A wizarding fabric shop, early afternoon

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Between visiting friends and contacts and seedy pubs and making drug deals, Meredith did have legitimate businesses to run. Now that all the stress of the first week of Spellpunk was over, she had to turn her mind to the next big holiday- Valentine's Day. To be honest, she usually downplayed the whole think at Calaveras- maybe had a few more hearts on the sugar skulls. It was too easy to be tacky and that was one thing Meredith never was. Halloween was much more their thing.

But this year she was feeling like they should do something a little nicer than a few sparse hearts strewn about on deserts. So she entered a local fabric shop to browse their wares and get some ideas. Maybe she'd get a few samples to give to Mags and let her go wild- within tightly constrained reasonable boundaries.

She had forgone her usual white and black suit for striped dress. Unless she was in a upper-class extensive shop, her normal suit and tie outfits could make her look like part of the help. Granted, it did help her meet people but some days she really wanted to be more casual. 

She entered the shop and immediately went over to the bolts of red and pink. There were lots of options and Meredith stood staring at the shelves for a long moment, trying to take it all in. Dear heavens, if she wasn't such a control freak she would have sent someone else out to get samples.

She fingered a particularly obnoxious fabric, with heart-shaped candies that changed colours and phrases every few seconds.

"What clothes could possibly require something like this?" she asked, half to herself and half to a nearby patron.

Georgianne had a lot of stuff to get done if she was going to finish the line of lingerie she had been designing. She had been unsure about the bright red, but decided to go with it- and maybe add a few zebra print splashes here and there. (Georgianne was a huge fan of anything zebra print.) Besides, with Valentine's Day coming up, she really needed to ensure she had something sexy at home to wear for whoever got the privilege of being her date for the evening. She had yet to decide who that would be. Perhaps she could convince Fox to accompany her home... He always was good for a bit of fun.

She was looking at some red fabric, magically charmed to glitter- but only subtly. Nothing over the top. She pulled at it to determine how stretchy it was, and decided that it would work- at least for a few general mock-ups. Georgianne took note of the fabric number in her sketch book and then moved on to find something else she could use. The witch preferred to find everything, then pull it, and get it all ready at once. It was easier that way- both on her, and the elderly witches who were often minding the fabric shop.

"Excuse me," she said to a woman as she tried to slink past, then noticed the hideous fabric she was looking at. "Unless you're secretly an elderly witch under that glam, you can do much better than that to be festive. That's the sort of thing old witches make pillows out of, or use to make those hideous table cloths that they consider to be festive. If you're wanting to decorate for the upcoming holiday, I would definitely suggest you just go with basic color themes. Pinks, reds, and some whites. Candied hearts will hardly cover it."

Unless you're secretly an elderly witch under that glam, you can do much better than that to be festive

Meredith turned her head to face the speaker, a black woman even taller than Meredith, with a pretty blue eyes and a rather daringly cut shirt. She pulled it off, though. Meredith tended to avoid dramatic cuts in her clothing or patterns more bold than a pinstripe, but she always admired those who could pull it off.

"I was just wondering what would possess someone to make such a thing, let alone use it," Meredith said. She shook her head and put the fabric back where it had come from. Really she didn't understand how something like that could even come into existence. It certainly was not something that was every going to come close to Calaveras.

"By basic color themes, do you mean solid colours?" Meredith asked. It couldn't hurt to ask the advice of another person in the shop who was under the age of 50. "I'm trying to walk the fine line of tasteful Valentine's Day and having some difficulty deciding if it actually exists."

"I am relieved to hear it," Georgianne said with a laugh. She had truly been worried the woman was seriously considering it. "It's campy, and some people like campy. It's okay for little kids and older ladies- they think it's cute. Though candied hearts are an interesting choice, considering they're a muggle candy.." She shrugged.

Georgie nodded in understanding when the woman mentioned doing things tasteful for Valentine's Day. It was a very difficult thing to manage. "It's not easy, that's for certain," she agreed. "Most people go over board, and it makes you want to puke. I remember Valentine's Day at Madame Pudifoots when I was in Hogwarts. I don't think it could get any tackier than it is there for the holiday. As long as you avoid live cherubs, I think your decorations should be alright."

"... Assuming you are intending to decorate that is," she stated. Georgianne hadn't considered the reason for the woman's visit. "Are you looking to make pillows, table cloths, or clothes?" she asked. "That makes a difference in the type of fabric and what you want to do, as well. I didn't even think ask that."

"And it doesn't have to be solid colors. Simple prints would be alright. Stripes, color blocking, things like that. I would just avoid any picture-patterns. Something with hearts, cherubs, or anything else..." Georgianne took a look at the fabrics near them, tugging at one that had varying stripes in shades of pink and red. "Stripes like this would work, or even polka dots. Some abstract fabrics as well. What I would suggest is finding one print, then colors to match it..." She opened her sketch book, showing it to the woman. "See how this is? I have a few stripes, but mostly solids that go well together. I've thought of adding just a splash of zebra print to liven it up, though." 

When Meredith became an old lady (this was assuming she'd live that long) sh had absolutely no intention of using campy, obnoxious fabrics in decorating or anything else. Her decor now would suit her just fine when she was an aging godmother looking to pass the family business down the line elderly.

But really, the inventor of the fabric, most likely  deranged ancient halfblood or mudblood that could barely still hold a wand, was out of their mind.

Meredith cracked a smile when the woman mentioned Madam Puddifoots. "Oh  yes, hard to forgot such a ghastly decor. I think I went there once, and that was enough for me."

Despite it's rough exterior and interior, Meredith had been quite fond of the Hog's Head to have a drink. Not a lot of people meant that the then-shy student could have her own peaceful personal time, and honestly some of the patrons weren't at all as frightening as they looked.

When the woman asked about what kind of decorating Meredith needed, Meredith responded with "Table clothes mainly. Maybe some clothes, cushions or draping. I haven't honestly decided yet."

Meredith started taking mental notes when the other woman began going into great detail about the types of fabrics that Meredith should sue and combinations. Halfway into the talk, Meredith stopped examining fabrics and turned her attention to the woman herself. She obviously knew fabrics very well, far more than Meredith herself or anyone she worked with.

"You sound like you do a lot of work with fabrics and design," Meredith said.

"Not anything professional," Georgianne confessed. "Mostly it's a hobby of mine. I make a lot of clothes and do a lot of designs. I've always wanted to be a fashion designer or an interior designer- I love making things pretty. But it just hasn't happened. The industry isn't so easy to break into, especially in the magical world. I've got a muggle flair for a lot of my things. I like their fashion better, it has so much more self expression. So for now, I work at the ministry." She shrugged slightly, sighing. It was sad, but she hadn't had a chance to find anything to do other than being the welcome witch. And she liked her job well enough, there were just things she would rather do.

But making things pretty was a favorite past time. When Georgianne had been at Hogwarts, she was the awkward, tall, lanky girl most of her years. By the time she started to fill out, she didn't know what to do with her body. So she worked hard to make herself look pretty- because she wanted people to like her, to be accepted, and she had wanted a boyfriend. Then Georgianne found herself with a string of failed relationships, and now that she was an adult she spent her weekends partying and going home with good looking guys. It wasn't a bad life, but it wasn't exactly fulfilling.

"What kind of place are you wanting to decorate?" Georgianne asked. "Venue is equally important. I might be able to give you some pointers at least, or think of someone who could help. I'm not exactly friendly with designers, but I know a lot about them and who they are. Especially those whose work I admire- more modern types of designs and stuff," Georgianne explained. "Not that stifled, stuck up look that most designers have because they cater to the upper crust socialites."

Ah. She was one of those amateur designers. Certainly there were a lot of people, muggle and wizard alike in London with an interest in the fashion industry but working some sort of day job. Though, to be fair, Meredith herself had landed an unwanted but necessary desk job at the Ministry after graduating. Amazing how she needed seven years of magical training to be a secretary.

God she was glad to be out of that line of work. Not that she didn't have piles of paperwork and to keep her occupied at her desk. The rewards were just a lot nicer than they had been back when she was 18.

Meredith continued to listen to the young woman go on. She seemed knowledgeable enough about the field she was passionate in. But passion and knowledge was one thing- talent was another. The sketchbook pages she had shown Meredith looked promising- but could she pull it off? Especially if she said she leaned differently than the designs of the upper crust. While Meredith would hope the look of her establishment would never be called stifled or stuck-up, they did get their share of the upper class and socialites. Hopefully there was somewhere between common and stifling that this young designer had found. 

Still...judging by her current look, pages and knowledge, the woman had potential. More so than Meredith herself had. And when you wanted something done right...outsource.

"I'm looking to decorate my restaurant, Calaveras," Meredith said. "We usually focus on Halloween and put up a tree for Christmas, but I'm looking to be a little more festive, within reason. I'm curious- instead of giving out free tips, would you be interested in a paid commission?"

Georgianne's mouth literally fell open when the woman offered to let her decorate a restaurant and get paid to do it. Really? Was she serious? Georgianne quickly reigned in her surprised and beamed. "Would you really let me?" she asked. Georgianne knew it wasn't a professional reaction. But she was excited. It was a chance to actually do what she loved and get paid to do it. That was an amazing opportunity!

And Calaveras? Georgianne had heard of it. Typically she steered clear of places that were nicer. She enjoyed dressing to show off the goods and taking men home. A restaurant combined with a dance hall wasn't really the venue for that. Besides, she had heard that the richer people of the wizarding world tended to frequent, and that was certainly a group that she did not fit in wit. She was just a lowly welcome witch who had just graduated Hogwarts and was far from "classy" in the sense of the uppercrust of Diagon Alley regulars.

"I... I would love the chance! Really, I would. I could do it, and I could make it nice without being gaudy or tacky, I swear that I could!" And Georgianne believed in herself. With a chance like this she would never mess it up. Georgianne would have an actual job to add to her portfolio. She could show other people what she had done, and maybe the woman would even be able to help her find other jobs with other places. Most business people were well networked. And, if Georgianne really wowed her, then she might get hired again for another holiday or other event. That would be even better.

"I... I have to admit I'm not very familiar with Calaveras though," she confessed. Any relationship worked best off of honesty, and she figured any business relationship was the same way. If Georgianne acted like she knew all about the woman's restaurant when she didn't, that could easily come back and bite her in the butt. A place that she didn't want to be bitten (at least not in that way).

She had to fight the urge to hug this stranger. "I guess I should introduce myself then, shouldn't I?" Georgianne asked with a laugh. "I'm Georgianne Sleeper, but almost everyone calls me George or Georgie. I know that you are probably nervous to trust a stranger with it, especially since I don't have much professional experiences, but I promise that I can get it done. And if I can't, then I can help you find somebody who can. I know a lot about people who do this kind of stuff. I don't know many personally, but if you're looking to hire them I'm sure you'd have no problems getting in touch."

Meredith smiled at the young woman's reaction. She'd take that as a yes, then.

"Of course I would. That's why I asked you," Meredith said. The sketches and her enthusiasm were promising, and goodness knew Meredith had hired people with less qualifications before. They just tended to be waiters, not designers. Still, she was going to rely on her gut instinct for this one. Well, that an a through background check. She had to make sure the woman wasn't some sort of Ministry spy, although given the circumstances, that seemed unlikely. Still, better safe than sorry and Meredith liked to check out the background of everyone she employed thoroughly. Less headaches down the road that way.

Meredith waved her hand dismissively when she said she wasn't very familiar with Calaveras. "That's easily corrected," she said. "Come by for dinner sometime, or any time you'd like really, bring a friend if you want even. You can get a feel for the place yourself. On the house, of course."

Underground whispers and Ministry suspicions of Meredith's side dealings aside, one thing no one could say is that Meredith didn't know how to treat the people who worked for her. Good employee benefits helped respect and the cannibalism rumors added a crinkling of fear. Machiavelli was a wise man indeed.

"Meredith Renfield," she introduced herself after the woman gave her own name. She extended her hand to shake. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm sure you'll do find. By the sound and looks of things, you have enough talent for the job, just waiting for the right opportunity."

Georgianne wanted to squeal like a teenager. She wanted to tackle this woman with a hug, and make her a new best friend. "I'll definitely come by. I've never had a reason to before. I heard it's a pretty swanky place, and places like that are usually best for proper dates." And Georgianne rarely had proper dates, regardless of the number of men she had in her life. Usually her dates consisted of a few drinks and then bringing someone home that she barely knew. That worked fine for her, though.

She took Meredeith's hand, and gave it a firm shake. "I think in this case the pleasure really is all mine. I didn't expect to have this happen at all. And you're right, it is all about opportunity. My parents used to tell me that luck was just being at the right place at the right time, and being ready for any opportunity that came along. I'll be sure to come by first thing so I can get some sketches together for you."

"Do you want to talk business now?" Georgianne asked. "Or set up a meeting? This isn't really the ideal place for specifics." Especially not when she was working on another project. But, Georgianne supposed, she'd have to put those projects on hold for a while to focus on this one. "I'm really excited to get started, but I don't want to get ahead of myself." No, that certainly wouldn't help her out any at all in the long run. Georgianne needed to pace herself and make sure that hwatever she produced would please both Meredith and the patrons of Calaveras.

"I'm sorry- I'm just really excited. I know I'm probably not handling this professionally at all. But we have to start somewhere, don't we?" she asked with a bright smile. Yes, her Hufflepuff was certainly showing now. It rarely had a chance to do so anymore, but mostly because people just classified as Georgie as nothing more than a maneater. Most Hufflepuffs didn't acquire such a reputation.

Meredith smiled at her place being called "swanky." She rather liked the word and Georgianne for using it. She also liked the firm handshake. There was an old saying about being able to tell a lot about a person by their handshake, something Meredith found to be true.

"Yes, a lot of our customers typically or on dates or meetings," Meredith said. Which absolutely tickled the woman because romance and business were two of the juiciest events for gossip and rumors. Even better when said patrons worked at the Ministry, the higher up the better. It was amazing what people ended up revealing when they thought they were being sneaky or subtle.

And right to business. Excited enthusiastic energetic business. Oh she was young, this one. Probably younger than her. Fine by Meredith. Though she acted much older than her age, she was one of the younger criminals on the Knockturn circle. Not that she expected Georgianne to join Meredith's side ventures, but it was still nice to have meetings with someone younger than her and not a waitress.

Meredith looked around the fabric shop, silently agreeing with the woman's assessment of the meeting potential of the place.

"Yes, elsewhere would be good," she said. "We can walk back to Calaveras now if you'd like or I can meet you sometime tomorrow. Whatever works best for your schedule, but I'd like to get to work as soon as possible. And don't worry about being so excited. I like enthusiasm. It means you're going to do your best work. Calaveras is my baby and I like seeing people's best put into it."

Georgianne nodded. "I think that it would be best meet tomorrow," she told the woman. "I need to finish shopping here, and have a few more errands to run. Working at the ministry during the day hampers my ability to get errands done." Because for some reason a lot of shop owners closed up around five or six, which was often whenever Georgianne was finally getting off work and was able to get everything done.

"I can get together some other sketches and examples of things, too, to show you. That way we can figure out what style to go with." Yes, and she could gather herself and hopefully make a better and a more professional impression- prove to Meredith that she was not just an overzealous teenager.

She was glad, though, that the woman seemed so understanding of Georgianne's excitement instead of put off by it. It was a relief, and it made her feel more comfortable with this surprising turn of events. "I'm exicted to see it and talk about things and get started. You'll be pleasantly surprised, I'm sure of that." Georgianne smiled sweetly, then tucked a bit of hair behind her ear. "But I'm probably keeping you. I need to get a few fabrics for the lingerie line while it's on my mind, and then I need to do a few other things that I've been putting off all week."

"What time tomorrow is best to meet you?" Georgianne asked. "And is there anything that I should know before coming by the restaurant? The right people to talk to or anything like that?"

"Tomorrow it is then," Meredith said.

To be honest, tomorrow worked better for her as well. It meant she could spend the rest of the day working on other things she was more interested than the decor for Valentine's Day. Meal specials, trying to persuade politicians to dine in, drug pushing, espionage. The usual. Meredith was a busy girl. Managing out the workload usually meant she had a few hours to sleep every night.

"We can probably get more accomplished our first meeting if you had a night to collect more samples and sleep on ideas," Meredith said. "I'm eager to see what other sorts of things you have and will come up with."

She declined to agree with the statement that Georgianne was keeping her from her work. She was, but only partly. Technically Meredith was doing work right now. She just wasn't behind her desk. She did miss her desk though. She loved her desk and sometimes after a productive and power-tripping day at the office she was sad to leave it for silly things like sleeping.

"I'll be around Calaveras most of the day and night, so any time really," Meredith said. "Mid-afternoon is usually our slowest time, but you'll get a better feel for the place if you come in the evening. Dress code is semi formal, just tell the Jess, the Maître d', your name. I'll let her know you're coming."

Jess might introduce herself via fists to junkies and intruders but she was the primary Maître d' for a reason. She could be sweet as pure sugar when she needed to be. She'd be good for Georgianne. All the staff would. They needed to give a good impression and make Georgianne comfortable working there.

Semi-formal. Good to know. Georgianne would have dressed well for a business meeting, anyway, but it was good to know not to show up for the hell of showing up in something that wasn't appropriate. The witch had a tendency to wear very little clothing- or next to no clothing if the mood suited her. Georgie wasn't ashamed of her body, and often liked to show it off in the hopes of catching the attentions of a male that she wanted to spend the evening with. But a place of business was not a place to do that.While Georgianne did like to have her fun, she understood that a job required a certain level of propriety and professionalism.

"Alright, then. I'll come by early evening tomorrow, and I'll bring a bigger sample of things. I've some photographs, too, that could be more useful than sketches." Her mind was racing with the different books and pictures to bring, all the sketches, and the ideas she had always wanted to implement. Georgianne also had a lot of magazines she could pull inspiration from. There was no end to the things that she could do to make this experience and exchange personable, perfect, and beneficial to her future career as a designer. Oh! It was so exciting!

She filed away the name of Jess, and nodded. "Okay. I certainly am looking forward to it! I will see you tomorrow evening, and I can assure you that you will have a lot to look at." Then they could make some defaulted decisions, and Georgianne could get together a lot of pattern samples, and sketches, and ideas and they could work on getting everything settled. Oh this was going to be amazing! Georgianne couldn't wait!

"You have a good evening tonight, Miss Renfield. And don't worry about a thing! I'm a hard worker. Used to be a Hufflepuff, you know." Because that was proof. Hufflepuffs were known to be loyal, hard working peoples. Not double crossers like Slytherins tended to be. "So you can definitely count on me!" Georgianne stood there awkwardly, then, not wanting to be the one to walk away- but wanting to finish her shopping for the material to use for her lingerie mock ups. She would wait for her new employed to be on her way before going about her own business.