do you think I'd be able to reserve that one?" the doe asked, pulling out a money clip, which the mouse waved away, "Don't worry about it, dear. I don't make these for money, first customer always gets a deal. I like to start my day with a giving attitude, anyway."
Judy insisted, but wasn't able to convince the smaller female otherwise. She did, however, slip several bills onto the table when Elizabeth wasn't looking. Skye having selected a similar patch, emblazoned with a spider.
A/N MK:II
We'll be breaking away from this mirror image setup fairly soon, and moving into intertwined segments involving both pairs of inevitable love.
Thanks again for your patience!