A doll in the eye of the storm

Chapter Twenty-three

"Just… Inhale!"

I felt the breath leave my body as I wheezed. I'd never realized the pain and suffering women had to go through to beautify themselves when it concerned dresses and the like. Looking down at my waist, you could almost think that I was a life-sized doll with how small it was. Every single breath was a struggle.

"Does… it have… to be this… tight…?!" I asked. I really couldn't believe this. Thoughts of no way boy sang loud in my head.

Kannaya turned around to me and held my face in her hands, squishing my cheeks. Our eyes locked onto one another. The swirls in her eyes had grown larger, a beast had been created and I had no idea how to deal with it.

"Don't you think that you look just adorable? I mean, you look just like a Princess from the storybooks!"

Hah? If This is what the Princesses looked like in your stories then this world was far scarier than I imagined. For reference, She managed to find what looked like a Victorian-era dress and mixed it with some type of steampunk aesthetic. Now I had a wicked leather tight corset over this black ball gown base with teal detailing that had an opening in the front which revealed my legs. The part that I found most tolerable was the Half-palm leather gloves. I dunno, to me they just seemed cool. The worst part by far though was putting on the fishnets and garter belt. I mean I guess I could understand the fishnets because I had seen them from assimilated memories but the Garterbelt just felt weird on my leg, doubly so since Kannaya was the one who had put it on me. After that she put various leather straps and pieces all over my body, topping it off with a small tophat that somehow magically hung off-kilter on my head and a leather patch covering my left eye.

"I feel. Violated." I said with an extra hint of exasperation.

"Oh come on don't be like that! Just look at yourself in the mirror." She gripped my shoulders and forcefully turned me towards this full-body Mirror that I had behind my screens.

…

…

If it wasn't me and instead on a beautiful woman like Isaea perhaps I would have liked it…

"I look ridiculous," I said in the language of the fairies. Kannaya looked at me funny for a second before flicking my ear.

"I can't understand you when you speak in that weird tongue!"

What gives! Why is she acting so friendly anyway! I've only known her for like two days at most!

I want to tell her to go away and leave me be! But instead what came out was.

"Sorry. Will do. Better."

What a pushover I am, it's just because she's cute as heck that I'm letting this happen.

"Great! Now to finish this off I've got these boots that I found in your closet." She pulled a pair of thigh-high black leather boots with thick three-inch heels and held one on both sides of me from behind. Not wanting to continue with this any longer, I decided to just give in to this last request from her. She sat me down on a small stool and slipped both the boots on my feet, lacing them up in a blink of an eye. As much as I hated this, I had to admit that she had a lot of skill when it came to dressing others up, even if she was a bit rough at times. Before I knew it, she had finished lacing the boots up and stepped away.

Cautiously, I held onto her. I'd never worn heels prior to today and I was nervous about the whole thing. Surprisingly, she helped me up and stood next to me, just in case I fell. I walked around a little bit, hearing the clacking of my boots against the wooden floor. After I felt comfortable I patted her on the head and pushed away from her, taking my own steps.

I can do it…!

This is so much easier than I imagined it would be. All I need to do is lead with my heel like usual and then touch down with my toe. Besides, I suppose it's good that I learn this now since in the future I may have to attend events where I'd have to look a certain way.

I'm sure the excitement on my face showed as Kannaya was clapping her hands in celebration. After a few seconds though I kinda felt silly, being applauded for such a small thing. Much to my Dismay, Isaea had walked into the room.

"Oh my. What do we have here? Suzuka all dressed up and by one of the new kids no less! Let me see, let me see."

Isaea quickly came over, examining my form.

"Not bad… Not bad at all. What was your name, girl?" She asked Kannaya in her fluent Highland beast.

"Kannaya"

"Kannaya… You may be a kindred spirit! And one with some talent as well."

I looked at the two with dread. I have to avoid this outcome at all costs! I can't handle two of them at the same time. I parted my dress and pushed myself between the two, breaking up their budding connection.

"I actually have something to go do right now so…"

"Now hold it right there missy. I just got back from some busy work and need to relieve some stress."

Okay?! And how is that my problem?

"Naturally you'd love to help me out like you always do, right?"

Her face was smiling but I could see its truth. If I let her dress me up like usual I wouldn't have any of my day left! Which in itself isn't so bad, but I'd rather spend my time resting instead of playing Dollie again!

"I'm really sorry but I've got something I really wanted to do today."

As I said that, Isaea's face grew wet from a deluge of tears. I furrowed my brow and left her and Kannaya behind. That really is weird how they can just summon tears on demand like that.

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Earlier that day:

Isaea Stepped out of the portal, looking out into the mountainous valley before her.

"Aaah. I really don't wanna do this. Why does Master need ME to clear them out? Surely the Phantasmal creatures are enough."

Isaea pouted to no one and took a knee. She pressed her hand against the floor and sent a pulse of her own Natural energy into the ground.

"Hoh. These humans are bold! They really followed the tracts all the way into Fairy land. Well, I guess it makes sense since they seem to be of the more predictable breed."

She stood up

"Guess I'll make my way down to the training ground and prepare a little… pest control."

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"Oi Erikson! Are you sure that the slaves went this way? The rumor is that these parts're belongin' to them Demons. The ones of the world you know."

A man the size of two together clad in full Iron combat plate turned around punched the other man square in the nose.

"Don't you go about askin' me anythin'. Take yer self a quick nap n catch up later Gorik. Everyone else! Move yer asses! We've got merchandise to reacquire!"

The bandit group of eighty men strong roared a deafening roar that shook the tree's around them. Their footsteps stained the ground beneath them black as soot.

Another nameless follower of Erikson's came up to him and began conversation.

"So boss, whatcha think bout who coulda dunnit. We've been operatin' in this area for a little oer a year now with nothin' and nobody of the level who could just ravage our hideout like that. Could it be some new do-goodin' folk?"

Erikson made the shoo motion with his hand before unsheathing his double sided battle axe. Its edges were the width of his body and the handle his length. A weapon truly fit for a giant bastard.

"You all got a death wish talkin' wit' meh. If yer gonna do anythin' then make sure our … hehehe… Tracker here keeps on doin' a solid."

A teenage demi-human boy stumbled in front of the rest of the group, arms and legs chained together with only a foots-worth of room to move.

The fodder man got real close to the boy. So close in fact, that his foul breath could be seen in the cold air hitting against the poor lad's long brown hair. The fodder whispered in the boy's ear.

"Listen here, boy. You'd best keep us pointed in the right direction. I've got a killing itch that might just get scratched if ye falter even a bit."

The bandit had hoped to elicit a response from the boy but found only silence.

"You… You hear me bastard?!?" he yelled in the boy's ear, again, no response.

The fodder reached out his hand and took the boy by the jaw, pulling his face into clear view. He practically fell back onto his ass at what he saw.

Erikson's laughter boomed throughout the forest at the display.

"Didja get scared ye fuckin' panzy! I ripped his eyes out because he kept glarin' at me. Kinda like that pretty Faekin girl. Oooh, it was so sweet to watch'em writhe in pain, screaming bout' how they couldn't see! I can't wait to get ma hands on her again."

The beast of a man licked his lips inside his helmet as he groped the handle of his axe. His subordinates within earshot shriveled up and fell back in the group, letting others lead.

As they neared the bridge, a sudden and violent blizzard beset them, slowing down their progress. One by one, men felt them lose feeling in their arms and legs as the harsh winds assaulted their bodies. The groans and grumbling of the human beasts grew more agitated.

"What the hell is this weather! The damn mountains are tryin' to stop us from gettin' what's ours!" One of the fodder shouted.

Another followed by example shouting something similar. They kept screaming their pretty little heads off as they crossed the rope bridge which was now swaying wildly, only being held in place by the weight of each of them.

"They really went all the way up ere? No way them beasties are still alive."

Erikson heard the thought and pondered it himself.

~Could they be dead? If they were, our trip here would be wasted.~

A devil's smile formed inside Erikson's helmet.

~They could be revived with the dark magics though, so not all is lost!~

The chuckling bastard walked forward with renewed vigor through the storm.

More time passed. Men in his group gradually dropped to the ground as the cold chewed through to their hearts, stopping them as they stood. The morale of the party had dropped considerably as the blizzard continued unabated.

Even the beast of a man Erikson slowed his pace.

Suddenly the beast boy tumbled backward and fell to the ground. The entire group stopped.

Erikson looked down at the boy and kicked him into the direction where they had been walking, only for him to bounce off an invisible barrier. He narrowed his eyes and stepped forward with his hand outreached. He braced for something to happen but felt relief as his hand passed through what he thought had been a barrier. It felt… normal on the other side where his hand was. Taking a leap of faith due to the eagerness to escape the cold, Erikson passed through, calling for the rest to do the same.

"BOYS!!! THIS BARRIER IS KEEPING THE BLIZZARD OUT. RUN THROUGH IT!"

Upon passing through, all Erikson could see was a barren field with marks of destruction everywhere, and in the center of that destruction was a woman sitting at a small white table.