Chapter 1

Tap. Tap. Two soft knocks could be heard through the plain oak door. "Come in", called out a voice. As the door opened, a short, pale girl with bright green hair and sea-blue eyes stepped in. Her face was unreadable, with lips turned slightly downward. She wore a simple, yet elegant dress that was the same shade of blue as her eyes. She walked with the air of royalty into the brightly lit room. The room itself looked as if it belonged to a young child. The walls were painted a light blue color and had ribbons near the top of them. The circular room had many shelves around the perimeter, all filled with chattering dolls of all shapes and sizes. In the center of the room, sitting comfortably in one of many chairs around a round table, was a white-hired girl with lavender eyes. Her dress was a fancy white one with lace around her neck and arms. She wore three light blue roses above her heart. With a wave of her hand, the dolls quieted down.

"Oh! It's you, Syreni. Long time no see.", and as she said this, the girl in the center of the room started pouring tea into the cups on the table. "Come sit down. If you wait, I'm sure Jack will come and have tea with us.", and with that, she started sipping the tea. Similar to her room, her voice had the excitement and tone of a small child. "Syreni" remained standing and didn't acknowledge that she had heard the other girl, but by saying "Alyss. Always a pleasure to see you, but how many times have I told you to call me Syren? Also, I'm afraid I don't have time for a tea party today." Alyss pouted, her smile vanishing for a split second. But, as fast as it had left, the smile was back. She straightened up and asked, "Well, why did you come then? I know it's a long trip from where you stay."

"The truth is … I have a request for you."

"Oh, what sort?" The smile had completely vanished from Alyss' face by now and had been replaced by a small frown, "You do know how impractical it is to request anything from me, right?"

"So I've heard, but that doesn't change anything. I've made up my mind. I want to see the human world." In the silence that followed, it would have been possible to hear a pin drop. Carefully, Alyss put down her cup of tea and turned to face Syren.

"Did I hear you right?" Her face was expressionless, and all playfulness had vanished from her voice, "I thought I heard you ask to visit the human world."

"No, you heard me right."

"Why you ungrateful little doll! I spent years making you and this is the thanks I get?! Who made sure no other chains hurt you? I did! Who-"

"Alyss, please calm down." Syren cut in. "You wouldn't want Jack to see you like this would you?" Alyss' shaking shoulders stopped moving and the dolls that had started yelling were suddenly quiet. Her flying hair fell back down to her sides.

"No… " She was suddenly thoughtful. "This could be progress. You might be starting to learn! What you are feeling is desire!"

"Feeling? Desire?" Syren was dumbfounded. "What do you mean?"

"After all you are a prototype, and your biggest flaw is the inability to feel emotions." Alyss continued talking, unaware that she had lost Syren. "Well… If I send you to the human world, you might be able to learn about emotions. But, you are still a chain, so you would die within a week." She continued muttering under her breath.

Syren waited patiently for the white-haired girl to make up her mind. "Ok!" Alyss suddenly exclaimed. "Here is what will happen. I will send you to the human world and change your body to a human's so that it can stay stable in the human world. But, here are the conditions. You must give me something precious to you as an exchange for this favor. Also, you need to discover love within one year, or you will be terminated. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"Now, what will you give me?" Alyss' smile had returned completely. She was nearly bouncing up and down at the thought of getting something.

Syren blinked, having not thought of what she would give. "I-"

"You could give me one of your five senses, or an ability of yours."

"My voice." Syren said after musing it over.

"Oh! I nearly forgot to tell you, once you are in the human world chains will most likely try to hunt you down. I won't be able to help you anymore, but I can give you this." Alyss held out a whip and gave a little demo. "Here you go. Careful, if you press that button, it runs an electric current through the whip."

Syren tucked it into the folds of her dress. "I'm ready." Alyss' smile widened, nearing maliciousness as she raised her hands. Syren clutched her throat as a burning sensation filled it. She fell to the ground with a cry, only no sound came out. Then, there was a flash of light as she vanished.