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“Welcome back, my little roasted chickpeas! Did you enjoy today’s adventure? I made it especially hostile to build the tension!” The ringmaster’s voice boomed throughout the tent as the group of survivors trudged through the portal. The frost and snow that clung to them as they walked, melted almost instantly onto the floor, creating a puddle that would probably be lapped up by Bubble.
With both arms still wrapped around herself, trying to provide her own warmth, Ragatha spoke through chattering teeth, “I think you might have meant chestnuts?"
"Definitely not."
"But yes. It felt hostile for sure; I did like the penguins before they tried to eat us, though?”
"Everything was better before it tried to eat us," Pomni spoke slowly, her jaw feeling almost frozen shut. The snow had been so deep that she was up to her neck, while the rest were only up to their hips. She's sure that if hypothermia were a thing in here, she would have died on that adventure.
"Speak for yourself, short stack. The looks on all of your faces when the mammoths attacked were priceless!"
Ragatha whipped around, one of her arms finally uncurling to point a finger in the stupid rabbit's face, "I'm sure it was hilarious to the one who set them free!"
"I just said that? Keep up, will you rags?" The grin plastered on Jax's face widened as the stuffed doll's face flushed almost as red as her hair in a moment.
"You can never take anything seriously, can you! My arm got ripped off; Pomni almost got eaten whole! All you did was laugh while we were running for our lives!" A shrug was all that indicated the purple bunny had even heard a single word, setting off Ragatha even more at his unbothered attitude. "Jax! What were you gonna do if we died and you had to finish the adventure alone?"
"Well, I did clear the cannibal camps alone, so I think I could handle it."
A huff forced its way from Ragatha as she unwrapped both arms, waving them in Jax's direction as if holding herself back from attacking him. This, of course, only spurred on the rabbit, his eyebrow quirking up in a taunt.
As Gangle silently watched a fight break out between the ragdoll and stuffed animal, a tap on her shoulder, or where it would be, caught her attention. Turning, her frown shifted upward as she laid eyes on her best friend. "Oh, Zooble! I didn't see you come out; were you coming to get me? I didn't mean to keep you waiting."
Zooble nodded once before responding, "I heard a commotion and figured it could only be you guys getting back. You didn't keep me waiting, though. Don't worry about it. My room is set up, if you are ready to head over?" Their orange paw came up to rest on their hip, leaning slightly toward the main hall as they spoke softly.
"Of course I am! Let's get out of here before they decide to start throwing things." A red ribbon shot up to her white mask to stiffle a giggle as she glanced toward the pair still arguing. Pomni had also become a part of the yelling, pleading for the argument to end.
Zooble nodded in agreement, reaching down and grasping the red ribbon as they began to lead the way. "The adventure sounds like it was stressful today; I'm glad I chose to stay back. How did you like it, though? I remember you saying something about missing snow, that must have been nice at least."
"As much as I missed having you with me today, I honestly am glad you stayed behind. There was a LOT of running- and ice." Gangle fought laughter as she continued, "Jax fell while we were crossing the first river, so he found some bark and tied it to his feet every time we had to cross more ice. Which ended up taking longer than just sliding across like the rest of us did. The goal was to find and wipe out these camps of gingerbread men who, for some reason, were cannibals."
"I wish I could have seen Jax get a face full of snow; I bet his face was so hot it was steaming. Cannibals was such a weird choice, though. Caine always gets so intense this time of year."
"Honestly, the gingerbread men weren't even that bad; the animals in the surrounding areas were terrifying, though. They were extremely aggressive, even the ones that are usually docile, and ALL of them came in huge packs." Gangle tilted her head as she spoke, staring off into space as she thought for a moment. "Well, anyway, I was really happy with the snow, yes! It was incredibly soft, and my avarts heat didn't cause it to melt immediately, so I was able to see the snowflake shapes! I do wish Caine had given us all coats or something; it was way too cold to have nothing on."
Zooble nodded along silently as the two walked, taking a bit to gather their thoughts before responding. "While I'm excited about your snow, that just confirms how glad I am I didn't agree to this one. Caine always gets super weird and stressed during his winter week. After last year's Frosty Returns (From The Dead), I knew this year couldn't be any better."
"I think it's kinda sweet how much he likes the holidays! It honestly helps the circus feel a bit more...normal, maybe? I mean, the circus is not normal, but it feels familiar. The cold fog and occasional snowfall is comforting in a way."
"I can see what you mean, that's similar to how I see his autumn week. I'm honestly just not a cold-weather person; I never was before, but now it's even worse. My plastic gets all rigged in a lot of cold, so it gets hard to move."
"Then I guess I'll just have to make sure you keep warm so that doesn't happen. Shouldn't be too hard if we avoid going out, I'd think!" As Gangle spoke, her ribbon wrapped around the other's limb while walking, occasionally giving a light tug as a way to feel the weight in her ribbons. "We have plenty to do inside anyway."
Zooble began to lightly swing their tangled arms, thankful for the little heat they each gave off. "Guess so. I've been basically cocooning myself in bed all day and I was still shivering."
"Maybe Caine can make a personal heater for your room so it's not as hard in the cold." Gangle looked up to see that they were approaching Zooble's door, reminding her of the goods she had hidden in her room previously. "Speaking of, I need to get something from my room before we shack up in yours. It'll be just a second, I promise." A quick nod and a squeeze of their hands was the silent response that came from Zooble, before turning and shuffling into the warmth of their own room as quick as possible.
Gangle watched the other disappear before spinning to her left and continuing one door down. The closer Zooble and Gangle got emotionally, the more grateful the ribbon girl was for their coincidental room assignments. At first, she had seen the forced proximity as bad luck; being alone with people she didn't know was a nightmare. Now, though, Gangle couldn't ask for better placement.
The door clicked softly, shutting behind the red tangle of ribbons as she quickly rummaged in the back of her dresser drawers. Pulling out two boxes wrapped in pink paper with a red bow tied with ribbon, one was noticeably smaller, making them difficult to balance with her single ribbon strand. Gangle carefully draped a few throw blankets over the other, each with a print of her own fanart. At first, asking for merch from Caine had been embarrassing, but the AI's enthusiasm to help quickly reassured her.
Struggling to keep the blankets supported, she rushed out of her room and staggered to Zooble's door. In fear of the blankets becoming too much for her, Gangle decided to skip her usual knock, letting herself in as she forced the door open. Zooble jumped slightly, not expecting the usually timid ribbon girl to be behind the slightly rough entrance. A soft thud sounded as blankets fell to the floor, Gangle taking a much-needed breath before letting the door slip shut quietly and locking it as usual, who knows when Jax would come knocking.
Finally, the porcelain-mask turned to face Zooble, beaming with the smile she presented. "It's not Christmas today, but I have a little gift! Oh," Her now free ribbon motioned toward the pile on the floor, "in case you get cold. I didn't know how warm your blankets are, I thought better safe than sorry?"
"I would never turn down a good throw." Although they didn't have a mouth, Zooble's smile was evident in their voice as they spoke. Leaning over the side of their bed as they continued, "As for your surprise present, I guess I'm lucky I prewrapped yours or this would be embarrassing." The pull-apart toy popped back up into an upright position, this time with a white and orange polka dot gift bag in paw. "Should we exchange right now then?"
Ribbons flapped in the air as Gangle practically jumped off the walls, joy evident as she skipped her way to sit on the bed near Zooble. Gangle carefully draped a couple of her blankets over both their laps as they faced each other, hanging the last over Zooble's shoulders. This was their first Christmas as more than just two people trapped in hell who happened to be next to each other. The ribbon girl has always been a huge gift-giver, so when she realized this year she had someone to share with, it filled her with delight. Not to mention, the person she was with just happened to be the best in the circus, maybe even out of it. At least according to Gangle.
"So-"
"Here! If you wouldn't mind, could you open mine first? I'm too excited to wait any longer."
The larger of the two boxes was set in Zooble's lap, leaving little room for argument, not that they would anyway. With a chuckle, they nodded and began to pull at the paper haphazardly. "I didn't realize Christmas was that exciting for you."
"It's not really Christmas that I'm excited about."
Before Zooble got a chance to question what the other meant, they became preoccupied by the handmade chest piece Gangle had made that lay softly in the now open box. The piece looked like two candy canes pushed into the shape of a heart; the red swirl looked slightly jagged and smeared in some small areas.
"I know you aren't the biggest fan of your detachable parts or anything, but I am. And I thought since I'm like one of the only things you like about the circus, then I should just make myself as a piece so you could carry me with you?" Quickly, Gangle tore open the small gift box, lifting a clip that had some abstract limbs in the vague shape of a heart. "I made one to match! So like even when you don't come on the adventures, it's like we are together." Silence filled the air as Zooble traced their handover the piece, feeling the slight bumps and inconsistencies. "You probably couldn't even use it outside of your room, since I made it out of clay, it would probably break from a fall. Honestly, it was a dumb idea. I can think of something else-"
"It's perfect, I'm keeping it. Thank you, Gangle." Zooble's kind voice cut through the anxiety building inside the other, their paw moving to rest on Gangle's hand. "The matching clip is me, right? I love that one too. I may not like my parts, Gangle, but I love the things you make, even if it's parts for this inconvenient body. Never doubt that."
Gangle felt her ribbon body relax once more, a light pink dusting her cheeks at Zooble's senserity. "Okay, I'd never doubt you, Zooble."
The gift bag was then pushed toward the middle, Zooble taking off their original chest piece as they did. "I don't think it'll match up to yours, but I hope you like it at least."
A simple clap of her ribbons, and Gangle was tearing the tissue paper away like a starving bear at a campsite. Her eyes lit up, gasping as she pulled out a figure of the abstract toy, the plastic limbs smooth and shining. "Oh Zooble, this is gorgeous!"
"It's not handmade or nothing, but it seemed to be up your alley."
"I LOVE it. Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Gangle jumped forward, wrapping her ribbons around Zooble just as they clicked the homemade piece into place, trapping the limb against the small heart. The sudden force caused the mismatch toy to fall back onto the plush bed. "This is going to be perfect with my collection! I couldn't have asked for anything better!"
A chuckle rang through the air as Zooble returned the embrace, their orange paw resting on the shy girl's waist. Well, lack thereof really. "I'm glad you like it so much. It felt a bit weird asking Caine to make a figure of myself, but I know you have a Ragatha, Jax, and Kinger ones, right? Now all you need is Pomni and Caine, then you'd have the whole circus."
"Don't forget Bubble! Maybe I can ask for him on my Caine figure, since they are always together?"Gangle shifted her position as she spoke, not away from the other by any means, getting comfortable as she let her practically weightless ribbons relax against the cool plastic of Zooble's chest. "Thank you, really Zooble." Gangle was grateful they didn't have hearts in their avatars. She's sure that if they did, Zooble would be able to feel just how fast her heart was racing. Before being trapped here- Before meeting them, she didn't have anyone looking out for her or even trying to understand the extreme emotions she couldn't seem to control. Zooble somehow made it seem effortless in Gangle's eyes, not only understanding but helping when they had the power.
Zooble simply nodded, tightening their free limb that was still gripping ribbons. "Maybe I'll get one of you so we'd be even."
Gangle pushed herself up, ribbons holding her from falling as she leaned over Zooble, eyes practically shining as she spoke. "I get to be the first in your collection? I would be honored!"
"I don't know about my own collection, but one figure couldn't hurt. Especially if it's you."
The squeal that left Gangle had Zooble fighting to cover their ears for a moment, a smile evident in their eyes. "That is beyond sweet! It would be like we are watching over each other!"
"My guardian angel."
Gangle giggled, ribbon brushing against the other in a soft punching motion. "Yet you are always the one guarding me."
"Then I guess that would make me the guardian and you the angel?" Zooble was sure their mouth would be turned up into a smirk if they had one.
Gangle would have rolled her eyes if she could, smile never dropping as she lay her head back onto the pink toy. She allowed her ribbon that had trapped Zooble to limb loosen, bringing the end around to trace the homemade piece. "I don't think I'm much of an angel, but guardian fits you well."
"Agree to disagree, then? Cause I ain't changing my CORRECT opinion."
"Agree to disagree, I like it best when we are both right." A yawn forced itself from Gangle as she spoke, a ribbon coming to try and cover the giant abyss that was her mouth.
Carefully moving the leftover wrapping to the bottom of the bed, Zooble took a moment to set the figure Gangle had still been gripping on their nightstand. "Let's get a bit of rest. After today's adventure, I'm sure you could use it." The porcelain-masked girl nodded lightly as she let Zooble move and adjust them both, until they were wrapped around each other, more comfortably this time. "Is this alright?"
A quiet hum was the only reply Gangle could manage as she tightened her grip slightly, eyes already shut tight. Zooble carefully pulled both blankets up and practically over both other their heads, curling down to rest their face against Gangles. The distant Christmas music that was usually a bother began to lull them to sleep as the quite snores of Gangle filled the room.