Scenario:Anna and Danua - Dear Dollies

Dear Dollies

A pleasant chat between Danua and Anna is spoiled when Danua reacts badly to Anna's attempt to repair Hansel. Later, Anna learns that Hansel is an important memento of Danua's dead older brother. She convinces Danua to let her fix the rip in Hansel's head, but it turns out the magic animating the puppet won't allow his appearance to be changed.

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Anna: Hehe... And you know? When we first met, I thought for sure you guys were another hallucination...

Hansel: Guess that's what happens if you don't step outside every so often.

Gretel: Hahaha! No it doesn't! That's weird, any way you look at it!

Nightmare: Shut it, pal! We were just caught off guard, that's all!

Danua: Hahaha! Hehe!

It is another fine day aboard the Grandcypher. Anna, Danua, and their dolls are having an animated chat.

Anna: Hehe... I still thought so after we left the forest, to be honest.

Danua: Hehe... Hahaha!

Gretel: Hoho! Hey, Hansel! Looks like someone's got the giggles!

Hansel: Indeed. I can't recall the last time I saw her like this.

Vyrn: What's goin' on over here? You two sure seem like you're getting along!

Lyria: Hehe... It's like you've been friends forever!

Gretel: I know, right? Danua's usually such a sourpuss, y'know?

Anna: Really? Hehe... Wow, I'm honored.

Anna: And, um... I've been meaning to ask...

Gretel: Hm? Spit it out! Why so serious all of a sudden?

Anna: Well, um... It's your head, Hansel... There's a little bit of cotton sticking out of it...

Hansel: What, this? Don't worry about it. It's always been like that.

Lyria: Hrm... Now that you've said it, I can't stop looking...

Vyrn: Yeah! Why not get it fixed up?

Anna: I... I've had a lot of practice with Nightmare—let me do it! I'll have Hansel looking great in no time!

Danua: ...!

Danua reaches out quick as lightning to slap Anna's hand away. Her eyes stay on Anna's face, round with fear.

Anna: Huh?

Danua: ...

Vyrn: Hey, what's the deal with Danua all of a sudden?

Lyria: I don't understand... Why would she do that?

Anna: ...

Hansel: Hey, Danua, about this afternoon. That could've gone better, don't you think?

Gretel: Sigh... And just when you two were getting along so well. She's probably all ticked off now...

Danua: ...

Anna: Um... E-excuse me!

Gretel: Anna...

Anna: I-I'm sorry... Earlier today, I startled you, didn't I?

Anna: Um... Danua? Are you mad at me?

Danua: No!

Anna: Hehe... Okay. That's a relief...

Anna: Tell me... Why don't you want to fix Hansel?

Danua: ...

Hansel: Hrm. Perhaps we should handle this.

Gretel: Yeah...

The dolls explain that Hansel is a memento of Danua's older brother.

Anna: Ohh...

Hansel: Yup. That's probably why she wants to keep me exactly the way she got me.

Anna: But... Since he's so important to you, don't you want to take extra special care of him?

Anna: You can't keep Hansel that way... It's not good for him. Or for you either, Danua.

Danua: ...

Danua lapses back into silence, but then she holds Hansel out to Anna.

Hansel: Oh?

Danua: Please...

Anna: Okay! I'll fix him right up. D-do you mind waiting a bit?

Danua: Uh-uh!

That night, Anna takes a needle and thread in her practiced hands and sits down to repair Hansel.

Hansel: ...

Anna: Oh dear...

No sooner has Anna finished sewing than Hansel's rip reopens. It happens again and again. And again.

Anna: I, um... I'm not sure I understand the finer points, but...

Anna: But I think it might be the magic you used to bring Hansel to life, Danua...

Anna: It might mean that his appearance can't be changed...

Hansel: I see. So what you're saying is, a needle and thread aren't gonna do the trick.

Gretel: Hahaha! You're gonna hafta stay ugly, Hansel!

Anna: I-I'm so sorry... I don't know much about doll-making...

Danua: ...

Danua: Tanks...

Anna: What?

Hansel: Thanks. She's saying thanks. I think she means she's just happy you tried.

Anna: Hehe... Oh, I see. Well, it was my pleasure, Danua. Really.

Danua: Heh!

For Danua, this is an enthusiastic response.

Anna may not have been able to repair Hansel, but she certainly has brightened the expression on Danua's face.