[It's an overcast night, but the countless lights of theme park attractions glow brightly enough that magic still seems to be the air. Zapper is there, her hair an unruly mop and her coat the puffy kind that could hide anything she'd want to smuggle into the playful Pengy Paradise. Her friend who spoke up has curly hair and a unicorn tee, and she looks proud of herself for her chosen name. Zapper smirks a bit, jumping to conclusions - she's a careful girl, and she's probably nervous about all the rules they're about to break.]
There's no need for codenames, Claudette. I promise no one's gonna catch us.
It's not that! Zapper, you have such a cool nickname, and I want us to match. So, Cloudy for Claudette! The cloud goes with that lightning sign you use on FoD. Don't you think that would be... be awesome?
[This makes the young Zapper's heart skip several beats. They're excited and painful.]
You've got a point there. Can't have lightning zaps without any clouds in the sky. Okay, Cloudy. Are you ready to take Chilly World by STORM?
T-That was such a dad joke... but, yes please!
[Soon enough, the two are in a boat with no one else in sight, gently proceeding along its track as the most adorable penguin animatronics clickety clack dance wearing their multicultural costumes. Though there's clearly a winter theme, pink and purple lights illuminate the dancers as though an aurora shined down on them. Cloudy is singing along to the song, though she doesn't really know the words - "Doo-dee-doo-dee-doo" type singing. Meanwhile, Zapper is watching the ride more carefully, recounting a route she saw online. It was a story of two men who snuck backstage and documented their adventures. It seemed perfect, as a special experience she could treat her friend to. Soon, she notices the gap and tugs on Cloudy's jacket.]
Get ready... [And she stands up in the boat, wobbling a bit but excited. She leaps to the boat ahead, and Cloudy follows her. They jump another, and Zapper finally has the spot she needs to leap right into the scenery with the penguins. Then she turns around, takes Cloudy's hands, and helps her clamber next to her. It's kind of awkward - Cloudy is taller than her, and panting somewhat. Zapper pays it no mind and keeps holding her hand, rushing her past a subtle panel. Now they're in a pitch dark room.]
Huff... ha... What is this? That was so dangerous... You're sure there aren't any guards?
[Zapper is still holding her hand. In the dark. She's confident there are none, and that would almost make her bold in this darkness. But... but no. This day has to be perfect. That means not jeopardizing their friendship. She lets go, finding her flashlight.]
Yeah, see? It's just the two of us~
[This goes right over the innocent Cloudy's head, Zapper is even more certain. Cloudy chats to her while she leads her through this mysterious hallway, but the words are a blur. Regret stains this scene too much to recall.]
Alright, this should be it! [The door she found swings open, and they're now in an area full of concrete and plywood, lit up by thin ceiling lights. Dingy supports of the ride. The music can still be heard faintly. There's a creepy, mysterious vibe to the whole thing.]
...This is amazing!
[Zapper laughs, giddy that she likes it.] Right? It's our new territory! A memory only we can make. Gotta pack em' in, after all...
[Cloudy looks at her feet at the reminder. Zapper mentally kicks herself. Distraction time! She opens her coat and reveals a bag bulging with snacks and "PengyBrΓ€u" stolen from the German themed beer garden - they are definitely not old enough to drink it. In some way, that's just another reminder of the situation, but she's trying her best.]
What do you say to a picnic?
Um, it sounds fun. [Cloudy gingerly takes a beer, they click their drinks together, and she sips it, making faces, but enduring the test of bravery.] Ew. I obviously won't be missing out with this one. But... at least I tried it, haha! [She eagerly unwraps a bunch of snacks instead, looking like an excited little squirrel. Zapper takes the can from her and chugs it for the world's most vigorous indirect kiss!! Her face turns red immediately.]
Bluuugh, same! Let's leave it in the boat on our way back.
[The girls giggle and chat about their break-in. The whole time, Zapper is telling stories, showing off. Cloudy absorbs it, smiling softly. Eventually, their sugar high kicks in, and Zapper whips out a pocket knife from her smuggled goodie bag. Cloudy holds the flashlight for her as she marks their claim with the Zapper Z-shaped lightning bolt. Then, she offers it to her, and they trade places while Cloudy crudely carves her best drawing of a cloud right above it. Afterwards, they marvel at their handiwork.]
...Thank you, Zapper. This is - it's perfect. My little mark on the world. Or at least the chilly world. This won't ever go away, right?
[Zapper looks down at her, while she keeps staring at the symbol. Cloudy's small hand reaches up to rest on it. ...She has to be strong.]
No, Cloudy. The ride's been here for ages - it's a classic! They'll never tear it down!
Good...
[Tears begin to well up in her eyes, and her knife hand drops while her other hand hurries to wipe them away. Zapper drops her flashlight and it rolls into the pile of cans. She reaches for her, but Cloudy's already sinking down to sit on her knees. So she sits down too. It's hard not to choke up for her too, knowing exactly where the sudden emotion came from. Anger bubbles in her chest as well. She folds her hand over Cloudy's, even though it's still holding the knife - I mean, if she accidentally gets cut, it's nothing compared to the pain her friend feels.]
And I swear I'll come by to see. Keep the lines fresh. I won't ever forget... It's just, it's so cruel for this to happen to you. You do everything right, play by all the rules, and this is the shit the universe deals you? Fuck cancer.
[That gets a bittersweet smile from her.] It does seem a bit silly now, worrying about my grades... but it's ok. At least I made a really good friend...?
Cloudy... [She wants to say she thinks of her as more than a friend more than anything in the world. That she loves her. Instead, she cries, and the words don't come. They lean on each other until they are peaceful again. Finally, Zapper's eyes open again and she mumbles.]
You really are a noble soul.
[...Such a corny line, but it's the closest she ever got to saying those three words.
But the word she did say, she kept. Zapper remembers going in there every time she goes to Pengy Paradise, and the warm feeling she gets when she crosses into their world.
The outside world is cold, though. It doesn't care. So now, Zapper doesn't either.]
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timeasmymeasure
special place
Date: 2022-12-31 05:55 am (UTC)Hey! Can you call me... 'Cloudy?'
[It's an overcast night, but the countless lights of theme park attractions glow brightly enough that magic still seems to be the air. Zapper is there, her hair an unruly mop and her coat the puffy kind that could hide anything she'd want to smuggle into the playful Pengy Paradise. Her friend who spoke up has curly hair and a unicorn tee, and she looks proud of herself for her chosen name. Zapper smirks a bit, jumping to conclusions - she's a careful girl, and she's probably nervous about all the rules they're about to break.]
There's no need for codenames, Claudette. I promise no one's gonna catch us.
It's not that! Zapper, you have such a cool nickname, and I want us to match. So, Cloudy for Claudette! The cloud goes with that lightning sign you use on FoD. Don't you think that would be... be awesome?
[This makes the young Zapper's heart skip several beats. They're excited and painful.]
You've got a point there. Can't have lightning zaps without any clouds in the sky. Okay, Cloudy. Are you ready to take Chilly World by STORM?
T-That was such a dad joke... but, yes please!
[Soon enough, the two are in a boat with no one else in sight, gently proceeding along its track as the most adorable penguin animatronics clickety clack dance wearing their multicultural costumes. Though there's clearly a winter theme, pink and purple lights illuminate the dancers as though an aurora shined down on them. Cloudy is singing along to the song, though she doesn't really know the words - "Doo-dee-doo-dee-doo" type singing. Meanwhile, Zapper is watching the ride more carefully, recounting a route she saw online. It was a story of two men who snuck backstage and documented their adventures. It seemed perfect, as a special experience she could treat her friend to. Soon, she notices the gap and tugs on Cloudy's jacket.]
Get ready... [And she stands up in the boat, wobbling a bit but excited. She leaps to the boat ahead, and Cloudy follows her. They jump another, and Zapper finally has the spot she needs to leap right into the scenery with the penguins. Then she turns around, takes Cloudy's hands, and helps her clamber next to her. It's kind of awkward - Cloudy is taller than her, and panting somewhat. Zapper pays it no mind and keeps holding her hand, rushing her past a subtle panel. Now they're in a pitch dark room.]
Huff... ha... What is this? That was so dangerous... You're sure there aren't any guards?
[Zapper is still holding her hand. In the dark. She's confident there are none, and that would almost make her bold in this darkness. But... but no. This day has to be perfect. That means not jeopardizing their friendship. She lets go, finding her flashlight.]
Yeah, see? It's just the two of us~
[This goes right over the innocent Cloudy's head, Zapper is even more certain. Cloudy chats to her while she leads her through this mysterious hallway, but the words are a blur. Regret stains this scene too much to recall.]
Alright, this should be it! [The door she found swings open, and they're now in an area full of concrete and plywood, lit up by thin ceiling lights. Dingy supports of the ride. The music can still be heard faintly. There's a creepy, mysterious vibe to the whole thing.]
...This is amazing!
[Zapper laughs, giddy that she likes it.] Right? It's our new territory! A memory only we can make. Gotta pack em' in, after all...
[Cloudy looks at her feet at the reminder. Zapper mentally kicks herself. Distraction time! She opens her coat and reveals a bag bulging with snacks and "PengyBrΓ€u" stolen from the German themed beer garden - they are definitely not old enough to drink it. In some way, that's just another reminder of the situation, but she's trying her best.]
What do you say to a picnic?
Um, it sounds fun. [Cloudy gingerly takes a beer, they click their drinks together, and she sips it, making faces, but enduring the test of bravery.] Ew. I obviously won't be missing out with this one. But... at least I tried it, haha! [She eagerly unwraps a bunch of snacks instead, looking like an excited little squirrel. Zapper takes the can from her and chugs it for the world's most vigorous indirect kiss!! Her face turns red immediately.]
Bluuugh, same! Let's leave it in the boat on our way back.
[The girls giggle and chat about their break-in. The whole time, Zapper is telling stories, showing off. Cloudy absorbs it, smiling softly. Eventually, their sugar high kicks in, and Zapper whips out a pocket knife from her smuggled goodie bag. Cloudy holds the flashlight for her as she marks their claim with the Zapper Z-shaped lightning bolt. Then, she offers it to her, and they trade places while Cloudy crudely carves her best drawing of a cloud right above it. Afterwards, they marvel at their handiwork.]
...Thank you, Zapper. This is - it's perfect. My little mark on the world. Or at least the chilly world. This won't ever go away, right?
[Zapper looks down at her, while she keeps staring at the symbol. Cloudy's small hand reaches up to rest on it. ...She has to be strong.]
No, Cloudy. The ride's been here for ages - it's a classic! They'll never tear it down!
Good...
[Tears begin to well up in her eyes, and her knife hand drops while her other hand hurries to wipe them away. Zapper drops her flashlight and it rolls into the pile of cans. She reaches for her, but Cloudy's already sinking down to sit on her knees. So she sits down too. It's hard not to choke up for her too, knowing exactly where the sudden emotion came from. Anger bubbles in her chest as well. She folds her hand over Cloudy's, even though it's still holding the knife - I mean, if she accidentally gets cut, it's nothing compared to the pain her friend feels.]
And I swear I'll come by to see. Keep the lines fresh. I won't ever forget... It's just, it's so cruel for this to happen to you. You do everything right, play by all the rules, and this is the shit the universe deals you? Fuck cancer.
[That gets a bittersweet smile from her.] It does seem a bit silly now, worrying about my grades... but it's ok. At least I made a really good friend...?
Cloudy... [She wants to say she thinks of her as more than a friend more than anything in the world. That she loves her. Instead, she cries, and the words don't come. They lean on each other until they are peaceful again. Finally, Zapper's eyes open again and she mumbles.]
You really are a noble soul.
[...Such a corny line, but it's the closest she ever got to saying those three words.
But the word she did say, she kept. Zapper remembers going in there every time she goes to Pengy Paradise, and the warm feeling she gets when she crosses into their world.
The outside world is cold, though. It doesn't care. So now, Zapper doesn't either.]