Exchanging Information

"My name is Odette. Nice to meet you."

With those words, her kind smile, and her gentle hands, the stitchpunks felt more safe than ever before. For 9, his first time meeting a human certainly left him a good first impression. As for 5, 2 and 7, their impressions were more of shock and relief to see another human after all these years.

With all four stitchpunks in her hands, Odette lifts them up. "W-woah!", 9 shouts. It was like being picked up by a giant with how high they are! "Alright, everyone hang on.", The human warns them, "We're getting out of here!"

"Couldn't have said it better myself!", 2 agrees. Odette marches out of the room and through the factory, her strange new friends enjoying the ride.

"Weeee!", shouts 9 filled with child-like glee.

"Wooooo!", 7 yells at the top of her voice.

2 only laughs with excitement.

5 was nervous at first, but starts to laugh along side 2. "Yeah, this is...kinda fun!" he says.

When it was the last time he had this much fun? In fact, when it was last time any of them interacted with a human?

Before they knew it, they were already outside the factory. Odette was certainly right about her being faster. But she doesn't stop there. She walks over to a wheeled object.

"What is that?", 9 asks.

"It's a bike," Odette replies, "We humans use these for transportation if we don't have a car. Think you guys can get on the little basket? I need my hands to steer it."

*Odette's POV*

Luckily for Odette, the dolls obliged and jump from her hands and onto the basket tied to the front of the bike. "How fast is this bike?" 7 suddenly asks. "Err…pretty fast I guess, depends on how fast my legs are," Odette hesitantly replies, "Why? You want me to go fast?" 7 nods her head excitedly. This was the same warrior who not even a few moments ago had threaten her with a spear, and didn't had that much trust in her to begin with. Not that it stops Odette from granting 7's wish right away, she wanted to get away from the creepy factory as soon as possible.

Before long, Odette was riding away on her bike, with the dolls in toll and 7 absolutely having the time of her life. With the wind blowing in her face, and the occasional hill-jumping making her feel like she was flying, 7 was having the most fun she had in a while! 9 and 2 were joining in on the fun as well, whopping and hollering all the way.

"Hey, there's a really BIG hill over there! Jump over that!"

"Haha, OK!"

"Again!?"

5 on the other hand....not so much. For the whole trip he had a death grip on a side of the basket, screaming in terror every time they went through a hill. By the time they were inside the city, Odette slowed down and stopped. 5 thanked the Creator it was over.

7 was about to ask why she stopped, but then she noticed that the human looked exhausted. "I'd love to continue guys, but my legs are tired and beat." Odette says, breathing heavily. "We'll just have to walk the rest of the way." "That's quite alright dear," 2 reassures her, jumping on her hand once again, "You look like you need a break from that bike." Giving him a tired smile, Odette decides to rest a little before she moved on. Having the dolls hanging off on one arm, while the other leans the bike against a building, the young lady sits down right next to it. Odette sets the dolls on ground, watching them settle down and relax.

Suddenly, a question formed in her mind.

"Hey, guys?" she calls out to the dolls. All four of them look up.

"If you don't mind me asking, why were you all at the factory if you're so scared of it?"

They all look at each other, as if they're figuring out what they want to say. "It's....a long story." 9 says sheepishly. "Try me." Odette challenges him, "I've got all day."

It really was a long story. Turns out, 9 had met 2 a few minutes after he awoken. But then 2 got taken away by "The Beast", with 9 barely escaping its grasp. He was then found by 5, 2's apprentice, who brings him to the Cathedral. 5 and 9 decided to sneak out and rescue 2 themselves since the leader, 1, believed 2 to be dead and venturing out in the "Emptiness" as they call it, is strictly forbidden. The duo reached the factory and found 2, only to be ambushed by the Beast. That's where 7 drops in and kills the Beast.

As the dolls conclude the story, Odette's walkie-talkie statics to life:

Bzzt Bzzt

"This is Malaika calling to Odette, come in Odette."

Odette reaches into her walkie-talkie and replies back, "This is Odette speaking, what's your status on the library? Did you find any books that could be useful to us?"

The library? 7 perks her head at the human with concern. If someone's at the library, then that could mean....

"Dude, not only did I find the book we're looking for, but I also found something VERY interesting living in the library!"

7's eyes widen with horror. So she DID find the twins! What they're in danger?

"Excellent! I'm pretty much done with the factory on my end, so I'll meet you at the library."

"Perfect! See you then, Malaika out!" Bzzt

The mere second Malaika hangs up, Odette is suddenly face-to-face to a very angry 7, spear pointing dangerously close to the human's throat. The other three are just as shocked at this turn of events.

"7!?"

"7, no!"

"7, don't kill her!"

But 7 doesn't budge. Instead, she demands in a low, threatening voice,

"Care to explain what your 'friend' thinks she's doing?"

Once again fearing for her life, Odette gives in, "It-it's like I said! We-we're here for information. Malaika's over there for the same reason. I assure you, we are not even allowed to use force or violence of any kind to obtain said info. We're all friendly folk!" When 7 doesn't seem convinced, Odette also adds, "You know, I don't even know where the library is. Maybe you can show us the way! My legs are certainly rested enough to take you there!"

9 finally pipes in, "7 please! I'm sure she's telling the truth!"

2 also rushes in to Odette's defense, "7 dear, there's no need to be violent against this human, especially since she hasn't done anything to hurt us and I doubt her friends mean any harm." This seems to convince her, as she takes her spear away from Odette's throat. "Fine." she says, "I'll help you lead the way, only because you'll get us there faster."

*********

It didn't take long to find the library, thank goodness. It was when they get inside that 7 insist that Odette put them down. As soon as she does, 7 immediately runs off. "We'll take it from here." 2 tells Odette, giving her a smile. "You go find your friend." Odette smiles back, "Thank you. I will." The raven-haired woman watches him run after 7 to help her in her search, just in time to spot 5 and 9 looking at a painting of the pre-war city. 9 turns on his light staff to take a better look at it. It really was a beautiful painting.

"Is this...what it was like?" 9 wondered. Odette couldn't help but reply, "Yeah, pretty much."

"Keep up!" 7 yells from a distance.

9 and 5 follow her and 2 to a giant broken globe, a hole big enough for the dolls to enter. The human can only watch as the four dolls disappear into the globe.

"Hey, Odette! Over here!" Was someone whispering to her?

Odette follows the voice behind a book shelf right across the room only to find-

"Malaika!"

"In the flesh."

They may have been separated for only an hour or so, but to the girls it felt like ages. A firm hand shake and a hug later, the ladies exchange their findings. "Oh man, you will not BELIEVE the things I found in this place!" Malaika exclaimed.

"Speaking of" Odette points to the large book in Malaika's arm, "Is that the book you were talking about?"

"Yep!" She turns the book around to show the title:

"Annuls of Paracelsus?"

"That's right! Take a look!" Odette takes the book, and looks through the contents. The book itself contains many roots to alchemy. Inside there were pictures of how to make homunculi, how to use certain alchemy symbols, creations of talismans, it was like learning a new kind of science. Was this book perhaps used to create 9 and the gang?

"I-I know the book itself might seem crazy." Malaika says nervously all of a sudden, "But I have definite proof that all of that is possible." Now, if Odette hadn't met the dolls she would have called her friend crazy. But from the way she's talking, and the fact she found this specific book can only mean one thing:

"Malaika," Odette shuts the book close, "Did you happen to come across a group of small living ragdolls here?"

Her eyes widen with shock.

"By Allah, you too?!"

Odette nods. "Mm-hm, met 2,5,7, and 9."

"9? That's odd. The twins told me there were eight altogether."

"Twins?"

"3 and 4 to be exact. They're the two living here."

"I see. Well, the 9th apparently had just awoken not too long ago. Probably since this morning."

"What? No way!"

"Way, my friend. By the way, where are these twins? I would like to meet them."

"After my call with you earlier, they ran off inside the globe." Malaika points to the aforementioned statue across the room. "Of course, your group might be inside it too if that's the reason why I was hearing voices earlier."

Odette nods again, "You're in the ballpark once again."

Malaika's eyes light up. "Perfect! Makes things easier for us. Hey! That reminds me, I got to show you what the twins made."

The two women walk over to the globe. Malaika grabs her backpack from the corner next to it, trying to look for something. Odette meanwhile, finds a hole on the side of the globe, big enough for her head to peek in. "Ah-ha! Found it!" The Muslim girl shouts victoriously. "I was able to look inside using this camera and bendable stick and-"

She turns around to show Odette, only to find her sticking her head in a hole on the side of the globe.

"Oh. Well. That works too."

Odette could not BELIEVE the sights she is witnessing right now. It was like a treasure grove of artifacts, mixing books with human articles tied with strings all connected to a single scrap book. But that wasn't all. She sees her little doll group riding on what looks like a circular elevator piloted by two identical dolls coated in blue. Those two must be 3 and 4.

"Dude, at LEAST scoot over! I wanna see!" A sharp whisper later and Odette suddenly feels Malaika's face being pressed against her own. They give each other a glance of annoyance before looking back in time for the dolls having reached a certain small area filled with frames, medals and newspapers. The twins pick up a newspaper to show the rest of the dolls. "Can you see what that newspaper says?", whispers Odette. Malaika whispers back, "It's hard to say, least from we're standing, but the picture looks like two people with a machine." Then, one of the twins' eyes start to flicker onto a blank screen.

"Oh, looks like 4 is showing them a video." Malaika says, matter-of-factly.

Odette on the other hand, is bewildered. "Hold on, 4 can do that?" "Yep. 3 can too, though only pictures." The video starts, and even though the humans can't see it from their angle, they can still hear it:

Today, the Chancellor presents the latest achievement of technological wizardry to the public.

The two realize immediately what video that was. They've seen it before, in their history classes: It was the showing of the transformation of the B.R.A.I.N to the Fabrication Machine, the creation of its war machines, the Chancellor declaring war and using said machines for said war and the downfall of humanity thanks to the machines turning against them.

Comrades! Today dawns a new era! Let us praise this new technology! Welcome to the age of the machine!

The duo pull away before they can hear any more. "Man, I don't think I can stand hearing that again." Odette says, feeling disturbed. Malaika agrees, "Yeah, it makes me feel way too uncomfortable." Wanting to take her mind off of it, she tries to change the subject, and remembers the camera and stick still in her hands. "Soooo, do you want to take a closer look at the globe's insides?" "Sounds cool."

*********

*9's POV*

2 and 5 never expected to meet the twins again. If anything, they were ecstatic and relieved to see them alive and well living in this library the whole time.

9 certainly didn't expect his first encounter with 3 and 4 would be them flickering all over his body without any sense of personal space. "They're Cataloguing." 7 had said. Soon, they were checking out his light staff that he made during his quest to the factory.

"We need your help." 7 says, grabbing their attention. "We...found something earlier...at the factory. "Something terrible.", 9 added.

The twins look surprised, but after blinking into each other's eyes as if to confirm something, they give 9 back his light staff and start turning pages in their large scrape book. Finally, 9 spots a familiar word. "That's it!" He exclaims. The page itself had pictures of a monstrous machine, the name "Fabrication" written in bold. 3 pulls the string attached to the book over to a book up a high shelf. 4 then beckons the others to follow them onto a strange elevator-like device.

Later....

"Science has turned its sinister hands against us! People of our mighty State, join me in rebelling the iron fist of the machine!"

The pictures of war and death flicker to a close, the stitchpunks stunned with silence. 9 feels a sting of guilt creeping inside him , as if it's telling him that he was very close to awakening the cause of humanity's end.

2 was quick to recover. "Now hold on a moment, is this what the Beast was made for? To reawaken the Machine?" "That's right!", 9 perks up, "At the factory, I saw this dented shape on the machine, like a outlet of some kind." 2 responds, "Perhaps that's what that strange device is for. At least, one of its uses."

"Strange device?" 7 asks. 3 and 4 looked confused as well.

"This." To demonstrate, 9 unzips himself and takes out the Talisman.

5 gasps, "That's what 6 always draws!"

Now, it was 9's turn to be confused, "6?"

"I've been collecting his drawings.", 2 answers. "I've been studying them for while, trying to figure out what they meant and what he meant by 'The Source'".

9 ponders over this information. He then asks 2, "Is there a way I can see them?"

2 seemed surprised by this question. "You want to see my research?", he asks.

"Yes, we also need to warn the others. About this machine and tell them about the humans."

"What? Go back to 1?" 7 says, distain and disgust in her voice, "So he can lock us away while this nightmare awakens?!" She pulls down her helmet with her sword, "Never."

Before anyone could get a chance to speak to her, 7 runs onto the elevator and jumps off. Landing right in front of a strange tube attached to a camera. A pair of screams are heard.

*********

*Malaika's POV*

"So the twins built all THIS? That's is way too cool!"

"I know right!?"

So far the plan was working. Odette's face is filled with wonder and awe at the close ups of the marvels that the twins had created or found. Malaika's face was pretty much the same when she first saw the inside of the globe. So, yeah. It was going well. At least until a bird skull suddenly appeared right in front of the camera.

"AHHHH!"

"AHHHH!"

"WHAT THE-?!"

7 rushes out off the globe to see Odette and Malaika on the ground clutching their chests, faces filled with fear. "Was that you two screaming earlier?", 7 demanded. "Well, YEAH!" Odette retorts back, "You scared the daylights out of us!" "Y-yeah, you gave us quite the fright." Malaika says, trying to catch her breath. Which can be hard to do if a doll with a scary helmet suddenly walks up you with a spear to your FACE!

Odette tries to stop 7, but realizes that her friend isn't fazed. At all.

"You must be 7." Malaika says, fear no longer in her voice. "The twins told me all about you and the others. Except for 9 of course."

7 doesn't let her guard down, "What have you done to 3 and 4 that I'm not aware of? They may LOOK fine, but I KNOW you did something!" Odette shakes her head and rolls her eyes. Yeesh, she's like a over-protective mother bear!

Her friend however, stays calm, "I can tell you with full honesty, that I have not done anything bad to the twins. It's strictly against our code to use force to reach our main goal here." She then adds, "After all, did my friend here try anything bad to you and your group?" For once, 7 was caught off guard. But before 7 could say something back, the other dolls came out of the globe, voicing concern all the way.

"Are you guys OK?"

"Did something happen?"

"Is anyone hurt?"

"We're fine everyone." Odette reassures them, "7 just gave me and my friend here a scare." Much to 7's surprise, the twins run to the other human, patting her hand as if to tell her it'll be OK. The young woman gives them a smile and pats their hands in return. This seemed to be all the evidence needed for 2,5 and 9 to walk up to her, minds full of curiosity.

The twins then look again at Odette....and start running up all over her.

"Gah! What the-? What are they doing?" Odette stutters in confusion. "Be careful," 9 warns her, "They did the same for me."

"And me." Malaika adds.

"They're doing what they call, 'Cataloging'." 7 explained.

Malaika takes in this new info, "Hm, so that's what they call it."

Finally, Odette catches the twin and takes them off her. "OK! You have your fun! Now how about you go play with you other human friend, please!"

3 and 4 smile at her, and run off back to the other human.

Odette and 7 watch as they interact.

"Why, hello all of you. You must be 2...5....and...9 the newcomer I believe."

"You got it! Haha, two living humans in one day! How amazing!"

"I can see why 3 and 4 seem to like you, you look kind of similar to them!"

"Hehe, we do look alike, don't we?"

While 2 and 5 are chatting up on her lap, 9 copies the twins and pats her arm. "It's, uh, really nice to meet you, erm...."

"Oh, where are my manners? My name is Malaika."

9 looks confused at first, but gives it a shot. "Ma-lai-ka....Malaika....Malaika!"

"That's right 9! That's how you say it!" She shouts with glee, giving him a little applause for his efforts.

2 and 5 repeat him as well.

"Malaika...."

"Malaika, what a beautiful name!"

"Aww, thank you, 5!"

Odette turns to 7, "You see, 7? What did I tell you? Wouldn't even hurt a fly." 7 sighs in defeat, "I guess that's true....sorry I got carried away." The human shakes her head, "Oh no, no need to apologize! You were only trying to protect them. But...apology accepted."

7 gives her a small smile...only to have a shocking look on her face, as if she remembered something important.

"HOLD IT, EVERYONE!"

Everyone looks at 7, surprised by her sudden outburst. "7? What's wrong?" Odette asks.

"Odette, is it? Didn't you said you had three people in your team altogether?" 7 asks with a seriousness in her tone.

"Well, yes. I was sent to search the factory, Malaika was sent to search the library-"

"-And Cera was sent to search the Cathedral." Malaika finishes.

2, 5, and 9's eyes shrink in horror.

"Did-did you say-"

"-The Cathedral?"

5 lets out a bloodcurdling scream.

"AAAAAHHHHHH! THISISBADTHISISBADTHISISBAD!!!" He clutches his head and squeezes his one eye shut. "5?" Odette asks with concern. 5 doesn't listen. "OHMANOHMANOHMAN, it's BAD enough returning there with 2 and getting scolded for leaving again, but now your friend's there and 1 is going to realize that WE'RE not there and we are ALL going to be in BIG trouble and-" Odette suddenly picks 5 and holds him tight, "5 for crying out loud, calm down!" Holding 5 against her chest, she tries to soothes him softly, "You're going to be fine, no one's going to be punished. Not when we are here."

"What do you mean?" asked 7, "You guys might as well not come back if you don't want 1 to lock you up again." "Now, now, 7." 2, trying to diffuse the situation pats 7 on shoulder. "I know you and 1 haven't been on the best of terms, but who knows? Maybe he'll change his ways once he sees me alive and as well as the idea of meeting surviving humans!"

7 only sighs, "If only it were that easy, 2."

"Which is what Odette is trying to say," Malaika remarks, "The two of us will go with you to the Cathedral to meet with Cera, and if 1-or 8-tries to hurt any of you, he's gonna have to get through US first!"

Odette, having calmed 5 enough to put him down, joins in. "Yeah, I'd like to see him and 8 try and beat us! Those two probably won't even stand a chance against Cera!"

It looks like their rousing speech was working. The dolls look like they got their confidence back, even the twins got excited enough to convince the humans and 7 (somehow) into taking them with the group to the Cathedral. Mostly because 3 and 4 wanted to meet Cera.

Speaking of....

"We should contact her on her status." Malaika suggests, everyone else already packed and ready to go.

"I'm on it!" And with that, Odette picks up her walkie-talkie.

*********

Cera had only met 6 for an hour and a half, but if anything happened to him she will not hesitate to kill everyone else in the building and then herself. 6 might look creepy, but deep down he is such a absolute sweetheart, that Cera wanted to wrap him up in blankets and hug him forever!

Anyway, back on topic.

Even though 6 didn't talk much, he was still a very big help to Cera in finding all the information she needed. While he tried to explain with words (or his drawings) the best he can describe them, Cera was still able to understand everything. Her notebook is nearly filled to the brim with all sorts of info: the other dolls that lived here (and used to live here), the elderly 2 who studies 6's drawings, 6's visions, his vision of 9 the newcomer, this Source and First Room (he wasn't exactly clear on what they are), this Beast that roamed the outside world, the scientist who made them and gave 6 the key, it's a ton of stuff that never felt overwhelming.

In return, Cera tells 6 some things too. From what her two friends were like, how they arrived here, how they were sent to study the factory and library, the fact that there are more surviving humans on the other side of the world, she even showed 6 a bit of her art skills. That seemed to be where they bonded over the most.

"Hey, 6?" 6 looks up from a drawing of Cera's he was admiring at.

"Yes?"

"Listen, you were a very big help to me. I can't thank you enough for your efforts."

"Oh, thank you! I want to thank you too, for being so nice to me...."

"Awww, you're welcome!"

Cera stands up and stretches, having been on the floor for a while. I wonder how the others are doing right now?

*Bzzt Bzzt*

Speak of the devil....

"W-what is that?" 6 asks nervously.

"Don't worry, it's just my walkie-talkie. This is what professionals use to communitcate."

*Bzzt* This is Odette calling to Cera, come in Cera! *Bzzt*

Cera responds back, "This is Cera speaking, you checking up on my status?"

"What else?"

Cera grins, "Well, you will be happy to hear that I have completed my part, and I found all the information that I need!"

"Excellent work, Cera! Don't go anywhere yet, Malaika and I will meet you outside the Cathedral in a few minutes."

"Hey, is Malaika with you?"

"Hey dude!" Malaika chimes in.

"Perfect, saves me the trouble. Listen closely, I know we were only sent here to search three places, but I think there's another place we need to investigate."

"Another place?"

"Where?"

"A building called "The First Room". It could be the Holy Grail of research! It can be the one spot that has everything we need!"

Odette sounds unsure, "You're positive that this place could have all our answers?"

"Absolutely. You guys just meet me here and I'll explain the rest-ARGH!"

Cera suddenly felt a excruciating pain ranging from her shoulder to her back.

She falls to the ground, dropping her walkie-talkie in the process.

"Cera? Cera, are you ok?!" She reaches the device and tries to speak, "I-I don't know, I think something sliced my back-GAHHH!" The next thing she sees is a giant steak knife, stabbing her hand and through the walkie-talkie. Cera catches a glimpse of the wielder of the knife: 8.

*********

Back at the library, Odette and Malaika can only hear static.

"Cera?!"

"CERA!!!"