Paper Broomsticks - Printable Version
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Paper Broomsticks - Alvin Bixby - November 2, 2023
November 2nd, 1893 - Penny's Workshop
Though he knew it was ridiculous, Alvin was starting to wonder if he had a time-turner, if he could make his disaster of a life go away. If he'd never injured his arm, he wouldn't have lost his career; he wouldn't have been home to take Sloane to the park that day and maybe she would still be here; he wasn't sure it would have changed anything for Wally, but there was the alluring prospect of what if and then everything would be alright. His mother wouldn't be on the edge of a nervous breakdown; Rufus could focus on his own life and family and poor Harry wouldn't be caught in the middle of all of it, trying to do too much for everyone.
It was all impossible however and so Alvin was trying to make due with what he could; watercolor lessons with Zinnia, keeping Wally company at the hospital; sketching designs to bring to Penny when he thought he had a good one they could use. It was an unusual partnership, one that left him a little bitter still, but if there was any way he could stay in the broommaking business, he was going to take it. If all he could do was come up with ideas and design, then so be it. Penny would have to do the crafting, which she was particularly good at, so maybe it would work out in the end. Only time, trial and error would tell.
They were huddled in her basement workshop, looking over his newest batch of sketches. "This one is spruce, softwood, but sturdy. I actually sort of like the color, but I think a small change in the shape of the tail would really make it functional." He hadn't given up the reading about brooms part at any rate and as he expanded his knowledge, he kept coming up with designs. Miss Thompsett's encouragement had been a good kickstart to get him thinking again. "I also designed this one with field maple in mind," he pointed to a second sketch. "Hardwood, would need lightening charms, but practically unbreakable." He had made a small change to the lines of the shaft to see if it would be more streamlined.
It was all impossible however and so Alvin was trying to make due with what he could; watercolor lessons with Zinnia, keeping Wally company at the hospital; sketching designs to bring to Penny when he thought he had a good one they could use. It was an unusual partnership, one that left him a little bitter still, but if there was any way he could stay in the broommaking business, he was going to take it. If all he could do was come up with ideas and design, then so be it. Penny would have to do the crafting, which she was particularly good at, so maybe it would work out in the end. Only time, trial and error would tell.
They were huddled in her basement workshop, looking over his newest batch of sketches. "This one is spruce, softwood, but sturdy. I actually sort of like the color, but I think a small change in the shape of the tail would really make it functional." He hadn't given up the reading about brooms part at any rate and as he expanded his knowledge, he kept coming up with designs. Miss Thompsett's encouragement had been a good kickstart to get him thinking again. "I also designed this one with field maple in mind," he pointed to a second sketch. "Hardwood, would need lightening charms, but practically unbreakable." He had made a small change to the lines of the shaft to see if it would be more streamlined.
RE: Paper Broomsticks - Penelope Fawcett - November 2, 2023
Penny had come to loathe her workshop in recent months. Despite her initial attempts to reclaim it with happier and work-centric memories, she had continued struggling to forget how much time he had spent with her down here. She could still picture him everywhere she looked and still found odd remnants of him crammed into random corners. (Penny was rather ashamed to admit how terribly she had sobbed when she came across one of his forgotten ties, now faded and stained beyond use.) It was as though he had perished and became a ghost destined to haunt her former favorite place in the world.
And she hated it. And she hated him.
Or, at least she was trying to, which was how she wound up telling Alvin to come to her workshop as opposed to Elias'. She couldn't banish the ghost if she avoided the space, nor could she allow him to use any more of her emotional energy. Somehow, be it by sheer will alone or by denying she ever felt anything at all, she had to continue on working in her workshop.
She looked over the sketches with a trained eye, noting (as always) the talent and ability that had been lost in his accident. Alvin was brilliant, his designs creative and innovative in a way Penny wished she could be. "Lightening charms can be tricky sometimes," she said more to herself than him. She'd had plenty of lightening charms fail during flight, it was only the preventative cushioning charms she used that saved her from splattering her innards on the ground. "Not impossible, though. They'd be excellent for quidditch if we could make it work."
She turned back to the spruce one. "This design is beautiful, Alvin." She pointed towards the outer most twigs on the tail, "all you'd have to do is trim these down some and I think this would work well. And if you made the shaft a tad bit narrower, its user could cover miles in the blink of an eye maybe."
And she hated it. And she hated him.
Or, at least she was trying to, which was how she wound up telling Alvin to come to her workshop as opposed to Elias'. She couldn't banish the ghost if she avoided the space, nor could she allow him to use any more of her emotional energy. Somehow, be it by sheer will alone or by denying she ever felt anything at all, she had to continue on working in her workshop.
She looked over the sketches with a trained eye, noting (as always) the talent and ability that had been lost in his accident. Alvin was brilliant, his designs creative and innovative in a way Penny wished she could be. "Lightening charms can be tricky sometimes," she said more to herself than him. She'd had plenty of lightening charms fail during flight, it was only the preventative cushioning charms she used that saved her from splattering her innards on the ground. "Not impossible, though. They'd be excellent for quidditch if we could make it work."
She turned back to the spruce one. "This design is beautiful, Alvin." She pointed towards the outer most twigs on the tail, "all you'd have to do is trim these down some and I think this would work well. And if you made the shaft a tad bit narrower, its user could cover miles in the blink of an eye maybe."
RE: Paper Broomsticks - Alvin Bixby - November 2, 2023
Penny's compliments were not lost on him, but Alvin had always been one to shy away from too much praise. Designs were nothing more until a successful broom came out of it. Alvin made a noncommittal noise about the lightening charms. They were tricky. "I can think through a different wood, maybe yew or ash. Juts as sturdy. Really could take a beating, especially with proper reinforcement." He'd always been pretty good at the charms part. He'd done well in many classes at school, but had excelled in charms without much thought.
"It would make a nice quidditch broom," he agreed with a nod, leaning down with another critical appraisal of his own work. "This one," he pointed to the spruce, "would make for nice travel, or even a racing broom." Brooms had so many purposes, aside from quidditch. It wasn't a terribly practical long-distance method, not with things like the Floo and apparating, but for short distances, it certainly made things quicker. He could get across Hogsmeade in a flash if he wanted do; much faster than walking.
"We could always make a prototype and go from there," Alvin was desperate to get back into the business, to do something worthwhile with his time. If he and Penny could work out some form of partnership where he designed, she built and maybe he worked on the charms or any combination of the tasks, he might just get through this depression alive.
"It would make a nice quidditch broom," he agreed with a nod, leaning down with another critical appraisal of his own work. "This one," he pointed to the spruce, "would make for nice travel, or even a racing broom." Brooms had so many purposes, aside from quidditch. It wasn't a terribly practical long-distance method, not with things like the Floo and apparating, but for short distances, it certainly made things quicker. He could get across Hogsmeade in a flash if he wanted do; much faster than walking.
"We could always make a prototype and go from there," Alvin was desperate to get back into the business, to do something worthwhile with his time. If he and Penny could work out some form of partnership where he designed, she built and maybe he worked on the charms or any combination of the tasks, he might just get through this depression alive.
RE: Paper Broomsticks - Penelope Fawcett - November 2, 2023
"No, no. I like the field maple, between the two of us I'm sure we could figure out the charm work." Penny answered with a shake of her head. She had never particularly enjoyed working with ash, but yew was always a lovely change of pace too. The red colored woods were among some of Penny's favorites to shape, though that was likely more a preference to the color than the actual wood itself.
She turned from the design to the large set of shelves that took up much of the space on the wall opposite the staircase. On it were pieces of wood of all shapes, lengths and sizes, and in the corner was a stack of abandoned broom projects. She pondered the shelves for a moment, pulling on various lengths before ultimately pushing them back. Then, after a minute of looking, Penny pulled out a length of spruce wood. "I don't have any maple on hand right now, I could see if Elias has some..." He likely would, Elias had a collection that Penny often envied. "But I do have some spruce in the meantime, if you'd like to get started now I mean."
She turned from the design to the large set of shelves that took up much of the space on the wall opposite the staircase. On it were pieces of wood of all shapes, lengths and sizes, and in the corner was a stack of abandoned broom projects. She pondered the shelves for a moment, pulling on various lengths before ultimately pushing them back. Then, after a minute of looking, Penny pulled out a length of spruce wood. "I don't have any maple on hand right now, I could see if Elias has some..." He likely would, Elias had a collection that Penny often envied. "But I do have some spruce in the meantime, if you'd like to get started now I mean."
RE: Paper Broomsticks - Alvin Bixby - November 2, 2023
What Alvin wouldn't give to have a workshop like this again. He'd had a spectacular one in the Oregon territory, before he'd ruined everything. The shelves had been stocked and his tools impeccable. He'd been too miserable at the time to think of an option like this, which could have kept him where he was, but this was promising, it could keep him going.
He looked at the possible broomstick in Penny's hand critically. It was a nice piece of wood, and he trusted she could make it into something spectacular and true to his design. "I have a local supplier I could get in touch with too." There weren't that many magical tree farms in this part of the world after all. When he'd been working as an apprentice in southern England, he'd created a good rapport with the ones closest by. Maybe he could reach out and see. His savings was decent enough to front some of the costs.
"Yeah, if you're amenable." Alvin wasn't sure how some people would react to working on another broommaker's designs, but he rather thought this could work. His designs, her craftmanship, the charmwork could be a combined effort. They would have to come to some agreements, obviously, but he could take some time to think about it and they could sit down and have a discussion. One thing at a time though, this would be a good trial to see if they could work together and then take it from there.
He looked at the possible broomstick in Penny's hand critically. It was a nice piece of wood, and he trusted she could make it into something spectacular and true to his design. "I have a local supplier I could get in touch with too." There weren't that many magical tree farms in this part of the world after all. When he'd been working as an apprentice in southern England, he'd created a good rapport with the ones closest by. Maybe he could reach out and see. His savings was decent enough to front some of the costs.
"Yeah, if you're amenable." Alvin wasn't sure how some people would react to working on another broommaker's designs, but he rather thought this could work. His designs, her craftmanship, the charmwork could be a combined effort. They would have to come to some agreements, obviously, but he could take some time to think about it and they could sit down and have a discussion. One thing at a time though, this would be a good trial to see if they could work together and then take it from there.
RE: Paper Broomsticks - Penelope Fawcett - November 2, 2023
Penny was still forging her own connections for suppliers outside of Elias', so any and all help was something she would happily accept. She didn't want to take any business from him, but knew she'd likely have to leave England (or at least Hogsmeade) to truly separate their businesses. It was kind of Elias to allow her access to his tools and connections, though. Truthfully, it was more kind than Penny likely deserved.
"That would be great." Penny grinned. The Plunkett's were a great farm, they were just a bit too limited in their options for her liking. She handed him the wood to examine as she began gathering the various tools required for this work. "Yeah, absolutely. I have a whole stack of failed projects over there too if you ever need inspiration. I'm never sure what to do with them."
"That would be great." Penny grinned. The Plunkett's were a great farm, they were just a bit too limited in their options for her liking. She handed him the wood to examine as she began gathering the various tools required for this work. "Yeah, absolutely. I have a whole stack of failed projects over there too if you ever need inspiration. I'm never sure what to do with them."
RE: Paper Broomsticks - Alvin Bixby - November 2, 2023
"Great," Alvin passed her a smile as she gathered her tools. It was probably the first genuine smile he'd given out since Sloane's death. Of all the things he'd tried to do to keep himself afloat, of all the people that had helped him and willingly taken time out of their lives to spend time with him, this was the best case scenario. He knew Penny probably didn't understand what this meant to him, and he wasn't going to gush about it, wasn't very good at showing his emotions, but he did appreciate it.
Alvin found a stool and pulled it up to an clear space on the workbench, he made some notes about reaching out to the tree farm later that afternoon, before getting out his sketching supplies to tweak that design with Penny's thoughts. "I have my tools too, if you need anything." Alvin hadn't been able to bring himself to get rid of them. Surprising, because he had gone through a rage phase where he thought he'd never have anything to do with brooms again and had torched his previous drawings and designs beyond recognition.
"Should we stick with the field maple or try something else?" Alvin asked, despite his focus on the sketch before him. He felt a little lighter and was loathe to let it go too soon. He probably should have double check to see if Penny wanted to work in peace, but was hoping she would just kick him out if when she was ready.
Alvin found a stool and pulled it up to an clear space on the workbench, he made some notes about reaching out to the tree farm later that afternoon, before getting out his sketching supplies to tweak that design with Penny's thoughts. "I have my tools too, if you need anything." Alvin hadn't been able to bring himself to get rid of them. Surprising, because he had gone through a rage phase where he thought he'd never have anything to do with brooms again and had torched his previous drawings and designs beyond recognition.
"Should we stick with the field maple or try something else?" Alvin asked, despite his focus on the sketch before him. He felt a little lighter and was loathe to let it go too soon. He probably should have double check to see if Penny wanted to work in peace, but was hoping she would just kick him out if when she was ready.
RE: Paper Broomsticks - Penelope Fawcett - November 3, 2023
Alvin's smile was a rare and beautiful to behold. Penny had noticed the heaviness that settled upon his shoulders over the summer, but she'd rationalized it as the grief of losing his sister in such a tragic accident. (Miss Bixby's death sat so heavily on Penny's heart that she had begun to research how to add grounding charms to brooms. Anything to prevent another Miss Bixby from falling into the depths of the Black Lake.) Had he smiled at her before then? Penny could no longer remember.
"Okay, thanks." Her now laid out tool collection was extensive but she'd certainly look over his to see if there was anything she didn't have that could be helpful. At the very least, it might allow for him to feel more purposeful here.
Reaching for a pencil, Penny marked what bits of the wood would need to be cut off before carving and sanding could begin. "I think we should stick with the field maple for now, we can always try another if it doesn't work out right. Besides, it's like you said - the coloring of it would be really lovely." She commented, looking over at him only briefly as she continued her markings.
"Okay, thanks." Her now laid out tool collection was extensive but she'd certainly look over his to see if there was anything she didn't have that could be helpful. At the very least, it might allow for him to feel more purposeful here.
Reaching for a pencil, Penny marked what bits of the wood would need to be cut off before carving and sanding could begin. "I think we should stick with the field maple for now, we can always try another if it doesn't work out right. Besides, it's like you said - the coloring of it would be really lovely." She commented, looking over at him only briefly as she continued her markings.
RE: Paper Broomsticks - Alvin Bixby - November 3, 2023
Alvin scooted the bag at his foot with the carving tools in it toward her in case she wanted a closer look. "Alright, I'll get a few pieces." Likely five or six. He always broke at least two and then wanted more once he got the shape right to duplicate the process and work through it several times. At least when his hands had worked anyway.
Flexing his bad had unconsciously, Alvin made some more notes on the spare parchment before he went back to adjusting the prototype sketch. Part of him wanted to watch Penny work, and the other part wanted to hold off as long as possible. What he wouldn't give to have the dexterity to work the wood like he used to. He could use the physical outlet for all of this pent up frustration. He couldn't even get into boxing or something of that nature. He was going to have to figure something out before he spontaneously combusted.
With a fresh piece of parchment pulled from his bag, Alvin took the original sketch and started to duplicate it with the changes. Different angles too, trying to work through the shape of the tail and handle more thoroughly while Penny got the rough cuts done. It was easy to get lost in this again and he realized just how much he had missed it.
Flexing his bad had unconsciously, Alvin made some more notes on the spare parchment before he went back to adjusting the prototype sketch. Part of him wanted to watch Penny work, and the other part wanted to hold off as long as possible. What he wouldn't give to have the dexterity to work the wood like he used to. He could use the physical outlet for all of this pent up frustration. He couldn't even get into boxing or something of that nature. He was going to have to figure something out before he spontaneously combusted.
With a fresh piece of parchment pulled from his bag, Alvin took the original sketch and started to duplicate it with the changes. Different angles too, trying to work through the shape of the tail and handle more thoroughly while Penny got the rough cuts done. It was easy to get lost in this again and he realized just how much he had missed it.
RE: Paper Broomsticks - Penelope Fawcett - November 3, 2023
Penny paused her cutting briefly as she noticed his injured hand for what felt like the first time. She'd known of his injury, of course, because any career ending injury was obvious enough to notice. But, it was the first time the injury felt ... real to her, in a sense. Alvin had resisted working with her for months now, always having some excuse or another to not visit. And, prior to a few weeks ago, Penny hadn't fought him much on it because she simply hadn't had the energy to. Not when she was still so consumed with him and her renewed heartbreak. But this injury...it was as real and as terrible as Elias had told her it to be.
With his skin looking that red and scarred...could he even move his fingers at all?
Penny nearly ruined the wood beneath her fingers with a miscut as her brain began soaring with possibilities she might be able to offer him. There had to be some mechanism to help him - a glove maybe that allowed him the ability to flex, or perhaps something different altogether. Alvin didn't deserve to never craft a broom again. She thought to abandon their project completely and move onto creating something for him, but it was the smile he'd given her that kept her at her workbench, her head bowed over her work.
She was going to find a solution for him. There were so few people in Hogsmeade that could help and she was one of them, and this time - this time Penny wouldn't take no for an answer.
Penny completed the rough cuts without further interruption and returned to his side to examine the sketches some more. "I think it should be a bit narrower here." She pointed to the tip of the shaft, "we need to limit its weight wherever possible."
With his skin looking that red and scarred...could he even move his fingers at all?
Penny nearly ruined the wood beneath her fingers with a miscut as her brain began soaring with possibilities she might be able to offer him. There had to be some mechanism to help him - a glove maybe that allowed him the ability to flex, or perhaps something different altogether. Alvin didn't deserve to never craft a broom again. She thought to abandon their project completely and move onto creating something for him, but it was the smile he'd given her that kept her at her workbench, her head bowed over her work.
She was going to find a solution for him. There were so few people in Hogsmeade that could help and she was one of them, and this time - this time Penny wouldn't take no for an answer.
Penny completed the rough cuts without further interruption and returned to his side to examine the sketches some more. "I think it should be a bit narrower here." She pointed to the tip of the shaft, "we need to limit its weight wherever possible."
RE: Paper Broomsticks - Alvin Bixby - November 3, 2023
Working quickly, Alvin felt the motions coming back to him quickly. He'd been focusing on painting for so long that he forgot the ease with which he used to sketch. The shapes were familiar, old habit, though each design was different, they were all generally the same basic shape.
He hadn't noticed Penny's near mistake, only her presence as she moved back toward him at the bench. He was unperturbed by her close proximity, relatively unaware of any implications that came with it. "I can give you a little here," he ran a charcoal-covered finger down the end that connect the tail. "But I hate when the grip is too narrow." When he'd been able to fly, he hated not having enough to grip at the top of the handle. He always felt like it made the broom almost too sensitive to the rider's movements. Alvin did have pretty large hands, but he also disliked when his grip overlapped too much.
Fixing the sketch with the additional changes, he looked at the finer details. "What about a tail shape more like this," Alvin had tried to narrow the end while still keeping the bulk of it for the aerodynamics of it. It would create a nice drag for changing directions easily and the form was sleek.
He hadn't noticed Penny's near mistake, only her presence as she moved back toward him at the bench. He was unperturbed by her close proximity, relatively unaware of any implications that came with it. "I can give you a little here," he ran a charcoal-covered finger down the end that connect the tail. "But I hate when the grip is too narrow." When he'd been able to fly, he hated not having enough to grip at the top of the handle. He always felt like it made the broom almost too sensitive to the rider's movements. Alvin did have pretty large hands, but he also disliked when his grip overlapped too much.
Fixing the sketch with the additional changes, he looked at the finer details. "What about a tail shape more like this," Alvin had tried to narrow the end while still keeping the bulk of it for the aerodynamics of it. It would create a nice drag for changing directions easily and the form was sleek.
RE: Paper Broomsticks - Penelope Fawcett - November 3, 2023
"There likely wouldn't be the ability to have a second rider if you narrow the shaft there." Penny pointed out, still hovering to examine the sketch. A narrow grip had never been something she contended with, but her hands were those of a woman's - small and dainty. Calloused some from working and scarred in countless places, but a woman's nevertheless. Although, now that she was observing his hand on the paper, Penny could see why a narrow grip could prove to be a problem. Some overlap was tolerable, she guessed, but too much and he sacrificed security and balance.
She frowned at the sketch as she considered where else they might be able to shed some of the weight. Even with his tail, this broom with this wood was going to be heavy. The charmwork was going to be extensive and even then...Penny wasn't sure it would work out. "That tail shape works I think. It should be a smooth ride if we can get it light enough to fly."
She frowned at the sketch as she considered where else they might be able to shed some of the weight. Even with his tail, this broom with this wood was going to be heavy. The charmwork was going to be extensive and even then...Penny wasn't sure it would work out. "That tail shape works I think. It should be a smooth ride if we can get it light enough to fly."
RE: Paper Broomsticks - Alvin Bixby - November 3, 2023
"Tandem riding is overrated anyway." Alvin laughed, even though she had a point. He wasn't sure how many people actually rode a broom with two, but the model should be able to handle it regardless. "Alright, a little off here and more uniform throughout." Compromises could be made, but Alvin was more confident that he could figure out the charmwork to get it light enough to fly.
He too peered at the sketch more critically. He hated to sacrifice too much form for function, but the purpose of a broom was to fly and fly easily, so they could worry about the finer details of the look later. "I think I can manage the charms. I'm a little rusty, but it comes back easily enough," he motioned to the full prototype sketch before them as evidence. It should be as easy as, well, riding a broomstick, if that were any sort of easy for him anymore. At least he had this partially back. This was the closest to fulfilled he'd felt in a long time.
He too peered at the sketch more critically. He hated to sacrifice too much form for function, but the purpose of a broom was to fly and fly easily, so they could worry about the finer details of the look later. "I think I can manage the charms. I'm a little rusty, but it comes back easily enough," he motioned to the full prototype sketch before them as evidence. It should be as easy as, well, riding a broomstick, if that were any sort of easy for him anymore. At least he had this partially back. This was the closest to fulfilled he'd felt in a long time.
RE: Paper Broomsticks - Penelope Fawcett - November 4, 2023
While Penny agreed that tandem riding wasn't particularly enjoyable, it did serve a purpose for some that she wasn't necessarily willing to completely ignore. There were those that didn't feel confident riding alone and children that were just beginning to learn to fly with their parents. Then again, those that weren't confident weren't likely going to be purchasing something as strong as the one Alvin was going to be designing. So perhaps there wasn't a need to cling to the shaft's thickness there...
"Sure, yeah." Penny was confident in her charmwork, she was just less confident in the longevity of the charms on such a solid piece of wood. It was always incredibly disappointing to be mid-flight and have broom fail due to the charms not holding well enough. "I can help you remember too, if there are any that you have forgotten."
She bent to investigate his bag of tools and brought out one to use. Not because she didn't have her own, but because she didn't want him to think she was avoiding using his set. "How long has it been now - since you worked on a broom, I mean?"
"Sure, yeah." Penny was confident in her charmwork, she was just less confident in the longevity of the charms on such a solid piece of wood. It was always incredibly disappointing to be mid-flight and have broom fail due to the charms not holding well enough. "I can help you remember too, if there are any that you have forgotten."
She bent to investigate his bag of tools and brought out one to use. Not because she didn't have her own, but because she didn't want him to think she was avoiding using his set. "How long has it been now - since you worked on a broom, I mean?"
RE: Paper Broomsticks - Alvin Bixby - November 5, 2023
It wasn't that Alvin had forgotten the charms, but just rusty enough in practicing them that he wouldn't feel comfortable doing anything on a proper broom until he practiced them again some more.
"Over a year," he answered after a long moment. It felt like forever, but the healing process and the flat out not having the proper use of his left hand at all wasn't something he had the wherewithal to even contemplate doing something with. It wasn't his dominant hand, but it was bad enough that he had no grip anymore and therefore had no way to work on brooms with any precision or vigor.
He watched her select a tool from his case almost with envy. They hadn't been used in that year, not even brought out, and he wasn't even sure why he'd brought them with him, but he supposed it was habit. After everything and everyone he'd lost this past year, Alvin felt like he was grieving each thing differently. Broommaking was still there, still and option, just a new capacity; Wally would be alright in the long run, but forever changed; Sloane was gone, never to return. It was weird to mourn three very separate circumstances at once and obviously broommaking was the least of his concerns, but also the only one he could truly fix at this point in time. Maybe ever.
"I've spent a long, long time avoiding it. Recent events have sparked a renewed interest." He'd gotten some proper encouragement and he desperately needed something to go well in his life these days.
"Over a year," he answered after a long moment. It felt like forever, but the healing process and the flat out not having the proper use of his left hand at all wasn't something he had the wherewithal to even contemplate doing something with. It wasn't his dominant hand, but it was bad enough that he had no grip anymore and therefore had no way to work on brooms with any precision or vigor.
He watched her select a tool from his case almost with envy. They hadn't been used in that year, not even brought out, and he wasn't even sure why he'd brought them with him, but he supposed it was habit. After everything and everyone he'd lost this past year, Alvin felt like he was grieving each thing differently. Broommaking was still there, still and option, just a new capacity; Wally would be alright in the long run, but forever changed; Sloane was gone, never to return. It was weird to mourn three very separate circumstances at once and obviously broommaking was the least of his concerns, but also the only one he could truly fix at this point in time. Maybe ever.
"I've spent a long, long time avoiding it. Recent events have sparked a renewed interest." He'd gotten some proper encouragement and he desperately needed something to go well in his life these days.
RE: Paper Broomsticks - Penelope Fawcett - November 5, 2023
Over a year.
Over a year and he'd only just recently begun reclaiming this piece of his life. Penny had - like most people - gone through bouts of listlessness where her creative energy was practically nonexistent, but those were usually only a few weeks at most — maybe two months during a particularly difficult spell. Over a year though.... that was such a long time to remain in that lull, to remain claimed by the dark haze of depression.
(His depression had lasted far longer than a year by now, likely bordering on three if not four years. Would it be impossible for him to crawl out - )
Penny forced a small smile neck to replace her deepening frown. "I think it's great that you're investing in your interests again then." She replied earnestly, for it was great that he'd found a path back out, a light to cling to when there were otherwise none. "And uh - thank you for taking me up on my offer. I'm really grateful for the company."
Over a year and he'd only just recently begun reclaiming this piece of his life. Penny had - like most people - gone through bouts of listlessness where her creative energy was practically nonexistent, but those were usually only a few weeks at most — maybe two months during a particularly difficult spell. Over a year though.... that was such a long time to remain in that lull, to remain claimed by the dark haze of depression.
(His depression had lasted far longer than a year by now, likely bordering on three if not four years. Would it be impossible for him to crawl out - )
Penny forced a small smile neck to replace her deepening frown. "I think it's great that you're investing in your interests again then." She replied earnestly, for it was great that he'd found a path back out, a light to cling to when there were otherwise none. "And uh - thank you for taking me up on my offer. I'm really grateful for the company."