Doll still doesn't think she has much of a choice. But, more importantly, Doll's instincts tell her that this is a risk worth taking.

So Doll obediently returns to the circle, and waits, while Zildra retreats a little, rests on her tail once more, and raises her hand.

Brightness. The circle (These are letters, Doll realises) glows, as does Zildra's hand. And her voice is calm, commanding, and steady.

"If Doll wishes to contract with the Gorgon mage Zildra, to share their destinies, to explore knowledge together, as pactmakers, they will accept the name of Tilda, and state their acceptance of the pact. Together, until one or the other dies... Does Tilda, Living Doll, accept this pact between us?"

Doll can feel it... The magic connects them, and, for the first time, Doll truly feels Zildra's power. And something else.

Warmth. Kinship.

Doll wants it. Doll wants to know more. Doll wants to go forward, with Zildra.

"Tilda, Living Doll, accepts the pact, and will share their fate with Zildra, Gorgon mage. May the pact bind us until death, and may knowledge be gained together."

Doll... No, Tilda, wasn't able to control what she said. But it was right. It felt like what she wanted to say, even if she didn't say the words of her own choice.

And Tilda... Feels warm. Her chest, and her hand feel hot, in fact. But it doesn't hurt. Tilda is strangely pleased at this. This is...

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A confirmation of trust. Yes. That's exactly what a pact is.

That... Was, and wasn't an intrusive thought. She thought what it thought, and it thought what she thought.

And, before she knew it, it was done. Tilda felt stronger. Tilda felt like her mind was clearer. And Tilda's voice showed her pleasure.

"Tilda... Likes her name. Thank you."

Zildra's smile is the brightest it's been. "You're welcome." And then, a brief frown. "Ahhhh, one more down. And I'm not strong enough to get any more. Not right now, at least."

Yes. Tilda can feel it. Zildra was not as strong as Tilda thought at first... Tilda is stronger. And Tilda knows that she will get stronger still, and soon.

But Zildra is not an enemy. Zildra is... She searches through the words (so many words!) newly gained... Zildra is...

A friend. Yes. Warmth. Trust.

"Tilda... Will help Zildra. She doesn't know how, but Zildra is... A friend. Tilda will help her friend."

Zildra blinks. She says nothing, her eyes wide, her mouth open. Her voice is surprisingly timid, quiet.

"A friend?"

"A friend."

The timid look fades into thoughtfulness. To a faint smile. And Zildra mutters quietly to herself.

"Friend..."

Tilda starts walking toward Zildra. The circle appears to have vanished, but it seems unimportant.

And then she stops.

Looks toward the statues...

No... The...

"Petrified. And still... Alive."

Zildra looks up, and moves beside Tilda. "Oh yes, still alive. They can feed my magic, unlike monsters, which is how I was able to do what I did. Without it..." She laughs, but it's not a happy laugh "...Without it, I am a lowly wind mage, about the same level as your water magic."

Tilda thinks...

...Looks at Zildra. And, only briefly weighing the trust versus what she now knows is the power of her knowledge, says something, quiet and contemplative.

"Tilda wonders... If she can eat adventurer skills like she can eat monster skills. She didn't know, because she never thought she could try..."

Zildra looks down, a little shocked.

And then looks back at the adventurer, eyebrow raised.

"It's certainly knowledge... Don't you think?"