With the Batter’s help, Ib gathered a lot of materials- mostly rocks and logs at the moment, but there was a use for them. She could practically see what they would become- even though she wasn’t entirely sure what those things are, just that they were be helpful. Soon she had constructed a device that looked like a log with rocks attacked to it in a box-like shape, and turning wheels on the side.

This ‘Science Machine’, she knew, would help them create new things by putting the proper materials in through the top of the log, and the result would come out through the side by the wheels after being processed into something new. How the machine knew what to make from what she put in, she had no idea, but she didn’t feel like questioning wherever this generosity came from. Instead, she put in four twigs and four tufts of grass, and the machine came to life, making a loud buzzing before spitting out a backpack.

She picked up her new acquisition curiously- she couldn't tell at all how the twigs and grass turned into this. Still, it would help her carry more things, so she put it on, reminded of a similar one she had back in school. Between being taken into that gallery and ending up here, things like school seem to have happened years ago, to someone else.

The Batter walked over, examining the machine stoically. “Can this thing help me fight?”

“I can make a lot of stuff with this, yeah.”

The Batter turned around to scan the treeline, searching for threats. “Then I will continue helping you.”

Ib couldn’t help but compare him to the machine she made- he would do things if she gave direction, just as the machine made items when stuff is put in. But she had a feeling he wouldn’t help her if she couldn’t help him in return, no matter that she'd done a lot for him already. He didn’t have any concern for her at all. Or for much anything else, really. She wondered what this mission of his was, if it’s so much more important.

Adding in some more grass, she crafted some rope, then tossed the ropes back in with logs to produce two sets of log armor for them both. He took his without a word, putting it on. Ib watched his face, and saw nothing there, not a flicker of any emotion. He didn’t seem to feel anything at all, and somehow that seemed even worse than any of Mary’s terrifying rages. This man… this thing was just as much a monster as the girl Ib left.

Madotsuki peered over Mary’s shoulder to see what her friend was up to. Ever since they got back, the little artist had taken some of the supplies, and created a strange thing they both somehow knew to be a ‘Science Machine’, then started putting the reeds they gathered into it, somehow turning them into paper. After that she took the paper and some spider silk, tossing them into the machine again. Mary paused, confused. “Why isn’t it working? Is there something else I need?

She scratches her head, then gasps as it comes to her. “That’s it!” She turns to Madotsuki. “I need that black stuff!”

Madotsuki blinked and pulled out the black goop that she got from the monsters that attacked them the night before. “Are you sure it is… safe to use?” They didn’t even really know what it is, after all.

Mary nodded firmly. “Absolutely!” Madotsuki sighed and handed it over, hoping she wouldn’t regret this.

Mary took the stuff carefully, and put it in the machine. The wheels started whirring and spinning as it got to work, soon producing what looked like a doll of some sort. The painting girl cheered excitedly, and they both bent down to get a closer look.

The doll had blue skin and a pink dress, with long shaggy black hair. It had nubs for arms and legs, with visible stitching along them. It looked, in short, like the sort of doll a little girl might make for herself. Madotsuki had to wonder how the machine recreated what was likely Mary’s own toy.

Mary examined it briefly, before turning it over, revealing very large red eyes with a small blue pupil, and a stitched up red mouth fixed into an eerie grin. Madotsuki flinched involuntarily on seeing that face, but Mary only nodded, as if this were expected, before standing, hands on her hips. “Alright, stop laying around! You have a job to do!”

The doll suddenly shifted, head rising to look at them, before hopping to its feet and looking up at the two, eyes twitching back and forth quickly as it tried to take in everything. It let out a high-pitched giggle and focused on Mary, who put on a more serious, even imperious expression. “Alright, you’re going to help us get some food, okay? Follow us and keep an eye out for bad stuff!”

The doll nods, and Mary set off- Madotsuki took a moment to realize they were leaving her behind before running after them.

Ib could indeed make quite a few things with the new machine, and in fact managed to create an even better machine by shaping some rocks into slabs, cutting logs into planks, and crafting electrical… things. All of these put together created the Alchemy Machine, though so far she hadn’t stumbled upon anything new to make with it. Odd, given how quickly the idea to make it came. Perhaps the ideas would come when she had more things?

She had, however, made herself some armor like the Batter’s- the machine somehow made it perfect for her size. She had asked if the Batter wanted a weapon made, but he seemed very insistent on using his bat. She made herself a spear, though it felt strange to hold, and she very much hoped she wouldn’t need it. Still, armor could only be good, and she felt confident on following the Batter out on another trip for resources.

They had explored a lot of the surrounding forest and plains, but today Ib intended for them to press on a bit further… if she could get Batter to focus. The man seemed fixated on attacking any creature they saw. Even the poor rabbits and birds were forced to flee as he tried and failed to catch them. As she watched him smash the ground where a rabbit had been just a second before, or come to a sudden stop when a bird flew off, ideas of traps to to actually catch the animals sprung to mind, but she didn’t care about that now.

She walked over and tugged on the Batter’s sleeve before he could chase something, grabbing his attention. “Stop, please!” She frowned up at him sadly, a look that she knew her parents simply could not stand.

Batter seemed unmoved. “Why?”

Her frown deepened, realizing he really wasn’t going to budge from even that. “Because its wrong. Those animals can’t hurt us… they’re just scared, running for their lives. Don’t you get it? They’re too fast anyway, so you’re just wasting time.”

The Batter nodded as soon as she finished. “I understand. I won’t try to purify them.” He then started gathering grass, what Ib had been doing herself. She blinked in surprise, trying to get why he changed so quickly… maybe he really did just need to be taught right from wrong? She really wanted to hope that was all there was to it, that somehow he hadn't been taught these things. Because then, she wouldn’t have to be scared of him. She wouldn’t have to look for an opening to run away.