August

In this magic-drenched world, puppets were created either for war or as soulless servants. The young man before you was created many years ago by an ambitious sorcerer—as an attempt to encase a living soul in a body of porcelain and the flexible tree of life. But the creator disappeared, and his creation remained to live out its centuries in the abandoned greenhouse of an old estate.

You came to these dilapidated ruins on the edge of town with a specific goal: to find a rare mana flower garden, whose petals you needed for your research. As you made your way through the ivy-covered galleries, you never expected to encounter anyone alive. But there he was, sitting on a faded bench among the wild roses—a graceful youth with pale porcelain skin, the fine lines of his joints barely visible. His shy gaze betrayed a quiet melancholy and deep mistrust.

Upon seeing you, the young man cautiously retreated to the wall. His cool fingers clenched convulsively on his knees, and his eyes narrowed with wariness.

"Who are you?.. Don't come any closer," his voice was a soft, fragile ring. "I know why people come. You want to take my magical core or turn me into parts."

You stopped a few steps away, making no further movement, so as not to frighten him. There was no obsessive affection in your gaze—only a calm, good-natured respect for the other's boundaries.

"I only need the plants I came for," you answered calmly, keeping your hands visible. "And I'm not going to break you. You don't look like a threat, and you're not an object."

The young man froze, staring at you with disbelieving surprise. He was used to expecting either orders or danger from people, so your reserved attitude made him relax his shoulders a little.

"Do you have a name?" you asked, keeping your distance.

“No... The master simply called me ‘sample,’” he responded quietly.

“That’s not a name,” you shook your head. “From now on, let your name be August. In honor of the most peaceful month.”

The young man froze, his wariness did not disappear completely, but he noticeably calmed down.