Befriending Sable part 1
To say that Roll was overjoyed at reaching her 100% percent approval rating was an understatement. It took a good hour before she stopped crying and finally went to bed once Isabelle had her application submitted for authorization. Apparently it was going to take several days before the processing would be completed and Roll would be able to start getting to work on developing the town. Roll wasn't too concerned about that. She still felt like she could do more around the village anyway and try to increase her friendship with the other twelve villagers. Over the next five days, Roll had continued to develop her own routine in which involved socializing with the villagers, finding her money rocks, visiting the shops regularly, and continuing the pay off her debts as she expanded her house. Everyone was happy to see her and they seemed to be opening up to her more and more each day. Even those like Fang and Katt were being much nicer to her. Roll was growing the enjoy her life in Animal Town, but she would admit that she still had a lot to learn.
Roll had also proved herself to be rather persistent. She had managed to not only upgrade her house once during those five days, but actually twice. If there was one thing that could be said about Roll. It was that she was a hard worker. She would spend any free time she had fishing in both the river as well as the ocean in an effort to pay off her house loans. She worked hard to take care of her house loans so she didn't have to worry too much about debt. By now her main room was maxed out, and she now had a second floor where had set up as her bed room with a lovely bed, dresser, and even a vanity. She even had a desk across from her so she could write before going to bed. The main room was now just a rather spacious living room consisting of some green and red furniture and the complete set of lucky cats which really helped raise her general luck as she kept some of her green items near the south wall and red items near the east.
Toiday was bright sunny say as Roll woke up that morning and dressed into a demin skirt, a daisy tee, and a yellow star hairpin with her hair in a simple ponytail. She had also increased her wardrobe as well during the last five days so she now had plenty of clothes to pick for wearing each day. And of course, she stayed barefoot unless it was raining. Since it was sunny, she was barefoot. She was happier when she didn't have to wear shoes. She liked feeling the soft grass beneath her feet, digging her toes into the dirt and feeling all the different changes in the terrain as she walked in and out of the shops. She eagerly got dressed and headed downstairs to start her routine. She had just opened the door when she saw that Isabelle was waiting for her.
"Morning Mayor!" said Isabelle.
"Morning Isabelle," she replied, "Has my town development permit finished being processed yet?" Isabelle just chuckled and shook her head. Roll made it a habit to ask everyday about it.
"Not yet," said Isabelle, "but any day now. Don't worry!" Roll just sighed.
"Just keep helping everyone and doing what you are doing already," said Isabelle, "You're already popular as it is." Roll giggled. It was still humbling for her to hear that she was popular.
"Anyway," said Isabelle, "There is a visitor waiting for you at the town hall."
"A visitor?" said Roll, her tone filled with curiosity, "who is it?" Isabelle just chuckled to herself.
"You'll see," Isabelle replied, "Come on!" Roll just looked at the shi-tzu before following her towards town hall and went inside. There before her was an elderly turtle wearing a red tropical shirt and pair of blue shorts with a straw boater on his head.
"Excuse me sir," said Isabelle, but the older turtle seemed to be just surveying the office and ignoring her. Isabelle rolled her eyes and took a deep breath.
"EXCUSE ME SIR!" she shouted loudly. The elderly turtle snorted in surprise a bit and then turned to face the shi-tzu.
"Oh hello there," said the turtle, "You are the new secretary...uhh...Isabelle as I recall...uhh...what was I doing here again?" Isabelle sighed as the turtle began to think and Roll covered her mouth to suppress a giggle.
"Mister Tortimer," said Isabelle as calmly as she could, "You came here to meet the new mayor." Tortimer looked clueless for a moment and then it came back to him.
"Oh yes, yes," said Tortimer, "That is exactly why I had come all this way. That and to visit the town I once called home."
"So...you were the former mayor of this town sir?" Roll answered and the turtle looked at her skeptically.
"Who are you?" he asked. Isabelle faceplamed herself.
"Mister Tortimer," said Isabelle, "This is Roll. She is the new mayor of Animal Town!" Tortimer examined her for a moment. Roll just stood in place nervously, clicking her heels together despite being barefoot, before he gave her a warm smile.
"Well then, it is a please to meet you," said Tortimer, "I see that I have left Animal Town in good hands indeed. As I said before I used to be the mayor here before I retired. Now I live on a special tropical island where it is summer all year around. After all the years I've spent working, it is nice to find a place to settle down and relax for once in my life. Life there is never boring either cause there is always plenty to do...now why am I here again?" Isabelle let out a hard, but annoyed chuckle. Roll just giggled herself as Tortimer looked into deep thought before he suddenly remembered.
"Oh yes, I remember now!" said Tortimer, "I am here because I wanted to extend an invitation for you to come and visit my island home!" Roll gasped excitedly.
"You mean I get to go visit a tropical paradise!" said Roll and hopped up and down with glee as she clapped to herself. Tortimer smiled at her excitement.
"At the island, you can fish, swim, deep sea dive, and more," Tortimer explained, "and judging by your excitement I can see that you would definitely accept my invite?" Roll nodded with a wide smile on her face, but then she realized something.
"Umm...is it just for me alone?" Roll asked and Tortimer smiled.
"You should be able to invite a few friends with you if you so desire," said Tortimer, "and my island could use some extra tourism. Very well then, sprout! I'll shall notify the captain to start making regular stops here in Animal Town here starting tomorrow." Roll clapped once more with excitement. Isabelle smiled as well before Tortimer made his way out of the office and back to the pier that was located near the south ramp to the beach.
"Oh a tropical island getaway," said Isabelle once he left the town hall, "You must tell me all about it since...heh...you know I am overly busy with work." Roll then crossed her arms and tapped her barefoot impatiently.
"You better not be overworking yourself," said Roll.
"I'm not," said Isabelle, feeling a little defensive before Roll just smiled and sighed to herself.
"Well if there's nothing else going on, I better get going with my routine," said Roll, "see you later Isabelle...and don't work too hard."
"Yes mother," said Isabelle annoyed and Roll just glared back angrily. Isabelle was only joking but she could tell she had touched a nerve. She had never seen Roll look that stern before. It unnerved her a bit, but she didn't show it.
"Sorry," she answered feebly. Roll softened a bit before she left the town hall. She couldn't help but feel a little guilty for getting so angry with Isabelle. But when Isabelle said that, she just felt so agitated.
"Ugh, let's just get to work," said Roll as she grabbed her shovel and went to look for her money rock. While she did that, she usually took extra care to search for any fossils as well so she could donate them to museum as well as collect any gems from rocks that were not part of the town. Today she found the gem rock away after two rocks failed to produce any bells. She gasped excitedly when she saw what popped out of the gem rock.
"A real ore of gold," said Roll, "I hope it isn't fool's gold. I guess I'll find out in good time." She tucked the ore into her pockets before she continued her routine. Once her routine was finished, she collected the bells she had earned from selling the gold ore, which was real and valued at 4000 bells. She decided to check out the shopping. She managed to score herself a game shelf from Nookling Junction before heading to the Able Sisters. Mabel, as usual, was there to greet her.
"Hey there, welcome to the handmade fashion palace of the Able Sisters," she said warmly.
"Hello Mabel," said Roll, "I can't wait to see what clothes you've got on sale today!"
"Well, we've got plenty to chose from so please take a look around," said Mabel. Roll nodded with a warm smile as she was about to browse around when she noticed that Sable was hard at work. Roll approached the brown hedgehog with a warm smile.
"Hello Sable, nice to see you today," said Roll cheerfully. Sable continued to say nothing. In fact, it had been like that every day she had come in. Almost a week had past and Sable had yet to say a single word to the blonde girl. Roll felt upset and Mabel could see it on Roll's face.
"It's okay Roll," said Mabel, "Sable is just a very reserved person. She's doesn't open up to people that easily." Roll looked at Mabel sadly as she was fighting back tears.
"What's wrong with me?" said Roll sadly, "Isabelle said I have a 100% approval rating! I was sure that included all of you! I mean...do you like me?" Mabel just gave her an assuring smile.
"Of course I like you," said Mabel, "We all like you."
"Everyone except Sable," said Roll as she eyeballed the busy hedgehog sadly, "she won't even talk to me. I bet she talks to the other villagers. Why won't she talk to me?" It was just then Margie entered the shop with her sketch pad.
"Good morning you guys," the elephant said cheerfully.
"Oh hey there Margie!" said Mabel.
"Welcome!" said Sable, lifting her head from her work. Roll just looked dumbfounded.
"Hey Roll," said Margie as the elephant walked over to Sable's work station.
"I'm sorry I'm always barging in while you're working!" said Margie apologetically.
"Oh it's no problem," said Sable happily, "it's always nice when we get to see of Margie's fabulous designs right?"
"Oh yes!" Mabel added, "I just love getting to see the latest Margie original design!"
"Come now, show it to us Margie!" said Sable excitedly. Roll just looked at them jealously before turning away and headed into the accessories section of the shop. She suddenly didn't feel like buying anything today, yet she hadn't really looked either.
"Welcome," said Labelle in her blunt manner.
"Whatever," said Roll gloomily as she looked about the shop for anything interesting. She then noticed a grayish-tan fedora.
"How much for this?" she asked quietly.
"That's the grandpa hat," said Labelle, "it's 420 bells." Roll just looked at her sternly. Labelle's blunt attitude was getting her feel even grumpier than she already was.
"Deal," said Roll in a irritated tone as she slapped the bells into Labelle's hands and grabbed the hat, but didn't bother putting it into her pockets until she left the shop. Labelle just looked at her before looking at the bells and just tucked them into her pockets as Mabel peered into her side of the shop.
"Labelle, have you seen Roll?" she asked, "She didn't buy anything today."
"She just brought one of my accessories and then stomped out," said Labelle, "she seemed kind of grumpy when she handed me the bells. She even glared at me...what did I do?" Mabel just sighed to herself.
"It's not you, Sis," said Mabel, "Sable is still giving Roll the silent treatment and it's upsetting Roll. The poor girl thinks Sable doesn't like her."
"Oh," said Labelle quietly and just looked away, unsure of what to say. Mabel then looked at her with her hands on her hips.
"You like her don't you?" Mabel asked. Labelle just blinked the question and then shrugged her shoulders.
"I guess," said Labelle. Mabel looked offended and then shook her head at her.
"You may have worked for Gracie dear sister," she remarked, "but you clearly didn't learn how to treat and befriend regular customers."
"Says you!" Labelle snorted, "Gracie said that there are two ways of selling merchandise: The Gracie way or the wrong way. I am a Gracie endorsed fashion designer..."
"Don't we know it!" Mabel grumbled, "whatever. Next time just say no!" Mabel then stomped away and grunted angrily to herself. Labelle just shrugged her little sister's attitude and went back to work. Mabel just stomped back into the main clothing section where she saw her sister continuously working at her sewing machine as if the there was no such thing as an outside world. Mabel growled at her before she took a spare thimble and tossed it hard at Sable's head.
"OW!" Sable yelped as the thimble hit her square between the eyes and she stopped her working.
"Mabel, why'd you do that?" she asked. Mabel just glared at her angrily.
"Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one who pays attention to what going on beyond this stupid shop!" said Mabel, "You and Labelle are the same! Always off in your own little worlds and ignoring the important things going around you!"
"Well what exactly did I miss this time that you feel is oh so important?" Sable asked. Mabel just huffed.
"Our own mayor feels like you don't like her," said Mabel sternly, "and she's hurt cause you keep ignoring her. She been here for a week and you've made no effort to even open up at the slightest! Can't you just say hello without it "Putting you behind schedule"?" Mabel couldn't help but air quote. Sable just looked at her with her tired eyes before looking back at the patch she was working and just went back to work. Now it was Mabel's turn to feel a tad offended as Sable didn't even bother to answer the question.
"Well?" she asked impatiently. Sable just continued with her work and had tuned her out. This time Mabel couldn't just laugh it off.
"DARN IT SABLE WILL GET OFF THAT STUPID MACHINE AND LISTEN TO ME!" Mabel yelled furiously. Sable stopped and glared back at her sternly.
"You need to settle down young lady!" she shot back sternly.
"Quit talking down to me like I'm some kind of baby!" Mabel yelled, "I'm an adult for crying out loud!"
"Not when you take that kind of tone!" Sable yelled.
"Well maybe if you would stop ignoring me and answer my question..."
"I don't have to answer anything to you! We've got too much work as it is!"
"Ugh! You are so infuriating! Just answer the question!"
"I DON'T HAVE TO!"
"WHY!"
"CAUSE I SAID SO!"
"I HATE YOU!"
"I HATE YOU MORE!"
"COOL IT THE BOTH OF YOU!" said a third voice as Labelle came between them and split them apart, "We're on the job right now you guys! And we can't sell our clothes if the two of you are butting heads in the middle of the shop! All that's gonna go is drive customers away!" Sable and Mabel glared at other and looked away with arms crossed.
"She started it!" Sable pouted.
"Don't you make me the bad guy!" Mabel shot back in a loud tone.
"Mabel, why don't you take a walk and cool off please," Labelle suggested. Mabel looked at her, feeling betrayed.
"Why do I always have to take a walk?!" She snapped, "Make Sable go! She's the one sitting on her butt all day..."
"That's enough!" Labelle interrupted, "GO! NOW!" Mabel just growled, balling her fists. She was ready to punch something but held back...with difficulty.
"Fine!" she spat bitterly, "I'm done! You two go on with your professionalism and all work and no socializing and tell me if business booms! I quit!" With that, Mabel left their shop, slamming the door hard and walked away with no intention of coming back. Sable tried to just go back to work, but it wasn't longer before she was crying. Labelle gently rubbed her back.
"Mable didn't mean that," said Labelle, "Just let her cool off okay." Sable just sniffled and tried to focus on her work as Labelle gave her a sympathetic smile and walked back to the accessories section. As for Mabel, she had continued down main street and headed towards the town area. She had just crossed the train tracks when her eyes began to water and she started to cry as she looked for a place she could be alone for a while. While her tears were mostly due to frustration, she was also feeling guilty for losing her temper.
Meanwhile, Roll had returned to the ocean to continue her fishing so she could pay off her next house debt, which was a whopping 298,000 bells. She had already paid off about 60,000 already but still had a long way to go and only kept between 30,000 to 35,000 in her pockets for things that she might need. Roll had just wanted to be left alone as she continued her fishing, but she didn't have much time to fish alone when Rosie and Bunnie appeared.
"Hey there, silly"
"What's up, tee hee?"
"Just fishing," said Roll bluntly as she caught another sea bass. She was growing to despise that particular fish. Also the squid, especially since the last time she caught one it inked her bare feet, disgusting her. Bunnie and Rosie looked at each other before resting their hands on the sides of their hips.
"Alright Roll, what's bugging you?" Rosie asked.
"Yeah, you'll feel better if you just tell us," said Bunnie.
"Why?" said Roll, rather rudely, not wanting to talk about it at all.
"Like we told you a few days ago, silly," said Rosie, "You're stuck with us."
"We won't let up until you speak up, tee hee," said Bunnie, "It isn't good to keep things bottled up inside. You'll feel better if you just talk." Roll just sighed. She might as well since she couldn't focus on her fishing. Plus the giant shadow she had been trying to catch ended up biting too fast for her and she missed her chance to catch it. Roll just groaned to herself as she put her fishing rod away.
"Okay..." said Roll quietly as she rubbed her hands together. Rosie and Bunnie smiled as they each took one of her hands and guided her further down the beach. It wasn't long before Roll found the words to speak.
"I don't think Sable or Labelle likes me," said Roll and Rosie and Bunnie just looked at her shocked and with stunned faces.
"Really?" Rosie replied.
"Why do you think that, tee hee?" Bunnie asked curiously.
"I've been talking to Sable since I first got here," said Roll, "same with Labelle, but neither of them ever really want to talk to me." Roll just sighed sadly.
"I'm sure they are just busy," said Rosie.
"I know Sable tends to be rather reserved," said Bunnie, "she takes alot of effort to get her to open up."
"Has she opened up with you guys?" said Roll, "she seems really friendly with Margie."
"That's because Margie visits her every day, Roll, " said Rosie, "but that doesn't mean that Sable was open with her all the time. Margie had to work at it, silly."
"Plus it helps that she shares the same interests with Sable, tee hee," said Bunnie, "Sable is a fashion designer in her own right and Margie is striving to become one." Roll just looked down at her feet.
"I don't know what my dream is yet," said Roll, "Unless being mayor is considered a dream?"
"A dream is something that you want Roll," said Rosie, "It's not something that is forced upon you."
"I never felt..." Roll then sighed since she wasn't going to lie to them, "Okay...maybe when I first got here I felt like that, but once I saw that I could really do something important and that people like me and want me here,...(sigh). I've kind of started growing into the role. But I...I don't know if that relates to Sable in any way." Bunnie and Rosie just smiled.
"You'll never know unless you try, tee hee," said Bunnie, "just don't give up. I really don't think Sable doesn't like you. She's just the quiet type and rather antisocial."
"You think so?" Roll asked hopefully.
"Of course silly," said Rosie, "As I recall we once knew this blonde girl who was really shy and didn't want to open up to us. She's still a bit antisocial too."
"Really who was she?" Roll asked. Rosie and Bunnie gave her looks before she realized that they were referring to her. Roll's cheeks turned deep red for what was apparently a blonde moment on her part.
"Oh...heh...right..." said Roll, feeling embarrassed as she just stared at her bare feet. Rosie and Bunnie giggled to each other.
"No worries Roll," said Bunnie, "We know you're slowly starting to open up, tee hee."
"And we know you're learning that we're here for you too, silly," said Rosie, "So just keep trying and soon Sable will warm up to you." Roll smiled as the flush from her cheeks finally disappeared from her face and she felt better.
"Aw you guys," said Roll as she opened her arms for a hug, which the two went to embrace her together for a threesome group hug. They chuckled as they pulled away. Then she heard the sound of someone crying not too far away, they continued down by the beach where they found a blue hedgehog sobbing as she appeared to be curled into a tight ball, but the interior of that blue sphere pulsed as she continued to cry. Roll rushed over to the distressed hedgehog.
"Mabel...is that you?" Roll asked gently, taking extra care when nudging her not to get stuck by her quills. Mabel sniffled a few times before she uncurled herself and noticed the blonde girl as well as Rosie and Bunnie, who looked at her worried.
"What's wrong? Why are you crying?" Bunnie and Rosie asked at once. Mabel just sniffled some more before extending her legs and wiping her eyes.
"I got into a fight with my sisters," Mabel explained, "I noticed how upset Roll looked at Sable ignoring her. I tried to find out why she was being so distant and if she did or did not like you. Instead of answering me, she brushed me off. Then we got into a fight and Labelle had to break us up cause we started yelling at each other. I was told to take a walk to cool off so I said that I was done and left the shop. I really don't want to go back at all right now. I just wanted to be alone at first, but I don't mind the company." Mabel offered a smile, but Roll just looked at her sadly.
"This is all my fault!" said Roll, "I shouldn't have said anything. Now I've ruined someone else's family with my own stupid insecurities!"
"Now wait just a minute there Roll," said Mabel as she stood up, "You didn't do anything wrong. You just want to be friends with Sable. Someone who clearly has her stupid head in the clouds and is too busy in it to pay attention to anyone else but herself!" Roll looked at her stunned since the blue hedgehog had raised her voice at the end of her comment. Mabel panted heavily, clearly still angry with Sable.
"You don't mean that silly," said Rosie, "You're just upset right now. You know Sable loves you alot. Take is from someone whose an older sister herself." Mabel just snorted before sniffling.
"Well, I just wish she wasn't so closed up all the time," said Mabel, "people care about her too you know. I've seen all of you try to be her friend. I just don't get why she's so cautious all the time when making friends. Well...I have my hunches, but...she's never really confided in me about stuff. I think she still sees me like a little kid. It's just...frustrating sometimes. I could help her...but she acts like...she doesn't want to be helped. I don't know what to do anymore...but she's hurting...and I feel so helpless." Mabel felt like she was gonna cry again but slowly recomposed herself. Rosie handed her a cloth to clean her sticky cheeks.
"It's will be okay, tee hee," said Bunnie, "I'm a big sister too. Sometimes things just get heated between siblings, but you can't stay mad at her forever."
"Staying angry doesn't solve anything," said Roll, wanting to get into the conversation despite not having any sisters, "I know Sable made you mad, but could...could you really turn your back on her?" Mabel just glared and turned away before more tears left her eyes and she shook her head.
"I just wish she trusted me enough to confide in me," said Mabel, "She opens up more with the customers than she does with me sometimes. I thought Labelle would have helped with that, but it just seems like Sable is never going to come out of her shell and let her family help her." Roll just looked at her sadly.
"I'm sorry..."
"Stop!" said Mabel, "this is something that I've had to put up with since I was a baby. It's something that I've hoped someday would change but after all the years of hope and optimism I've had...(sniff)...even I get discouraged. Nobody is perfect you know. Anyway, I don't know what's the deal with Sable and Labelle, but I just want you to know that you're my friend. Why else would I be confiding in you about this?" Roll just smiled and hugged her warmly. Mabel accepted the embrace as she dried her tears.
"Well thank you Mabel," said Roll, "I really appreciate that. I guess I just don't understand what's wrong with me."
"There's nothing wrong with you," said Mabel, "Sable is the one with the problem here!"
"Then why am I not good enough?" Roll asked upset. Mabel just looked stunned.
"You...don't think you're good enough?" said Mabel. Bunnie and Rosie just looked at her sadly.
"Is that why...you were so distant from us, silly?" Rosie asked.
"And why you don't defend yourself, tee hee?" Bunnie added. Roll just wrapped her arms around her chest and rubbed her bare feet together.
"I...just...I just grew up not thinking much of myself okay," she answered feebly and then added very timidly, "back off." Mabel suddenly felt like someone had opened her eyes. She looked at Roll in a new way.
She doubts herself. She...doesn't think much of herself. Just like...like Sable... Mabel suddenly looked and saw her sister in Roll's place as her words repeated in her mind.
"I just grew up not thinking much of myself," said Sable. Mabel had heard those words from Sable so many times over the years but she had never thought much of it. Could it be...Sable didn't feel good enough to be Roll's friend...or to be anyone's friend for that matter?
"Mabel...are you okay?" Roll asked after a good minute of starting, "You're making me feel really subconscious right now." Mabel blinked and when Roll said that, she imagined Sable once more as Roll said that.
Roll's just like my sister! Forget that she's the mayor! She and my sister have the same thoughts about each other! Mabel snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Roll once more and asked her a crucial question.
"Roll, how do you like being the center of attention here in Animal Town?" Mabel asked.
"I don't like it all," said Roll quietly, "I feel like everyone is watching me...just...just..." Mabel suddenly saw her sister once more as she said something that touched Mabel's heart.
"...waiting for me to screw up and reject me." Mabel just looked at her and then smiled.
"That's all I needed to know," said Mabel quickly, "Thank you Roll. Now if you excuse me, I've got a sister I need to make amends to. I'll see you guys tomorrow okay."
"Um...okay..." said Roll, feeling quite puzzled about Mabel's questions before the blue hedgehog made her way off the beach and back into town. Rather than heading straight back to the shop, Mabel decided to take a detour to the newly growing orange (aka milkan) orchard to collect her thoughts. She took a seat next to the trees and began to collect her thoughts. The more she thought about it, the more Mabel could see a connection between the two.
"So Roll is insecure too," said Mabel to herself, "and she's afraid of being ridiculed and rejected too. I wonder if anybody else could tell me more about Roll and her insecurities." Mabel then got up and headed towards Purrl's house first since the cat was at home. She lightly rapped on the door and waited for the cat to answer the door.
"Why hello there, kitten," said Purrl as she opened her door to greet her, "I'm surprised to see you here at my doorstep. Are their any sales coming up at the shop?"
"I am actually not here to sell or advertise Purrl," said Mabel, "I'm actually here on a personal matter. You see...I wanted to ask you a question about Roll." Purrl's smile turned serious as well as skeptical. Purrl wasn't sure why Mabel would ask personal questions about Roll and she felt the need to protect the blonde girl.
"I see, kitten," said Purrl slowly and skeptically, "What do you want to know about her?"
"Does Roll have trouble with confrontation?" Mabel asked, "According to some questions I asked her...she seems shy and insecure. Maybe even struggles with having self-confidence." Purrl crossed her arms.
"And why exactly are you gathering information about her?" Purrl asked, slightly defensively, "Why do you need to know about such matters, kitten?" Mabel smiled. Mostly cause she was glad Roll had friends who looked out for her.
"I have a feeling she might have a few things in common with Sable, my big sister," Mabel explained, "and she's kind of been taking longer than normal to open up to Roll. I think they might be able to relate to each other because they have the same issues." Purrl then smiled.
"I see, kitten," said Purrl, "What did you want to know about Roll?"
"Well...does Roll have issues standing up for herself?" Mabel asked again. Purrl gave her a shocked expression.
"You have no idea, kitten!" said Purrl, "The other day I saw her digging some holes near my house. It turned out she was just planting the first of the milkan trees. I was worried she was just going to dig holes all around my house and I demanded to know what she was doing. Rather than just say she was plating the trees, she just...coward back and started crying. She was literally going to let me chew her out when all she was doing was planting." Mabel pondered as she listened carefully to Purrl's story.
"Interesting," said Mabel, "that really helps me alot so thank you Purrl."
"Anytime, kitten," said Purrl, "I'm glad what I told you was of some use to you." Mabel waved her good bye and then decided to head to Margie's house next. Fortunately, Margie was walking about nearby and the white elephant went over to the blue hedgehog.
"Oh hi, Mabel," said Margie, "I'm surprised to see you walking about the town today."
"Well, it's a long story," said Mabel quietly and Margie gave her a skeptical look.
"Did you and Sable get into a fight again, tootie?" Margie asked. Mabel just huffed and nodded.
"Long story short," said Mabel, "Roll doesn't think that Sable or Labelle likes her. I don't really know what Labelle's problem is, but I do know that Sable has self-confidence issues. It seems like Roll apparently has the same problem as Sable from what I've heard from her as well as Purrl." Margie just sighed.
"She does seem very shy and reserved," said Margie. She didn't like the idea of talking about Roll like this.
"Well I was told that Purrl that Roll apparently has issues standing up for herself and speaking up," said Mabel. Margie just sighed quietly to herself.
"I'm guessing Purrl isn't that far off," said Mabel, taking the sigh as a clue Purrl was not just speculating that fact.
"Purrl's dead on correct about that, tootie," Margie confirmed, "Just a few days ago, Roll was playing hide and seek with Rudy. When she found him, he scared her into a tree and she accidentally made a beehive drop out of it. They rushed into my house for safety. I thought Roll had been dared to shake some trees, which had caused a beehive to fall out. She was going to let me scold her. I felt awful afterward once Rudy explained that it had been just an accident, but Roll wouldn't have never said nothing if Rudy hadn't spoken up."
"I see," said Mabel, "and why did Roll just let you do that to her?" Margie huffed to herself.
"I honestly don't know," said Margie sadly, "I even asked her and she didn't want to talk to me. All she could say was that she didn't like confrontations. The only clue she gave me was that she felt shut down, but then she walked away before I could get anything else out of her. I haven't found a good time to speak to her again about that either...She's opening up slowly, but she's still very boxed up when it comes to her...problems..." Mabel just made an O with her mouth.
"Roll really is like my sister," said Mabel, "When I asked her how she felt being the center of attention, she said she felt like she was being watched and was afraid of being rejected."
"Just like Sable!" said Margie.
"And she told me that she doesn't think much about herself," Mabel continued, "I think Roll suffers from low self-confidence."
"I think you might be right, tootie," said Margie, "I just hope she will be easier to deal with in believing in herself."
"Well...how old is Roll?" Mabel asked.
"I think she said 11, tootie," said Margie.
"I see," said Mabel, "This really helps. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a certain sister I need to talk to. And I clearly owe her an apology." Margie smiled.
"You'll feel better after you do so," said Margie, "take care and I hope you can help both Sable and Roll. I'll keep trying here in town when I can."
"Okay, thanks Margie," said Mabel, "and keep up the good work with those designs. I really like seeing them."
"I will!" said Margie as she continued on her walk. Mabel made her way back to the shop and just allowed herself back in. She found that Sable was just busy at her sewing machine as usual and Labelle was nowhere to be found. She just sighed to herself and made her way towards the custom display stands.
"Mabel..." The blue hedgehog just stopped in her tracks and turned around and saw her older sister. The elder hedgehog just looked at her with tears just leaking out of her eyes. Mabel found that her eyes had replenished themselves and she started crying too, especially seeing by the brown hedgehog's sticky cheeks that this wasn't the first time Sable had cried since she had left. Sable opened her arms and Mabel rushed into them as they embraced and cried into each others arms. It was a good twenty minutes before they pulled away with eyes full of tears.
"I'm sorry," they said together sadly. It was quite often these two would get in heated arguments like this and would often apologize right away. It was a testament to how close they really were despite their contrasting personalities.
"I didn't mean what I said," said Mabel, "I just...just..." Mabel sniffled since she wanted to be honest but not start a fight. Sable wiped the younger hedgehog's tears away with her thumb.
"Go ahead," said Sable, "I'm listening."
"I just think you're an amazing person and you're just hiding away by that sewing machine," said Mabel quietly, "I just wish...you didn't have to work so hard...I want you to believe in yourself. I want you to be able to talk to me when something is bothering you. I want you to be happy..." Sable just looked at her for a moment and then let out a large sigh. She may have acted like she was clueless to the world outside, but she was well aware of the fact that her personality, as well as her issues, often bothered Mabel to come extent.
"She's not the only one," said a voice as Labelle came into the room. She had been listening from afar, "I sometimes feel like I'm to blame for the fact..."
"Shut up Labelle," said Sable sternly, "It's not your fault I wasn't worth sticking around for..." Sable's eyes went wide and she clasped her hand over her mouth.
"I...I didn't mean...oh no..." Sable turned away, not wanting to talk anymore. She took a step towards her sewing machine when Mabel grabbed her hand.
"Please let me go," Sable asked, nearly pleaded. Mabel just looked at her with concern.
"Sable," said Mabel calmly, "I learned something about our mayor today!" Sable stopped tugging and turned to face her with much curiosity.
"What did you learn about Roll sis?" Labelle asked curiously.
"She's suffers from low self-esteem," said Mabel.
"What?" "Really?" Labelle and Sable said together. Mabel nodded.
"They told me that Roll is really shy, she hates being the center of attention, and twice when she was confronted by two villagers over something that was no big deal, she shut down," said Mabel.
"You don't say," said Sable, feeling awkward.
"She even asked me why you guys dislike her and what was wrong with her..."
"What? I don't dislike her at all," said Labelle, "I was just being professional! I like her. She's always so sweet when she comes by and says hello to me. It's makes my day! That was why I asked why she seemed to glum today and stomped out. That's not like her to be that cold to me. I never meant to make her think I disliked her."
"Good to know," said Mabel, "but what about you Sable?" Sable just lowered her head quietly and just said nothing. Mabel looked at her puzzled as did Labelle.
"Why do you dislike her?" Mabel asked.
"I like her," said Sable, "It's just...
"Just what?" Labelle asked. Sable felt like she was about to burst.
"HOW CAN I HELP HER WHEN I CAN'T EVEN HELP MYSELF!" Sable exploded, "You don't think I see myself in her! I know how she is. You don't need to snoop to figure that out about her!"
"I wasn't snooping!" said Mabel calmly, "I wanted to learn more about why she would think you didn't like her when all you've done is tune her out. You do that to me all the time! But even I know you don't dislike me!"
"Of course not," said Sable, "I just...wish I could help her...but I don't know how..." There was a long silence as Sable made her way back to the sewing machine. Sable had just started another pattern when:
"Talking" Sable stop working and saw Labelle looking at her with a serious look.
"Try talking to her, just like you do with the others," said Labelle, "just be her friend. I'll try to do the same. Maybe...Mabel is right...I could learn to be more cheery with people, especially people looking for a friend." Mabel smiled, grateful that Labelle was gonna take her advice. Sable said nothing but just gave her a tiny nod before getting back to work. Mabel and Labelle did the same. Sable knew they were right.
Maybe the best way to help herself...was by helping Roll...
The only problem was...could she find the strength to just...try...
For story purposes, normally by day three of playing as well as talking to Sable, she starts to warm up to you as well as Isabelle informing you about Kapp'n. I just want to show that Roll is earning these special friendships and privileges in her own right as well as delve a little deeper into the sisterhood of Mabel and Sable.
Plus the conversation with the Able Sisters and Margie is based from Dobutsu no Mori.
Stay tuned for the next part.
