Ragdoll

"Mittens"

"Didn't you hear him girl? You're free." Dr. Jane Bronte strode out from behind the crates, a long overcoat obscuring most of her fabricated body. "Or did being made a rag doll scatter your wits?"

"Come on Doctor, be nice," said the man.

Hush just blinked at them both in shock.

"She's not even responding Sulley. Most people at least say 'thank you', and most end up crying from what I've seen."

Madison/Hush

Free. Madison was really free. She couldn't believe her ears. She had no idea who these people were, but they were setting her free.

"T-Thank you," Madison said quietly, unsure of her own voice. She hadn't said anything in so long.

"See, her wits are just fine," Sulley said.

Madison gathered the words to speak again. It was such a foreign feeling now. "Who are you?" she asked.

Bronte/Mittens

"The man who just liberated you is Mr. Sullivan Trans, and I am Dr. Jane Bronte. You must be, ah, the one they referred to as Hush. What's your real name?"

She was quiet for a moment. "Madison."

"Pleasure to meet you." The doctor offered her one mitten-like hand.

**sorry phantom. didn't mean for it to go that slowly.**

Kieth-

I watched as Amelia's fading shadow dissapeared up the stairs. "How far do you think she'll get?"

Ashara gave me an exasperated look. "I don't know, but we better catch her before Father sees her!" Then Ashara dissapeared and I after.

The newbie got a lot farther than I imagined. Looking outside the large windows at the front of the "house" she was just beyond the fence. That's when Mr. Camble's "guards" spotted her.

Oh great.

**I also apologize if Kieth seems a bit rude or apathetic. He's been a ragdoll for a while and has practically given up hope.**

Ashara

I stopped just as saw Amelia, Father's gaurds had seen her all right, but she was already over the fence and gone.

I couldn't help but smile. "Keith, this is great!"

He turned to me with an eyebrow rasied. "How so?"

"Ameila's escaped, AND Father can't sell you!"

Madison/Hush

The doctor extended her hand towards Madison. She stared at it for a few seconds before realizing what she was doing. She shook her hand slowly. "Pleased," she said.

Madison examined the two for a moment. The doctor was a ragdoll herself. And this man she was with didn't act like he owned her. Sully acted as if they were equals.

"Now you say I am free," Madison said. "What does that mean? I don't have anywhere to go."

Bronte/Mittens

The doctor shook Madison's hand firmly.

"It means you can do whatever you want," the doctor replied. "Though I wouldn't suggest you go off on your own. Stray rag dolls are caught up off the streets like dogs and re-sold."

Madison shuddered. "What should I do?"

"You could always join us," Sully said gently.

Kieth-

"Yeah, let's see if she can survive the night without getting recaptured."

The hall was then filled with an angry shout, or at least the echo of one. Mr. Camble and the sniveling professor came down the steps.

"ASHARA!" Ashara flinched a little and turned around, making and keeping eye contact.

"Yes?" she asked calmly.

"What have you done? My ragdoll is gone! And for some reason, you are somehow involved!"

She fought back a smile. "I didn't do anything."

"Don't lie-" the professor hissed and grabbed her arm. That was it!

"She didn't do anything!" Everyone became silent, even Ashara. The professor released his grip. "Um... She slipped past me while I was taking a nap. Ashara wasn't there."

"Kie-"

"You let her go?" Mr. Camble asked.

"Yeah."

Who knew someon'e face could change so many colors in a minute? His face flushed red, then calmed down, and then turned purple, then fuscia, then red again, and calmed back down to a frustrated pink.

"Professor, please escort Plush to the training room. I want him ready for tomorrow."

"Um... yes, sir." The professor grabbed my arm and pushed me ahead. "This will be the last doll fight you'll ever particiapate in," he hissed once we were out of ear shot.

Madison/Hush

"You could always join us," Sully said gently.

Madison considered this. Sully acted nice enough. He put her at ease. The doctor even seemed kind; she was a ragdoll herself after all.

"I will join you," Madison decided at last. "I will be free." For the first time in years, Madison smiled. It was only a pathetic little expression, but it was a smile and Madison was finally headed towards something good.

Jonah

Rain. It was such a sad thing. It always seemed to make Jonah feel gloomy and he did not like feeling that way. It was silent in the car as they drove, Alasdair sitting in the passenger seat looking as if he was going to have another temper tantrum. The gentle pattering of the rain seemed to be the substitute for their lack of conversation.

Pitter pitter pat-pat. The rain fell in a subtle pattern. Jonah felt himself being lulled into dreams of beaches and sunlight, of tropical trees and swimming with his younger brother David. Memories, that would always haunt him.

Suddenly, he saw something flash over the wall, and fall, crumpling into a ball in the middle of the street. Squealing to a stop because he didn't want to hit it, Jonah threw his door open, leaving the keys in the ignition. Approaching the object carefully, he at first thought it just a bundle of fabric but when he reached towards it, it leaped into life and leaped back from him. It was a ragdoll staring back at him, terrified.

"I won't hurt you," Jonah whispered to it, arms held up to show that he had no concealed weapons.

"I refuse to have an owner, I refuse to be used for entertainment!" She hissed, spitting at the ground.

"I have no intention of owning you--"

"Then you will bring me back to my old owner for money!" Her voice was almost desperate now, almost scared.

"I won't hurt you, I promise, just come with me and get out of the rain. I know something that might comfort you," Jonah looked over towards to car just to see Alasdair sitting in the drivers seat, grinning wildly. Just shaking his head lightly, Jonah gestured for Alasdair to get out of the car, hoping that his presence might comfort her.

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I brought you in phantom.

~Incognito

Alasdair

"Jonah, I'm hungry!" Alasdair stated, annoyed as he pushed the door open. He had been rather excited to eat, but his attention was soon caught, filled with the sight of something much like him. A harsh, bundle of fabric, glaring back at him. "Wow, anger much."

"See, you are going to capture me! You already own one!" her voice was accusing and harsh. "Leave me alone!"

Alasdair stared blankly, before breaking out into a fit of laughter. Jonah's brow furrowed as he turned towards the inconsolable ragdoll, clutching his gut in a manner of great hilarity.

"Jonah... own...me?" He stuttered through loud peels of laughter. "Thats hilarious!"

Her arms slacked a bit, but remained up, face filling with confusion. "I... dont understand..."

"That man couldn't hurt a fly let alone own one!" He seemed completely amused by everything that was going on, the large smile across his sewn cheeks revealing his enjoyment in the matter. "Oh man, I haven't laughed that hard in a long time."

"Alasdair, would you please calm down..." Jonah shook his head, crossing his arms over his chest. "Sometimes I wonder why I put up with you. It's called manners."

"It's called, 'I don't care'!" Alasdair turned back towards the car. "We'll if you'll excuse me, my materials all wet now, and I have a car to drive..."

"No you dont," Jonah said, peevishly. "I drive."

"Jonahhhh," Alasdair whined. An immature tantrum it had felt.

The girl seemed confused where she stood, arms at her sides again as her head cocked to the side in wonderment. She just stared blankly at the scene before her.

"You coming?" Alasdair asked, breaking out of a long line of profanities.

Bronte/Mittens

"Very good. Now, we should get a move on before someone arrests Sulley and confiscates the two of us." The doctor pulled a set of keys out of her pocket and strode quickly over to an old truck. "There's only two seats, but you're thin enough that we can make do."

She tossed the keys to Sulley who walked around to the driver's seat. Then she opened the door. "Come along, Madison."

**Ah! Thanks, Incognito.

Amelia

Amelia's eyes darted from the ragdoll in the car to the human in front of her. He met her eyes compassionately. It was not a look Amelia was used to, even in her human days. Amelia felt her lips twitch uncertainly for a moment, the Amelia exhaled sharply.

"Fine," she said nervously, sliding into the backseat of the car. She suck into the seat, making herself as small as possible. Amelia was going against every one of her instincts. She was going along with a complete stranger. But the human seemed kind enough, and the ragdoll was certainly not oppressed.

Amelia could only hope she had made the right choice.

The ragdoll twisted around in his seat, eyeing her. "So," he said. "What's your name?"

The human slid in the driver's seat, running his hands through his hair to shake some of the water out. He glanced at Amelia through the rear view mirror.

"Amelia," she said quickly, trying to steady her voice. The car's engine started up again, and the car was pulling away from the Camble's mansion. Amelia watched it uneasily until the car turned a corner and the building was out of sight. She sighed heavily, suddenly very tired, and leaned her head on the car window.

For the moment, at least, it seemed that Amelia was free.

Madison/Hush

After a little hesitation, Madison climbed into the truck. It was a little uncomfortable, but the three of them fit right in. Luckily Madison hadn't been one for nourishment lately and was thin enough.

"So, where are we going?" she asked.

*Sorry, I'd make longer posts but I don't know where this is going..*

Jonah

"Well then Amelia, I am not sure if you eat or not, but we are headed to a Thai restaurant. It is a cute little place, and it has some mean spring rolls." Jonah said with a smile.

"God I am hungry, can't you just drive a little bit faster?" Alasdair grumbled.

"Well that is what we call speeding."

"Well then, speed."

"That is illegal, we can get a fine for that."

"That is only if they catch you."

"And that is exactly why I won't let you drive."

Jonah couldn't help but notice that Amelia was silent, something that seemed odd for him. But he understood, and he wouldn't pester her for much because he knew how hard everything must have been for her. Pulling into the small parking lot, Alasdair threw open the door and jumped out before it even came to a stop. Jonah looked out the window at Alasdair already headed for the restaurant entrance.

"Amelia," Jonah looked through his rearview mirror at her, "I know how hard and confusing this must be for you, but let me assure you that you are safe. We are going to head in now, you can leave if you want or you can come with us, or you can plainly stay in the car to sort things out. But we would be glad if you joined us."

Jonah exited the car expertly and headed through the rain, running almost to reach Alasdair who was already waiting at the door.

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~Incognito