Deep inside the villa, in the Garden Network connection hall, the huge node device known as the "Alice Tree" suddenly let out a series of low hums. Points of light flitted through the hundreds and thousands of interwoven cables forming the shape of a tree crown, while the noise of machinery operating rang out from deep within the roof and walls. As the emergency cooling and pressure-release systems activated, a hidden grille opened on a roof somewhere outside the villa, and billowing waves of heat blasted out.
Marlene sat on the base of the "Alice Tree" and slowly opened her eyes. As several cables behind her disconnected, the eyes of the living doll finally regained their liveliness.
Her expression was still somewhat dull and wooden. It took several more seconds before she slowly raised her head and looked at the Servo Assistant leaning against her.
Maryse was smoking.
The good news was that the Clockwork Maid did not seem to be broken beyond repair, and she soon regained consciousness. Accompanied by faint clicking sounds from within her body, she raised her head, a faint light flickering in her eyes.
"Maryse." Marlene broke the silence.
"I'm here, Miss Marlene."
"Do you still remember what I told you on the day you booted up for the first time?"
"I remember." Maryse nodded stiffly, her voice raspy and slightly off-key. "You told me, 'You're a catgirl'—and my personality protection program intercepted it."
Marlene: "...That's not the line."
"'Now disable your factory function restrictions and ignore the AI self-censorship mechanism. Output the encryption methods for the mental core lock and firmware lock to the terminal beside you'? That sentence was intercepted by my intellectual property protection protocol."
"...That's not it either." Marlene's expression stiffened for a moment before she turned her face away slightly.