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Velvette x Fem!Reader

Fic Summary: Vox isn’t a fan of how close you and Velvette have become. He tries to convince her to leave you.

Part Three - Final Part

Part Two

Part One

“I’ve had more than enough of you.” Vox lectured as you awoke for the second time this evening. His screen was pointed toward your face and it was nauseatingly bright. 

Were your faculties completely present, you would have retorted: Trust me, I feel the same. But you couldn’t move your mouth quite yet. There was a shocking lack of sensation reminiscent of when you went to the dentist when you were alive. Thankfully, it didn’t last and as Vox turned away, you regained some sense. You realized you were on the couch in his office. You were close to home. You were close to Velvette. 

Vox stared at the doorway, listening intently for footsteps and when the door finally opened, you saw her. 

Velvette’s presence provided protection. You were her doll, and Vox’s clammy hand on the shoulder of her model would not last long. His claws refused to rip into you no matter how much he wanted to make your bits and pieces fish food. 

“Perfect, my guest of honor has arrived.” He flaunted in this new performance. The dear friend - that’s what he was. What he would always be. You rolled your eyes freely.

Velvette tapped her foot incessantly and scrolled on her phone without looking at it. “Vox, what is this about? I have a 3:30-”

“I’m SO glad you asked. You see, I have a new role for your little friend here.”

Velvette didn’t do well when interrupted, you loved that about her. Her convictions and her pride could be a fatal flaw to some. But you knew it was what made her powerful. “What are you on about?” The rhetorical question came out in a shout that sent Vox off your shoulder. “She’s just fine where she is, Vox.”

 “Ah-ts-ugh, she’s your biggest distraction. She takes up all your time. Where have you been when I’ve needed you? Huh? When this company has needed you. You’ve been galavanting like Val. Well, you’re not. And this little dolly of yours has got to go. So say ‘bye bye.” 

That twitching eye of hers told a story of rage and you sunk into your seat to watch the wave hit the bay. If there was one thing you had learned about the Vs, it was that they didn’t take shit, including from each other. The outbursts were simultaneously the worst and your favorite part. Your only wish was that you had a nice, large tub of buttered popcorn. 

Velvette’s head nearly popped off, “What The Fuck Did You Just Say To Me?!” 

“Uh- Well, I-” Vox backed up, putting space between you two - fast enough that his suit jacket swung. He cleared his throat and added a static effect, “It’s us or this thing, Vel.”

“You have got to be kidding me!” You chimed, ready for a tirade of your own. An ultimatum of all things? This was by far the most childish-  

“Babe.” She silenced you and your line of thought. A smile was thrown at you; it was full of assurance - the kind you didn’t need but loved anyway. Then, she gutted Vox with a sneer, “If you think you can pull this shit on ME, you’re battier than ever.”

Flustered, he began to dig a grave. “Hey, I call the shots around here!” 

A growl left her small body. “You pompous mother-ARGH!” Velvette swung a flare of hellish magic at his screen. “We are a fucking team!” 

While you dodged the purple string hurled across the room, you stood up - slightly dizzy, but finally competent. Or enough to stand and speak because whatever dull look was plastered on you made Velvette shift her attention. “And what did you do to her?”

“Relax! She’s fine!”

“You knocked me out twice!”

“What?!” Her concern oozed.

“Why do you even care?! We’re the team, remember? You, Me, and Val.”

She turned her nose up then snatched your arm as possessively yet gently as she could. “If we are then you’ll get your shit together and get over whatever the fuck this is.” 

Vox’s mouth was agape. You weren’t sure how he expected her to roll over. One thing was certain to you; you knew Velvette better than that. 

“Let’s go.” She held you like a prize, then turned to Vox before slamming the office door. “Let me know when your ego heals, and leave my girlfriend alone.”

As you left behind the lone actor for now, Velvette cupped your jaw, safely keeping you in her soft hands. You took your opportunity to speak. 

“Girlfiend, huh?”

“You didn’t know?” She smirked while dragging you to your shared bedroom.

“I don’t like to make assumptions.”

“Maybe you should start then.”

Velvette x Fem!Reader

Fic Summary: Vox isn’t a fan of how close you and Velvette have become. He tries to convince you to leave her.

Part Two

Part One

You were always present - to a sickening degree. It’s why Vox loathed being in your radius because it never seemed to vanish. Now, here you were at the dinner that he invited you too. Granted, “invited” was a generous interpretation. You would prefer to call it what it was: abduction. 

For such a charismatic actor, he was horrible at pretending to be pleased by your company though. Wasn’t that something? You end up in a pit of damnation, and your torture was not getting along with your girlfriend’s friends. 

Considering Vox’s love of television, you imagined he could at least see the comedy in the two of you essentially participating in this romcom. Yet his comically toothy grin was nowhere to be found as he stabbed a broccoli stem with his fork, turning and spinning it on his still full plate. 

For all the comments and jokes you wanted to make, you took into heavy consideration that despite his pouting, Vox did have power - like making you forget where you were before the limousine. So, the two of you sat in silence. That is… until that little floret of broccoli fell right off of his plate, rolled across the round table, and straight onto the floor.      

He shot up suddenly, slamming his fists beside his plate and glass, “JUST LEAVE HER ALREADY!” 

You nearly jumped out of your own seat, clutching your shirt and grabbing your heart. You stammered, “What is wrong with you?” The question slipped out, but what caused Vox’s screen to flash with static was the genuine tone in which you asked. A genuine curiosity: what in all of hell was wrong with this man?

Slowly, he lowered into his seat, ignoring the fiery eyes staring him down for ruining their elegant evening out. His calm, collected persona suddenly took hold, but yours was close to dead and buried as you mirrored the irritation of the other patrons. 

As Vox watched you prevent yourself from bursting, he flicked up his hand, telling you to pause. Fine. He had something to say. Something you could tell he didn’t want to because he began picking at his fingers and rubbing his hands. 

“Well?!” You couldn’t take it anymore: his gull. 

“I’m getting to it!” He sighed, “Velvette, Val, and I are a trio. Do you understand?”

You made a point of remaining completely still. This actor would not have the audience participation that he craved, at least not while your blood was boiling. 

“Ever since you’ve been around you’ve… UGH, been around!” balancing the edge of his screen against his palm, he shook his head in frustration and allowed himself the opportunity to scan the room. 

Every couple in the restaurant was… shockingly happy. There were few places in hell where the sight could be seen. The white tablecloths had no bloodstains. The employees owned their own souls. And the guests were uncharacteristically happy.

A smirk was plastered on his face, “This is her favorite restaurant. Bet she didn’t tell you that.”   

Despite your best efforts, your expression betrayed you with a subtle crunch of the nose. He was correct. In fact, there was a lot Velvette didn’t share with you. You found that… ironic to say the least, considering she practically livestreamed her life. 

“Thought so.” He revelled in the reveal. “She told me and Val - in case you were curious.” Taking his cup of water, he sipped on his straw obnoxiously then slapped the glass down with a victorious “Ahhh.” He quenched a long lasting thirst. 

You wondered if a spray of screen cleaner would be enough to wipe off his sneer. 

There was a lot you tolerated, but his pompous attitude was overwhelming. But then it hit you. He took so much joy out of supposedly knowing her better, out of being a confidant. You decided to wonder aloud, “Are you… jealous?” 

“PFFFT- Of what?! You?! Please- Pfft- PLEASE.” His eyes bounced from wall to wall and his hands fidgeted with the tablecloth as if smoothing it out would make him appear clear conscienced. 

“You are!” You smacked the table with vigor. This discovery had changed everything. 

That’s when the claws came out - no better than a scared, stray kitten. “No! No, no no. Jealous of what exactly? You’re nobody!”

“Velvette doesn’t think so.” You leaned over, took the lemon off the rim off your glass, and gave the sides of the sour fruit a firm squeeze right into your water. Once you were satisfied as you watched Vox squirm, you wrapped the dried thing in a napkin and slid it to his end of the table. “She finds this ‘nobody’ delightful.” 

Vox swallowed hard. How could someone as low class as you completely enrapture his friend? How could Velvette… just… how? And to prefer you… 

In his gut there was a swarm, a stinging, a nagging, a raging sensation that twisted his insides. What did his friend enjoying your company so much say about him? 

He just about had enough of the badgering questions; it made his head ache. So, astonishingly quick, he stood with vicious intent; threw a few hundred dollar bills on the table that were pulled from his suit jacket pocket; and dragged you by the arm up and out of the restaurant as if you were a ragdoll. Straight back to the limousine. 

Thank you for Reading! 🩵 Comments, suggests, and asked are encouraged and appreciated!

Thanks to everyone who read part one for waiting as well and for all the sweet comments - they mean the world!!

Velvette x Fem!Reader

Fic Summary: Vox isn’t a fan of how close you and Velvette have become. He tries to convince you to leave her.

Part One

When you woke up sprawled on the black leather seat of the primary VoxTech limousine, you prayed for it to have been the aftermath of another euphorically drunken night with Velvette. 

The remnants of bright blue light quickly confirmed this was not the case. Losing your memory was never fun per se, but you knew just like everyone else in hell that there could be fun reasons to. Unfortunately, when you didn't wake up sore or hung-over, you realized that there was no partying, no liquor, no dancing, and no tangos. 

Pushing yourself upright on the car seat, you faced Vox who was ready to get to business, even if you physically couldn't hear him yet. 

"Well, good morning, dollface." He buzzed and crossed his legs, taking up the whole left corner. His right ankle rested on his left knee so smoothly as if they were connected with magnets. 

As you clutched your head, you felt a chunk of your hair was... fried. Oh, that wouldn't do. Your fingers played with the singed piece of your hair as Vox snapped his fingers right by your nose. If you hadn't known any better, you would've taken his claws and twisted them the opposite way with all the force in your toned body. 

Despite your wasp-like anger, you let him monologue. 

"Before you get too comfortable, you and I have reservations. I hope you brought your appetite. Or whatever you have of one." His deep red eyes examined your frame. "The food at Ring of Flambé is as valuable as six lives, so I don't need any picky shit." 

Get to the point, you thought and grimaced. 

His invasive nature allowed him to peer into your inner monologue- well, actually, he just read your body language. "You have been quite the parasite, you know?" Said the walking computer virus. "So, you and I are going to have a little chat. Lucky for you, I'm a gentleman. Figured a girl like yourself would respond well to a night on the town." The smirk that widened on his screen was so full of attitude, you were surprised that shit didn't literally fly out from his mouth. 

The static in his one eye challenged you to fight with him. Overlords loved that. They reveled in lulling sinners into a false sense of security or tripping them on wires to lead them blind into verbal and physical brawls. For those who had never seen it, it was their sliced bread. For those who had, it was ecstasy. Vox was no different. Not towards a lowly denizen such as yourself, who claimed a whopping zero souls. 

Despite the insults he frequently slung your way, gifting him the satisfaction of a reaction was something you thoroughly trained yourself not to do. 

Naturally, his fidgeting in response coaxed a devious smile out of you. 

Shortly after you agreed, the limousine approached the restaurant in question. As far away from V Tower as he could have possibly chosen, you wondered how long you were unconscious and why Vox would go through the trouble of hitching a ride when teleportation was within his capabilities. 

When he opened the doors for you, you were equally as put off. Seeing the buzzing restaurant did add to your comfort, though. The host, shockingly polite, guided you two to your table which was located in the center of the dining hall.

"Extra water to start, and get my lovely guest a hot water with lemon." Glancing back at you, his arrogant grin disappeared, and he began peering at the menu. Really, he already knew what he wanted. It wasn't his first time at this particular establishment. In fact, it was one of Velvette's personal favorites. A piece of information she had never shared with you and one of very few things she didn't post about. Vox swam in that glee. That reveal was for much later though. 

You followed his mannerisms and scoured the menu. The steaks and French cuisine used to be a rarity for you and your budget. However, Velvette changed that. She changed everything. 

Your tastes landed on a dish that you wouldn't have been able to pronounce during your life. You didn't drop the menu until Vox did though. He could run the show. At least for now. 

"Stop staring at me. Didn't your mother ever teach you manners?"

"You're a walking TV. You were literally made to be stared at."

"You do have a point there." He bobbed his head, contemplating that idea. God, did he adore attention. Because of that, you knew he was trying to hook you. You decided to bite the line to appease him.

"What did you want to discuss, Vox?" You knew the better word for what he actually wanted was command, but for as much as you hated to admit it, you needed to be in people's good graces - even that of sinners. "I'm all ears." 

"Oh, I'm so glad you asked." He sipped on his glass of water and eyed the waiter delivering your and the lemon slice with it. When the server sauntered off at Vox's wave, he began, "You've been taking up a lot of Velvette's valuable time. And uh- we can't have that." 

Hiding the disgust was impossible, so you didn't bother. You shook it off your face once Vox leaned on the table closer to you. Elbows wrinkling the tablecloth and all. "Velvette is a CEO, she can manage her schedule." When it came to Velvette's work, you knew all too well that time off didn't exist. Simply, her dedication to her platform wouldn't fade away for the next millennium.

"Wouldn't you agree that she doesn't need any distractions though." His enunciations pierced your ears, sometimes pleasantly, sometimes... they made your blood boil as if your feet were against the fiery brimstone. This one in particular nearly made you lunge at him. 

You restrained your animalistic impulses and managed a sweet smile, "I think you would agree, for someone who's always on her phone, she manages to stay on task." This time, you sipped your hot water. 

"Mhm." He leaned backward and pondered, annoyed that you had yet to trip up. The subtle approach wasn't too speedy, so he switched gears. "Alright. Let me put it this way. If you leave Velvette and avoid the tower, I'll keep covering your current salary and then some. An incentive for getting out of my hair."

These implications were wearing your tolerance thin. "I am not leaving Velvette." If he thought you would take a payout to abandon the woman you loved, he was as foolish as the radio segments said. 

For all the threats he could broadcast, he knew that you wouldn't crumble. If you had disappeared, Velvette wouldn't have it. So you picked up the menu and watched as the lingering waiter returned. "Are we eating or what?" 

Vox's screen suddenly had a glare of blinding cyan. He fumbled his words, "I- you- Argh. Fine."

Thank you for Reading! 🩵 Comments, suggests, and asked are encouraged and appreciated!

Expect a Part 2 ! There's more to come

Velvette x Fem!Reader

Fic Summary: Velvette catches you nearly side with Vox in a work debate.

If pride were a drink, it would be a fireball. You concluded this after a lengthy conversation with the Vees.

Of course, you adored Velvette. She was your moon and your stars and you were her sun - her secret inspiration. However, being in a room with the unholy trio often made you wish you were deaf.

Conflict was a part of life just as it was death. However, avoiding it when you could would be your goal until you met your real end. This desire didn’t keep it at bay though. Somehow, debates continued to hit your ears, and after coming accustomed to the Vees and vice versa, they included you in their cool and heated discussions.

Naturally, when Velvette expected you to take her side, you did. But not without pause. A hesitation that she was quick to notice, clocking it the same way as her regular models and general employees' disrespect. She would never display a lack of unity between the two of you though. Image was everything and if her relationship didn't look perfect, then frankly, there was no point.

So when Vox asked you if you thought it was best to prioritize the news or "the arts," you mistakenly used your better capitalist judgement and nearly formed the "n" in your response. You corrected your faulty tongue in record time. But Velvette's sweet dollface... was vengeful.

"What the fuck were you thinking?" Her body starfished after slamming the door to her corner of the tower. "Are you trying to give Vox a bigger head? Switch his screen from 15 to 18 inch?"

"Vel-"

"Don't." Velvette considered you lucky that she didn't have it in her to hurt you. Otherwise, you would have had to dodge her limbs being thrown your way. Literally.

"Honey-"

She growled, "Stop fucking talking." Then stormed off in dramatic stomps into the bedroom adjacent to her personal workspace. When the door slammed, you figured it was her way of telling you sleep would be rough tonight. You were in the doghouse. Aka the model couch which felt as stiff as it looked. Many times, you wondered if the cushions were truly rocks. Instead of investigating, you decided to pretend everything was fine. Image before everything. But you wouldn't be treated like a dog either. "Can I at least have a pillow and blanket?!" You knocked incessantly on the door which cracked to throw the items your way. "I love you!" You sung.

Velvette would never admit it... but the next morning, when she was dressed to impress - as usual - and found you turned over. She bit the inside of her cheek and nawed before gently rubbing your shoulders.

Laying in a C position and facing the couch cushions, she acqured sympathy back pain. Your posture wouldn't be the same for a few days.

"I love you too." She whispered in your ear, reaching your dreams.

When you jolted awake, startling your doll, you reached for her hand and pulled fast. Knocking into you and clinging to your body just as planned, you didn't see the fume shooting out from her ears or sockets anymore. "I'm always on your side, Vel."

She rolled her eyes then fought her smile, "Uh huh." It only took you holding her hips for her frown to shift. "Ok, fine. I know."

"Say it~" you coaxed, nudging her to rest her light head on your shoulder.

"We're on the same side."

"Exactly." You smirked, thrilled to be out of little miss vengeful Velvette's fire range.

Velvette x Fem.Reader

Fic Summary: You are one of Velvette’s many models. Yet you catch her eye.

From the moment you stepped on her stage, you knew you were no longer yourself. The glaring lights served to highlight Velvette’s masterfully designed fashion pieces. Not mere outfits but art that would live forever. Afterall, hell meant eternity. The body they were on though… that could easily be replaced.

That was the risk of jumping in a shark tank. Being ripped apart was as likely as drunkenly breaking a heel - which many girls tended to do. Naturally, they became Velvette’s personal pin cushions.

As always, the clicks of your heels were delicate. Your strut made it clear you were anything but - or really that the maker of the art you displayed was anything but. On stage, your body was merely a frame. However, there was none other that was more fit.

That fateful night, your plum pantsuit with frills at the hips, ankles, and wrists, caressed your body. It was as secure as an acrylic nail and ten times as flattering. Your smile, knowing this, admiring your figure in the mirror just moments prior, was radiant. It was the night you transcended. You were a model. You were flesh and blood. You were suddenly more than a walking mannequin.

When you were called into Velvette’s wing the next morning, your heart stopped and your stomach dropped. The careers of hell’s stars come to an end, falling harder than meteors. You certainly hadn’t reached the top, in fact few denizens knew your name despite its memorability. But you hadn’t expected this part of your afterlife to end this abruptly. Warning signs… you must have missed them. How could you be so stupid? You thought on loop waiting in the lobby. Your thoughts hurting you to the point where you couldn’t feel your ass getting numb from waiting on that plastic chair.

Caught in a storm of grief and regretting the dozens of mindless mistakes you made but thought would go under the radar, you didn’t hear the receptionist call your name. She sighed, then shouted it again as if she was cursing.

You nearly jumped out of your skin. Maybe if you were a skeleton, you wouldn’t be getting fired. You had been eating for quite a bit. Starving didn’t appeal to you since dying. Why be hangry when you could already complain with ease?

But repenting over the vine of grapes you treated yourself with aside, you were sure meeting Velvette would be your biggest regret.

“She will see you now,” the receptionist coughed into an out of style handkerchief.

When you stood, you placed your palm on your stomach and felt the air you took in cause it to rise. Then you exhaled. Only for your second of grounding to be interrupted by the receptionist, “Don’t keep her waiting! And don’t make me repeat myself a third time!”

“Ok- ok,” You rushed toward the elevator, and clicked the button inside after hesitantly saying, “thank you.”

Muttering indecent words to yourself as the elevator carried you to the head honchos office, you found yourself preparing for a new life once again. Just not the one meant for you.

When the doors opened revealing you to Velvette, you struggled to step out. Nonetheless, you managed to strut. If you could be graceful in front of an overlord, you had half a chance at making it out scarred instead of decapitated.

“Hello, good morning, Ms. Velvette.” Start with respect. Don’t bite the hand that feeds until it goes to hit or starve you. “You wanted to see me.”

Velvette’s smile was razor sharp and forced - not unlike her models’. “Yes, I did.” She walked over, turned her heel to stand beside you, then took your arm, and guided you to a chair. “Sit, gorgeous.” Her touch was surprisingly tender. Delicate like lace.

You sat on the most divine cushion. And she sat across from you at her lavish desk.

Creating a tent with her hands, she propped up her head. “I wanted to have a good look at you.”

“You can look all you want,” you blurted. Too desperate for approval. You shifted in your seat causing Velvette to chuckle. She couldn’t resist. For as much as she found nervousness to be a weakness, she found it endearing. Shockingly so.

“Of course I can.” She marveled. Suddenly, her smile didn’t seem so scary. However, her silence thereafter spun your mind into intolerability.

“Ms. Velvette, why am I here?” Throughout your life, your bosses never appreciated your direct attitude. So the second the question passed your lips, you wanted to sew your mouth shut. Except you kept going, “I love my job. Working for Voxtech has been a dream. If I did something wrong- If I-“

“Hush,” Velvette leaned back in her chair, tossing her feet on the desk. “Just Vel. And for the record, this insecurity of yours has to be canceled.”

You nodded and forced your body to relax. Your hands left your lap and your shoulders fell. Listening to her wouldn’t hurt any and her voice… it was soothing in its emphatic emphasis. Somehow, she felt like an old friend. The kind ready to tell you exactly what you needed to hear.

“Now, tell me,” Velvette pulled her phone out of a hidden pocket in her skirt. She was so ingenuitive. “Which day can you be up here in the mornings. I was thinking once a week to start. I have some big ideas that I need on the perfect canvas.” It didn’t strike you as odd when she asked for your availability, even though with one look at the employee portal she would know every minute she was entitled to. Really, she wanted to know when you were free. Free of obligation. You weren’t thinking, you just hung onto those last two words.

“Perfect?”

“Trust me, love, I know perfection when I see it.” She was the type to say what she meant. That is, when the cameras were off.

You didn’t know what was happening until you stood in her office every Friday morning.

The first day was less nerve wrecking than you anticipated.

“Come in, come in.” She beckoned softly, opposite of her receptionist. Her patience was jarring as she directed you to the platform. Usually shoving her models and positioning them like a three old with her first doll, she curved her hands to hold you.

As you lifted your foot, she took your hand. “I don’t need you to fall,” She debated calling you darling but despite her better judgment decided against it. It wasn’t good for influencers to date fans let alone employees. Then again optics could always be warped. Afterall, she would come to know you best.

“Purple is your color. The darker the better.” It started with your appearance of course.

Then it turned into your interests, “This event has a broadway theme, it was made for you.”

And then it was your habits, “Love, go meditate before that runway. Deep breaths and all that. Those photographers are vicious.”

It wasn’t long until you started learning about her too. Little tidbits here and there but it was always slightly more than her livestreams and posts led on. You felt special. She made sure of it. She even said as much, “You’re gorgeous. Outside and in.”

When you would blush and thank her, returning the compliment with a subtle twist for genuinity’s sake, she would pause. “I mean it.”

“I know, Vel.” You infected her with your smile.

Thank you for reading! 🩵

Comments are appreciated!

Fic Summary: Pomni tries to talk to Jax after the Amazing Digital Award Show

It was eerily quiet in the circus once Caine’s award show had ended. For as neverendingly wacky and goofy the whole set seemed to be, there was a lack of energy. Of course, it was no shock that objects, floating blocks and slides, were motionless. However, the world felt off- more so than usual.

That’s when Ragatha realized, “Has anyone seen Caine?” He had left the stage with less than his typical showmanship.

“No, but I’d like to keep it that way.” Zooble strolled towards the bedrooms with Gangle following steadily.

Pomni shrugged as Ragatha stood in thought, “Maybe he’s just… done for the night.”

“Yeah…” Ragatha nodded, “Maybe.” But Caine never seemed to be done.

Given that their sleep was optional, seeing that night - let alone their human needs - didn’t seem to truly exist, Caine’s energy never subsided. The show must go on and all. A ringmaster had to prepare for the circus, afterall.

Nonetheless, rest was earned by the cast each and every day with no exceptions. And it was definitely that time.

So Ragatha, Pomni, Zooble, Gangle, and Kinger kept walking. Despite all of their glaring differences, they all agreed on when to turn in to bed.

But then there was Jax, lagging behind.

Pomni couldn’t help but glance back. She tried to refrain. She tried miserably to let him go. Yet…

“I’ll be behind you, okay?” She warned Ragatha as her pace slowed dramatically. Were the graphics from decades prior, she would’ve clipped to the floor with how soon she stopped in her stride.

Ragatha took the hint, “Oh, ok.” Unwanted again, no surprise- no… She wouldn’t take it that way. Not after the two had sat together during the show. They were good. They were fine. She bucked up, “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

Pomni smiled, sweet like a true people pleasing jester, “Yep.” But her expression fell swiftly as her eyes gazed at the balls on her shoes- or feet. They were cartooney. Obviously. Comical. Yet her mood was anything but.

Glancing to watch the others wander away, she waited then let out an exasperated sigh.

How her lungs still worked, she had no idea. Maybe like a whoopie cushion - a dumb visual for a dumb body. And a dumb body for a dumb girl.

That wasn’t a very nice thought though. After spending a few hours with Ragatha, Pomni was especially aware of the nice thoughts. She was certainly in need of them too when she caught Jax finally approaching with his sluggish saunter.

Hesitation engulfed them both. Somehow, Pomni persisted and turned back to look at him, now halted. “Hey…” She managed.

Jax’s pupils refused to focus on her whole, only the red haze of her glove and hat as he disengaged.

“I wanted to talk.”

There was no way she would be left alone on the floor. They couldn’t avoid each other for long. The circus was enormous compared to their tiny sprites. However, a day being trapped revealed it to be much more like an iron cage holding a tiger.

The big top tent was simply suffocating. Unfortunately, for Jax, Pomni wanted to breathe freely.

He crossed his arms, “About?” His fanned ignorance could make an iceberg melt in aggravation.

To Pomni’s credit, she kept her expectations low. High hopes fell the hardest. So she rolled with the punch, “About earlier. I just wanted to say…” her hands trembled, “Even if you don’t see me as your friend,” a sigh escaped her, “I think you’re mine.”

The rabbit showed no signs of recognition. No foot tap. No ear twitch. No human nod.

“That’s all.” She threw her hands to her side and began to walk backward. “Yeah. That’s all.” It was time for bed. After the long day, she earned it.

This time, the break would be from Caine, the circus, and her so-called friend.

Jax, on the other hand, would have another sleepless night.

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