The room wasn't dark, but the brown walls made it small. The only two light sorces being a small ceiling light, and a mounted TV over looking a twin sized bed.
"YOU CAN'T KEEP ME IN HERE!" The girl screamed. Her palms slammed against the door, but no one came. Her body slowly slid down the wall, the bed next to her so uncomfortable she'd rather the floor.
She couldn't tell the time, so she didn't know when the door opened. A kind, younger nurse smiled down at her.
"Hey honey, I'm so sorry you're stuck here. But, I can take you to a better room. Please?" She extended a hand, but the girl didn't take it. She stood, avoiding eye contact.
"Ok, I wont make you. Let's get you into a better room. Yea?" The nurse left, expecting her to follow. Soon, she did.
The two girls went down the white and teal hall, to the elevator. The distant music didn't helping the girl's swirling thoughts. A small ding opened the elevator to an almost cozy sitting room. Halls stretched past, couches and bean bags clustered around a TV. One table had two boys playing Uno, another table had a girl drawing.
"This is the main area, feel free to spend time here when you aren't in group therapy or craft time. But, dont feel obligated ok? I'll be your personal nurse, so let me know if you need anything." The nurse gently patted the girls shoulder, before leaving.
"Holy shit, you really did this?" A voice turned her head, to another room. Peaking in, she saw a large golden retriever in a vest, happily wagging his tail for a boy in similar hospital attire. The boy had classic emo hair, making the girl chuckle just loud enough for his head to turn.
"Oh hey, wanna get in on this? Therapy dogs are the best." His smile was soft, almost forced but not in a deceiving way.
"Yea..though, I prefer rabbits." The girl crouched, unable to hold back her laugh as the dog bumped his nose to her cheek.
"Rabbits? Kinda random"
"What? Theyre super fluffy and cute, and theyre zoomies are funny"
"Well, I'll give you that. The names Leeroy, what are you in for?" He shrugged, he was pushing himself to talk. She appreciated it.
"Court ordered to be here..I dont wanna talk about it..you?" Her eyes weren't full of tears, but of an emptiness.
"Got picked up really, I'll keep that for myself too."
Both nodded, understanding.
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The team split up to find the wild rabbit twin. Jax and Pomni went up, toward his last known location; while Gangle and Zooble stayed on the ground floor.
"What do you think was all that about?" Pomni spoke up in the silence.
"Hm? What?" Jax looked down.
"With Twinkle. She got all weird and ran off." Jax shrugged.
"Eh, who knows. Maybe she's having like- delayed reaction to being in here."
"Maybe but, I don't think so. She seems to love it here, and Caine. But, when Bubble swore she got terrified." Pomni looked around, looking for the rabid twin.
"Whatever the case, I'm sure she'll be fine. She always bounces back from anything that happens." The rabbit lazily looked around, just to look like he's working.
Pomni smirked, leaning closer to the bunny man.
"You seem rather, confident in her. Something going on?" Jax froze, staring at the Jester's smug face.
"Ha! Please, don't get any ideas pom pom. I just know she kicks butt in hide and seek." He walked a little faster, worried his face might give him away.
Pomni chuckled, and followed behind.
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Caine and Bubble sat in a Café, the ringmaster picked at a block of meat with a spork.
"Hey bubble."
"Mmm nyes?" Bubble looked up from his bowl of water.
"What do you think that was all about?"
"Whatcha mean boss?"
Caine sat down his spork, a little concerned.
"Well, Twinkle. She ran away from you, she looked so worried and scared." He fidget with his gloves, squishing the tips.
Bubble stared, and opening his mouth came static. Caine glitched for a second and laughed.
"You're right! I love popstickles!" He laughed out.
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Gangle huntched more that usual, making Zooble stop and turn.
"Hey, what's wrong?" The toy walked closer.
"I-Im just hoping we aren't the ones to find Jax's twin." She sniffled.
"Oh?"
"Well, he freaks me out. His vibe, it wasn't like Jax- it was worse." Gangle's ribbons started to vibrate, her voice coming out in small hiccups.
Zooble stood for a moment, then gently pulled Gangle into a hug.
"Hey, if we find him, I'll take him on. You wont have to be around him."
Gangle's ribbons wrapped around the toy, her mask laying on their shoulder.
"Thanks for looking out for me" Their plastic hands held her tighter, resting the flast side of their head on her mask.
"Course, I'll always be here Gangle."
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In the bright play room of Ragatha's room, the two girls sat at a table. A tea pot with never ending tea sat between them, steam slowly rising from the spout.
"So, what do you think? About the circus i mean." Ragatha spoke up, the quiet had become a little uncomfortable. Her twin just sat here, her eyes soft but there was something else.
"It isnt very refined really, disappointing. And this room," She scoffed, picking up her teacup. "So childish it hurts my eyes."
"Hehe, y-ea..right?" Ragatha also picked up her tea, regretting she ever spoke up.
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Pomni and Jax were in a chase, even though they were digital their breath started staggering. They had been chasing the twin for almost twenty minutes. Pomni initially found him about the stage, he had gotten into some pillow, which were all over the floor in shreds.
"How much can this f[boink]er run?!" Pomni screeched, trying to keep up with both rabbits.
"Ugh this is so annoying!" Jax whined, pumping his noodle arms to keep up.
"If Twinkle were here, i bet she'd have him by now!"
"Ggrrrr! Then go get her! I'll keep on him" Pomi pushed Jax to the side, speeding up to take his place behind the twin.
"Try all you want! Your a[beep] ain't gettin me!" The twin laughed, hopping away on all fours.
Hesitating and panting, Jax stood still. He looked over the railing, his eyes focusing on the entrance to the bedroom.
"Whatever" he grumbled to himself. After another moment, he jumped over the edge. Lazily holding his hand out, it caught on the floor length curtain of the stage; allowing him to easily slide down to the bottom.
The walk felt heavy, wrong, familiar. The red corridor felt like it stretched on for miles, his throat got dry.
"This is so stupid" he scoffed.
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The main room of the hospital was busy, but not as loud as youd expect. Morning sun bleed through the thin windows. Some people stood in front of the TV, following along to a yoga DvD. A small group gently giggled as one of them sat down a plus two Uno card.
"This is so stupid" She looked up, seeing the boy next to her grumbling as he erased his paper.
"Whatcha doin?" She leaned over
"Trying to draw that dog from last night. I cant do animals" he groaned, laying his head on the table.
"Mmm, then dont" she shrugged.
"Doesnt help"
"Never said I was helping." Niether could stop themselves from smirking.
"Hey you two" the kind nurse from earlier walks up, gently sitting at their table.
"Hm?" The girl immediately backed up a bit, her eyes sharpening back in defense.
"Bridget, I'm not here to judge you. Would you prefer we do check ins alone?" The nurse's eyes softened in response.
Bridget looked at her table mate, then gently shook her head no.
"What about you? Would you like to do a check in with us Leroy?"
All she got was a shrug, but he didnt move from the table.
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"WHY ARE YOU TALKING LIKE THAT?!" Ragatha screeched, grabbing at her hair in frustration.
"Why are you yelling?" Her twin sighed, annoyed.
"Because! No matter what I say, you keep pushing me over!"
"Oh please, i havent touched you."
"Clearly I didnt mean litterly!" Ragatha paced in her room, her twin watching with a disappointed expression.
"I dont get it! If we're twins, why are YOU so mean?!"
"I thought i was a copy of you" the twin smirked as she stood.
"Youre nothing like me! You're- you're condescending! And- and- and your rude! You're making assumptions about people and the circus without knowing anything!"
The two dolls stood there, staring at eachother. Then, she moved. The twin slowly approached Ragatha. She was confused, nervouse beyond anything else. The two didnt stop until Ragatha was against the wall, and her twin was inches away. Her voice came out low, flat.
"And you? You are a walking failure of a women, one who isnt even smart enough to see no one here wants you around~ no wonder you have that button eye, bet money was a big madder than usual that day huh~?" Her voice came out in a purr at the end, it was unnerving.
Ragatha went to speak, but her voice didnt come out tears built quickly in her one good eye; and she ran. Out her door and down the hall.
"Oh, gonna run away again?!" Her twin called after her, then took off too.
Ragatha ran so fast, she didnt notice Jax walking down the hall. She pushed past him, sending him into the wall.
"Oh! Rags what the hell?!" Jax called after her, but sighed as he also watches her twin give chase.
"This adventure sucks" was all Jax grumbled as he stood and kept going.
Ragatha didn't have a plan, she just ran. Past the random blocks, back to the stage area.
"Done running yet?" Ragatha spun around, looking at her twin in the face. She backed up, her back once again against the stage wall.
"Nothing will ever change~"
"Sh-shut up" Ragatha wavered.
"You're nothing but an insecure, waste of code, pathetic excuse of a doll"
"Shut up" her voice got stronger.
"You're gon a abstract, and no one will be throwing a funeral for you~"
"I SAID SHUT THE F[boink] UP! I'M NOT YOU!" With all her strength, Ragatha shoved her twin forward. The push sent her stumbling back, her feet slid back into some small blocks. A small glitch due to the collision sent the twin flying backwards and landing on the green button.
Ragatha shooke as she watched it dissappear, and confetti shoot from seemingly no where. Her hands were shaking, she couldn't breath.
"Oh, hey Ragatha." Her head slowly rose to the left.
Kinger's head peaked out from behind his blanket door.
"You ok? Wanna join us?" He stretched out a hand. When Ragatha didn't move, his hand floated closer.
"Come on, it's ok" Kinger gently took her shaking hand, and the floating glove moved. Ragatha followed it, her brain not really possessing anything.
"There we go, come on. The dark always makes me feel better." Kinger smile, bringing his the doll to his fortress. "We're drawing bugs!" He said chuckling.
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Jax finally made it to Twinkle's door. It was silent.
"Yo, foxy. You in there?" Jax called out. No reply. He knocked, waiting. Still, nothing.
"Oi! No way you're sleeping." He knocked louder. And still, nothing.
"Alright, im coming in." He warned, wiggling her handle. It was locked. He tried again, but it was still locked.
"Ok Twinkle, this isnt funny. Youre starting to hurt me feeling." His voice was strained, trying to keep up the playful tone. He jiggled the handle, then tugged on it with both hands. He rang the door bell, listening to it buzz and buzz. Still, no one moved inside.
His hands went to his pokets, ready to pull out a key...he didnt have one. The rabbit froze, he had a key to everyone's room. But he hadn't gotten hers yet, he hadn't had the time alone to do so.
"Twinkle? Twinkle?!" His fist banged on the door, it felt like it wouldve broke under his force. His head spun around, looking for some way in. When he remembered.
Quickly he dove into his own room, in the dark it took him a minute to find the tunnel
Crotching at the entrance, it was barely big enough for him to get through.
"Twinkle?! Twinkle answer me!" He stares into a darkness, only a small shuffle of a blanket caught his ear.
"Cherry?" He called out, he couldn't believe he was using the stupid password.
"Blossom.." a soft whisper barely got to his end of the tunnel, he could hear the glitches.
"Twinkle!" He dove in. His gloved hands tug into the stoney dirt. It was difficult, almost hurt. His body bent and dragged behind him, his legs were to long to crotch so he could only crawl. Finally, he was out on the other side.
The room wasn't dark, just like his. It was like being inside of a storage unit. The walls were brick, painted white with black swirls everywhere. A bed sat in the corner, thin blue curtains tied to the bed post. The only other furniture was a desk with an old styled computer, didnt even look good enough to turn on. The chair was old, fabric split at some folds. There were a few random bean bags on the floor, in one Twinkle sat her twirls glowed in rainbow patters, her body shook violently, her breath ragged and sharp. Her eyes swirled with color as tears fell.
"J-ax?" Two eyes on her white tipped ears opened up, staring at him.
"TWINKLE!" Jax slid over, his gloves shaking as he looked her over. His breathing was shaky like hers as his pupils dilated to the light coming off of her. Though, he slightly calmed down; she was beautiful.
"I-m- sc-ared Ja-x" Twinkle hiccuped.
"I got you kid.." Jax wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into himself. She practically fell on him, her body limp in a desperate attempt to stop the destruction.
"I-I I-" Twinkle tremeble, but she stopped as Jax started to slowly pet her. Like she did to him back in Spudsys.
"It's ok..don't blame yourself.." Jax mumbled. He didnt know what to say, he didnt even know if he was helping. His hand flinched as a glitch in her ear shocked him.
"I'm so-rry-"
"Dont be, I'll be fine. Just, stay.." his voice strained on the last word- Coming out as a squeak.
They sat there, in the dark. The swirls of rainbow let off a light, dancing on the brick walls. Jax watched, every second. Finally, her extra eyes closed and faded away. The lights dimmed, and soon only black filled the room.
With the little bit of strength she had, her body curled into his lap. Like a wounded dog, she clinged to his overalls. Terrified, he'd dissappear.
"Thank you.." she whispered.
"Yea, no problem." He held her back, his face now burried in the small furr tuff on her head.
"We can..keep this between us right?" Twinkle looked up at Jax.
"Yea, yea we can" he smile slightly, ruffling her furr. His smile grew as she giggled in response.
The two sat for a bit longer, until Twinkle could stand.
"We better check on Pomni, she was chasing my twin when I left."
"Lead the way cotton tail."
Chuckling, both walked out of the dark room; back into the bright lights of the circus. The two walked to the main stage area, seeing the green button they assumed the twin wasn't caught yet. That us, until they heard a scream.
From the second level, Pomni had just pushed the rabbit over the railing. He came flying down, hitting the ground with a hard slap.
"Haha! You missed bi[boing]!" The rabbit yelled.
"Wanna be?!" The jester yelled back.
The twin looked over, his yellow glove was right on the button.
"Well, shi-" and he dissappeared. Confettie raining.
Pomni was panting, using the railing of the spiral staircase as a slide down to the others.
"Thats all of them right?" Jax asked, stretching.
"It should be, but the why isnt the button going away?" Pomni asked, scratching her neck.
The trio slowly turned their heads, hearing chuckling from inside Kinger's pillow fort. Pomni pulled back the blanket door, and there was Kinger. Papers full of bug doodles covered the pillow walls, as Gangle's twin sat next to the chesse piece; her sketchbook half gone now. Ragatha laid behind them, sleeping on a pile of pillows.
"What next?" The twin asked with a soft, unbothered voice.
"Oh, Hercules Beetle please. Those were one of her favorite" Kinger looked up, his eyes closing in a smile.
"Bug drawing party?" Twinkle asked with a small smirk, her eyes softening as she looked at Ragatha.
"Yea, fun huh?" The gangle twin smiled, drawing up the beetle.
"How come shes the only one with a good twin?" Jax complained, making Twinkle and Pomni giggle. The three crawled inside, joining. It was weirdly nice, quieter than usual.
Soon, Zooble and Gangle found them.
"Started the party without us huh?" Zooble couldnt help but chuckle under their breath.
"Room for two more?" Gangle asked with a sniffle.
"Always" Kinger said with a pat next to him.
Finally, everyone was in the small fort. Pomni laied next to Ragatha, who turned into a plushy for the doll as she pulled her close by mistake. The jester didnt mind to much. Twinkle laid down too, curling up. Jax, caved in and laid down; but only when Twinkle slid over her tail for him to lay his head on. Zooble watched the twin draw, enjoying themselves in the silence. With a yawn, Gangle joined the sleep pile.
By the time the twin had gone through her whole sketchbook, everyone was asleep. Gangle had wrapped her ribbons around Zooble. Twinkle had pulled Jax closer, in sleep he held her closer. Pomni was still stuck in Ragatha's arms, but it was the best sleep the jester has had in awhile. Kinger made his way above all of them, sleeping happily. His fort had never been so full, so peaceful.
"Hehe, cute." The twin mumbled to herself. Silently, she stood and left. With small jump, she landed on the green button. Dissapearing, confetti rained down one last time. With the disappearance of the final twin, the button went too. Sadly, so did all of her drawing.
"Congratulations my little-" Caine popped up from the stage, ready to congratulate his people. But, no one was there. Floating around for a bit, he finally peaked into the fort. He stared at everyone sleeping, it made him feel weird. In a good way.
Kinger's one eye slowly opened. Seeing the ringmaster, he offered his hand. Confused, Caine took it.
"Come on, it's ok." Kinger whispered, pulling the AI slowly over to him. Like a hesitant animal, it took a little bit before Caine calmed. He layed back, letting hus dentures slowly close over his eyes.