it's magic

“I’m glad I did then,” Arista offered with a smile. “Even if six sisters is a bit overwhelming at times.”

“I can only imagine.” Gemma’s eyes fluttered up, as if whatever she was thinking about was written in the sky. “Though, at times my family was... a circus.”

Arista smiled and nodded at the woman’s words. “Oh, I understand. Sometimes chosen family is better than blood family.”

“I think most of the time that’s the case,” she shrugged. “You just got lucky.”

“Check the receipt, she once wrote in on the back of mine with the words call me next to it. She’s a nice person so if you’re interested, go for it.” Shenzi laughed. “If I get it right, I will. Maybe in time for Christmas.”

Gemma turned the receipt over and was pleasantly surprised to find the same message scrawled on the back. “I don’t know if I can do nice.” She grinned, placing a warm hand on Shenzi’s upper arm. “You can do anything.”

“You have now officially been lured into the trap of a farmers market. There’s no going back but it’s not a bad thing anyway.” Shenzi laughed. That’s why she brings extra money with her everytime she comes here, she always ends up buying more than she intended to. “Does that freebie include her number?” She nodded at the suggestion she was given. “I’ll take note of that. Thanks.”

“I love it here.” Gemma lifted one of the apples, inspecting it. “Not that I know of, unless she carved it on one of these. Should I go back?” She nodded, “You’re welcome. You’ll have to invite me over to try it.”

“I made the mistake of believing that bags were enough when I first went shopping here. I’ve used this-” Shenzi dragged her trolley bag in front of her. “Ever since. Maybe you should get your own.”, she advised. “Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, apples and butternut squash which I have never tried in my life. I don’t even know what i”ll do with all these but figuring it out is part of the fun.”

“Maybe next time. To be honest, I wasn’t planning on finding all of this stuff! I only came here for a pumpkin and some honey.” She flashed a sly grin, “And of course, to talk to the cute girl from the apple stand. I think she has a thing for me. Gave me a couple freebies.” Gem looked over Shenzi’s findings. “I bet you could make a delicious warm salad with that. Maybe put some candied walnuts on top.”

“Yeah, I guess that makes sense,” Arista replied, smiling. She knew that even all of her sisters probably felt differently than she did and they had the same parents. “I think it would be intriguing for a day. But ultimately, I think I’d rather have my sisters.”

“That’s not to say I don’t have a big family,” she said, almost interrupting herself. “It’s just more of a chosen family than a blood family. And I like it better than way.”

It might be weird for some people to see Shenzi in the farmer’s market but going there to buy the things she needed to restock her pantry was a normal thing for her. She preferred buying things straight from the source after all. As she was done with her shopping, she noticed the blonde having difficulty with her purchases and was only thinking about helping until she was sure that she needed it. “This is why I bring my own trolley bag when I go here.”, she said as she picked up the things that fell.

Gemma held her arms out to take the things Shenzi grabbed. “I brought some bags, but it looks like they weren’t enough. What did you find? Looks like a lot of really nice veggies! Fall produce is my favorite. Pumpkin everything!”

“Seven, yeah,” Arista nodded. How they managed to all be girls, she’d never understand. “It’s hard for me to even think about being an only child. I have no earthly idea what that’s like.”

“I was an only child once,” she said, a bite at her bottom lip suppressing a small grin. “I think the experience really depends on who your parents are.”

“Ooh, brownies are good too. I can accept that,” Arista chuckled. She broke out into a smile and nodded in response to the woman’s question. “Yep! I’m Arista. 3rd of the Triton girls.”

Gemma laughed with her, though she wasn’t sure the two were on the same page. “Number three, huh? How many are there again? Seven?”

the misc challenge || gemma