The three of them didn't say much, opting to sit there quietly as they waited for the doll to come back. Nox raised an eyebrow at Roxanne, who rolled her eyes at his silent scolding.
Soon after, a familiar pop sounded as the porcelain doll reappeared. Only this time, it came with company.
Three more dolls appeared next to it, each one wearing a similar outfit. They tittered and spun in the air as they went around the tables, nodding their heads in excitement and whispering to each other as they passed by.
Rose looked unsurprised by their entrance, sitting back in her chair. The other participants froze in their seats as the dolls drew closer. It was as if they finally realized their situation.
Nox and Roxanne watched vigilantly as the porcelain doll who brought them here floated over to their table, looking at the empty surface with a disappointed face.
'Why didn't you get anything to drink or eat?' It tilted its head in confusion. 'Don't all humans like to consume?'
"We weren't hungry." Nox looked at its frowning face. There was something off about its expression, but before he could figure it out the doll restored its cheerful look. Roxanne was leaning away as much as she could without being too obvious, clearly still creeped out by the sight of the old fashioned doll.
'Ah, what a shame. Only people who eat can party! It's time for games!' It zoomed off happily.
Besides him and Roxanne, the couple drinking tea before also got a pass during musical chairs.
With a bang, the long table full of delicacies disappeared, along with the food and tea the other participants had taken to their own tables. Five chairs were placed in a circle in its place. An exquisite-looking phonograph was placed off to the side, placed on a small wooden table.
The doll quickly flew to the others, whispering something before a small fight broke out between a brunette doll and the black haired doll. It looked like the black haired doll won, because it quickly zoomed back over to their table. 'Since you guys didn't eat anything, we'll have you participate in a game at the end so you won't feel left out! That way everyone can play!'
Nox really wanted to tell the doll that it wasn't necessary. Swallowing down his curses, he gave the doll a smile that probably looked more like a grimace. Hopefully it couldn't tell.
Once the doll rejoined the group, the phonograph started to play a cheerful waltz.
'It's time to play!' This time, the brunette doll spoke, broadcasting its voice. 'Who's ready to play?'
As if they were given a cue, six people immediately stood up stiffly. By the looks of their startled expressions, it wasn't intentional.
"What is this, I can't control my body!" A woman cursed, face contorting in fear. She was walking stiffly as if she was fighting against every step she took.
A baby faced man started to scream hysterically as his body moved towards the chairs without his consent. "I don't want to die! I don't want to die!"
The dolls giggled at his statement. 'Silly, we're just playing a game. How will you die?'
Their words didn't seem to be very comforting as he continued to struggle.
The leering pervert and the thin boy were also chosen.
The two teenage girls who were eating happily together only moments before were walking forward with distressed faces. One of them was biting her lip, looking like she was on the verge of crying.
They perked up at the dolls' statement, looking at each other with relief.
Roxanne shuffled closer to Nox, trying to get a better view of what was going on. She stared at them in a stupor before she suddenly grabbed Nox's arm harshly. "This- something doesn't feel right." She had a look of dawning realization on her face.
He looked at her with mirrored surprise, not expecting her sudden outburst.
Behind them, the music continued to play joyously. The players looked at each other with uncertainty.
"The robot- then this," she glanced at Rose quickly, before turning back to him with alarm written all over her face. "It was like all the panic from the robot vanished as soon as I stepped into the garden. The sunlight made me all sleepy and relaxed like I was injected with a sedative."
Sure enough, Roxanne's chair was originally in direct contact with the sunlight before she moved closer, whereas Nox's seat was directly in the shade.
...But why did she compare the feeling to a sedative?
Rose laughed lightly at Roxanne's words. "It really is a beautiful prison, isn't it." The young woman was composed, watching the events progress with an air of detachment.
'It's musical chairs, humans! Start playing! If you try to run, it won't be fun!'
Reluctantly, the players started to circle around the chairs. It looked like the invisible force that controlled them before had disappeared, since some participants stumbled into each other clumsily.
Rose had a faraway look on her face, lips curled up in a slightly mocking manner. "The sunlight isn't the only thing that's pulling away your defenses."
With pale, slender fingers, she plucked a rose and brought it up to her face as the waltz continued to sway with the breeze. "The scent of these roses also makes a normal person fall under a peaceful illusion. That way, it really does become an eternal afternoon tea party."
Hearing her words, Nox realized an important detail he forgot to ask her. "How long have you been here?" Based on his previous experience, people could enter a trial at different times, which could directly affect their state of mind- and their state of survival.
His question brought a gentle smile to her face. "The first one here has been here for around three days."
After her reply, the music stopped.
And the screaming began.
"Wh-what's happening to my arm?"
One of the teenage girls had failed to secure a chair when the music stopped. She stared in horror as her fingers began to take on a faint brown tint, slowly spreading until it reached her shoulder.
With a quiet click, her entire arm became a replica of the wooden limbs Nox saw before entering the door.
"A-Ahhh!"
"Oh my God…" Her friend covered her mouth with both hands off to the side, seated safely on a chair.
The baby faced man looked ready to pass out. "I thought you said we weren't going to die!"
A ginger haired doll tilted its head at him in confusion. 'She hasn't died. Don't worry, you won't die in this game. She clapped her hands happily. 'If you lose, you'll just become more doll-like. Don't all humans aspire to become immortal?' She twirled around in her pale green dress.
'Right, right!' The black haired doll chimed in, her blue eyes sparkling with delight. 'Master always says that we will live forever! He likes me the best, after all!'
Next to him, Rose was staring off into the distance, lost in thought. The dolls started arguing with each other.
'Master likes me best!' The brunette doll bragged. 'When was the last time he changed your limbs?'
The black haired doll huffed. 'I'm made of por-porclain-"
'Porcelain,' the ginger doll corrected.
'I'm made of porcelain!' it amended. 'Master spent the most time creating me!'
'Well, Master likes it when I sing to him,' another doll boasted.
'He likes my singing more!'
They descended into a chaotic squabble, completely ignoring the horror-stricken players.
Nox rubbed his forehead as their comments got increasingly outrageous. This was completely different from the minotaur trial where brute strength had been the winning factor.
What exactly were these 'trials'?
"Do you think their Master wants to become a god?"
Taken aback by the sudden question, the pair of siblings glanced at each other.
Rose looked at them serenely.
The tree branches swayed momentarily, exposing her features to the sun. Her whole demeanor seemed to shift as the sun shone down, silken strands of hair becoming spun gold under the rays of light. Her eyes were clear of any emotions, simply staring at them impassively.
Nox pondered on his answer. "I don't think so," he said finally, looking straight at her. "If he wanted to be immortal, then he would probably try to abandon a mortal body, right?" It was half a guess on the assumption that the dollmaker was human.
"Or he'd make an army of dolls to build an empire," Roxanne suggested.
"I see." Rose didn't say anything else.
The dolls had finally wrapped up their argument, resetting the music. The waltz started up again, playing happily as the players continued to circle the chairs fearfully.
"Why are there still six people playing?" Roxanne looked at the ongoing game, her thin eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "Someone should be eliminated every round." There were only four chairs left, but all six people were still playing.
Nox commented, "Don't frown. You'll get wrinkles." Who knew if dolls even understood how to play musical chairs.
"Shut up. You can be an old man at this point."
"I'm only 24."
"Old." Roxanne refused to relent. Nox noticed with some amusement that she shifted her position so she wouldn't have to face the dolls.
Then the music stopped, this time faster than the last. They watched as the players made a mad scramble, shoving and pushing each other to grab a seat. This time, the perverted man and the angry woman were left standing.
Click.
After a few more rounds, the game ended with the final chair. There was only one person left with all of their limbs intact. Nox suspected that the thin boy had some type of ability as well. Either that, or he had a mountain of good luck.
The dolls were floating around, cheering for the winner. 'Congratulations! You're the winner of this game!'
To his surprise, a shimmering light appeared above the boy's head. A plain wooden doll appeared, dropping into outstretched hands. 'Your reward! Onto the next game!'
Reward? Nox caught a quick glimpse before it vanished again into thin air. So items were starting to make an appearance, too.
At this moment, a shuffling noise could be heard throughout the clearing as a passage opened in the center of the rose bushes.
'We now welcome everyone to join in on the next game!' The dolls would probably get a ten star rating for enthusiasm.
A feeling of uncertainty started to trickle back in as Nox stared at the opening through the rose bushes. It was not just for his own safety, but also for Roxanne who accompanied him this time. He took in a shallow breath.
It wasn't time to panic yet.
Standing, Rose picked up her book and tilted her head at them. "Shall we go now?"