[holiday au] Snowfall at the Toymaker’s Door

REXANNA i am your friend, a soul for your soul. home. sun or water, here or away — The low timber of the toymaker’s voice reaches her, her painted lips parting to speak when she hears the tone – like she’s an expected customer that’s come to pick up her previously placed order. She isn’t, though, and she debates whether she should correct him or just start talking about what she’s looking for, when she notices him putting things down like he’s about to stand up. Amusement curls in the corners of her lips, slow and easy as he turns to face her and realizes that she isn’t who he’d thought she was. “I’m not, no.” She agrees with a soft laugh, her smile brightening to try and alleviate him of any worries or embarrassment. “I’m actually looking for some help, if you’ve got the time.” Her smile twists to that of a slight wince, leaning against the counter at her hip as she looks up at all the toys surrounding the room. “I’m in a pinch to try and find someone to help with a gala I’m putting on for the Cathmax Company. I just arrived and our main donor for the toys can’t help anymore.” She puffs out a sigh that inflates her cheeks before her sapphire gaze drops to Noah with an apologetic yet somehow pleading look. “And I’ve called everywhere and nobody can help out on such short notice and I’m pretty sure my boss is going to wring my neck out for it.” There is a little bit of worry in her tone and her smile that creeps in before she sighs. “You’re kind of my last hope, honestly.” She admits quieter, finally taking the toymaker in and the strong build of the man, the delicate designs drawn from his hands, the wood shavings that cling to his clothes of a man hard at work. —we are a lighthouse, we leave and we stay.