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Away.
Away.
Away from here.
Noelle repeated in her head like a mantra. Eyes blurry with tears, she found herself wandering. The cold night wind cut straight to the bone.
Anywhere else.
Before she realized it, she stood before the school. Brief confusion, then realization. She opened the door and slipped inside quietly. No need to lock doors in a town with so little crime.
The school was silent, save for Noelle’s unsteady hoofsteps on the linoleum. Not bothering to let her eyes adjust to the darkness, she made her way to the supply closet. She took a shaky breath, and opened the door.
The closet somehow seemed even darker than the unlit hallway, almost absorbing light, like a localized black hole.
It’s still here…
Noelle recalled being introduced to Castle Town after accidentally witnessing Kris and Susie just…leap into the closet, and seemingly slip through the floor. The day she found out that everything that happened in Cyber World was real.
She closed her eyes and crossed the threshold.
When she opened them again, she was wearing a familiar white robe, and somehow totally unharmed by the fall. She got up and trudged towards Ralsei’s castle.
Ralsei was working his cauldron when Noelle arrived, and greeted her warmly.
“Noelle! What a pleasant surprise!”
Then he noticed how distraught she looked.
“H-hey, Ralsei…” A weak smile was all she could muster. “I’m just gonna b-be in my room…” She sniffled and wiped her nose with her robe sleeve.
“O-oh! Well, let me know if you need anything.” Ralsei didn’t want to pry, but felt rather helpless as he watched Noelle plod up the stairs to the living quarters.
The door to her recently-made room had a festive-looking wreath hung on it, and the inside was equally jolly. Lights strung across the walls, a large Christmas tree filled with ornaments, and tinsel everywhere you looked. It only made Noelle feel worse. She was grateful for Ralsei’s generosity, of course, but the decor only served as a painful reminder.
She flopped onto her bed and burrowed under the covers, cocooning herself in blankets. With nothing to distract her, the tears began to flow freely once more. Then there was a knock on the door.
“Noelle Honey Darling Sweetie Gravy Are You In There? The Fluffy Guy Said You Came To Visit” Queen’s unmistakable synthesized voice filtered in from the hallway. “I’m Coming In Hopefully You’re Not Doing Anything Too Embarrassing Ha Ha”
Noelle poked her head out of her blanket pile as the door opened.
“Wow Cool Room It’s Almost As Cool As The One I Made For You” Queen grinned as she surveyed the room. She then turned her attention to Noelle.
“H-hi, Queen…” Noelle’s voice was hoarse and thin. She managed a wan smile.
Queen finally seemed to notice that the girl was not her usual self. “Oh Noelle You Poor Dear Whatever Is The Matter? Have You Been: Crying?” Noelle nodded, and Queen sat down next to her. The bed creaked under her weight. “Do You Want To Talk About It?”
Noelle inhaled sharply. “I… m-my dad…” She couldn’t hold it anymore. Sobs wracked her body. The dam had burst.
“Shhh Darling It’s Okay I’m Right Here” Queen said soothingly. She produced a blue handkerchief, which Noelle took gratefully. “Unless You’d Prefer I Leave? I Will Not Take Offense I Promise.” Noelle shook her head.
“Then I Will Stay As Long As You Wish.” She wrapped her arms around Noelle and drew her close, stroking her hair gently.
Queen felt Noelle shivering, and manually overclocked herself to give her warmth. Her internal fans whirred softly. Noelle was surprised at how nice it felt to be hugged by a machine. Sobs soon subsided into the occasional sniffle.
Then Queen started to sing. A lullaby, one she had sung for Lancer many times before.
When the light is running low
And the shadows start to grow
And the places that you know
Seem like fantasy…
Noelle found herself drifting off, nestled in Queen’s embrace. But when Queen went to gently lay her down on the bed, she jolted awake, distraught.
“Please… please don’t leave me! I don’t want to let g-go…”
“Oh You Silly Girl Didn’t I Say That I Would Stay As Long As You Wish? I’m Not Going Anywhere.” Queen’s visor displayed TRUE, corroborating her statement.
“Thank you…” Noelle whispered. Queen hummed in acknowledgment, and laid her down once more, before settling down next to her. Not once did she let go of the girl.
Only when Noelle’s breathing slowed did Queen allow herself to doze off. “Entering Sleep Mode…” she intoned quietly. She planted a kiss on Noelle’s forehead, and joined the deer girl in repose.