A/N: So, sitting up, late one night/early one morning, doodling whatever comes to mind, when I get the strange inspiration to draw Rico's doll. After I drew her a bit, I came up with a bit of a story to go along with the picture. Because, well, that's what I have to do in order to draw properly, there's always a story behind the pictures. Anyways, this story came out. No OCs this time, unless you want to count the doll. She'll introduce herself here shortly. It's a one-shot for now, but I may give you more if you want.
Doll's Dream
Late at night, when the penguins sleep, I come to life. I know it's hard to believe. I didn't believe it at first either. My name is Dolly. And guess what? I'm a doll. I know, that's a real kicker, right? Shut up. I like my name, thank you very much. I'm sorry if that came across as insulting. I didn't mean it. It's just… most times, I'm trapped. Living a life I never chose in a place I never go out of. It's so dull. The only other thing I can talk to is Pappy. He hangs out on the wall. Literally.
It's not as if I hate my life. I love it. I love… I have to stop to gently squeak my head over to look at the wall of bunks. Rico is there. Sleeping soundly. I know if I were real, I'd be blushing. He's perfect. He loves me, and takes care of me, and… well, quite frankly, makes me feel alive.
He doesn't know the truth, he thinks I'm a toy he can love. I am, I know.
But I'm also different. I am, I know!
I want to be able to prove that I'm able to love back. I know I can. Because I do. I love him back with all my toy heart. He's still sleeping soundly. They don't know it, but they're all solid sleepers. I walk around, stretching my sore movable parts. They're few and far between, but they still cramp up every now and again.
"Dolly, you up?" Pappy looks over at me, smiling softly. He's the one keeping me most sane. Making sure I don't speak out and scare the penguins. If I didn't have him to talk to, I don't know what I'd—huh? Oh, who's Pappy? Oh.
Pappy is what I call that fish trophy hanging on the wall. That's right, it's a toy too. Only the penguins would see him as some sort of trophy. But I don't mind. I'm quite glad. I started out calling him First Prize, or PFP… But it got tiresome. So I abbreviated it.
I'm creative like that.
That's why I know Rico could love me for me, if I was given the chance. I mean…
Can I tell you a secret?
I have a great imagination. I can imagine what it would be like to be with Rico, like a penguin, and be his mate. We would be happy together. He would teach me about those boom things he likes. I never get to see them, because Skipper makes him use them outside. And I could teach him how to read for real, instead of just telling me about the pictures.
I finally remember Pappy was talking to me, and head over to him, to scratch his head. He likes that. "Yeah, Pappy. I'm up for the night. I was just thinking." I know everyone has those silly stereotypes about how dumb blondes are supposed to be (1), but I'm not like that. I'm a thinker. I love knowing things. I fake being wide awake and open eyed and vapid during the day. I have to, I was designed like that.
Actually, that's why I didn't really fit in with the other ones like me. The other dolls, I mean. I was the one who wanted to study, rather than shop; to know math, not make-up; to solve REAL world problems, not HAIR problems.
For that, I was shunned. Pushed aside, and eventually, locked away by the others.
That was the night I cried myself to sleep. For the first time since being made, I was sad. Sad and lonely and upset and depressed and… Truly alone. No one understood me. Or accepted me for what I was.
Then, Rico came along and found me. And took care of me. He picked me, out of all the other dolls in the toy shop. I know he saw them; he had to pass them to get to me. He could have picked any of them. But he chose me. And I knew then, that he didn't mind that I was different. He wanted different.
I fell in love with him, right then and there.
I know what you're thinking. It's hard enough for you to believe that a doll could love, much less fall in love at first sight. And you're right; it's a hard thing to fathom. But I know what happened, I can feel it.
Pappy eyed me as I crossed the room to get to Rico's bunk. He slept near the top, and I had to climb those difficult steps just to see him. But it was worth the struggle. He was worth the struggle. I messed up a couple of times, but I finally reached where he was sleeping, his head within arm's reach, thankfully. I stroked his head, despite Pappy's hissing warning of "Be careful, girl!" I knew I had to be careful.
I didn't care, but I knew.
His feathers moved a bit when I touched them, and I bet they felt soft. The sad feeling came back. I can't really feel. When he drops me sometimes, on accident of course… or if he brushes my hair too hard… or if I'm left somewhere they say is cold… I can't feel it.
I have to get down, or I'll start to cry. Imagine if you lost every sense of feeling you had, except for emotions. Believe me, after not missing pain, you'd begin to miss the feel of a loved one's gentle caress, or caring stroke. I have to get away from him right now, or I KNOW I'll cry.
The worst part is, I have to go back to smiling, like everything is normal tomorrow. You might think that this must be the saddest existence in the whole world. And you'd be half right. Rico may never know how I feel about him. And I will probably never feel his loving embrace.
But I have him. I walk back to my spot, preparing for when the penguins would wake up again.
I have him. And for now, that's all I need.
DD
– I don't believe in that whole dumb blonde stereotype, because all the blondes I know on a personal level are actually quite smart. Most of them are smarter than I am. They are even smart enough to recognize a dumb blonde joke when they see it, and laugh at it as well, as they understand the context. So please, if you're blonde, laugh. I'm not insulting you personally; I'm insulting the ridiculousness of that stereotype.
Other than that, please review, tell me what you think! Thanks!