[Puddifoots] Business as usual [Jen/Open]

[Catriona Devain]

Cat never saw that man again, the one who had wandered in on her opening day. Too bad he was very handsome. His visit did one thing, and that was cause her to realize how lonely she really was. After years of traveling the globe Cat realized she never made time for a relationship. There were men plenty of them, the relationships themselves well relationship was the wrong word, her trysts always ended after a few weeks. Most men saw her as some sort of trophy to prop on their arm at parties so their friends could ooh and ah. Cat didn't mind at first, she went to several lavish soiree's and met people that helped advance her career.

For years this give and take style of dating suited her just fine. She thought that was the way things went. Of course her mothers single gal life style led way to that train of thought. Now, that she was older more mature and settling down to a normal life here in Hogsmeade Cat suddenly realized that she wanted so much more...This is where her thoughts were when she smelled the smoke wafting from the oven. "Oh crap" she hissed as waved a hand back and forth to cut through the smoke so she could find the handle of the oven. Grabbing an oven mitt she threw it on before pulling the door.

Another set of muffins gone to waste. Her mind kept wandering that morning so that she was on her second batch of muffins that she once again burned. Grabbing the tin she threw the ruined muffins away then taking her wand she scrubbed the muffin tins until they were spotless. All these depressing thoughts weren't doing her any good, and she was already behind in baking because of the two ruined batches. If she didn't get her head in the game she would be sitting there forever not accomplishing a thing.

She tried again this time using a little magic to speed up the process. Her red velvet cake muffins came out looking smashing. They were in her opinion perfect. Placing the cream cheese icing over the top place them out in the front, to cool with the rest of the goodies already made. Back in the kitchen she got started on some cheese danishes which were ready in no time at all now that she found her focus once more.

Finished baking and brewing coffees and teas Cat was ready to open her doors. Business had been doing well, so she always had a smile on her face when that door flew open. Turning she walked back behind the counter to await her first customer of the day.

[Rosalie Kyleson]

Rosalie Kyleson. Her name meant so much to her. Her family were all Kyleson's and they had all grown up to be somebodies. People that were well known. Her mother and father owned this pet supplies shop. Whoopdie-doo, so what! Barley anyone use a pet shop, but Rose felt that she had to take on the job, because her brother has his mind set on becoming an auror and wouldn't let up and they would close it down unless she took it. It hurt Rose to think of the stupid pet shop going down. The silly store had been in her family for years, maybe even decades, she didn't know, but she couldn't help, but regret having made the choice to take it.

Sitting on her bed in the basement of the pet shop, Rosie sighed. What was she to do? Giving up the shop would make everyone in her family gravely and dangerously angry with her and she couldn't do that to them, even if they had used that excuse against her, but it didn't matter. Rosalie didn't feel like a somebody! She barley knew anyone in town and nobody in town knew her. She had no friends and pretty much a few customers a day, practically spending her life down in a dark room or up waiting for some needy third or fourth year. Rose didn't even know any of the students. It made her feel so pathetic, but even worse how her family didn't care about how she felt, only about their dumb pet shop.

Figuring she wouldn't get much done today or have many customers, Rose decided to take the day off. Maybe meet a few people who knew. She got up, skipped out of the shop and walked around Hogsmede. She gussed there wouldn't be too many students out, so she could have a conversation with a little bit of folks before the interruptions. As soon as she left the store she noticed a girl open the doors of Madame Puddifoots. She had to be the owner, who else would be up this early?

Rosie didn't care who she was. She walked over and glanced insdie. She would be the first customer, but that would be even better. More of a chance for a talk. Rosalie skipped in and sat a circular table near the kitchens, by a small square window. Glancing around, Rose searched for the lady, but didn't see her anywhere. She just waited until someone came to serve her.