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@ask-the-funny-one
So..
Didn't expect to see me again like this, huh? It's not.. permanent for now at least. The call of the dark is stronger than whatever will I have gathered for the time being..
But, I can type at least! If uh.. you guys out there want to ask me anything, now would be the best time. Before I turn back into that.. abstraction.
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"Abstraction checkup Jax!" Caine pulls a colorful and unnecessarily complicated device from his bottomless medical bag. "Stick this Wacky Thermometer under your tongue for me. I updated it to be strawberry flavored."
βWhaβ?β
There was only a noise of annoyance, then defeated acceptance as Jax bit down on the thermometer and held it. They eventually shifted it enough to talk.. slightly. (I.e, holding it like an old timey pipe.)
βWhat the hell, Caine? The first interaction weβve had in like weeksβ and youβre already treating me like a test subject again! You better have an excellent explanation for this.β
I canβt even bring myself to think about how I actually feel. I just have to keep going. If I act normal for long enough, Iβll feel that way, right?
Is there a βnormalβ for someone who doesnt existβ¦?
"Normal" is.. subjective, Pom.
It's whatever you want that normalcy to be, as long as it doesn't drive you whackadoodle crazy.
and I don't know what you mean by "doesn't exist", Pomni. I can see you, poke you, talk to you.. I'd say that's existence by my book.
Since when are you the 'glass-half-full' one? Maybe you should wear the jester hat. I just mean, being a copy of a person with no real past, and a fabricated future- Its just hard to figure out what the next step is. do we just do the same thing for eternity?
We do whatever keeps us going, not just for ourselves but for everyone else here too. Ribbit, Kaufmo.. Even myself for a while, we.. didn't. This path of thinking is healthy, Pomni.
If I wear the jester cap, are you gonna wear the overalls?
Yeah, I guess you're right. I might need to pin them so I don't trip, and then you'd just be naked in a hat. Which might be worse than being naked in just socks.
Hey, as long as itβs your jester hat, I think I could fit wholly inside it no problem.. ah, hah.
β¦I missed talking so casually to you, yβknow.
I canβt even bring myself to think about how I actually feel. I just have to keep going. If I act normal for long enough, Iβll feel that way, right?
Is there a βnormalβ for someone who doesnt existβ¦?
"Normal" is.. subjective, Pom.
It's whatever you want that normalcy to be, as long as it doesn't drive you whackadoodle crazy.
and I don't know what you mean by "doesn't exist", Pomni. I can see you, poke you, talk to you.. I'd say that's existence by my book.
Since when are you the 'glass-half-full' one? Maybe you should wear the jester hat. I just mean, being a copy of a person with no real past, and a fabricated future- Its just hard to figure out what the next step is. do we just do the same thing for eternity?
We do whatever keeps us going, not just for ourselves but for everyone else here too. Ribbit, Kaufmo.. Even myself for a while, we.. didn't. This path of thinking is healthy, Pomni.
If I wear the jester cap, are you gonna wear the overalls?
I canβt even bring myself to think about how I actually feel. I just have to keep going. If I act normal for long enough, Iβll feel that way, right?
Is there a βnormalβ for someone who doesnt existβ¦?
"Normal" is.. subjective, Pom.
It's whatever you want that normalcy to be, as long as it doesn't drive you whackadoodle crazy.
and I don't know what you mean by "doesn't exist", Pomni. I can see you, poke you, talk to you.. I'd say that's existence by my book.
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Oh- hey, uh, everyone. Sorry I didnβt post last niβ huh? Hah, Pomni just said itβs been three days since I posted. Pshhh.. nah, itβs only been
Three.. days. Oh.
Up, again..
Canβt I ever have just a nice sleep now? Or am I doomed to 3-4 hour naps until Iβm cured?
Some of this nonsense, I swear..
Jax, you should know I already forgived you. And if my counterpart is anything like me, she's forgiven you too. Please don't beat yourself up about it, I know you were dealing with a lot at the time. And I know you aren't comfortable with expressing yourself, but know that your friends will love you no matter what.
Wow, that was a lot of sappy stuff.
I think Pomni's rubbing off on me... not like I'm mad about it.
Hah- she rubs off on everyone. Itβs uh, kinda impressive, actually.
Iβll.. try not to, ribbs, but you know me. One thing, and Iβm off on a spiral. Especially now that I have to deal with my consequences.
β¦Ragatha and Kinger miss you, you know.
I.. donβt know anymore.
Pomniβ everyone, really, has been a great help. Not only with me but, my abstracted self too. I canβt help but.. feel like thereβs something either really important Iβm forgetting, or somethings being hidden from me.
I mean Iβve seen TWO ribbits now, both non-abstracted. Was there suddenly a huge breakthrough? Am I just out of the loop? I donβt- I canβt get too emotional.
I canβt.
Jax, is it ok if I have a hug? If not, then I understandβ¦ youβve been through a lot, and Iβm sorryβ¦
I mean, if you donβt wanna be glitchy then, I wouldnβt.. since youβre asking oh so nicely though, who would I be to deprive you of a hug?
Jax used Hug on Toaster, it was effective!
What Iβve been through- have been going through, is what others had to go through because of me. Itβs Karma, and itβs high time that it caught up to me.
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Hey, uh, Jax? Are you... doing alright? I know you're not the Jax from my world (since mine isn't abstracted anymore) but I just wanted to drop in.
How about a joke?
Did you hear about my new job as a can crusher? It's SODA-PRESSING!
You always seemed to like those...
~πΈ
p- pfft.. you do remember those dad jokes I liked.
Thanks for checking in on me, ribbit. Iβm.. sorry, too.. so, so sorry.
hey there Jaxβ¦
How are things??β- wellβ .. I mean.. I guessβ I assume it must be a bit bittersweet-
Been awhile since I last came to visit, I know- but I wanted to check on you.. Youβve kind been through the wringer it seems.. Butβ Uhmβ¦
Hopefully thisβ¦
β¦ ahβ! Here, I have this penguin plushie and some wafflesβ donβt know if their of any use now.. but I hope u at least can find joy in communicating to the plushie^^
-Love, Floof Anon
Floof.. thank you. Youβve been around a long time, seen me at my best and worst, and now.. give me a little more hope at the end.
Iβll make sure to savor these, and take good care of the plush.
Yβknow. one of these days Iβll finally drop this stupid mask that I keep around.
It doesnβt benefit anyone anymore, if it ever did. Maybe once Iβm.. more stable. Pomniβs helping, and lord knows sheβs trying her best with me.
Gotta just- just let go of these stupid ideas of everyone being out to get me.
Iβm not bad anymore..
Talking with Ribbit and Pomni again.. itβs nice. Still really donβt know, uh.. how exactly I talked with Ribbit. Maybe my brain is just still recovering from being the abstraction again..
only the second time Iβve been me again.
Pomni! Hgh!β itβs me..
m- maybe a little help?..
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ. . . Ohβ oh! Uh, yeah. γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(Pomni grabs Jax's hands, finding any way to stabilize him from this mess.)
Jax sighs as pomni makes contact with him, relaxing just a bit as the lingering abstraction calms. "Pompom.. hey. Hey.."
(She looks him over several times. Her eyes analytical and almost untrusting, but the more she looks, the more she gawks and stares, the more she relaxes. Her relaxation turns to relief, and that relief is overwhelming. Her eye twitches before tears begin to run down her face. She wipes at her tears pathetically, but her smile shows all her intent. Relief, happiness, a wavering line of fear.)
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ You're back... You're actually back. γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(She mumbles pathetically, more to herself than to him.)
"I'm here.. for now. I can only stay as my avatar for a while before- egh, I go back to being that nightmare alpaca or whatever they're called now. I'm just glad I could reach out to someone before that happened.. glad that it was you, Pomni."
Jax pulls Pomni in for a tight hug, a hug like they shared in that mind-realm that Pom braved for them. He'd done enough crying since she left..
(Pomni wraps her arms around Jax, loosely at first, but eventually her desperation consumes her as she holds on tighter. It feels as if she'll lose him if she lets go. She can't lose him again.)
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ You didn't seem to really want me in there, ha... γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(She replies weakly and in-between sniffles. Her laugh dry. It's as if all her strength is forwarded to keeping Jax here, by hugging him, even though it won't change anything.)
"Heh.. I really didn't. But you were there, and since you saw all of.. that.. there was really no reason for me to try and push you away any longer. That's behind me now."
He let himself be squeezed tight by the jester, her helping keep him grounded in the moment. He was just so.. so happy to feel her touch again.
"I missed you.."
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ . . . I missed you too. γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(The words get stuck in her throat for a moment, in between her sobs and sniffles, it was a bit difficult to spit it out. She suddenly pulls away from Jax and focuses on trying to wipe her tears instead. God, this must look just as pathetic as it feels, or so she thinks.)
He leaned down and wiped one of her tears away, keeping his hand planted on her cheek. If this was Ribbit, or Kaufmo.. or anyone else, now, he'd be in the same position as Pomni.
"I know what you're thinking, pompom. Stop that. I'd be just like you if our positions were swapped. Not pathetic, pompom."
(She could only laugh at Jax's response. Not truly because of the response itself, but at just how easily Jax read her. It felt strange to be this vulnerable, to be the one being comforted for once.)
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ Iβ I know. Just feels kinda silly. γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(Her tears slowly died down, awfully slowly. It still leaves behind a residue on her cheeks however.)
"..Wh- what have I missed, by the way? The circus is back to being colorful again.."
After keeping his eyes on Pomni for so long, they stared to look around at the environment around him. A huge tent.. inside the main tent. It was nice and dark at least.
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ Ohβ! Uh, right. So... γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(She swallowed hard after speaking. How can she explain everything? She fidgets with her thumbs before speaking.)
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ after I entered your mind, or whatever that was, we came up with a plan to subdue you? Abstractions are calmer in the dark, so we built a giant tent inside the tent, and wrangled you into it, anywayβ! γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(She felt like her words were falling out of her mouth quicker than she could think about them.)
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ And after that, uh. Caine came back. He apologized, promised to be better, and showed us something. Something special... It was us, all of us, from the real world. What our real selves had been up to, and how successful they are... Um... γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(She wasn't sure how to go on, she knew there'd be questions no matter how much she explained, so she just stared at Jax expectantly.)
Jax nodded along, trying to follow along until the lil jester had mentioned caine coming back. The news of also their real life counterparts snagged on his thought process and hard stopped, turning to Pomni.
"Th- CAINE.. came back? and showed- that- Successful?.. I don't.."
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ Yes, THE Caine, came backβ I don't know how he got ahold of it, but... We have real life counterparts, and they're out there thriving. Likeβ Like yours! You have an apartment and a stable job now! ... We also got to learn of our real names too, though I, uh, rejected mine. γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(Her speech turns into rambling as she goes on. She's unsure of a lot the details herself, just trying to sound plausible to Jax.)
"So.. Ribbit was right."
Jax let themselves slowly fall off to the side into the pillows and blankets lining the floor, staring up into the ceiling. 'Ribbit was right, and- my real self is doing alright. Oh if only..'
"heh- hah.."
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ ... I guess she was. γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(She doesn't entirely know what that means. Though, she can make an educated guess based off of his tone and body language. She looks up at the ceiling with him but remains standing.)
"I'd uh.. ask if you wanted to hang out for a bit longer, but I don't- I don't know how long I'm gonna last. Plus you probably have like.. stuff to attend to."
As much as he'd like to admit that he was ready and raring to catch up with everyone else.. he feels the dark drawing them back. He's also not exactly ready to talk to anyone else.. again.
"I'll be fine, pom. I hope you have enough trust in me to believe that?"
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ I don't really have much to do. γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(She says quickly after Jax speaks. It's technically a lie, she does have other things to attend to, but those can wait. Everything right now can wait.)
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ Iβ I do trust you. γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
He propped himself up on his elbows as he looked up to her, his eyes wide in a bit of shock. He shouldnβt be surprised- thereβs no doubt that sheβd be willing to push aside things just to stay with him for longer.
βP- Pomni. Youβre sure? I donβt want you to.. yβknow. I donβt want to hurt you.β
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ You wont. γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(Her tone is firm, almost authoritarian, but there's a desperate edge to it, anedge that's really never left her voice. It's like she's pleading with someone, herself or Jax, but it's someone.)
He caught that edge, felt it pressed into his rabbit ears as his eyes softened, leaned back further, and looked at Pomni with an almost sorry expression.
He didnβt speak for a moment after she did, but eventually all that left him was:
βAre you okay, Pomni?β
(She finally brings her gaze down from the ceiling, staring at Jax with eyes full of passion, a fire that's fueled her entire existence.)
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ I'll be okay. γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(It's not direct by any means, but she smiles at him after, a soft smile, a cheeky soft smile.)
That dull ache of worry slowly melts away, and he leans back into the pillows, patting the one beside him. After all that's said.. and done.. his love for Pomni hasn't changed.
"If you say so, jester." He said with an obviously playful tone.
(Pomni looks down at the spot before cautiously sitting beside him. She pulls her knees to her chest, resting her chin on her knees.)
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ . . . So, what now? γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(She looks over at Jax expectantly. He's got to have some idea up his sleeve. Her eyes softer, stirring but soft and kind.)
"I uh.. I don't know. I just kinda assumed this would go quicker but, like- I don't really feel it now anymore.."
He turned his head over to look at pomni, smiling. Without taking his eyes off her, he raises his hand and places it on Pomni's shoulder. A subtle gesture to lay down and just relax with him for a minute.
(Pomni's shoulder slack when touched, the rest of her not relaxing as much, but she's not as tense. She smiles back at Jax.)
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ Maybe, it's good that it's gone. At least for now. γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
"For now.. Yeah."
He doesn't know how to really form this question for Pomni.. but, he's gonna just get it out there anyways.
"Do you think.. one of those star projectors would go nice in here?"
(She looks away from Jax, staring all around the tent instead. She imagines it for herself... But the light from it might be too bright, or so she thinks.)
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ I'm not... Sure. They'd be pretty, but it'd be really bright. γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(Which defeats half the purpose of this place, She mutters in her head.)
"It wouldn't be on when I was-.. am, the abstraction. I think I can handle light fairly well.. I guess, uh, now's not the time for it though, is what you're saying?"
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ Yeah, something like that... And the fact that we don't have a projector. γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(She could just will it into existence, but by God, she doesn't feel like doing that right now.)
"Yeah- there's the rub, isn't it. I guess I just like to.. think. about what would look nice here. Of course I still have my room, and whatever's inside it. One of these days, I wanna learn that creation stuff you and Kinger do."
His hand never left her shoulder as either of them were talking, shuffling himself ever-so-closer to her side.
(She didn't acknowledge him moving closer. She hummed softly in response to his words. She thought for a moment.)
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ it's not difficult. Just relax, and think about what you're doing. γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(She holds out her hand in front of her, pointing her middle, index, and thumb carefully. A small triangle forms under her incantation.)
βItβs really just that simple? Nothing that I have to get Caine or Kingerβs express permission to do?β
He felt the subsided abstraction flare for half a second, then went back into its dormancy. He inhaled sharply and quickly let go of Pomni, not daring a risk of it getting her too.
βA- OW! God.. dangit. Ouch..β
(Pomni whips hear head to look at them. The triangular formation glitching into nonexistence after being let go of, though her hands still hover in the air, not touching Jax.)
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ Jaxβ! . . . Are you okay? γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(She looks over their form cautiously, her eyes darting around, looking for anything that could be dangerous or cause issues.)
βIβm- ghh, fine.. I guess I was too sassy, and the abstraction didnβt like that. Like.. an electric shock.β
He seemed to be fine now, just a little less cheery and relaxed and more.. cautious, than anything.
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r- rib.. ribbit?..
(Everything feels so terribly hazy, but that voice is one she'll never forget. It snaps her out of her numbing thoughts. She doesn't look at them, she doesn't have to, but panic runs fervent through her veins. Her pupils are horrendously small, panicked and cowarded.)
೨౿ .βοΈΆ Youβ You can'tβ Jax? ΚΎΚΏ β¬ κ©
(Her thoughts are entirely scrambled, she stammers profusely as she tries to speak. This is horrid.)
Hearing her voice again after so long.. after so many years with that guilt weighing down on his shoulders, they couldnβt help but crack just a bit on the inside.
βRibbit..β
They couldnβt even get a full sentence out without pausing and trying to hold back the emotions that they were feeling so very hard.
(Ribbit takes a step back, a step that turns into a stumble. She hovers an arm in front of her defensively. Her gaze is harsh but overall terrified. Her breathing labored as she tried to take in everything around her.)
೨౿ .βοΈΆ Whatβ Howβ What's going on? ΚΎΚΏ β¬ κ©
(Her tone is firm and demanding but not authoritarian. It's too shaky, too terrified, to be authoritative. It's like watching a stray cat in a new home, she's utterly terrified.)
Jax kept themselves steady, he knew that whenever.. if they ever met Ribbit again after everything, it wouldnβt be a friendly and quick reunion.
βI donβt- I donβt know, Ribbit. I was.. back in my abstracted form, asleep, then I was here. In front of you.β
Jax had hoped that she wouldnβt catch the huge bomb that theyβd dropped in his sentence. Otherwise, there would be a lot more explanation to do.
Pomni! Hgh!β itβs me..
m- maybe a little help?..
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ. . . Ohβ oh! Uh, yeah. γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(Pomni grabs Jax's hands, finding any way to stabilize him from this mess.)
Jax sighs as pomni makes contact with him, relaxing just a bit as the lingering abstraction calms. "Pompom.. hey. Hey.."
(She looks him over several times. Her eyes analytical and almost untrusting, but the more she looks, the more she gawks and stares, the more she relaxes. Her relaxation turns to relief, and that relief is overwhelming. Her eye twitches before tears begin to run down her face. She wipes at her tears pathetically, but her smile shows all her intent. Relief, happiness, a wavering line of fear.)
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ You're back... You're actually back. γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(She mumbles pathetically, more to herself than to him.)
"I'm here.. for now. I can only stay as my avatar for a while before- egh, I go back to being that nightmare alpaca or whatever they're called now. I'm just glad I could reach out to someone before that happened.. glad that it was you, Pomni."
Jax pulls Pomni in for a tight hug, a hug like they shared in that mind-realm that Pom braved for them. He'd done enough crying since she left..
(Pomni wraps her arms around Jax, loosely at first, but eventually her desperation consumes her as she holds on tighter. It feels as if she'll lose him if she lets go. She can't lose him again.)
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ You didn't seem to really want me in there, ha... γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(She replies weakly and in-between sniffles. Her laugh dry. It's as if all her strength is forwarded to keeping Jax here, by hugging him, even though it won't change anything.)
"Heh.. I really didn't. But you were there, and since you saw all of.. that.. there was really no reason for me to try and push you away any longer. That's behind me now."
He let himself be squeezed tight by the jester, her helping keep him grounded in the moment. He was just so.. so happy to feel her touch again.
"I missed you.."
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ . . . I missed you too. γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(The words get stuck in her throat for a moment, in between her sobs and sniffles, it was a bit difficult to spit it out. She suddenly pulls away from Jax and focuses on trying to wipe her tears instead. God, this must look just as pathetic as it feels, or so she thinks.)
He leaned down and wiped one of her tears away, keeping his hand planted on her cheek. If this was Ribbit, or Kaufmo.. or anyone else, now, he'd be in the same position as Pomni.
"I know what you're thinking, pompom. Stop that. I'd be just like you if our positions were swapped. Not pathetic, pompom."
(She could only laugh at Jax's response. Not truly because of the response itself, but at just how easily Jax read her. It felt strange to be this vulnerable, to be the one being comforted for once.)
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ Iβ I know. Just feels kinda silly. γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(Her tears slowly died down, awfully slowly. It still leaves behind a residue on her cheeks however.)
"..Wh- what have I missed, by the way? The circus is back to being colorful again.."
After keeping his eyes on Pomni for so long, they stared to look around at the environment around him. A huge tent.. inside the main tent. It was nice and dark at least.
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ Ohβ! Uh, right. So... γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(She swallowed hard after speaking. How can she explain everything? She fidgets with her thumbs before speaking.)
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ after I entered your mind, or whatever that was, we came up with a plan to subdue you? Abstractions are calmer in the dark, so we built a giant tent inside the tent, and wrangled you into it, anywayβ! γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(She felt like her words were falling out of her mouth quicker than she could think about them.)
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ And after that, uh. Caine came back. He apologized, promised to be better, and showed us something. Something special... It was us, all of us, from the real world. What our real selves had been up to, and how successful they are... Um... γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(She wasn't sure how to go on, she knew there'd be questions no matter how much she explained, so she just stared at Jax expectantly.)
Jax nodded along, trying to follow along until the lil jester had mentioned caine coming back. The news of also their real life counterparts snagged on his thought process and hard stopped, turning to Pomni.
"Th- CAINE.. came back? and showed- that- Successful?.. I don't.."
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ Yes, THE Caine, came backβ I don't know how he got ahold of it, but... We have real life counterparts, and they're out there thriving. Likeβ Like yours! You have an apartment and a stable job now! ... We also got to learn of our real names too, though I, uh, rejected mine. γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(Her speech turns into rambling as she goes on. She's unsure of a lot the details herself, just trying to sound plausible to Jax.)
"So.. Ribbit was right."
Jax let themselves slowly fall off to the side into the pillows and blankets lining the floor, staring up into the ceiling. 'Ribbit was right, and- my real self is doing alright. Oh if only..'
"heh- hah.."
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ ... I guess she was. γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(She doesn't entirely know what that means. Though, she can make an educated guess based off of his tone and body language. She looks up at the ceiling with him but remains standing.)
"I'd uh.. ask if you wanted to hang out for a bit longer, but I don't- I don't know how long I'm gonna last. Plus you probably have like.. stuff to attend to."
As much as he'd like to admit that he was ready and raring to catch up with everyone else.. he feels the dark drawing them back. He's also not exactly ready to talk to anyone else.. again.
"I'll be fine, pom. I hope you have enough trust in me to believe that?"
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ I don't really have much to do. γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(She says quickly after Jax speaks. It's technically a lie, she does have other things to attend to, but those can wait. Everything right now can wait.)
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ Iβ I do trust you. γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
He propped himself up on his elbows as he looked up to her, his eyes wide in a bit of shock. He shouldnβt be surprised- thereβs no doubt that sheβd be willing to push aside things just to stay with him for longer.
βP- Pomni. Youβre sure? I donβt want you to.. yβknow. I donβt want to hurt you.β
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ You wont. γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(Her tone is firm, almost authoritarian, but there's a desperate edge to it, anedge that's really never left her voice. It's like she's pleading with someone, herself or Jax, but it's someone.)
He caught that edge, felt it pressed into his rabbit ears as his eyes softened, leaned back further, and looked at Pomni with an almost sorry expression.
He didnβt speak for a moment after she did, but eventually all that left him was:
βAre you okay, Pomni?β
(She finally brings her gaze down from the ceiling, staring at Jax with eyes full of passion, a fire that's fueled her entire existence.)
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ I'll be okay. γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(It's not direct by any means, but she smiles at him after, a soft smile, a cheeky soft smile.)
That dull ache of worry slowly melts away, and he leans back into the pillows, patting the one beside him. After all that's said.. and done.. his love for Pomni hasn't changed.
"If you say so, jester." He said with an obviously playful tone.
(Pomni looks down at the spot before cautiously sitting beside him. She pulls her knees to her chest, resting her chin on her knees.)
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ . . . So, what now? γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(She looks over at Jax expectantly. He's got to have some idea up his sleeve. Her eyes softer, stirring but soft and kind.)
"I uh.. I don't know. I just kinda assumed this would go quicker but, like- I don't really feel it now anymore.."
He turned his head over to look at pomni, smiling. Without taking his eyes off her, he raises his hand and places it on Pomni's shoulder. A subtle gesture to lay down and just relax with him for a minute.
(Pomni's shoulder slack when touched, the rest of her not relaxing as much, but she's not as tense. She smiles back at Jax.)
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ Maybe, it's good that it's gone. At least for now. γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
"For now.. Yeah."
He doesn't know how to really form this question for Pomni.. but, he's gonna just get it out there anyways.
"Do you think.. one of those star projectors would go nice in here?"
(She looks away from Jax, staring all around the tent instead. She imagines it for herself... But the light from it might be too bright, or so she thinks.)
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ I'm not... Sure. They'd be pretty, but it'd be really bright. γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(Which defeats half the purpose of this place, She mutters in her head.)
"It wouldn't be on when I was-.. am, the abstraction. I think I can handle light fairly well.. I guess, uh, now's not the time for it though, is what you're saying?"
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ Yeah, something like that... And the fact that we don't have a projector. γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(She could just will it into existence, but by God, she doesn't feel like doing that right now.)
"Yeah- there's the rub, isn't it. I guess I just like to.. think. about what would look nice here. Of course I still have my room, and whatever's inside it. One of these days, I wanna learn that creation stuff you and Kinger do."
His hand never left her shoulder as either of them were talking, shuffling himself ever-so-closer to her side.
(She didn't acknowledge him moving closer. She hummed softly in response to his words. She thought for a moment.)
πΛΜ£Μ£Μ£βΰΎΰ½² γ it's not difficult. Just relax, and think about what you're doing. γ πͺ ΰΌΰ½²ΰΎ πΛΜ£Μ£
(She holds out her hand in front of her, pointing her middle, index, and thumb carefully. A small triangle forms under her incantation.)
βItβs really just that simple? Nothing that I have to get Caine or Kingerβs express permission to do?β
He felt the subsided abstraction flare for half a second, then went back into its dormancy. He inhaled sharply and quickly let go of Pomni, not daring a risk of it getting her too.
βA- OW! God.. dangit. Ouch..β
