[*hugs Ravyn and Lilac and Meiou* Yay! Time to work!
]
Jane hugged her friend tightly, glad that Sheridan liked her work. She didn't mention how much trouble she had taken to making the parchment and how many times she had drawn designs in the dirt, or how long this had actually taken her. It was all worth the trouble to know she had made Sheridan happy. They only saw each other once or twice a year after all.
Feeling warm and happy inside, she stepped back and noticed a twinkle in the other girl's eye that was quite unlike the twinkle that had been there before. About to ask what Sheridan was thinking, Jane noticed a couple enter the shop.
"More customers for you," she sighed, then smiled, trying not to allow her disappointment show. "You certainly have a good business!"
She thought of her own hard living and rubbed her hard little hands together. She wasn't jealous of Sheridan because she knew how hard she had to work as well - but she did wish she could get some kind of luck and be able to do some work that wasn't farmwork. It had been a childhood dream to be an artist when she grew up - until Mother had died, she ruminated.
Glancing at the two customers, she recognised the man to be the one who had helped Sheridan earlier on. There was an air about him that simple spoke of wealth, even though he was dressed simply. A critical eye swooped over him, taking in that the materials were far more costly than her own rough garments. A merchant? No - merchants dressed slightly differently. They were always ringing the money in their pouches, for one. He probably had some rank, was some kind of nobility. Odd though, that a noble would help a dressmaker.
His companion was a peasant. That shocked and surprised her. She was a neat enough peasant, but nevertheless, a peasant. What shocked and surprised her more was that the girl was walking hand in hand with a noble. A peasant with a noble! That was strange business - Jane had had enough experience to stay out of that kind of business.
She caught a glimpse of the girl's face and her heart stood still. "
Arabella!"