Welcome to the Family

  You could hear music emanating from the office; not just any music, but piano music. The haunting melody flowed from the office of the head of Doll Family Industries - The Doll Father. He was playing "Orchid Steel Symphony," a piece that sent shivers down one's spine. The sight of him in his black suit, accompanied by a bright red shirt, was captivating. His long, slender fingers, concealed within white gloves, danced gracefully across the piano keys, coaxing out the perfect melody.

However, something about the scene seemed eerie and unsettling. The Doll Father's stitched, white smiling porcelain mask appeared to shine even in the darkest of days. Its unchanging expression gave off an unnatural vibe, making one wonder what lay hidden behind that mask.

  Everything about him felt... perfect. From his impeccably styled hair to his pristine suit, every movement he made seemed deliberate and flawless. There was not a single hint of a mistake in anything he did.

  The music continued to echo loudly in the Doll Father's office, enveloping the room in an eerie atmosphere. The walls were adorned with unsettling paintings, depicting birds surrounding him and his "family" - a woman and two children, all wearing masks similar to the one he donned. 

  The office boasted a balcony that overlooked the sprawling empire of Doll Family Industries, the factories responsible for creating their eerie products. From this vantage point, the Doll Father could observe his domain, like a puppeteer overseeing his twisted creations. The view, though impressive, sent a chill down the spines of those who dared to look out into the vast darkness below.

  Behind his desk stood an expensive-looking leather boss chair, seemingly tailored for the Doll Father's precise and commanding presence. The whiskey cabinet, stocked with an array of rare spirits, hinted at his refined tastes and need for occasional escape from the eerie reality he presided over.

  But what truly captured attention were the red walls adorned with black birds painted across them. The birds seemed to be in flight, their wings stretching out as if to escape from their two-dimensional prison. The unsettling sight of these birds, frozen in mid-motion, created an illusion of constant movement and gave one the feeling of being watched by unseen eyes.

  In one corner of the office, there was a lectus adorned with dark, velvet cushions. It served as a seat for the Doll Father's visitors, those who sought to strike deals or gain favor with the enigmatic leader. 

  Father's pocket watch lay on top of the ebony piano. The pocket watch was a silver ornament with intricately carved birds on the case; this item was the only thing he needed to have control over other people. Father was once a simple psychiatrist who was a master of hypnosis, but now he was the ruler of his factory empire, where he could fulfill his dreams.

  Living the perfect life, tailored just for him

  As he was finishing the symphony, there was a knock on his office door. She arrived just in time, exactly as he had planned. The job applicant, another soul seeking salvation from his factories.

  The door swung open as if a spirit had guided it, and the tall, blond woman with freckles on her face walked into the room. She exuded an air of confidence as she gracefully navigated the space, but Doll Father couldn't help but feel a sense of disgust at her choice of attire - a latex suit that seemed out of place in his eerie domain. As she glanced at the unsettling paintings on the walls, a flicker of disturbance crossed her eyes, hinting at her unease in the presence of the Doll Father and his strange surroundings

  Yet the woman had come with a purpose: to get a job from the Doll Father.

"Hello, handsome. My name is Erika, and I am here for the job offering for a secretary", she said with a sultry voice.

  How the Doll Father hated her voice. It lacked style, sounding more slutish than genuine. Disdain evident in his faceless expression because of the mask, he gracefully rose from the piano seating, moving like a perfect puppet, an aristocrat of the Luulax kingdom. But they were in Parz, where there was no concept of class or refinement. So he took his Pocket Watch and put it in his pocket. 

"And the lamb came to the shepherd's door, seeking refuge from the darkness' roar, answered the Doll Father with a poetic voice, his hands gracefully resting behind his back. " His voice bore no hint of abnormality; like him, it was perfect

" Umm, what?" asked Erika, attempting to hide her nervousness with a forced laugh.

" Richard Von Haric, from his collections of poems, my dear, said the Doll Father as he walked towards Erika. His voice remained calm, but a tinge of anger simmered beneath the surface. She was not even smart.

" Sorry, Mr. Father, but I ain't no reading girl" Erika replied, her tone slightly defiant.

" I see, Miss Erika. Yet, what purpose have you served if you come here looking for a job?" Doll Father asked, waving his hand in a gesture to take a seat. His choice of words and mannerisms suggested that he viewed Erika as a thing rather than a human being.

"I sucked for money" Erika said seductively as she sat down on the lectus, not fully comprehending the way the Doll Father spoke to her. His anger started to build, but he kept it tightly restrained. He was perfect, above any other emotions

  The Doll Father walked away to his cabinet, which was located near the balcony. Despite the assortment of whiskey and booze, he opted for a classy silver tray adorned with a beautiful teapot and matching cups. They seemed straight from the factory, showing no signs of wear or tear

As he walked with the tray toward Erika, she had opened her zipper, attempting to show off her assets. However, Doll Father was not interested in such displays.

"Tell me, Miss Erika, what happened to your old job?" he asked politely as he arranged the tea set for them, from the teacups to the teaspoons, not even glancing at her assets. His attention was entirely focused on the tray

"Well, that fucking mechanized troll from Hook Banks took it. He dismantled it to build something else" Erika replied with frustration. "Then I saw this notice and thought, 'Hey, I have the body for a secretary."

  She observed what Doll Father was doing, noticing the tea set he had arranged. "Is that tea?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"Fresh green tea from Kurkizaan forest, expensive even to your taste" he replied, his words tinged with a hidden insult. Doll Father proceeded to pour the tea into the cups, the liquid perfectly heated and exactly even amount for both of them.

Erika's gaze shifted to the whiskey in Doll Father's cabinet, a glint of curiosity in her eyes. 

"Could I get stronger, then, like the whiskey I saw in your cabinet" she asked, hinting at a desire for something more potent than just tea.

"You drink what I serve, said Doll Father, his mask concealing his mouth and eyes" leaving his expression shrouded in mystery.

  Erika felt a sense of fear at Doll Father's response, but the aroma of the tea wafting through the air calmed her nerves. She had never encountered such a unique tea before; its scent carried a hint of mint, adding to its allure.

  Not wanting to piss him off, Erika took a sip of the tea. It tasted funny. It didn't taste like similar tea she has never tasted before. After taking quick sip, she started speaking. 

"So, would I get the job? I can give you a private show to see if you are interested," she asked nervously, seeking reassurance.

  Doll Father did not respond to her offer. Instead, he walked gracefully with his hands elegantly behind his back, circling around Erika while she sipped her tea. After closely examining her, Doll Father knelt in front of Erika, bringing the pocket watch right in front of her face.

"Have you seen my clock"

"N-No, Erika asked" confused, placing her tea back on the tray.

"I got this from my father, and he from his father before me. But we never agreed on what the birds on the cover look like. Could you give your opinion?" he asked gently, waving the pocket watch in front of Erika.

  Erika tried to come closer to see it better, but she couldn't. The tea had relaxed her, and she found herself following the carved birds on the cover with her eyes, completely absorbed by their intricate details.

  It didn't make sense, but she got a little bit drowsy while looking at the birds, but finally, it started to look like something. Ravens. With their beaks and falcons, clearly.

"Ravens" Erika said, a little bit sleepy.

"Ravens? Why do you see Ravens, Erika? Where are they from?" asked Doll Father, but his voice seemed to grow distant.

"They are... from my home" Erika said, her voice growing sleepier, yet troubled. She began to hear Raven's voices all around the Doll Father's office, and his voice was fading away.

  Before she could say more, Erika closed her eyes, but her slumber was short-lived. Loud Raven's voices jolted her awake. Yet, she was no longer in Doll Father's office; she found herself back home, a place she hadn't seen in a long time—or had she? No... She hasn't been able to leave because her mom would not let her. She dreamt of growing up, moving away, and becoming a princess, as she had always yearned…

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  She was waving her small legs in the pond while listening to the ravens and other birds talking, watching the fishes move. Before long, she started throwing rocks at them and giggled with glee. Other little girls said fishes were sleeping when they didn't move, but for Erika, it didn't make sense. How could fishes sleep without a pillow or bed.

  But now her tummy was growling. She was hungry. Maybe mommy would make her some roasted veggies! But daddy doesn't like veggies, Erika thought while skipping towards her home in her small white dress, a gift from her uncle on her 9-year-old birthday party

  As she skipped towards her home, Erika thought about how she loved the small brown log house where she had lived for a very long time. Daddy built it, Erika remembered what her mother said before she started drinking bad juice.

  Erika had to reach to open the door's handle, but she managed to push the heavy door open and step inside. There, she saw her mum cooking near the firepit, dressed in a white shirt and a long brown skirt, her back turned to Erika. She could hear her mother singing something while stirring what looked like a stew.

"For in the shadows, grim and dread, a malevolence stirred, a tale unsaid. The shepherd, clad in gears and brass, gazed upon the lamb on trembling grass..."

  While her mother was singing, Erika decided to surprise her. Slowly, she sneaked towards her mum and hugged her from behind.

"Boo!" said Erika, but her mother didn't seem surprised

  In the dim light, her mother turned to see her beautiful child, but upon witnessing Erika's face, sadness filled her heart. Her mother had a black eye that made Erika's mouth pout in concern.

"Did Daddy hurt you, Mommy?" Erika asked with worry evident in her voice.

"No, sweetheart... Mommy just... fell on the ground" her mother replied, attempting to cheer her daughter up.

"Did Daddy push you because of Uncle Tomi?" Erika inquired, trying to understand what had happened.

"No, Erika. Mommy and Daddy have some relationship problems, but we..." her mother struggled to find the right words.

  Then, from outside the house, they heard a man talking loudly, seemingly alone. His footsteps grew louder as he approached their home. Erika recognized her daddy's voice, and she knew he had drunk the bad juice again. Even her mother looked troubled and anxious. Her eyes darted around the room until she settled on Erika's bed. Acting quickly, she motioned for Erika to hide under the bed, a look of fear on her face. Erika was so scared, but she obeyed her mother, crawling under the bed for safety.

  He stomped into the house, and the only thing Erika could see were her daddy's boots. His angry voice filled the air as he spat curses around their home. Erika was petrified, her heart pounding in her chest. She watched in terror as her daddy pushed some stuff away from the table, his frustration evident

"Did you burn the food again, you useless woman" he yelled loudly at mommy.

"No, I did not. Were you able to find work in the village" she replied, trying to stay calm.

"How can I find work in the village when I know, in Raiko's name, that my wife is with every man in town?! Like my brother!" he screamed, his rage escalating.

"It was dark, and he was there when you were away" she tried to explain.

"Exactly 9 years ago, you are lying whore!" he retorted, and then something terrible happened. Daddy struck Mommy with a loud smack, causing her to yelp in pain.

  Erika was scared and trying not to cry loudly so her daddy could not find her. When her mommy collapsed on the ground, Erika could see his big fingers taking crip from the bed. Then he talked

"Where is YOUR daughter…she needs a lesson"

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  Erika woke up in a panic, her heart pounding in her chest. The terrible dream, or rather, the nightmare, had shaken her to the core. How she felt during her sleep was a mystery to her, and she felt a sense of shame for being so affected by it.

As Erika tried to recount the details of her dream, Doll Father continued to play the piano, his fingers dancing gracefully on the keys. The soothing melody of the music seemed to fill the room, contrasting with the lingering unease from Erika's nightmare.

  As Erika glanced around the office, she couldn't shake the feeling that the painted birds on the walls were looking at her, their eyes following her every move. She tried to brush off the eerie sensation and nervously smiled at Doll Father, attempting to compose herself.

"I am very sorry, I fell asleep" Erika said, her voice tinged with a hint of embarrassment.

"Its eyes beseeched for life's reprieve, a desperate plea, a soul to retrieve" Doll Father spoke softly, his fingers gracefully caressing the piano keys as he continued to play.

"The clockwork hearts in his chest beat loud, as he pondered fate's dark shroud" his voice filled the room, the haunting melody of his words intertwining with the music

"Umm, what?" Erika asked, her confusion and fear resurfacing as she listened to the haunting music produced by the piano's keys. The sound seemed to evoke a familiar but unsettling feeling in her.

  As the music continued, Erika's eyes widened in realization, and she quickly rose from the lectus, her panic intensifying. 

"Keep your job. I am out of here" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and determination.

"But we didn't even talk about your father, Erika" Doll Father said, rising from the piano's chair. He stood with his hands elegantly behind his back next to the piano, but to Erika's surprise, the piano was still playing the eerie music on its own

  Erika turned pale when he mentioned her father. How could he possibly know about her father? Fear gripped her heart, and in that moment, she knew she had to escape. She didn't want that job anymore; all she wanted was to get away from this office and far away from Doll Father.

"Stay away from me!" she yelled, her voice filled with desperation and terror as she rushed toward the office door, determined to flee.

  Erika pushed hard to open the doors, but they seemed immovable. The terror of Doll Father's presence gave her the strength she needed, and with a surge of adrenaline, she managed to force the doors open and…

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…She found herself on stage at The Seducers Home brothel, her workplace. Confusion washed over her as she questioned how she ended up here. But then, a strange realization dawned upon her - she had always been here. Madame had informed her that this would be her last performance, and she was instructed to make it exceptionally special for the patrons who had remained loyal to the establishment over the years.

  As Erika performed on stage, she had her red bikini, captivating the diverse audience that ranged from Fangs creatures to small trolls, enigmatic Druids, and ordinary humans. The patrons cheered her on, their excitement evident.

Among the crowd, one figure in particular caught Erika's attention. A small green-skinned troll, not much larger than a human child, chanted quietly. His words reached Erika's ears amidst the clamor of the show.

"Inventions crafted, strange and bizarre, fueled by dreams and nightmares afar. Yet beneath his metal shell and guise, the shepherd bore a haunting prize."

  The troll's words sent a shiver down Erika's spine. She couldn't help but feel drawn to this peculiar and seemingly young troll, and the enigmatic aura surrounding him. 

  As the spotlight illuminated the stage, Erika knew it was her time to shine. With a mix of nervousness and excitement, she began her dance, moving with seductive grace to the rhythm of the music box music they had installed under the stage. The enchanting sway of her hips and the mesmerizing flow of her movements captivated the patrons, and they erupted in cheers, chanting her name with wild enthusiasm.

The adulation from the crowd made Erika feel alive and desired. She felt a rush of happiness and fulfillment, as if she had found her place in the spotlight. The energy in the room was electric, and she reveled in the moment, basking in the attention and admiration of the audience.

  As Erika continued her seductive dance on the stage, the patrons' chants began to merge into an eerie, unsettling sound. It was a voice she found hard to recognize, distorted and twisted like a distant memory. Suddenly, everything around her fell silent, and the world seemed to fade away, leaving only the fused voice that echoed in her mind.

  In that moment of haunting stillness, Erika heard a loud yell that sent shivers down her spine. It was a voice that resembled her father's, a voice she had heard in times of anger and fear. The echoes of her past and the unresolved emotions surged within her, overwhelming her senses.

  Frightened and disoriented, Erika stumbled and fell to the ground on the stage.

  The slow clapping of Doll Father echoed through the now deserted brothel, the other patrons having vanished into thin air, leaving Erika alone with him. But when Doll Father spoke, it wasn't his voice that filled the room—it was the voice of her father. A chill ran down Erika's spine, and fear gripped her heart as she heard her father's voice coming from the figure before her.

  Terrified and disoriented, Erika couldn't comprehend what was happening. The lines between reality and nightmare blurred, and the boundaries of her mind seemed to bend and twist. 

  As she screamed, the sounds around her seemed to transform. The echoes of her father's voice mixed with eerie ravens' calls, creating a haunting symphony that resonated in the empty halls of the brothel. The ravens' caws became louder and more insistent…

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…Then she woke up, Erika found herself  waiking up from the pound from her past, a place she thought she had left behind long ago. Though she knew it was not real, the vividness of the dream made it feel all too real. She looked down and saw that she was wearing the white dress she had received on her 9-year-old birthday, a stark contrast to her adult self.

  The sky above was an ominous shade of red, replacing the familiar blue she was used to. The atmosphere was heavy with foreboding, as if the very air was tainted with darkness. The once serene and tranquil pond now seemed eerie and distorted.

  Erika's eyes widened in disbelief as she looked into the water. Instead of the usual fish swimming beneath the surface, she saw grotesque creatures donning masks that resembled Doll Father's haunting visage. The masks seemed to stare back at her with hollow eyes, mocking her with their lifeless expressions

  As Erika desperately tried to escape the nightmarish scene, she ran in the opposite direction of her old home, hoping to put as much distance as possible between herself and the haunting memories that awaited her there. However, no matter how fast or far she ran, it felt as though an invisible force was pulling her back towards the log house, drawing her closer with each step.

  As Erika stood in front of the familiar door to her old log house, terror gripped her heart, causing her to hesitate. Her hands trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes as she tried to grasp the surreal and nightmarish situation she found herself in. Every fiber of her being resisted the idea of stepping inside that dreaded house, where painful memories lurked in the shadows.

  She opened the door to see her mother in the exact clothing she had worn when she first experienced this nightmare. Her back turned at Erika, chanting the song but with a different verse.

"A secret thirst for twisted lore, a thirst for souls, forevermore. As the lamb nestled in his care, unaware of dangers near and rare, The shepherd's eyes glinted with delight, a macabre dance in the moon's pale light, she said while stirring the stew."

  Erika's heart pounded in her chest as she felt herself on the verge of collapsing from fear and exhaustion. Trembling and gasping for breath, she took hesitant steps towards her mother, her hand reaching out to touch her shoulder. But when her mother turned to face her, Erika let out a piercing scream in horror.

  Her mother's face was concealed behind a blank doll mask, an unsettling and surreal sight that sent shivers down Erika's spine. The mask stared back at her with vacant eyes, devoid of any emotion or life. Erika's mind reeled with confusion and terror as she tried to comprehend the nightmarish scene unfolding before her.

  But in an instant, the nightmare seemed to shift, and Erika found herself back under the bed, as if the terrifying encounter with her mother had been nothing more than a horrific illusion. 

  Then she heard footsteps approaching their home, and Erika's cries echoed loudly from under the bed as she knew all too well who it was. The sound of his footsteps and his aggressive nature made it painfully clear—it was her father.

"No one wanted you" Erika, said Daddy with a voice that seemed monstrous in its cruelty.

"You were a mistake" added the mother, her voice eerie and echoing.

"You try to seek attention from men, selling yourself as a lady of the night" continued the father, his tone filled with disdain.

"And that disgusts us" the mother chimed in.

"Definitely me" concluded the father, the words cutting like a knife.

  Erika's cries intensified as she cowered under the bed, her heart pounding in terror. Suddenly, she saw fingers creeping underneath, but these were no human fingers. They were long and sharp, more akin to the appendages of a monstrous creature. With a sudden and violent motion, the bed was tossed aside, revealing her father in a nightmarish form.

  His once familiar face was distorted beyond recognition, now adorned with red tentacles slithering out of his gaping mouth. His eyes were a soulless black, and his head bore a crown of ominous horns. The sight of him sent shivers down Erika's spine, and she couldn't believe what she was seeing.

"I shall teach you a lesson!" her father's voice boomed with an eerie mix of anger and malevolence, echoing in the room like a haunting chant.

  Erika's fear reached its peak, and she felt paralyzed with terror. She couldn't comprehend what had happened to her father, and the nightmare seemed to grow darker with every passing moment. The boundaries between reality and the nightmarish realm blurred further, and she felt trapped in a hellish landscape of her deepest fears…

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  In a disorienting twist of reality, Erika found herself back in Doll Father's eerie office. The paintings of birds that once adorned the walls now seemed to come alive, flying over her in a haunting display. The piano's melody had transformed into a chilling cacophony, replaying the painful memories of her father's violence towards her mother during her childhood. Everything in the room seemed to defy gravity, stuck to the ceiling, except for Erika and the looming figure of Doll Father, who gazed at her intently.

  The Doll Father's unnerving stare locked onto her, his eyes seemingly piercing through her very soul. The unsettling presence of the enigmatic figure sent shivers down her spine, and she couldn't tear her eyes away from him.

"And so, the lamb came to the shepherd's door, unknowing of the fate in store, he spoke, his voice carrying a sinister weight that reverberated in the air."

  Erika's voice trembled as she managed to muster the question, her whole body shaking with fear and shock. "Why are you doing this?" she asked, her words barely audible amidst her sobs.

  Doll Father's expression remained stoic, and he spoke with an calmness.

"Because I need you to be broken before I can make you perfect"

As he moved his hands behind his back, an ominous feeling washed over her. The room seemed to close in around her, and she felt a sense of impending doom. Every fiber of her being screamed for her to run, to escape the clutches of this enigmatic figure, but fear held her paralyzed.

  As Doll Father moved towards her, the room seemed to twist and spin around him, creating an disorienting atmosphere. Despite the chaotic surroundings, he remained unaffected, his steady gaze fixed on Erika. The paintings of ravens seemed to come to life, flying above him, adding to the nightmarish spectacle.

  With each step he took, his appearance shifted, morphing from her monstrous father to the enigmatic Doll Father and back again. The surreal transformation only deepened Erika's terror, and she felt like she was trapped in a never-ending loop of nightmares.

  Unable to bear the overwhelming fear any longer, Erika let out a final, piercing yell of terror. Her voice echoed through the nightmarish realm, a desperate cry for help and escape

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  There was a new woman at the factory information desk, exuding an air of elegance and poise. She stood with perfect posture, her feet clad in black high heels, and she wore a puffy, doll-like blue dress. Her small blonde hair was styled in a bobblehead fashion, adorned with a cute bowtie. Her face was heavily made up, with red ruby lipstick accentuating her smile. From the outside, there was no hint of any distress in sight, but dried up tear marks on her face told a different story.

As a human male approached the information desk, the woman greeted him warmly with a big smile. 

"Welcome to Steelwork building terminal, mister. Please, what is your name?" she asked in a friendly tone, maintaining her cheerful demeanor despite the evidence of her past tears.

THE END