[open] The lion, the witch and the sketchpad

[growsowngoats]

It is a mild day, something to be grateful for when you have to spend most of it sitting outside. Siobhan has found herself a nice little perch between the paws of a lion statue, her little paper cup standing next to her. There are a few coins in there but it's a slow day. She doesn't mind, things aren't too dire. She has fastened some of her drawings on the lion, he's a helpful sort so he doesn't mind. If people stop for long enough to throw her a glance she will give them a smile and offer to draw their portrait if they can part with some change.

It would probably seem like a more attractive offer if her sketchpad wasn't so beaten up and she herself wasn't swaddled in ratty clothing that seems about to swallow her up, but you have to work with what you have, eh?

Her mother would think it a shameful thing, of course, begging. Especially since Sio does have some money coming in from other places. Then again her mother doesn't have to eat like a horse just to keep herself from wasting away. No, Mother's slender grace is the result of very careful planning indeed. Appearances are very important after all. You have to play the game.

Siobhan isn't interested in any of that. She just wants to meet some new people and scrounge up enough money for a snack.

Comments

[anniesgonemad]

Annie, on the other hand, happened to be far, far too proud to ask for help, even when it became painfully clear that she did need it. One of her many flaws.

Annie offers a small chuckle, shoving her hands into the pockets of her trousers. "Oh- well, I can imagine." Maybe if she'd gone that route. But Annie had paid staunch attention in classes, instead of doodling. "You're really- wait, I already said that. Sorry." She ducked her head, letting her long hair act as a shield.

[growsowngoats]

"Nothing wrong with a kindness paid twice."

Siobhan could relate, she wasn't the best with words herself. They'd never seemed to want to cooperate with her, she was always so distracted by everything else that she could pick up from people that sometimes it was almost hard to hear what they were saying, not to mention the struggle it had been to read and write.

"Want me to draw you?"

[anniesgonemad]

"That's a good way to look at it." She says encouragingly. It really was, and sounded like some sort of proverb.

Annie glanced over her shoulder for a moment again. "Oh, sure! If you don't mind- I can certainly pay." And she would.

[growsowngoats]

"I don't mind at all, people are some of the most interesting things to draw, and I get some company."

She gestured a little with her pen and smiled.

"Just stand and sit as you'd like to be drawn."

[anniesgonemad]

"great!" she beamed at the other woman, and took a seat across from her. after a few moments, she pushed her hair behind her ears and turned to look at Siohban.

"how much?"

[growsowngoats]

"Whatever you think it's worth."

Or nothing at all, Siobhan would be fine with that too.

[anniesgonemad]

She pouts. "That's not fair! Uhm, how about this? I could take you to lunch after?" Food was more important than money... right? Plus, free lunch.

[growsowngoats]

"That sounds fantastic!"

Food was absolutely more important than money, all day, every day!

[anniesgonemad]

"Oh, good." Annie smiles again, then returns to her pose.

"Uhm, you can, ah, whenever you're ready."

[growsowngoats]

"Oh, I've already started."

Siobhan returns Annie's smile while she works.

"You've a lovely face."

[anniesgonemad]

"Oh- oh, no, thank you." She's blushing, ducking her head again, before muttering "sorry", and returning to her previous pose.

"What part of Ireland are you from?"

[growsowngoats]

That gets a laugh.

"No part at all. I'm from Scotland."

She doesn't seem to take any offence to the mistake.

[anniesgonemad]

"Oh!" Annie blushes furiously and actually face palms. "I'm sorry- sometimes I can't even hear the differences." She makes a vague gesture towards her ears. "Even to an Irish girl."