[Isle of Skye] Some days bring surprises (Frida)

For Scottish circumstances the weather today had so far been exceptionally good. Almost no clouds, mild temperature, just a light breeze. Jade had spent the morning tending to her animals and had then taken Snow-White for a ride to the distillery to get a good bottle of whisky for her meeting with Frida. Her friend had sent a ministry owl, telling her that she had some interesting things to tell her and might need a drink or possibly more. Jade was quite curious to hear the news, thinking that it had to be something out of the ordinary if Frida asked to meet her in this way.

Jade had enough food in the house to get them a good basis for the alcohol and she figured they could make some quick pasta together rather than that she'd prepare anything before Frida would arrive. Truth be told, the young woman wanted to spend some more time outside and with her horse. As usual she was riding Snow-White without a saddle and let her trot across the fields that belonged to her farm. Some sheep paid them company for a bit but then they were alone heading for the Quiraing.

As usual Jade was grateful to have the chance to live right here. She considered this the most beautiful place on earth and she liked how free she felt here on the back of her horse. After taking a look at her watch, Jade realised that Frida would arrive pretty soon and galloped back to the farm. Her face reddened, her hair messy, the woman left her horse in the front garden and went inside.

She quickly set the table in her mostly white kitchen and opened the window so that Snow-White could peak inside. “Our guest will be here soon,” she told the horse. “You can listen from there but behave yourself.”

Then she heard a knock on the front door. “There she is!” she said to the horse before turning around and opening the door. “Hey Frida,” she said, pulling her friend into a hug. “Come in. As requested I got a bottle of whisky for us. I can't wait to hear what you have to tell me!”

@Frida Trickett

Some days Frida had no clue what was going on inside her own brain and today was one such day. The silly ministry post boy and the Broom Regulation Office undersecretary gossiping about her was the final straw on what had been an almost decade build-up of dysphoria, and in the spur of the moment Frida just didn't think. She had quit her job at the Ministry of Magic for good. Fri felt like she was probably going to regret it in a few weeks and while she initially felt free and liberated, some other emotion had taken its place; fear. She had no clue what she was going to do now, and worse, she hadn't told her fiance yet, though she wasn't sure why exactly she was nervous about telling him.

In her final act as a Ministry employee and just because she could, Frida had sent an official Ministry owl to her best friend, Jade, informing her of intentions of having a drink with her. It wasn't too often that Frida drank alcohol but boy, was this the occasion for it.

Apparating to the Isle of Skye, Frida sucked in a deep breath of fresh air and smiled as she straightened out her dress robes. It was always so pretty and calming out there, she found, and loved the countryside more than anything. For once, she didn't rush her journey up to Jade's home, stopping to look at the bumblebees on the flowers, saying hello to anyone or any animal she came across, simply allowing the sense of freedom she now had to envelop her entirely. Eventually, Frida arrived and promptly knocked on her best friend's door.

When it opened, Frida let out the tension in her shoulders and sighed in relief as the pair hugged, Frida squeezing tightly. "Thanks, honey." Letting go to step inside, Frida laughed self-deprecatingly. "I'm so glad to see you, I don't even know where to begin..." She puffed her cheeks out and huffed, shrugging her shoulders back as she did so, realising she was stressing again. "Let's just say I won't be sending any more Ministry owls in my lifetime."

“What happened?” Jade immediately asked, looking at her friend with raised eyebrows. She was torn between being worried and excited to hear the news. Already her owl had been cryptic and promising at the same time but it seemed like there was a big change coming up for Frida. “What does that mean? You won't send any more ministry owls? Did you quit your job? You didn't get sacked or did you?” She shook her head as if to underline that she didn't believe that in the slightest. Nobody in their right mind would dismiss Frida.

“Let's go into the kitchen,” Jade suggested, leading the way. “You sit down, I'll pour us a first drink and… are you hungry? I could make some quick pasta but you'll have to tell me what happened first!”

She opened the bottle of whisky and placed two glasses on the table. Pouring the light brown liquid into the glasses, she eyed her friend suspiciously. Was she relieved or shaken because of what happened? She had a feeling it was something in-between but Frida would soon enlighten her, fortunately.

“Cheers,” she said, handing her the glass already and slid down on a chair facing her directly. The expectant look on her face clearly showed just how impatient she was to find out what was going on. Food could wait for now. She needed to hear what her friend had to tell. “So…?!?”

"Well, I... uh..." Frida stammered, trying to figure out how best to say what she needed to. "I wasn't sacked, gosh!" She laughed, shaking her head. "I swear I was probably the only productive one there." The former ministry employee raised her eyebrows and gave a look as if to say, 'key word there being was'.

Jade suggested moving to the kitchen and Frida sighed with relief. It was the first good idea she'd heard all day, and knowing the place well enough, already started moving in the kitchen's direction before even replying. "Ugh, pasta would be perfect." She hadn't been particularly hungry throughout the day, adrenaline from what she was doing keeping her going but now that she was calming down, boy was she hungry. "I should probably start from the beginning..." Frida offered vaguely as her best friend poured out their glasses.

She sat down and relaxed into the chair immediately, eagerly taking the glass as it was handed to her and raising it slightly. "Cheers," Frida echoed, before downing as much of the whisky as she could. "Ugh," she rasped in response to the burning down her throat, though allowed a small smile as the warm feeling in her stomach began to appear. "Much better!" She laughed at Jade's eagerness and decided to put her friend out of her suffering and tell her everything already.

"Okay... So you already know that I lost the Head of Broom Regulation position for another person, right?" Frida asked, frowning at the memory of when she first found out. "Well, it appears that it spread through the ministry gossip like crazy." Frida sighed, still wondering if what she did was over-reacting or even a good idea. "I overheard this little post boy and our undersecretary gossiping together... about me. And... how I was an old broomhead who must have been crushed about losing the position." She sneered uncharacteristically when she mentioned 'broomhead', she knew that they were often called that by other departments, but it had never bothered the Hufflepuff alumna until then.

"I guess I just kind of... snapped? Made that post boy send off the letter to you and deliver my... um, my resignation letter." Frida paused, downing the remainder of the whisky in her glass as she felt a wave of relief that she'd gotten the story off her chest. "Haven't told Leo yet. I dunno what to say."

Although Jade hadn't expected anything else she was relieved to hear that Frida hadn't been sacked but had chosen to quit her job instead. She was impatient to learn what had driven her this far but she felt certain that Frida would not make such a step without a good reason.

Jade nodded in approval when her friend said that she'd better start from the beginning. She watched as Frida drank from her whisky, waiting seemingly patiently what she had to say.

“Yes, you told me,” Jade nodded, thinking that she had made clear at that point that she thought that the responsible ministry officials had been out of their mind. Her eyes widened when Frida talked about the gossip. “Wow,” she said, sounding appalled. It was one of the reasons why Jade had never wanted a work environment with many co-workers and structures where some were higher ranked than others. It was totally not the kind of thing she'd enjoy. Gossip and bitching were not really Jade's cup of tea.
 
“Understandable!” Jade said when Frida admitted that she had just snapped. “It might not be your best thought through decision but I totally understand why you acted the way you did.” At the mention of Leo, Jade looked a little concerned. “I suppose it won't be an easy chat to have with him." She paused briefly. "Most importantly though, do you feel okay?"

Jade poured some more whisky into Frida's glass and got up to fill a kettle with water. “I'll make us the promised pasta,” she explained. “And we'll figure out your next steps together. I guess having a little meal and some whisky might help with that.” She almost didn't dare to ask the question that was most pressing now. “Do you… already have an idea what you would like to do now that you're not a ministry employee anymore? I mean, obviously, there's no need to rush things.” Jade was honestly curious to find out what Frida was thinking. Depending on her answer she thought that she might even be able to help her friend out.

Frida sighed deeply, glad that Jade agreed with her, that she didn't blow up over nothing. Jade's opinion meant as much to her as her family's or Leo's. She laughed and shook her head as Jade said it wasn't the best thought decision. That was the problem, Frida didn't think, she just acted. Talking to Leopold definitely wasn't going to be easy, but only because of how Frida viewed herself in comparison to him and his family.

"I'm sure he'll be supportive and okay with it... probably," Frida began, shrugging her shoulders excessively to relieve the tension in them. She knew him long enough and well enough to know this. He was loving and forgiving and most likely would think she was getting worked up over nothing. "But I'll be... embarrassed." Frida admitted, ducking her head down to avoid eye contact with Jade at that moment, especially her cheeks were now glowing a vibrant red. "You know, he's wealthy, and successful and people know the Emerson family." Frida rambled, using her hands to talk quite enthusiastically. "I already felt he was somehow out of my league, and now I feel like just a stupid country girl and that he'll be ashamed to be with me." Her voice grew small, as Frida grabbed her forearm and hugged it, willing her ramped up emotions to go away. She hated feeling sad, she was supposed to be everyone's ray of sunshine.

Insecurities aside, however, Frida was surprisingly fine. It was like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders, it was nice. "I'm okay, though. Really. I feel... free. Happier, already, if I'm honest."

Jade topped up her glass, and Frida impulsively picked it up and downed some more whisky, enjoying the burn down her throat and finally being able to let her hair down, figuratively speaking. Maybe it wasn't the most responsible thing, but apparently today was all about crazy thoughts, Frida reasoned. "Mmm... pasta." Frida mumbled, closing her eyes to savour the thought as her stomach quietly rumbled. Jade was so amazing, she was so grateful for her best friend. "See, this is why I came to you," Fri gushed, smiling brightly at Jade. "You're much more sensible than me. I can't make a stupid, impulsive decision if I'm with you." She nodded knowingly, before Jade asked her what she planned to do next. At this, Frida's face immediately fell and her head dropped into her hands as she run them down her face. "Darn it." Frida muttered to herself, smacking her palm against her forehead.

"I hadn't even thought it." Frida admitted, breathing in deeply. "What... else can I even do? My life has been brooms for a decade..." Frida realised how ridiculous that sounded to herself. No one they called her an old broomhead. She glanced at the remainder of the whisky in her glass, and downed it quickly, eager for it to relieve her of her worry. "I don't even like them that much," Frida laughed bitterly.

“Yes, truth be told, I do think the same. However, he might be quite surprised, maybe even shocked at first.” She didn't want to make Frida more nervous about the conversation with Leo but she felt that it was her duty to warn her that his first reaction might not reflect support.

“Of course,” Jade nodded. “But don't be embarrassed. You've put up with so much there. It's absolutely understandable that you acted this way. It was probably even long overdue.” She listened as Frida spoke of the Emerson family and then nodded. “Well, yes. But what change does that make? You weren't happy. If Leo loves you the last thing he wants is that you stay at the ministry if that makes you unhappy.” She shrugged. “I wouldn't worry about them being wealthy and successful. You are together for a reason and that's certainly not your position at the ministry.”

She offered a compassionate little smile as Frida stated that she felt out of Leo's league. “Oh dear… He should be glad to have you. You are the most amazing girl I know. Don't you ever say such a thing again. I won't have it.” Maybe her words were stern but her voice was still soft and comforting as she said these things.

“See! It was a good decision to quit. You'll find something else in no time and likely it'll be better.” She smiled and put spaghetti into the kettle while putting up another one for a tomato sauce. She had cut the ingredients quickly, put them into the second kettle and poured some wine in. The meal was not that much work but Jade clearly hoped that it would be tasty and make Frida feel better. A few moments later everything was cooking on the stove and Jade sat down at the table again.

“Aww, don't worry. We'll find something for you. Something you actually enjoy,” she quickly reassured her friend. “It's going to be fine, trust me.” She paused and looked at Frida with a slight smile on her face, narrowing her eyes as she thought about her sudden idea a little. “Actually,” she finally said, “I might have an idea already.” She grinned now. “I am not sure if you want to do it long term but that's not a decision you need to make right away. You know, the new term starts soon and my mother said we need to hire staff for the toy shop. I have a feeling that working at our shop might be more fun than the broom regulation office at least.”

Frida gave a half-hearted smile as she shifted around where she was sitting and sighed. “I suppose I really shoulda told him first…” She shrugged, not seeing any use in dwelling on what she should or shouldn’t have done any longer. It wasn’t as if she could go back and change what had happened anyway.

“Thanks.” Frida said, nodding slowly at her friend. “I’m glad you don’t think I was being silly.” Silly came quite naturally to the former Hufflepuff witch, but serious decisions like this were much harder for her to make. “Yeah,” Fri began, chewing her lip as she looked at Jade. “I know he loves me. He has always loved me. And that won’t change now.” Saying it out loud really helped convince her that it was true, and that this wouldn’t affect the couple too much. She sighed in relief, running a hand over her forehead. “Thanks,” she said again, patting Jade’s hand affectionately. “You really are the best, Jade. I’m definitely being a bit dippy, aren’t I?” Frida laughed, significantly cheered up already.

“Anything is better than working in the broom regulation office, I can promise you.” Frida laughed, mildly curious as to where Jade could possibly be going with this. She watched patiently as Jade began preparing food, though she wiggled in her seat excitedly with a lopsided smile. It was difficult to tell at this point if it was Jade that was helping her calm down, or if it was just the whisky kicking in.

“Oh? Do tell.” Frida turned her body towards her friend with a conspiratorial grin, eager to for her friend to continue. When she did, Frida’s mouth fell wide open and she clapped excitedly. This. Was. Brilliant! “Work in your toy shop? Are you kidding me? That would be the most awesome job ever!” She yelled enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling with glee. “I could work with toys! You are a genius!” Frida leaned in to hug her friend and squeezed tightly before letting go again.  “ I knew you were my bestie for a reason.”

“See,” Jade said, happy that her friend seemed to relax more. “He loves you and he will accept your decision and it won't change a thing between the two of you.” She smiled at Frida. She always enjoyed spending time with her and it clearly felt good to be helping her friend in need.

“I guess so,” she said, now chuckling softly. “I clearly didn't sound like a dream job at all. I'm proud of you that you were brave enough to make this step. Honestly. It's never easy to make a big change and I think, even if it was spontaneous now, it was a good decision.”

A wide smile spread across Jade's face as she saw Frida's reaction to her suggestion. She hugged her friend back as she squeezed her tightly feeling more than just a little happy about this turn of events. It was like an ideal solution, really. Her mother wanted someone to work at the shop, Frida was very much into the idea and Jade would see her friend more frequently, it was clearly a win-win-win situation.

“I'm glad you like the idea!” she said brightly. “I mean, I'll have to talk to my mother first, of course. But she'll agree for sure. You know she adores you. Then all you have to do is work out the details with her which, I'm sure, will be no problem either.”

She jumped to her feet as there was some noise coming from the stove and the sauce was boiling over a little. She quickly turned down the heat and returned to the table. “I think we should have another drink on the solution of your predicament,” Jade said, pouring some more whisky into their glasses. “Cheers,” she said, lifting her glass at her friend.

“Yes.” Frida replied emphatically with an enthusiastic nod of her head. “I know you are right.” She smiled at Jade, trusting her best friend’s judgement. Jade somehow always helped the former ministry worker find her pep whenever it had (on the rare occasion) faded.

Frida’s cheeks flushed and she couldn’t help but beam from ear to ear as Jade said she was proud of her. She had already known this, deep down, just by how her friend was treating the situation but it was wonderful to hear, and she felt a warm feeling spreading in her stomach. Jade was totally correct, being in the broom regulation office turned out not to be a dream job at all, it was more like a nightmare. Her best friend’s opinion naturally meant the World to her, so knowing that she thought it was a good decision convinced Frida that she shouldn’t worry about that any longer. “Thank you.” Frida exaggerated her words paired with her palms opening out wide.

This was such a perfect opportunity, such incredible timing and just marvellous in every possible way. Fri felt super blessed to know Jade. It was like she was always there with a solution, it was amazing. Jade was amazing. And now, she had come up with another perfect solution and idea. She loved Jade’s mother too, she had always been so kind to her, working with her would be a pleasure. In fact, the entire family was as nice as the Tricketts and the Emersons. Fri felt so lucky to have Jade as a friend.

“Of course!” Frida agreed with a smile, pleased to hear from Jade’s own lips that her mother liked her. She already knew this of course, but the validation was good and it was always nice to hear. “Aww, and I adore her too, naturally!” Frida gushed, giggling a little. Working with Marina would be much better than working with her previous boss, for sure. “Yes, no problem at all. I’ll be looking forward to working with her!”

Fri’s eyes followed her friend as she jumped up to check on the food.Eyes followed Jade as she jumped up. She sniffed the air and made a noise of approval. “Mmm… smells amazing already!” Jade soon returned and suggested another drink to celebrate and Frida just couldn’t say no, it was a wonderful idea. They deserved this night to chill out after such a momentous decision and she was so grateful and thankful to her friend. “I agree.” Frida stuck her glass out as Jade re-filled it. “Cheers!” Frida exclaimed, elongating the word slightly as she mirrored Jade and lifted the glass.

“I am so excited to work with you,” Frida blurted out, feeling so full of love for her amazing friend. “And your mother, too, of course!” She added before downing some more whisky. “To the Wonderland of Toys!” Frida cried excitedly, her spirits fully raised to her former glory as she lifted the glass again and downed the rest of the glass, the glass returning to the table with a loud thud as the room began feeling a little off-balance.

It was nice to see how Frida visibly relaxed and felt more at ease with her spontaneous decision to quit her ministry job. Jade was seriously proud of her and she was glad that she had voiced this sentiment and that her friend appreciated it.

“My mother will be delighted to have you,” Jade said, underlining her previous statement that Marina would like to employ her best friend as she loved her too. “I don't think I even have to think of anything to say to make her agree to be honest. She would have made the same offer if she had been talking to you before me.”

Jade smiled at the comment that Frida was looking forward to working with her mother. She didn't really enjoy the work at the shop quite as much as the toy production and it felt perfect that Frida would be dealing with the sales, leaving more time for Jade to work out new ideas. Her best friend was, without any doubt, a charming woman who'd be an exceptional shop worker.

“I'll owl her after we had dinner and ask her when she has time to see you,” Jade said, hoping that she wouldn't be too drunk by the time they would be done with dinner.

“Cheers!” Jade echoed, smiling brightly. It meant a lot that Frida was so excited to be working with her and her mother and she'd get to see a lot more of her best friend whom she adored. What could be a better reason to celebrate. Frida made a first toast and Jade beamed at her. “To new prospects!” she added, sipping from her drink.

“I'll better get us some pasta now,” she said, giggling as she realised that her friend was a little tipsy already. She tried to put down her own glass in a less audible fashion but barely managed. Then she went back to the stove and loaded pasta onto plates for them both.

[out]
 

“Aww, I’m glad.” Frida replied as Jade said that Marina would be happy to have her.
“Ha, I think so too. Your mother is just as amazing as you are, naturally.” She smiled brightly, meaning every word she said.

“Yes, that sounds like a plan.” Frida added, excited by the fact that everything was going so well.

Jade added another toast and Frida beamed, liking the idea of working at her best friend’s shop being a new prospect, a new (hopefully much brighter) chapter in her life.

“Yesss, pasta! It smells so good already!” Frida laughed, as her friend went to pile the pasta on the plates.
Suddenly, she wasn’t so nervous to tell Leo anymore and was instead super excited to share the news. She was sure he couldn’t possibly be mad.

[out]