Tandy and Hope: preperations

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Hope helps Tandy to make some preperations for going to Ohio.

Warning: mention of parental death.



Hope shifted her bag form one shoulder to another. She really needed to learn that she didn't have to carry her books with her all the time when doing homework. She could just get them from her room when she needed them. So she quickly placed her books for French back on the desk and checking if she had everything to finish her homework for math and chemistry. She was about to get some food first when something made her stop.

Tandy...

Sitting on her bed, with an open suitcase and a lot of clothes next to her.

A little hesitantly Hope put down her bag on the couch. She had known Tandy was safe, but not that she was back already. So she shyly ventured towards the door and gave a small knock. "Tandy?"

Tandy had been back for about two days now - resting as most of her life force was stolen away. Lucky for her, her power was constantly making it, it was what her daggers were. Looking down at her hands and a chill ran up her spine, the dark thoughts imprinted on her from D'Spayre still lingered. The fear that she felt was real, the boogieman was real.

Looking over as she heard a knock and saw Hope, "Hey Hope." Though it wasn't her usual chipper self, it was different. Looking at the unpacked clothing laying on her bed with her suitcase but she had no motive to pack, even if her flight was less than 24 hours away.

With a few steps Hope was in the room. "I am relieved to see that you are safe..." She hesitated for a few moments before saying the rest of what was on her mind. "And I was very sorry to hear about your parents..."  

Tandy gave a weak smile but it disappeared at the mention of her parents. "Thanks..." Looking down at the floor. "Their funeral is next week."

"I saw the message Ms. Frost posted. She will be coming with you to Ohio?" Hope took a seat next to Tandy on the bed, gently reaching out and covering her hand with her own.

"Yeah. I asked her if she would. After...after the past week, just wanted someone there I could....ask for help."

"It is good to have someone nearby. I am glad she is going with you." Hope calmly surveyed all the clothes lying around. "You were busy packing?"

"Yes...and no. I don't...I don't know what to wear." It may have seem like a petty thing, but Tandy really didn't know what to pack.

She had to frown a little at that. But on second thought... it was not that strange... "Don't know what to wear in general?" Hope ventured gently. "Or just for certain... occasions..." She finally finished after searching for a suitable euphemism.  

"Certain occasions." Tandy whispered softly. "I.." Her eyes started to water up but she was holding it back.

Ignore it or acknowledge it? Hope was not quite sure of what was the best way here... Still she would not force Tandy to acknowledge her emotions too overtly, so she settled for giving a gentle squeeze in the hand she was still covering. "It's okay, Tandy. Do you want me to give you a hand?"

Tandy nodded as the first tear fell, "I don't know if I can do it alone."

Okay, enough of the holding back what she wanted to do. "Then we'll do it together." Hope simply lifted her other arms, wrapping it around Tandy's shoulders, just a touch awkwardly. But she was not just going to let her friend sit here.  

Tandy smiled a bit and wiped away the tears from her eyes. Standing up and sniffled a bit and looked at the bed filled with clothing - when she was grabbing clothes to pack she wasn't paying attention and ended up emptying most of her drawers.

Also standing up, Hope surveyed the bed and the other heaps of clothing for few moments, thinking about the best way to handle this. "Tandy, do you know for how many... occasions... you need clothing for? Or is there also something like a wake or a memorial?" And Hope knew... Tandy's mother and stepfather had been influential business men. And with Tandy's mother coming out of the fashion world... she thought it meant Tandy would be watched and scrutinized.

"My uncle has all those answers. They were Catholic, so a cleansing, the mass, and then at the grave site." Her lip trembled. "Once that is done people are going to gather at the house..." She was not looking forward to any of this. "The next day we meet with the lawyers for the reading of the will... and then...I don't know."

"That is more then enough, Tandy. Why don't we make sure you have three or four good outfits and what you need to go outside. That should get you through." Hope looked over her friend for a moment, hesitating a few moments before speaking. "Maybe... I can pick out a some things. You make sure you have everything you need for the rest for the week and then we can look at what else you need. Is that okay?"

Tandy just stared at the clothing, she barely registered what Hope has said to her. "Yes, that sounds good. Sorry, I am still....my mind is still a mess."

"No need to apologize, Tandy." Hope put her hand on her shoulder for just a moment. "I understand. We will get this sorted out."

"Thanks Hope." Tandy rubbed her eyes, "Okay lets do this..."

Hope just gave a quick nod and smile before she went to work. She figured it would be easier just to get appropriate clothes separated first before starting select outfits from it. She sorted through the clothes on the bed first, pulling out a few pairs of blacks slacks, a short and a longer black skirt, a few shirts in muted, neutral colors and a black blazer.

Tandy had gathered what she needed and placed it into a smaller bag and zipped it up. She sniffled a bit as she felt the wave of pain washing over her once more, "Thanks..."

"You're very welcome." Hope paused her work for a moment as she just rested her hand on Tandy's shoulder for a moment.

"I am fine..." Tandy lied as she put the small bag into the suitcase. "Let's just get this done..."

Pushing would not help here. Hope gave a quick gesture to the outfits she had placed out on the bed. "I hope these are suitable." For the funeral itself she had picked out a pearly grey cashmere sweater with a black blazer and either black slacks or a black pencil skirt with tights, depending on the weather.  For the reading of the will she had gone with charcoal grey and and deep green, while she had also chosen an a backup outfit of a simple black dress and a deep purple bolero. She could use it if there was something like a viewing or memorial.

Tandy looked at the outfits and nodded, "Yes they fine. Have you thought about fashion?"

Hope tilted her head in confusion. "Fashion? In what way do you mean?"

Tandy pulled out a magazine that had her mother's designs on the cover. "Fashion."

"You mean me designing clothing?!?!?" Hope's eyes widened at the idea. "Oh no. That is not something I would be good at. I was taught how to dress as a lady, Tandy. Including... formal occasions..." There, another nice euphemism. "That is all I did here."

"I know a few ladies Hope and all they want to wear is pink." Her eyes looked down at the magazine as she sunk into her bed as a tear fell unto the cover.

A very small wince stole over Hope's face when she moved closer to her friend. She just touched her shoulder for a moment, then started to fold the clothes. She didn't want to make Tandy uneasy by looking at her all the time. "I do like pink." She ventured gently. "But one color all the time is truly boring."

"Yea..." Tandy tossed the magazine onto the night stand and wrapped her arms around her legs. "Pink is okay. Sorry didn't mean to offend you."

"You didn't offend me, Tandy." Hope said as she tucked away the last of the clothes and took a seat next to her friend. "I think you have almost everything you need." Throwing a quick glance at the clock on the wall, she considered for moment before suggesting: "Would you like to go outside to get some fresh air?" It might do her friend some good.

Tandy shook her head, "No. I don't want to face anyone at the moment. Thank you for helping though." The blonde bit her lower lip and looked down.

"You're welcome." She was not gonna force things. Nor would she force her presence on Tandy if she wished to be alone. So Hope stood up and said: "If there is anything else I can do, please do not hesitate to tell me." With a final gentle touch to Tandy's hand she calmly headed towards the door.

Tandy watched Hope walked to the door before running up behind her and giving the girl a hug.

"Huh?" Hope was startled for a few moments, even jumping a little, but then she carefully twisted in Tandy's arms so she could face her and wrap an arm of her own loosely around her. "He, do you want me to stay for a bit?" Hope was careful to keep her words informal.

"I am just going to hang out here...maybe sleep some." Tandy pulled away and looked at her her friend. "Kind of tired."

"There is nothing that could not wait for a bit. But only if you truly wish me to stay." She reassured Tandy.  

"I don't want to keep you from things. I am just going to lay down, maybe watch a movie."

"Then I will check in on you later." Hope gave her a smile and once more made to exit the door.  

Tandy nodded and added softly, "Bye."

Hope gave her another smile and soundlessly close the door behind her. She quickly slipped in her room, starting up her laptop. She had something to arrange.