The girls’ visages grew contemplative as Trenton kept scribbling notes, with Proteus bringing over spare blank papers.

“So was this long ago?” Pandora asked. “Or are those memories of Polaris meant to be more recent?”

Trenton hummed. “I cannot remember the exact date, but it’s been over… 7 years since Lady Galatea taught there.”

“Lady Guinevere was very pretty…” Ixion tapped her fingers together nervously. “Like in a ‘Queen looking down on her subjects’ kind of way…”

“She comes from a distinguished household, after all.” His tone was low.

But Ixion had heard him. Distinguished…

“Seven years?” Madeline’s eyes were wide behind her porthole. Even assuming a year plus travel time, that’s a stupid amount of time.

“Based on the latest news, I believe Lady Galatea is stationed by the Khorasan Isles,” Proteus said.

“Um, that… I think is far to the south.” Clarice tried to remember the routes ships would typically take. “It’s a hotter place. Lots of fighting there, too…”

“Yes, spice trades tend to get disrupted often.”

“Oh, that sounds rather dangerous,” Pandora said. But somehow, it does not sound like a place I’d avoid visiting, if given the chance.

“Anyway,” Trenton’s eyes were still on Ixion, having updated his notes, “anything else about school? Anything you saw besides said school? Perhaps anything about this… Anton?”

“Um, the school had a nice clock. Everyone around Polaris used to check it for time. Anton really really wanted to help the town… He had a private talk with Lady Galatea… I think it might’ve been after everyone got upset about not being able to help the town? Think they said something about… an Undertaker?”

“Hm.” Trenton nodded. “And…?”

“I don’t really remember much past that…” Ixion looked down, “they were talking really quietly in the hallway and I woke up before I heard anything else…”

An Undertaker? That sounds like something rather grim; it might be better that she does not remember much else, but Mr. Trenton hardly commented on it, Pandora thought. It might be something more trivial than it sounds, or perhaps… Mr. Trenton did mention he wasn’t allowed to mention much about Guinevere, could she be related to that?

“I see.” So she was eavesdropping. Trenton scribbled again. “My advice to you is the same, then, Ixion. Don’t skip sleep in these valuable times if you wish to learn more about your past. I will warn though, past memories have driven many a Marionette more unstable than they could’ve possibly been. In other words, this is only my advice in the interest of information. If you seek my advice as a surgeon, I’d rather you stay awake more.”

Pandora looked away. But I must… Sleep, is it? Is this the only way to discover more? I suppose I will find out eventually.

Clarice blinked at the surgeon. “But you had Ixion sleep, did you not, Mr. Trenton?”

“It is a difficult balance, Ms. Clarice.” Trenton’s expression then became complicated with a frown. “She seemed… tired, let’s just say.”

Ixion nodded. “So a choice between learning more about my past versus potentially breaking… or staying awake and not knowing…”

“I do not wish to get your hopes up too high, but it is possible Anton is a Marionette now. His family was offered a whole 500 Pounds for it, after all.”

“So he is!” Ixion’s eyes brightened. “I hope I can find him, then. He felt very… important.” Aside from Older Brother.

He was worth more than me. Madeline kept the thought to herself.

Even if he is a Marionette now, he might not remember, perhaps not even his own name, but saying this aloud would be too cruel, Pandora thought. But I wonder if there were others who became Marionettes under the same circumstances as me.

It’d be a complicated investigation for a relatively common name like Anton up north, though. “I pray you do, Ixion.” The surgeon recorded some more details and handed the papers to Proteus. “Sounds like we’re done talking dreams. Let’s talk health. How do you feel post… after sleep, Ixion, Madeline? Any lethar—erm, tiredness? Sleepiness? Or are you both feeling good about moving your bodies?”

The shelled girl jerked as he addressed her, flexing her tendrils beside her. “I can move around just fine!”

Trenton smiled wryly at her tentacles. Well, given how you rose like that just now…

“Uhhh, I feel a bit… heavy?” Ixion tilted her head, looking away. “Is that the word for it?”

The surgeon took another blank page Proteus had prepared for him earlier and scrawled briefly.

“Very well.” He checked his pocket watch again and then nodded to them. “Well, as I said: ‘tis the morn; 7:13, to be precise. Who wishes to step out with me? If you’re coming, Ixion, I will permit it, but someone has to agree to be with you and keep a close watch for your health. Unfortunately Proteus, you’re required to remain here until I introduce these girls to the miners before I return; once I do, though, I’d request you to join them.”

“Of course, Doctor.” Proteus then eyed the others. “Please behave well before the miners. How you act will reflect on Dr. Trenton; don’t make things harder for him. And be careful of the Navy Officer.”

Trenton felt an onset of migraine coming on. “The Lieutenant tends to sleep in, so let’s hope—pray—he’s hung over from his blasted beer.”

Clarice chuckled dryly. He does seem to be… “The miners are pretty friendly, if not a bit handsy around girls. Maybe just don’t get too close to them.”

“Huh?” Madeline blinked. Why would they be—? “Don’t they have wives?!”

Proteus shook her head. “Barely. Those who do are back home, not here in the mines.”

Trenton almost laughed. Asking the real questions now, are you?

“I’d like to go…” Ixion perked up, “I-I’ll be careful and everything!” Like hell I’m getting left behind! There’s the sick Captain too!

“They can’t always bring their wives to a place like this, but still…” Pandora’s voice trailed. I’m well-behaved enough. “I think going out and letting them know we exist is for the best.”

“If you wish to explore without fearing the cultists constantly,” Trenton nodded, “this is probably the best bet. They will not attack you on the time of day, especially in public.”

Madeline faced the door quietly. “I’m ready to go!”

Despina got off the bed. “I’ll go too.” To learn why the Lord has placed me here…

Pandora rose up likewise.

Ixion got herself out of bed as well, though her movements were a tad jerky, and her limbs felt more numb than usual. Tch… come on!

“Again,” Trenton raised a hand, eyeing each of the four newly-awakened Marionettes, “who will take the responsibility of keeping an eye on my precious Ixion?”

Clarice scanned over them, while Despina glanced over Ixion limping to join them.

If no one else does, I suppose I will. But Pandora waited. It would be a shame to not have some alone time to enjoy though.

“…Okay.” Madeline raised a tendril. “I’ll look after Ixion.”

Trenton held the shelled girl’s green tendril. “I’m counting on you, Madeline.” He sounded serious.

Madeline looked away… then nodded, facing him again. “Alright.”

Ixion grinned. “Thanks, Madeline!”

“Uh,” Madeline rubbed her shell with her tendril, now released by Trenton, “sure.”

“Then… What about uh, Clarice?” Despina glanced at the human girl. “Are we not sending her to her brother yet?”

Clarice smiled. “Don’t worry about me! I spoke to Mr. Trenton earlier. I’m going back to my camp alone; it’s the morn, so it’ll be fine!”

“You all will probably see her again soon.” Especially if the lockdown on this cave endures… He gave a pained smile. “None of you are to leave past this cave’s Arch Gates, though—the big ones serving as its exits. I have been generous with you lot so at least promise this one. It’s dangerous outside. We have to wait for the ferry service to resume before things go back to normal.”

“I promise!” Ixion raised her right hand. “No going past the Arch Gates!”

“I promise too.” Despina’s face was still complicated. Not like I know what I’d do there anyway…

Madeline lowered her tendril. “…I promise.”

“I understand we are stranded here for now, so I’ll be careful about that.” Pandora nodded. As much as it pains me to be stuck waiting, it’s the sensible choice. “It’d be best to avoid further trouble anyway, we might cause some chaos just by existing here already.”

Proteus was, by this point, submitting and organizing the papers on the wooden table.

“Ahaha…” Clarice looked anguished at Pandora’s assessment. “Outside is… not fun. The Nave is something to look forward to, though.”

Pandora calmly waved a dismissive hand at the girl. “Do not worry so much, Clarice; I can find my way around even if it comes down to that. If nothing bad happens, I could even try to greet you again and Ted later.”

“Mnm, I don’t know. I don’t think the refugee camp is a nice place to visit, Pandora.” Clarice looked away. “It’s not a pretty place.” And the way she talks about outside…

“Be safe, Ms. Clarice,” Ixion said. “You've been nice to us!”

“Good luck!” Madeline waved a tendril.

Clarice smiled a bit at the two. “Thanks, Ixion, Madeline.”

Trenton eyed Clarice momentarily before turning away. He led them towards the exit, rummaging a pocket.

Seeing him move, Clarice turned to follow, as did the others.

The pale Marionette turned from the wooden table to find them leaving, and moved towards the iron door as well. “We have met only briefly, but I wish you well.”

“Good luck with everything, Proteus!” Clarice beamed. “You seem smart, I’m sure you’ll do great in the Navy! It was nice meeting you!”

“Likewise,” Proteus nodded, “thank you.”

Trenton watched the two interact, then stopped a couple paces before the door. “Right. Before we exit, here.” He handed four coins to each of the newly-awakened girls, save for Madeline who got six instead. “These are your funds for the time being. Spend them as you will, though do be mindful for we lack an infinite supply.”

Ixion looked at her four coins like she was just given the keys of the universe, eyes sparkling. “Woah, I have money…”

Madeline squinted at the coins laying atop a tendril from behind her right window. Four coins, so I can probably buy… What can I buy?

Despina stared at the brass coins on her right palm; they had an icon of the Crown and a seeming image of the Queen imprinted—something that looked familiar—with “1 Pound” labeled by the top; they were obviously shiny. She dropped them into her azure dress’ pocket. How much is this compared to the value of those gems we’d found deep in those waters…? They were… probably more valuable. Still, he could’ve easily decided to not spare a single coin to any of us. She nodded to the surgeon. “Thanks, Dr. Trenton.”

Madeline on the other hand dropped the coins carefully within her shell, briefly cracking a porthole open.

Pandora couldn’t find a pocket on her black robe even as she patted herself until… she gazed down at the crevice on her chest before sliding the coins in. They’d probably stay stuck here.

Ixion patted herself before tucking her coins into her skirt’s pockets. No matter what, I mustn’t waste Mr. Trenton’s money…

Despina walked after Trenton giving one last look at Proteus. “See you soon, Older Sister.”

Proteus gave a nod. “Take care, Despina. You have a good face, so be careful around the men.”

“I’ll be careful.” Despina smiled faintly. I… guess I do?

“Well, look who’s happy?” Trenton eyed his black suit but then turned for the door and shoved it open, heaving. “Alright…! Out we go.”

Proteus watched as the four Marionettes including Ixion, Despina, Pandora and Madeline exited, with finally Clarice joining them at their rear.

The pale Marionette gave a nod to them. “Have a good day.” Before pushing the door shut.