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Strangely enough, it felt uncharacteristically cold for the season. You had been waiting for Noelle long enough for your nose to start to run, using a napkin from one of the food stalls to wipe it. The cold didn't bother you too much, but your body's reaction wasn't exactly pleasant. Still, ignoring the cold, you were much more relaxed now that you finally got rid of Susie. That hotdog stacking contest quickly became an eating one, and for some reason that skeleton seemed to have an infinite number of them.
After a few more seconds of waiting, Noelle finally found her way to the festival. She had on a light blue coat jacket, a white skirt, and thick, snowflake patterned tights that matched the coat. Despite the layers, she still seemed chilled; what terrible weather indeed.
"Sorry for being late, my mom wanted me to finish up my homework before I left!" She smiled, although straining.
You couldn't help but smile back. She's been so interesting as of late. You wanted to see how far you could go, how much you could change her until she was unrecognizable. You wanted to see how she would react, and how your fate - their fate - could bend.
You pointed to the ferris wheel, towering above all other attractions. Cold sweat dripped from your body, uninvited.
"Noelle will ride with me." It came out unaturally, chillingly, words that seemed to only be meant to be thought and not said aloud. Your body ached.
"Oh..! Of course, Kris..." She mumbled, as if she was hoping you couldn't hear.
On the walk there, Noelle couldn't help but fumble with her finger, twisting her other hand around it tight. Cold sweat beat on her face, head hanging low and shoulders hunched, curling further into herself the closer you got. Maybe she was afraid of heights, or ferris wheels in particular. But as fun as guessing was, you knew in truth, it was you, and that only further proved to excite you. It was confirmation you had succeeded in changing the path of the story, and now you only need to continue until you change the end.
The noise seemed to get louder as the two of you approached the long line to the ferris wheel. Children jumped for joy, and lovers chuckled with interlocked arms, all waiting for their turn on the main attraction. You watched the young lovers, awkwardly holding each others hands, blushing hard as if it were the most intimate thing you could do. You turned over to Noelle, tightly grasping her hand. She gasped, flinching before staring down at the unwanted clutch. Her fingers twitched in your hand, which you held higher, taking a good look at your carefully placed thorn, still throbbing on her swollen finger.
"K-Kris, what are you...?" Noelle was interrupted as you lead her forward with the moving line, your head stubbornly refusing to make eye contact with her.
Although getting closer, it seemed the wait was still going to be a while. You and Noelle were starting to look like those young lovers, but with pale faces instead of pink ones. Your body was getting more and more annoying, shuffling without you and whispering something you didn't want to say. In turn, your hands no longer had a reason to be interlocked, your grip loosening until you and Noelle were seperate beings once more.
"Ah, the bathroom? Y-yes, I can hold the spot!" Noelle's face scrunched into a smile, tense yet somewhat relieved at your temporary departure.
You stuck by for a bit longer, sweat picking up on Noelle's face the longer you stood. When nothing seemed to change, you finally decided there was no choice but to go the way they wanted you to go. You walked around, careful not to run into anyone that could inhibit your further plans. Aside from that, you interacted with everything you possibly could. Unfortunately, eveything was met with the single thought of: "not the bathroom."
Eventually, you walked over to the bathroom, finding your way to a single stall and locking the door behind you. Now that you were here, you didn't exactly know what to do. You walked over to the sink, where you were given the choice on whether or not the run the water. You chose not to, as you wouldn't fall for something like that twice. You walked over to the toilet instead, and this time, the only choice seemed to be able to flush it. But you could tell there was something else there, another choice- although blank- and you were curious. As such, you went ahead and chose to-
Suddenly, your body- no- their body moved without you. In a flash, a hand dove into their chest, ripping you out of them like an unwanted parasite. You suppose you should've expected this. Of course, what you didnt expect was for you to be thrown into the disgusting toilet bowl, the lid being slammed shut. You heard them shuffling around outside of your new filthy prison, their breathing occasionally becoming loud enough to hear as well. A few slamming noises, a few steps, a few sniffles- and then eventually a final slamming noise of a door being shut.
You hastily banged yourself against the toilet lid, very much liking to free yourself. Eventually you got it open enough to fly out, dripping water that you were glad you couldn't smell. You went up to the door. It wasn't locked but it's not like you had the hands to open it, so that wouldn't work as an escape. The toilet lid had only opened enough for you to sqeeze through, so it's not like you could go back inside and go through the pipes- and it's not like you wanted to either. There was a vent but it was sealed tight, no sign of the screws coming loose. There didn't seem to be any mouse holes or anything either. In other words, you were stuck until Kris returned.
Your thoughts could be summed up with the words: "Damn it."
♤♤♤♤♤
....
..........
Kris carefully swapped the "out of order" sign to the door they just came out of. It wouldn't guarantee that nobody would go in there, but it was better than nothing. They had little time to think it over, gravity becoming heavier by the second. They mustered up as much energy as they could into speed walking back to Noelle, her spot in line considerably closer.
Noelle flinched at the sight of Kris, making their empty soul ache. She let out an "Oh!" before shuffling to the side to make room for them. Kris silently stood next to her, keeping their eyes fixated on the ground. Not yet.... they can't say anything yet....
At last, it was their turn to board the ferris wheel. Noelle stumbled in as fast as she could, Kris carefully following behind. They took the seats opposite of each other, both looking down as the doors shut. The gears squeaked as the wheel turned, lifting the two away from the crowd below. Kris inhaled sharply.
"....Noelle..." They attempted to raise their voice but it still came out like a scratchy whisper.
Noelle jumped at the voice, her eyes widening at the difference in sound. Was it her imagination? Or was it really them? Then again, what does she mean by that? Kris has always been Kris.... even if they have changed....
"..N-Noelle... I'm... I'm so sorry...." Their voice betrayed them, cracking despite needing to comfort someone else.
"Kris? What are you apologizing for? Everything's okay, isn't it...?" Noelle paused, finally making eye contact with Kris. Their eyes, wide and glossy, brought a feeling of dread into Noelle's soul.
"Isn't it, Kris? This is how it's supposed to be, right? Kris..." Noelle too, felt her eyes start tearing up. Her soul pounded in her chest. She couldn't confront it, not now. Whatever Kris needed to say, it wasn't going to solve anything. It wasn't going to fix this; which, by the way, wasn't even broken in the first place! This was fine, it needed to be fine. She needed to be strong- she needed to get stronger.
"Noelle, I'm sorry.... I really... I never wanted any of this to happen... It was.. whatever that thing is... I truly never meant-"
"Stop."
At this point, the tears ran freely from Kris's face. Noelle wanted to cry, but her tears were used up. All she could do at this point was chuckle. The chuckle was devoid of any humor, instead just a testament to the desperation she felt. When she stopped, all sounds seemed to stop with it. The chatter of the crowd, the whistle of the breeze, not even the sound of her breathing, assuming she was doing that at all.
In the silence, Noelle rose, slighty swaying the ride. She sat next to Kris, leaning against them. Kris sweat profusely at the contact, wishing she would go away. Noelle seperated slightly, only to face towards them and press her hands against their shoulders. Their faces were uncomfortably close.
"Kris," Noelle whispered, "after all of that, you're going to tell me you didn't want to, that you didn't mean it? Are you trying to tell me, all of that was for nothing?" More tears fell from their face each word she spoke. The grip on their shoulders became tighter.
"Did you not mean it? Did you not want me to be strong? Did you not want to go to the festival with me? Did you not want to gift me that ring?" Her voice continously increased in volume the more questions she asked. "And... when you said you wanted to protect me... did you not mean that either?
"NO!" Their voice strained into a shout. "I do want to protect you, but the-"
"Prove it, then. You want to protect me? If you do... then let's just continue... like this..." Noelle dropped her head down once again. "Ha ha... it's funny, y'know? Even after all we've done... all I'VE done.. a part of me finds comfort in it... in the fact that you are here with me after all these years. You have no idea how much.... how much I've missed you! And now, we've been through so much. And now, we can get stronger together. We can finally...." she trailed off, considering what she wants to say.
Noelle lifts her head, moving it closer to Kris then they ever want to be ever again.
"Kris, this feeling... you feel it too don't you? You want this too, don't you?"
♤♤♤♤♤
A spark runs through you. You suppose this works too, you can't believe you had already forgotten, but the new choice filled you with newfound vigor and an old-found body.
>♡PROCEED
>NO!
"Proceed." The words take a second to escape your strangely dry mouth.
For some reason, Noelle's demeanor seemed to change from a willing partner to one of hesistance and fear, no longer leaning closer and instead slightly inching her head back. Ah, you see what's happening. Kris went off to go fufill their wild fantasies with the damsel in distress while you were stuck in the damn toilet. Although interesting in theory, you don't appreciate not getting a front row seat until now, nor the fact that Noelle didn't listen to you right away.
"PROCEED." You tried to put a little oomf into it so she got the hint. Now this will be an interesting scene!
Noelle startled but quickly recollected herself. At the end of the day, this is what she wanted isn't it? She couldn't be getting cold feet now, not after that shit show.
You brushed your hand into the back of Noelle's hair, inching her closer. She held her breath, closing her eyes as your lips met hers. Her lips were cold and tasteless, and from her expression you could only assume you didn't taste that good. You parted unceremoniously, blush slightly tinting Noelle's cheeks. She looked away for a second before turning back to you, her face falling into one of confusion.
"Um... was it that bad?"
Your confusion lessened as you felt a wetness on your cheek. It seems your eyes decided to water. You wiped your face with the sleeve of your sweater.
"Just something in my eye" You insisted.
"Ah, I see..."
At that, the ride came to a stop, and the two stepped out onto land once more. This time, Noelle held onto your arm, not looking at you but gripping tight. Good.
"FOUND YOU!"
Seemed Susie finally caught you. But that was okay, since you had already done what you've set out to accomplish.
"Damn, when did you and Noelle get so close? Did you seriously ditch me to go hang out with her?? Low blow dude."
Noelle blushed and let go, queing a back and forth montage of Susie teasing Noelle. As for you, it was all rather mundane, and you moreso had your eyes set out for the next darkworld, whenever and wherever that ended up being. Your thoughts were interupted by a white spec that fell past you. Noelle stopped her bickering and looked up.
"Oh, it's snowing."