Author Note: I'm feeling so generous with all these double updates this week, I must be giddy because it's my birthday next week lol Well everyone class is in session let's enjoy PlayHouse shall we? m(_ _)m Do you want to play?
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If she thought the bath house was strange, the full classroom equipped with a podium and chalkboard that fit so convientantly in a room was just down right bizarre.

But, hey, that's magic.

Six wooden desks aligned horizontally infront of Miss Mona's mahogoney desk.

Showered in sunlight let in by the rectangular windows and the entire room smelt of the flowers outside.

Leave it to Master Mark to have an appropriate school girl uniform for the Dolls to wear to class as well.

A deep blue blazer and skirt with the seal insignia, a white button up, thigh high stockings and shoes and a cute deep blue barret with a red ribbon.

Talia's cheek was to the desktop as she continued to snore obnoxiously.

Karin hid a manga in her textbook and continued to read happily.

Mari was doodling in her pretty pink rhinestone notebook.

Fuan was munching away on another breakfast muffin and Rea was.....no where to be found? She wasn't at her desk.

Chrysalis looked around and gasped as she came face to face with Rea. How did she always do that?

"I'm sorry"

She said stoicly and Chrysalis' eyes rounded out of curiosity.

Rea said nothing else as she continued to her desk and pulled down the window blinds to block the sun that was in her face.

All six were now accounted for and Chrysalis began to twiddle her thumbs.

This was really nice.

She's never been to class like this before and she found herself smiling from ear to ear.

Miss Mona walked in gracefully, wearing her usual gothic lolita outfit but instead of a deep orange it was a deep blue that matched their uniforms and her hair was done in a nice updo.

"Talia"
"Zzzzzzzz"
"Talia wake up"

Chrysalis nudged Talia's sleeping form lightly as Mona made her way to her desk at the front.

She was sleeping so peacefully she didn't budge. Suddenly Talia's body glowed blue and she stiffly rose from her desk and made her way up to the front.

"Wait wait I want a picture!"
"That is just too funny!"
"Poor Talia....."
"............"

Talia's body started flailing around, dancing, and hopping strangely. Limbs were wiggling everywhere and all the girls started to giggle.

"Good Morning Master Mark"

The girls sung in unison and Chrysalis just noticed the demon leaning against the door in a grey tshirt and black jeans.

His smile was infectious as his fingers danced in the air while controlling Talia.

What...what...CRAP was I asleep again?!
"Yes, yes you were Talia but do continue the show for your friends. You're doing a marvelous job"

Mark laughed brightly as Talia's conscious awoke. He released her to continue dancing on her own. As everyone clapped Talia pouted cutely.

"Master you're so mean!"

She trudged back to her desk and slumped into her chair feeling embarrassed. Chrysalis smiled guiltyly.

"I tried to wake you up"
"Did you tug on my twintail?"
"No..."
"Next time be a pal and do that will ya"

The two girls laughed and Chrysalis brought her gaze up to the person casting a shadow over her desk. She bowed her head respectfully.

"Master"
"Chrysalis"

He smiled down sweetly at her and brushed his hand along her jawline. Her cheeks tinted pink as she became self-concious of the others around them.

"Don't worry Pretty. All my Dolls get the same amount of affection, no need to be shy"
"Dawww look she's as pink as a peach~"
"Master must we all be here for this basic lesson. We've all gone through it already"

Mari asked as she chewed lightly on the end of her pen. Mark smiled widely as he made his way over and patted her head.

"So incase she has any questions I know my Princess will be here to help her right?"
"Yes Master~"
"Master's Pet...."
"Shut up Talia!"

Mark chuckled lightly and made his way over to Karin's desk. He knelt to her height.

"How's the reading coming Karin?"
"Sasuke became evil Master. I saw it coming though"
"Of course my little book fairy knew~ Make sure to pay attention in class too or else no new manga"
"Yes Master~"

"Fuan"
"Yes Master~?"
"Did you at least share with your sisters?"
"Of course I did~ They each had one!"
"Just one? and you?"
"A little more than one"

She laughed brightly. Mark wiped the crumbs from the corner of with his thumb and brought it to his lips.

"They are delicious aren't they"
"They're the bees knees Master~"

Everyone watched as Mark stood infront of Rea's desk and she looked up slowly.

He bent down, brushed the hair behind her ear and whispered. She nodded slightly and he kissed her cheek affectionately.

He stood back up and snapped his fingers to make a rose appear in his hand then he placed it in Rea's hair and smiled.

"For you my Dear"
"Thank you Master"

Mark blurred over to the door and bowed.

"Now carry on you all. Be good"
"Goodbye Master"

Chrysalis was surprised that class actually carried on like an actual class.

Mona taught math and English and dabbled a bit in science and history. She learned Miss Mona didn't enjoy science very much.

"Science is out to prove everything has a meaning, a reason, an explaination. A magical being needs no such logic don't you agree"
"I wanna see science explain the size of Master's huge d....."
"Talia"
"I was obviously gonna say "dormitory"~"

"Ladies" 

One by one the 5 girls made their way to the front of the room leaving Chrysalis bewildered in her seat. They stood in aligment next to the desk as Miss Mona stood infront of her.

"Now for the Doll lessons Chrysalis. All your questions will be answered here and from what I've heard you already know of the golden rules"
"Yes Miss Mona, how we serve, protect and cause no harm to the Master but......"
"In due time Dear"

Miss Mona began with the basics.

Master Mark was a "Puppeteer."

A demon who collects humans with miserable lives off the streets and makes them his minions. His "Doll." 

There was a whole society of Puppeteers and equally 100's or 1000's of Dolls in existance and more.

To become a Puppeteer the demon must first be approved by Grand Master Jaebeom, the original Puppeteer.

If approved he bestows said demon a vessel.

This vessel looks like a rag voodoo doll and to practice their powers the demon must control this "Doll."

As a "Doll" a part of the demon's soul lives inside you hence the marking under her ear.

"Master's soul is inside of me?"
"Yes Chrysalis a small part of it. When he controls you, his soul, his power courses through you. Have you wondered why you feel so fatigued after he releases you? Or why it hurts so much? A human's body wasn't made to have such power coursing through their veins so it drains you but you learn to cope with training."

Once he masters the vessel the soul inside it evolves and the vessel becomes an actual Doll.

Porcelain, a character of its own.

The thought of a doll walking around on its own made Chrysalis shutter in her seat.

"Then once the demon's powers strengthen the doll evolves one last time and becomes a Marionette."
"A Marionette?"
"Yes Dear, I am what they call a Marionette"
"Oh you're not human?"

She shook her head with a smile on her face. That's why Master Mark made that joke that she was really "heartless."

"What does a Marionette do Miss Mona?"
"I am the Master's supreme caretaker, Protector, and also look after you all. I also search for Doll candidates he may enjoy and destroy those he has lost interest in."

The room's atmosphere darkened at the word "destroy." The five girls faces fell and the room grew colder.

"A Puppeteer is limited to a certain number of Dolls. The more powerful the puppeteer the more Dolls but only Grand Master Jaebeom is allowed to have as many as he desires. Master Mark's limit is now 6 making him an advanced Puppeteer.

Keep in mind Master Mark and the others are hundreds of years old and have been playing this game a very long time. Dolls come and go like the wind."

"The one before you didn't even last a day"

Rea's low voice echoed in the silence.

"Before becoming a doll a girl or boy go through a trial period with the Master. He plays with them and if he's interested he'll ask to make them a Doll but demons are very finicky. Their interest come and go. Some Dolls may last hundreds of years, some decades, others lucky if it's a week. If the Master finds no more interest in them then I...dispose of them."

Chrysalis swallowed the lump in . Dispose?

"I kill them Dear. Once a Doll is thrown away you don't just return to where you came from. You are to be killed. It's a rule of a Puppeteer."

The girls' hearts sank to their stomach.

That's a horrible fate.

To be killed just because the Master lost interest. No wonder they were always terrified.

The Master could lose interest at any second. Killing friends who've been around forever just like that. That's so cruel.

And to make matters worse there were now 6 girls, Mark's limit, what if he wanted someone different? She couldn't bear the thought.

"In the course of 3 months Master Mark has gone through 5 different candidates that he killed then I stumbled upon you Chrysalis. You have surpassed my expectations."

The girls smiled weakly at her, happy that the Master had finally decided on an official Doll.

"The role of a Doll is very simple. You are as said a "Doll." The Master may do with you as he pleases. He dresses you, you serve him, he shows you off in pageants and though it doesn't interest him much Dolls are also used in the combat arena. They may be traded for collection but Master doesn't believe in such a thing. Rea. Talia"

The two took a step forward. They smiled apologetically at Chrysalis for what she didn't know.

"Talia and Rea are our combat Dolls. Master Jackson insisted Master Mark have a few he could spar with."
"Spar with a demon?"
"A demon and his dolls Dear"
"How is that possible, we're only human"

A devilish grin spread across the three girls faces.

Mona's glass eyes glowed a faint blue causing the seals on Rea and Talia to glow as well.

Like lightning Talia blurred behind Chrysalis and quickly pulled her seat back from her desk as Rea leaped into the air with inhuman like agility and smashed her desk with her fist into pieces.

Debree flew everywhere.

Chrysalis' eyes were fully open with fear and intrigue. That shattered desk could've been her.

"As Master's Marionette I was born of his spirit thus allowing me to "activate" his spirit within you as well. When activated his abilities flow through you making you, well....."

"It's why Master Mark scolded me and I got smooshed to the ground. We are not allowed to walk around while activated because we can cause harm."
"Can we not activate ourselves?"
"No Dear only I or Master Mark can. That is where golden rule three comes into play. Without us you are all defenseless against outside forces. Demons will be demons and will want to cause destruction so you are not allowed to leave the house without our supervision. Do you understand?"
"Yes Miss Mona"

"Other rules are as followed you are not to interact with other Puppeteers without the Master unless allowed. They will have no trouble causing you harm or steal you away or kill you, which are all illegal for a Puppeteer to do to other's Dolls. You are not to fight with other Dolls outside the battle arena. You are not allowed to hurt innocents, but that's more of a rule for a Puppeteer."

The rest of the rules sounded pretty self explainatory though her thoughts were still in a frenzy over the fact she could be killed at any second.

"Everyone was happy that Master said he had a complete set last night? Why?"
"It means that the Master is content with you all and won't be disposing of any of you anytime soon."
"I don't think I can handle anymore deaths Darlin so make sure to keep being a sweety okay."

Everyone stood from their desks and gathered around Chrysalis, hugging her and sighing a sigh of long awaited relief.

"And Chrysalis, one last thing"
"Yes Miss Mona"
"You must not fall in love with the Master"

This rule puzzled her. Fall in love with Master Mark? Are demons capable of love?

"Why....."
"Just don't Dear. It'll be no good for the both of you. And with that class is over for the day. Master has gone over to Master Jackson's house so you are all free to do as you please."
"Thank you Miss Mona"

"Fu....Fuan keep it away from me! KYAHH!"
"Come on Karin it's just a little beetle~"

The garden was filled with light laughter as Miss Mona brought everyone out to enjoy a picnic.

All Dolls dawning a white lace dress and parisol, maids sat an assortment of snacks and refreshments at the table.

Chrysalis couldn't help but notice every once in a while she would get looks of envy or hatred.

"Don't mind them. The ones giving you the stink eye are Doll rejects who Master Mark didn't give the time of day."

Mari said as a matter of factly. She brought her fine china cup to her lips.

Some of the staff had come to hope to be pampered in the way that Master's Dolls were but he wasn't interested. If only they knew the risks would they still be so willing?

"Miss Mona"
"Yes Dear"
"Are there no female demons?"
"There are females that roam the demon realm but none "demons." Female demons are frowned upon and hunted."
"How come?"
"It's not relevant to you Dear don't worry about it."

Chrysalis turned towards Rea who was gazing out at the maze.

"How long has everyone been a Doll?"
"Talia was Master's first Doll"
"EHHHHHH?!"

Chrysalis' head snapped up towards the girl infront of her currently stuffing mini sandwiches obnoxiously into her cheeks.

"I was the first one that's true~ I think that's why I've lasted so long because you never forget your first"
"I've told the Master I should get rid of you over and over again for your constant misbehavior"
"Oh Miss Mona I love you too"

She laughed brightly and threw her arms over Mona's shoulder.

Mona had this motherly smile on her face.

That was what she was, their mother. She looked after them and cared for them and if anyone knew the pain of this lifestyle it was Mona and Talia.

"So you're 100 years old Talia?"
"Older than that and Miss Mona's alot older than me! But as Dolls we don't age~"
"Mari is the second oldest. Clocking in at a good 100 years under me but 100's of years older than you guys"
"Hmmph age is only a number"
"Next is Rea, she was the first combat Doll and I just happened to get the knack for it~"

"I was given to Master Mark by Grand Master Jaebeom."
"Really???"
"Yes. Master Jaebeom has specific tastes and he did not want to dispose of me for which I am grateful so he handed me to Miss Mona."
"No wonder you're so beautiful"
"I heard that Chysalis, do not forget I am the Princess!"

The table came alive with laughter as Fuan and Karin joined.

"Karin and I joined around the same time a few decades ago. We're still babies in a sense."
"But you're all so different. Does Master Mark not have a specific taste?"
"None at all, if he likes them he likes them and if not, ya get the boot"
"Fun fact Chrysalis we are all based off of butterflies like the symbol on our necks"

She did notice that.

Everyone's name correlated to a butterfly in some way and had their own specific colors and personalities especially Miss Mona. The "Monarch" butterfly. Chrysalis. The stage before a butterfly. 

"Are we allowed to be friends with other Dolls?"
"Yes but we're not allowed at others houses without the Master and demons aren't exactly the babysitting type so we all mingle at the Puppeteer gatherings that pop up."
"Is that like a party"
"A ball Chrysalis"
"Demons are so old fashioned......"

She learned so much today and Chrysalis couldn't help but smile at the people around her. She's been alone for so long and though her life was hanging by a thread...she was happy.

Her eyes wandered behind her sisters' head and to the huge maze.

"What is that for?"

Everyone's heads turned simultaneously and everyone smiled except for Karin.

"The Maze. A training tool for both Master, Miss Mona and the rest of us."
"I still don't like it...."
"Aww it's cause you're so sweet and innocent Karin. You just need to learn to let off some steam like the rest of us~"

"Care for a little match Mona?"

Everyone's head turned towards Mark who just appeared out of thin air. He was cutely munching on a little sandwich with his eyes rounded in anticipation.

"But Chrysalis has yet to have any combat training"
"She'll be fine, Talia will watch over her. What do you say?"

The table roared to life and Karin lowered her head back into her Manga.

Mark turned to Chrysalis with that dark smile on his face he usually had in his bedroom when he was feeling more...all natural in a demonic way.

"What do you say Chrysalis? Do you want to play?"
"I...."
"Come on Chrys it'll be fun I got your back!"
"Okay...."
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Author Note: "Can science explain Master's huge d..." Talia oh I love you and your lewd comments. If you have anymore questions about the Dolls and Demons that I might've missed let me know and I'll be happy to readvise and stick it in~ See you next week for another The Playhouse m(_ _)m