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 Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 11:35 am
Nana exclaimed as she peeked inside the shop window. The place had such a charm, and she couldn't help but wander in. She was drawn to an area with ball-joint dolls, and the label on the shelf called them Naughts.
"Naught? What a strange name. I wonder if they have any accessories for these." She picked up one of the dolls and held it to her chest. The possibilities were endless, and Nana was ready for the challenge.
She looked around for someone to help her, bound and determined to leave with something beautiful.
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Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 12:00 pm
A friendly-looking old man that was cleaning the shelves noticed her, he was using a white apron and had a funny mustache, he seemed to really like what he was doing. In the badge at his clothes were written that he was called Thonny.
” Good day, lady, do you need any help?” He smiled with his fat cheeks.
One more look in what she was carrying and he knew something was very wrong. The lady was holding not one of the finished dolls for sale, but an unfinished one. Suddenly his smile turned into a worried face, he blushed a little while trying to explain the situation.
” L-lady! Why would you like to take this ugly unfinished doll to your home while you could take one of these? “ he pointed to the other dolls, they were really beautiful with fancy clothing and refined details. “ Actually, this ‘naught’ wasn’t supposed to be for sale, I think that my employee accidentally put it for sale”. Thonny’s face were turning red and he was sweating.
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Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 12:12 pm
"Well, Thonny, sir, I picked this doll up on purpose." She was a little embarrassed, but she was also determined. "I want to personalize it more than just one of those on the shelves." She tilted her head to the side, puzzled at his reaction. "Is there something wrong with this one?" She was suddenly protective over it. Nana really wanted it, and wasn't going to give it up without a fight.
"Don't you have some clothes or something I could dress it up with? That way I can use my own creativity..."
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Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 12:32 pm
” Eh..eh… “ The old man was sweating even more and started to unconsciously knead the little fabric he was holding to clean the shelves. When he noticed the determination on Nana’s eyes he gave up.
” This is no ordinary doll, it was given to me by a craz… strange man! It isn’t just a piece of decoration of a toy, together with it comes great responsibility. “ While talking Thonny’s eyes were looking everywhere else but nana or the doll, he seemed to be very afraid of it.
” I can’t tell you much about it but… If you want to talk with the man who gave it to me…”
This was it. Thonny was afraid because he knew nothing at all about the mysterious doll, a wise man said that we always fear what we don’t know and this was exactly what was happening. He seemed to be the kind of people that won’t give up until you buy something but what could be so strange to the point of a seller wanting to keep it to himself?
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Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 12:37 pm
She looked at Thonny with furrowed brows. "Responsibility? So this isn't just a toy?" Nana thought for a moment, and nodded. "I want to talk to this man. Do you know where he is?"
Her mind raced when he finished talking. How in the world could this small doll be a responsibility? But with the emptiness of her life right now, she could handle it. And she always liked a challenge, she thought as a smirk crossed her face.
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Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 1:04 pm
” I see… You really want it. “ The man said relaxing himself after noticing that he could do nothing else. ” Hold on a minute, please”.
Thonny said and went away. In his away he made a sign to his employee to keep track and help all other costumers. The old man entered a little door behind the balcony, those traditional rooms that all stores have, full with old things and messy furniture all around. Nana couldn’t see but he took the telephone and made a call, he seemed very excitant. The conversation was quick and he was nodding his head all the time.
Thonny came off the little room and spotted Nana again. He gave a quick look to the mess that the young employee was doing while trying to pack a beautiful red-truck toy that a couple of parents and a kid where buying.
He went through Nana.
” Listen, lady. The man will be at the main park of the town tomorrow, he will be waiting for you…”
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Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 1:07 pm
"The main park? I'll be there, then." Nana reached into her purse and pulled out her wallet. "How much do I owe you for the Naught?"
Strange, having to meet the doll's original owner tomorrow. All she really wanted to do was buy some clothes and set this doll up for display. With a gentle sigh, she wondered what this man was like. Would he be nice? Young or old? She hoped he was cute, that was for certain. She giggled to herself, trying to hide it from Thonny.
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Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 5:30 pm
 The day went away and then the night came, giving up space for the day to be born again.
The trees were high and green, filled with all kind of flowers. Leaves and petals were covering the grass like a big carpet. The park was neither full nor crowed, there was all kinds of people passing by none of them seemed special at all.
There were people walking their dogs, riding bicycles or just passing by. There was also the little stands selling all kinds of artisan goodies, there was one that caught more attention than the others, though.
Behind it, there was a dark skinned man, with red hair. He was also wearing an eye patch… with his one-eye left he was cautiously looking all the passers-by and eventually smiling and explanting things to people who seemed interested in his weird goodies.
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Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 5:37 pm
Nana held her doll, wrapped in a tea towel, gently against her chest. It had begun to entrance her, and she didn't know why. Maybe this man could give her some answers... Hopefully.
The park seemed to be at a comfortable state this day. Usually when she came it was so crowded by children and parents that she didn't want to stay for very long.
But she had never seen this curio stand that was erected today. Of all days to come by, as well. Could this man be the one she was looking for, the seller of the Naught? Clutching her doll, she came up to the stand and looked around.
Everything was so interesting, in all the right ways. Things shined and danced in the light, and she couldn't help but want some herself. She looked to the red-haired man and called, "Excuse me?"
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Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 8:51 am
The dark skinned man looked and smiled at her. ” Good day, lady “ The goodies seemed to be from all around the world and the man was pretty unique himself, this combinations could easily tease the curiosity of every wander one.
” Looking for some nice stuff for you and your baby?” he smiled while showing the most amazing stuff at his stand. The doll was the size of a mini human plus packed in a towel and not showing any part at all… it wasn’t surprising that someone could mistake it by a baby, specially when you have just one eye and have to keep track of all people poping around.
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Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 7:22 am
Nana smiled at the man, but shook her head when he mentioned a baby. "Actually, I'm here to ask you about this." She held up her Naught, showing him the doll. "I bought this from a shop yesterday, and the owner told me that you could help me with it."
Oh, yes, this guy was cute. But until she got the mystery of the Naught solved, she would refrain from flirting. And he seemed to be a traveler. Long distances were a pain. Nana knew that she was quick to think about things like that, as it was part of her nature. But business needed to be taken care of, no matter the pretty stuff in his shop. "Can you help me?"
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Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 5:01 pm
He gave a better look to what before was a baby… and then he clearly saw what he was so used of seeing. ” Oh.” he said and smiled. ” I was wondering when this one would pop out, finally you’ve met her. It’s not nice to be forgotten but it’s worth it when you really find the right person, isn’t it? ”
” Before anything I need to know if you are ready to help this little soul to bloom… and your name.” He smiled gently at her.
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Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 5:05 pm
She tilted her head to the side out of curiosity. "I'm Nana. And yes, I'm willing to help... But I don't understand what you mean." Her brow furrowed, and she moved a little closer to the booth, lowering her voice. "Is this some kind of game that I'm involved with now? Finding this doll is like a key or something?"
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Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 5:14 pm
He laughed to himself pleased. ” Nice to meet you, Nana, I’m Sivan.” He smiled and did a small pause. ” The key? No, you haven’t found the key yet, this doll is just the beginning of the great game that I’m about to show you. “
He lowered his voice too to match her’s and went ahead: ” It’s more a story than a game, a story about souls that desperately want a second chance. If you are brave enough I can let you join…are you able? Perhaps you just want to through it back like the Thonny man?”
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Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 5:25 pm
"It's a pleasure, Sivan." Nana was still confused by what he meant. Was this thing a toy or what?
"A soul?" At the thought of giving up her doll, she shook her head and held it closer. "No, no way am I giving it up. I really like it! I'll do what it takes." She nodded, affirming, her voice strong, even though she was worried about what might happen. "Is it dangerous?"
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