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[X] Try applying some of that theory; let's see if you've actually learned something.
[X] Check on Alice, what's she working on?

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"Magic Time!," Anon says aloud.

Bringing the book, he steps out of the house to practice outside. He recalls that some magic is extremely destructive, and he doesn't want to take any chances. Plus, he doesn't feel like waving his arms around stupidly for Alice to see.

He finds a quiet spot in the clearing behind the house and begins the exercises from the book. Breathing exercises are followed by hand gestures. Hand gestures are followed by command words. Command words are followed by using all three in order. He patiently follows the instructions on the book.

By the time he realizes it, the night has enveloped the sky in darkness. He shakes his head and sighs. "I suppose magic can't be learned by books alone," he tells himself as he walks back inside. "If anything, all I learned is that a lot of bugs come out at night in this forest," he says as he scratches the places where he was bitten.

A pleasant odor wafts in from the kitchen. Curious, he puts the book down on the table and follows the smell. He is mildly surprised to find three dolls preparing dinner. One is chopping vegetables, one is stirring some soup in a pot, and one is getting dishes from a cabinet. Not wanting to disturb them, he returns to the hallway.

He decides to check on Alice. He gently knocks on the door and lets himself in. He looks around to see that this is indeed a doll-maker's workshop. All types of fabric and wood lie on the shelves. There is wool, silk, and even denim. An open drawer on the right reveals it to be full of glass eyes, plastic buttons, and other doodads. An electric sewing machine lies in the corner ("Wonder how they power it," he asks himself).

Alice herself is sitting beside a workdesk with one hand holding her chin. Her other hand moves to draw or erase something every so often. She seems to be engrossed in her work. To her right, Shanghai and another doll sit lifelessly on a shelf.

"So, what are you working on?" Anon asks.

"..."

"I was practicing magic earlier outside, but I couldn't even manage a spark. Can you give me some tips?"

"..."

"I saw your dolls preparing dinner earlier. Is it any easier at all to cook using the dolls?"

"..."

"So I heard you like other girls?"

"..."

Anon sighs. If she doesn't react to that, then she probably hasn't even noticed he entered the room. It is quite impressive how she can maintain her concentration into her work so deeply. But he can't help but find it all to be a bit creepy.

He heads back out to the table and glances back at the books. Dinner should be ready soon, but Marisa hasn't arrived.

He looks around. The room he is in seems to be used for entertaining and feeding guests, as there is a dining table as well. Besides the kitchen and the workshop, there are two other doors that he hasn't entered. There is also a staircase going up to the second floor. Alice doesn't seem to be leaving the workshop anytime soon.

[ ] Explore the first floor. Might find something useful.
[ ] Explore the second floor. Might find something nice.
[ ] Go back to reading. Wait patiently until dinnertime.
[ ] Custom