“Hey, Sister Sho, i’ve been thinking.”
“I don’t like when you think about things, Ell.”
“Do you think Father Zaleri loves us?”
“There is no basis for any doubt, Ell.”
“Do you ever wonder why we don’t have a mother?”
“Dolls don’t need mothers.”
“Why not?”
“We were created to be self-sufficient, obviously.”
“I don’t mean it like that. Besides, then we don’t really need Father either?”
“That much is true.”
“But I do like Father, sometimes.”
“That much is evident.”
“But sometimes I feel like Father doesn’t even want to see me.”
“Father is busy.”
“Maybe we do need a mother, after all.”
“You can just pretend Ms. Fang is your mother.”
“Reine is more like a big annoying sister.”
“We agree on something, Ell.”
“Who cares about them. Hey Sister, do you like me?”
“This is a foolish inquiry. Sisters should look out for each other.”
“Then why are you leaving?”
“Because you’re annoying me.”
“Wow, I didn’t know you can make jokes.”
“It’s not like I want to, anyway. But it’s what Zaleri wants.”
“Why does Father want us to be apart?”
“Don’t be dramatic, Ell, it won’t take long.”
“I don’t like when you go out for these trips into the Grand Expanse…”
“It’s work, Ell.”
“Besides, why do you need to go out and find that stupid sword? It’s just a legend. The Ballad doesn’t mention any sword.”
“If it really is Sartoria’s Sword, Father wants to get there before the Albireans get a hold of it.”
“Whatever. You just want an excuse to leave again.”
“Maybe I do.”
“Then i’ll become a heartbroken maiden, like Inaris.”
“Oh? Then why are you smiling?”
“This will be your last memory of me. You’ll thank me for it, Sister Sho.”
“Ell, don’t make it sound so ominous.”
“Maybe i’ll decide to forgive you if you find me a souvenir.”
“Will a piece of stardust suffice? Or perhaps a Voidflower?”
“Fine. Just don’t forget me out there.”
“Ell, I don’t think I can forget my Sisters even if I wanted to.”
“That’s a promise, then, Sister.”
- A Memory of a Maiden’s Ignited Heart