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The Circus was back in order again since Caine came back. Together, the entire Circus were going on adventures that they wanted to do, like the beach, or having a baking competition. Everyone never felt as close as they did before, they were all linked together like a big community.
At the moment, everyone had just finished going to a bouncyhouse for an adventure. Gangle and Zooble were laughing and holding onto each other for support, Caine was also laughing, Kinger was slightly dizzy from all the jumping he did.
But Pomni and Ragatha were exhausted from the jumping. They were still smiling and giggling, but they were tired nonetheless. They spent most of the adventure together in the bouncyhouse talking, jumping, and doing tricks. Like they were kids again...
"I don't even remember the last time I've been in a bouncyhouse..." Pomni reminisced. "It feels great to just feel like a kid again"
"Yeah! Especially when Caine brought those bubble wands..." Ragatha commented.
“Kinger popped almost all the bubbles" Pomni smiled. "And Gangle made a huge bubble with those mini bubbles! I still wonder how she managed to do that"
"Yeah..."
The two girls walked together in silence for a couple of moments. Ragatha was holding onto her arm, looking off to the side and blushing slightly. She contained her blush before starting a conversation again.
"Hey Pomni... Do you wanna get a drink? Especially after we were jumping around and everything..." Ragatha suggested.
"Uhh... Sure! What do you want? Water? Alcohol...?" Pomni asked.
"I'll just have a water... What about you?"
"Yeah... Water sounds fine. Maybe Zooble has some by the bar if you wanna ask them for some" Pomni pointed out.
"Sure!"
Pomni and Ragatha began making their way to Zooble's bar. They had built it just recently so they could serve drinks to the rest of the Circus, since they were a bartender, and quite skilled at their craft. Luckily for them, Zooble was sitting at the bar talking to Caine, who had a coconut drink in his hand.
"I regret what I've done... So now I'm trying to make things right. And I'm glad I am. I've got to learn so much about everyone here, and I think you're all amazing... Oh! Hello Pomni and Ragatha!"
Caine was talking to Zooble when he noticed the two girls walking over to the bar, and waved at them.
"Hey Caine..." Pomni raised a hand up, but didn't wave it.
"Hey Caine! Hi Zooble!" Ragatha waved her hand. "Hey Zooble... Do you have any water for us?"
"Yeah" Zooble nodded. They reached behind the bar and grabbed two bottles of water for them. "Here you go"
"Thank you!" Ragatha thanked. "Here you go, Pomni" Ragatha grabbed the first bottle of water, handing it to Pomni, before grabbing the second bottle for herself. She twisted off the cap and took a sip. "So... What do you wanna do now?"
"I was thinking of just going back to my room and just chilling for a little bit... Unless you wanna join? We can play cards..."
Ragatha smiled. "Sure!"
They started walking toward the Hallway where all the rooms were. There was one less room in the Circus now, since Jax abstracted. It hit everyone in the Circus hard, but Jax abstracting taught everyone to open up to their feelings, and to never be ashamed for it. Pomni looked sad walking past Jax's door, the memories of their short time together coming back to her like a freight train. Ragatha noticed Pomni's gloomy expression, and she knew why she looked that way.
"You miss him, don't you?" Ragatha sighed.
"I think we all do..." Pomni mumbled. "I wish he could've opened to us more..."
"I do too... Maybe he'd still be here if only he could let us in..."
"And that's why I think it's so important that we talk about our feelings now..." Pomni opened the door to her room, and they both stepped inside.
"Well... Speaking of feelings... I um..." Ragatha hesitated. "Wanted to talk to you about something..."
Pomni sat on the edge of her bed, holding the water bottle in her lap and giving Ragatha a nod of encouragement to continue, smiling softly at the digital doll.
"You know... Pomni... Remember when you said I was your first friend that you made in the Circus? It really touched me... I always try to make sure everyone has someone they can rely on... And... I'm happy to say that I can rely on you too... But..."
Ragatha paused, the words she wanted to say stuck in her throat. She was blushing again, and she avoided eye contact with Pomni. The nervousness and anxiety she was feeling were like chains holding her back.
"I think I like you... More... Than a friend..."
Pomnis eyes twinkled under the lights on the ceiling. She took in what Ragatha was saying, that she didn't wanna be just friends... But something more... Something more grand, intimate, closer. Something that went far beyond being platonic. She got off her bed and walked to her slowly.
"You're the person in this Circus I'm closest too, Ragatha... I trust you... And as long as I have you... Well... I think I'll have my sanity... And I'll be okay..." She paused. "I love you, Ragatha"
Ragatha's stuffed heart felt like it was going to explode and get stuffing everywhere. "I love you too, Pomni..."
Ragatha opener her arms for an embrace. The Jester returned the hug, and the two girls just stayed in each others arms for a little bit. Ragatha even leaned in to kiss the top of Pomni's forehead, to which she blushed in response.
"I'm happy I have you, Ragatha..." Pomni muttered.
"I'm happy I have you too, Pomni" The doll whispered back.
They let go of the embrace, but they still held each other's hands. They were each others first friends, and now, at this very moment, they were so much more than that.
♡