"Und dieser Traum war alles, was mir blieb in all der Zeit"
Literally: And this dream was all that was left to me all this time
from The Count of Monte Cristo by Frank Wildhorn
As you may guess I was very excited about the party and looking forward to it. I was jumping about a just little more and was just a little less careful then usually. That is the only explanation I can give.
Just the day of the dance, in the morning I was on my way down from the shelf to talk about some thing or other concerning the dancefloor to Meritre. I'm not sure what happened, perhaps my foot hit the chair or one of the drawers weren't properly closed and my foot hit and slipped on the knob? I really don't know what happened. I hit something and landed not very elegantly on the floor with burning pain in both of my ankles.
I'm soooooo good at this. It happens. I didn't think it was very serious and hoped that it would be better in a few minutes as so many times before and I can go on. I managed to get into a somewhat upright position, too. Now standing up can be a little tricky.
Luckily the others were out and preparing things for the party in the other room or they would have made a fuss. I thought nobody saw me but I was wrong. Of all dolls the doctor was the first to come, she saw what happened and came to check if I needed help. You can count on Sorghoktani, no matter what.
I must have looked quite miserable with my ankles still hurting very badly as she guessed that this was a case for her.
"No need to talk, I saw what happened. I'll help you so you can sit down over there." she said.
You could possibly try telling your sister everything's all right (although I doubt she would have believed it) but it was impossible to say the same to the doctor.
Especially when you're hissing because of the pain while she helps you up and leads you to a pile of books where you can sit down.
She then asked me to pulled my skirt a little up so she could have a proper look.
'You have probably hurt your ankle. Both your ankles." she said after a quick look. 'I'll have to set them. Both.'
I tried to get a glimpse of my ankles myself. It looked quite bad.Ok, I mean my boots. But it still looked bad.
And on top of that, my sister appeared out of nowhere. As if she somehow knew that something has happened. She wanted to know what's going on and Sorghoktani filled her in while went on and examined my feet through the boot very carefully.
'Badly strained ankles. You need to rest.' she announced finally.
'But it will be all right until the evening, right?' I asked. I was still hopeful.
'Dancing? I doubt you'll be able to walk. I'm sorry, sis, but looks like you have to stay at home. No worries, I'll be there for you.' my sister said.
'No need to do so' I tried to convince her that there was no need to sit around me and she should go and enjoy herself.
'No, I'm staying with you. There'll be more than enough ladies there.'
We discussed the matter thoroughly once more and Sorghi took advantage of my beeing distracted to set my ankles. It did hurt but not as much as before.
'Now the other one. You go on talking.' she said.
But I wasn't really distracted anymore and the second ankle setting was much more painful than the first. I was amazed by her skills nevertheless.
'You were able to do it without takin off my boots. Pracically blindly. But why didn't you take them off?'
'That would have made your injury much worse. All that pulling wouldn't have done your ankle any good, no matter how careful we would have been. Better this way.'
'Thank you, Sorghi. Now getting some rest.' I stood up, thinking I'd be able to get to my usual spot with my ankles set. I was never so wrong in my life. I wasn't able to do one step and would have fallen if Sorghoktani wouldn't have caught me.
What a big fool I am, I thought. Now it hurt so much I could hardly hold back my tears.
'It's my fault, I forgot to tell you not to move.' she said.
'Well, talking about getting some rest and getting up doesn't really match.' That was my sisters opinion.And she was right as almost always.
Sorghoktani lowered me on the books once more.
'I think it would be best if you just stayed here. No standing up, no moving the legs.' she said.
'Now we need to find a way to get her somewhere nice and quiet.'
'Yes. She'll need lots of sleep to heal faster. I'll give her somethingto make her sleepy.' the doctor promised. Kiki made a surprised face. The doctor explained a moment later.
'It's very painful for poor Dolly, with the setting and all. She couldn't sleep although she needs it badly. The faster the pain is gone, the better. And even better if she isn't awake to feel that pain.'
They went and told Meritre about the misfortune that happened, while I sat on the books waiting.
So Meritre, again, set up a resting place for me and Sorghoktani prepared the sleeping stuff. She also got a pack of paper handkerchieves to put it under my ankles. A soft yet stable support is what they need now, she claimed.
I was more concerned about the medicine, I didn't like the idea of taking sleeping pills but soon I had to realise that the doctor was right. I could only focus on my ankles, they hurt so much.
'I'm not happy about it, either but there is nothing better to be done. Drink that and you'll sleep soundly till morning. Then it'll be much better.'
'I'll stay here with you' Kiki said.
And we started again. But this time, I won with Sorghi unknowingly helping me.
'I couldn't have fun knowing you're miserable.' my sister said.
'And
I couldn't sit still knowing you miss the fun because of
me.' I answered of course 'Maybe I'll even sleepwalk!'
'Actually, the more dolls are around, the more noise is ther and that could wake her.'
'Ok, ok, I get it, sis. I'll go.' Kiki said.
'And you go too, Sorghoktani.'
She could hardly take back what she said about noisy nurses so she reluctanty agreed after things were arranged so everybody was satisfyed. We agreed that Flit, Sorghoktanis pet bird is going to stay with me and report every hour to the doctor.
Now I ruined my own plan since I can't go to the dance. I wouldn't want
them to put it off just because of me but I'm still not happy that I
have to stay behind. They are all so sweet, can you imagine, they are
already planning the next one that 'll be held as soon as I'm ready to
go. I have the best friends in the world.
I drank that strange liquid that was to make me sleepy and my head became heavy quite quickly. I remember hearing some music and laughing while beeing half asleep.
It's so typical. Why is it always me who needs tha docor? If there is a fever to catch, I always do so. If there is dollfluenza going around, I'm sure to come down with it. Even if nobody else gets it. And if there is absolutely no illness roaming among the dolls then I find other ways to hurt myself, however careful I try to be.
Note by Sorghoktani: Dorothea fell asleep within a few minutes.
I watched her for a little while before leaving for the dance. Oh right, Flit must be sent over first.
Note by Kiki:
She most likely doesn't know but Dolly didn't only ruin her own plans. I have to think of a new plan myself. And Vester who could be called the dancing king (if Dolly is the dancing queen ;) was busy teaching dancing all the dolls. (Meritre asked him to do that, othervise he wouldn't have dreamed to do it) I have to say he wasn't as enthusiastic as he was when he had just one pupil. His mood wasn't lifted when he accidentally overheard the girls that Dolly definitely won't came.
In fact, he couldn't be more disappointed.
I have an idea. Dolly will surely want to hear what was the party like, if something interesting happened and so on. I'll bring her a visitor to tell her evereything ;)
No, I'm not mean. I just want them to talk a little.