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One evening inside the Amazing Digital Circus, Pomni sat at the dinner table despite not wanting to eat. A single plate lay in front of her, empty and ignored. While the others ate and drank, she glared into the distance with palm on her chin and bottom lip jutting out. The only reason she was here was because Gummigoo had an appetite. Her sour mood didn't go unnoticed by him, given he was sitting beside her. She blinked as he leaned in close, his muzzle hovering next to her shoulder.
"What's wrong?" he asked, quiet and low.
She wanted to reassure him with a smile, but her face wasn't cooperating. And all for a stupid reason, too. There was no point in pretending everything was fine around him, so she summed up her indignation with two simple words: "High heels."
Understandably, he needed more of an explanation than that, so when none was offered after an extended wait, he prodded. "Like... in general, or a particular set...?"
"In general. No, wait, a specific pair. No. Actually... Both." She sighed heavily. "That NPC from today..."
"You mean the lead actress from the movie set?"
"Yeah, her. She was... tall. She was already tall, so she didn't need high heels and yet she was wearing them as part of her role for the film and... I don't know. I mean, I do know Caine's adventures can be silly and make no sense sometimes, but I don't know why this one detail is bothering me so much...
"Actually, scratch that. I do know why. It's... because I'm..." She closed her eyes and squirmed, wishing she didn't have to say the s word out loud.
He spared her the trouble. "...Not all that tall?"
She nodded, grimacing. "Yes. And it's a dumb thing to care about, I know. And it's even dumber to get all jealous and worked up over the concept of high heels, even though they make you taller but they're so damn uncomfortable. It's a stupid design, so why should I care? I mean, they're not the only things you can wear for some extra height. There's stilts, for example. Even though they're also uncomfortable and they're not meant to be worn at all times. I guess there's some platform shoes that are alright, though, but..."
"Pomni." Gummigoo smiled and inched closer, tapping his nose against her cheek. "Is this your way of trying to hint at what I should get you for your next birthday?"
She made full direct eye contact, her focus rescued from her own rambling string of consciousness. "No, of course not. I just... I know I'm fine the way I am, but sometimes I wish I could... I don't know... grow at will? That way I could be more... helpful?
"Like, today got me thinking how much it sucks that it took twenty minutes for me to get a soda for the director, all because I couldn't reach the top shelf of the fridge. So I had to run all over the studio looking for a stupid stepladder. It would've been easier if I was just a little bit more..."
She shook her head rapidly to stop with the ruminating. She composed a smile instead. "Thanks, Gummigoo. For listening, I mean. I feel better now."
"You sure?"
"Mm-hmm."
He continued looking at her. "You know," he said slowly, "if you ever need a boost, you can always ask me for a lift. I could give you a ride on my shoulders so you can see what it's like to be tall whenever you want."
She raised an eyebrow, not expecting an actual plan for her insignificant problem. "Huh? That's nice, but there's no need for that. It's not like a real solution, anyway. Unless you're willing to carry me for the whole day," she chuckled.
But it was no joke to him. "'Course I am. I can even do it forever, if that's what you want. It'd be an honor to help my lady in any way she needs."
She stared like he wasn't serious, despite knowing better. He meant every word. Her new smile was born from amusement and gratitude. "You're a silly guy, but thanks for the offer. I'll... consider it, even though I'd rather not be a burden to you."
"You aren't a burden, darling. You're like..." His voice trailed off as he took a gander around them. The table held a variety of different foods, condiments, and utensils. Their friends sat chatting amongst each other, eating, drinking, and laughing. Next to the fruit punch bowl, a small crystal plate with something on it caught his eye. "...this."
He dragged it over. Etched along the rim, a design of curly little flowers chained together. The plate was simple and cute, but it wasn't what he wanted to compare Pomni with. The real object of interest was the treat settled on it. A slice of thin and fluffy white-and-red cake gave off a delicate strawberry aroma.
"Shortcake?" the jester asked.
"Oh, you want it? As you wish. Open up." He neatly cut off a piece with a silver fork and held it toward her mouth.
She laughed before obliging him, shutting her eyes. It tasted sweet on her tongue and even after swallowing, the flavor lingered.
He fed her another piece, then she held out her hand for the fork so she could return the gesture. He let her feed him, occasionally smacking his lips to make her laugh.
After finishing the dessert, they retired for the night. They walked up the tent's spiral staircase together and entered the long hallway that contained everyone's rooms. At the end of each day, they'd randomly decide if they wanted to sleep together or if one would escort the other to their door. There was no method to it, no expectations, just whatever their hearts guided them to do. Tonight they strolled past Pomni's room so she could drop him off at his.
When they arrived, they stopped in front of the door, faced each other in the empty, quiet hall, and held hands.
"Good night, Gummigoo. Sweet dreams."
"See you in the morning, my lovely shortcake."
The new term of endearment earned him a quirked eyebrow accompanied by a never-ceasing smile.
He spoke again to emphasize his earlier suggestion. "I'm serious about the lifting-you-on-my-shoulders thing. Just give me a signal and I'll be your living stilts. Hopefully, I'm more comfortable for you to use than high heels."
Pomni understood how lucky she was to have him in her life, never mind having him willingly give his heart to her. She didn't expect to develop feelings for him after bringing him to the circus, so his reciprocation was something she urged herself to never take for granted. "Alright, sounds like a plan. I appreciate it."
She squeezed his hands and closed her eyes. Her feet elevated themselves onto tiptoe by way of a hard-to-break habit. She waited expectantly and he responded with perfect timing, as usual.
The distance between their faces disappeared. A warm, soothing glow, something she only experienced with him, flourished deep inside her chest. She imagined that sensation was her soul bubbling with joy from connecting to his artificial one—as much as it was possibly able to, at least. Her lips relaxed and savored the touch of his own moving, grazing, and pressing against hers with care.
He was sweet and true.
Another habit, one she learned to accept, always happened whenever they finished kissing. Once he drew away, Pomni couldn't help but lick her lips over and over. It was impossible not to since he was made entirely of candy. He didn't mind her quirk in the slightest—quite the contrary.
When she was done, he put his hand on the doorknob and gave her a wave as she stepped back and did the same. She kept waving while walking backwards, then turned around before her knobbly legs could give way.
The next morning, she rose from sleep refreshed and rejuvenated. Her body didn't need exercise, but she stretched the digital muscles of her arms and legs nonetheless. She rolled out of bed, stepped to her vanity, took a seat, and looked at herself in the mirror to indulge in light grooming. Unnecessary, but it felt nice pretending to gussy up for her love.
Once satisfied, she walked out the door. The hallway was lifeless. Did Gummigoo wake yet or was he still sleeping? She turned toward his room to check.
She knocked on his door twice, paused briefly, then quickly rapped three more times. It was a secret knock they invented to prove who was on the other side. While she waited for an answer, last night's conversation drifted into her thoughts. Whenever she wanted extra height, he wanted her to give a signal. What kind, though? Nothing too complicated, but not too simple, either. Something unique, like... Hmm...
The door stayed shut and the bedroom remained silent inside. She took her leave, deciding to brainstorm later.
Exiting the residential hall, she emerged onto the second floor proper.
The curved railing beckoned her to climb aboard for a peek at the main room below. She stood on her toes and pulled herself up to gaze across the vast first floor of the circus.
A short survey revealed Gummigoo. He was the size of a real gummy now; if she reached out, she could pretend to pinch him between her fingers.
He was walking carefree until he suddenly halted in his tracks like he'd heard a voice call out to him from above. He lifted his head and blinked directly at her, mouth parting. She gripped the rail in concern, wondering what had taken him by surprise.
Then he slowly raised a hand and waved at her, still starry-eyed and slack-jawed in a dream-like state.
Oh. That enthralled look was meant solely for her. He was just in awe because it was the first time he laid eyes on her today. She relaxed and smiled shyly, her cheeks warm as she supported herself with one arm to freely wave at him with the other.
There were two ways to get to the first floor. Some distance away on her right, the spiral staircase looped its way down. On her left side, a firefighter pole offered an alternative, faster, and more childish descent. Normally, she'd never use it, but it would let her reunite with her favorite person in the circus—in all of reality—quickly. Taking a chance, she grabbed hold of it and started sliding before discretion caught on.
The speeding air whipped the tails of her jester hat in all directions, reminding her of the day she first met him. Launching themselves out of the underground asset maze felt just as exhilarating. As she slid, he began walking to meet her at the landing point.
While halfway down, someone shouted from the floor she'd left behind. "Geronimo!"
That voice... She glared up, annoyed and anxious. That was Jax. The purple rabbit had his eyes shut haughtily, sliding down the pole in an arrogant stance. He stood straight, gripping the pole in one hand while also curling his calf around it. The other hand was placed on his hip while his free foot kicked at the air carelessly.
He was approaching fast; she knew a collision was inevitable unless he forced himself to brake immediately. She could leap off, but the action was too scary to entertain, even if Gummigoo somehow managed to catch her in time. She thought about yelling out a warning, but with the way his ears flapped, her voice would go unheard, whether intentionally or not.
During her haste to come up with a plan, the ground went unnoticed until it was too late. She landed heavily and painfully, sprawled on her stomach. Winded, she lost the ability to move... and then a fresh wave of agony rammed against her back. "Oof! Ow!" she cried.
Jax's foot crushed her spine; he tripped backward and wound up sitting on her like she was a doormat.
"Ugh! What the...? Oh, it's you, Pomni. Didn't notice you down there—you're so tiny! Thanks for cushioning my fall, though." He stood and dusted himself off, snickering. "Ah, just messing with you, pipsqueak. I knew you were below me from the start."
As Pomni gingerly rose to her feet, the pain subsided thanks to the innate properties of her digital form. She faced Jax with gloved fists quaking at her sides.
The sound of hurrying footsteps grounded her, keeping her from seeing total red. She inhaled deeply, then exhaled calm and quiet. When the familiar steps stopped behind her, she knew what to do. Now was the time...
Without turning around, without speaking a word, she raised her hands and clapped them twice. Clap clap!
The gentleman behind her understood what she wanted. He noiselessly scooped her up onto his shoulders without trouble.
One second, she was staring up at Jax. The next, her line of sight rose higher and didn't stop even when it reached on par with his face. It continued until it rested just beyond the tips of his ears. She actually had to direct her eyes downward to meet his.
Jax's grin faltered, for a moment. "And what do you think you're planning to do like that?"
As an answer, Pomni showed him exactly what she wanted to do. She seized hold of his long ears with an ease and swiftness that was more invigorating to her than shocking.
Before anyone knew it, she was yanking and tugging as hard as she could, his vexed protests soon turning to yelps of pain. Vengeance! It was happening, its reality undeniable. Now it was Jax's turn to be looked down on and tormented! Karma was being delivered with her own two hands!
And Gummigoo proved himself worthy as her lower half, neatly dodging any attempted kicks from her foe while keeping her balance nice and steady.
The tug-of-war tussle lasted less than a minute.
"Alright, alright! Uncle! I give, I give!"
She gave one last pull for good measure before letting go.
Jax stumbled back before righting himself. He reached up and tenderly massaged his sore ears as he groaned, "Two on one ain't fair!"
Pomni was about to shoot back a retort when another member of the circus rushed over to see what all the commotion was.
Turning to see who was approaching, Jax split into a maniacal grin. "Ah, now this'll do in a pinch!"
Ragatha frowned, then squealed in shock as he grabbed her and tried to hoist her atop his shoulders. There was a frenzied clamor as her arms and legs flailed, the fabric of her dress flying across his face as he spun and waltzed about like a drunk caveman. Censored curses shot out as the duo lost the fight against gravity (and each other). Jax fell flat on his back with Ragatha's prone body smothering him.
She grunted and coughed, then unceremoniously lifted herself back onto her feet. "Well, that was stupid," she declared, smoothing out her dress and regaining her composure, "but if I had to guess, I'd bet he's the one who started it all, huh?" She turned to Pomni and Gummigoo, who nodded. Placing her hands on her hips, she threw Jax a pitiful frown. "Isn't it a bit early in the morning to be starting trouble?"
Jax rotated onto his side, easing into a sultry pose. The wide, trademarked grin of his returned. "They're the ones who got physical," he said calmly. "And no, it's never too early for a little action."
Ragatha rolled her single eye. "Figures. Come on, let's leave these two alone and grab a bite to eat before it's time to see Caine for our next adventure."
She bent down and offered her hand, which he accepted. He stood to his full height, cracked his knuckles, popped his suspenders, and followed after her with metaphorical nose in the air as she waved goodbye to the quiet couple.
Pomni and Gummigoo waited until they were alone again, then looked at each other and chuckled.
"So how do you like the view up there?" he asked.
She blinked and took the opportunity to acknowledge her new perspective. The inside of the circus was physically unchanged, but starkly different at the same time. The black-and-white checkerboard floor was further away. Observing the environment via tilting her head was no longer necessary. She was perched on a higher plane that made her stomach twinge with its unfamiliarity, so she breathed slow until she grew accustomed to it. That wasn't hard because of Gummigoo. His hands kept her in place, his hat didn't cause her discomfort, and the jagged bumps along the back of his head and neck didn't hurt at all. Quite the opposite, in fact.
She smiled. "It's wonderful."
"I'm happy to do this for you all day, if you like."
"Thank you, Gummi. Can we walk around until the adventure starts?"
"Of course."
He stepped with caution at first. She wondered how heavy she was for him, but he never complained. They meandered around the circus tent's ground level at a leisurely pace, Pomni glancing to and fro like it was her first time there. They passed by a mirror on the wall, and she pointed at it to make him go back.
She checked their reflection only to discover they were too close; her head wasn't in view. He moved backward until their whole selves appeared. That wouldn't have needed to happen if she were standing on her own. It seemed being tall had its own quirks that required a bit of extra effort now and then. Not that she minded; she liked how they looked together.
They explored the area more until Bubble appeared on the big stage where the crew always met for the day's briefing. He whistled long and loud to get everyone's attention. The time for a new adventure was at hand.
Gangle arrived first, followed by Pomni and Gummigoo. Her eyes widened in surprise at their unusual arrangement, but they simply smiled at her, so she smiled back and offered a little wave up to Pomni, who returned it.
Kinger ambled up next. He stood beside Gummigoo, noticed him, then narrowed his eyes, staring intently.
"Something's different about you," he said, rubbing his chin region in thought. He glossed over Pomni more than once before finally gasping.
"Gummigoo!" he shouted, pointing up at her. "Did you know there's a jester wrapped around your head?"
The gummy croc cast a casual glance upward. "Yup," he said. There was a short, neutral pause. He then continued with a question of his own. "Do you like her?"
Kinger nodded. "Oh, she looks very nice on you."
Pomni burst into melodic laughter as Gummigoo beamed and thanked the kind king for the compliment.
Caine chose that moment to make his grand entrance on stage in a puff of white smoke, right as Jax and Ragatha joined up with them.
"Good morning, my delectable dewdrops! For today's adventure, you'll be visiting the greatest source of knowledge known to mankind! That's right, it's none other than your one-and-only local library! It'll be up to you to hit those books and learn as many brand new things as you can! Your adventure will be completed once your noggins have been fed with a total of five hundred new facts across the board, and that includes feeding the NPC noggins as well! The gift of knowledge is meant to be shared, after all!"
He then raised his voice and called out to the only absent circus member. "And it'll be your loss, Zooble! Because by the end of the day, everyone will be smarter than you! Why, I bet their IQs will increase by no less than fifty-seven points!"
The only reply was a resounding dull silence.
Caine hovered in place and groaned, slapping a hand to the side of his face. "What's the point in asking for low-key adventures if they don't even bother to hear about them?!"
Gangle raised her hand timidly. "Um, I think it's because you keep making us go on them every day instead of waiting for us to decide when we want to go on one?"
"Oh, is that all? Well that's not how things work around here, and Zooble should know that by now!" He snapped his fingers to conjure up a glowing portal. "They'll regret missing out once you all come back older and wiser! Run along now, my dazzling scholars!"
He shooed them through the shiny gateway politely but firmly.
Gangle, Kinger, Jax, Ragatha, Pomni, and Gummigoo found themselves on top of green grass warmed by pleasant rays of sunshine. Before them, a statue of Caine pointed up a marble staircase leading to a grand, stately building. The sign nearby, to no one's surprise, proclaimed him as the founder whom the library was named after. As they climbed the steps to The Library of Caine, a gentle cool breeze helped them along. The set of entrance doors automatically slid open at their approach.
Inside, the foyer welcomed them with a quaint ambiance. Chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, classy paintings adorned the walls, and the air smelled of old books. One object stood out of place as a way to ensure everyone noticed it: a giant floating ticker sign. It hovered above their heads displaying big red letters that said...
New Things Learned:
0
Something else out of the ordinary also captured their attention—a deep voice booming from one of the nearby open reading rooms. It belonged to someone they recognized: the Gloink Queen. From what they heard, it sounded like she was talking to her children, trying to settle some disagreement.
"Patience, my darlings! I can only read you all one story at a time."
As the circus crew took a few steps forward, a group of Gloinks spilled out of the reading room, rolling and hopping to them en masse. Many surrounded Ragatha, with one Gloink bouncing higher than the others, carrying some kind of modern fable storybook. The rest of the horde did the same to Kinger, except the bouncy little leader carried a book that had cartoony flying insects on the cover.
The Gloink Queen's head peered out from the reading room's doorframe, along with a few more Gloinks that opted to watch the commotion rather than join it. Atop her nose, she, too, carried a book.
Her plethora of eyes brightened. "Oh, what luck! Would you two unsightly mongrels read those stories to my beloved children? I'll make it worth your while by keeping myself from gobbling you up if you do."
Ragatha's answer was instantaneous, like she was conditioned to agree to requests without thinking. "Oh, sure, no problem! We'd love to help out, right, Kinger?"
Kinger was turning the insect book over in his hands, his face alive with keen interest. "Huh? Oh, yeah, of course! Caine said teaching things to the NPCs also counted, after all. Come along, little tykes. Follow me."
He led the small gathering of Gloinks around him toward another reading room, next to the one their mother occupied. Following suit, Ragatha took her bouncing group to the room beside his, happily musing aloud what sort of life lessons they'd be learning from their storybook.
Jax watched them go, then stretched his arms toward the ceiling. "Welp," he yawned, "if anyone needs me, I'll be in the comics section."
Gangle broke into a big smile. "Oh, I'll go with you; the manga section is that way, too."
Their departure left just Pomni and Gummigoo. He let her decide their next move, and she settled on browsing around for something interesting to read.
They made their way deeper into the library, walking up and down the different aisles. Pomni was excited about being able to easily reach the higher shelves. She searched through title after title that crossed her elevated line of sight, but couldn't find anything in particular she wanted to learn about.
That changed when they entered the nonfiction section.
Gummigoo had been quiet the whole time, so when Pomni spotted a certain book, she was eager to get his opinion on it.
"Can we read this?"
"Sure, love," he answered before she could even point out which book she was talking about.
She furrowed her forehead, then smirked. Alright, then. Guess it was going to have to be a surprise.
They went to find somewhere to sit. Several tables and armchairs were in front of a glass wall that revealed the sunny area out back, allowing natural light to shine through. NPC art mannequins sat around studying, reading, or clicking away at laptops.
Gummigoo took Pomni to an empty armchair, loosening his grip so she could slip off his shoulders. They cozied up together, the soft cushion sinking beneath their weight. He wrapped his arm around her and gently pressed his snout against her neck.
She paused in the middle of opening the book. "I'm starting to get the feeling you're more interested in cuddling than reading."
"Very observant of you, my darling shortcake."
She sighed, but smiled, snapping the book shut. She let him nudge against her a few moments longer before saying, "Gummi? At least look at the cover so you know what you're dragging our adventure out for."
He definitely did take his sweet time in doing as she wanted, but he gave in nevertheless. Tearing his gaze slowly from hers, he finally acknowledged the book in her hands.
His hold on her tightened. "Er—"
She chuckled at the reaction.
He did a double take before removing his arm from her and pointing at the cover. "From your world?" he asked.
It was a closeup photo of a crocodile—a real one. Reptilian eyes, dark rough skin, sharp teeth, and all.
"Uh-huh."
He stared at the title, which was simply Crocodiles, and wrinkled his nose. "Well, so far I've learned they're damn hideous."
Pomni leaned against him, grinning. "But they're fascinating creatures. Before I met you, I wouldn't have said they're my favorite animal or anything, but now I want to know all about them."
Gummigoo was quiet for a while before agreeing with her. He admitted his curiosity was piqued and that it would mean a lot to him to find out more about the world she came from.
They spent the next hour reading together. There were dozens of photorealistic images of the powerful reptiles and their habitat. After they finished a chapter about their diet and hunting methods, the gummy croc was visibly shaken.
He stopped to look at her, aghast at what he just learned. "They eat humans."
She nodded calmly. "Yes. Sometimes. And humans hunted crocodiles to turn their skin into leather purses." When his disturbed expression deepened, she went on to inform him of another fact. "You do know humans eat gummies, right?"
He started to protest, but couldn't falsify this basic observation. Thinking it over, he slowly and reluctantly conceded to her truthful words. "I suppose you're right... but I hope you know I would never try to eat you. And I would assume you'd do the same for me..."
He blinked abruptly. "Then again..."
A mischievous smirk curled along the length of his jaws. Pomni tensed, suspicious of what was coming.
"I suppose... if you're into that sort of thing, then... you could pretend to chow down on me if you wanted. It might not be so bad... considering the way you get sometimes when we..."
She turned away, face flushing a deep pink. "N-No, I don't think..." Her voice trailed off as her mind flashed back to the many times she had to lick her lips because of him. Not that it was his fault he tasted the way he did.
He leaned in closer, snaking his arm around her again. "Role reversal, then?"
One nip to her chin and she jolted with a short loud squeak.
"Oh, stahp, there's kids here...!"
He ramped up the ante instead, letting his hands roam where they pleased. "Well, if they see us, then maybe they can learn something new."
"Oh my god!"
"Shhhhh!"
Every NPC mannequin within earshot turned to them with a hand raised to their face, silencing the noisy pair. A couple of far-off voices called out, "This is a library!" and, "Get a room!"
Gummigoo scowled and looked like he was about to say something very rude to them all, so Pomni scrambled to restore order before things escalated. "Okay, I think it's time for some fresh air now."
Clap clap!
She clapped twice to signal her desire for upsies, and Gummigoo sprang into action like a well-trained pooch. His mood completely brightened at the chance to help his little lady grow taller at will.
They left the crocodile book on the chair for someone else to discover and learn from. Nestled atop her sweetheart's shoulders once more, Pomni pointed to the glass wall where the outdoors beckoned from the other side. Gummigoo nodded and proceeded to find the back exit.
Outside dwelled a lovely, well-to-do park. Benches, bushes, and trees surrounded a nice area with barbecue grills and picnic tables. Her eyes scanned beyond them and landed on a basketball court. She grinned, appreciating her beau's wonderful idea to make her tall, because she was about to have fun in a sport she never liked before.
As a bonus, they had the place all to themselves. A wire bin on the edge of the court offered them free basketballs. He grabbed one, handed it to her, and stood in front of one of the hoops. From this height, she didn't have to crane her neck that much. Actually making a shot from here seemed doable! Easy, even!
Taking aim, she judged the distance carefully and fired confidently. It was a clean throw. The net made a satisfying whoosh as it caught the ball, which fell and rolled back as faithfully as a returning boomerang.
She stayed in place shooting hoops until eventually wanting to try dribbling. She timed how long it took for the ball to hit the ground and rise again, adjusting the firmness of her grip and the force of her push until she mastered the technique. The next step was to dribble up and down the court. With coordinated teamwork, Gummigoo became a natural extension of herself. They worked in sync, like they were one and the same.
She got a bold idea. A feat that was impossible to execute before today was now within her capability: making a slam dunk. What did he think? Could she do it?
Of course he did.
He got into position at the court's center, firmly holding onto her. They eyed the hoop with unshakable resolve. She dribbled a few times before leaning against his head, spurning him into a run.
The air whipped past her face, but she never blinked, never lost focus on the hoop. Her stomach clenched with adrenaline as they got closer, then hit the point of no return.
He propelled them both with ample might. Her heart drummed. The hoop was closer, closer... There!
She raised the ball too quickly and harshly, causing her upper body to stagger, but through sheer willpower, she fought against the pushback with lightning speed.
"Go for it, Pomni!"
In an instant, it was over. Her hands were on the rim, the ball was stuffed within the net, and the following freefall took them down in slow motion. To her, it was more like flying than falling.
Gummigoo grunted as he landed. Rightening up, he relaxed his grip around her, but would soon learn they weren't done yet. Smiling with pride, he asked, "So how did it feel?"
"Amazing!" she panted. Her heart raced from the thrill of pulling off such a stunt. Pumped full of energy, she wanted to keep playing. They retrieved the basketball and traveled up and down the court with it, dribbling and successfully shooting it every time.
Cocky from the winning streak, she had him stand in front of one hoop so she could make straight shots over and over again continuously. The net went swish, the ball rolled to them, she picked it up, threw it, and the cycle repeated.
Her overconfidence led to a mistake that would've been disastrous if not for her other half. With unchecked haste, she threw the ball much too hard. Not only did it miss the hoop entirely, it slammed against the backboard and ricocheted. Her eyes widened in terror, the ball milliseconds from colliding with her face.
Miraculously, Gummigoo ducked to the ground before that could happen. Her arms flung around his neck and held on like her life depended on it as the ball zoomed past and struck the other side of the court.
After a moment of stillness, he carefully unraveled himself. His slow and calculated movements contrasted with the frantic tremble in his voice. "Are you alright? Talk to me, darling."
She gave a shaky sigh mixed of pain and relief. "Ha... Y-Yeah... I'm okay." She gulped and took a minute to steady her breathing while her patient partner waited. "I guess I got too carried away... Ha... Haha..."
She blinked as something dawned on her. "I just realized... if I was my normal height, it would've just sailed right over my head."
"Do you want to get down for the rest of the day?"
She declined, as it only shocked her a moment to realize being tall carried risks. "Oh, no, that's okay. I'll just be more careful now."
Gummigoo noted her exhaustion and suggested they take a break, to which she agreed. After retrieving the ball and returning it to the wire bin, they set sights toward the library. A couple of vending machines stood next to the automatic sliding doors. Bingo—A drink to quench her thirst. He carried her over while taking unhurried, leisurely steps.
One machine offered snacks; the other contained beverages. As they stood in front of it, she smiled at their reflection shining across its surface before pondering over the available options. Sweet. The topmost button was within easy reach thanks to him. She recalled the unnecessary struggle she endured during yesterday's film studio adventure. It was nice not having to get a ladder or other person for such a simple task.
Ice-cold soda in hand, they sat on one of the benches in the barbecue cookout area. Gummigoo still supported her on his shoulders, not thirsty himself but grateful for the chance to rest his legs. They took the time to relax and enjoy the scenery. It was a bright, sunny day with the occasional light breeze sauntering past. The trees concealed birds that chirped every so often.
Gummigoo glanced at Pomni. He cherished looking at her even without a reason. Sometimes he still couldn't believe she was his.
She peered down at him. "I'm not crushing your hat too much, am I?"
"Nah, you're fine. It can't be crushed permanently; it'll pop back into shape... You can't ruin it. My, er, bumps aren't too much of a bother on you, are they?"
"No, they're okay. Um, they feel good, actually."
He grinned. "Right. Guess that proves it, then. Unlike the rough-skinned crocs from your world, I'm way better built... I come ribbed for your pleasure."
"Oh my god! You're lucky I wasn't drinking when you said that!"
They both laughed just as the automatic doors of the library slid open. Out poured a parade of bouncy Gloinks along with their mother bringing up the rear. Pomni whispered, "And you're lucky they didn't come out until after what you said!"
She finished her drink as the children of different shapes and colors spread out to play. A large group rolled straight for the basketball bin and started up a game while some of their siblings watched.
Next to the court, other Gloinks roamed and frolicked across a wooden path lined by trees and bushes. The road led toward a lengthy hedge wall with flowerbeds at the bottom. Roses, pansies, and more blossomed forth, all white and red and blue, looking like tufts of cotton candy. The Gloinks got into a single file line to follow along the hedge, admiring and sniffing the flowers as they went.
Gummigoo smiled in their direction, and Pomni suspected he secretly wanted to join them. After tossing her empty soda can into a nearby receptacle like a pro basketball player, she reached down and tenderly scratched his chin. "Let's get a closer look at those flowers."
"As you wish."
He escorted her down the wooded path, steady and careful as before. Walking past the gently rustling trees and bushes put them in a tranquil mood. What could be more quaint than going on a little nature stroll outside a library?
They stepped in line behind the Gloinks and waited for their turn to reach the flowerbeds. Only, once they arrived, Pomni's fake height conspicuously gave them trouble again. Gummigoo backed up and bent until he was almost sitting so her face reached the fragrant petals blooming low to the ground. He maneuvered swifter than was ideal so the line would keep moving, for more Gloinks had bounced over. There was barely time to get a whiff himself.
The constant up-and-down workout was so burdensome that Pomni sheepishly asked to be put down. He did as she wanted gracefully. Now she was closer to the Gloinks, their hops almost reaching her at eye level. Like magic, her normal size made it easy to interact with the flowers. She admired, sniffed, and caressed each and every one of them. The extra weight off his shoulders gave Gummigoo a better time of it, too.
After the last flowerbed, the next portion of hedge wall curved into an archway. A sign stood next to it, showcasing it as the entrance to a hedge maze for children with a surprise waiting for them when they found the exit. The Gloinks at the front of the line read the sign, then collectively bounced inside the maze to accept the challenge.
Pomni smiled. She knew Gummigoo disliked childish things, but also knew that never prevented him from having fun with her. She looked forward to exploring the cute little hedge maze together, but her expectations fell away as soon as she lifted her head to look at him. He was too tall; the hedges were easy for him to see over. One of the Gloinks behind them even narrowed their beady eyes at him, frowning as though daring him to cheat his way to whatever surprise lay in wait for everyone.
Pomni, though, was just short enough to qualify. She couldn't see over the hedges even if she tiptoed. She frowned and was about to steer her sweetheart around to leave when he placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Go on, sheila. I'll wait." He leaned in and gave her a light kiss on the cheek, causing some of the nearby Gloinks to jump up and down rapidly in disgust. He grinned at their reaction, then winked at her. "Sometimes the best way I can help is by... not helping. So go on without me and have a good time."
She formed a tiny smile and nodded before giving him a soft hug for goodbye.
Past the arched entrance lay a clearing, where a pile of red and blue flower petals rested in the center. The Gloinks gathered in front of them. There were only two ways to proceed further into the maze: left or right. As she drew near, the young group turned toward the right because more petals were scattered in that direction. All began to hop and roll down the clearly marked path... except one. Pomni stood beside the unmoving Gloink, watching as its siblings traveled ahead. It was green and shaped like a star and it frowned as if unsure whether to follow the crowd or not.
Pomni smiled kindly and knelt down low to better match its height. "Maybe we should all stick together in here, so we don't get lost."
It blinked in surprise as she spoke to it, acknowledged its existence. It stared at her face with wide eyes, glanced between the left and right paths, then performed a single hop in place with a cute boing sound. She took that to mean it agreed with her.
She stood and started following the petals to catch up with the others as the green star-shaped Gloink kept close at her heels.
It was a straightforward walk. They emerged into a new area where the Gloinks were already proceeding down the leftmost of three available pathways, for it had more flower petals leading into it.
Pomni glanced at the rejected middle and right paths. The latter led directly to a visible dead end. The former went on like normal before turning a sharp corner into parts unseen.
She approached the petals, but the green Gloink continued staring into the mysterious center path. Before she could ask what the matter was, it started bounding down that direction. Taken aback, she was about to shout they had to stay together, but at that moment, the other Gloinks returned.
"Oh...! You're back! Wrong way, then?" she asked the group to no response. They proceeded past her in their hurry for the correct path, resulting in a small stampede that made one Gloink trip face-first onto the ground.
"It's not a race!" she called, stepping over to help the fallen little one back up. It shook itself rid of dust, then continued on unperturbed. Pomni followed.
The rest of the labyrinth housed more flower petal trails that sometimes misled them, sometimes guided them. Now and again the group split up to try different pathways, the green star-shaped one confidently and consistently going against the majority.
Pomni heard the sound of trickling water somewhere beyond the hedges, which got quieter whenever they took a wrong turn and louder whenever they made progress. She was soon the unspoken leader, listening for the correct paths to take and sparing them all the hassle of trial and error. Even the green Gloink gave up doing its own thing, putting its pride aside in favor of trusting her. The young group all looked to her in awe with shining eyes and gaping mouths, unaware of how she knew which way to go.
The maze finally ended in a wide grassy area set up like a scene from Alice in Wonderland. The trickle's source was a two-tiered stone fountain that begat water. Nearby, a table held teapots, teacups, plates, utensils, and a fresh cake underneath a glass display case. A few Gloinks were already seated, enjoying a tea party.
Everyone accompanying Pomni quickly hopped over to play in the water, or join the tea party, or dash for the arched exit... toward their mother, whose head was squeezed through it, as though wearing a leafy garland around her neck. She kissed her children and had a Polaroid camera on her vast, flat nose to take pictures of them having fun.
Pomni didn't want to interrupt the happy family, so she sat atop the fountain's stone base to rest. The green star-shaped Gloink bounced in front of its mother before turning back and rolling straight to Pomni. It stopped at her feet as the Gloink Queen slithered toward them.
"Clancy here tells me you helped everyone get through the maze," she remarked. Said child jumped into Pomni's arms and beamed at her, and she couldn't help but smile back.
"You're part of the chess piece and rag doll's group, yes? I'd like to bestow a humble gift to you for what you've done for us noble Gloinks today." She moved her head, aiming the camera at her and closing all but one of her eyes before commanding, "Smile!"
The jester did as told, hugging Clancy close with one hand while giving a peace sign with the other.
The camera clicked and flashed, then sputtered out an instant photograph that slid close to the queen's lips. She gave a gentle puff, making it flutter down for Pomni to catch.
Clancy hopped off as she took a look at her gift. It was a nice picture; neither of them had blinked, the lighting was perfect, and the flowing water fountain acted as a lovely backdrop. She thanked the two Gloinks, who smiled warmly at her before turning their attention back to the others.
She quietly observed the photograph for a while longer, impressed with its high quality, then stood up. Walking a few steps forward, she heard Gummigoo call her name. His head peered over the hedge wall behind the tea party. She waved and ran for the dining table to retrieve an empty chair because the lower half of the Gloink Queen's body was still wedged through the arched exit.
She dragged the chair over, placed it against the hedges, and climbed on top so her beau could lift her out of the maze. Happy to see her again, he set her down on the ground in front of him but didn't let go of her hand. Instead he lifted it high so she could twirl herself around slowly, allowing him to take a good look at her. It was his way of checking to make sure she was unhurt after they reunited from a considerable time apart.
He then kissed the back of her hand, relinquished his grip, and acknowledged the slip she held. "What's that you got there?"
"A memento," she replied, offering it to him.
He accepted and examined it. At first, things were normal. Then his casual smile faded away.
She rubbed her hands together nervously. "What's wrong?"
He looked from her to the photo and back again. "Nothing, it's just..." He stared at the picture for many somber moments before sighing. "I just learned that I love you more right now than I did this morning."
Not expecting an answer like that, she blushed deeply. "Because of the picture?" she asked, both flattered and confused.
He ran a hand across his chin and pointed at the smiling Gloink in the photo. "You look so happy holding it. You're posing with it so naturally, like it's... like you think it's, well..."
He covered part of his mouth, brow furrowing. There was a hardened silence; he seemed uncertain if finishing his thought was the right call or not.
But she understood, so she finished it for him. "...Real?"
The way he averted his eyes told her all she needed.
He had a difficult time with the r word just as much as she had trouble with the s word.
She smiled and stepped close to him, taking his free hand lightly in hers. It trembled, but the soothing sound of her voice calmed it enough for him to stabilize and return her grasp.
"That Gloink's name is Clancy. The Queen took a picture of us because I helped everyone get through the maze safe and sound. She really loves all her kids and they all really love her."
He swallowed, then gingerly knelt down on one knee to look into her eyes. "You don't have to care about them, but you do. It feels like forever ago, but you didn't have to care about me, either. You could've left me in that dark underground labyrinth where we first met, but you didn't. Your heart's the biggest thing about you, Pomni, and it's the main reason why I can't stop falling for you." His lips settled into a small smile. "Also, looking at this photo is enough for me to think you'd make a wonderful mum."
A quick smirk passed her face as she resisted the urge to joke about whether he thought they could handle as many kids as the Gloink Queen. Instead, she shared a simple, genuine sentiment with him. "I think you'd make a fantastic dad."
She squeezed his hand before letting go so she could wrap her arms around him, their cheeks touching as they embraced.
Rough, loud static crackled from the direction of the library. Through it boomed a robotic voice similar to Caine's. It echoed from a PA speaker system, proclaiming that the goal of five hundred new discoveries had been reached.
As the couple separated, Gummigoo asked if he could keep her photograph.
"Of course!"
"Thanks. I'm gonna give it a nice spot in my room."
They held hands as they returned to the library. Pomni didn't feel like riding on his shoulders anymore. She was satisfied with all the new heights he let her experience today.
By the time they made it back to the foyer, the ticker sign now read...
New Facts Learned:
502
They were the first ones to arrive. As they waited for their friends, the number increased to 503. Gangle showed up not long after.
"Sorry I'm late!" She hobbled over to them carrying a stack of books, mostly manga. "I was checking out some things to take home, and I even found a book I think Zooble might like."
Pomni nodded in understanding. "It's alright, Gangle."
"Yeah, no need to apologize. Everyone's not here yet," Gummigoo added.
They glanced around the empty space, wondering what was holding up the others. The ticker sign increased again to a total of 504.
After a casual chat about what they'd learned today, the trio decided they'd waited long enough. It was time to look for their missing crew mates themselves. They approached the main section of the library where a sea of bookshelves divided the different genres. Under the biographies section, a bustle of activity lured them to investigate.
Jax and Ragatha were moving fast along the aisle, the former knocking books down or rearranging them while the latter hurried to pick them up as well as put them back in their proper place.
Gummigoo whistled sharply to get their attention. "Oi, you two! Didn't ya hear the PA? It's time to go!"
"Yeah, one minute! Ugh, you're such a child, Jax!"
"Lighten up, Rags! Everything's gonna disappear anyway!" Jax laughed as he abandoned the mess he made, bolting for the foyer.
Ragatha refused to leave until everything was in order, so they helped her out to get the job done quicker.
Now all that was left was finding Kinger. He was harder to track down, but they soon found him in a computer room with an NPC. The wooden art mannequin wore a curly white wig and glasses with dangling beaded chains. She sat at a desk with a computer, moving the mouse under her hand slowly.
"And then you double-click on this button here." Kinger stood beside her, patiently pointing at the screen.
"Left-click twice in a row, correct? Like this? That's it?"
"Yup!"
"Oh, thank you! You make it look so easy!"
This explained why the ticker was still gradually increasing. Kinger glanced at his friends and waved at them before wrapping up his teaching session.
Everyone was accounted for. As they all stepped through the automatic doors, the portal home magically appeared.
Caine welcomed them back with great enthusiasm, impressed that they went above and beyond the original goal of 500. He wanted to give them a reward for the extra effort.
No one really knew what to ask for until Jax shrugged and said he was hungry. He rubbed his hands together and requested an all-meat smorgasbord for dinner.
Gummigoo got a sudden look of inspiration and threw in an adjacent request. "Throw in a bunch of shortcake for dessert, if you don't mind." He looked at Pomni as he continued, "Some strawberry and some blueberry."
Caine found their wishes acceptable. As the cooked meat filled the tent with a mouth-watering aroma, the two lovebirds looked forward to dessert the most. They took turns feeding each other bites of the fluffy confection, gazing at each other with soft affection.
Afterward, they walked hand-in-hand up the spiral staircase, through the residents hall, and stopped outside her bedroom. She thanked him again for making her tall whenever she wanted, and he thanked her again for letting him keep the photograph of her and the little Gloink.
They showed additional gratitude with something other than words that was just as warm and kind. Her toes lifted onto their tips as she closed her eyes for a gentle kiss good night. The moment his lips made contact, her shoulders fell slack. He placed his hands on them and pressed down... not so firmly as to hurt, but enough to push her back onto her heels. She kept her eyes closed, still relaxed and trusting. He sank to the floor, sitting so she didn't have to tilt her head as much. He cupped her face, his lips never separating from hers. As their kiss deepened, she hugged his neck.
He didn't have to stoop down for her, so he must've done it because he wanted to... Maybe he got curious of what being shorter was like. The kiss was just the same as always: perfectly pleasing and full of love. Her soul glowed inside her chest like before, readily intertwining with his own.
This was heaven made real.
As usual, when they finished she immediately licked at the taste he left behind on her. He watched, still cupping her face and not making a move to stand. He was in no hurry to leave her.
"Do you maybe... wanna..." He tossed a suggestive look at her door. "...make a kid or two together?"
The licks were replaced with a laugh so sudden she snorted.
"I don't know about that... It's an awfully big decision..." She grinned slyly and hummed as if thinking it over, teasing him. With her head still in his hands, she nodded and said, "Tomorrow."
His tail wagged against the floor in the cutest way. He leaned forward and kissed her again full on the lips. "Alright. I'm looking forward to it." He smiled against her. "Love you."
"I... I love you, too," she stammered. He had a way of sweeping her off her feet so well, it often brought her close to swooning literally.
He tucked his snout underneath her chin one more time before sliding his hands from her face. Carefully, he returned to his normal height. He tipped his hat and started for his own room as she waved.
She opened her door and entered her personal sanctuary with a wobbly smile, already wondering what tomorrow night's rendezvous would be like. The cozy atmosphere welcomed her home with open arms, coaxing her to get a good night's rest. As she approached her bed, a strange sensation picked at her brain. Something was... off. Curious, she looked around. Had someone tampered with her room? No, everything appeared untouched. She glanced at each wall, her dresser, her vanity, then the floor, then the ceiling.
The chandelier hung innocently above her head. She stared at it, narrowing her eyes.
Huh.
She lifted her hands and brought them together as loud as she could. Clap clap!
Gummigoo's footsteps thundered in the hallway. The door opened fast but didn't slam against the wall. He rushed forward and hoisted her onto his shoulders. Only after ensuring she was secure did he speak. "What's wrong? What is it?"
She pointed at the chandelier. "Look. One of the bulbs is burnt out."
Indeed it was. However, even when he stood on tiptoe, they were not tall enough to reach the troublesome lightbulb.
"Pomni?"
"Yeah?"
"I think we need to find a stepladder."
A dull silence proceeded until she responded with, "...Or some stilts."
"...Or high heels," they concluded at the same time.
Another pause followed. When they met each other's eyes, they gave in and laughed. Her room didn't carry any of their ridiculous solutions, but it did offer a vanity stool.
The task was painless. Their domestic teamwork went smooth, seamless, and in perfect sync. As he put her down, she couldn't help feeling like a part of her soul was detaching itself. She stared at him uncertainly and asked, "Would you say it's silly of me to think that we kind of... complete each other?"
His eyes widened in surprise. "Silly? No. I'd say it's sweet of you." He got down on one knee and smiled. "I always thought the same thing. We complement each other well. I can't tell you how happy it makes me knowing you and I are so different yet so alike at the same time."
She beamed and before either of them knew it, she was stepping into his arms, melding into his warm hug like she belonged there. Resting her head against him, she whispered, "Me too, Gummi."
Underneath the chandelier's renewed light, the sweet tall crocodile and the sweet short jester held each other with a shared love that matched in size perfectly.
