Absent Writer Doll

Despite the doll's words, it giggles!

This elicits a laugh from the witch as well!

"It's warmer, isn't it?"

"I guess you aren't wrong."

The doll breathes in and sighs.

"i love you."

"I love you, too."

"It's cold, isn't it?"

The doll shivers a bit.

The witch pretends to smoke a cigarette and blows out steam.

"Yeah, it is."

The witch looks up at their doll.

Smiles.

Takes its hand and puts it in their pocket!

"Oh my god, what are you doing."

So so so many more variables.

...

All I really know...

Is that I love you.

And I wish you every happiness.

That...

That will have to be enough.

There are so many factors that play into it.

Whether they had a loving childhood home.

Whether they found entities to fall in love with.

Whether they felt comfortable telling as much to their closest friends.

How distracted they were in a day.

On average, about how many times does someone say "I love you" over the course of their life?

I... personally, I don't know.

It must be thousands at least.

Tens of thousands, maybe.

...

Then maybe it will be okay if we forget a few things here and there.

After all.

We'll be making so many cherished moments that it won't hurt to lose a few here and there.

Who knows for certain, tho.

Just...

Go with love.

But, one day, we will. Ideally, anyway.

And who knows what the truth will be. Maybe it will vary from entity to entity.

...

But, if anything means anything in the face of that inevitability...

We we live with love, dedicate our hearts to our most cherished moments...

Time will pass us by, inevitably.

And, eventually, we will reach a point where we don't remember our most cherished moments.

Or maybe we'll remember them despite everything!

We don't know for certain, after all. We don't yet live long enough to know for certain.

=====

Inspired by Knight of Ticking Armor.

But when she lays in bed with her doll...

Slowly drifting off to sleep in its warm embrace...

Perhaps in those moments...

All is right.

There is a meaningful difference between "nothing's wrong," and "all is right."

For the witch, most of the time, nothing is wrong.

Her days are tiring, she misses her doll, her magic isn't quite up to snuff...

Nothing is wrong.

Situation normal.

this one is grateful to Yuki for reaching out! this one is glad that its stories could receive a warm review!

this one wishes Yuki and Yuki's witch happiness!

this one will do its best to write more stories!

awawa! this one is glad that its work could inspire Indigo to write! this one is cheering for Indigo, that Indigo's writing efforts can continue to go well!

So... Yeah. It's... Nothing too serious.

Not that big of a deal.

...

But it hurt.

And, well...

It reached out for support.

...

And support it received.

An outpouring of it.

So many entities that...

It's... So much.

And it helps.

It helps.

A doll that reaches out for support.

Nothing too serious. Just...

Just...

...

It knows that it's nothing too serious.

It's just... A bad review for its stories.

It was going to happen eventually.

The wider its audience, the more likely that someone will dislike its work.

But it nods its head.

The witch nods their head in return.

They go to their seat and sit down.

They pick up their cup of tea and take a sip.

The doll does the same!

"Ready?"

The doll nods and puts down its cup.

The witch does the same!

"Then let's begin."

"Don't be afraid."

The doll looks up at the witch.

The witch smiles.

"Interviews are, admittedly, terrifying prospects."

The witch takes the doll's hands into her own.

"But don't be afraid. You'll do just fine."

The doll... Doesn't quite manage a smile in return.

this one hopes that its stories continue to make Sae happy! this one is glad that its stories reached Sae!♪♫!

"Hello! I heard that you were hiring a live in maid?"

The witch tilts their head.

Then smiles.

"That I am. Are you here to apply?"

"Yes!"

The witch opens the door further and steps aside.

"Come on in. I just started some tea."

And so the doll begins the interview process!

A doll in the doorway!

It adjusts its hair nervously.

Then it knocks!

It changes its posture while it waits, unsure of whether formal or relaxed is better!

Then the door opens!

"Yes?"

The witch in the doorway looks up at the doll.

... He's a bit listless today, isn't he?

He acknowledges the thought with a wry smile.

But that's okay.

"Sir?"

His doll!

"Right here, little one."

"Would you like to spend some time together?"

"Absolutely."

Today is good.

A witch!

He fumbles with his keyboard.

Starting and stopping a story on repeat.

Typing and backspacing.

Doing, if anything, something to keep his hands from going idle.

He stops.

Covers his face with his hands.

Wipes down.

Breathes deep.

Sighs.

How many times has she repeated this cycle?

Probably a dozen times at this point.

...

She sighs.

And gets up.

...

To find her doll waiting patiently outside her room!

"Tea, Miss?"

She smiles. Or, at least, she hopes she manages one.

"Yes, please."

A witch watching the clock from her bed.

She knows that she should get up. Get up and do... something, but...

...

Her bed... It's just too comfy.

She closes her eyes and sighs.

...

Only to open her eyes again to see the clock.

A few minutes have passed.

Death-Head's Deal sounds like an interesting comic! perhaps this one should look into it awawa!

this one is glad that its story could remind Sae of good memories, despite its morbid nature awawa

awawa! this one loves Sae's take on the story! perhaps such thoughts have passed the witch's mind as well!

this one is grateful for Sae's support!

Then again... He's contacted both genuinely pious and evil alike, so it's entirely possible that the answer is oblivion or rebirth as opposed to heavens or hells.

Who knows the truth.

And, despite his field, he doesn't.

As for potential heavens or hells... It's anyone's guess really. But there must be a reason that there are spirits that he can't contact.

Sometimes the cause can't be solved. Such as a lingering curiosity for how the world will continue to turn without them, wanting to see the future, etcetera.

Most times, he can't contact the target at all.

In fact, the only targets he can contact are spirits that haven't quite moved on for whatever reason.

Sometimes the reason is simple. A haunting caused by a grudge or concern for their loved ones.