Chapter Text
“I’m not putting that on !” His ears are pinned back, his eyes fixated on Gangle who was holding the maid dress he had hated so much during the baseball adventure. He was breathing hard, teeth clenched.
“Come on Jaxxy, you looked so cute in it ! And I’ll be the only one seeing it this time, if you want I’ll even wear something you want if you put that on.” She hums waving the maid dress in front of herself ever so slightly which makes the frills dance in the air graciously. He narrows his eyes, his expression filled with resentment toward the morally neutral dress. He looks back up at Gangle.
“Anything I want ?” He asks with a hard glare directed at Gangle. She nods along without hesitation with a big excited smile on her face. He stays still for a few seconds, ripping the dress from her hands, storming in the corner of the room where he had been changing, the corner being the one Gangle had her back to.
“Thank you Jax!” She chuckled to herself, preparing her sketchbook, eager to see him in that dress again. She can hear him grunting in frustration as he puts it on. After a few minutes he steps back in front of her, his usual smile completely gone, a flat expression on his face as he looks back at her.
“Happy ? You better be enjoying this a lot because I’m not going to put this on ever again after that.” He rests a hand on his waist, a tired expression on his face.
“Very happy, thank you Jax!” She hums sketching him even as he just stands there, willing to give him some slack for not giving her an interesting pose since he agreed to put the dress on despite his clear reluctance to the idea. “You know, you look very cute, I really think it looks good on you. I don’t know why you hate it so much.” She sighs whistfully, sketching the poofy skirt of the dress.
“Really funny, but I gotta remind you that I’m a guy, a guy isn’t supposed to be cute. I shouldn’t be wearing dresses. It’s bad enough that I have to get a pink room with rainbows. I don’t want to be wearing girly things as well.” He huffs, frowning as he glances toward the offending wall decoration. Gangle quickly sketches his expression, finding it particularly fitting coming from him.
“I don’t exactly see why it’s bad, I know you’re a guy, and I don’t think what you wear or the room you have changes anything about you as a man. If you look good in a suit and a dress both are just clothes that emphasise how handsome of a guy you are.” She glances up at him, a small smile on her face when their gaze meet. He is scowling at her, seemingly less than convinced.
“Yeah right.” She looks at him for a while, putting down her unfinished sketch down on the desk beside her. She raises to her feet, coming toward him. His eyes darted toward her at her movement, quickly dropping his pose and stepping back on instinct. She slows herself down, offering her hand to her boyfriend.
“I mean it. And it’s not just because I’m an anime nerd, I don’t think your room or your clothes can make you any less of a man. And even if it did, what would be so bad about not being the manliest guy there is ?” She gives him a soft smile, her hand still held open in front of herself, Jax reluctantly takes them in his own hand, rubbing the back of her ribbons with his thumb.
“That would be pretty bad. I don't care what people think about me but I don’t want them to see me as a weak guy or something like that.” He sighs, his eyes not quite settling on Gangle and instead darting around the room, his free arm wrapped around himself and his body hunched over himself ever so slightly.
“I think that counts as caring. But none of us would see you as any less of a jerk or strong guy for something so small.” She squeezes his hand, inching closer with slow steps to avoid upsetting him any more than he already seemed to be.
“You don’t get it Gangle, you can’t just convince me that it’s alright. I hate it and I’ll always hate it.” His gaze finally lands on Gangle, a frown on his face. She gives him a short nod pressing her lips together tightly. Stepping even closer she leans against him.
“I know- I just want to help, I’m being honest and I don’t want to mess with you. I just want you to see what I see.” She pushes her forehead against his shoulder. Jax’s eyes remain on her, softening after a moment. He let go of her hand only to wrap both of his arms around her, squeezing her close.
“Don’t get depressed on me there crybaby, I am literally dressed up for you. You should enjoy it instead of mopping because I don’t enjoy it as much as you do.” He holds her there for a bit, stepping back after a second. “Are you gonna draw me or what ? The clock is ticking and the time I’ll spend as your devoted maid is limited.” He smiles at her, his words more lighthearted than it had been earlier. She looks up at him forcing a smile back on her face.
“Okay, yeah, I guess I should finish those sketches.” She takes a few steps back returning to the desk, sitting back down on the chair she sees Jax already posing for her, squatting down like an anime delinquent. The sight gets a laugh out of her. Just like that the conversation and the tension from moments ago have already been forgotten. Although Jax seems to make a point out of giving her more poses in the maid outfit than she thought he would.
With every new pose they talked together, Jax trying to explain to her what kind of inspiration he uses for the current pose.
Gangle giggled at the way he describes each and every one of them, despite his dislike for the dress it didn’t stop him from making her smile and laugh. That was something she couldn’t get enough of. The way he made the whole world fade into the background and instead made her feel light.
Soon Jax declared having gotten his fill and Gangle agreed that it was fair with how many sketches she got to make. With that he changed back into his overalls. Laying on his bed he pats the spot next to him.
“Let’s just relax for a bit, we can do something else after if you insist but I need a little break after all those crazy poses you made me do for your sake.” He laughs lightly, his eyes holding a fondness he was trying to hide.
She smiled joining him on the bed, carefully scooting closer to him, she felt butterflies in her stomach at the close proximity. Her hand inches closer to him, coming to rest on his chest, a giddy laugh leaving her lips.
“What’s up ?” He pries, wrapping an arm around her, pulling her ever closer, rubbing his chin on top of her head, he sighs, body relaxing against hers.
“Nothing, I just feel like even with how fake everything here feels, you feel real. Being in your arms feels warm, I can even feel your heartbeat. So as long as I can remember how reality feels thanks to you I know I’ll be alright…” Her face felt warm and so did her chest, it felt so incredible. She wouldn’t trade it for the world.
“You’re so cheesy Gangle, you’re lucky you’re not one of those smelly cheeses or I wouldn’t be holding you.” He chuckles, rubbing her back tenderly, a proof of how he enjoyed the movement just as much as she was.
“You love me and all my cheese I know it.” She buries her face into his neck.
“I’m pretty sure you’re nothing but cheese honestly.”
“But I mean every one of my words. You make everything feel more meaningful… Do you also feel this way?” She could discern a hint of anxiety under all the warmth and comfort, looking up at Jax and pushing away from his chest to get a better view of him. His gaze seems far away, quiet for a moment, his hand continuously moving along her ribbons.
“I don’t feel it that way. I don’t think I’d like it if you made things feel real. You make things feel easy. You make me want to try things that I wouldn’t ever try to do. Things I wouldn’t even want to think about.” Looking down at her, their eyes meet, her gaze intense.
“Like what ?”
“Dating you. You should have expected this one Ribbons. I’m not really a dating kind of guy if you hadn’t already figured that out.” He offers her a small smirk, his usual expression making her heart fill with joy.
“You wouldn’t have done that for anyone else ?” She asks with a giddy little smile on her face. Giggling as she keeps her hand on his chest.
“Not for anyone else here. Can’t promise that you’re the only person in the world though, that would be a bit too flattering for you.” He teases smiling at her, playing with her ribbon.
“It’s still very flattering, it means more than you realise.” She takes hold of his hand, squeezing it softly. He rolled his eyes, but his soft smile looked so authentic, she knew that no matter how sappy this conversation was, he enjoyed this moment of shared vulnerability.
—--
Night time had been quick to fall once they arrived in the carnival, it was brightened up by its many colored lights all around. Many classic carnival games were set up, mannequins managing the booths with the many plushies of the cast members on display. There was a strangely high amount of Jax and Pomni “merch” and to say she didn’t know why they had more than anyone else was an understatement.
“Honestly I had imagined what it could look like but I think it's somehow worse than what I came up with.” She comments her eyes scanning over the many typical games all displaying the same prizes. Zooble chuckles nodding their head along, leading the way deeper in the carnival.
“Yeah I know, but I swear it can be a good place to hang out. Sometimes I come around here when I’m skipping adventures, just to walk around, it’s as close as taking a walk in real life can feel here.” They explain, stopping in front of a candy floss vendor, as soon as they stop in front of it the mannequin, it quickly spins two big fluffy sugary clouds, handing them wordlessly to Pomni and Zooble. They take both, handing one to Pomni who takes it with a smile.
“Thanks. I can imagine it’s the only place where it feels lively considering how empty everywhere else is in comparison.” She takes a bite of the cotton candy, a cartoony bite mark being left in it. Zooble brings their own cotton candy to their face, the same kind of cartoony bite mark appearing in their sweet treat despite their lack of a mouth. Still they could feel the sweet taste without issues.
“You mentioned doing some urbex videos, so I’m guessing that the emptiness of the circus isn’t as unsettling as most of the places you’ve explored. I have seen pretty f^[/£d up abandoned buildings, but the worst of it usually was the vandalism.” Keeping an eye on her as she takes another bite of the candy floss she seems thoughtful.
“I don’t think it’s comparable, I’ve seen a lot of abandoned places and the isolation in these places feels different from the one we have in the circus. The places I went to felt like stranger’s memories, and the circus feels closer to a dream- well no- probably a mix of a nightmare and a dream-. The circus has this… uncanny valley kind of appearance ?” Her eyes meet theirs, offering a sheepish smile seemingly unsure if her explanation made sense.
“Yeah- I can see it. It’s similar in a way that both are surreal. Like both are outside of time and space as we are used to but one has been part of people’s life and the other one is an amalgamation of things that should feel normal but ends up not resembling anything real.” Pomni nods at their words, her eyes squinted in a smile.
“Yeah! That’s how it feels. The circus isn’t that bad once you get used to it but during my first few days it all felt so weird.” She brings her hand to her face, her palm resting against her cheek, sighing at the memory. “But you guys made it easier to get used to.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” They take a bite of their own cone of candy floss, eyes drifting toward the sky for a moment. “As much as being stuck here s^(ks I think being together makes it more bearable. I appreciate having you around too. I got along with Gangle before this mess but Kinger’s not all there, Ragatha as much as she tries I have a hard time feeling close to and I’m not even going to have to mention Jax. It’s just nice to have someone who’s grounded to talk with.” They sigh, their eyes never leaving the starry sky.
“I get it, I mean not everyone can get along. I’m glad to be your friend, you get me and it’s chill when we hang out. We’ve also been spending more time together lately so it’s been nice even if it wasn’t for the best reason.” Keeping an eye on Zooble their eyes meet again, they both smile weakly but genuinely.
“I hate that it had to be the reason for us to hang out together but I’m glad that we can call each other friends.”
“Me too Zooble, and hopefully even when Gangle and you become as close as you were before we can continue being good friends.” Pomni started walking again, her eyes fixated forward where a crowd ofNPCs that had gathered. Zooble follows her, staying by her sides.
“I don’t see why it’d change, and with Jax and Gangle seemingly being friends, I doubt we would spend as much time together even if somehow things turn out bearable for her again.” They stop right besides the tightly crowded circle of NPCs. “What do you think that’s about ? I have never seen them act like that before.” They comment, voice detached, more so a passing comment than anything more.
“That’s what I’m trying to figure out.” She sneaks in between the mannequins, managing to make her way through the crowd with little effort. Zooble blinks a few times watching as she disappears past the wooden limbs. They wait, a hand on their hip, finger tapping against the plastic. “What is that?!” Pomni gasps, sounding more startled than they expected to hear.
“What’s up ?” They ask, hastily pushing the NPCs out of the way, being met by huffs of frustration as they join Pomni at the center of the crowd. Pomni throws a glance at Zooble, looking unsure. Their eyes fell on a crack on the ground, instead of looking like a modeled flaw, inside the crack was a pure white space. “This is… I’ve never seen this before.”
“Should we be worried ?...” Pomnis asks them, sounding uncertain. Her eyes are glued onto the strange white crack. It was an odd sight to say the least, it was pure white, feeling incredibly jarring with how bright it looked yet it wasn’t emitting light.
“I don’t know… but I think we should at least get Caine to fix it. Leaving this damaged can’t be good.” They sigh, frowning to themselves. Pomni nods her head, straightening herself and cups her hands around her lips, calling out for Caine as loudly as she can.
For a few seconds neither of them move, waiting for Caine to appear. But nothing happens, they look at each other, Pomni looking at Zooble with a tired lidded look.
“You try, Caine never shows up when I call.” She explains, her smile wasn’t certain, looking tense and a little stressed.
“Yeah, sure.” They glance up yelling Caine’s name loud enough for the moon to look toward them. Although she stays quiet, the echo of their scream resonates a few times until everything seems to fall quiet for a moment, the sounds of the carnival seemingly having quieted down around them.
“Is it normal for Caine not to show up ?... We haven’t seen him since yesterday either-” Pomni points out, she sounded uncertain, her words hesitant.
“We rarely call for him- but from what I know it isn’t normal.” Zooble cross their arms, glancing back at the white space in the crack.
“Since he isn’t around- what should we do about it ?” Pomni squats down staring at the white spot, her lips pressed together. “This reminds me of the void. I really hope this isn’t going to spread.”
“It’s probably nothing, we should just avoid those- and warn everyone else to be careful until Caine deals with it. I don’t know what this could result in but I think we’re better off never finding out.” They declare, stepping away from the crack, as they do so it seems to spread ever so slightly. Pomni jumps away from it quickly joining Zooble’s side.
“Let’s warn them right now, I don’t want us to risk anything while Caine isn’t around.” Her hand grips onto Zooble’s hand, both their candy floss lay abandoned and forgotten near the crack. As they leave the circle of curious NPCs the sugary treats soon fall into the widening hole in the ground, disappearing into the white abyss without trace.
The walk back to the circus is quiet, Pomni’s hand still holding onto Zooble’s hand, her grip tight despite the fact that they were now walking side by side. Zooble’s eyes fall onto their joined hands. They were almost happy for a second if it wasn’t for how tense Pomni was. She was clearly worried, it wasn’t a secret that Pomni had somehow landed in the void on her first day. And of course they were worried too. They had never seen something like that before and they had seen their fair share of concerning things during their time in the circus and those were all things Caine had fixed without much effort.
“You’re looking for Caine ?” A gentle voice coming from above startles the both of them as they exhibit the carnival. The moon was looking at them, her gentle eyes fixated on them. Pomni is quick to let go of Zooble’s hand as soon as it was clear that they had been observed for longer than she liked.
“Y-Yes ! We are ! Do you know where he could be ?” Pomni asks without missing a beat, holding her breath in anticipation.
“I haven’t, but if he isn’t responding you should try reaching him in his office. I cannot find him there myself but I miss him desperately. He hasn’t talked to me for far too long.”
“Caine has an office?” Zooble blurts without a thought, a frown on their face. “Where is it ? I’ve never heard of it. I doubt it even exists, I don’t think he actually needs one honestly.” Zooble’s brows knit together in confusion, their eyes directed at the moon, raising their hands a little, in a confused gesture.
“He does, where else would he prepare all those adventures for all of you? A man in such a dashing suit is required to have an office.” She sighs whistfully, her eyes soon becoming sad. “I really need you to find him, if not for yourselves, for me. It’s cruel to see all of you human lovebirds coming out at night to have dates while I cannot spend time with the one I love.” She sighs in a clear display of distress. Zooble glares at the moon, crossing their arms, unamused by her words.
Keeping a close eye on the moon Pomni presses her lips pressed together tightly she can’t help wanting to help out. Although her words finally register completely to Pomni, making her entire face turn red.
“Zooble and I aren't lovebirds ! And no one else in the circus is either ! Where did you get that from !?” She asks, her breathing a little raged as she tries to calm herself quickly, hoping to make the red from her face leave.
“People kissing is usually a good indicator of people dating, I don’t know about the two of you but the ribbon girl and rabbit did just that yesterday and it was awfully rude to do in front of a single woman such as myself.” The declaration sounded sad and for just a second they might have empathised with her if it wasn’t for the jarring revelation.
“GANGLE AND JAX DID WHAT !?” Zooble asked, not expecting any kind of answer they marched toward the tent with hurried steps, their eyes filled with a mix of rage and worry all at once. Pomni, frozen for a few seconds, quickly runs after Zooble.