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Bobette was peacefully sitting at her station on the holiday floor of Gardenview. It was a typical day of kids sitting outside the glass window watching her tinker and craft their little requests. But as the line of kids seemed to disperse Bobette was given some quiet time to work. That was- until she saw a little paper slide through the request door and she looked up to see Ginger. She quickly scrambled to open up the window and smiled. She had been exhausted from all the work and seeing a friend helped the work not feel as heavy.
“Ginger!”
“Bobette! I had a question for you…”
“Of course, what’s on your mind..?” She leaned over the counter and adjusted her green sweater.
“You can make.. ANY toy.. Right?” Ginger asked. Bobette froze and seemed confused before standing up and stretching.
“Pretty much-” She mumbled as she glanced at all the various wooden scraps, screws, and paint sprawled across the table.
“What did you need?”
“Well-” Ginger started, but as Bobette picked up the folded paper she suddenly lunged forward and held Bobette's wrist with a nervous expression that made Bobette jump and drop the paper. Ginger awkwardly pulled back and rubbed her hands.
“I-I uh- wouldn’t open that here, maybe… after Gardenview hours…” She requested.
“Wait- why-” Bobette went to ask as she picked up the fallen paper, but Ginger was already out of the room.
~~~~~
Bobette watched as the doors closed and kids filed out of the room. Finally after hours. Of course- Bobette wasn’t done working, she never was. Her schedule was packed this time of year. She sat there toying with a wooden car-frame before sighing and leaning back in her chair. She needed a break. Not from tinkering- she loved to build- but from the same requests… cars, dolls, ornaments- the usual. She stretched before turning to the suggestion box when she saw the folded paper from before. It smelled like ginger and nutmeg and was folded perfectly. Maybe Ginger wasn’t perfect at baking… But she had certainly learned how to work with paper from her many years in a row of wrapping gifts with Bobette. Often late into the cold nights the two would sit eating slightly too salty or overcooked baked goods and wrapping presents while Rudie and Coal slept on the couch beside them. Bobette was overwhelmed, sure, but she could always make time for a friend. She took the paper and swiftly unfolded it to find an odd picture. It seemed oddly in depth and looked like a barely blooming rose with a more circled bud in the middle. It had a mechanical aspect to it which Bobette wasn’t great at, but it seemed fairly simple, she had done smaller projects like this before. She just needed a small motor and battery compartment from the back room.
~~~~~
Bobette had looked over the specific instructions over and over before finally feeling like it was right. Thankfully she did have access to silicone sheets in her own personal crafting corner that she could take from there for the materials and build up the base. All that was left now was to add the mechanic components and make sure it worked as intended. She went to the back of Gardenviews storage and dug around before eventually finding a little toy car she was able to take apart and use for her project. It took adjusting but finally she had what she was looking for. She slipped a triple A battery in and clicked it and the soft red rose buzzed in her hand, as instructed. She looked back at the odd request with an air of confusion. Why did Ginger want this? And why was it so specific? She really didn’t mind making things for Ginger, but she wished she knew its purpose. For the novelty, I suppose. Bobette waved it off and put it in a small velvet bag before tying the drawstrings and making a bow with a note. It was already midnight by the time she had finished her odd creation so she tossed the paper, cleaned up, shut off the lights, and headed off to the toon rooms.
~~~~~
It didn’t take long to find Gingers, since it was beside her own. Ginger seemed embarrassed before… maybe she’d prefer if I just left this by her door… Bobette nodded before setting the bag by the door with a few gentle knocks, but as she turned to enter her room the door opened behind her.
“Oh-! Bobette-” Ginger said with a bit of a gasp before quietly stepping into the hallway and closing the door.
“Ginger! I looked over your request-”
“Oh holly- I know- I’m sorry I shouldn’t have asked you- it was more of a curiosity thing I didn’t mean to make y-”
“I made it!” Bobette stopped her and held her hands to stop her nervous fidgeting.
“Y-you what..?”
“I made it! It was difficult- since I’ve never made anything like it before… but your instructions were pretty detailed- so it wasn’t too difficult. It shakes, like asked, though I don’t really understand why you wanted something like t-” Bobette paused as she looked at Ginger’s face. She was bright red and terrified at Bobette's words, covering her mouth and trying to avoid eye contact as much as she could manage.
“I-Is something wrong..?” Bobette spoke up, putting a soothing hand to Ginger’s cheek and tilting it up to face her.
“B-Bobette.. You know what that’s- for- right..?” She whispered.
“W-well no.. but.. I’m sure it’ll work, it’s a little different from what you asked but it should be just fine-” She took the rose out of the bag and watched Ginger’s expression turn from horror to surprise as Bobette showed that it worked exactly as intended. After a few seconds Ginger took it from Bobette and quickly shut it off.
“T-thanks Bobette..” Ginger said sheepishly, sliding it back in its bag.
“Of course… You’re my friend, I don’t mind…” Bobette reassured her with a gentle smile. Ginger nodded and went back to her room before waving back to Bobette and locking the door. Odd.. She still didn’t say what it was for- a small buzzing object… and why was she mortified at me giving it to her? And refusing to even see the request during Gardenview hours- She stopped walking and froze in place as it clicked for her.
“OH F-”
Merry Christmas Ao3 🥲