She Could Have Done Anything

Kiara looked down at her pair of shoes with a soft chuckle. “Yeah well, they’re much better to walk outside in winter than my high heels.” Kiara wrinkled her nose, looking back up at the woman and keeping her smile on her face. “You’re a designer?”

“They’re exquisite. Sensible and fashionable at the same time. There is no excuse for comfort to be los feos.” She grinned. “I prefer shoemaker." It sounded a lot more humble than designer. "I craft the first models myself, by hand, and then my employees re-create what I’ve given them.”

Thomas’ eyes went wide for a moment as he watched the woman’s outburst. He wasn’t used to that sort of reaction. His expression quickly softened though as he looked at how much change he was due. “You know, just keep the change. Consider it a tip for all your help.” He gave her a sweet smile. “It honestly isn’t that big a deal.”

She brushed her hair out of her face, her expression quickly changing. “Thank you, that’s very kind of you,” she said, putting the chancla back down under the counter where it belonged, “If I don’t have to deal with these stupid machines, then I most definitely won’t.” 

Doug stands there in front of the angry woman who is beating on a poor, defenseless cash register with a slipper, looking bewildered. She is a terrified woman, and now he is afraid to speak to her. However, after a few moments of hesitation he opens his mouth and steps forward just once. “Um.. are you okay, lady?”

Emilia heard the sound of something new, something that startled her in the midst of her focus. It caused her to glare in that direction, pointing the shoe at the person who stood in front of her. “Unless you know how to work these insane contraptions... then no, I am not okay.”

* & || ‘ I DON’T GET it, ’ murali stated to the air, eyes fixated on the open scenery before him with really nothing particularly focused on. it was just land and buildings and people passing by. ‘ i don’t get how i’m so addicted to coffee, that i let the world tell me that i need to pay six dollars for beans and water. i know it’s stupid, but i keep doing it. something has to be wrong with me. ’

“The right cup of café, made with the right hands and with the right ingredients, can be the most precious thing to a person who needs it most,” Emilia said sweetly as she took a sip out of her cup of café con leche. “And you can’t forget the touch of cinnamon, of course.”

Another long night of dancing, another long night of good money made. Now Kiara was just ready to go home and crawl into bed. After pulling her clothes back on and changing into a much more sensible pair of shoes for this time of year, Kiara walked out of the dressing room and towards the exit, only to bump right into one of the patrons. “Whoops, sorry about that. I guess after a night of dancing your legs just kinda turn to jelly and steer you the wrong way, huh?” Kiara asked with a smile, moving to step around them and leave.

“It’s quite alright. We all have those days,” Emilia said with a comforting smile as she glanced down at the shoes she was wearing. “But I applaud you for coming prepared with that excellent pair of shoes. I remember crafting a pair just like it for one of my previous lines.”

           — Daron raised an eyebrow at the women, unsure why she seemed so insanely displeased by his playing “I was asking for a song request, calm down” he set his guitar down on the stand behind him “so what’s got you so grouchy? hate music or something?”.

Emilia didn’t want to admit that she felt better once the guitar was put away, but she felt a slight easement in her bones. Even the sound of a single chord could bring back a pain she fought so hard to repress and forget. Music was a curse to her life. “Something like that...” she answered as plain as she could, “I’m sure there are other doey-eyed people around here who would enjoy your playing.”

             — Daron had been out for most of the day, planted in front of the steps to the museum, guitar strapped around his neck, singing and playing, guitar case open at his feet, ready to receive any cash anyone walking by could spare. He finished up his current set, a smile across his face as he saw someone watching him “any requests?” he asked curiously, he really did enjoy just playing for anyone.

Emilia had to keep the scowl from forming on her face at the sight of the guitar. She just had to pass him to get to the shoe store, though she secretly stood around the corner, dreading every moment she would have to do it. “No, no, no,” she insisted, “Not for me.”

It had been a surprisingly busy day for Ferris at work. He was working by himself and was all over the place. It resulted in stupid mistakes. Which led to someone coming up to him to complain. He had messed up their order. He felt himself begin to flush with embarrassment. “Oh god! I am so sorry! L-let me fix that for you.” His voice was slightly shaky as he looked back down at the ice cream. 

Emilia glared at the nagging, and rather rude, customer. Once they had left, she approached the meek looking man. “Clearly, someone wasn’t raised with proper manners,” she said, comfortingly.

     “ OH, UH, SORRY, ” HE STARTED. he was usually more used to alcoholic drink recommendations because of being behind a bar all day that he didn’t really think before answering. “ in that case, i’d say a shirly temple. and while i’m pretty good at them, i’ve heard from a reliable source that rich makes the best ones. he’s yet to show me his secret, but i can kind of guess what makes his so perfect. ” it was probably the handful of cherries all stabbed with colored cocktail swords and the umbrella and the size of the glass. but this was all based on the source of the initial observation.

“Ah yes. Rich’s Shirley Temples have both of us addicted,” Emilia said with a grin as she thought of the smile on Coco’s face when she first tried one. There wasn’t anything like it on the planet to her, “Now, what do you have for an exhausted woman in her mid-twenties who’s impartial to the taste of strong alcohol?”

Pocahontas: Something new you taught someone.

Buzz: Your favorite fantasy world (aka Harry Potter, Star Wars), if any.

Tiana: A time you tried the hardest for something.

“When I started The Glass Slipper. It was one of the most exhausting, stressful, and mentally taxing thing I’d ever done, but I don’t regret it at all. I need this business. It’s a reminder of the things I can do on my own.”

Kronk: What you are best at in the kitchen?

Aladdin: A sacrifice you made for someone.

“I got pregnant at 19 and dedicated my life to my daughter. I would have liked to go to school, maybe even get a little crazy... but I guess the young and reckless life was never for me.”

Boo: A childhood hero.

Simba: Something a parent has taught you.

“No one’s ever too good for you.”

Cruella: Something you really want but you aren't allowed to have.

Cinderella: "A dream is a wish your heart makes" What's that for you?

Merida: What are you most passionate about?

“My daughter. Making sure she has a happy life and can one day take care of herself without needing anyone else.”

Belle: Is there someone you are close to who no one else likes? What's the story?

“No. There is no one. There is no story to tell. But there was...”

Rapunzel: 5 things from your bucket list