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“So, that entire awards ceremony was all just for another ‘assuming’ joke,” Pomni said with a sigh. “I…should really just accept Caine doing things like that by now, huh?”
Walking next to her, Ragatha gave a chuckle. The two had left wherever that theater was and were now back in the main circus area. “Well, I thought the sub awards were pretty neat. To be honest, I still don’t really remember most of what happened during that whole fast food adventure, and…um…also what I might have…said…but hey! Since Gangle got that Best Regional Manager award, that means she must have done a really good job, right?” She waved over at Gangle, who smiled and waved back as much as she could while also carrying a stupid sauce’d out Zooble.
Pomni also waved at the duo as they walked off to the couch area, and also at Kinger who was going back into his pillow fort. She then froze when out of the corner of her eye she spotted Jax with his head slumped down, slowly walking in a different direction. Oh, he was still…so did she need to…
“Pomni?”
“Huh?” The woman currently stuck in the shape of a small, cartoon jester turned to see the woman resembling a rag doll looking down at her. The worried and anxious expression in Ragatha’s eyes was clear, even in the eye that was just a button. “Oh, yeah. So, we can have that talk now.”
“Right, we can. So…” Ragatha looked around the big open area they were currently standing in.
Pomni smiled and pointed to the place where everyone’s rooms were. “Hey, why don’t we go to my room so we can have a little privacy.”
“Sure, sounds good,” Ragatha said with a nod.
The two walked down the long hall of bedrooms in silence. Pomni guessed that Ragatha also wanted to save all her words until they were alone together. That was good, cause after what happened with Jax earlier, she found that she was just a little too distracted by the many pictures of faces on doors that were crossed out to really pay attention to any conversation along the way. Fortunately, it didn’t take too long for them to arrive at Pomni’s door. She took a moment to look at that image on the door of her sad face staring right back at her, a constant reminder of how she felt when she first arrived in this digital circus with no apparent way to leave and no real…friends.
She quickly shook off that thought and opened the door for Ragatha. “Oh, this place is really nice and cozy,” the redhead commented as she walked into the room and looked around. “I like the big alphabet blocks in the corner over there.”
“Heh, well, just be careful about landing on one of them.” Pomni gave a light chuckle while going into her room and sitting down on her bed. “It can be a bit bumpy.”
“I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.” Ragatha sat down next to her and gave a warm smile.
Pomni responded with a somewhat awkward smile of her own, but then turned her gaze away and lightly hugged herself as a silence fell between the two for several seconds.
“Hey, Ragatha-”
“I want to-”
They both stopped and laughed at once again trying to speak at the same time. “Here, you go first,” Ponmi quickly offered.
“Oh. Okay, if you’re sure, I…” Ragatha sighed and looked down at the ground. “I want to apologize for turning you down earlier. Um, when you asked to team up I mean.”
Pomni blinked at that. “I thought we both agreed it would be best for me to handle Jax.” Even though in the end she, well…didn’t, it was probably still the best option.
“Yeah, we did, but that doesn’t change that I was using it as an excuse.” Ragatha glanced over, and by her reaction, Pomni’s feelings at those words must have been clear on her face. “Oh, no no no, don’t get me wrong. I’m not upset that you asked. It’s just, well…after what happened with all those suggestion box adventures, especially that softball game, I thought you were starting to get sick of me. Then that shooting adventure happened, and you came to me to be on my team, and…” Ragatha sniffed as she started to tear up. “I was so scared I would do something in the game to make you finally hate me, so I said no, and in the end I couldn’t help but think I pushed you away and made you hate me anyway.”
This was a side of the woman that Pomni hadn’t seen before. For almost the entire time Pomni had been in this strange digital circus, Ragatha would constantly give off her cheery, overly positive attitude, to the point where even Gangle said she wondered how genuine it was. Jax pretty much called it a pain in his [BOING!], and also implied there must be something sinister and manipulative behind all that. And now…yeah, she really had been seeing the other side of a lot of people lately. Some much less pleasant than others. But finally seeing what was underneath all that forced cheerfulness, she couldn’t help but feel…
“Ragatha…” Ponmi hesitated for just a moment, but still reached over and placed a comforting hand on her friend’s hand, catching her attention and causing her to look back over. “I could never hate you. I’m really sorry that I made you feel that way.” Ponmi then turned away slightly. “My attitude during that game probably didn’t help any, huh? I wanted everyone to have fun, but I’m guessing you didn’t have any with the way I acted.”
“No, it’s okay,” Ragatha quickly responded. She gave a small laugh and a genuine smile, which was reassuring. “To be honest, you still acted a whole lot better than my brothers and cousins did whenever they played one of those shooter games. They always tried to get me to play with them, but I’d always ended up the first one out. It didn’t matter if I was a space soldier, a regular soldier, or even that Russian woman from James Bond, I could never get the hang of it. Today was probably the best I ever did in a game like this, and…I guess still being out first here ended up being really good for me. I had a chance to really think about everything and get some good advice, and I even had a lot of fun with everyone else from the loser’s corner”
“Oh, that’s good to hear.” Pomni let out a small laugh that quickly turned into a sigh. “Sounds like you ended up enjoying the whole adventure even more than the winners did.”
Ragatha gave Pomni’s hand a little squeeze. “Hey, now, you don’t need to feel bad about shooting me. It was just a game after all. Plus, Zooble told me about that super trick shot you did. You should feel proud about pulling off something like that.”
“Yeah, I guess that was pretty cool,” Pomni couldn’t help but admit.
“That’s the spirit!” Ragatha said, with that tone of her normal cheeriness. “And hey, don’t let Jax being upset about you stealing his thunder get to you. He just gets grumpy whenever an adventure doesn’t go exactly the way he wants. If we give him a little space, he’ll get over it in no time. Oh, but just because we’re giving him space, that doesn’t mean we’re giving up on him, right?”
“Yeah. Right.” Pomni at that moment didn’t feel like explaining the real reason behind Jax’s current mood, if she even fully understood it herself. Still, that advice did make some sense. Trying to talk to him right now would likely backfire even worse than what happened earlier, so it was probably best to give him some space and some time, while still keeping an eye on him so he didn’t end up doing something stupid.
She was broken out of her thoughts by Ragatha squeezing her hand again. “Okay, Pomni, how about this? The next time Caine sets up some team shooter competition, I promise I’ll be on your team. And maybe you can teach me some of those cool moves of yours.”
“Sounds good,” Pomni said. “And when Caine does one of his weird sports ideas, I’ll make sure to be on your team, and you can help guide me through it. Oh, and, maybe give me a few softball tips so I can at least try to do better when that comes around again. Or I guess just try in general.”
Ragatha really seemed to brighten up at that. “Oh, sure! If you really think I can help you out, then I’ll gladly be your coach.”
“I’m sure you’ll do great,” Pomni said. “You’re a real natural at all this sports stuff.”
“Well, I wouldn’t go that far.” Ragatha let out a small giggle. “Heck, when I was growing up, I actually wasn’t really into sports all that much, and I certainly wasn’t any good at them, much to…some people’s annoyance. Uh, anyway, it wasn’t until high school when I met someone who loved playing pretty much any kind of sport you could imagine, and basically did everything possible to get me into them. It was a little rough at first, but pretty soon I was really enjoying myself and actually getting decent at things like softball. The two of us became best friends and then…heh…something even more.”
She froze and then looked over with a worried expression for some reason. Pomni in turn responded with a reassuring smile. “That sounds wonderful.”
Ragatha fortunately relaxed again. “Oh, it really was. We were basically inseparable, doing everything together. And I can’t even tell you just how many times we would sneak out behind the stables or the school gym to, um, you know…”
“Yeah, I can guess,” Pomni said with a knowing smile.
“Right, well, it was a miracle we never got caught, although there were a couple of scary close calls.” Ragatha chuckled, then let out a wistful sigh. “Of course it all couldn’t last. There was graduation, then going to different colleges on the opposite sides of the country. We tried to keep contact as much as we could, but just sort of started to drift apart, you know? And now I’m…here. Sometimes, I can’t help but wonder if I should have…oh sorry, I guess I’m sort of rambling now.”
“No, it’s fine,” Pomni said. “I’m enjoying this. Just us sitting and chatting by ourselves. It’s really nice and relaxing. And hey, if you want to spend that time reminiscing about old boyfriends, that’s fine too. I’m sure he was a really cool guy, and…Ragatha?” Pomni’s smile dropped slightly at the sight of her friend freezing up once more. Ragatha seemed to then realize she was still holding on to Pomni’s hand, as she quickly let go and started to hug herself while turning her head slightly away. “Did…did I say something wrong?”
There were a few moments of silence before Ragatha responded in a much quieter voice. “No. No, it’s my fault for not being clearer. My best friend in high school was really cool, but was never my boyfriend, because…well…” She glanced over to Pomni, then took a deep, resigned breath.
“Because she wasn’t a boy.”
“O-Oh…” The realization of what Ragatha said slowly washed over Pomni, and that…okay, that did make a lot of sense. Still, she very likely just accidentally made her friend out herself before she was ready to do so, if ever. “Ragatha. Um, I…”
“No, it’s okay,” Ragatha said, her voice strained. “I’ve heard it all before. ‘Sorry, but I’m not a [DONK!]’, and then ‘Oh! But not that there’s anything wrong with that!’, and then ‘Wait, is that why you were acting so nice to me?’. I promise, Pomni, that wasn’t what I was doing with you. I mean, I’m not saying you’re not pretty. In fact, I happen to think you’re very beautiful. Oh! But I’m trying to hit on you or anything to make you feel weird. I just want to be your friend and…and I don’t want you to hate me.”
“Ragatha. I already said I could never hate you, and this wouldn’t-” Pomni blinked as the other woman’s words fully sunk in. “Wait, you think I’m beautiful?” She gestured to herself. “I look like a cartoon clown.”
“Well, for your information. I think you happen to make a very cute jester,” Ragatha said with a smile. “And I don’t just mean your appearance. Even when everything is going out of control, you’ll still go out of your way to try and offer a helping hand, and I really love that about you.”
“Wow, that’s really…thanks.” Ponmi hesitated for a moment, wondering if she really could…no, it was only fair. Even if she seemed okay with it, Ragatha did reveal something big about herself, so it was only right for Pomni to do the same. “Athough, you did get one thing wrong about me.”
“Hey, don’t try to sell yourself short now, Pomni,” Ragatha said. “You really are that amazing.”
Pomni smiled and shook her head. “I didn’t mean that. I meant the part where I’m not a…um…the part where I’m not into women.”
“O-Oh!” Ragatha looked to be taken aback at the confession. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound so shocked. It’s just that I guess it never occurred to me because of how you were acting around that gummy gator guy in that candy adventure and…I think there was another time, right? During the fast food one? I don’t remember all the details, but I definitely remember feeling jealous that you were flirting with him.”
“Yeah, Gummigoo was one of the customers at Spudsy’s.” Pomni felt a little bittersweet at the thought. “He’s a really nice guy, and don’t get me started on that voice of his, but he didn’t remember me at all, so…hang on.” She looked at Ragatha with a small smirk on her face. “Did you say you were jealous of him?”
“Um, well…” Ragatha started to giggle nervously. “I guess I was just hoping someone would eventually, you know, flirt with me?”
“Hmmm, you know what, I think I might be able to pull that off.” Pomni got off the bed and turned to face Ragatha directly. “Cause if you get to say I’m cute, then I get to tell you that you’re absolutely gorgeous.”
“I…wow…” Ragatha giggled again and looked away. “Gorgeous? You really mean that?”
Pomni took Ragatha’s hands into her own and gently held them. “Of course. And not just your appearance. I really appreciate how you work to be so kind and supportive. Not just to me, but to everyone, even if it can be difficult sometimes. And don’t say it’s just so no one hates you, because I know it’s more than that.”
“Yeah,” Ragatha said, her voice becoming slightly softer. “I also want everyone to be happy.”
“And I am,” Ponmi responded, her voice also growing softer. “Just being here with you makes me so happy.”
“Yeah, I feel the same being here with you.” Ragatha looked down at their hands clasped around each other. “Oh man, if we weren’t stuck in this digital world, I would ask you out right now for real.”
Pomni felt her heart racing in her chest at those words. Or something like that. Did her digital body even have a heart, since she didn’t need to…no, no, that wasn’t important at the moment. What mattered was the feelings and the warmth as she looked up at the woman in front of her. But, should she act on those feelings? With all the chaos and the weirdness that now permeated her daily life, could she even dare to…
Oh, what the heck, she’d already gone this far.
She took a beat, then gently asked, “Why should that stop you?”
“Huh?” Ragatha lifted her head up and looked back at Pomni in surprise. “You mean, you still want to…”
Pomni smiled. “Yes. I know we’re all trapped in some weird computer world, and we’re stuck in these strange cartoon bodies, but we’re still here together. In the time I’ve been here, I’ve gotten to know you and I’ve grown to care for you. Like, a lot. Look, I know we’ll find a way to leave this place, I’m sure of it, but…I also don’t want to wait until then.”
Ragatha returned the smile, but still looked unsure. “I mean, yeah, I guess I don’t want to wait for that either, but is that something that could even work? Being a couple while trapped in here?”
“Well…” Pomni immediately thought of Kinger and his wife. Considering what happened to her, though, would that be the best to reassure Ragatha? “Um…I think it could. I…oh, I’m sort of getting the impression that Gangle and Zooble may be heading in that direction.”
“Oh, I guess that’s true. I have noticed how they are around each other,” Ragatha noted. She then gave Pomni a firm and determined look. “Still, are you sure that’s something you want?”
“I’m sure.” Pomni squeezed Ragatha’s hands again, to once more reassure the other woman and to also hide her own building nerves. “Besides, we are already friends in this digital circus, so there’s no reason we can’t be…something even more…”
A silence fell between the two as Pomni waited for an answer. It was several moments before Ragatha gave a nervous chuckle. “Okay then, here I go. Um…Pomni…I…oh gosh, I’m actually doing this…Pomni…do you want to be…girlfriends?”
“Yes.” Pomni let go of her girlfriend’s hands only to immediately rush forward and envelop her in a tight hug. “Yes, I absolutely want us to be girlfriends.” They held the silent embrace as a new thought suddenly floated through her mind. It took a few more moments before she could build up the courage to speak. “Hey, Ragatha?”
“Yeah, Pomni?”
Pomni paused slightly before asking, “Would…would it be okay if I kissed you right now?”
She felt the grip on her tighten briefly. “Yeah, of course you can, but…I’m not sure how good it will feel, you know, all things considered.”
Pomni pulled back just enough that she could face her girlfriend directly. “Well, there’s one way to find out.”
Ragatha smiled and started to lean down. Pomni in turn leaned up and got on her tip toes, closing her eyes right as their lips touched. To Pomni, the sensation was…honestly a bit like kissing the sleeve of a t-shirt. And yet that did nothing to diminish the warm spark coursing through her body.
Eventually, they broke the kiss, and Ragatha looked at Pomni with a slight bit of apprehension present on her face. “So…how was it?”
“Hmmm, a little warm, a little fuzzy…” Pomni then leaned up again and gave Ragatha another, quick kiss. “And completely amazing.”
“Heh, yeah, it-” Ragatha quickly moved to give Pomni a kiss of her own. “-really was.”
Pomni responded with a smile and another kiss, one just slightly longer. The two proceeded to go back and forth several times, each kiss changing in length and intensity, before they both finally broke down into simultaneous giggle fits.
After calming down a bit, Pomni sat back on the bed and placed an arm around her girlfriend’s waist. “So, we’re really doing this, huh?”
Ragatha put an arm around her girlfriend’s shoulder. “Yeah. I guess we are.”
Pomni’s mind briefly went back to that deep, painful loneliness she felt when she first arrived in the digital circus, and the relentless chaos and torment she experienced after. But then, her thoughts went to the friends and connections she made along the way, including the one right next to her.
“Yeah,” she said, closing her eyes and leaning her head on Ragatha’s shoulder.
“I’m glad.”
