Wolfman's Doll

[Shade]

122PW, Autumn

At first, Shade wasn't sure what he'd find. He was simply browsing the stores and stalls, looking for a gift for little Rebecca for her birthday. Around him there were dolls, trinkets, paintings, and even a small music box yet most of these items were too far from his price range. He grimaced but continued on, glancing away from the horrifying price of a tea cup set. He was about to give in when he spotted her from across the street, her eyes staring at him through the window of the store.

He came close, eyes locked on her as if pulled by an invisible thread. He stepped through the door, coming over and looked at it, crouching slightly to meet her eyes on the tall shelf. No.... Something was odd about this doll. He couldn't put a finger on it yet despite everything he felt as though she was different. Like there was a glimmer of soul behind those glossy eyes.

"Sir...?" Shade jerked back as he turned and stared at the equally startled clerk. "Are you interested.... in something?"

"Just lookin'." Shade grunted as he glanced back at the doll. "What's with this thing? It's odd."

"Oh.... Nothing is wrong with her sir! Nothing at all!" The clerk said quickly as he gave Shade a shaky smile. "In fact, I'll give her to you for a small fee."

"..." Shade narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "What's really up with the doll?"

"Ah... Well you see sir.... It's said to be haunted." The clerk shuddered as he glanced nervously at it. "See, it's has been in some poor fellow's family for a while now. Gave it to his daughter after the grandmum passed on. Not long before she vanished without a trace, an' nobody but dat doll in the room. Ever since it's said to have odd... things happen to whoever owns it... Oh sir, please just take the cursed thing!"

"Eh?" Shade frowned as he glanced at the doll once more. "what sort of things?"

"Well.... It gives off.... emotions I suppose. A sad aura, happy aura, depressed, hurt. Everythin'!" the man shuddered. "I think it even looks at me some times! It's like I'm gettin' watched! Here! Take it! It's free!"

With that the doll was whisked from the shelf, shoved into Shade's chest and promptly he was pushed away and back onto the open street. Startled Shade turned to yell at the clerk only to find the door shut tight and the white expression peering anxiously through the glass. He frowned before glancing once more at the little doll.

"Guess you're comin' with me then."

[Tanya]

The porcelain doll had been people watching from her perch on the window display's upper shelf like she always does. Always her clear blue eyes searched the crowds for signs of that witch who had done this to her. Not once in ten years has the doll seen her but still she searched. It was one of the few things keeping her sane.

Suddenly her eyes found a man who looked ruggedly handsome and had a wildness about him that attracted her attention. He seemed to be looking at feminine objects like music boxes and dolls. Vaguely she wondered if he was shopping for a daughter or niece. A pang of longing shot through her as the thought led to memories of her father.

The man's movement caught her eye and her gaze locked with his when he looked up from a tea set that was over priced. Tanya felt a slight tug as if a thread connected the two of them. Her soul stirred inside the doll, her real self becoming more aware inside the antique porcelain shell that was now her body.

She watched as the man strode across the street to the shop in a easy gait and enter, his eyes never leaving her form. Tanya was very careful not to move and to keep her thoughts blank. She didn't want to scare him away and for the first time since becoming this way, she wanted to be purchased by the customer viewing her.

The doll sat patiently as the store clerk and the customer talked back and forth, trying not to feel hurt at the clerk's words. It wasn't personal, she had to remind herself. This was buisness and it was partially her fault that the clerk was scared of her and couldn't sell her because of how weird and creepy she was.

Lost in her thoughts again, Tanya was surprised when she was picked up and roughly shoved against the customer's chest. Her hands automatically gripped a bit of his shirt front to keep from falling as the man was bodily pushed out of the shop and the door shut in his face. She didn't dare move again and was perfectly still against him, fighting to keep her thoughts blank again and her emotions calm. His voice rumbled through her delicate body and she could hear the strong beat of his heart. For some reason, she felt safe for the very first time in ten long years trapped in her porcelain prison.

[Shade]

Shade strolled down the street with the doll sitting delicately on his arm. He didn't doubt that Rebbecca would like this doll yet... he didn't want to give her it. Not after that haunted comment. After all, what demented man would give a child something they knew was haunted? Answer? An ass. Well, a bigger ass then he was.

"Wonder what I'll get her then." Shade grumbled as he strolled once more through the stores. "Can't give her you, I'm afraid young Mrs. Got a pretty look, don't get me wrong but I don't really want a six year old to have a haunted porcelain doll either. Hmm...."

He felt himself roll eyes at his own stupidity. Chatting with a doll does not account his sanity level. Still, he glanced at her eyes and frowned. Was the doll really haunted? If all it did was radiate emotion then why... why was the owner so scared? Surely a mere haunting wasn't that bad. Did it move? Would it hurt Lucy or Bec? He frowned. No, he'd keep it from Rebbecca just to be sure.

"So then Mrs., you're a woman. Perhaps you'd help me find a gift for a little girl?" He chuckled as he glanced at another stall. "Something a bit less ghostly than you preferably."

[Tanya]

Her hands tightened in his shirt front from his last statement. She felt bad that he was stuck with her when he was hoping to have her as a present for a little girl. It only made sense that a doll with her reputation would be way too risky to have around children. At least until there was solid proof that it was safe.

Tanya nods her head slightly and leans against his chest more as she looked at all the wares she could. The porcelain doll wanted to help this man and the six year old girl. He did say that he wanted her help choosing an appropriate gift after all.

After a couple of minutes, she sees a flash of bright red that caught her eye. It was a silk ribbon tied in a bow around a stuffed lamb's neck. It looked so cuddly soft that it made her want to hug it and take a nap. Tanya turned her face towards it and tugged on the man's shirt to get his attention before passing the shop window on his right.

[Shade]

At first, Shade decided the doll nodding was just him joustling it a bit. The flexing fingers were a mere illusion of his mind. Yet when he felt the tug and saw her head turn to stare intently at something. He jerked back in alarm, his heart racing when he realized that this wasn't just an aura doll. This thing damn well moved.

"Sir?" Shade jumped a good foot as he stared in bewilderment at the confused clerk standing in the doorway. "Sir, can I help you?"

"Did you see her do that?" Shade asked pointing dumbly at the doll on his arm.

"D-Do what sir?"

"Move." Now he was getting an odd look.

"N-No sir. I didn't see it move at all. Are you feeling alright?" The clerk frowned at him. Shade blinked as he stared at the clerk then hesitantly at the doll. No, no no no. No wonder the damn clerk from before was so intent on ridding the thing. "Sir?"

"Yeah, just the sun. It's been a bit hot today and I've been outside." Shade sighed as he rubbed his temples. No way he was going to say he was scared of a doll in his arms. He didn't need his reputation ruined any more than it was already. "Sorry. Actually, how much is that lamb? I'm looking for somethin' for a little friend of mine."

"A... little friend?"

"A little girl who lives with me. She's not my daughter but it's her birthday soon." Shade answered shrugging. Hearing this reasonable response the clerk relaxed, nodding as he got the lambl and told Shade the price. Seeing it as semi-reasonable Shade bought it, applauding the 'clearly-not-moving' doll's sense of taste. That is, for a doll.

"Thanks." Shade grunted as he turned and began to head off. He wasn't going home yet. No, he was going to figure out this damn doll thing first. Afterwards he'd head home once he clarified that nothing haunting was going on with her. Sliding into a darker alley he let out a sigh, glancing around to be sure nobody was near before looking down at the doll again with a frown. "So, ma'am I think we need to re-evaluate this. Now, I'm not going to desert a lady or anything, but did you move? Or am I just going crazy like Lucy claims?"

[Tanya]

While in the shop, she made sure to hold perfectly still and once again try to leave her mind blank. Tanya was glad he was able to tell she was looking at the lamb but was also worried about his reaction. Her worry increased when he took her to a darkened alley with no one around.

After hearing what the man said, she understood what was going on and most of her worry went away. Very slowly, the doll let go of his shirt front with one hand and touched her fingertips to her lower China painted lip. A small tinkling sound when the two pieces of porcelain touched.

Her almond shaped blue eyes met his and she pleaded for him to understand. Most would view her in fear or horror if they knew a living human soul was trapped in that small antique doll. What they never thought about was how she felt. Always the fear from other people. Being stripped of a normal life and stuck viewing the world in a prison until she could get her body back.

No one wanted to know. Their minds didn't want to try and reason out the fact something like what she was is possible. Because if they ever did, they would know it could happen to anyone. To them, to family, friends, neighbors, or even may be a reason for someone disappearing without a trace. Who would want to face that realization when fear and hate of an object was so much easier?

[Shade]

Again, the doll moved and Shade felt his heart stagger to a stop. It. Was. Freaking. Haunted. Literally. Shade felt the blood drain from his face as he stared at it in bewilderment. That is, until the aura leaked itself against him and he felt the intense sorrow that touched his heart.

He looked at her in the eye and came to realize something. There was a gleam, a pleading emotion that pushed against his heart until he finally let out a sigh and slid down to sit on a nearby crate. Giving her a halfhearted smile he leaned back, examining her with a look of confusion and slight concern.

"So, you're really a ghost?" Shade asked dryly. "I didn't imagine you move. Can you not speak? How long have you been like this? Why are you like this?"

[Tanya]

His questions made her happy...and very sad. She wanted to tell him but she couldn't speak through a painted on mouth. She wanted to cry but no tears could fall from fake eyes. The doll let go of his shirt with her other hand and covered her face with her tiny hands, her body shaking with her silent sobs and dry tears.

In ten years, he was the only one who had cared enough to ask these things of her. She knew he was afraid of her. He was pale as fresh clean linens and for a moment, his heart halted in his chest. Yes Tanya was intensely sad but relieved, too, for being recognized as a person of sorts. At last, someone has come along that would at least try to figure her out.

[Shade]

Now Shade was really messed up. He made a haunted doll cry and he wasn't even sure why. So, he didnt the only thing an already freaking out male would normally do. He freaked out more.

"I didn't mean to make ya cry!" Shade yelped as he tucked her closer to him and gave her a gentle rocking. Why he wasn't sure but Lucy did this with Bec whenever she got upset so, maybe it'd work? He held her close to his warmth and tried to understand. "So, you can't talk then?"

"Huh.... What can we do?" Shade frowned as he stared above her head at the alley wall. "Rebbecca and Lucy would freak out if they saw ya, and I'm not quite sure I believe this all too... Now, don't give me that look. I'm not abandoning you either. I'm just... Thinking out loud. No, I definately think...."

He trailed off into mutters as he tried to think past the fright he got. He couldn't abandon her, he was too well raised and taking her home wasn't much of a threat. If she tried to attack, he could smash her without effort. In fact, Lucy could as well. Yet, looking at the delicate thing in his arms he wondered if he could look after her. He wasn't known to be responsible after all, and damn he wasn't gentle.....

"I'll.... take you home for now. Keep ya in my room until we figure this all out."

[Tanya]

Tanya was surprised out of her crying when he flopped out and then hugged her to himself, rocking her as if she were a child. The doll rubbed her eyes out of human habbit and looked up at him again. She didn't mean to make him panic more and it made her feel guilty. She lightly patted his chest as if saying 'there, there' and was trying to calm him a bit.

After a few moments had past, Tanya got an idea. Her mother had taught her letters and numbers when she was little. Maybe she could write to him and answer all his questions! She sits up a little and looks around for something to write with. If there was a chance to communicate at long last, then she was sure going to try! Looking up at the man, she pantomimes 'writing' with her hands hoping he would be calm enough to understand her.

[Shade]

Shade wasn't the sharpest pencil but it didn't take much to figure out what she was asking for.

"A pencil?" Shade asked frowning. He glanced at the alley and grimaced. "How... how about we get out of here first? I've got that stuff in my room and no offense lady, but just because you look like a doll doesn't mean I don't look crazy for talking to you. I have a reputation to uphold after all."

Shade gave her a smirk before heaving himself to his feet and glancing around. He'd take the back alley, sneak behind that store... maybe swipe an apple from the fruits stand as he wandered past on his way home. Plan set in his mind he gave a grin before heading off, holding the doll even more gentle then before, his lips smirking in amusement.

"Now, some rules however ma'am." Shade stated firmly as he dodged a drunk without a thought. "Since you're staying in my room I'm going to have a bit of say. You can't leave it, not yet. I don't want Lucy or Rebbecca to find you. Secondly, when I change you cover your eyes and turn around. I don't care if ya see my man bits but I'm pretty sure the Creators would hit me with bad luck if ya did."

"Lastly, I want to tell ya." Shade glanced down and gave her a lady killer smirk. "You're considered a girl in my books. Even if you're body is.... slightly different. So, I'll treat ya like one. In return, just don't mess with much of my stuff. Pencils, paper, books, you can use 'em. Just don't mess with clothes, trinkets, or whatnot I point out. Clear?"

[Tanya]

If she could have blushed, Tanya was sure her face would have been a nice rosy red color by now. She did nod in agreement though before hiding her face behind her long corn silk colored hair. All his rules were more than reasonable and she would abide by them to the letter. Some, like covering her eyes and looking the other way, was common sense to her. She may have been a farmer's daughter but her parents raised her right!

One of her hands clutched to his shirt front once more as he moved to help steady herself. Even though he held her more gently to protect her, it only made her feel like she would fall off his arm more easily, too. Other than holding onto him, she kept herself still again so that none who may have seen them, would catch her moving. It was best if that secret of hers was kept just that.

Tanya had to admit that she was curious to see where he lived and the others who lived with him. She was also curios to see what books he had and if the little girl would like the present she helped him pick out. The porcelain doll was excited to know if the girl would like it or not.

[Shade]

Stealing fruit wasn't hard, and neither was sneaking home. Yet, explaining why Shade had a doll in his arms and yet only gave the lamb to Rebbecca was hard to explain. So, he used the only thing he could think of. He smiled and sidestepped out of the room while laughing like a maniac. As expected, Lucy didn't ask again as he made the oddest cackling of a mad man. once in the room he placed her gently on his worn bed, glancing around at the filthy room with a frown.

"Pencil... pencil...." Shade grumbled as he turned his back on her and rummaged through piles of stuff. "Where did it go? I had a bunch in here... Oh, there's paper. And.... Ha! Pencil! Here." Shade grinned triumphantly as he handed her the things and sat down beside her pulling a book from the shelf to use for a desk. Giving her a wink he chuckled deeply. "Awright, let's start with basics. What's your name, why you're like that, and ya know. Basics."

[Tanya]

While his back was to her, Tanya rearranged her skirts so they laid smoothly again. Even though she was a doll, its maker was very detailed in their work when crafting it. The nails even had white tips and nail beds like real nails do. She would rather not have anyone find out how lifelike they made the doll she was using as a body.

After he sat down, she tucked her her dress under her as she sat beside the makeshift desk. Using both of her hands, she wrote as best she could. The letters were a bit wobbly but still legible.

'My name is Tanya. I am a farmer's daughter who went to a old witch for help. Mother passed away and it was just father and I working the fields. He went into town and I fetched the potion. I was fourteen and was too trusting. My soul was ripped from my body. I could feel it ripping away.

Then that old witch came in. I was floating above my body. Looking down at the room. She seen me. A big flash and I couldn't see. Spinning over and over. I could feel biting cold creeping over me. I was so scared I reached out. When eyes opened, I was in great grandmother's porcelain doll.'

She set the pencil down clumsily and sat back, tired from moving so much while her soul inside felt lighter inside. It felt good to tell someone at long last. Now it was up to him to believe her or not. Either way, sooner or later he will have to know about the life force she needed. Soon she will be in need of a couple drops.

[Shade]

Shade blinked as he read it over, frowning a little when he read about the old witch. He grimaced.

"Damn hags, never trust 'em." He tisked as he gently took the paper from her hands. "Tanya huh? Well, I'm called Shade. Pleased to meet you." He reached out and gently took her hand in his own, careful not to squeeze her hand. Giving her a gentle smile he patted her head gently before looking around the room with a huff. "Guess I've got to make you a bed. And clean I guess... Didn't expect such a lady to be in my chambers."

He winked at her again before setting off to work. First off, the bed. Glancing at her he had to guestimate her size, hoping he had a box big enough. Maybe... "I'm going to look around the house for somethin', you explore the room if you'd like. Here, I'll even help ya down."

With that Shade picked her up and put her gently on the floor before turning and walking out the door.

Heeere Boxy boxy boxy....