Chapter Text
The rhythmic clicking of typewriters filled the office, drowning out the voices coming from several booths. Some were hushed, others almost euphoric, telling stories and thoughts faster than hands could type them on paper.
But these hands belonged to the finest writers this town had to offer. So it wasn't a challenge for them to type as fast as their client spoke.
The boy looked at his own hands hesitantly hovering over his typewriter. A blank piece of paper was put into it and the chair across his desk was empty. He spaced out, wondering how it must be to write for someone, putting their thoughts and feelings into a letter.
His shoulders slumped a little when he realized that the space in front of him might be empty forever.
He let out a sigh and turned his attention back to the typewriter. He had adresses to write on envelopes. Not quite what he imagined an automemory doll would do, but it was his job and he would stick to it.
„You've made a mistake here.“ a familiar voice noted from behind.
The boy jumped and quickly turned around, not having expected any company. The girl repeated her statement and pointed towards the paper. He followed and quickly replaced the paper with a new one, typing the correct adress on it.
The blonde girl behind him was Alice, his childhood friend. She had finished her exam with flying colors, was awarded the best of her class and now worked for the Axiom post office. It was obvious that she was also the most requested doll. So for her to actually have time to talk to someone other than a client was surprising.
When the boy finished correcting his earlier mistake, he leaned back into his chair, while Alice took the envelope and looked over it once more. After a little while, she nodded and laid it on top of the other finished ones.
„You're getting better Eugeo. But you shouldn't try to copy my typing speed. It will only increase the spelling mistakes.“
„It's not like I would ever become as fast as you. You're almost faster than your clients.“
The girl giggled in response.
„That's just your imagination. At any rate, with a little more practice your speed as well as your precision will increase naturally.“
„Do you think so?“
„I know so. And soon you will be getting requests as well. Being a good doll just takes time.“
Eugeo looked down to his hands. The thought of him being a full-fledged doll never crossed his mind. It was true that on paper, he was an automemory doll, but most people would never see him that way. Including himself.
What people had in mind when they thought about those dolls were women in fine clothing, sitting with grace and imbuing letters with feelings noone could express by themselves.
Eugeo had none of these. He was just a boy from the countryside, living in the big city to earn money. It was only thanks to Alice that he got this job.
The girl noticed her friends unhappiness and tapped him on the shoulder, making him look up.
„I have a break right now, so how about you join me for lunch?“
With a little smile and a nod the blonde agreed and both headed for the employees room. It seemed empty right now, so the two of them could sit and eat in peace.
After they brewed themselves some tea and relaxed on the couch, Alice started the conversation.
„So Eugeo, have you been able to get used to the city?“
The boy thought about it a little.
„I think so. I don't get lost as often as before and I've gotten used using the tram. But really, Centoria is so different from Rulid.“
„I still remember how lost you were when you first came here. You couldn't even take one step without me.“
„How many times did you have to find me again?“
Both laughed at the thought until Eugeo looked absently at the teacup in his hands. When he continued to speak, his voice became more quiet.
„I wonder how mom and dad are doing. Suliena went to another city and now I left, too. I hope they are able to tend to the fields properly.“
„They still have your brothers, right? They will be alright. You could write them a letter if you feel like it.“
A little smile found its way to his face.
„Yes, maybe I will. It would be my first letter ever since I came here.“
Alice pat his shoulder to lift his spirits and then stood up, attempting to brew another cup of tea. However, she was interrupted by a woman with dark violet hair standing in the door.
She looked a little stressed, so the other two tensed up when she cleared her throat.
„Alice, I know you're on break right now, but we have clients waiting. The other dolls are too busy and we need your quick hands.“
The girl in question nodded and put her tea cup aside. With a wave she excused herself from Eugeo and went back into the office.
The boy looked down into his own empty cup and sighed.
„You, too.“
He looked up in surprise when he realized Fanatio hadn't left yet. He was sure she would also return to her seat, but instead she walked over to him, handing him a note. He was about to read it when the woman spoke to him.
„It's a request. There's a client that can't come here, but all the other dolls are too busy. So you will go there in their stead.“
The blonde had to process what she just said. Someone had requested a private visit for a doll, that wasn't something unusual. Most of the time, clients like these were either too busy to come to the office or were rich enough to pay the additional fee.
It was more surprising that Eugeo was the one taking on the request. Of course, he was just the last choice, but it was his request nonetheless.
A sense joy set in his heart and he jumped up, holding the note tightly. With his voice a little too loud he replied.
„I-I will do my best, ma'am!“
Fanatio gave him an encouraging smile and nodded. Besides Alice, she was the only one who saw promise in Eugeo and supported his work. And now, he finally had the chance to prove himself as a full-fledged automemory doll.
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He stood in front of a run-down shop. The windows were small and filled with only a few toys or junk nobody used anymore. The door seemed to be new though. Or at least someone took good care of it. Just like the metallic sign over it, which read Lis' repair shop.
Eugeo wondered what kind of client would want to see him here of all places. It wasn't a particular wealthy area and only a few people crossed his path, despite it already being afternoon. He felt a little anxious, sticking out with his fancy clothing the post office gave him. But also because he didn't know who would wait for him inside.
He took a deep breath and turned the handle of the door. A small bell rang when he opened it and he was greeted with the musty smell of old wood. The air felt a little stale, but it wasn't unpleasant. It reminded him of an attic.
And just like in an attic, various stuff was displayed on shelves, tables and even the walls. It made the room feel small and dark. It didn't help that the lamps on the walls were dimmer than they were supposed to. It took him a while to adjust to the different light.
While he was looking around, a girl around his age came from the backroom. She brushed off some dust from her apron, took her place behind the counter and greeted him with a cheerful smile.
„Welcome to Lis' repair shop. What can I do for you?“
The sudden greeting threw him out of his thoughts and he needed a few seconds to register it was his turn to talk. He stood up straight and bowed his head.
„I'm here from the Axiom post office. My name is Eugeo and I'm an automemory doll. I was told someone here had a request.“
The girl looked at him from top to bottom, most likely wondering why a boy would introduce himself as a doll. With a hum she finished her examination.
„So you're the guy coming for Kirito. He said he requested a doll, but I never thought there were males ones, too.“
Eugeo wanted to comment, but before he could say anything, the girl motioned him to follow her to the backroom.
He did and they ended up in a long and dark hallway, with only an old lamp lighting it. To his right was a staircase leading to the first floor and to his left the hallway continued on until it ended at a door. The girl motioned him into that direction and he followed. She went in first while Eugeo stayed behind. She talked to somebody, but he couldn't make out what she said. And it didn't feel right to just barge into a room of a stranger uninvited. Then again, she did want him to follow her. She had left the door open, so he leaned forward to take a look.
The room seemed brighter than the front, yet it was also a chaos of broken things, tools and spare parts. A part of it was even cramped with a pile of stuff he couldn't even recognize. From the looks of it, it must have been the workshop.
When he took a step further, the girl came back to him and waved him inside.
Just as he thought, it was a workshop. On the side he couldn't see before were two desks with table lamps, however neither of them was turned on. It wasn't surprising if the girl had turned one off when she heard him enter the shop, but he saw someone working on the second desk. If he was repairing something, wouldn't he need light?
Just as he finished that thought, the black-haired boy stood up and turned around. Eugeo wanted to start the introduction every doll was supposed to memorize, but his words were stuck in his throat when he saw the boys face.
He was wearing a blindfold.
He hadn't seen it before, since it was just as black as his hair and now he couldn't take his eyes off him. Dozens of questions and thoughts ran through his head.
Why was he wearing a blindfold? How could he work with it? How did that happen?
It took him a few moments to realize he had been staring at him and stuttered a little while speaking.
„I-I'm Eugeo, an automemory doll. I was given your request. Nice to meet you.“
He was still facing the floor to hide his flustered face, but the silence made him nervous. He looked up again and saw the boy smiling.
„Nice to meet you, too Eugeo. I'm Kirito.“