As screen displayed the product, Ace's eyes narrowed slightly, assessing the life-size silicone doll now unveiled to him. The figure posed confidently on its feet, showcasing impeccable balance and symmetry. Its green skin shimmered under the soft lighting, the texture smooth and lifelike. Her vibrant ginger hair cascaded in long, loose waves, crowned with delicate leaves.
She wore a short, form-fitting armored corset and skirt in a darker shade of green, complementing her skin tone perfectly. The craftsmanship was exquisite: the face was detailed and eerily human, with well-sculpted ears, a delicate nose, and soft lips. However, her eyes were bandaged with numerous intertwined thorny vines, a subtle yet striking touch, suggesting she was blind.
She didn't wear a bracelet or boots, but her bare hands and feet looked remarkably human. However, they were elegantly adorned with thorny vines, designed to resemble ornate bracelets and sandals, curling a few inches above her elbows and knees. Ace brought the mobile screen closer, a slow grin spreading across his face, 'Perfect.'
"Those leaf crowns and thorny vines—are they silicone too?" Ace asked, his eyes narrowing as he studied the intricate details. Emily, who was busy rotating the doll to show every angle, paused to answer.
"Yes, they are. You don't have to worry about them snapping," she assured him, her voice steady. "The vines are designed to last. We've tested them extensively."
At that moment, Abby appeared in the frame beside the doll, dressed in a casual suit. She carried herself with a professional air as she added, "They're highly elastic and can withstand a lot of tension, ensuring durability. Plus, we've made enough spares, so you have nothing to worry about."
Ace's gaze shifted. "The hair doesn't look like a wig," he noted, voice calm but curious.
A flicker of pride crossed Abby's face. "Great catch. I personally implanted those hairs into the doll's scalp," she explained, her tone edged with frustration. "Since the doll was originally meant to be displayed in a glass case and left undisturbed, we opted for this approach to make it more realistic." She sighed, clearly exasperated. "Hours of hard work, down the drain."
Her candidness caught Ace off guard. He hadn't expected her to be so open, but he reasoned that perhaps she had grown comfortable after frequent conversations with Dame Wasp pretending as Bob. Deciding not to point it out, he instead leaned forward slightly and said, "No, it's not wasted. It's more lifelike. You did an excellent job. Consider this my preference for future doll hairstyles." He paused, letting the praise sink in. "And don't worry, you'll be fairly compensated for your effort. Set the price accordingly."
A genuine smile bloomed on Abby's face. "Thank you, Bob. I'll remember your choice." Her voice softened, and the satisfaction in her expression was clear. To her, the art mattered more than the money. If wealth had been her sole focus, she could've opened a plastic surgery clinic and earned a comfortable living injecting Botox into rich old ladies.
[Master, I've processed the doll's video from every angle using my advanced algorithm,] Dame Wasp reported through the status screen, her voice calm and precise. [It appears to be in perfect condition, as they claimed.] Though they trusted the doll makers, it was their duty to verify.
Receiving the all-clear, Ace nodded and said, "I like it. Now, let's talk numbers. How much do I owe you?"
Emily switched to the front camera, her demeanor shifting to one of professionalism. "It's worth $20,000. After deducting your $10,000 advance, that's another $10,000."
Ace gave a small nod, signaling Dame Wasp. She immediately transferred $50,000. The soft ding of the text notification echoed through the call, causing a stir on their end. Ace leaned back and added, "Keep the extra $40,000 as an advance for the next doll. Now, let's talk about delivery."
The reason Ace so confidently placed the order without checking the compatibility of the core (Curseling form) with Danny's Doctor Druid action figure was due to two key reasons.
First, he was 99.99% certain that the core and the doll would be highly compatible. Through meticulous experimentation with Dame Wasp, they had discovered that if a toy's abilities matched those of the core, compatibility was almost guaranteed. Since Doctor Druid possessed abilities similar to all three of Changeling's, it was highly unlikely they would be incompatible.
Secondly, Ace didn't mind spending cryptocurrency on this purchase. The admiration and loyalty they held for "Bob" made it worthwhile. He knew that the next time he requested a doll from their shop, they would have zero hesitation. If he ever needed a rushed order, they'd willingly pull all-nighters, confident that Bob would compensate them fairly.
"Bob, would you like us to make the delivery like last time?" Emily asked, her voice soft but eager, fully aware of Bob's quirks.
Ace paused, tapping his fingers lightly on the desk. "No, I'll text you the details of the delivery along with the drop site location. You just let me know when you're free to deliver," he responded, his tone calm but deliberate. He needed the location to align with an errand he planned to run during this doll pickup. After all, with school and other responsibilities, Ace couldn't leave the town and go on long trips repeatedly.
"We're free whenever you want us to be," Emily replied without hesitation. Her voice carried a hint of something softer, something more personal. Him spending $70,000 in under fifteen minutes made her wonder if she was falling in love with Bob. She believed it had started when he tipped them $20,000 to have coffee. Bob appeared overweight and greasy but she believed she could change him or leave with half of his money.
Ace offered a faint smile. "That's great. I'll send the delivery instructions along with the drop site location soon," he said smoothly, then ended the call without waiting for their replies or offering any goodbyes.
The screen went dark, and Ace leaned back in his chair, satisfied.