The countryside road leading to Templeton this close to sundown was an almost nostalgic experience for Huntress. She’d spent a childhood here, with sundown being her way to know it was time to come home for dinner. Usually with her friend in tow, occasionally via piggyback if either of them had gotten hurt. In some ways, Huntress thought, it’s funny that she’s still dragging her friend home after all this time. It was the same when they were drafted too.

Huntress was about 500 yards from the township when a knocking came from Doll’s box. She knelt down to open the case, from which rose the timid porcelain shape of her friend. The key on it’s back stuttered a bit as it turned.

“I-It wanted to know where mmm-Mistress intends to tak-” Doll trailed off looking over her shoulder towards Templeton, before turning around and placing her hands on the top of the suitcase. “Tha-ts Templeton!”

“Hold still for a moment,” Huntress said winding Doll’s key. Doll arched her back each turn, with Huntress trying in vain to not find her reactions a little cute. “I’m not happy about it, but Templeton was closer than Edli anyways. So we’ll stay here for the night and head back towards Edli first thing in the morning.”

Huntress gave once last wind and noticed Doll take a heavy breath in before Huntress let go of the key. Doll turned around to face Huntress looking like she about to say something, but Huntress gently motioned her to hop out of the box. While Huntress feared the worst for the town, she reasoned that, if someone. . . human was there, they wouldn’t take kindly to someone walking around with a living doll. Rifling through the dresses Witch provided, she found a grey blouse with a slit on the back for a key and skirt that could hide some of her leg joints. Huntress looked over to Doll, who’s flustered expression suggested she understood the intent.

With Doll wound and dressed, the two start towards Templeton. Doll carrying her own box.

Huntress’s worries were proven correct as she stepped walked into town center, leading Doll with her free hand. A small gaggle of human shaped figures clicked and shuffled from building to building, disappearing into the townhall, the entrance of which was decorated with bright flowers and wreathes. Though the sun disappeared beneath the horizon, Huntress could see marked porcelain hands carrying flowers, cups, and more. Long white hair flowing as they buzzed about. Villagers turned workers? The town was simultaneously busy and empty, with only the inn having lit the candles in the windows. Huntress’s eyes searched over to the bakery where she spent her childhood and, unfortunately, her days after she and Doll were drafted.

“I wonder if the shotgun we hid in the bakery shed is still there. . . “ Huntress mumbled to herself, looking over to Doll. Doll wore a thoughtful expression. Huntress couldn’t tell if Doll had heard her or was starting to remember something, so Huntress pointed Doll’s hand towards the bakery.

“Do you remember anything about this place? We used to spend our time here, a long time ago.”

Doll seemed to stare at the building and froze. “It. . . . doesn’t know,” she muttered. Huntress knew something was stirring in Doll, but saw an uncomfortable expression cross her face. “It remembers the smell of flour and bread.”

”Don’t push yourself. I’m not sure what you remem-” Huntress was interrupted by a Doll shoving past her, hurrying towards the townhall. It was carrying firewood and a box of matches, dressed in rags like Doll was at the witch’s hut, and a single worn rope dangled from one of the wings on it’s key. It turned and waved apologetically with a free hand, staring forward with strangely piercing brown eyes.

“S-s-SSSSS-Soor-r-ie!” It slurred out, before reaching a hand back to sloppily wind its key once with the rope. “B—bu-zie Time! Right n-ow!”

“Hey, whats happening at town hall? Is a festival happening?” Huntress asked. She could feel Doll’s hand tighten around hers for a moment. Upon second glance, Huntress was also glad that the doll’s face wasn’t anyone she’d recognize from the town. Did the people here flee?

““Ah- a-a-a-A Wedding is soon! You-u must be in town for the celebration-n! Everyo-nes talking abou-ut it!”

Huntress squinted. The worker doll waved again and sauntered off with an unsteady pace, disappearing into the townhall. Doll and Huntress shared a short glance and started towards the inn.

“Do you know anything about the wedding?” Huntress asked Doll.

“Not really. Doll knows Witch started mentioning it and began disappearing for long periods of time.” Doll said, with a morose expression.

“Oh. I uh. I guess Witch wasn’t there all the time then.” Huntress said, feeling that there was more to the subject but not wanting to press. Doll squeezed her hand and followed into the inn.

Huntress remembered the inn having a simple kitchen and rooms to rent, and her and Doll needed both. The old inn felt oddly alive given the presence of a lit fireplace and some lights in the main seating area, which had one or two tables normally occupied by traveling merchants having a meal. A moment after entering, another doll entered from the kitchen behind the front desk. It had the same face as the working doll from before except with blue eyes, Huntress noted to herself, almost like copies of the same model.

“He-l-oo strangers, what can I get for yo-uUu?” The doll said, winding itself in the same manner as the other.

Huntress waved nonchalantly. “We’d like a meal and a room for the night. I’ll pay.”

“We don’-t ta-ke money here, but we’re delighted to hel-p you! c-Cream of mushroom soup or potatoes and gravy?”

Huntress glanced over to Doll, only to come to face to face with the poor thing, standing as close to Huntress as she could.

“I can’t remember if you need to eat now. Do you want anything?” Huntress said in a quiet tone, giving her privacy. Out of the corner of Huntress’s eye, the doll behind the counter leaned forward.

It started with a small shivering across Doll’s body that grew, as Doll’s eyes widened, seemingly unable to focus on a single point.

““It. . .wan-ts-ts-s. . .i. . .iiIits. . . I-its,” murmured out of the Doll’s mouth. It dawned on Huntress that Doll probably wasn’t allowed to consider what she wanted.

“Hey hey it’s alright!” Huntress said trying to ground Doll in her presence, hugging her closer. “Let’s get you some tea and start there.” Huntress turned her head towards the counter. As she turned, she caught a brief glance of a fading murkiness in the doll’s eyes.

“Just potatoes and gravy, and some tea if you have any.” Huntress said, feeling the start of Doll’s calming magic on her. Soothing but hungry.

Huntress and Doll sat across from each other at a table in a brief silence. The food tasted good at least, probably jarred gravy and some potatoes left behind by the townsfolk. Huntress wasn’t having difficulty reading Doll though, who looked sullen from the experiences she just had, barely touching the warm cup of chamomile in front of her. In an unusual turn, Doll was the first to speak up.

“Its. . . sorry. Doll didn’t know h-how to respond and froze. It will do better next time, Mistress. . .”

“It’s fine, don’t worry. We’ve both had a long day, and there’s a lot being reintroduced to you very quickly.” Huntress said, reaching a hand across the table. Doll reciprocated, entwining their fingers, and loosening up.

“By the way, I guess we should sort names out. People might start to get strange ideas if you call me ‘Mistress’ all the time.” Huntress said in between spoons of gravy. “I assume the Witch. . . just called you ‘Doll?’”

“Ye-es. Witch told it a real name wasn’t ap. . .appropriate for a doll to have,” Doll replied

“Hmm. Well, my name is. . . ” Huntress briefly got up from her chair to lean in close to Doll’s ear. She spoke softly, making a glance over at the innkeep doll. It was just leaving the room for the kitchen.

“oh. Oh! That’s a p-pretty name!” Doll said, surprised by the gesture.

“Don’t say it while we’re in town,” Huntress said, sternly. Doll nodded with a serious look on her face.

“As for you. . .” Huntress paused. She felt like asking Doll to give herself a name was a bad idea, her eye scoured the room for inspiration. Doll rested her head in her hands, thinking as well.

“Maybe that’s a question for another night.” Huntress said, finishing her bowl. “I suppose for the time being ‘Doll’ works,” Huntress said with a slight wry smile on her face.

“Its-’s name should be pretty too!” Doll said, slightly louder than she was speaking before. “Maybe a name li-”

“H-huuu-Hey, Doll forgot to hand-d you a-a-a room key. So sorry-ie!” The Innkeep doll seemed to appear out of nowhere, interrupting Doll.

Doll looked startled as well but quickly settled. “Thanks, we’re done at the table anyways.” Huntress said with a shrug.

After collecting their things, the two made their way to their room. The inn was all on one floor, with 3 smaller rooms with fireplaces, wash basins, a mirror, and one or two beds. Without realizing it, the innkeep doll had given them a room with only one bed, but Huntress figured Doll would like to sleep in her box. Huntress looked back at the front desk to see the innkeep doll was gone.

Doll’s key was slowing down around the time they finished putting on their night gowns, so Huntress gave it a few more turns before they retired for the night. The two had set Doll’s box beside the bedside table, alongside Huntress’s rifle. Doll was resting in Huntress’s lap for the winding process, blushing a little from how intimate this felt. Huntress was feeling a bit of that calming pull towards Doll’s form creeping in. Her hands left the key and pulled Doll in for a hug. The dollified form of her friend was deeply conflicting for Huntress but there was a part of her that remembers those early days. How she’d speak about wanting to be fairer. The way she lost a bit of glow when the hairs on her chin and arms came in. The timid blush she had when Huntress called her ‘princess.’ The quiet giggles they shared when someone referred to Doll as more ‘housewifely’ than Huntress.

“I still can’t over everything Witch said, but. . . you still make for the cutest girl I know.” Huntress said, mixed emotion troubling her affection. Doll leaned in close, placing her chin on Huntress’s shoulder.

“Witch told it that Doll exchanged a lot for this. It senses that everything feels complicated for Mistress, but Doll’s just glad it has you. Even if it doesn’t fully remember everything.” Doll explained, trying to comfort Huntress. “Witch was always a little mean with Doll, and then she’d leave. When Doll’s key wound down, it wasn’t sure how long had passed between when she left and came back.”

Huntress ran a hand down to Doll’s waist and held her closer. She was calmer than she was at the Witch’s hut. Even if ‘owning’ her best friend was a displeasing thought to her. But a rising feeling slid her hand underneath Doll’s nightgown. Doll whimpered at the cold hand, but leaned into the caress.

“You’re with me now, and I won’t do that to you. You’re. . . You deserve more than that. I loved you then and I think. . . despite. . . my affections haven’t faltered.” Huntress said, in between her breaths getting heavier. Doll moaned into Huntress’s ear and wrapped her arms around Huntress. Huntress could feel the ridges of Doll’s waist joints in her hands, her hips straddling hers. It’s more than at the hut. This. This was right. Working her hands up, Huntress could feel the key stuttering on Doll’s back. Doll only had a bit of time left. Maybe a quarter of an hour. A barrier was pushed through in Huntress’s mind. Unsure if Doll’s magic would still cloud her thought when unwound but wanting more. Holding tight. Restraining. Claiming.

“Ke- . . . Keep playing with me. . . . And don’t l-let go-o.” Doll quietly said, inviting more from her partner. Doll’s eyes were drifting, lost in Huntress’s caressing. Huntress could no longer think straight, something in her rose to the fore. Needing her Doll to respond, to move her as she sees necessary.

“Your knight was away from her duties for too long.” Huntress said with a smirk, positioning Doll onto the bed so they could lay beside each other. Huntress leaned in close to say, “You’re safe with me, princess.” Doll squirmed. Something in her recognized it. A new form, the same soul. A knight must always tend to her princess, it’s simply her duty. And a princess must thank her knight for her devotion.

Returning to her bed after placing Doll in her box, Huntress collapsed. The calming magic had loosened after Doll’s key stopped, allowing Huntress to pull herself out of her haze. While the dancing aftershocks of the two’s passionate dance left Huntress in a state of bliss. She slept for a few hours before waking up, feeling uneasy and parched. Fetching herself her flask in her backpack, she laid back down on the bed and surveyed the dark room around her. Huntress could see herself in the mirror above the wash basin across the room for just a moment. She saw an unconscious smile in her reflection, between heavy eye-lids closing and opening.

A small creaking noise came from the mirror, and Huntress’s eyes fought her tiredness to stay open. An inky, murkiness faded in from the corners of the mirror that pooled against it’s frame. Huntress grabbed her rifle. The smile she had in the reflection stayed, only the outline of a pointed, black hat and a piercing gaze came into focus.

“Very funny, Witch.” Huntress said.

A hand pressed against the mirror and seemed to push slowly through into the room, with the Witch’s head following behind.

”You think a tool of mankind can save you?” A crackling voice said from across the room.

A loud crack rang out, followed by the mirror shattering and falling to the floor. The brief flash of light passed and a thin line of smoke rose from the barrel. A moment of total silence passed. Doll’s box was silent. The mirror shards rested on the floor below and the room was totally still.

Then there was a small clicking noise. The same sound of a locked door being tried. Huntress reloaded the rifle with another round from her bag and rose to her feet. She hoisted Doll’s box up and threw it through the window, making another loud crash. Scratching and thuds began to sound from the door, and a faint candle light could be seen under the frame.

Huntress climbed up into the window sill and stepped outside. Grabbing the box and lifting it, she’d started running towards the Baker’s shed, rifle in hand.