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A date with Pomni! A date with Pomni? Oh, god, a date with Pomni...
It hadn't even been a full day since the two spent the night in each other's arms, snuggled up in the jester’s tiny twin bed. Even though she didn't want to peel herself away from her beloved rag doll, she was eager to get this show on the road. Pomni had insisted that Ragatha make no preparations for their date. It charmed her, having the jester take care of things for her. She's such a sucker. Despite her nature, she relented, and Pomni had been scarce since. It was terrifying and exciting at the same time. Oh, god, a date with Pomni.
"So," Zooble spooks Ragatha out of her thoughts, suddenly appearing over her shoulder, "how'd things go last night?" Even without a mouth it's clear to Ragatha that they've got a smirk on their face.
"Great! Really," her voice is a pitch too high, but she doesn't care, "great," she sighs dreamily, the little granny square she was working falling into her lap with her hands. She's going on a date with Pomni! Oh, god, why can't she stop thinking that? "I’m going on a date with Pomni!" Oh, god, did she just say that out loud?
"Congrats," they don't sound particularly surprised as they round the couch and take a seat next to the rag doll, "glad you guys finally talked things out."
"Wait, what?"
When Pomni finally reappeared, it was already dinner time— over low poly fish and egg rolls, Pomni tells her they're to be up bright and early first thing tomorrow morning. With Ragatha's room still missing, the two turn in early to Pomni's, returning to the cuddly heap of tangled limbs they'd assumed the night prior. Even though Pomni said they needed to be up early, they couldn't help but lie there, wrapped around one another, whispering excitedly about the coming day. Finally, Ragatha was the one to insist they sleep, pulling Pomni even closer to her cotton chest, effectively silencing her. Even though having Pomni this close had her pulse thumping throughout her entire body, she willed herself to close her eye.
Come morning, Ragatha kept her back to Pomni as the jester changed into the little outfit she'd conjured up specifically for their date.
"Okay, I'm ready!"
Ragatha was delighted when she returned her gaze to her little jester— she was so handsome in her red and blue stripped button up and blazer, dark blue slacks and red and blue boots to mismatch with her gloves. She also opted to keep her signature cap for this adventure— or, date, rather. Ragatha still couldn't believe she was going on a date!
The only thing Pomni had asked Ragatha to prep for their date was an outfit "with pants." She was happy to conjure one, pants and all. When she stepped into the hallway and Pomni's eyes found her, the jester's pale face quickly lit up, matching the color of the little blush marks tucked underneath her eyes. Ragatha's thick hair was pulled back into a high ponytail using her pretty baby blue bow, a bardot blouse in the same color showed off her fair shoulders dotted with freckles. Her pants were a deep blue and resembled denim in texture, and a pair of leather boots— or, as close to boots as you could get, given her little hooves.
"Y-you look really nice," the jester stutters, her wide eyes seemingly searching every possible inch of the rag doll. Pomni's undivided attention causes her own face bloom with color.
"Aw, Pomni," she waves a hand dismissively, the other fiddling with her hair, "you're just saying that!"
The jester takes her flapping hand without hesitation. "I mean it," her tone firm, but expression soft, "you're beautiful."
That just flusters the rag doll further. Her free hand finds her face, hiding her shy, squiggly smile. She can't even think straight, so instead she laughs, a bubbly, shy thing— almost unbelieving. But this was real, and this was happening. Pomni must have felt the same, as she joins in, her smile wide and laughter light. They drift down the empty hallway, hands still joined together, to the small portal room Caine had set up for maps too far from the tent to feasibly walk to. There Pomni ushers her date to the newest addition to the room, a portal tinted green and sky blue. Once on the other side, Ragatha had to shut her eye— wherever they were, the sun was bright and the air was warm.
"So? What do you think?"
Hearing Pomni call to her, she slowly squints her eye open, her free mitt shielding her view from the sun. It was breathtaking. The other end of the portal had placed them atop a gentle knoll, overlooking a sprawling pasture. A sea of spring green grass dotted with white wildflowers and the yellowest of dandelions, the same shade as the baubles on Pomni's cap, sat before them. On the far end of the pasture, where the grass ended and a thick grove began, a stable popped from the greenery with its soft blue exterior. With the barn doors swung open, four horses quietly grazed on the grass out front.
"Pomni," her voice wobbles, eye still scanning in the scenery before them, "it's beautiful," she turns to the jester, her eye sparking, "did you make all of this this?"
Pomni shies away from her gaze, glancing at the ground and scuffing the dirt with her boot, "Caine helped me out with some of the assets," she glances up shyly, "but, uh, y-yeah, and I made the horses, at least—"
She barely gets the words out before Ragatha sweeps her up, gripping her tightly in her soft arms, spinning the two round and round, "I love it!" She cries through a trill of excited giggles. Pomni, of course, joins in.
Pomni had the whole day for them planned— take one of the horses out for a ride down the trail that sat along the river feeding the pasture, have breakfast at the end of the trail, come back to the ranch for lunch, and be back home just in time for dinner. It was calm, gentle, and just Ragatha's speed. It charmed her to no end that Pomni had not only managed to make this new map on such short notice, but she'd also planned out such a thoughtful trip for their first date. Their first date!
Hand in hand, they made their journey down the hill and into the little valley below, meeting one of the horses who had moseyed her way out to meet them in the middle. With her free hand, Pomni pulls out a small treat bag from seemingly out of nowhere. The little bag was filled with plushie baby carrots. They were like the horses, who appeared to be styled after Ragatha herself— life sized plushies with soft minky coats and yarn for hair, their eyes those little black beads you see on stuffed animals.
Pomni hands one of the treats off to Ragatha, who moves as if she hadn't been a day away from the ranch, offering the carrot to the plush horse with one hand and the other finding its place on her soft muzzle. The horse, a dark bay mare with white socks, happily accepts the treat and pets, basking in the rag doll's affection. Pomni watches from a step away, heart pounding feverishly against her rubber chest. Seeing Ragatha in her element was charming, to say the least.
"You really made them?" She glances over to the others, who were now all making their way over to investigate the scene.
"Yeah, I, uh, tried to make real horses at first, but they're hard to make, even with references..." Pomni laughs awkwardly, scratching at the back of her head.
Ragatha chuckles, the horse in her hands nosing her for more treats, "Well, I think they're perfect."
"That's b-because y-you inspired them," she shoots the rag doll a wink and a smirk, which might have been smooth if she hadn't stuttered halfway through. Ragatha doesn't seem to care though, as she's thoroughly embarrassed by the compliment. One of the other horses, a large cream colored mare, graciously changes the subject, coming up to nip at the ends of Pomni's cap. "Hey!"
Ragatha can't help the laughter that tumbles out of her.
"That's Brownie," Pomni points to the mare wrapped up in Ragatha's arms, then gently swats at the horse above her head, "this one here is Cheese. And that one over there is Sushi," she points to the white horse with a patch of black speckling her back and rump, now occupied with a delicious patch of grass nearby.
"Oh, Pomni," she gushes, releasing Brownie and wrapping her arms around the jester.
"I didn’t wanna get your horses wrong, so... I thought I’d make some of my own," she muttered into the rag doll's chest, returning the tight hug.
"I love them," her voice comes out a soft, soothing sigh as she gives the jester another tender squeeze.
The sound of small hoof falls causes Ragatha to look up from her place on the jester's head. The final horse, a little red and white piebald mare, steps up to the pair, timidly sniffing at the air. Ragatha was already smitten.
"And who's this little lady?" The mare quickly comes around, leaning into Ragatha's gentle touch.
"That's Cherry," Pomni gingerly steps closer to the rag doll, "she's the first one I made, so she’s a little..." she glances at the little horse, before glancing back at Ragatha, hiding her mouth behind her hand to save the digital horse’s feelings, "wonky..."
Ragatha gasps, offended on Cherry's behalf, "Don't say that about her! She's beautiful!" She nuzzles her face against Cherry's, who nickers softly in response. "I think we should take her for our ride."
"But—"
Ragatha wraps her arms around the mare’s neck. Cherry, in turn, drops her head against her back in some kind of horse hug. Pomni's chest fills with those warm, fuzzy feelings at the sight.
"A-all right, if you want her, we'll take her," as soon as she concedes, Ragatha's smile widens, an excited noise of celebration escaping her as she bounces up and down. Oh, Pomni won't ever be able to say no to her.
Even after a near decade, it’s like riding a bike— if the bike had four legs and ate carrots, that is. With Pomni's arms in a death grip around her waist, Ragatha effortlessly coaxes Cherry into a gentle trot down the trail.
"You okay back there, Pomni?" The rag doll turns her head to check on the jester strapped to her back.
"Fine! I'm fine," Pomni laughs, clearly not fine, "just a little nervous, I guess? I've never ridden a horse before." Well, at least she was honest.
Ragatha turns her head forward, Pomni missing the apologetic smile on her face, "Don't worry, Cherry's a good girl," she pulls a mitt from the reins to give Cherry's shoulder a tender pat, "we'll take this nice and slow."
She could feel the jester's grip on her relax, head falling forward and resting against her back. "T-thank you, Ragatha."
Ragatha brightens, her chest fluttering. With a click of her felt tongue, she steers the little horse down the bend. It felt just like the real thing. Well, she had promised herself to treat her digital life as the real thing soon after finding out the truth many months ago. For the sake of her friends, herself, and for the jester who had anxiously stumbled her way into her candy heart. She was worth it. They were all worth it. So, she reaffirms, this is the real thing. The wind in her hair, the bounce of her hips in time with Cherry's hooves, Pomni's warm arms wrapped around her. Ragatha's feelings, her doubts and worries, her hopes and dreams— her love for Pomni. It's all real, this was, in fact, happening, and she'd never been more content— in the digital or physical world. Pomni must be feeling the same, as she gives the rag doll a quick squeeze.
"This is really nice," her voice bounces with Cherry's gait, "thanks for coming out with me today."
Ragatha grins, and even though Pomni can't see it, she can hear it in her voice, "I should be thanking you, Pomni," she tilts her head back again, this time meeting the jester's eyes and giving her a great view of that pretty smile of hers, "you're absolutely incredible, you know that?"
It's the jester's turn to be flustered, as she quickly buries her face into the rag doll's back, "Nah, I'm nothing special..." she laughs, embarrassed.
Ragatha hums, pretending to mull over Pomni's words, "I dunno, I think you're pretty special. Probably the most special gal in the whole circus..."
Pomni chuckles bashfully into her back, eliciting another grin and bout of giggles from the rag doll. The two women both filled to the brim with those everlasting warm and fuzzy feelings, threatening to spill with every soft step Cherry took down the dirt trail. These feelings seem to ease Pomni further, as soon she's peeled herself away from Ragatha to appreciate the scenery around them. It's gorgeous, despite her rush to get the map together. The trail and river are sandwiched between stretches of evergreens, assets Ragatha recognizes from their hiking trip. Recalling her time with Pomni on that adventure brings an amused smile to her felt face. The jester seems to have a habit of ending up on Ragatha's back, apparently. Not that Ragatha minds. Behind the tall pines, far off mountains reach toward the sky— soft, white clouds billowing between their peaks.
The trail ends along with the little river, which feeds into a small, crystal clear lake. Overlooking the basin the lake sat in is a scenic clearing, surrounded by those familiar pines, with plenty of tall grass for Cherry to chew on. A picnic table, with a red and white checkered blanket draped across it, sits nearby, a basket filled with breakfast already there waiting for them. On top of putting all of this together, Pomni took the time to cook, too. Ragatha would ask the jester to marry her on the spot if she had the courage. She offers her soft mitt to Pomni as she guides her off of Cherry, who quickly gets to work on grazing. Before she can go anywhere, though, Ragatha quickly kneels down, hands reaching to straighten out her shirt collar. It must have gotten a little ruffled during their ride. The jester returns the favor with a bashful smile and a quiet thank you before the two, hand in hand, wander over to the picnic table.
Pomni had conjured a niffy little hammerspace picnic basket specifically for their date, its inventory seemingly limitless despite its small size. She made a light breakfast, though— scrambled eggs and chewy bacon, thin pancakes, a pot of coffee for her and a pitcher of sweet tea for Ragatha. The rag doll loved all kinds of tea, especially when they were sweet and fruity. It was one of the first little tidbits about her that Pomni had learned when she first arrived to the circus, and she wouldn't forget it.
"Sorry I didn't have time to make any chickens," Pomni says through a mouthful of eggs, "I'll work on them next..."
Ragatha covers her mouth, struggling to stifle her giggles. She's utterly charmed by how much effort the jester had been putting into... well, her. "You put all of this," she raises her mitt holding a forkful of pancakes to gesture at the scenery around them, "together in an afternoon! You have nothing to apologize for."
She offers the rag doll a timid chuckle, absentmindedly nudging the food around her plate with her fork, "Thanks, Ragatha," she glances shyly at the rag doll, "I guess that gives us a reason to come back, right?" Pomni tilts her head, hopeful. It's absolutely adorable.
"Oh, of course!" The rag doll perks up, nodding her head eagerly.
"Did you have a favorite chicken back home?"
Ragatha considers the question, chewing her own eggs thoughtfully. "We had a little red hen that I named Ketchup when I was a kid," she glances at Pomni, a gentle smile on her lip, "she was the sweetest thing. She'd follow me everywhere, even when I was working with the horses," she chuckles, the image of the little hen weaving around nervous hooves now clear in her mind.
Pomni snickers, her mouth full, "I like that you named her Ketchup."
"She was just so red! How could I not name her Ketchup?" She glances down at her scrambled eggs before taking up another forkful, "She'd always lay the best eggs, too."
"Are these okay?" Another cute tilt of her head. Ragatha's lip can't help but tug into a smile at the sight.
"They're delicious, Pomni," she kisses the tip of her felt finger, then gently boops the spot where Pomni's nose would be, if she had one. The jester goes cross-eyed, trying to follow her hand. "Thank you."
Pomni flushes, a dopey grin quickly creeping across her face, "Y-yeah, sure thing!"
Ragatha can't help but laugh brightly at the jester's outburst.
After breakfast, the pair along with their little mare settle down on the grassy riverbank, enjoying each other's company and the gentle sound of water babbling over smooth stones set in the water. Ragatha thinks she could spend every day like this, happy to just be with her favorite person— and her beautiful new horses, too. After a long discussion about what kind of materials they want their future chickens to be made out of to match with their horses, Pomni and Ragatha pack up, Cherry leisurely taking her time to get the two back to the ranch. They continue their unhurried pace once back at the other end of the map, taking a slow circuit around the pasture, admiring the scenery, and visiting with the other horses.
Luring Cherry to the stable and into her cozy little stall with the promise of treats, the two get to work on grooming the mare, her coat dusty after she so graciously took the pair around earlier in the day. Pomni runs a comb over Cherry's short, minky coat while Ragatha's not far behind, giving the mare another brush through with a soft bristle brush. She can't help but steal glances at the jester, who always seemed to be diligently working at her task, brow furrowed in concentration as if she was trying her best to remember the technique Ragatha had shown her— gentle, circular motions, from front to back. Seeing her care so much for the little mare fills Ragatha's chest with those warm, fuzzy feelings again.
She turns her eye back to the spot she was working on Cherry's shoulder, "Did you have any pets growing up, Pomni?"
"Nah, Dad was allergic," Pomni's brow furrows further as she continues brushing, "at least that's what he told me. He might have just said that to get me off his back about getting a cat..."
Ragatha chuckles softly at the thought of a little Pomni begging for a kitten. "Maybe we could work on conjuring a cat for the ranch?"
Pomni brightens, finally lifting her head to look at Ragatha, "Yeah, that sounds nice. And a dog, too!"
Ragatha chuckles once more, louder this time, absolutely tickled by Pomni's sudden enthusiasm. "Now you can have as many pets as you'd like! It is our map, after all."
Pomni's bright expression softens, the comb in her hand stilled, "It really is, huh?"
Once Cherry looked straight outta the toy box once more, the two are ready for their next meal— Pomni goes to fetch the checkered blanket and her hammerspace picnic basket, setting them up underneath an old oak out in front of the stable. Once they've settled, she begins pulling out a myriad of dishes she had prepared for their lunch. Creamy macaroni and cheese, roasted carrots and zucchini topped with crispy Parmesan, and, of course, Ragatha's favorite poutine. There was a lot of... cheese, to say the least. Ragatha didn't care, though— in fact, she was delighted to see so many dishes from her own personal recipe book making an appearance on their date. Normally she would be the one to cook, Pomni off to the side, dutifully offering cheese when necessary and stirring roux when she needed to prep other ingredients. But now, Pomni was cooking for her. Ragatha again wishes for the courage to ask for her gloved hand in marriage. The best she can do for now is grin, her face alight, as Pomni continues to unpack the spoils of her labor.
Ragatha holds out her plate to Pomni, who shovels a healthy portion of poutine onto the already overloaded thing, "You really went all out, Pomni!" She brings her other mitt underneath to steady it, her smile never wavering, "Thank you."
"Well," Pomni points the serving spoon in Ragatha's direction, "you're worth going all out for," she winks as a clump of cheese flies off the spoon and onto the blanket. "Oops."
Ragatha can't help the hearty laugh that bursts out of her, pulling her plate close to her chest to keep it from spilling. If she can't find the nerve to ask Pomni to marry her, perhaps she could start suggesting ideas for their next date... is it too soon to ask when they're in the middle of a date right now...?
After they've eaten through just about everything Pomni had to offer, the little jester stretches deeply, her back arching and fingers splaying, much like a cat. Eating can be tiring work.
"C'mere," Ragatha beckons, patting at her lap.
Pomni eagerly complies, turning onto her knees to crawl across the blanket, pulling off her cap before laying her head down snugly in Ragatha's lap. Pomni had always considered Ragatha to be the comfiest pillow she's ever had the privilege of cuddling with, but somehow this felt like it was on a whole nother level. Ragatha leans back on one mitt, the other carding through Pomni's dark hair. It doesn't take long for her eyes to drift shut, content with indulging in the attention she was receiving. She had worked very hard to put this date together, after all. The two sigh in tandem, the rag doll gazing fondly down at her jester through her own half-lidded eye.
"Thank you for the perfect day, Pomni," Ragatha all but whispers, trying not to disturb the jester in her lap.
Pomni can't help but crack an eye open. "You really think it was perfect?" Her smile creeps higher, hopeful.
She hums, once again pretending to mull over Pomni's words, "I think so."
The jester chuckles, reaching a hand up to stroke the rag doll's cheek above her, "I think so, too."
Her breath hitches, but before she can do or even say much of anything, Cheese is suddenly next to them, her mouth open and dangerously close to nipping at the jester's raised arm. "Hey... Cheese! No!" It's too late. The nipping has begun. "Come on, knock it off!"
Pomni snaps up, trying to wrench her arm from between Cheese's plush teeth. The two of them laugh, Ragatha quickly knowing exactly how distract the mare, freeing Pomni's arm from her plush prison. Ragatha really was in her element. It's charming, to say the least.
After another long discussion concerning future updates to their little map, the pair agree to head back to the tent. The digital sun, once high above them, now tinted the sky a pretty mix of red and yellow, reminiscent of a peach, as it sunk behind the hill.
"Hey, Ragatha, uh..." the jester keeps her eyes trained down, busying herself with packing the empty plates back into her basket, "would you... like to do this again, maybe?"
Ragatha grins, her cheeks stitched in red, "I'd do this every day if you asked."
It's true. A date with Pomni every day sounded like a dream. Pomni must be feeling the same. She grins, a quivering, thrilled thing.
"T-that kinda sounds like we're, um..." The jester can't seem to say it, despite the elated look on her face.
Poor little Pomni had been putting so much work in for Ragatha in recent days, from arranging the date to working up the courage to even ask in the first place. Ragatha takes a deep breath. She wants, more than anything, to do the same for Pomni. So she musters the courage.
"Dating...?" Her voice trembles, once again, almost unbelieving, but she does her best to trust that this was, in fact, happening.
"Y-yeah! Yeah. Would you like to, uh, date? Date me?" Pomni’s reply matches the rag doll's nervous energy.
Ragatha can't help but laugh, boisterous and absolutely giddy.
"Wh— what! What?!" Pomni barks, laughing along with her.
"I— of course I’d love to date you, Pomni!" The rag doll manages through her laughter.
"Really...?" Another cute tilt of the jester's head, her eyes wide.
Ragatha bites her lip, trying to stifle her laughter, "Really, really."
"S-sorry it's just hard to believe, I guess," Pomni's eyes are suddenly downcast, searching the grass for something that wasn't there.
Ragatha sobers instantly, her smile swiftly shifting into a pensive frown. "Pomni," she gently takes jester's hand in her own, "how could you even think something like that?"
"I dunno, I just..." Pomni purses her lip, pausing, "suck?" She cringes, offering the rag doll an awkward smile.
Ragatha's jaw drops. "Wh—" she can't but stutter. After all the time they've spent together, after everything Pomni has given her— her kindness, her effort, her understanding— she thinks she sucks? "What are you talking about?!" She leans so far forward, Pomni has to reel back just to keep eye contact.
"I mean, look at you, you—" Pomni pulls her hand away to gesture at the rag doll, "you're you! You make me feel so... loved, and you're just— the sweetest, a-and I'm just... me!"
"B-but I like you, Pomni! You—" she snatches Pomni's hand once more, "you make me feel loved, too! You're the bravest, most compassionate woman I've ever met and I... I really like you. Is that so hard to believe...?"
Pomni searches the rag doll's face, her expression pleading— heartbroken, even. The little jester can certainly dish it, but she can't seem to take it.
Ragatha takes another deep breath, steeling herself, "I... can't believe it either, honestly. The fact that you like me—"
"Of course I like you!" Pomni barks, causing the rag doll to startle. She quickly recovers, her expression gentle.
"S-so, if you like me and I like you," she speaks carefully, with purpose, "maybe we should try to be... a little kinder to ourselves?" She chuckles softly, despite herself. Even with her recent efforts to change her outlook on her life, it's still hard to break old habits. Being kinder to herself. What an arduous task. One she felt wasn't worth taking on— until recently, that is. She wants Pomni to be kind to the woman she loves. And so, in turn, she must take on the same. She was worth it. They both were worth it. "Do you think you can do that for me? Can you be kinder to my favorite little jester...?"
Pomni flushes. "I... can do that. For you. But you have to be nice to my favorite rag doll... okay?" She tilts her head again. It makes the rag doll's heart skip several beats.
"O-okay," Ragatha nods, her eye locked on Pomni's, thumb rubbing soothingly over the jester's knuckle.
"Ragatha, I... I want you to know that I... I really, really like you," she leans forward at an agonizingly slow pace, her hand squeezing the rag doll's tight, "and I... Ragatha, I, uh, I..."
That was it. Pomni had taken the lead plenty. She was ready, and she wanted more. Ragatha smirks before she pulls her hands away just to throw them around the jester's shoulders, sending the two tumbling into the grass, peppering her jester's face with kisses. The pasture's serene air is suddenly filled with peals of bright, jovial laughter— the two tussling for the upper hand in their playful scrap. Cherry wanders over to nip at their flailing of limbs, curious over the commotion. This was real. From ache in her sides from all the laughter to the deep well of love and adoration she felt for the jester intertwined with her— her feelings were real, and she could believe it. This was real, this was happening, and oh, god, she was dating Pomni!