Blood and Dolly

The sun had been high in the sky for what felt like forever, and while some would say 'it was the perfect summer day', Barnaby was HOT. When the other would pass his dog house, they would find him tummy down in a small kiddy pool. Was there water in it? Who knows, for the Beagle took up the entire space inside it. Slumped with all four paws hanging out the sides.

"Hey, Kiddo. Mind passing me that rubber duck?" He'd chuckle, gesturing towards a few pool toys that hadn't made it into the water with him. /@storybook-darning

With his question, Rosie looked over to the cluster of haphazardly dumped pool toys in the grass. Luckily for her, the bright yellow of the rubber ducky was easy to pick out from the array of toys in the unruly grass. She bobbed her head up from the pools edge, darting off with all the energy you'd expect of a puppy.

The less time spent out of the water, the better!

She didn't want the sun to even have a chance to warm up all of the wet fur that was keeping her nice and cool. Holding the duck Rosie ducked back into the shaded cover in the kiddie pool. Was there a pun in there somewhere? Rosie contemplated asking the question aloud, before the colorful allure of the rubber ducky stole her attention. A mischievous smile bubbling with giggles spread across her face, leaning in close to Barnaby, balancing it juuust right ontop of her dad's hat.

She’s as still as a cold winters night. A fond look falling into that single hue as she listened to Dolly speak. Her work was gentle, and appreciated as such with every stitch. Ragatha wouldn’t deny that she felt the same way. Fixing something instead of simply throwing it away gave it much more meaning. The love and attention given to the things you held dear made them that much more special.

“That was a beautiful way to put it, Dolly.” Her voice soft to mimic the others. “And thank you. I’ll be much more careful next time, promise. Perhaps you could even teach me? And in return I can.. oh! Show you have to make my special Holiday cookies.”

A small laugh tittered from her lips as they curved into a wide smile. "Oh, I could never ask of you something I couldn't do myself. I can be clumsy. It can't be helped." Pulling the thread, the stitching seemed to dissapear below the fabric as she tied a last knot. Leaving only a seam line across the tear, the mending was complete.

She couldn't deny she was a bit surprised by the request to teach her own skill. But she was never one to pass up an oppurtunity to share knowledge. "I can't promise you I'm the best teacher..." She hesitated as she thought. To Dolly, sewing was a rythm for her hands. How one explains a rythm stumped her a bit.

"But I can certainly try my best. Do you have something you'd like to make?"

A hand covers the small giggle that the Angel lets out as the other pulls their selves from the tree. A sight to behold for sure. And as Dolly agreed to help her out, Ragatha felt her wings flutter happily behind her. Even taking her up a few inches from the ground. "Oh how kind of you. I appreciate any help I can get today." Her single hue closed with an angelic smile on her pretty face.

-- However, the pin cushion definitely caught her attention. A look of bewilderment crossing her rosy features. "Oh my! Do you know how to sew?" The question was wrapped in excitement, even though she had tried to keep herself calm and collected. "I uh.. I caught myself on a tree branch a few days ago. I thought I could pull myself free but.. As you can see, the tree had other plans."

Dolly gave a sympathetic smile and a nod toward the angel. She listened with a warm hum, as she held a needle between her lips. A spool of blue thread was produced from within her pockets. Unraveling a few inches of thread and breaking the end with teeth, no time was wasted as the needle was threaded and tied off.

Dolly took a soft breath, as if to steady herself. "Tears show beauty and life." she started softly, as she trotted close toward the gentle angel. "They hold memories, experiences.." She spoke gently, as if talking to herself as she carefully begun her stitches. "To be changed through them.. There's a beauty in that."

She gave a small laugh, smiling up at the taller doll. "So... I think there's a beauty in mending." A soft silence began to creep in before she interjected herself "A-At least, to me." Dolly's voice grew softer as she talked, averting her eyes to look back down towards her work.

"You must be Dolly." Her voice sang as she noticed @storybook-darning watching her re-organize the tree. Jax had certainly been messing with it.. For the icicles he left behind was a sure give away. --

"I don't think we've been properly introduced. -- Silly me. I'm Ragatha." Her hands smooth out the ice blue dress, very careful to avoid the small rip where stuffing had started poking out. "I hate to ask, but could you possibly help me out? Some of these ornaments need to be changed. We want the tree to be perfect for the holidays."

With an soft jingle from within the tree, the lamb's head escaped from the prickly embrace of pine needles. Dolly had noticed the beautiful tree and had come closer to admire it. Though, a glint of yellow within the tree had piqued her curiosity. She had assumed it to be silly string, a garland, or even a ribbon. However, on her closer inspection, it seemed to be.. Spray cheese?

To add to her situation, a new friendly face had come to greet her, and she was woefully underprepared for a good first impression. Her cheeks flushed in embarassment as she carefully disloged her arms from within the tree's branches to face the kind woman. Thankfully for her, Ragatha had seemed to pick up word on her name without the fumblings of needing to speak. A quiet relief to her.

"Oh, yes! Yes, of course." Her quiet voice squeaked with a bit of urgency. She straightened her posture as if to signify it's importance. Her eyes shifted around as she searched for the decorations to arrange. Though, the soft white rip in Ragatha's dress caught her eye. A hand reached into her apron pocket and produced a well-used tomato pin cushion.

your ‘canon’ character is an oc. they’re an oc from the original creator of the series. 

Seemingly overnight, it seemed the world turned white. Dolly had noticed the days turning colder and darker. Had she missed a grave sign to God's wrath?

The thought of setting some kind of plauge on the gentle neighborhood chilled her. The icy wind started to sting her cheeks as if to add insult to injury. With an uneasy hum, she closed the door without stepping past.

How would she ever remedy this? How would her neighbors forgive her for such a cold blinding blemish on their town?

Dolly frowned, a deep furrowed crease knotting between her eyebrows. She wasn't sure what it was that had invaded their town, and she knew even less what to do about it. She certainly couldn't hide it all. There was simply too much of it. The town had so far been kind and gracious to her. Maybe you would know what to do?

"Something's .... Wrong?"

Was all she managed to bleat out as she wrung her hands. Her eyes darted back and forth from the door.