Read Cotton Echoes :: First attempt 4,1

"What jobs are there around here?" Diamond asked, looking at him curiously.

"There are many," Change replied calmly. "The highest paying, after explorer, is miner."

Diamond's eyes widened in surprise, and he quickly shook his head; the idea of working in a dark place frightened him too much. Change noticed, and a slight curve formed on his lips, more from understanding than amusement.

"Well," he continued, "you can also help someone who already has a business. The clerk at the toy store, for example, always needs extra hands. There's a writer in town, too, if that kind of work interests you."

Diamond seemed to relax a little.

"And the seamstress?" he asked in a more animated tone.

Change frowned, unable to hide his discomfort at the topic.

"I liked the work she does," Diamond added, not quite noticing his reaction. "Perhaps she could use an assistant."

Change was silent for a few seconds before answering

"I suppose if you're interested..." he finally conceded, though his voice sounded strained. "But don't let them take pictures of you. If they try, I'll carry you out of there."

Diamond laughed a little, a sweetness that filled the room. She covered her mouth with both hands when she heard him complain about the photos again. Change watched her for a few seconds, surprised; it was the first time he'd seen her laugh since they'd been there, and he thought she was truly beautiful. Without thinking too much, he raised a hand and carefully brushed her cheek before gently stroking her head.

"Well, okay, let's go," he finally said, encouraging her in a calm tone.

Diamond nodded and stood up, following him to the door. As they left, she took his hand casually, but as soon as they crossed the threshold, Change lifted it again, settling it loosely on his forearm. Diamond wrapped her arms around his neck, holding on confidently

"Do you like carrying me?" she asked, a slight blush rising to her cheeks.

Change looked away, a little embarrassed.

"It's nice," he replied dryly, trying to hide his embarrassment. "Besides, you have short legs; it would take us longer if we walked at your pace."

Diamond puffed out her cheeks, feigning annoyance, but didn't reply. She simply snuggled a little closer as they continued on together toward their destination.

Diamond and Change arrived at the seamstress's shop. As they entered, the soft tinkling of a bell marked their arrival. Change carefully lowered Diamond from her arms, watching as the small doll took a few steps toward the woman behind the counter. She, a serene figure made of antique fabric with button eyes, looked up curiously.

"Hello!" Diamond greeted with a shy smile. "Change told me I need to work on something here in town. I'm not quite sure what, but I'd like to work with you... if you need any help, I can be your assistant."

The seamstress narrowed her eyes, amused by the enthusiasm in his voice, and before she could reply, Diamond added hurriedly,

"But Change said no photos."

The woman smiled, remembering the altercation a few days earlier.

"All right, I could use a hand," she replied. "No one here dares to work with needles and thread, even though that's precisely what makes us who we are."

Diamond's face lit up with an expression of pure joy

"But you'll have a trial day," she added, raising a finger in a firm but kind tone.

Diamond nodded immediately and looked around for Change. He, standing by the door, waved goodbye with a slight wave before leaving. Diamond mimicked him with a small smile.

"You can start by cleaning the area a bit before I show you how to use a sewing machine," the seamstress indicated.

Without wasting any time, Diamond went where she pointed. On a nearby shelf were cleaning supplies: soap, a brush, rags, and a dustpan. He took them carefully, ready to begin his first day of work

Diamond set to work cleaning with enthusiasm while the seamstress prepared some materials on the table and placed two chairs side by side. The little doll energetically scrubbed the floor, removing loose threads, scraps of fabric, and papers that accumulated in every corner. It wasn't long before the place began to look different; the shine of the floor and the newly restored order gave the shop a fresh feel.

Looking up, the seamstress's eyes widened slightly in surprise. She couldn't remember seeing her workshop so clean in years; the truth was, she rarely gave it a thorough cleaning.

"You're good at cleaning," she remarked with a light laugh, crossing her arms.

Diamond straightened up instantly, smiling modestly.

"Thank you," he replied, approaching curiously to see what the woman was preparing.

"I'm going to show you the types of stitches that can be done by hand, without a machine," the seamstress explained as she prepared needles and threads of different colors. "I want you to imitate them. When you've mastered these, we'll start with the sewing machine."

Diamond nodded, taking a seat opposite her. His eyes followed each movement, each turn of the thread between the seamstress's expert fingers. Concentrated, he remained silent, determined to learn all he could on his first day.

After a few minutes, Diamond picked up a needle and thread, determined to try it on his own. His small fabric fingers moved clumsily; the needle slipped, and every now and then he pricked the tips of his hands. Each time that happened, he let out a small whimper of pain, lowering his ears in frustration

The seamstress, used to seeing beginners struggle with their first stitches, watched him calmly from her chair. She knew that such stumbles were part of learning, so she let him continue without intervening, though with a look that combined curiosity and patience.

Behind them, through the window covered by a thin veil of fabric, a shadow moved silently. Change was outside, crouched in a corner, half his face peeking out to watch. His brow was furrowed; seeing the seamstress not offer Diamond any help made him uncomfortable, though he knew he should restrain himself and let him learn on his own.

After a while, the woman decided to change exercises. She set up the sewing machine, cleaned it a bit, and threaded the needle with fresh thread. Diamond, relieved to have a break from the pricking, put down the hand needle and approached curiously

"Look," murmured the seamstress, carefully pointing to the mechanisms, "this button makes the stitching advance; this other one makes it reverse... and this is where you secure the final knot."

Diamond followed every movement with wide eyes, memorizing every detail, while the metallic sound of the machine filled the quiet of the workshop.

Finally, it was Diamond's turn. She stood in front of the sewing machine with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. The seamstress told her to try slowly, and the small mannequin began to guide the fabric with uncertain movements. At first, everything was going well, but a slight tug changed the course of things.

The fabric suddenly jammed, and, trying to stop it, Diamond reached both hands forward. The machine continued its course with a dry sound: the needle descended again and again, piercing the fabric... and Diamond's hand as well.

A sharp scream broke the silence of the workshop.

The startled seamstress reacted instantly and turned off the machine, but before she could go to help, the door burst open with a deafening bang. Change stormed into the shop, roughly shoving the woman aside. Without pausing, he snapped the thread and broke the needle with his hands, freeing Diamond from the machine.

He scooped the doll up, gently moving it away from the table. His fingers immediately searched for the wound: the fabric of the right hand was pierced, with thread still tangled in the stitches. Change pressed his lips together, his jaw tight, as he checked the damage.

Then he heard Diamond sob.

It was a low, trembling cry, punctuated by fear and pain. Change pulled it a little closer to his chest, trying to contain his own rage. The little one was trembling, and he, without saying a word, stood still for a few seconds, holding it firmly as if only touch could calm it

"I don't think Diamond will find a job he likes here. It's better for him to go somewhere quieter... maybe the library," the seamstress murmured as she searched for scissors to cut the threads that tangled around the little boy's hand.

"Silence!" Change roared suddenly. Her voice echoed off the walls of the workshop, and when she opened her mouth, the glint of sharp fangs flashed between her teeth.

The violent gesture was enough to freeze the seamstress, leaving her speechless. She took a couple of steps back, fear reflected in her glittering buttons.

"Give me the damn scissors!" Change repeated, this time with a contained fury that chilled the air.

The woman, trembling, quickly extended the scissors, trying to keep as much distance as possible. Change snatched them without looking at her, but then she felt Diamond's body twitch in her arms

The little boy cried silently, his sobs mingling with the trembling of his hands. Sensing that fear stopped him immediately. Change closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath, and then lowered his voice.

"It's okay... come on, this wound isn't very big," he said more gently, seeking Diamond's gaze. "I'm going to remove the embedded threads and then take you to the doctor."

Diamond shook his head, still sobbing