(Lavinia's POV)
I don't like puppet and puppet shows.
No, I Hate THEM.
The way the puppets move,being all jerky and wrong they're appearances and the way the strings make them dance and alive even though they're not alive.
The way the person hiding behind the stage controls everything and pretends the puppet is real and actually doing things.
It makes me hurt.
It make's my stomach hurt.
It makes me think of her.
I used to be normal a girl.
I originally had a normal life,normal parents who loved me,a normal home,normal friends at school.
That was two years ago.
Then she appeared.
The doll.
I don't know where she came from,and i don't know why she came. But one day I was playing in my room, and when I looked up, she was just... there.
Standing in the corner.
It was tall, taller than any person. Made of ice that looked like glass,it has four arms,and a face with six eyes on one side and thorns on the other,it doesn't have a mouth nor a nose.
And it stood there,Just... watching me.
I screamed.
I ran to Mom and Dad, crying, telling them there was a monster in my room.
They came. They looked.
They didn't see anything.
"There's nothing there, sweetheart," Mom said, kneeling down and hugging me. "You just had a bad dream."
"No! She's right there! Behind you!"
Dad turned around. Looked exactly where I was pointing.
"Lavinia, there's nothing—"
"She's there!"
But they couldn't see her.
No one could.
They took me to a doctor.
Then another doctor.
Then a psychologist.
Then another.
The psychologist asked me questions. Lots of questions. About the doll. About what I saw. About how I felt.
I told her everything.
She wrote things down in her notebook and smiled at my parents like she understood.
"It's a phase," she said. "Children sometimes create imaginary friends when they're stressed or anxious. She'll grow out of it."
But the doll wasn't imaginary.
She was real.
I could see her. I could feel her. The air got cold whenever she appeared. My breath turned to fog.
But no one believed me.
The doll didn't go away.
She appeared every time I cried.
Every time I got angry.
Every time I felt happy,scared or sad or alone.
She'd just... be there. Standing behind me. Watching with those six hollow eyes.
At first, I was terrified.
I'd scream and run and hide under my blankets.
But she never hurt me.
She never moved toward me.
She just... stayed. Silent. Still.
Like she was for me.
But I didn't want it.
I wanted her to go away.
My friends started avoiding me.
I tried to tell them about the doll just once, because I was so lonely and scared and I thought maybe they'd believe me.
They didn't.
"You're weird, Lavinia."
"That's creepy."
" Your Making things up "
"My mom says you're crazy."
" I'm not getting close to you Lavinia"
" Lavinia is cursed"
"Kyaaa!!! Get away"
" Don't get close with me!!"
They stopped playing with me at recess. Stopped inviting me to their houses. Stopped sitting next to me at lunch.
They left me.
I was alone.
Just me and the doll.
Then, a month ago, Mom and Dad died.
An accident at their workplace, the police said. Something about an unknown explosion occuring due to safety failures from the investigations.
I don't really remember or know what happened after that.
People came to the house. Strangers in uniforms. Relatives I'd only met a few times.
Everyone talked in quiet voices and looked at me like I was broken and crazy.
No one wanted me.
Mom's sister said I was "too much to handle." And she didn't like i keep mentioning about me seeing the doll.
Dad's brother said I was "disturbed" and "possibly possessed or crazy she needs to be sent to an insane asylum."
I heard them talking when they thought I couldn't hear.
"She's definitely possessed by the devil , we have to get an exorcist help."
" What do you mean you want to call an exorcist on a nine-year-old !? Thomas, she's fucking nine"
"She sees things that aren't there! She's not normal and she's definitely possessed by the Devil!!"
They continue to argue.
I pressed my hands over my ears and cried.
The doll appeared behind me.
Yeah the doll is the only thing with me.
Now I'm staying with dad distant cousin who doesn't like me.
She gives me food and a bed and nothing else.
She doesn't talk to me.
Doesn't look at me.
She just... tolerates me. Like I'm a stray cat she got stuck with.
I hate it here.
I hate being alone.
I hate that no one believes me.
I hate that Mom and Dad are gone and I'll never see them again.
I hate the doll for always being there when I don't want her.
But she's the only one who is there.
The only one who doesn't leave.
Today I ran away.
Not far. Just to the park.
My Dad's cousin doesn't care. She probably didn't even notice I left.
I found a tree near the edge of the park, away from the other kids, and sat down.
I pulled my knees to my chest and cried.
Quietly.
Because I didn't want anyone to hear.
But it didn't matter. Since no one cares about me.
The doll appeared anyway.
She always does.
I felt the air turn cold. Felt my breath fog. Saw the shadow fall over me even though the sun was still shining.
I didn't look up.
I just cried harder.
I want my mom.
I want my dad.
I don't want to be alone.
I WANT MY LIFE BACK!!
...
"Um... Hello? Are you okay?"
I froze. I turned my head
I looked up, wiping my eyes.
A boy stood a few feet away, he's around five years old from the looks. Blonde hair. Blue eyes. He was also waving his hand at me.
He was staring at me with a worried expression.
For a second, I didn't know what to say.
No one talks to me anymore.
No one comes near me.
"I..." My voice came out all scratchy and weak. "I'm fine."
I wasn't fine.
But what else was I supposed to say?
The boy tilted his head, like he didn't believe me.
------
(Michael's POV)
Okay.
The girl can see me.
That's good.
Communication is possible.
I took a breath, trying to keep my voice steady and not sound like a kid who was internally screaming about the giant ice monster hovering behind her.
Considering i could get kill at any moment.
"Are you okay?" I asked again, because what else do you say to a crying nine-year-old with an eldritch doll guardian that look like came from a dark soul games.
She stared at me. Her eyes were red from crying. Her blonde hair stuck to her tear-streaked face.
"I'm fine," she said.
She was very much clearly not fine.
I glanced up at the ice woman.
Still watching. Still silent.
Okay.
She's not attacking.
That's... good?
I looked back at the girl. Smiled and asked "What's your name ?"
She hesitated. "...Lavinia."
"I'm Michael! " I excitedly introduced myself, even though I'm clearly panicking on the inside,and my heart was still pounding like I'm being held gunpoint by the IRS for tax evasion.
"Um... Lavinia?"
"Yeah?"
I pointed up at the towering ice doll looming behind her.
"I have a question,umm....can you... see that?"
Her eyes widened.
Then filled with tears again.
"You can see her?" she whispered.
I nodded slowly. "Yeah. I can see her."
Lavinia's face crumpled, and she started crying again but different this time. Not sad crying.
Okay, so she definitely sees it too. It's not just me.wait does this mean the doll only can be seen by children ?.
And from Lavinia reactions looks like she probably had nightmares due to it and was horrified seeing it,and probably people didn't believe her that there's a three-meter-tall ice doll with six eyes and thorns standing right there.
But it does make sense after all.
A child say that a giant ice doll is behind you and when you look behind you, there's nothing there,so you don't believe what she say's.
I felt a pang of sympathy for that.
Since have some similar experience about that from my past life,but that's another story.
That includes about a miracle that happened in my family and things like my friend experiencing sleep paralysis demon,and being kissed by a ghost. But that's another story to tell.
I glanced at the doll again.
It tilted its head.
Watching me.
Curious.
Thankfully it didn't attack me.
But that does make me wonder if it's move or attack based on someone intent to the user or it's actually immobile unless ordered, not to mention the doll was ice, so an ice base guardian ? I guess.
...
I think i should asked Grandma about it.
Considering Grandma is likely more knowledgeable about this.
I soon turned my head back to Lavinia.
-----
Lavinia's POV
He can see her.
He can actually see her.
Someone else not just me can see the doll.
That means... that means she's real.
I'm not crazy.
I'm not seeing things.
She's real and he can see her too.
I wiped my eyes with my sleeve, trying to stop crying, but I couldn't help it.
Someone can actually see her.
For two whole years, everyone told me I was imagining things. That the doll wasn't real. That I needed help. That something was wrong with me.
But she was real.
And he can see her too.
I wasn't alone anymore.
" Um Lavinia i have a question" He replied
I immediately look towards him.
Even though my eyes is still swelling from the crying.
-------
(Michael POV)
I took a breath and tried to sound as friendly and non-threatening as possible.
"Do you..... do you want to play with me?"
She blinked. "...What?"
"Play,you know at the park" I gestured
" We could go on the swings or... or just walk around and talk."
I gestured again vaguely. "I just thought... you looked like you could use a friend."
Her lip trembled.
For a second, I thought she was going to cry again.
But instead, she nodded.
"Okay," she whispered.
(Lavinia's POV)
He asked me to play with him, no one's asked me to play with them.. I don't even remember how long since someone asked that. Everyone at school avoids me ever since i told them i see the doll,the kids at the park don't come even near me. Even my cousin who originally talk to me stopped talking to me. And moving around make it's hard to bond with anyone,and I'm scared they see me as a freak.
But he wants to play with me.
I nodded before I could stop myself.
"Okay," I said quietly.
He smiled,a real one. Not the fake kind adults gave me when they were trying to be nice but really just wanted me to go away.
"Cool," he said. "Come on."
He held out his hand.
I stared at it for a second.
Then, slowly, I took it.
His hand was warm.
Mine was cold,it was always cold now, ever since the doll appeared.
But he didn't let go.
We stood up together, and I glanced back at the doll,she was still there watching me.
But she didn't move...Just... stayed.
Like she was waiting.
--------
(Michael's POV)
I felt the cold the moment I took Lavinia's hand.
God damn how cold is she, not her personality but her hand. Since it's very cold not to mention how the hell is she even this cold were in the middle of june, it's literally summer.
But she was very much very cold,she felt like she was carrying winter with her.
Is it because of the ice doll ?
It's Probably because of the ice doll.
So if it's the ice doll tha made this side effect.
How does it work.
Like magic residue or it's a blessing of some sort.
I glanced back at the creature.
It hadn't moved. Still standing in that same spot, watching us with those six eyes.
Is it going to follow?
Or does it stay put when she's calm?
I made a mental note to observe its behavior. For science , and for survival of course.
We walked toward the playground slowly, because Lavinia looked like she hadn't moved much in a while. Like she'd been sitting under that tree for hours.
"So," I said, trying to sound casual, "how long have you... um... had the doll?"
She looked down at the ground. "Two years."
Two years.
That's a long time
" Two years,so uhh has it ever talk to you or anything ?" I asked since i wonder if these things can talk or something considering it can sometimes moces it's body.
Lavinia shook her head. "No. She just... appears, whenever I'm sad or angry or scared or happy. She never talks or never moves much,she just watches me "
Oh so this thing appears when she's distress or is it because during emotional state ?
"And no one else can see her?" I asked.
Considering things.
"No one." Lavinia's voice was small. "My parents couldn't. My friends couldn't. The doctors said I was imagining things."
Welp i can cross that it's not based on age you can see the entity. So what could it be ?
"Well," I said, squeezing her hand gently, "I believe you. She's definitely real. Since i can see her too, honestly? She seems like she's trying to protect you."
I mean based on my elimination it's clearly not an evil thing or anything.
Of course I'm not going to mention that.
Lavinia looked up at me, eyes wide. "You think so?"
"Yeah. I mean, she hasn't hurt anyone, right?"
"No. Never."
"And she shows up when you're upset?"
"...Yeah."
"Then she's probably trying to help. In her own... creepy ice doll way."
Lavinia let out a small, surprised laugh.
It was quiet. Shaky.
But it was a laugh.
I grinned. "See? Not so bad."
"She's still really scary," Lavinia said.
"Oh, absolutely. Terrifying. But maybe... maybe she's your terrifying ice doll?"
Lavinia thought about that for a moment.
Then nodded slowly.
"Maybe."
(Lavinia's POV)
Michael said the doll was trying to protect me.
I'd never thought about it that way before.
I always just thought she was... there. Watching, and making everything worse because no one else could see her and everyone thought I was crazy.
But thinking about it she never had scared me really or anything.
...
Maybe she wasn't trying to scare me.
Maybe she was trying to keep me safe.
I looked back toward the tree where we'd been sitting,the doll was still there.
Still standing in that same spot.
Watching.
------
(Michael's POV)
We soon reached where there are some swings.
I sat down on one. Lavinia meanwhile hesitated,before then sat on the one next to me.
We swung the swings quietly for a bit not talking, it was nice.
Then Lavinia spoke smiling
"It's very fun to play with you,thank you"
I looked over at her. "For what?"
"For playing with me." Her voice was quiet.
I stared at Lavinia hearing what she said.
You know i may not be a psychologist.
But i can clearly see that Lavinia currently is lonely and is emotionally unstable. Due to her being basically having the equivalent of being haunted.
"You don't have to thank me," I said. "I'm just... I'm glad I could help."
She smiled but this time real.
"Can we... can we be friends?" she asked hesitantly.
I didn't even have to think about it.
"Yeah," I said. "We can be friends."
Her smile got a little bigger.
And for the first time since we'd met, the air around us felt a little warmer.
------
Some time later...
The sun was slowly dipping toward the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange,red, pink.
A bird was flying above and landed on a tree.
During that time, Michael and Lavinia had spent hours playing around the park.
From playing the swing, hopscotch,and just... talking.
For the first time in a long time, Lavinia felt very happy,and Michael despite being mentally thirty something had genuinely enjoyed it.
Now they sat together on a bench, catching their breath, watching the sunset.
So," i said, swinging my legs,
"Lavinia where are you from originally?"
"Italy," Lavinia said. "I used to lived in a small town near Rome."
That makes sense.
Her name is Lavinia. And considering her name origin is from Roman Mythology. It's pretty clear she's Italian.
" Oh,italy ?, that's pretty far from here,so what brought you here in the UK ?" I asked.
Lavinia's expression shifted. Her smile faded,and turned into a frown
Fuck did i hit a fucking landmine asking that question !?,i secretly thought, since the now cheerful girl was now going to cry again.
"I..." She looked down at her hands. "My parents died,a month ago. So I got sent here to live with dad's cousin."
Fuck.
Nice going, Michael.
Way to bring up dead parents.
Though in my defense i didn't know they were dead.
Considering she didn't mention it.
Also i take back every bad thought i had about her parents.
"I'm sorry," i said quickly, sincerely. "I didn't mean to-"
"It's okay," Lavinia interrupted softly. "You didn't know."
She was quiet for a moment, then gave him a small, sad smile.
"They were good parents,they loved me a lot. Even when the doll showed up and things got weird... they tried to help. They just couldn't see her."
I nodded slowly. "I'm really sorry, Lavinia. That's... that's really hard."
"Yeah." She wiped her eyes quickly. "But... talking to you helped. So thank you."
Ok i may have underestimated how bad Lavinia condition currently is,her being isolated due to the ice doll, caused her to develop some trauma and basically have her mental state not stable.
Not to mention the fact her parents died , when she's just fucking nine doesn't help and it was a month ago,and her moving in with a relative doesn't help as well.
Considering she probably hasn't fully processed or accepted her parents death.
Considering what She's been through, it has been a lot.
Heck I'm impressed she's able to handle it somewhat.
Meanwhile Lavinia soon looked at him curiously. "What about you Michael? Where are you from?"
"Ohh....im from France," i said responding after she asked about where I'm from. "But my mom is Italian, actually."
Lavinia perked up slightly. "Really? What part?"
"Northern Italy. Florence area."
"Oh! That's not too far from where I used to lived." She smiled-a real smile this time.
I hearing that then said
"Hey maybe that's why we get along. Since we're Italian...we'll im half Italian but that still counts"
She grinned hearing what i said
"Maybe."
Well it's actually somewhat true considering i remember an experiment that i had read from my friends observing participants and seeing their interactions with others people and analyse about it. Which one factor on people are more likely to interact with those that they're mroe familiar with them being in that group ie nationality/skin colour/intelligence/and etc.
"So What are you doing here in the UK?" Lavinia asked, looking at me.
"Visiting my grandparents," Michael explained. "We're staying for a few days."
A few days,yeah and considering things I'll be leaving soon.
Which means Lavinia will be alone again.
The thought made my chest tighten immediately.
Also she said she is currently living with her dad's cousin?,was she being treated badly by her relative?
She said she's living with a relative,and from the way she respond it's clear she's not in good hands.
"Michael?"
He blinked. "Huh?"
Lavinia was looking at him with a curious expression. "You must be thinking a lot, don't you?"
"Uh... yeah. I guess."
"I just... I like thinking about stuff," i replied trying to sound appropriately childish. "My grandma says I'm curious."
" Ohh ... "
Lavinia thensmiled. "Well, I think it's nice. You're easy to talk to, since you think a lot and it's make you more mature for your age"
"Thanks. You too." I replied even though i don't Fully understand on how it's easier talked to someone who thinks a lot more,and more mature, speaking from experience from friends talking to me.
Meanwhile soon Michael and Lavinia sat in comfortable silence for a moment, watching the sun sink lower.
Then Michael noticed how much light they'd lost.
Oh.
It's getting late.
....
Ohh shit it's getting late !!!!
Mom's going to kill me.
"Lavinia," he said, standing up, "I think we should head home. It's getting late."
She looked at the horizon and nodded reluctantly. "Yeah. You're right."
They soom walked toward the park entrance together. Lavinia then stopped at the edge of the path and turned to him.
"Will I see you tomorrow?" she asked quietly with hope.
I didn't even hesitate answering her. "Of course!!, I'll come back tomorrow,same time?" I replied with enthusiasm.
Her face lit up. "Really?"
"Really."
She smiled so wide it made his chest hurt.
"Okay. I'll be here."
"Cool." I grinned. "See you tomorrow, Lavi."
She blinked. "Lavi?"
"Yeah. Short for Lavinia. Is that okay?" Ok i may have gotten to chummy and immediately give her a nickname but i think that very much help her considering she now has a friend again aka myself.
Lavinia meanwhile thought about it, then nodded, smile growing. "Yeah I like it."
"Good."
Before i could say goodbye, Lavinia suddenly stepped forward and hugged me.
I froze for a second then slowly hugged her back. Which i couldn't do anything besides that considering she's four years older than me and is physically more. Also goddamn her hug is pretty tight.
Like she was afraid I'll disappear if she let go.
"Thank you," she whispered. "For being my friend."
"Anytime," he said softly.
She pulled back, wiped her eyes quickly, and smiled one more time before turning and running off toward the other side of the park.
I watched her go, making sure she got to the path safely.
The ice doll was nowhere to be seen.
Good.
Hopefully that means she's okay.
I turned and started walking quickly toward his grandparents' house.
I need to tell them.
About Lavinia.
About the doll.
About... everything.
...
Meanwhile the bird that was watching them flies away.
----
(Michael POV)
While walking back home i was currently thinking something, specifically on my brain having some kind of Dejavu moment.
Which sound weird, because it is weird.
But in my defense I'm currently experiencing my second life, where magic is real.
So it's not really weird.
Nlw what Dejavu moment that I'm talking about ?.
Well about meeting Lavinia i don't know why but her name feel so familiar to me not to mention the doll, which i felt like i know them well.
Ok that's both questionable but considering I'm in another world and i don't know about this world there's a chance it could be based on a light novel could be not... Or I'm just going crazy and my brain is trying to find answers and I'm starting to make some stuff to not sound crazy.
...
...
Ok i may slowly sound crazy,but it could be true.
...
...
Ok now I'm heading becoming a conspiracy theorists route.
I soon took a deep breath.
* Inhale*
*Exhale*
Ok, ignoring my previous thoughts,i immediately focused on the more important facts first,and they are.
First: Get home. Obviously
Second: Tell my family everything. They're more knowledgeable than me.
Third: Figure out what the hell is that thing. Which the second will answer this one.
Fourth: Make sure Lavinia is ok, considering her parents death and then her living around with a relative while simultenaously having a scary thing watching you would damage your mental health,and especially a child.
I immediately rushed back towards my grandparents home.
____________
You know feel very sad for Lavinia. Considering her getting a sacred gear causes her life to be somewhat miserable.
Not to mention for other sacred gear users having a sacred gear causing them to get basically hunted by different factions, being forced to be devils, killed by people who don't know about it etc.
Especially characters like Cao Cao,Tobio, Asia, and many others.
There isn't a single human organisation to protect sacred gear users.
Like even the church after God's death,was much more cruel and crazy from fucking using children for experimentation,and child soldiers in some cases. Like i wonder on how the hell did the angels didn't stop that or rejected that idea.
Not to mention on the church rejecting some sacred gears as heresy or pagan (I'll probably explore on the church later in the story, including the angels, considering things)
About Absolute demise, also i may have taken a change about it , considering I've made it semi autonomous and also made absolute demise have a side effect currently compared to the canon one. Like Lavinia body temperature being cold.
Also sorry if it's a bit late for me posting this considering it's Easter and i have to attend church for four days straight (It's very tiring).
Also Happy Easter Everyone, hope you have a wonderful day.
...
...
Ok That's all see ya next time 👋
~AgentbyteGOC