New Clackers

Qinghua had been having a day like any other up until that point, but as she walked through the streets of Burrowgatory, near the area where various shops and stalls sold all sorts of things, mostly focused on the festive Toy Fair, she decided to take a quick look at the stalls that caught her eye. She walked for a while, exploring the colorful shops, and even joined a few lines to take a closer look at the wares of certain shops. However, one of these lines seemed endless, and despite her enthusiasm, her patience began to wear thin.

As she waited, Qinghua observed several Buns around her, smiling vendors, and in a moment, her eyes were drawn to a more secluded corner, almost hidden from the main hustle and bustle. There, a small stall caught her eye. It didn't have the same vibe as the other stalls decorated with lights and new toys, but there was something simple about it that made Qinghua stepped out of the line, accepting the fact that she would never reach the end of that wait.

As she approached, she noticed that the small stall sold handmade toys, each one made by a Doll. Her eyes lit up at the variety of items, each seemingly carrying its own story. There were rag dolls, wooden cars, and puppets. The Doll smiled at Qinghua when she noticed her interest.
“Good afternoon, my dear! I see that you like the toys. They are all made with great care, you know? I have been working on them for a long time.”

Qinghua smiled back and began to examine the toys on the table more closely. It was then, among all the handmade items, that something stood out even more: a pair of Clackers. The balls were a vibrant shade of blue and were so polished that they reflected Qinghua’s face. She couldn’t help but pick them up and try to use them, managing to make a few clicks before accidentally hitting her arm, but quickly went back to clicking them again.
“These Clackers were very popular a while back.”
The Doll said with a smile.
“I used to make a lot of them when they were popular. Nowadays, it’s rare to find someone who likes them.”

Qinghua smiled, intrigued by the toy. She felt a wave of nostalgia, even though she had never played with one before.
“How much does it cost?”
Qinghua asked, feeling that she had to take the toy with her.

The Doll paused, noticing Qinghua’s genuine interest.
“For you, my dear, just a few Carats. I can tell you like it.”

Pleased with the Doll’s kindness, Qinghua handed over the Carats and left with the Clackers in her hands. But before she left, the Doll said to her.
“Be careful, girl. They can hurt a lot if you’re not careful.”

Qinghua laughed, amused by what she heard. She said she'd be fine, and with something new and fun in hand, she went home, clicking the Clackers the whole time, occasionally accidentally banging her arm - but what's the fun in playing with them if you don't get a little hurt, right?