Sewing Plans

Nico wasn't much for plans.

He hadn't had a big plan when teaching Lorelei, and that had turned out just fine. He'd also had no plan when he'd done his shopping last week, and he'd only needed to go back twice! He'd had a plan when he and Lydia had gone to that museum, but that had only gotten them kicked out. As far as he'd been concerned, plans just screwed with his flow.

He'd been wrong. So, so wrong.

Lorelei had been learning stuff so fast. Anytime he set something for her to learn, she got it down in like a week. She now knew about technology, survival skills, including self-defense, pop culture, and literally everything Nico could think to teach her. At this point, Lorelei knew more about world history than he did. 

For tonight, Nico had thought to have a graduation party for Lorelei. He had nothing to add for her. Other than her stiffness, which she'd promised to work on, there was nothing more he could show her. At least this way, Lorelei would have the time to watch those cat videos she'd started to love so much. Already, Nico had bought balloons, streamers, hats, and those little cans of squiggle spray that kids loved these days. Nothing wrong with embracing your inner child.

All that was left was buying something to hang up the signs. His friend Andy owned a small business selling clothes, but the guy also sold materials to make clothes, including thread for repairs. Nico planned to buy the threads to hang up the signs, as well as fabric for a gift. Apparently, Lorelei loved that kind of stuff. Part of being a noble, he supposed.

Walking into Gliding Fabrics, Nico looked around. Andy liked to keep the place open pretty much all the time to try and get some nighttime tourists. Of course, that hadn't stopped the place from going into disrepair. The AC wasn't always reliable, and the paint on the white walls was peeling off. The shelves also looked kinda old. Even so, Andy never let that bother the products themselves, which all sat cleanly in their places. If there was one thing Andy valued, it was quality.

Andy's face lit up when he saw Nico. "Nico! How's it goin'?"

"Great," Nico responded. "You?"

"Oh, same old, same old." Andy waved the question away. "What're 'ya lookin' for?"

"Thread for a sign." Nico held up the bags in his arms. "I also need fabric for my friend."

"Oh, that Lydia girl?"

Nico started to correct him, then stopped. "Yup," he said. "That's her."

"When're you gonna let me meet her?" Andy asked. "'Ya always say she's a great gal. I know you wouldn't say that for just anybody."

"Maybe sometime soon, I will," Nico said. It'd probably help Lorelei to talk with people other than him. Why haven't I thought of that before?

"Anyway, it's awful nice of you to buy her a gift," Andy continued. "What's the occasion?"

"Oh, just for fun," Nico said. "Plus, I know you like the business."

"And I sure as hell need it," Andy said with a huff. "God, I hope the promo goes well. I'm not sure what else I can do."

"Are things really that bad?"

"You have no idea," Andy said. "Between thieving hooligans and Jennifer's bad review, I haven't been seein' that much business. I'm runnin' out of options."

The event in question was Andy's way of reviving his store. Ever since some Jennifer lady left a bad review, Andy's review average dropped like a tank, which stopped tourists from coming as often. Ever since then, disaster after disaster had started to wear on Andy. As a long-time friend of Nico's, he hated to see the man like this.

For the event, Andy's store was going to host a fashion show with his best products, with family and friends being the models. They'd also use the opportunity to present their best supplies. They even had a workshop on how to make clothes, which Nico was helping with advertising. From the parts to the participants, Andy's event was the perfect culmination of what the store represented.

"Hey," Andy said suddenly. "Your friend know how to sew?"

"Yeah," Nico said. Lorelei and Lydia both knew how to use a needle, though Lorelei was worlds better at it.

"Does, uh." Andy shifted from where he stood at the register. "Does she know how to fix clothes?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Well," Andy started slowly. "With the promo comin' up, I've got all hands on deck. We don't have all that many hands to begin with. I could really use someone to handle the small stuff."

"What kind of stuff?"

"Repairs, mostly," Andy said. "Normally, I handle it but, with all the stuff goin' on, I'm afraid I won't have enough time for it. I don't want to bug the workers, either. They already do enough for me here."

"Wait, you mean a temporary worker?" Nico asked.

"Well, yeah," Andy said. "I can't quite afford to hire someone for the long run, but I can afford a temp lass. This stuff doesn't sound like much, but it really adds up and, at this point, I need all the money I can get." Andy gave a sad smile.

"Would she have to talk to anyone?" Nico asked.

"Nah," Andy said. "Just me. I'll be runnin' the store while she works. The kids don't work this late."

"Why don't you do it in the evenings, then?" Nico asked genuinely.

"Well, I know not many people show up at night," Andy said. "But I gotta do other stuff in the meantime: stocking the shelves, cleaning the floors, doing the paperwork. I mean, I could do it. Nevermind. Forget I said anythin'."

"Uh-uh, Andy," Nico chided. "Don't do that! I'm glad you're asking for help. I've been wanting you to do it for years. I just asked because it might save you some money."

"I know, Nico," Andy said wearily. "I've thought about it, too. My sister says I gotta not push myself so hard, though. Plus, the money from the repairs will out-weigh whatever I have to pay her. I only need her for a few hours a night, too."

"You really get that many repair orders?" Nico asked curiously.

"Yeah," Andy said. "The thing about repairs is that they're local. Jennifer's review didn't do much to them. These are from my long-time customers. They're keepin' this place alive." Andy gave a grateful smile to the ceiling.

"Alright."

Andy looked at Nico. "Alright what?"

"I'll talk to Lor---," Nico started. "I'll talk to Lydia about it. I'm sure I can sell her on it. One thing, though."

"Yeah?" Andy asked, hope rekindled in his eyes.

"Lydia hasn't really talked to many other people but me lately," Nico said. "If she says anything weird, don't worry too much about it. She's a nice lady, I swear."

"Of course," Andy said. "You're sure you can convince her?"

"Of course," Nico said confidently. "And, if I can't, I'll give you a hand. How's that?"

"That'd be fantastic, Nico!" Andy was grinning ear-to-ear. For a moment, he seemed like his old self again.

"Great," Nico said. "Now, I was thinking a thin thread and, for the fabric, something soft."

"Pardon?"

"Well, I am here to shop, aren't I?" Nico asked. Suddenly, an idea hit him. "Hey, you wouldn't happen to have any silk here, would you?"

How had Nico never thought of practical learning before? The best way to learn things wasn't from a book or a fun video! The real way to know if you truly knew your stuff was to get out there and show it! This would be the perfect test for Lorelei. Guess the party will have to wait.