A Tinker's Tale

Chapter One

As dawn began to pinken the sky, Phineas T Kettletree, Esq. let out a yawn and stretched his lanky limbs. He'd spent the entire night on the willow tree limb, the tree just happened to have a beautiful view, of the Mermaid's Lagoon, and just off to one side of the tree, a small cottage sat.

Shaking off the dew that the Water Talents must have spread across the Hollow just before he awoke, he smiled and adjusted his goggles just slightly. Smoothing out imaginary wrinkles in his jerkin, he squared his shoulders and alighted from the branch. Today, was the day.

Bobble flew through the sky faster than a sparrow, weaving through trees and flower gardens, dipping down quickly to pick one delicate bloom as early rising Flower Talents shook their fists at him in mock rage. Securing the flower in his belt pouch, he continued on his way.

A soft laugh escaped him as he flew into Tinker's Nook and waved to Clank as he stumbled out of their house.

"Mornin' Clank!" he barely gave him time to mumble out a sleepy "Gmornin' Bobble" and he was off. Landing lightly on his feet, he entered the workshop and tiptoed past Fairy Mary's office. Not that he had much to worry about; He could still hear soft snores coming from beyond her door.

He set about getting the workshop ready for the day. Gathering the items he knew that he and Clank would need to finish off today's work list. As he passed by the table that was between his and Clank's, he pulled out the flower he had purloined on his way in and placed it on Tinkerbell's workbench. His expression softened and he let his hand caress the work surface that Miss Bell used on a daily basis. With a deep sigh and a shake of his head, he started about his work.

"Mornin' Guys!" Bobble looked up from the pile of acorn baskets he'd been working on and nodded to Tinkerbell as she whizzed into the shop.

"Morning Miss Bell" he and Clank said almost in unison.

"Oh! Another one!" Tinkerbell picked up a small rose blossom and raised it to her nose. Inhaling the fragrant bloom, she let out a dreamy sigh and twirled around, her wings beating frantically.

"Did you guys see this?" She showed the rose to Clank and Bobble, who both looked nonplussed. "There's been one here, and on my doorstep, every morning for the past two weeks! It's so exciting. Do you guys have any idea who's doing it?" She placed the rose in her hair and preened before the boys.

"Not a clue…" Bobble mumbled as he picked up a nutdriver and continued working, appearing bored by the whole exchange.

"No Miss Bell, them flowers they've been there befores me and Bobble gets in. "Clank elbowed Bobble in the back as he walked by him, almost knocking Bobble to the ground. He used the table to catch himself and glared back as Clank as he carried out a bundle of twigs, leaving Tinkerbell and Bobble alone.

"Well, I think it's a wonderfully romantic mystery." Tinkerbell said as she picked up her hammer and began banging away on her latest creation.

Bobble rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"Just something else to keep you flitting around and leaving me and Clank to cover for you with Fairy Mary."
"What" Tinkerbell turned, hammer in hand, astonished that mild mannered Bobble had said something so accusatory.

"Sorry Tink, I had a long night." Bobble ran his hand through his hair and sighed.

"Oh, what's wrong Bobble? Clank snoring all night and keeping you awake?" She giggled and Bobble was grateful he had his back to her. He closed his eyes and inhaled sharply, the sound of her laughter like the tinkling of tiny bells. It's no wonder Queen Clarion named her Tinkerbell.

"Bobble..?" Tink's hand rested on his shoulder, concern marring her brow.

"Ah.. Ah'm fine Miss Bell, I just had my mind on work all night. You know, being a tinker is never a bore." He hoped she didn't catch on to the forced laugh he let out at the end.

"Poor Bobble, all work and no play, you need to take some time off." The sound of Tink's hammer let him know she'd went back to work.

"No vacations around here!" Fairy Mary's booming voice echoed into the workshop. "We're behind schedule as it is."

Bobble turned and looked at Tink, they both exchanged a smile. A smile that told them that according to Fairy Mary, they were always behind schedule.

He continued to covertly watch Tinkerbell as she worked throughout the day. Even when he was lying on the ground, under the wagon, fixing the axle, again…he somehow always seemed to look up at the right time, right when she was fluttering by.

"Boy… you've gots it bad." Clank pulled the doors to the shop closed behind him as he and Bobble closed it up for the day. Dusk had already taken over the sky and the stars were just beginning to twinkle.

"Have what?" Bobble said as he unconsciously looked off towards Tinkerbell's cottage.

"Well, Miss Iridessa told Miss Rosetta that Miss Silvermist saw you this mornin' sleepin in the willow outside Tink's house. Game's up my friend, all her girls know you're moonin' over her." Clank clasped him on the back and gave out a hardy laugh.

"I do not! Clank! Miss Bell is just… just…" Bobble stopped in his tracks as he thought of all the words he could use to describe his unrequited lady love.

"Just pretty…an' smart….an' funny…an' knows how ta' make some of tha most amazin' things…" Clank added for him as he started walking down a different path than Bobble, leaving Bobble to stare after him.

"Just tell her already." Clank called back at him.