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Blowing on her mitten covered hands, the young woman continued to tromp her way through waist high snow that obscured the cobblestone pathway. It was cold and wet in this part of the world, but the trek would be worth it if he could perform the magic others said he could. The Arctic Frost was home to one Mister Vanya Thimble, known for being the premiere toymaker in all of Subeta, and she was going to visit him.

She stomped her heavy boots on the doormat before gently pushing open the antique oak door. A soft bell tinkled as she stepped into a cozy front room warmed by a robust fire. The maroon walls were decorated with shelves full of stuffed animals, piles of folded cloth, and all manner of components needed to craft toys. Bins full of wood and large chests sat on the shiny hardwood flooring in haphazard arrangements. A beautiful hand carved oak desk took up the center of the room, with a single oil lamp illuminating sheets of parchment thrown across the surface. The room and all its belongings seemed to be in some bizarre chaotic organization.

Closing the door firmly behind her, the young woman stepped into the warmth, calling out loudly, "Hello? Mr. Thimble?"

"Yah! Coming!" The heavily accented reply came from above her as a muffled crash echoed through the house. An elderly man with thick gray beard and hair emerged, stumbling from the stairs. His clothes were rumpled beneath the canvas apron, and his glasses seemed slightly off on his nose. He hurried over to the desk, took a seat behind it, and picked up a smoking wooden pipe.

"Hallo, leetle one! You come see Vanya for toy, ya?" He beckoned the young woman to his desk with the pipe, his bushy eyebrows raised up in excitement.

She approached his desk quickly, pulling out a slightly rumpled box of toy instructions from within her winter coat. Presenting the kit to Vanya, she watched him mull over the contents of the box, pulling out pattern sheets and parts. It was a Devonti kit, full of fluffy stuffing, bright red yarn, and baby blue and cream fabric.

"I vill need some other supplies, leetle one before I make your toy! Bring me plushie makers kit, some gold fabric, and pencil! Bring me these and I vill make your toy! Go! Go now!" He put the toy kit to the side of his desk, and began leafing through the stack of paper, dismissing the young woman to her task.

She returned some days later, the requested supplies tucked into her jacket. The snow had melted slightly during her absence, making the cobbled stones icy and slick. Approaching Vanya's workshop carefully, she entered into the same room, cozy and warmed by the fire but found the organized clutter was no longer so organized. Bits of fluff were sprinkled across the floor, the clothe piles no longer neatly folded, and a sinister looking two head teddy bear limped through a curtain as she entered.

Striding slowly to the desk, she called out for Vanya in concern, "Mr. Thimble? Hello? Are you okay, sir?"

He slipped out from behind the same curtain the odd walking plushie had disappeared behind, muttering words she could not understand under his breath. His hair was messy, large chunks of it were standing on end. The clothes he wore were even more rumpled than before, almost as if he had not slept since she left. He slumped into the seat behind the desk, beckoning her forward with his pipe.

"Ya bring items?" Vanya asked, out of breath, his voice sounding hoarse.

The young woman nodded in reply, and produced the items from her coat, laying them on the desk before him. He quickly disassembled the plushie makers kit, pulling out needle and thread from it, and the pattern pieces from the kit she had brought originally. With deft hands, he threaded the needle and began to sew together the pattern pieces. The legs were constructed first, then the horns, and body was stuffed full with cotton fluff. Red yarn was quickly looped and sewn onto the body in a neat fashion and large cream circles were adhered to the hooves and horns. Not more than an hour had passed before Vanya Thimble presented the young woman with a completed Devonti plushie.

"It vis finished!" He pronounced, setting the completed toy before her on the desk. He reached for his pipe, refilling it with his snuff before puffing on it, as he cleared away the remnants of the fabric.

She picked it up with trembling hands, feeling the soft wool yarn beneath her fingers. The vibrant blue eyes stared up at her, almost alive. Putting the plushie back on the desk, she pulled out a unique glass vial, embellished with gold and red designs.

"I was told that you can make my plushie live," she said in a quiet voice, cradling the vial carefully in her hands, "with this."

Setting the vial down on the desk, she pushed it towards Vanya, who studied her quietly, only the crackling fire and ticking clocks made any sound. She had visited Melody every day just to acquire this special potion. It was rare and she was scared to relinquish the treasured gift. She hesitated to let it go, but eventually she did, trusting the toymaker.

"You vish for Devonti to live?" he asked her quietly, the pipe smoldering from between his lips. "You sure, leetle one? You von't get potion back."

The young woman nodded, her eyes on the plushie. She wanted one desperately, and she was willing to give up the special vial to do so.

Reaching for the vial, Vanya began to whisper an incantation in an unknown language. The sound of his voice was soothing, and the young girl found herself relaxing while listening to him. With quick hands, he pulled the stopper from the vial, and a flood of golden particles escaped. The air became thick and heavy as the sparkles bloomed brighter, almost blindingly white. The young woman could barely make out her silhouette of her plushie levitating off the desk as the particles swirled faster around it. An audible pop echoed through the room, and the magic burst, leaving a tiny Devonti walking around the desk, trailing golden sparkles.

The young woman gasped, staring wide eyed at the seemingly alive plushie. Slowly she extended her hands to cup around the moving Devonti, bringing the creature close to her chest. Being extra cautious of her new creation, the young woman took her leave of the toymaker and his magical workshop.

“Thank you, Mr. Thimble. Thank you for everything,” she called out to him as she stepped out into the gently falling snow with her new friend, snuggled close and protected.