Pride

"Should they really be behaving like this?"

IN CONCLUSION

<"No... they definitely shouldn't.">

After a while of observing them meticulously amidst the mountains of scrap metal, we came to an inevitable conclusion.

<"Normally, curses, regardless of their size, origin, or innocent appearance, should act in a purely cruel, hostile, and malignant manner toward any living being, but...">

These little straw dolls are strangely peaceful.

(Trip... sob... sniffle)

Instead of causing disasters or showing a terrifying bloodlust, they simply spend their time playing, chasing one another, or frolicking cheerfully among the junkyard debris.

(Are you okay...?)

I mean, even at this exact moment, one of the little ones tripped clumsily over a giant nut and fell face-first to the ground, beginning to sob silently while rubbing her tiny straw hands, only for another straw doll to immediately rush over, leaning down to help her up and dust off her dress with infinite tenderness.

<"How on earth are they capable of expressing and feeling such human emotions...? This defies the logic of curses.">

It seems that not even Echidna, with all her ancient wisdom, understands what is truly going on with their childlike behavior or the exact origin of their abilities.

<"Are they behaving like this because they were created by a simple domestic accident of yours, or is there another deeper, hidden reason behind this...?">

While Echidna was asking herself all those existential and analytical questions out loud, I simply decided to sit on the ground and join in to play with them.

"They really are cute..."

I lent them some old buttons I found so they could use them as shields, and we played around for a bit without thinking about anything else.

"...I must admit it... I needed this..."

Truth be told, being around them is actually pretty relaxing and comforting after so much chaos.

(!!!)

Yes, everything was going great and in absolute harmony until one of the straw dolls, exploring a bit further away, found the rusted shell of an old abandoned cargo truck dumped nearby.

<"What is this bloodlust?!">

In that very instant, the peaceful, sweet, and playful demeanor of all the dolls changed drastically.

"...Girls."

Their little straw bodies tensed up, their gazes turned dark, and the moment I saw the spark of pure hatred shining in their eyes, I immediately knew what they wanted to do.

"Destroy it until there's absolutely nothing left!"

The genetic hatred toward trucks had awakened!

(DEATH!!)

(DESTRUCTION!!!)

(VANISH!!)

They instantly charged forward like a rabid plague with wild fury.

(FRAC-CRASH-CHIIIC-RIIP!!!)

Their tiny straw hands sliced through the metal as if it were butter, tearing the cabin, the wheels, and the engine apart piece by piece as if it were made of simple paper, until not a single recognizable component remained of what was once that cursed vehicle.

"Ahh... I am so proud right now!"

<"....">

There's only one thing left to say in the face of such a beautiful spectacle of selective violence.

"Well done, girls!!"

Today was definitely a great day...

<"I suppose that is, after all, their true and undeniable nature as a curse...">