Stitching is tiresome.

[rowan anne hall]

Sunlight peeked through the curtains of the studies hall on the fifth floor as a young woman sat in a chair. She was bent over some fabric, cursing silently at the thread that just wouldn't do what she wanted it to do. Frustrated, she nearly threw down the pattern of birds she was working on but she didn't. It would be a shame if the white fabric she was working on got dirty or messed up. Instead, she folded it up and placed it on a near by table. Rowan felt tired. So very tired. She was still having nightmares of that time. Every time she closed her eyes she could smell the scent of the beasts, see the white of the fangs closing in on her. If she concentrated she could taste fear and the tangy taste of blood in her mouth.

"Enough," she said out loud to herself.

Putting her memories behind her she picked up the cloth and started again.

[vivian jane thornfield]

Vivian walked in. She had a piece of thin black tulle on her hand. She went straigth to the thread shelf and started looking around for thin silk thread. After finding what she was looking for Vivian picked a black thead (Very unsurprisingly.) and started looking for an embroidery hook and a proper sized hoop.

When she found all she needed she looked around and noticed Rowan. "Hello Rowan. Sorry I did not notice you before. Is it okay if i stay or would you like to be left alone?"

[rowan anne hall]

Rowan looked up from her needlework and immediately put a smile on her face. It was Vivian! "Hello Vivian!" she chirped happily, "How are you?" Glancing back at her work, she frowned. It looked like a lost cause. A very lost cause. Vivian seemed to know a lot more about stitching than she did. Maybe she could help?

"Erm... Vivian? How much do you know about embroidery? I'm dreadful at it. I think this is a lost cause," smiling sheepishly she held up the white cloth with the start of a pattern of messy birds on it.

[vivian jane thornfield]

"Way too much actually." She glanced at Rowan's work and nodded. "I think you should try to use an embroidery hoop. It makes it more managable." Vivian went back to the place she had picked her's up and took out a nice medium sized one. "Here you go. ask if you need anything else."

Then she sat down and Strecthed her own fabric to the hoop and started to plan a design. It shouldn't come to the front or othervise it will make it hard to see, she thougth. And from the middle it wouldn't show up. She decided to makea a flock of roses on the very edges of the fabric. The work would be almost lace like when it would be finished. It would definetly add some fancines to her rather grim outfits. Vivian smiled and started the work. This was her second piece on the tambour technique. She had enjoyed it before and this was going to be even more enjoyable.

[rowan anne hall]

""Oh, thank you Vivian," she stated simply, somewhat surprised. She didn't think of using an embroidery hoop. Now things began to make sense. "Thank you Vivian," she smiled as she fitted her fabric into the hoop. Doing a couple experimental stitches she noticed the relative ease on which the task could be completed. Delighted, she did some more and soon completed the head off the swallow she was attempting.

She glanced over to Vivian's work and felt a slight pang of jealousy. She seemed so at ease with the fabric and quite talented. Rowan was also curious on what she was making. "What are you planning on doing with those Vivian?"

[vivian jane thornfield]

"I am making a pattern of roses on a veil. I was thinking of decorating a hat with it. With this techinique it will almost lacelike." She smiled and made another stitch. "I might add some crosses too."

After some time she added "It's actually my fourth veil of this type. I suddenly find myself in need of variety in veils." There was a strange smile on her lips. Another stitch went in. "And I was thinking that more of a fancy design could.. be fun for a change." She was almost finished with the first petal of the first rose.

[rowan anne hall]

She watched Vivian delicately pulled the thread on the material for the veil. She smiled, she liked seeing the creation of beautiful things. Placing her own work down, she scooted closer so she could watch. "What type of cross are you thinking of making? Like a Roman cross or a Celtic one?" she asked with genuine curiosity.

Rowan also wondered why Vivian would be in need of veils. Was it purely for fashions sake? "Four veils? That's a lot! Why do you need so many? Forgive me for asking, I'm just curious." It must be for fashions sake, what other reason could a girl need veils? She chided herself on her foolishness.

[vivian jane thornfield]

"I am leaning toward the roman version. I'm catholic after all." Vivian said and made another stitch. Her hands were working very quickly now. The first flower was appearing rather nicely.

"Umm. It' actually a.. Hmm.. Let's just say that Azrael visited my family recently." It was apparent that she was uncomfortable with the question posed.

[rowan anne hall]

Azrael? She never heard of that name, but it probably wasn't a good idea to ask. She continued to watch Vivian stitch, content in the still moment. Feeling compelled to try again, she picked up her hoop and continued to stitch in the lazy sunlight. For once, she felt all was well.