Work Text
One morning, when the Hatmaker was close to finishing his tea, a knock was heard upon the living room door, and Mo poked his head around it. “Can I come in?” “Of course!” The mug was drained, and floated away, as Mo entered the room. He and the mug crossed, and it floated through his ectoplasm. “Amazing...” He looked behind him as it exited the room. “Anyway, I wanted to go buy some stuff and I thought maybe you need somethings too?” “May I join you? There are a few things I wish to pick up.” “I guess, if you are fine being seen with me...” “Why would I not be?” Both of the people looked confused, the Hatmaker more so than Mo. “I'm- I'm not sure. my family never wanted to be seen with me so... i just thought everyone thought like that.” He looked down, twisting away from him, in shame and upset. The Hatmaker set his jaw. “Well, I find you enjoyable company, so there's no need to fret.” He pulled an arm around Mo, hovering just above the spirit’s form. “Well...” he blushed and looked at the floor, “That's really nice of you. Anyways, let's go buy some... stuff.” The two moved into the corridor, one with blue walls and a pale wooden floor. Mo, as he was floating, remained about eye-level with the Hatmaker, who’s head nearly brushed the ceiling. He was slightly ahead, not quite striding, but moving in a sloping fashion, one that was unused to remaining with another pedestrian. “Do the shops have much fruit? I can't grow any yet, I don't have the seeds, but I’ve been planning to, especially with the slight influx of guests.” They reached the front door and stepped out. “Hmm, it's spring so i would say yes... but I haven't paid a lot of attention to human food for a while,” He chuckled, “better don't trust me on these topics. I wanted to buy some clothes because I have found the spell for making ‘ghost clothes’” He made air quotes, then muttered, “I would probably need some help from you with that too...” The Hatmaker looked around at the saplings by the street, and the new growths in the plant boxes. “It's spring? I hadn't noticed! I suppose that explains the good weather... But yes, I would love to assist with your spell work!” “Yeah, the spell is one of the main reasons for this shopping. I also need some,” he looked at a list he had in his pocket, “hmmm, white candles, moss from the little timberland, canvas and” at this he went quiet, “my blood... I think, except for the last one, they should have all of that.” “Is that one of the rituals from the books in my library? Because if it is, I can easily find a substitute for blood.” “That would be amazing, finding my body again would probably cost a lot of energy...” He continued down the cobblestone road, the Hatmaker now by his side. They stopped abruptly, “I think it's going to rain soon” and continued on in that slouched stride of theirs. “Well, we should probably reach the village faster then?” He started floating quicker. A comfortable silence fell over the two, each deep in thought. Mo glanced at him, biting his lip and took a deep breath. He stuttered slightly as he spoke, “Hat- hatmaker we have non each other or a while now, right?” “Yes, I believe so. You're fun to talk to, and have newer stories than My Lady.” The Hatmaker looked back at the ghost. “Why do you ask?” “Uhm, yeah... it’s just because,” he paused, unsure, “I- I just wanted to know if you also have like... a name. Not wanting to disrespect Hatmaker, I mean it's an amazing name, explains exactly who you are, but- but you must have a real name, right?” The Hatmaker stopped, serious, thinking hard with a slight frown. “I think I had a name.... it's been a while since I used it. I don't think it was very good, but it was mine. I'll remember at some point, when I do, I'll tell you.” They shrugged it off and continued walking, oblivious to the sad look on Mo’s face. “That's... well... not knowing your name must be hard...” “It’s been so long, I just let it slip away, you know?” “Until you know your name again, can I maybe call you Hat?” “Of course! Feel free.” The clothes shop was a large, modern building, a large juxtaposition to the Hatmaker’s area of the village. They entered, the taller before the shorter. After looking at the rows of jackets, Hatsy spoke, “Now, what styles do you want?” “I thought of something like a detective coat...” “Like a Duster, or a Trenchcoat?” He pushed the hangers aside, looking at each one before dismissing them. “Uhm I'm not quite sure about the name.” He searched hecticly through the clothes holder, after a few minutes, found what he had been searching for. With a big smile, he showed them the coat. It was reminiscent of Victorian attire, and made of tweed. “Ahh, yes! Like a trenchcoat. I have one in the Workshop that I use occasionally.” “When I was younger and alive I had one too. It was my secret because I wasn't allowed to wear it back then... Josh always helped me to hide it...” he sighed, melancholy at the thought, he sniffed and shook his head in an attempt to shake off the memories. The Hatmaker huffed indignantly, “Why on Earth would you not be allowed to wear a coat? Thats ridiculous! Keeping warm is vital” “Oh no, that was not what I meant. I had cloaks for the winter... but i wasn't allowed to wear...” he stoped mid-sentence, “i don't really like talking about this. The past is the past and it shouldn't bother me anymore!” The Hatmaker's eyes softened, “We don't have to talk about it anymore, if you don't want to.” They knew full well the pain of the past. “Yes. good idea!” he went back to the clothes rail and came back holding a white linen shirt with gathered cuffs. “What do you think about this?” “That looks amazing, blouson sleeves suit everyone, I believe.” “I don't want to make it too complicated. It's just so i have some more variety in my wardrobe.” he checked his notes, crossing off two lines, “That should be everything for now. The next stop would be the market. I believe you needed to go there too, right?” “Of course, I need to get those seeds for new plants, add a little variety in the food for my guests.” Mo went to the door and using a lot of power, opened it. “Let’s go!”
