As you walk around the festive, snow-covered village, your eyes dance between brightly-lit
buildings and glowing pine trees. Every part of the landscape is decorated in reds,
greens, and blues, casting a multicolored hue onto the twinkling snow.
As you scan your surroundings, a big dark building catches your attention...
It sticks out like a... well, like a big abandoned building among the lively houses and storefronts beside it.
The faded red brick looks a bit weathered and cracked, you notice, and there only appears to be one dim light
far inside, casting the rest of the interior in shadow. You lean into the door, peering through the dusty window panes.
Just as you begin to make out a figure inside, the door wooshes open, sending you tumbling onto the cold floor.
An exasperated sigh comes from somewhere in front of you as you struggle to get your bearings in the dark space.
Matty wrote:"I thought it was obvious from the dark lights, but I'm clearly closed.
Plus, it's 4 days till Christmas! You all know very well how busy I am right now-"
Footsteps echoed on the flagstone as the (ranting) figure's voice grew closer to you, warm lamp light pooling around
worn winter boots. You (still sprawled on the floor) looked up at the figure, taking in their messy hair and piercings
in the orange light.
Matty wrote:Oh! A visitor? How strange…
The figure offers you both hands, covered in bandages and wraps, and helps haul you to your feet. It took you a
moment to realize that he should've dropped the lantern, but there it floated beside him, bobbing lightly midair.
Before you could ask any questions, the charming had whirled around and was walking towards the center of the room,
the lamp twirling in the air after them. He reached the opposite wall, mumbling to himself absentmindedly as he swept
all of the switches on. You squint against the sudden onslaught of light, blinking a few times before gaping at your
surroundings.
The building's interior was larger than you had expected, reaching up to a high ceiling. Airplanes, origami
birds, and cotton clouds hung from strings, though some of the birds flapped their wings and the planes propelled
themselves in lazy circles. A model train blew a tiny whistle as it stopped at a plastic train stop, tiny little figures
filing into it. Around the magical toys and sights laid dozens- no, hundreds of little stuffed toys, all shaped like... charmings?
Matty wrote:"I’m Matty by the way. Welcome to the toy factory! It’s… a mess right now. Christmas is a very busy time
for me, as you could probably guess. Especially in the charming department! I’ve got tons of orders for charming friends
going to new homes."
You stared dumbfounded at the piles of stuffed charmings around you.
Matty wrote:"Ah, yeah, it’s a bit to take in, huh? I make the little guys here, and with a bit of sparkle, they come to life.
It’s a special trick of mine. While you’re here.. I’ve got a favor to ask."
You tilted your head curiously at him, bending down to pick a plain charming stuffy off the floor. It’s plush and fuzzy, the
simple eyes shining back at you.
Matty wrote:"I’ve got most of the Christmas orders done, but I tell you what, I made way too many blank charmings this
year! It would be a big help if you took one off my hands.. and you can use my tools to make it however you like! And maybe
tell some friends, too. (Seriously.. I have too many.)"
