Change sighed, relieved to see Diamond beginning to calm down. Carefully, he dried his face with his fingers, removing the traces of tears that still glistened on his cloth skin.
"You don't have any new clothes to change into," he said calmly. "We can go to a shop in town. The seamstress will make you something custom-made. Would you like that?"
Diamond nodded silently and let himself be lifted when Change gently took hold of him below the knees, just like the first time he brought him to town. As they stepped outside the house, the fresh air welcomed them. This time, it was Diamond who spoke first.
"You said you were going to tell me things about this town," he recalled with a touch of curiosity
"Oh, that's right," Change replied, resuming his walk. "This place is quite old... about fifty, more or less. I founded it with an old friend. We wanted to create a refuge where cloth and ceramic dolls could live in peace, without fear or prejudice. There aren't many of us, but quite a few of my companions are here... and also dolls who were unjustly expelled from their homes. Like you."
Diamond listened silently, attentively, with a mixture of wonder and melancholy in his eyes. After a few seconds, he asked a question that stopped Change in his tracks.
"Have you ever hurt a cloth doll?"
Change stood still, his gaze lost on the horizon. It took him a few seconds to answer, and when he did, his voice was firm, but charged with an almost solemn seriousness
"I'm different," he finally said, and resumed walking. "As different as I can be." Diamond was silent. Change's answer wasn't entirely clear, but for now, it was enough. He didn't want to press him any further.
After a leisurely stroll, they arrived at a modest shop, its facade unassuming but welcoming. As they opened the door, a small bell hanging from the frame jingled softly, announcing their arrival.
"I'm coming, I'm coming," came a voice from the back, and soon the seamstress appeared, a rag doll with brown hair made of braided woolen threads. Her skin was a light brown, and her eyes, two bright black buttons, gave her an old-fashioned and endearing air.
"How sweet you've brought me today, Change," she remarked with a smile upon seeing the small rag doll in the ceramic man's arms.
Diamond, somewhat nervous, glanced at the dress she was wearing: a red gown with gold trim, decorated with a precision only a skilled seamstress could achieve.
-Do you like what you see? -She asked when she noticed his curious look.
Diamond started a little and hid his face in Change's shoulder, embarrassed. In another time he wouldn't have been so shy, but... everything had changed too much in so few days.
"I need you to make her several sets of clothes," Change said, gently interrupting the moment.
-I will pay for them. You know that, as an explorer, I don't lack money.
He then carefully lowered Diamond to the ground.
-Are you an explorer? -the little boy asked, still holding Change's arm, without moving too far away.
"Of course," he replied, with a slight nod. That's why I found you. I was looking for some flowers.
-And... did you find them? -Diamond asked with some guilt, fearing that he had interrupted his mission.
Change gave a short laugh, low and warm.
"I found something much more beautiful than simple flowers," he answered, brushing his fingers against her cheek.
by Diamond. The little boy blushed instantly, moving away awkwardly.
"I need your measurements," the seamstress finally announced, taking out a measuring tape from among her tools.
Diamond nodded shyly and approached, standing still as the woman began measuring him with a gentle smile.
The seamstress began measuring Diamond with precision and a kind smile, while trying to make conversation.
-What colors do you like? -he asked curiously.
Diamond thought for a moment before answering quietly, almost murmuring:
-The pink... the black... the white too, and the blue.
"Nice combination," the seamstress commented, nodding approvingly as she wrote down the measurements in a notebook. Then he walked away towards the warehouse, searching through shelves of fabric, threads and ready-made garments. She took a few finished pieces and, with others, began sewing immediately, concentrating on her work.
Diamond took advantage of the silence to observe the workshop. She was fascinated by the fabrics arranged by color, the needles in glass jars, and the rolls of ribbon that hung from the ceiling like garlands. It was a place full of life, warm, very different from the metallic interior of his old ship.
"It shouldn't be long," Change commented, settling into a nearby wooden chair.
Diamond nodded and, after looking around, went to sit beside her. For a few minutes, they both waited in silence, accompanied only by the rhythmic sound of the needle piercing the fabric.
Finally, the seamstress returned with a satisfied smile and a small set of garments folded over her arms. They were sweet-looking dresses, with soft colors and careful details.
"Come, you should try on the clothes before you take them," she said kindly. "That way we'll see if you like them and if they fit you."
Diamond nodded and, feeling somewhat more cheerful, stood up at once, walking toward her with quick, curious steps
As Diamond removed his old clothes and tried on one of the new garments, Change watched him with his arms crossed, calm but attentive. There was no malice in his gaze, only a silent curiosity. In that world, the dolls had no gender in the human sense: some possessed more masculine or feminine forms, but all shared the same essence of fabric, ceramic, or a mixture of both materials.
The seamstress smiled with delight at the sight.
"You look beautiful in those clothes," she said enthusiastically. "Would you mind if I took some pictures? You know, to advertise my shop."
Diamond hesitated for barely a moment before nodding.
"Okay... I don't mind," he replied softly.
But before the seamstress could prepare her camera, Change stood up immediately. His footsteps echoed firmly on the wooden floor, drawing the attention of both of them. He approached until he was standing behind Diamond and placed a protective hand on his shoulder, leaning slightly forward.
"No," he said in a grave, curt tone
The seamstress looked at him, surprised by his reaction. Change, noticing the tension, softened his expression and tried to sound more relaxed.
"You don't even have any competition," he remarked in a kinder, almost joking tone. "You don't need advertising; you literally make all the citizens' clothes."
Diamond watched him, confused, not quite understanding the situation, but let himself be guided, noticing the warm weight of that hand on his shoulder.
"I could give you a discount in return," offered the seamstress, smiling mischievously.
Change didn't respond with words. He took a bag of silver coins, tossed it precisely onto the table, and in the same motion scooped Diamond into his arms, holding the bag of clothes in his other hand.
"I said no," he repeated firmly, without raising his voice, but making it clear that the conversation was over.
Diamond blinked, confused, though he didn't resist. As Change headed for the exit, the seamstress could only watch them leave, still surprised by his reaction.
"Thank you for your work," Diamond managed to say politely, just before Change practically hurried him out.
Once on the street, the fresh air eased the tension a little. Diamond looked up at his protector with a small, shy smile.
"Thank you for buying me the clothes," he said softly.
"You're welcome," replied Change, without breaking stride, his tone still a little stiff
There was a brief silence before Diamond dared to ask:
"Why... don't you think it's okay with them taking pictures of me?"
Change sighed, glancing down slightly at him as he walked.
"It's not that..." he said in a calmer tone. "I just want you to not let anyone take advantage of you, Diamond. Your image, your work, your time... all of that is worth something. Don't give it away."
Diamond looked at him thoughtfully, not quite understanding but catching the point.
"On the ship... I never had to worry about those things," he murmured.
"Out here," Change replied with a deep sigh, "things aren't so simple."
"Change," Diamond murmured, trying to get his attention.
The ceramic man looked down at him, curious.
"Yes?"
Diamond stirred slightly in his arms, his cheeks flushing.
"I like it better when you just carry me on your arm..." he confessed softly, not daring to meet his gaze.
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