[Gift] Toy Fair Shopping & Sentiments

Among the hustle and hubbub of the Toy Fair, two succubuns walk side by side. Their hands stay laced together casually, only ever separating when the much more enthusiastic shopper had to point something out.

Cheri Blossom was probably the only bun in Burrowgatory that Aster Isk was willing to spend more than necessary on. If the pink adored bun so much as wanted a trinket, toy, or doodad from the stalls that surround them, Aster was pulling out his caratcard. Money couldn’t buy happiness, as they said, but it could buy enjoyment, entertainment, and more importantly, the excitement from his lover. That’s what he wanted more than anything- the fineries in life, and Cheri was the finest thing in all of burrowgatory as far as Aster was concerned.

“My dear, you’re running out of arms.” Aster all but sighs, adjusting his sunglasses on the bridge of his nose. Aster was already carrying four bags on his arm that wasn’t holding Cheri’s hand, and Cheri was holding plenty of bags as well. “I’ll dial one of my agents to take your goodies to the vehicle.” He sighs, tapping on his apple watch for a moment, pulling away his hand from his partners for but a second.

“Then you’re wrong, I’m not out of arms at all if you’re doing that, Aster!” Cheri replies giddily, before pulling a bratty pout. “You stopped holding my hand! i may as well perish right here and now-”

Aster shuts up the whining by firmly taking Cheri’s hand in his again, giving it a squeeze of gentle reassurance. “You’re fine, Cheri.” He chides in a tone that implies that he found it cute more than anything. His partner nods happily, devil tail swishing happily behind them as sooner than later, their load was lessened as the merchandise was whisked away.

“Now I’m fine, yes.” the bratty bun sticks out his tongue, before looking around at the stands excitedly. “What should you buy me next? Maybe something to wear, oooo, or something to eat! then again, I wouldn’t mind seeing if we could find something for you to toy around with too, or… us to toy around with if you know what I mean.” Cheri sends Aster a flirtatious wink. Aster feels his cheeks flush just slightly before smiling softly. “Whatever you care for, my dear.”

Despite his partner being one for shopping, and Aster's own investment in the consumer based industry of fashion, Aster was not the biggest shopper around. He didn’t mind it, of course, but if he was looking to purchase something, it’s because it was the only thing of its kind to exist. Handmade, unique, and delightfully all his in the rare cases he bought something. Stuffed animals, even if made unique, all followed the same base patterns, outfits tended to feed off of the trendy, and decor tended to fall into the same habit. Art was always subjective, and while he did enjoy collecting art here and there… he struggled to connect to things like that.

Lost in his own thoughts, he lets his gaze wander from stall to stall, as Cheri drags him about happily. The other's happiness is contagious, and he finds himself smiling pleasantly the entire time at least. However, he’s immediately pulled from his thoughts and introspections when his brown eyes land on the metaphorical jackpot- A stand selling custom figurines. It was his turn to start dragging Cheri across the Toy Shop.

“Oh, see something you can’t live without, hun?” Cheri asks excitedly. It was always a rare treat when Aster was the one leading the way for Shopping of all things. Excitement fills them as he follows eagerly. He eyes up the stand, seeing toys and trinkets made with love, figurines of buns carefully crafted, and plenty of other things to catch the eye. 

The banner on the stand says in a bold text, ‘Zenki’s Figures and Finds’. Both Aster and Cheri take a moment to look at the little figurines and toys, the shopkeep, Zenki, leaving them to it for a moment before speaking up.

“Afternoon, fellows! Finding something you like? Otherwise, I can always make something handmade, one of a kind, and just for you!” He gives a slight bow, his cape flourishing behind him tastefully. Aster can respect that.

“That is exactly why I’m here.” Aster answers in kind, shifting to drag Cheri closer who had been about to touch something on the table. Cheri gives a polite wave and a winning smile. 

Zenki folds his arms, looking at the two before giving a smile and nodding.

“What are you in the market for, then?”

“I want a figurine of Cheri, here. As detailed as you can and as accurate as possible.” Aster informs, already pulling out his caratcard. “I will pay more than whatever your prices are, as I think it would be quite essential for my styling of such a rambunctious man.”

Now, it’s Cheri’s turn to feel heat rise to his cheeks. 

“You really want a mini me? That’s SO sweet, Aster!” Cheri gushes, hands clasping Aster’s free one. Much to the buns dismay, Cheri could see right through his guise of using work to validate the purchase for himself.

“Sure thing, sure thing. I’ll make it poseable too.” Zenki offers kindly, moving to grab some paperwork, and a camera. “I can send you the invoice for it when I’m done, Mr. Isk- yes I know who you are, those pink shades aren’t exactly common- and we’ll be good as gold.”

Aster agrees, and Cheri is all but swept away by Zenki to step into a private part of the stand to get photos taken from all angles, measurements done, and just about every aspect of him taken note of so that the craftsman could make a fine replica of the bun. Once complete, Cheri was sent back out, and Aster gave his contact information for the invoice to be sent to.

After that, they were set to go and the couple left happily, a proud spring in Aster’s step as he was certainly eager to eventually get the finished product.

“So… you think I’m that cute, huh?” Cheri teases gently to the other. Aster huffs and looks away but gives the smallest of nods. Cheri picks up on the shyness, and his tone drops from playful to genuine. A soft voice that always managed to coax Aster out of his metaphorical shell.

“I think it’s sweet, I promise.” He assures.

“I know it is, it’s almost giving me a cavity.” Aster laughs lightly before sighing. “But, I must admit but only to you… I want the figurine to look as close to you as possible so that I don’t miss you as much when we’re apart.”

Cheri was always an easy one to make cry, and the sentiment certainly sent the bun into touched tears, ending with a tight embrace. Aster pats his back gently, nuzzling into the crook of his neck. Together, they decide to spend the rest of the time at the toy fair shopping for couples gifts, or things to take with them to think of the other by.  Despite all the other trinkets, Aster considered the toy being made of Cheri to be the best purchase yet.