Befriending Sable part 3
The next day came much sooner that Roll had wanted it and she was very nervous as she showed Porter the address Sable had given her. He quickly summoned a special train car to take Roll to a very special and also secret location where the Able Sisters as well as most of the non-villagers animals lived, including Isabelle and Digby. Margie and Roll had spent the rest of the day yesterday evening working on making sure that Roll had at least the general rules regarding manners and being polite set into her brain. Living in a trash can when you were little and being by yourself fighting for your next meal certainly didn't promote ways on how to be polite when eating and proper dinner etiquette. Yet Roll was no savage or slob at the dining table, maybe a tad messy, but she always cleaned herself up afterward. Margie found that Roll was way better at manners and etiquette than she gave herself credit for. In fact, Margie didn't really spent much time teaching Roll manners but rather on helping the blonde girl calm down so she could just relax and enjoy the night with them. Roll had even spent the night because she was too nervous to sleep alone that night.
"But what if they start asking me touchy questions Margie?" Roll had asked her worried, "I'm not ready to talk about my past." Margie gave her a smile.
"Roll, you can't keep everything bottled up inside, tootie," said Margie, "If you can't talk to us about it, maybe you'll find comfort in someone who seems to have doubts about herself just like you do." Roll had wanted to protest that, but she knew that she was right.
"I...I hope you don't feel angry that I am going to her first rather than you or Bunnie or Rosie," said Roll quietly. Margie's response had been a very warm and tight hug.
"I'm not, tootie," said Margie, "but do hope that someday you'll feel comfortable to tell me what you've been through." Roll smiled.
"Okay," said Roll, deep down she wasn't sure when she would, but she did feel more comfortable telling her then Bunnie and Rosie because Margie was more mature. Roll was growing to see the elephant like a big sister.
Back to the present, it was 7:45 as the train pulled into the station. Roll was wearing the lime dress Sable had requested with the light green ribbon with her hair in a her ponytail and she had kept her feet bare. She had originally considered her sandals, but they clashed. Labelle said she could spare Roll a pair of pumps, but Sable said that she wanted Roll to be as comfortable as possible and requested she come barefoot. Roll didn't get to see much of the surrounding scenery since the train ride was only about a few minutes. Roll shyly made her way off the train, through the station, and entered the town. The town felt much like her own, but the residential area expanded on both sides of the train tracks. She could see some houses out in the distance as she scoped the area.
"So this is where most of the special villagers live," said Roll to herself, "I wonder where the Able sister's live. I'm also curious as to where Isabelle and Digby's house might be..."
"They don't live too far away," said a voice. Roll jumped as she turned to where the voice came from and saw Mabel standing close by. Roll was rather surprised to see Mabel wearing a white t-shirt and a pair of ankle high jeans that were folded at the legs.
"Sorry," said Mabel with a giggle since she could see that Roll looked rather flustered, "I thought I'd escort you to casa de Able if you are ready." Roll just tried her best to steady her breath as she calmed herself down and then sighed to herself.
"Sorry," said Roll, ironing out her dress, "guess I'm a little nervous." Mabel just smiled as she took the blonde girl's hand in her own. She noticed that it was a bit sweaty, but Mabel didn't mind that a bit.
"You're going to have a good time," said Mabel, "and in case you're wondering. If we run late, we'll make sure you get home safe and sound okay. And if it gets REALLY late, we can set up a bed for you to stay overnight and then you can go home in the morning."
"O-okay," said Roll, hoping the former would be the case as she let Mabel lead her towards the house of the Able Sisters. Their house was a rather cute cottage surrounded by cherry trees and lots of black cosmos flowers. There was also a yellow bench too where up to two people could sit outside. Roll smiled as she saw their yard.
"It's so pretty out here," Roll replied as Mabel led her towards the door and knocked on it. While she had her house key on her, she wanted Roll to introduce herself. Labelle was the one who opened the door. She had on a sleeveless white blouse with her Gracie patterned scarf, black denim pants, and barefooted. Roll straightened up as Labelle opened the door.
"Good evening Labelle," said Roll and curtseyed as she held the ends of her skirt. Labelle just looked at her blankly.
"You're late," said Labelle bluntly. Labelle wasn't telling the truth, but her glare made Roll cower back in shame. Mabel even glared at her to back off but Roll had already gotten flustered again.
"I'm so sorry," said Roll sadly, "I made sure to leave the station early and...well...please forgive me for my mistake. I really tried to be on time. Honest!" Labelle just giggled to herself. Roll was willing to take responsibility even thought she had been lying. Mabel was rolling her eyes as Labelle's teasing.
"I was joking!" said Labelle as a matter of fact, "Ease off girl. You take things too literally!" Roll felt embarrassed and felt like she wanted to disappear.
"Will you stop Labelle," said Mabel, noticing how defeated Roll looked because of Labelle's cruel joke, "The poor thing is nervous and you're not helping!"
"Calm down baby sister," said Labelle, "I just wanted to lighten the mood. Come on Roll and make yourself at home, dear. Just make sure to wipe your feet before stepping inside."
"Yes maim," said Roll with timid nod and she rubbed her feet on the welcome mat before making her way inside. Mabel just rolled her eyes and just walked in without caring if her feet were clean or dirty. Roll just took a look around the house. The house itself felt like a typical country house and contained various pieces of ranch furniture with a kitchen located in the lower left hand corner. There was also a large table that had four chairs so they obviously always had room for an extra guest there in the upper left. Towards the eastern wall was a rather spacious living room with a flat screen television set that had two ranch sofas and a ranch armchair. Along the eastern wall was a door to another room, but Roll felt too shy to ask where the door lead to and just took a shy seat on the ranch arm chair. She lifted her leg to look at her toes for a moment and then whimpered nervously as she set it down.
"Labelle," said Roll timidly, "can...can I ask you a etiquette question?"
"Why sure," said Labelle, showing interest, "What's your question?"
"Does a proper lady cross her legs or does she tuck one leg behind the other?" Roll asked nervously a she just folded her hands in her lap and swung her legs subconsciously.
"That's a good question," said Labelle, "I once saw a movie where they say tucking the leg behind is more proper, but I've seen even Gracie cross hers when having even professional conversations and interviews with people. I guess whatever makes you feel more comfortable so please relax. You're not going to offend anyone here even if you sat Indian style okay." Roll just nodded, but Labelle could see she still looked tense.
"Roll, I do like you okay," said Labelle gently, "You don't need to impress me or try to earn my friendship. We already are friends. I'm just used to opening up more as people come by all the time and buy something. That's just who I am okay. It was nothing against you. I like you Roll. I wouldn't be teasing you if I didn't. Does that make you feel better?" Roll just looked at her quietly for a moment or two before a soft smile appeared on her face.
"Thank you Labelle," said Roll gently. Labelle smiled, seeing that her words helped the blonde girl relax a bit as Sable arrived wearing a white apron over a short sleeved two tone pink vertical striped dress that had a blue belt, buttons on the front, and a skirt that was just at her knees.
"Dinner will be ready shortly," said Sable and then noticed the blonde girl shyly sitting close by, "Oh hello Roll! It's so nice so see that you made it this evening!" Roll stood up and ironed out her dress.
"Well thank you for inviting me," said Roll, giving a light bow, "Do I look okay?" Sable just smiled.
"You look very pretty, Roll," said Sable, "Don't you think that you're pretty?" Roll just gave her a sheepish smile and shrugged her shoulders. Sable just looked at her sympathetically.
"I'll take that as a no," said Sable calmly and Roll just looked at her feet quietly. Sable just gave her a gentle smile.
"Just relax dear," said Sable, "dinner will be ready soon. I'm sure you'll must be hungry from the trip here." Roll then heard her stomach growl and blushed slightly as Mabel and Labelle giggled to each other.
"Umm...did you need help with dinner?" Roll asked, wanting to get out of being the center of attention.
"You are our guest," said Sable, "If I need help, that is what Labelle is for!"
"Who is for what now?" said Labelle and Sable gave her a death glare.
"Okay, fine," said Labelle as she lazily got up out of her side of the sofa she and Mabel had been sitting on and followed Sable into the kitchen area. Mabel scooted over so she was sitting where Labelle was so she could speak to Roll.
"Roll, why are you so nervous?" Mabel asked her curiously, "and why don't you think you're pretty?" Roll just looked at her sadly and she just felt like she wanted to cry. Roll took a while to recompose herself as Mabel looked at her sadly.
"Roll, please tell me," said Mabel, "I promise I won't laugh at you." Roll just looked at her and just said softly.
"I'm just not ready to talk about my past," said Roll quietly, "Just thinking about it is really...hard...its...just..." Roll tried her best, but her tears just wanted to fall and she couldn't stop them. She grunted as she roughly wiped them away.
"I hate feeling so weak!" she snapped as she continued to cry gently. Mabel just sat next to her and pulled her into a comforting hug. It wasn't long before Labelle and Sable heard Roll's sniffling and Labelle headed over to her to comfort her as well. Sable wasted no time rushing over to the blonde girl and hugged her as well. Labelle just stood nearby as Sable and Mabel comforted her. Roll didn't take long before she calmed down and wiped her eyes.
"I'm sorry," said Roll, "I'm just not ready..."
"It's okay," said Sable, "No one is going to force you to say anything, but we would like to share our family past you if that's okay." Roll just sniffled.
"But why tell me?" she asked curiously.
"Cause I understand how you feel," said Sable, "and my past will explain why. I care about you Roll and we are friends. I want to help you." Roll just looked at her sadly and just sniffled again as they pulled away.
"How's dinner?" she asked curiously. Labelle, who had decided to check on the food, had returned with a smile.
"Dinner is ready to be served," said Labelle, "So come on...you'll feel better after a nice hot meal. Sable is a really good cook isn't she Mabel?" Mabel beamed with a happy smile.
"I'm still alive," she exclaimed as Sable lightly pushed her. Roll just gave them a shy smile as she stood up. Sable held her hand.
"Come on," Sable said sweetly, "You can sit with me okay." Roll nodded as the brown hedgehog guided her towards the table. They took a seat and Labelle served Roll her share of the food first.
"Thank you," said Roll quietly and slowly began to eat. She seemed to just eat her meal quietly for about a minute or two. Sable though quickly of a good conversation topic so kill what had become a rather awkward silence.
"I often wonder how Tom is doing..." Sable said out of the blue, "Oh I mean Mr. Nook!" Sable chuckled bashfully at her "intentional" mistake. Roll looked at her with slight interest.
"Well I also know that he tends to keep to himself alot these days," Sable continued, "Plus he also has a great singing voice."
"How do you know that?" Roll asked. Sable smirked discreetly, seeing her little conversation starter had worked.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" said Sable with a teasing tone, "That's my little secret." Mabel and Labelle giggled to each other, seeing Sable's little ploy.
"Oh...ok," said Roll and continued to eat. Sable groaned inwardly. She had hoped Roll would he curious enough to ask about it. That wasn't very easy for her to say aloud. Mabel and Labelle snickered to each other. Sable gave them both a glare, daring them to think of something themselves. Mabel then thought of something.
"Say did you know that my favorite food is pickles?" she commented. Sable gave her a "are you serious look" and Labelle just rolled her eyes.
"Really? You like pickles Mabel?" Roll asked. Mabel just smirked in triumph.
"Yeah," Mabel continued, "and the funny thing is that Sable hates pickles but loves cucumbers. Labelle here says she couldn't care less, but I know she likes both."
"Sez you," said Labelle as she continued to eat.
"Told ya!" said Mabel with a wink. Roll giggled as she continued to eat her food.
"So what's your favorite food Roll?" Mabel asked her. Roll just stared at her plate for a moment, unsure of what to answer. Mabel thought she hadn't heard her.
"Roll?"
"I heard you," said Roll calmly, "I'm just thinking...I mean...(sigh)...it's cinnamon rolls. Hence my name." Labelle and Mabel just looked at her stunned. Sable could see that Roll looked uncomfortable at their stares.
"Roll is a very cute name," said Sable, trying to east the awkwardness Mabel and Labelle were giving her. Then they burst into laughter. Roll felt like she was going to cry again when...
"This is the most adorable thing I've ever heard," said Mabel.
"I'll admit that I was rather surprised to hear your name," said Labelle, "but now that I see the connection, your name is actually really cute."
"Really?" Roll asked, feeling a little bashful.
"Totally," said Labelle and Mabel with warm smiles. Roll just looked them blankly and then smiled.
"Thank you," said Roll, finally feeling a since of pride of her own name, "So...is there anything else I should know about you guys?" The three sisters pondered for a moment.
"My spirit animal is a horse," said Labelle.
"Would that have to do with your time with Gracie?" Roll asked. Labelle smiled as she answered her question. After that, Roll felt more comfortable talking to the three sisters. Once dinner was over, the conversation moved to the living room area where she and Labelle continued their conversation as Mabel (it was her turn) helped Sable clean the dishes.
"It must have been so cool to travel to all those fashion shows with Gracie," said Roll, "I'm still surprised that you gave it up. Why give up doing something that you love?" Labelle just gave her a long sigh. She didn't want to reveal too much about the past...yet, but said simply.
"I was just ready for a break and change of pace with my life," said Labelle, "even a wild horse needs a place to settle down. I once dated this horse in high school, but he was less "wild" and more "dweeb"." Roll and Labelle laughed as Mabel and Sable arrive with some tea and a plate of powdered pastries.
"So tell me Roll," said Mabel as she grabbed a seat next to Labelle and stuff a pastry in her mouth, "Are you into boys yet?" Roll nodded.
"Yeah," said Roll shyly, "but not in anyone specific." She still didn't think that any boys would ever be interested in her, but rather than be refuted she kept that train of thought to herself.
"I'm sure you'll find someone here that sparks your interest," said Mabel with a giggle. Roll just rolled her eyes at her as Sable chuckled.
"Ease off Mabel," said Sable, "I should ask you the same question." Mabel nearly choked on her bit of pastry.
"Sable!" said Mabel, "It's kind of hard to look when I have to baby sit you all day!"
"Oh very funny," said Sable annoyed, "Anyways Roll, is there any questions in particular that you wanted to ask?" Roll then felt put on the spot. She had quite a few questions in mind but she wasn't sure what she wanted to ask first. Then she remembered the group of pictures she had seen back at their shop.
"Sable," said Roll, "Can I ask you a personal question?" Sable smiled as she took a sip of her tea and crossed her legs.
"Of course," said Sable, "what's on your mind?"
"Well," Roll began slowly and then looked at her shyly, "where's your husband?" Sable looked stunned and Labelle covered her mouth to avoid snickering while Mabel buried her face into the reddish-brown hedgehogs shoulder to avoid breaking out in hard laughter. Sable just glared annoyed at the two with blushes cheeks. Roll felt ashamed.
"I'm sorry," she apologized, "I didn't mean to upset or humiliate you..."
"No, no," said Sable, "Ignore those two! They are just being dorks."
"HEY!" Labelle and Mabel exclaimed.
"I guess I what I wanted to ask you," Sable continued, "is where you got the idea that I was married?"
"I saw a picture of you with this male hedgehog," said Roll. Sable looked puzzled and then laughed.
"I know what picture you're talking about," said Sable, "That picture isn't of me! That was my mother!" Roll blinked in surprise.
"Oh, wow," said Roll, "Sorry about that."
"No worries," said Sable, "I'm flattered that you thought I was my own mother."
"Well the hedgehog did look like you," said Roll, "and she looked very pretty too." Sable giggled.
"Thanks," said Sable, "But to clear the air, I'm not married dear."
"Not yet," Mabel added and Sable glared.
"What do you mean?" Roll asked. Sable sighed as she rolled her eyes.
"That's not important right now," said Sable, "You wanted to know who was in that picture and that picture of the male and female hedgehog is our parents. If you noticed the three young hedgehogs in another picture that was me, Labelle, and Mabel."
"In case you are wondering, Mabel was the one in the diapers," said Labelle, "Cause she was the baby of the family." Labelle cooed the last part, making Mabel feel embarrassed as her cheeks turned bright red. Roll giggled.
"I am guessing that you were a good...I guess 6 or 7 based on the picture," Roll asked and added, "Sorry if I'm off...I don't want to make you feel like an old lady. You don't look old too me."
"Though she acts like grumpy old lady on a regular basis," Mabel whispered to Labelle, who giggled until Sable glomped Labelle into a tight hug for sweet revenge.
"Awww gerrrroffff!" Labelle squirmed as Sable held her tightly. Mabel laughed as Labelle struggled and failed to break free of Sable's grasp but to no avail. Labelle wasn't much into hugging these days. She used to be and Sable and Mabel were dead set on getting her back into enjoying hugs. While Labelle wouldn't admit it, she was slowly getting comfortable about it, but she would never admit it. Once Sable let her go, the brown hedgehog sat back next to Roll.
"I love you Labelle," said Sable sweetly and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Labelle just rolled her eyes as she adjusted her scarf since it gotten wrinkled from their little hug battle.
"So to answer your question there Roll," said Sable, "the reason I looked so much older is because Mable and I were born a little more than ten years apart."
"Wow," said Roll, "and I'm guessing Labelle was born more closer to you?"
"Precisely," said Sable and smirked at her middle sister, "Labelle, like me, is an old maid."
"Oh hush," said Labelle annoyed.
"I don't just say this," said Roll, "cause I know people do but...well..."
"What is it?" Mabel asked curiously.
"I think you guys look rather young," said Roll, "and very beautiful." Mabel awed as Labelle and Sable smiled.
"I like her," said Labelle, making Sable giggle.
"So...where are your parents?" Roll asked next, which caused the laughter to end quickly. There was a brief silence as Sable took a slow breath.
"They...died..." said Sable and Roll gasped.
"Oh no! I'm so sorry," said Roll quietly, "that was definitely the wrong question to ask..."
"It's okay sweetie," said Sable, "It...was a long time ago..."
"Long time ago?" Roll asked curiously. Sable could feel her eyes water and Roll could see that this was a difficult subject for Sable.
"You don't have to tell me," said Roll, "especially if it still hurts." Sable just looked at her with a pair of tears in her eyes.
"Roll, let me ask you something," said Sable firmly, "Do you feel better not talking about what troubles you or do you feel better when you can talk about it?" Roll felt put on the spot as she played with the skirt of her dress nervously as she crossed her legs twice before grabbing her left foot and held it insecurely. She didn't want to answer and Sable could tell she was clamming up.
"Tell me the truth," she asked her. Roll looked at her quietly and nodded.
"Tell me, don't nod," she repeated in a motherly tone.
"Okay, I do feel better when I can talk to someone," Roll snapped, "but how can I be sure if people will even care to even listen to me! How can I...even know if they would care about how I would feel?" Roll panted heavily for a few moments before settling down and sighing in a depressed manner.
"It's hard to talk about the past," Roll continued sadly, "I still can't do it without feeling stupid about it." Sable nodded, seeing that she was finally getting somewhere with Roll about her situation.
"You're right," said Sable, "and it's not stupidity at all that makes you feel that way sweetie. It's the vulnerability. Being open often means lowering your defenses and telling people stuff that you don't really want to talk about. Plus we are all girls you know. What girl wants to feel weak? And then feel worse when you realize nobody cares? I feel that way all the time."
"How?" said Roll, "I know Labelle and Mabel tease you Sable, but do you really think they would not care about how you feel about things?" Sable just grew quiet for a moment and looked at Labelle and Mabel, who just gave her concerned looks. They wanted to know why she found it so difficult to confide in them about stuff.
"Guess I just don't feel like my feelings are important," said Sable, "or that I'm really that important...to anyone...to anything. I'm just a hedgehog that life just wanted to poke fun at."
"Why do you feel like that Sable?" said Roll, "Was it because your parents died?" Sable took a long deep breath.
"Let's just say it loud and clear," said Sable, "I don't believe in myself! I don't think I'm pretty or beautiful and I just feel like I could never have anything I wanted in life! I feel pathetic and worthless and sometimes I wonder if I was ever meant to even be happy!" Roll blinked at her statement since Sable kind of yelled that last part and even Labelle and Mabel just looked at her and then each other.
"Why?" she asked the brown hedgehog. Sable just looked at her sadly.
"I was never really very outgoing or open with people," said Sable, "I only had one friend in life growing up beside our mother: Tom Nook."
"So...those rumors were true," said Roll quietly.
"Depends on what the rumors about us were," said Sable.
"Some speculated a possible romance," said Roll, "but the most common thing I heard was that you and Tom were once very close."
"That part was true," Sable replied, "Tom and I were very close growing up. I kind of struggled to find my dreams while it seemed that Tom was always eager to become a businessman. He had the skill and the desire in his blood since the day he could count! He would always talk about how he would open up shop and become a huge success. Me, on the other hand, was never really sure what I wanted to do. I mean, our own business was actually started by our parents. Our father was the clerk and Mom was the seamstress. Labelle and Mabel had no problem socializing and mingling with people. I, on the other hand, would stay close to mom. She was the one who taught me how to sew and stitch cloth patterns."
"It's why she so good at it too," said Mabel quietly.
"Mom's job was still way better," said Sable, "I'll never be as good as her."
"Well, I've said this before Sable," said Labelle, "You need to stop trying to be like Mom and just try to be the best you can be. You can never be like Mom! You can only be who you want to be!" Sable just sighed.
"Maybe I just try to be like her cause I don't want to forget her," said Sable, "As I said before, she was my only friend other than Tom. I used to spend my time sitting next to her. She was my best friend and we were very close. I always felt so happy being with mother. Even when I felt like I was nothing, she always knew how to make me feel special. Don't get me wrong Labelle. We had memories together as a trio, but most of them were all when Mabel was still just toddler. I still remember one spring day when the flowers had just bloomed we went to go pick some together. I still remember how Labelle made Mabel a little flower necklace." Roll awed as Mabel cuddled up to Labelle. The middle sister didn't seem to be as flustered with Mabel being so close and Sable felt a bit jealous.
"I'm guessing that was before your mother died?" Roll asked, wanting to get Sable's attention off of Mabel and Labelle.
"Yeah...it was," said Sable quietly, "a time when life just seemed so simple, but that all changed when they died." Roll now wanted to know more and pressed her luck.
"How did your parent's die?" She asked.
"Mabel was just a little toddler, barely talking, when it happened," Sable began, "I was left in charge of looking out for Labelle and Mabel as our parents went out. It seemed like nothing out of the ordinary. Mom and Dad always went out from time to time for dates or errands and such. They loved spending time alone together. As the day dragged on, I noticed that they had been gone for a long time, much longer than normal. We really didn't have a way to contact them or find out where they were. Then late that night there was a knock on the door and an officer told us that our parents were dead."
"Oh wow," said Roll, "So you weren't that much older than me when you lost them."
"That is correct," said Sable quietly, "and at first I didn't want to believe them. I was numb for a long time. For days I would just sit by the sewing machine, hoping...just hoping that all of this was just a bad dream. I just wanted to wake up from it and realize that she was still there. That life hadn't taken my best friend away. I wouldn't talk or speak to anyone, even Labelle couldn't get me to leave or reply. Then one day, Mabel crawled up to me. It was then she said not just her first word, but her second as well.
"Mom-ma? Dad-da?"
"I just cuddled her into my arms and broke down," Sable croaked as tears left her eyes, "I just let myself go and wept loudly. Mabel, who I knew was a smart baby, soon figured out what had happened and started screaming with me. We both wept for the loss of our parents. I wept cause my best friend was gone..." Sable started to cry as Roll gave her a sympathetic look.
"And what about Labelle?" Roll asked.
"She kind of seemed cold and indifferent about it," Sable sniffled, "but it wasn't until a few days later that she broke down when we were alone and Mabel had been put down for a nap. When Labelle looked at me with tears she asked me the big question:
What now?
It was a good question to ask. I wasn't sure what we were going to do. We were all orphans now and we had alot to fear. We didn't know what would happen to us! I was only twelve! I knew how to cook and clean, but I had no clue how to run a business. Plus we were afraid that if we didn't figure something out, we would be forced to leave our home and worse, be put in an orphanage with the risk of being separated. We had lost too much already! The last thing we wanted to was for our family to be completely destroyed. Our family was broken Roll, I would do anything to try and mend it." Sable had to pause for a moment since she had started cry again as she was telling the story. Mabel was shedding a few tears herself. Labelle looked like she was keeping her composure, but Roll could see that even her eyes were rather glossy and a single tear had escaped her eye. Roll grabbed a napkin an handed it to her.
"Labelle, you've got a..."
"DON'T!" she snapped and then said quietly, "You'll smear my makeup. I'll get it." Roll had cowered back a bit but she relaxed once Labelle had taken the napkin and carefully removed the spare tear from her eyes. While Sable hadn't stopped crying completely, she felt composed enough to continue with the story.
"If you want to..."
"I'm okay," said Sable calmly with watery eyes, "You're really helping me right now."
"How so?" Roll asked puzzled.
"You're listening to me," said Sable, her voice cracking a bit, "You care about what I have to say." Roll gave her a soft smile and grabbed Sable's hand. Sable smiled as she held her hand back.
"So...how did you guys cope with the loss?" Roll asked.
"Tom Nook"
"Tom Nook?"
"Tom Nook," said Sable, "Remember, he was my best friend. When everything started to overwhelm me, I went to him and told him what had happened. Tom coaxed me into his arms. He was the same age as me, but at that moment, he seemed so much older. He stayed with me the entire time until I had managed to calm down. He suggested that I take over the family business. At first I thought he was crazy, but then he reminded me that I had to figure something out in order to keep the family together. So that was what I did, I tried my best to remember what my mom had taught me and the rest I kind of learned through trial, error, blood..."
"Blood?" Roll exclaimed uncomfortably.
"I've been getting pricked for years by the sewing needle, dear," said Sable, "but I was so determined to keep the family together that I had learned to tolerate it when it happened. I've gotten used to it after all these years."
"Are you sure about that?" said Roll, "You looked like you were in alot of pain when I came over that day and you had gotten pricked."
"That was because I got careless and got my entire finger pricked several times," said Sable, "A single prick doesn't hurt me too much, but multiple pricks on the same finger is very rare for me. I had never been pricked that badly before, even when I was training like I did back then. So...I guess I was embarrassed and it did hurt alot."
"Oh"
"So there I was," said Sable, "only twelve years old and trying to keep the family together by becoming a seamstress and taking over the family business. The Able name was going to continue if it was the last thing I do."
"But you didn't do it all alone you know," said Mabel, feeling a little miffed that she and Labelle were being left out.
"Don't get jealous," said Sable, "I know you guys helped too, but you gotta admit Mabel that until I made the initiative, you and Labelle were lost and confused."
"Well duh, I was no more than 2 years old when it happened," said Mabel, "but why didn't Labelle have any good ideas? She was a smart girl." Labelle suddenly felt uncomfortable, unsure of how to explain herself.
"I think she was too confused to think clearly," said Sable, "otherwise, I'm sure she would have come up with an idea. Right sis?" Labelle just looked at her sadly. She knew the truth and rather than let Sable cover for her she came clean.
"I cracked under the pressure," Labelle confessed, "I was too scared to think clearly and was too busy yelling as Sable to do something. Like she was the one who caused the mess and had to fix it."
"That was kind of harsh," said Roll.
"I agree," said Mabel with a glare.
"Ease off your guys," said Sable, "she was still young and still a child. She didn't know any better. That was why I made the choice to grow up and take responsibility for the family...so she didn't have to." Labelle just looked at her and then gave her a soft smile that was filled with gratitude. Sable smiled back.
"So how did you guys decide on who did what jobs?" Roll asked.
"Well back then when we first worked as a trio," said Sable, "Labelle was the one who did the selling and I was the one who made the made clothes."
"Did that include the accessories?" Roll asked curiously.
"At first it didn't," said Sable, "but Labelle clearly wanted to learn and she actually borrowed a sewing machine from one of our neighbors in order to learn how to make accessories."
"Why do you like making accessories?" said Roll.
"It's just something that I've always had an interest in," said Labelle.
"I'll say," said Mabel, "I used to hear stories from Sable how our mom used to dress Sable up in all these cute hats, hair ribbons, headbands...pretty much anything cute and stylish. Labelle always used to get really jealous with Sable because our mother always let Sable wear her accessories first and Labelle got second pick!"
"Oh Mabel! Shush up!" said Labelle annoyed and embarrassed, which was as clear as day by her pink cheeks.
"What?" said Mabel, "that was the reason you wanted to make accessories. You were jealous cause Sable always got them first and when you wanted to wear them, mom would always say no to you and that Sable gets to chose first. Now you're completely obsessed with them."
"I so am not!" said Labelle, "I just enjoy working with making accessories is all. It's what I like to do and it makes me happy."
"I like her accessories," said Roll quietly, "and the fact she loves them means everything I'm wearing was made with lots of love, even my ribbon. I especially love my beret. I got it as a gift, but I know it was made by you." Labelle smiled.
"Thank you," said Labelle, "it's nice to see that you enjoy my accessories."
"I really do," said Roll, "I just hope that I can represent your brand. I mean I am wearing your ribbon, but..." Labelle giggled to herself as Roll tried to adjust her ribbon a bit but Labelle stood up and made the adjustments herself and even retied it back into place.
"You look very pretty with my ribbon," said Labelle, "You are a very pretty girl." Roll smiled bashfully as Sable chuckled.
"Well getting back to the story," said Sable, "Labelle did learn to make accessories so we eventually had those for sale, but at first we only had just shirts and dresses for sale and there wasn't much difference between the two. Sales were really bad for the first few year. I thought we were gonna default on our debts and at times things seems pretty bleak."
"Then her almighty superhero Tommy Nookie flew in and res...mmmmmmmmm! MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!" Mabel was shut up as Labelle shoved a pillow over her face and leaned her body on it so Mabel couldn't shove it off.
"Hey, cute it out, I can't breathe!" Mabel complained, her voice muffled for a bit, before breaking free and pouting as she panted for air. Sable just rolled her eyes at the two of them before continuing.
"So since Mabel was just baby, Labelle was training, and business was really slow," said Sable, "Tom came and gave us some tips on business advice. I'll be honest, it was pretty hesitant to use any of his advise since he suggested alot of shrewd tactics, nothing dishonest mind you, but were just...well..."
"Upfront and social?" Roll suggested and Sable giggled.
"Exactly," said Sable, "and apparently it was his live demonstrations that Mabel learned how to be as bold and upfront as she is now. It was thanks to him that she learned the greeting that she says every time we've got customers." Sable looked annoyed at Mabel as the blue hedgehog pouted some more.
"But I like that greeting," said Roll, "it's so warm and peppy. I feel so welcome when I come into the store and it makes me smile." Mabel beamed with pride as Labelle and Sable rolled her eyes at her.
"Until she learned to greet and do customer service," Labelle muttered teasingly, "Her only real use for years was comic relief since she was barely coming out of potty training." Mabel blushed deep red and slapped the side of her stomach. She didn't feel Roll needed to know about that. Sable and Labelle, as well as Roll, giggled.
"Labelle, cut your poor sister some slack," said Sable, "it's not her fault she was just a toddler when everything happened. But you have to admit that Mabel did her absolute best to be useful, even if at first it seemed to cause more trouble when she tried."
"Yeah," said Mabel, "I hated feeling so useless. Tom actually helped me learn how to be a good sales girl so once I started talking I was able to take over when you disappeared on us..."
"Wait...Labelle disappeared?" Roll asked. There was a suddenly a long silence and Labelle looked really insecure. Sable just looked at her sister, asking her with her tired brown eyes if she should tell Roll about what happened. Labelle just sighed and gestured for Sable to go ahead since they were trying to open up for a reason in hopes of getting Roll to do the same. Roll just looked at the exchange nervously.
"Did I touch a bad subject?" she asked worried. Sable just looked at her and smiled.
"No dear," said Sable, "It's just another topic that's a bit touchy but Labelle is willing to share what happened with you with me, right sis?"
"Yeah," said Labelle, but her voice was a tad shaky.
"So...what happened?" Roll asked worried. Sable took a deep breath in through her nose and breathed out of her mouth.
"I few years after our parents death," Sable explained, "things were pretty tough. We were barely making ends meet and managing to keep ourselves feed and keeping warm in the winter. It was during these years that Labelle, like Tom, began to have her own dreams of heading into the city and becoming a big success. I still wonder if he influenced her into..."
"He didn't!" she snapped but then felt her guilt overcome her and she grew sad once more. Sable just looked at her and then nodded.
"Okay then," said Sable, "So Labelle's wanted to move into the big city and become a big time fashion designer like Gracie. I...I got really jealous cause for the longest time. Mostly because, as I said before, I never really felt like I could have my own dreams. Plus I really needed her here with us and not to take off for the city like Tom had done. He had taken off not too long ago to pursue his dream and I miss him very much."
"Why did you stop him?" Roll asked but then blinked and sighed, "Never mind, I answered my own question." Sable chuckled.
"I had to keep the family together," Sable pressed on, "And of course, I didn't come clean about it and suddenly the tension got to a point that one day Labelle and I exploded at each other. The argument was so intense that we were yelling and screaming at each other, causing Mabel to cry but neither of us cared to calm her down. The fight ended in us parting ways without speaking to each other for the rest of the day. The next morning, I went to Labelle's bed to apologize. I felt awful for all the horrible things I had said to her, but when I opened her blankets, I found that there was just a pillow inside. I looked into her drawer and it was completely empty. I rushed downstairs and towards the train station, hoping to try and stop her, but I was too late. Labelle had taken off and was gone. Not even a note where she was going either. I was furious. I screamed at the empty train tracks that she better leave and never come back before walking back home. Before I could even get back to our house/shop, I slumped to my knees and wept, feeling that maybe I was the one who drove her away...or wasn't worth staying for. I needed her...just like I needed Tom...just like I needed mother, but they left me just the same...I couldn't understand why...everything felt the need to desert me..." Sable had to take a deep breath to avoid crying, but then she noticed that someone was panting rather heavily. She turned to see that Roll looked enraged. The blonde girl stood up and marched up to Labelle. The reddish-brown hedgehog could see the anger in Roll's eyes and she felt very uncomfortable.
"How dare you..." Roll said hollowly, "How...DARE YOU!" Sable and Mabel both flinched at her tone. The shy and quiet Roll was now scolding Labelle.
"Just who do you think you are!" Roll continued angrily, "what possessed you to just abandon your own family, especially when they needed you the most!" Labelle couldn't speak but was fighting to not cry as Roll put her hands on her hips.
"To think I wanted to be a friend of someone so selfish!" said Roll as she pulled out her green ribbon and threw it at her, "I won't support anyone who would turn their back on their own family who loves and cares about them for a selfish dream!"
"Oh like you didn't turn your back on your own family to live here!" Labelle shot back and then clasped her mouth at her mistake as hot tears streamed from Roll's face. Roll looked at her, ready to explode.
"I didn't have that luxury cause I HAVE NO FAMILY! I CAME HERE WITH NOTHING!" Roll shrieked and then dashed out of the house and banged the door, sobbing heavily as she left. Sable was about to go after her when Labelle screamed and then broke down in heavy sobs. Now the once glamorous and composed hedgehog no longer cared about her dignity and just wept, letting the tears mix with her make-up, turning her tears black as they stained her cheeks, but she made no effort to wipe them and cried openly and shamelessly. Sable wasn't sure what to do at the moment. She knew Roll was taking off and yet her own sister was having a meltdown.
"Go to Roll, Sable," said Mabel as she rushed to her older sister's side, "I've got Labelle!"
"That's Label, Labelle is a disgrace!" the reddish hedgehog wailed and cried harder. Mabel gestured for Sable to go as she went to comfort Labelle as she continued to cry loudly. Sable just nodded before leaving the house to find Roll.
She knew things were gonna get dramatic, but she had hoped it wouldn't have been this bad.
Their alternate outfits are based on the outfits they come with on their amiibo cards. The only difference is that Sable's dress is actually ankle high in length instead of knee length.
Kudos to all if you found the hidden Princess Diaries reference in the story. Plus many of the facts used in the dinner conversation are from Happy Home Designer. If you want to visit the very house in the story, the code is 0790-5781-807.
Roll just showed her first crack...just how much more will she reveal?
Stay Tuned...