I am a doll.
I am sitting in a chair, the high rigid back pressing against my equally still spine, my lack of height is made even more obvious by the build of this piece of furniture. Not quite a throne, yet in it I am the reigning Princess. The chair may be plain but it is my presence that makes it regal, because I have the frozen poise of a breathtaking ornament. This is my castle, this empty room, because I am the only colour within these four white walls.
Pale flaxen locks cascade down my shoulders, their colour complimenting rather than contrasting against the lightness of my skin, though my cheeks are decorated with a rouge tint that hides a natural blush. Said blush is one small element of the powdery make-up that decorates my face which all results in a porcelain finish. Painted black lashes hang lazily over grey eyes which stare forward at the wall, the odd flicker my only true hint of life.
I cannot help but betray myself and blink several times as a sharp 'click' breaks the silence of my "castle", but immediately I force the stoic expression back onto my face despite the clear sensation of my heart pounding in my chest as though it is trying to knock upon my chest like a door, something this stranger clearly did not have the manners to attempt.
The door is behind me so I am unable to see the invader, so instead my ears are alert and I feel like a curious cat as they pick up each tap of the stranger's footsteps against the hard flooring. Each step seems to echo my heartbeat, but still the powdery finish of my painted face promises not to betray me, even though there is a sense of dread welling up inside my chest.
Before I can truly think, there he is. The man stands in front of me and looks down at my form, an almost amused look on his face. "So what is this?" he asks. "A doll?" My body threatens to shiver at the word. "It's life size! That's impressive."
He kneels down and begins to inspect me, tilting his head left and right as he looks at my features one by one, making the odd comment here and there about the excellence of my craftsmanship, clearly he has never seen a doll as impressive as me and this thought makes my heart swell.
Pride soon turns to nervousness as a finger suddenly darts towards my face, stopping just before my face. That slender digit swoops down to press gently against my delicate lip, his skin tone a sharp contrast against the blood red colour that has been used to make my mouth stand out against my pale flesh. He simply lets it rest there before stroking it along and away from my face, his hand once more resting against his side.
Soon his attention turns to my outfit as he starts to pick at the layers of lace and pearl ribbons that decorate my skirt, my entire body is adorned in a Victorian inspired ensemble that is very child-like in nature and completely snow white apart from the pearlescent gleam of some of the ribbons and beadwork.