The Doll sat there with her wrist exposed for a moment, trying to process what Malina had just claimed. Everybody else who had seen the cut had seen the strings that lay atop it, yet Malina seemed genuine in her confusion. Perhaps only some people could see them.
Probing for more information, The Doll asked, “What do you see, Malina?” The Doll wondered about how the cut would look to Malina if Malina couldn't see the strings keeping it closed.
The Doll's question was met with a confused look from Malina, who answered, “A cut on your wrist.” She then doubled down on her previous question, “You still haven't told me how you got it. Did somebody hurt you?” Her confused voice was replaced with its previously concerned tone.
Once again avoiding Malina's question The Doll asked, “What does it look like to you exactly?” The Doll couldn't deny that this question was only partly to gauge for more information and mostly to avoid answering Malina's question.
Malina’s grip on The Doll’s wrist tightened in response as she said, “Answer my question first, Dollie. Who hurt you?” Malina’s eyes then shifted over to The Dolls covered palm. “Was it the same person who cut your palm?” The Doll looked in Malina's eyes, remembering this same look from when Malina had pulled out The Dolls hair. Those same possessive eyes stared at her with even more intensity than they had before.
Attempting to keep calm, The Doll said, “I already explained the cut on my palm was fr—” The Doll’s speech was replaced with a suppressed yelp of pain as Malina further tightened her grip. Initially The Doll was shocked by Malina's strength, considering her frame. However, when she looked down The Doll found the source of the pain, primarily to be from Malina digging her nails into The Dolls wrist.
Malina spoke again, “Don't lie to me; I told you not to lie to me.” The Doll could hear the tone of Malina's voice growing increasingly unsteady as she spoke.
Putting her hand on Malina's shoulder, Lila attempted to interrupt, “La-Lady Regius perhaps you should stop.” Malina looked over to Lila, who immediately let go of her shoulder, flinching in what The Doll assumed was fear.
Lila’s apparent fear did nothing to stop Malina, who looked back to The Doll and said, “Tell me how it happened now.” Malina's voice had now risen considerably and was bordering on a tone that the others in class would take notice of.
Fortunately for The Doll it was now that the bell rang to signify the end of the hour. The Doll heard the class filing out of the classroom into the hall. The Doll knew she would have to tell Malina what had happened before she would even consider letting her go, but knowing Malina's reaction would likely be negative, she has to wait for the entire class to leave.
Once The Doll was sure all potential onlookers left the room, she said, “Nobody hurt me.” In response to The Doll beginning to explain herself, Malina's grip loosened slightly before The Doll continued. “I did it myself.” The Doll attempted to keep her voice calm and level, but confessing to the act felt difficult to The Doll.
Immediately after The Doll said this, Malina's grip tightened far tighter than before. As Malina's nails began digging into The Dolls skin through her uniform, she began saying, “No, no, no, no, no. Not again.” Malina's voice now sounded completely unstable.
The Doll reached her free hand out and gently placed it on Malina's shoulder. Unsure of what to do but still wanting to make Malina feel better The Doll asked, “Are you okay, Malina?” The Doll did her best to make her voice soft and comforting, similar to last night.
Upon hearing this, Malina stopped talking for a moment and pulled The Doll in closer, leaving only an inch of room between the two. “Don't do that again,” Malina suddenly said in a low, quiet voice that resembled a plea more than a threat.
The Doll wanted to take this moment to reassure Malina and tell her that she wouldn't do it again. But the words remained stuck in The Dolls throat.
Could The Doll truly promise that?
What if The Doll needed to do something like this again?
The headmaster made it clear that these strings were a point of interest for him, something he felt the need to tell Madame Aziza about. These strings were capable of injuring the headmaster. What if somehow they gave The Doll the power that she would need to fight Darius? The power that fit somebody of her status. The Doll couldn't deny the allure of such a prospect.
The Doll froze her thoughts.
Was she making excuses to harm herself again?
Pushing these thoughts out of her mind The Doll said, “I won't… I promise.” Despite The Doll saying these words to Malina, she felt as if she was making the promise to herself more than anybody else.
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Seemingly reassured by The Doll's promise, Malina let go of The Doll's wrist, allowing her hand to fall down to The Doll’s gripping it loosely. Bringing The Doll's hand up to her face, Malina caressed it against her cheek and said, "Good, if it happens again, I'll make sure it's the last time you do it.” Malina's threat once again sounded far too much like a plea to scare The Doll.
To the side The Doll heard a cough from Lila as she said, “W-We should head to class now.” Both The Doll and Malina looked over to Lila, who immediately flinched at their gazes. “I—if that's alright, of course.” Lila added on with fear evident in her voice.
Malina let go of The Doll and walked over to Lila, wrapping her arms around Lila's body and digging her face into her back. “Did I scare you, Shyla?” When Lila whimpered in response, Malina said, "I'm sorrrrryyyy Shyla, I'm just sleepy.” As if adding emphasis to what she said, Malina let out a yawn into Lila’s back.
From where The Doll was standing, she could see the tips of Lilas's ears darken significantly. “Le-Lets W-We Um…” The Doll covered her ears while Malina dug her head further into Lilas before what came next. "LET'S GO TO CLASS.” Lila suddenly screamed out, causing a satisfied Malina to giggle and let go of Lila.
Interrupting her giggles, Malina let out a loud yawn, stretching her arms above her head. “Well, let's get to class.” Malina began walking out of class with another yawn, “I need some more sleep anyway.” It appeared as though Malina's earlier outburst left her more tired than before, or she was trying to lighten the mood.
The Doll always had trouble figuring out what Malina was thinking.
After composing herself, Lila began to walk towards Malina, who was now out of the classroom. The Doll reacted quickly, grabbing Lila by the wrist and saying, “Wait.” It didn't matter what Malina was thinking right now; this was the perfect chance to ask Lila to set up a meeting between The Doll and Cecilia.
Turning around to meet The Doll's eyes, Lila said, "Ye-Yes, Lady Ashencroft?” Lila's gaze shifted between The Doll and the door, clearly anxious about keeping Malina waiting on the two of them.
Intending to make this quick The Doll opened her mouth to speak, but instead of her voice filling the room, she heard a familiar giggle. "Oh, I forgot I can't leave you alone anymore.” Malina reappeared in the doorway, slowly walking back towards The Doll and Lila before grabbing The Doll’s hand.
The Doll raised an eyebrow despite herself in confusion and asked, “What do you mean you can't leave me alone anymore?” Malina was already with The Doll quite a bit; increasing this already large amount of time could be worrying.
The Doll also found the thought rather nice for some reason.
Ignoring this thought The Doll waited for Malina's response. Giggling again, Malina said, "I've got to make sure you never hurt yourself again.” Malina tightened her grip on The Doll's hand. “So I'm never letting you out of my sight again.” The Doll looked for any sign of sarcasm in Malina's eyes, but she was met with a deathly serious stare.
The Doll opened her mouth to protest this but closed it, knowing that attempting to protest Malina's wishes would be pointless. Instead The Doll smiled and said, “Very well, Malina.” The Doll then tightened her own grip on Malina's hand instinctively.
Encouraged by The Dolls agreement Malina grinned further and said, “Good, glad you agree, Dollie. Let's get to class now,” Malina said as she began walking out of the door, dragging The Doll along with her before stopping and turning around again.
Behind the two of them, Lila muttered, “Tha-Thats hardly proper.” After saying this The Doll flipped her gaze over to Lila, who was nervously looking at the ground.
Malina also flicked her gaze over to Lila and happily walked over to her, grabbing her hand as well. “Are you jealous, Shyla?” Malina asked, causing Lila to make a strange noise in response, “I can keep a close eye on you too; I don't mind.” Malina stated in a very serious tone similar to the one she used with The Doll.
Lila's face darkened even further when Malina suggested this as she attempted to sputter out incoherent words. Taking a moment to compose herself, Lila began shaking her head and responded, “N-No, I'll be okay.” Lila looked away from the both of them as she said this.
Giggling, Malina said, "Okay, I’ll let you go for now.” The Doll noticed that despite saying this, Malina didn't let go of Lila's hand, something that seemed very contradictory. Despite noticing the contradiction The Doll saw no benefit in pointing it out; it would likely only make Malina mad. Instead, The Doll decided to merely let the moment pass.
Seemingly desperate to change the subject, Lila spoke up suddenly, “W-We still need to know what you talked about with the headmaster.” This triggered a wave of remembrance within The Doll.
The integration by Malina had caused The Doll to completely forget about the reason for the conversation in the first place. Without wasting another moment The Doll said, “The headmaster set up special lessons for me with Madame Aziza and Jilkan.” This revelation caused Malina to tighten her grip on The Dolls hand. “He said that both of you were free to come along.” Malina loosened her grip slightly upon hearing this.
Lila began to answer, but Malina interrupted her, “Do we have to go? I don't trust the headmaster.” The Doll supposed this mistrust was properly placed considering she herself didn't trust him all that much after recent events. Still, the headmaster was above The Doll in standing, and she couldn't consider defying a direct order from him.
Keeping her tone level The Doll said, “I have to go, but he implied that the two of you going was optional.” The Doll’s implication was clear as she looked towards Lila, offering her the chance to back out.
Noticing The Doll's gaze, Lila hesitantly said, “N-No, I'll go.” She then paused for a moment in thought. “But why would you need lessons, Lady Ashencroft?” Lila asked, flinching after realizing the boldness of her question.
The Doll froze when Lila asked this, debating whether or not she should reveal her inability to use magic to Lila. The Doll would have to reveal this if Lila attended the lessons, but telling somebody else about this…
Perhaps The Doll could exclude Lila?
While The Doll mulled over this, Malina spoke up, “Dollie can't use magic.” This casual revelation caused The Doll to flinch as Lila clearly prepared to yell in shock.
Bracing herself for the yell The Doll realized she would need to talk to Malina about keeping this a secret.