A Doll to be Loved

...Mm?

Heena! What's wrong?

Sorry Aldo. It appears my arm is malfunctioning.

Malfunctioning? You mean you're hurt?

No. To put it in human terms, my arm is acting "funny."

Actually. It appears there is a crack in my right elbow. If left untreated I may lose function in that arm.

Seriously?! That's a big deal! Why didn't you you say something!

I did not mention it because I was unaware of it. I do not feel pain, so I am only aware of problems if they affect my internal systems.

I see... Guess there are positives and negatives to this no pain thing.

Yes. I suppose you are right. I have to thank you, Aldo.

Er. What for?

I have been a lot more careful since our encounter with the golem. I got involved in something and it was your words that kept me from facing even greater injury. So, thank you, Aldo.

I hardly think I'm responsible enough that it warrants a thank you...

Anyway, we need to treat that arm!

Yes. While I may not feel pain, I do need a functioning arm. We must repair it immediately.

Right. But... Who do we go to for something like this? Is there, like, a machine doctor somewhere we can go to?

No. If you can get me the right materials I can preform the repair myself.

Yourself? How?!

Gelatin. It works as a sealant when mixed with broken down shells.

Huh. So it's like a cure-all for machines.

You could say that. However, there is one issue.

What's that?

I am out of the gelatin necessary to make this "cure-all."

That IS a problem. I have no idea where we'd even find some of that stuff. Never seen it for sale!

We would have to travel east. Carpenters there often use gelatin, so it's much easier to come by.

Could we even make it there in time? What happens if your injury gets worse before we get there?

Hey! Why don't we go to the blacksmith over in Baruoki and see if they can help us out?

Why? You just said you've never seen it for sale.

Right, but if it's something carpenters use, then a blacksmith might have something similar?

I see. You wish to look for a substitute. Then in that case, take me to Baruoki.

Yeah, it's actually really close!

Just SELL. IT. TO. ME. You mean old man!

I'm not being mean! I literally do not have any to sell you. I can't sell you the thing if I don't have the thing! Now please, give up and go home.

UGGGGGGGGGGGGGH.

Hey Aldo, what can I do ya for.

I was wondering if you had something... You ever heard of gelatin?

Ah yeah. It's that animal glue they use out east, right? I got a sample from a salesman once, but never ordered some myself. What about it, though?

We're looking for some, or at least something similar to it.

Something similar, eh? Yeah, nope. Nothin' comes to mind...

I see. Well, Aldo, what should we do now?

Well, it was worth a shot I guess. We might as well head back to Unigan for now.

Now wait just a minute, you two.

Mm?

I said I couldn't think of somethin' SIMILAR.

You didn't ask me if I had somethin' WAY BETTER!

Really? Better?

You bet your butt, honey! The Super Stick 2000 is a gluer's dream. My patented quick-drying, quick-acting, quick-sticking formula has THREE times the power of gelatin.

Wow! Tell us more!

I would also like to know more. I had no idea the Migleina Continent had such advanced adhesive technology. With something like that, it could even lower the amount of maintenance I need!

Y-Your maintenance? You don't mean to use this to fix up your armor and such?

Ah, right. Heena is a machine built in the east. She needs the adhesive to fix a crack in her frame.

You're a MACHINE?!

Yes. I am merely a human illusion created with wood and paint.

Just when you think you've seen everything. Aldo, you sure do bring in some funny ones.

I sure do! Haha!

Right. So will you give us some of this... Super Stick 2000 was it?

Of course! But the thing is, I only got but enough for one bottle of it.

Seriously?! You shoulda told us that before you gave that amazing pitch!

Well, what do you want me to do? It's made out of bambookra. Stuff's real hard to get these days.

I've seen bambookra before! Pretty sure it grows over in the Karek Swamplands. It's that real sticky grass, right?

Why is it so hard to get now?

You tell me! I go look for it, and all I find is a whole lotta nothin'!

It's really put me in a bind. Was plannin' on using it for furniture repairs and such... And that girl that just left won't leave me alone about it!

Hmmm... Well, Heena, what should we do?

I believe given the circumstances, we only have one choice, Aldo.

If we bring you some bambookra, you can make us some of your adhesive, correct?

Yeah. I mean, sure. Of course I can.

Then, in that case.

Aldo and I will go on a quest to find more bambookra!

Yeah! A quest! Let's go on a quest!

Uhhhh? Not without me you're not?

Mm?

And you are....

I thought I told you to go home! This is the girl that wouldn't shut up about the Super Stick 2000.

I'm, like, a total agrostrolologist, or whatever. Put me in a field? And like? I will so tell you the names of all the grass in it. Seriously. You kind of need me, actually. And I need that glue, okay? So you HAVE to take me with you. I will find so much bambookra? You don't even know. Like. Your mind? Will explode. I'll give you half, but, like, that might even be too much.

No.

FINE. You can keep most of it? I just need, like, a teeny tiny bit. But, like, it's gonna be so much grass you're gonna need two bags to carry it.

I wouldn't take you with us even if you could get us 100 bags.

Uuuuuuuuuwhua?

It is settled. Now leave us alone.

OH MY GOSH? Like, why are you so MEAN?

WHyyyeeeeeee?

Hey, uh, come on. The Karek Swamplands are full of all sorts of monsters and stuff. It's too dangerous to bring a little girl!

Hold on, Heena.

We have no time for this, Aldo. Now take me to these Karek Swamplands.

Ah...uh... Okay...

You can't go!

I am, like, not even done talking?

Well, he was right. I don't see any bambookra anywhere. Every time I think I find some, it's too small to be of any use.

Too small? They all look like something took a bite out of them.

A bite?

Yes. Look at this. The way it is cut is characteristic of a bite from very sharp teeth.

Huh. Would you look at that!

Hey, you hear that?

Yes. Let's go find out what it is!

I think it was coming from over there! Aldo, be on your guard!

Right!

THERE'S NOWHERE LEFT TO HIDE FOUL BEAST!

PleaseDon'tKillMePleaseDon'tKillMe PleaseDon'tKillMePleaseDon'tKillMe PleaseDon'tKillMePleaseDon'tKillMe

Oh. It's you.

The little girl from the shop!

You guys scared me half to death! I seriously thought you guys were gonna kill me? You looked SO scary.

Scared? You scared us! So what, did you just follow us here?

I can't believe this...

Guys? I reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeally need this glue.

I don't care how much you need the glue, you can't just come out here all by yourself! We'll give you some glue after we're done.

I have been waiting FOR-E-VER for this glue. FOREVER! I am so so so sososoososoSO over waiting.

Okay, I'll bite. What do you need this glue for so badly?!

My Dolly broke. She's been my bestest friend in the whole world ever since I was born. And I need to glue to fix her.

You're a doll right? You should totally know how she feels right now. Think about how Dolly feels. She is totally at home crying about how broken she is.

I am different from any sort of "doll" you know. I feel no empathy for your toy.

You are SO like her! She's got your amazing skin, your awesome hair, you two look exactly alike!

COME NO CLOSER.

Woah there, Heena. What's the deal?

Like, I know it was wrong for me to follow you guys? But you DON'T havetobesomEANABOUT IIIIIIT, oKAAYYYY?! Gooooosh!

Mm?!

...J-Just... Just go back to the village. Now. Go.

We can't just let her go back all by herself. Let's just take her with us.

...Really, mister?

Have you lost your mind, Aldo?

It's either we do this, or we take her back. And I don't think we have the time to be making another trip out here.

Yes, that is logical, but we...

All right Heena. What's the deal. Why are you so up in arms about this? Is there something you're not telling me?

I...

PUH-LEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE. I will so not get in the way? I will be, like, super quiet 2000.

...Fine. You may join us. But stay away from me.

YEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS! You are the BEST.

What is wrong with you two?

Why are you running from me?

Because you keep chasing me!

Yeah! Because you keep running!

I told you to stay away. And I meant it! Aldo! Initialize your protect Heena from obnoxious little girl protocol.

My what?

You chose to bring her. She is your responsibility.

Right. Okay! Don't go near her, got it?

You will stay as close to Aldo as possible. Don't even come close to ACCIDENTALLY touching me. Got it?

FIIIIIIIINEEEEEEEEEEE. You are like, the meanest doll EVER.

I do not care what you think.

...All right. Well now that's settled...

Let's go search for some bambookra then, eh? We might be able to find some if we go further in.

I am SO good at this. Look at all this bambookra!

Yeah! And it's all in good shape, too!

Yes. But if our hypothesis is correct we should be on the look out for something trying to...

Look! Those sahaugin are about to eat that bambookra!

So YOU guys are why I can't have my glue? GROSS.

I knew it.

GUH GUH GUH GUH!!!

They're going to eat all the bambookraaaaa!

Shut up and stand back!

But...

Their fangs are big enough to kill you in one bite. Back away if you want to live.

But they aren't the only ones with fangs that can kill.

Now die, sewer rats!

Let's do this, Aldo!

Don't have to tell me twice!

And that's that.

OKAY! YOU CAN COME BACK NOW!

Woah, like, did you kill all of these monsters yourself, mister?!

What? No, I had--

Yes. It was all Aldo. With him protecting us, you have nothing to worry about.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS Mr. Aldo you are, like, so cool. Let's go get some bambookra!

Agreed.

Hm? Did you hear that?

More sahaugin?!

EWWWWWWW! Get them away from meeeeeeeee eww eww ewwwwwwwwww ewewwwwww.

Damn!

GET AWAY FROM HER!

That not enough? THEN TAKE THIS!

OH. MY. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO--

Are you okay?

Eek!

Hm?!

What is wrong with you? Heena just saved your life!

Because... Like...

It's fine, Aldo. I knew this was going to happen.

Heena, come on...

Machines are not tools of war. But no matter how many times I say it, I cannot ignore the fact my body was made for it. I am a danger to children. So her reaction is normal.

I am not like her Dolly. I am not made to comfort and give joy. So I prefer not to get involved with children at all.

So that's why you were running away from her...

I'm sorry for scaring you. But please be assured I will not go anywhere near you. So you don't have to worry about getting hurt.

I...

We found what we were looking for.

Now let's take it back to Baruoki.

Hey. Let's head back, okay? People are probably worried about you back home, eh?

O...Okay...

Can't believe after all that, we only had enough to make one bottle.

Yes. But once the bambookra grows back, they should be able to harvest enough to build back their stock.

So... Aldo, I want you to give the glue to the girl.

Really?!

You sure? Shouldn't we fix your arm first?

It's fine. I can deal with waiting a little longer. I won't die from a little delay in repairs.

Yeah, but...

I said, it's fine. I can handle it. What's more important is...

I scared that little girl. This glue is my apology to her.

Well, if you insist...

Thanks...

Please, fix your Dolly.

You know what?! I'm good!

What do you mean?

I want you to use it!

What?!

Go on, take it!

But...do I not scare you?

I would think you would never want to see me again, but instead you...

Look, like, I'm sorry that I got all scared and ran.

But like, when I stopped and thought about it? I realized you are like, the nicest dolly ever.

So I am totally not scared!

You aren't?!

Hah! Congrats, Heena!

And actually? I want to help fix you! And when you're all better, we should totally play together!

I forbid it!

WHYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! What part of "I'm not scared of you" did you not understand?!

I am still dangerous, regardless if you are scared or not. What if one of my weapons were to accidentally spring out?

Have any of your weapons "accidentally" sprung out before? Pretty sure they haven't. And besides, I thought machines weren't tools of war?

Right, yes, I did say that, but I have no place being around children!

Well, I think you do.

You do?

I mean, dolls were originally made for children, were they not? So if a kid says they want you to play with them, that's good enough.

Are you sure you really want to play with me?

Am I sure? I am super sure 2000.

Well! If you insist! We shall play until the sun goes down!

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

Okay. So, like, can you do the thing again where you slam that big spiked ball into the ground?!

THAT'S what you want to do?!

Uh, yeah? At first I was like me scare pls no. But then when I saw her take out those monsters? I was like, yas queen spike the house down boots.

Heh. I see you are a girl of exceptional taste!

Okay! If it is my morning star you wish to see, then that is what you'll get!

Heena, you can't be serious?!

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! Not going to lie, it's still kinda scary, but it's also still REALLY cool.

Well, whatever floats your boat, I guess.

It was all worth it!

What would you like to see next? I will do whatever you want!

Can we play house? Also, we need to have make overs and then, like runway walking, and like, and like...

Calm down! I said we'll play till the sun goes down, so there's plenty of time to do all that! I'll do whatever it is you want to do!

Theeeeeeeeen, why don't we start with tag? I'm it, so start running, and I'll try and tag you!

You did pretty good back in the swamp, but this is MY turf, so it won't be so easy this time!

I shall do my best!

Readyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy? GO!

GUYS! WAIT! YOU FORGOT ABOUT THE REPAIRS!!

I'M GONNA GET YOUUUU!!

You're going to have to run faster if you want to catch me!

Hello? Repairs? Anybody listening?!

RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!!!

YOU SHALL NOT ESCAPE!

Yeah, they're not listening.

But hey, they look like they're having fun. Might as well leave 'em to it. I've never seen Heena look so happy.