The Only Color - Four - III

"Ah, Ansel, found her!"

She heard approaching footsteps, the odd mutterings of a girl, but her frozen eyes did not move.

"Eek!"

The girl, crouching down and tilting her head, examined the puppet and exclaimed in shock, "Is she dead?! No... no, wait, she's still breathing, isn't she?"

She wanted to poke the puppet, but the young man behind her held her back.

"That's enough, Seri, you go on home," he said gently.

"Go home?" Seraphina paused, then said with utmost grievance, "Did... did I do something wrong again?"

"Of course not, it's just that there are some things... I need to settle with her."

"I see... then I'll be going back. Ansel, Ansel, make sure you come back soon too."

Once the cheerful footsteps had faded, the puppet heard that incredibly gentle voice again, devoid of any comforting intent:

"I gave you a chance to repent, Ravenna."