Hoops for a Prize

Ring ring ring!

A voice rang in Tomio’s head: “Remember, little egg, don’t ring it too many times, or you’ll drive the customers away.” They then placed the yellow bell down on the counter before propping his arms there, resting their cheeks on their hooves. Why did they have to be the one to watch the festival stall when all the other buns got to have fun, eating and playing and riding all of those very dangerous but very appealing rides? Actually, they had a game on their stall too! But the other buns didn’t seem very interested. Was it because it wasn’t as flashy?

They pouted, swishing their tail from side to side. In truth, the reason why they were here was because this was one annual activity they did to clear out some of the stock they had in the pawn shop. They had a contract for buns if they weren’t able to claim their things on time, and sometimes they would just have a bunch of the same thing that didn’t really sell. Thus, all of those random knick knacks would coalesce on the shelves, sitting there and looking pretty. Mind, these weren’t plushies or toys (actually, there were a few plushies, and there were certain types of toys), but the rest were…odd things. Antiques, sometimes. Weird figures that maybe only a collector would love.

At least the game was easy! It was just tossing a colorful hoop. The customer would have to shoot three of them successfully (they are given five hoops) in order to claim a prize. The pool had lessened a bit since the start of him standing around here, but it had been a few days already and he was already dreading having to drag the leftover stuff back to the shop.

Tomio picked up the bell again and shook it, completely forgetting (or not bothering) about needing to say a spiel along with the ringing.

It at least caught the attention of a fiery blue bun, who decided to separate from her group of friends for a brief moment to try the game out. She had an imp with her, winged and blue like her flames, who seemed to be very calm despite the bustling crowds.

“Those are second hands, aren’t they?” she gestured at the lengthy toys that sat on the shelf, thick and still standing upright. There was no telling what kind of abuse they had gone through prior to their surrender.

“Unfortunately so.” Tomio replied.

“Well, can’t complain since this is just a festival stall, right, Chichi?” she was referring to the imp on her shoulder, who didn’t really seem to understand what they were talking about, but nodded all the same. “How much for a round?”

“Ten carats. Here’s five hoops, and you just gotta get three of them there.”

“No prob! I was a hoop master in the day, you know?”

“I don’t doubt it.” though it was clearly dripping with sarcasm. Still, one did not need to be a ‘hoop master’ to be able to throw hoops in rings, and this fiery bun wasn’t all bark. She didn’t even need the other two rings to complete the challenge; it didn’t take long before she started to cheer and harp about how she still got it. The blue imp also looked pretty pleased that its owner was happy.

“Congratulations. Which prize do you want?”

“Hmmm…” she thought for a few moments, scouring the shelves with a discerning gaze. “That one! The one with the nubs?”

“Of course, let me just…” they turned around to fetch a tiny step ladder, placing it on the ground right below the prize that was picked out and climbed up. They then reached out and grabbed it, making sure it was securely in their hooves before climbing back down and facing the customer. “One imp plushie. Pretty sure this is a collector’s item.”

“Really?? That’s awesome! Well, I don’t know anything about that stuff, but I’m sure Puppo will love it!”

Tomio mentally shed a tear for the poor plushie, which seemed like it was going to become a chew toy for another imp. They supposed that was to be the fate for some of these items, but it was better than them gathering dust.