Pex sat in his new wheelie chair (He had upgraded earlier today from the legged ones), looking outside his window at the world. After he had been caught by Mr. Doombringer and the Matron, he had decided to not steal from the Academy (as often), and he had managed to get out a couple letters to people and friends in a few major cities. Now if he needed something, he just had to order it. 

There was a knock at the door, and slowly, it creaked open. Ben poked his head in, looking at the floppy eared Goblin. Pex liked him, but Ben sometimes tried to boss him around. That didn't work for him, and the other boy usually kept his place. Usually.

"You got it yet," asked Ben, shutting the door behind him. Pex swivelled around in his chair, stroking a stuffed animal he had 'aquired' last week. 

"You comin' hea', on the eve of Thursday," he said with a bad accent, "Askin' me ta get you sumthin' that I don' even like. Yet ya' neva' called meh, ya brutha." Ben quirked a brow, his mouth opening, and then shutting before anything could come out. Pex laughed, pushing himself out of his chair to open an indiscriminate package. 

"The Matron's got me reading Human action stories," said Pex quickly, pulling out a state of the art slingshot. The grip was molded leather, and the frame was a very strong steel. The sling itself was a long, Gnoll ligament band, with a sharkskin cup for ammunition. Attached to one part of the frame, was a very accurate crosshair, for pinpoint shooting. 

Ben nearly drooled as Pex held it out to him, so the other boy could inspect it. Greedily, he stuck out his hand, reaching for the leather grip with a light, almost reverant touch. The Goblin pulled it back, shaking his head. 

"You know the deal, Ben," he warned, "Cash and you get it." Ben grumbled, pushing a coin purse with possibly most of saving into Pex's grasping hands. The boy's face lit up as the coins were replaced with the brand new slingshot. Ben dashed out of Pex's room in a flash, something probably planned in his mind. 

Pex grabbed his satchel, shutting the door behind him as he left the room. Quietly, he walked out to the gardens, and saw her under the tree. 

Linda was playing underneath the tree with her dolly, Molly, smiling as she sorted some drawings around her. Pex couldn't explain it, but everytime he saw Linda's emerald eyes and brown hair, something just made him stop and stare, like his heart had stopped. 

Slowly, Pex walked over to her, and she looked up at him, grimacing. Even to Pex, it was clear she didn't like him since he had found her dolly. But he couldn't help himself. 

"Hey Linda," he said, as he sat down next to her. She shied away, nodding in return. Pex took a look at the ratty, dirty, torn dolly, and an idea started to form in his mind. 

"Linda, I'm really sorry that I took your dolly," he said sheepishly, and Linda stuck her tounge out at him. 

"You should be," she shot back, "You scared Molly a lot! She doesn't know who you are!" Pex nodded, his ears drooping to complete the effect. 

"I know, but I know a way I can make it up to you." Linda quirked a brow, tilting her head slightly. For a moment, she was distracted by a bird that fluttered onto the lawn. That was something Pex really liked about her, how free-spirited she was. 

"How," she asked, refocusing her attention on Pex. The Goblin motioned to Molly. 

"Well," he explained, "Molly looks really torn and dirty. I could clean her up for you, maybe get her some new clothes?" Linda beamed a little, still looking wary. Slowly, hesitantly (and after much more begging from Pex), she handed him Molly. Pex smiled, tentativley placing the dolly in his bag. 

"Come by my room tomorrow morning and she'll be ready," he said hurridley before taking off. A few minutes later, he was in the library, looking over books on tailoring and patterns.

Pex read from lunch to sun-down, skipping dinner and his afternoon classes to learn as much as he could. On the way back to his room, he pilfered as much as he could from the classrooms, pulling out the dolly to see what it needed.

When he got back to his room, he began to work. He pulled off Molly's dress, tightening up the stitching that held her together, as he restuffed her a bit and fixed some tears. Quickly, the Goblin's agile hands pulled out the dolly's hair, putting new yarn in that matched almost perfectly. 

After fixing up the dress, Pex pulled out his old clothes that he had arrived at the Academy in. Putting the vest aside, he began to cut up his pants and boots, taking some old metal rods and bending them. 

The little goblin worked all night, never sleeping a wink as he labored over the dolly. 

A sharp knock came from the door as he finished up, preparing the stunning Molly in her new red ballgown. Quickly, he grabbed the dolly and the other sets of clothes, putting them behind his back as he opened the door. Linda stood on the other side, frowning as if she knew something terrible was about to happen. 

"Well," said Pex, "I couldn't fix the tears." Linda's eyes began to get teary at that, watering a little. Slowly, the Goblin smiled, pulling out Molly. 

"I totally patched them over, and fixed everything else too." Linda smiled broadly, taking Molly back. When Pex showed her the other clothes, the little girl let out a "SQUUEEEEEEEEE!!!!", hugging the Goblin around the neck. 

"ThankyousomuchPexshe'ssoBEAUTIFUL!!!!" With that, Linda tore off to show her friends, leaving Pex behind. Quietly, he retreated into his room. 

The sound of his "YEEESSS!!!!!" actually echoed throughout the Academy.