#memory redacted

“I don’t believe a person such as yourself could ever be found to be boring, Your Majesty.” she said with a broad grin. And, honestly, that hadn’t been her first time in a Fungeon. Not that that needed to be shared persay, but still.

“But thank you, I really appreciate it. It’s nice to have your permission, sir. Thanks again for walking me here.” she bowed to him once more, before she started up the bridge and gave him a small wave.

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The King smiled brightly when Cat suggested that he could never be boring. The ego boost was quite pleasant. He waved her off.

“Wow, thank you so much!” she laughed, knowing it was a clear shot from there to Game Central.

“Ah…. well, no, I think I’m pretty good so far as getting back to where I need to be, Your Majesty. But…” she rubbed her arm a bit, staring somewhat sheepishly down at the ground before she cast her eyes upwards.

“Would it be okay if I came back to visit under less awkward pretenses?” She meant the whole, ‘You kinda did but kinda didn’t lock me in the Fungeon’ ordeal, but she would at least like to come back at some point, and would feel better having the King’s permission to do so.

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The King leaned forward on his cane and tried to look up into her face when the girl cast her eyes to the ground.

“Heh, no, I’m fine. A bit sore from running into that stand before, but I’m alright. Thank you for the concern, though, I appreciate it. And I’m glad you’re alright now, I’m sure everyone is!” she added earnestly.

“Sorry I didn’t help or anything. Guess I’ll definitely have to start paying more attention to Minthe when she’s telling me about these things. Oh!” she said suddenly, remembering the Queen and put her hand on her forehead.

“Cripes, I forgot all about her! I hate to be a bother, sir, but do you think you could show me the way out of here so I don’t get lost again?” she asked, though sounding somewhat disappointed. She really wanted to stay and visit a while, but she was sure he probably had a lot of things he had to do as well.

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King Candy giggled into his hands, then took the poor girl by the elbow to lead her out.

“Ah ha ha…! Ith-ith justh around the corner, here, actually. You’re about thirty secondsth from freedom, Cat, aheh. I’m not laughing AT you, I promiseth! Ith a little funny, I’m sorry.” he chuckled.

They took a few short turns away from the throne room and immediately found the main entryway. A couple of Oreo Guards obligingly held the door open and stood at attention as the King strolled outside with Cat. He escorted her as far as the rainbow bridge, then stood in place, rocking on his heels and twirling his cane playfully.

“Ah, yeah, well… helps when you have the right keys, I guess. Oh, so, we weren’t properly introduced-” she cleared her throat, and bowed to him.

“My name is Caitlin, Your Majesty - but please, call me Cat. It’s an honor, sir. Are you okay then?” she asked him, concerned. She hadn’t met a King Candy yet that she didn’t like.

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He couldn’t stop a goofy grin from wiggling onto his face at the immediate jump from nervous to formal that Cat made. He returned the bow obligingly and tipped his crown to the young lady.

“…wait what?” she lowered her hands and gave him a look at his confused tone, and returned it with a similarly dumbfounded expression.

“….King Candy?” she asked, wondering out loud.

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“….Left, right, straight…. so…. right, left straight? Yeah, I’ll go with that.” she stepped out into the hallway, and made the right, hoping she had called that correctly on the way down.

And hoping she wouldn’t get caught and just sent back down there, not knowing the King was back to normal yet.

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King Candy had been absent-mindedly shuffling through some papers while walking back to the throne room. He looked up just in time to see the young lady before they bumped into each other. He gave her a confused look, for a moment forgetting about the Fungeon ordeal because of everything that had happened in the last day.

Who decided this place was fun?

She frowned to herself and glared at the cell door, pulling her keys out to look at them - there were only two on that little keychain of hers. One to get in, and one to get out.

And the shovel, naturally.

Welp, better see how the guards were doing. She walked over to the door to see if there WERE any guards out there, or if they had just locked her up and left her there.

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Oh well. Not like this was the worst thing that could have happened. To be fair, it would have been a rather fitting end, dying in a video game was pretty cool.

She eyed the guards, trying to come up with some kind of plan or another… nope, too tired. Her brain refused to let her think about another mad dash. She still had her keys, though - she shoved her hand in her pockets with a huff, hoping to hide them from view. They unlocked cabinets to let a gamer through, why not a candy cell door?

She’d wait, though. Perhaps those years pent playing as Rouge classes might actually pay off. Or she’d just get really lucky. Either or.

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