Chapter Text
The evening come upon the motley little tent, with the moon beggining to shift its territory above the daylight like a curtain. As the deep ambres of the sky settle deeper into the atmosphere, a group of characters sit around a rounded table, with most looking highly disintrested, and a select two that tapped their fingers in anxious impatience.
Minutes pass with sounds of tapping nails echoing like clockwork and the occasional sigh, before a burst of confetti explodes in the air, frightening the tenants with a loud *BOOM*. In the midst of the disapearing smoke, was a familiar pair of dentures wearing his trademark red suit.
"FRIENDS! Good afternoon! And welcome to another WONDERFULLY and quite peaceful afternoon! Whos ready for another WHIMSICAL ADVENTURE?!"
The group, with kinger and Gangle still catching their breath from the scare, nodded in a defeated submission.
"WONDERFUL! Now..." He lowered from his floating position to meet his performer's heights.
"This is something ive been planning for days! Its rather new, but i just know you all are gonna enjoy it!" Caine says with a very toothy grin, then snapping his fingers to engulf the entire interior with a purple smoke.
"Landys and gentlefolk.. I pronounce to you the once upon a time experience offffff... THE AMAZING DIGITAL BALL!"
As the smoke cleared, they found themselves in a completely different room, with its highrise intricately designed walls, and with a glass roof that let the artificial bright yellow of the sun seep through like natural sunlight aswell as a grandiose chandelier hanging by the beams. The crew looked around in awe as the saw the spiraling double staircase and the pearly white pillars and floors that made the room seem even grander than it already was. The place looked like it was snatched straight from a fairy-tale in all its sparkling glory.
Ragatha was the first to part from her frozen awe, twirling and giggling, with her red locks swaying as she looked up to the high ceiling in girlish delight.
"WELCOME TO THE BALLROOM EVERYONE! In these walls i assure you will have the night of your lives!"
"Wow Caine! I guess i expected something a little less cheesy than this!" Jax bites while continuing from his spot, venturing further into the hall after Ragatha.
"Oh Caine! This is BEAUTIFUL!" Ragatha exclaimed, with her voice echoing through the vast ballroom. Ragathe continued on, encountering a large stage with draping royal blue curtains, holding a band of neatly dressed wooden mannequins with different instruments, with one even seated with a cello.
"Its a bit.. Much.. i guess." Added Zooble, looking around themselves as they seperated into their own direction. Kinger and Gangle left together to head for a few doors, Leaving Pomni still like a deer in headlights.
"Well Pomni? Whadyathink?"
Catching her off guard from her thoughts, she stuttered to acknowledge the ringmaster.
"I-its alright! I mean-" Eyes wide with anexiety, she darts them around the area, before speaking once more in a slightly hushed voice.
"Its beautiful Caine. Sorry i just got caught up-"
"Dont worry your little hat off, precious!" Caine reasures her, lowering down the the jesters height.
"I made sure this would be fun for all of us. Including our newbie! Now, why dont you explore with the others! Dont want you getting lost when the real fun starts!" Caine says, patting the anxious girls back and pushing her into motion. She nods as she walks past Kinger and Gangle running through several impressive doors. She shivered a bit, recalling her first day when she had opened all those other doors. Continuing, she met up with Zooble, who looked mildy impressed while looking up at the crystalized chandelier.
"What do you think hes gonna have us do here, Pomni?"
Considering the question, she cups her chin in thought.
"Well, you usually dance at a ball, but maybe theres some kind of catch. But.. Zooble? This place doesnt feel right." Zooble, slightly concerned by the statement, turns her neck to meet eyes with the short girl.
"Its probably a bunch of stolen assets and what not, but i dont really get any off vibes. Other than a nerd with too much time on his hands." Zooble responded nonchalantly. Pomni sighs, looking away in thought.
"If you find anything weird, just tell me. Kay?"
"You can count on it Poms." Pomni nodded to herself as she walks passed the amalgamation and toward the direction of a doll and purple rabbit.
Walking up, she tunes into their conversation.
"I think its pretty! Maybe its too girly for you! Remind me to never invite you to any sleepovers."
"Yeah, like anyone wants to paint eachthers nails and talk about boys here. Count me out!"
"Gladly, Jax." The redhead chuckled, before noticing Pomni walking up to the pair. Her demeanor quickly changes from slightly annoyed to pleasently suprised, smiling gleefully as she welcomed her best friend into their conversation.
"POMNI! Oh its all gorgeous isnt it?" Ragatha asks, flapping her hands happily and garnering an eye roll from the rabbit.
"Its pretty! It really is. Its just.." Pomni thinks for a little, then looking up at Ragatha who grew a bit concerned in her hesitence. She decided not to ruin it for her right now. She promised to herself shed bring it up later.
"Quite the place for one night, amirite?! heh yeah." Pomni spits put, watching Ragathas expression come right back to where it was before.
"Oh i know! I wish it was a week long just so i could see this place a little longer!"
"Miss dollface here's feeling like a real princess right now. To be honest, its pretty adorable." Jax teases. Ragatha lightly pushes him away, with him playfully pushing back while doubling down on his statement.
"Heh, hes not wrong Raggs!"
"I guess it just sounds better coming from you, Pomni. Im sure that means something, but i cant quite put my finger on it..!"
"Jax!" Ragatha warns, taking a quick smack to the back of his head with a flinch.
In that moment, they heard the rambunctious voice of none other than caine, calling out to each of the attractions for role call.
"Perfect time Caine! Now Ragatha HAS to stop beating me up."
...
Everyone was gathered in the farthest back of the ballroom, listening as Caine calls each by name. Finishing with Kinger, who hadnt answered to his name the first five times, the ringmaster cleared his throat and began his announcement.
"Alright everyone! I hope you all got comfortable with your surroundings! Now that everyone is familiarized with this place, we can start with todays activity!"
"Today, you not only will be attending this luxurious ball, you will also be apart of a competition! In the next few hours, you all will dress up the best you can, and compete in a friendly DANCE OFF!"
Gangle looked at Kinger, who sinply shrugged his nonexistent shoulders.
"Oh great. Dress up! Like this couldn't get anymore cheesy."
"Dont worry Jax! I believe youll find it much more enjoyable than you anticipate!" Jax shrugged, widening his grin as he looked over to an extatic looking Ragatha.
"Aswell as perfeclty consumable snacks and pastries made with all of the love legally allowed, and by our dearest chef, BUBBLE!"
"Now, whos ready for an exceptionally MAGICAL night?!"
Ragathas smile only grew as she waited impatiently for the moment she could finally indulge in all the magic. She believed the night couldnt get any better as she sprinted over to an unsuspecting Pomni, who shrieked as she was grabbed and practically gragged into the back with a skipping Ragatha.
As the group followed Caine and the couple in front, they were met with winding halls sporting light blue detailed wallpaper, with almost the same charm and beauty as the ballroom.
"POMMMNIIII! Are you as excited as i am right now?! Oh this is a dream come true!"
"Im excited too!.." Pomni replies, honestly looking up to dressing up in different outfits with Ragatha. She imagined what she would look best in. Maybe a big poofy dress with all the spice of a fluffy cloud. Or a sleek thin dress that lined her shape perfectly. Maybe something in between?! Pomni, tho feeling this place was not as it seemed just minutes prior, was starting to feel quite enthusiastic about this! It felt nice to look forward to something for once here.
As the couple made it down the hallways, they stopped at a bright yellow door, wich once opened revealed a load of hanging dresses, filling a much larger part of the room the size of a small dress shop! Ragatha squeeled and jumped in joy as she entered the lavish room, taking note of the mirror that stood near the entrence of the second half of the room, standing tall and firm with beautiful swirls and curls in its wooden design.
"THIS CANT GET ANY BETTER! IT JUST CANT!" Pomni giggled as she watched the woman bounce and skip around the racks like a little kid in a candy shop. It was adorable, watching her bounce around in pure euphoria as she brushed her doll like hands through the fluffy skirts. Pomni soon followed, seeing long windows that shone natural light inside. Looking out of one, she was disturbed to find nothing but the sky above and below, bringing a shiver down her spine. Worst possible time to be paranoid Pomni!
Shaking her head, she seperated her thoughts from the outside to worry about the inside, wich was peppered with all sorts of colored skirts and gowns. Come to think of it, she couldnt quite remember what size she wore. Like her digital body would've been the exact same as the one she had before, but the thought lingered as she pulled a single dress down. Looking at it, it was ocean blue and long with drooping sleeves, with a front that would likely hang down to her stomach if it didnt fit. A little dissapointed, she puts the dress back before going to find Ragatha, following her shrieks of joy toward where she had run off to.