Trios, Emotions, And Trust

"Are you alright, my dear? Did something happen back at the globe?"

2's questions jolts Malaika back to reality, her mind too busy recounting the shocking events that had happened at the aforementioned hideout. She takes a glimpse at 2, but doesn't respond.

Even looking at him only reminds her of 1's confession. The duo had begun walking towards the main entrance a few moments ago, but 1's words still haunt her to the very bone.

She continued to puzzle and ponder over how could 1 make such a heartless act to someone so, so....caring....a-and kind....and-

"Malaika?"

"Aah! Yes, 2? Sorry, I must have zoned out."

"Is something the matter?" 2 asked with concern in that soft, gentle voice of his. All that did was make Malaika feel even more conflicted on what to tell him. She knows that she can't just stay silent, way too rude. Malaika would have to say something fast.

On one hand, lying will not work. 2 can already see how distressed she is and will not buy her saying "I'm fine" with that troubled expression.

On the other hand, Malaika could just tell him the truth. But even that's difficult! Sure, it's the right thing to do, but to face the emotional toll afterwards? The thought alone was too much to bear.

Malaika finally makes up her mind, and speaks to 2 with a tone uneasiness, "I....rather not talk about it right now."

"Oh.....okay than." Was 2's only response. He doesn't press the matter on any further, much to Malaika's relief.

There was something about Malaika that didn't sit right with 2. He could see that his partner is still deeply disturbed from whatever she witnessed earlier, and the fact that she's too uncomfortable to even talk about it only peaks his interest a lot more.

But for now, he knows better than to keep asking her. It simply wasn't the best time.

He decided to change the subject for her sake, a distraction of some kind,

something to take her mind off of whatever was disturbing her.

2 then proceeds to jump onto Malaika's leg and swiftly climbs up to her shoulder, immediately getting her attention. "What is it, 2?" Malaika asked in confusion.

"Look!" 2 points at what appears to be a barely-opened door down a short hallway. "The main library entrance is just around the corner!"

"And 8 should be right behind those doors, right?" Malaika asked excitedly, already forgetting about what made her upset in the first place.

"Exactly.", 2 whispers, "But we need be careful, 8 must be close to the doors so we'll need to be real quiet." Malaika nods in silence. With 2 on her shoulder, she sneaks and hides behind the creaking opened doors, all the while being cautious, not once making a sound.

"Ooooohhhhhh….."

"Was that a groan?" Malaika asked in a low, hushed voice. That groan definitely belonged to 8, but she couldn't tell if he was hurt or not. She turns back to 2, who for some reason showed no concern. He must have heard it too, but his face showed more annoyance than anything. "Sounds like 8 is using that magnet of his again." 2 sighs in exasperation.

"Magnet?" Malaika echoes. Now curious, she quietly peaks her head out the door.

8 was still there guarding the door, but he now held a small magnet over his head, making the weirdest noises and the stupidest faces.

It took all of Malaika's willpower to fight her snickering.

She quickly pulls back, hands covering her mouth trying to hold in laughter. "Shh!" 2 shushes, also trying to calm her down.

Remembering why they were here in the first place, Malaika manages to subdue her laughing. She may not like 8 that much, but witnessing him with the magnet had to be one the funniest things she's seen all day.

Finally calming down, Malaika regains control of her breathing until the only thing she hear is her deep breaths and beating heart. 2 felt relieved as well, letting out a silent sigh.

It was quiet once again.

That's when it hit them both.

It was too quiet.

Fearing the worst, Malaika hurriedly peaks outside the door and-

8 wasn't there. Where did he-?

"Gaahh!"

"What are you doing here?"

"Huh?"

Before Malaika could even step up to react, 8 had rapidly made his way inside and catches 2 with his large hands. Despite his size, 8 was somehow able to sneak up behind the duo. He roughly grabs 2 by the back, causing him to yelp in pain.

"Hey! Knock it off!" Malaika hisses at 8, not wanting to draw too much attention. In a heartbeat, she snatches up both dolls and forcibly removes 2 from 8's grasp. Not surprising, 8 begins to struggle.

"Let me go!" He yells.

"8." Malaika speaks out his name in a calm, strict voice. "I'm going to put you both down, but you better not try anything physical, got it?"

"Not if you try anything to us first!" 8 grunts back.

"If my teammates and I wanted to actually harm you, we would have done so already."

"She's right." 2 concurs, "8, think about it. Ever since these humans got here they've made no moves to attack us. Even after your....fight with Cera."

The guard didn't want to admit it, but 2 and this human had a fair point. Despite the strange humans knowing the stitchpunks for barely a day, they still treated all of them with care and respect and never once tried to hurt 1 at all in spite of their arguments. Even now, he noticed how her grip is similar to Odette's back at the Cathedral attack: warm, gentle, but firm. The girls also know that 8 was responsible for Cera's current state, yet they went out of their way to protect him and 1.

"But still," 8 finally said, "1 doesn't think we should trust you."

Malaika groans internally.

"I mean, we don't even know where you guys come from in the first place! Didn't all the humans die in the war?"

8's words suddenly reminded 2 that he never had the chance to ask his new human friends about their origin. Malaika seems to have to same thought as she glances around, making sure she's not being watched. She steps outside and carefully sets 2 and 8 down on the top of the steps.

"You're right." Malaika says sitting down right next to the two dolls, "I have yet to tell you the full story."

"After all...."

*********

"7! Wait!"

Odette didn't know what came over her, but as soon as she saw 7 run out of the globe, she had the sudden urge to give chase. Her team just got the whole doll clan back together, they can't break up now!

But catching up to 7 was easier said than done. The warrior has the size of a rat and the speed of a rabbit, just trying to grab the doll alone would be near impossible. If I'm lucky, words might be able to calm her down. Thought Odette.

"7! Don't go!" Odette yells out again. 7 doesn't slow down, instead she shoots her a quick glare through her helmet. "Don't try and stop me!"

"C'mon 7, you can't just leave your friends like tha-WAH!" Splash!

This time, 7 screeches to a halt and turns back to her human friend. "Odette?!"

"I'm okay..."

The young pilot was so focused on chasing after 7, that she didn't pay attention to her surroundings and ended up tripping and falling straight into the library's fountain. "Just a little soaked, that's all." Odette's voice suggest it doesn't bother her, her face says she's a bit annoyed, but her inner soul and mind was absolutely fuming.

Perfect, just perfect! Could tonight get ANY more worse!?

Taking deep breathes to calm herself down, Odette gets out of the water and sits on the edge of the fountain. In the corner of her eye, she could see 7 slowly approaching her with a look of concern, her mother-like instincts kicking in.

Hopefully now might be Odette's chance. "So 7, since you're here-"

"I'm not going back."

"Seriously?!" Odette didn't mean to sound that frustrated, but this time 7 doesn't run off.

"Yes." The warrior snarled, "And nothing you say will change my mind."

The human snaps back, "Oh? And not the fact that you'll be abandoning your friends again? You know, the people that need you the most?"

7 remains undeterred. "They're better off without me! I can't stand living under that tyrant's rule! Any longer and I could end up hurting one of them by mistake or killing off 1 for real."

"And you really believe that pain is going to compare to the heartbreak your friends will feel knowing that you're leaving them again? You remember how happy 2 and 5 were when they met you at the factory, right?" Odette questioned her. 7 stays silent. Odette sighs, she didn't want to say this, but 7 left her no choice: "For a warrior, you sure are doing a lousy job of being one!"

The tension was so thick, you could cut with a steak knife. 7 stares at her with a fury in her eyes. Odette keeps taking, "Now, I may have known for like a day, but even I could tell a few things about you: You have anger issues, you hate 1 with a passion, and from what I've heard, you have a thing with running away from your problems."

7 doesn't attack, but she turns to leave. "Don't run again please." Odette pleads.

"Or what, you'll follow me?" "Yes!"

"Why?" "Because I see you as my friend! And girlfriends are always there for each other, even in a time of need."

7 stops yet again, "You...see me as a friend?"

"Of course I do! Malaika and Cera too! 9 definitely likes you as well! We all care for you, 7. And we'll all be heartbroken if you never returned. So, whatever problems you've had in the past with 1, it's time for you two to sort it out. You can't keep running away from your family every time he shows up."

"But how!?" 7 suddenly yells, her voice drenched with pain, "It's like you said, and I admit it. I'm always running away, I'm running away even when I'm fighting! So how can I face 1 when I can't even face myself?!" Odette knows she's conflicted, wanting to change but is stubborn.

Odette glances at a stick next to her foot, and gets an idea.

Perhaps a lesson from a classic might help her out.

She grabs the stick and whacks it across 7's head. "OW!" The warrior shouts in pain, "What was that for?!" "It doesn't matter, it's in the past!" Odette replies with tease in her voice.

7 rubs her sore head, "You say that, but it still hurts."

"Indeed, the past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or, learn from it." Odette swings the stick at 7 again, but she dodges it this time. Odette couldn't help but feel overjoyed, "Hah! You see now?"

7 freezes in place, her mind slowly processing Odette's words. She had always been one to hide her own feelings behind a barrier as a fighter, and yet, it was those same strong emotions that caused her to act out and run away in the first place. 7 realizes that she left her clan to suffer at the hands of 1 and 8, when she should have been there to defend them. That's her purpose after all. Nodding to herself, 7 stands up to her full height, and turns to her human friend. "You were right." 7 says softly but clearly, "It was wrong of me to leave my friends like that. Not when they need me the most." Odette says nothing, but nods in agreement.

7 continues, feeling more confident, "If I'm going to be there as a proper defender, then it's time I act like it. Even if it means.....facing my problems with 1."

"That's the spirit, 7!" Odette exclaims, "I'd knew you would.....wait a minute..."

Odette stops what she was about to say and looks to her left, as if she's spotted something.

"What?" 7 asks.

Odette's eyes widen, "Oh, that little-" She immediately stands up from her spot with a appalled look on her face.

7 looks over to where the human is staring at. She could slowly start to see a small figure roaming pass the fountain, presumably talking to himself. It was 1.

What is he doing out here?, 7 thought. It's certainly no surprise to why Odette looked so cross. The girls had specifically told him not to stray from the group and yet here he is, wandering around in the open like live bait. And if she could listen closely, she can hear him talking about how he knows what's right for everyone.

7 can only scoff at such words.

Odette storms off towards 1's direction. "And what do you think you're doing all by yourself?!" She yells to grab his attention.

The sudden voice startles 1, and he turns around quickly to see 7 and Odette standing by the fountain, the former giving him a disapproving stare.

"And what makes you think that what I'm doing is your business?" 1 throws out a rebuttal, not alarmed in the slightest.

Odette bends down to her knees in front of 1 and counters back, "I'm simply asking you why you're by yourself when we clearly asked you not to go out alone. Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

Odette's trying to not raise her voice. She knows it could draw unwanted attention, but 1 is being very difficult to work with. 7 can tell this fight will get real sour if they don't calm down, so she steps in between the two.

"That's enough, you two!" 7 says sternly, "The more we argue with each other, the more chance those enemies will find us. Working together is our best bet here whether we like it or not." "You're one to talk!" 1 spats out.

7 turns her head towards 1, and remembering Odette's words, takes a deep breath, and speaks to him in a cool and calm manner. "1, I know that you don't trust me or these humans, but the sooner we all come together to help them on their mission, the sooner they can leave for good. I can tell the girls have good souls, Odette here knocked some sense into me simply because she cares. Hopefully, you'll realize it too, if you're willing to work with them."

1 ponders, but merely shakes his head in shame. "And to think they've got you too."

7 did not like the sound of that, "What do you mean?"

1 glares, "They're poisoning your minds, 7. They are tricking us into reawakening ancient evils in the name of 'information'. In the end, those three are no better than their predecessors!"

"1....." Odette gives out a warning tone.

"1, listen for once!" 7 said quickly, "I hated what the humans did to our world just as much as you do, but these girls are not like that-"

"That's what they want you all to believe! By charming us into giving them everything they deem useful for humanity's selfless goals, and then getting rid of us once we are no use of them. I know humans, 7, and they are all the same; past and present."

"My generation are not the same." Odette grits her teeth, visibly shaking. From rage or sadness, 7 did not want to know. But 1 isn't taking the hint, and keeps talking, "Deny it all you want, but it's the truth. This foolish mission of yours to find information is just living proof that your kind's blind pursuit for dark knowledge. If you know what's for the best then you will take your goons and get out of here. Maybe then you three can think about why you even took that useless mission in the first-"

"WE NEVER ASKED TO BE ON THIS DAMN MISSION!"

Odette's sudden scream took both dolls by surprise. The human girl has finally snapped, and there's nothing to be done about it.

"You think we like carrying the pressure of the world in our hands? You think any of us like killing other people even though they're our enemies? You think anyone of us like risking our lives in exploring dangerous areas not knowing what could kill us? NO! We all do it because it's the only chance we've got in protecting the only future we have!" Odette slams her fists onto the ground next to her knees, 1 and 7 backing up out of fear.

"No one asked to be on this operation. Each and every one of us was handpicked, scouted, and chosen by the President himself, not just because we were the right ones for the job, but because we have direct relations to people involved or responsible for the Machine War! So now, everyone's reputations and fates are at stake!"

7 knocks down her helmet and readies her spear. Just in case. Odette doesn't notice. Her head is down, staring at the ground beneath her.

"We can't afford to fail this mission, 1. Failure was never an option here! This whole plan is too important to just abandon on the spot, not when the entire world depends on us! If I come back home with a teammate's injures in vain and brought back nothing, we're not just letting our families down, we're letting the world down, we're letting our entire future down. We'll be disgraced, disappointments, seen as either worse or no better than our ancestors..."

At this point, Odette had started crying, although seems to be unaware that she is. Her tears came down nonstop like waterfalls on a stormy night. Nonetheless, Odette continues to rant.

"So no, 1, we will NOT leave. Not until my group has succeeded in what we came here to do. We're not just looking for answers on how the machines rebelled, or searching for signs of life, the entire point of 'Operation: Hidden Garden' is to prove to the remains of the world that we, humanity, can fix our past mistakes and do better. Try better to create a future that we can be proud of!"

7 grows more concerned as Odette shakes and trembles harder and harder, her fists gripping tighter and tighter....

"And yet, how does anyone expect us to restore a already dead world when everything around us is a bloody wasteland!? Other people sees us as the ones with all the answers when we barely have anything to respond them with! We had always been told that our main goal, this 'destiny', is to correct our ancestors' mistakes and rebuild this dying part of the world, but how can humanity expect us to live on when all they've done is left us with...w-with..."

"Nothing."

"Yeah, exactly-wait what?" The girl stops shaking.

"They've left us with nothing, and yet expect us to right their wrongs." 1's voice was soft, but clear as glass. "That's what you're going through too, isn't it?"

Odette lifts her head up, and blinks. And blinks again. She starts wiping her eyes, realizing she had been crying this whole time.

"The role of a leader is not an easy one." 1 walks up to the crying girl and places his hand on her knee, "Nor is the pressures that come with it."

"1? H-how did you...?"

"I know a good leader when I see one, and you are certainly the kind that tries your best for your group. I'm going to be honest, I didn't expect to find so much in common with you." 1 was telling the truth. During her rant, 1 had started to notice how similar she was to him; a leader thrusted into a role they didn't want and forced to save a dying world with nothing.

Odette had already stopped crying, and can do nothing but start at 1 in astonishment.

"1...you.....really mean that?"

The leader nods. "I too, know exactly what you-and many others I'm sure-are going through. My creator brought us into this world in hopes that we can continue life, but as the first creation and leader, there was nothing for me to go on. Not in this world at least. So, I did what I could do, and that was to keep everyone safe."

7 gawked at the scene with the most flabbergasted face she could muster. In all her years of knowing 1, he was never like this to anyone in the clan. Either this was a trick, or Odette's rant really did go through his thick skull. 7's secretly praying it's the second one.

The human herself felt just as aghast at 1's sudden turnaround. But his confession truly opened her eyes about him. Everything he did up until now made perfect sense. Deep down, they really were both the same kind of leader. They just took different methods that got to how they are now.

With her face fully dried, Odette decided that something needed be done. She glances straight at 1's eyes, and holds out her hand in front of him. 1 stares at her hand and then back at her eyes, confident ones that tell him "Let's shake on it, fellow leader!"

1 looks at Odette's hand again, and back at her eyes staring down at his eyes filled with determination. Then, without breaking eye contact, 1 takes her hand with both metal ones and gives them a firm shake. All the while, no word was spoken. There was no need. The unbroken eye contact said it all: You have my upmost respect.

7 herself didn't understand what was going on, but she got one thing down: 1 and Odette were officially on good terms. For now, at least.

"If we're all going to be working on the same side," 1 said breaking the silence, "Then I need to know at least one thing."

"What is it?"

7's eyes widen.

1 is going to ask this human a meaningful question? She moves in closer, a strong feeling tells her that it's going to be good.

"How is it possible for there to be human survivors of all things?"

"Ah! That's right, I have been meaning to tell you guys about us sooner or later."

Odette switches her legs to criss-cross, while 1 and 7 lean against her legs.

"Besides...."

*********

"Ugh, this is too much..."

Cera hangs her head in frustration. Today was not going well for her.

Her teammates are gonna give her so much flack for letting 1 go off on his own. In fact, just thinking about him gives her a headache. Letting out a long sigh, Cera leans against the globe to rest her head, faintly hearing the voices inside.

".....go back....."

"....First Room...."

"....woke....."

Cera jolts back up from the globe. Did she hear that correctly? Did 9 just mentioned the First Room? And has knowledge of it? Cera wanted to know more. Fast.

"GUYS! GUYS, GET OUT HERE!" She yells, getting on her knees.

The twins, 5, 6, and 9 bolted out of the globe only to find Cera right next to them and bending down to their eye level.

"What's wrong? What is it!?" 5 asked frantically.

"9, I need you to be straight and honest with me," Ignoring 5, Cera asks her question: "How did you know about the First Room?"

Luckily, 9 is clear and easy to explain. "Well, technically, you mentioned the place first. Right before you were, erm, attacked."

Oh, yeah. Forgot about that.

"It was strange, really. As soon as you did, it just...clicked for me. Like I knew what that place was even though it was the first time I've heard of it."

"And? What exactly IS the place?"

"It's where I woke."

Where you first woke, huh?

"Ok, ok. Do you remember what the place looked liked?"

9 ponders for a moment, "I remember lots of books. A few glass tubes, maybe more. Dozens of papers with writings and drawing on them. Along with other strange instruments."

"Anything else, 9?"

9's face suddenly turned grim. "There was a dead body on the floor."

Silence.

The other dolls, while not surprised at the mention of a corpse, suddenly had a bleak idea on who the corpse belong to. And they were too afraid to admit it.

Cera also had a bleak expression on her, but she knew that someone had to have lived in that house. Perhaps the dead body itself might have some clues. As much as it pains her to say it.

"9, I hate to ask you this, but it's really important. Do you remember what the body looked like? Clothes and all."

9 is understandably uncomfortable, but nonetheless answers her question. "I only saw a glimpse of him, but I distinctly remember white hair and a long white coat. That's it."

"I see...wait a minute....."

Long white coat?

Glass tubes?

Books?

Papers all over the place?

Strange tools?

That fact that 9 was created there and 6 knows about it?

It was like the biggest lightbulb went off in her head.

EUREKA!!!!

"IT'S A SCIENTIST LAB!!"

The dolls were nearly blown all in shock from the sudden screams of a excited Cera.

"W-h-h-h-what is?" 5 asks shaking like a leaf.

Cera showed no problem replying back to him, "The First Room! It's a scientist lab! It truly IS the Holy Grail!!" She pumps her fists in the air like a victory pose. "Yes, yes, yes, yes!!!"

Out of excitement, she scoops up all five dolls in her arms. "3, 4, 5, 6 ,9 you wonderful, amazing, genius SAVOIRS of dolls, you!" She then proceeds to smooch them all in the head. An action she soon regrets seconds later.

("BLEGH! When it was the last time you all bathe?")

After putting the now dazed and embarrassed dolls, Cera starts thinking about her next course of action.

"Okokokokokokokokok, obviously I'll have to wait for everyone else to come together to tell them the good news. Then we'll have to leave the library to get there first thing in the morning, speaking of....9!"

"Y-yes?"

"Is there any way you can lead us to the First Room?"

9 smiles and nods. "I'll help, too!" 6 volunteers.

"Perfect!"

"Wait! H-hold on a moment, Cera!" 5 finally speaks up.

"What's up, 5?" Cera asks.

5 takes a deep breath to calm himself down. "Cera, I get that you're excited about this and I'm sure the other girls would be too, but...."

"But what?"

"Well...." 5 shyly looks at the ground, focusing on his hands instead. "It's just that....we still don't know where you came from."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

9 pipes in, "Didn't they said that they came from the other side of the Earth?"

"I know that, but what I mean is, We've thought that all of humanity has ended for years. And then suddenly three young humans appear out of thin air saying that their are actually survivors? How is any of that possible?"

All the dolls turn to Cera to hear her reply.

Cera blinks. "Oh! I see want you're saying!" She lets out a small chuckle as she gently crosses her legs. "I guess in the long run we do seem pretty suspicious."

"But anyways..."

*********

"I suppose I...."

".....do owe you guys....."

"...an explanation."