A Doll's Dilemma (Story)

[Parth Makeo]

[align=center]A year has passed since Doll 401 broke off from Xyla and the rest. A lot has happened. She found friends, enemies and someone she loved. She understood emotions, learned of customs and to be normal. Her body may never age and she can't die through natural means, but even so she still continues on...[/align]

 

[align=center]But her current dilemma stems from her inability to produce children...[/align]

[align=center]---[/align]

 

[align=center]Quint had finished looking over the archives in the company home. Transporting the books she sent to the Library in the north for extra safe keeping. She turned around and decided to imitate the act of 'relaxing'. Her light as air body collided with the bed in the back room. Accompanied by her black kitten that followed her. Meowing and mewing as he curled up beside Quint. For a moment, she gazed onto the kitten, gently caressing his head and ears.[/align]

 

[align=center]She of course couldn't feel his fur through the gloved hand, preventing anyone from feeling her icy touch. Quint thought back a bit and remembered what she saw. The people she knew having 'children'. Creating Life. The joy of having a smaller 'you' and raising them. She's seen the results. The joy they felt. The wonder of it all. [/align]

 

[align=center]For a moment, her hand consciously lingered to her stomach. Unknowingly stroking it gently. Her mind wandered.[/align]

 

[align=center]"...I cannot give Keiichi a Child." she quietly whispered. Small hints of tears dripping from her eyes and down her expressionless face. Deep down she wished for a chance. A moment to produce a child bore out of love. Yet even that was too far from her fantasy. Rollo gently licked Quint's cheek. The only place on her body she could feel anything. He meowed, wanting her to stop crying.[/align]

 

[align=center]She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "Rollo. I am sorry to worry you." her voice still as monotone as ever, but Rollo knew she was in pain. The body motions said it all. [/align]

[align=center]----[/align]

 

[align=center]The following day, Quint decided to walk around Ul'dah. Last night was hard to keep her tears down when sleeping with Keiichi. Unlike him, she couldn't sleep like normal beings. She can act it but never can she truly fade in a slumber. She didn't mind. So long as she spent every moment with Keiichi-[/align]

 

[align=center]"Mama! I want that one!"[/align]

 

[align=center]A young child's voice. Quint turned to eye an Elezen mother escorting her child. No bigger than one hundred thirty eight Centimeters. Hands held so closely to prevent their separation. Something about it...sent a sharp pain through Quint's horn. Like a part of her past came back. Her creator intended Quint to be an Eelzen made in her image, but weakness dictated an Au Ra shell instead. This pain she felt had to evade the eyes of the populace. [/align]

 

[align=center]She stumbled off to the side, gently stroking her horn. the pain slowly faded. How she described it to herself...it was like arrows slowly scratched the edges of her grooves. Intending to give further pain and torture. Quint looked around once more to see if anyone caught wind of her odd actions. No one did.[/align]

 

[align=center]With a boost, she returned to her stroll. Her mind surging with ideas and thoughts. She thought it was unfair. Unfair to her and Keiichi. Then...she stopped. Noticing a familiar sight.[/align]

 

[align=center]A Miqo'te woman, battered and ridden with scars on her entire body. Her fur and skin as black as the night sky aside from two emerald spheres and paint that made her stick out. Wearing all green and seemingly on her own walk. [/align]

 

[align=center]"P'rita." Quint called her name out but the opposite came through her.[/align]

[align=center]"You. I told you to never call me by that name." P'rita spat out, starting to walk away just as she heard Quint call out.[/align]

 

[align=center]"You cannot produce children as well, right?"[/align]

[align=center]----[/align]

 

[align=center]Reluctantly, Quint and P'rita went to the Airstrip to enjoy a light meal and chat. The tea served was fairly warm for P'rita as she took a sip. Her posture clearly more reserved than most Domans despite her background. She then broke the ice.[/align]

 

[align=center]"You are asking me how I deal with being Infertile i take it?" P'rita asked.[/align]

 

[align=center]"Yes. I am due to perform the Bonding Ceremony with Keiichi. My love for him is genuine as is my intent...but the one thing I can never give him is a child." Quint replied back. She gently brushed away some of her black hair from her forehead and adjusted her glasses. P'rita took a moment of pause before calmly telling the doll....[/align]

 

[align=center]"You have friends, a lover, people who will defend you...and all you are concerned about is something as selfish as a child?" she scoffed at Quint. Her eyes a piercing gaze like lances aiming to sever a Wyrm's head. Quint didn't back down. "Is it selfish to wish for a future heir? One which was created out of love from both the husband and wife? Is it bad that I wish to experience this sensation?"[/align]

 

[align=center]P'rita's hand shook in slight rage. Her anger starting to show. "It is not, but you are too focused on the future." and her rage calmed down. Her mind coming to a lull. she brought the cup to her lips, sipping the tea once more before talking again. [/align]

[align=center]"Your sisters though...Aren't they organic?"[/align]

 

[align=center]Quint suddenly straightened up. Fear in her eyes? No...shock.[/align]

 

[align=center]"If you want to have a child, just ask one of your sisters to be a surrogate mother. Wati seems the most qualified-" then, like a swift strike of a blade. P'rita's tea was knocked aside, crashing to the ground. The few patrons eyeing the two as Quint stood before P'rita. Looking ready to harm her.[/align]

 

[align=center]"My sisters would NEVER AGREE to such a thing! If someone else took Keiichi's seed, it would not be my child!" Quint shouted and for once...showed anger in her eyes. Delivering a glare equal to what P'rita had earlier. Yet P'rita didn't waver. Her expression continued to keep it down. [/align]

 

[align=center]"It's not like he would cheat on you...and he doesn't have to have sex with them. Just get some of his seed an-" P'rita was hoisted up by the collar. Where did this doll get that kind of strength! Her feet left the ground as the Au Ra doll raised her high.[/align]

 

[align=center]"NEVER EVER TALK ABOUT MY SISTERS LIKE THEY ARE INCUBATORS!" rage and pain filled her eyes slowly. Her lips formed out to show her teeth. Gritting in anger. Now this was a shock to P'rita. She raised a brow and realized how much that Quint was protective of her sisters...[/align]

 

[align=center]"What else are you going to do if you want a child? Make one like your insane bitch of a 'mother'?" P'rita continued prodding the Behemoth. Quint however, froze and placed P'rita back in her chair, her anger slowly fading back before she fell to her knees. Processing what options she had. P'rita on the other hand was worried about something else. "...That was some good tea too..."[/align]

 

[align=center]Eventually, P'rita gave her some words to try and ease her suffering. [/align]

 

[align=center]"I too acted in a similar way when my ovaries were pierced and damaged in combat training..." she said, easing a hand over her own stomach. "The news that I can never bring a child into this world. It tore me asunder. Ruined my plans...made me feel weak...but-" she then placed a hand on Quint's head, caressing her hair and soothing her in her time of need.

 

"When I think about it...Everyone younger than me is my child. You are like a tree that continues to grow and expand. While we, the mortals are like delicate flowers. We are numerous under your branches, colorful and varied. We bloom, blossom, breed and die...making more as each generation passes...Some of us see our children become what they want. Others follow our footsteps. Some are unlucky and die early. Others are unfortunate and lose their parents before their potential comes forth. You focus so much on the future that you are missing on the here and now. Who cares if you cannot make a child? There will be plenty of young ones for you to educate, lecture and teach that their parents may not be able to..."

 

Quint looked up, seeing a different side of P'rita. A more somber, motherly look in her eyes. For the moment, she swear she was seeing Xyla...her creator. And an honest look.

 

"You worry so much about having a child that you never realized you had one this whole time...."

 

Then it hit Quint. Xanadu! An Au Ra mage she decided to teach in her way to enhance her Magical Arts. In some way, Quint is like her mother...and she is always looking out to make her a better person. 

----

 

As the sun was setting, Quint waved off P'rita from the landing, seeing her take off to Limsa. Even if it was for a few minutes, it was the only time the two of them were ever going to be 'friends'...but with this knowledge given to her, Quint realized something.

 

"I may not age like the others...I may not die through natural means...I may not be able to create a child in our likeness...But what I can do is teach and educate as many as possible to help shape their bright futures. Even the flowers not of my seed deserve some protection. And my branches will do just that."

 

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