The Game

Snapping your head over to the sound, and saw that lying on the floor was the Corvin doll from back at the workshop. It swung its legs back and forth, looking up at you with a cheery smile like you were a long-lost friend.

"Hello!" It chirped.

"The fuck?" You sputtered out, gripping your poker tightly.

The doll tittered at your reaction, putting a hand up to its mouth. "I was starting to get impatient with how long it took you to finally find this place. And was going to drag you up here myself if you didn't hurry it up with the forest."

"What?"

It stopped swinging its legs and stood up, smoothing out the front of its coat and cleared its throat. The doll leaned towards you with its arms behind its back in a coquettish manner. Its glassy eyes shined as it smiled wider at you; your stomach clenched with unease like a chain was wrapped around your innards.

"Anyways, why don't we talk for a bit? Enjoy some peppermint tea and sit down for a couple of minutes. I'm sure you're tired from all of the action you've endured tonight. Rest for a little while, I insist!" The doll said and climbed up a chair seated at a nearby tea table that was covered in a cream-colored cloth with a tea seat. It poured out a cup of steaming tea for you before sitting down.

Hesitantly, you sat down and looked at the doll. Tension chewed at your heart and the air felt heavy, weighing down on you like boulders. The doll hummed as it poured some cream and sugar into its cup.

"Please have some of these macrons I just made as well. Tell me what you think of it." The doll slid a small plate with pastries towards you, making a little grunt as it tried to reach over further before it was closer to your side.

"There we are," it nodded its head before sitting back down. "The pink ones are rose, purples are lavender, and whites are vanilla."

"I'm fine," you slid the plate away from you a bit.

"No need to be so shy! I promise there's nothing harmful about any of the food or drinks I made," it said. "Just one tiny taste is all I'm asking. Please don't let my efforts go to waste, I did all of it for you!"

You picked up a pink macaron, scrutinizing it and turning it around on all sides. The doll looked at you with its cup still in its hands, waiting for you to take a bite. Slowly, you lifted it up to your mouth and took a tiny bite. The floral and sweet taste of rose filled your mouth like a delicate perfume. You let it sit on your tongue, savoring the taste for a few moments before swallowing it.

"Well?" The doll said.

"It's pretty good," you admitted.

"Thank you, that means a lot coming from you," it smiled and looked away from you before taking another drink. "Do you want to try one of the other flavors? I can always make more if you want any."

"No, I'm fine." You shook your head, the thick dread in your stomach ruined any appetite you may have had otherwise.

"How do you like this part of the estate or this part of the dollhouse?" It asked and grabbed one of the lavender macarons.

"What? What does this have to do with anything?" You demanded.

"I just want to make some light conversation," it shrugged its small shoulders and took a bite. "I think this place is one of my favorite parts of the dollhouse-- or maybe this estate in general. It's so pretty and it feels like you're walking among the stars. He did a fantastic job with designing it and getting every last detail right. He puts in so much care with his homes and makes everything so pleasant to look at: even as something as simple as the hallways! He said that if he wasn't a count, he would have been an interior decorator!"