While he had "left" the Lost Homeland, Alice had been a little more active aboard the ship than Duncan had... anticipated.
He had always thought this Gothic doll had the air of an elegant, proper young lady—though she could make sharp turns, surf, and talk trash, she was indeed elegant and quiet under normal circumstances. She was cautious in everything she did aboard the ship, honest and well-behaved in unfamiliar surroundings, and when she had nothing to do, she would even lie quietly in her box like an ordinary doll, the very picture of harmlessness.
But now it seemed she was only this quiet when he was nearby?
The suddenly heavy atmosphere in the room made Alice a little nervous. She carefully glanced at the expressionless Duncan. "Captain, you're not angry, are you? I can explain..."
"I know. You were trying to help, but failed to do so," Duncan said helplessly, glancing at Miss Doll. "But since you know that many things on this ship are 'alive,' could you check with me or my first mate before you decide to do anything next time?"
Alice immediately nodded repeatedly and answered loudly, "Yes, Captain! No problem, Captain!"
Then she immediately turned toward Goat Head and muttered softly, "Is 'attempted helping' even a thing?"
Goat Head was unusually concise. "It is now."
"All right, if you really want to help, go check the dried fish hanging on the deck, or organize the food storage in the kitchen and clear out some space. We may have a chance to replenish the Lost Homeland's supplies in the future," Duncan said with a sigh, looking at Alice. "Don't mess with the cannons below deck or the ammunition hold—they aren't like Goat Head, with complete intelligence. Those dangerous things only react instinctively to outside stimuli. If