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Arc V Chapter 17

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26th Ignis Solar 753 AAC

“... ... ...” Her body blinked, her eyes wide open in profound bewilderment. Unsurprisingly and understandably, the girl was confused, her mind startled, taken by surprise. After all, it wasn't exactly a common occurrence to be awoken by your favourite doll in the middle of the night after she had suddenly turned alive. It was a rather inconceivable scenario, to say the least. No sane person could reasonably expect to encounter a living doll during sleep, and yet such was the case. Thus, her body's confusion was perfectly understandable. Her body didn't understand, unable to comprehend, but nor did little Aurora. Nobody did. The reasons for her sudden dollification remained an unsolvable riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. “... ... ...”

“... ... ...” Little Aurora met her stare, clenching her fists. This was the moment she had waited for. This was her opportunity.

Her body started rubbing her eyes, her heavy eyelids still half asleep. “... ... ... Am ... I ... dreaming?”

Little Aurora cleared her throat and her non existent vocal cords, shaking her little doll head. “Ahem, you are not ... I must inform you that this is not a dream ... Unfortunately ...”

...

... ...

... ... ...

“... ... ...” Her mind froze, her eyes merely blinking at her. “... Dolly, ... are ... you ... really ... talking?”

“...” Little Aurora merely nodded, even though it felt strange to be on the receiving end and to be called ‘dolly’. But such was life ...

“... ... ...” Her body fell silent, still gathering her thoughts. “You ... are ... really ... talking?”

“...” Little Aurora nodded, her neck moving.

“... to me ... directly?”

“...” Little Aurora nodded.

“And this is not a dream, right?”

“...” Little Aurora nodded, more vigorously than before.

...

... ...

... ... ...

“... ... ...” Her body pinched her cheeks, quite forcefully so. Her nails were digging deep into her skin. It must have been a painful experience. “Ouchie ... Ouch ... Ouch ... I guess, ... you are right, dolly ... Apparently, this is not a dream ... ... ...”

Little Aurora agreed, “Indeed, it is not.” Not that she didn't tell her so, but her doubts were understandable ...

“...”

“...”

“...” Her body and she were exchanging confused looks. They both were at a loss, unsure what to say and do.

“...” Her body started pondering, her hand stroking her chin. “So to reiterate, you are dolly, aren't you?”

Little Aurora nodded. “Yes, I am.” Currently, at least.

“And you are talking to me?”

“Indeed”, little Aurora concurred.

“And I am not dreaming?” Her body still eyed her with suspicion and ample amounts of disbelief.

“Correct.”

“... ... ... And I haven't gone insane? At least, not yet, right?”

“Well, ...” Little Aurora tilted her head, reflecting. “Not that I can say for sure, but I don't think so ...”

Her body rolled her eyes, a heavy sigh escaping her. “How encouraging ...” Her reaction and her words startled little Aurora. The strong sarcastic undertone caught her by surprise. It was not something she would have expected ... It was ... unusual for her ...

Her body pinched the bridge of her nose in an exasperated manner. “Anyway, now that we have verified your claim and established that you are indeed a talking, living doll, and not a figment of my imagination and the product of my slipping grip on reality ... Now, my last question ...”

“Eh?” Little Aurora raised her gaze.

“Who ... are you?” Her eyes narrowed and little Aurora stiffened. There was a frigid iciness in her eyes that she had never seen or felt before in her life. Even the harsh, judging stare of her father paled in comparison. Her glowing purple irises harboured an ominous, sinister sense of danger, suffocating her. Her eyes ... were scary.

“...” Little Aurora averted her eyes, her tongue stuck in her throat. She could never have imagined that her eyes capable of such. These cold, oppressive eyes ... They weren't like hers, at all. Wasn't she all fluffy and cuddly? Didn't her father always say that she was too soft and squeamish for her own good?

Her body, however, didn't relent, pursuing the matter further. “I asked you a question, doll. Answer me, who are you, or rather what are you?” A pair of narrowed eyes lent further weight to her words.

Little Aurora gulped, her hands fidgeting nervously. “Well, ... you see, that is a rather complicated matter.”

Her body raised a questioning eyebrow, decidedly unconvinced. “Is it? More complicated than a living doll talking to me after midnight? I sincerely doubt so. Listen, doll, I have time and patience. So, please, proceed. I will listen.” Her voice exuded an unfamiliar firmness and eloquence.

“Hmm ...” Little Aurora fell silent. It turned out that she had apparently a way with words, quite unexpectedly so. So many hidden talents that she possessed and never knew about. Hidden talents aside, however, there were more important matters to address.

Little Aurora mustered her courage, clenching her tiny fists. “Well, you see, the thing is, I am you.”

“... ... ...” Her body blinked. “You are ... me?”

Her tiny head nodded. “Yes, I am you.”

Her body didn't look convinced. “And that is supposed to mean?”

This was her sign. An introduction was in order. Little Aurora gathered her resolve and rose to perform an improvised curtsy, the way she was taught. “My name is Lady Aurora von Schwarz. I am the heiress of the proud House von Schwarz, and I am you.”

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