Vignette with a Doll [ooc welcome]

[Naunet]

((Dolls are so innocuous... Follows The Price of Information.))

 

***

 

The setting was one of the many busy streets of Ul’dah, near a median populated by long-leafed desert plants and benches. Antimony moved slowly along the path, lost in thought. Her solitude did not last long, however, as a blue-grey hand appeared to hold a small cloth doll over Antimony's shoulder so that she could see it. It was the same doll a particular Duskwight had bought in Pearl lane the other day, only it had a small puff of whicker added to the head to imitate blond hair and a string that might be a tail. Two flaps of paper seem to represent ears. "What do you think? I've never tried to make toys before."

 

Antimony stopped short and nearly crushed the papers she had been carrying previously with some care. Her tail bristled, but her ears caught on the voice and she sighed after a moment. “You are going to be the death of me one of these days...”

 

Megiddo stepped around beside Antimony, holding the doll nearer to his chest. "I apologize. A life in the Shroud has caused me to quite forget how to normally approach people. A problem one accrues from a life of hermiting."

 

Antimony smiled a bit uncertainly, glancing to the left and then the right before peering at the doll. “It's very charming.”

 

Megiddo held the doll forward, "Can you tell it's supposed to be a Miqo'te?"

 

“What? Of course. There are the ears, and the tail. Ah... it reminds me of...” Antimony pointed to the appropriate parts as she spoke and then shook her head as she trailed off.

 

Megiddo made a curious hum, expecting her to finish the sentence. When she didn’t, he just shrugged, and turned the doll to face him. "Are Nunh marked in any specific way? Facial tattoos maybe?"

 

Antimony blinked and furrowed her brow curiously first at the doll and then up at Megiddo. "Ah..? Well, I... suppose it would depend on the traditions..."

 

“I'm not sure what tradition I would be looking at. Ah, but that reminds me. Do small representations like this bear any significance in your beliefs? I remember learning recently that you believed certain representations bear power.”

 

Antimony's ears flicked back in a display of chagrin. "Ah, about that..." Her lips pursed and then, "Perhaps not in this exact manner."

 

“Good, then I've nothing to worry about. The doll is a gift for my granddaughter, you see, and her beliefs are quite unpredictable.”

 

Antimony's ears lifted slightly as she gave Megiddo a surprised look. "Your granddaughter? I had thought you and she were not in... well, that's not to say--it's a very sweet gift, regardless!"

 

Megiddo shrugged. "I doubt she'll appreciate it in the manner of a traditional gift, but perhaps it will strike a chord with her. One can't blame an old man for trying."

 

Antimony glanced down and slightly off to one side, offering a sad, brief smile to the space next to Megiddo. "It is good of you to try."

 

Megiddo let the arm holding the doll drop limp to his side. He says, "Have you encountered much trouble in Ul'dah? Ulanan seemed very on-edge when last I saw you two. I'm beginning to think she dislikes me."

 

Antimony shook herself and glanced back up to the duskwight, the height difference craning her neck back. "Oh! No... nothing too detrimental. I... suppose she's just anxious over the location of my assignment."

 

“Yes. Of all things in the world, for some people being close to home is the most difficult thing of all.”

 

“Ah? Well, I meant Pearl Lane specifically as it's... but I suppose you're right.” Antimony's ears dropped slightly. "Perhaps I should not have encouraged her to come."

 

Megiddo smirked, "I doubt you could have left her behind any more than you could have left your own tail. Sometimes I wonder how it is that she has nothing else to do than to travel with you, but I'm glad that she does."

 

Antimony drew a breath and took a moment to smooth out the papers she'd crushed earlier against her stomach. As she did this she spoke, "I am certainly grateful, especially with... well." She frowned, looks at the doll, "I'm sorry that she's seemed so aggressive towards you. But moreso, I feel as though I should apologize for... ah, it's just that it's difficult to leave behind a life's worth of habits and..." She struggled for several moments before finishing quietly, “... I should not have behaved so rudely to you.”

 

Megiddo smiled a bit broader, "I'm not sure what you're talking about. Perhaps my hermiting has also robbed me of my ability to detect rudeness, but I haven't noticed any."

 

Antimony shook her head and gestured towards the doll, then realized that was kind of a useless gesture and so just folded her hands in front of her papers. “With your... prank. Which is what it was, I suppose. I still don't agree with... well, I shouldn't have reacted so negatively.”

 

Megiddo put a finger to his face briefly as he said, "I trust you had your reasons. Strong beliefs are good, even if they sometimes bemuse others."

 

Antimony smiled weakly, her ears tilting to one side. "I worry I was maybe too judgmental. Certainly Ulanan... well, I didn't intend for her to just destroy your... costume like that."

 

“Don't worry yourself over it. I'm not in the habit of having possessions anyway.”

 

Antimony shifted her tail uncomfortably, "Still..." and shook her head. "Anyroad. Your doll is lovely. I do hope you can get it to your granddaughter."

 

“I'm sure the doll is hideous. But it's the thought that counts, or so I've heard it said. Now, have I intruded into your evening enough? I can be on my way.”

 

“Oh, I was just delivering... you weren't an intrusion! At least, not something with such negative connotations.” Antimony flicked her tail and smiled at Megiddo.

 

“Duskwight are often said to intrude, so any connotations of the word are likely lost on me.”

 

“Well you shouldn't worry in this case. I should take care of this letter, though. I'm sure I'll see you around...”

 

“You do tend to.” Megiddo lifted the doll and made it wave one of its tiny arms, "Good evening."

 

Antimony chuckled, relieved, and smiled warmly at the doll and then Megiddo. "You as well." She then moved to continue on her way down the street.