upcyclingmod | NPC INBOX

[Doll isn't the type to leave anyone hanging on voicemail!]

Oh! Oh, oh good! I can try to make more later, if you like!

[And then...Abel brings that up. Ah.]

Well...yes. We have. But don't try to remember- it'll only give you a headache.

And...don't worry. It's our secret, okay? I'm not going to tell anyone, and neither will my master.

[ ...a pause; it goes on only long enough for him to realize it's there ]

--As tempted as I am to take you up on that offer, it feels a little bit like I'm taking advantage of your generosity! Especially if... well, we were friends. Someone kind enough to remember I have a sweet tooth doesn't deserve to have been forgotten.

[ 'don't try to remember,' hm...? 'master'... ]

I hope you can forgive me. And-- let's be friends again, if it's okay with you-- but only if it won't get you in any trouble, okay?

I...no, I wouldn't say we were friends, exactly. We didn't have enough time and it wasn't...very kind to you.

[Doll's tone is subdued and apologetic, but...well.]

No no- you should forgive me. But...I'd like that. To be your friend. Being a friend won't get me in trouble in general or with master but...there may be some things I can't do for you.

And some things I can't say on the network.

[ wasn't very kind...? ]

Ah-- please, I don't want you to get the wrong idea about all of this! [ it's his turn to sound apologetic!! apology yo-yo... ] I didn't reach out because I was hoping for any information or favors, so-- [ a noise; he isn't sure how much to say or left unsaid, really. ] I just wanted to thank you for doing something kind. Maybe we've talked before and I'm unable to remember, but I'm guessing you knew I would forget... You did it anyway, for someone who would wake up a stranger to you. I suppose... that tells me you're a kind person. If we weren't friends before... let's change that and start over-- is that okay?

[They're going to be an apology spiral aren't they.]

No, no! I'm not-I wasn't trying to-oh jeez. It just...happens sometimes, I didn't mean to make it sound like...I'm sorry Abel.

[Flustered Doll is flustered!]

But I...did want you to feel a little better being here so...yes. Yes, okay, we can start over.

Hi. I'm called Doll. It's very nice to meet you.

[ oh god they're in a never-ending cycle SOMEONE SEND HELP-- wait okay maybe there's hope with this convo reset. ]

Doll~! Of course. How very nice to be meeting you for the first time, ever! And since this is the first time we're meeting, ever, I just wanted you to know someone extremely pleasant left some pastries for me.

Now, I know what you're thinking. "Abel," you say, "you've eaten them all by now, surely." Ha! I actually did not, for your information! I happen to have saved several, even! And I read somewhere that sweet food tastes better if you eat it in good company!

So, since we're on the road to becoming friends, and seeing as how I am a very lonely soul in a new town with no one to share these sorts of things with... I was hoping you wouldn't mind if I left you an open invitation to share what's left with me. --If you can! Anytime. And if not, then... I suppose I can eat these all by my lonesome, but only if you promise to be there in spirit.

[What a good idea on Abel's part!

And listening to Abel speak, Doll listens and- giggles. It can't be helped. Abel is super charming!!]

I can't come now, but I'll come by in the future! We can have tea- or coffee, whatever you like! We can even have a little party, by ourselves or with friends, if you'd like to.

So for now, I'll be with you in spirit. And really...I'm glad you like them.

[ well. that's really all he wanted; he is pleased and Doll can probably hear it in his voice. ]

Ah, perfect~! Then it's a date! Without a date. Whenever you get around to it, you'll know how to find me! I can't promise these will still be around by then, but I'll make sure there's something waiting for you.

And... is it okay if I have you promise me something? --Nothing crazy or awkward, I swear!

[Doll's pleased too, and they laugh. Really, Abel is too fun.]

All right! I'll look forward to our not date then, if it happens! But...what do you want me to promise Abel...?

[Doll is Concerned.]

[ his chair creaks where he leans in a bit, and some of the jovial air leaks out of his tone. it's serious, but soft and gentle ]

I know that someone with a kind heart can be taken advantage of. In our desperation to leave this place, I'm a little worried some might, ah... get a little overzealous. [ worried... aboutchu... quietly. ]

I won't pretend I know who you are or what part you play in why you're here. I don't know why I'm here. If it's to help you-- help someone, I... [ he trails off. it doesn't matter, and he doesn't expect the answers to that. ]

...Promise you'll be careful? I'd hate for something to happen to you for trying to help us. Feeling trapped and lost can make people do desperate, regrettable things. [ there's things he wants to say-- if the Doll's 'master,' and beyond that, anyone out there with power over this realm didn't like what Doll was doing... he really doesn't want this to end up with them hurt, or worse. ]

Ah...yes. That...has happened before.

[Let's just say that it didn't End Well.]

It doesn't help that I am Master's Assistant, and that I...have the power to do a lot of things. Including supplies.

But...I'll try my best. Maybe I should tell you? Yeah I should... Um...after the first time...Master set up a...system. I don't remember how it was set up, but if I'm broken...something...bad will happen.

I'm not sure what. I just know that my Master will show up at the very least.

Ah. I see... [ wow HE HATES IT-- 'broken'; he really doesn't like that word, but consider Doll is Doll and refers to a 'master' he can't help but draw parallels to the Killing Dolls... Tres. do they see themselves like that? 'broken' instead of injured... or worse.

but he doesn't remember hearing about any incident that transpired between their 'overlords,' Doll and the fogfolk. --okay, one thing at a time. ]

[ doll no you deserve better than that!! ] Are you alright, now? I'm not sure how long ago this happened, but-- I'm so sorry. For what it's worth, I'll do whatever I can on this end to stop history from repeating itself.

It was awhile ago. Really, you don't have to worry! I'm okay!

If you could just...warn people? I mean...being broken is painful but...I don't want anyone else hurt because of me. Or...because they want a way out. It's not their fault for being so frustrated, and scared.

Of course--! I can absolutely spread the word... I really hope no one would get an idea like that in their head to begin with, but... [ well, clearly it had happened once upon a time, so here they are. ]

...If you get into any kind of trouble-- with them, or-- [ their master? whoever pulled the strings? he didn't know, really. ] Anyone.

Please don't be afraid to ask for help. It might sound a bit hollow coming from a priest who's just another nobody stuck here, but-- [ he doesn't know how much Doll knows; he's scared to ask so he won't. ] --I'll do whatever I can. For you, and them.

You said it yourself. People...are desperate.

[It's not their fault. Doll doesn't blame them one bit.]

...you really are a kind person. And you really shouldn't promise that to me. That might get you hurt.

Your promises, your words...they're not hollow. I mean that, from the bottom of my heart.

[ o-oh, no, his soft insides are being moved, those heartstrings tugged-- Doll what are you doing this is most dangerous for you... if you worm your way this far in here there's no getting out!! ]

...No. I'm not kind; I'm just stubborn, you see? I feel very strongly about getting a chance to share pastries together now I've set my mind to it, and I'd be very upset if anything were to prevent that from happening.

[ doll may be concerned for his well-being, but that is the least of his worries... he'd do anything to keep them safe. ]

That too.

[Doll laughs a little. Really, how are people so ready to protect them, when they haven't even met face to face...! People...really are amazing.]

But I'll try my best. And when I come over...I'll try to bring you at least one pastry.

[ feed stray priests and this is what you get... smh..... don't feed the strays!! ]

Mm! That's all I could ask of you-- to try your best. [ just try and keep safe. and if you can't-- send a smoke signal... sos... carrier pigeon-- he will come, he'll find a way SO HELP HIM GOD ]

...Well! By all means, consider my heart won~! I'll have a cup of tea with your name on it.

[ so don't break his heart and go getting broken anytime soon okay this is A Thing we're arranging here!! ]

[Well he's a good...? Priest so...!]

Goodness, I wasn't trying to...! Okay. All right. I'm looking forward to it! The tea. I'm talking about the tea.

[Doll has no plans to break, promise!!!!]

[ look you couldn't even type that in good conscience we both know the truth... ]

Oho...? [ the shark

has smelled blood ]

Just the tea, hm...? Not my winning personality~?

[We both know...he's a sugar monger.]

Wha-of course I want to see you! That's obvious!

[Doll's blushing, be sure of it]

[ ok yes this is v. true no one can deny... ]

Hm? Hm? What's this...? [ his voice gets louder as he leaaaans into the phone ]

Forgive me, Doll, but... if I didn't know better, I'd swear I could practically hear you blushing! But no, no-- that can't be right, of course.

[That. That there is a squeak. And now a squawk!]

No! No, I'm not blushing at all!

[Abel is right. They are blushing. A lot.]

[ oh no... OH NO THESE NOISES ARE ADORABLE... he is trying extremely hard to suffocate his laughter, but Doll can probably hear it in his voice regardless ]

My! That was extremely convincing~! Oh of course you wouldn't be blushing, why would you?

[ okay okay he'll stop... maybe. for now. ]

Mm... well. It's getting late, isn't it? I suppose it would be rude of me to keep you awake any longer.

Do you mind if I ask you one last something before I let you go?

[Doll can't help it! And they can hear it too.]

Noooo! I'm not, really not!

[Doll is also terrible at lying. She may be fanning herself with one hand.]

A-all right. What is it?

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