Dollhouse – Dreamer File
Fandom: Doctor Who
A/N: Inspired by all the dollhouse plot out there.
Warning: Angst, stockholm syndrome, self-harm, kidnapping, etc.
More warning: English is not my first language so the quality of this fic will be questionable but I just need to write so pardon the mess.
I stared absentmindedly over my reflection in the mirror. Beautiful dresses, elegant make-up and tea party, those are my daily routine.
My name is Sierra and I am a doll exist for the pleasure of my Mistress.
The rings of the bell caught my attention. I put down the comb I have been using on my hair. I check out my reflection one more time before leaving my room to join the other dolls.
As I got out of my room, I put on a smile as I saw the other dolls who also just got out of their respective room.
We almost immediately mingle with those we are closed with.
I walked faster to match my step with another doll, Vela. I gave her a polite smile and she nodded at me.
We entered a much larger room with tables set scattered around the room. Vera and I took one of the seat near the windows at the back of the room.
A few servant dolls entered the room and started to serve our teas.
I pick up the last book I read on the shelf and continue with the last pages I read while drinking my tea. Vera took on her unfinished embroidery.
I didn't pay attention on the other dolls. Thankfully no one messed up on their daily routine. Sometimes, us, dolls failed to please our Mistress and when that happened, bad painful thing will happen, even I still make a mistake occasionally, but our Mistress is forgiving.
We all went on our daily routine but sometimes once in a while the Mistress like to surprise us with a masquerade party. That would take a longer preparation and the best behaviour a doll can be.
But today is different.
The sound of a dying machinery filled our ears followed by the sound of a bunch of people talking.
Some of the dolls curiously distracted from their routine to see what is going on.
A young woman with a hoodie entered the room and she look surprised to see us as if she didn't expect us here.
"Oh, hello there, I'm the Doctor." She said cheerfully. "And these are my friends, Yaz, Graham and Ryan. Sorry to bother you."
Most of the dolls went back on their routine. But a doll, from the newest batch, Beth, I think her name, approached them hesitantly.
"Welcome. Are you part of the dollhouse?"
"What?"
"Dollhouse."
"And what is a dollhouse?"
Before Beth can explained, a loud alarm sounded followed by a female robotic voice.
"Intruders detected. All dolls please return to their room until futher notice."
Well, that's new. Usually some of the naughty dolls planned to break out of here but we never get intruders.
The robotic voice repeated their instruction.
Vera and I stood up to leave along with the rest of the dolls.
Beth stared at the intruders with hope. "Please, you have to get us out of here. We are all here against our will." She pleaded.
The Doctor asked her some more about it.
As I walked pass her, she suddenly spun me around.
"Emma?" She asked in disbelief.
I stared at her blankly.
Her friends also fussed around me but I remained staring blankly.
"Doctor, what's wrong with her?" Yaz asked
"Is it really her?" Ryan asked hopefully.
The Doctor pulled her screwdriver and started scanning me with it. She frowned at the result.
Distinctly I wonder how I know that the thing in her hand is a screwdriver but that thought perish before it could get to the front of my mind.
"0h, love, what did they do to you?" Graham asked.
"I have to go back to my room." I said. I worried that my standing here still will be seen as a disobeying doll.
"It's no use. She is one of the oldest dolls here. She couldn't understand conversation that the Mistress didn't approve." Beth said.
"But you do..."
"I'm still a bit new. I have to play along or they will hurt us."
"Who? Who will hurt you?"
"The Mistress."
The Doctor frowned, muttering a 'It can't be her.' over and iver again.
A group of soldiers marched toward us, pointing their weapon on the intruders.
The Mistress appeared from behind the soldiers and walked toward us with her head held up high. The alarm had stopped.
She regarded the intruders with interest. She introuced herself as Serafina or Mistress to her dolls.
The Doctor observed the Mistress with curiosity.
"We didn't get visitors that I didn't approve. Who are you and how did you get inside my dollhouse?" Mistress asked.
"Oh we are just passing by. Love the dollhouse setting you have around here." The Doctor said.
"I see. I suppose as the host of this dollhouse, I could make an exception, as long as you are here not to make trouble."
"Oh we come in peace. Isn't that right, fam?"
Her friends nodded their head in agreement.
"Good. Welcome to the dollhouse." The Mistress said. She waved a hand toward the soldiers and they put down their weapon.
My body felt cold when the Mistress regarded me and Beth. "Why are you two still here?"
"Oh that's my bad. I'm the one keeping them here. Because I'm curious. I'm a curious person, you see. Once I saw something interesting, I can't help wanting to understand it." The Doctor rambled. "You have a beautiful collection of dolls, Serafina." She turned to take a look at Beth. "It's Beth, right? And..." Her eyes hovered over me.
I didn't answer. Instead I glanced at my Mistress for permission. She nodded so I introduced myself. "My name is Sierra. It's a pleasure to meet you." I said softly.
"It's a pleasure to meet you too, Sierra." She said with a bright grin.
"Go to your room, Sierra, Beth." The Mistress ordered.
Beth and I obeyed and left.
As I left, I couldn't help but take another look at the intruders turned guests. It seemed the Mistress will be arranging a room for them.
7777
As I prepared myself to attend routine dinner, a servant entered my room and said the Mistress held a ball in honor of her guests. I was invited me to entertain her guests.
I can't help being nervous. I serve the Mistress but she frightens me with her mood swing.
As I walked out of my room, I saw Beth and realized she is also requested by Mistress.
The servants led us to a ballroom. There is other selection of dolls already inside. I recognized them as the Mistress current favourite dolls. I guess she wanted to show off her best dolls to the guests. But I have no idea why Beth and I ordered to come. The Mistress grew bored of me already. I'm lucky she didn't dispose of me. As for Beth, she is new and still has not completed her training yet so why is she here?
I saw the Mistress talked to her guests and then left them to mingle.
I felt at lost of what to do so I stood in the corner. Then someone approached. It was that woman who called herself the Doctor and she is wearing a suit. For some reason, my heart skipped a beat when I saw her. I felt my face redden when she asked me to dance with her. I couldn't refuse because Mistress order is clear, to entertain her guests, so I did. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Beth dancing with the Doctor's friend, Ryan.
After one dance, she pulled me out to a dimly lit hallway. I was confused why she did this. She put her hands over my cheeks, her forehead touches mine.
"Emma..." she whispered solemnly.
I didn't respond. I don't know why she keep calling me with that name. I told her already my name is Sierra. But I remained silent for now. My heart beating so loudly, also why do I feel the sudden urge to cry?
"I'm not Emma." I whispered. "You've got the wrong person, Doctor..." I pushed her hands away from me gently and took a step backward.
"I'm not wrong. I know you, Emma. There is no way I could mistake you." The doctor took a step forward and grabbed one of my hands and grip it tight.
I pulled away again. "I don't know you..."
The Doctor looked so sad and hurt when I said that but it was the truth.
A servant entered the hallway. He stared at us almost creepily. The Doctor had no choice but to pull me back inside the ballroom. Yaz, Ryan and Graham approached us.
"Doctor, how is she? Does she remember?" Yaz asked.
Why do they speak as if I'm not here? I felt an annoyance but I quickly pushed that emotion down.
The Doctor shook her head sadly. Her friends also stared at me with a mixture of sad and pity.
Who are these people? Why do they act like that? I don't understand.
"Where is Beth?" the Doctor asked suddenly.
The servant from earlier approached us and said. "Miss Sierra, the Mistress requested you."
My heart started pounding. Did I do something wrong? I quickly composed myself and nodded. I excused myself from the guests but the Doctor grabbed my hand to stop me from leaving.
"Please let me go. I do not want to make my Mistress wait." I pleaded.
The Doctor looked like she wants to argue but thought better of it and let me go.
I briefly saw the Doctor turned around to face her friends and talked really fast with them.
7777
I stood nervously in front of the Mistress.
She stood before me watching me curiously and walked circling me like a predator. "Hmm, what is it about you that catch her eyes?" she asked.
I didn't reply.
"Do you know them, Emma?"
I frowned. "My name is Sierra, Mistress."
My answer seemed to please her. She smiled. "Have a seat. Let's talk. We haven't been for a while now..."
I seated myself as requested.
Suddenly two servants entered the room and pushed Beth on the floor right in front of us.
Beth cried and begged Mistress immediately to spare her. "Please forgive me! I can do better! I promise!"
I didn't understand what is happening and I glanced at the Mistress.
The Mistress smiled coldly at Beth while sipping her tea elegantly. "I do not like a liar, little Beth." She pulled a remote from a pocket on the table and pushed some button. A big screen suddenly pulled down from the ceiling and it showed clearly of Beth talking to the Doctor and her friends about how she is held here against her will.
Beth's eyes widened in fear. "Please forgive me! Please forgive me!"
"Take her to the basement. I will deal with her later."
I did my best to ignore Beth's pleading cries and sipped my tea.
The Mistress glanced at me with unsettling smile. She pulled a tablet out of nowhere. "Let see... Sierra... When did I acquired you? Hmm, interesting..."
I didn't say anything. I didn't ask anything. I'm going to be a perfect doll.
7777
The next day, I did my usual routine. I didn't see the Doctor or her friends anywhere. Maybe they already left. Part of me suddenly yearn to look for them. But I put a stop on the blasphemy thoughts. I picked up my book and started reading from where I left out before. I couldn't concentrate though.
When it was around the time for dinner, a servant told me that Mistress requested me again. I wonder why the sudden interest in me. I knew she grew bored of me before. I wonder if it is because the attention I got from her guests. Suddenly I was reminded of Beth, of her fate. But there is nothing I could do for her.
The servant took me to the Mistress personal dining room. I was surprised to see the Doctor and her friends are there too.
The Doctor is pleased to see me. She was smiling brightly at me.
I gulped when I noticed my Mistress narrowed her eyes at the Doctor.
The Doctor noticed my discomfort and composed herself. She turned to talk with the Mistress.
The Mistress smiled at her. "I invited Sierra with us tonight. I noticed you take a particular liking to this old doll of mine."
The Doctor frowned but quickly put on innocent smile.
My mistress gestured me to take a seat next to her so I did.
I didn't listen to the conversation around me. Next thing I know I heard the Doctor stood up and spoke something rude toward the Mistress.
The Mistress smiled a sinister smile. "Stay, Doctor, and be addition to my dollhouse if you like Sierra so much."
"No, I'm putting a stop on this ridiculous dollhouse." The Doctor said angrily.
"I thought you said you love this setting..." The Mistress teased.
My mind felt foggy. The conversation around me made me feel sick.
"Sierra." commanded my Mistress.
My focus snapped on her immediately. "Yes, my Mistress?"
"You have wronged me and you know what to do, don't you?" she asked sweetly.
"What are you doing?" the Doctor demanded.
"If it pleases you, Mistress..." I said softly.
I picked up a small knife on the table absentmindedly and before anyone could stop me, I put my left hand on the table and I stabbed my left palm firmly.
The Doctor and his friends gasped in shock. They rushed to me but they are restrained by the servants. They kept calling with that name again. Emma. Just who is this Emma?
"Stop it." The Doctor glared at the Mistress angrily.
The Mistress ignored her as she smiled sweetly at me. "You did good, my doll."
My whole body is shaking in pain but I forced myself to smile back at her. Vera entered the room and pulled the knife off me and took me away with permission from the Mistress.
I still could hear the Doctor shouted angrily at the Mistress as the door to the dining room is closed.
7777
I laid on my bed and stared at my bandaged hand. The pain is dull now. Vera gave me medicine for the pain. The Mistress didn't summon me again. I wonder what happen to the Doctor and his friends. Why do I suddenly feel worry for them? Weird.
I heard that strange noise again. A sonic screwdriver, my mind supplied. How do I know that again?
The Doctor suddenly entered my room. I blinked in shock and quickly move to a seating position.
"Emma, are you alright?" she asked. "How is your hand?" She grabbed my hand gently.
"How are you here?" I asked. "Why do you keep calling me that?"
"Because that is your name, Emma. Not Sierra. You are my friend, my best friend. I'm taking you away from here."
My eyes widened at that. "I can't leave here."
"Of course, you can."
"I don't want to. I don't even know you. I existed only for Mistress."
The Doctor groaned. "Ugh, how did she do that to you and the others? Such a blind loyalty for a cruel woman."
"Please leave. I don't want to get in trouble with my Mistress."
"I'm not going anywhere, not without you, not again. I'm not leaving you." The Doctor said firmly.
My heart suddenly ached at her words. "Why?"
"I told you why. I will not let her hurt you again."
"You hurt me..." I whispered. I blinked in shock of what come out of my lips. Why did I say that? I have no idea.
The Doctor didn't look surprised, instead she looked sad.
"Please come with me, Emma." The Doctor offered one of her hands toward me. "I need you."
I stared at her and her outstretched hand. My hand moved on its own accord and reach toward the outstretched hand.
She smiled, pleased with me. "Come on."
So I followed her. She took me to meet her friends halfway. They sounded happy to see me and I gave them a small smile. But what am I doing? Is it really alright to do this? How could I leave my mistress?
I stopped short suddenly when I saw the Doctor talked with Yaz and put a hand over her arm. The Doctor and Yaz. Yaz and the Doctor.
I took a step backward.
The others noticed.
"Emma?"
"This is wrong." I said. "I have to go back to my room."
The Doctor quickly stopped me. "You are not going back to her, Emma!" she yelled in anger.
I frowned at her.
The Doctor's eyes softened and she started talking gently to me, "I'm sorry but that woman, she is not your mistress. She is bad for you. She has been lying to you and everyone here."
I didn't replied.
"Please, Emma? Come back with me? Come back to the Tardis..." The Doctor pleaded. "I...need you to be with me..."
I shook my head as I stepped back some more. "The Doctor...lies..." I whispered sadly. I don't know why I said that but for some reason, I believe it.
The Doctor's eyes widened. I could tell she is panicking. "It's true. I lied. The Doctor lies, all the time. But not about this. I need you, Emma. I can't lose you again..."
The alarm sounded loudly all of sudden.
Mistress walked fast followed by her soldiers marching toward us.
"Doctor!" she yelled furiously.
The Doctor waved her sonic screwdriver toward them.
I glanced at my Mistress as she called my name.
"Sierra, come back here!"
I took a step forward toward her.
The Doctor pulled me back toward her and she put both of her hands over my forehead and suddenly I felt darkness overwhelmed me as I fell into sleep. I could hear Yaz asking the Doctor what she do to me. The Doctor pulled me close to her and yelled to them to board the Tardis. After that I hear no more.
7777
I was a prisoner on board the Doctor's ship. I didn't take it well when I woke up. I am so angry at them. I refused to talk to them.
And then I suddenly gasped in pain as I clutched my chest.
The Doctor grabbed me, pulled open my dress and her eyes widened to see some red dot light under the skin near my chest. She pulled her screwdriver and scanned me again.
"Oh, no! A tracking device with small bomb! And it is activating! She is killing her!" she yelled. She pushed me to the floor trying to override the device under my skin but failing. "I'm so sorry, Emma, I have to take it out of you."
My eyes widened in confusion and fear.
The Doctor barked at the fam to restrain me as she pulled a scalpel toward me. She glanced at me. "I'm sorry, Emma, this is going to hurt."
I screamed as she pushed the scalpel onto my skin.
She finally got it out and she immediately crushed the device to pieces. She then worked on my injury.
I fainted.
7777
"How can you still want to come back to her?" Yaz asked. "She just tried to have you killed. With a bomb."
I stubbornly ignored her. I know why the Mistress did what she did. She loves her doll too much to surrender it to someone else. She loves me.
Afterward, the Doctor put me in a glass prison in some room resembling a vault after my many attempts to escape. I even almost hurting Yaz while at it. She deemed myself too dangerous and put me in that glass prison.
At least the prison is almost as nice as my room back there in my Mistress dollhouse.
The Doctor and her friends kept visiting me. I felt like an animal in a zoo.
"The longer she is away from that dollhouse, the soonest she will regain her sanity." The Doctor had said.
All I felt is anger toward them.
The Doctor allowed me to keep my routine, the same routine I used to do back in the dollhouse. She looked at me like a kicked puppy at my insistence of doing the routine. I did my best to ignore them.
Beautiful dress, elegant make-up and tea party. But I am feeling lonely without the presence of the other dolls.
The Doctor gave me books to spend my time. She kept insisting to join me with my tea party much to my annoyance. She rambled so much. So not elegant. She kept jumping around like overexcited Pomeranian.
Eventually she grew on me though and I started to look forward for her visit, not that I would ever admit it.
She talked at me a lot. I didn't understand half what she is saying though. She asked me to dance with her once. She even put on a suit.
I don't understand why she did all of this. My heart is racing whenever she is near.
One day I overheard Yaz and Ryan talking about Mistress and the dollhouse, something about how the Doctor has dismantled the whole setting. I didn't feel upset though for some reason.
I have a new mistress. The Doctor.
When I said it to the Doctor, she grimaced and forbid me from calling her Mistress. She insisted I called her Doctor. I was confused. Did she want me to be a nurse then?
The Doctor looked at me with adoration and said, "You can be anything you want, Emma."
"Then what do you want me to be if not a doll or a nurse?" I asked.
The Doctor looked sad and heartbroken and she didn't reply.
A/N2: Originally posted on Tumblr with the format reader-insert. Since I wanted to post it here, I have to give (name) a random name. Even though I kinda like using (name) and (yn) as it is not for inserting any names. Does that make sense? Anyway, what do you think of this fic? Please leave review if you like this fic.