The part about trying to stand up to the brainwashed prisoners struck the doll as pretty risky, in and of itself, having tried to do so with a group of three once already. That would be something to keep an eye on.

"So that's why a lot of people have been collecting metal," Ren said thoughtfully, touching his chin. "I've heard of alchemy, though not at that level." Even though he'd had his suspicions, it made sense once laid out in front of him: unrefined metal could go into weaponry, even the crappy kind. And when come kind of weapon was sometimes needed just to get from hall to hall at night, Ren had no place frowning on that kind of ability, but just considering the ease and potential those guys must have when not having any powers repressed was...

He shook his head a bit, clearing his thoughts and considering another question. "Does your group have a lot of returning volunteers?"