Awake. He's awake in bed.
He remembers it clearly, though.
Every moment is as clear as crystal.
But... So much of it didn't make sense.
In a public space one moment... In the witch's... abode? house? dining room? tea room? the next moment, and... his own house the next?
He doesn't remember how he got to any of those places.
He doesn't know how powerful witches can be.
What if all of it was real?
Then what was that at the end?
The person closes his eyes.
He's... exhausted, still.
He covers his face with an arm.
He has no further answers.
Even if all of it was real, the witch taught him nothing about how to fix the doll.
Enigmatically claimed that he could be a good witch.
Maybe he missed something.
Maybe they fixed the doll while he was distracted.
But then... So much of that encounter didn't make sense anyway.
So maybe they fixed it without him realizing it.
The person sits up in bed.
It was mechanical. Or, at least, somewhat mechanical? The rune at its core seemed... Arcane? Different from the rest of it?
Hextech? A phrase he heard used...
When did he hear that phrase?
"Did... Did they fix you?"
But... He doesn't remember doing anything.
They... They said that he would make a good witch.
But he still knows nothing.
How is he supposed to be a good witch if he doesn't even remember how he fixed the doll?
"Did I? Really? I... I don't remember..."
"You did! And not alone, either!"
Isn't the correct phrase "But not alone?"
"What did we do to fix you?"
"You convinced them to fix me."
... Then wouldn't that mean that he did nothing?
"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't've been fixed."
... Oh. That... That makes a little more sense.
And... It tracks, in a way. An enigmatic interloper acts only because they were convinced that the act would be... worthwhile?
"I... In a way... I fixed you?"
... But he still knows nothing about how it works. All that he knows is...
Every part of it, save for the rune at its heart.
... Without realizing it, he learned a lot more than he initially realized, didn't he?
He knows how to take it apart... And put it back together.
Everything save for the rune at its heart.
With only one scratch on it.
He looks down at his hands.
Is his blood magical now?
He doesn't feel any differently.
Is there... A method to magic?
Or does it come naturally?
How does one learn without a teacher?
"Do you know how to use magic?"
Okay, so the doll doesn't know.
Which... Both makes sense and doesn't make sense.
It's a magical being. Well, at least at its core.
Maybe if he were to trace more runes upon it...
If... If he knew what runes to trace, anyway.
As of now, he knows little to nothing.
... But... Enough to fix the doll if ever it broke again.
That's... That's... More than enough, isn't it?
He's happy with what he has.
And... Maybe he'll learn more as he goes.
But... First thing's first.
"If you want to leave, I won't stop you."
"If you want to stay, I would welcome you."
He looks back down at his hands.
"I've fixed you. I'm satisfied with what I've done."
He looks back at the doll.