Secret Santa - Piff's Adventure with Reading

For
and more specifically a gift for Kerrah34
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Piff found himself feeling restless. He loved his books but he found himself more and more wanting to be like the heroes he read about in their pages, but as he reflected on himself he seemed to come up short. He was willing to go on adventures and such, but he still struggled being around people. He sulked a bit wandering through the main hall of the nook when he spotted a poster with large letters surrounded by stars. The poster read "Silent Night Read-A-Thon". With the title perking Piff's interest he continued to read: "Wyngro and Wynglings alike join us in the fireplace lounge tonight for a night of meeting, greeting, and reading! We encourage those of you with a thirst for knowledge and a passion for reading to join in the festivities! Just bring your favorite book and a blanket and join us as we all get snug and read by the fire! Everyone is encouraged to arrive before curfew because once curfew is reached the doors with be closed and the reading with commence!" 

After reading the poster Piff pondered for a bit. This could be just what he had been looking for! A place to meet like minded people and finally build up a group of friends! But he was still hesitant, what if the poster was just old and he ended up being the only person to show up at the lodge. Or worse what if everyone in the nook was there and he couldn't fit in! Piff continued his inner debate unaware of the wyngro who had come up behind him. "So are you going to join in on the Read-A-Thon, Piff?" the voice nearly caused Piff to have a heart attack as he jumped. Turning he saw that it was just Alma behind him, she laughed, "Sorry sweetie didn't mean to scare you," Alma said giving Piff a reassuring pat on the head, "I just thought this would be a great event for you, I noticed you like reading quite a bit." Piff was flustered by the remark but eventually regained his composure, "Y--yeah I love reading." Alma smiled at his response, "That's great, just remember to be there by curfew, there will be hot cocoa and cookies and I've heard several other wynglings and wyngro talking about it so you won't be the only one there." She assured before resuming her walk toward one of the many rooms down the hall.

It took Piff a moment to let what just happened sink in. He realized he had unintentionally confirmed his presence at the event. While part of him felt stupid another part of him felt emboldened, now he had one less excuse not to go to the event. For the rest of the day Piff felt distracted and torn. He couldn't even get himself to read the words on his book without Alma's words invading his mind and causing his tummy to tie into knots. And to his dismay before he knew it he saw groups of wynglings and wyngro with blankets and books heading toward the fireplace lounge. 

Piff took a deep breathe, "Its now or never Piff" he whispered to himself, "you can do this." He exhaled taking in another deep breathe before picking up the book he had been trying to read and grabbing the blanket from his bed. Piff was careful not to trip himself up with the large blanket and focused solely on walking the entire way to the lounge. Once he got there his face went pale. The room was completely filled with wynglings and wyngro just as he had feared. He was about to make a run for it when Alma stepped up behind him in the doorway. "I'm glad to see you made it just in time Piff!" She said with a smile before announcing "Doors are closing so everyone find a comfortable place! We'll be passing out the hot cocoa in just a minute!" With that Alma ushered Piff in and closed the door behind them. 

It didn't take long for people to sprawl around the room, some occupying the lounge chairs covered in their blankets, others grouped on the floor together still chattering. Piff had drawn a blank on what to do. It was too late to run back to his room. So instead he shuffled around looking for a corner to hide in while the rest of the people were settling. One of the helpers noticed Piff shuffling toward the corner and walked over to him. "Hey there no need to hide away in the corner!" the helper assured the panicking Piff, "Here why don't you sit here next to the fire." They suggested shoving Piff in the direction of the fireplace and standing him next to a group of wynglings. He stood petrified looking over the wynglings who each lifted their heads to look at him. "H-h-h-h-h-hi" Piff managed to mutter feebly. The wynglings returned his greeting before continuing to chat among themselves. Great job Piff you are such a mess now these guys probably think you're a wierdo. Piff thought to himself sitting down and covering himself in his blanket completely to try to hide his shame. "What is that book you're reading?" a soft voice asked to his right. Removing the blanket from his head Piff saw a yellow wyngling with slanted brown eyes and a stoic expression looking at him. "Oh t-this?" Piff asked lifting his book. The yellow wyngling nodded without changing her expression. "I-its a book about the founding of Wynsiph, it includes a bunch of cool stuff like legends and traditions and all sorts of stuff." Piff brightened as he continued to describe his book in agonizing detail to the wyngling. She never interrupted or changed her focus only listened and nodded to all the things Piff had to say. Before long helpers came around with hot cocoa and marshmallows and set cups down next to Piff and the other wyngling. "Oh sorry I must have gone on a tangent." Piff said blushing, "I do that sometimes when I get to talking about stuff I like" He said rubbing the back of his neck. The yellow wyngling gave a slight smile at him, "Its ok it shows you have passion." she said before the announcement went out for the room to quiet down and for everyone to begin reading.

As everyone quieted down and the rooms inhabitants began putting their noses in their books Piff followed suit with his own smile. Passion Piff continued to think to himself as he found the ear marked page he had left off on, every hero has that, so maybe I'm not that far off. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Piff belongs to Kerrah34
I hope you enjoy the picture and the story!

4/104