Dalia looked at the former soft body and the sister who was helping her. Victoria might not know much about the Right, other than what she'd been taught, but Dalia did. And this was her chance.
“Sisters new and old it is time to take part in the second challenge The Challenge of Removal.” A voice from up ahead stated with an air of authority that seemed to silence everyone present. Even Dalia stopped when she heard the voice.
“We are sorry Celeste, I was informing our new sister of some of the history of the challenges.” A nervous Victoria told the newcomer.
“That is ok sister as she is new to our sisterhood she will have a lot of questions about the challenges. However, she must not be late for one of them or the rest of the sisterhood may rule against her. Approach new sister so we may all get a closer look at our newest sister.” The mannequin that Carly now knew as Celeste requested.
“It is a pleasure, Your Majesty,” Carly said as she started to bow to Celeste sensing the power that she held within the group.
“That is not needed sister we are equal here. Even me, I am simply the latest sister to be elected leader. There have been others before me as there will be others after me.” Celeste informed Carly.
“I am a what you would soft body and as such I do not know your ways. I simply wish to return things to the way they were before I agreed to help my friend.” Carly told Celeste.
“No, she is not a soft body she gave up that life when she joined the sisterhood. That life is now mine.” Dalia interrupted.
“I am aware of that which you claim Dalia but you and our newest sister disagree on this fact. This is why we are performing the challenges. Only once they are complete will we know who is the soft body and who is a true member of our sisterhood.” Celeste told Dalia using a tone of voice as if she were a mother telling off a child.
This made Dalia back away from Celeste. Carly could easily see which of the two mannequins had more authority than the other within that pairing.
“I know that this is The Challenge of Removal and it has something to do with showing if I am a complete person other than that I know nothing,” Carly told Celeste.
“All soft bodies are one thing, their bodies are not made up of different pieces, unlike the members of the sisterhood. For your challenger, they must be able to separate one part of your body from the rest of you.” Celeste said.
“If you can not do the same to me then I win the challenge,” Dalia said trying to hide a smile on her face.
“Which of you will go first?” Celeste asked the two challengers.
“As I was first last time I shall let the former soft body go first this time,” Dalia informed the assembled group.
For some reason, Carly thought that Dalia was up to something, but she did not have time to work that out at the moment. “Do I choose which part or do you?” She asked Dalia.
“You may choose whatever part you wish,” Dalia replied.
“Then I choose your foot,” Carly told her.
“Is it ok if I lean against the rail so I don’t fall over?” Dalia asked
“I Suppose so” Carly replied as reached towards the foot of the now polite mannequin standing in front of her.
“I am ready,” Dalia said now with the clothing rail supporting her weight.
Carly pulled on Dalia’s foot but for some reason, it would not move.
“Now Dalia it is your turn." Celeste informed the pair.
Carly stood there trying to work out why she could not remove Dalia’s foot. She knew that some mannequins had joints in different places so maybe Dalia was one of those mannequins whose feet did not detach not that it mattered. No matter where Dalia chose Carly would be safe.
“I choose your hair former soft body,” Dalia announced to the waiting assembly as she let go of the rail and walked towards Carly and took a hold of the hair on her head and began to pull.
The hair that had been Carly’s crowning glory for many a year came off without any resistance, leaving a smooth plastic-looking head behind. Carly stood there with her move as wide open as she could manage. How had this happened she had taken years to grow her hair to that length but somehow Dalia had managed to pull it off and now stood before her, she held her hair with a smile on her face which she did not try and hide.
It took the mannequins of the sisterhood only a matter of a few seconds to come to their decision. "You have not proven your argument." Was the result of their very short debate.
A stunned Carly did not even try and argue with them. “There will be a short rest before the next challenge.” The sisterhood announced, with that a smiling Dalia walked away to a dark corner of the store on her own.
“Come sister we must prepare for the next challenge.” Came the voice of Victoria which brought Carly out of her state of shock.
“How?” Was all that she had to say as Victoria led her away.
“It worked one time sister. I am now one step closer to becoming a soft body.” Dalia said to no one. If anyone looked closer, they would have seen that she was holding a small phone.
“I told you it would. Not long now and you can leave the world of the unchanging behind and take your place as a human being.” The voice came softly down the line only loud enough for Dalia to hear.
“Not long now one time sister. I will soon be able to leave the sisterhood and their ways behind.” Dalia replied to her unknown supporter.
